The annual year-end party of the Hellfire Club was mostly for keeping in touch and sharing information, without any serious main topic.
For hundreds of years, the Hellfire Club had kept a rather relaxed atmosphere.
Only in rare times would there be exceptions, usually because some Black King or White King with selfish plans tried to use the club for personal goals.
For example, Sebastian Shaw, the Black King before Juggernaut, was a classic case.
But those Black or White Kings usually never ended well, and often dragged the whole club down with them.
So, unless another leader appeared strong enough that no one dared to resist, the other core members would never simply follow.
Juggernaut was very strong, but the current core members were no pushovers either.
Even before Raymond joined, there were already powerful figures like Longshot.
Especially Psylocke, who had strong background and connections—even if Sebastian Shaw came back to life, he might not be able to control the current group.
In truth, Juggernaut now was not necessarily weaker than Shaw back then.
But he did not follow Shaw's way of forcing the whole club to serve him.
Everyone knew he was not without desire—he still wanted to destroy the X-Men.
The reason he did not copy Shaw's methods must have been careful thinking and balance.
After all, who didn't have selfish motives?
From the first day Raymond and his group arrived, the gathering lasted for three days.
Three days passed in a blink.
Other than sparring with Longshot on the first day, Raymond didn't do much else.
Of course, in others' eyes, his strange relationship with the Sage was already eye-catching.
Especially Red Devil and Gambit, who looked at them in a very unusual, playful way.
But only they themselves knew the truth.
Meanwhile, Lorna and Clarice got along with many members of the club, far more than Raymond did.
Some members even taught them many things about mutants, which was very helpful for them.
But the one who became closest to them was Dazzler, who was around their age.
Although Dazzler was a true core member of the club, her strength was not that great.
Her membership was largely because of her fame and influence.
She was not only a top singer in Britain, but her family was also one of Europe's old noble houses.
If Psylocke's family was a business clan, then Dazzler's family was a political one.
Her presence made the Hellfire Club move almost without obstacles in Europe.
Of course, the help went both ways. The Hellfire Club also helped her family handle many problems. Their relationship was a partnership.
Dazzler acted like a bridge, keeping things connected.
The reason she became close with Lorna and Clarice so quickly, Raymond felt, was not simply because they got along. A young lady raised in politics could not be that simple, right?
But Raymond didn't really care. Even if Dazzler had some goal, it was clearly not harmful.
At most, she just wanted to get closer to Raymond through Clarice and Lorna.
After all, Raymond was not a normal Black Bishop.
From the way he fought Longshot, it was clear that besides Juggernaut, no one else in the club could match him.
For someone so strong, making friends with him could only bring benefits.
Raymond understood this well, so he didn't stop Clarice from being friends with Dazzler.
Mutual benefit, that was all. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵
On the plane back, Clarice carefully asked Raymond, "Alison said she's going to hold a concert in New York next March, and she wants to invite us. Can I go?"
Alison, of course, was Dazzler's real name.
"If you want to go, then go." Raymond smiled.
"But I'm afraid Mom won't agree…"
"You want me to lie to Mom for you?" Raymond asked with a teasing smile.
"That's not what I meant, I just…"
"It's fine even if it is. I can help you, but you'll need to promise me something in return. A fair trade."
"Try to stay away from the Mutant Underground. Better if you don't get involved with them anymore."
"Brother, what are you saying!"
Clarice suddenly panicked and gave him a look, hinting that Lorna was sitting right there.
Lorna had only been watching the brother and sister's talk with interest, but when she heard Raymond's words, her face fell.
During this trip to Edinburgh, she had learned that Raymond was also a superpowered person, and she had seen his strength when he fought Longshot.
She also learned that Raymond was not only with S.H.I.E.L.D., but also a high-ranking member of the Hellfire Club.
Compared with him, the Mutant Underground looked like child's play.
No wonder Raymond looked down on them.
