World Traveler Villain-Chapter 231: CH: 228 A Good Person

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{Chapter: 228 A Good Person}

Jane glanced at the furious Pepper, then turned to William with a teasing smile. "You really do know how to pick them. Your assistant has quite the temper."

William shrugged with a warm grin. "She's always like that. I hope you won't take it personally. Please, be patient with her—she's a little... fiery."

Just then, the door creaked open, and three men strolled into the café. They took seats at a nearby table, looking relaxed and dusty, like they'd just come from a long trip outdoors.

"Boss lady! Coffee, same as always!" one of them called out cheerfully. "You guys missed it—there was a wild scene over at the meteorite site. The thing came crashing down from the sky, right into the desert. Looked like a meteorite at first, but get this—it was shaped like a hammer. Whole crowd was gathering, trying to pick it up. Then the Feds showed up and started clearing people out."

Jane's ears perked up immediately. "Wait, did you say something that looked like a hammer fell out of the sky?"

"Yeah, not too big, but insanely heavy," one of the men replied, making a gripping motion with both hands. "No one could lift it, not even with tools. Weirdest thing."

At that moment, Thor suddenly stood up, his eyes burning with renewed purpose. "Where exactly did it land?"

"About fifty kilometers west of here," the man said, raising an eyebrow at Thor's reaction.

Without saying another word, Thor spun on his heel and strode toward the exit with single-minded determination.

"Wait—what are you planning to do?" Jane called out, startled by his sudden urgency.

"I'm going to reclaim what is rightfully mine," Thor said, not even looking back as he pushed open the door and walked out into the desert heat.

Jane looked helplessly at the others, then turned to William. "Tom, can you wait here a while? I think his condition is acting up again. I need to make sure he doesn't get himself hurt." Without waiting for a reply, she quickly followed after Thor, with Darcy and Dr. Erik Selvig scrambling behind her.

Once the door shut behind them, Pepper turned to William with a cold glare. "So that's it, huh? You lied. You're not an astronomer at all. You just came here chasing after that beautiful woman."

William smiled with irritating calmness, sipping his drink before answering. "Oh? So you figured it out. I guess I should've known better than to try and fool you."

"You manipulative scumbag," Pepper spat, clenching her fists in frustration. "I swear, I'm going to tell them the truth about you. You won't get away with this."

William leaned back, unfazed, and raised a single eyebrow. "And you think they'll believe you? Come now, Pepper. Don't waste your energy on something so pointless."

"You—!"

"Listen carefully," William said softly, leaning in with a chilling smile. "If I really wanted to, I could bring down Tony Stark and all of Stark Industries with a single command. You wouldn't want to see that happen, would you? So be a good girl—and watch quietly."

To Pepper, that gentle smile looked more sinister than the face of a demon. Her voice trembled. "You really are a monster..."

"Thank you," William replied smoothly. "I'll take that as a compliment. Now let's go. We shouldn't keep the others waiting."

---

Meanwhile, on the dusty street outside, Jane, Darcy, and Erik stood in the golden sunlight, watching Thor stride off into the horizon.

"Are you really going to let him go alone?" Darcy asked.

Jane hesitated. "I was going to offer to drive him there, but Erik thinks it's better if we keep our distance for now. He's... unpredictable."

Just then, William and Pepper walked out of the café.

"There you are," William called out with a pleasant smile. "Tom," Jane greeted him with a distracted nod.

"Where did your friend go?" William asked, glancing in the direction Thor had disappeared.

"He said he's going to retrieve something that belongs to him. Whatever that means," Jane replied with a sigh.

As they spoke, a rumbling sound echoed down the road. A large truck rolled past them, its cargo bed piled high with various scientific instruments and storage boxes.

Jane's eyes widened. "Wait... that—those look like my things!"

Darcy squinted at the truck. "Yeah! That's your telescope. And your laptop case!"

"No! That's my house! Stop! Hey! Stop right there!" Jane shouted, taking off after the truck in a panic. But the vehicle picked up speed, quickly vanishing in a trail of dust.

William walked up beside her calmly. "I think you'd better head back home and check what's going on."

"You're right—come on!" Jane said, already racing back toward her place. The others, including William, followed close behind.

When they arrived at her modest lab-home, Jane came to a screeching halt. Her mouth fell open in disbelief. The entire property was swarming with people in black uniforms—agents of some unknown authority. They were carefully packing up her research equipment, her notebooks, and all of her sensitive instruments into large black cases.

"Hey! What are you doing?! This is my property!" Jane yelled, pushing her way forward.

