Victor's expression gradually settled, his earlier frustration replaced by a determined calm. To him, enduring hardship only made the rewards of wealth more meaningful.
"If no one benefits from these achievements, they are ultimately pointless. In my life, I've never shied away from taking bold steps. If something is worth pursuing, I commit fully. And now, I believe it's time to take the biggest step of my life!" Victor declared passionately. His proud demeanor and self-satisfaction were evident, even as he failed to notice the helplessness in Susan's eyes and the cold smile on Alex's face.
Victor's confidence seemed misplaced. Even Johnny was silently cringing, knowing he'd be in trouble with his sister if she were present.
Oblivious to the discomfort around him, Victor pulled out a lavish diamond ring from a black velvet box. He presented it to Susan with a nonchalant air.
"Look, some things a poor person could never earn in a lifetime. Susan, I want to say just four words—these four words could change both our lives."
Johnny sighed, and Reed was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to Victor's grand gesture.
Talking about money in front of the head of Stark Industries? Are you crazy, or just completely out of touch?
Victor hadn't had a chance to express what he thought was worthless or mention the "four-character golden words" before Susan interrupted him impatiently. "Victor, there's nothing between us. It's all in your head, and I already have someone I like."
Victor's expression suddenly stiffened. The precious ring slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. He turned to Alex, his face a mix of disbelief and anger. "Because of a young man? Susan, you should understand that love isn't about a fleeting moment of passion, but a long-term commitment. What I can offer you is something he can't."
"I'm sorry, but what you can offer, I've already received. You should stop bothering Susan," Alex said, raising his brows and cutting off Victor's speech. If there were no outsiders, Alex would have slapped Victor directly, but it seemed pointless now. He decided to wait until Victor became the so-called Doctor Doom. It would be more satisfying to deal with him then.
At that moment, the spacecraft's alarm blared loudly, and Reed's voice came through the communicator, urgent and clear. "The solar storm layer is accelerating and will reach us in a few minutes. The storm is deadly, and we must terminate the operation immediately."
The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation sank in. Victor's grand gesture, once the center of attention, was overshadowed by the immediate danger looming outside.
"Calm down, Reed. Open the protective cover," Alex ordered quickly.
"But Ben is still outside."
"Then let him come in quickly."
Alex hung up the communicator and observed the approaching solar storm with a calm demeanor. After all, it wouldn't affect him.
On the other side, Reed frantically contacted Ben and shouted into the communicator, "Ben! Come in right away!"
"What's the matter? I'm not halfway through my job yet, top student," Ben replied, his voice crackling through the static.
"Ben, get back! The solar storm is hitting early—you only have six minutes left!" Reed shouted anxiously. Ben was his best friend, and Reed was desperate to keep him safe.
Ben was stunned and rushed to return, but he encountered a problem with the connection between his spacesuit and the spacecraft.
"My fellows, I can't go back," Ben said with a bitter smile, his voice filled with resignation.
"Ben, forget it, this is the only option," Reed yelled, his voice tinged with desperation.
Suddenly, the spaceship's alarm blared, its red lights flashing wildly.
Ben, seeing the solar storm closing in, gritted his teeth and leaped into the observation station with a powerful push, just as the storm's fiery tendrils began to reach out.
Outside the space station, irregularly shaped golden fire clouds appeared against the black void of space. The storm was a swirling vortex of intense energy, moving freely and penetrating the metal outer layer of the station.
Alex, unfazed by the solar storm, focused on absorbing the energy. He drew the storm's fiery essence into his body, the energy flowing into him without leaving any trace of impact.
Susan, overwhelmed by the storm's impact, fainted. Alex caught her securely in his arms and initiated the return procedure for the spacecraft.
As he looked at Susan, unconscious in his embrace, Alex couldn't help but chuckle. Susan would eventually become one of the Invisible Women of the Fantastic Four. However, in this timeline, the Fantastic Four would no longer exist.
With Susan and Johnny likely to join him, there would be no connection to Ben, Reed, or the Stark researchers. They would be separate from any future Fantastic Four organization.
Compared to Susan's fainting spell, Alex had absorbed the storm's energy without any effect on him. It was merely a part of fate, a testament to his power.
With the goal achieved, Alex prepared to return, setting the spacecraft on its course back to safety.
(End of this chapter)
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