First Encounter with Tony

Although Mercury objected to Frank joining, she had no way to change Wang Bert's decision. She could only turn around, fetch the contract, and bring it in for Frank to sign!

Frank flipped through the contract and asked in surprise, "Besides being your bodyguard, I also have to be an instructor for Blood God Security Company?"

"That's right. Blood God Security Company is a guard company made up of Vampires and the Blood-thirsty Clan. When you have time, help me train them. In the future, I'll need you to lead them into battle for me."

"Looks like that million-dollar annual salary won't be easy to earn."

Frank signed his name and said, "Let me make this clear first. What I'm good at is assault operations, the kind that make a lot of noise. If you want me leading the team, you'd better think about how to clean up afterward!"

"Don't worry. Under normal circumstances, I won't need to trouble you personally."

Wang Bert smiled. "Mercury, go call Xue Ren over and have him take Frank to visit the Security Company. He can meet the team members while he's there. Natalie, take the contract to the legal department."

"Yes, Blood God!"

Natasha and Mercury answered at the same time. Mercury then called someone over, while Natasha took the contract upstairs to the temporary legal department.

After delivering the contract, Natasha went to the restroom. She took out a syringe from her makeup case—don't get the wrong idea, she was only drawing a little of her own blood!

"Bert Wang, you never expected this, did you? Nick Fury has wanted your blood for a long time."

Natasha smiled faintly, put the syringe back into her makeup case, flushed the toilet, and left the restroom. She had no idea that Wang Bert had seen everything that had just happened.

Don't get the wrong idea again. Wang Bert wasn't perverted enough to install surveillance equipment in the restroom. He had seen it because, within a certain range, he could sense the surrounding situation through his own blood.

Uh, that somehow sounded even more perverted?

"You want my blood? Dream on. My blood is alive. If it doesn't want to be drawn out, no one can take it!"

Wang Bert sneered inwardly. Before long, Mercury led Xue Ren inside, dressed head to toe in leather!

This Xue Ren looked exactly like Yu Zhoudan. In fact, in Blade II, he had been played by Yu Zhoudan and served under the main villain, Grand Duke Damaskinos.

At this point in time, he was still hanging around with the North American Blood Clan and had not yet gone to join Grand Duke Damaskinos in Europa. Since Wang Bert considered him an "acquaintance" and thought he was fairly capable, he promoted him to head of the Security Company.

Wang Bert introduced them. "Xue Ren, this is Frank. Frank, this is Xue Ren. From now on, you'll be colleagues, so get to know each other!"

Xue Ren shook Frank's hand and said with a hint of provocation, "We're looking forward to Instructor Caster teaching us."

"I'm looking forward to teaching you too."

Frank grinned. He liked troublemakers most of all. The tougher they were, the more interesting it was to train them! Wang Bert smiled and said, "All right, I have a date with a beautiful woman, so I won't keep you for dinner. Frank, spend a few days getting familiar with the Security Company, then come help me. As for benefits, Natalie will arrange everything for you. You definitely won't be disappointed!"

"Fine."

Frank nodded and left the café with Xue Ren for the Security Company. After they left, Mercury said, "Blood God, Kingpin called me this morning. He said he wants to buy the Long-Term Rental Apartment we acquired. He's willing to raise the price by thirty percent."

"We have dealings with Kingpin?"

Wang Bert was surprised. Kingpin was New York's underground emperor and Daredevil's greatest enemy. Forty percent of all crime in America was connected to him—Kingpin was not his real name, but a title meaning emperor! "Kingpin helps deliver food to us."

Mercury said it simply. A Vampire's food was naturally living humans!

"Human trafficking."

Wang Bert sneered. After thinking for a moment, he said, "The one who really wants the Long-Term Rental Apartment probably isn't that fat bastard. It's The Hand."

Mercury frowned. "The Hand? Those ninjas who are supposedly able to revive over and over?"

"Yes."

Wang Bert asked, "Don't tell me they do business with us too?"

Mercury answered briefly, "They've delivered food as well, and quite a few Vampires are addicts."

"So degenerate. No wonder their combat strength is so poor."

Wang Bert snorted. "Reject Kingpin. That will be our future headquarters. No matter how much he offers, we're not selling!"

"All right."

Mercury nodded. It seemed the feng shui there really was excellent, otherwise so many people would not be fighting over it—she had specifically looked up what feng shui meant last night, only to end up even more confused.

