Marvel: Starting From The Bottom

Parties for me is like the stage for actors. You act there, never reveal your true self but show what others want to see and hear. No one cares about your likes or dislikes, they just want to be entertained. 

But it doesn't matter much to me. I have worn a mask for so long that acting has become second nature.

Now, this place was filled with rich and influential people who slept with their masks on. And to slip up in this place can be fatal. But am I worried?

Of course not!

I have been in this game for far longer than them.

"This is… fancy." Peggy has been to a lot of parties but nothing like this.

This has been organized by the current richest politician, who said that he was going to start his own corporation… and the board members of the committee in charge of Peggy's project. The same project that she worked so hard to be a part of. 

"Indeed it is. They have spent quite a lot on this." But I do wonder. What is their motive? No one throws such a big party without a motive… unless they are idiots.

"You must have been to a lot of parties of this caliber, haven't you?" She asked.

"I have. But I have never been a party lover." I find most of these parties to be a waste of time and money. "But it is also the best place to make the most connections."

I suffer from such annoyance as well.

"Gentlemen and my lovely ladies." I already don't like whoever it is, just from his way of addressing. "I am glad that all of you could make time for today's party." He was smug, I will give him that… And I don't mean his tone. His face was extremely smug. 

"We organized this event to celebrate the launch of our new corporation, "Stallion Corporation." Another one of those buŧŧerfly effects. Popping up of new corporations is just one of them. "Unlike most corporations who promise about giving free services and end up delivering trash products, we keep our end of the bargain. We won't promise free things but our prices will be humble. We will only deliver the best products to you." 

I already knew who he was talking about. I watched him give the speech with a smile on my face. "Our corporation covers from entertainment to medical services, production to fashioning, and from education to providing job opportunities." I can see the smug faces of politicians and the committee sitting behind him. Without such support, there was no way that he could have organized such an event.

"And." He paused. "We are open to all business negotiations. If any small or big corporation wants to become a part of us, they are free to do so. We can promise that you won't suffer any loss." I wouldn't promise that… accidents are pretty common in this field. A healthy person might end up dead the next morning… and the next thing you know, the company went bankrupt.

"Is that aimed towards you?" Peggy whispered into my ears. 

"Maybe." 

"But, I won't take much of your time." He turned to look at one of the old men sitting at the back. "Mr. Hale has his part to say as well." This made the old man in the back laugh.

He walked towards the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen. As Mr. Kington just said, we will be supporting the Stallion Corporation and our new project 'EDEN' will be under the Stallion Corporation as well."

"Wait, what?" Peggy seemed shocked. 

"You alright?" I asked but she didn't reply and instead wore a surprised face. 

"That's the project that I am incharge of and I didn't hear anything about it being under Stallion."

Interesting. I wonder what game these guys are playing. Depending on their actions, I might have to get rid of their corporation… or even the people themselves.

"Our previous pace was quite slow because of the mistakes made by the members." He smiled looking at the crowd. "But worry not! We will be electing entirely new members for this project!"

Peggy was shell-shocked but my focus was on something completely different. 

This is definitely a buŧŧerfly effect and a major one at that. But whatever it is, I will get rid of it before it can pose a threat to me. 

"Project EDEN, huh?" I mumbled and looked at the woman who was stood next to me… Senseless.

"Ladies and gentlemen, that's all. Enjoy the party." The crowd burst out into applause while Peggy stood shell-shocked.

"Peggy." I gave her a nudge which made her look at me. "Are you alright?" I tried to sound as polite as possible because I knew that she wasn't okay.

"I-I need to talk to them!" She said.

"You sure that's a good idea? Do you want me to come with you?" I asked but she shook her head. 

"No. It's my project and so I will be the one to deal with the issues." I nodded. 

"Call me if you need any help." I said and she nodded before walking towards the chairman of EDEN.

I need to gather information about this EDEN group. 

…

…

[Balcony]

"Joel, buddy? Can you help me with something?" This made Joel confused.

"Yeah, but what is it?" He was curious.

"I need information about this Stallion Corporation and their project 'EDEN' and once you have the information, mail it to my computer." I don't think that I am going to like the things that will come to light.

"Alright. But as far as I heard it's being opened by Larry Kington, a new business tycoon. But he isn't much of a threat to us." I am not taking any chances.

"Still, find whatever you can." 

"Alright, I will mail you the information about the Stallion Corporation by tomorrow." That's fine.

"Thanks, buddy." 

"Anytime."

*Click*

Now… onto the next guy.

Checking my phone, I dialed another number. 

*Click*

"Marcellus?" The voice came from the other side.

"Yeah, Sebastian. I needed your help with something." He is part of the club and also a trusted member now. 

"Alright, what is it about?"

"I need info about someone." He hummed from the other side. "His name is Larry Kington. I need you to find everything about him. And by everything, I mean even that information that is not legally available."

"Shouldn't be difficult. I will send you the data by tomorrow noon." That's acceptable.

"Alright." That should be enough. "Anyways, say hello to Lourdes from me." 

"Will do. Now, I need to go. I will contact you later."

*Click*

I smell some hidden plot, which I don't want to deal with. Better to erase it before it becomes something major.

…

…

[Moments later]

When I said that Peggy was a strong woman. I wasn't lying. 

"So, that's what happened?" She nodded.

"Yeah. They said that they were going to make a fortune by working with the Stallion Corporation." I can tell when someone wears a mask. And the current Peggy was definitely wearing one of those. "I should have expected this."

She sighed. "Despite me working nonstop, they would throw me away the moment they find a sponsor." She shook her head. "That's… just human nature."

I completely agree. Humans are greedy creatures by nature.

"You know." I checked my watch. "There isn't much to do here. Maybe we should go." 

She nodded.

"It's quite late. I will drop you off." No matter what. She is still a woman… and a drunk one at that.

She didn't say anything. Probably because she was sad.

"*Sigh* Alright, let's go." She worked so hard… just to be thrown away like a rag doll in the end. I can understand her emotion, sort of.

"Alright."