That afternoon, Hawk walked into the Lane Capital trading floor.
Emilia was beaming. When she saw Hawk, she quickly pulled him over, excitedly pointing at the numbers on the main screen.
"Eight hundred million dollars..."
Emilia counted the digits over and over, finally confirming the total profit for the past two days: $1.227 billion.
At the same time, the giant main screen switched to a new interface—the latest shareholder directory for TCRI.
No need to scroll.
The name at the very top was clearly: Lane Capital, followed by a shareholding percentage capable of giving anyone a heart attack: Absolute Majority Control.
Seeing Emilia look at him with eyes practically melting with adoration, Hawk gently ruffled her soft hair.
"Welcome to my world, my precious little princess. Be my little princess, and you'll live on the good life, not hardship."
Having just made over $1.2 billion, Hawk immediately announced a minimum bonus of $200,000 for every employee involved in the project, with a potential increase of 10% to 50% based on involvement, rank, and performance.
"Thank you, Boss!"
Hawk: "Don't mention it."
"Boss, you have incredible foresight!"
Hawk: "You have great foresight, too."
"Boss, my two girlfriends and I are having a bachelorette party tonight. Want to come?"
Hawk: "Time and location."
"Fuck, I'm going to use this to pay off my mortgage."
Hawk: "Paid off the mortgage. What about the rest of the money?"
"The rest? I'll pay off the rest slowly."
The entire office was buzzing with celebration.
Hawk watched the jubilant, dancing crowd, holding a steaming cup of coffee, his expression as placid as if he were admiring an ordinary painting. He tilted his head slightly, sipped the aromatic coffee, and his gaze landed on that undisputed first place on the screen.
"Hmm," he murmured softly to himself, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on a newly acquired gadget. "Not bad. Time to go check out my spoils."
Emilia's cheeks were still flushed with excitement, like ripe apples. She glanced around; the traders were all deep in excitement and celebration. Seizing the opportunity, she grabbed Hawk, who had just set down his coffee, with surprising strength, and pulled him toward the quiet stairwell.
Hawk looked at her flushed face, a smug smile curling his lips. Before he could say anything, he was overwhelmed by Emilia's enthusiasm. She suddenly stood on her toes, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, and kissed him fiercely, fueled by the triumphant euphoria and uncontrollable urge of the victory.
The kiss was passionate and reckless, smelling of an adrenaline spike. Hawk chuckled softly, leaning into the moment and pressing her tighter against the cold, metal fire door.
The door panel gave a slight CLANK that was distinct in the quiet stairwell.
"Mmm... the door..." Emilia parted slightly, catching her breath and blushing even deeper as a warning.
"Forget the door," Hawk's voice was low and husky, and his hands moved in a way that made her tremble slightly. "My little princess earned a big reward today..."
Emilia's breathing hitched; her earlier excitement seemed to have found a new outlet.
The "celebration" in the stairwell was reaching a fiery peak when suddenly—
"Buzz, buzz, buzz..." Hawk's phone in his pocket vibrated inopportunely, the sound jarring in the silence.
The two instantly froze.
Emilia reacted like a startled deer, instantly burying her face in Hawk's chest, her shoulders shaking slightly, unsure if she was laughing or nervous.
Hawk muttered a low curse, reluctantly pulled out his phone, and glanced at the screen.
"...Damn it. Tony Stark. Why is he calling out of the blue?"
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his heart and breathing, but the arm around Emilia's waist didn't loosen. With his free hand, he answered the call, instantly switching to a composed tone: "Tony? What's important enough for a busy man like you to call me personally?"
Emilia, clinging to him like a koala, pressed her ear close, trying to catch the sound from the phone.
She heard Hawk dismissively replying: "...Next week? Pepper's birthday party? Of course, I'm free... Hmm? Very important? ... Right, right, right, I'll definitely be there. Tell her I wish her a happy birthday... Fine, see you then."
The call ended quickly.
Hawk slipped the phone back into his pocket, looking down at Emilia, who was curious but with a touch of disdain.
"Stark called you personally just to invite you to his secretary's birthday party?" Emilia's voice was hoarse with the emotion she had just experienced and disbelief. "A birthday for Pepper Potts? Is that reason to bother someone at your level? That seems like a huge fuss over nothing."
Hawk paused the "reward" he was about to continue. Emilia's words suddenly sparked a realization. He raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment.
It took only a second.
His lips curved into an knowing, mischievous smile.
"Ha!" He chuckled softly, pinching Emilia's still-flushed cheek. "This isn't a fuss over nothing; this is a 'Penance Coupon'! Get it?"
"A Penance Coupon?" Emilia blinked, confused.
"One hundred percent, Tony definitely screwed up again," Hawk stated confidently, a hint of schadenfreude in his tone. "I'd bet... he probably got caught red-handed on a yacht off some Mediterranean island, partying with a bunch of supermodels or cover girls. Now, he needs a party grand enough to appease Pepper and make up for his mistake."
He shrugged, adopting an 'every man knows' expression: "As for why he invited me? Simple: showmanship! The more high-profile guests who attend, the more important he makes Pepper look, and the less of a jerk he makes himself look. So, he's not inviting me, he's borrowing my name to placate his wife."
Emilia immediately understood, bursting into a light laugh. "I see. Tsk, tsk, that rich playboy really hasn't changed his ways... So, are you still going?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I?" Hawk raised an eyebrow, his eyes becoming hot again as the interrupted excitement surged back. "I love a good spectacle."
There was one thing he left unsaid: Tony's party was bound to be full of models and actresses—practically a massive 'silver orgy' (referring to an exclusive, decadent party).
Hawk abruptly tightened his arms, pulling their bodies flush against each other again. Emilia could feel his firm, reawakened contours.
"But right now, our 'celebration' is more important..." Hawk's voice held an irresistible temptation as he lowered his head again, more intense and dominant than before.
"Tony's nonsense? He can go to hell!" he declared thickly.
The cold fire door once again emitted a groan of strained pressure.
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