Marvel: Infinite Personalities ;)

"I don't know why you've come to see me. If it's money you're after, we can talk about that… Besides, someone as capable as you wouldn't have trouble earning money if you just chose the right path. Do you understand what I mean?"

Stephanie tried to stay calm as she spoke.

"I do want money, of course. But what I want more… is for you to be my secretary," Raymond said without the slightest hesitation.

Stephanie's face darkened. She hadn't expected Raymond to be this stubborn.

Still, she held back her anger and said coldly, "You don't really think having superpowers makes you unstoppable, do you? There are plenty of people in this world you can't afford to mess with. I'd suggest you stop causing trouble for yourself."

"I completely agree. There are indeed many people I can't afford to cross in this world. But you, Miss Stephanie, are definitely not one of them. And neither is your father, who just so happens to be a leader of Hydra," Raymond said with a faint smile.

"You…!" Stephanie was shocked.

Raymond's words completely threw her off.

She had assumed he was just some lucky guy who suddenly gained powers and somehow found out she was rich—so he came to extort her.

But for him to know her father was one of Hydra's leaders, and still dare to come here and threaten her? That meant he came fully prepared.

Someone who knew her identity and still dared to act this way was either a complete fool… or had absolute confidence in himself.

Raymond didn't seem like a fool. So it had to be the second one.

Which made things a lot more complicated…

"Alright, no need to get so tense. Let's just have a nice talk," Raymond suddenly changed his tone. "Here, this red rose is for you. Consider it my apology for disturbing you."

Only then did Stephanie notice that the gun Raymond had taken from her had somehow turned into a red rose.

Right in front of her eyes—it just changed!

"What kind of freak ability is this?!" Stephanie felt a chill in her heart.

Earlier, Raymond had made everyone around them ignore the two of them, so she guessed his ability was something like lowering his presence, or creating a sound- and sight-blocking barrier.

But now he had turned a gun into a flower? What was this—magic?

"What, don't like it?" Raymond's tone turned stiff when he saw her not take the rose.

"I never said that," Stephanie didn't want to upset this mysterious superpowered man, so she took the flower.

"That's better," Raymond said, satisfied.

Stephanie rolled her eyes, speechless.

"Now can you tell me your real reason for coming here, Mr. Raymond?" she asked after taking the flower.

"I already told you. It's an interview," Raymond shrugged. "To be precise, I wanted to see if you're good enough to work for me… and eventually help me take over Hydra."

Stephanie looked at him like he was crazy. With a strange tone, she asked, "I don't know how you found out about Hydra, but you don't seriously think that just because you've got some superpowers, you can do whatever you want, do you?"

"I'll be honest with you," she continued. "Hydra has plenty of superpowered people. Even within the Malick family, we have many who serve us."

"Many of them have the power to kill me and my father, yet they still chose to submit. Do you know why?"

"Because they understand that in this world, superpowers alone can't change everything. People who don't follow the rules usually end up badly," Stephanie said slowly.

"Nice speech," Raymond smiled and nodded approvingly, then shook his head. "But sadly… your vision is too narrow."

"What do you mean?" Stephanie asked, feeling a bit unconvinced.

"What you said might make sense for the superpowered folks working under you. But it doesn't apply to me."

"Oh?"

"Because I'm too strong," Raymond said with a sigh.

"Let's do this. I'll give you a chance—three days." Raymond held up three fingers. "In these three days, if you can find a way to deal with me, I'll back off and work for you instead."

"But if you fail, you'll become my secretary without complaint. How's that?"

Stephanie's eyes flickered.

She had no idea where Raymond's confidence came from, to believe that she wouldn't be able to do anything against him.

But the condition was too good to pass up.

If she didn't agree, she might not even be able to leave this place, let alone deal with what comes next.

If she agreed, at least she'd have three full days to come up with a plan to deal with this arrogant guy.

She didn't believe that with all the talent Hydra had—and some access to national resources—they couldn't handle one unknown superpowered man.

"Fine!" she nodded.

"Then it's settled. But if you lie to me, the consequences won't be pleasant..." Raymond extended his hand.

She shook it.

"Can I leave now?" Stephanie asked.

"You're not staying to finish the meal?" Raymond looked surprised.

"No thanks, I lost my appetite."

With that, she stood up and left.

Once outside, she glanced back and was relieved to see that arrogant guy named Raymond wasn't following her.

Still, she stayed alert and quickly drove home.

When she arrived, her father, Gideon Malick, was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper. She hurried over and said seriously, "Dad, we've got a problem!"

"Hm? What problem?" Gideon put the newspaper down, waiting for her to continue.

"A superpowered stranger just found me. He wants me to work for him, and it looks like he plans to take over Hydra too. I don't know exactly what his powers are, but they're definitely not ordinary. What should we do?" she asked nervously.

"Not eating enough is no big deal. If you're still hungry, just eat more. Do you want me to cook for you?" her father replied with a cheerful smile.

Stephanie stood there in shock.

What was he even talking about?

She was clearly talking about that guy Raymond threatening her and wanting to take over Hydra—what did that have to do with being hungry?

Did her father lose his mind?

That scene sent a chill through her, but she didn't give up. She explained the situation again.

"You're a grown woman. Can't you take care of yourself a little? Fine, fine. I'll go cook for you," Gideon said with a helpless smile as he stood up and headed to the kitchen.

Leaving Stephanie standing there, completely dumbfounded…