"Target spotted, continuing tracking."
"I say, is this really okay?"
Helen Cho looked with a blush at the two women dressed very strangely. The three of them were currently following a pair of 'very close' 'best friends.' Artoria and Susan were chatting happily in a nearby cafe. The three of them completely ignored the 'hentai'-like stares from people around them as they crouched at a corner. Finally, Helen Cho couldn't take it anymore and spoke helplessly to the two. Isn't it just shopping with a friend? Is it necessary to make such a big deal out of it?
"You don't understand yet, Cho. Right now they look like best friends, but who knows if Artoria won't be able to resist the temptation. Then, what would we do?"
Maya had a 'you're still too young' expression as she patted Helen Cho's shoulder. This made Helen Cho very puzzled; when did their relationship become so good that you're using an elder's tone with me? Isn't that a bit much?
"Alright, stop messing around. I've already gathered quite a bit of info on this person. Susan Stone, has a younger brother, currently working under a tycoon. Seems to be a student of Artoria's classmate. Why haven't I seen her? No impression."
Given Hope's relationship with Artoria, she should know how many people were around her. Now that such a beautiful woman had appeared and she had no impression of her, it was unscientific. She completely underestimated the potential of a little girl; even if she was an 'ugly duckling' as a child, she might grow up to be a white swan.
"Haven't you two seen this woman lately?"
She looked curiously at Maya and Helen Cho. Had neither of you noticed this? Lately, she had been busy with the Pym Particles and hadn't noticed a woman appearing by Artoria's side. This was a real failure.
"No x2."
The two shook their heads in unison, indicating they had never seen this woman. This gave Hope a headache, knowing nothing about her background. The plan to drive this woman away would be a bit troublesome.
"Artoria, there are three strange women who have been following us for two blocks."
Susan's eyes darted toward where the three were. Artoria rolled her eyes speechlessly; she had noticed them long ago and was quite familiar with them. But she didn't want to acknowledge them at all right now. You three are dressed in all black like spies; who wouldn't find that suspicious? If it weren't for the fact that people are more open to COS nowadays, you three would have been invited by S.H.I.E.L.D. for tea. Look, Natasha over there is happily waving at me, raising her cup."
"It's fine, probably just COS. As long as they don't interfere with our business, let's not disturb their world."
"Understood."
Hearing Artoria's words, Susan nodded. The project had officially started, and Artoria's funds were in place. That Mr. Fantastic, Dr. Reed, was now so busy he wished he had an extra pair of hands. The specific time would be three months at the earliest, or so Artoria thought. But who knows how 'green-skinned' scientists in the Marvel Universe are; maybe it'll be done in a month.
The two of them continued to play happily, while the three sneaky individuals stayed at a certain distance from Artoria under the watchful eye of S.H.I.E.L.D., not yet making a direct move.
At this moment, the future Doctor Doom, Victor Von Doom, was happily watching his old rival work hard under him. This gave him a great sense of achievement; it was absolutely exhilarating! Having money really allowed one to do whatever they wanted, even making their rivals bow down to the green dollar.
"Doom, I'm very grateful to you for investing in my project. Thank you."
See? He even had to thank him. Doom was overjoyed, nodding to indicate that the fellow should work hard and wouldn't be mistreated in the future. After seeing his old rival, Doom returned to his office, and his expression returned to normal. One had to know that his pressure was not small either; as a foreign enterprise, especially from a small country that the United States looked down upon most, even if he had money, he still faced disadvantages in entering various American projects. Others wouldn't let him in; even if he had money, they wouldn't let him buy shares.
It just so happened that his old rival had this project, so he used his rival as a stepping stone to develop his own company properly. Now those guys were just waiting for him to make a mistake so they could kick him out; how could he not know what they were thinking? Fortunately, the stark family's little princess had been a huge help, giving him some breathing room so he wouldn't be pushed too hard. However, when he invited her for a drink, he was rejected. This made him a bit annoyed, but his gentlemanly demeanor dictated that he shouldn't get angry with a lady.
"Susan... Susan..."
"Boss, she seems to have gone to play with the stark family's little princess. Do you need me to call her?"
"No... no need. Let her accompany that little princess!"
After calling his secretary a few times, an employee from another room told him that the object of his secret crush had gone shopping with another girl. Doom wasn't angry, thinking it was quite normal. Although it was during working hours, accompanying a client was also working and brought him maximum benefit. Of course, this was only because the other party was a woman. If it were a man, like Tony Stark, that famous playboy, then he wouldn't be so calm and would have called her back directly.
"Transfer some money to Susan and tell her that today's expenses are entirely covered by the company. Tell her to take good care of Artoria Stark."
As he was about to turn back, Doom turned around again to instruct his subordinate.
"Yes."
"Now I can continue thinking about investing in other things. If only that little princess were here, I should be able to persuade her to cooperate with me; I still have quite a few plans in hand."
Sitting in his executive chair, a look of disappointment appeared on Doom's face.
"What is it, Susan? Is something wrong?"
Shopping with the person she had admired since childhood, Susan was beyond happy today. When her phone rang, she checked it, and her expression became a bit strange. Why did the company suddenly send her money and tell her to enjoy herself? But it wasn't bad; she had originally planned to submit her resignation to follow Artoria. Looking at it now, she'd wait a while! Leaving like this would be a bit dishonorable; she'd wait until she handed over the work in her hands before mentioning it.
"It's nothing. It's just that we can have a good shopping spree today."
Saying this, Susan took Artoria's arm and dragged her into another store.
"Don't stop me, I'm going to kill that bitch!"
A certain 'insane' Wasp was being held tightly by two people. Otherwise, they would have witnessed a magnificent Shura Field. If Artoria had discovered them stalking her at that time, it would have been too embarrassing. 'We can't let her run over even if it kills us.' Maya and Helen Cho exchanged a look, both eyes conveying the same meaning. When did you two become so synchronized?
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