"So, Consultant Oaks, and Dr. Banner, is there anything you'd like to explain to me?"
At the Emerald Dream plant shop, on the same familiar sofa, Nick Fury... was not here to pet cats.
Sitting across from him were an innocent-looking Oaks and a distracted Bruce Banner.
Zhang still needed to prioritize his studies, and much of his energy was now devoted to the Benevolence Society's many affairs, so Oaks no longer had him mind the shop.
The plant business was now registered under the Benevolence Society, while Oak Environmental Technology Company served as the technology provider.
As for Goose, Coco, and Moco, they had become the Benevolence Society's mascot pets... The latter two little ones were even Zhang's bodyguards.
"Melinda was right. You really did keep... more than one card up your sleeve, Oaks."
Nick Fury's single eye fixed on Oaks, whose face did not redden in the slightest.
"Uh... sorry, Director, I know this may be a little rude, but should I be looking at your eye or your eyepatch...?"
Oaks stretched and let out a huge yawn.
"I was too tired yesterday. I'm still groggy..."
Nick Fury's eyelid twitched, and he decided to ignore the provocation.
"...Speaking of which, how is Tony's situation?"
Oaks coughed lightly. "The day after tomorrow is his birthday party. I gave Colonel Rhodes my word."
"Then you ran off right after giving it."
Fury wore an expression that plainly said, Are you fucking kidding me? But thinking of the initiative he had seized from the military this time, he decided not to pursue the matter.
"I had Agent Coulson watching him, but the report I got this morning said that guy has already started tearing down his house."
"...Full of energy. That's good."
Oaks nodded knowingly, which only made Fury suspicious. But