NOVEL NEXT Chapter 233: Do Whatever You Want
At that moment, Natasha walked into the room, holding a box of watches in her hands.
"Which one do you want to wear tonight?" she asked.
"I'll take a look in a minute."
Tony buttoned up his shirt, then turned to Natasha.
"Gold face, brown strap… let me see that Jaeger-LeCoultre. Bring it over."
Sitting down on the sofa, Tony accepted the watch box from Natasha, who then sat right next to him.
Tony glanced at the alluring Natasha but stayed silent for a moment. Natasha, meanwhile, picked up some concealer and began gently covering the bruises on his face.
Watching her work, Tony asked,
"Be honest — how much longer are you going to be here?"
"I need Pepper Potts to start finding me a new assistant."
Natasha replied calmly,
"I don't know. That's not up to me."
Tony paused, then shifted the subject.
"How do you think one should spend a birthday to make it meaningful?"
Natasha, well aware of the issues Tony Stark had been dealing with lately, answered without hesitation,
"Do whatever you want."
"You have Stark Industries behind you — and Smith Dole and his Capsule Corporation as well."
Having finished her task, Natasha turned and left.
Tony took a sip from the drink on the table, her words only making his resolve stronger.
…
Elsewhere.
John Wick drove a Rolls-Royce, carrying Smith Dole and Bulma to Tony's seaside villa. Also along for the ride was Ivan Vanko, whose date for the evening was Natasha's younger sister, Yelena.
How those two ended up together was anyone's guess — maybe it was just a Russian thing.
The area outside the villa was buzzing with life. Many of the invited guests were already present, while the press — those without invitations — were stuck outside, snapping photos and trying to get interviews with anyone arriving.
The moment Smith and Bulma stepped out of the car, the staff at the entrance spotted them.
"Oh my God, it's Smith Dole — he's here!"
"Of course he is. He's Tony's friend!"
"Wow, he's so handsome!"
"And the genius girl Bulma too — people say she's the biggest supergenius after Tony Stark."
"Whiplash is here as well."
"And who's that with him? She's gorgeous!"
Smith, smiling, led Bulma toward the villa. Ivan and Yelena followed behind.
A reporter rushed up to Smith, microphone in hand.
"Mr. Smith, what's your view on the military demanding Tony Stark hand over the Iron Man armor?"
"And what about the fact that, at this critical time for Stark Industries, Tony is hosting a birthday party? Is this a signal from the company?"
"Do you think this is in Stark Industries' best interests?"
Smith took the mic, looked the reporter in the eye, and said,
"In America, private property is sacred and cannot be violated. Forcing someone to give up part of themselves is illegal."
"Tony has always been working to protect the people, fulfilling his mission."
"As for his birthday party — he's an adult. Doesn't he have the right to celebrate it?"
Handing the mic back, Smith continued inside with Bulma.
The reporter quickly turned to Ivan Vanko.
"Mr. Vanko, do you feel the same about your Whiplash armor? We've heard the military is contacting Vanko Industries as well."
Ivan gave him a look and replied,
"I fully agree with Tony Stark's view. My Whiplash armor is also my prosthetic — an excellent one."
"As Tony said, I am Iron Man, and Iron Man is me. He won't hand over himself, and neither will I."
"Besides, Vanko Industries is developing companion household robots. Following Capsule Corporation's philosophy, we're here to improve lives — not to become a military contractor."
After slipping in that bit of advertising, Ivan led Yelena inside.
…
Happy, manning the entrance, stepped forward when he saw Smith arrive.
"Thanks for coming. The party hasn't started yet. Please, come in."
Smith nodded and entered with Bulma.
Looking around at all the strangers, Bulma asked,
"Why isn't Tony out yet? It's his birthday — as the host, he should be here."
Smith chuckled.
"Maybe he's shy… or still doing his makeup. And don't call him an old man to his face, or he'll blow a fuse."
Bulma laughed.
"The gift we brought him — he's going to flip when he sees it."
"You really don't mind giving it to him?"
Smith knew what she meant, but smiled.
"It's a family heirloom. It belongs to him."
Bulma grinned, holding his arm.
"Smith-nii, you're the perfect man."
Pepper Potts, who had been speaking with other guests, spotted them and excused herself.
"Sorry, two important friends just arrived."
"Mr. Smith, Ms. Bulma."
"Hi, Pepper Potts! When's Tony coming out? It's his birthday — he should be here already!"
Pepper gave an awkward smile.
"Why don't you two mingle? I'll go see what's keeping him."
"Sure."
Smith and Bulma headed for the dessert table.
"Try this," Smith said, handing her a plate. "It's pretty good."
Bulma took a bite and closed her eyes briefly.
"Mmm, not too sweet. I like it."
Ivan and Yelena joined them, and the four began chatting.
Suddenly, cheers erupted from the crowd. Smith turned toward the commotion — and saw Tony Stark, clad in his Iron Man armor, swaggering forward in a flamboyant dance.
(End of Chapter)
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