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*****
Nighttime, during dinner.
As Clark carried dish after dish Mike had prepared to the dining table, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"I'll get it."
Gwen jogged toward the door.
Earlier that afternoon, when she went shopping with her friends, she had asked Mike for some money. She bought herself two outfits that fit perfectly, and she was already wearing one of them now.
A white dress draped over her figure, making her look as fresh and natural as a blooming lily.
When she opened the door and saw Tony standing there, Gwen froze for a moment before blurting out, "Why are you here again?"
Tony: "..."
"We haven't seen each other in six months."
He reached out and pinched Gwen's cheek, only for her to swat his hand away in annoyance. "Where's Uncle Mike?" he asked.
"In the kitchen."
Tony stroked his little goatee and said, "Looks like I came at the perfect time."
Gwen narrowed her eyes at him. "A billionaire coming to my house just to mooch dinner—aren't you afraid people will laugh their heads off?"
Tony curled his lips. "Do I look like I care?"
With that, he walked straight in, circled the kitchen once, grabbed himself a pair of chopsticks and a bowl, and sat down at the table.
Gwen was speechless.
This guy really didn't treat himself as an outsider.
"Gwen, come eat."
Mike waved her over as he placed the last dish—corn and fruit soup—on the table. When Tony opened his mouth to speak, Mike raised a hand. "Eat first. Whatever it is, we'll talk after."
Tony nodded, then noticed Gwen still glaring at him. In response, he made a goofy face at her.
Gwen snorted softly and turned her head away.
Tony frowned slightly.
What was with this little girl? Why was she so grumpy the moment she saw him today? He hadn't done anything to annoy her, had he?
Nope.
Tony was sure of it.
They hadn't seen each other in over six months—how could he have possibly offended her?
Half an hour later, after the four of them finished dinner, Tony couldn't help himself. Seeing Gwen still glaring, he asked, "What's wrong? Haven't seen me in months and now you're upset because I got even more handsome?"
Gwen: _
Mike gave her a light pat on the head. "That matter wasn't Tony's fault. Stop fussing."
What still weighed on Gwen's mind was that after returning from her time-travel, the world had already jumped ahead by six months.
Because of that, she had missed out on so many fun things.
She rubbed the back of her head where Mike had tapped her. "Oh."
Turning to Tony, she said, "Sorry, Tony."
"Call me handsome and we'll call it even."
Gwen: ()
"Ha!"
Seeing her expression, Tony couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Go to your room and review your lessons."
Mike waved her off, once again thinking how wise it had been to insist she bring her schoolwork along during the world-crossing.
"Okay." Gwen nodded obediently and went upstairs. But instead of entering her room, she crouched at the corner of the staircase, curious about what the three of them would discuss.
Clark quickly cleared the dishes and brought three cups of tea to the table.
Mike took a sip, exhaled softly, and said, "Clark tells me you came looking for me. What's the matter?"
Tony rested his hand on the warm cup, feeling the steam rising against his palm. Suddenly, he said, "I have a bad feeling."
"Star Company?"
Mike asked directly.
Tony nodded. "Yeah."
He pulled his hand away, staring at the damp imprint on his palm. Just as he was about to place his hand on the table, he noticed Clark watching him, and his hand froze slightly.
Mike passed him a napkin. "Go on."
"There's not much to say."
Tony wiped his hand and sighed in relief. "Star Company definitely has a conspiracy."
"You have proof?"
"No." Tony spread his hands helplessly. "If I did, I'd have already investigated and dragged them out into the light."
Clark spoke up. "Dad, I secretly checked too, but I didn't find anything. Still, some of Star Company's superheroes… I feel like there's something wrong with them."
"Oh?"
Tony's interest was piqued. "Tell me."
Clark thought for a moment, stroking his chin. "They're too obedient."
Too obedient—whatever they were told to do, they did without question, without showing the slightest temper.
Tony nodded. "Maybe they've all gone brain-dead."
When he noticed both Mike and Clark staring at him, he gave a sheepish laugh. "Kidding."
"Dad, what about you? What do you think of Star Company?"
Clark asked.
Of course, he hoped the world was getting better.
But things were almost too good now.
Setting down his empty teacup, Mike said flatly, "What do I think? I think they're slowly eating away at this world."
Tony and Clark froze for a moment, then frowned, replaying Star Company's recent actions in their minds…
It really did seem that way.
If so, then Star Company was an enormous threat.
Just thinking about the superheroes under their control made Tony and Clark exchange uneasy looks.
Just then, Gwen poked her little head out from upstairs and shouted down, "Then why not go to the future and see for yourselves?"
As soon as she spoke, Mike looked up at her. Gwen instantly dashed up the stairs with quick little steps, then slammed her door shut for good measure.
Clark chuckled. Gwen's antics always reminded him of his own boyhood with his brothers.
Mike turned back, only to see Tony staring at him eagerly. He raised an eyebrow. "You're not seriously considering that, are you?"
"Heh."
Tony chuckled, then said earnestly, "Come with me."
"I just got back."
"Uncle Mike…"
"Why me?"
"Because you're the most—uh—free… and the strongest."
Tony quickly corrected himself. "The future could turn out in unpredictable ways. Other than you, no one else has the ability to handle anything we might face."
Mike rubbed his forehead. "Give me a few days to rest first."
"Perfect!"
Tony's face lit up with joy. "I'll go make preparations too."
With that, he left excitedly.
"Dad, do we really need to go to the future to confirm this?"
Clark asked hesitantly.
Mike nodded firmly. "Yes."
Star Company absolutely had a conspiracy, and Mike suspected it might even endanger his children.
That meant he had to see for himself.
Even if Tony hadn't suggested it, he would have eventually gone on his own.
After a moment of silence, Clark suddenly said, "You're not mainly going to check whether I or Eric get married first, and who has kids, are you?"
"Of course not! Do you think your father is that childish?"
Mike said righteously.
Clark nodded seriously. "Yes."
Mike: "..."
After a pause, Mike broke into a grin. "As expected of my son. You really know me!"
(End of Chapter)