Marvel: The Villain Chapter 367 Activated

Hearing the Vice President call out his name, Norman gradually calmed his mind, though he was genuinely curious. Had his identity been exposed so quickly?

"It is truly an honor, Mr. Vice President, that you actually know my name."

The Vice President recalled the files and replied, "Anti-drug hero, Medal of Honor recipient... as Vice President, it would be strange if I didn't recognize you."

Norman realized then that even after all these years, people still remembered his past deeds.

"It's late. Why exactly have you come to my home? Surely not just for a dinner," The Vice President said, entering negotiation mode. He pointedly avoided mentioning his wife and daughter, trying to maintain leverage.

Norman crossed his legs. "SHIELD was brought down by Hydra. I'm out of a job, so I had to come here to crash for a meal." After the joke, he turned serious. "I wonder, Mr. Vice President, what is your take on the current situation? Specifically, regarding SHIELD."

The Vice President sat opposite him, frowning in thought. "SHIELD was hollowed out by Hydra for decades without anyone noticing. It is a disgrace to the World Security Council and an even greater shame for the United States. With a blunder this massive, everyone in SHIELD shares the blame."

"But even so, SHIELD won't be abolished. Most likely, every agent will undergo a rigorous vetting process, the organization will be restructured, and a peer-level oversight body will be established."

Under Nick Fury, SHIELD had enjoyed a transcendent status. Belonging to the UN, no single nation could dictate terms to them. But if a peer oversight body were created, it would be a guillotine hanging over their necks. SHIELD's glory days would be over.

Norman nodded. "My analysis matches yours. That is exactly why we cannot allow that to happen. SHIELD must remain as it was—with independent investigative authority."

The Vice President sneered but said nothing. It was a pipe dream.

Norman continued unbothered, "Furthermore, I intend to become the next Director of SHIELD."

The Vice President couldn't hold back. "That's impossible. You know your background is compromised. The whole city is hunting you. You'll be lucky to keep your life, let alone lead an agency."

He offered Norman his life as the ultimate bargaining chip, but Norman wasn't satisfied. He snapped his fingers, and agents brought the Vice President's family down. Seeing the bruises on his wife and daughter, the Vice President roared, "Norman, what the hell are you doing?"

Norman ignored him and beckoned a guard to push the wheelchair-bound daughter forward. The little girl looked at the strange uncle with pure terror.

"You—!" The Vice President surged up, only to have a gun pressed against his temple.

Norman stroked the girl's soft blonde hair and sighed. "Such a small child, in the prime of a playful childhood. And yet, you have to spend your whole life in a wheelchair. Tsk, tsk..."

The girl lowered her head, clutching her teddy bear. But Norman's next words made her eyes light up. "However, your disability can be treated."

"Re... really?" She whispered, finding her courage. She had watched other children play from her window for years. Her condition was incurable; her father had exhausted every medical center in the country to no avail.

Norman glanced at the Vice President and smiled. "Of course. I wouldn't lie to you. I know a beautiful lady; she's a miraculous magician who can cure any disease in the world."

"Even my legs?"

"Of course. If you don't believe me, ask your father."

The girl turned. "Daddy, is what the uncle says true?"

Looking at his daughter's hopeful eyes and remembering her years of suffering, the Vice President's heart broke. After a long pause, he forced a smile. "Yes... it's all true."

"That's wonderful! I'll be able to stand!" The girl's eyes filled with tears. "Uncle, can you take me to the magician? I'll be very good. No matter how much it hurts, I won't cry."

Norman patted her head. "Don't worry, you'll see her soon. I promise she'll fix your legs. Now, I need to talk to your father about the medical fees. Go back to your room for now."

Once the family was taken back upstairs, only the two men remained.

"What are you playing at?" The Vice President demanded. "You know both of those demands are impossible, yet you toy with a child's feelings."

"Are they?" Norman leaned back. "Why impossible?"

