As Obadaiya's words echoed through the air, the atmosphere grew even more charged, thick with the weight of underlying tensions. The reporters, ever eager to capture any moment of significance, had their cameras trained on the three individuals at the center of it all, their lenses whirring in synchrony as they documented the unfolding scene.
Lin Mei and Melissa, both seemingly unphased by the theatrics unfolding around them, responded with smiles to Obadaiya's lavish praise. On the surface, it looked like a friendly exchange, but beneath the pleasantries, Lin Mei couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation. Good grief, she thought. This guy is a master at showing off!
In her mind, she could see the strings being pulled by Obadaiya, his every move a calculated effort to win the favor of his mother. He's so desperate to gain her approval that he's practically throwing flattery around like confetti, she mused. But deep down, Lin Mei knew the truth. No matter how much Obadaiya tried to win over his mother, it wouldn't be enough to topple Tony Stark from his place at the top. After all, Tony held the lion's share of the company's stock—something Obadaiya couldn't easily bypass.
Lin Mei's thoughts wandered back to a time when Tony had made mistakes, the kind of careless decisions that had given Obadaiya numerous opportunities to slip past Tony and take control of certain ventures. Those opportunities hadn't been fully realized, but they lingered like a storm cloud on the horizon, threatening to burst at any moment.
As Lin Mei stewed in her thoughts, a sudden distraction cut through her musings: the unmistakable roar of an engine. The sleek, polished car of Tony Stark pulled into the parking lot of the Disney Concert Hall, its presence immediately drawing the attention of every woman in sight. The playboy billionaire, known for his vast fortune and bachelor status, was a magnet for attention. His wealth, combined with his unrepentant charm, made him an irresistible figure to those hoping to make a splash in high society.
As Tony stepped out of his car, he exuded the same confidence and flair that had made him a household name. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Lin Mei, who was, as always, surrounded by her companions.
"Hey, look who it is! This is a surprise!" Obadaiya greeted Tony with a wide grin, trying to maintain the air of casual friendliness.
Tony, never one to miss a chance to provoke, quipped, "What, is it not my own party anymore? Didn't I get an invitation?"
Obadaiya faltered slightly, his smile remaining in place as he tried to cover for the awkwardness. "Well, it's not that you weren't welcome, it's just—"
Before Obadaiya could finish his explanation, Tony's attention was abruptly pulled away by the sight of Lin Mei, a familiar face he hadn't seen in quite a while.
"Why's the little wizard here?" Tony asked, his voice tinged with amusement.
Obadaiya, who had been wearing his smile like a mask, couldn't help but feel a knot tighten in his stomach. He had no idea why Tony and Lin Mei seemed so familiar with each other, and the unexpected connection was an unsettling variable in his grand scheme to seize control of Stark's empire.
"Long time no see, shit, Mr. Stark!" Lin Mei replied, almost slipping up with her usual irreverent greeting, but quickly realizing her faux pas when she saw the slightly stern look on Tony's face. With a sheepish grin, she quickly corrected herself, "Almost slipped there!"
Tony raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Lin Mei's playful teasing had always been part of their strange dynamic.
Melissa, sensing the playful tension, extended a hand to Tony, greeting him warmly. "Hello, Mr. Stark! Thank you for looking after my son a while ago."
Tony took her hand, flashing one of his signature smirks. "Hey, boy! You didn't tell me your mom was so beautiful."
Lin Mei rolled her eyes, already knowing the type of response she was going to get from Tony. "Of course, you don't look at her son's looks," she shot back with a sly smile.
However, her casual comment came with an unspoken layer of tension. As she spoke, a subtle shift occurred, as Lin Mei's latent powers flared slightly. A faint dragon-like energy radiated from her, pressing against Tony in a way that made his heart rate quicken and his breath hitch. It was a brief but deliberate warning, a reminder of what could happen if he pushed the boundaries too far.
Tony felt the change immediately, the slight, almost imperceptible pressure sending a surge of adrenaline through him. His body reacted instinctively, but Lin Mei quickly reigned in her power, pulling it back before it could escalate.
