The atmosphere inside the Roosevelt Hotel's Blue Room was more lively than ever.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, spilling warm golden light over the lavish hall below. Elegant music drifted through the air while waiters carrying silver trays moved smoothly between guests. Hollywood stars, executives, producers, and reporters filled every corner of the room.
Tonight was Marvel's celebration banquet.
More accurately—
it was Marvel's declaration to Hollywood.
Saw had exploded at the box office, smashing expectations and stunning the entire industry. Overnight, Marvel had transformed from a company many considered an upstart into a force impossible to ignore.
And as the center of this storm, Luo Zheng naturally became the focus of countless eyes.
At this moment, however, Luo Zheng had no interest in the many famous faces surrounding him.
Because among the crowd—
he had spotted someone familiar.
Scarlett Johansson.
The future Black Widow.
The woman standing near the edge of the hall wore a dark evening dress that perfectly outlined her youthful figure. Her soft blonde hair rested over her shoulders, and under the warm lights, her emerald eyes seemed especially bright.
Right now she looked far younger than the mature Black Widow Luo Zheng remembered.
There was still innocence on her face.
Curiosity.
A little nervousness.
And a little pride.
When Scarlett noticed someone walking toward her, she turned slightly.
Then froze.
Her emerald eyes widened.
The wine glass in her hand trembled just a little.
William Luo.
Hollywood's youngest chairman.
Marvel's miracle creator.
The man who had turned one impossible situation after another into reality.
For half a year now, his name had repeatedly exploded across Hollywood headlines.
Spider-Man.
The Man From Earth.
Marvel's rise.
Disney cooperation.
And now...
Saw.
More importantly—
the real person looked even more absurdly unfair than newspapers described.
Young.
Rich.
Talented.
Handsome.
As Scarlett stared blankly, Luo Zheng smiled and raised a wine glass.
"Beautiful lady."
"May I buy you a drink?"
Only then did Scarlett suddenly recover.
"O-of course, Mr. William."
She instinctively agreed.
Then blinked.
Wait.
Something felt wrong.
She stared.
"You...know me?"
Luo Zheng lightly clinked glasses with her.
"Of course."
"You performed very well in Eight Legged Freaks."
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Instantly—
Scarlett's face reddened.
Embarrassment.
Pure embarrassment.
Because the person standing before her wasn't merely another actor.
He was technically the enemy.
After all, Eight Legged Freaks had just lost horribly to Saw.
If Warner's president weren't attending tonight, Scarlett probably would never have come.
Now being recognized by the winning side...
it felt awkward.
Very awkward.
Seeing her expression, Luo Zheng laughed.
"Don't look like that."
"You are an actor."
"You don't control release dates."
"That isn't your fault."
Scarlett looked at him.
Then slowly relaxed.
Her age was still young enough that emotions came and went quickly.
Moments later her smile returned.
"Good."
"As long as you don't mind."
Luo Zheng spread his hands.
"Why would I?"
"Actually, I think your movie deserved better results."
Scarlett blinked.
Then suddenly stepped closer.
Very close.
Close enough for Luo Zheng to smell faint perfume.
Her eyes curved.
"Really?"
"Then should Mr. William compensate me?"
Luo Zheng looked surprised.
"Hm?"
Scarlett leaned slightly forward.
"Maybe..."
"...give me a role in your next movie?"
Then she winked mischievously.
"Just a little compensation."
Luo Zheng stared.
For a second, he was genuinely caught off guard.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
This little Black Widow actually had tricks.
And not bad ones.
—
Meanwhile, at the center of the banquet hall—
three men stood together with expressions that could only be described as dissatisfied.
Warner Bros. President Barry Meyer.
Sony President Burns Coleman.
Roy Disney.
The three had known each other for years.
Friends.
Competitors.
Old rivals.
Barry looked around and frowned.
"That kid is too much."
"As the host, he actually abandoned us."
Burns snorted.
"Young people."
"They achieve a little success and immediately become arrogant."
Roy immediately became unhappy.
What did that mean?
Insulting William in front of him?
Not giving him face?
Roy crossed his arms.
"Please."
"Being able to crush Warner and force Sony's president to personally attend negotiations—he certainly has reasons to be proud."
Barry looked over.
"What do you mean?"
Burns narrowed his eyes.
"Roy."
"Did Disney buy your loyalty too?"
Roy rolled his eyes.
He pointed toward a distant corner.
"There."
"Look."
The other two followed his gaze.
Then saw Luo Zheng and Scarlett standing close together, smiling and talking.
