1999 – September
Avalon Industries headquarters was still new enough for the paint to smell fresh and the marble floors to gleam like liquid glass. Employees walked briskly through the hallways, whispering about "the mysterious young Chairman" whose products had turned the cosmetic world upside down in a month.
Alex, only sixteen, sat calmly in his office with Grayfia, Yasaka, Kushina, Venelana, and Albedo standing subtly around him like silent guardians.
Yasaka, in her carefully maintained human form, quietly poured Alex's tea.She tugged her jacket closer, hiding the tails and ears she could only show to Alex and the other four. The trust made her heart warm.
Suddenly—
BAM!
The office doors flew open.
Two women stormed in.
Gwen StacyandDr. Helen Cho.
Both looked furious. Employees had scrambled to escort them directly to the Chairman after they revealed their relationship to Alex.
Gwen pointed accusingly.
"Alex! Why didn't you hire us?!"
Helen crossed her arms, glaring just as sharply.
"You built a whole company and didn't even ask me?"
Alex blinked.Then sighed softly.
"Gwen… you work at Oscorp. You didn't even consider leaving until now."
Gwen froze.Because he was right.
"And Helen, you turned down every offer in the past two years. Why would I assume you'd want to work for me?"
Helen opened her mouth—And closed it again.
Checkmate.
Both women stood there, speechless.
Grayfia, Kushina, Yasaka, Venelana and Albedo exchanged small smirks.Two new rivals… and already flustered.
After a long moment, Helen stepped forward.
"Then let me join now. Avalon needs a medical division, doesn't it?"
Alex nodded.
"I was planning to establish Avalon Labs. I want you as the Director."
Helen's eyes widened.Director at sixteen?This boy was terrifying.
She accepted instantly.
Gwen, not wanting to be left behind, spoke quickly.
"Then what about me?! I—I can join too! I'll work hard!"
Alex leaned back.
"You can join as an intern for one year. After that, you'll move to full-time under Helen."
Gwen lit up.Helen smirked in victory.Gwen glared right back.
They left the office—arguing the entire way down the hall.
Meanwhile… Tony Stark Found Out
That afternoon, Alex returned to the Stark penthouse.
The moment Tony saw him—
"ALEX! Why do you have a full staff of beautiful women?!"
Alex blinked.
"Why are you yelling?"
Tony paced back and forth, waving wildly.
"You're sixteen! Sixteen!And your office looks like a model photoshoot! Even I didn't have this kind of staff at your age!"
Alex sipped his tea.
"You're jealous."
"I AM NOT JEALOUS—"Tony paused."…Okay maybe a little."
Rhodey, who had been quietly watching, whispered:
"Tony… your little brother is cooler than you."
Tony glared at him.
Gwen & Helen Visit Stark Tower
The next day, Gwen and Helen visited the Stark penthouse to "see Alex."
Tony opened the door, saw them both, and immediately frowned.
"Why is every genius girl on the East Coast chasing my brother?"
Pepper walked past him.
"Tony, don't be dramatic."
"I AM DRAMATIC FOR A REASON!"
Back at Avalon – The Other Women React
When Alex returned to Avalon with Gwen and Helen hired…
Grayfia:
"Two more challengers."
Venelana elegantly fixed her hair.
"Competition keeps things interesting."
Kushina cracked her knuckles.
"As long as they don't get too close."
Albedo's eyes glowed.
"I will eliminate anyone who gets in Lord Alex's way."
Yasaka, slightly jealous but composed, gently pulled Alex into a hug from behind.
"Alex… remember, you promised to trust us the most."
Alex patted her head, making her cheeks turn pink.
Avalon's Meteoric Rise
Only one month after launch:
Every product was sold out.
Restock requests flooded in daily.
Distributors fought for supply rights.
Newspapers called it"The Fastest Growing Brand of 1999."
And at the center of it all…
A calm sixteen-year-old boy.With five supernatural guardians……two newly aggressive genius girls……and an older brother who was losing his hair from jealousy.
Alex simply smiled.
Avalon Industries had only just begun.