"This little devil!" Tony muttered under his breath, fully aware of what had just happened. He understood the message well enough—keep your distance from Melissa, or face the consequences. Lin Mei's smile only deepened, a silent confirmation that she meant every word.
The tension lingered for a moment before Tony decided it was best to disengage before the situation grew any more awkward. He turned to Obadaiya with a nonchalant shrug. "I've been cooped up at home for too long. Let's talk later."
Obadaiya, ever the opportunist, nodded quickly, eager to get back to his own plans. "No problem," he said smoothly, watching as Tony turned to leave.
Lin Mei, who had no interest in lingering outside, glanced at Melissa and gave a slight nod. "Let's go in," she suggested. And so, the group made their way into the venue, the mood lightening ever so slightly as they moved away from the tense interaction outside.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted once more. Lin Mei, ever the one to keep things lively, leaned toward Tony with a mischievous grin. "Whiskey. I'm dying of thirst!" she said.
Tony chuckled at her brashness, shaking his head. "A glass of champagne, maybe. The gentleman next to me is paying the bill!"
"You should have invited me!" Tony continued, but Lin Mei wasn't in the mood to let him off that easy. "Didn't I break up your playboy act earlier? Is this some unrealistic idea? What, don't you want to be my stepdad?" she teased.
Tony, his face now serious, shot back without missing a beat, "I have no interest in married people."
Lin Mei rolled her eyes, not taking the comment seriously. Had she not read the original comics, she might have believed his words. But, knowing Tony as she did, she couldn't help but smirk. If Tony even dared to get close to Melissa, Lin Mei wouldn't hesitate. She'd be dialing her father back in Kunlun Mountains for backup, no questions asked.
Before they could continue their conversation, an unexpected voice cut through the banter. "Hello, Mr. Lin! My name is Colson. May I speak with Mr. Stark?"
Lin Mei turned to see a SHIELD agent approaching them. She shrugged nonchalantly, taking the champagne the bartender had brought over.
Tony, ever the tease, opened his mouth to make a comment, but Colson blocked him with impeccable timing. It was a small interruption, but it was enough to shift the mood once again.
Lin Mei, unbothered by the interruption, made her way to the windowsill, placing her drink there as she quietly admired the view of the city's vibrant lights. As the sounds of the bustling venue faded around her, she let herself relax, feeling the coolness of the night air wash over her.
"May I ask? Do you mind staying here?" A soft, pleasant voice reached Lin Mei's ears, and instinctively, he turned his head to see who had spoken.
The sight that greeted him immediately caught his attention. Despite being around the same age, there was an undeniable beauty in the girl standing before him. Lin Mei's eyes lit up as he took in her features—there was something graceful yet grounded about her.
With a polite and warm smile, Lin Mei greeted her, "Lin Mei."
The girl returned the smile and introduced herself, "Gwen Stacy."
The name immediately rang a bell. Gwen Stacy? Lin Mei's mind raced, recognizing the name, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he responded with another smile. "It seems we both share a similar discomfort in such environments. It's not uncommon to want to step out and find some peace, away from the chatter."
Gwen nodded in agreement, a flicker of understanding passing through her eyes. "Exactly. It's always strange, being surrounded by conversations I don't fully follow. But, I must say, meeting you here makes it a bit easier to bear."
Lin Mei appreciated her honesty and gave a slight nod. Changing the subject, he asked, "So, what brings you to this charity dinner?"
Gwen didn't hesitate, explaining, "This event is not just for soldiers' families; it also includes the families of police officers. My father's a police chief, and he received an invitation, so I came along to support him."
Listening to Gwen's words, Lin Mei felt a surge of respect for her father. Police work in the United States was dangerous, a high-risk profession that often went unappreciated. Lin Mei recalled the tragic fate of Gwen's father, George Stacy, who had heroically sacrificed his life to save a child from a falling concrete block. It was a loss that had marked Gwen deeply, and Lin Mei could sense the weight of that legacy in her words.
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