BXBX NOVEL Chapter 94 - Virtue and Wit
He also cursed Tony Stark for his misfortune, even though he knew that Tony Stark wasn’t really responsible for his situation.
He knew a thing or two about Tony Stark.
From the movies he had watched in his last life, he knew that Tony Stark had a unique personality, and that he could be a great hero, but perhaps not a great friend.
It was completely understandable that Obadiah, his bald uncle, would try to kill him.
Tony Stark called Obadiah uncle. Their bond couldn’t be fake. Yet, the playboy couldn’t stop himself from squandering his wealth.
It was in his nature, and was hard to change.
Thus, Luke never intended to make friends with Tony Stark, because it was too difficult.
It wasn’t hard to imagine how haughty Stark was if he could shut the door on someone who had developed the ultimate virus[1].
If Luke were to approach him, he would treat Luke like a servant and boss him around.
Luke spaced out, random thoughts running through his head.
To be honest, this security mission was absolutely pointless.
Tony Stark had a perfectly good security team to protect him. He didn’t need the police at all.
His bald uncle hadn’t decided to eliminate Tony Stark yet, so he should be safe for now.
This was only a gesture by the police department to win Tony Stark’s favor.
The start of the opening ceremony came and went. Everybody in the hall started whispering among themselves.
Luke didn’t even need to guess the reason.
It was Tony Stark’s natural propensity to be late, leave without saying goodbye, or stand other people up.
He had caused too much trouble before with his behavior.
From friend to foe, civilian to celebrity, he could stand anyone up.
Seeing that Selina was craning her head trying to catch the whispers, Luke said in a low voice, “There’s no need to think. One of Tony Stark’s greatest virtues is tardiness. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t show up at all today.”
Selina clicked her tongue. “But there are so many reporters and bosses here. Would he dare do that?”
Luke said, “Hm, I have no doubt that he would.”
It wasn’t until thirty minutes later that Tony Stark finally appeared, black circles around his eyes.
Luke figured that he probably had had too much fun last night with some girls who had sent themselves to his doorstep.
The opening ceremony finally began. Tony Stark took out a piece of paper and spoke dryly, before getting off the stage.
Luke even saw him fall asleep two minutes after he sat down.
There were other speeches in turn. Two hours later, the opening ceremony ended.
The real meeting wouldn’t begin until the afternoon. Corporation and research agency representatives would be locked in negotiations for three days.
That meant that Luke would have to suffer for three days.
After the opening ceremony, Luke and Selina had to help maintain order along with the other police officers.
Since they had more noteworthy ranks, Luke and Selina led the way for a bunch of corporate big-shots instead of joining the other officers who were holding the crowd back on the sides.
Tony Stark was in the front, next to Bill Yorlington, the CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Luke wasn’t paying much attention to them, but from his random glances, it was obvious that Tony Stark wasn’t interested in talking to his peer at all.
Bill, however, ignored it, and was just saying what he should say.
Well, Luke believed that Bill clearly wasn’t expecting to make friends with Tony. They were both pretending, except that Bill was a better actor.
Suddenly, a man squeezed through the wall of police officers and charged at Tony and Bill with a bottle.
The man approached from the right side, which Selina was responsible for.
Selina reacted swiftly. Confronted with the aggressive man, she calmly stepped to one side and grabbed the hand that was holding the bottle.
She then swept the guy’s feet out from under him, and pressed his hands to his back.
After that, she twisted the man’s wrist and forced him to drop the bottle, which rolled to the floor.
It was a nontransparent plastic bottle. Selina couldn’t see what was inside. She didn’t dare touch it, either.
However, both Luke and Selina noticed that the bottle was still sealed. They looked closer at the bottle, only to discover that it was milk.
Luke stepped forward and quickly handcuffed the guy, before he shoved him toward the other police officers.
The man was still shouting, “Stark, you war criminal, why are you still alive?”
Luke raised his eyebrow. This reason was all too understandable.
Anti-war groups often initiated protests, or more radical operations, against Stark’s super firearms enterprise.
Well, throwing milk at him was meant to humiliate him without actually hurting him. Similar weapons included raw eggs and potatoes.
Another police officer took away the bottle of, presumably, milk.
Before Luke and Selina could indicate to Tony Stark that he was safe now, he had already come over. His eyes glowed when he looked at Selina. “Wow, beautiful officer. Want to get a drink with me later?”
Luke, however, ignored him and said to Selina, “Stay alert.”
They returned to their posts, while the officers up ahead investigated the crowd. The team had stopped moving for the time being.
Tony was stunned. Had he been ignored?
He asked, “Gorgeous lady, can you give me your name? I think you and I could get to know each other better.”
Luke glanced back at him and said casually, “Mr. Stark, please do not interfere with our work.”
Tony raised his eyebrow. “Are you a gorgeous lady? Did you think I was talking to you?”
Luke suddenly smiled. “I saw the news about the cover girl of some magazine who was kicked out of your house naked in the middle of the night, and the one about the twin celebrities who said that you were impotent. So, I’m only hoping that the same tragedy won’t befall my partner, esteemed Mr. Stark.”
Selina was dazed. Luke spoke quickly and very clearly, and it had taken him no more than ten seconds.
[1] Refers to “Iron Man 3.”