Doctor Stephen Strange's abrupt, possessive appearance was a calculated attempt to reclaim ground he assumed was rightfully his. He had expected the "tourist" to wilt under his scrutiny, allowing him to smoothly redirect Christine Palmer to his planned evening at Dorsia.
"Hello, Dr. Strange," Su Yi greeted him, maintaining a tone of polite, unwavering firmness. He had instantly assessed the neurosurgeon: handsome, undeniably brilliant, but completely crippled by his own self-importance—a flaw Su Yi was tasked by the Ancient One to exploit.
Strange finally gave Su Yi his full attention, a brief, dismissive inspection that took in the expensive suit and calm demeanor, concluding with a patronizing curl of the lip. "Sorry, are you also here for medical consultation? You seem lost."
Su Yi sighed internally. This man was even more aggressively annoying than Tony Stark, who at least had the charm and self-awareness to make his narcissism entertaining.
"No, I'm here to invite Christine to dinner," Su Yi corrected gently.
"She has plans today," Strange declared, placing a hand on Christine's shoulder as if staking a physical claim. "You can go back."
Su Yi shifted slightly, creating an invisible barrier between them. "Dr. Strange, aren't you being a bit too presumptuous? What my invitation to Ms. Christine has to do with you is precisely nothing. She accepted; that was her decision, and you should respect it. You are not her, and you are not even her boyfriend."
Su Yi's words struck a powerful chord in Christine. Westerners—especially high-achieving, autonomous professionals like her—deeply resented having their decisions usurped. She had tolerated Strange's arrogance for years because of his genius, but this display was infuriating.
"He's right, Stephen," Christine said, pulling away from Strange's touch. Her voice was steady, the authority she used in the operating room now directed at her colleague. "We are friends, but that does not give you the right to make decisions for me. I have already agreed to his invitation."
Strange's face tightened with incredulity, as if a subordinate had just questioned his surgical procedure. He was unaccustomed to such firm resistance, especially over a "trivial" matter like dinner.
Christine pressed her advantage. "I'm sorry this had to happen, Su."
"It's no trouble at all," Su Yi replied smoothly, offering her his arm. "Good things are worth a small delay, and I assure you, tonight will be a very good thing. Let's go."
"Okay," Christine agreed, flashing a quick, decisive look at Strange before walking with Su Yi towards the exit.
Strange watched them leave, his jealousy immediately boiling over. At that moment, he realized he wasn't just losing a dinner companion; he was losing his anchor, the one person who tolerated his demanding nature and provided him with non-judgmental stability.
He was in love with her, a fact his pride prevented him from admitting. He was not about to lose her to a random, impeccably dressed stranger.
Strange's mind, always racing at impossible speed, began calculating. He walked swiftly to his own luxury sports car, his resolve hardening. He wouldn't challenge the man physically; that was beneath him. He would challenge him on the only metric that mattered: supremacy.
The drive to Madison Restaurant was a calming respite. Su Yi used the time to establish rapport, making sure Christine felt heard and validated.
"He's just a bit socially awkward," Su Yi commented, preempting any apology from Christine. "Geniuses often have personality flaws. Like Tony Stark—brilliant, but a massive narcissist. You need people around you who are equally talented but who also respect your boundaries."
"You're right," Christine sighed, relieved that Su Yi was so understanding. "Let's forget about him. Tonight is our night, and I don't want anything to spoil the atmosphere."
The Madison Restaurant was not merely expensive; it was a sanctuary of refined elegance. Su Yi had secured a prime table overlooking the city skyline—a romantic setting intended to showcase the vast difference between his patient, respectful approach and Strange's harried, demanding personality.
As they were being led to their table, they saw Strange.
He stood at the front desk, looking entirely too confident and making a loud, easily overheard inquiry about a spontaneous reservation.
Christine instantly froze. "Stephen! Are you following us? You can't do this!"
"Following you, Christine? Perish the thought," Strange said, stepping towards them, his eyes glinting with false sincerity. "New York is a small city. I simply decided I needed a decent meal after that twelve-hour craniotomy. I assure you, I won't disturb you."
Christine knew he was lying. Her mood instantly plummeted, her initial excitement over the date evaporating. She felt trapped, realizing that Strange's ego would not allow him to simply let her go.
