Faced with Alex Summers's blunt declaration, which practically amounted to switching employers right in front of him, Charles showed no anger at all, nor did he try to persuade him to stay.
He nodded with complete composure, his tone rational and clearheaded.
"No problem, Alex. I never intended to forcibly bind you to the CIA's war chariot. Vought can give you better resources and protection. If you want to join them, you have my full support."
At this, Charles looked Alex Summers straight in the eye, his tone turning utterly sincere.
"But I have just one request. Whether you work for the CIA or Vought, I hope that, for the sake of us getting you out of that cell, you'll do your part on the battlefield in Cuba. We need your power to stop Shaw."
Alex Summers hesitated for a moment, quickly weighing things up in his head.
Vought International was going to Cuba to deal with that lunatic named Shaw anyway. If I really joined Vought, I'd most likely have to join the fight too.
Work was work, no matter who I worked for, right?
Since Vought was stronger, and I could repay Charles's favor along the way, this deal was a win no matter how I looked at it.
"Deal!"
Alex Summers snapped his fingers readily, a defiant smile curling his lips.
"Dealing with lunatics is what I do best."
Seeing Alex Summers agree, Charles finally showed a trace of a gratified smile on his perpetually tense face.
He rose, walked over to the telephone, picked up the receiver, and dialed Raven's number.
At Vought Tower, Raven slowly hung up the phone. Her previously gentle gaze instantly narrowed, becoming as sharp as a blade.
"Sebastian Shaw..."
Recalling the humiliation of being utterly crushed by Shaw's team last time,