Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Vanke Father and Son (Extra Chapter for the Grandmaster 6/7)

Morning sunlight streamed through the window, rousing Kahn from sleep. Upon opening his eyes, he glanced at Betty Rose beside him; her arm had lain across him throughout the night. Gently moving it aside, Kahn rose and dressed before inspecting the cursed seal imprint on the back of Betty’s neck.

The pattern of the cursed seal would gradually fade as the chakra within diminished. Without replenishment, when their bodies were deeply affected by the seal’s chakra, the mark itself would become faint.

Betty bore a seal infused with immortal chakra—it did not erode her body but rather enhanced her physical constitution.

The floor of the bedroom was quite messy, strewn with discarded clothes that testified to the intensity of last night’s battle. Noticing that Betty had yet to awaken, Kahn used magic to tidy the room.

Clothes instantly hung neatly on the racks, and stains on the carpet vanished completely.

With magic at his disposal, Kahn need not worry about hiring a housekeeper. Even though this was a villa, he could clean it thoroughly himself. Given his vast magical power, this was effortless.

Usually, all that was needed was a guard to watch over the estate. Xiao Qing could serve that role, but its rapid growth posed a risk of exposure even if Kahn purchased all the surrounding properties. Therefore, he planned to inject Xiao Qing with the genes of a magical creature.

The genes of an invisible beast would suffice—its fur rendered its form unseen, making it easy to evade detection even by sorcerers. Moreover, as this estate was by the sea, disappearing underwater after turning invisible would make it nearly impossible for anyone to find.

After preparing a simple breakfast, Betty was just waking up. Upon rising and seeing the neatly arranged clothes and catching the delicious aroma downstairs, she was quite surprised. Few billionaires she knew would cook for themselves, and Kahn was certainly an exception.

“Do you need to find some housekeepers? Such a large house is impossible to manage alone,” she said, sitting at the dining table and taking a bite of a bacon, egg, and butter sandwich. She had been exhausted the night before; despite having some milk, she still needed proper nourishment.

“No, I can manage alone. Also, I’m entrusting you with four other mansions. After purchasing them, I plan to renovate this place,” Kahn replied, placing two more sandwiches in front of Betty. He sensed one sandwich wouldn’t be enough for her.

“I’m almost becoming your personal housekeeper, and you haven’t fulfilled the promise you made last night...” Betty said, referring to the special medicine. She felt deceived, having learned nothing so far.

“What about those four mansions? If you buy them all, you still won’t need a housekeeper or manager? That would exhaust you, especially with such vast properties...” Kahn shook his head, shifting the topic. “You’ll see when the time comes. If you’re worried, you can always come over and check. The room on the second floor is always yours.”

Was she truly resigned? Her cooperation last night was driven by curiosity about the special medicine, not by indulgence. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come. Betty said nothing further; she had her own boyfriend and aspirations, and though this weighed heavily on her conscience with Bruce, she remained silent.

“Betty, could you help me find someone? The name is Helen Zhao, Korean descent, possibly in Seoul or America, and there’s a place called Eugene Gene Laboratory.”

More than ten years remained until the dawn of the Ultron Era. Kahn wasn’t sure how old Helen Zhao was—she might still be studying or already working in a lab—but that didn’t hinder his intention to invest ahead of time.

Nanotechnology was either her personal research or that of the Eugene Gene Laboratory. In any case, Kahn wouldn’t let this technology slip away.

“In a few days, I might need to make a trip to Russia. I’m counting on you to handle things here.”

“You’d better stay longer so I can take some time off,” Betty retorted with an eye roll. After his disappearances, it seemed like Kahn returned only to assign tasks and sleep. She had a busy period ahead, estimating it would be another month or two before things eased.

At this rate, she feared seeing Bruce only a few times. Perhaps a cooling-off period between them was for the best... but why was she even entertaining such thoughts?

Betty Rose felt something strange—after only a few nights’ rest, was she about to forget her feelings for Bruce? Though the experience was truly intoxicating, especially the suffocating thrill of domination...

***

After breakfast, Paul was already waiting at the door of the estate villa. Today, Kahn wouldn’t need Betty as his driver—in every sense.

Having infused most of the biological research center staff with chakra seals yesterday, today Kahn planned to reinforce the seals for Laura and the Umbrella Military Security Company personnel, while also arranging their work.

The first revenue from the Desperate Virus wouldn’t arrive for at least six months. Until then, Kahn’s overt expenses were covered by himself and the pharmaceutical wholesale trade company.

Especially the biological research center and Umbrella—the former needing no further explanation. Umbrella was rapidly expanding too, with plans to procure firearms, training grounds, armored vehicles, helicopters, and more.