They were seated, but Christine's composure was gone. "Su," she whispered, her voice tight with apology, "I think, maybe tonight isn't the right time. I'm truly sorry for what happened. How about we reschedule?"
Su Yi, however, saw the opportunity he had engineered. He spoke softly, his voice firm yet soothing. "Rescheduling changes nothing, Christine. Strange will simply follow you to the next reservation, or find you at work, creating more tension. He followed you because he sees you as a prize he is losing, not a person he respects. You need to cut off his intentions permanently."
"He likes me? That's what you said," Christine said, still struggling with the idea. "I always thought he was too self-involved to feel anything so simple."
"He is self-involved," Su Yi agreed. "But you, Christine, are the only person who routinely penetrates that fortress of pride. You are his anchor. He needs you. And when he realizes someone else values what he took for granted, his conceit manifests as jealousy and possessiveness. Trust me. You are outstanding, and for a man like him, that is a rarity he cannot easily relinquish."
Su Yi's analysis resonated deeply with her. She finally grasped that Strange wasn't just being a difficult friend; he was actively undermining her happiness out of wounded pride.
"You're right," she said, the steel returning to her eyes. "I need to put an end to this. And you, Su, have just given me the perfect weapon. You said he is conceited, right?"
"Extremely."
"Then I will use his conceit against him," Christine declared, an idea forming. "I need you to be my shield, but not just a romantic rival. I need you to be a professional subject."
Su Yi leaned closer, intrigued. "You mean..."
"Yes," Christine whispered, her eyes alight with mischief. "I want him to be my consultant. I want him to advise me on your character. I want him to be forced to engage with you on a clinical, intellectual level, and in doing so, realize that his only acceptable option is to retreat gracefully."
"A brilliant maneuver," Su Yi affirmed, resting his hand on hers once more. "You're asking him to dismantle his rival, believing he will find an imperfection he can exploit. But what he will find is a man without the weaknesses his pride expects. I am always happy to help a beautiful woman execute a strategically brilliant plan."
With the strategy decided, the mood shifted from anxious to conspiratorial. Su Yi signaled a waiter to bring a bottle of 1982 Château Haut-Brion, a wine so prestigious that Strange, who now had a direct view of their table, would instantly recognize the immense cost and the casualness with which Su Yi ordered it.
Christine then beckoned Strange over. "Stephen! Since you happened to come here, I actually need your help."
Strange, immediately regaining his air of superiority, strode over, adjusting his cuffs. "Help? With what, Christine? I trust you haven't run into a medical emergency."
"No, nothing clinical," Christine said, placing her hand playfully on Su Yi's arm, a clear, decisive gesture of affection. "I think Su is a very interesting person, and I'm genuinely interested in getting to know him. You are my friend, Stephen, and you are the most brilliant man I know. I value your judgment on character."
She looked up at him, selling the performance perfectly. "I want you to be my consultant. I want you to give me an honest, professional assessment of his character, his intellect, and his long-term suitability. Please, as my friend, scrutinize him and give me your advice."
Strange was momentarily stunned. She was presenting him with the very man she had chosen over him, and then asking him to validate the choice. The arrogance and challenge were astronomical. He wanted to scream, "I am a world-renowned surgeon, not a relationship counselor for your tourist flings!"
But his pride wouldn't allow him to refuse. He saw a perfect trap: he would agree, use his superior intellect to dissect Su Yi's "shortcomings," and drive a wedge between them. He would expose the stranger's lack of true genius and wealth.
Strange's eyes narrowed, a cold, clinical gleam settling in them. He looked at Su Yi with thinly veiled contempt.
"Fine, Christine. As your friend, I will be brutally honest. I will examine this... Su... and provide you with a comprehensive, unbiased report of his shortcomings, his suitability, and his prospects. I will save you from making a monumental mistake."
He didn't realize he wasn't saving her from a mistake; he was simply saving her from him.
Su Yi simply raised his glass, his expression entirely unbothered, and offered a silent toast. The test is on, Doctor. Let's see how your ego handles the truth.
The stage is perfectly set for a battle of wits and wealth, with Strange fully committed to his own humiliation. Would you like the next chapter to detail Strange's interrogation of Su Yi and how Su Yi responds to further temper Strange's pride?
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