AHumanMadeMOFO
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Chapter 59: Work for Me!
🕑 Added 2024-12-02 07:32:48 +0000 UTC"Yes, sir. At the time, Mr. Bucky and I were both tied to the experiment table and injected with some strange, unknown substances. Although subsequent tests by the military laboratory showed no significant issues, I firmly believe that if Captain hadn’t arrived in time, we would have been doomed. During our captivity, we never saw anyone leave those labs alive... Sir, is there something wrong with this?" Seeing Josh's curiosity, Vito had no hesitation and recounted the situation in detail. When he noticed Josh's thoughtful expression, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Oh, nothing's wrong. I just didn’t expect your experiences to be so extraordinary. If written into a memoir, it would surely sell like hotcakes. Thinking about it, letting you retire early might have robbed the world of a legend." Josh came to himself and remarked casually, but internally his mind was racing.
Injected with the same serum as Bucky? Could it be the Winter Soldier serum?
Of course, just like Bucky, Vito was probably still a prototype.
But who says prototypes aren’t valuable?
"Perhaps, but I think being able to return home safely and reunite with my family is the greatest blessing," Vito replied with a smile, raising the retirement document in his hand.
"You're right. Family is everything," Josh nodded, then suddenly asked, "Now that you’re back, Vito, what are your plans for the future?"
"Maybe I’ll become a dockworker like my father. At least, that's what my mother hopes for," Vito said with a hint of resignation. It wasn’t the path he desired, but his traditional mother valued safety and stability.
"Oh, a war hero becoming a dockworker? Forgive me for saying so, but that’s surprising. No disrespect to your mother, of course. It’s just unexpected. From what you’re saying, you haven’t made up your mind yet. So, how about working for me?" Josh’s suggestion was calm but sincere.
"Work for you? Really?" Vito was thrilled at the offer.
He had come to understand that Josh wasn’t just a boss; he was a powerful figure. Even without knowing the specifics of the job or the pay, it had to be better than hauling crates at the docks. Plus, with his sister already working for Josh, his mother likely wouldn’t object.
"Of course. Why not?" Josh shrugged casually.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Kahn!" Vito agreed without hesitation.
"Since you’re one of us now, I’ll share something with you," Josh waved off Vito’s thanks and leaned in slightly.
"You’ve met Brook, right?" Josh asked.
"Yes, sir," Vito nodded.
"Last year, your sister borrowed a sum of money to bury your father. I paid off her debt through Brook. Now, I’m not telling you this to make you feel indebted or ask for repayment. But during that process, Brook uncovered something else—the possibility that your father’s death wasn’t an accident," Josh revealed.
"What?! Is that true?" Vito’s expression changed dramatically.
He had always believed his drunken father had fallen into the water and drowned, just as his sister had written to him. Considering his father’s heavy drinking habits, it seemed plausible at the time.
But if Josh’s words were true, it was an entirely different matter.
Though Vito had his grievances about his father, he was still his father. Moreover, Vito cherished some fond childhood memories of him.
"Whether it’s true or not is up to you to investigate. I was merely a bystander at the time. If not for Margaret’s request, I might not have even paid off the debt, let alone dig deeper into the matter. Now that you’re back and working for me, I felt it was my responsibility to tell you... Go find Brook. He’ll share the details. As for starting work, there’s no rush—handle this first," Josh said calmly.
Vito immediately understood Josh’s implications. This wasn’t just an act of goodwill; it was also a way of testing loyalty.
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Kahn," Vito replied with resolve before leaving Josh’s study.
Once Vito had left, Josh sat silently for a moment. He then stood, locked the door, and opened his trading device to contact Yuri.
"Do you need something, Josh?" Yuri’s image appeared on the screen.
The background was still a cave, but within just a week, it had been transformed into a full-fledged laboratory. Controlled "workers" scurried around diligently, and Yuri, now clean-shaven and dressed in a pristine lab coat, had regained the imposing demeanor of his former self.
"I have good news. A prototype super-soldier has walked right into my hands. Are you interested in studying him? Do you have enough equipment for that?" Josh asked, glancing at the sophisticated equipment behind Yuri.
The laboratory tools had been purchased at high prices from the University of Chicago, as many such devices couldn’t be acquired on short notice. Fortunately, the university saw this as an opportunity to upgrade their own equipment and agreed to the sale.
"Of course, I’m interested. But researching him will require a few additional devices," Yuri’s eyes gleamed with interest.
