~Manhattan, Baxter Building~
Sean led Mindy, who was carrying a small backpack, into the elevator. The numbers climbed steadily until stopping at the 48th floor.
Guided by the property manager who had been waiting for them, the two stepped into their new home.
"Wow... this is amazing Sean!" Mindy's mouth hung open as she shouted excitedly.
The first thing that caught the little girl's eye was the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sunlight streamed in, spilling across the still-spacious living room. Outside, a dense forest of skyscrapers stood like towering trees rooted in the earth.
When night fell, standing here would offer a sweeping view of Park Avenue, Central Park, and the dazzling city lights... Something that would create the illusion of looking down over all of New York.
The sleek, European-style decor and brand-new furnishings left Mindy utterly satisfied with their new home. She immediately dashed off to claim the bedroom she liked best.
"Kids can be a bit rowdy," Sean said with a chuckle, his eyes soft.
Mindy had lost her mother at a very young age and was later raised by her father, a man who had failed spectacularly at parenthood, treating his daughter more like a killing machine than a child.
As a result, Mindy had grown up without a proper moral compass, defaulting to violence at the slightest provocation, even taking lives without hesitation.
Fortunately, under Sean's deliberate guidance, the blonde little menace had gradually moved on from her past. Those bloody, painful memories had faded like old photographs, sealed away in the depths of her heart.
Now, their relationship was something like family... two lonely souls living together, each offering and receiving warmth in equal measure.
"It seems you're quite satisfied with the Baxter Building," the impeccably dressed property manager said fawningly, "The building has fifty floors, and its residents are all among New York's elite. By the way, Mr. Reed Richards lives directly above you. Given that you're both celebrated geniuses, I'm sure you'll find plenty to discuss. The Baxter Building is honored to have you as residents."
Anyone who had read the papers recently would recognize Sean's face...
Whether in tabloids or academic journals, the young man was everywhere... a rising star with the dual halo of wealth and scientific brilliance.
"Reed Richards?" Sean's eyes flickered with interest.
'The man ranked among the top three geniuses in the world lives right above me? What an interesting coincidence...'
"I'll pay him a visit when I have time. I've been looking forward to meeting Dr. Richards."
After ushering out the fawning manager, Sean stepped onto the balcony. Mindy was busy decorating her room, her excitement over the move clearly far from fading. Sean left her to it.
His pocket vibrated. Pulling out his phone, he answered Wesley's call.
"How did it go?" Sean asked.
<...Exactly as you predicted...>
Came the respectful reply.
<...The moment I mentioned Danny Rand and the Hand's origins, Alexandra's attitude shifted immediately. She agreed to your terms without hesitation...>
"Alexandra doesn't have much time left. The shadow of death is looming over her... No one stays calm under that kind of pressure." Sean gazed down at the city below.
Cars streamed like a metallic river along the highways, and in the distance, the winding Hudson River glinted faintly.
As he took in the view, he gave Wesley his next order, "Keep tabs on Danny Rand. I'll go meet him myself tonight."
Wesley hesitated before asking:
<...Boss... are you really planning to help the Hand complete their scheme?..>
Sean had laid out the Hand's plans plainly. If Alexandra unearthed the massive Dragon Bone buried beneath the city, it could destabilize New York's very foundations. The resulting collapse would claim countless lives.
Wesley was no saint, but the thought of standing by while millions perished gave even him pause.
"Do you really think I'd let those immortality-obsessed lunatics destroy New York?" Sean chuckled softly into the breeze, "I'll hand Danny Rand over to Alexandra, but the Dragon Bone and the Hand? Those belong to me."
The bone that could resurrect the dead, the global network of the Hand... both were prizes Sean intended to claim.
As for Alexandra and the other leaders? Well, someone else could handle them.
"Have Hell's Kitchen's street-level heroes started gathering yet?"
<...The Punisher and Daredevil have reached out to a few, but they don't seem to be working well together...>
Wesley reported, having been tracking the targets through his resources.
<...The Hand already found Danny Rand once, but the Iron Fist escaped. Their ninjas were no match for him. And Jessica Jones and Luke Cage are also investigating Midland Circle... Everyone is converging at once...>
"Good. A whole wave of points is about to roll in." Sean nodded in satisfaction.
The thought of the System's extensive exchange list sent a thrill through him.
<...Did you say something, boss?..>
Wesley had the distinct impression his occasionally eccentric employer was treating this like a game...
"Uh, I said you're doing great. Promotion and raise are coming soon. Keep it up, Wesley."
The perfunctory made Wesley sigh internally. He could never quite pin down his boss's personality... Sometimes he's approachable, yet at other times he's cold, decisive, and utterly ruthless.
Most days, Sean wore a sunny boy-next-door smile... but the moment he locked onto a target, an almost 'dark' aura seemed to emanate from him.
It was this unpredictability that kept Wesley meticulously cautious and his loyalty unwavering. In his eyes, his young employer was even more terrifying than the late Kingpin.
Hanging up, Sean rolled his shoulders, a spark of excitement igniting in his calm eyes. He could feel the power surging within him, the sunlight soaking into his skin like liquid energy and stimulating every cell.
"It feels like I'm about to score a pentakill tonight," Sean muttered, grinning as he clenched his fist.
"Sean! How are we celebrating tonight? Let's go to Chinatown, roast duck is way better than pizza! I even picked out a new dress!" Mindy burst back into the room, now clad in a frilly princess-style outfit that made her look even more adorable.
"Uh... what if I told you I have other plans tonight? You wouldn't be mad, right?" Sean ventured cautiously.
The living room went silent for a full second...
Then..
"LIAR!" The enraged blonde hurricane launched herself at him.
What followed was a chaotic chase through their new home, ending only when Mindy collapsed onto the couch due to exhaustion.
"I'll make it up to you next time, okay?" Sean sat beside her and ruffled her hair.
"Fine. This time only. And stop petting me!" Mindy curled up like a disgruntled kitten, "...Just come back safe."
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