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Chapter 181: The Real Murderer

The battle between the Hulk and the Anti-Hulk armor at the airport came to an end.

The enraged Hulk clashed with the Anti-Hulk armor, destroying many of its components. However, the Anti-Hulk armor had a significant advantage—it could constantly replenish its materials and was almost always in peak condition.

Realizing he was outmatched, Hulk grabbed a steel pillar and pinned the Anti-Hulk armor to the ground. While his opponent was busy with repairs, Hulk made his escape...

Stark's face turned green. Was Hulk really acting like this these days?

"Mr. Stark, after a preliminary examination, Mr. Rhodes has multiple fractures in his vertebrae and severe spinal cord damage. He is likely to face paralysis in the future. We will do our best, but please be prepared for the worst."

At the inspection center, a doctor in a white coat reported to Stark.

Stark's face tightened in pain. With his extensive medical knowledge and field experience, he understood the gravity of the situation.

He contemplated briefly and, hoping for a miracle, took out his mobile phone.

"Hi, is this Doctor Strange?"

On a highway in the United States, a sports car sped along.

"Dingling..." The phone rang, and the driver answered the call.

"The vertebrae are comminuted and the spinal cord is severely torn. Is there any hope?" Stark asked.

Strange raised an eyebrow.

"I can handle it. I thought it would be a challenging case. But since you referred it, Mr. Stark, I'll take it on even though it's a complex procedure."

"Send me the film."

Moments later, several disturbing X-rays appeared on the screen.

Strange frowned, examining the images and muttering to himself.

"Wow, did this guy fail to deploy his parachute? What a fall! Uh, could it be that Stark crashed while in his suit?"

As a medical expert, Strange made an immediate guess.

He didn't notice an out-of-control car speeding towards him...

After ending the call, Stark felt somewhat relieved.

He had been in despair, but thanks to Doctor Strange, who once took shrapnel for him, he still had hope. Despite Strange's somewhat abrasive personality, his medical skills were beyond reproach.

Thor had recommended Strange back then.

Stark suddenly realized something.

"Friday, search for Thor. Thor?"

A female voice responded: "At 10:35 this morning, New York time, the FBI sent Mr. Thor Odinson to the New York branch to assist with the investigation into the shooting and killing of illegal intruders. Surveillance shows that Thor disappeared in the interrogation room."

It appeared that nothing unusual had occurred, but Stark's brow remained furrowed.

He knew Thor had ordered Minerva to shoot intruders, but under "Castle Law" and "Non-Background Law," his actions were legal. There shouldn't be an issue.

What was odd was that the FBI had called him for cooperation. Even stranger was Thor's compliance.

Vision, standing nearby, added, "Also, the surveillance footage from the FBI doesn't seem to be private; it appears to be broadcast publicly, which is quite unusual..."

Stark's expression darkened as he realized: "I see. He's doing this deliberately—using a seemingly normal procedure to create a public alibi!"

Damn, this could cause serious trouble!

There was a knock on the door...

"Mr. Stark, a middle-aged man named Bruce Banner is here to see you!"

In the hall, the young Black Panther, T'Challa, dialed his sister with a grim expression.

"Hello, is that Shuri? Do you know what happened to Banner?"

At the crucial moment when he was about to catch his father's killer, his prospective brother-in-law's unexpected actions had made his already dark mood even worse...

"I don't know. He answered the phone and left in a hurry."

"Who called?"

"I'm not sure, it was an American number."

Hanging up the phone, T'Challa pondered. Banner's strange behavior must be related to the mysterious call!

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I didn't have time to explain earlier. I needed to finish my transformation before coming to you."

Banner's voice came from the door.

T'Challa was startled and asked with a stern face, "Do you realize what you've done?"

"I let the Winter Soldier go because he was wronged."

Banner took out his phone. "I was still figuring out how to prove my innocence, but now, let's review the information the Berlin police just sent."

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