"I'll tell you why!" The Vice President snapped. "Regarding the Director's chair—the high command knows who you are. Do you think they'd let a Joker member lead SHIELD?"

"My identity is currently just a matter of suspicion. It's easy to wash clean."

"It's not!" The Vice President countered. "The President himself knows. Anything involving the Joker Organization gets his personal attention. I can't help you."

Norman made a slow throat-slitting gesture. "In that case, let's get rid of him."

"What! You're insane!"

"Relax," Norman soothed. "I won't be the one doing it personally, and no one will see the strings."

"No! It's too risky! If you're exposed, I'm going down with you."

Norman changed tactics. "If nothing changes, the President will be re-elected. Don't tell me you have no ambitions for that seat? You aren't getting any younger."

The words hit the Vice President like a physical blow. He did have ambitions. Every politician in D.C. did. In a normal election, he had no chance. The only way he could take the seat was if the current President... met with an accident.

He wavered. But then he sighed. "It's no use. Even if I become President and appoint you, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers won't allow it. They are the President's guests of honor now, and they know your face."

Norman laughed mockingly. "So you're worried about them? Don't worry. I'll handle them."

"How? Are you going to kill them too?"

"Don't worry about the how. You just need to get me a press pass."

"A press pass?"

"That's right. In three days, the President is holding a press conference. Your questions will be answered then."

After a long hesitation, the Vice President sighed. "Fine. I'll gamble with you this once. But I have a condition."

"Name it."

"You bring Christine here to fix my daughter's legs." He knew she was the only one in the Joker's ranks capable of such a miracle.

Norman shook his head. "That... I can't do it."

"Why! You just promised me!"

"I promised her legs would be fixed," Norman smiled. "I never said when or where. The High members are busy people. Asking her to fly halfway across the world just for your daughter? You overvalue yourself."

The Vice President clenched his fists, swallowing the insult. "Then what do I do?"

"Arrange for your family to go on a trip to Europe as soon as possible," Norman instructed. "I will have the organization stage a kidnapping to bring them to our base. Rebuilding limbs isn't like closing a wound; it's a long process. It takes months for Christine to finish, and years of physical therapy after that to ensure no complications. Can you accept that?"

Hostages. The Vice President knew what this was. He loved his family, and the thought of them being thousands of miles away as collateral was a knot in his stomach. But without hostages, the Joker wouldn't trust him. And once he did this, he was on their boat forever.

"Fine. I'll arrange for my wife and daughter to leave soon."

Norman stood up and patted his shoulder. "Congratulations. Your future self will thank you for today."

Over the next three days, Norman lived like a king in the Vice President's villa, served hand and foot by the staff. On the second day, the family left for Europe, proving the Vice President was fully committed to the pirate ship.

On the morning of the third day, Norman put on a black suit, donned black-rimmed glasses, and tucked a press pass into his pocket. He drove to the White House. The news team arranged by the Vice President was waiting for him.

They passed through security with their cameras and equipment without a hitch. A podium had been set up on the lush green lawn, with three hundred chairs laid out for the media. Famous bloggers were also there, ready to livestream to the world.

Norman took a seat toward the back, pulling out a notebook and pretending to review his questions.

Three hours later, the conference began. A White House spokesperson took the stage.

"Three days ago, a violent conflict occurred at SHIELD headquarters, resulting in the destruction of three Helicarriers. The situation was complex, and to prevent misinformation, we had to implement temporary network controls. After a thorough investigation, the truth is ready to be shared."

"Please welcome... the President of the United States!"

Applause thundered as the President walked out, smiling and waving.

"Ladies and gentlemen! What happened three days ago was a terrorist act directed at SHIELD by a criminal organization known as Hydra. You may find the name unfamiliar, but if I mention their predecessor—the Nazi Strategic Scientific Reserve—many of you will understand..."

As the President began explaining the history of Hydra and their infiltration of SHIELD, Norman sat in the back, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses as his activated.

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