Chapter 140: Funding

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Nick Fury's words left both Erik and Charles momentarily stunned—especially Charles. 

From the moment they had shared their plan with Fury, Charles had discreetly infiltrated his mind, using his abilities to monitor Fury's thoughts without him realizing it. Throughout the conversation, he had been closely observing every shift in the man's emotions—so closely that he likely understood Fury's own thoughts better than Fury himself. 

What truly surprised Charles was how genuinely the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. trusted his father. 

Was it an act? 

Impossible. 

Under Charles's psychic scrutiny, all deception was meaningless. 

---

Mac looked at Fury and asked, "You trust me that much?" 

"Hah!" Fury chuckled and said, "Touched, aren't you?" 

Mac smirked. "You don't sound like the head of a spy agency at all." 

Leaning back in his chair, Fury replied casually, "First of all, I know you. Second, if this plan succeeds, it will benefit the world. By getting involved, I can help steer it in the right direction." 

Pausing for a moment, he glanced at the three of them and added, "But most importantly, even if I weren't involved, you'd still go through with it." 

Mac nodded. "That's absolutely right." 

"Tch." Fury clicked his tongue, then downed the cold water in his glass in one gulp. He looked at Mac and said, "You bastard. I bet you already decided that if I refused—or if I was just pretending to agree—you'd wipe this conversation from my memory, wouldn't you?" 

Fury was well aware of Mac's many abilities—and he knew this was completely within his power. 

Hearing this, Erik and Charles tensed up slightly. 

But Mac simply glanced at Fury and replied flatly, "Of course. If it were you, you'd do something even worse." 

Fury spread his hands. "I'm just an ordinary man—I can't compare to you." 

Unlike Mac, he didn't have superhuman strength and had to rely on caution and careful strategy to survive. However, he also understood a fundamental truth—in the face of absolute power, all schemes and deceptions were meaningless. 

And in his mind, Mac was absolute power. 

Although Fury wasn't fully aware of Erik and Charles's abilities, knowing Mac's and Clark's strengths made him instinctively believe that these two weren't ordinary either. 

---

Fury narrowed his eye. "So, what powers do these two have?" 

Before Erik and Charles could answer, Mac cut in. "You'll find out in time." 

Fury scowled. "What's the harm in telling me now? It's not like I'd go blabbing." 

Mac smirked. "And what do I get in return? Are you funding part of the school's construction?" 

Fury hesitated for a moment before muttering, "S.H.I.E.L.D. should probably stay out of this one." 

Mac shot him a look of disdain. "Don't play dumb. I wasn't talking about S.H.I.E.L.D.—I was talking about you. You want to be part of this project, but you're joining empty-handed? How shameless." 

"I don't have that kind of money!" Fury exclaimed. "I have a family to support!" 

Mac sneered. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to." He leaned in slightly. "Right now, aren't you secretly transferring—" 

"Fine! I'll pay up!" Fury gritted his teeth, glaring at Mac. "You're a real bastard, you know that?" 

Mac grinned. "Right back at you." 

---

Watching the two haggle like street vendors, Erik and Charles were at a loss for words. 

However, when Charles realized Mac had effortlessly secured funding for their school, he couldn't contain his excitement and turned to Fury. 

"Thank you so much, Uncle Fury!" 

"Don't call me Uncle! Just call me Fury!" Fury snapped irritably. "Your whole family is full of schemers. If you call me 'Uncle,' I don't know when you'll decide to sell me out!" 

Mac said casually, "You say that as if we couldn't sell you out without calling you 'Uncle.'" 

Fury's face darkened. "…Just tell me their abilities." 

Mac gave him a meaningful look. "If you don't pay up later, don't blame me for getting unpleasant…" 

Fury scoffed, then turned to Erik and Charles. 

They exchanged glances with Mac. When he nodded slightly, they finally revealed their powers. 

Since their abilities would inevitably be exposed once the plan was set in motion, it didn't really matter whether Fury learned now or later. 

As Erik and Charles explained their abilities, Fury's jaw slowly dropped. 

His gaze flickered between the three of them, and a cold chill ran down his spine. 

This family… 

They're all monsters!

If this family ever decided to destroy the world, it would probably be easier than him taking a dump after a week of constipation. 

The thought made Fury chuckle. 

At least he was on Mac's side. 

Wait a minute! 

It made sense for Mac to be strong. But how were all three of his kids just as powerful? 

From what Fury knew, none of them were Mac's biological children—he had adopted them. 

Could it be that being adopted by Mac somehow granted them…? 

Fury stole a glance at Mac, wondering if it was too late to get himself adopted. 

---

Mac suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He narrowed his eyes at Fury and asked, "What are you thinking?" 

Fury flashed a grin. "I was just wondering..." 

Mac's expression darkened. "Don't even think about it!" 

Fury shrugged and finally snapped out of his ridiculous thoughts. 

Silence. 

A few seconds passed before Mac finally lost his patience. 

"Alright, business is done. You can leave now. What are you still waiting for?" 

Fury twitched. He pointed at the sky outside—it was already dark. 

"You're kicking me out at this hour? Not even offering dinner?" 

Mac sighed. "Fine. Since you're funding the school, what do you want to eat?" 

"Kung Pao Chicken!" 

Without another word, Mac waved a hand and headed for the kitchen. 

---

Fury watched him leave and smirked. 

Dinner was just an excuse. 

The real reason he stayed was that he wanted to talk to Erik and Charles. 

Turning to them, he was just about to speak when Charles beat him to it. 

"Fury, what happened to your eye?" 

He stared curiously at the black eye patch covering one of Fury's eyes. 

Fury's voice dropped a little. "I lost it on a mission. It was a hard lesson." 

Erik barely reacted and said casually, "That's nothing. My dad can probably fix it." 

"Oh?" Fury nodded slowly, then sighed. "He did offer to heal me, but I refused. I wanted to keep it as a reminder." 

Charles and Erik exchanged glances. 

A mischievous glint flickered in their eyes. 

Charles smirked. "You do realize I just told you my ability, right? I can tell when someone is lying." 

Fury: "…" 

For the first time in years, he actually felt embarrassed. 

Charles cleared his throat. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." 

Fury's lips twitched. After a long pause, he muttered, "You're just like your father." 

Just as infuriating. 

"Thanks!" 

Charles beamed, happily accepting the "compliment." 

Fury's face twitched violently. 

"Hahaha!" 

Erik burst into laughter before quickly excusing himself. "I'll go help in the kitchen." 

Fury sighed and glanced at Charles. 

Now things were really awkward. 

(End of Chapter)