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Chapter 178: Howard's Defeat (3)
🕑 Added 2025-01-21 15:18:21 +0000 UTCSince when does Boeing make cars?
"That's right," Josh replied with a grin. "I started an automotive division back in '45. When I bought Boeing, I integrated the auto division under the Boeing brand. After all, no one ever said aerospace companies couldn't build cars, did they?
"This particular car is part of the first batch of prototypes called the Beetle. Only 100 were made. They'll be on display in major U.S. cities this weekend, along with another model called the Explorer. As for the official release, it's planned for the middle of the year.
As Josh spoke, he pointed to a distinctive red sports car with rocket-like tail fins parked nearby.
Being a transmigrator, Josh didn't want to miss the chance to re-create some classic car designs.
His first choices? The iconic Volkswagen Beetle and the rocket-finned Cadillac Eldorado.
The Beetle kept its original name, while the Eldorado was renamed the "Explorer" after the first artificial satellite. (TL/N: By "Explorer" he is talking about the first artificial satellite of our world and not about the one he launched in this world.)
The Beetle was designed to be irresistible to women, while the Explorer was aimed at men, capitalizing on the growing hype of space exploration.
And with Boeing's aerospace reputation adding to the brand's mystique, the cars were destined to dominate the global market.
"Actually... I prefer this one," Peggy said, glancing between the Beetle and the Explorer before pointing to the latter.
After spending so much time buried in the Strategic Scientific Reserve, Peggy felt the urge to indulge a little.
"All right," Josh said, a little surprised but not bothered. He handed over the keys to the Explorer. The car had originally been meant for him, but if Peggy wanted it, it wasn't a big deal.
Watching Peggy drive off in the Explorer, Josh returned to his office. Once there, he opened a safe and took out a file.
If Peggy Carter were to see the contents of this intelligence file, she would undoubtedly be shocked.
The file contained information on none other than her older brother, Michael Carter, who was supposed to have died in the war.
According to the file, however, Michael had gone from being a British soldier to a member of the Zodiac. He was currently being held prisoner in Wakanda.
...
After leaving Langley headquarters, Carter headed straight for New York.
Langley wasn't too far from New York, only about 400 kilometers, which would take about five hours.
Along the way, thanks to the eye-catching Explorer Rocket Car, Carter became the center of attention.
After being under so much pressure for so long, she thoroughly enjoyed this rare moment of carefree freedom.
After stopping for a Chinese meal and teaching a lesson to two obnoxious men who tried to hit on her, Carter finally arrived at her New York apartment near dusk.
Just as she parked the car, she heard Howard's familiar, slightly teasing voice.
"What a beautiful car. Wait, Boeing?" At first, Howard complimented the car, but as soon as he saw the logo on it, his expression turned sour.
"Josh Kahn, that guy just won't leave me alone, will he?"
"Howard? What are you doing back here?" Carter frowned and turned to him.
It wasn't just Howard who showed up, but also his butler Jarvis, who had worked with Carter a few times before.
"Oh, don't be so cold. We're good friends, right? Or has that Josh Kahn been bad-mouthing me? Did he give you that car?" Howard blurted out.
"Are you interrogating me? This has nothing to do with you, does it?" Carter replied, a little amused by Howard's series of questions.
Jarvis covered his face in embarrassment. If Howard had not saved his life and that of his wife, working as his butler would have been truly humiliating.
"Oh, sorry, of course not. I'm just concerned as a friend to make sure you're not being taken advantage of," Howard quickly apologized, realizing he had overstepped.
"Taken advantage of? I think you're the biggest cheater around here!" Carter, already irritated, couldn't hold back. She turned and punched Howard right in the left eye, knocking him to the ground.
"Oh, my God, Mr. Howard, are you all right?" Jarvis rushed to help him up, addressing Carter as well. "Miss Carter, can't we talk this out instead of resorting to violence?"
"Are you crazy?" Howard, now with a swollen eye, asked angrily as he stood up.
"Yes, I am crazy—crazy enough to have trusted you as a reliable friend all this time!" Carter said sharply.
"Wait, there must be some misunderstanding. Miss Carter, what has upset you so much?" Jarvis quickly stepped in to mediate.
"You want to know why I'm upset? Fine. Steve's blood. Is that reason enough?" Carter said coldly.
The mention of Steve's blood made both Howard and Jarvis silent.
They hadn't expected Carter to know about it.
"So you found out. And yes, you have every right to be angry," Howard finally said, touching his swollen eye. "But you should understand, it wasn't something I could stop."
"But you could have told me sooner, couldn't you?" Carter replied with a bitter laugh. "You didn't because you got a sample of it yourself, didn't you?"
Howard had no words to defend himself.
"Sorry, Carter. Steve's blood is too important. Vaccines, drugs, even a cure for the common cold(A/N: which is incurable)—it has immense potential to save countless lives. Steve may be gone, but his blood can still save millions," Howard explained after a long pause.
"And create more human weapons, too, right?" Carter replied contemptuously. "Enough, Howard. I've seen through you. Now leave."
"Peggy!" Howard shouted, but Carter ignored him and went upstairs.
"Sir? Perhaps we can wait until Miss Carter has calmed down and then invite her to join S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Jarvis suggested.
"It's too late. We've lost the opportunity," Howard replied, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Why?" Jarvis asked, confused.
"Look at the car. And think about how Peggy suddenly found out about the blood," Howard sighed.
Smart as he was, Howard had put it all together the moment Carter mentioned Steve's blood.
"You mean... it was that CIA guy, Josh Kahn, who told her?" Jarvis finally understood.
"Exactly. And if I'm not mistaken, Peggy has already joined the CIA. I should have known when she resigned. This is my fault—I should have helped her out of her troubles sooner and told her the truth," Howard said regretfully.
He had come today to invite Carter to join S.H.I.E.L.D.
But he hadn't expected Josh Kahn to beat him to it.
And the CIA—Howard predicted that this newly formed agency would become the biggest obstacle to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s future growth.
"Still, I won't lose!" Howard quickly regained his confidence, his expression firm.
But his resolve only lasted a few seconds before it twisted again in pain.
That woman really didn't hold back when she hit him.
