Hope looked blankly at the document handed to her.
She reached out with trembling hands, her fingertips touching the cold file folder, yet she felt as if she could feel the burning heart of that man.
For the sake of loving her, he had given her everything, including his life and his life's work, without reservation.
"I understand..." Hope took a deep breath and turned to look at Hank Pym.
"Father... give me the Pym Particles formula."
Hank Pym was shocked.
He looked at his daughter's face, which was full of determination. He understood that this was not a discussion; it was an ultimatum.
This daughter, who seemed to have transformed overnight, reminded him of Janet when she was young.
If he said "no" today, he would lose the only relative he had in the World forever and completely.
His life was already full of regrets; he could not afford to lose his only daughter as well.
Moreover, he could not refuse the temptation that might bring his wife home.
He let out a long sigh, reached out with his aged hand, and gently patted his daughter on the shoulder.
"Originally, I also intended to find a suitable opportunity to hand all of this over to you..."
"I just didn't expect it to happen under these circumstances. I was too stubborn, Hope. If I had trusted that young man sooner, perhaps everything would be different."
Hope gripped the inheritance document tightly. She did not blame her father; saying anything now would not bring back the man who had lost himself to protect her.
Mary stepped forward at the right moment, glanced at Hope's ankle, which was starting to bleed, and asked with concern.
"Ms. van Dyne. Grief cannot open the Gulliver Tunnel; your injury needs immediate attention. If an infection occurs, it will seriously affect your subsequent work."
"You should go back and rest first. Once the wound is healed, bring the Pym Particles formula back here, complete all the formalities, and you can fully take over Dr. Daniel's laboratory."
"Thank you for the reminder, Mary." Hope nodded, her eyes regaining their determination.
She felt that Mary was right; she could not let anything affect the progress of saving Daniel.
...
The next morning.
Hope had arrived downstairs at the Vought branch.
She pushed open the car door, leaning on a lightweight carbon fiber cane as she stepped out. Her ankle had been re-dressed with gel bandages, and although she still walked with a slight limp, the pain had been significantly reduced.
"Do what you believe is right, Hope. Bring him back, and bring Janet... back too." Pym shouted at Hope's retreating back.
Hope looked back at her father's aged and remorseful face and nodded vigorously.
"I will, Father. I swear."
"Good morning, Ms. van Dyne. You look much better than last night."
Mary was waiting early in the lobby.
"Morning, Mary." Hope nodded, "Let's start directly."
Accompanied by Mary, a series of tedious document signings went exceptionally smoothly.
With the signing of the last document, Hope officially became the person in charge of the Starr Group High-Energy Physics Laboratory.
"The formalities are complete, Ms. van Dyne. From now on, all resources in this laboratory are at your disposal." Mary handed an access card to Hope.
Hope took the card and walked quickly toward the laboratory door.
Verification passed, and the heavy airtight door slid open to both sides.
Unlike the desolation of last night, today the laboratory had nearly twenty researchers in white lab coats busy at their respective workstations.
Hope was slightly stunned; she had assumed this top-secret project would only have a few people.
Seeing Hope walk in, all the researchers immediately stopped their work and cast their gazes toward her in unison.
She cleared her throat, preparing to summon the authoritative aura of a long-time chairperson to introduce herself and establish her leadership position.
"Everyone, good morning. I am Hope van Dyne, and from today on..."
Before she could finish her sentence, a researcher closest to her immediately stopped working and beamed with a warm, bright smile.
"My God! It's Ms. van Dyne! You're finally here! We've been waiting for you for a long time!"
Another female researcher also walked up quickly, pulled over an ergonomic swivel chair, and thoughtfully placed it beside Hope.
"Your ankle needs to avoid bearing weight, please sit here. The laboratory's permissions have all been opened to you, and we are ready to execute your next instructions at any time."
The rest of the researchers also stopped their work, casting friendly, enthusiastic, and even flattering gazes toward Hope.
Hope looked at these enthusiastic faces, feeling somewhat at a loss.
Taking over a research team led by a top genius, she had expected to encounter some academic arrogance or distrust.
She had prepared to use tough measures to establish her authority.
But they showed no rejection of her arrival; instead, it was as if they were welcoming a long-lost old friend.
"You... know me?" Hope looked around in confusion.
"Of course, Ms. van Dyne." A researcher smiled, spread his palms, and gestured toward the laboratory, "Because in the past few months, the person Dr. Daniel mentioned the most in this laboratory was you."
"In our hearts, you have long been the mistress of this laboratory."
Hearing these words, Hope felt a pang in her nose, and sweetness and sadness surged in her heart simultaneously.
"Daniel... he really loves me so much, even the people around him have been infected by his love."
Hope tilted her head back, forcing her tears back.
She could not cry; now was not the time for weakness.
"I won't let him down!"
Hope swore to herself in her heart, turning all her sadness and emotion into motivation for work.
"Listen, everyone!" Hope clapped her hands, issuing instructions to the entire laboratory in a loud voice.
"Pull up the blueprints for the Gulliver Tunnel energy stabilization valve immediately! I have brought a brand-new calculation formula."
"Let's work together and bring Dr. Daniel back!"
"Yes! Ms. van Dyne!"
The T-1050 researchers in the laboratory responded in unison.
...
On the other side, inside the presidential suite of the Fairmont Hotel.
"Beep."
The suite's door lock made a soft sound, and Mary pushed the door open and walked in.
As the door closed, ripples of light appeared on her body.
In just a second, she transformed back into the tall and slender Miss Skynet.
Homelander was wearing a loose bathrobe, waiting on the sofa.
"Is Hope settled over there?"
"Everything is proceeding smoothly, Sir." Miss Skynet reported respectfully, "Ms. van Dyne is now wholeheartedly devoted to the fusion R&D of Pym Particles and Gulliver technology. Driven by love, her work efficiency is amazing."
Having completed a long-planned major event, Homelander was in a great mood.
"Since the serious business is done, it's time to properly relax. Let's have two rounds to celebrate."