Die, Daniel Whitehall

It’s fortunate that at least this time S.H.I.E.L.D. won’t be blamed.

The reason?

Mr. President certainly couldn’t hold the former president and his father accountable. After all, if the Security Council found out about this, the Federation would undoubtedly become a laughingstock.

Their Captain America sacrificed his life to bury Hydra, and now their Mr. President had personally reignited the flames of Hydra?

So…

Mr. President had already issued a gag order on this matter. Therefore, even if Mr. President wanted to find someone to blame this time, he wouldn’t be looking to S.H.I.E.L.D. This could be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

As for those S.H.I.E.L.D. clones that were identified?

Mr. President’s words were to "handle them properly."

As for how to handle them?

S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel were to figure it out themselves. In any case, if the clone situation were to be exposed, Mr. President would undoubtedly double down on holding S.H.I.E.L.D. accountable.

At that point, S.H.I.E.L.D. would likely be disbanded.

It’s pathetic just thinking about it.

In the original timeline, S.H.I.E.L.D. at least lasted until Captain America was revived before collapsing due to Hydra. This time, it seemed they wouldn’t even last until 2008.

However…

Lake felt this was for the best. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s existence was inherently illogical. The reason, as mentioned before, was that it was a secret organization of the Security Council, yet it completely lacked the law enforcement authority granted by the Security Council. S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn’t operate in Eastern European countries, and in the Federation, without congressional authorization, S.H.I.E.L.D. had no legitimate jurisdiction.

Moreover…

Even in the original plot, S.H.I.E.L.D. served no purpose other than to cause trouble. It either created problems or was completely useless.

It was better for it to be disbanded; it would be a great contribution to world peace.

Alexander Pierce entered the room with his communication glasses on and sat down. "Have Daniel Whitehall’s whereabouts been found?"

Baron Strucker, who was in charge of this operation, shook his head. "In the past three days, our people have killed three Daniel Whitehalls. His true body has not yet been found."

Alexander Pierce’s brow twitched uncontrollably. "Three?"

Gideon Malick said in a deep voice, "Are you sure all the clones are accounted for, and none of ours are missing?"

"I’m not sure."

"…"

Alexander Pierce looked at Gideon Malick expressionlessly. "If I hadn’t tested myself, I would be doubting right now whether I’m a clone, and whether you guys are clones."

Baron Strucker raised his bandaged arm, his expression also somewhat bewildered. "I had a doctor test me yesterday as well. God only knows how scared I was when I saw the results."

As the saying goes.

Daniel Whitehall had angered everyone this time. It’s one thing to clone others, but you’ve cloned people from our organization? What exactly are you trying to do?

Alexander finally said, "Clean up all our loose ends and ensure Daniel Whitehall cannot speak. From now on, without my explicit instructions, do not undertake any further actions on your own."

After saying that.

Alexander Pierce suppressed his anger, took off his glasses, and exited the chat room.

Damn it.

Internal and external troubles, internal and external troubles.

Alexander Pierce rubbed his temples. After finishing with Hydra’s matters, he once again buried himself in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s affairs. He signed an order stating that all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, including those Hydra agents in deep cover, must complete bone age assessments within the next month.

After signing this order and several other documents, Alexander Pierce leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with an unconcealed weariness.

Alexander Pierce touched his rapidly thinning hair from the past few years and sighed. Being a leader to this extent was rare in the world.

My main job is the leader of Hydra, but… why am I still working hard for the concurrently held position at S.H.I.E.L.D. even after retiring?

Alexander Pierce couldn’t quite understand.

Initially, Alexander Pierce was a little excited when he heard that the cloning base had a brand new brain cloning resurrection technology, but the thought of his own imposter left him with lingering fear.

Three days later.

Lake flew back to New York from Washington D.C. with Skye.

On the way back to Starlight Tower, Cassel asked Lake what had happened. Lake simply said that he was investigating a case at the time and, to prevent the mastermind from making a desperate move, he had asked Skye to take shelter at the base.

Back home.

Skye lay on the sofa and let out a comfortable groan. Then, she turned to Lake, who, as usual and without any surprise, walked towards the bar. "You said in the elevator earlier that you’re going on a business trip tomorrow?"

Lake took out some Bourbon from the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass. He hummed in affirmation. "Yes, I have something to take care of. I need to get it done quickly."

