A Wager for the Black Widow?

Iron Man said in surprise, "Oh? I thought Easterners were rather reserved when it came to relationships between men and women. I'd like to see how you pick up girls."

As Apocalypse slowly walked toward her, Black Widow grew increasingly flustered.

Apocalypse pressed close to Black Widow, and they could both feel the warmth of each other's breath. He stretched out a hand and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Natasha, right? It truly is a fine name, as beautiful as its owner. Meeting is fate. I bought a house in New York; that's my home. How about we go there, open a bottle of red wine, talk about life, and untangle a few knots in our hearts?"

As he spoke, he lowered his head and gave her a long, wet French kiss. Black Widow immediately went limp, as though she had returned to her wedding night, nearly collapsing into Apocalypse's arms.

This outrageous move left Iron Man, Pepper Potts, and Happy utterly stunned.

You could pick up girls like that?

No buildup at all—he just went straight in for the kiss?

Iron Man's mind was filled with a million wild thoughts.

Even though he was famous and irresistibly charming, he would never dare pull something like that. He would get slapped across the face in seconds.

But judging from Natasha's reaction, she had clearly accepted it. She had fallen for him. Hmm... should he try that technique himself someday?

After the long kiss, Black Widow tried to break free. But with Apocalypse's strength, how could she possibly escape if he refused to let go? She pounded his chest several times.

Yet to the people beside them, it looked more like flirtatious horseplay.

Black Widow felt guilty. She had infiltrated this place and did not dare reveal their relationship publicly, so she could only say softly, "Let go of me already. They're watching."

"Haha, they're all my friends. What does it matter if they watch? Here's the key to our home. Keep it safe. You're welcome to move in anytime."

As he spoke, he placed a key in Black Widow's hand.

Black Widow did not know what she was feeling as she accepted the key. Was this her home now? She had not expected it to come so suddenly.

Starting a family with a man like this would not be so bad. At the very least, she would never have to worry about enemies coming to her door. Whoever came knocking would be the unlucky one!

Imagining her enemies painstakingly tracking down her home address, intending to threaten her with her family, only to encounter the monster known as her "husband," she could not help finding it amusing.

At the thought, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

That breathtaking beauty, combined with her lowered gaze and smile, was utterly intoxicating.

Iron Man and Happy stared with their mouths agape. She had accepted him? Fallen in love?

Had Tang used some kind of seduction technique just now? I didn't catch it.

Apocalypse released the flustered Black Widow. He knew that was enough for today. Pressuring her too much could have the opposite effect; all he needed was to give her time to process it and slowly accept it.

Iron Man had no idea what he had signed and merely scribbled a few strokes across the documents.

Black Widow fled with the legal papers as though she were escaping for her life.

Happy leaned over, no longer showing any of his earlier defiance. "Brother Tang, Brother Tang, you moved too fast just now. I didn't learn anything. Let's go to a bar tonight. Drinks are on me—teach your brother a couple of moves."

Iron Man said, "I have a racing competition in Europe next week. Tang, come with me. I can never quite handle European women. I don't know if it's because I'm not famous enough over there."

Apocalypse laughed heartily without exposing them, letting them imagine whatever they wanted.

Still, Iron Man going to Europe for a racing competition meant the plot of Iron Man 2 had already begun.

Three days later, at a grand racing banquet in a small European country.

Pepper Potts arrived with Black Widow. Seemingly to keep an eye on Iron Man, she deliberately, yet casually, nudged Black Widow toward Apocalypse.

Apocalypse naturally welcomed this, walking shoulder to shoulder with Black Widow.

It was daytime, and the banquet was packed with influential figures. Iron Man and Pepper Potts were busy greeting people everywhere and making connections.

Only poor single Happy had to endure the lovey-dovey display from two couples. He could only drown himself in the banquet's food and drinks.

"Hey! Tony, the legendary Iron Man. I thought a man as important as you would be too busy to attend this banquet."

A voice came from afar. It was Justin Hammer, president of Hammer Industries.

Hammer Industries and Stark Industries were competitors, constantly fighting over the Department of Defense's weapons contracts.

However, Hammer Industries' weapons were always slightly inferior in quality, and Stark Industries repeatedly suppressed them. Hammer had long harbored resentment.

