Attack

After seeing off Captain George Stacy, Luke Field stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows and watched the NYPD's distinctive Pickup Truck police car drive away. He then turned around, looked at Ina Sandra standing behind him with her intense gaze fixed on him, and sighed. "All right, what else needs me to step in and decide?"

Ina Sandra smiled in satisfaction. "Justin Hammer wants to acquire some Hebron Technology shares. Or rather, he's willing to exchange some Hammer Military Industries stock and resources for them."

"Reject him." Luke Field shook his head without hesitation. "I'd rather make a deal with that narcissistic, arrogant Stark than have anything to do with him."

Ina Sandra nodded. Although Luke had entrusted most of Hebron Technology's affairs to her and granted her considerable authority, she was smart enough never to make unilateral decisions on truly important matters. Instead, she listened carefully to Luke's advice. Even if outsiders saw him as merely a Stark-type scientific genius who was unsuited to managing a major corporation, she did not. Once Luke Field made a decision, she carried it out.

Luke set the goals, while she used her abilities to assist and manage the team in achieving them.

She enjoyed the process. Their division of labor was clear, yet they worked together in perfect harmony.

"There's an insiders' gathering tomorrow night."

Having received her answer, Ina Sandra skipped over the previous matter and brought up the next item requiring a decision on the transparent tablet in her hand.

"I need to attend?" Luke Field frowned.

"Yes!" Ina Sandra's tone was firm. She could defer to Luke on many matters, but that did not mean she would not argue her case when necessary. "That Military Big Order is currently at a critical stage. Since this is our first major collaboration with the military, I believe you need to make an appearance and socialize when necessary! After all, the person revered within the company as the Hebron Sovereign isn't me. It's you!"

"That sounds a little jealous." Luke Field smiled. Of course, he knew Ina Sandra was exaggerating. If Hebron's researchers sincerely admired him and regarded him as the sovereign of their scientific path, then among the other employees, Ina Sandra—the woman responsible for managing most of the company's affairs outside research—carried even greater authority.

"I'll go, and I'll bring what they want to see." Luke Field nodded.

A military transport helicopter flew over mountain ranges before landing on the helipad of a suburban training ground.

The rear hatch opened. Luke Field raised a hand to shield himself from the fierce gust that rushed in the instant it opened, then stepped down through the hatch sideways. Beside him was Ina Sandra, dressed in a gray business skirt suit, followed by a fully armed six-person squad.

Becky's Squad.

A Security Squad under Hebron Technology. Its leader was Lieutenant Wallace, a retired military officer.

Several people in military uniforms were already waiting before the hatch. When they saw Luke, they took the initiative to greet him.

"So that's the squad participating in the test this time? Their equipment looks pretty good." A stern-faced, gray-haired middle-aged man shook Luke Field's hand, his eyes falling on Becky's Squad behind him.

"General Evra, this is Becky's Squad, recently formed by Hebron Technology. Its members were carefully selected from Hebron Industrial Technology's security personnel and outfitted with Hebron's latest technological products. They will be one of the most elite and powerful squads." Ina Sandra spoke.

"I hope so." General Evra nodded, forcing a slight smile onto his face. "If Hebron Industrial Technology's products are really as good as you claim, we'll certainly give you an order large enough to satisfy you."

Although General Evra said he was looking forward to it, Luke Field and Ina Sandra could hear the skepticism in his tone. They did not explain or argue. To people like these, no amount of talk could compare to seeing it firsthand. Although Tony Stark was currently quite annoying, there was nothing wrong with what he had told the reporters.

"In this business, fame and debate don't make products sell better."

And after the two-hour test, facts truly spoke louder than words.

As the two hours passed, General Evra's smile grew wider and more genuine by the minute. By the time every test was complete, his formerly stern and rigid face was practically blooming with smiles, and his attitude toward Luke Field had become far warmer. Though his soldiers had been thoroughly beaten by Luke's Becky's Squad in every category over those two hours, greatly costing him face, he knew it was not because his soldiers were lacking. It was because Hebron Industrial Technology's products had boosted a soldier's combat capabilities far beyond anyone's expectations.

In General Evra's eyes, the equipment displayed by Becky's Squad was even better than Hebron Technology's submitted self-assessment had suggested.

Core Helmet + Mechanical Gloves + Sprint Boots = 300,000 USD?

What a bargain!

General Evra had even begun staring at the military procurement officer beside him, repeatedly signaling with his eyes.

Expensive?

Not expensive!

I want them!

I really want them!

Don't screw this up for me!

Seeing the procurement officer's awkward expression under General Evra's pointed gaze, Luke and Ina exchanged a smile.

What followed was naturally a pleasant time for both host and guests.

Night fell.

Inside the car.

Having finally escaped being pressured to drink by those men old enough to be his grandfathers, Luke Field let out a soft breath.

Seeing Luke Field's expression as though he had survived a disaster, Ina Sandra smiled. As his companion, she did not often see him so eager to avoid something.

"Back to Hebron, or home?" Ina Sandra asked softly.

"Back to Hebron." Luke Field answered immediately. The Military Big Order finalized today had raised his Talent Card experience by another chunk, enough to meet the unlock requirement for the next stage! That meant it was time to flip cards and draw again. He had already been itching with impatience at the banquet earlier, so much so that those shrewd old men had noticed and looked at him and Ina beside him with expressions that said, "I know, I understand. Ah, to be young."

A trace of disappointment appeared on Ina Sandra's face, but she still nodded and told the driver ahead, "Back to Hebron."

The convoy started moving. One car in front and another behind boxed in Luke Field's vehicle as they headed toward Hebron Technology Building.

Halfway there, as they passed through a relatively isolated stretch of road, a gunshot suddenly rang out ahead. The windshield of Luke Field's car became covered in dense, spiderweb-like cracks. A sniper bullet protruded slightly from the shattered glass in front of the driver, lodged in the Bulletproof Glass like a pimple breaking through skin.