A few days later, Ethan Voss sat across from Bullseye in a quiet coffee shop. The afternoon crowd outside drifted past the windows in an endless stream of pedestrians and traffic, but Ethan's attention was focused on the street corner across the road.
Parked there was a plain-looking van.
Inside the vehicle sat Lady Spiderweb and several members of her team. They had been stationed there for hours, scanning the surrounding area while quietly monitoring the crowd in hopes of locating Domino's whereabouts.
The operation had been running for days.
Bullseye had already attempted the probing plan Ethan ordered him to arrange. Three separate operations had been carried out, each designed to pressure their mysterious targets and flush out the hidden ability user assisting them.
All three attempts had failed.
"Boss, we tried three times already, and every attempt failed," Bullseye reported as he leaned forward across the table. His voice was calm, but the frustration beneath it was obvious. "These people behave like they can see the future. Every single time we prepared to approach them, they left the area before anything could happen."
Ethan calmly lifted his coffee cup and took a slow sip before answering. His expression remained relaxed, as though the situation had only made him more curious.
"That's interesting," he said thoughtfully. "I couldn't resist coming out to take a look myself."
For the past several days he had been occupied dealing with Nightmare's schemes and cleaning up the aftermath. Compared to that chaotic situation, these small-time players had barely registered on his radar.
Bullseye pulled a thin folder from his coat and slid it across the table.
"This report contains my current hypothesis," he explained. "I believe the unknown ability user among them possesses a power similar to something like a divine surveillance ability."
He tapped the document with his finger.
"The range of that ability appears limited. That's why they rely on a van to move around quickly. The equipment inside the vehicle is probably used to assist or extend that capability."
Bullseye looked up carefully at Ethan. Seeing that his boss had not interrupted him, he continued speaking.
"I've spent the last few days observing these people closely. Based on their movements and behavior, I've narrowed the possible candidates down to three individuals."
He held up three fingers.
"Lady Spiderweb herself, her personal bodyguard Teresa Vázquez, and the captain of her security team, Burcher Clemens."
Ethan casually picked up the report from the table.
Inside were detailed observation records compiled over the last two days. The files included photos, time logs, and Bullseye's explanations for eliminating the other suspects.
Ethan nodded slowly as he flipped through the pages. The reasoning seemed solid enough.
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin while considering the possibilities. At the same time, he secretly activated the power of Temptation, deliberately testing its effect.
After all, he had just made an enormous profit from the last incident. Spending a few Wolverines' worth of energy now was hardly worth worrying about.
Was there any problem with that?
Of course not.
Right, Logan?
Among the three suspects, Lady Spiderweb and Burcher Clemens had both visited him previously. The only person he had never met face to face was Teresa Vázquez.
With that thought in mind, Ethan looked through the window toward the street corner again.
As if by coincidence, a tall woman stepped out of the van at that exact moment. She stretched her arms casually beside the roadside, as though she had grown tired of sitting inside the vehicle.
Her appearance was fairly ordinary at first glance, but her long legs and confident posture gave her a striking presence.
"Is that Teresa Vázquez?" Ethan asked.
Bullseye glanced outside briefly and nodded.
Ethan studied her carefully. Even though she was simply standing beside the street, she gave off a very different feeling compared to everyone else nearby.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
Her physical condition was exceptional, easily a nine and a half out of ten. Her facial appearance, however, was closer to a seven.
Yet there was something else about her.
She possessed a unique charm.
Her aura felt decisive and cold, almost like the legendary Goddess of Death who had once crushed Thor's hammer without effort. A faint, confident gleam flickered in her eyes as if she viewed the world from above.
It was the presence of someone who naturally believed they were the ruler of the situation.
Ethan tilted his head slightly.
Had his taste changed without him realizing it?
Wasn't he usually attracted to bold, wild women with explosive personalities?
Just as he was thinking about it, the woman suddenly turned her head and looked directly toward the coffee shop window.
Then she smiled brightly.
Ethan inhaled sharply.
"She's seducing me."
He slapped the table with sudden excitement.
"Did you see that? She's seducing me."
Bullseye hesitated awkwardly. He opened his mouth, closed it again, then finally forced himself to speak.
"B-Boss… what you're looking at is… a mirror."
"Ah?"
Ethan's confident smile froze instantly. He slowly turned to look at Bullseye with confusion written across his face.
"Really?"
"…I think so," Bullseye answered nervously.
"Is that right?" Ethan asked slowly.
Bullseye felt a cold sweat forming as Ethan's eyes locked onto him.
After a moment of intense silence, Bullseye suddenly slammed his hand on the table with determination.
