The next day, in the morning.
At the Natural History Museum, Samuel took Diana to meet the person in charge, Carol.
Carol was a middle-aged black woman who was very enthusiastic towards Samuel and Diana. Upon learning that Diana wanted to work at the museum, she personally interviewed her.
Originally, she had intended to go easy during the interview, as she was brought by the museum's major donor and deserved some face, but Diana's stunning performance greatly surprised her.
After Carol confirmed that Diana had real talent and was not here to just pass the time and build a resume based on her beauty and connections, she immediately decided to let her start working right away.
Not only that, she even arranged an independent office and the work content she would be responsible for after starting.
After Carol showed Samuel and Diana the arranged office, she eagerly asked Diana, "There's a lot of work at the museum recently. When can you start working?"
Diana said somewhat impatiently, "I can start now."
Carol glanced at Samuel, and seeing that he had no objection, she immediately said with a beaming smile, "That's great, come with me, I'll arrange the work for you right away."
Diana looked at Samuel, who smiled and said, "Then I'll go back first. You work hard, and I'll pick you up tonight."
"Okay."
Diana nodded with a sweet smile, stepping on her high heels, striding with her long legs, and followed Carol away.
Samuel did not leave the museum immediately but wandered around the office area.
There were many unconfirmed antiques in the office area. A large part of the employees' work here was to verify the authenticity of these items, identify their origins, and confirm their value.
He had no interest in these potentially priceless or significant items. What truly interested him was an employee working here.
After a cursory look around, Samuel quickly found the target he was looking for at the end of a secluded corridor.
[Barbara Minerva]
Samuel's gaze followed the nameplate on the open door, looking at a blonde woman in a pink blouse and beige skirt in the office.
His first impression of this woman was that she had poor taste in clothes, was unkempt, and had a personality somewhat similar to Helen's back then. Because of her low self-esteem, she might have social phobia.
What was even more similar was that when she could transform later, the contrast effect would be even more astonishing than Helen's?
Social phobia?
It didn't exist. After transforming, she was completely a social butterfly!
Barbara Minerva would have a resounding name in the future: Cheetah!
Among Wonder Woman's many villains, only Cheetah could compare to Ares, the God of War, in terms of popularity and presence, and she even surpassed him.
Ares basically only appeared in mythology-related plots and those related to Wonder Woman, but Cheetah was different. She often accepted Employment and invitations and fought against many superheroes.
She possessed the strength, endurance, and speed of a Cheetah, as well as all the senses of a Cheetah. Flash was scratched on the leg by her while running.
Her claws and fangs, especially her fangs, could even pierce the skin of Kryptonians. What was even more exaggerated was that people she bit would be infected and become half-human, half-Cheetah, completely losing their self-awareness, with only killing in their minds. Superman was once infected.
Why did Samuel travel to 1984? It was for Cheetah Barbara Minerva and another major villain, Maxwell Lorenzano.
Especially the latter, Samuel was determined to obtain his ability!
"Uh—you, do you need something?"
Barbara Minerva, who was looking for something, looked up and saw Samuel standing at the door. His exotic handsome face and tall, upright figure made her instinctively feel a little uneasy.
Samuel came to her openly, smiled and extended his hand, saying, "My name is Samuel. I donated a sum of money here not long ago, so I have the opportunity to look around inside."
"Oh, I, my name is Barbara Minerva." Barbara Minerva quickly clenched her fists nervously and reached out to shake hands with Samuel.
"I know you!"
After letting go of her hand, Samuel said with a smile, "Geology, gemology, petrology, and a part-time cryptozoologist."
Barbara Minerva nodded repeatedly, flattered, "Yes, yes, oh my god, I never thought you would know so much about me."
Samuel raised the corner of his mouth, "Believe me, I know you more than you think."
"So you, you came specifically to find me?" Barbara Minerva tentatively asked.
Samuel smiled and shook his head, not answering but asking in return, "I have a batch of gems I want to sell. Can you help me appraise them?"
"A, a batch?"
"Yes, a batch."
Barbara Minerva thought for a moment and said hesitantly, "It's working hours now, I, I'm afraid I can't leave. If you're not in a hurry, I can help you appraise them after work..."
Samuel thought for a moment and asked, "Do you have time at noon? Perhaps I can treat you to a meal, and you can look at them for me at the same time?"
"Okay, okay."
"Then it's settled. I'll pick you up at noon."
"Okay."
Samuel smiled and waved, then turned and left Barbara Minerva's office.
"Swish!"
Walking to an unoccupied corner, Samuel directly teleported home.
At noon, in a restaurant near the museum.
Barbara Minerva, who had finished eating, was concentrating on examining the jewelry that Samuel had brought, while Samuel was drinking juice and watching the advertisements on the television.
A man whose appearance and demeanor were very similar to Trump (homophone) was speaking the advertisement with great enthusiasm.
"Welcome to the Black Gold Cooperative, the first oil company run by the people, for the people. For just a small monthly fee, you can have a piece of the most profitable industry in the world."
Samuel didn't listen to what Maxwell Lorenzano was saying on the television.
This so-called Black Gold Cooperative was just a fraudulent shell company. It wouldn't be long before investors would withdraw their capital one after another, and he would face bankruptcy.
Then, he found something that could be called a divine artifact, or rather, a demonic artifact.
A yellow crystal wishing stone!
This yellow crystal wishing stone was somewhat similar to Aladdin's lamp. As long as it was touched, any wish could be granted!
Doesn't it sound amazing at first?
In reality, just like the snap of the Infinity Stones, there are requirements, but they are not as strict.
Simply put, it's about gaining and losing, or an equivalent exchange.
What you wish to gain, you will lose something in return.
In the movie, Diana wished for Steve, who she had already lost, to return. After her wish was granted, she lost her own power.
Barbara Minerva wished to be as powerful as Wonder Woman, and she lost her kindness.
Maxwell Lorenzano's wish was even more remarkable; he wanted to become the wishing stone itself.
And then, he succeeded.
The wishing stone turned to dust, and he became a humanoid wishing stone. As long as he shook hands or made other contact with someone, if they had a need, he could fulfill it and take anything he wanted from them in return!
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