The Belated Ball

Inside the basement of the U.S. military Training Base.

Howard, Fury, and Carter stood around a world map, their expressions grave as they discussed the situation.

"The departure point was Hydra’s base beneath the Alps, and the autopilot’s destination was New York. Based on the transport aircraft’s normal speed after going out of control, as well as the time when its communications signal was cut off, we can calculate that the aircraft most likely crashed somewhere in this section of the ocean."

Standing before the world map in a suit and tie, Howard used a black marker to draw a circle in the middle of the Atlantic, enclosing the area that needed to be searched.

"However, divers investigated the center of the most likely crash zone immediately, and found no trace of anything. So we have no choice but to consider whether the aircraft deviated from its autopilot route, as well as the ocean currents and the distribution of sea ice at the time."

At that, Howard’s expression turned heavy. He drew another, much larger circle outside the original one, enclosing an even broader section of the Atlantic.

Fury, seated below, shook his head and sighed. "With the area you’ve marked, if submarines have to search every ten meters of the seabed, we still wouldn’t find the wreckage in ten years."

"We can’t give up!" Carter’s face was cool and resolute as she said firmly, "Those two wouldn’t die so easily. They promised they would come back."

"Of course. Not only will the military send submarines, but Stark Industries will also invest money and send professional divers into the sea. We won’t give up until we find them."

Howard nodded in agreement. After a moment of silence, he finally voiced the concern in his heart. "What I’m afraid of is that the aircraft encountered ice from an undersea mountain. It’s currently winter in the Atlantic, with several cold currents converging. If the crashed aircraft was frozen over and sank to the seabed, then even if we searched for a hundred years, we might not find so much as a single piece of it."

As soon as he said that, Fury and Carter fell silent in the basement.

In truth, after the out-of-control aircraft lost communication and crashed into the sea, the U.S. military had sent aircraft and submarines to search as thoroughly as possible. But they had already assumed that Steve and Kyle had died. Even if they found anything and brought it back, it would most likely be bodies or wreckage.

Yet even if Steve and Kyle’s deaths were confirmed, the military would suppress the news. After all, the loss of heroes who symbolized the nation would have been too devastating during wartime.

Just then, a reporting soldier came down the passage stairs and relayed a message to Carter. "Agent Carter, someone delivered something for you outside the base."

"Hmm?" Carter was puzzled, but she accepted the box from the soldier and asked instinctively, "Who was it?"

"A little girl. She said she was Agent Carter’s friend. The guards at the gate didn’t get a chance to question her before she ran off. The box passed the equipment inspection, and we confirmed it was safe before bringing it in."

"Thank you." Carter nodded. Only after the reporting soldier left did she place the box on the conference table.

The cardboard box was neither large nor small, its opening sealed with tape. A short line of English was written on it: "To Carter."

The moment Carter saw the handwriting, she froze.

Feeling that the atmosphere of their recent meetings had been too oppressive, Howard could not help teasing, "Could this be a gift from some gentleman who admires you?"

"Could be intelligence information. I’ll open it for you." Fury raised his hand to offer his help. After Carter gave permission, he quickly took some scissors and cut through the tightly sealed tape.

The tough man soon opened the box. Under the dim yellow light, its contents were revealed: a brand-new red evening gown, neatly folded, along with a card bearing a rose on its front.

"An evening gown? A Rose Card?" Fury was greatly disappointed. He had no interest in such feminine items and went straight back to his seat.

Howard merely shrugged. "Looks like I was right. Beautiful Carter, do you need someone to escort you?"

Carter said nothing. She stepped forward, took the Rose Card from the box, and turned it over. Written in English on the back were the words: "This is a formal invitation to Miss Carter. Please attend the dance at Tuoniao Club this Friday, tomorrow night at eight."

"It’s him. He’s back," Carter said softly.

"He’s back?" Howard and Fury both froze slightly. They exchanged a glance, then looked at her eagerly. "Who do you mean is back?!"

A day passed, and Friday night arrived as scheduled.

In the major city nearest the base, Tuoniao Club stood at the heart of the busiest street. A carpet stretched inward from the main entrance, and the lights cast a romantic neon glow.

Beep beep!

A stretched luxury car came to a steady stop before the club’s main entrance. Howard, acting as the driver, got out first and gentlemanly opened the passenger-side door. A slender leg in a high heel stepped out first, followed by Carter, who emerged from the car in an elegant strapless evening gown.

Her beautiful, cool features had been carefully made up, making her especially captivating. Her blonde hair was swept up, revealing her delicate collarbones. Lower down, the strapless gown artfully displayed the perfect lines of her shoulders, back, and figure, combining sensuality with elegance. The red gown contrasted against her fair skin, making it impossible to look away.

"Carter, you’ll definitely be the most dazzling woman at the ball tonight." Howard clicked his tongue in admiration and waved her onward. "Get inside. Don’t keep them waiting too long."

With that, Howard returned to the driver’s seat, started the stretched car, and drove away, leaving Carter standing alone at the entrance.

Carter took a deep breath and lightly pressed both hands against her chest before nervously walking into the club.

She passed through the main entrance guarded by formally dressed attendants and walked down the corridor. Yet it was not lively as usual inside—quite the opposite. Aside from the faint corridor lights that maintained visibility, the club’s grand ballroom was completely dark.

There was no music, no lighting, no other guests, not even any club attendants.

"This…" Carter stared at the silent, dark hall before her. Just as she was about to call out, the lights around her and above her suddenly came on.

Whoosh—

The previously dark ballroom became brightly illuminated in an instant. Then, as a gentle melody played from a variety of instruments, pairs of gentlemen and ladies flowed into the hall from every direction as though they had rehearsed countless times, holding hands and dancing elegantly to the song.

"Is it you?" Carter could not help asking. She looked around at the people dancing perfectly to the music, as though searching among them for a familiar figure.

"No." A familiar, deep voice rose from among the musicians playing the tune. Carter turned toward the sound and saw a handsome young man in a black tailcoat rise from the piano.

"It’s me. Disappointed?" Kyle spread his hands and spoke to Carter at the center of the ballroom.

"Yes. Even if you came in someone else’s place, you’re far too late." Carter smiled, her beautiful eyes faintly glistening with excited tears.

A few points first:

First, there will not be much romance in the future, so cherish it while it lasts.

Second, this is not a harem story. There is only one female lead.

Third, Carter is not the female lead.