The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics

After a period of earnest explanation, Peter finally clarified the entire situation to Betty.

Betty finally believed that Peter hadn't gone mad and turned his sister into some kind of superhuman; it all stemmed from the recent New York cataclysm.

"I'm doing this to help Cindy understand the changes happening to her," Peter said, placing a beaker in front of Cindy to serve as an ashtray. "The recent New York event was clearly not simple. The military is shirking responsibility, the government is trying to cover things up, and even the superhumans are in disarray."

"We can't trust anyone in the current situation," Peter leaned back in his chair, subconsciously recalling the advice Howard Stark had given him not long ago.

"For Cindy's sake, we must figure out whether the changes happening to her are good or bad. I don't want to be caught completely unprepared when something really happens."

"And what does that have to do with you making Cindy wear that suit?" Betty asked, extinguishing her cigarette.

"To uncover the truth, we must first go to the source of it all," Peter tapped his toes on the ground, slightly moving his chair and revealing the computer screen behind him.

Betty understood and leaned forward to look at the screen, which displayed a map. After careful examination, Betty recognized it as New York before the cataclysm.

"Based on multiple eyewitness accounts and subsequent deductions, the epicenter of the shockwave that turned Cindy into a superhuman should be near the center of New York. I estimate it occurred in Manhattan or the surrounding boroughs."

As Peter explained, the map on the screen marked several red dots, indicating the possible sources of the shockwave.

"At the same time, these areas are now surrounded and controlled by the Supreme Squadron's Hyperion. It's impossible to get in through normal means."

Betty nodded. Everyone could see the towering tree walls. Cars certainly couldn't drive in, and flying vehicles would be too conspicuous. Plus, with Sentinel robots and some mutant guards, it would be difficult for ordinary people to enter.

"So, even though I don't want to, the only way to sneak in is by relying on Cindy's superpowers."

Peter spread his hands, saying with a helpless tone, "Believe me, Betty, I care about Cindy more than you do. I would never put her in danger unless absolutely necessary."

"To ensure her safety, I've been trying my best to improve her suit. Tonight is our first experiment."

"How were the experiment results?" Betty asked.

"I don't know yet," Peter sighed. "To avoid detection by Sentinel robots, I didn't load too many electronic devices into the suit, not even a communication device. But that's only temporary. I'll add them once I develop a device that can counter Sentinel robot detection."

"Right now, the only way to know the suit's specific data is to wait for Cindy to tell me."

Peter turned to look at where Cindy had been sitting, only to find that the source of their argument had long disappeared. She must have snuck away while he and Betty were talking.

"So, could you please not talk about this?" Peter scratched his head, wondering how to persuade Betty.

Unexpectedly, Betty directly said, "Okay, I promise."

"Really?" Peter was overjoyed. "Thank you so much, Betty!"

"Don't be too happy yet," Betty rolled her eyes. "I have a condition: let me join in."

"What? Why?" Peter looked at Betty in confusion.

Betty didn't say a word, she just placed the belt she had taken off Cindy on the table, then showed Peter the side with the Parker Industries logo. Peter immediately understood what she meant.

"If someone as careless as you is assisting Cindy, I think you'll only leave a bunch of loopholes. I finally managed to get into a supervisor position at Parker Industries. The salary and benefits here are good, and I don't want to lose everything and start over."

Although Betty's words sounded very mercenary, Peter knew that wasn't her true intention. If she was simply after money, there were a million ways to profit from this.

For starters, Betty could pretend not to recognize Cindy and report her the next day, earning a considerable reward without anyone knowing she did it. She could continue working as usual.

She could even take this dirt to Parker Industries' competitor. In this sensitive time, superhumans are indeed a good attack point. If handled properly, it could cause Parker Industries' stock to plummet.

And Betty, who brought this news, would naturally profit a lot from it. At the very least, she could switch to another company as a supervisor, and even further advancement wouldn't be impossible.

But Betty chose the worst option, not only without any benefits but also bearing the risk of being punished if discovered. Not even ordinary friends would do that.

"Thank you so much, Betty," Peter stood up and shook Betty's hand.

Betty didn't expect Peter to react so strongly. She was stunned for a moment, then blushed and pulled her hand back, saying with a proud look.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm doing this to help Cindy. I've watched her grow up, and to me, she's no different from my own sister. I don't want someone as careless as you to assist her."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Peter smiled broadly, letting her say whatever she wanted, as long as she didn't expose Cindy's secret.

Betty saw his silly look and shook her head amusingly. She tidied her hair and asked, "Where's Cindy? Where did that little rascal run off to?"

Peter was about to reply, but the lab's skylight opened first. Normally, that skylight couldn't be opened, but Peter had modified it to be openable for Cindy's convenience.

The sound of the skylight opening attracted their attention. They turned to look and saw that the person who came was Cindy, whom they had been talking about. It seemed that she had just returned from a joyride.

"Where did you go, Cindy? Betty and I have been discussing you," Peter put on a stern face, making Betty laugh. She knew Peter was just pretending and that he had always lacked authority in Cindy's eyes.

Cindy glanced at Peter, then said with a normal expression, "I just went for a joyride."

Peter wanted to say a few more words, but he noticed some damage on Cindy's suit, with small cracks in some places. He hurriedly asked.

"How did the suit get torn? Are you hurt, Cindy?"

"This?" Cindy looked down at the damage, then looked up and said with a smile.

"I just fought a bunch of thugs. It's nothing serious."