Eight o'clock in the evening.
Manhattan.
Inside the White Queen's apartment, the atmosphere was warm and unhurried. After an indulgent afternoon that had begun in the bedroom and continued into a shared bath, Richard and the White Queen now sat across from each other at the dining table, enjoying dinner.
She had insisted several times that she could cook. Unfortunately, her culinary expertise extended almost exclusively to traditional American dishes. Richard had no desire to end his day with burgers or steak, so he chose takeout instead.
Not just any takeout.
He searched specifically for a Chinese restaurant with overwhelmingly positive reviews written in Chinese. Then he ordered every signature dish on the menu. The portions were excessive, easily enough for five or six people, but that did not concern him. With his enhanced physique and metabolism, finishing the spread alone would be trivial.
After dinner, they relocated to the living room sofa.
Their conversation, unsurprisingly, drifted toward topics that would not be suitable for minors. They debated whether the evening's "discussion" should take place in the living room or the bathroom before bed. They weighed aesthetic choices—white silk or black silk. The tone was light, teasing, indulgent.
Then the television shifted abruptly.
The evening news cut to a live White House press conference.
Strangely, there were no reporters present. No outside cameras. Only internal White House media staff.
Richard narrowed his eyes and flipped channels.
Every major station was broadcasting the same feed.
A mandatory directive.
He turned up the volume.
The White House spokesperson stood stiffly behind the podium and began reading from a prepared statement with dramatic solemnity.
"After a joint investigation by multiple departments, it has been determined that Minister of Mutant Affairs Filippo Todd and Deputy Minister Winston Lambert repeatedly violated federal law, abused their authority, illegally detained mutants without criminal records, and improperly issued wanted warrants during their tenure…"
The statement went on for nearly five minutes.
When it concluded, the message was clear, despite the bureaucratic phrasing.
First, Todd and Lambert had been detained for misconduct.
Second, Richard's S-level wanted order had been officially revoked.
Third, the destruction of the Mutant Affairs headquarters was attributed to a natural gas leak causing chain explosions. Casualty numbers were "under investigation."
The White Queen rested her head on Richard's thigh like a contented cat.
"The White House covering up the truth through a press conference," she said lazily. "That's practically a tradition."
She tilted her chin slightly.
"Most of it is nonsense. But they did publicly cancel the wanted order."
Richard's hand moved idly along her waist as he spoke.
"I don't care how they spin it. I care about whether they'll fulfill the other two conditions."
"The fact that they held a press conference without reporters suggests they've accepted them," she replied. "Otherwise, they wouldn't commit publicly to canceling your charges."
Richard considered that briefly and nodded.
"Good. Otherwise, I would've visited the White House tomorrow at noon."
He lifted her effortlessly, preparing to teleport them to the bedroom.
The doorbell rang.
He paused.
Using super vision, he scanned the hallway outside.
Cyclops.
Black Widow.
Professor X.
Hulk.
Richard exhaled slowly.
"It seems tonight's activities will start a little later."
The White Queen wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured, "We could let them wait outside for an hour."
"An hour?" Richard smirked. "That wouldn't even be enough."
He set her down gently and teleported to the entry hall.
Opening the door, he faced the group calmly.
"Good evening," Natasha said.
"Come in."
They moved into the living room and sat. Richard remained standing.
"If you're here to persuade me to drop my other two conditions," he said plainly, "you can leave."
Natasha glanced at Professor X.
"Richard," Professor X began gently, "the White House can only fulfill two of your three conditions."
Richard's gaze sharpened.
"Your father passed away two months ago."
The words landed cleanly.
Roy Wesley was dead.
Richard's brow furrowed, but his reaction was measured. He had suspected complications when he saw Professor X at the door. Still, hearing it confirmed was different.
He did not ask how it happened.
Instead, he asked the only question that mattered.
"What explanation do they intend to give me?"
Professor X responded immediately.
"They are prepared to offer any form of compensation within their capability. They will not refuse, as long as it is feasible."
Richard shook his head slowly.
"If that's their position, then they have no sincerity."
His voice cooled further.
"I will not act before the twenty-four-hour deadline expires. But if they fail to provide a satisfactory resolution after that, don't expect me to show you courtesy, Professor."
Professor X studied his expression carefully. Whatever persuasion he had prepared died unspoken.
"In that case, we won't disturb you further," he said quietly. "We will relay your words exactly."
He turned his wheelchair toward the door. Cyclops followed immediately.
Natasha prepared to leave with Hulk.
Richard stopped her.
"I know why you brought Hulk."
His tone was flat.
"You think his presence restrains me. It doesn't. It irritates me."
Natasha froze.
"Hulk recognizes you because you treat him like a person. That doesn't make him your weapon."
He stepped closer.
"He's not your tool. Not SHIELD's tool. If you try that again, I will kill you. Even if it makes him angry."
Natasha swallowed.
"There won't be a next time."
Richard ignored the apology and turned to Hulk.
"Big guy," he said, voice softer. "Don't believe everything people tell you. Think for yourself."
Hulk blinked.
After a moment, he replied earnestly, "Hulk believes you. Hulk believes Natasha."
Richard sighed.
"You'll be fine. Even fools have luck. Go home."
"Hulk not stupid," Hulk muttered seriously.
The group left.
The next morning.
Ten o'clock.
Natasha returned alone.
She placed a briefcase on the table and opened it.
"This is a full list of Department of Mutant Affairs personnel who had contact with your father from capture to death," she said calmly. "Those marked in red died at your hands."
She flipped to another document.
"The rest have suffered fatal accidents since last night."
She listed them evenly.
"Car crashes. Sudden heart attacks. Food poisoning. Laboratory explosions. Home invasions. Falls. Suicides. Disappearances."
She met his eyes.
"You can verify every case."
She continued.
"Your bank accounts and identification have been fully restored. One point five billion dollars has been transferred in three installments. This is your reissued card. The password remains unchanged."
More papers followed.
"Two estates have been arranged—one in Los Angeles, one in New York. Previously owned by a South American cartel leader and a Russian arms dealer. Both properties were cleared overnight."
"Your family's antiques and collections have been recovered and delivered to Los Angeles. The remaining pieces will be secured within three days."
"Private jet. Yacht. Vehicles. All current flagship models."
She slid the final document forward.
"And three private islands in the Caribbean."
Her tone remained steady.
"If you have additional requests, they are prepared to accommodate them."
.....
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