The atmosphere between them looked unusually harmonious.
Roy sighed dramatically.
"See?"
"Even his methods of chasing girls remind me of myself in my younger years."
Barry: "..."
Burns: "..."
The corners of their mouths twitched.
The protagonist of tonight's banquet had abandoned three presidents...
...to flirt.
Unbelievable.
But after remembering Luo Zheng was only twenty-one—
they suddenly felt relieved.
After all...
compared with their own useless children who only knew drinking and partying...
Luo Zheng was practically a monster.
—
Of course Luo Zheng hadn't forgotten business.
After exchanging numbers with Scarlett and casually chatting a little longer, he smiled.
"Sorry."
"I still have work."
Scarlett pouted slightly.
"Busy chairman."
Luo Zheng laughed.
Then walked away.
Before he even arrived, Roy shouted loudly:
"William!"
"You abandoned three lonely old men for a girl!"
Instantly nearby stars turned around.
Many people looked between Luo Zheng and Scarlett with amused expressions.
Scarlett's face immediately turned red again.
This was her first time openly getting teased like this.
Luo Zheng however remained calm.
"I'm sorry."
"I neglected everyone."
"If you're angry, feel free to blame me."
Roy threw an arm around him.
"Hah."
"Kid."
"You really don't waste opportunities."
After a few jokes, the four entered a private upstairs room.
Because everyone knew—
none of them came tonight just for celebration.
Each had business.
Barry wanted cooperation.
Sony wanted Spider-Man.
Roy...
wanted benefits.
Everyone had their own calculations.
After sitting down, Barry smiled first.
"William."
"Let's forget unpleasant things."
"Warner hopes for future cooperation."
Luo Zheng understood immediately.
Warner's attitude had softened.
Actually, sending their president tonight already meant enough.
For Hollywood giants to lower their heads further?
Impossible.
Marvel wasn't at that level yet.
Appropriate compromise was wisdom.
Luo Zheng nodded.
"Of course."
"Competition doesn't stop cooperation."
Barry smiled immediately.
Then Burns spoke.
His expression was serious.
"We should discuss Spider-Man."
The room instantly became quiet.
Luo Zheng leaned back.
His smile disappeared.
"Mr. Burns."
"Marvel intends to reclaim Spider-Man."
"We've made our position clear before."
"So now there are only two paths."
"Cooperation."
"Or court."
Burns' expression darkened immediately.
"You are stealing Sony's success."
"This is shameless behavior."
Luo Zheng smiled.
No anger.
No emotion.
Only calmness.
"Mr. Burns."
"Hollywood has always followed one rule."
"The strong survive."
Burns narrowed his eyes.
"Don't think Disney protects you forever."
"If Sony wants to crush Marvel—"
"It would be like crushing ants."
Roy frowned.
Barry stayed silent.
Luo Zheng suddenly laughed.
Then looked toward Barry.
"Actually..."
"You misunderstand something."
"It's not only Disney anymore."
Barry raised an eyebrow.
Luo Zheng continued slowly:
"Marvel's future projects include Iron Man."
"Captain America."
"Hulk."
"Thor."
"The superhero era has only begun."
"This cake is huge."
"I don't mind additional partners."
Then he looked directly at Burns.
"So tell me..."
"When Marvel rises completely..."
"Who wins?"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Barry's eyes widened.
Roy sat upright.
Even Burns froze.
Because this wasn't merely talking about movies.
This was discussing an empire.
Marvel's empire.
Burns stared at Luo Zheng.
Then finally asked:
"...What does Marvel want?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Spider-Man returns."
"Marvel gets final decision rights."
Burns nearly exploded.
"No!"
"Impossible!"
Luo Zheng smiled more deeply.
Very slowly—
very calmly—
he said:
"Mr. Burns."
"You can refuse."
"Then we'll see each other in court."
"...or."
"We can discuss long-term cooperation."
Burns stared.
His face twitched.
His breathing became heavier.
Because for the first time—
he realized something terrifying.
The young man before him wasn't negotiating.
He was forcing Sony into a corner.
And worst of all—
Sony had begun running out of room to retreat.
Late that night, the celebration banquet finally ended.
Warner received promises.
Disney followed and gained benefits.
Only Sony suffered.
In the end—
Burns reluctantly agreed.
Spider-Man would eventually return.
In exchange—
Sony would receive opportunities for future cooperation.
Walking out of the Roosevelt Hotel, Luo Zheng looked toward Hollywood's glowing night skyline.
Then smiled.
Marvel's web...
had finally started catching prey.