Chapter 54: The Kidnapping of Stephen Strange

"What's your name again?"

On the rooftop the next day, George looked at the tall man in a suit before him, a look of surprise crossing his face.

The man arrogantly straightened his suit and replied, "Stephen Strange. Let me warn you: this is kidnapping! What you're doing is illegal, and I will sue you!"

'This guy... isn't he be the future Doctor Strange?'

George turned to Leon beside him and asked, "What's going on?"

"The other doctors agreed to come after we offered more money, but this guy refused no matter how much we offered. However, he is currently recognized as the best neurosurgeon in New York.

So, we... well, we just brought him here by force."

Leon pulled out a pistol and pressed it against Stephen's forehead.

"Listen, kid. I suggest you watch your mouth. I know you have a girlfriend named Christine Palmer. You wouldn't want her to accidentally get hit by a car one day, would you?"

"You... fine. I'll cooperate. Just don't hurt her!"

Stephen's face twisted in anger, but he held back for Christine's safety.

"So, he really is Doctor Strange," George murmured. Same name, same profession, and even the same girlfriend. There was no mistaking it.

While he remembered Doctor Strange was a renowned surgeon before becoming the Sorcerer Supreme, he hadn't realized the man was a neurosurgeon. Not that it mattered. Strange wouldn't become Doctor Strange for another six or seven years. Right now, he was just an ordinary man.

George had no intention of killing him, merely using his expertise to help with some medical problems. It probably wouldn't catch the attention of the Ancient One, that old master who preferred to stay out of things.

"Leon, lower the gun. Don't be rude to Mr. Strange."

Waving Leon back, George stepped forward, smiling at Stephen and the other doctors.

"Relax. As long as you do your job, the compensation we promised you will not only be delivered—it'll exceed expectations.

I also guarantee that you and your families will be safe and unharmed."

The doctors exchanged nervous glances, swallowing hard. Some of them already regretted taking this job for money, but seeing Stephen's "example," none dared raise objections. Instead, they nodded with forced smiles.

"Good. If there are no objections, let's head out now."

George didn't waste time. With a flick of his wand, he cast levitation charms on each doctor and secured them with fine steel cables. Then, pulling them together, he soared into the sky.

Stephen and the other doctors felt themselves rise weightlessly, their eyes widening in disbelief as they struggled not to scream.

For these staunch materialists, the experience defied all logic.

Just as they were on the verge of fainting from the height, they were suddenly inside an aircraft's interior.

It turned out that Isa had been piloting an X-jet hidden within the clouds above the rooftop, waiting to pick them up.

"Who are you?"

Now seated inside the jet, Stephen looked at George with wary eyes.

Earlier, he had assumed this was about treating some injured mob boss. But after witnessing such supernatural phenomena, he realized he was caught in something far more extraordinary.

"No need to worry. You'll know who I am soon enough. Regardless of what happens, I promise you won't be harmed."

George smiled but didn't offer further explanation.

He certainly wouldn't hurt Stephen or the other doctors, but once they treated Professor X and Wolverine, their memories would need a little tweaking for everyone's safety.

The X-jet quickly returned to the mutant school.

George led Stephen and the doctors to the underground medical room, gesturing to Professor X and Wolverine, who were already waiting there.

"This is Professor X and Wolverine. Surely you've heard of them?"

Even if they hadn't seen them in person, the global popularity of X-Men comics ensured they at least knew of the characters.

"I always thought mutants were fictional!"

Watching Wolverine extend his adamantium claws, Stephen and the other doctors stared in wide-eyed amazement.

As individuals steeped in science and materialism, they had long dismissed rumors about mutants as myths. Seeing was believing, and now they couldn't deny it.

"Let me explain their conditions. Then you can discuss treatment options."

George detailed the ailments affecting Professor X and Wolverine. He also presented virus samples obtained from the genetic modification lab, which were designed to suppress mutant genes.

Stephen led the team in examining the patients and analyzing the samples. Their interest in the cases soon shifted from money and self-preservation to genuine scientific curiosity.

Satisfied that the doctors were making progress, George left them to work and returned to his quarters to continue studying magic with his clone.

By evening, Stephen, speaking for the group, approached George with a list of requests.

"First, while your equipment is decent, some of it is outdated. Here's a list of what we need you to procure as soon as possible.

Second, after examining Mr. Logan, we found that his symptoms are not primarily due to toxins from the adamantium in his body. The viruses suppressing his mutant healing factor are the real cause.

If we develop an antidote to counteract these viruses, his healing factor should fully recover, allowing him to naturally expel the toxins.

As for Professor Xavier's seizures, they're also linked to the virus, though not entirely. Long-term brain damage means his epilepsy won't completely heal and will require prolonged rest and minimal use of his powers.

Unlike Mr. Logan, Professor Xavier is just an ordinary elderly man in terms of physical resilience. His body can't handle the strain of overusing his abilities anymore."

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