He casually straightened his collar, and then a familiar figure, holding two glasses of champagne and swaying gracefully, approached him.
It was the blonde reporter who had tried to flirt with him at the banquet, only to be interrupted by that kidnapping incident.
"Mr. Henry, we meet again," she said teasingly, her eyes openly admiring him.
"Last time, our conversation was cut short. I wonder if tonight I have the honor of hearing the rest of your story?"
Henry accepted the champagne and winked at her, flashing a charming smile.
"Of course, beautiful lady." He handed one glass back to her.
"Although tonight's story might be a bit long… and quite thrilling. Are you sure you're ready?"
The woman looked into his deep eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed, and confidently straightened her chest: "I'm a professional, Mr. Stark. I've seen thrilling scenes before."
"Oh? Really?"
Henry smiled, downed his champagne in one go, and handed the empty glass to another woman who had just walked over.
He strode over to Tony, taking in his flamboyant appearance and couldn't help but comment:
"I say, Tony, how long was I gone? And you've turned this place into a zoo. Honestly, your taste is still so down-to-earth. I thought you'd at least invite a few top-tier beauties, not a bunch of screaming, booty-shaking mannequins."
"Oh, come on," Tony smirked, not backing down.
"At least they're good-looking. Unlike you, always stuck with cold metal parts. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if your taste is a bit hardcore."
"No, of course not."
The two brothers exchanged insults openly in front of everyone.
Instead of making the atmosphere awkward, it only heightened the excitement of those around them.
At that moment, Tony's phone rang in his pocket.
He glanced at it, saw Pepper's call, didn't even frown, muted it, and slid the phone back into his pocket.
"Who's that?" Henry casually asked.
"Pepper," Tony waved it off.
"Probably wants to talk stock prices again. Or the board, or my cholesterol. Boring stuff. We're celebrating, not working."
Henry smiled at him and didn't ask further.
He knew Tony well—a man who always put pleasure first, yet could shoulder everything when it truly mattered.
After the verbal sparring, Henry spread his arms wide and flashed a radiant smile at the bikini-clad beauties in the pool, all eyes on him.
"The party has officially started!" he announced loudly. "Miss me, sweethearts?!"
"Ah!!!"
Deafening screams and cheers erupted, reigniting the entire party!
The music roared back, even more intense than before!
Countless women rushed toward him, screaming wildly.
Henry smiled, arms wide, fully embracing this night that belonged to him.
He moved through the crowd, handling every enthusiastic approach with ease—from rising Hollywood actresses to models, he managed small conversations effortlessly.
He was even more popular than Tony, as if he was born to shine in this world of fame and glamour.
Tony, leaning against a pillar with a drink, watched Henry navigate the crowd like a fish in water. A subtle smile played in his eyes.
Though outwardly complaining about his brother stealing the spotlight, he felt a rare sense of relief.
The brother he needed to protect seemed to have grown overnight into someone who could stand beside him.
Not a bad feeling at all.
Henry finally broke free from the overly enthusiastic women, carrying his drink over to Tony.
"Why are you hiding here drinking alone?" he nudged Tony with his elbow.
"Feeling unbalanced because I'm more popular than you?"
"Unbalanced?" Tony laughed as if he'd heard the funniest joke.
"I'm just pondering a serious scientific question."
"Oh? Do tell. Since when did you become a scientist again? I thought you just wanted to be a party animal now."
"I'm thinking," Tony's eyes gleamed with excitement, "once this boring party is over, we need to hit the lab. I have to give you a full-body check again. I'm too curious—how exactly did that serum cocktail turn you into a… monster?
"J.A.R.V.I.S. explained some, but I must figure out how they fused! Only then can I craft the perfect enhanced super-soldier serum for me. I can't let you hog all the glory, little brother."
"Monster?" Henry raised an eyebrow. "No, Tony. That's not a monster."
He raised his glass, smiling confidently at the pool lights.
"That's called… evolution."
Tony rolled his eyes, unable to resist commenting.
"Did I hear that right? Evolution? You're at most a lucky winner of the genetic lottery. Honestly, the way you just looked… like a mad scientist in some third-rate sci-fi movie about world destruction. Next time, throw in an evil laugh for full effect."
"We're the same," Henry shot back without holding back, downing his champagne.
"At least my entrance is more eco-friendly than your tin can. No worries about paint chipping either. Seriously, Tony, you should insure your iron suit—one day it might collide with a bird mid-flight, repairs will be costly."
They continued their playful verbal duel, ignoring everyone else. The crowd was long used to it, seeing it as the highlight of the party.
After a while, Henry leaned against the railing on the second floor, drink in hand, watching the indulgent women in the pool and the Los Angeles nightscape, a faint smile on his face.
Yet deep in his eyes was a thought no one could understand.
Being alive—it felt good.
He cherished this grounded feeling: breathing, thinking, protecting those he cared about—it felt wonderful.
He thought of the parents of this world, Howard and Maria Stark.
The couple who always displayed affection in front of him, pampering him like a forever child.
Since learning he was in the high-risk Marvel universe, he had been anxious for their safety.
Like a lone guardian carrying a world-shaking secret, he faced a cursed predetermined future alone.
His first step had been to subtly bring up Captain America and the long-hidden super-soldier serum to Howard.
His bold, crazy idea? To have the entire Stark family injected with the serum.
He thought, if the whole family could protect themselves, they'd survive whatever came.
But Howard refused.
At that time, Howard Stark was still a genius but softened by peace.
He smiled, ruffling Henry's hair:
"Kid, the war is over. The world is safe now. We don't need such dangerous things."
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×××××××××××××××
If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
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