The building was hundreds of meters tall, with over eighty floors, and stood as a landmark even among New York's towering structures.
Of course, Daredevil couldn't see the building, but his super-hearing allowed him to sense just how massive and impressive it was.
After "looking" for a while, Daredevil stopped a passerby who was heading into the building and asked:
"Excuse me, do you know what this building is called now?"
The passerby gave Daredevil a strange look, noticing he was blind, and kindly answered:
"Of course, it's Fisk Tow…"
But halfway through his sentence, he paused.
Because with an absent-minded glance upward, he suddenly realized…
The building he passed daily, without knowing when, now had a new name on top.
"Defenders… Tower?"
"Thank you."
Daredevil smiled, thanked the kind stranger, and walked straight into the building.
...
"Is this entire building yours?"
Standing at the top of what was formerly Fisk Tower, now Defenders Tower, Jessica, dressed simply, leaned over the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the city, her face filled with disbelief.
"Actually..."
Lynch slightly smiled and explained, somewhat helplessly:
"This building has shares owned by other groups too..."
"You're so rich!"
Clearly, Jessica didn't hear Lynch's explanation, lost in her shock, muttering to herself in disbelief.
Seeing this, Lynch didn't bother explaining further.
At first, he also thought this building was completely Fisk's private property, but later he found out that wasn't the case at all.
Though named after Fisk as Fisk Tower, his share was quite small; most of the ownership belonged to various parties who had "business" dealings with him.
Of course, while Fisk was alive, the building was practically his personal domain, the fortress of Hell's Kitchen's kingpin.
After killing Fisk, Lynch thought the building was tall enough to serve as a base, so he asked S.H.I.E.L.D. to see if they could take it over.
However, during the process, S.H.I.E.L.D. realized the tower was entangled with numerous powerful groups, making it difficult to handle quickly.
Eventually, Lynch lost interest in the building, until he thought about forming the Defenders.
If the Avengers had their own tower, then even though the Defenders were smaller in scale, they still deserved a base, right?
So he contacted S.H.I.E.L.D., who told him the process was almost complete, and they could move in anytime.
Thus, after revealing his plan for the Defenders to Jessica and Daredevil, Lynch brought them here to get familiar with their base.
"Just a small amount," Lynch waved his hand casually, a picture of calm.
To him, the building was just average, not much different from a regular commercial building, far from having the advanced technology of the Avengers Tower.
Looking out the window excitedly, Jessica asked with enthusiasm:
"Is this really going to be our base?"
Lynch nodded and replied:
"The top ten floors will be cleared for our use in the future and will undergo special modifications."
As a plain commercial building, it lacked the necessary features for superhero activities.
Lynch planned to connect the top ten floors, build a landing pad for himself and helicopters on the roof, and install special facilities inside like meeting rooms, training areas, laboratories, and a secure prison.
"That's insane!"
Hearing Lynch's lighthearted description of his plans, Jessica's eyes lit up with awe. She paused and exclaimed:
"Do you know how much those ten floors are worth?"
For someone like Jessica, who used to share an apartment with her sister and earned less than thirty dollars a day, the idea of using this skyscraper as their base was mind-blowing.
"I don't know, I don't really have a sense of money."
Seeing Jessica's stunned reaction, Lynch couldn't help but laugh, as he truly had no concept of money after arriving in this world.
Hearing this, Jessica's excited expression suddenly faded.
"Are you broke?"
Seeing Jessica's mood drop, Lynch approached her with a playful smile.
Jessica turned to Lynch, looking upset, and said:
"Do you want me to call my bank and show you how broke I am?"
She pouted, looking at Lynch pitifully, and added:
"You have no idea… Because of that jerk, all my cards are maxed out, and I can't even turn on my phone!"
"Pff... cough."
Lynch nearly burst into laughter at Jessica's pitiful predicament.
Judging by her cheap clothes and lack of makeup, she likely wasn't exaggerating.
Tragic!
Absolutely tragic!
Not only had she almost been violated by Kilgrave, but her credit cards were maxed out too.
In credit-driven America, that was practically a social death sentence!
Still, tragic as it was, Jessica's expression was too amusing...
Who would've thought that a super strong, tough girl like Jessica would be upset over her credit card bills?
Indeed, people's happiness often comes from the suffering of others.
"You!"
Jessica, noticing Lynch's amusement, angrily pointed at him:
"How can you still laugh! Can't you show a little sympathy for me!"
