Chapter 98: Not Interested

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As the two men whispered to each other, music began to play, and the audience erupted into applause. The quality of Victoria's Secret lingerie aside, the show was a resounding success. Everyone knew that New York was home to numerous shows, from charity events to political showcases.

Supermodels started to appear one after another, and Link found their outfits somewhat bizarre, not aligning with his taste at all.

Stark also seemed disinterested. Link asked, "Do you like this type of lingerie?"

"Not at all!" Stark shook his head. "I don't find it sexy in the slightest."

"Though these models are quite something. Link, you really have no other women?"

"Stark, I barely leave my house," Link replied. "Finding someone right for you isn't easy, especially when it comes to love. One is enough."

That was Link's true sentiment. He enjoyed bourbon, cigars, and good food, and he didn't have high standards for clothing or living situations. For women, Jessica was the most suitable for him, given their unique backgrounds.

"You're something else…" Stark was slightly incredulous. He had changed his ways, reflecting on how much he used to indulge in excess.

And Link? He was undoubtedly a good man.

"Are you going to buy something for Jessica?" Stark asked.

"Depends. Money isn't an issue. If she likes it, I'll buy it. She doesn't ask for much, so fulfilling this little wish shouldn't be a problem," Link replied. "Just hope she doesn't wear it tonight—I'm not a fan of wings."

The two men exchanged knowing glances, then fell silent, turning their attention back to the models.

Regardless of whether Link liked the outfits, at least the models had great figures, making the experience enjoyable.

In contrast, the three women beside them chattered excitedly, commenting on each outfit. All three were tall: Jessica at 175 cm, Tracy at 172 cm, and Pepper at 175 cm. With their heels on, they towered over 180 cm, which would have been intimidating if not for Link and Stark's height.

Many models exceeded 180 cm as well, and with the added height from their heels and the audience's perspective, they appeared even more imposing.

Fortunately, the show didn't last long. When it concluded, Link stood to applaud, then asked Jessica for her thoughts.

If she truly wanted something, he'd support it, but Jessica ultimately decided against it. "After talking to you that day, I went to the Victoria's Secret store and tried some on. They were really uncomfortable."

Then, leaning in close, Jessica whispered, "I had a qipao custom-made. It's at home."

Link's eyes lit up as he took her hand. "Then we should head home right away."

After dropping Tracy off, they hurried back home. Jessica went to the dressing room, and when she re-emerged, she wore a stunning red qipao.

Link was impressed by the craftsmanship. "Where did you find that tailor? We should definitely stick with them for your clothes."

"I agree it's nice, but this isn't the time to discuss tailors." Jessica wrapped her arms around Link's neck, and the two embraced tenderly.

The bedroom beneath them doubled as a studio, though it lacked equipment, having a sturdy design that dispersed the pressure on the floor.

This design was crucial; it reinforced the floor while distributing the weight evenly, ensuring that the structure could support itself without overexerting any part. The multi-stage buffering system gradually reduced the pressure, safeguarding the building's integrity.

Of course, Link wouldn't go all out—Jessica couldn't handle it, and the building wouldn't either. The focus was primarily on Jessica's strength, especially in specific positions.

Don't underestimate Jessica's strength. With consistent training, she continued to grow stronger, although her power was no match for Hulk's.

The difference was immeasurable; Hulk's strength increased with his anger, which Jessica couldn't replicate. Her strength stemmed from a mutation caused by a drug.

...

The construction of the Avengers headquarters was progressing swiftly. Having money meant one could afford the best resources. Stark employed Stark Industries' team, operating three shifts around the clock with heavy machinery to expedite the building process.

The road leading to the headquarters was already complete, and the base was finished, leaving the remaining construction relatively straightforward.

The slowest aspect was the installation of equipment and decoration, which required meticulous attention. Fortunately, the Avengers had little on their plates; they were all relatively free.

Loki was imprisoned at S.H.I.E.L.D., Thor was out on a date with Jane Foster, Bruce Banner was assisting Stark, and Link was busy with pharmaceutical development at Oscorp, overseeing and reviewing projects.

Captain America was familiarizing himself with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations, Hawkeye was resting at home, and Black Widow was alongside Captain America, introducing him to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s procedures while training him on some equipment.

Phil Coulson had not joined the Avengers, as Nick Fury held high hopes for him and wouldn't let him get involved in that group just yet.

Gathering information on the Avengers wasn't difficult; Nick Fury wasn't ready to employ them fully. Many had already made public appearances, and Link was the only one who remained anonymous, always in armor and helmet.

Captain America's return ignited a frenzy; in this Marvel universe, he was the most famous superhero on Earth, and his re-emergence garnered significant public interest.

S.H.I.E.L.D. relayed the public's excitement about Captain America back to the Avengers.

Now, the Avengers were officially forming, and their first order of business was whether Steve Rogers should address the media and respond to public interest.

Thus, a meeting was called to discuss the matter collectively. The Avengers would operate on a voting system, where each member would state their reasons before a group vote, with the majority prevailing.

Even if some disagreed, they had to comply; walking away would show irresponsibility. Link aimed to prevent any fractures from forming, making it easier to protect himself.

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(End of Chapter)