Chapter 54: Father Is Arrested, Felicia's Troubles
Tony frowned.
Loading light blades onto a close-fitting combat suit was going to be much more difficult than with his Iron Man armor. It would take a toll on his brain cells.
Still, since it was a win-win situation, he agreed.
"Alright, alright. I'll do my best. Just wait for the good news."
Ethan Lee nodded in satisfaction.
The two tinkered with the designs for a while until Jarvis chimed in:
"Sir, Ms. Potts has returned."
"I'm glad she's okay," Tony said, setting down the equipment. He had just found time to call Pepper.
At that moment, Ethan's enhanced spider-sense suddenly flashed with images—Pepper was accompanied by Agent Coulson, SHIELD's professional errand man.
"You've got company," Ethan said casually.
And then, without another word, he activated the Snake Talisman's invisibility and teleportation powers and vanished on the spot.
Tony blinked.
"Seriously… this guy just comes and goes like it's nothing."
---
Next moment.
Ethan's figure reappeared in the gallery, right in the studio.
He immediately noticed Skye and Cindy training together.
"Here—put your hands like this," Cindy said, pressing up behind Skye. She gently adjusted Skye's wrists, guiding her movements.
"When you punch, remember to drive your strength from the waist."
Skye obediently twisted her waist as instructed, her form improving instantly.
"Cindy, you're amazing~"
Cindy smiled brightly. She hooked her calf lightly around Skye's ankle and helped adjust her footwork.
"You've got a great figure. You must work out regularly."
Skye giggled. "I've been training with Ethan."
---
"You two are doing great," Ethan said as he strolled in. His gaze scanned the room. "Where's Felicia? Did she leave?"
Cindy peeked from behind Skye and nodded.
"Yeah, she got a call, said something happened at home. Left in a hurry."
"I see…"
Ethan's eyes flickered with a trace of thought, but he didn't pry further.
He gave the girls a warm smile.
"Alright, then let me teach you something new~"
---
Meanwhile…
Felicia rushed to the police station, her brows furrowed in deep worry. Her eyes were clouded with disbelief.
How could this happen?
Wasn't her father just a salesman?
Why were they calling him The Cat—a notorious thief?
This had to be a mistake.
Holding on to that thought, she arrived at the NYPD, determined to defend her father. But then…
Director George presented her with solid evidence. And all her hope crumbled.
"The department has been working hard on the 'Cat Burglar' case," he said.
"After a lengthy investigation, we have sufficient evidence to prove that your father—Walter Hardy—is The Cat."
Felicia's lips parted, but no words came out. Her mind was spinning. She couldn't believe it.
George noticed her stunned expression and his tone softened.
"When I looked into Walter Hardy, I also read your profile. Felicia Hardy—student at Midtown High School, and classmate of my daughter's."
He sighed.
"As a father myself, I get it. This must be devastating for you. I hope you can stay strong and look at this more positively."
"I know who you are, Chief George," Felicia replied with a bitter smile.
"Your daughter's quite famous at school. I've seen Gwen's performances…"
George nodded with a heavy heart.
A classmate's father being a respected police chief… and her own being a master thief.
The contrast must've hurt more than anything.
"What's going to happen to my father?" Felicia asked, still clinging to some hope.
George hesitated, then answered honestly.
"We'll wait for the court's decision. But from my experience… If he returns the stolen money, he can reduce his sentence. The problem is, he stole a lot. And some of it involved priceless treasures."
He didn't say more, but the implication was clear:
There was no way a high school girl could afford to repay it.
George considered giving her some advice—to not follow in her father's footsteps. But as the police chief, he didn't exactly have time to mentor troubled teens.
Still, one thought popped into his head.
Jessica.
That stubborn, hot-blooded girl who kept sneaking out to play knight in the city.
She had a strong sense of justice, and George respected that, even if she drove him crazy sometimes.
Maybe Felicia could benefit from being around her.
He pulled out a card Gwen had once given him and handed it to Felicia.
"I can't do much, but… you know my daughter's friend Jessica. She's got a band that's become pretty popular at school. If you join them, maybe the attention could help you raise some money…"
That was as far as George could go.
He excused himself, saying he had other matters to attend to.
---
Felicia stood silently, staring at the business card in her palm.
After a moment, she tucked it into her school bag and left.
But as she walked home, her heart was wavering.
A school band won't make much money.
And compared to what was needed to reduce her father's sentence… it was a drop in the ocean.
What Felicia didn't know…
Was that her father's troubles ran much deeper than she had imagined.
Much, much deeper.