Fundraising gala

"The person approaching is Jean-Jacques Handali, a senior executive at Geneva Bank. His female companion is model Cindy Klaue, a high-achieving student at Northwestern University, currently on leave of absence. Over."

Henry spoke through the bone conduction Mike, then turned it off and picked up a small cake from the table to eat.

Not far away, Ms. Hepburn and Robert met the man and woman Henry had mentioned. After shaking hands, the two ladies greeted each other with cheek kisses.

Ms. Hepburn spoke first, saying, "Mr. Handali, I've never seen you at the Geneva Bank in Switzerland."

"Oh, ma'am, I was assigned to New York a long time ago. It's perfectly normal that you don't see any of my people in Switzerland."

"As the world's financial center, New York's importance is undeniable. I believe that after your experience in New York, you will surely be promoted to a leadership position in the bank upon your return to Switzerland."

Thank you for your kind words.

As she spoke, Audrey Hepburn greeted her young companion warmly, "Miss Klaue, a brilliant student from Northwestern University, a woman of both intellect and beauty. Even I, in my youth, would be envious of you."

"Oh, ma'am, I'm ashamed to say that I've temporarily suspended my studies at Northwestern University to focus on my modeling career. Actually, your achievements are what I aspire to. Perhaps I can ask you some questions about film."

"Of course, darling."

Cindy Klaue then inquired about her preparations for entering the film industry. Meanwhile, her companion, Mr. Handali, discussed with Robert the recent hot topic: the crisis facing the Northern Red Empire.

Henry, standing at a distance, saw and heard all of this with his Super Senses. He estimated that they would chat for another two or three minutes before a second group would join them.

These Western social gatherings, seemingly chaotic, actually operate under a set of rules. Those outside the circle cannot understand the underlying dynamics and can only perceive the superficial casualness.

Leaving aside the deeper issues, let's just say that the undisputed star of this banquet was the main figure in the fundraising effort: Audrey Hepburn.

So everyone who attended the fundraising dinner would say a few words to Ms. Hepburn to leave an impression. But no one would talk for long, because they wanted to leave time for other people.

If we find topics of interest during a brief conversation, or if it involves work-related matters, we will schedule another time to meet.

But if not, the two sides will only exchange a few words, perhaps expressing interest or stating their position, and that's it. These things may become the topic of the next conversation, or the reason for reconnecting someday.

As for attendants like Henry, they only needed to stand at the edge of the banquet and no one would bother them. Getting some food and drink was no big deal.

At a banquet attended by such high-society individuals, the food and drinks are certainly not cheap. This makes one wonder...

Is it possible that most of the funds raised were spent on food and drink?

Seeing the next group approaching Ms. Hepburn, Henry swallowed the food in his mouth, turned on his bone conduction Mike, and said, "Dwayne, Wall Street, head of the investor center. A speculator who buys and sells junk stocks. As for his female companion, I don't know her."

Since it was a semi-public fundraising banquet, it was inevitable that some people from all walks of life would be mixed in.

Besides, Henry's eyes aren't some kind of facial recognition system that memorizes the images of all United States. It's not uncommon for him not to recognize someone, but that usually means the other person has little "value."

Ms. Hepburn and Robert also noticed something from each other's inexpensive attire.

It is said that having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. These people, who are experienced in the ways of the world, are often very accurate in judging people.

However, neither of them were the type to discriminate based on social status or to be overly rude. After exchanging a few polite words and declining the other party's particularly ambitious stock investment offer, the matter was considered closed.

But on the other side, the person who provided the guest information encountered unexpected trouble.

"A speculator who buys and sells junk stocks? What an interesting assessment. Does such a profession really exist?" Tony Stark, holding a glass of champagne, criticized someone's remarks without any politeness.

Seeing this young master, Henry wasn't surprised at all, and said, "There are countless professions in this world. As long as you can make money, what's impossible? Do you know of any people who hire children to turn off and on lights?"

"How could such a job exist? You'd better not be making this up; I don't like that," Tony said, frowning.

Henry laughed and said, "In the 18th and 19th centuries, when whale oil was the main fuel for streetlights, the City Hall hired a group of children to be in charge of lighting and extinguishing the countless streetlights on the streets of London."

"It also includes replenishing whale oil. You can't assume that something like this doesn't exist, or that this kind of work doesn't exist, just because you don't have a similar need in your life. Everything around the Stark Family doesn't represent the whole world."

"That's not right. You can't use historically existing professions to refute me," Tony protested.

"It's your own word choice that's inaccurate; you didn't set a time limit. What If...? I were the devil, I would have already obtained your soul." Henry had no intention of flattering this arrogant young master and retorted directly.

While his opponent looked constipated and was pondering how to retaliate, Henry turned on the bone conduction Mike again.

He said, "Mr. Howard Stark of Stark Industries, and his wife, Mrs. Maria Stark Stark."

Tony looked up and noticed that his parents were walking towards Audrey Hepburn, the star of the party. Hepburn and her male companion also stopped their conversation with the opportunist and went to greet them.

Don't underestimate the difference between people, even if it's just a few steps.

Even Dwayne, who was left behind, didn't dare to have any complaints about the person in charge of Stark Industries. However, the female companion he brought along seemed to have an urge to cling to him, even though his wife was right next to him.

Henry turned off the Mike and said, "You came with your parents, huh?"

But Tony Stark was clearly more interested in what was around Henry's neck than in answering. He reached out and snatched the bone conduction Mike, which was attached to Henry's neck with something resembling a headband.

"What's this?"

Henry, who was stuffing different flavored muffins into his Barry, didn't hide anything and said, "Mike."

"You used this to notify that lady? That strange thing hanging on his ear, is it a receiving earpiece?"

Henry answered two questions in a row with just two words: "Hmm."