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*****
The laboratory was thick with an air of nervous tension. This was a premier scientific facility specializing in genetic research, supplemented by studies in nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.
However, just yesterday, they had been abruptly informed that the lab had been acquired. Today was the day the new owner was scheduled to arrive for an inspection.
Following the news, the staff had been left in a state of restless uncertainty. After all, no one knew what the new boss would be like, what tasks they would be assigned, or if there would be a wave of layoffs.
"Dr. Helen Cho, could you come here for a moment?"
Just then, the lab's primary supervisor walked over and addressed the woman from earlier.
"Me!?"
Helen blinked, startled. She looked around at the equally surprised faces of her colleagues, her mind momentarily blank.
"Yes, you!"
The female supervisor looked at the dazed Helen, her mind racing with all sorts of private conjectures. She urged, "Hurry up and follow me; the boss is waiting for you!"
"Oh, right!"
Snapping back to reality, Helen quickly straightened her clothes. She followed the supervisor with a heart full of trepidation, wondering why this new owner wanted to see her specifically.
"Go on in, the boss is waiting."
Outside the office, the female supervisor spoke to Helen. Her eyes lingered on Helen's graceful figure before shifting to thoughts of the new boss's handsome appearance, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
Helen didn't notice the supervisor's look. Filled with a mix of nerves and curiosity, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Hello, I am Helen Cho," she said, her voice slightly uneasy as she addressed the man standing by the window, looking out at the scenery.
"Hello, Dr. Cho. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Fini Halsey!"
Fini turned around and took a moment to observe the woman before him. His primary goal in acquiring this lab was her and one specific piece of technology; otherwise, he wouldn't have traveled this far.
"Eh!?"
When Fini turned and she saw how young and handsome he was, Helen froze. She clearly hadn't expected the person who bought the lab to look like this.
"Is something wrong?" Fini asked, seeing the shock in her eyes.
"My apologies, Mr. Halsey. Hello!" Helen quickly regained her composure and offered an apology. "May I ask why you called for me?"
"It's nothing major. I'm planning to establish a new project here at the lab, and I'm hoping you can head it up. I wanted to introduce myself first."
Fini watched her as he spoke.
"Then... what happens to the 'Cradle of Life'?"
Helen's expression turned anxious. She had been working on this project for years; though it was still some distance from completion, she wasn't willing to give it up. She hurriedly explained:
"Mr. Halsey, you might not realize it, but once this technology succeeds, it could change the entire world. It is the future. It can—"
"Don't worry, Dr. Cho!"
Fini cut off Helen's frantic attempt at a scientific lecture and reassured her, "I'm not planning to have you abandon the 'Cradle of Life' project. I just hope you can help me with a separate task first. This new project shouldn't take up too much of your time!"
Hearing that Fini didn't intend to cancel the Cradle of Life research, Helen let out a long sigh of relief. Realizing how rude she had just been, she felt a flush of embarrassment, but she still asked:
"What exactly is this new project?"
"Before I tell you about the project, can I ask you a question?"
Fini didn't give her a direct answer. After all, the ultimate goal of this experiment was to awaken superpowers in Wanda and Pietro, which meant human experimentation.
Helen nodded, her gaze full of curiosity.
"Have you heard of the Silver Knight?"
"Of course!"
Upon hearing the question, Helen's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. She immediately began to speak with great enthusiasm. "He's a superhero! I've always wanted to visit New York just for the chance to see him in person, but I've never had the opportunity."
"Ahem..."
Fini rarely asked others for their opinions of him. Seeing Helen act like a genuine fan made him feel a bit awkward.
"You think he's a hero?" Fini pressed.
"Absolutely!" Helen replied without the slightest hesitation. "He is the most powerful superhero in the world!"
"Then... what if he asked you to help him with a human experiment that might not be officially authorized?"
Fini spoke suddenly while watching her. While Helen's attitude was unexpected, it made him more confident that he could successfully persuade her.
While he could use the Mind Scepter to directly control the entire lab, Fini didn't want to do that. These were ordinary scientific researchers, not Hydra agents.
Furthermore, the Infinity Stones possessed their own form of sentience. Fini was wary of overusing their power, fearing that they might one day turn against him.
"What?"
Helen blinked, not quite understanding what Fini meant.
"Incursio!"
Fini summoned his sword and completed his transformation right in front of Helen. He looked at her and said, "I want you to study a gem, and then help a pair of siblings gain superpowers!"
Helen watched this scene, her mouth hanging open in shock, her mind a total blank.
Fini deactivated Incursio, returning to his normal self. He then summoned a 'Sumire Karaage Roll' and placed it in her hand. He smiled and said, "If you don't believe me, I can get Tony Stark to come over and vouch for me."
"You... you are..."
Helen instinctively took the Karaage Roll as she regained her senses, but she was so agitated she could hardly speak.
"Yes, I'm the Silver Knight—or the Knight of God's Punishment—though I don't actually like those titles very much." Fini nodded and then cautioned her, "Also, remember to keep this a secret. It could be dangerous if others find out."
After all, Alexander Pierce was practically pulling his hair out trying to find him.
Helen stared at Fini's face, her eyes still filled with disbelief. She could never have imagined that the person who bought the lab was actually the Knight of God's Punishment.
Soon, Helen caught a delicious scent. Looking down, she realized it was coming from the Karaage Roll she had unconsciously accepted.
"This... what is this?"
"A small gift to help you calm down. Give it a try."
Fini summoned another roll for himself and took a bite as proof. The aroma filled the air, making Helen's mouth water.
Seeing Fini eating, Helen's heart hammered against her ribs. After hesitating for a few seconds, she couldn't resist and took a bite herself.
An unprecedented flavor struck her soul, making her instantly forget her previous tension and excitement. A feeling of pure happiness flooded her entire body.
Watching the enchanted Helen, Fini smiled, unsurprised. He would wait for her to finish eating before properly discussing the research on the Mind Scepter.
He was confident that this genius doctor was every bit as capable as the researchers working for Hydra.
(End of Chapter)