I Became a Knockoff Arms Dealer in the Marvel World

Carl looked at Wanda's naive expression and sighed helplessly. "Bankruptcy is out of the question; it's just that Umbrella has simultaneously launched several major projects recently, creating a temporary funding gap."

He reiterated his earlier proposal.

"Wanda, would you be willing to go to America and help me open a private hospital? You shouldn't have any objections to the noble act of saving lives, right?"

Wanda considered this for a moment. A hint of reluctance appeared on her face as she asked, "If I go to America, does that mean we'll be apart for a long time?"

Carl couldn't help but chuckle at her strange focus. "With today's transportation, traveling from Sokovia to America takes just a few hours. I'll visit you often."

After hesitating for a while, Wanda still declined. "Umbrella has so many senior managers. Can't you send someone else?"

Seeing she hadn't grasped his point, Carl patiently explained:

"Once the medical platform is released, it will undoubtedly draw attention from all kinds of forces. If an ordinary person without extraordinary abilities handles this, I'm afraid they won't be able to keep things under control.

"There will definitely be disputes—both overt and covert. I want you there mainly for deterrence. I'll assign someone else to handle the complicated administrative tasks.

"You can treat it as watching over the place, like moving to a new long-term residence."

Wanda listened, her expression turning sour. She pouted and said, "Watching over the place? That sounds like something a gangster boss would say. Can't you phrase it more nicely?"

Carl sighed. "If I don't spell it out clearly, I'm afraid you won't get what I mean."

Wanda's brows furrowed sharply. She snapped back in mock anger, "Are you calling me dumb?"

Well, once a woman starts being unreasonable, logic flies out the window.

Fortunately, Carl had a special method for handling this kind of "princess syndrome."

Without saying another word, he scooped Wanda up and carried her straight to the bedroom.

Soon after, sounds of playful protests and laughter echoed from the room.

By the time Carl had "persuaded" Wanda to embrace her role as a strong, independent woman through his unique method, events were unfolding on another side of the globe.

---

In New York, at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Triskelion headquarters, a critical meeting was underway.

Nick Fury, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), Clint Barton (Hawkeye), and Agent Phil Coulson were all gathered in the conference room.

With a glance from Fury, Coulson handed out a file to everyone present.

Tony took a cursory look at the title: "Risk Assessment of the Umbrella Corporation."

Frowning, he dismissed it disdainfully, "Ugh, another one of these long-winded reports. Back when I was CEO of Stark Industries, I had my fill of these. Director Fury, can't you just sum it up?"

Black Widow and Hawkeye, however, remained professional, flipping through the report seriously despite Tony's complaints.

Fury began his explanation with a grave expression.

"This report is based on extensive intelligence gathering. Agent Romanoff first infiltrated Umbrella Corporation to investigate the source of the Jericho missiles. While she didn't find conclusive evidence, preliminary indications suggest that Umbrella is suspicious.

"I then sent Agent Sharon Carter to follow up. She, however, vanished without a trace.

"From the intelligence sent back from Sokovia, it's highly likely that Agent Barbara and over 100 Special Ops members were neutralized at Umbrella's headquarters.

"Adding to this, there's increasing evidence that the large quantities of arms fueling the Middle Eastern conflict might have come from Umbrella Corporation.

"After compiling intelligence from multiple sources, I can confidently say: this Umbrella Corporation is a serious problem."

Fury's tone was firm, though he provided no concrete proof. It was all based on his intuition: I know you're shady, so you must be shady.

Tony, already exasperated by the frequent appearance of Stark Industries' weapons in the Middle East conflict, was the first to speak up. Rising from his seat, he sneered at Fury's cautious approach.

"Why beat around the bush? Just say Stark Industries' weapons were funneled through Umbrella. Fine, I'll head out and shut down this warmongering arms dealer myself. You all just wait for the good news!"

Fury quickly stopped him. "Wait, I haven't shared the most crucial piece of intelligence yet.

"Recently, Umbrella has been purchasing large quantities of copper and nickel sulfide ores worldwide."

Fixing Tony with his one good eye, Fury asked gravely, "Tony, based on this information, what do you think they're doing?"

As a super-genius, Tony Stark immediately thought of a disturbing possibility.

"Damn it. Don't tell me they're mass-producing palladium? Could they have access to Arc Reactor technology? That's impossible!"

Seeing Tony's shaken expression, Fury couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction. After all, Stark's usual arrogance often left Fury fuming.

But the implications of this intelligence wiped away any smugness Fury felt. If a morally bankrupt arms dealer like Umbrella possessed Arc Reactor technology, the consequences would be catastrophic.

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

Even Black Widow and Hawkeye had no immediate suggestions.

Given that Tony had previously boasted in a congressional hearing that no one could crack Arc Reactor technology for at least 20 years—only to be proven wrong by Ivan Vanko—he couldn't dismiss the possibility outright this time.

Eventually, Fury broke the silence.

"Direct confrontation is out of the question. Umbrella has effectively become the hidden ruler of Sokovia. Moving against them without solid evidence could spark international backlash."

Tony snorted derisively. "Since when does S.H.I.E.L.D. care about international backlash? Aren't you the ones who usually manipulate public opinion anyway?"

Fury felt a sharp headache brewing. Dealing with Stark's blunt truths was one of his least favorite challenges.

Tony, unimpressed by the lack of resolve in the room, stood up, his face full of disdain. He headed for the door but paused dramatically before leaving.

"You're too scared to act? Fine. Let the noble guardian of world peace—me—handle it.

"I'll do what needs to be done, and you can clean up the mess afterward."

With that, he strode out, leaving Fury fuming and struggling to contain his anger.