The elevator's downward indicator light suddenly illuminated, and the metal doors silently slid open.
The dazzling light of the crystal chandelier outside flooded in, illuminating Hawk and Natasha, who hadn't yet fully separated inside the elevator car, as well as two figures about to step in from outside.
Tony Stark, his tie loosely draped around his neck, his white dress shirt unbuttoned three times, revealing his muscular chest.
One arm was half-embracing, half-supporting a blonde, blue-eyed, curvaceous supermodel, whose cheeks were flushed with an alluring blush, her dress strap slipped off one shoulder, and her eyes were hazy.
Tony stepped one foot into the elevator, looked up, and saw the scene inside, especially Hawk's hand still clasped around Natasha's waist, and the almost zero-distance ambiguous atmosphere between them. He paused, and his signature, roguish, knowing smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Woah..." Tony drew out the word, his eyebrows raised high, his gaze ambiguously sweeping between Hawk and Natasha, finally settling on Natasha's stunning face and hot figure. "Did I interrupt your... 'in-depth discussion'? Lane Tower's elevators are really good quality, Stark Industries product, right?"
He helped the model into the car, and the elevator doors slowly closed.
The confined space was suddenly filled with high-end perfume, the scent of alcohol, and an indescribable tension.
The supermodel seemed even more intoxicated, leaning against Tony, curiously eyeing Natasha, giggling foolishly: "Tony... this Russian sister... so beautiful..."
She reached out as if to touch Natasha's red hair.
Tony quickly pressed down her restless hand, winking at Hawk: "Looks like my little brother Hawk had quite a haul tonight. This lady's charm... tsk tsk, much more captivating than Wall Street's K-line charts."
He openly admired Natasha, his gaze carrying the frankness of a hunter. "Mind sharing contact info, beautiful lady? I think besides Hawk, New York has many interesting places worth exploring."
Natasha's charming expression didn't change. She gently pulled away from Hawk's hand, and Hawk smoothly released her, leaning back against the elevator wall with an amused expression, watching the show.
Natasha tidied her slightly disheveled hair, turned to Tony, her red lips forming a perfect arc, her clear blue eyes holding a hint of lazy provocation.
"Mr. Stark," her Russian accent now sounded exceptionally rich and alluring, "New York is indeed very interesting. But I heard that Stark Industries' stock has been fluctuating... quite violently lately?"
She tilted her head slightly, feigning innocence as she asked: "Just like Wall Street's K-line charts, right? Exploring your company's stock chart is probably much more exciting than exploring you personally." She paused, then added, "Especially for a man who can't stop elaborating."
"Pffft..." Hawk couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
Tony's smile froze for a moment.
This "Russian wealthy businesswoman's" response was both sharp and a bit sarcastic, accurately hitting the sore spot of his recently teased lengthy press conference in front of Hawk, and even questioning his ability?
This was rare in Tony Stark's history of dominating New York's social scene.
"Oh?" Tony immediately adjusted his expression, putting on his usual playful smile, and retorted, "It seems Ms. Romanoff has done her research? Then you should know that stock lines and a man's ability are completely similar. Violent fluctuations are full of infinite pleasure, while stability means dullness and... brevity."
He pointedly glanced at Hawk, thinking that although Hawk was young, he definitely wasn't as strong as him.
Natasha was about to speak again when the elevator gave a slight jolt, arriving at the top floor banquet hall.
The elevator doors opened again, and the bright lights and hubbub of the banquet hall instantly poured in.
Two people stood at the entrance.
Norman Osborn was expressionless, his hawk-like eyes sharply scanning the four people inside the elevator:
Tony, disheveled, and the drunken supermodel beside him, as well as Hawk and the highly recognizable red-haired beauty Natasha Romanoff, standing side-by-side, seemingly intimate yet with a subtle tension in their aura.
All eyes in the banquet hall shifted with Osborn to the elevator. For a moment, it fell silent, and some even looked towards the two men's female companions, Andy, and a scowling Pepper.
Harry Osborn stood half a step behind his father, his gaze once again sweeping past everyone, landing on Shin Shia, who was quietly guarding a distant corner.
Shin Shia seemed to sense his gaze, returning a cold stare, her eyes seemingly able to penetrate the soul, making Harry's heart skip a beat, and he instinctively averted his gaze.
Norman's gaze lingered on Natasha for an extra two seconds, as if assessing something.
The air inside the elevator also solidified at this moment.
Tony evidently hadn't expected to run into the Osborn father and son the moment the elevator doors opened, and Norman's scrutinizing gaze annoyed him a bit.
He instinctively wanted to push the drunken supermodel in his arms away slightly, to appear a bit more decent.
Hawk was the first to react.
His face instantly reverted to that impeccable banquet host's smile, as if all the awkwardness and probing in the elevator had never happened.
He naturally stepped out of the elevator, standing in front of the Osborn father and son, perfectly blocking their view of Natasha inside the elevator.
"Mr. Osborn, Harry," Hawk's voice was steady and warm, as if it were just a chance encounter, "The highlight of the gala has just begun. Did you two miss any exciting auction items?"
Norman's gaze shifted from Hawk's face, returning to Tony, who was half-supporting the supermodel as they emerged from the elevator, a very cold, distinctly sarcastic curve on his lips.
"Exciting?" Norman's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone present. "General Ross just bid on something that looked like a 'half-knuckle duster,' said to allow magic-users to open portals. But compared to your little drama, that seems insignificant."
His gaze meaningfully swept between Tony, Hawk, and Natasha. "Stark Industries' CEO leaving a charity gala midway with a female companion, and then emerging from the elevator with Mr. Lane and this... 'Ms. Romanoff'? This plot is far more exciting than the auction. It seems there's a special... Stark scent in the elevator."
These words were barbed, both mocking Tony's philandering and implying the chaos that might have just occurred in the elevator, while also dragging Hawk and Natasha into it.
The atmosphere instantly became somewhat tense.