Apex Amplification Company.
Lynt was not complacent.
He knew very well that an old fox like Emma, if one scheme failed, would inevitably resort to more aggressive and direct methods.
Commercial suppression and public opinion attacks were effective against a 'queen' like Emma, who cherished her reputation, but they would have little effect on a pure opportunist like Sebastian.
He had to be given something harsh, to make him feel the pain.
"Boss, this is all the information on Dr. Hank Pym."
Raven handed him a tablet.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance level on him is very high, and he has an eccentric personality, impervious to persuasion. It's almost impossible to get Pym Particles from him."
Lynt scrolled through the information on the tablet, a playful smile on his face.
"Who said we had to get it from him personally?"
He pointed to a name in the file.
"Hank Pym is an old-fashioned man, but his apprentice, Darren Cross, is an ambitious, capable, and… very cash-strapped young man."
The system's built-in "Asset X-ray" function had already exposed all of Darren Cross's secrets.
This genius scientist was just one step away from successfully replicating Pym Particles—a stable and efficient energy core, and massive financial support.
This was like someone bringing a pillow when one was sleepy.
"Raven, contact this Mr. Cross and tell him that Apex Technology is willing to inject two billion U.S. dollars into his 'Cross Technology'."
Raven's golden eyes flashed: "Boss, are you trying to… buy his company?"
"No." Lynt shook his head.
"I want to become his Angel investor, help him realize his dream. Then, take his dream, along with his technology, and make it our own."
This was how capital played the game. Never think about attacking the strongest fortress, but rather find the person within the fortress who most longs to come out, and then hand him a ladder.
"We cannot handle this ourselves." Lynt, buttoning his shirt, looked at Lorna, who had just finished her communication guidance class and was adapting to her rapidly increasing powers. "Lorna, this task is yours."
Lorna opened her eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in her green pupils. She hadn't expected Lynt to entrust such an important task to her so soon after she had "pledged allegiance."
"Me?"
"Yes, you." Lynt stood up and walked over to her.
"I need you to contact Darren Cross. With your identity as 'Magneto's Daughter,' he wouldn't dare to underestimate you.
What I want you to do is not to negotiate, but to demonstrate power."
He paused, speaking each word distinctly:
"I want you to make him understand that by cooperating with us, he can get everything he wants.
If he refuses us, he will lose everything he currently possesses."
"Also," Lynt changed the subject, looking at the four Asgard Valkyries in the corner who were almost bored sick,
"Sigrun, send one person to accompany Lorna as her bodyguard.
Remember, it's a bodyguard, not a thug. Unless Lorna's life is in danger, you are not to intervene and must follow her command in everything."
Sigrun nodded, her gaze sweeping over her sisters before settling on Astrid:
"Astrid, you go with Miss Lorna."
Astrid excitedly clenched her fist: "Yes, sir!"
Lorna was somewhat surprised by this arrangement, but more than that, she felt a strange sensation.
Was Lynt… trusting her? Or was he testing her?
Perhaps both.
But she didn't care.
She only knew that this was her first time, not as "Magneto's daughter," but as an "Apex Technology consultant," to independently execute a mission.
This feeling was new, and good.
"Remember," Lynt's instructions echoed in her ear,
"The core of your mission is to obtain all of Cross's research data on Pym Particles.
If you can buy it, great. If not, find a way to get it back. As for the company, it's just a bonus."
"Understood." Lorna replied concisely.
The next day, Cross Technology Company headquarters.
This was a seemingly unremarkable technology company located in an industrial area.
But at this moment, a highly conspicuous Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked outside the company.
Lorna wore a well-tailored black suit, complementing her iconic green hair.
Astrid, like a curious child, was dressed in a vibrant OL outfit, looking around with novelty at everything.
"Miss Lorna, this place… is so small." Astrid couldn't help but complain, "It's not even as big as our stables in Asgard."
Lorna ignored her and walked straight into the company entrance.
"Hello, we're here to see Mr. Darren Cross, without an appointment." Lorna said to the receptionist in a flat tone.
The receptionist was about to say "no appointment, no meeting," but after encountering Lorna's cold gaze, the rest of her words were swallowed back, and she nervously picked up the phone.
Soon, a somewhat neurotic-looking man wearing glasses hurried down from upstairs. He was Darren Cross.
"Who is the representative from Apex Technology?" Darren's eyes were full of wariness and a hint of imperceptible longing.
"That would be me." Lorna extended her hand, "Lorna Dane."
"Magneto's Daughter?"
Darren had clearly done his homework, a hint of surprise on his face.
"That's my past."
Lorna withdrew her hand, her tone cold.
"I am now a Senior Consultant for Apex Technology. Mr. Cross, my boss is very, very interested in your research."
Darren led them into his office, or rather, what looked more like a laboratory filled with various instruments.
"Miss Dane, I appreciate your company's recognition. However, my technology is priceless."
Darren adjusted his glasses, trying to take the initiative.
Lorna didn't waste words with him. She looked around the laboratory, her gaze falling on a sealed glass container. Inside was an insect-shaped armor prototype being scanned by laser beams.
"Priceless?" Lorna chuckled softly.
"From what I know, your company will go bankrupt next month.
The bank will take everything you own, including these 'priceless' toys of yours.
And your teacher, Hank Pym, will watch you like a failed joke."
Darren's face instantly turned ashen: "You investigated me?"
"This is called due diligence." Lorna walked to the glass container.
"Your technology is very advanced, but it has flaws.
Energy, materials, control systems—all are problems. And we happen to have all of these."
She extended a finger and lightly tapped the glass container.
Buzz—
The entire glass container, along with the armor prototype inside, was instantly twisted and compressed by an invisible magnetic force, finally turning into a fist-sized, metallic-glowing ball of scrap metal.
Darren's eyes nearly popped out of his head; his prized reinforced glass was as fragile as paper in front of her!
"Now, can we discuss the 'price,' Mr. Cross?" Lorna turned around, looking down at him.