HYDRA's Invitation

Diana didn't give Nick Fury any face, even though he was the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

After speaking, she didn't bother with how Nick Fury might react and simply turned and walked away.

As Diana's figure disappeared from the Bird-Dinosaur Hall, Maria Hill, dressed in casual attire and with short hair, approached Nick Fury.

Maria Hill was one of Nick Fury's right-hand people, one of the few who had gained his complete trust.

Once she reached Nick Fury, Maria Hill gestured discreetly.

The next moment, the bustling hall quickly grew quiet.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who appeared no different from regular tourists silently left the hall.

In just a few seconds, only a few real visitors remained in the hall along with Nick Fury and Maria Hill.

Those few genuine visitors had no idea what had just transpired. They had only witnessed "tourists" leaving the hall in agreement, as if they had heard a fire alarm and were evacuating rapidly.

Ignoring the true visitors, Agent Hill turned to Nick Fury and said, "The potential risks from the Traveler have been increasing. If we let him continue his actions recklessly, he might trigger a large-scale crisis event."

"Raise his surveillance level and reject Coulson's arrest application."

"Also, send Diana Prince's information to Coulson. It's time he learned some truths."

Nick Fury sighed helplessly.

He had considered capturing Russell, but he had consistently refused Coulson's arrest application.

The reason was simple—Diana!

The range of abilities Russell had demonstrated so far still fell within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s handling capabilities.

However, Diana was different.

Four years ago, Diana had showcased what an utterly one-sided crushing victory looked like through several overwhelmingly lopsided battles.

During the final capture operation, Nick Fury had even considered directly calling Captain Carol.

Fortunately, he had suppressed that impulse at the time.

Otherwise, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s very existence might now be in question.

After briefing Agent Hill, Nick Fury left the hall without looking back.

The Continental Hotel.

The underground bar.

After receiving Diana's reply, Russell arrived at the bar to pass the time.

With still five or six hours until nine o'clock in the evening, and no immediate tasks at hand, he decided to spend time in the bar, drinking and listening to music.

In fact, if he wanted to have some fun, the hotel could provide various services.

Aside from the bar, there was a casino within the hotel.

And if drinking and gambling weren't of interest, the hotel could arrange various types of companions on demand.

Whether you liked sophisticated mature women, secretary-like career women, or youthful and energetic college girls, as long as you could afford the price, the hotel could accommodate your desires.

Of course, not all types of women were available. The hotel didn't provide services involving those who were too young.

Though the women provided services as lethal killers, the hotel still maintained basic morals.

Staying at the hotel until the evening and having dinner, Russell finally took a taxi to the French restaurant for the meeting.

Although his Porsche 911 was parked on the street near the hotel entrance, he had no intention of driving it over.

Who knew how the conversation would go, and he didn't want to take risks with his beloved car.

Money wasn't much of a concern for him now; in fact, he had substantial savings. Buying a car wouldn't be an issue.

His current Porsche was already a two-year-old model.

However, even so, he had no plans to change his car.

Not for any other reason but the fact that this car held numerous memories of him and Diana.

Healthy and not-so-healthy ones, and there were quite a few.

Perhaps it was fate that the taxi he hailed down happened to be driven by the heavily accented Indian guy from last time.

The Indian driver appeared young, in his twenties, but his driving skills were impressive.

During the last ride, Russell had experienced this Indian driver's superb driving skills.

It had cost him two hundred dollars.

The Indian driver hadn't expected to pick up Russell again.

After Russell got in, the Indian driver said with a smile, "Sir, where are you headed this time? In a hurry?"

"Not in a hurry. You can drive at your own pace!"

With that, he told the driver the restaurant's location.

"Alright, sir!"

Although he couldn't earn an additional tip like last time, the Indian driver still had a smile on his face.

Traffic in New York was, as always, terrible.

Unless it was late at night, traffic jams were inevitable.

With stops and starts along the way, it took half an hour for Russell to finally arrive at the meeting restaurant.

Although the Indian driver didn't showcase his driving skills this time, when Russell got out of the taxi, he still gave the driver two hundred-dollar bills.

It wasn't to reward the driver's driving skills; it was to commend him for being quiet throughout the journey.

Russell didn't like drivers who talked incessantly.

Inside the restaurant.

Russell looked at the middle-aged man in front of him and didn't utter a word.

Seated before him was a man dressed in an expensive custom-made suit. His hair was impeccably groomed, and he exuded the aura of wealth from head to toe.

Although they were meeting for the first time, Russell knew exactly who this man was.

Sunil Bakshi, a somewhat known millionaire.

Of course, that was just his public identity.

His true identity was a high-ranking member of HYDRA.

"Mr. Bradley, I've taken the liberty to invite you to meet. I hope you won't take offense."

Bakshi said sincerely.

"I won't take offense at the meeting. However, I'm not very pleased with your interference in my life."

Even before having someone investigate the anonymous call, he had suspected that it was HYDRA's doing.

Bakshi's appearance only served to confirm this.

"It's just out of necessity. If you need any compensation, please feel free to speak. I'll make sure to satisfy you."

Bakshi was offering Russell plenty of face now, his attitude akin to making a formal apology.

"Alright, spare me the chatter! So, what do you guys want to do?"

Russell couldn't be bothered with Bakshi's evasiveness and asked directly.

"We admire talents like you, Mr. Bradley. If you're not averse to it, we hope you could join our organization."

Bakshi said with a smile.

He hadn't mentioned HYDRA directly; instead, he used a more subtle phrasing.

"Join you? You're not even willing to say the name of the organization you're part of. Isn't this invitation a bit childish?"

Although Russell already knew that Bakshi was part of HYDRA, he had learned about it through his knowledge from his place of origin.

He had no intention of revealing all he knew to Bakshi.

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