"User experience is the foundation of everything."
Natasha's pupils constricted to the extreme in an instant.
The words "Agent Romanoff" struck her heart like an invisible heavy hammer.
Her identity was exposed.
Not just seen through, but called out by the other party the moment they met.
This man was vastly different from when he came to find her before.
"I don't understand what you're saying, Mr. Lin."
Natasha quickly reined in all her emotions, a perfect professional smile returning to her face, but her voice held a barely perceptible stiffness.
"I'm just a small assistant to Mr. Stark."
"Is that so?"
Lynt smiled noncommittally, not pressing further.
He knew the hook was firmly in the fish's mouth; now, he needed to give the fish some space to struggle and think.
He raised his glass and toasted Natasha from afar.
"If that's the case, then I hope we'll have another chance to collaborate in the future, Miss Rushman."
With that, he no longer looked at her, turning and blending into the banquet crowd with Raven.
Raven had been silent, but her eyes never left Natasha's face.
She clearly captured the fleeting shock and curiosity on Natasha's face.
"You succeeded."
Raven whispered beside Lynt, her tone complex.
"She's interested."
"Not interested, but shaken."
Lynt corrected him.
"For someone like her, a crisis of faith is far more terrifying than death."
In his mind, the system's notification sound had just ended.
"So, you're going to sleep with her too, aren't you?" Raven's voice was cold, a mix of accusation and jealousy.
"No."
Lynt shook his head, nodding to a passing senator while explaining in a voice only they could hear,
"Raven, you need to understand the business model of our 'platform'."
"You are my core engine, the perfect authentic system of V1.0. Our 'communication' is a system upgrade, a version iteration. Each time, we will become stronger."
"And they,"
He gestured towards Natasha in the distance,
"They are just... paying users.
They downloaded a limited-time trial 'performance optimization patch' from me.
What they gain is only temporary enhancement. And I, from them, earn profit."
"The profit I earn will ultimately be invested back into our core engine, making us stronger.
Do you understand? This is called capital circulation, called... ecological closed-loop."
This theory of capital, learned and applied on the spot, left Raven stunned.
Although she still didn't quite understand what an ecological closed-loop was, she understood the difference between a core engine and paying users.
This feeling of being defined as unique and central greatly appeased the possessiveness and unease in her heart.
She looked at Lynt's profile; this man always managed to arrange everything clearly with a theory she didn't understand but felt was very powerful.
This feeling made her both feel safe and a little afraid.
She found herself seemingly increasingly unable to leave the platform constructed by this man.
S.H.I.E.L.D., Trident Headquarters.
In the secret command center, the atmosphere was oppressive.
On the huge holographic screen, Nick Fury's iconic one-eyed black face was being displayed.
"So, Agent Romanoff."
Fury's voice was deep and powerful.
"Your initial contact report is... the target is very suspicious, and you need to continue deeper contact?"
He repeated the most absurd part of Natasha's report in a tone that suggested she was joking.
Natasha stood in front of the screen, expressionless.
"Yes." Natasha nodded unequivocally.
Fury fell silent.
His fingers lightly tapped the table, his brain working rapidly.
Someone who was an ordinary person a few months ago.
Now he is... a Mutant with unknown abilities, disguised as a capitalist?
"Continue surveillance."
Fury finally ordered.
"Do not make any further physical contact.
I want all information about Apex Amplification and him personally. I want to know how many meals he eats a day, how many times he goes to the bathroom."
"Yes, Director."
Communication cut off.
Natasha stood alone in the empty room, Lynt's words still echoing in her mind.
Her curiosity soared, and Fury's instruction not to make any contact was thrown to the back of her mind.
She couldn't help but lick her somewhat dry, sensual lips.
At the same time, Apex Amplification office.
Lynt was leisurely drinking coffee, looking at the night view outside the window.
Raven was showering in the bathroom, the sound of Water rushing.
Suddenly, the black encrypted terminal chimed again.
Lynt raised an eyebrow, walked over, and clicked it open.
It was a message from Magneto.
[Wanda's condition is stable. She really wants to see you.]
[Also, I heard about your contact with the Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Lin, remember our agreement. Your abilities should primarily serve our Mutant brethren, not those humans who seek to enslave us.]
Between the lines, Old Man's concern and a hint of warning were revealed.
Lynt smiled, his fingers flying across the keyboard to reply.
[Don't worry, Eric. I am not serving them; I am corrupting them.
Nothing is more efficient than dismantling the enemy from within.
Also, tell Wanda that I will visit her next week and bring her favorite strawberry cake.]
Sent.
He believed Magneto would understand his strategy.
After all, Old Man was in need of his help now.
Just then, another of his private, heavily encrypted phones suddenly vibrated.
It was a text message from an unknown number.
Lynt opened it and a knowing smile appeared on his face.
The text message was very simple, with only one word and one letter.
[Talk. -N]
Lynt turned the phone screen towards Raven, who had just walked out of the bathroom.
Raven was wrapped only in a bath towel, her damp red hair clinging to her neck, and her blue skin still flushed, exuding a breathtaking charm.
She glanced at the message on the screen, a flash of understanding in her golden pupils.
"The fish is completely hooked."
"Yes."
Lynt nodded, tossing the phone onto the table.
"When customers have needs, we, as service providers, naturally have to satisfy them."
He spread his arms, offering Raven an inviting embrace.
"However, before attending to new customers, I think it's necessary to give our esteemed core engine another comprehensive system upgrade and maintenance."
"After all..."
His voice became somewhat muffled amidst Raven's gradually approaching warm breath.
Perhaps, his relationship with Raven was no longer about the need to increase strength, but simply the direct, fiery enjoyment of the two of them.