Unexpected Employer

"How do you think I know," Lorna replied.

Max smiled and explained, "It's not what you think. Viper and Yukio are members of my team. Everyone has their own value, and they are not women I control. Sonia is happy here, and you being here is no different. She wants to help, so there's no distinction between her being here and me."

"No need to explain to me; it's not like I would misunderstand!" Lorna pouted.

"Didn't you ask first?" Max didn't expect Lorna, who's usually composed, to react like this. It seemed that Lorna's attitude had become a bit unpredictable since witnessing her intimate moment with Sonia. Could it be... she has feelings for him?

"I'm going to change clothes." Seeing Max's puzzled expression, Lorna calmly declared.

"If you have no issues with the Blink, I'll take her away first."

Max said, turning to open the door and leaving the room.

"Asshole!" Lorna muttered under her breath before changing clothes.

.....

Back at the Mutant Underground Base, everyone was busy. Max didn't head straight to Sonia and instead led Blink away.

Opening the door to his home, they entered. Blink looked around curiously, marveling at this unfamiliar space, and followed Max inside.

By the time they arrived, darkness had settled. Viper lounged on the sofa, engrossed in watching TV, while Yukio toiled away in the kitchen, experimenting with new dishes.

"Who's this now?"

Observing Max's entry with Blink, Viper and Yukio cast curious glances their way.

"Blink, she'll be joining the team."

Viper and Yukio exchanged nods of acknowledgment.

"These are Viper and Yukio; you'll get to know them gradually. Let me take you upstairs to arrange a room first."

"Let Yukio go; I need to talk to you." Viper suggested.

Max glanced at Yukio, and she led Blink upstairs. Turning back, Max approached the sofa. Viper shifted slightly to make room for him.

"It seems we might need a larger sofa in the future," Max remarked casually.

Viper smiled, stretching his legs out casually to rest on Max's lap. "Don't you think this is better?"

"Don't play with fire," Max warned lightly, giving him a glance.

Viper chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Max's words. He continued, "Didn't you ask me to investigate why Juggernaut was brainwashed? Have you heard of Kik?"

"This is a new kind of drug that can rapidly enhance Mutant abilities, but it's highly addictive. Once addicted, quitting is nearly impossible. I believe this is the reason why he's being controlled. Even though he retains some sanity, during an attack, they deny any control and become as obedient as dogs, causing severe and long-term damage to the brain. Essentially, using this drug is a declaration of death."

Max frowned. "Can't you do anything about it?"

Viper shook its head. "There's currently no solution. Unless I invest a significant amount of time and money into research, breakthroughs are unlikely. Not to mention, we don't have that much money, and even if we did, time is a constraint. I'm already studying Juggernaut's genes."

The snake suddenly grinned, teasing Max with its tail. "You seem tense. How about coming to my room tonight?"

"What's your intention?"

"Nothing much. Just thought of helping you relax. You can do whatever you want with me, and I'll do the same."

Seeing the snake's suggestive smile, Max grabbed its tail and moved it away. "Forget it."

"Don't be like that. Don't you desire it? Hey, I really need someone to help me verify Juggernaut's genes. I assure you there's no danger. Well, no 100% assurance..."

As Max headed upstairs, the disappointed snake sighed, "Looks like I need to find another way for an experiment."

Upstairs, Max saw Yukio preparing to come down. The room once designated for Flash had been arranged for Katie, and judging by the sounds from the bathroom, she was likely taking a shower.

For Flash, a comfortable hot bath would be a welcome relief.

Back in his room, Max had just settled down when his phone rang.

Glancing at the number, Max smiled.

"Jestner, are you calling me this late to invite me for a drink?"

"What about the park and the people in the building are they... still alive?" Jestner inquired with a deep tone.

"And what about you? Did you capture the mutant responsible for the explosion?"

Jestner on the other end of the line took a deep breath and responded, "No, but we've identified the target and will apprehend them soon."

"They're still alive!" Max asserted.

"Where?" Jestner asked urgently.

"What's his name?" Max calmly continued his inquiry.

"Andy Straker."

"There's a bowling alley near that building; you might find something there."

As Jestner hurriedly sought to locate Andy, his mind was racing. He already knew how Max rescued Lorna. When Max eliminated the sniper, Jestner initially thought it was an act of revenge amid the chaos. Little did he know that Max's swift response was a deliberate move to save lives. The people in the park and the building were still alive. Jestner believed Max wasn't soft-hearted but strategically left to negotiate terms.

Lorna, initially seemingly irrelevant, was now a valuable asset.

Why else would Jestner willingly share such crucial information?

"You seem quite interested in this person's affairs. Do you want to help him?" Jestner questioned seriously.

Max grinned, "It depends on whether someone's hiring. After all, I'm a bit short on cash right now."

"What if I hire you?" Jestner asked. "I, representing the Sentry Secret Service, I can hire you. Help us catch Andy, and we'll compensate you."

"The Sentry Secret Service hiring me? Alright, a hundred thousand dollars, and I'll deliver Andy to you in three days. Deal?" Max asked with a chuckle.

"It's a deal" Jestner agreed.

....

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