Chapter 141: Aftermath and Resolution

The funeral for Jack and his wife proceeded as scheduled. Michael, wearing a look of profound sorrow, greeted the guests. The entire Avengers team arrived, each offering Michael an embrace as a gesture of comfort. Susie looked at the heroes she admired without showing any particular expression; instead, she directed a flicker of hatred toward Michael.

As the final handful of earth was cast, the wreath was placed upon the tombstone, and the priest concluded his chanting to send them to heaven, the funeral drew to a close. Susie, watching Michael with fury, lost control of her emotions once more and rushed forward to strike him.

"You bastard! Their deaths must have something to do with you. What on earth did you do?"

Michael sighed but remained silent. When Susie saw that he offered no explanation, she tried to slap him, but Michael blocked her hand directly.

"You can hate me, but remember this: one should never bare their fangs until they have the power to take revenge."

Michael countered with a slap of his own, knocking her to the ground. Susie clutched her face, glared at him with resentment, and cursed, "I hope you die a horrible death." She then climbed into a car and drove away.

Having lived through this, Michael hoped she would mature, as it would make her less likely to be hurt.

"Are you all right?" Gwen approached Michael and took his hand.

Michael offered a bitter smile and said, "I'm fine." He pulled Gwen into an embrace, resting his head on her shoulder for a long time before he finally composed himself.

"If you want to cry, just cry. I won't mock you."

Michael finally gave in, his tears dampening Gwen's shoulder. Once he had recovered, Gwen sighed and said, "Treating her this way might not actually be for her own good."

"I know, but it is the best way. As long as she stays away from me and hates me, she won't be harmed because of me."

"Is it the same for me?"

Michael paused for a moment before replying, "That was my intention, but I know you wouldn't have it."

Shortly thereafter, Michael held a press conference and announced his resignation from the Avengers. An hour later, the two arrived at Twilight Road.

"Do you know why I named this place Twilight Road?"

Gwen thought for a moment and asked, "Is it because of the Twilight series?"

"Yes." Michael nodded and continued, "I am a vampire now, and I have an unusual interest in your blood. When I hold you, I sometimes even feel the urge to bite your neck."

Gwen looked at Michael and said earnestly, "So, that’s why you decided to break up with me without even asking how I felt?"

Michael smiled bitterly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ignored your feelings. Now, I want to ask you again: can we stay together?"

"Of course we can. We will face this bloodlust together. I believe you will overcome it." Gwen hugged him, and the two kissed passionately.

"Do you want to bite me now?"

Michael inhaled the scent of her skin and replied, "I do."

"Then go ahead."

Michael nipped at Gwen's neck, leaving neat, faint tooth marks. He held her close, kissing his way down her neck, and things began to take their natural course.

"Wait a second," Gwen said. "I don't want children yet."

Michael reached toward the bedside table, fumbled through the drawer, and found an ultra-thin condom. "Shit, it's too small."

"Forget it. It’s only this once anyway."

The Red Queen watched the two entangled figures and felt a strong urge to mention that a court summons had arrived for him. She decided to save it for tomorrow. As a clever little secretary, she knew exactly when to disturb someone and when not to.

The trial against Michael soon began. Although no one had died that day, many had been injured. Some of the victims, seeing that Michael had already left the Avengers and was grieving his foster parents, chose not to press charges. However, there were still those who were incited to testify against him.

Consequently, Michael was sentenced to three years and six months for terrorism, endangering public safety, and intentional battery. However, after Michael was incarcerated, many began to voice their support for him. Combined with the fact that Michael had bribed several key figures and faced pressure from public opinion, a second hearing was granted.

The sentence was reduced: in recognition of Michael's outstanding contributions to society, he was given one year and eight months, suspended for two years. This meant that as long as Michael committed no crimes within those two years, he would not have to serve any jail time.

Everyone was satisfied with this verdict. As for the Avengers, they were forced to sign an agreement. This accord was originally intended to appear during the *Captain America: Civil War* incident, but because there was no Nick Fury pulling strings behind the scenes, it had emerged early. However, the agreement was relatively loose, and the heroes were not under significant restrictions.

But that was no longer Michael's concern. Nick Fury tracked Michael down, handed him a list, and said, "You had better not expose this, or even I won't be able to save you."

Michael agreed. Nick Fury continued, "I am sorry. It turns out there were Hydra agents within S.H.I.E.L.D., but I will clean up the interior soon."

"Is that so?" Michael looked at him with a sarcastic gaze. "Pierce from the Security Council... he's preparing Project Insight, isn't he?"

"How did you know that?" Nick Fury asked, looking puzzled.

Michael looked back at him. "Why do you think I asked about him?"

Nick Fury fell silent. Before his time, S.H.I.E.L.D. had been led by Pierce. Now that the agency's loyalty had been compromised to such a degree—riddled with holes—the only person with enough power to render Nick Fury blind to it all was the man he had once respected most: Pierce. Pierce definitely had something to hide, but Fury lacked the evidence.

"I understand."

"But you cannot move against him yet. I will investigate his affairs."

Seeing that Nick Fury was so cooperative, Michael added, "Let me know when you have a lead. I have a great interest in the Hydra agents branching out from S.H.I.E.L.D."

Michael looked at the list again. One name stood out—an old acquaintance: Senator Stern. Sometimes, it wasn't that retribution wouldn't come; it was just that the time hadn't arrived yet.

*Senator Stern, I will send you to hell.*

He returned to his Twilight Island and began crafting a new suit of armor. This time, he was building a mechanical bat suit, equipped with massive bat-like wings on the back. It could assist in flight and also transform into a vehicle. From now on, he would use this "Steel Bat" persona to handle the dirty work.

Gwen looked at Michael with a complex expression. "Are you planning on changing careers to become an assassin?"

Michael said gently, "As long as Hydra exists, it remains a thorn in my side. Once Hydra is completely eradicated, I will stop wearing this armor."

"Mm." Gwen nodded and began helping Michael with his work.

On this island, aside from Michael, she was the only other living soul. With the two of them living in isolation, friction was inevitable. As a necessary precaution, Michael installed a vending machine on the island to ensure Gwen's safety.

Michael and Gwen’s romance was easy to uncover. To protect her family, Michael gifted them several watches and had the Cobra Security Company provide them with covert protection. Additionally, he created two robots to look after their family.