"Hey, guys, you two are really late," Tony said, waiting at the entrance of the party for Raiden and Yinsen. Coincidentally, Raiden and Yinsen arrived at the hotel at the same time.
"You.... with your personal chauffeur, arrived at the same time as me?" Yinsen patted Raiden shoulder and said.
"Well, you have no idea how traffic in the roads of Manhattan are. Alright, let's head in," Raiden said, nudging Tony and Yinsen.
The three of them walked side by side into the hotel. As soon as Tony entered, a group of reporters immediately surrounded him, snapping photos.
"Oh, Yinsen, I feel like we're just background characters" Raiden said, pulling Yinsen back a step, leaving Tony to deal with the reporters.
"No, Raiden, background characters don't talk," Yinsen joked.
As the two were chatting, Tony dismissed the reporters and walked over, asking.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing," Raiden said, waving his hand. "But you got rid of all those reporters, right?"
"All taken care of. But I might have been out of the party scene for too long, I'm feeling a bit nervous," Tony laughed. Tony eyes scanned the venue.
'Ah, found him!'
Tony turned to Raiden and Yinsen and said, "Follow me, I'll introduce you to someone."
Raiden and Yinsen followed Tony.
"Hey, Obie!" Tony walked over and hugged a bald man who was being interviewed. This man, called Obie, had a thick white beard.
"Oh, Tony, look at you, full of surprises," Obadiah said with a smile, then turned to the reporter beside him and said, "We'll continue the interview later."
The reporter, understanding the cue, smiled and left.
After the reporter left, Obadiah turned his head close to Tony ear and whispered,
"Listen, let's take it slow, okay? I've already handled the board members as I intended." As Obadiah spoke, his eyes glanced over Tony and noticed Raiden and Yinsen following behind.
Obadiah eyes flickered for a moment but quickly regained composure and continued speaking.
"Impressive. I've been holed up at home for too long. By the way, Obie, let me introduce you," Tony turned slightly and pointed to Raiden and Yinsen, saying, "This is Raiden, and this is Yinsen."
"Oh, hello, I'm Obadiah, Obadiah Stane," Obadiah extended his hand.
"Hello, Raiden, Raiden Akatosh" Raiden shook his hand.
"Yinsen, Yinsen Ho" Yinsen also shook hands with Obadiah.
"Alright, now that you've met, you guys chat. I'm heading in," Tony said, patting Obadiah on the shoulder.
Watching Tony back as he entered the hotel lobby, a strange look flashed in Obadiah eyes, but he quickly concealed it and turned back to chat with Raiden and Yinsen.
"Akatosh, what an... ancient and mysterious surname. Raiden, where are you from?" Obadiah asked Raiden.
"Europe... Germany. I'm Germans" Raiden paused slightly before answering.
Yinsen looked at Raiden with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Until now, he didn't known which country Raiden was from.
"German? Doesn't seem like it," Obadiah laughed.
"I'm of mixed heritage," Raiden said.
Obadiah nodded slightly, taking two glasses of champagne from a tray held by a nearby waiter and handing them to Raiden and the other person.
"Yinsen, I know you—a renowned scientist, but you... disappeared for a few years," Obadiah said, clinking glasses with Yinsen.
Yinsen expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and replied.
"It was due to some personal matters, a rather troublesome job." After speaking, Yinsen forced a smile.
"Hmm," Obadiah nodded. "Tony doesn't have many friends, and now that the two of you are by his side, I'm happy for him." Obadiah paused, observing the expressions on Raiden and Yinsen faces, then continued.
"But do you know about Tony current situation? He shut down the weapons manufacturing division. We're a military industrial company! His position is precarious, and the board is against him. But I believe in him. I know what he's trying to do, but I need something to help Tony change the board's mind. I hope you can persuade him."
"This..." Yinsen face showed a hint of unease.
Raiden took over, saying, "If Tony is unwilling, he must have his reasons. He's Tony Stark. He'll figure it out. We should trust him."
"Of course, of course. He's the great Tony Stark, a genius, and he's indeed completed a genius in anything. But our belief in him isn't enough. We need the board's support. I'm aware of Tony reactor—it represents a brand-new future. But I need a little proof, blueprints, or for the company scientists to study it." At this point, Obadiah spread his hands helplessly.
"But Tony is too stubborn. You're his friends, and this is for his own good," Obadiah said, looking into Raiden and Yinsen eyes.
"Everyone has the right to make their own choices. We should..." Raiden was speaking when Obadiah abruptly let out a scoff, a very undignified reaction.
Obadiah quickly apologized, "Sorry, I suddenly thought of something else. Please continue."
Raiden glanced at Obadiah, shook his head, and continued, "We should respect Tony choices. Of course, we... will try to persuade him, but it probably won't make a difference. He's very stubborn."
"Alright, thank you very much," Obadiah said with a smile.
"Then Yinsen and I will head in now. We won't disturb you any further," Raiden said to Obadiah, and Yinsen beside him nodded with a smile.
"Of course, please," Obadiah said, stepping aside.
"Thank you," Raiden and Yinsen walked into the hotel lobby.
Behind them, out of sight, Obadiah watched Raiden retreating figure with a meaningful gaze, his fists clenched tightly.
"Mr. Stane? Mr. Stane!" a nearby reporter called Obadiah name.
Obadiah snapped out of his thoughts and continued to smile as he resumed the interview with the reporter.
Meanwhile, as Raiden and Yinsen entered the lobby, they immediately spotted Tony standing by the wine cabinet, drinking. However, there was also a man in a black suit beside him. Raiden and Yinsen walked over, and Tony, noticing them, quickly waved to get their attention.
"Who is this?" After Raiden and Yinsen walked over, Yinsen looked at the man in the suit and asked curiously.
"Oh, he is..." Tony pointed at the man in the suit and introduced, "He's from the Strategic Homeland... what was it again?" Tony turned to the man and asked.
"I'm Agent Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. Nice to meet you," Coulson introduced himself.
"Wow! My goodness, you really need to change that name," Raiden and Yinsen said in unison.
However, as they spoke, Raiden heart felt as if it had been struck by a sledgehammer, suddenly tightening.
Coulson, S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Raiden immediately realized who this person was. It seemed that trouble was finally about to arrive. Raiden let out a soft sigh, so faint that no one noticed.