One of the men turned to face her. He was calm, clean-cut, and professional, wearing a suit and tie with a S.H.I.E.L.D. badge clipped to his belt.

"Ms. Foster," he said politely, "I'm Agent Phil Coulson. I represent S.H.I.E.L.D.—the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."

"Does this have anything to do with me? I just want to know what you're doing in my house!" Jane's voice rang out, filled with frustration and disbelief.

"Jane, please, don't be impulsive," Eric said gently, stepping forward to hold her back. His voice was calm but firm. As someone who saw Jane like a daughter, he was deeply concerned for her safety. "This is bigger than you realize. There are things at play here we don't fully understand. Let it go, just this once."

Jane turned to him, her expression intense. "Let it go? This—this is my life, Eric. My research, my equipment, everything I've worked for!" she said angrily, brushing his hand off and striding toward Agent Coulson.

Coulson remained calm, professional. "We're conducting a security investigation related to an extraterrestrial event. For national safety, we need to requisition your files and atmospheric data immediately."

"Requisition?" Jane's eyes widened in disbelief. "No—you're stealing. You're trespassing and robbing me of everything I've worked so hard to build."

In response, Coulson pulled out a check and extended it to her. "This should cover your losses. SHIELD appreciates your cooperation."

Jane stared at the paper, then back at him. "These aren't just store-bought devices you can replace with money. I built those instruments myself—piece by piece. You can't just wave a check in my face and make it all right."

"I believe in your abilities, Dr. Foster. You'll rebuild them in no time," Coulson replied, his tone flat and procedural.

Jane's frustration boiled over. "I believe I have the right to sue you for violating my constitutional rights. You can't just walk into my life and seize everything I've worked on. Those records, those readings—I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, and you're just going to take it all away?"

"Jane," Eric said softly again, trying to deescalate the tension, "please try to calm down."

"I can't calm down, Eric! This isn't just some paperwork—it's my life's work!"

"I can't calm down either!" William suddenly shouted, stepping forward with righteous anger blazing in his eyes. "This is outrageous. You're insulting not just an astronomer, but the entire spirit of scientific discovery!"

Jane looked at him in surprise, touched by the unexpected support. "Tom..."

Coulson turned slightly, raising a curious brow. "And who exactly are you?"

"I'm just an amateur astronomer, a nobody, really. But I know injustice when I see it," William declared. "I may not have authority, but I've got a spine. You guys—big government agents—using your power to trample on one woman's research? If you want to intimidate someone, try me!"

Coulson gave a faint, amused smile. "You're bold. I'll give you that." He looked over to the agents behind him. "Fine. Arrest him."

"Wait!" Jane called out quickly, stepping between William and the agents. "Don't take him. He's just trying to help. Take the equipment if you must. Just leave him alone."

Coulson gave a satisfied nod. "Thank you for your cooperation." He threw a final glance at William. "You're lucky she spoke up for you."

As the SHIELD agents began moving the last of the equipment, Jane sighed, her shoulders heavy with defeat.

"Jane, they—" William began.

"It's okay," Jane said, shaking her head. "I won't let you take the fall for me. It's not worth it. But thank you... really. That was very brave of you. You were... manly."

William straightened his shoulders and nodded seriously. "Jane, you shouldn't have stopped me. Even if I had to fight them all, I'd stand for justice. I can't stomach bullying the weak the most."

Pepper, standing quietly nearby, rolled her eyes so hard it was practically audible. To her, William was clearly playing a role—his sudden chivalry reeked of manipulation.

How could there be such a shameless person in the world? He is obviously a devil, but now he pretends to be a good person.

She knew his true nature and found it unbearable to watch him act like a noble hero.

"You couldn't beat them, Tom," Jane said with a soft smile. "But it's enough that you were willing to try."

William clenched his fist, looking dramatic and full of resolve. "Jane, I swear, I'll get your things back. Everything they took—I'll retrieve it. You have my word."

Jane's eyes lit up slightly with hope. "Really? But how? Do you even know where they took everything?"

William turned his head slightly and looked off into the distance, toward the horizon. "I have an idea. I saw the direction their vehicles were heading. And I might know who they're reporting to. I'll find the base."

"Then I'm coming with you," Jane said immediately. "Those are my instruments, my data. If there's a chance to get them back, I need to be there."

"No, it's too dangerous," William said, his voice suddenly serious.

Jane crossed her arms defiantly. "If it's dangerous, how can I let you go alone? We're in this together. That's final."

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