It had been delayed for too long.

Daniel Whitehall had lived for so many extra days. It was time to collect the debt. The interest was probably irrecoverable.

After making the call, Lake had originally intended to go confront him directly, but he was held up by the S.H.I.E.L.D. clone situation, and then he was stopped by Karen.

That’s why Daniel Whitehall was fortunate enough to survive for so many extra days.

That’s the end of it.

These days, there’s been constant news from Emilia saying Daniel Whitehall died in that European town. One died yesterday, two died today…

Good heavens.

So it’s not just Bucky Barnes who’s been mass-produced, but Daniel Whitehall himself has turned himself into a mass-produced model?

They really know how to play.

However…

This move is completely useless against Lake.

Lake has already sent Daniel Whitehall an invitation to hell. No matter how many clones he has, they might be able to fool others, but they can’t fool him.

Tony avenges with technology, Lake avenges with cheats.

Under the tracking card, even the most clones you release can’t block the tracking card’s pursuit.

Thump!

Lake finished his drink and said to Skye on the sofa, "I’m going to the hospital. Call me if anything comes up."

Skye nodded.

Lake left.

John Wick was still lying in New Amsterdam Hospital. Although the trap that time didn’t cause John Wick to lose limbs due to the explosion because Hermione suddenly appeared, he didn’t have external injuries, but his internal injuries were quite severe. Just yesterday, John Wick, who had been transferred to a New York hospital five days ago, finally woke up.

New Amsterdam Hospital.

In the ward.

Lake pushed open the door and saw John Wick on the hospital bed, his face contorted as he tried to get up.

"Take it easy. The doctors said they were saving you for a day and a night. Give your precious internal organs time to recover."

"It was a trap."

"I know."

Lake pulled out a chair, put a bouquet of flowers he bought into a vase, and told John Wick the story of what happened after he fell into the trap.

Of course.

He omitted some parts that couldn’t be told.

After all, John Wick was also one of the helpers this time. Although an explosion directly caused John Wick to appear early, he still played a role, no matter what.

Furthermore, John Wick is also a family member of the victim in this case and is qualified to know about it.

Lake explained that after John Wick went into the trap, they were ambushed as well, almost wiped out. Then, how the military found John Wick, and how the Full Investigation Order led to the discovery of the clone base, and then how everyone was annihilated.

John Wick listened.

"They all died?"

"Yes, not a single one left. I didn’t intend to give these guys a chance to go to court."

"…Thank you."

Lake smiled and said to John Wick, "You’re welcome. They killed your brother, but they also killed many of my colleagues. I won’t let people like that have a chance to go to court."

Since the year 2000, the "liberal left" has been on the rise. To be precise, the "liberal left" first showed its potential when the federal government abolished the death penalty.

John Wick nodded solemnly, then asked, "What about my niece and…"

Lake shook his head, "I’m sorry!"

Those resurrected by cloning are not human, but demons, parasitic demons.

Lake said directly, "They, along with the other products from the clone base, were poisoned."

This explanation was acceptable.

If the people at the clone base could set a trap for his brother in secret, then it was perfectly reasonable for the clone mother and daughter to be destroyed by the clone base.

John Wick closed his eyes. This outcome was not entirely unexpected. After he and the troops entered the quarry, they were ambushed halfway through. After finally pushing open the wooden house, he saw his brother tied to a wooden chair. Just as he was about to rescue him, the wooden house and even the entire valley instantly exploded…

Explosion?

John Wick looked down at himself, a little confused. Such a massive explosion, and he was right in the epicenter, how was it possible?

Seeing this, Lake said, "I have to say, you’re really lucky. The soldiers who went to search said they found you in a water pit. When the explosion happened, a large rock happened to fall on the water pit, shielding you from most of the damage."

John looked up at Lake, "Is that so?"

Lake shrugged and handed John an apple he had just peeled, "Who knows? You were there."

Just then.

The ward door was pushed open again. It was his wife, the one who supported John Wick to crawl back from hell and return to the world.

Lake stood up and nodded at the woman, then said to John Wick, "I’ll be going then. We’ll cover your treatment costs here. I won’t disturb you any longer."

After speaking.

Lake turned and left.

Daniel Whitehall.

Here I come.