"Sir, please show your invitation." Two heavily armed soldiers approached, rifles in hand, blocking Harry and Tony's path. Around them, other soldiers aimed their guns, ready.
As a world-famous Playboy, weapons magnate, and newly minted superhero, Tony Stark was well-known to everyone present. Harry Osborn, head of Oscorp Industries, had also drawn government attention recently. The soldiers recognized both of them immediately—but that didn't make the situation any less tense. To them, seeing these two men here didn't fit the expected picture. It wasn't that their identities were too high for such a place—it was that their presence felt strangely out of place. Mocking smiles tugged at the corners of the soldiers' mouths; given a chance to toy with men of higher status, they couldn't resist.
"What's the meaning of this?" Tony said sharply, glaring at the soldiers and the ring of gun barrels aimed their way.
"Hey, Tony," Harry said calmly, pressing a hand on Tony's arm before things escalated. "They're just gate guards."
He pulled out the dark red invitation card from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it to the lead soldier.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Osborn. Please, go right in." The soldier straightened immediately, snapping to attention with a crisp salute. The surrounding guards lowered their weapons at once. They might not know how Harry had received an invitation to this exclusive event, but an invitation was an invitation—and if Harry Osborn had one, Tony Stark surely did too.
"Tch. Here." Tony, unimpressed by their sudden shift in attitude, took out his own invitation and showed it, clicking his tongue in annoyance.
When the two finally entered the banquet hall, it wasn't the lively, glittering kind of event Tony expected. There were no clusters of men and women chatting and laughing, no cheerful clinking of glasses. Instead, people stood in small, serious groups, speaking in low tones that no one else could overhear. A few of those gathered were clearly not all American—different accents, different colors of skin, different languages murmured beneath the music.
"There's really nothing fun here," Tony said in disappointment. He took two glasses of red wine from a passing waiter, handed one to Harry, glanced around, and took a sip. "No music, no charm, no fun."
"Hah! That's because this isn't a normal party. Of course you won't find what you're looking for," Harry said, chuckling. He knew exactly why Tony was disappointed—there weren't any glamorous women at this kind of summit. And even if there were, they'd be politicians' wives in their fifties.
"Oh, forget it." Tony sighed and downed the wine in one gulp.
Harry took a sip and smiled faintly. The wine was good—at least that much, he thought, wouldn't disappoint Tony.
"Mr. Osborn! I really didn't expect to see you again so soon after this morning."
A voice, aged but lively, came from behind them.
"Ah, Congressman Kelly. You seem to be in a very good mood," Harry said, turning around with a friendly smile. Sure enough, it was Senator Kelly—the same man he had seen earlier that day. It was natural for him to attend a global summit like this.
"Mr. Osborn, I wanted to thank you again for your help. I've been doing a lot of thinking," Kelly said with a sigh, though the color in his face and the easy smile on his lips showed how lighthearted he felt.
"Oh? About what?" Harry asked, intrigued.
Behind him, Tony glanced over, saw Harry and the senator chatting so earnestly, and decided to wander off, muttering under his breath as he left with an empty glass.
"I met with the Professor," Kelly said quietly, "and after our conversation, I realized I've made mistakes. Many mistakes. I'd been seeing everything the wrong way."
Harry nodded. So, after talking with Professor X, Senator Kelly had clearly changed his perspective.
"It seems you've figured out quite a lot," Harry said with a chuckle.
"Yes," Kelly nodded slowly.
Meanwhile, Tony had finally found something—or rather, someone—to pique his interest in this otherwise dull gathering.
"Miss, surely it wouldn't hurt to tell me your name," Tony said with that trademark grin of his, facing a cool, short-haired beauty whose expression could've frozen a flame. The look on his face was equal parts charm and mischief, but the woman didn't find it amusing. Her eyes stayed cold and unreadable.
"Well, you don't seem too interested. How about a joke, then?" Tony tried again, leaning in with a roguish smile.
"Alright, Tony."
Harry's voice came from behind, laced with amusement. He patted Tony's shoulder as Senator Kelly, having finished his brief talk, excused himself to greet other guests.
"Hey, Harry, done chatting with that old man?" Tony asked, still eyeing the woman—until, to his surprise, she turned and looked directly at Harry.
"Mr. Osborn?" she said, stepping forward, her eyes sharp and assessing.
"Yes. And you are?" Harry asked. He was certain they hadn't met, but something about her gaze told him she knew exactly who he was.
"I'm Maria Hill. I was sent by Nick Fury," she said evenly, her tone clipped and professional.
"Oh, so you're one of Fury's people," Tony interjected quickly. "I've got a great relationship with your boss."
Maria Hill shot Tony a cold glance, turned, and walked away without another word.
"Oh, come on, Harry," Tony said dramatically, clutching his chest. "She completely ignored me, but when you showed up, suddenly she's all attention. It's tragic—I'm wounded."
Harry laughed. "I wouldn't dare steal your spotlight."
But Tony's grin faded, replaced by a serious look. "Harry, you should be careful. It seems like S.H.I.E.L.D. is keeping an eye on you."
Harry's expression stayed calm. "I know," he said simply. He didn't believe S.H.I.E.L.D. could touch him. He wasn't just the head of Oscorp—he had powers of his own, allies like Max the Electro, Felicia the Black Cat, and even Spider-Man himself. With that kind of strength behind him, Harry Osborn feared no organization on Earth.
"You…" Tony sighed, shaking his head helplessly. He could tell from Harry's tone that his friend truly didn't care.
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