Chapter 82: Tony's Secret Suit.

A familiar underground garage.

Three figures—two adults and one child—suddenly appeared.

The garage's electronic system immediately triggered an alarm. Disinfectant mist sprayed out from all directions, engulfing the trio. It took a full thirty seconds for it to stop.

"It's only the evening of the next day?" Tony glanced at the wall clock. "Just one day has passed."

"Tony, forget the time. Your setup is seriously over the top," Malrick commented.

After the spray ceased, Malrick removed his armor and stepped out, wiping Shirley's face gently.

"This damn sterilizer turned our little Shirley into an ugly duckling," he chuckled.

Holding her innocent face, he added, "Look at those big eyes, Tony. Doesn't it tug at your heart?"

"Nope. It's this ridiculous system's fault—why is sterilization so long?" Tony responded as he took off his armor and crouched in front of Shirley. "Oh no, look at this poor little princess—your hair looks like a wet rag."

He smacked the back of his Mark IV armor. "Uncle Tony will make it up to you, I promise!"

Shirley's brows twitched. She puffed out her cheeks. "Wait a minute... Did you two plan this?!"

She had initially felt touched by their concern. But their not-so-subtle smirks gave them away.

She remembered them standing armorless in Raccoon City's square. But after Malrick said, "Do you remember the disinfection procedure you set up when leaving?", both men exchanged a look, donned their armors, and grabbed her hands like gentlemen.

Back then, she was too excited—thinking she was heading to a new world with her beloved big brother.

But now, it all clicked.

These two villains absolutely did it on purpose!

She glared silently at Malrick, lips pouting and eyes glossy.

"You still have the nerve to look innocent," Malrick nudged Tony. "You made her angry and you're still laughing—shameless!"

He scooped Shirley up and lifted her onto his shoulders.

"Come on, sweetheart. Don't be mad. We're not mad at the bad uncle—this is all his fault. Let's go check out your room."

Malrick carried her upstairs.

Within minutes, her giggles returned. She forgot entirely that she was the only one who got doused in disinfectant.

The Stark mansion had no shortage of available rooms. Shirley was placed in the coziest one at the end of the hallway.

Malrick introduced each smart feature—the lighting, the curtain control, and the holographic system. Then he left her to settle in.

Shirley paused on the sofa, then began darting around the room with excitement.

Voice-activated lights, gesture-controlled curtains, and interactive holograms amazed her.

She should've felt nervous, having entered an unfamiliar place. But thanks to the earlier prank, and their playful behavior, she didn't feel alienated at all.

Coming from a post-apocalyptic world where clean water and food were luxuries, everything here felt surreal. She felt like an ancient traveler in a futuristic world.

After a couple of hours, she satisfied her curiosity, ran into the bathroom, activated the smart controls, lined up her little dolls, and took a warm, refreshing bath.

---

That night, after dinner, Malrick knocked on Shirley's door.

"How's everything? Settling in well? You'll be staying here for a few days."

They sat side by side on the bed.

"It's great! I can't believe it's the year 2008 here, and everything is so advanced!" Shirley twirled her fingers in the air. "Wait... didn't you live here before? Are you moving out soon?"

"No, Tony and I have lived here since we were kids," Malrick replied. Seeing her expression shift to worry, he quickly added, "Don't get the wrong idea. I said a few days, but I'm just moving to New York soon. You're coming with me."

He ruffled her hair gently.

"If I left you alone with Tony, who knows what would happen."

He knew all too well how hopeless Tony was at handling children.

"New York?" Shirley remembered how her own world's version of New York was reduced to ruins. "College?"

"Not yet. I've set up an organization there and need to check on it. Stark Industries is also building a tower—gotta keep an eye on things."

"That sounds awesome! Is your organization like Umbrella?"

"Sort of... in purpose, maybe."

Malrick took out a storybook. "Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to some of the sisters from the group. You'll see. But for now, how about a bedtime story?"

Shirley's eyes lit up. She nodded eagerly.

Her parents had never told her stories.

"I—I'm going to bed right now!"

She bounced off the couch and dove under the covers, only her head peeking out like a baby bird.

Malrick chuckled.

Adopting Shirley had been his decision—Tony fully supported it.

In the original timeline, her life had been nothing short of tragic.

At twelve, she'd been hunted by her mutated father and abandoned by her cold mother. Surviving that, she was then used in horrific experiments on the G-virus.

She wasn't given partial freedom until she was twenty-six.

Yet even then, she chose to protect others from the horrors of bioterrorism instead of turning bitter.

How could anyone not admire such resilience?

"Alright, let's start with Andersen's fairy tales. Ever read any? He actually wrote—"

Malrick sat at her bedside, voice calm and gentle.

Shirley drifted off before long, her breathing soft and rhythmic.

"Kids fall asleep fast. Goodnight, Shirley."

He closed the book, brushed her hair aside, and exited quietly.

Then he made his way to the lab. As soon as he entered, he saw Tony frantically covering a battle suit with a black cloth.

"Malrick! Knock before you enter the lab next time!" Tony scowled as he turned around.

__

My patreon link, thanks....

Patreon.com/Zphyr_

(We on Chapter 160 on pat btw)