I'm Lara Croft?

The next day in her office, Lara reviewed the latest reports from Croft Holdings, keeping track of the company's progress and ventures.

First, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, whom Lara had tasked Winston with finding and hiring, were now working under her company, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become Google. Meanwhile, Croft Holdings had acquired enough shares in both Microsoft and Apple to become the second-largest shareholder, with their respective creators retaining the majority.

Lara had also directed Croft Holdings to invest in the gaming industry, registering popular IP's like Doom, Pokemon, Street Fighter, etc. The company had recently created three new subsidiaries focused on gaming, consoles, and computers.

After reviewing Croft Holdings' advancements, Lara turned her attention to another important project: L.A.R.A.—the Laboratory for Advanced Research and Analysis. This organization, was funded entirely by Croft Holdings and was still in its infancy. Recruitment had started this year, and a facility was under construction on the coast of England, nestled in a secluded cove. Lara also planned to start new companies under Croft Holdings, using the think tank that L.A.R.A. was made to become, already having plans for Croft Arsenal and Croft Technologies.

One of the most important recruits was Alyssa Moy, a super-genius compared to Reed Richards in terms of intellect but noted for her near-total inability to grasp the human element. Lara had been tracking Alyssa ever since stumbling across her while monitoring Reed Richards, with whom Alyssa had dated during her studies at Vienna University. Lara recognized she was important and after some head-banging against the wall, Lara remembered who Alyssa fully was. She immediately instructed Winston to monitor her and secure her recruitment—price be damned.

Shortly after Alyssa completed her studies and broke up with Reed—her parting words citing the need to "spread the genetic pool rather than close it"—L.A.R.A. presented her with an offer too enticing to refuse. The contract proposed a 10-year term with an initial salary of £1 million per year, guaranteed annual increases, and additional bonuses should she renew after the first term. The agreement also included generous funding for her personal projects, though she was required to prioritize L.A.R.A.'s research. However, the contract included two ironclad clauses: Alyssa would face astronomical penalties in the billions if she attempted to terminate the contract early, and a not so written condition—any attempt to leak or steal research would result in a bullet from T.O.M.B. finding its way into her brain.

Speaking of T.O.M.B., since returning from Siberia, its faction within Trinity had started expanding significantly under Konstantin's guidance. The operation mirrored how Hydra infiltrated and consumed S.H.I.E.L.D. in the MCU, systematically absorbing Trinity's resources and converting its personnel into T.O.M.B. operatives.

Lara placed the papers in the shredder, leaving her office and heading toward her room. On the way, she crossed paths with Natasha, who was emerging from the sauna, wrapped in a towel.

"You made a great choice building a sauna in the manor," Natasha said with a smirk. "Where are you off to? Those clothes are a bit too stylish for a normal day."

Lara, wearing a pristine white Brioni suit, responded, "I'm heading out to check on something for Croft Holdings." She was planning to visit the nearly completed L.A.R.A. facility and check on Alyssa's progress.

"Want me to come along?" Natasha asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope," Lara said curtly. She didn't really trust Natasha and had no intention of giving her any influence over L.A.R.A., Croft Holdings, or its subdivisions. To Lara, these ventures were far more critical than T.O.M.B. and represented her real base. 

Over the past weeks, Lara had come to certain realizations about Natasha. Their physical relationship was undeniably thrilling—a way for both to vent stress and emotions—but it was nothing more than that. They were incompatible in every other aspect. Lara also sensed that Natasha held lingering feelings for her old flame, Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. Lara was sure that if Bucky ever showed up, Natasha would leap into his arms without hesitation.

With this in mind, Lara decided to make the most of Natasha's skills and usefulness while she could and when she is powerful enough on her own she wouldn't need to worry if Natasha leaves or turns on her.

Arriving at the helicopter landing pad near Croft Manor, Lara stepped onto the aircraft. It was just her and the pilot. As the helicopter took off, she casually asked, "What's your name?"

The pilot turned slightly, his voice immediately familiar and causing Lara's face to go pale. "Wade Wilson, Lady Croft."

Lara's stomach sank. "Why are you my pilot?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Wade tilted his head, sounding almost proud of himself. "After Mister Konstantin fired me, I was out looking for work, and Mister Winston hired me. Said even though I'm a little weird, I'm talented in combat and piloting."

Lara stared out the window, her brain effectively shutting down to avoid any further frustration. She stayed silent for the rest of the flight, letting the white noise of the helicopter drown out Wade's occasional humming.

When they landed at the L.A.R.A. facility, Lara stepped out of the helicopter, inhaled deeply, and turned back to Wade. "I fire you."

Wade's eyes widened, and his lip trembled, clearly on the verge of tears, but before he could say anything, Lara added, "But I'm rehiring you on one condition: you go back to America, live your life, and never return to the British Isles."

Wade's face lit up, and he burst into tears of happiness, kneeling dramatically. "Thank you, Lady Croft! I promise you won't regret this. I'll live my life to the fullest, in your honor! I'd die for you!"

Lara muttered under her breath, "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," before walking toward the facility without looking back.