Chapter 97: Discussion at the Fashion Show

**

"Dear, I received an invitation to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Will you accompany me?" Jessica held the invitation and approached Link.

Link was momentarily surprised before realizing the connection. The Marvel universe had many similarities with his original world, and the fashion industry was no exception.

In his original world, Victoria's Secret eventually couldn't sustain itself. Its branding was too focused on sex appeal and glamour, which didn't meet the needs of its target consumer base. It looked good on the runway, but wearing it was uncomfortable. Their business strategy and lack of innovation led to their downfall.

Link nodded and said, "Sure, let's go check it out!"

"But I think the brand you're wearing now is pretty good—both sexy and comfortable."

Jessica playfully wrapped her arms around Link's neck and asked, "Don't you want to see me with wings?"

Link rolled his eyes but suddenly had an idea. "How about you look for a place that makes qipaos? I'd love to see you in one."

"Oh, a traditional Chinese qipao?" Jessica seemed to understand, given that Link was of Chinese descent. "Alright, I'll look for one, but are we going?"

Jessica shook the invitation in her hand, and Link had no choice but to nod. It was rare for Jessica to make a request, and Link wasn't one to refuse.

"I'll go invite Tracy!" Jessica quickly ran off to call Tracy.

...

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was being held in New York this time, attracting many celebrities from the city. Link arrived with Jessica and Tracy in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, only to see Tony Stark and Pepper Potts stepping out of their car in front of them.

Clearly, Pepper was the one who insisted on attending, much like Jessica with Link.

Mackall, acting as the driver, and Frank in the passenger seat, got out first. Frank opened the back door, and Link stepped out first, then helped Jessica and Tracy out.

With one woman on each arm, Link escorted them. Tracy was a big star, famous from a young age, and everything she did was a hit. Although she had a dark past, most people were unaware of it. The media weren't surprised to see them together since Jessica and Tracy were stepsisters—Jessica had been adopted by Tracy's mother.

This wasn't newsworthy. However, Jessica's current situation was. Her boyfriend was the latest billionaire on the rise, having acquired Oscorp and become its chairman. He also held a 10% stake in Stark Industries, founded the Jessica Charity Foundation, and invested in a joint construction company developing Hell's Kitchen, among other ventures.

Link's rapid rise naturally caught the media's attention, but unlike Stark, Link kept a low profile, rarely leaving his home, especially after moving to Oscorp. His lab had become his new playground.

The camera flashes were almost blinding. Link wore sunglasses, but Tracy and Jessica didn't seem to mind. Tracy was used to it, and Jessica had dealt with this often back in the day. After all, she was Tracy's sister and had been chased by the media just as much. She hated it then, but now that she was handling most of Link's affairs, she had toughened up.

The two stunning women, each with their unique style, clinging to Link's arms, made him the envy of many men.

The trio strolled down the red carpet, pausing now and then to let the photographers take their shots. A relatively short red carpet took them nearly three minutes to walk through, with no one rushing them. After signing in at the entrance, they finally entered the venue.

Stark waved them over. The three walked up, exchanging brief hugs before sitting down. Link and Stark took seats next to each other.

The three women seemed quite familiar with each other, though Link and Stark were unaware of this.

Stark started, "The headquarters construction has begun, and everything is progressing smoothly. I had Thor and Banner test the defenses of the prison, and it's solid."

"The only thing left is personal rooms, which we need input on."

"My room doesn't matter," Link said. "As long as there's a bathroom, I'm good. Captain and Black Widow will be living there permanently, and Hawkeye's address is confidential, so that needs to be kept secret."

Stark nodded and added, "I'm planning to upgrade the Quinjet and use your weapons factory for production."

"No problem. I'll personally oversee that. We all need to learn how to fly it anyway, but the key focus should be spaceships," Link remarked. "Fury mentioned that the Kree are something to watch out for."

"We're still quite ignorant about space. If possible, we should make a trip out there."

"Asgard is key."

Stark's eyes lit up. "I agree. I want to see what the real gap between us and them is. The Chitauri didn't seem all that strong to me."

"My plan is to build an Iron Legion, but J.A.R.V.I.S. isn't enough to control it."

"No, one J.A.R.V.I.S. isn't enough," Link said. "Oscorp is also developing an AI called Alfred, similar to J.A.R.V.I.S."

"If one AI isn't enough, we should use multiple. But don't even think about developing a true AI. That's dangerous."

"I have an idea, though it's unlikely to come to fruition."

"What idea?" Stark asked, intrigued.

"A Legion Plan," Link explained. "We develop multiple AIs, and each Avenger controls one. The AI would command the robots in battle according to the Avengers' orders."

"The robots could be varied—firepower support types, close-combat types, stealth recon types, and so on. Each AI would adapt to its controller's habits."

"This way, we won't have to worry about AI rebellion. Once you create a true AI, you're giving it control of weapons of war."

"The Chitauri mastered advanced civilization, ugly as they may be, but they've entered the interstellar age."

"Why don't they use AI? Is it not feasible?"

Stark fell into deep thought. He had indeed wanted to develop true AI, but Link had a point. Why don't the Chitauri use AI? It was a valid concern, one worth considering. And Link's idea had merit.

"Alright, I'll consider your suggestion. I'll design a new AI specifically for combat with me." Stark said. "If the plan works, we'll need to retrofit part of Oscorp's weapons factories."

"Don't worry, that won't be an issue," Link assured.

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