Moreover, Hammer had previously joined forces with a fat pig politician in an attempt to force Iron Man to hand over his armor technology. The two sides had already become bitter enemies.

Now, though he greeted Iron Man with false cordiality, Iron Man had no choice but to return a perfunctory greeting due to the room full of dignitaries.

"Yeah, I wasn't planning to come, but I heard you were here. If I didn't show up, wouldn't you lose your chance to be second place?"

Hammer gritted his teeth. Just as he was about to trade a few barbs with Tony, he spotted Black Widow beside Apocalypse, and his eyes lit up.

"Tony, who is this lady?" Hammer asked.

"She's an employee of my company. She came with her boyfriend."

Hammer feigned surprise. "Her boyfriend? Don't tell me it's this Easterner? How could such a beautiful lady choose an Easterner?"

Hammer continued, "Very few Easterners attend banquets like ours. May I ask what this gentleman is called?"

"My surname is Tang," Apocalypse said coldly.

"What line of work are you in, Mr. Tang?"

Apocalypse said, "I currently have no job. I rely entirely on Mr. Tony to take care of me."

At those words, strange smiles appeared on Iron Man, Pepper Potts, and Black Widow's faces. Apocalypse had saved Iron Man's life several times already. It was hard to say who was taking care of whom.

Hammer immediately felt contempt rise in his heart. Combined with the racism hidden deep in his bones, it gave him even more courage.

He said to Black Widow, "Beautiful lady, this must be your first time attending a banquet of this caliber, right? How about I show you around? One of Hammer Industries' racing cars will be competing later, and it will definitely take first place this time."

Black Widow secretly glanced at Apocalypse, afraid he might be displeased. "Thank you, but I came with friends, so I won't trouble you."

"Haha, your friend is following behind Tony and can't even get into the VIP section. It won't be convenient for him to see anything. I just happen to be lacking a female companion. Why not come with me and meet some important people? Once the race is over, I'll take you for a ride in a racing car."

If Apocalypse had merely been an ordinary friend, Iron Man would have stepped in long ago to stop Hammer's rude behavior. After all, someone trying to steal his friend's woman was also an insult to him.

But Hammer was provoking Apocalypse. Iron Man and Pepper Potts exchanged glances, unable to hide the amusement in their eyes as they waited to see how Hammer would suffer.

Hammer surely believed that Apocalypse was just an Easterner. Even if he had some influence, the emperor was far away; once he reached the West, it was their territory.

Apocalypse stepped forward. "Mr. Hammer wants to take away the woman beside me. I wonder if he has asked me first?"

Two burly men in suits immediately stepped out beside Hammer and confronted Apocalypse.

Tony and Pepper Potts wore expressions of eager anticipation, yet neither spoke up to stop them.

In Hammer's eyes, this naturally meant that Apocalypse and Iron Man were not particularly close, and Iron Man would not fall out with him over Apocalypse. This made Hammer even bolder.

"Is Mr. Hammer planning to use force?" Apocalypse asked with a smile.

With Apocalypse's strength, even if every type of weapon designed by Hammer Industries came at him together, they could not harm him in the slightest, much less the two ordinary bodyguards before him.

"No, no, no. We're in Europe now, where the nobles still preserve ancient traditions. If people have a disagreement, they can settle it through a duel. Mr. Tang may choose any one of my men."

"Oh? What are the stakes?"

Hammer said, "Since this is a racing event, I'll put up a racing car worth eight million dollars. If you win, you can take it. If I win, the lady beside you will keep me company today. How about it?"

When the dignitaries at the banquet saw the renowned Hammer arguing with one of Iron Man's people, they immediately gathered around to watch the show, waiting to see how this Easterner would respond.

There was a small trap here. Apocalypse might not understand it, but the surrounding nobles, who cared greatly about appearances, knew it perfectly well.

If Apocalypse accepted the challenge, he would immediately be at a disadvantage.

Hammer was wagering a car against a person. If Apocalypse accepted, he would surely be looked down upon in this age that valued human rights, and it would become difficult for him to enter this circle in the future.

If he refused, he would have to produce something of equal value as a wager.

Even if he could afford it, Apocalypse would not be fighting Hammer himself, but one of Hammer's bodyguards. In terms of momentum and status, he would invisibly be a step lower.

However, Hammer had miscalculated. Before absolute strength, every petty scheme would be crushed.