After a moment's thought, Wang Bert said, "Tell that fat bastard that we have no interest in Hell's Kitchen. Whatever happens between us and The Hand, he'd better stay out of it!"

Mercury said proudly, "Kingpin wouldn't dare provoke us. We are the rulers of the dark world!"

"The Purebloods still haven't been beaten enough."

Wang Bert had long been used to the Blood Clan's sense of superiority. He waved his hand, signaling Mercury to leave!

Wang Bert turned his chair and looked out at the Long-Term Rental Apartment, narrowing his eyes. "It looks like I'll have to fight The Hand sooner or later. They won't give up the Dragon Bone, and neither will I! Fine by me. I'm very interested in Madame Gao's Qigong!"

Bone marrow was blood-producing tissue. The Dragon Bone could greatly strengthen Wang Bert, so naturally he would not give it up. After all, an entire Dragon Bone was buried beneath the Long-Term Rental Apartment!

There was a famous Michelin restaurant beside Times Square. It was normally packed with customers, but today, there were only two guests because Wang Bert had booked the entire place.

Sitting across from Wang Bert was Becky, the cover girl for this issue of Maxim. The atmosphere between them had been a little stiff at first, but thanks to Becky's enthusiasm, Wang Bert gradually relaxed, and things were now quite pleasant! The only problem was that Becky loved asking questions. She kept asking what Wang Bert did, what his relationship with Universal Pictures was, why one of their executives had helped arrange a meeting with her, what kind of car he drove, and so on!

Is this a blind date? This woman is way too enthusiastic. I don't even need to pursue her. She doesn't feel much different from those models from a while ago, just a higher-class version. It's a little different from what I imagined.

Wang Bert was somewhat disappointed. It seemed having too much money was not always a good thing. It took away the fun of pursuit.

"This afternoon, I'll take you to Universal Studios to see Director Katherine..."

Wang Bert shared some information about himself, and Becky immediately became even more enthusiastic. At that moment, the restaurant door creaked open, and a mustached man walked in. He looked extremely punchable purely because of how arrogant he was! The mustached man looked around and asked a nearby waiter, "Why are there only two people here? Kid, is your restaurant going bankrupt?"

The waiter hurriedly explained, "Mr. Stark, I'm sorry, but someone booked the place today!"

That's right, the newcomer was Tony Stark. He looked at Wang Bert and mocked, "Booked the place? Why would anyone book a restaurant? If you don't want to be disturbed, wouldn't it be better to eat at home?"

Is this guy looking for trouble?

Wang Bert raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when the manager hurried over and said, "Mr. Stark, I'm sorry, but our owner is dining here today. We are not receiving other guests."

Tony Stark froze. "The owner?"

Wang Bert stood and raised a hand. "To me, this place is no different from my home. Mr. Stark, come sit with us!"

"Then I'll sit for a while. Bring me a glass of red wine!"

Tony was somewhat annoyed, but he still walked over and sat down. He was not surprised that Wang Bert recognized him. There were not many people in America who did not know him!

He, Tony Stark, was America's most charming billionaire and greatest genius! After sitting down, Tony looked at the bright-eyed Becky and said in a pretentious manner, "I think I know you!"

"Hello, Mr. Stark. I'm Becky, the cover girl for this issue of Maxim!"

Becky introduced herself excitedly. Every cover girl wanted to date Tony Stark, not only because he was charming, but because it could bring them massive publicity! "Oh, I remember now."

Tony shook Becky's hand, then turned to Wang Bert, who had sat back down, and asked, "Sir, I'm really curious. You brought a cover girl out, yet you booked the whole place for dinner. How is that any different from buying a multimillion-dollar watch and refusing to let anyone see it?"

Becky nodded in deep agreement. A cover girl should live beneath flashing cameras!

As he motioned for the waiter to pour Tony some wine, Wang Bert smiled. "You came all the way here just to ask me that?"

"I came here deliberately? How come I don't know that? I was just passing by!"

Tony naturally denied it outright. In truth, he had come specifically to find them. Everyone knew he liked Maxim cover girls. Someone actually dared steal one from him—how could he not come see for himself? If Tony Stark had no time, he could allow others to take a cover girl away. But as long as he had time, the cover girl had to be his, because he was Tony Stark!

"Perhaps."

Wang Bert did not expose Tony. He said, "The main reason I asked her out was because I wanted to try your lifestyle. But I'm a low-key person. I don't like being watched, so I cleared the place out."

Tony mocked, "You're imitating me? There are plenty of people in this world who imitate me, but clearly, you're the worst one. You don't even know that I love lively places!"

