"Tony, I don't understand why we're buying newspapers and investing in TV networks!"
Pepper handed a cup of coffee to Tony Stark, her expression full of confusion.
"The main business of Stark Industries is developing new energy. Sure, media can promote the company's image, but even then — do we really need to buy three newspapers and invest in TV?"
Tony took the cup from her and set it down, interrupting her mid-sentence.
"Because I want to be a good person, Pepper."
Pepper blinked, momentarily stunned.
Tony leaned back, his tone unusually calm and reflective.
"Ever since I came back from that cave in the Middle East, I've been asking myself why God took Yinsen's life and let me live. When I was dying from palladium poisoning, I thought my time was up — so I got lazy, detached… I even gave away my so-called 'legacy.'"
He looked up, his eyes more serious than usual.
"But maybe God didn't let me die because my mission wasn't over. Maybe He wanted me to find a cure, to figure out what I was really meant to do."
Tony stood, walked over, and gently took Pepper's hand.
"Ethan was right, Pepper. Before he died, he pointed to the arc reactor in my chest and told me to be a good man. But tell me… was flying halfway across the world in a metal suit to destroy the weapons Obadiah Stane sold under the table really enough to make me a good man?"
He shook his head.
"No. That's not enough. Not even close."
Placing Pepper's hand over his heart, Tony said softly but firmly,
"I'm not acting on impulse this time. I finally understand the meaning of my life — why I was spared in that cave."
Pepper looked at him tenderly, her eyes softening. She placed his hand on her cheek and smiled.
"Tony… whatever it is you want to do, I just want you to know — I'm always on your side."
"Of course you are," Tony said with a grin, gently kissing the back of her hand. "So, the whole 'buying newspapers and investing in TV' thing… I'll leave that in your capable hands."
Pepper laughed and stood up.
"Well, Mr. Stark, it seems you've finally grown up. I'm going to take a shower first."
Tony smirked. "You sure you don't want some company?"
Pepper gave him a playful glare. "No. Don't even think about it!"
"Tsk…" Tony spread his hands helplessly as she walked away. Then, as the bathroom door closed, he sighed and took out his phone.
When the line connected, Tony spoke immediately.
"Matt, have the Judge and the Punisher made their move?"
On the other end, amidst muffled gunfire and chaos, Matthew Murdock's voice came through.
"They've already started. The Judge interrogated one of the Blood Parrot Gang members about where they're hiding the women and children."
"You mean Captain Rogers and Natasha?" Tony asked.
"Yeah," Matthew replied. "They've gone to rescue them. I can hear gunfire everywhere. I'm heading in to help now."
"Be careful, Matt," Tony said.
"Don't worry," Matthew replied with a slight chuckle. "These are just lowlife gangsters — not even a tenth as dangerous as the guys in Hell's Kitchen."
Then the call ended.
Inside the Blood Parrot Gang's compound, chaos reigned.
"Bang! Bang! Da-da-da-da—!"
Gunfire echoed through the hallways as Linen and Frank Castle moved like grim reapers, cutting through enemies without hesitation.
One shot from Linen dropped a thug aiming at Frank. He flicked his hand, and two glowing magical chains lashed out, wrapping around several men hiding in the shadows.
Seeing this, Frank raised his submachine gun and unleashed another burst. In less than a minute, the floor was littered with corpses.
Frank lit a cigar, impressed by Linen's ruthless efficiency.
"I like your style, Judge. Way better than those self-righteous heroes who talk too much."
Linen took the cigar but didn't light it. Instead, he pointed upward.
"There's one left — the leader. He's trying to escape through the window."
A crash of shattering glass followed. But before either of them could react, Matthew appeared, dragging the screaming gang leader across the floor.
"Didn't even need to touch him," Matt said dryly. "He broke his leg jumping out the second floor window. Pathetic. For a gang leader, I expected at least a fraction of Kingpin's skill."
He sniffed the air, frowning at the metallic tang of blood.
"You killed them all?"
"It's a bigger crime to let them live," Frank growled, raising his gun to finish the job.
But Linen stopped him, stepping forward.
"Look into my eyes," he commanded.
The gang leader froze, then screamed in agony. His body shook violently as Linen's power pierced into his mind.
"Tell me," Linen said coldly. "Where are the records — the evidence of your trafficking operation and your connections with those powerful men?"
Under the spell, the gang leader's terrified voice spilled everything.
As soon as Matthew heard the location, he ran upstairs to retrieve the evidence.
Linen, seeing the man's use had ended, raised his gun and fired.
"Bang!"
The leader collapsed, lifeless. Linen turned to Frank.
"Let's go. The evidence is one thing, but there are victims downstairs who still need us."
They pushed open the basement door — and froze.
Huddled in the corner were a dozen terrified girls and children. All were bruised, trembling, their eyes filled with terror.
Seeing their condition, Frank's rage boiled over. Memories of his murdered wife and kids flashed before his eyes. His grip tightened on his weapon, his face twisting with fury.
"Those bastards… those rich bastards behind this. I'm going to kill every last one of them!"
As he raised his gun to storm out, Linen grabbed his arm.
"Stick to the plan, Frank. If we don't root out every link in this chain, there'll be more victims tomorrow. Let's finish this the right way — completely."
Frank took a long breath, forcing himself to calm down. Then, with uncharacteristic gentleness, he knelt in front of the frightened women and children.
"Don't be afraid," he said softly. "We're here to rescue you. The monsters who hurt you… they're gone."
The basement was silent — but for the first time that night, there was a glimmer of hope in those terrified eyes.
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