NOVEL NEXT Chapter 270: Shelter
The next day.
Eddie Brock and Anne arrived in New York with their luggage and took a cab straight to the League of Assassins headquarters on the outskirts.
Because their visit had been arranged beforehand, the two were able to enter smoothly.
Once again stepping inside, Eddie and Anne marveled at the vast base and the towering stone structures.
Inside the building, in the reception room, Eddie once more came face to face with Smith Dole.
As soon as Smith entered, Eddie and Anne stood up immediately.
"Sit. No need to be so tense," Smith said casually.
Only after he sat down did Eddie and Anne dare to take their seats again.
Smith looked at them and said:
"I didn't expect that after our last meeting, you would so quickly face persecution. I hadn't foreseen this."
Eddie replied:
"Drake's empire is built on corpses and grudges. We only uncovered a fragment of the truth—before anyone even noticed or dug deeper, he already retaliated."
Smith nodded. He understood well that in journalism, digging too deep into certain people and certain matters carried immense risks.
"How much do you know about the Life Foundation?" he asked.
Eddie lowered his head with some shame.
"Honestly, not much. I only learned through Anne that many people died from drug trials."
"And they intend to cover it up, to keep the death toll unreported."
"I also suspect they didn't give full disclosure to the test subjects. Otherwise, families wouldn't be suing."
Smith turned to Anne.
"From your legal expertise, do you see any legal issues in what the Life Foundation has done?"
Anne thought carefully before answering:
"Legally, it's murky. The Life Foundation has the means to avoid accountability as long as no equally powerful force challenges them."
"Even if opposed, the worst outcome would be a lawsuit settlement. Compensation, at most."
"The contracts themselves don't carry obvious flaws."
Eddie wanted to argue but ultimately held his tongue.
Smith wasn't surprised. Fox had reported the same: the Life Foundation had taken legal precautions. There were loopholes, but nothing that could destroy them—only fines and reputation damage.
"Eddie, Anne is right," Smith said.
"But issues remain: whether the risk was disclosed truthfully, whether compensation was fair, and whether there are deeper problems we don't yet see."
"These need detailed investigation—and time."
"I'll send people to investigate the Life Foundation thoroughly. As for you two, life must go on."
"I'll arrange for you, Eddie, to work in Capsule Corporation's PR department. Anne will join the legal division. Both suit your skills."
"When we have results on the Life Foundation, you'll be informed."
Hearing this, Eddie and Anne were overjoyed. Smith wasn't brushing them off—he promised a full investigation, promised to keep them updated, and even offered jobs. To them, he was like a god on Earth.
Smith accepted their gratitude, then had staff escort them to Capsule Corporation for onboarding.
After they left, Smith pondered the matter. From a legal standpoint, Drake would only face stock losses and compensation—nothing crippling.
But soon enough, as trial after trial failed and Drake resorted to snatching homeless off the streets, that would be the moment to strike. Then, from any angle, his crimes would be undeniable.
······
Elsewhere.
After settling Eddie and Anne's affairs, Smith called Tony Stark.
"Buddy, Coulson said our passes are ready. Want to tour S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters?"
Tony, at home having just finished work on a modular support system, perked up.
"Nick Fury finally agreed?"
Smith smirked.
"He wants what I have—but I won't give it to him."
"I'll send you the address. Let's go together. This is our chance to probe S.H.I.E.L.D.'s strengths and weaknesses."
Tony nodded with interest.
"Alright, let's see what the mighty S.H.I.E.L.D. is really like."
······
Triskelion Headquarters.
From his office window, Nick Fury looked down. He had already been informed—Smith Dole and Tony Stark had arrived. Coulson was on his way to greet them.
Tony smirked when he saw Coulson emerge.
"You put headquarters here in Washington? Nice choice of location. But I wonder how many people here actually get things done."
Smith added with a laugh:
"That's why they need an inspector like me. Let's hope this place isn't rotten."
Coulson greeted them warmly.
"Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. Let me take you inside. The Director has been waiting."
The three walked into the Triskelion. At the front desk, Eddie and Tony were each given a badge.
Tony held his up and quipped:
"Don't tell me this flimsy thing is our S.H.I.E.L.D. clearance, Coulson."
Coulson explained:
"It's just a temporary pass. Your permanent clearance must come directly from the Director. For now, it gives you full access to the main corridors and direct access to his office."
······
(End of Chapter)
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