Tony Stark really was as punchable as people said at this point. The phrase 'looking down his nose at everyone' might as well have been invented for him!

Wang Bert snorted inwardly and laughed. "You just like showing off, don't you?"

Tony said proudly, "No, attention likes finding me. I, Tony Stark, never need to go looking for attention!"

"That's right, Mr. Stark. Wherever you are, that's where the news is!"

Becky said worshipfully. Tony shot Wang Bert a smug look and began chatting enthusiastically with Becky!

It had to be said that although Tony Stark's tone was irritating, he really was humorous and very good at making girls laugh. In only a short time, his rapid-fire wit had made Becky laugh several times!

Wang Bert quietly watched Tony Stark perform without doing anything else, because there was no need! Seeing that he had completely stolen the spotlight, Tony Stark was quite pleased with himself. Trying to compete with him for a cover girl was simply ridiculous! "Becky, are you free this afternoon? I know a few directors. They'll be playing golf with me!"

Tony extended an invitation. He knew exactly what cover girls like her wanted! Clearly, Tony intended to steal Becky away from Wang Bert. In his eyes, he was already about to succeed, and he even gave Wang Bert a provocative look.

However, contrary to Tony's expectations, Becky hesitated. She glanced at Wang Bert before saying apologetically to Tony, "I'm sorry, Mr. Stark, but Mr. Bert already invited me to meet Director Katherine first!"

Tony froze. "Director Katherine? Which one?"

"A female director. I plan to have her direct Twilight, which I bought for a high price earlier."

Wang Bert said slowly, "A youthful romance about werewolves and Vampires."

Tony looked disgusted. "Werewolves and Vampires? Would anyone watch that kind of movie?"

"The script is very good, and the director is quite capable. As long as we cast some handsome men and beautiful women, the box office won't be bad."

Wang Bert said, "Becky would be perfect for one of the roles. I'm sure Director Katherine will do me this favor, considering I'm investing in the movie!"

Becky added, "And Mr. Bert is also a shareholder of Universal Pictures!"

Wang Bert shrugged. "Actually, I'm the major shareholder, but ordinary people never believe that!"

Tony's expression darkened slightly. He knew he had failed. Though he was handsome, elegant, witty, and charming... the other man could give Becky an important movie role.

For a cover girl like Becky, that was impossible to resist. Even being Tony Stark was not enough, considering he changed women even faster than he changed clothes!

Wang Bert looked at Tony with a smile. Tony could clearly sense the mockery in it—That's all you've got, and you dared compete with me for a woman? "Kid, you're finished!"

Tony instantly became furious. Could he, Tony Stark, really lose to some country bumpkin?

Tony said, "Meeting the director can wait until tomorrow. Bert, didn't you say you admired me? I'll take you to Atlantic City and show you around. There, you'll see how I enjoy myself!"

After considering it, Wang Bert said, "Though I don't admire you, I do want to see how you have fun. I only recently became rich, so I'm still unfamiliar with how rich people live."

Tony said exaggeratedly, "Looks like you're one of those lucky people who inherited a massive fortune!"

"Aren't you the same? Stark Industries was inherited too!"

"No, I made it flourish!"

Tony stood up and said impatiently, "What are we waiting for? We'll drive there in sports cars. Hurry up, my sports car doesn't wait for anyone!"

"Don't worry, my sports car will wait. I prefer giving old people some face."

"Old people?"

Tony's eyes flew wide open as he stared at Wang Bert. This guy actually dared call him, the super genius beloved by countless beautiful women, an old man. Was he looking to die? He had to be looking to die, right?

If he did not make this guy's life miserable, Tony would look down on himself! Once we get to Atlantic City, this kid will see what happens. At the Casino, with Jarvis helping me, I'm invincible!

Tony sneered inwardly. What, that was cheating? No. Cheating that was never discovered was not cheating!

This guy really is petty. But taking me to a Casino—isn't he asking to be humiliated?

Wang Bert laughed silently. Everyone in America knew Tony Stark was petty. Before becoming Iron Man, he was petty. After becoming Iron Man, he was still petty! Come to think of it, he should be becoming Iron Man soon. In other words, the age of superheroes is about to arrive. Looks like I need to speed things up!

Wang Bert's eyes flashed. Beneath the table, he flicked a finger lightly, and a drop of blood flew from his fingertip onto Tony Stark's palm before quickly seeping inside.

Tony noticed nothing. He stood and said, "Let's go. We're heading to Atlantic City!"