Pouting adorably, she glared at Lynch, her frustration clear.
"Okay! Stop!"
Lynch, enjoying Jessica's indignant cuteness, finally gave in, raising his hand to call for a pause—he knew better than to argue with a native New Yorker.
With a light gesture, he summoned a credit card from the desk and handed it to Jessica, who froze in surprise.
"Take it. There's some money in there—it should help improve your situation."
"This..."
Jessica stared at the shiny black card in disbelief.
Earlier, she had thought of asking Lynch for some money to improve her life, but now, with the card in front of her, she hesitated.
Would accepting the card make Lynch think she was just after his money?
Would taking this card mean she was now his "kept woman," like those girls with much older sugar daddies?
...
"Don't overthink it. Consider it your reward."
Seeing her hesitation, Lynch couldn't help but chuckle. She seemed so different from the Jessica he had in mind.
After spending time in the U.S., Lynch had gotten used to the country's more straightforward values—people here didn't hide their love for money.
If it had been any other woman, they would've grabbed the card without hesitation.
The fact that Jessica hesitated showed she was a bit different from most.
She was also unlike the Jessica from her original world—more youthful, lively, and pure.
"What reward?"
Jessica looked at Lynch suspiciously.
"Your reward for saving the world!"
Lynch laughed, tossing the card to her, which she caught with a surprised yelp.
"Since I've recruited you into this team, of course, I have to make sure you're taken care of. I can't have you working as a waitress between missions, right?"
Jessica held the card, her eyes filled with a touch of emotion.
In this day and age, what could express one's feelings better than giving money?
Even in her hardest times, her loving sister hadn't helped her pay off a cent of her credit card debt!
"Lynch."
She called his name softly, her youthful face glowing with a mix of emotions. Her voice was soft and tender:
"Why are you helping me so much?"
"Well..."
Lynch avoided her gaze and thought for a moment.
"Because I like you."
After a pause, he smiled and looked directly at Jessica.
Why else? Was it because I thought you were strong and wanted you to work on my construction site?
After watching Jessica's show back in his old world, her rebellious, silent demeanor had left a deep impression on Lynch.
In that world, Lynch had always seen a bit of himself in Jessica—her disillusionment and silence mirrored his own.
Now that he had a second chance in this world, why not give Jessica a fresh start too?
Seeing Jessica live a brighter life felt like a part of him was also being saved.
Besides admiration, that was one of the reasons Lynch was so willing to help her.
"Really?"
Jessica's eyes lit up at his words.
"Can I be your girlfriend then?"
"Uh..."
Facing Jessica's hopeful gaze, Lynch froze.
This wasn't how the script was supposed to go, was it?
Shouldn't this be the moment where she pledges to work hard for the team?
What's with the girlfriend thing!
Jessica, where's your restraint?
"Heh, I think we've only just met."
Lynch chuckled awkwardly, ready to bolt.
"We need more time to get to know each other..."
A girlfriend? No way!
To master the art of drifting through life without attachments, he couldn't be making commitments like that!
Looking back on the women he had crossed paths with—Karen, Natasha...
He had never promised anything, and they had never asked for long-term commitments, content with the moment.
But Jessica was clearly younger and less mature, naturally longing for romance and a proper relationship.
But Lynch wasn't about to give her that chance. Otherwise, how could he enjoy the whole garden?
"Hold on!"
Jessica, furious, grabbed Lynch as he tried to flee.
"Didn't you just say you like me?"
Lynch felt like he had just dug his own grave—if he'd known, he wouldn't have said that!
I do like you, but I never said I only like you!
My fragile heart has already shattered into a million pieces, each one in love with someone different!
Internally cursing his predicament, Lynch forced a bright smile, showing his perfect white teeth.
"Yes, but you're still too young..."
"I'm not small! I'm already eighteen!"
Jessica puffed out her chest, speaking proudly.
"Really?"
Lynch glanced at her flat chest, expressing some doubt.
Seeing his skepticism about her figure, Jessica, on impulse, grabbed his head and pressed it firmly against her chest!
"Hiss—"
Jessica, feeling triumphant, said, "Small?"
Just as Lynch was about to respond, the door suddenly creaked open.
"No!"
"Did I come at a bad time?"
Daredevil stood frozen halfway through the door, hearing no reaction from the two inside, he added, "You know, I can't see anything, right?"