Returning to the Marvel world, Rowan immediately gave Sharon a call.

"Sharon, how's the recruitment process coming along?"

"Boss, the basic positions have all been filled. As for department heads, I've only secured one so far Dr. Helen Zhao. She's agreed to join Kroll Industries in a week."

Sharon now referred to Rowan as "Boss" during work hours a sign of growing professionalism between them.

"Helen Zhao agreed already? That fast?"

Rowan was a bit surprised. He hadn't expected Sharon to be so efficient.

The resumes he had posted were meant to highlight the ideal candidates for each department head role more like aspirational targets than hard expectations. He didn't actually think he'd land any of them so soon.

Yet in just three days, Sharon had already locked one in. Her efficiency was impressive.

"Yes, Boss. I found out through one of Dr. Zhao's acquaintances that her lab in Seoul was a toxic environment she was facing serious workplace bullying. I used that to build rapport."

"She was being bullied in her lab?" Rowan raised an eyebrow. "That's... unexpected. But also somehow makes sense."

"So how exactly did you use that to win her over?"

Rowan was genuinely curious.

"I asked my uncle for a favor. He made sure the jerks who were harassing her got fired."

Sharon said it so casually, like it was nothing.

"Wait, what?" Rowan blinked. Helen Zhao was a Ph.D. the people who could bully someone like her in a Seoul research institution had to be major players. And Sharon got them dismissed?

Sharon clarified, "We've still got military forces stationed in that region. My Uncle Steven is the base commander. He used to serve under my aunt in special operations. I gave him a call, and he handled it."

Rowan stood there speechless for a moment.

She had enough pull to mobilize a military officer with a single phone call?

Incredible. He had absolutely made the right decision putting Sharon in charge as CEO.

Peggy Carter had no children of her own. Sharon, as her only niece, was the sole inheritor of Peggy's personal network one that stretched back to the founding days of S.H.I.E.L.D.

And that network? Absolutely formidable.

"After I helped Helen out, I promised her a top-tier laboratory and a fair degree of research autonomy. She agreed on the spot."

Sharon continued her report with calm confidence.

"You did excellent work, Sharon. I'll treat you to a fancy dinner tonight."

Rowan smiled warmly.

"Really? Then I'll get off early!" Sharon said with a spark of excitement.

"Haha, sure. You have my permission to leave early today."

After hanging up, Rowan swung by the market to pick up some groceries.

Sharon had clearly been working hard these past few days coordinating with suppliers, leading mass recruitment, and even making a trip to Seoul to secure a top-tier researcher.

As her boss, he definitely owed her a proper reward.

Rowan returned to the S.H.I.E.L.D. apartment complex carrying a hefty bag of groceries.

Just as he stepped into the elevator and the doors were about to close, someone pressed the button from outside.

A tall, broad-shouldered blond man stepped in. His features were sharp and handsome, and his expression carried a hint of sternness.

Rowan looked over and raised an eyebrow.

Wasn't that… Captain America?

Steve Rogers seemed to recognize him too and looked slightly surprised.

"Captain Rogers, good evening. What floor are you headed to?" Rowan asked with a friendly smile, hand hovering near the control panel.

"Thirteenth. Thanks."

"No problem." Rowan pressed the button and extended a hand. "Captain, I'm Rowan. We met briefly a few days ago."

"Steve Rogers." They shook hands briefly.

"Of course I know your name, Captain," Rowan said with a grin.

Steve glanced down and noticed the large grocery bag in Rowan's hand. His expression softened slightly.

"You live here?"

"Yeah. My sister's a senior agent at S.H.I.E.L.D."

Steve nodded. He had seen Maria Hill around a few times recently.

He looked at Rowan as if wanting to say something, but hesitated.

"I'm heading out. Captain, want to join me for dinner? I've got more than enough food."

Ding.

The elevator doors opened. Rowan turned to invite him, gesturing casually.

Steve smiled faintly but shook his head. "Not this time. Maybe another day."

"Alright." Rowan nodded and stepped out, not pushing the offer.

He wasn't overly excited about meeting Captain America. His current physical condition was already on par with Steve's and while Rowan was still at the start of his journey, Steve had long since reached his peak.

That made it difficult to feel awestruck.

Back in his apartment, Rowan happily got to work in the kitchen. Cooking was his way of relaxing.

Around six o'clock, Sharon arrived with a tan leather bag slung over her shoulder, looking cheerful.

"Rowan, when's Maria getting back?"

Sharon slipped off her shoes and called toward the kitchen.

"She's out on a mission with Nick Fury. Won't be back tonight it's just the two of us."

Rowan replied without turning around.

"Just the two of us?" Sharon paused, cheeks slightly flushed. A flicker of surprise and nervous anticipation crossed her face, along with a hint of delight.

Soon, Rowan brought out the dishes.

When Sharon saw the six plates on the table, her jaw nearly dropped.

"You made all this for me?"

There were only two of them, yet Rowan had prepared an entire spread.

She was genuinely touched.

Rowan then walked over to the wine cabinet and pulled out a bottle of red.

It was a bottle of Lafite supposedly from 1982 gifted by Nick Fury a few days ago to thank him for defusing the tension with Steve Rogers.

Was it authentic? Who knew?

Rowan didn't plan on hoarding it anyway. He was on track to become a billionaire. No need to be stingy.

As he poured her a glass, Sharon's heart skipped a beat.

This was the first time she and Rowan were having dinner alone… and the atmosphere was unexpectedly romantic.

"To Sharon for all your hard work these past few days," Rowan said, raising his glass.

"Not hard at all," she replied with a radiant smile, clinking glasses with him.

They sipped their wine and began eating and chatting.

"Sharon, have you finished laying the groundwork for the energy division?" Rowan asked between bites.

"I hired a professor who specializes in clean energy and about a dozen recent college grads. The framework should be in place."

"Perfect. Well done. I've been thinking how about we launch a new electric vehicle company?"

"An EV company?" Sharon was caught off guard. She didn't understand why Rowan suddenly wanted to go in that direction.

Compared to Kroll Alloy, EVs didn't seem nearly as lucrative.

Seeing her puzzled expression, Rowan chuckled and picked up his laptop, placing it in front of her.

"Because I've cracked the code on solid-state battery technology."

Sharon's eyes widened in disbelief as she leaned in to examine the files on Rowan's screen.

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