Chapter 25: Fisk's Invitation

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In recent years, the value of Eastern antiques had started to rise, although it hadn't reached astronomical prices just yet. Link's decision to make some purchases was quite timely. He couldn't help but feel lucky, as he hadn't originally planned to delve into this area. His home wasn't particularly spacious either, so acquiring some decorative pieces made sense, especially in a world like the Marvel Universe, where an unexpected event could reduce everything to ashes at any moment.

Link had no particular passion for antiques, but with Vanessa's recommendation and the credibility of the seller, combined with a carbon-14 test report, he felt comfortable making the purchase. Colson had also provided some relevant information, allowing Link to feel at ease.

This time, Link purchased quite a few pieces, though the total cost was still lower than what he had spent on the oil paintings. He had managed to get a good deal, acquiring mostly porcelain from the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Some would be displayed as decorations, while the rest would be kept in storage.

Vanessa noticed Link's keen interest in these porcelain items and felt satisfied with how well the transaction had gone.

"Thank you so much," Link said after the purchase. "Without your expert advice, I wouldn't have been able to find such great pieces."

"You're too kind. I'm just hoping you'll keep buying more of my oil paintings," Vanessa replied.

"Of course, I still have a few rooms left to decorate. But I think I'll hold off on more paintings from this particular artist. Please let me know when your next exhibition opens," Link said with a smile. "By the way, I'm thinking of establishing a charity foundation focused on supporting legal aid."

"You know, I used to be a police officer. Now that I have the means, I'd like to contribute to society in some way."

"And it would also give Jessica something meaningful to do," he added.

Vanessa, visibly impressed, responded, "You're so good to her."

"You and Mr. Fisk…" Link paused, testing the waters.

Vanessa shook her head slightly. "I'm not sure."

Link didn't pry further, understanding when to stop. Instead, he smoothly shifted the conversation. "To show my appreciation, may I take you out for lunch?"

"That sounds lovely," Vanessa agreed.

After sharing a pleasant meal, Link escorted Vanessa back to her gallery before bidding her farewell.

---

Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk had been informed of Link's lunch with Vanessa. His trusted aide and friend, James Wesley, delivered the report.

"Was there any intimacy between them?" Fisk inquired.

"No, it was purely a polite gesture of gratitude," Wesley assured.

"Alright, arrange a card game and invite Link to join," Fisk ordered, already formulating his next move.

"Who else should I invite?" Wesley asked.

"Mrs. Gao and Langley," Fisk replied after a brief thought.

---

When Link received the invitation, he readily accepted. It was clear that Fisk was very attentive to Vanessa's affairs and kept a close watch on her interactions. Organizing a card game so soon was a bit unexpected, but it aligned perfectly with Link's plans.

He could have avoided inviting Vanessa to lunch, but he had deliberately done so to catch Fisk's attention under the guise of expressing gratitude.

---

On the day of the game, Link prepared himself and was seen off by Jessica. He drove to the location Fisk had arranged. Upon arrival, he was subjected to a security check and had to hand over his firearm before being allowed entry.

"Mr. Fisk," Link greeted him warmly, extending his hand for a shake. "I didn't expect to receive your invitation."

"I have some matters to discuss with you, so I arranged this card game. Let me introduce you to our other guests." Fisk introduced Mrs. Gao and Langley, who had arrived earlier.

Langley recognized Link immediately, saying, "Mr. Link, it's been a while."

"You know each other?" Fisk asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Link explained, "I've entrusted my financial affairs to Mr. Osley's accounting firm. He's recently helped me acquire a large amount of Stark Industries stock."

"The tax season is fast approaching, and I need to allocate my funds, or else the taxes I'd owe would keep me up at night," Link added with a chuckle.

Langley smiled. "Indeed, but given the short timeframe, we had to invest in relatively stable stocks for now to preserve value."

"Quite the coincidence," Fisk remarked. "This is Mrs. Gao; she owns a significant number of properties here in New York."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Gao," Link said, shaking her hand.

Mrs. Gao responded in Mandarin, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Link."

"It seems we'll have a lot to talk about. I recently purchased some antique porcelain. Perhaps you'd be interested?" Link replied in fluent Mandarin.

James Wesley quietly translated the conversation to Fisk, showcasing his impressive language skills. He was Fisk's indispensable right-hand man.

"Mr. Link, are you a recent immigrant?" Mrs. Gao asked.

"No, my family has been here for four generations. But at home, we've always spoken Mandarin. Unfortunately, my parents passed away in a car accident, so I don't have anyone to practice with anymore," Link responded with a touch of sadness.

The card game then began. Each hand cost a thousand dollars—much less than the stakes Tony Stark and his circle played for. Link remained observant while Fisk initiated more conversation.

"How is Vanessa doing?" Fisk asked.

"Wilson, you shouldn't be asking me that," Link said, puffing on a cigar. "I did see her recently, but I don't know much about what's going on between you two. I did gather, though, that she seems hesitant."

"You should be more assertive."

Mrs. Gao and Langley exchanged glances, clearly disapproving of Fisk's distraction, though the setting wasn't appropriate for voicing their concerns.

Fisk had his reasons for inviting the two of them, something Link wasn't aware of.

"If you've made up your mind, you should act. Hesitate too long, and you'll miss your chance," Link encouraged Fisk, using the moment to build rapport.

"You're right. Our last dinner didn't go well. That was my fault," Fisk admitted openly. "I'll invite her again."

"That's the spirit. I'm sure Vanessa will appreciate it," Link encouraged, continuing to solidify their bond.

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*(End of Chapter)*