In fact, he had never hidden his dislike for Clarice joining them.
Bringing her here this time was also his way of letting her see the bigger world, to show her that the Mutant Underground was meaningless.
They could not change the fate of mutants.
Even the Hellfire Club couldn't, much less the Underground. That was why Raymond again told Clarice to stay away from them. This time, she wasn't as resistant as before.
But she still didn't want to grow distant from her friends.
Raymond saw her thoughts and shook his head, "I'm not telling you to stop seeing Lorna. I just want you to keep away from the others… You are not from their world, and you never will be."
Then he turned to Lorna and added, "These words are for you too."
"No, I don't believe that." Lorna stubbornly shook her head, refusing his view.
"Then let's just wait and see." Raymond wasn't angry, only smiled as he spoke.
"Hmph, forget it if you won't agree!" Clarice hesitated for a long time but in the end did not accept Raymond's "trade."
Still, Raymond wasn't upset, because he could already see that Clarice's heart was starting to soften.
Not just her—Lorna too.
Even if he didn't interfere, once they went back, they would soon clash with John and the others. It was only a matter of time.
Some things, once changed, could never go back to the way they were.
Worth noting, on their return trip they didn't stop in London.
Mia had invited Clarice and the others to spend a few days there, but after being attacked by Namor, she was immediately grounded when she returned.
That event stirred up even more waves.
The Secret Faction wasn't weak.
The Ventrue clan, being the top family of the Secret Faction, had actually let their princess be assassinated—how could that be tolerated?
Led by Grand Duke Ventrue, they immediately struck back at everyone connected to Namor.
All of Europe's superpowered world would be in chaos for a while because of this.
So even if Raymond's group went to London, they wouldn't be able to see Mia anyway.
Mia even called Clarice and the others to apologize, saying once the trouble ended, she'd invite them to London again, and she would arrange everything herself.
So Raymond's group simply returned to North America as planned.
After dropping the two girls back in Richmond, Raymond went alone back to Washington. His life finally settled into quiet again—Until the Itachi sub-personality and the Orochimaru sub-personality both returned at the same time—"Hydra is fully unified now?"
After taking in their memories, Raymond already had a clear picture of Stephanie's progress.
The process hadn't been very smooth, but compared to others, the Political Faction was the easiest part to handle.
With Stephanie's identity and skill, plus the help of the Itachi and Orochimaru sub-personalities, Hydra had finally been brought under control.
Stephanie had just returned home. She poured herself a glass of red wine, planning to watch a movie to relax.
She was exhausted after everything.
Then, a voice suddenly came from behind her ear: "You really didn't disappoint me…"
Stephanie knew the voice well. She wasn't startled.
She picked up another glass, filled it, then turned around and handed it over.
"You're really an irresponsible mastermind, you know. Not even a single word from start to finish?"
"I sent help to you, didn't I?" Raymond took the wine, drank a sip, and smiled. "Besides, I told you—if you managed this well, you would become the one and only leader of Hydra. I keep my word."
"One and only leader? More like one and only servant." Stephanie rolled her eyes.
After so much contact with him, she could tell Raymond wasn't a cruel man, so she wasn't as cautious as before.
"So, why did you suddenly come? To check up on me?" she asked.
"I came to see how you're doing, and also to talk about Hydra's next steps." Raymond smiled.
Stephanie nodded, then asked, "Hungry? Should I make you some supper?"
"No need, I had dinner late."
"You came at the perfect time then. Keep me company for a movie. We can talk while watching." Stephanie's lips curled into a sly smile.
Her reaction left Raymond a little surprised, but he didn't refuse.
The next morning, when Raymond woke up, Stephanie was half-leaning at his side, watching him.
"You're awake?" Stephanie said lazily.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Raymond felt uneasy under her gaze.
"Looking at you won't kill you." Stephanie smiled brightly. "Don't worry, I'll take responsibility for you."
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