Umbrella’s official employees numbered over sixty, with frontline mercenaries and logistics staff roughly in a 7:3 ratio. While this was not insignificant, Kahn felt it far from sufficient. Only when the company had over two hundred employees, with 180 frontline operatives, would he begin considering profitability.

Until then, all Umbrella’s expenses were personally funded by Kahn, whose savings were considerable enough to sustain operations for years.

Besides protecting the biological research center, Umbrella had no other business yet. Training daily was sufficient. But with current growth rates, by next year Umbrella could accept contracts from the American government or other corporations.

Mechanical manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, military security, and new energy development—these were the four core industries under Kahn’s name. Once developed, he would become the dominant titan on Earth, the Umbrella of the Marvel world.

Arranging Laura’s responsibilities took little time. Although she had developed the pharmaceutical wholesale trade company well, its potential paled compared to the other company, backed by an entire research team and military contracts secured even before its establishment.

Those annual contracts alone surpassed the wholesale company’s revenues. Laura once thought Betty would be CEO of the other biopharmaceutical company. Although both were hired simultaneously, the boss clearly favored Betty Rose.

Upon hearing the good news, Laura thought she was hallucinating. After confirming she wasn’t, she quickly accepted. Knowing the CEO would understand the research center’s projects reassured her that her choice was right.

Kahn, therefore, instructed Laura to coordinate with Betty for a handover so Betty no longer needed to manage affairs personally.

***

Moscow.

A city almost engulfed by ice and snow. The cold was biting, but it affected Kahn little.

Thanks to the genes of the phoenix and fire dragon within his body, he was like a walking furnace. Betty Rose had once remarked that drinking his milk felt like swallowing boiling water.

Before arriving, Kahn had commissioned others to gather information on Anton Vanko.

Unexpectedly, the search went smoothly. The agents soon delivered intel to Kahn: Anton Vanko was rather notorious.

He had returned to Moscow somewhat paranoid, frequently claiming Howard Stark had stolen his technology, until old age and frailty finally quieted him.

The Vankos lived in a dilapidated area, akin to Moscow’s slums, surviving on odd repair jobs performed by Yvan Vanko to support the two of them.

Driving to their shabby apartment, Kahn instructed the others to wait downstairs while he went up alone.

Even in sleep, he wore a layer of armor enchantment. Kahn did not believe the Vankos could harm him.

Ascending the stairs, before he could knock, a disheveled middle-aged man emerged from the adjacent room, calling out in Russian—unintelligible to Kahn.

“I’m here to see your father,” Kahn said, knowing Yvan Vanko likely understood English. Then, he used a unlocking spell to open Anton Vanko’s door and stepped inside.

Yvan, seeing this, rushed forward to stop him but was suddenly restrained by an invisible force, unable to move, trailing behind Kahn to his father’s bedside.

“Anton Vanko? Your health looks poor, with multiple complications. Judging by your condition, you might not live more than a few years. Moscow’s medical facilities probably can’t save you, and even in America, few hospitals could treat you...

But you’re lucky to have met me.”

Kahn spoke as he seated himself on a stool beside Anton’s bed. Yvan, seeing Kahn posed no threat, calmed down and resumed conversation in Russian.

“I don’t understand Russian, but I know you can understand English, so I won’t beat around the bush, Yvan Vanko,” Kahn said, gesturing to him and casting a modest healing spell that restored some health and energy.

“I know you co-developed the Arc Reactor with Howard Stark and currently hold the technology. I want you to join my company. I will support all your research and provide you with health, wealth, and fame equal to Howard’s. What do you say?”

Anton suddenly sat up, surprising Yvan, who quickly helped steady him, noticing his father’s complexion had visibly improved.

Feeling his sudden vigor, Anton looked at Kahn and asked, “Money, fame... you want to buy the Arc Reactor technology?”

“And you both. You’re rare talents in this field. The Arc Reactor’s future upgrades require your expertise. How about it? Rather than dying here, come with me to America. If you help develop the Arc Reactor, you can regain everything you lost.”

Kahn continued persuading. Yvan had never forgiven Howard Stark’s past deeds but seeing his father’s health restored and renewed energy convinced him this was no mere vodka-induced illusion—it was Kahn’s doing.

Moreover, Anton had more than himself to consider—his son was a genius who should not waste his talent in such a decrepit place.

“I agree. Yvan and I accept your invitation, and we will sell the Arc Reactor technology to your company.”

Kahn smiled and stood. “Then let’s depart. This place is too rundown. Your itinerary is already arranged.

Rest assured, once in America, you will be well treated. Healthy bodies and the benefits of the Arc Reactor—you will have it all.”

*End of Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Vanko Father and Son*