Chapter 89 – The Operation to Win Her Over

"He was a hero of the Soviet Union… how could he be locked in a prison…"

Seeing Natasha recognize the man in the photo, Smith didn't bother explaining why the Red Guardian, Alexei, who was once touted as the USSR's answer to Captain America, had ended up thrown into a cell.

Instead, he handed her another photo — of Melina. Natasha took it and gently stroked the image, whispering:"Mother…"

"You even found her too…"

Seeing Natasha's emotions stirred, Smith pressed the advantage:

"We didn't just find these two who played your parents for three years. We also dug up information on your real mother."

Natasha's eyes reddened, but she forced herself to remain calm."I was just a piece of trash — an orphan thrown away."

Smith raised a finger and shook it."No, no, no."

"That's not what we found. You weren't abandoned."

"You were taken as part of a genetic potential screening project, kidnapped by the Red Room."

"Your mother personally confronted Dreykov about it. And, as you can guess… he killed her."

"And of course, you can always ask Dreykov yourself when the time comes."

At this, Natasha couldn't hold back her tears. She'd always believed she'd been thrown away — a child no one wanted. She never imagined her mother had fought to find her, even paying with her life.

Smith couldn't tell if her tears were genuine or just part of her act — she was a world-class spy, after all — but he believed her emotions were real. He continued:"As for your sister, Yelena… sorry, no photo. But according to our intel, she's next generation Black Widow, still serving the Red Room."

Hearing this, Natasha wiped her eyes and asked firmly:"The Red Room really wasn't destroyed? That mission was really just SHIELD putting on a show?"

Smith didn't give a direct answer, instead saying:"That's something you'll have to see for yourself. But I'll take you to see Melina. She can prove to you the Red Room still exists."

"And Dreykov — don't you want revenge for your mother? She fought to find you but was killed by him. And Yelena — still under his control."

Smith knew that simply telling her it was all a lie wouldn't be enough — she needed to see it herself, see Dreykov alive and the Red Room thriving.

After gathering herself, Natasha finally asked:"Sir… what do you want me to do?"

Smith nodded, satisfied to hear her use the honorific."It's not about what I want you to do…"

"It's about what you want to do."

Natasha was silent for a moment before saying:"I want to see Melina, confirm Dreykov and the Red Room. I want to save Yelena and destroy the Red Room — it should've burned to the ground eight years ago."

Smith clapped lightly."Good. I like that. But how do you plan to do it?"

"On your own?"

"Or do you think SHIELD will help you? Do you even still trust them?"

"Do you think you alone could take down SHIELD as it is now?"

Natasha fell silent. She didn't really trust SHIELD anymore. And after working inside the organization, she knew she could never destroy it alone — nor could she destroy a stronger Red Room on her own.

"I can't do it alone. But I'll do everything I can to hurt them. Even if it kills me."

Smith smiled."Then let me show you the way."

"We start by breaking Alexei out of prison and taking him to see Melina."

"With Alexei at your side, Melina won't turn you away — and then you can learn the truth you seek."

"As for rescuing Yelena, destroying the Red Room, and killing Dreykov — those come later."

Natasha stood and asked seriously:"Why are you helping me?"

Smith didn't answer directly, instead asking her:"When you infiltrated us, didn't SHIELD tell you what the Brotherhood's mission is?"

She thought back to her briefing — the intel dossier on Smith, the organization's history and philosophy.

"Everything is permitted… nothing is forbidden?"

Smith nodded, finishing the phrase:"Justice must be enacted with our own hands — even if it means blood on them."

Natasha memorized his face. She believed him — ninety percent. The last ten percent would have to wait until she saw it for herself.

"Then let's go to that Siberian prison and rescue your 'father,' Alexei."

Smith led her out of the office. After confirming with John if he could fly a helicopter, they boarded a private plane bound for Siberia.

Meanwhile…

At the Triskelion, Coulson compiled the intel Natasha had passed him last night, along with his own analysis, printed it all out, and hurried to Director Fury's office.

He knocked on the door, stepped inside, and began his report.

(End of Chapter)

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