Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1110 I am America (Second Update)

To prepare for this move before Wall Street reopened, the Malik family mobilized almost all their trusted clerks within the conservative Hydra family. They also spent considerable manpower and funds dealing with internal scandals and personnel within conservative Hydra, severing ties before other countries' intelligence agencies could delve deeper. The statement in Latvia regarding the eradication of the terrorist organization Hydra was also Gideon Malik's idea. With the election approaching, both the Democratic and Republican parties were bound to expose the dark pasts of their respective candidates. He foresaw that the Western elites would intend to pin all the blame on Hydra, and that the media manipulated by both sides would claim it was a Hydra conspiracy, with candidates claiming they had been deceived by Hydra.

In that case, it doesn't matter so much who Hydra is. If I am Hydra, then you can be Hydra too. The real Hydra can take advantage of the situation to fill the gaps in government functions and the equity of some key listed companies caused by the downfall of the radical Hydra Alexander Pierce. This would allow the Latvian emperor to fulfill his needs for media hegemony and control of the military-industrial complex, while also satisfying the expansionist desires of the conservative Hydra interest group.

"Sir!" A man with a high nose and deep-set eyes, dressed in a neat suit, stood in front of Hammurabi.

He is Sunil Bakshi, the project manager of the research team sent by the Immortal City's biological laboratory within the joint research team. Before being recruited by the Immortal City, he worked for Daniel Whitehall's pharmaceutical company and was loyal to the former Hydra radicals, deeply involved in Inhuman and mutant projects. Born on the streets of Southall in West London, he deeply despised his humble origins, worked hard to change his accent, seized every opportunity to learn, and joined the British Army after graduating from university. After his discharge, he became a private security contractor with some business dealings with the former S.H.I.E.L.D., including with the radical Hydra figures John Gartler and Grant Ward, who were infiltrated within S.H.I.E.L.D.

After S.H.I.E.L.D. disbanded, Sunil Bakshi clashed with Agent Coulson's team over the mission to seize the Kree obelisk. Although he was later captured by Coulson's team and handed over to the U.S. Air Force, Sunil Bakshi was still an invaluable asset. The State Council appreciated his ambition and was willing to give him a promotion. Therefore, when the Malik family was sorting out Dr. Daniel Whitehall's assets, Sunil Bakshi, as one of the important assets, was taken from prison by the assassins of the Immortal City, and then naturally changed his allegiance.

Gideon Malik was shrewd. He didn't use the opportunity to embezzle and conceal Dr. Whitehall's assets by having Sunil Bakshi swear allegiance to him during the Hydra Civil War. Instead, he surrendered all of the Malik family's spoils of war and then had Stephanie Malik take Sunil Bakshi to the Immortal City to swear an oath to the monarch. Although Sunil Bakshi was grieving over Dr. Whitehall's death, he still swore allegiance to the Immortal City and the Hydra monarch. Swearing allegiance was an extremely serious matter within Conservative Hydra, which was initially united by religious faith and ritual. No one suspected that Sunil Bakshi would have ulterior motives after swearing the oath.

As if the political shrewdness of feudal aristocrats had been resurrected in his genes, Gideon Malik's every action not only perfectly executed the monarch's will but also secured benefits for his family. Gideon Malik understood very well that the desire for unlimited expansion of capital must be controlled, because the Emperor of Latvinia was not a spokesperson for the interests of Hydra's conservatives. Reckless expansion, as it had been in the United States, would only have resulted in ruthless retaliation. In the face of absolute force, no amount of power or wealth mattered, and the world's most powerful military force could not stand against the Emperor of Latvinia.

Monarchical authoritarianism has always been the enemy of capital, which was one of the main reasons the Malik family crossed the ocean to America. But now, they had no choice; the Malik family only had one path to take. Faced with such a subject, even the Emperor of Latvia could only offer him rewards. Obedience is rewarded—this is Hydra's oldest covenant, and even the Emperor of Latvia would not willingly break it.

