Ethan kept his eyes firmly on the road, his focus unwavering.
It was just one of his quirks. whenever he committed to something, he did it wholeheartedly, without distractions.
"Hmm, that name's a bit of a mouthful. Otto Octavius… Doesn't sound local, does he?"
Andrew furrowed his brows. The name rang a bell, but he couldn't place which scientist in the Marvel universe it belonged to.
"He's originally from Austria. He and his wife both graduated from Cambridge, then moved to New York. It's been nearly ten years, but no one's ever funded his research."
Ethan's tone carried a trace of regret.
"What's his field? Think he's someone we could recruit?"
Andrew never overlooked real talent. Anyone Ethan respected had to be someone worth knowing.
"He's in energy research too. I used to think his work overlapped with your arc reactor project, Tony, so I never brought him up. But if you're open to it, supporting him would be incredible."
"In that case, give him a call tomorrow. Have him come in for an interview, tell him to bring his research materials. I'd like to take a look."
Andrew reclined in his seat, making himself comfortable.
"I've got to tell him right away, he's going to be ecstatic!"
Ethan pulled out his phone eagerly.
"Hey, old friend! I've got fantastic news my boss, Tony Stark, is interested in your work. He wants to meet with you at Stark Industries tomorrow. Yep, get ready. I'm driving right now, I'll talk to you later."
Andrew laughed.
"Is it really that big of a deal?"
Ethan, visibly moved, replied,"You rich folks just don't get it. For a scientist, going years without support is brutal. Research is like farming. you have to keep watering, fertilizing, dealing with pests and disasters, and in the end, the harvest depends on luck. And you can't even begin without buying the land first. Without funding, people like us end up selling everything we own just to keep going."
His voice dipped into bitterness, like an old wound reopened.
"Research isn't cheap. Even Mr. Fantastic, Charles, only got to space because his love rival funded him. That kind of humiliation would break anyone."
He glanced sideways at Andrew, who lay there with his hands behind his head, and added enviously,"But you, Tony… you were born into wealth, you're a genius, and you've never had to worry about funding. You're the kind of person we all envy."
"Whoa, how did this suddenly become about me? Sounds like someone's bitter about the rich."
Andrew smirked.
Back in his old life, he used to wish all the rich folks would just vanish.
But ever since he found himself in Tony Stark's body, he had to admit being rich wasn't so bad.
Perspective really does change everything.
"Mrs. Ethan, it's a pleasure to meet you. I didn't bring anything fancy, hope that's alright."
Andrew greeted Ethan's wife, Rose, with a polite cheek-to-cheek kiss.
She wore a light yellow jacket, tight blue jeans, and black knee-high boots. Her figure was curvaceous, with none of the post-pregnancy weight many American women tended to carry.
"I've heard Ethan talk about you for years, but I've only seen you on TV. Thank you for everything."
Andrew laughed warmly.
"Well, blame Ethan. I've wanted to visit for a long time, but he never gave me the chance. Now I see why it's because you're so stunning. If I had a wife like you, I wouldn't be inviting other men over either."
"Oh my, such a charmer! Don't just stand out there, come on in!"
Rose smiled brightly as she took Ethan's briefcase and welcomed them inside.
"Tony, wouldn't you say this place feels like home too?"
Ethan smiled at Andrew.
"Haha, come on. I've only been here a few times. It's just sitting empty anyway better it gets used than wasted."
Andrew settled onto the sofa, watching Rose move about with a relaxed smile.
"Honestly, Tony, my whole family owes you. If it weren't for you, we'd still be stuck in that war-torn place."
Ethan's voice was heavy with gratitude.
"Oh come on, Ethan. If anyone should be thankful, it's me. Back at that militant base, you helped me without hesitation. After joining the company, you solved the energy problem for the Hellfire Armor something money alone couldn't buy. Besides, we're friends. And you don't put a price on friendship."
"You're right. I got a little emotional there. Rose, has Annie come home yet?"
"I just called her. She'll be home in about ten minutes," Rose replied, walking over with a smile.
"Tony, Ethan—can I get you something to drink?"
Andrew's eyes briefly drifted to Rose's chest, where her blouse hugged her curves, and the way her jeans outlined her shapely figure. Then he looked at Ethan's bald head.
He couldn't help thinking how lucky Ethan was to have such a beautiful wife.
Rose was easily on par with that stunning flight attendant Sophia from the Boeing 747—maybe even more attractive with her mature elegance.
"Soda water, please."
Rose turned to the fridge and bent down to search the lower shelves.
As she leaned forward, Andrew's eyes were again drawn to the perfect curves accentuated by her jeans.
The sight was so captivating that he instinctively took a long gulp of the soda when she handed it to him.
Gulp, gulp, gulp…
As the fizzy bubbles hit his throat, Andrew sighed inwardly.
People love to criticize the legendary rogue Cao Cao, but deep down, don't we all kind of want to be him?
"Mom, I'm home!"
A clear, cheerful voice rang out from the doorway.
"This girl… still such a kid. Her voice always arrives before she does."
Ethan said fondly.
Andrew turned his head and saw a familiar figure—little Annie, the girl he had recently rescued like a gallant hero saving a damsel in distress.
Today, she wore a light green short-sleeved sweater and a white school uniform skirt in classic American style.
Two slender, flawless legs stretched out beneath the skirt, standing close together like polished ivory.
Her white ankle socks barely reached her calves, revealing soft, fair skin without a trace of fat—smooth and firm.
Youthful and radiant—the very picture of blooming youth.
"Oh! We have a guest"
Annie noticed the suited figure on the couch and shyly stuck out her tongue.
"Go wash your hands and help Mommy with dinner," Rose said gently.
(End of Chapter)
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