Chapter 74: Oh, Isn't This Black Widow? Let's Have a Sparring Match?
…
TV on.
…At 6:12 PM, during sunset, a magnificent heart-shaped cloud appeared over the Lower East Side of New York City…
…The rare sight inspired many couples to make wishes…
…Experts explain: this was caused by rising air currents colliding with intense heat… the friction in the atmosphere ejects water molecules… eventually forming…
Click.
Ivan Vanko wasn't interested in this kind of fluff. He switched the channel.
…Most countries will need 5 to 10 years, but Hammer Industries? At least 20…
…I've done you all a favor. I alone can maintain world peace. What more do you want from me? I tried working with those clowns…
…Screw you, Mr. Stark…
…Meeting adjourned. This meeting is over…
…Listen, I'm here for the people. I'm honored to serve my country…
Click.
"I am Iron Man."
CRACK!
A burst of blazing blue-white light sliced across the TV screen. Sparks flew as it split in half.
…
Ring ring.
Ethan Lee brushed aside a few stray strands of hair and picked up the phone.
"Ms. Potts, what can I do for you?"
"Sorry to bother you, Mr. Lee," Pepper said over the line, "I just think you're… an intelligent and gentle man. I've run into a situation and wanted your opinion. Of course, if now's not a good time…"
"Oh? Go ahead," Ethan said with a lazy smile. "I've got nothing on right now. Take your time."
Encouraged by his laid-back tone, Pepper opened up.
"You know how Tony always does something unexpected…"
She spoke candidly, as if they were old friends. Tony and Ethan had been getting along well lately, and Pepper wasn't holding anything back.
"…he donated his entire modern art collection to the Boy Scouts of America…"
Pepper groaned slightly. "Except for your Iron Man painting. He climbed on the table and hung it right in front of me. I don't even know what he was thinking… I mean, I'm not saying your painting's bad, Mr. Lee, I just…"
"It's fine, Ms. Potts," Ethan chuckled. "But that can't be the main reason you called, right?"
"No… the real issue is…"
Pepper hesitated before continuing, sounding more uneasy.
"…Tony told me he wants me to be the CEO of Stark Industries. He wants me to be his successor. I'm… not sure how to feel about it."
Ethan's mind raced. He quickly put the pieces together—palladium poisoning. Stark was making arrangements just in case.
Still, he said nothing. That was Tony's business to handle.
Instead, he offered quiet encouragement.
"Pepper, don't doubt yourself. Just do your best—that's more than enough. I think Tony sees you as family."
"…Family?"
Pepper softly repeated the word, thoughtful.
After a pause, her voice returned with warmth.
"Thank you, Ethan."
"You're welcome."
"Goodnight, Mr. Lee."
"Goodnight, Pepper. And remember—family."
The call ended.
Ethan stretched, letting out a faint breath.
He turned his head—
His dear sister was fast asleep beside him, a peaceful smile playing on her lips, her shoulder peeking from beneath the sheets. He smiled softly and tugged the blanket down gently to cover her.
"…Hm?"
Something tugged the other side of the quilt.
He looked—
Gwen and Felicia.
The two girls were fast asleep, legs tangled up, fiercely clinging to the edge of the blanket like it was a lifeline.
"…"
Ethan sighed, then muttered, "Never mind. You two won't catch a cold anyway…"
It was late.
He closed his eyes.
Another beautiful day had come to an end.
---
Malibu, California.
Tony Stark's Beachfront Villa.
"I forgot to ask you last time, Ethan," Tony said as he sparred with Happy in the training ring. He glanced at Ethan Lee, who was casually seated nearby, watching the match. "How did you get here from New York on that motorcycle? What's its top speed?"
Ethan replied nonchalantly, "Just think of it as Eastern magic."
"Hey, if you don't want to talk about it, forget it," Tony shrugged. There was no way he was buying the magic angle—Stephen Strange hadn't even had his accident yet.
While browsing the drink shelf beside him, Ethan picked up a green bottle and asked, "What is this? Looks radioactive."
"Want to try my chlorophyll juice?" Tony grinned. "It's actually pretty good~"
Ethan grimaced and tossed the bottle aside. "Tony, you promised you wouldn't lie to me again."
"Oh, sorry. Force of habit."
"Hey Xu—" Tony ducked just in time as Happy's punch sailed past him. He retaliated with a sharp backhand elbow to the face—
Bump!
"Whoa," Happy stumbled back, dazed. "What move was that?"
"Mixed martial arts, my friend," Tony announced proudly, bouncing on his toes. "It's been trending for, like, three weeks."
"That's dirty boxing…" Happy corrected, unimpressed. "It's been around for ages."
"Eh, Ethan taught me." Tony shot a thumbs-up at Ethan. "You said it yourself: 'Don't get too hung up on form—enemies don't follow the rules of the ring.' Right?"
Ethan gave him a slow, approving nod. "Not bad, Tony. You're learning fast."
Happy rolled his eyes. These two were clearly encouraging each other's nonsense.
