In the sunlight, upon closer inspection, the blood resembling shimmering stars slowly withdraws from the body and then flows into the blood bag.
Hawk sits in the chair, squeezing the grip ball in his hand, while looking at the Statue of Liberty standing coldly on Liberty Island.
Anna gazes at the blood collecting in the bag with a reverent look, like she's witnessing a sacred artifact.
The blood in the bag glows like diamonds flashing under the sunlight.
Just then.
The phone rings.
Anna retrieves the phone, glances at the caller ID, and apologizes to Hawk who is donating blood, before walking aside to answer.
Sitting nearby, Gwen, who seems to be accompanying Hawk during his blood donation, watches Anna walk a short distance away to take the call, then turns her gaze to Hawk and lowers her voice.
"So, you traded four hundred milliliters of blood for a carload of iron meteorite?"
"Yes."
Hawk nods slightly, looks at Gwen: "Do you think I gained or lost?"
Gwen opens her mouth.
From the perspective of US Dollars, undeniably, Hawk made a profit, a huge one at that.
After all, selling blood doesn't fetch much.
Based on last week's offer from New York Blood Products Company, four hundred milliliters of blood could exchange for one hundred fifty US Dollars.
But what about iron meteorites?
Gwen just checked, and last week, a thirty-five-kilogram iron meteorite was auctioned off by a New York auction house for two hundred and ten thousand US Dollars.
According to the rate of thirty-five kilograms amounting to two hundred and ten thousand US Dollars.
The estimated value of thirty tons of iron meteorite exceeds one hundred seventy-nine million US Dollars.
But…
Gwen furrows her brow and looks at Hawk.
"Your blood isn't ordinary, Hawk, your blood…"
"How about this."
Hawk smiles and looks at Gwen: "I won't sell my blood, I'll return the iron meteorite to Anna, and tomorrow I'll find iron meteorite myself. It's just thirty tons, right? Robbing Osborn and Stark's iron meteorite collection should suffice, and no blood selling involved, what do you think?"
Listening to Hawk's response, Gwen couldn't help but widen her eyes.
In the next second.
Seeing Hawk's smile, Gwen realizes he's joking, rolls her eyes at him, and asks in a low voice: "But you know your blood's value, aren't you worried Anna…"
Stopping mid-sentence, Gwen falls silent since Anna has finished her call nearby.
Hawk understands Gwen's concern, so he smiles and says: "Don't worry, I've agreed with Anna, as long as she doesn't clone using my blood, it's fine. Besides, it's just this once, and selling blood is more fitting for a good guy's image than robbing."
Listening to Hawk's answer, Gwen decides to stay quiet.
Either sell the blood.
Or be a robber.
Forget it.
Selling blood is better, at least it's self-sufficient, which is better than resorting to robbery.
Gwen thinks.
Meanwhile.
Anna walks back after her call, with a hint of joy on her face, looking at Hawk: "Latest news, Tony Stark's private jet that flew to Bangalore, India yesterday has taken off, expected to arrive at the private airport thirty kilometers away from Calver Lake at 2 PM on the 22nd."
The 22nd.
Isn't that today?
A glint flashes across Hawk's eyes.
"Is it confirmed?"
"It's confirmed."
Anna hands a palm-sized tablet to Hawk.
Upon looking.
Airport surveillance captured Bruce Banner boarding the private jet.
Hawk smiles, then seems to recall something, looking at Gwen: "It's good, no need to take leave from Helen on Christmas Eve."
The 24th is Christmas Eve.
He originally thought Hulk would show up on Christmas Eve; If it happens on that day and Gwen has to follow, they would have to ask Helen for leave.
This morning Gwen was just pondering what reason to give Helen for asking leave on Christmas Eve.
That's great!
No need now.
Arriving this afternoon, if quick, they might even return to New York tonight.
Gwen doesn't answer, but seems curious: "Tony Stark's private jet, isn't it said that Tony Stark is missing?"
Indeed.
Tony Stark has disappeared once again.
The last disappearance was in the Middle East, and this one in Los Angeles.
Moreover, this time, Tony Stark's Malibu ocean-view mansion was bombed, all due to Tony Stark's declaration of war against the Mandarin last week.
Of course.
Hawk knows the Mandarin who created the Extremis virus isn't the real Mandarin, but an actor.
The real Mandarin is probably still busy trying to revive his wife, too occupied to mind this matter.
Just like Hawk last week, upon hearing the news, chuckled and shrugged it off.
Anna too.
"Tony Stark is missing, but Stark Industries' affairs haven't halted. This private jet matter was probably arranged before the holidays, but we have a guess."
"What is it?"
"Bruce Banner arriving early might be because he learned of Tony Stark's disappearance and came to help."
"…It's possible."
Hawk listens to Anna's speculation, thoughtfully nodding.
In the next second.
He chuckles, shakes his head, and returns the tablet to Anna: "Then, if there's a chance, I really should thank Tony Stark."
If it weren't for Tony Stark's disappearance, Bruce Banner probably wouldn't have arrived until Christmas Eve.
But now, with Iron Man missing, Hulk appears ahead of schedule.
From this perspective, Hawk indeed should be grateful for Iron Man.
Anna smiles slightly, doesn't speak, but after storing the tablet, she looks at the blood bag, which is nearly filled, and quickly helps Hawk remove the blood-drawing needle.
As the needle is removed, the puncture on Hawk's arm nearly heals within a blink.
Hawk adjusts his sleeve, stands up from the chair.
Anna places the blood bag, like a treasure, into a portable cryogenic storage case and locks it with a click, completing the series of actions with a relieved expression.
Anna then looks up at Hawk.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, I always treat friends like this."
Hawk smiles slightly and glances at Gwen standing aside, doesn't speak, but takes Gwen's hand and walks towards the yellow Corolla parked nearby.
Anna stands in place, watching Hawk leave.
Gwen opens the car door, sits inside, starts the car, and looks at Hawk sitting in the passenger seat. Although she knows the next destination, she still asks.
"Where are we going now?"
"Calver!"
Hawk glances at Gwen and smiles.
"Revenge!"
"..."