"The rejuvenation surgery is all arranged. This time, it involves replacing the artificial liver and reconstructing it." Sunil Bakshi adopted a humble posture as he faced the three-meter-tall golden-armored demigod. "Should I have the surgeon explain the risks to the patient?"

"I think it would be better for you to go yourself," Hammurabi said meaningfully. "After all, it was Gideon Malik who brought you here, wasn't it?"

With Supilulius on a mission, he had to take on the tasks of the Guardian Order's intelligence system and the construction of military fortifications. The former required some learning, but the latter seemed to be his natural talent. This operation was a reward for the Malik family for acquiring 9% of Lockheed Martin, 11% of Raytheon, and a high-ranking position through trust funds. The Lister family used the same method to acquire 4% of Northrop Grumman. Combined with trust funds, cross-shareholdings, and other methods to quietly acquire stakes in numerous military-industrial companies, along with years of management and existing holdings, this undercover war had solidified Hydra's significant position within the military-industrial complex and Wall Street's financial system.

"Next up is you, Captain Rogers." Diana Lister pointed to the press conference hall, where a dense array of cameras and journalists from various countries filled the area in front of the podium. She smiled broadly and said, "This is something you promised our Lord, and I don't think you'd mind appearing on camera. I hope you'll cooperate fully. Pay attention to the teleprompter; we need someone to speak out against human trafficking, and you, as a representative of the American spirit, are the most suitable person. Your condemnation can provoke Republican voters to question the Democrats, and that's the kind of public opinion we need right now."

"You... want to manipulate the election?" Steve Rogers keenly realized Latvinia's intentions. However, he still had too little information to deduce the full picture. "This is what you want, to interfere in democratic elections?"

"Representative elections are just a game of lobbying power. Every election is the result of behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Even the president is just a mouthpiece. If the mouthpiece doesn't listen... like Kennedy." Diana Lister gestured with her hand as if she had a pistol. Seemingly relieved that the plan was complete, the young woman couldn't wait to see the fruits of her labor. Although the Malik family was the main preparer of this propaganda war, she, as the secretary to the Minister of State, had also been a great help. More importantly, Diana Lister was experiencing for the first time the thrill of manipulating the world—the sweet taste of power, a desire rooted in the Hydra family's genes.

"You said you wanted to stand on the side of justice, and now we are justice, aren't we?"

Steve Rogers nodded helplessly, forced to admit that Latveria was indeed righteous in this matter, and he was willing to stand by him. "But that doesn't mean I'll admit that the missile that hit the Norfolk Naval Base was innocent. I know there's nothing there," he said. "I won't go against my conscience to slander the people who work at the naval base, you understand? I won't repeat myself, no matter what the teleprompter says, I will only say what I saw."

Diana Lister gave a cold laugh and pointed to the stage at the press conference.

Despite his many doubts, Steve Rogers knew he had no choice but to comply.

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Tony Stark sprawled on the sofa, watching TV listlessly, while also checking out Friday's screening results.

He made a phone call, but the person on the other end bluntly told him that Vision was dead, Pietro Maximov had defected to Latvia, and everyone who left Germany would receive political asylum in Latvia. Apart from him and Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes, who was recovering from injuries, the rest of the Avengers were recuperating in Latvia. All the original signatories of the Sokovia Accords had left the jurisdiction of the United Nations, and the Pentagon's plan to use the Sokovia Accords to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries had completely failed, because Latvia refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Sokovia Accords or some of its clauses.

After this battle, Tony Stark completely lost his fighting spirit. He experienced his most devastating and utter defeat, a defeat far heavier than any he had endured in scientific research or business battles. He could no longer build the world of his dreams. This time, his opponent had utterly extinguished all his hopes. Now, even if he told the Pentagon and the White House about Secretary of State Ross's whereabouts, it would be meaningless. The mutated Ross was a hot potato, and even the offer to appoint him as Secretary of Defense was no longer a bargaining chip.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)