After returning home.
Nolan, who was already exhausted, collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
It wasn't until he woke up the next day that he had the energy to recall what happened yesterday.
He had gone to kill someone.
He was certain that no one knew the purpose of his actions.
But why, when he was clearly going to set an ambush, did he end up being ambushed instead?
Firstly, it couldn't have been Campbell and the others.
No one would be that stupid.
Moreover, Campbell and the others were, arguably, under his surveillance the entire time.
Could it have been his father's enemies?
But he had never heard of them.
The most crucial point is, how was his whereabouts exposed?
As he thought, Nolan's expression gradually turned grim.
It wasn't that no one knew.
In fact, at least one other person knew his purpose.
"Uncle Charles, you're not really another Obadiah, are you?"
Nolan sighed.
Even though the truth was right before him, he still found it hard to believe.
The original owner's memories of over a decade weren't false.
So he had never considered this possibility.
But if it wasn't Charles, he couldn't think of any other possibilities.
After confirming this point.
He couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
This World is truly messed up.
He had thought that Charles was his Alfred Pennyworth.
But the reality was telling him that this was just wishful thinking on his part.
The only person he could trust no longer existed.
Having lost several major shareholders of the company, coupled with Charles's betrayal.
Locke Company, as it stood now, was more than just on the brink of collapse.
If he were smart, he should ignore Charles's threat against him.
After the company stabilized, he would consider how to deal with him.
But could things really go so smoothly?
Would Charles, who had attempted assassination once, really let him go?
Impossible.
"Dear Uncle Charles, it seems we need to have a heart-to-heart talk."
Nolan muttered to himself.
Perhaps... he had misunderstood?
Just as he was thinking.
There was a knock on the door.
Nolan walked over.
Standing outside was a face he found familiar.
Opening the door, he saw three people standing at the entrance.
"Mr. Locke, hello, I'm Phil Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, and these are my two assistants.
We have a few things we'd like to consult with you about."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Nolan feigned confusion.
"Oh, sorry, that name you mentioned is too long."
Coulson was taken aback for a moment.
"S.H.I.E.L.D., that's a good name."
The previous name was indeed too long.
Even they found it troublesome to say.
After showing their identification, Nolan let them into the house.
"It's like this, Mr. Locke, are you aware that a serious murder incident occurred last night?"
"Of course."
Nolan rubbed his temples with some distress.
"I think, having lost several shareholders, Locke Company might be in big trouble. I originally wanted to take advantage of the K-01 launch to elevate Locke Company further, but now it seems this plan might be delayed for a long time."
"Then do you know who Locke Company's competitors are?" Coulson continued to ask.
"There are many, for example, Stark Industries, Osborn Industries, and..."
Nolan listed a whole bunch of names.
Coulson and his two assistants exchanged glances.
They had long heard that Nolan Locke was different from his shrewd father, merely a fellow enthusiastic about research, and it seemed that was indeed the case now.
Anyone with a bit of common sense knows.
These companies he mentioned...
None of them would even consider Locke Company a threat.
"Alright, our questioning will end here for now. If you have any other information, you can contact me directly."
Saying this, Coulson handed him a business card.
Just as the three were preparing to leave.
Coulson suddenly turned back.
"Do you know what model the robot that killed Campbell and the others was?"
Nolan's face was full of confusion.
"What robot?"
"Nothing, sorry to have bothered you."
Having said that, Coulson and the other two left.
"This guy is truly watertight."
Coulson sighed.
The two beside him were surprised.
"Boss, isn't he just a kid who hasn't seen much of the World?"
Coulson smiled.
"Didn't you realize?
We didn't get any useful information from this visit.
But never mind, it's unlikely that Nolan Locke was involved in this matter, and that robot couldn't possibly have been something he researched."
On the other side, Nolan breathed a slight sigh of relief after Coulson left.
Fortunately, he had already thought of this possibility.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s speed is really fast.
Having killed several people.
Nolan also didn't forget those few contracts.
He had placed a tracking robot in the home of everyone who had signed a contract.
Although these little guys didn't have much combat power.
Their reconnaissance ability was considerable.
And yesterday, at the same time he killed several people, these tracking robots also took action and destroyed the evidence in their hands.
After all, those were confidential contracts.
They hadn't gone through the official notarization process.
Only the videos they themselves recorded could prove everything.
Unfortunately, one was still missing!
Besides the people he killed yesterday, Mores had also lent him ten million.
And yesterday, Mores did not participate in this matter.
Fortunately, if it was just ten million, he could still repay it.
Meeting room,
Nolan sat in the chairman's seat.
By his side, as always, was dear Uncle Charles.
Charles still maintained his diligent and conscientious appearance.
After the regular meeting report, Nolan suddenly spoke:
"Distinguished board members, I presume you have all heard the news about the incidents involving Campbell and several other board members.
Locke Company is currently in turmoil, and the most crucial point is that we don't even know who was behind the attacks on the board members.
Considering the significant pressure on some board members, I can buy back the shares you hold."
Hearing Nolan's words, many board members were startled.
Quite a few were somewhat moved.
It's true that K-01 is excellent.
But one product cannot support a company.
Moreover, the matter concerning the few board members hasn't been exposed yet.
Even a little exposure would undoubtedly cause a major shockwave.
Just then, Mores spoke:
"Nolan, you couldn't possibly have orchestrated this whole play yourself, could you?
Because you researched and developed K-01, you want to kick all of us company board members out.
Speaking of which, why did Campbell and the others die?
They had a grudge against you.
Could it be... you did all of this..."
Instantly, everyone's gaze turned towards Nolan.
Nolan glanced at Mores.
These few sentences were equivalent to him exposing himself.
If that killer wasn't hired by him, it definitely couldn't be unrelated to Mores.
Nolan looked at him deeply, his expression carrying a hint of depth and sorrow, and spoke:
"This is Locke Company, the enterprise left behind by my father.
Why would I take action? Would it be to destroy my father's life's work?"
This was the reason he killed several board members yet wasn't worried in the slightest.
He had no motive.
At least until someone knew that Campbell and the others wanted to kill him, he had no motive.
He was just a poor young man, not yet twenty, who had just lost his father.
What could he have done wrong?
...