Marvel: Umbrella Corporation

By the bar in the charity gala hall, Luna watched Tony and Pepper dancing together with a look of envy in her eyes.

If even Pepper, a personal assistant, could catch Tony's eye, did that mean she might have a chance with her boss in the future?

Her musings were interrupted by a voice beside her.

"Hello, Miss Luna."

Turning around, Luna saw a man in a black suit and tie, hands clasped in front of him, looking very formal. He appeared to be in his thirties, with a buzz cut, brown hair, and brown eyes.

Despite searching her memory, Luna couldn't recall who he was.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Coulson, an agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division."

Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division? What kind of long-winded department name was that? She'd never heard of it before.

While Luna was puzzled, her earpiece crackled to life with the voice of the Red Queen, the AI.

"The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, or S.H.I.E.L.D., is a special agency under the United Nations Security Council that handles extraordinary events. Adam has always avoided contact with such organizations. Please do not engage in lengthy conversations."

This was why she wore an earpiece—not just to communicate with Adam but also to receive real-time assistance from the Red Queen, avoiding misunderstandings. In case of danger, the Red Queen could quickly arrange for rescue.

After hearing the Red Queen's explanation, Luna immediately picked up her wine glass.

"Sorry, I need some quiet."

With that, she turned and left without looking back. As Adam's trusted confidante, she would never go against his wishes.

Coulson watched her retreating figure, his eyes flashing with thought, but he ultimately didn't pursue her. According to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intel, Luna was a core member of Umbrella Corporation, not someone easily approachable.

"These Umbrella people are so cautious..."

Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to Tony and Pepper on the other side of the hall.

........

In the ballroom, Tony noticed Pepper's nervousness and suggested, "Want to get some fresh air?"

Pepper sighed with relief at his suggestion. "Sure, I was thinking the same."

Despite her outward calm and composure, she was actually extremely nervous. As a top university graduate, she had always had high standards, and very few men had ever caught her eye, leaving her perpetually single.

This was her first time dancing with Tony, her first time being held so close by him. It was no wonder she was nervous.

A while later, Tony and Pepper stepped out onto the balcony.

"Ahh..." Pepper took a few deep breaths of the fresh air, feeling somewhat relaxed.

"That felt strange," she admitted.

Tony smiled and reassured her, "You don't have to be so nervous."

Looking at Pepper's blushing face, he was almost certain that she wasn't the one hiding things from him. For some reason, he found Pepper's natural beauty refreshing, something he hadn't found in the supermodels he dated.

Pepper instinctively shook her head, denying, "No, I'm not nervous. It's just... there are so many people."

She didn't want to appear inexperienced in front of Tony, revealing herself as a girl who had never been in a relationship.

Perhaps, she just wanted to show her best side to the one she loved, but she couldn't fully understand why.

"It's no big deal; we're just dancing," Tony continued to reassure her.

Pepper still shook her head, hesitating, "You don't understand. Everyone knows who you are, that you're a charming playboy."

Realizing she might be insulting him, she quickly changed her tone. "Of course, that's not a bad thing. But for me, you're my boss... and dancing with you..."

"No, it's not like that..."

"People might think I'm a woman who'll stop at nothing..."

"I think you're overthinking this..."

"And I'm wearing this weird dress, dancing this dance..."

In their argument, their eyes locked, and an ambiguous tension filled the air, silencing them. Slowly, their lips began to draw closer.

Suddenly, Pepper took a small step back.

"I need a drink," she said. As a woman who had never been kissed, everything was happening too fast; she needed a drink to steady her nerves.

Tony, with his years of romantic experience, immediately understood her need. He wouldn't refuse her request. After his experiences in the Middle East, he had matured significantly and no longer chased after supermodels. He just wanted a good life.

And Pepper, who he knew well, seemed like the best choice for marriage.

"Sure, no problem."

"I want a cocktail."

"Okay."

"Make it strong, with extra olives."

"Got it."

Tony quickly made his way to the bar.

"I need a strong drink with three olives, and another with extra olives," he told the bartender, slipping him a traditional American tip.

He had only come to the charity gala on a whim. He'd been busy modifying the Mark II when he saw a news report mentioning the gala and his supposed agreement to attend, though he had no memory of it. Curious, he'd come to see who was using his name.

It wasn't Pepper, but who could it be?

One name popped into his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. That person was his beloved uncle, who had helped manage the company after his father's death. It couldn't be him.

While he pondered, a blonde woman with her hair up and wearing a low-cut black evening gown approached.

"Wow, Tony Stark."

Seeing the beautiful woman who seemed as attractive as Pepper, Tony felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't place her.

As a seasoned playboy, he responded smoothly, "Oh, hi..."

The blonde woman smiled sarcastically, "Nice to see you here."

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