Ch. 257 Are You Threatening Me?

After hearing Russell's words, Nick Fury on the other end of the phone fell silent.

Just as Russell had mentioned, while cleaning up the traces near the Statue of Liberty, S.H.I.E.L.D. had indeed discovered what looked like fragments of the Cosmic Cube's outer shell, resembling glass shards.

Although S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't reconstructed these fragments into the original cubic form yet, it was already evident that these glass-like shards were pieces of the Cosmic Cube.

"Mr. Bradley, we have indeed found some fragments of the Cosmic Cube."

"But our agreement was for you to help us capture and retrieve the Cosmic Cube, and in return, we would open S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database to you, allowing you to access any information you require."

"Now, the aliens who stole the Cosmic Cube are dead, and the Cosmic Cube has been 'destroyed.' Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

Nick Fury suppressed his anger as much as possible, speaking slowly.

"I'm well aware of the contents of our agreement!"

"Yes, according to the agreement, I do need to hand over those three aliens and the Cosmic Cube to you."

"But if I'm not mistaken, I haven't taken any data from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database so far."

"In simple terms, I haven't fulfilled the agreement, but I also haven't taken the reward you offered prematurely."

"This transaction hasn't been completed, so why should I explain myself to you!"

Russell completely disregarded Nick Fury's displeasure, responding calmly.

"Mr. Bradley, you understand just how important the Cosmic Cube is to S.H.I.E.L.D., and I hope our hard-earned relationship won't become tense because of this."

"Are you threatening me?"

Nick Fury raised an eyebrow, his tone turning ice-cold as he retorted, "No, this isn't a threat, just a suggestion."

Russell's tone also became deadly serious. "A suggestion? Well, it seems only your organization, S.H.I.E.L.D., would consider such words a suggestion!"

"How important the Cosmic Cube is to you doesn't concern me."

"If S.H.I.E.L.D. wants to threaten me, I don't care."

"I have a suggestion for you now. If S.H.I.E.L.D. truly intends to go to war with the Justice League, you'd better be sure that S.H.I.E.L.D. can handle the consequences of a war with the Justice League."

With that, Russell hung up the phone without waiting for Nick Fury to respond.

After disconnecting the call, seated in the boss's chair, Russell instructed No. 3 regarding Baskhi. He told No. 3 to inform Pierce's faction within Hydra that if they were unwilling to acknowledge Bakshi's leadership, they should go to war directly.

"Understood, sir!"

The mechanical synthesized voice of No. 3 immediately responded.

After giving instructions to No. 3, Russell headed to the reception area and lay down on the couch, basking in the sunlight.

The Battle of New York had come to an end, and it was time to take care of becoming the new owner of Hydra.

He had no desire to encounter the Hive, which was essentially a colony of parasites.

Parasites were something he found utterly repulsive!

While sunbathing, Russell enjoyed the warmth of the sun on his body and couldn't help but criticize the first-ever Hive in history in his mind.

Not long after, his attractive blonde secretary, Ellie, wearing high heels and swaying her seductive figure, entered the office.

"Mr. Bradley, these are the documents that need your review."

Upon hearing Ellie's sultry voice, Russell slowly opened his eyes while lying on the couch.

Double ponytails!

The moment he opened his eyes, Russell noticed that Ellie, who usually had wavy hair, had changed her hairstyle into double ponytails today.

Furthermore, she had opted for a youthful look, resembling a college student, even though she was usually dressed in professional office attire.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the Japanese schoolgirl style!

Russell's gaze scanned Ellie from head to toe, and he couldn't help but think with some regret.

After reviewing the documents in his hand and signing his name on those without issues, Russell handed them back to Ellie.After reviewing the documents in his hand and signing his name on those without issues, Russell handed them back to Ellie.

As Ellie received the documents and was about to leave the office, Russell suddenly said, "Let's try the  JK style tomorrow, without changing the double ponytails!"As Ellie received the documents and was about to leave the office, Russell suddenly said, "Let's try the  JK style tomorrow, without changing the double ponytails!"

Although the JK style didn't go well with a professional career woman like her, Ellie nodded immediately in response to Russell's request.

Even though she was curious about the answer to this question, she knew that now was not the right time to ask.

Russell left the office for a few hours after reviewing the documents and having Ellie put them in order. He enjoyed the sun's nourishment and warmth while lying on the couch.

Just as he was contemplating whether to have a romantic candlelit dinner outside with Diana in the evening or enjoy a cozy home-cooked dinner at home, No. 3's voice suddenly sounded.

"Sir, there's a hacker infiltrating the organization's headquarters and the Justice League headquarters' databases. Should I arrange for the White Zetsu warriors to deal with it?"

A hacker intrusion?

Upon hearing No. 3's words, Russell immediately thought of the hacking operation arranged by Coulson.

Is it S.H.I.E.L.D. again?

"First, trace the location of the target and find out who's responsible," Russell instructed with a furrowed brow.

