There were only a few minutes left before the main product presentation by Prime. This product was highly anticipated as it was the first to hit the market and would serve as a benchmark for any subsequent ones.
The VIP seats around Prime began to fill up, mainly with investors who had shown interest in the project and decided to invest their capital. However, the true measure of their financial return would be revealed during the upcoming presentation.
“I have to admit, it’s quite fun being up here watching the people down below. I feel like a queen observing her humble subjects”
Prime raised an eyebrow at Sara’s words and looked at her with a puzzled expression. Sara, resting one hand on her chin and crossing her legs, wore a confident smile.
“Are you serious? You do know I funded the construction of this building, right?”
“Come on, Prime, don’t be so petty. We’re partners; we’re practically one and the same. What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is yours, right?”
Prime simply pursed his lips, unsure how to respond to Sara’s words. Although she wasn’t really wrong, he felt a bit uncomfortable with her certainty, as if she already knew the answers before asking. After all, Sara was probably right, considering that, in a way, she and Prime were almost the same entity.
“Look, it’s Uncle Tony and Aunt Pepper!”
Ema exclaimed, pointing to a spot next to Prime. Following her gaze, Prime saw Pepper and Tony, both dressed formally—Tony in a black suit and Pepper in an elegant dress—greeting several guests. They then made their way to the chairs where Prime and the girls were seated.
Prime watched as Pepper and Tony approached with a smile. Although there was no strict seating order, there was a subtle hierarchy in play: only those with wealth comparable to or greater than Prime’s were allowed to sit near him.
The few people close to Prime were there because only a few could reach such a position. Tony, who runs Stark Industries, and Emma Frost, heir to the renowned Frost family with invaluable investments, were notable exceptions.
Although Prime had never met Emma Frost personally, he had heard of her from various sources. He remembered hearing about her at Xavier’s mansion, but didn’t find it strange at the time. After all, Charles Xavier was also an influential and wealthy figure, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he knew other prominent names.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“Mr. Ryan, it’s a pleasure to see you again. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve prepared for us”
Prime quickly snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing Pepper address him. With a friendly smile, he responded briefly and politely. Then, Tony and Pepper settled in: Tony took a seat one chair away from Prime, while Pepper sat beside him.
“Oh, I almost forgot to mention, Tony. I heard you recently invested in my company”
Prime asked directly, although he already knew the answer and part of the reason Tony had invested in him. Still, he found it useful to start a conversation with Tony. Other than that, Prime had no specific plans for the next few minutes.
After asking the question, Prime watched Tony’s reaction. As expected, Tony gave a slight smile upon hearing Prime’s words.
“I’d be crazy not to invest after the demonstration you showed me. This product is going to sell like hotcakes, no doubt. With its capabilities, it could replace over 80% of conventional medicines. You’ve practically cornered the entire pharmaceutical market with this”
Tony’s words were exactly as Prime had predicted. Furthermore, Tony spoke loudly enough for those nearby to hear, almost like a free preview of what was to come. While Prime wasn’t sure if Tony did this intentionally, it ended up helping him, and Prime mentally thanked him for it.
Speaking of which, Ema, Annie, and Sara had settled into seats near Pepper. Prime chose not to listen to their conversation, respecting their privacy. After all, they were likely discussing feminine topics.
At that moment, a murmur began to spread through the room. With his keen hearing, Prime could clearly pick up on the quiet conversations as if they were whispering directly in his ears.
“I can’t believe it, is that really her? It’s the first time I’ve seen her in person”
“I guess this just shows how influential Mr. Ryan really is. I don’t remember the last time I saw something like this”
“If both Tony Stark and she are here, doesn’t that mean the project promises unimaginable returns? I heard she’s never made a wrong investment”
Prime was extremely curious about the person to whom all these remarks were referring. Turning his gaze, his eyes settled on a woman of striking beauty. Her sculpted body with various curves and her short golden hair contrasted perfectly with her sky-blue eyes. However, what caught Prime’s attention the most wasn’t just her appearance.
(She’s a mutant!)
Prime was convinced of this. Having lived at Xavier’s Mansion for a time, his senses had become much sharper, especially in identifying mutants. However, he still didn’t know who the woman was. It was clear she was a significant investor in the project, given her presence in the VIP area, and her steps indicated she didn’t intend to stop there.
This clearly suggested she had invested as much as Tony, narrowing down the available options. Prime could only think of one woman with enough resources to walk so confidently in his direction and who had also invested in his company. However, Prime didn’t believe she would actually accept his invitation, as he knew her appearances at such events were extremely rare, if not almost nonexistent.
“I didn’t expect Emma Frost to show up as well. She rarely attends events like this. She must see as much potential in the business as I do”
Tony, sitting next to Prime, observed the woman with interest. Prime, equally beside Tony, simply nodded, sharing the same thought as his friend.