The golden hues of sunset bathed Midtown Manhattan, where streams of cars wound through the streets like long dragons, and the bustling crowds below looked as insignificant as ants...
If one was lucky enough to stand on an east-west avenue, they might witness the famous "Manhattanhenge"... the rare spectacle of the setting sun perfectly framed between the towering skyscrapers.
Marcus stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of Worthington Tower, a steel giant that pierced the heavens. From this vantage point, he reigned as the undisputed ruler, gazing down at the insignificant masses below...
Yet lately, the master of this corporate empire found himself plagued by headaches. As the monopolistic titan of the medical industry, Worthington was facing unprecedented turmoil.
A hidden adversary had struck a fatal blow... leaked laboratory documents, now spreading like wildfire across the internet, had become irrefutable evidence of Worthington's illegal human experiments.
With public outrage intensifying and human rights organizations fanning the flames, Worthington had been thrust into the spotlight, trapped in a dilemma. Denying the allegations was impossible... the evidence was already out in the open.
However, admitting guilt would invite legal repercussions and universal condemnation.
After judicial authorities intervened, Marcus had no choice but to sacrifice a few pawns, handing over the lab's lead scientist and other minor figures, claiming Worthington had been unaware of the illegal experiments.
According to him, it was all the work of a rogue researcher driven by anti-mutant hatred. Whether the public bought it or not, the investigators did.
Thus, what could have been a fatal crisis was deftly neutralized by Marcus's maneuvering. Though it cost him dearly (calling in favors, making promises), Worthington's ship remained afloat amidst the storm.
"Who the hell is behind this?" Marcus's eyes gleamed with predatory fury, like a starving wolf backed into a corner.
He had mobilized resources to trace the leak, but the perpetrator had left no trail. Even his elite hackers found nothing... as if a ghost had orchestrated the entire attack...
This ruled out Oscorp and Umbrella. Those greenhorns weren't capable of such precision.
Watching the protesters below (tiny ants waving signs and shouting), Marcus smirked in disdain. Did these insignificant creatures really think their voices mattered?
Once the storm passed, the world would forget Worthington's scandal. A few well-timed donations to public hospitals or disease research centers, and everyone would sing praises of Worthington's generosity.
As for the bloodstained atrocities? Those were the actions of a single, hate-blinded scientist. Nothing to do with Worthington itself.
The only regret was having to delay his plans to crush Oscorp and Umbrella, allowing them to grow unchecked.
Marcus sighed. He had prepared a series of ruthless moves, but fate had intervened... Senator Kelly's shocking mutation, the lab data breach... it all felt like a scripted play.
"As long as Worthington stands, no matter how hard Oscorp and Umbrella struggle, they'll be devoured by the apex predator of this industry!"
Through the window, he glimpsed a massive billboard flashing industry news about Oscorp and Umbrella...
That insufferable young man, Sean, appeared on screen, his warm smile striking Marcus as nauseatingly fake... It was even more repulsive than Tony Stark's smug face.
"Your luck won't last. This time, you just happened to benefit from someone else's attack on Worthington. Soon, I'll mobilize enough resources to crush you and that pathetic lab of yours!" Marcus seethed.
Ever since setting his sights on Umbrella, his luck had taken a nosedive. His alliance with Senator Kelly had backfired spectacularly when the man was outed as a mutant. Then Stryker's mutant gene data was stolen, nearly sinking Worthington.
It was as if the universe itself conspired against him. Was that brat sleeping with Lady Luck?
"Chairman, Colonel William Stryker is on the line..." A secretary knocked.
Marcus grimaced. To divert blame, he had sacrificed the lab director and handed over mutant test subjects, along with Stryker's precious research data. This call would undoubtedly be an angry confrontation.
After a moment's hesitation, he picked up. Now wasn't the time to burn bridges... Stryker's cooperation was still needed for the mutant suppression serum.
"Colonel, rest assured, Worthington has ensured no traces lead back to you... Yes, partners must trust each other... Tragic about Senator Kelly... Of course, you'll receive Worthington's goodwill soon..."
Marcus forced a pleasant tone, masking his impatience. Stryker was all take and no give, if not for the serum research, Marcus would have already seized the man's work by force. A mere Army colonel was hardly untouchable.
Mid-conversation, Marcus's gaze drifted back to the window. The sunset had faded, replaced by the veil of night.
But within this ordinary scene, something extraordinary unfolded...
A helmeted figure in a purple cloak hovered in the sky, arms outstretched as if commanding the earth itself. Gravity seemed to bend to his will... cars floated midair, forming a surreal steel river.
Like a king surveying his domain, the old man strode forward on a staircase of levitating metal, advancing relentlessly toward Worthington Tower.
The phone slipped from Marcus's grasp. His mouth fell open, eyes wide with terror as an icy dread gripped his heart...
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01