"All right, Happy, gear up. Let's go again."
But before they could resume, Pepper entered, holding a folder. "The notary's here, Tony. Come sign these documents. I swear this is the only time I'll ask—please transfer the company."
Tony waved dismissively. "We're having a moment here."
Pepper subtly signaled her thanks to Ethan with a brief glance. Ethan, sipping juice, returned it with a polite nod.
Tony was still fooling around when a striking woman entered—curly auburn hair, a crisp white blouse tucked into sleek black trousers, and a calm, confident demeanor.
Natasha Romanoff.
Ethan paused mid-sip, eyes flicking to the newcomer. The infamous Black Widow—gorgeous, no doubt.
She glanced briefly at Ethan, already reviewing intel in her mind:
Vice President of the Ghost Spider Club.
Jessica's half-brother.
Connections with multiple powered individuals... Ghost Spider, Black Cat, Daisy Johnson, Cindy Moon... and now rumored ties to the Black Spider.
He fit the dossier perfectly.
[He's handsome, I'll give him that... no wonder so many women orbit him.]
[Still... why does he look weirder sipping juice than Stark in a suit?]
Happy leaned toward Tony and whispered, "Boss, careful now."
"What?"
Tony followed his gaze and spotted Natasha. He paused, momentarily distracted.
Happy muttered, "Lesson one—don't take your eyes off your opponent—ow!"
Tony silenced him with a swift back kick, then unleashed a flurry of show-off moves he'd learned from Ethan.
Bang bang ~ bang bang bang ~
Luckily, Happy wore full protective gear, otherwise he'd be out cold.
Ding ding ding~
Ethan rang the bell, rescuing the poor guy.
"I'm done," Happy muttered, peeling off his gear and escaping the ring.
"Ethan," Tony called out.
"What?"
"Wanna fight me next?"
Ethan raised a brow. "You sure?"
"Oh, no. I mean, could you grab my chlorophyll juice?"
Ethan lazily tossed the bottle over. "Catch."
Natasha subtly narrowed her eyes. Most would've ignored such a throw, but as a trained fighter, she noticed the precision and ease in Ethan's movement. That wasn't normal strength.
"Please sign here."
Natasha handed Pepper the documents without missing a beat, still watching Ethan from the corner of her eye.
"What's your name?" Tony asked, already intrigued.
"Natasha Rushman," she replied calmly.
"Come on up," Tony said, beckoning her toward the ring.
Pepper intervened, "Tony, don't tell me you want her to—"
"I'm the boss. The boss decides," he interrupted.
Pepper looked at Ethan helplessly.
"This is your idea of a family atmosphere?" she whispered.
Ethan gave a helpless shrug. "I did my best."
Natasha, unfazed, climbed into the ring, not taking Tony's skills seriously for a second.
"I think this is a great idea," Tony said smugly. "Ethan, come up here and teach her a few moves."
"Me?" Ethan arched an eyebrow, glancing at Natasha.
[Fight a woman? Me?]
[...Well, if she's pretty, I suppose I could make an exception.]
He stepped into the ring.
Across from him, Natasha wore a half-smile—an elegant mix of confidence and challenge. The curve of her lips and the glint in her eyes screamed: I'm not to be underestimated.
Ethan, arms crossed, met her gaze without flinching, openly taking in her poise and figure.
He usually hung out with sweet, slightly naïve girls like Gwen.
This? This was new.
Natasha had experience, confidence—and she knew it.
The silence stretched.
Neither spoke.
Whoever broke the silence first… would lose the upper hand.
Tony, watching this intense stand-off from ringside, was less impressed.
"Uh, guys?" he coughed. "Remember the sparring part? Less flirting, more fighting?"
Ethan let out a low whistle. "Shall we begin, Miss Romanoff? Any prior training?"
"Plenty."
Natasha's smirk widened just a touch.
She was confident—maybe too confident. The classic play the lamb, eat the tiger routine. One of her favorite tactics.
Ethan could see it.
[Oh, you're good. Reserved charm, letting me make the first move. Passive-aggressive seduction. Masterclass.]
He wasn't bothered.
Quite the opposite—he was intrigued.
This wasn't just martial arts. This was a mental game.
Natasha, seeing that Ethan didn't respond immediately, assumed he was dense. [Why do men like him always need the woman to make the first move?]
"I suggest we spar," she offered smoothly.
"No problem."
Ethan raised a traditional starting stance. "Traditional martial arts. First hit decides it."
Natasha blinked. What kind of opening stance was that?
Before she could analyze it further—
Whoosh!
Ethan's palm stopped inches from her face, just enough for the wind to lift strands of her hair.
Natasha froze. She hadn't even seen the move coming.
Her eyes widened slightly. If he hadn't pulled back…
Tony called out from the sidelines, "Careful, Ethan! Don't mess up her face—she's new!"
Watching her stunned expression, Tony muttered to himself, "How does this guy keep getting the most gorgeous women?"