As the door opened,
A woman in a Kevlar agent uniform with wine-red hair and a fine physique, the unmistakable features of Natasha, walked in.
"sir..."
"Any results?"
Fury turned to look at this top agent, who had only joined the department a few years ago, his tone as usual.
"The mission with Hawkeye has been resolved, and he's wrapping things up over there."
Natasha stood erect like a soldier, her robust demeanor unmistakable.
"Well done, Natasha, you have ten days off."
Fury nodded in satisfaction.
Though initially he was bent on eliminating this woman, during Hawkeye's mission, he discovered this once notorious Russian spy's slightly tragic past and experiences, and gave her a test mission, which she completed excellently.
Over the years, she had executed many difficult missions perfectly.
Thus, she also became one of the top agents in the department.
Fury was also satisfied with his decision.
Generously, Fury gave her ten days off, but Natasha was not so happy, and Fury immediately discerned her thoughts.
"Natasha?"
"sir, I have a question."
"About John Shaw?"
Fury quietly looked at Natasha, who nodded: "Also about vampires. I've been monitoring his movements and the recent events in New York after my departure."
"That strange death scene might involve a creature I never believed existed."
"Vampires." Fury provided the answer.
Natasha frowned slightly: "Has the director always known?"
"Records of vampires have always been kept, just sealed off for some reasons, inaccessible with your clearance."
Fury did not deny but confirmed it.
Vampires and werewolves could even be traced back to the Middle Ages. Although these species are deeply hidden, it does not mean that the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division could not detect them.
However, the behind-the-scenes involve a series of trade and resource swaps; he also received instructions from the previous director to let them be, provided they don't cross the line.
He was reluctant and even conducted quite a few targeted studies behind the scenes, but ultimately, he could not take action openly.
Since the vampires kept a relatively low profile, at least not threatening public opinion and stability, they could be ignored.
This highest-level secret was only known to a very few, and Natasha, being new, was even less aware.
After Coulson reported that Bi Xiao had created silver-coated weapons, Fury knew Bi Xiao must have also detected the vampires' presence, but he still silently observed, or rather, it was also a test of the other's capabilities and temperament.
After the Stonewall Bar incident, Fury finally confirmed to include him in the Avengers recruitment list.
The discovery and destruction, Bi Xiao's abilities and character perfectly matched Fury's philosophy.
Fury has always believed that the world should be led by humans. He was not capable of advancing humanity's progress himself, but human progress required a stable and harmonious period.
Any species that threatened this stability and peace was a potential threat.
Fury was very satisfied with Bi Xiao's execution, especially since discovering the vampires, he focused solely on that, even foregoing his previous enthusiasm for combating crime. Fury liked such a person.
Isn't that the perfect Avenger template?
Otherwise, Fury would not have helped Bi Xiao to cover up actively.
With the initial investment, the subsequent recruitment would be smoother.
Of course, his thoughts were somewhat wishful, but Fury believed it was only a matter of time.
Fury's thoughts, Natasha was unaware of; she just felt her worldview refreshed again. Mutants had appeared since World War II, and although there were many powerful mutants exceeding standards, at least in her view, they were still humans, at most genetically mutated.
But vampires and werewolves, those should only exist in movies and novels.
The transition from legend to reality was somewhat shocking to her.
Natasha's will was strong enough, and along with prior suspicions, she calmed down after a brief shock, unable to see her direct superior's heart, yet clear that he was aware of such a species, thus certainly prepared in secret.
"I need you to keep this highly confidential, Natasha. You know the agency regulations."
"Understood, goodbye sir."
Natasha received her answer and left cleanly.
On her way out, Natasha began to think about preparing some silver weapons for herself, just in case she encountered vampires during a mission. Without weapons to counter, it would be too dangerous.
She didn't want to die young or become a vampire.
All those handsome and charming vampires in movies and dramas held no interest for her; Natasha preferred to remain human.
…
With not many vampires left in New York, Bi Xiao also entered a vacation period. During the break, he used the money he got from Stryker to buy several apartments in other areas.
Of course, they were rentals.
He also bought a single apartment in Queens, totaling no more than $1.5 million, including the purchase tax, to temporarily enhance his quality of life.
As for mansions, he simply didn't have enough money for villas and estates. Living alone in such luxury, and without a mistress, he was even less interested.
A single apartment was already sufficient.
Located on Forest Hills 75th Street in Queens, it wasn't far from his original apartment, with a subway station within a ten-minute walk. Although he hardly used it, the apartment environment was very nice—a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1-living room, 1-kitchen apartment. While not luxuriously decorated, it was clean and cozy.
Modern decor, bright walls, and fully furnished.
The spacious living room and sofa arrangement also had a minimalist style.
Additionally, the surrounding environment was excellent, true to the literal meaning of Forest Hills, with plenty of vegetation, broad driveways, and paths flanked by trees, even the houses were surrounded by vegetation, giving a natural feel of living in a primeval forest.
Because the neighborhood was predominantly upper-middle class, cleaners maintained and trimmed the vegetation daily.
~~~
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