I Became a Knockoff Arms Dealer in the Marvel World

When Carl heard that S.H.I.E.L.D. intended to pressure Umbrella's arms business to force his compliance, his reaction was far from concern.

Had this been three months ago, he might have been apprehensive—at that time, arms sales were indeed his Achilles' heel.

But now, Umbrella had grown its wings.

Seven newly constructed bases were nearing completion, and the financial pressure on the company had eased significantly.

The initial $40 billion funding gap had already shrunk to $23 billion.

Though the gap remained substantial, Carl had a plan. New revenue streams were on the horizon.

So, when Agent Coulson presented the ultimatum, Carl didn't hesitate to reply with a resolute, "No!"

Coulson's brow furrowed at Carl's unwavering stance. He thought to himself: If Carl wants to be tough, I won't back down either.

"Mr. Carl," Coulson emphasized, "I hope you've seriously considered your decision, or you'll regret it."

Carl scoffed dismissively, not even bothering to respond.

At this stage, although a crackdown on Umbrella's arms business would dent profits, it was no longer a critical blow.

Moreover, Carl had plans to shift focus to a new medical platform for revenue generation. He also intended to pit Captain America against S.H.I.E.L.D.

After all, Hydra was Captain America's lifelong nemesis.

If Captain America took on S.H.I.E.L.D., the battle would be intense, leaving S.H.I.E.L.D. little time to focus on suppressing Umbrella's operations.

In Carl's view, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s threats were nothing more than a joke.

Growing increasingly impatient, Carl waved dismissively. "If this is what S.H.I.E.L.D. considers sincerity—threatening me—you can go back and tell your boss, the bald pirate, to try starting a war if he dares!

Umbrella never compromises!"

Coulson was taken aback by Carl's unyielding attitude. It was clear he wasn't interested in further negotiations. Coulson found himself in a difficult position.

Did the talks just fall apart like that?

If he returned to report this failure, how would Fury view him?

Unsure whether Carl's confidence was genuine or a bluff, Coulson hesitated. Watching Carl leave the room without looking back, he realized there was no salvaging the discussion today.

"Mr. Carl," Coulson called out in a final effort, "please reconsider. That wasn't a threat. S.H.I.E.L.D. genuinely wants to cooperate with you. Perhaps my approach was inappropriate. Please forgive me."

But Carl didn't stop or even acknowledge him.

As Carl disappeared from view, Coulson sighed in frustration and rubbed his temples. He had clearly botched the mission.

Before he could dwell on his failure, a maid in a pristine uniform entered the room, flanked by two armed guards. Her tone was cold and formal.

"Sir, please leave."

Coulson glanced at the guards and knew he had no choice. Reluctantly, he followed the maid out of the estate.

---

Outside, in a parked Chevrolet, Hawkeye sat on surveillance duty, his eyes fixed on the estate's gates. When he saw Coulson emerge unharmed, he finally relaxed.

Noticing Coulson's sour expression, Hawkeye left the car, instructing his team to continue monitoring the estate. He approached Coulson and asked with concern, "What happened? Did the negotiations fail?"

Coulson waved him off, unwilling to discuss it.

For one, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations were strictly compartmentalized, and even an eighth-level agent like Hawkeye wasn't privy to the details.

For another, admitting failure was not something Coulson wanted Fury to hear about—at least not yet.

Seeing his friend's reluctance, Hawkeye simply offered a few words of comfort before watching him drive away.

Hawkeye then returned to his surveillance post, his mood as grim as the worsening weather.

Since Umbrella's emergence, neither he nor Coulson had enjoyed a decent night's sleep.

Staring out at the falling snow, Hawkeye muttered, "If only I could put an arrow through Carl's smug face, things would be so much simpler. Sigh…"

The snow, growing heavier, mirrored Hawkeye's mood. The freshly cleared paths around the estate were quickly buried again, forcing the tireless servants to shovel continuously.

---

Inside the estate, Carl stood by a window, watching the snow fall. He considered going back to bed but found himself too unsettled after the confrontation with S.H.I.E.L.D.

He took a sip of tea to calm his nerves and put on a wireless headset to contact Red Queen, Umbrella's AI administrator.

The estate's holographic systems were still under installation, so for now, he relied on the network.

"Red Queen?" he called.

The AI immediately responded in her clear, childlike voice:

[At your service, Boss.]

"Has Ian found Blade yet?"

[Ian reported early this morning that the preliminary stages of the plan have been successfully completed.]

[Following a 'friendly and harmonious' negotiation, Blade has agreed to join Umbrella and vowed to contribute to the fight against vampires.]

"What about the progress at the Sokovia munitions factory?"

[The first batch of specialized weapons has been expedited and is en route to New York.]

[The next three batches are under round-the-clock production. The first shipment, including ultraviolet bullets, modified grenades, and anti-tank weapons, will arrive at North America Base One by 4:00 PM today.]

"And the big stuff—can it get through customs?"

[Unfortunately, Boss, U.S. regulations on weapons of mass destruction are too strict. Despite our efforts, we can't bypass S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance.]

[I suggest transferring five Dongfeng-31AG intercontinental missile launchers to Mexico. They can be deployed locally if necessary.]

"Mexico, huh? Works for me. With a range of 12,000 kilometers and speeds reaching Mach 25, they'll make a fine trump card."

Carl felt reassured as Red Queen confirmed the adjustments.

[Acknowledged. Adjusting plans now.]

As the snowy landscape outside grew brighter, Carl smiled, his confidence restored. Umbrella's ambitions were well underway, and nothing—not even S.H.I.E.L.D.—would stop him.

***

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