Chapter 363
Down-to-earth Daredevil had absolutely no idea what Batman meant.
Night passed in an instant. The next day, a massive charity auction hosted by Stark Industries got underway with considerable fanfare.
Daredevil had changed into a black suit with a deep red tie and glasses, sitting among the auction attendees with his ears twitching as he gathered information from his surroundings.
His current identity: blind lawyer Matt Murdock.
"Iron Man Tony Stark is three rows ahead of me at the very front of the auction. To his left is his personal bodyguard and driver Happy Hogan. Who's on his right?" Matt thought to himself.
'Young voice, steady tone but full of vitality, chatting happily with Tony Stark.'
'About five foot eleven, physique suggests regular fitness training, but both his posture and hand gestures show no suspicious signs. I can confirm this isn't Batman's human disguise... so who is he?'
Charity auctions weren't uncommon in New York—they happened once or twice every month.
Last month, for instance, Stark Industries had hosted one and even invited Eddie Brock, who'd just been promoted to investigative reporter at the time.
Fortunately, Matt's curiosity was satisfied within minutes. Tony Stark and the young man beside him were chatting so animatedly that Matt clearly heard the young man's name:
"Peter Parker."
"Peter, don't even think about running after the auction ends. There's a celebration afterward," Tony Stark said, leaning so close to Peter Parker at the front of the venue that their shoulders nearly touched.
"I will," Peter Parker said with a laugh. "I mean I'll attend, not that I'll run."
"Naturally." Tony Stark wore an equally cheerful expression. Peter Parker's presence seemed to have put him in excellent spirits. "Actually, the auction is just a pretext. The real event is the celebration afterward."
"Why's that?" Batman played Peter Parker perfectly—someone who'd never encountered high society before.
"Look." Tony Stark jerked his chin toward the auction stage.
Batman followed the direction. Aside from the auction items and the female host wearing an emerald green one-shoulder gown, nothing else occupied the stage.
And Tony Stark was indicating the host herself—her long hair pinned up, her features dignified and striking yet carrying a hint of allure.
Batman played dumb. "What about her?"
"She's arranged for you. Stop with that goofy expression." Tony Stark gave Batman a knowing look. "Last time I invited you to a gala you didn't show. This is your compensation."
'Batman said he'd handed the mission to Tony Stark... but so far everything I've heard from Tony and Peter Parker's conversation is about the female host, models, and hostesses.'
After listening for a while, Matt deliberately blocked out their conversation in his mind.
Based on their discussion, one was a playboy with extensive romantic experience, the other a young entrepreneur who'd found success but never been with a woman.
More than half the time consisted of Tony Stark teaching Peter how to select appealing women, how to win them over through romantic dinners or witty conversation.
As though those women were actually interested in Tony's conversational skills and meals, rather than his billionaire status.
"Kingpin sits in the rightmost seat behind me. Since the auction began, no one has spoken with him. This appears to be Kingpin's first time attending this kind of gathering filled with businessmen, lawyers, doctors, and government officials."
"Last night Kingpin didn't seem to be lying. His identity has been legitimized through some method into a legal businessman."
Matt's ear twitched slightly. Even though Kingpin wasn't speaking, Matt identified him through the subtle sounds of his weight on the chair and breathing patterns longer than ordinary people's.
"If I return to Hell's Kitchen now, could I use Kingpin's absence to find Luke Cage and Jessica Jones and rescue them?"
Matt silently assessed this possibility in his mind, then shook his head in self-negation.
He decided to observe Kingpin covertly and follow him after the celebration ended.
"Kingpin's identity may be that of a legitimate businessman, but imprisoning Luke Cage and Jessica Jones after capturing them is not legal behavior."
"Perhaps I can build a case around that angle."
Matt turned the situation to his advantage. Now he felt no rush to rescue Luke Cage and the others. Instead, he'd use them as bait to see if he could hook the big fish named Kingpin.
The auction concluded with the dignified host's announcement. Most chairs were removed from the venue. The female host retreated backstage to change, replaced onstage by a renowned band that began performing.
Servers carried in tables, arranging them in two rows. Exquisite food presentations, flowers, and fruits created a dazzling display.
The auction hall doors opened. Hostesses—twice as many as the main participants inside—walked in with light steps.
They wore different styles of gowns, representing various countries, different skin tones and presentations. Among them were even models from magazines and fashion runways.
Servers holding trays of champagne wove through the crowd, occasionally asking guests in low voices what they needed.
The upper-crust attendees who'd sat formally in suits and evening wear moments ago now held champagne glasses, gathering in small groups to converse loudly or laugh quietly.
Matt closed his eyes, precisely accepting a champagne flute from a passing server, taking a light sip. He appeared to wander the venue aimlessly while actually monitoring Kingpin's movements.
"Peter, do you need me to make introductions?"
Not far from Matt, Tony Stark addressed Peter Parker and the female host—who'd changed into a burgundy velvet gown that left her shoulders bare.
"Thank you, but we'd prefer to get to know each other genuinely," the host said, linking her arm through Peter Parker's as she smiled at Tony.
Tony Stark's mouth twitched. "It's been what, minutes? You've already hooked up? You don't even need me playing matchmaker?"
Batman raised his champagne glass toward Tony Stark. "Yes. Perhaps it's just natural talent."
Tony gave Batman a knowing look, then left the pair behind and headed straight for Kingpin.
Batman turned his attention to the host holding his arm. "What's your name?"
"Lydia." The host pressed nearly half her body against Batman's arm, her mouth close to his ear as she breathed softly. "You're Peter Parker, right? Recently New York's high society has been full of your name... would you like to find somewhere quiet where we can share more deeply?"
"Of course." Batman smiled, walking with Lydia toward the stairs at the rear of the auction hall. They led up to the private boxes on the second floor.
Matt Murdock paced slowly. He "looked" briefly in Peter Parker's direction, paying the young man no particular attention, then moved toward Tony Stark instead.
Tony Stark was now face-to-face with Kingpin.
***
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