[Quiz completed, now starting answer explanation.]
The system notification suddenly sounded. Nick Fury and Iron Man immediately gathered their focus, eyes fixed on the large screen.
Although Captain America didn't know what kind of explanation was coming, he also lifted his head, waiting to see what would happen next.
Under their gaze, a video began to play.
Inside an incredibly spacious office, two men sat facing each other, apparently in discussion.
One man wore the uniform of a circus performer, with a shield strapped to his back—it was unmistakably Captain America.
The other man appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, looking somewhat aged but radiating the unmistakable aura of a powerful authority.
Clearly, he was no ordinary person.
"Is that Alexander Pierce?" Iron Man couldn't help but glance over at Nick Fury and ask.
Nick Fury nodded without saying much, his eyes still glued to the screen.
"Captain, why did Nick come to your place last night?" Alexander Pierce stared directly at Captain America and asked.
Captain America paused briefly, then shook his head: "I don't know."
"Did you know that place was bugged?"
"Yes, Nick Fury told me."
"Did he tell you that he was the one bugging it?" Pierce pressed.
Captain America was at a loss for words, clearly not expecting this.
Silence fell in the office.
Everyone watching the screen was also silent, deep in thought.
From the dialogue between Pierce and Captain America, it was easy to deduce this took place after Nick Fury had been killed.
Yet, right before dying, Nick Fury went to Captain America's home.
Why Nick Fury went to see Captain America was still unclear, but he had been spying on him all along.
This situation was rather mysterious.
"Captain, I want to show you something."
After a moment of silence, Alexander Pierce pulled up a video to show Captain America.
Then he handed over some bank transfer records and other related materials.
The documents revealed that Nick Fury had hired pirates as a cover, secretly selling intelligence, but was killed after falling out with his financial backers.
This made Captain America shoot Nick Fury suspicious looks, and even Iron Man's gaze toward Nick Fury was filled with suspicion.
A man who could rise to head an intelligence agency was obviously not some saint, and there was definitely some dirt beneath him.
Even if Nick Fury really did sell secrets, Iron Man wouldn't find that surprising.
"That's absolutely impossible!"
Nick Fury firmly denied the accusation. "This is blatant framing and slander, a setup by the mastermind who killed me!"
"Killed because of a deal gone wrong over selling secrets? That's an insult to me! Do you think I'm that kind of man?"
"I can lead the Avengers to fight alien invaders on Earth, but die over something this ridiculous?"
Nick Fury almost laughed.
"If you truly knew Nick Fury, you'd know that's impossible."
On the screen, Captain America also firmly told Pierce.
It was clear the future Captain America trusted Nick Fury deeply.
"So... why do you think I called you here?"
Pierce shrugged, then launched into a long explanation in front of Captain America.
Finally, staring at him, he said, "Captain, you were the last person to see Nick Fury alive. That's no coincidence."
"So I'll ask you one last time: why did he come to you?"
"He told me not to trust anyone." After thinking for a moment, Captain America finally answered Pierce.
"Including himself?" Pierce pressed aggressively.
"Sorry, that was the last thing he said." After that, Captain America didn't say another word.
He greeted Pierce, grabbed his shield, and walked out.
"Captain America didn't tell the whole truth. Nick Fury clearly gave him some critical information." Iron Man said. "He didn't trust Pierce."
This was obvious to everyone, including both Captain America and Nick Fury.
"Right, I chose to tell the Captain that info before I died. Looks like... he was the person I trusted most at the time." Nick Fury slowly spoke.
Captain America's silence under Pierce's intense questioning showed his trust in Nick Fury.
More importantly, it was Captain America's refusal to speak that led to Pierce moving forward with capturing him.
"Captain!"
As Captain America reached the door, Pierce suddenly called after him.
"Someone murdered my friend. I will investigate to the end."
"Anyone who stands in my way will regret it. No matter who!"
These words were dripping with threat, but Captain America said nothing more and left the office.
The scene cut to Captain America riding an elevator down.
Several others entered as well—armed personnel like Crossbones, and civilians in suits.
They chatted and laughed casually, everything appearing normal.
"These people were all sent by Pierce to deal with the Captain." Nick Fury said with certainty after a quick glance.
The intelligence chief's observation was razor-sharp, spotting trouble at a glance.
Even though Crossbones acted indifferent and tried to greet Captain America to make things look normal...
Several people clearly appeared nervous; some even had sweat on their foreheads.
The suited civilians might fool ordinary people, but trained agents like Nick Fury instantly saw through them—they were armed operatives in disguise.
These special agents' energy, habits, and tiny mannerisms left obvious clues.
Changing clothes doesn't hide that.
Since Nick Fury noticed the problem, Captain America must have noticed too in that tense moment.
(End of chapter)