"She's seducing you, boss. She's absolutely seducing you."
His voice rose dramatically.
"That woman is unbelievably audacious. Completely unforgivable."
Bullseye leaned forward with fiery enthusiasm.
"Boss, I'll capture her today and bring her straight to your room. You can punish her personally."
Ethan nodded with great satisfaction.
"Your bonus doubles this month."
"Thank you, boss," Bullseye replied while quietly apologizing to his own conscience.
Ethan rubbed his hands together eagerly.
"Since she's already fallen for my charm, we can't handle this with crude methods. This situation requires a perfect encounter."
His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"I'll appear before her in a way she never expects. The moment she sees my handsome face, she'll fall completely."
He leaned forward.
"Bullseye, do you have any suggestions?"
Bullseye thought desperately.
"Maybe… send flowers?"
"Too tacky."
Bullseye frowned deeply.
"What about a hero saving a damsel in distress scenario?"
Ethan considered it for a moment.
"That could work, but accidents might happen. I don't want things turning bloody."
Bullseye suddenly snapped his fingers.
"I've got it."
Ethan clapped his hands with excitement.
"I'll host a masked ball tonight and invite a few mutants as well. We'll spread the rumor that there might be clues about Domino appearing at the event."
He pointed toward the street corner.
"And make sure that woman who seduced me attends."
Bullseye nodded with determination.
"Yes, boss."
Night fell quickly over the city.
Lights began to glow across the skyline as the grand masked ball hosted by Ethan Voss officially began.
The event unfolded smoothly.
Storm, Colossus, and Wolverine all attended the gathering. Several senior students from the mutant academy were also permitted to participate.
Lady Spiderweb and her companions arrived as well, dressed in elegant formal attire and wearing decorative masks.
No one knew exactly how Bullseye convinced them to come. When he returned afterward to report, however, he looked completely exhausted.
The ball took place inside a massive building modeled after ancient Greek architecture. The complex contained a grand central hall, winding corridors, a private study, a garden, and a large backyard.
Multiple dance floors had been arranged throughout the property.
Nearly a thousand people filled the venue. Many guests had been recruited directly from the streets earlier that evening and given masks at the entrance before being allowed inside.
The goal was simple.
Encourage everyone to scatter and move independently.
The plan worked perfectly.
Soon after entering the venue, Lady Spiderweb's group naturally separated.
Teresa Vázquez ended up standing alone near the garden dance floor, calmly observing the crowd around her.
Ethan adjusted the elegant mask covering his eyes.
It was time to see what kind of woman had managed to capture his attention.
Dressed in a pristine white suit, he walked toward her gracefully beneath the bright moonlight.
At that moment he looked exactly like a prince stepping out of a fairy tale.
"Woman, I've been watching you for a long time."
His voice was low and confident, projecting deliberate charm.
Teresa's eyes brightened slightly as she smiled.
"How long is a long time?"
Ethan answered smoothly.
"As long as you want it to be."
She laughed softly.
At that moment, beautiful music began flowing across the garden dance floor.
Ethan extended his hand toward her.
"Would you honor me with a dance?"
They did not dance only once.
They danced three times.
After the final song ended, Ethan gently touched her cheek and smiled.
"I have an invisible cat in my room that can do backflips. Would you like to come see it?"
She giggled.
"I don't believe that."
Ethan suddenly lifted her into his arms.
"Then tonight I'll make you believe it."
What happened inside the room afterward was so intense that even the moon outside seemed embarrassed, slipping behind a cloud to hide.
Later, Teresa rested quietly in Ethan's arms.
His hand absentmindedly traced gentle patterns across her back as he thought about what had just happened.
This woman was extraordinary.
Her body alone was impressive, but her face was even more striking.
The mask still covered her features, yet Ethan's psychic senses had long since revealed the truth beneath it.
Under the mask was an extremely cold and beautiful face. A faint scar crossed her right cheek.
She was not Teresa Vázquez.
Her real name was Euphemia Sarkissian.
The Hydra Madame.
She had come to New York personally while hiding her identity.
As expected of one of Hydra's leaders, her presence carried a powerful aura that was nearly impossible to conceal.
Unfortunately for her, Ethan had still discovered it.
She sat up suddenly.
"You took too long fussing around. I'm leaving."
"You're leaving already?" Ethan asked lazily.
Euphemia quickly dressed herself.
Before leaving, she instinctively reached toward her clothing as if searching for something.
Then she remembered she was wearing an evening gown.
After a moment of hesitation, she removed the golden bracelet from her wrist and pressed it into Ethan's pale hand.
She smiled faintly.
"Take care, little brother."
.....
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