Outside the party.
Tony stepped outside, took a deep breath of the cold outside air, and loosened his tie.
Happy, who had just parked the car, walked over with the key: "Tony, the car is parked as per your request, the front of the car is facing inward."
"What are you doing here?"
Happy asked suspiciously.
The party started just over an hour ago.
According to his previous experiences, if Tony were to leave so soon, he would be accompanied by an actress or a beautiful woman from other professions.
But today it happened differently.
Tony didn't explain either, he just took the car keys and replied with a smile to Happy: "I'm going home, you can send Pepper back later."
"Oh! And remember to tell her I came back alone and didn't bring anyone else."
Happy touched the back of his head with a dazed look on his face.
At this moment Tony suddenly turned his head: "By the way, Happy."
"And that agent, why didn't I see him today?"
"He saved Pepper, and I still haven't thanked him enough."
"Are you talking about Phill Coulson?"
"Yes, him."
"I don't know, I haven't seen him since the press conference."
Tony tilted his head, the fact that he didn't speak according to the script given to him must have irritated him.
There is nothing to worry about.
Tony decided to go home first.
Maybe it's because he always did things like this, Happy didn't think much about it and went straight back to the party.
As soon as he entered, Pepper went up to him and asked.
"Happy, where's Tony?"
"He said he was going home and asked me to tell you that he came back alone."
"Don't worry, I can attest that he is indeed alone."
Pepper massaged her forehead speechlessly, "What is he doing now... Ahh, forget it."
"Let me preside over the next dance."
Originally, for tonight's proceedings, everyone should have fun for a while and let Tony talk about the future development direction of Stark Industries.
But now that Tony's gone.
Pepper just managed to take care of the mess as usual and brought Happy back to the party.
----------------
Arthur looked at the redhead in front of her and quickly understood why people were scared when they looked at her just now.
That's because she's a mutant.
Jean Elaine Grey, the future greatest telepath in the Marvel universe, and avatar of the Phoenix Force.
Well, currently she's not all that, she's just a teacher at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters.
[A/N: Don't get me wrong, but gifted Youngsters got me too hahaha.]
At the same time, the phoenix force, a very powerful cosmic entity, already resides in her body, not yet awakened.
Most of the people who came to this party were high-ranking people, so they naturally knew something about the X-Men and the Xavier Institute.
That's why they recognized Jean at a glance.
Adding to that not too long ago, Magneto of the Mutant Brotherhood made a big deal. (Events from the 2000 X-Men film)
Now in American society, almost every voice in the upper echelon is against mutants.
Even the X-Men, who are on the side of justice, were deeply affected by this, so the moment Jean showed up at the party, she immediately became the public's focus.
But no one dared to go up to talk to her.
And now that she is in front of Arthur, those present can't help but stare at her.
"Look, that mutant is going to contact Mr. Morgan."
"What is this mutant up to?"
"Regardless of our business, stay away from them. What happened to Stark Industries? They even invited a mutant here."
Soon, a vacuum formed around Arthur and Jean.
Jean has the power of telepathy, so she can hear all these murmurs, and Arthur's senses have long surpassed those of ordinary people.
Even with the music loud, he could still hear these people whispering.
"It seems my arrival has caused a little trouble for you Mr. Morgan, so I'd better leave first."
Jean said apologetically.
Originally, with her personality, she wouldn't attend a party like this.
In her opinion, most people here are hypocrites.
But she is more than aware that mutants have reached a difficult place in society.
So she had to appear at this kind of party, hoping to convey the goodwill of the Xavier Institute to these high-level figures.
In exchange for them speaking for mutants.
That is precisely Professor X's attitude, and it was also Professor X who weighed the pros and cons for Jean and asked her to go to this party.
But the attitude of these people tonight has already made Jean a little discouraged.
(Maybe it was a mistake to come to this party anyway)
The reason she went to Arthur was just because she was a fan of his.
That is all.
"It's okay, sit down."
"I happen to be bored and alone right now, sit down let's drink and talk."
Jean, who was planning to leave, seemed to have a new light in her eyes after hearing Arthur's words.
"Mr. Morgan, aren't you afraid of me?"
"Why should I be afraid of you? Are you going to eat me or something?"
Arthur asked Jean back with a smile.
Jean's face was quickly stained with a blush
(He is handsome...)
Then she sat down next to Arthur awkwardly, and Arthur asked, "What kind of wine do you want?"
"I don't know about these things, Mr. Morgan."
"Oh? Then join me for a cocktail."
Soon, a cocktail glass was handed to Jean.
"A toast!"
Jean can sense that Arthur just wants to drink with her and has no other thoughts.
This feeling was something she had never felt before.
The feeling of being treated equally.
After a few glasses of the cocktail, Jean also started the conversation: "Mr. Morgan, I'm a fan of yours."
"My favorite book is 'The Terminator'."
Arthur looked at Jean with some surprise, "You're a woman, I thought you'd like something more fantasy like Harry Potter."
"No, I prefer the Terminator."
"Because in Terminator I saw a similar situation to mutants."
"How do I say this?"
Jean looked at the ordinary people who were three meters away from them and said with a smile: "They are like robots controlled by Skynet."
"And mutants are like humans who remain under the rule of Skynet trying at all costs to survive."
After saying this, Jean's tone became a little sad.
"But, there is still a big difference between us. The humans attacked by Skynet have been looking for ways to resolve their situation."
"Looking for a ray of hope in the apocalypse."
"What about mutants?"
Jean's face was already red after drinking, and a mature style appeared on her face.
"Leaving Magneto aside, you, under the leadership of Professor X, are very dependent, you should have more dignity..."
(End of chapter)
As you already know, if you find any errors, let me know so I can correct them.