Chapter 54: The Kidnapped Stephen Strange

Chapter 54: The Kidnapped Stephen Strange

"What did you say your name was?"

On the rooftop the next day, George looked at the tall man in a suit before him, his face showing a hint of surprise.

The man straightened his clothes with a hint of arrogance and replied:

"Stephen Strange. I warn you, this is kidnapping. What you're doing is illegal, and I will definitely sue you!"

"Is this guy the future Doctor Strange?"

George turned to Leon and asked:

"What's going on?"

"The other doctors were willing to come for extra pay, but this guy refused no matter how much we offered. However, he's currently recognized as the best neurosurgeon in New York.

So, we had to bring him here by force."

Leon pulled out a gun and pressed it against Stephen's forehead:

"Listen, kid, watch your tone. I know you have a girlfriend named Christine Palmer. You wouldn't want her to accidentally get hit by a car one day, would you?"

"You... fine... I'll watch my tone. Just don't hurt her!"

Stephen's face flushed with anger, but for the sake of his girlfriend's safety, he held back.

"So, it really is Doctor Strange."

George raised an eyebrow. The name, the profession, and even the girlfriend matched. There was no mistake.

He only remembered that Doctor Strange was once a famous doctor, but he hadn't realized he was a neurosurgeon.

But it didn't matter. Stephen wouldn't become Doctor Strange for another six or seven years. Right now, he was just an ordinary person. George wasn't planning to kill him; he just needed his medical expertise.

He doubted this would attract the attention of the Ancient One, that old recluse.

"Leon, put the gun down. Don't be rude to Dr. Strange."

Waving Leon back, George stepped forward and smiled at Stephen and the other doctors:

"Don't worry. As long as you do your job well, I promise you'll be paid handsomely—even more than agreed.

And I assure you, you and your families will be safe. No harm will come to you."

The doctors, staring at George's Reaper mask, all swallowed hard. Some were already regretting taking this job for the money.

But Stephen's earlier "example" had made it clear: they all had families, and none dared to object now. They could only nod and force smiles.

"Good. Since no one has any objections, let's get moving."

George didn't waste any more time. He cast a Levitation Charm on each of them, then used thin steel wires to tie them together and lifted them into the air.

Stephen and the other doctors, feeling weightless as George pulled them upward, widened their eyes in shock, barely suppressing screams.

As staunch materialists, they couldn't comprehend the magical phenomenon happening to them.

Just as they were about to faint from the height, they suddenly found themselves inside a jet.

To pick up the doctors, Isa had been piloting the X-Jet, hidden in the clouds above the rooftop.

"Who are you, really?"

Sitting inside the X-Jet, Stephen looked at George with deep suspicion.

If he had initially thought this was just a gang needing him to treat some important figure, the recent events had completely overturned that assumption.

He felt he might have been dragged into something far more dangerous, something that could end with him being silenced.

"Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough who I am.

Regardless of the outcome, I won't harm you."

George smiled without explaining further.

He had no intention of harming Stephen or the other doctors, but once they treated Professor X and Wolverine, their memories would have to be erased.

The X-Jet was fast, and they soon arrived at the mutant school.

George led Stephen and the doctors to the underground base's medical room, where Professor X and Wolverine were waiting.

"Professor X and Wolverine. You've probably heard of them, right?"

Even if they hadn't seen them in person, the X-Men comics were still globally popular. They must have at least heard of them.

"I always thought mutants were fictional!"

Seeing Wolverine extend his Adamantium claws, Stephen and the doctors couldn't hide their astonishment.

Stephen and the doctors were ordinary people. Without firsthand experience, it was easy to doubt the rumors, especially with the government and media's deliberate obfuscation.

It was like hearing countless legends as a modern person—dragon sightings, the Hell's Gate of Kunlun Mountain, or the supernatural events older generations claimed to have witnessed.

But unless you saw it yourself, most rational people wouldn't believe it.

Even if a cultivator were to undergo a heavenly tribulation in the middle of a city, unless you saw it with your own eyes, you'd assume any video was just CGI.

Sometimes, even seeing something firsthand wouldn't convince you. You might think you were hallucinating from eating the wrong mushrooms or seeing a mirage.

If the government wanted to hide something, ordinary people might never learn the truth.

These doctors were highly educated, staunch materialists. Without seeing Professor X and Wolverine in person, they wouldn't believe in the existence of mutants or superhumans.

"Let me explain their conditions, and then you can discuss and propose a treatment plan."

George briefly outlined Professor X and Wolverine's conditions and provided the virus samples from the genetic research institute that suppressed mutant genes.

After understanding the situation, Stephen and the doctors used the base's medical equipment to examine Professor X and Wolverine, then analyzed the virus samples before discussing treatment options.

By now, Stephen and the doctors weren't just motivated by money or their safety. They were genuinely fascinated by the existence of mutants and the unique medical challenges they presented. Opportunities like this were rare.

Seeing this, George left them to their work and returned to his dorm to continue studying magic with his doppelgänger.

That evening, Stephen, representing the doctors, presented their requirements to George.

"First, while your equipment here is decent, some of it is outdated. Here's a list. You'll need to procure new equipment as soon as possible.

Second, after our examinations, we've concluded that Mr. Logan's symptoms aren't primarily caused by the toxins from the Adamantium. It's the virus suppressing his mutant genes that's weakening his healing factor.

Once we develop an antidote based on the virus samples to restore his healing factor, the Adamantium toxins can be easily neutralized by his enhanced regeneration.

This includes Mr. Xavier's ability失控, which is also influenced by the virus, not just epilepsy.

Finally, Mr. Logan's issue is straightforward to resolve, but Mr. Xavier's is more complicated.

I can tell you outright that even after neutralizing the virus, the long-term damage to his brain means his epilepsy won't be completely cured. He'll need prolonged, careful rest.

Moreover, it's best if he avoids using his abilities. Unlike Mr. Logan, his body is that of an ordinary elderly man and can no longer withstand the strain his powers place on it."

(End of Chapter)