Chapter 22: Hugging photos exposed! Stephen is shocked!

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Late at night, Lorien drove his Ferrari into the building's internal parking lot. The sleek car purred to a stop, and he stepped out, heading for the private elevator that would take him directly to his penthouse. Once inside, he kicked off his shoes and grabbed a bottle of whiskey from his well-stocked wine rack. Sipping his drink, he walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window that offered a breathtaking view of the city below.

"Huh~~~" Lorien exhaled, savoring both the taste of the whiskey and the memories of the recent night. The warmth he felt in the dark corner earlier still lingered. It was a moment of genuine connection that he couldn't easily forget. If he were to deny enjoying that feeling, he would be lying to himself. The brief interlude, filled with soft breaths and shared warmth, made him lose track of time—something he rarely experienced.

Standing there, gazing out at the cityscape, his eyes roamed from Stark Tower to the Osborne Building. He took another sip and sighed, contemplating the nature of happiness and freedom. "Hero? Wealth? Power? Ability? Fame?" he mused aloud. "What truly makes people happiest?"

He knew the answer wasn't found in any of these. True happiness, he realized, comes when these things are merely the extras in life, not its core. "The greatest ability," he reflected, "is not doing what you don't want to do." This, he concluded, was the essence of freedom and contentment.

Lorien never aspired to be a superhero or a member of the Avengers. Those roles didn't represent real happiness or freedom to him. His ideal life was one where he could act according to his desires and avoid what he detested. His principles and morality defined his limits, not the expectations or judgments of others.

For Lorien, happiness was found in simplicity—a stable, contented life shared with someone special. As he pondered this, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction with his chosen path.

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The next morning, Lorien awoke naturally around eight. He followed his usual routine: a refreshing shower followed by a drive to work. As he settled into his office, reclining in his chair with his legs propped up, he turned his attention to the 3D projection TV beside him. It was only 9:10 AM when the door swung open, and Stephen, a fellow surgeon and friend, walked in.

Without turning his head, Lorien quipped, "It's 9:10. I hope you're not here to invite me to a party at this hour."

Stephen shook his head as he approached, concern evident in his eyes. "No, not at all. I saw the New York report yesterday. In one of the photos, you're standing next to a superhero! You were there during such a dangerous situation? Are you alright?"

Lorien nodded calmly. "Yes, I was there, but nothing happened. I slept well last night."

Relieved, Stephen sighed. "That's good to hear." But then, he pulled out his phone and showed Lorien a screenshot. "But what about this photo?"

Lorien glanced over and saw an image of himself and Wanda in a close embrace. He recognized the scene instantly. "Ah, someone caught that moment on camera," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

The photo captured Wanda looking particularly enchanting, nestled against Lorien's broad chest. Despite her regal presence, in that intimate moment, she appeared almost delicate. They seemed like a perfect match.

"Not bad," Lorien remarked, handing the phone back to Stephen. "I'm quite satisfied with the photo. Any others?"

Stephen shook his head. "No, just the usual pictures. Nothing extraordinary." He paused, then continued, "But it's only been a few days, hasn't it? Not even a month. No wonder you're not interested in ordinary girls—you like superheroes!"

Lorien chuckled, unable to refute Stephen's observation. Reflecting on his time in the Marvel Universe, it did seem like he had a penchant for extraordinary women. Stephen's playful accusation wasn't far from the truth.

"You win," Lorien conceded with a smirk, returning his attention to the TV.

Stephen, not ready to let the matter rest, added, "I think you're aiming even higher. Maybe you'll end up with one of the gods next."

Lorien pondered the idea briefly. "Gods? Well, there are some intriguing possibilities there," he mused. But he quickly refocused, waving off the notion. "No, no. I haven't planned that far ahead. I'm a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. If I meet someone special, I won't let her go, but I'm not fantasizing about people I don't care for."

Changing the topic, Lorien patted Stephen on the shoulder. "How about you? How are things with Christine?"

At the mention of Christine, Stephen's demeanor shifted subtly. "Well..." he hesitated. The relationship with Christine was complicated, teetering between friendship and something more. It was a delicate balance, not unlike the complex relationships often depicted in Japanese manga, where characters could remain in limbo for years.

Stephen's uncertainty mirrored his feelings from the events in "Doctor Strange 2," where he regretted not fully exploring his relationship with Christine.

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