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Chapter 78: Eldest Nephew, Long Time No See!

A trace of surprise flashed across Thor's face as he looked at the other man with interest. "Oh, you know me?"

Typically, very few people outside his circle are aware of his true identity. When Captain Marvel fought against the Kree fleet, it was in the outskirts of space, and the battle wasn't widely publicized.

In the evening, while the name "Donald Blake" was more recognizable, fewer people would know...

"I know you!" The scruffy man opposite him looked excited. "I saw your name in Stark Industries' shareholder list. I'm Aldrich Killian, and I'm a huge fan!"

Thor gave a wry smile. "I guess you were a Tony Stark fan just a moment ago?"

"Uh..."

P

Killian looked embarrassed. He had initially come to seek out Tony Stark for a potential collaboration, which was actually an investment opportunity. However, upon meeting Thor, he had reconsidered his approach.

After all, everyone knew Tony Stark as a cynical playboy and an unreliable partner. As for Thor...

It could only be said that Thor's public image, crafted by figures like Peggy Carter and Pepper Potts, was quite favorable—much more so than Stark's...

Killian produced a blueprint. "Look, sir, here's my idea... Also, I'm very interested in the research of Ms. Maya Hansen from your company. I started following her work in my second year of college..."

Oh? So this botanist, often frightened by Hela's skeleton, is actually a top student? Thor had underestimated her.

As for Killian's research...

To be honest, while it was promising, Thor wasn't particularly impressed.

The level of technology on Earth is relatively low. Many so-called advanced technologies on Earth are obsolete compared to what's available in Asgard. In fact, similar research had already been done a long time ago by brilliant scientists in Wakanda...

Unless Killian's work was as groundbreaking as Maya Hansen's Extremis or had some cursed attribute like future Iron Man's knowledge, it would be hard to catch Thor's interest based on technology alone...

Besides, Killian's demeanor left much to be desired...

Thor pondered for a moment and decided not to dismiss the enthusiastic researcher outright. Just then, he saw Tony Stark with two models, heading upstairs to discuss business. Thor decided to intervene, pretending to say: "Great idea, I'm very interested in your research... oh, wait..."

He turned towards Stark's direction: "You wait here for a few minutes. I need to say hello to my nephew!"

Thor quickly stood up and chased after Tony Stark. "Hey, nephew, long time no see!"

"Nephew," the smile on Tony Stark's face froze for a moment. Seeing Thor chasing him, he quickly pressed the elevator's close button.

Then he watched Thor pry the elevator door open, looking unamused...

Thor squeezed into the elevator with a broad smile and patted Stark on the shoulder despite the overloaded indicator behind him: "Why, don't you greet your uncle when you see him?"

Tony Stark remained expressionless.

Instead, the two models clung to Tony's arm and greeted him sweetly: "Hi, Uncle!"

Behaving well in front of elders might earn you some favor!

Stark: "..."

Taking a deep breath, Stark grumbled: "What do you want? If you have something to say, say it. If you just want to complain, get it over with!"

Thor, unfazed by Stark's irritation, replied: "It's nothing major. I just ran into a persistent individual and had a hard time getting rid of him."

Thor looked at Stark with a hint of annoyance—"I will help you deal with a major problem in the future, and this is how you respond?"

…

In fact, Thor's approach was quite friendly; he hadn't let Killian wait on the rooftop in the cold.

Asking Killian to wait a few minutes was a subtle way of turning him down, similar to being told to wait for a call back after a job interview.

But clearly, Killian didn't interpret it that way.

A few minutes later, Thor received a call from Pepper Potts: "Boss, help! I'm being harassed by Killian..."