Three days later – East Coast Studio
Looking at the three-story studio that now belonged to him, Linen nodded in satisfaction.
The first floor looked more like a storefront, with all kinds of items neatly arranged on the shelves.
Each product was engraved with a mysterious symbol — clearly the work of a true "master."
The second floor served as a warehouse, filled with thousands of spare goods ready to restock the shop whenever the shelves ran out.
The third floor functioned as a multipurpose space — a reception room, a lounge, and Linen's personal office.
"How is it? I told you I have good taste, right?"
Barbara smiled proudly. "Originally, I wanted to open the studio in Manhattan, but the rent there is ridiculous — so we settled in Queens instead. But this location has the highest foot traffic in the area. There's a police patrol booth just twenty meters away, plus Queens' largest shopping mall nearby."
"In addition, there are subway stations, convenience stores, and parks all around. Once our studio's reputation spreads, money will flow to us like water!"
Listening to Barbara's confident tone, Linen smiled.
"Senior, I've always trusted your business sense. I'll leave all this in your hands."
Then he looked around the shop.
"By the way, where's Senior Jessica? Haven't you two been together almost every day lately?"
As he spoke, Jessica came hurrying through the door.
"Linen, Barbara — I've got good news!"
Setting down a pizza and two hamburgers on the table, she said excitedly,
"That brat Kelly actually played that spirit-summoning ritual — and she really got haunted!"
"For the past two days, her father, Kenny, has been running all over the city looking for a priest to exorcise the evil spirit that's attached to her."
At that, Jessica turned to Linen, concern flashing in her eyes.
"Linen, those priests can't really drive out spirits, can they? If they succeed, everything we've done will be wasted!"
Linen thought for a moment, recalling the priests he had seen in New York's churches, then shook his head.
"There are a few who have real skill, but their exorcism methods are limited. Unless they somehow call in the red-robed clergy from the Vatican and bring holy relics, they won't stand a chance. And with their complicated bureaucracy, that would take at least three months."
"That's a relief."
Jessica exhaled, visibly relaxing.
"Oh — and Fox TV, where my brother works, is on board. Thanks to Stark Industries' sponsorship, they're planning a special series about supernatural events — ghosts, curses, the works. It'll be the perfect cover for us."
After a brief pause, Jessica frowned slightly.
"Linen… are you sure that Kelly girl isn't in real danger? I mean, yeah, she's an annoying green tea princess, but she doesn't deserve to die."
Hearing her concern, Linen couldn't help but smile.
Good. This was the Jessica he knew — not some heartless schemer, but someone who still had a conscience.
"Don't worry. I'm the one who taught you that ritual — I know exactly what kind of spirit it summons. She'll only experience some pain and fear. Nothing lethal."
"That's good…"
Jessica relaxed, then suddenly turned to the storefront.
With a mischievous grin, she pressed the button for the metal shutter door. The door slowly came down, sealing them inside the shop.
"Junior," she teased, "I heard you only get a real appetite after some exercise. Are you sure that, with two beautiful women like us here, you only have eyes for hamburgers and pizza?"
Before Linen could respond, Barbara smirked, pulled her hair into a ponytail, and suddenly dropped to her knees in front of him.
"Damn it, you little brat!" Jessica snapped playfully. "I came up with the idea first, and you actually stole it from me!"
Barbara turned her head and flipped her middle finger at Jessica without a word — whoever acted first got the prize.
Humble?
Heh… that's not in our vocabulary.
Meanwhile – Sokovia
"Damn it! These animals deserve to die!"
After raiding and defeating a local criminal organization, Frank Castle (The Punisher) stared coldly at the evidence in front of him. His expression was dark and murderous.
"I regret ever handing those bastards over to the local police," he growled. "They should've gone straight to hell!"
Standing beside him, Clint Barton (Hawkeye) flipped through the same file and silently nodded.
He had seen plenty of horrors in his years with S.H.I.E.L.D., but ever since becoming a husband and father, his heart had softened.
Now, looking at the crimes in that report, he couldn't help but think — if something like this happened to my family…
"These monsters don't deserve mercy," he muttered.
Setting down the file, Clint picked up his bow and said grimly, "I'm working overtime tonight."
"Count me in," Frank replied, loading his pistols. "For the first time, I feel like there's someone in S.H.I.E.L.D. other than that nice guy Coulson who's actually worth my respect."
Watching the two of them prepare for action, Natasha Romanoff shrugged.
"Fine, but be careful. Cut the surveillance feeds before you move. This is Eastern Europe — once things go south, S.H.I.E.L.D. won't be able to cover for you like in New York."
"You're not coming?" Hawkeye asked.
"I need to send this data back to New York first," Natasha replied, slipping a USB drive into her pocket. "Tony and the Judge need to prepare. Captain Rogers has been all over the media for the past three days — now that the U.S. attention is at its peak, it's our turn to act."
"Got it."
Clint nodded, then turned to Frank with a half-smile.
"You take the small fry. I'll handle the big names — I want them to know what it feels like to be electrocuted by my arrows."
Frank chambered a round and said flatly,
"We'll see whose weapon's faster — your bow, or my bullets."
The two men exchanged a brief nod — and disappeared into the dark.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 70+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.