Deep down, Stephanie was starting to waver.
But then that smug, arrogant, hateful face of Raymond flashed through her mind—and her anger exploded again.
No. She absolutely could not give up.
She couldn't let that guy beat her !
Her mind spun rapidly, and she asked Gideon again, "Dad, do you know any superpowered people with mental abilities? I need to consult someone urgently."
"A mental-type superpowered person? Can't think of one off the top of my head, but I can ask around. Should be able to find someone," Gideon replied after thinking for a moment. "Are you in a hurry?"
"Yes!" Stephanie nodded quickly.
She only had three days. If she didn't act fast, those days would slip by in a blink.
About ten minutes later, Gideon finally found someone who met her criteria.
He even helped set up a meeting. Without wasting a second, she rushed over.
When she arrived, the superpowered individual was already there—and it turned out to be a woman.
"Miss Stephanie, nice to meet you. I'm Beth. How can I help you?" the woman asked.
"If I've been hypnotized or placed under some kind of illusion, do you have a way to undo it?" Stephanie asked directly.
This time, she didn't bother making up a story. She knew there was no point.
"That depends on how strong the other person's ability is," Beth said thoughtfully. "But usually, it's easier to break illusions than to create them. As long as their power isn't way above mine, I should be able to try."
Stephanie's face lit up with hope. "Great! Then please try!"
But Beth hesitated, frowning slightly. "I didn't bring any snacks in the car… Are you really that hungry?"
The smile on Stephanie's face froze instantly.
One hour later, she returned to the Blue Shell restaurant, her expression blank and cold.
She sat down in her usual spot—after rudely kicking out the current customers sitting there, yelling at them to scram.
The staff didn't dare argue. They recognized her and could only keep apologizing to the other guests.
At this point… Stephanie was on the verge of breaking down.
This feeling of complete helplessness was pure torture.
She no longer cared about waiting three full days. She just wanted to end this nightmare as soon as possible.
Anyone who hadn't experienced it wouldn't understand how truly hopeless it felt.
"So soon?" came a familiar voice.
Raymond had appeared at some point, now sitting across from her.
She looked at him, her eyes filled with pain and frustration. "Are you a demon?"
Raymond blinked. "Excuse me? are you—"
"Enough! I don't want to hear that question again!!" she suddenly snapped, eyes red as she shouted.
"…Don't be so worked up. You ordered it yourself—you're not going to waste food, are you?" Raymond gestured at the table.
Stephanie looked down—and froze.
A meal had appeared in front of her. Not just any meal—it was the exact same one she'd been eating earlier.
It looked untouched, exactly as it had before she put down her knife and fork. Even the placement of the utensils hadn't changed.
She suddenly glanced around the room, scanning everything with sharp eyes.
But nothing… nothing had changed.
The table she had cleared out was now back to normal—those customers who'd been arguing with the staff just moments ago had vanished.
The onlookers who had been whispering and pointing at her like she was mad were all gone too.
Everything felt like… a dream.
Like time had reversed itself in an instant, resetting everything.
"Was that all an illusion?!" she asked in disbelief.
"Not completely clueless after all," Raymond said with a smirk.
So it really had been an illusion!
Stephanie's rage only burned hotter. Just remembering that crushing sense of helplessness made her want to tear Raymond apart with her bare hands.
With lightning speed, she drew the pistol from her waist and fired three shots at Raymond—bang! bang! bang!
This time, she didn't care that they were in public.
So what if she killed him in front of everyone?
So what if she couldn't show her face for a while?
As long as she could end Raymond, it was all worth it!
The shots echoed through the restaurant.
Chaos erupted. Guests at nearby tables screamed and ducked for cover, terrified they'd be hit.
Those seated farther away bolted for the exit in panic.
But Raymond… sat there with bullet holes in his head. No blood. No collapse.
Just a calm smile as he asked, "What happened to our agreement? Planning to go back on your word?"
Stephanie froze, shattered by the sight of Raymond still alive—still talking.
Her eyes went wide, and then—she turned the gun on herself and pulled the trigger.
And then… Raymond's voice returned, calm and familiar.
She found herself once again sitting at the table. Raymond across from her, smiling.
The same meal sat untouched on the table.
The restaurant was peaceful, completely undisturbed.
Everything had reset—again.
"That was another illusion?" she asked, breathing heavily.
"Enough now, okay? Be good. Eat before it gets cold," Raymond said gently.
Her hand instinctively moved toward her gun again…
"You're doing it again? Aren't you tired yet?" Raymond said with a strange look.
"I'm not!" she growled.
She didn't know how many times she'd repeated the same actions—ten, twenty, maybe more.
Each time, she found herself seated again at the beginning, back in her chair across from Raymond.
Finally, Raymond sighed. "I'm exhausted just watching you. How many more times are you going to try this?"
She didn't answer. This time, she picked up the gun—she pointed it at herself.
Raymond swiftly snatched the gun from her hand. "This time's real. Stop playing around, or I'll actually get mad."
"Are you sure?" she asked, doubtful.
"If I'm lying, may I never get it up again. Happy now?" Raymond snapped.
She still looked uncertain…
But this time, she didn't pull the trigger.
"You could try a hundred more times, and you still wouldn't win," Raymond said, shaking his head. "Is it really that humiliating to work for me? Do you honestly think someone like me can't find anyone else?"
Stephanie was silent.
If Raymond had said this when he first sat down, she would've laughed in his face and called him crazy.
But now, after everything she'd just been through… she knew the truth.
She didn't stand a chance.
Even with her elite training, she had nearly lost her mind. If anyone else in Hydra had been in her place, 99% of them would've crumbled instantly.
Raymond might be arrogant—but this time, he wasn't exaggerating.
And he definitely didn't need her.