Very soon, a group of people in black suits—each wearing badges from different law-enforcement agencies at their waists—rushed inside.
The moment they saw Lucas, they hurried forward, eager to speak.
Lucas raised a hand calmly.
"Easy. One at a time."
They exchanged glances. In the end, the USSS representative stepped forward and said respectfully:
"Mr. Lucas, we apologize for arriving late. We received the message too slowly."
Then all of them turned to look at the middle-aged man.
"Your name is Wright, correct? You may stand down. Your boss will be calling you shortly."
Wright was utterly speechless.
Had he kicked a hornet's nest?
Every top federal law-enforcement agency in America was here—and it was obvious they had come to protect this man.
Had this guy saved all of America or something?
Ring—ring—ring.
Wright's phone rang.
He hurriedly answered.
"This is Wright… Y-yes, Deputy Minister."
Before he could finish, an extremely furious voice erupted from the other end.
Wright did not dare argue. That was the third-highest official in the U.S. Department of Justice. One wrong word, and he would be stripped of his badge immediately.
"Put him on the phone!"
Three minutes later, Deputy Attorney General Barry Selis gritted his teeth and said:
"Put the phone in his hands."
At this point, Barry felt like killing Wright himself. He had never imagined that one of his direct subordinates would be stupid enough to provoke this calamity incarnate.
Lucas took the phone.
On the other end, Barry hurriedly said:
"Mr. Lucas, please believe me—this is a misunderstanding. I will have them formally apologize to you and leave immediately. They will not disturb you again."
Lucas's response nearly made Barry drop the phone.
"No, Minister Barry," Lucas said calmly.
"I believe I should cooperate with the Department of Justice."
He continued, unfazed:
"After all, I am currently facing one hundred and seventy-five civil lawsuits and thirteen criminal charges."
"If these matters are not resolved, how can the Department of Justice still claim to uphold fairness?"
Barry fell silent.
After a moment, he asked carefully,
"Then… what is your intention?"
"I accept arrest and investigation," Lucas said plainly.
"Take me away."
After saying that, Lucas returned the phone to Wright and calmly extended his hands in front of him.
Wright trembled as he picked up the phone again.
"S-sir… what should we do?"
"Take him back," Barry said.
The line went dead.
Barry exhaled deeply, his energy draining instantly.
He knew the Department of Justice had just stepped into a massive disaster.
Originally, if Wright had simply been sent away, Barry could have invoked special wartime statutes to invalidate all charges under emergency provisions.
But Lucas voluntarily accepting arrest was a completely different matter.
That meant the cases were now officially filed—and legal proceedings would move forward normally.
And would someone with that level of power truly submit obediently to interrogation?
Impossible.
There had to be a scheme behind this.
"Shit…"
Barry cursed under his breath and immediately picked up the landline to call the Attorney General.
There was no way he was carrying this blame alone.
---
Wright lowered the phone and forced a bitter smile.
"There's no need for handcuffs, sir. You can just come with us."
"Put them on," Lucas said coldly.
Wright jolted and immediately took out the cuffs, snapping them onto Lucas's wrists.
"Don't you need to read me my Miranda rights?" Lucas asked with curiosity, studying the handcuffs.
Whether before transmigration or after, this was the first time he had ever been restrained.
Wright nearly wanted to cry, but professional instinct took over.
"Mr. Lucas, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you in court."
"You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you."
Lucas smiled.
"No need. I don't require a lawyer. Let's go."
Only then did Wright escort Lucas—under countless stunned gazes—into the U.S. Marshals' vehicle.
Once the car departed, the agents from the various departments finally snapped back to reality and hurriedly took out their phones to report to their superiors.
---
S.H.I.E.L.D.
"shit— what is Lucas trying to do?!"
Nick Fury was completely dumbfounded when he received the report.
Even with his intellect, he could not understand why Lucas would agree to be taken away by the marshals.
Given Lucas's standing within the American government, he could have ignored all of this entirely.
Even the President would have had to give him face.
At worst, a presidential pardon could have been issued later.
What troubled Fury most was this—
Just moments ago, with the President's backing, the Security Council had officially passed the Avengers Initiative.
And now this happened.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Fury slammed his desk, agitation surging.
Ding.
The doorbell rang.
"Come in."
In the very next second, Fury's agitation vanished, replaced by his usual cold authority.
"Director, what should we do?" Coulson asked.
"You go personally," Fury ordered.
"Meet Lucas. Find out exactly what he's planning, and report back to me immediately."
If not for the Avengers Initiative tying him down, Fury would have gone himself.
"Yes, Director."
Coulson nodded and left at once.
---
Philadelphia Supreme Court
Inside the interrogation room, Wright delivered Lucas inside, then fled immediately, leaving a young rookie to take his place.
Soon after, a sharp-looking, square-faced blond Caucasian man entered.
"Hello. I am the prosecutor handling all charges in this case," the man said confidently.
"My name is Harvey Dent."
"Hello," Lucas replied with a polite smile.
Dent looked puzzled.
"You truly don't need a lawyer? One can be appointed to you free of charge."
"Thank you for your concern," Lucas said with a shrug.
"But let's get straight to the point."
"As you wish."
Dent opened his folder.
"Due to your battle with an unidentified criminal, three districts of Philadelphia suffered varying degrees of damage."
"The original 175 civil lawsuits have now increased to 377, all civil compensation claims."
"In addition, twenty-one residents died from heart attacks, acute illnesses, or shock following the destruction of their homes—resulting in criminal charges against you."
"For this, do you have anything you wish to say?"
Dent was genuinely surprised.
Given Lucas's background and the government's clear support, this case should never have reached this stage.
Just as Lucas was about to answer—
The interrogation room door suddenly opened.
A blond, blue-eyed Caucasian man walked in.
"Hello. I am the attorney appointed free of charge by the American government for Mr. Lucas."
"My name is Connor Belmont."
Connor sat beside Lucas, shook his hand, and smiled at Dent.
Just as Dent was about to speak, Connor's phone rang.
"Mr. Belmont," Dent said with a frown,
"Under Article 521, Chapter 14 of the Third Federal Act, neither the suspect nor their attorney may answer phone calls during interrogation."
"But that does not include calls from the Attorney General of the United States, does it, Mr. Dent?" Connor replied with a smile.
_____
T/N:
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