CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 021: TONY AND CAPTAIN AMERICA ARGUE! WANDA, SLEEPLESS AND THINKING OF HIM

At the Avengers Compound—

After recounting the entire incident to the other superheroes and earning unanimous approval, it was already past midnight. Wanda excused herself first, returning to her room to rest.

In the conference room, Captain America, Hawkeye, Vision, Natasha, and Falcon watched her go.

Natasha was the first to speak.

"It seems the psychologist’s counseling really worked. Wanda handled this one on her own and resolved it completely."

"Is that true?" Captain America arched a brow, glancing at Natasha for confirmation. "She acted on her own initiative?"

"Yes," Natasha confirmed with a nod.

At that, Captain America gave an approving nod. Hawkeye followed suit. Vision and Falcon, who didn’t know Wanda well yet and were little more than acquaintances, simply nodded along.

"It seems a good psychologist can be just as helpful for superheroes," Captain America remarked with a faint smile. "If any of you feel the need, you should try it too—and just send the bill to Tony. He’s got more money than he can spend."

He’d barely finished when a projection flared to life in the room.

"No, no, no—if you want to use my money, you’ll need my approval first."

Tony’s image appeared in crisp 3D, as lifelike as if he were actually standing there. His opening remark was, of course, to counter Captain America.

Captain America didn’t even flinch.

"And do I have your approval, Tony?"

Tony thought for a moment, pursed his lips, and replied,

"Maybe... yeah."

That little maybe was enough to make Captain America’s expression harden instantly.

Tony, unfazed, only shrugged, leaned back, and tapped the table.

"Alright, I didn’t show up to trade sweet nothings with you. Let’s talk business.

According to Friday’s analysis, thanks to Ms. Wanda’s heroic performance, public sentiment toward the Avengers online has improved by 26%."

"Her personal approval rating shot from 31% to 66%—more than doubling overnight."

"So here’s my point: if you don’t want the Avengers’ reputation to tank both online and in real life, then talk less, do more, and stop wrecking the city. Got it?"

"Learn from Ms. Wanda—hit only the target, and try using your heads a little more."

That was just Tony being Tony. He had a way of making a valid point sound like a lecture, and it was enough to get under Captain America’s skin.

Arms crossed, Captain America fixed him with a steady stare.

"So you’re saying that when we’re facing an enemy, we should prioritize protecting property over protecting Avengers’ lives? And that when we fight, we’re not using our brains—is that it?"

Tony spread his hands and replied without even glancing at him.

"Of course not..."

"I never said someone should just roll up their sleeves and charge in without thinking.

I also never said that someone was holding a round shield.

What I’m saying is—use your brain more. Think about how to minimize the damage before you act.

As for safety, I’m sure you all know how to protect yourselves without me telling you."

Captain America’s irritation was plain to see. He stepped forward, ready to confront Tony.

"Tony!"

Tony gave him a single glance, scanned him up and down, then pointed a finger at him.

"And that is exactly why I don’t want to waste another word on someone who only knows how to throw punches."

"Tony Stark!" Captain America lifted his chin. "Do you think the public’s rejection of us has nothing to do with you?!"

"It was your arrogance and your unauthorized actions that caused the Sokovia incident!"

The rest of the team exchanged glances. It had reached the point where this wasn’t about who was right or wrong anymore. In a team, there was no such thing as individual blame—only winning together or failing together.

"Yes, you’re right."

Tony nodded at Captain America almost casually.

"So why don’t you and your team put on a good show? Let’s see if, under the leadership of a World War II star like yourself, people can actually trust you again."

He swept a glance over everyone, then cut the 3D projection and disappeared.

Silence settled over the conference room.

Bang!

A moment later, Captain America slammed his fist onto the table.

"Dismissed. Go rest and wait for your next mission."

...

Away from the argument in the conference room, Wanda had returned to her own quarters.

The first thing she did was pull up her laptop and start searching for any information she could find about Lorien Su.

Unfortunately, his name was known only in certain upper-class circles. Online and among ordinary people, there was almost nothing.

What little she found were brief mentions: Top Psychologist, Ranked the Most Handsome Doctor, The Unknown Big Shot, and so on.

For Wanda, that was enough.

She read through every single snippet she could find, then lay flat on her bed, staring blankly up at the ceiling.

Yes—her mind was still filled with thoughts of Lorien.

Before she met him, almost nothing in her life had been good.

Her parents were killed by a bomb developed and manufactured by Stark Industries...

Her brother died saving lives during the Ultron incident...

Her homeland, Sokovia, was completely destroyed by Ultron...

But after meeting Lorien—milk tea, respect, laughter, heated kisses, love...

These were things she had never known before.

Now, she saw Lorien in her mind whether her eyes were open or closed. She couldn’t forget him, no matter how she tried.

For Wanda, tonight was destined to be a sleepless, yet beautiful, night.

...

(70 Chapters Ahead)

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