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{Chapter: 266 The Web and the Wolf}
Natasha's emerald eyes flickered with reluctant vulnerability, a rare break in the hardened shell she wore so well. In the current situation, there was no room for resistanceâonly adaptation. As an agent, she'd learned long ago that survival often depended on saying the right thing more than firing the right bullet.
Her tone softened. "William⊠I shouldn't have acted the way I did. The truth is, I just wanted to test you. Your strength⊠your control⊠you really are extraordinary."
Her voice cracked slightly at the end, not with fear, but the calculated tremble of someone trying to sound broken.
William paused, brows raised in amusement, then laughedâa deep, mocking chuckle. "Not bad. Not bad at all. Keep going, I'm enjoying this."
"You know⊠I was born in the Soviet Union. Where I come from, we're taught to admire true strength. And I've followed your historyâyour feats during the war. They're legendary."
William's gaze gleamed. "Is that so? Being admired by a Russian beauty⊠I could get used to that."
She nodded, eyes lowered in submission. "I never really wanted to work for S.H.I.E.L.D. I was forced into it. Their reach was too vast. I couldn't escape them⊠until now. But you, Williamâyou're my way out. I saw in you the power to change everything. That's why I tested you⊠I had to be sure."
William stepped closer, his tone mockingly gentle. "So that's the truth? That poor little Natasha was just trying to find a savior?"
She met his gaze, forcing a mixture of longing and pain into her expression. "You are my best option. Noâmy only option. I want to follow a man like you. A man with real power. I'm done pretending to be a hero. Deep down⊠I don't want to save the world. I want to burn the parts of it that deserve it."
William tilted his head, a flicker of appreciation in his expressionâthough it was hard to tell whether he believed her. "Hmph. You're good at this. I'll give you that."
"Believe me or don't," Natasha said, stepping closer. "If you think I'm lying⊠shoot me. The gun's still on my hip. I won't resist. End it right here."
William's eyes narrowed. Slowly, deliberately, he reached down, plucked the pistol from her belt, and pointed it at her forehead.
"Is this really how you want to die?" he asked.
"If it proves I'm sincere⊠then yes," she replied, closing her eyes slowly, her voice a whisper. "Go ahead."
A tense silence hung in the air.
Then William pulled the gun away, sliding it back into his coat. "I like your style. Even if this is all just a show, it's a damn good one. But understand this: even if you're lying, you won't win. I control the board now."
"You're right," Natasha said with a small smile, her eyes still closed. "Nothing can be hidden from you."
William stepped back, folding his arms, studying her like a curious specimen. "I think I'll test your loyalty. Consider it a small initiation."
"I'm ready," she said without hesitation, standing tall.
"Oh, don't worry," he grinned. "It's simple. Something you can do with your own hands. It'll take only a few seconds."
Natasha blinked. "What kind of test?"
William's grin sharpened into something darker. "Take off your clothes."
Her body tensed. For the briefest second, her expression betrayed a flicker of furyâso quick it could've been missed. Then she lowered her head, concealing the storm brewing in her eyes.
"âŠI understand," she murmured.
Her fingers slowly reached for the zipper of her black tactical suit, pulling it down with deliberate slowness. The fabric parted, revealing the snug underlayersâlace and tactical mesh, an ironic contrast of elegance and practicality.
Beneath the stillness, however, her thoughts were sharp and focused. Play the game. Get close. Wait for the moment.
William watched her, amused. "You play your role well. But rememberâwhether your eyes are lying or not, I never let down my guard."
Natasha kept her gaze lowered, her expression submissive, but behind her calm facade, her mind raced. Every movement, every breath she took was calculated. When she peeled off the black tactical suit, revealing her bra and lace undergarments, she knew what kind of reaction it would provoke.
"Tsk, tsk," William murmured, eyes glinting with predatory delight. "You really are a rare creature. A perfect blend of elegance and danger."
