"This guy is actually just an idiot!"
Artoria looked at the solo performance on the stage. Reed, that guy, used his body's stretching ability to perform a spring dance. But in Artoria's eyes, it seemed utterly ridiculous. This isn't a dance hall, I'm here to invest, not to watch your awkward dance, you jerk. Susan, next to her, looked at Artoria with an embarrassed expression. She knew Artoria's personality didn't like overly flashy things. If it weren't for her brother, that scoundrel, she wouldn't have invited Artoria to this place. Now, not just Artoria, but even Susan felt that Reed's current performance was like a clown. Seeing her friend become like this, Susan could only sigh, thinking, 'The world is going downhill.' It was supposed to be about the project, so how did it turn into a solo show? What on Earth are these guys doing?
"Are you sure this is useful? Why do I feel it's not very effective? I'm almost bursting with shame right now, you know?"
Reed was actually very embarrassed right now, but he couldn't stop. It was all Johnny's fault for saying he absolutely had to perform something, perhaps it could catch Susan's eye. Yes, he did catch the eyes of two beautiful girls, but anyone could feel that 'idiot' look in their eyes. Reed could only bite the bullet and continue. Reed felt that if Susan called him 'mentally challenged' this time, today would be the darkest day of his life.
"He actually believed your nonsense. It seems this will be the shadow of his life."
The Thing Ben silently complained. He was an experienced person and could see Susan's current emotions. Susan was already very embarrassed because the other party had invited the stark family's little princess. He didn't expect Reed, that blockhead, to actually believe Johnny's bad idea. Now, Ben could only cover his face and silently dedicate a 'Cool Cool' song to his good friend. There was absolutely no Hope for Reed now, and it seemed he had also offended the stark family's little princess, offending the big investor. Do you know you're courting death, Mr. Reed?
"I was just saying! But it's good to see her again."
Johnny didn't say anything about Ben's complaints. He had been staring at one spot without moving his eyes. He kept watching Artoria, obsessively observing her every word and action. Although Artoria just silently watched Reed on the stage and did nothing, Johnny felt that Artoria was the most beautiful woman in the world. If he could, he wanted to pursue Artoria, but he had been severely warned by his sister. He was a bit unwilling, but looking at his sister's intimate posture with Artoria, he felt he had no Hope. Reed's idea of pursuing his sister also had no Hope. As for why he suggested Reed dance, he just thought it was fun, and he didn't expect Reed to actually do it.
"Clap~ clap!"
Artoria waited with dead fish eyes for Reed to finish. After Reed finished, Artoria quietly clapped her hands, giving Reed some face. This made Susan next to her almost bury her head in the ground. She decided that after this project briefing, she would have a good 'chat' with Johnny and Reed. It was her first time encountering such an embarrassing situation. Fortunately, there were no outsiders today; otherwise, she wouldn't want to know Reed anymore.
"Alright, Mr. Reed, your dancing is amazing, truly impressive. So, can I see your research topic now?"
Artoria praised Reed against her conscience, suppressing the urge to punch him, and changed the subject. If it weren't for Reed's genuine talent and Susan's invitation, Artoria would never have come. Hearing Artoria's words, Reed didn't waste much time. After a shy smile, Reed secretly glanced at Susan, and seeing that his crush wasn't looking at him, Reed somewhat disappointedly clicked on the video.
"This is an object I recently discovered. Its movement..."
Artoria, who had been somewhat expectant, now lost all interest. No matter how advanced Reed's description, Artoria already knew who this object was and confirmed Gaea and Galacta's concealment: it was indeed the Silver Surfer who had come to Earth. Watching the object's movement on the video, Artoria clearly had no desire to continue watching. Reed was still going on about how unscientific this matter was and how it needed research.
"Zzzla! Zizila!"
Just as Artoria was about to leave, the lights in the room began to flicker continuously, making her desire to go back disappear. She sensed a 'familiar' presence slowly approaching. Reed awkwardly watched as the projector suddenly went blank and the lights flickered. He remembered paying the electricity bill, so why was this happening? Was there a short circuit somewhere? After thinking for a moment, Reed took off his lab coat, greeted Artoria, and planned to check if the fuse was blown or if there was a loose connection.
But before he could step out the door, a figure in a black robe slowly walked in. Reed stopped, vigilantly watching the person in front of him. Why did this person feel so familiar? Artoria, sitting in the audience, watched the situation with interest. Artoria didn't need to think much about this person's identity; the crackling electric arcs around him already indicated that this person could use electricity. First, ruling out Thor, that left only Doctor Doom.
"Miss Artoria, long time no see."
Artoria was clearly right. The figure in the black robe took off his hood, revealing a once handsome face, but this face was covered with black, branded-like marks, making him look like a devil crawled out of hell. At least Susan was frightened; she tightly clutched Artoria's hand. For a moment, she didn't recognize that this person was Doctor Doom, Victor Von Doom, whom they had jointly defeated earlier. He had now returned, resurrected anew.
"Mr. Victor, anything special about your return this time?"
Artoria rested her chin on one hand, quietly watching Victor, who stood before Reed. Since the Silver Surfer had already arrived on Earth, Victor's revival was to be expected. However, when watching the movie in her previous life, Artoria had a question: how exactly did Victor revive? Today, as he stood before Artoria, this mystery was revealed. Victor had officially become a magician. The surge of magical energy emanating from him made Artoria confirm this matter with certainty. Considering Victor's background, Artoria wasn't curious about how he became a magician, after all, his mother was a Witch.
"You, how are you still alive?"
Johnny, who had a more volatile temper, stared wide-eyed at Victor. How dare he speak to his goddess? And this guy was the one who wanted to kill Reed. Orange flames began to erupt from Johnny, making him like a bomb, ready to explode if someone lit a fuse. But Victor didn't even glance at Johnny. This Little guy wasn't worthy of his attention, even though he had once been defeated by the combined efforts of these four.
"Victor Von Doom, you liar! Do you still want to kill Reed?"
The Thing Ben, with his Hulk-like physique, blocked Reed's front. He questioned Victor, but Victor showed no reaction. He wasn't here to fight or argue; he was here to find someone. Victor gave Artoria a deep look. This woman was still so beautiful, but he was very wary of Artoria. They had all been irradiated by the cosmic storm after going into outer space and gained powers, but Artoria had never revealed her abilities. Victor sighed and shifted his gaze from Artoria to Reed.
"Reed, that's not an object, it's a life form, do you know that?"
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