Hammer Group Headquarters, Chairman's Office.
Justine Hammer sank deep into her office chair, staring at New York's dazzling nightscape beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, feeling nothing but irritation.
She unconsciously rubbed her temples as the unpleasant call with the military representative, along with Miles's words—"I need time to think"—replayed over and over in her mind.
"Tap, tap..."
Justine's fingertips began tapping unconsciously against the smooth desktop.
Ever since the Ivan Vanko incident, she had gained a deeper understanding of the word "genius." They were powerful, self-centered, unpredictable, their minds always hiding mad ideas outsiders could never understand. But within their professional fields, the value of one genius surpassed that of a hundred mediocrities.
She had originally believed Miles was exactly the sort of genius Hammer Group needed—a pure weapons fanatic, a more useful "Tony Stark."
Yet when confronted with the military's new demands, Miles's reaction had completely exceeded her expectations.
That little bastard seemed to have started developing principles.
"So... what exactly did he go out to do a few days ago?!"
Justine's expression shifted unpredictably.
She keenly realized that all of Miles's abnormalities seemed to have begun with his sudden disappearance that day. Before that, he had merely been a little madman interested only in technology and data.
"Ring, ring..."
Just then, the screen of her private phone suddenly lit up as an unfamiliar encrypted number called in.
After hesitating for a moment, Justine still pressed the answer button.
"Good evening, Ms. Hammer."
A man's voice came from the other end of the line. "I'm guessing you're not in a very good mood right now."
"First, tell me who you are." Justine leaned back in her chair, her tone icy.
"I bring greetings from the Central Intelligence Agency's European office. You may call me Jon."
"The Central Intelligence Agency?" Justine