Natasha managed a soft smile, one laced with feigned innocence. "I'm glad you approve." Beneath her voice lay a storm of contempt and brewing violence.
"Oh, I more than approve," William said, pacing around her slowly, like a beast circling its prey. "Keep going. Let's not waste this golden opportunity. I want to remember you like this."
Natasha hesitated, her eyes flicking to the phone in his hand. "You want pictures?"
"Of course," he said with a grin. "So I can look back and... reminisce. Sentimentality isn't dead, you know."
She bit her lip, a deliberate motion. "Are you sure this is how you want to test my loyalty?"
William chuckled darkly. "You think there's a more honest test than this? Strip away all the lies, the secrets, the disguises. I want to see the real you."
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but her voice stayed soft. "Would you prefer something more⊠engaging? A bath, perhaps? I hear warm water relaxes the nerves."
William raised a brow. "A bath? Hmm. You've got imagination, I'll give you that. But I was thinking something more... stimulating."
"Massage then?" she offered, tilting her head slightly. "A more traditional way to ease tension."
Natasha's eyes flashed with endless shame, bit her lip, and said lightly: "Are you sure you want me to continue to take off my clothes?"
"Sure, you don't want to continue taking off your clothes? I will be very disappointed."
"Can you change to another test?" Natasha asked.
"Change to another test, let me think about it, what should I change to? I know, find a place, you take a bath and watch me, this is good, taking a bath can relax your whole body, and I will also feel good watching, the best of both worlds." William raised his eyebrows.
"Anything else?"
"Taking a bath is not okay? Then you can give me a massage." William thought for a while and said.
"Massage, this is OK, I will satisfy you." Natasha said with a smile.
"Wait, I haven't finished yet, use your big boobs to massage, the legendary chest push." William's face was full of evil.
Natasha's expression froze, and her tone turned cold. "You never intended to believe me, did you?"
"If you find out, do you think I will believe what you said? Then I will be an idiot. If you want to deceive me, you must be prepared to be fooled by me. But I still have to praise you for one thing. Your acting skills are good. You are a qualified agent. Ordinary people may believe you, but unfortunately I am not an ordinary person." William spread his hands. William stepped back and laughed, tossing the phone onto a nearby. "Believe you? I'd have to be a fool. I know what you are. A master manipulator. A black widow, spinning webs. But I'll admitâyour act is impressive. Most would've fallen for it."
"Damn it." Natasha said angrily, and put on the tights quickly. With a sharp motion, Natasha reached for her suit and slipped it back on, her expression blank.
"Shame," William said, pretending to sigh. "You looked far better in sincerity. But I guess honesty doesn't suit you." William continued with regret: "Why put it on? It's obviously very good-looking. Even if the deal is not successful, there is still righteousness."
"What do you want?" Natasha looked at William coldly.
"What do I want? Kill you." William said with a smile.
"You can try."
"I will definitely not kill you. That would be a pity, but a severe punishment is inevitable. It's better to cooperate with me obediently." William repeated, grinning. "To break you. Not with brute force. That's too easy. But with choices. With subtlety. You want out from under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s thumb, don't you? Then cooperate. You can't win by force, and you know it."
"I'm not some pawn to be toyed with," Natasha said sharply.
"No," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're a queen in a losing game. And I'm the one who rewrites the rules."
"I'm not a sheep." Natasha grabbed his wrist, her grip like iron. "You should knowâwhen cornered, even queens bite."
"I know you're the poisonous black widow, but you can't do anything to someone like me who is immune to all poisons." William put one hand on Natasha's shoulder.
Natasha held William's wrist, "Take it away."
"I won't take it. What else can you do?"
"Ha." Natasha punched William, "Then I can only fight you."
"You're predictable," he said, kneeling over her. "But that's part of your charm. Fight if you want. It wouldn't change a thing. This is my game now."
"But You have personality. You know that nothing can be solved, but you still choose to take action. I usually call this kind of person an idiot." William pushed Natasha to the ground again, and sat on Natasha's back again. ..
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