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*****
Principal's Office.
"Mr. Stark, it's truly an honor for our school to be working with you on this event."
Even though the person speaking was the principal, he still looked visibly nervous as he faced Tony, who was seated on the office couch.
It couldn't be helped—the difference in their status was far too great. This event was a rare opportunity that would greatly enhance the school's reputation.
Tony swirled the cup in his hand, his expression twitching slightly when he realized it only contained water. He smiled faintly and said,
"This is an honor for you. I took my time choosing a school, and yours was selected as the first stop for promoting my new initiative. I hope you don't disappoint me."
He was starting a new charitable foundation, and this charity fair was the very first event under its banner. The money raised by the children would become the inaugural donation to the foundation.
It was a meaningful initiative—one that would surely make the news the next day, spark widespread attention, and inspire more people to spread love and provide help to those in need.
The reward for this event? A photo with Tony Stark himself and a personally autographed Iron Man mask.
The principal nodded earnestly. "Our students are all wonderful. This event will definitely go smoothly."
Tony smiled slightly, just about to take a sip of his water when the increasingly loud commotion outside drew his attention.
The playground, where the fair was being held, was just outside the window.
"Sounds lively. Seems like the kids are enjoying it," Tony said as he stood and walked to the window to listen, with the principal hurrying to follow behind.
But as the noise outside became clearer, both of their expressions turned dark.
Stark Industries has gone bankrupt?
Tony Stark ran off with a fashion model?
Luxury products from Stark Industries, no longer $20, no longer $8—now just $5?!
What the hell was going on out there?
Tony's face darkened like a storm cloud, while the principal broke out in a cold sweat and nearly collapsed on the spot.
It's over. We're finished. The school is doomed…
That was the only thought echoing in his mind.
"This is what you call good children?" Tony said in a cold, ghost-like voice.
The principal quickly panicked. "I-I'll get to the bottom of this right away!"
Tony cast him a sideways glance, and the principal forced out an awkward smile as he frantically pulled out his phone and began dialing at top speed.
Tony returned to the couch, water in hand, now more curious than annoyed.
Who came up with those slogans?
A competitor of Stark Industries? Trying to use this event to smear him?
And using kids, no less…
Tony's expression hardened.
Whoever's behind this—once I find out who you are, you'll be picking your teeth off the floor.
Several minutes later, the shouting outside ceased. A teacher escorted three masked children into the principal's office.
Tony eyed the trio curiously, until he noticed something oddly familiar about the kid in the gorilla mask…
The principal, barely holding back his fury, barked, "Take off your masks!"
The three did as they were told, revealing three very different expressions: Luke looked curious, Gwen puzzled, and Peter downright thrilled.
"You were the first ones to shout those things, weren't you?! Who told you to say them?! Who gave you the guts?! Do you even know what you were doing?!"
The principal practically exploded with emotion, feeling his blood pressure shoot through the roof.
"Uh… my dad taught me," Gwen said cautiously. "He told me shouting like that would help me sell stuff faster." She blinked and asked,
"Wait… we're not supposed to shout like that?"
"Your dad? Who's your dad? Bring him to me immediately!"
"He's my uncle," Peter chimed in.
"Uncle? I'm his… I'm your—what?"
Just as the principal was about to launch into another furious tirade, something clicked. He abruptly clamped his mouth shut and turned toward Tony, eyes wide with realization. Then he turned back to Gwen, now stunned speechless.
Tony, looking helpless, beckoned Gwen over. "Come here."
"Oh…" Gwen shuffled over with a pouty face.
Tony gently grabbed her cheeks and scrunched them. "Do you even know what you did out there?"
"Uhh…" Gwen hesitated, then offered,
"I was promoting you?"
"…"
Tony was at a loss. "So I should be thanking you now?"
"You're welcome," Gwen replied cheerfully.
Tony couldn't help but let out a laugh. "How'd your booth do?"
"I sold out!" Gwen pumped her fist. "Those lines really worked!"
"Heh…"
Tony flicked her forehead with a wry smile. "I'm glad I could help, but from now on, you can't shout stuff like that—especially not the one about me running off with a model."
The rest of it was silly enough that no one would believe it—but that part… someone might actually believe that.
"Ohh, okay!" Gwen nodded obediently.
Tony leaned in and whispered,
"I have a girlfriend now. I can't be shouting stuff like that anymore, okay?"
Gwen looked at him, wide-eyed, then nodded like crazy.
"Alright, go have fun."
Tony waved them off, and Gwen quickly grabbed Luke and Peter's hands and ran out the door.
"It's fine, really. You can't be blamed for this," Tony said, noticing how tense the principal still looked. In a rare moment of kindness, he offered a word of comfort.
This is all that old bastard Mac's fault. Always teaching kids the wrong things!
The principal wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, and about what you heard… between me and that kid, let's pretend you didn't hear anything."
"Of course," the principal nodded quickly.
Tony checked his watch. "The event's nearly over, right? Let's get ready."
"We'll follow Mr. Stark's lead in everything," the principal said, humble to the point of self-effacement.
At exactly eleven o'clock, the school charity fair came to an end. After tallying the earnings from each booth, Gwen's Booth 18 took first place by a landslide, earning a special prize.
A photo with Iron Man himself—and an Iron Man helmet handcrafted and personally autographed by Tony Stark.
When the principal announced the prize, the children were stunned.
This was the prize everyone had dreamed of getting.
When Tony appeared with a smile, the kids erupted into cheers.
But just as the cheers were dying down, a confused little voice rang out:
"Didn't he run off with a model?"
The innocent question echoed loud and clear through the now-quiet playground.
Tony's face twitched violently.
That old bastard! Why did he do this to me?!
If he could beat Mac in a fight, Tony would've already grabbed him by the collar and demanded an explanation face-to-face.
Fortunately, it was just a minor incident—and soon forgotten.
When the principal called Gwen forward to receive the prize, Gwen pushed an overexcited Peter toward the front with a look of mild disdain.
"You go. I'm giving you this prize. You're the one who likes Iron Man the most, right?"
"Huh? Me?" Peter stammered nervously. "But… what about you?"
"I don't want the prize. Go on," Gwen said with a casual wave, looking very generous.
Right now, she was far more interested in where her dad would be taking her over summer vacation.
Peter nodded excitedly, and in his joy-drunk daze, stumbled his way toward Tony.
(End of Chapter)