Marvel: Umbrella Corporation

Next, Obadiah conducted some simple tests on his subordinate. These included strength, agility, reaction speed, and defense.

He discovered that his subordinate's attributes had improved significantly in all aspects, with strength increasing by over tenfold, making him almost like a small-scale Superman.

Moreover, he had heard that Umbrella's T-Virus enhancement serum didn't immediately unleash all its effects but would continue to gradually strengthen the user over time.

This made him even more satisfied.

"However, it's a pity that Umbrella's enhancement serum is too expensive. Otherwise, I'd give a dose to each of my subordinates."

After saying this, he picked up the syringe, preparing to inject himself with it.

But just then, a subordinate entered the conference room.

"Boss, Pepper has arrived at the company and has gone to Stark's office."

Upon hearing this, Obadiah had to temporarily set down the syringe and walked out of the conference room.

Regarding this woman, although he was somewhat wary of her, he was more interested in recruiting her.

After all, her capability and insight were quite impressive.

Moreover, most of their connections with the military were thanks to her, so he didn't want to break ties with Pepper unless absolutely necessary.

...........

On the top floor of the Stark Tower, this was Tony's office.

At this moment, Pepper, with a handbag slung over her shoulder, was moving stealthily toward the computer desk, constantly glancing back at the office door, as if she were a thief feeling guilty.

Upon reaching the desk, she immediately turned on the computer, which brought up a password entry screen.

Without hesitation, she inserted the USB drive Tony had given her. As the password was bypassed, she began browsing the files.

As she went through file after file, she suddenly came across some blueprints and information about a suit of armor.

"Area 16? Obadiah, what are you up to?"

Continuing to open the next folder, she found a video. It was the footage of the terrorists kidnapping Tony.

However, the terrorists were speaking a Middle Eastern language that she couldn't understand. But the terrorists hadn't released any video to the public demanding ransom or anything after kidnapping Tony.

So, she quickly entered a command to enable real-time translation.

"You didn't tell us the target for the assassination was Tony Stark."

Upon hearing this sentence, Pepper was instantly shocked.

"Oh my God!"

The video continued to play.

"Obadiah, you must pay for your lies and deception. The price for assassinating Tony Stark has just gone up."

At this point, Pepper quickly started copying the video, including the Area 16 information and all the transaction records.

"Hey Pepper, need any help?"

Hearing the voice, Pepper was suddenly so frightened that she shivered all over, then looked in terror toward the door.

She saw Obadiah standing outside, then walking into the room.

Seeing that Obadiah wasn't showing any hostility and just had a calm expression, she immediately composed herself, realizing that he didn't know she had discovered the video.

This both relieved her and caused a flurry of thoughts as she watched the files being copied.

First, she absolutely couldn't be discovered, or else, knowing Obadiah's methods, she would definitely lose her life.

Secondly, she had to finish copying these files and hand them over to Tony.

At this moment, Obadiah slowly walked over to the wine cabinet, pouring himself a drink, and then smiled at Pepper.

"I understand how you feel, Pepper. Tony is just so selfish, causing a lot of trouble and then leaving you to clean up the mess."

Seeing this, Pepper, taking advantage of him not looking her way while pouring the drink, carefully covered the USB drive with a newspaper and then responded with a smile.

Obadiah finished pouring his drink and walked over to Pepper. Seeing that the file copying was complete, she quickly clicked to put the computer into sleep mode.

The screen instantly switched to the screensaver.

Obadiah saw the screensaver and didn't think much of it, continuing with a deep expression, "You don't know how happy I was when Tony first came back. It was like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."

Hearing him acting right in front of her, Pepper felt a chill in her heart.

It turned out the person she had worked with for so long was such a sinister man.

No wonder Tony insisted on having her come to the company to find these files; otherwise, she wouldn't have known what was going on until it was too late.

"But now I understand that Tony never really came back. Half of him was left behind in that cave. He's broken my heart."

After saying this, he even put on a heartbroken expression.

His words were clear—he was ready to break with Tony.

Moreover, he had already made plans and had thoughts of killing Tony, so he was testing Pepper's reaction.

If her response satisfied him, he wouldn't mind keeping her around after killing Tony. But if her answer displeased him, then after killing Tony, she would have to go too.

If it were in the past, Pepper wouldn't have thought much about Obadiah's words, but after watching the video, she now felt waves of fear.

He was going to move against Tony!

But as a strong woman, she forced herself to stay calm, showing a slight smile.

"He's a complex person, having gone through a lot. I believe he'll get better."

Hearing this, a cold light flashed in Obadiah's eyes.

Her meaning was clear; she was refusing his invitation.

But this was a law-abiding society, and many people had seen Pepper come here, so now was not the time to act.

After quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind, Obadiah took a sip of his drink and then nodded slightly.

"You're a rare good woman, Pepper. Tony doesn't know how lucky he is."

Hearing this, Pepper breathed a sigh of relief, because she knew she had survived.

"Thank you, thank you..."

The first "thank you" was for sparing her life, and the second was for the compliment.

"I think I should be going now."

After saying this, Pepper, using the motion of picking up the newspaper, pulled out the USB drive, then left her seat and walked toward the door.

Obadiah, watching Pepper's departing figure, couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

So he called out to test her, "Is that today's newspaper?"

Hearing this, Pepper paused for a moment, but her excellent psychological composure and memory allowed her to quickly respond, "Of course."

Obadiah walked over suspiciously, scrutinizing Pepper closely, but nothing seemed out of place.

"May I borrow the newspaper to have a look?"

"Sure."

He picked up the newspaper and looked it over, finding nothing suspicious, and Obadiah felt that he was being overly suspicious and anxious.

But as he watched Pepper walk out the door, he still felt uneasy, so he warned her, "Be careful."

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