"Understood, sir!"

No. 3 efficiently executed the task, and within minutes, it reported back.

"Sir, the target's location has been traced to New York."

"Based on the technical means and the use of proxy servers, it doesn't appear to be the work of S.H.I.E.L.D. It's the work of a hacker organization."

A hacker organization?

Russell's brow furrowed even deeper upon hearing this report. It seemed unusual for these hackers to choose to infiltrate the Octopus Monster headquarters and the Justice League headquarters' databases, especially after the recent alien invasion in New York.

While the Justice League had gained considerable attention during the battle, with Diana appearing as Wonder Woman, from the perspective of digging for classified information, the Octopus Monster Industries and the Justice League should have been lower on the priority list compared to government agencies.

Not to mention that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s flying aircraft carrier alone should have been a major attraction for most hackers.

"Find out which hacker organization is behind this, and if it's an organization with no significant background, send a few White Zetsu warriors to give them a warning. Let them curb their curiosity."

"If they don't heed the warning, then silence them physically."

Russell ordered No. 3.

"Understood, sir!"

After issuing the instructions to No. 3, Russell made his way to the observation balcony outside the office. He looked around at the buildings and skyscrapers that had been damaged by the Chitauri warriors and Outriders. Then, he activated his flying ability and headed towards the Justice League headquarters.

Justice League Headquarters.

The Room of the Cloak of Levitation.

The Cloak of Levitation hadn't participated in the Battle of New York. It had remained on the helicarrier throughout, without an opportunity to take action.

However, for the Cloak of Levitation, the opportunity to participate in a battle or not was irrelevant. As a magical cloak, it had no interest in achievements or reputation.

Upon arriving in the room, Russell saw the Cloak of Levitation engrossed in a game.

He greeted the Cloak of Levitation and, without further ado, picked up a game controller to join in a multiplayer game.

Time passed slowly.

As night fell, Russell left the Justice League headquarters to return to his apartment. However, as he was flying back to his apartment, his phone suddenly rang.

A call from Tony!

Seeing Tony's name displayed on the screen, Russell didn't answer the call immediately.

It wasn't until he landed on the balcony of his apartment that he pressed the answer button.

"Why did you take so long to answer the phone? Were you busy playing games with your beautiful girlfriend?"

Tony's nonchalant voice came through from the other end of the call.

"Let's cut to the chase, what's the matter? Why are you calling me?" Russell asked directly.

Upon hearing his words, Tony dropped his casual attitude and spoke with utmost seriousness. "I received some information from S.H.I.E.L.D., saying that the Cosmic Cube has been shattered. Is that true?"

It didn't surprise Russell that Tony could receive such information from S.H.I.E.L.D.

After a few seconds of contemplation, he replied, "Yes, the Cosmic Cube has indeed been shattered!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tony immediately said, "You didn't consider using a gentler method to close the portal? The Cosmic Cube is crucial for finding infinite energy."

"The situation was urgent, so I had to resort to a more forceful approach."

"But rest assured, although the Cosmic Cube has been destroyed, what's inside it is still intact."

Russell didn't intend to hide the existence of the Space Stone from Tony. He needed Tony's brilliant mind to study the Space Stone.

"What's inside it?"

Tony asked in confusion.

"The Cosmic Cube is just an outer shell; the true source of energy is inside – the Space Stone."

"The Space Stone is currently in my possession, and when the time is right, I'll let you study it thoroughly."

Russell assured Tony.

"The Space Stone, that's intriguing!"

"I knew you wouldn't just casually destroy the Cosmic Cube, such a powerful treasure. You wouldn't give it up so easily."

Tony chuckled.

"Alright, enough about that. Do you have anything else to discuss? If not, I'll hang up for now."

"If you need anything, I'll contact you later."

With that, Tony ended the call.

After ending the call with Tony, Russell walked into the living room of his apartment and gave Diana a hug as she lay on the couch.

Seeing Diana in her casual attire, Russell decided to forego his plan for a romantic candlelit dinner outside and instead prepared a cozy home-cooked meal with her.

After dinner, he and Diana indulged in an enthusiastically played game of Flying Chess.

The next day.

2 PM.

The Octopus Monster headquarters' conference room.

After having lunch with Diana in the apartment, Russell and Diana arrived at the Octopus Monster headquarters for the upcoming press conference.

Although they had held press conferences for new Justice League members several times before, this one was different in terms of both scale and the number of attending reporters.

Russell didn't have Diana attend the press conference in her Wonder Woman armor; instead, she was dressed in normal clothing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's warmly welcome the newest member of the Justice League, Miss Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman!"

Russell initiated the applause and directed the reporters' attention to the open door of the conference room.

The door slowly opened, and despite being dressed casually, Diana's innate nobility and grace couldn't be concealed. She entered the room gracefully, bathed in the flash of cameras, and approached Russell's side.