New York's vibrant energy was on full display as Su Zhan and the Haitian strolled through the city's luxury shopping district. Their pairing—a sharply dressed Asian man and a tall, silent Black man—turned a few heads, especially as they browsed the women's designer boutiques. Su Zhan's generosity was impossible to miss. He bought armfuls of high-end clothing, and the hotel staff had already delivered several bags to his suite. The saleswomen, eager to please such a lavish customer, offered him their brightest smiles, business cards, and even slips of paper with phone numbers. Su Zhan accepted them all with a polite nod but discarded them as soon as he left each store. He had no interest in meaningless flirtations.
By the end of the day, Su Zhan estimated he had spent millions of dollars just on clothes. No wonder the shop girls had been so enthusiastic. He glanced at his system space, now stuffed with elegant dresses, nightgowns of questionable modesty, and a few pieces that were more transparent than fabric. The thought made him chuckle. Shopping was exhausting, but the anticipation of seeing these clothes worn by the women he cared about made the effort worthwhile.
Back in his suite, Su Zhan collapsed onto the sofa, unbuttoned his shirt, and poured himself a glass of wine. He took a long sip, savoring the quiet after the day's bustle. After a brief rest, he showered and changed into fresh clothes, ready to enjoy the evening.
Broadway was alive with excitement. Tonight's opera was rumored to be spectacular, though Su Zhan could not say he understood much about opera. Still, he appreciated beauty in all its forms, and the performers were certainly beautiful. Yet, as the show progressed, he found himself growing restless. The music and drama failed to move him, and he realized he lacked the patience—or perhaps the refinement—to enjoy such high art.
With a quiet sigh, Su Zhan slipped out of his seat and left the theater early. The night air was cool and refreshing as he stepped onto the busy street, considering where to go next. He thought about returning to the hotel, but as he turned the corner, someone bumped into him.
A subtle, sweet fragrance lingered in the air. Su Zhan looked down to see a short-haired woman, slim and striking, her eyes bright with intelligence and confidence. Her voice was low and magnetic as she apologized, "I'm sorry, I was in a hurry. Are you alright?"
Su Zhan shook his head, offering a reassuring smile. "No harm done."
She studied him for a moment, then smiled. "Are you sure? Maybe we should step aside and talk for a moment."
Su Zhan hesitated, but before he could answer, she leaned in slightly, her gaze intent. "No, I think you really do want to talk with me. Why don't we go somewhere quieter?"
There was something odd about her tone, a calm certainty that made Su Zhan pause. He watched her carefully, a sense of familiarity tugging at his memory. After a moment, it clicked—he knew who she was.
There were many superpowered people in this world, but true beauty was rare. This woman was one of the few. Her name was Eden McCain, and she possessed a unique ability: her voice could hypnotize anyone, compelling them to obey her every command.
Su Zhan's lips curled into a faint smile. He wondered if their meeting was a coincidence or if she had sought him out intentionally.
He decided to play along, feigning uncertainty and letting her lead him to a quiet corner. Eden's eyes gleamed with pride as she watched him follow, convinced her power was working perfectly.
Once they were alone, Eden regarded Su Zhan with a touch of disdain, her voice smooth as velvet. "Don't you think you should give me all the money you have?"
Su Zhan raised an eyebrow but played his part. He pulled out his wallet and handed her the cash inside.
She frowned, clearly expecting more. "Is that all? You bought a lot of clothes today, didn't you? Where are they? Take me to see them."
Su Zhan's mind raced. Was she after his money, or was there another motive? He remembered that Eden, like the Haitian, had once worked with Bennet-HRG. But Bennet was under his control now, so this could not be about that. Perhaps she was just bored, or perhaps she was testing him.
He smiled inwardly. "The clothes are in my hotel room. I'll take you there."
Eden followed him back, her confidence unshaken. She seemed utterly convinced that her hypnotic voice had him firmly under control. It never occurred to her that Su Zhan's mental defenses—strengthened by his experiences and abilities—rendered him immune to her power.
Once inside the suite, Eden immediately began searching for the promised clothes. She opened closets and drawers, growing impatient when she found nothing. She turned to ask where the clothes were, but Su Zhan had vanished from her sight.
She spun around, only to see him by the minibar, pouring two glasses of wine.
Eden's instincts prickled with unease. "Where are the clothes?" she asked, her tone still sweet but edged with suspicion.
Su Zhan smiled, handing her a glass. "They're exactly where they should be. If you want to try some on for me, I might even let you keep a few. Would you like a drink? It's not the best vintage, but I have a feeling you might need it."
Eden's eyes widened as realization dawned. "You… you're not hypnotized by me?"
Su Zhan's smile grew. "It takes more than a pretty voice to control me."
Panic flickered across Eden's face. She turned to run, but as she reached the door, a wall of dark green energy materialized before her, expanding in an instant to form a cell that trapped her inside.
She pounded on the barrier, her voice trembling. "What is this? Let me out!"
Su Zhan watched her calmly, swirling the wine in his glass. "No need to panic. The night is long, and we have plenty of time. Why not relax? We can talk, or you can try to hypnotize me again. I promise, you'll find it… enlightening."
Eden glared at him, frustration and fear mingling in her eyes. For the first time, she realized she might have met someone she could not control.
Su Zhan leaned back, savoring the moment. The city outside bustled on, unaware that in this quiet hotel suite, two extraordinary people were locked in a battle of wills—a hypnotist and a king immune to her song.