Ethan reached into himself—activating his system.
[Ability Detected: Probability Manipulation (Alpha Level) (Domino) – B-Rank]
[Do you wish to copy this ability?]
[Yes]
It settled into him as the system interface appeared.
[Abilities:]
S-Rank: [N/A]
A-Rank: [N/A]
B-Rank: [Probability Manipulation]
C-Rank: [N/A]
D-Rank: [N/A]
E-Rank: [Supercomputer Mind]
F-Rank: [Superhuman Intuitive Invention]
[Probability Manipulation (Alpha Level) (Domino) – B-Rank (Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Superhuman Condition (Strength, Durability, Healing) (Delilah) – C-Rank]
[Ability Detected: Advanced Combat Skill (Delilah) – F-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Advanced Genetic Engineering & Cloning Expertise (Sarah Kinney) – F-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Regenerative Healing Factor (Beta Level) (Laura Kinney/X-23) – C-Rank]
[Ability Detected: Enhanced Reflexes & Predator Instinct (Laura Kinney) – E-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Tactical Command & Mercenary Leadership (Silver Sable) – F-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Advanced Combat Skill (Silver Sable) – F-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Photographic Reflexes (Taskmaster) – F-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Instant Combat Skill Replication (Taskmaster) – E-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
[Ability Detected: Advanced Combat Skill (Taskmaster) – F-Rank (Cannot be Installed)]
Unlike the time with Sage and Forge, he felt nothing this time. There was no feeling of an essence washing over him. Ethan figured this was due to the fact that this was a passive power.
Still, Ethan needed to confirm he had the power. He picks up a rock off the floor and lightly tosses it to a nearby trash can, knowing it should most likely miss.
The lucky toss shouldn't have worked.
Ethan knew the physics of it—the angle was off, the momentum too light, the arc too shallow. But the pebble he'd flicked with a bored, almost careless gesture hit the trash can rim, bounced twice, ricocheted off a discarded soda bottle, then dropped neatly into the bin with a satisfying plink.
A perfect shot.
He stared at his hand.
Domino's probability manipulation pulsed faintly in his HUD.
Ethan almost laughed.
Almost.
Instead, he jogged another two blocks, ducked beneath the awning of a deli, and pulled out his newly upgraded phone.
"N.E.A.R., unlock Luc."
A warm, feminine voice answered immediately, "Identity confirmed. Facial match: 100%. Luc Moreau interface unlocked."
"Thanks, N.E.A.R."
"You are welcome."
The screen shifted—deep crimson background, gold serif font, the subtle threat of elegance.
He dialed.
Robert picked up on the second ring, sounding out of breath and already defeated.
"M-Mr. Moreau?"
"Robert, mon ami! How's the family? Good, I hope." Ethan purred in Luc's accent, decadent and dangerous. "You are standing outside the house, yes? Good. Now listen carefully."
He didn't wait for acknowledgment. Luc never did.
"The house now belongs to 'Sara McKinney' and her daughter, 'Lara.' You should be able to figure out who they are. You will give her the deed, the key, and the paperwork. She will sign. You will witness."
Robert stammered. "Understood. And then—?"
"You will tell her this: nothing I give has strings. I do not want her debt. I simply want her listen to an offer."
There was a long pause, then a hesitant, "Mr. Moreau… why? Why help her like this?"
Ethan smiled as he watched a bus rumble past.
"Because my dear friend Isaac Maddox, as you are aware, is starting a laboratory and requires a brilliant mind to be the head scientist. I found one, so I'm asking for her to listen to his pitch. Issac and I both value talented people. That is all."
"You're… recommending her to him?" Robert echoed, confused.
"Oui. And you will make it very clear: the offer is Isaac's, not mine. My business with her is concluded, whether she agrees or not."
Robert swallowed hard. "Y-yes, Mr. Moreau. I'll— I'll tell her."
"Good. Now hand the phone to the girl to whom you gifted your mistress's house before."
A beat.
Robert walked over and handed the phone to her. As soon as she placed the phone to her ear, she heard the familiar voice, "Delilah?"
Delilah's voice slid smoothly through the speaker, "Luc."
"Ah, ma chère. Tell me—did you enjoy your little vacation in Canada?"
"Too loud," she said dryly.
He chuckled. "Mack tells me you have an unexpected talent for leadership. He gives you… how do you say… a solid B-minus?"
Delilah snorted. "I'll take it. What now?"
"Now? Relax. Exchange numbers with the others after all you've shared, I'm sure you've become friendly. Have dinner with them. Celebrate not dying. And—"
He let the pause dangle with theatrical flourish.
"Tell Taskmaster and Domino that thirty million has been wired to their accounts. Silver Sable and her team will get fifty million. As for the excellent job of blowing up the lab, they all get the previously discussed five million and a five million bonus, plus an extra two million for the late information about the bomb."
Even through the phone, Ethan could hear her blink.
"…Why are you giving them a bonus?"
"Because competence should always be rewarded. And because I am a generous man."
"Sure, you are," she muttered. "And me? How much do I get?"
"Half a billion."
The silence was immediate and sharp, "Run that by me again?"
"Five-hundred million. But—shh—our little secret, yes?"
Delilah exhaled once, low and stunned as she whispered, "Luc… what am I supposed to do with that kind of money?"
Ethan leaned against a brick wall, watching the horizon darken, "Time to take your throne, ma chère. You have a new roommate waiting at your place, by the way. With her help, it's now time to begin taking New York. You, Delilah, ma chère, will be Queen."
Her breath hitched—a rare crack in iron, "…Who's the roommate?"
"That's a surprise. Just know it's someone who will help you build an empire."
He didn't elaborate. He didn't need to.
"Now go. Celebrate. Then get to work. Ah, I almost forgot, welcome back."
He hung up.
Inside the Victorian Safehouse
Robert nervously handed Sarah a pen, "Just sign here… and here… that's the deed. You're now the legal owner."
Sarah's hands trembled as she wrote her name from the fake ID she'd been given by this mysterious person, Luc Moreau—Sara McKinney. Laura watched silently, green eyes intense.
"Mr. Moreau asked me to tell you"—Robert cleared his throat—"that in exchange for what he's given you must listen to an offer. The offer will be from my boss, Mr. Isaac Maddox. He wants you to know that this offer has nothing to do with him, and you may decide as you please. Mr. Maddox will call to inform you of the job in greater detail, but I can tell you that the job is in advanced biotech. It comes with full protection from whoever you are running from, including Mr. Moreau. You'll get full autonomy as you'll be in charge. You can accept or decline. As I said, the house is yours regardless of whatever decision you make."
Sarah stared at him, overwhelmed.
"Why… why?"
Robert had no answer beyond the one Luc gave him.
So he repeated it, "Mr. Moreau said he values talented people. And so does my boss. So I guess you're talented enough for them to do this."
Sarah covered her mouth, tears about to gather. Laura slipped closer, leaning into her side, unsure what was happening.
Blocks away, Ethan's new phone buzzed.
N.E.A.R.'s voice chimed, "Four bank accounts updated. Total transfers: $646,000,000. Would you like a summary, Ethan?"
He smiled, eyes sharp.
"No. I already know the numbers. Everything," Ethan whispered, "is right on schedule."