Elizabeth Braddock led Felicia to one of the rooms in her penthouse to ensure more privacy. She observed, with a slight smile, the expression on Hardy's face as she began to frown.
"So, fiancée of Spider-Man, huh?" she asked, looking at her directly.
Betsy set her empty glass down on the desk.
"That's right. It's still hard to believe he's gone," she replied with melancholy.
"I know you're lying," Felicia snapped coldly.
Elizabeth looked her up and down, walked around the desk and sat down, locking eyes with her again.
"Darling, you're making assumptions you don't understand," she said with an arrogant smile.
"I'm not assuming. I know you're lying," Felicia replied, sitting down. "If it were true, he would've told me about you."
Betsy laughed cynically and used her powers to access the cat burglar's mind without her noticing. She kept her composure while browsing through Felicia's memories—if she didn't, Felicia would catch on to the whole plan. She was the Black Cat, and Betsy wanted to scream, to confront her for everything she had stolen, but she held back—for now, she needed to understand why Felicia had treated Peter the way she did.
"You're funny, Hardy," Betsy mocked. "But Peter didn't need to tell you about me. After all, the two of you were nothing."
"He talked about me to you?" Felicia asked seriously.
"Of course he did. I was his fiancée, after all," she replied nostalgically.
As she dug into Felicia's mind, Betsy began to see Peter in a new light. He was a good man, and honestly, she couldn't understand why he hadn't sent Felicia straight to hell. She only loved the mask—that alone was reason enough to walk away, to wish her the worst, to never help her again… but he wasn't like that.
"Even with all that," Felicia whispered, "I don't believe you."
Betsy smiled arrogantly and manipulated Felicia's mind, making her believe that everything she said was true.
Felicia stood up abruptly, breathing fast, and glared at Betsy with hatred.
"Do you believe me now?" Elizabeth asked with a smug smile.
"This is wrong! He never mentioned you. Not in any of our encounters did he say he was engaged!" she yelled, furious.
"That's because it was a Peter Parker matter, not a Spider-Man one," Betsy stood up. "That's why he never told you. It was something about the man behind the mask. If you had loved the man too, he would've told you."
Felicia Hardy said nothing. She simply walked out of the room. Betsy smirked arrogantly.
"I always win," she whispered.
Meanwhile, Steve was trying to contact Stark—without success. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Betsy.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"I got your cat," she replied smugly. "Your intuition was right. She's from high society. Come with me."
Steve didn't object and followed her to the office, where Elizabeth shut the door.
"So, who is she?" he asked.
"Felicia Hardy," she revealed. "She's the Black Cat."
She crossed her arms.
"You have no idea how hard it was not to scream at her for stealing from me."
"Felicia Hardy…" Steve repeated. "Isn't she the daughter of the owner of the Hardy Foundation? Lydia Hardy?"
"That's right," Betsy said as she sat down. "Lydia's her mother, and from what I saw in the girl's mind, she doesn't even know that. I still don't understand why Peter didn't just send her to hell."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Felicia loved Spider-Man, but not Peter," she explained. "That's why their relationship was toxic. Not to mention all the times she cheated on him. And to make it worse… your blind friend kissed her."
"What?"
"Yeah, they kissed. But Felicia only wanted information," she sighed. "I saw everything related to the Spider. It's too late to try anything with him," she growled.
"And what else did you see?"
"Nothing beyond that. Just that she's the Black Cat and her story with Spider-Man."
"You didn't see where her hideouts are? Addresses?"
"No. I only saw what mattered."
"And how is her story with Spider-Man what matters?" Steve questioned.
"Because now I don't stand a chance with him."
Steve closed his eyes and sighed in defeat.
"For what it's worth, the fact she only loved the mask is... delicate. She seems to regret it. I think now she loves him for real."
"And what good is that?"
"In combat, it's a distraction," she stood up. "I'm going to check if she didn't steal anything."
Japan
"You fought Hirochi," Emma said as she walked into the house.
"Hi, Emma," he smiled. "Nice to see you too."
"Did you see the news? They're talking about the Hand's leader," she turned on the TV. "He got captured. What kind of idiocy did you pull?"
"He was holding kids hostage," he admitted. "I couldn't take it, so I confronted him."
He sighed.
"For what it's worth, Emma... I've surpassed the master."
"You're an idiot."
"I'm your idiot," he said with a grin.
She couldn't help but laugh. She stepped closer and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
"I'm glad you're okay," she whispered. "Does that mean you're going back to New York?"
"Not yet. I've got things to do. I need to find the children."
"I'll help you."
"No."
"What?"
"I need you to go back to New York," he changed the subject. "Watch over Julia."
"Hm…"
"We'll stay in touch, I promise," he caressed her face.
Emma sighed, giving in, and looked at him.
"I can never say no to you," she smiled. "But if you don't talk to me, I'll come after you."
"Deal."
"And you'll have to make it up to me."
"My body as payment?" he teased.
"Absolutely!" she replied without hesitation.
"And here I thought you'd blush."
"You were the one who used to blush at those comments," she crossed her arms.
"That changed the day I died."
New York
After the party Betsy threw, Captain America arrived at Avengers Tower, where the others were already waiting for him.
"What happened? I've never seen Stark so mad," someone pointed out.
"What happened? What happened?" Stark repeated. "We were robbed! I was robbed! Two days ago!"
"I know."
"You knew, Cap?" Natasha asked. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I did. But Stark didn't answer my calls."
"If you knew, why didn't you stop them?" Jennifer interrupted. "Weapons and money were stolen!"
"Their needs aren't my problem," he said coldly, crossing his arms. "I was busy with other matters."
"Other matters? What's more important than stopping a robbery against the Avengers?" Clint asked.
"Do you know who the Black Cat is?" he said simply. "She's the one who robbed you."
"This can't stand," Stark growled.
"I know. That's why I'll stop her," Steve declared.
"What's the plan?" Thor asked.
Steve laughed cynically.
"Fly on, Avengers. I'm doing this alone," he said, turning his back to them.
"Are you stupid or what?" Hank snapped. "You're not going to let us help?"
"I've already collected intel. I've watched every corner of the city," he looked over his shoulder. "I won't let you mess this up. I know very well that you don't want to stop her. You just want to prove that no one messes with the Avengers."
"You've changed," Stark commented.
The Captain turned to face them.
"Now you're not just a vigilante, but someone who doesn't hold back," he said. "I've been watching you. I've seen how you beat up thieves and villains. You send them straight to the hospital."
"You don't get to judge me—not when your hands are soaked in blood," Steve growled. "I'm keeping crime in check my way. And you? What are the Avengers doing?"
The room fell silent.
"You're nothing but celebrities. And I thank Peter for opening my eyes," he said coldly. "Even if he had to die for that to happen," he whispered. "Jokes don't control you... but maybe fear will."