At this moment, the emergency meeting center erupted in applause after Matthew Ellis announced the mission's success.
General Chris adjusted his uniform, looking proudly at Colonel Rhodes, ready to deliver his victory speech. It was clear he had become the center of attention.
"I told you, even in a world without superheroes, even without the appearance of the 'Inferno', we would still defeat these so-called terrorists."
"Colonel Rhodes, do you believe me now?"
General Chris lifted his chin with pride, his face full of smug satisfaction.
He glanced at the visibly tense Colonel Rhodes and said disdainfully:
"Luck? Colonel Rhodes, I suggest you go to church and pray every day! Isn't believing in God more useful than believing in the 'Inferno'?"
As soon as General Chris finished speaking, the room burst into laughter.
Everyone looked at Colonel Rhodes, whispering among themselves as if he had committed some heinous act.
This left Colonel Rhodes feeling extremely frustrated.
Mission accomplished?
Mandarin captured?
Was it really that simple?
Colonel Rhodes still couldn't believe it.
General Chris shook his head and stood up, addressing all the senators:
"I've always said that the 'Inferno' didn't dare to go to the broadcast building because he was scared!"
As soon as General Chris finished, the room echoed with agreement:
"Yes! I think so too!"
"Luck? Ridiculous!"
"This proves we don't need superheroes at all!"
President Matthew Ellis stood up, his face beaming with joy. At this moment, he had no doubts left. He also began to distrust Indra. Regardless of having superpowers, Indra was still a citizen of Country. Disobeying his orders was a challenge to his authority!
Seeing Matthew Ellis stand up, all the senators followed suit, waiting for something.
Matthew Ellis took a deep breath to calm his excitement and said:
"This plan was undoubtedly perfect and flawless..."
However, before he could finish, a man suddenly rushed in, looking flustered. Judging by his attire, he appeared to be security personnel.
"What are you doing?!"
General Chris, seeing one of his subordinates breaking protocol by barging into the meeting center, angrily rebuked him:
"Do you know where you are?!"
"How dare you just come in?!"
The man, looking at General Chris, then at Matthew Ellis and all the senators, said in a panic:
"The broadcast building... the broadcast building has been bombed!"
As soon as he said this, the meeting center was thrown into chaos.
General Chris, who had been smug a moment ago, suddenly changed his expression.
He gaped at his subordinate in disbelief and asked:
"How is that possible? Why was the broadcast building bombed?"
The man, still panicking, replied:
"I don't know, but according to the information and footage we just received, it was indeed bombed!"
Colonel Rhodes immediately asked:
"What about the people inside?!"
The man shook his head and said:
"I'm not sure, but from the footage, it looks like very few people could have survived such a massive explosion."
"And based on the current information, only about seven or eight people, including Captain Hawkeye and Captain Hill, managed to escape."
"But they were seriously injured and are now being rushed for emergency treatment."
"All the ambulances have been sent to the broadcast building."
"This explosion has severely affected the nearby buildings, and it was not only intense but also sudden!"
The man reported everything in one breath, leaving everyone in shock.
Mandarin was captured. Why was the broadcast building bombed?
What was going on?!
General Chris seemed unable to accept this fact, quickly rushing forward and shaking the man, asking:
"Can you guarantee that what you're saying is true?"
The man, scared, stammered:
"Yes... it's true..."
He then hurriedly ran to the meeting center's display screen and turned it on.
The footage showed the broadcast building in ruins, the ground covered with scorch marks from the explosion.
Matthew Ellis, who had been calm, was now visibly shaken and sat down heavily in his chair.
"Mandarin was captured, so how did the explosion happen? Is Mandarin dead?"
"Oh my god!? Over two hundred people were ambushed, and only a few survived? What's going on?"
The senators discussed among themselves.
At this moment, Matthew Ellis suddenly asked:
"Is Mandarin dead? Have we investigated the cause of the explosion?"
Despite the psychological shock, he quickly composed himself. He knew they needed to get to the bottom of this and address the subsequent issues.
The man reported to Matthew Ellis:
"President Ellis, based on our investigation, it appears the explosion was caused by the 'Exploding Man.'"
The 'Exploding Man'?
This statement sparked a new wave of discussion in the meeting center.
"Wasn't the 'Exploding Man' gone? Isn't Killian dead?"
"Yeah, what's with the 'Exploding Man'? Could Killian still be alive?"
"Is Mandarin dead or not? If Mandarin isn't dealt with and Killian's back, what do we do?"
The room fell into a state of panic.
Colonel Rhodes, recovering from his shock, ignored protocol, grabbed General Chris by the collar, and shouted:
"Do you realize how many people you got killed?!"
"They were all your subordinates!"
The meeting center was on the verge of losing control.
Fearing responsibility, the senators turned on General Chris:
"Yes, it's your fault! You shouldn't have made such a rash decision!"
"I agree, I tried to warn you, but everyone seemed to agree."
"Yes, this plan was flawed from the start."
Matthew Ellis frowned and sternly addressed Colonel Rhodes:
"Colonel Rhodes, mind your behavior."
His voice was low but authoritative, clearly meant to set an example.
The senators, seasoned in politics, fell silent at Ellis's words.
General Chris pushed Colonel Rhodes away and straightened his uniform, saying sternly:
"This explosion might have been caused by someone else."
"But you can't deny that my plan was sound."
"Mandarin is likely dead."
General Chris wasn't wrong. No matter what, Mandarin was probably dead. The plan might not be flawed, just the execution needed review.
"This incident happened suddenly."
Matthew Ellis addressed the senators:
"What's crucial now is to find out Mandarin's status, dead or alive. We need answers for other countries."
Just then, the man who had delivered the news spoke up:
"Leader Ellis, we've just received information that the Mandarin in the broadcast building... was a fake one!"
Matthew Ellis's face changed, and he quickly stood up:
"What did you say?!"
....................
Bois guess who is back