"Alright," Lynt said with unexpected directness.
"Not only will I keep your position, but I'll also give you 5% dry shares in Apex Technology.
Starting today, you are the chief operating officer of Apex Technology, responsible for integrating all of Frost International's business."
A flicker of surprise crossed Emma's eyes. She hadn't expected Lynt to be so generous.
This was more like... a partnership.
"However," Lynt's tone shifted, "as I said before, I want everything. Your company, and your people."
He stood up, walked over to Emma, and leaned in close to her ear, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Your body, and your mind, from now on, are mine.
Understood? My... White Queen? You won't regret it."
Emma's body trembled slightly.
So, this was his true purpose?
He wanted her?
She looked up, meeting Lynt's unfathomable eyes, still with an unyielding spirit.
"I understand, Boss."
Lynt smiled, a very happy smile.
Another top-tier 'mine,' both the person and the 'ore,' successfully acquired.
What exaggerated reward would the system give for this "deep binding" with a high-level psychic? Billions of U.S. dollars, or direct unlocking of some perverse mental ability?
He was already a little impatient.
However, just as he was about to take his newly appointed chief operating officer to the "lounge" next to the office for a deeper discussion on corporate culture...
The smile on Lynt's face instantly froze.
He abruptly walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window and looked down.
Across the street, a red-haired woman in a trench coat and sunglasses was leaning against an inconspicuous black car, looking up at Apex Tower.
It was Natasha.
She hadn't called ahead; she had come in person.
And even higher up, he could vaguely sense a Quinjet, with its optical camouflage activated, hovering silently in the clouds.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Nick Fury.
They had finally come knocking.
Lynt slowly exhaled.
The easy and pleasant 'newbie village' time was over.
He had high-profilely acquired Hammer Industries, and then quickly acquired Frost International and Hellfire Club.
This series of operations had, after all, upgraded him from an interesting rich man to an unstable factor in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files that needed to be highly valued and thoroughly investigated.
In the office, Emma Frost watched Lynt's suddenly serious expression, followed his gaze out the window, and naturally saw Natasha.
"It seems my new Boss has quite a bit of trouble," Emma said with a hint of sarcasm.
Lynt looked back at her, then suddenly smiled again.
"No, this isn't trouble."
He walked to his desk and pressed the intercom.
"Raven, Lorna, and the Valkyrie Squad, come to my office for a meeting."
"Tell them that our company might be welcoming its first batch of civil servant clients."
"Tell them to be ready, ready to welcome... S.H.I.E.L.D.'s due diligence."
Lynt pressed the intercom button lightly.
Emma Frost, the White Queen who had just surrendered everything, watched him with interest.
She wanted to see how this man would deal with S.H.I.E.L.D.
The most troublesome intelligence organization on this Planet.
A few seconds later, the office door was pushed open.
Raven led the way, her sharp black business suit perfectly outlining her astonishing curves.
Her yellow eyes swept the room, finally settling on Emma, her jealousy and hostility unconcealed.
Lorna followed behind her, hands in her pockets, looking annoyed.
She had swept her emerald green hair to one side, her eyes wild, ready to twist all the metal in this office into pretzels at any moment.
Finally, the four Valkyries.
They weren't wearing their golden armor, just simple casual clothes, but the fierce aura of Asgardian warriors emanating from their bones was more imposing than any armor.
Sigrun led them, her golden hair tied into a ponytail, her eyes calm yet seeming to see through everything.
The office instantly became crowded.
Crowded in every sense of the word.
Perfume, killing intent, curiosity, hostility, all mixed together, forming a strange balance.
"Everyone's here," Lynt pointed to the sofa, "Sit down."
He himself casually sat back in his Boss chair, a gentle expression on his face.
"Allow me to introduce Ms. Emma Frost," Lynt gestured towards Emma, "Our company's newly appointed chief operating officer. Everyone, please welcome her."
No one applauded.
Raven's lips curled into a cold sneer.
Lorna simply rolled her eyes.
Emma elegantly crossed her smooth, fair legs. She was unfazed by the scene, even flashing a victorious smile at Raven and Lorna.
The atmosphere grew even more strained.
"Alright, the family introduction segment is over," Lynt clapped his hands, bringing everyone's attention back.
"Let's get to business."
He looked out the window, his tone light.
"Downstairs, a civil servant has arrived, wanting to conduct a due diligence investigation on our company."
"From S.H.I.E.L.D."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Raven frowned, "What do they want?"
"What else could they want?" Lynt spread his hands,
"Checking our household registration, our Water meters, seeing if we've evaded taxes, if we're conducting any dangerous chemical experiments in the office."
He spoke lightly, but no one felt lighthearted.
Magneto himself had been hounded by S.H.I.E.L.D. and various governments, with nowhere to run.
"Should we send them away?"
Lorna spoke up, her fingers unconsciously tapping the metal armrest, making soft clicking sounds.
Her idea of 'sending them away' was clearly not as simple as inviting them to dinner.
"No," Lynt shook his head.
He looked at Emma, then suddenly smiled.
"Emma, as our company's newly appointed chief operating officer, shouldn't you be the one to go and greet these guests from the government department?"
Emma was momentarily stunned; why was she suddenly involved?
She instantly understood Lynt's meaning.
Having her greet S.H.I.E.L.D. was forcing her to admit, in front of the World's most powerful intelligence organization, that she was now Lynt's person.
Cutting off all her avenues for wavering or defecting.
This man, his heart was truly dark, *tsk*.
"Of course, Boss."
Emma stood up, straightened her expensive White suit dress, and her face regained its haughty and composed expression.
"It's my honor."
"Very good," Lynt was pleased.
He stood up and walked over to Emma.
"I'll go with you. After all, I'm the Boss; I can't let my chief operating officer face trouble alone on her first day of work."
He said this to Emma, but his eyes were on Raven.
The intention to appease was very clear.