Jessica's laughter gradually turned into tremors.
Her face contorted as she glared at Heisenberg, but she quickly forced her expression under control.
She didn't want Heisenberg—the man she trusted—to see her ugliness.
But she couldn't hide it.
The hatred and shame Kilgrave had planted in her heart ran too deep.
No matter how much she believed in Heisenberg's power and promises, her fear remained unshakable.
What had Kilgrave done to her?
Something no woman should ever endure…
Kilgrave, a manipulator who controlled others through pheromones, had ensnared Jessica.
Back then, she was still "Jewel," a naive, kind-hearted superheroine using her strength and speed to fight crime.
Until she met Kilgrave.
He controlled her instantly.
His first command? Strip naked.
Then he forced her to kill, to have sex, to obey his every whim.
For eight months.
Eight months of captivity and conditioning left her too broken to seek revenge, even after escaping.
She couldn't even muster hatred for her tormentor.
That was her deepest pain.
From Jewel to wreckage.
Even Jessica saw herself as trash.
But Heisenberg disagreed.
After all, Jessica was so pale…
Noticing her anguish, Heisenberg pursed his lips thoughtfully, then nudged her hair with his chin.
"What's on your mind? Let me take you somewhere fun to clear your head."
"Where? Your bed?"
Jessica sighed, forcing a joke.
Heisenberg didn't answer. Instead, he carried her toward Earth.
Soon, they stood atop an endless snow-capped mountain.
The blizzard couldn't touch them, and the world's beauty lay at their feet.
The allure of the world's highest peak.
Jessica gazed at Heisenberg, deep in thought.
"Standing atop the world's highest peak, would you still fear the height of the Burj Khalifa?" Heisenberg asked.
Jessica pondered, then countered,
"So you're saying the gap between you and that demon is like Mount Everest and the Burj Khalifa?"
"No, I'm asking if you're afraid of heights. If not, let's ski down."
"Go die!"
"Haha."
Heisenberg's joke lightened her mood slightly.
Then he plunged through the clouds, diving into the Atlantic.
The ocean first showcased its beauty, then its depth, darkness, and vastness.
In the endless trenches, Jessica spotted creatures over a hundred meters long.
She gasped, covering her mouth.
"Seeing these giants in the ocean's depths, does Kilgrave still seem so terrifying?"
Jessica hesitated, then nodded.
Perhaps nothing could dispel Kilgrave's shadow in her heart.
Heisenberg was disappointed. He'd hoped this would ease her fear, even a little.
But Jessica's trauma ran too deep.
Only one solution remained: bring Kilgrave to her, let her kill him herself.
Maybe even torture him first, let her savor his suffering.
That should work.
With this plan, Heisenberg returned to New York with Jessica, straight to his nightclub.
He sat her on a sofa.
"Stay here. I'll make a call."
He dialed Bullseye.
The first voice wasn't Bullseye's but a nurse's:
"Hang up the phone while I change your dressing!"
"Screw you! It's the boss calling, bos—Aaaah! Fk, go easy! I'm sorry!!!"
Click!
The phone was snatched.
A moment later, a voice greeted him:
"You're Bullseye's boss? You're the one who did this to Matt?"
"Hmm, you're Elektra, the only Kingpin assassin who didn't join me?"
Heisenberg asked expressionlessly, patting Jessica's head.
"Be good. I've got a minor issue with my underling."
"Go handle it. And you don't need help, right? I mean, if you do, I'm pretty capable!"
Jessica's concern was subtle but genuine.
Heisenberg smiled, shaking his head.
"It's nothing. I'll get you some drinks.
Something light. Don't get too drunk—I've got a surprise for you later."
He handed her a champagne bottle and vanished as she caught it.
…
In the hospital's ICU, Elektra froze.
She hadn't expected Heisenberg to be so volatile.
Aren't bosses supposed to be calm like Kingpin?
She'd only wanted to negotiate, and now he was coming to kill her?
Meanwhile, Bullseye, screaming as his wounds were dressed, taunted Elektra:
"The boss is fast. If you don't kneel now, it'll be too late!"
"Shut up, I—"
Elektra's threat was cut short as Heisenberg shattered the glass, appearing beside Bullseye's bed.
The glass hadn't even finished shattering when he landed.
Crash!
The nurse looked up, stared at the glass, then at Heisenberg.
"Aaaah~"
She fainted with a trembling voice.
Heisenberg…
Slap!
He smacked Bullseye's head.
"Who's fast now…"
"Haha, boss, I'm sorry! Any superpower to get me out of here faster? I'm eager to serve you!"
"None."
Heisenberg casually sat on Bullseye's bed.
Beside him lay Matt Murdock.
Elektra stood by Matt's bed, less than five meters from Heisenberg.
"Elektra, I hear you're unhappy with me. Thought I'd come see you."
Before Elektra could respond, he continued:
"You worked for Kingpin, liked it, so you're mad at me?"
"Not exactly…"
Elektra mustered her courage, turning away to reply coldly.
Heisenberg nodded.
"Is it Matt Murdock? Love? Hope for a new life? Or a longing for normalcy?"
Heisenberg rose, strolling to Elektra.
"Matt will always hate me. His character won't let him forgive. How many chances do you think I'll give him?"
"None!"
Elektra replied flatly, knowing Heisenberg was right.
Matt's justice, no matter how noble, couldn't defeat Heisenberg's fist.
Heisenberg patted her shoulder.
"Your emotions are your right, but they won't lead to the future you want.
Want me to spare Matt? Impossible.
But let's reframe it.
Who handles Matt—me, Bullseye, another assassin, or you?
I'm generous. If you do well, I'll tolerate occasional failures, right?"
He leaned close, whispering:
"I hear you ranked higher than Bullseye under Kingpin. Show me how rational you are."
"Deal!"
Elektra bowed her head.
She loved Matt, but not enough to lose her mind.
Heisenberg's plan made sense. If he offered balance for her and Matt, she had no reason to refuse.
Seeing her submission, Heisenberg smiled, returning to Bullseye's bed.
To Elektra, Heisenberg's arrogance and temper from days ago were gone.
This Heisenberg seemed grander than Kingpin.
And now, he raised his right hand!
Thud!
Seeing his gesture, Elektra knelt, awaiting orders.
Heisenberg commanded:
"When Matt wakes, you have one day together. Then do this:
Find Kilgrave. I don't care if you've dealt with him before. In three days, I want his location.
SHIELD will assist you—they answer to you.
You're my underling, and I've got your back. Don't let them steal the spotlight.
Kilgrave's powers are useful to SHIELD, but I won't let them have him. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"