Pepper

The key point was that S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't have much power. They only had Hawkeye and Black Widow, who could be considered top combat forces. Anybody with slightly stronger abilities could infiltrate and outmaneuver their headquarters. Yet they acted as if they were invincible.

Hill, who had been warned by Fury before they came, suppressed her urge to explode at Zane's words. She straightforwardly said, "Mr. Zane, according to our information, Tony Stark went to AfghaniStane today for a weapons demonstration with you. Now, news of Tony Stark's disappearance has leaked from your company, yet here you are, unscathed, sitting here watching TV. Don't you want to explain?" 

After hearing Hill's words, Zane smiled, then, without warning, an overwhelming murderous intent burst out from him. The massive killing intent seemed almost tangible, enveloping the entire living room in a bloody halo from Hill and Fury's perspective. Countless souls surrounded Zane, emitting silent wails.

The immense pressure made even the steel-hearted Hill feel breathless and weak in the legs.

Nick Fury, whose skin was as thick as a bulletproof vest, remained expressionless in the face of Zane's killing intent. Hill, watching from the side, couldn't help but admire him. Unbeknownst to her, Nick Fury's back was already soaked in cold sweat, and his assessment of Zane's danger level had reached an unprecedented high.

You see, killing intent couldn't be faked. It was built from the lives of countless living beings. Judging from Zane's astonishing killing intent, he might have the blood of millions on his hands. This was no longer a matter that could be measured by danger alone.

The key was that in recent years, Nick Fury hadn't discovered any large-scale massacres in the world. Where did Zane's killing intent come from?

"Who gave you the courage to question me? Was it this egghead?" Zane said coldly, and the killing intent pervading the living room suddenly became even more violent, as if he could tear Nick Fury and Hill, these two outsiders, into pieces at any moment.

Under the immense pressure, Hill almost suffocated. Seeing this, Nick Fury had to speak up.

"Mr. Zane, we didn't mean to question you. We just want to ask if you know anything about Tony's whereabouts. He's important to us." Nick Fury took the initiative to lower his posture and spoke respectfully to Zane.

Zane then retracted his killing intent and returned to his lazy demeanor.

Seeing that Zane didn't intend to act, Nick Fury breathed a sigh of relief, and Deputy Director Hill stumbled a few steps before steadying herself.

"Go ahead, what do you want to know? I'm in a good mood today, so I might tell you." Zane said casually.

"We want to know if Tony Stark is still alive."

"Yeah, he's alive. Can't get rid of him for the time being."

"Then, Mr. Zane, what exactly happened in AfghaniStane back then?"

"Oh, that? Just a terrorist organization attacking our convoy. It looked fierce, scared me into quickly taking my people and running."

Watching Zane fabricate lies seriously, even Lorna in his arms almost laughed until her stomach hurt. Meanwhile, Nick Fury and Hill, who were still Staneding beside him, felt their temples throb.

"Mr. Zane, do you know what happened to Tony after 'the attack'?"

After hearing Nick Fury's question, Zane looked at him as if he were an idiot for a long time.

"You're supposed to be the Director, how come you don't underStaned plain language? I said I took my people and ran, how would I know what happened afterward?" Zane said impatiently.

"Alright, sorry for the disturbance."

After saying that, Nick Fury left Zane's villa with Hill without hesitation. He understood that Zane simply didn't like them, and they couldn't extract any subStanetial information from him. So he decisively withdrew, fearing that angering Zane further would only lead to a worse outcome.

"Egghead, remember to make an appointment with me in advance if you want to come next time. Show some manners!" 

Nick Fury didn't reply. It's unclear whether he didn't hear or was rendered speechless by Zane's anger.

After they left, Lorna in Zane's arms curiously asked, "Dear, who are they exactly? Why do you dislike them so much?"

"Well, you just need to know they're from S.H.I.E.L.D., sweetheart. Remember, avoid contact with them as much as possible in the future. Each one of them has a persecution complex, always plotting and scheming. They've practically infiltrated their own homes without realizing it," Zane explained to Lorna.

"Mm-hmm, I underStaned," Lorna nodded earnestly after listening.

Her impression of S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't great either, especially after their first encounter five years ago when they used seduction to lure her boyfriend. It would be strange if she had a positive impression of them.

Shortly after the people from S.H.I.E.L.D. left, the door of Zane's house was knocked on again, which was within Zane's expectations. If S.H.I.E.L.D. came knocking, then Pepper, who cared the most about Tony Stark, would definitely come.

As expected, the one who came knocking was Tony Stark's faithful assiStanet Pepper and Stanee.

"Sorry for disturbing you at such a late hour. Please, Mr. Zane, don't mind us," Pepper said, although she was extremely anxious internally, she still maintained the basic courtesy.

Look at them, unlike those arrogant people from S.H.I.E.L.D., no matter what, at least Pepper had a humble attitude when seeking help, which sounded very pleasant.

"It's okay, come in," Zane said with a friendly smile on his face, inviting Pepper in with an attitude completely opposite to how he treated S.H.I.E.L.D. just now.

As for Stane, this bald director who orchestrated the kidnapping of Tony Stark in the convoy attack was completely ignored by Zane. Zane despised such people who only knew how to play scheming games behind people's backs.

*************************************

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