After getting the answer he wanted, Rowan didn't immediately activate Friday. Instead, he powered down the device, planning to use it later in the Swallowed Star world.

He glanced outside and saw that night had fallen. Hill would be getting off work soon.

Rowan stepped into the kitchen, braised a fish in soy sauce, then stir-fried some broccoli with shrimp. When everything was done, he sat at the dining table and waited for Hill to return.

About ten minutes later, there was a click at the door.

"Welcome back, Hill!"

Rowan got up with a smile to greet her.

"I'm back, Rowan."

Hill smiled warmly.

"Go wash your hands. I made your favorite braised fish."

"Wow, I can smell it already! It smells amazing!"

Hill sniffed the air, her smile growing even more radiant. She hurried to the bathroom to wash up, then sat down at the table.

The two of them chatted and laughed while they ate, quickly polishing off both dishes.

"I'm so full!"

Hill leaned back in her chair, visibly content.

Rowan didn't immediately clear the table. Instead, he poured himself a glass of warm water, took a breath, and said to her, "Hill, remember I mentioned that special alloy I've been working on? The one Stark approved of?"

"Yeah," Hill answered, rubbing her full stomach.

"He's already using it for the outer shell of his Iron Man suit."

"What?"

Hill stared at him, stunned.

She knew how seriously Tony took his suits and how demanding he was about materials. She hadn't expected Rowan's alloy to be that impressive, let alone worthy of being used in Iron Man's armor.

"Your alloy is really that good?" she asked, still in disbelief.

Rowan smiled modestly. "Not bad. I call it Krol Alloy. It has a lot of potential applications."

"What are you planning to do with it?"

Hill blinked, sensing that Rowan had something more to say.

"I'm planning to start a company Krol Industries."

Rowan said it plainly.

"A company?" Hill murmured. Rowan was only sixteen. Starting a business would mean dealing with a lot of things he probably wasn't familiar with...

"That's why I need a CEO."

Rowan looked at her expectantly.

Everything he had said so far had been leading up to this.

He wanted Hill to become the CEO of Krol Industries.

Hill met his gaze and immediately understood.

She shook her head.

"Rowan, I can't quit my job. Not yet."

She looked at him seriously. "Director Fury has done a lot for us. Without his help, things would've been very difficult over the past few years. I can't just walk away now that our situation is better..."

Rowan fell silent.

Years ago, the siblings had crossed a local gang leader in New York. During the altercation, Fury happened to be passing by and intervened.

He had been impressed by Hill's skill and intelligence. After learning she was about to graduate from Harvard, he offered her a place in S.H.I.E.L.D.

Thanks to that opportunity, the two of them had avoided the gang's revenge.

Later, Hill had climbed the ranks inside S.H.I.E.L.D., and Fury had quietly supported her along the way. He had given her space to grow and promoted her quickly.

He had indeed done a great deal for them.

And that debt hadn't yet been repaid.

Hill was someone who valued relationships deeply. As long as that debt remained, it would be hard to convince her to leave.

"Alright," Rowan nodded. "Then I'll look for someone else."

He didn't push her.

Besides, it wouldn't be long before S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed under the weight of Hydra's infiltration. When that time came, Hill would naturally be free.

But just then, Hill said, "I might know someone who'd be perfect for the job."

Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"She's also with S.H.I.E.L.D.," Hill said with a smile.

"Someone from our New York branch?" Rowan asked, curious.

Hill leaned in closer. "Yep. Do you know Sharon?"

"Yeah," Rowan nodded.

Sharon had joined the New York branch just two months ago.

She was still in college, technically interning at S.H.I.E.L.D.

Rowan knew exactly who she was. Sharon Carter niece of Peggy Carter, Captain America's old flame, and future girlfriend of Cap himself.

Sharon was stunning, had a killer figure, and was extremely capable. She had barely been at the branch a few weeks before attracting a slew of admirers. Rowan had seen her around a few times.

Raised under Peggy Carter's guidance, Sharon had been exceptional since childhood.

She actually would make a good CEO.

But… he barely knew her.

He had never even had a proper conversation with her.

To suddenly approach her and say, "Hey, wanna quit S.H.I.E.L.D. and run my company?" would be… painfully awkward.

"Just knowing her is enough. I think she's perfect for the role. We've worked together before. She's very capable and a solid person. She'd make a great CEO," Hill said confidently.

"But we don't know each other well," Rowan countered, giving her a look.

"Oh, she knows you very well," Hill said with a mysterious smile.

"…What?"

Rowan blinked, completely confused.

Hill grinned at him. "She knows your height, weight, personality, hobbies, even which celebrity you have a crush on. You really think she doesn't know you?"

"…??"

The confusion on Rowan's face deepened.

"I've never even spoken to her!"

"I'm not making it up. She has a crush on you."

Hill said it with a teasing smile.

"Huh?"

Now it was Rowan's turn to be completely thrown off.

Sharon Carter had a crush on him?

How was that even possible?

Wasn't she supposed to fall for Captain America in the future?

Why would she suddenly like him?

But judging from Hill's expression, she wasn't joking.

"You're serious? Why would she like me?"

Rowan asked, genuinely baffled.

"Of course I'm serious. And why wouldn't she like you? You think she's the only one at HQ who does?"

Hill rolled her eyes.

She knew exactly how popular her brother was.

There had been more than a few young agents who'd tried to get her to spill the details on what Rowan liked.

Sharon was one of them.

"But… Sharon?"

Rowan still couldn't quite believe it.

In the storyline he remembered, Sharon was supposed to fall for Steve Rogers not long after he was thawed from the ice.

"No buts. I'm telling you she likes you."

Hill said firmly.

"And how are you so sure?" Rowan asked, exasperated.

"Hehe."

Hill gave him a bright grin.

"Because I'm the one who told her your height, weight, hobbies, and which celebrity you like!"

"…"

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