Luke vs. Waller
Amanda was neither reckless nor unprepared. She had thoroughly investigated Luke's background, with a five-thousand-word file detailing his entire social history over the past seventeen years. The only reason she had appeared so aggressive earlier was to prevent Walker from catching on to her true intent. She just hadn't expected Luke to know so much about her, too.
Amanda pulled out her phone.
"Inside is the phone number for Steven Martin, the FBI's Coast City chief. You can call him now and tell him I'm impersonating the FBI."
Luke smiled and shook his head. "Only men with no flair would run to the principal to tattle."
"Angie, take these two handsome gentlemen out for coffee."
His secretary, Angie, walked up to Amanda's two subordinates and offered an invitation. The two men looked at their boss, got confirmation, and left with Angie.
With them gone, the meeting room felt much emptier. Luke took out a cigar, didn't light it, and held it to his nose, smelling it back and forth.
"I don't like dealing with government personnel, especially guys with unclear origins. Cut to the chase. What's the purpose of seeking me out?"
Amanda placed a photograph on the table.
"Who is the person in the photo?"
Luke glanced at it and chuckled. "Such a sexy and beautiful woman is rare. If you find out who she is, you can introduce me."
Amanda leaned forward, her stern face emitting a faint pressure.
"Luke Shaw, I represent not only the FBI but also the U.S. government. This is an official inquiry. If you don't give me an answer, next time, your girlfriend, Carol Ferris, will receive a special arrest warrant signed by the White House. She will answer this question in a federal prison."
"Am I to understand your words as a threat?"
"And if it is?"
Luke laughed, shaking his head as he did. "Since I founded the Young Master Gang, I've received threats regularly. One as direct as yours, however, is a first."
"In principle, I eliminate everyone who dares to threaten me from the face of the Earth. But since you're a woman, I've decided to give you a chance."
Luke changed his posture and spoke unhurriedly. "Ferris Aircraft has a twenty-year working relationship with the Department of Defense. Carol's father, Carl Ferris, has close ties with politicians from both parties and has funded the current President..."
"America is a place driven by self-interest. Do you truly believe that with the ambiguous authority you possess, you can put the daughter of the Ferris family in jail without any evidence?"
"I'm curious where you get such blind confidence."
Luke picked up the photo and slipped it into his pocket.
"Nice picture. I'll keep it. Anything else?"
Amanda pressed her hands on the table and slowly stood up, her cold eyes locked onto him.
"You're right. With the power I currently wield, I cannot force Carol Ferris into a prison cell. But don't forget, I'm not alone. I have many powerful backers. Carol Ferris is the Violet Lantern Woman, a cruel and ruthless criminal. Whether she admits it or not, the higher-ups will see her that way. For a terrorist who threatens national security, no matter who her father is or how deep her background is, she won't escape sanction. That... is the rule."
"Starting today, Ferris Aircraft will no longer have a cooperative relationship with the Department of Defense. All existing orders will be canceled."
"As for Carl Ferris, an old man in his sixties, how much longer can he possibly live?"
Amanda delivered the near-hundred-word speech in one breath, without pausing. Combined with her cold tone and tough expression, she exerted a powerful, invisible pressure. If she were facing an ordinary citizen, they would have been terrified. Unfortunately, she was facing the head of an organized crime syndicate who dictated the life and death of thousands.
Luke lit his cigar and took a deep drag.
"I understand. You didn't come here today to negotiate, but to declare war—war against me."
"Madam, I'm asking you for the last time: Do you truly want to declare war on me?"
The calm words echoed in the room, devoid of any emotion. Amanda sneered, about to speak, but then she suddenly remembered the fates of other gang leaders in Coast City. An unexplained chill crept up her spine. The words died in her throat, and she could only cough.
"I represent the White House. If you do not cooperate with my work, certain things will inevitably happen."
"The White House!"
Luke couldn't help but laugh aloud. "There are many people in the White House. Which one are you referring to?"
"That is classified. You don't need to know."
Luke extended a finger and shook it disapprovingly.
"Dick Cheney, the Vice President. He's the man behind you."
Amanda's pupils contracted to needle points, and her expression was utterly shocked.
Luke leaned forward, like a fox relentlessly cornering its prey. "Surprised? Actually, I know more. For instance, the relationship between A.R.G.U.S. and the President, and how you are using the President's flag while secretly collecting criminal evidence on him. I have to say, well done!"
Amanda instinctively reached for her lower back.
Luke raised his hand and pressed it down. "Don't be nervous, Madam. Everything I just said was speculation. No evidence. And you can't take anything without evidence seriously, can you?"
With the conversation having reached this point, no matter how inwardly terrified Amanda was, she forced herself to remain calm.
"Luke Shaw, what do you want?"
Luke pointed to the floor.
"Apologize to me for your previous behavior."
"..."
After a few seconds of silence, Amanda stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"I apologize, Mr. Shaw. I offer you my most sincere apologies for my inappropriate remarks just now."
"I accept your apology."
Luke smiled. "Go back to your seat. We can talk again now."
Amanda bit down, her right hand clenched tightly, her fingertips digging deeply into her flesh. Despite the pain, her expression remained unchanged, still composed and calm.
Seeing her demeanor, Luke couldn't help but offer her a thumbs-up. She truly is the infamous 'Demon King Waller' of the DC universe. To endure such humiliation without changing her expression—she has incredible restraint.
Everything was back to square one, but the relationship between them had fundamentally shifted. Amanda knew that, at this point, there was nothing left to hide.
"Mr. Shaw, I came to you for the purpose of cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
"Yes, cooperation with A.R.G.U.S. If you and Ms. Ferris are interested, you can join A.R.G.U.S. and become one of its founding members."
"I, the Vice President, and other directors sincerely welcome you both."
"I hope you seriously consider my proposal."
Amanda's tone was genuinely sincere, but Luke was unusually silent. Seeing this, Amanda didn't press him. She was confident that a man as clever and cunning as Luke Shaw would make the correct choice.
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