Chapter 5: The Flight to Romance

They were working with the military, while he was just a private businessman.

If it really came down to a direct confrontation, it would be nothing short of suicide.

"I didn't expect this person to be someone Mr. Stark had taken an interest in. I was being presumptuous," said the Green Goblin. He was an experienced adult who had weathered many storms and wouldn't wear his emotions on his face like his son, Little Green Goblin.

"Dear flight attendant, I was wrong. I apologize."

"Ah, oh—it's okay…"

The beautiful flight attendant panicked, completely forgetting the professional manners she'd been trained in.

A billionaire, someone who could decide her life or death with a single word, had just apologized to her?

Terrifying.

"Not sincere enough!" Aetheris hadn't expected his identity to be this useful.

"Ah, beautiful lady, I am Osborn. I apologize to you. Here I am before you—please open your eyes and see how pitiful I am. You and I today… how can we let that awkward moment define us? Can this old ticket still board your sinking ship?" Osborn recalled a line from a famous skit and shamelessly threw it out.

To his credit, it even rhymed a little.

"What the hell are you even saying?" Aetheris's face twitched.

"Should I rephrase it? I think I can do better," Osborn replied, full of grievance with nowhere to vent.

"Forget it. You've already scared the poor girl half to death. Let's leave it at that," Aetheris said, taking the beautiful flight attendant by the hand and leading her back to his seat.

Her hand was soft and delicate, sending a wave of excitement through Aetheris, who had never held a girl's hand before.

"And listen, Old Os—next time, don't try to use money to pressure people. Otherwise…" Aetheris warned.

"No problem, dear Mr. Stark. I'll mend my ways and be a brand-new man."

Meanwhile, the beautiful flight attendant blushed furiously as Aetheris held her hand.

"Mr. Stark… you're hurting me."

"Ah—SORRY—" Aetheris quickly let go of her hand.

His face flushed red as well. For a moment, the two of them stood there awkwardly, neither knowing what to say.

"This Mr. Stark isn't as flirtatious as the rumors say. He even blushes. So pure… so cute… Seems like the rumors were all false," the flight attendant thought to herself.

"You—"

"You—"

Aetheris and the beautiful flight attendant spoke at the same time.

They exchanged a glance and chuckled.

"I—"

"I—"

Again, they spoke in unison.

Off to the side, Ethan and Osborn felt like they were being force-fed a mountain of saccharine sweetness.

"So damn annoying!" Osborn cursed under his breath.

So the government can light fires, but the people can't light lamps? Why are you, Mr. Stark, pretending to be some innocent boy? We all know exactly who you are.

Damn it! Unable to bear the scene, Osborn covered his head with his coat.

"You first," the flight attendant said softly with a smile.

"May I have the honor of knowing your name?" Aetheris asked politely, every bit the gentleman.

"Just call me Sophia."

"Oh, Sophia. What a beautiful name."

Suddenly, the plane jolted.

The two of them tumbled like rag dolls, nearly crashing into the cabin wall.

"Fall to your deaths, you pair of lovebirds!" Osborn muttered, his eyes gleaming, eager to see Aetheris faceplant hard.

But Aetheris, having mastered Wing Chun, instinctively slid into a perfect horse stance.

With steady footing, he reached out and wrapped his arm around Sophia's soft, slender waist.

Together, they collapsed into the plush business class seats.

"Oh—" Sophia cried out as her delicate frame landed on top of Aetheris.

Behind them, Osborn looked like he'd just swallowed a mouthful of sewage—and worse, it was stuck halfway down his throat.

He couldn't swallow it, and he couldn't spit it out.

Ethan had long since donned an eye mask and earplugs.

These two shameless lovebirds… someone strike them down with lightning already!

Is there no justice left in the world? No law at all? Osborn screamed silently in his heart.

But apparently, God was off-duty today because his prayers went unanswered.

With a beauty in his arms, Aetheris had no complaints.

"Are you alright?" Sophia asked.

"I'm not," Aetheris replied.

"Huh? Really? Let me take a look. Don't tell me I crushed something! But I've slimmed down to 90 pounds…" Sophia looked as though she might cry.

"My heart is just… full of you," Aetheris whispered gently.

"Ugh—" Osborn couldn't take it anymore. He bolted to the lavatory to vomit.

Corny pickup lines—absolutely lethal.

Meanwhile, Sophia beamed like she'd just met her fated prince.

"Guess my zodiac sign," Aetheris teased.

"Libra?"

"Nope. I was made just for you," Aetheris replied, fully embracing his inner romantic.

"You're terrible!" Sophia giggled, her heart melting at the bold flirting.

"Do you know what time it is right now?" Aetheris asked, tightening his hold on her hand.

Sophia glanced at her watch. "It's nine o'clock."

"Wrong! It's the beginning of our happiness."

"Ugh—" Osborn, still in the bathroom, dry-heaved again.

The plane had been flying for over two hours, and Osborn was already on the brink of collapse.

By the time the flight attendants found him, poor Osborn was foaming at the mouth.

"My dear Sophia, when will I see you again?" Aetheris asked, holding her tightly in his arms.

"As long as you need me, I'll be there," Sophia replied, eyes shining with emotion.

Watching Sophia depart on her flight, Aetheris couldn't help but feel a wave of melancholy.

Farewell lingered like a quiet flute song as the night over New York fell silent.

Reaching into his pocket, he felt the warmth of the ladies' undergarments she'd slipped him, and his mood brightened considerably.

Oh well—he'd have Happy send Sophia $100,000 later. He had money, and he did as he pleased. Just for fun.

Waiting to pick him up at the airport was none other than Iron Man's future girlfriend, Pepper Potts.

"Your eyes look red," Aetheris remarked as he looked at the blonde beauty. Her features weren't particularly delicate, but together they created a charming allure.

A classic, all-American, virtuous wife.

No wonder she'd become Iron Man's official partner.

"You must've heard what happened to me in the wastelands, right? Be honest—do you like me?" Aetheris asked, feeling like Jim Carrey from The Mask.

Wearing a figurative mask, but his soul utterly free.

He was liberating his true nature.

Maybe this is just how a poor man acts when he suddenly becomes rich.

Pepper's lips curled slightly, as if she could guess exactly what he was thinking.

"I just didn't want my boss to die young. It's hard finding a new job," she replied calmly.

Pepper was an independent woman—a proud representative of women's rights.

"Come, feel the warmth of a man's embrace!" Aetheris opened his arms wide.

And gave Pepper a big, hearty hug.

To be honest, Pepper had quite the figure—enough to stir a primitive impulse in Aetheris.

(End of Chapter)

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