It was Mitchell Carson.
He walked in with a leisurely gait, strode unceremoniously to the liquor cabinet, and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Darren took a quick breath, adjusted his facial muscles, and squeezed out a slightly composed smile.
"Mr. Carson, you shouldn't just walk in without knocking. I am dealing with some troublesome matters regarding the federal act."
"Mr. Cross, I hear things are getting quite rowdy outside." Carson raised his glass and swirled it against the light.
"That old madman, President Ellis, is pushing some 'Ellis New Deal.' I heard even your production lines have been halted?"
Darren calmly pushed the safe door shut, squeezing a composed smile onto his face.
"It's just some bureaucratic red tape, Carson." Darren spread his hands and walked over to sit on the sofa.
"You know how it is; the federal government is on edge because of the XYZ Country . But don't worry, I've already pulled strings in Washington. Pym Technologies will receive a special exemption soon, and the production plan will proceed as normal."
"Relax, Darren. I'm not here to rush the order." Carson also walked over to the sofa, sat down beside him, and crossed his legs.
"I just happened to be passing by and thought I'd bring you an interesting piece of gossip."
"What news?" Darren asked warily.
Carson pulled a cigar from his person, sniffed it, and said nonchalantly.
"Our people recently discovered something very interesting while tailing targets in San Francisco..."
"It's about your former boss, my former colleague, that stubborn Hank Pym, and the beautiful Chairwoman Hope. The father and daughter have been very active together lately."
Carson's tone was relaxed, as if he were just sharing some trivial gossip.
"Right near the abandoned warehouse district at 1818 Black Tide Road on the outskirts of San Francisco. Our Agents discovered that every time Pym and Hope go in, they disappear for a period of time."
Darren's pupils constricted slightly, but he maintained a calm facade.
"They are family, after all. Even if there's a rift, meeting up is normal. How is this interesting news?"
"The point isn't that they're meeting." Carson chuckled.
"The point is that they have been in close contact with senior executives from the Starr Group lately. And it's not just once or twice; it's frequent, secret contact."
Darren's expression finally couldn't help but change.
Carson shrugged, his tone filled with mockery.
"It seems Hank has finally realized the reality of the situation and knows he's about to be completely crushed under your heel. Perhaps he plans to find a new backer in the Starr Group to make a comeback."
"You know, the Starr Group is at its peak right now. Hooking up with the Starr Group is equivalent to hooking up with Vought. I have to say, Pym has a good idea, though I wonder what price he paid..."
Carson was just casually mocking him, but to Darren's ears, it was like a magnitude-ten earthquake.
The muscles on Darren's face twitched uncontrollably.
Hank Pym... Hope... The Starr Group.
He instantly recalled the Starr Group executive Hope met at the Garito Club a few days ago.
Although he had some doubts at the time, he didn't look into it further.
Now it seemed everything connected!
That old stubborn Hank Pym had been guarding against him his whole life, preferring to take the technology to his grave rather than hand it over to him.
Now, to oppose him, he was actually going to hand the original formula for Pym Particles to the Starr Group?!
If the Starr Group obtained the Pym Particles so easily, what would his decade and more of reverse engineering be? A joke!
"Mr. Carson's information is indeed very well-informed." Darren struggled to control his breathing rate, making his voice sound as steady as possible.
"This is just a normal business collaboration that Hope has already mentioned to me."
"As for the goods you are concerned about, please tell your superiors that there will be no delays in the delivery schedule."
Carson nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, Darren. We like working with capable people like you who can solve problems. Rest assured, HYDRA will give you everything you want."
After saying this, Carson strode out of the office.
As the sound of the closing door echoed, the mask of composure on Darren's face peeled away.
"You old man... you'd rather hand the technology to an outsider than give it to me!"
Darren gritted his teeth, tyrannical emotions rising within him.
Anger, jealousy, and a sense of betrayal gnawed at his sanity like vipers.
Darren walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the streets of San Francisco below.
After a long while, his emotions slowly calmed down.
Carson's words had sliced through the dilemma he was facing.
As long as he could get the complete Pym Particles formula, he wouldn't need to worry about the reverse engineering data in the Underground Room anymore!
He could go to any corner of Earth and rebuild his business empire."
Darren's intention to flee became even more resolute because of this goal.
But this time, he would absolutely not flee empty-handed.
Darren took out an encrypted satellite phone and dialed a string of numbers.
The phone rang twice before it was answered, and a low, gruff voice came through.
"Boss."
"Assemble the Yellowjacket squad and bring heavy firepower."
After giving his instructions, Darren went to a sealed metal cabinet and quickly entered the command on the keypad.
The cabinet door popped open.
A suit of tactical armor, colored entirely in yellow and black with foldable wings on the back, stood silently inside.
Darren reached out and stroked the cold metal shell, the madness in his eyes replacing the anxiety.
"Hank, Hope... you will pay for your betrayal."
...
In the evening, a gentle breeze blew.
Beside a coastal cliff in San Francisco, a romantic seaside restaurant was situated.
Homelander and Hope sat at a seaside table on the terrace. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks echoed in their ears, and the distant sunset dyed the sea surface with a luster like crushed gold.
The atmosphere of the dinner was very harmonious. After the meal, the two walked side by side on the soft sandy beach.
Hope kicked off her high heels, lifted her skirt, and let the cool seawater wash over her ankles.
The sea breeze blew through Hope's short hair. She appeared exceptionally relaxed today; there was less of the sharpness of a career woman in her eyes, and more of the tenderness belonging to a woman.
"Dinner was wonderful, Daniel. Thank you." Hope stopped and turned to look at the man beside her.
"It is my honor to have dinner with you." Homelander responded with a smile.
The two continued to walk slowly along the coastline.
"How are things going at the laboratory?" Homelander asked casually.
Mentioning the laboratory, Hope's brows furrowed slightly.
"The equipment and materials are all perfect; the efficiency of the Starr Group is amazing." Hope kicked a seashell at her feet.
"The new ant-man suit has been completed; it only needs final adjustments."
"Father is using the equipment you sent to rush a batch of new Pym Particles as backups."
"But..." She sighed, her tone carrying a hint of frustration. "He kicked me out of the laboratory."