The party proceeded smoothly, but what Li Yue and the others expected to be a small gatherings between Justice League members had turned into a grand banquet, courtesy of Tony!
Moreover, since it was a party hosted by a Stark family member, countless people were scrambling to get into the banquet! That included business elites and well-known celebrities from Hollywood!
Tony was still the famous Iron Man, after all. Although, due to his lack of appearance during the last year due to his study of nanotechnology and the serum, people almost forgot about him!
Thus, when Tony suddenly returned to the public eye, speculations and gossips set the world aflame!
Most of the invitees of this banquet was obviously business elites and top executives. Don't even dream of getting an invitation without at least nine digits in your assets!Therefore, this kind of party was also the place for conducting business deals!
Due to the precious opportunity and the immense benefit, it was almost impossible to sneak in without an invitation!
The venue was even secured by the elite troops of United States military special forces! Undoubtedly it was managed by Tony's good friend, Colonel Rhodes!
Though, that very Colonel Rhodes was rather depressed right now. He had barely seen Tony ever since their last meeting in Washington!
Tony would still meet him when Rhodes come to visit the villa, but the genius billionaire barely said anything and often left him early, citing something to study in the underground laboratory!
Rhodes obviously asked Tony just what was the billionaire was studying so diligently! However, Tony had only ever answered with a smile!
If only he knew that Li Yue's intervention had made Tony skip over the silver-metal Mark 2 armor, which should've later become Rhodes' War Machine armor! He might've fought Li Yue to death regardless of the consequences!
...
Even though he hosted the extremely lavish banquet, Tony didn't have to personally attend those so-called business and government big shots! Which was good, since he wasn't in the mood anyway. He only showed up in the beginning and promptly disappeared!
With Tony's current status, not only could he ignore those big shots, they were the ones that would rush to get in good terms with Tony! This is the benefit of money and status! No wonder people wanted these things!
Li Yue naturally would not forget his girlfriend, Louise. He had already brought her to the party—being able to travel just by drawing circles was very convenient!
This was the first time that Louise had accompanied Li Yue to such occasion, so she was not very accustomed to it. Fortunately, they didn't have to deal with those annoying people and could just eat, drink, and be merry with the other Justice League members!
Li Yue introduced everyone to her, without hiding their identities! Louise simply greeted them politely!
But she was quite taken aback when she was introduced to the hero of the Second World War, Captain America himself!
The Captain that fought in the Second World War was still alive. This news would've shocked the entire country!
As expected for a reporter, that was her first thought!
Li Yue then introduced Louise to T'Challa and Annie, the new superheroes that became the talk of the country, which also made Louise's eyes light up. He did not expect that Li Yue knew these two new superheroes, and even be in the same secret alliance as them!
...
"Tony, what's wrong with you? I just wanted you to hold a small party. How did it turn into this?"
Between all the talks and laughter, Tony suddenly returned to the room, accompanied by a man and a woman! Steve immediately confronted Tony to complain, but before Tony could reply, he noticed the two people beside Tony!
"Eh, hello, Ms. Pepper Potts! Tony, who is this person next to you?"
The woman was Pepper, but the other person was unfamiliar to Steve!
"This is my friend, Colonel Rhodes! I brought him here today so he could get to know you all. Rhodes, remember that the identity of these people are confidential. Don't forget to keep them a secret!"
Tony introduced Rhodes to everyone!
"Cough cough, look, Steve, do you really think this is my idea? This is all because…"
Tony was irritated by the Captain's complaint, but he stopped short of saying something as he glanced at Pepper!
He didn't plan for the party to be this big either. He had only planned to invite some pretty girls, but his plan was unfortunately discovered by Pepper, so it was ruined.
Pepper then pointed out the fact that the Stark industry complex was about to be completed, and that the Stark Industry was almost ready to be transformed into new clean energy company.
She didn't cancel Tony's banquet entirely, but changed and expanded it to be a fully publicized banquet that also invited the media, resulting in all this!
...
"Hello everyone, I am James Rhodes. I am very happy to meet you all!"
Rhodes greeted everyone! He was surprised to find that his genius and unfathomably rich friend had friends other than himself!
What was going on today? Where did Tony get so many friends? He had zero idea about it!
Moreover, when Tony invited him, Tony specifically warned that everything and everyone he saw here were to be kept secret! He was very curious! After all, even when Tony became Iron Man, Tony didn't ask him to keep it a secret!
"Haha, hello Colonel Rhodes. I am Li Yue. I have heard Tony mention you a long time ago. He mentioned that you two were good friends, to the point that you would give your lives for each other! Today, we finally meet!"
Li Yue greeted Rhodes with a smile on his face!
Li Yue quite liked Rhodes, especially after that scene where Rhodes commented about Starlord being an idiot!
"...Li Yue, when did I tell you that?"
Tony suddenly interrupted, making Li Yue speechless!
Can you stop exposing your low Emotional Quotient?
Li Yue really can't handle people like Tony that didn't know small talks and pleasantries!
...
Pepper didn't stay long after greeting everyone. She was the president of Stark Industry, after all. She was the de facto host of this banquet.
Tony could ignore the ramblings of the people outside, as the owner of the company, but Pepper couldn't. She had to go out and sort out the company's affair, preparing for the next step of the company history!
...
"Sir, I have a bad news. I have detected several helicopters that ignored airspace restrictions and headed straight here at full speed. It is very likely that they are carrying heavy weapons! Estimated time to arrival is less than a minute, I suggest for you to be prepared, sir!"
Jarvis' voice suddenly interrupted the lively and warming atmosphere with a grave warning for Tony!
"I will immediately have my men evacuate the crowd and send people to intercept these helicopters! Tony, hurry up and put on your armor, prepare to fight! Everyone, find a place to hide!"
Rhodes had obviously also heard Jarvis' voice! For an armed helicopter to ignore airspace restriction, there's no way they're good people!
He immediately stood up and barked instructions anxiously, ready to run right out and get his subordinates ready for battle!
"Cough, Rhodes, just sit down. It's alright, it's just a few aircraft! How much can they do anyway! They really picked a good time for attacking us! All of the Justice League members are here!"
Tony calmed Rhodes, who was ready to jump out of the building, down. His words absolutely baffled Rhodes!
From Tony's perspective, those interlopers were just courting death! He was all fired up and ready to test his newly-awakened abilities, and now the perfect opportunity had arrived!