Day of Choice

Kyle's thinking fell into a misconception. He believed that ordinary people could eventually become superpowered individuals. However, he failed to recognize that superheroes, once they emerged, became targets in their own right. Take Iron Man, for example—without his suit, Tony Stark was just an ordinary man.

"The Antarctic operation could work. S.H.I.E.L.D. shouldn't have any idea yet," Kyle mused, turning over the potential opportunities in his mind. Besides the already-targeted Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) and Pietro Maximoff (Quicksilver), there were still many others Kyle could potentially intervene with.

But when it came to the next-generation Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, Kyle hesitated. At this point, Kyle didn't have any means to counterbalance the Ancient One. She wasn't just protecting humanity, but the entire Earth itself. Any attempt to disrupt her retirement plans could spark a conflict too great to handle.

"Alice, please come up," Kyle instructed, his mind moving quickly through the tasks ahead.

After a few moments, Alice arrived.

"Boss, what's going on?" Alice asked, concerned. She had just received a call without any explanation and had rushed over, leaving behind an important pile of work. She knew the daily workload was becoming unbearable, with documents piling up by the minute and her only escape coming late at night.

"It's nothing serious, just a little problem." Kyle waved his hand dismissively, then added, "If I give you 50 million, could we increase production to a scale that would be enough to supply the world within a month?"

Alice hesitated for a moment before answering. "I can do it in half a month, if that's the case," she replied confidently. While most of New York's local suppliers were already contracted, she hadn't yet been able to reach outside suppliers due to funding issues. With the necessary funds now at her disposal, she knew the task was achievable. But the question lingered in her mind: Why was Kyle suddenly offering such a large sum? 50 million was a significant chunk of the company's funds.

"Don't think too much about it. Just focus on what needs to be done," Kyle replied, his face calm but determined. He needed to exchange money for opportunity. Four months remained before the events that could change everything unfolded, and Kyle was determined not to waste any of that time.

As he mulled over his plan, Kyle remembered a pivotal moment. The chaos of alien invasions and the sudden rise of super-powered individuals began with Tony Stark's infamous declaration. He couldn't help but wonder—what would happen if Tony never said that line? Would everything that followed have been avoided?

---

Two days later.

This was an extraordinary day. Kyle, accompanied by Gasco, arrived at the company at six in the morning, holding a sealed portfolio in his hand. For the past few days, the Red Queen had been gathering all available intelligence, leaving only the option of asking the right people if they wanted more.

"Gasco, make sure to protect my safety later," Kyle reminded as they approached the door. His physique, though formidable, would be no match for the combat abilities of someone like Natasha.

Using his ID card to unlock the door, the sound of movement alerted not just Natasha, but also Clint Barton, who was being held in a nearby room. However, the soundproof nature of the rooms ensured that Barton wouldn't overhear the conversation.

"You are... Kyle Walter!" Natasha immediately assumed a defensive stance. Her eyes were cold, her expression hard. She would kill him with no hesitation if given the chance. But Kyle remained unfazed, holding the two "king cards" in his hand—cards that could force Natasha's hand.

Gasco, ever the loyal bodyguard, also adopted a protective stance, ready to defend Kyle should the situation escalate.

"Don't be so tense, Natasha. Wouldn't it be better if you smiled more?" Kyle said with a calm, gentle smile. Despite the tense atmosphere, Kyle remained unruffled. Natasha's loyalty to her team was admirable, but this was a chance to recruit her.

"Step back, Gasco," Kyle instructed, even though he knew Gasco could kill Natasha without breaking a sweat. Gasco understood; unless Natasha directly attacked Kyle, there was no need for unnecessary violence.

"I'm sure you've seen my name on some documents recently. You must know who I am," Kyle said, casually moving a small round table between himself and Natasha. He pulled out a chair and sat down without any signs of hesitation.

Natasha, still wary, remained standing for a moment. Finally, after a moment of contemplation, she reached out to offer a simple gesture, inviting him to sit.

"If you have something to say, I'm not sure I'll be able to resist punching you," Natasha warned. Despite her usual calm on the battlefield, the threat Kyle posed felt different. There was an unsettling, predatory vibe about him, one she couldn't shake.

"I know very well that you're Nick Fury's agent, but I find you very intriguing. What would you say if I offered you a place on my team?" Kyle asked bluntly, skipping over pleasantries. He valued efficiency above all else and preferred to get straight to the point.

True to her character, Natasha immediately rejected his offer without hesitation. "I can't just change sides like that," she stated firmly.

Kyle didn't take offense. "Everyone has the capacity to change. If they don't, they might as well be dead already. I believe you're too smart to stay where you are," he said calmly, pushing the portfolio he had brought with him toward Natasha.

Despite her resistance, Natasha's resolve wavered when she saw the contents of the portfolio. She shot to her feet in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"How... how did you find this? It's impossible!" Natasha stammered. Her usual composure cracked as she saw information that even S.H.I.E.L.D. had failed to uncover. Kyle had access to classified materials that Nick Fury himself wouldn't have been able to obtain. Her mind raced, now fully aware that Kyle wasn't just an ordinary businessman.

Gasco remained silent, watching the exchange with interest, but it was clear to Natasha that the man before her was not to be underestimated.

"Compared to dying, living offers many more possibilities," Kyle said, his voice soft but laden with a subtle threat. "As long as you're alive, there are countless interesting things to discover—just like how I found you."

As Natasha processed the information, she realized that the man standing before her was not just a leader in the business world—he was a man capable of reshaping destinies. Her heart raced, but the path ahead was still uncertain.

Kyle had his sights set on bigger things, and Natasha Romanoff was the first piece in a far-reaching plan. As she stood there, caught between disbelief and curiosity, it was clear that this was just the beginning.