004. I Really Didn't Do It On Purpose...

Twenty minutes later…

"Captain, stop gambling. You've already used up the mission funds," a voice crackled through Black Widow's communicator, filled with frustration. But Black Widow ignored it completely.

Watching her five million chips dwindle down to almost nothing, Black Widow was baffled. How is he winning everything? She couldn't figure it out. Each time, his hands remained perfectly still on the table, and he responded immediately whenever she spoke to him.

If he were using any telekinetic powers, he'd have to maintain extreme concentration. There's no way he could carry on a conversation at the same time.

"Captain, I couldn't find any information on him," came another voice through her earpiece.

Black Widow frowned, her gaze narrowing on John Doe. He was the first person that even S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't pull data on. It was suspicious, to say the least.

"Captain, the snake has left its hole. You can move now," the communicator chimed again.

Black Widow took a deep breath, a faint smile playing on her lips. No suspect gets away.

She slipped through the crowd of onlookers in her high heels, exuding confidence and elegance, and made her way over to John, who was still riding high from his string of victories. Without warning, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Almost immediately, John felt something press into his lower back.

"Get up and follow me," Black Widow whispered into his ear, her tone leaving no room for argument.

John frowned. Is she upset because I won too much money? he wondered. Does she really plan on refusing to pay?

When John didn't respond right away, Black Widow tightened her grip on his arm and pulled him up with surprising force. She's stronger than she looks, he noted.

"Who sent you?" Black Widow asked in a low voice as they walked, her hand still firmly holding John's arm. She maintained a casual demeanor, making it seem like they were just another couple in the bustling casino.

"Who sent me?" John echoed, genuinely confused.

Black Widow's lips curled into a disdainful smile. "Drop the act. Tell me who you really are."

John was utterly lost. "Uh… I'm just a guy?"

Black Widow gave him a sharp glance but said nothing more. She led him up a set of stairs to the second floor of the casino, which was reserved for high-profile guests. Most of the area consisted of private rooms for VIPs.

"Captain, all the surveillance on the second floor has been disabled," her earpiece crackled again. "You have five minutes."

Black Widow escorted John to the end of the corridor and stopped in front of an unassuming wall. She took a chip and a sleek, futuristic-looking watch from her pocket.

After strapping the watch onto John's wrist, she placed the chip against the wall. Instantly, the wall lit up with a faint blue glow and slid open, revealing a hidden elevator.

"The watch has a built-in electric shock and tracking device," Black Widow informed him with a smirk. "If you try to run, I'll trigger it. It's powered by high-voltage energy from outer space. I wouldn't recommend testing it."

John sighed. All of this over a little casino money?

Without a word, he followed her into the small, somewhat shabby elevator. Despite the fancy casino exterior, the elevator's condition seemed odd—there was a slight wobble, as if it hadn't been serviced in a while.

Strange, John thought. For a place this luxurious, they should have enough money to fix an elevator.

Before he could dwell on it further, the elevator gave a sudden violent jolt. John lost his footing and stumbled—right into Black Widow.

"Move your right hand," Black Widow's voice came from beneath him, ice-cold.

John blinked and realized, much to his horror, that his right hand had ended up in a very awkward place.

"S-Sorry!" John stammered, quickly moving his right hand to the ground. In his flustered state, he accidentally placed his left hand in the same spot.

"I meant both hands!" Black Widow snapped, clearly irritated, her clenched fist ready to strike.

John looked up at her, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I swear I didn't mean to! Do you believe me?"