That evening, Tony Stark and Ho Yinsen arrived at the charity gala in one of Tony's sports cars.
The moment they stepped out, camera flashes erupted.
Reporters surged forward, shouting questions.
Yinsen stiffened slightly under the sudden attention, clearly uncomfortable. Tony, by contrast, wore his public persona like armor — confident, charming, and effortlessly in control.
He smiled for the cameras while leaning closer to Yinsen.
"Where's Karl? Didn't you call him?"
"I did," Yinsen replied with an awkward smile toward the photographers. "He said he'd be here soon."
VROOOOM—
A low, powerful engine note rolled down the street.
A sleek black supercar approached the red carpet — a model none of the automotive journalists recognized.
It stopped smoothly at the carpet's edge.
The driver's door opened.
Karl stepped out in a tailored black suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and commanding presence.
He walked around the vehicle and opened the passenger door.
Aunt May emerged gracefully in a deep red evening gown that accentuated her mature elegance and quiet confidence.
Their entrance shifted the room's gravity.
Conversations paused.
Camera flashes intensified.
Karl's tall, composed presence paired with May's refined beauty created an arresting contrast — strength and grace walking arm in arm.
Without a driver, the car pulled away autonomously toward valet parking, drawing another wave of astonished whispers.
"Wait — that's Karl Auguston Zhang!"
"He's a Stark Industries shareholder!"
"Get that interview — now!"
Reporters surged forward, phones already pulling up financial news alerts.
Karl ignored them.
He guided May calmly toward Tony and Yinsen.
"Tony. Yinsen."
Karl nodded.
Then he spoke with quiet certainty.
"Allow me to introduce my partner — May."
He did not use her former surname.
May shot him a look filled with embarrassment and silent protest… but she did not correct him.
Tony flashed his trademark grin.
"Tony Stark. I assume you've heard of me."
He leaned in as if to hug her, then froze mid-motion when Karl's gaze hardened.
Tony pivoted smoothly and offered his hand instead.
"Pleasure to meet you."
Yinsen smiled warmly.
"You may call me Yinsen."
May nodded politely.
"I'm… Karl's partner."
She still felt self-conscious. Standing beside one of the most famous men in the world was not something she had ever imagined.
Karl squeezed her hand gently.
"Let's go inside," Tony said. "Enjoy yourselves tonight."
They entered the ballroom.
Yinsen soon drifted toward a quieter area, clearly more comfortable away from the crowd.
Tony scanned the room with the instinctive awareness of someone used to being watched — and admired.
At the Bar
Tony ordered a drink.
A man in a suit approached.
"Mr. Stark. Agent Coulson."
Tony squinted.
"You're with…?"
"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division."
Tony blinked.
"…You really need a shorter name."
Coulson gave a small, practiced smile.
"I was hoping we could talk. There are… matters of national security."
Tony took a sip.
"How about tomorrow? Stark Tower. Eight a.m."
"That will work."
"Great. I have something more important right now."
Tony turned away mid-sentence.
Across the ballroom, Pepper Potts entered wearing a sleek blue evening gown.
Tony approached immediately.
"Pepper… you look incredible. New dress?"
"Birthday gift," she replied. "From you. With your money."
"Perfect system."
He extended a hand.
"Dance?"
She sighed.
"I'm dancing with my boss in a backless dress."
"Should I fire you?"
"If you do, you won't remember your own Social Security number."
Tony smirked.
"The first digit is five."
Pepper laughed despite herself.
"Let's get some air later."
"Deal."
They moved onto the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Karl and May began dancing nearby.
Karl was… not good.
May guided him gently, trying to lead without making it obvious.
He stepped on her foot.
Twice.
"How am I doing?" he asked with a mischievous grin.
"Wonderful," she replied dryly. "Except for the part where you're attempting to crush my toes."
He laughed.
"Let's escape before I cause permanent damage."
He led her toward a quieter balcony.
Across the room, Yinsen had struck up a conversation with an elegant woman. Their relaxed laughter suggested the discussion might last well into the night.
Balcony
Tony and Pepper stepped outside for air.
After a few minutes, Pepper excused herself to get a drink.
As Tony leaned against the railing, a familiar voice spoke behind him.
Christine Everhart.
She handed him a folder of photographs.
"Explain this."
Tony flipped through them.
Images showed Stark weapons in the hands of militants.
"These were taken yesterday," she said coldly. "Migra province. Your weapons. Still in circulation."
Tony's expression hardened.
"I didn't authorize these shipments."
Christine's gaze remained sharp.
"Then you have a problem."
Tony closed the folder.
A serious one.
Without another word, he turned and headed back inside — toward Obadiah Stane.