pjbooks Chapter 25 Fisk's Invitation
Chapter 25 Fisk's Invitation
Chapter 25 Fisk's Invitation
The prices of Eastern antiques have started to rise in recent years, but they haven't reached astronomical levels yet, so Link's acquisition at this time is just right.
He felt lucky, considering he hadn't considered this before, and his current home didn't have enough space to store it.
For now, buying some decorative items is fine. After all, this is the Marvel Universe, and it might all be gone in an accident at any time.
Link didn't have any interest in this area, but after Vanessa's introduction, he found that the other party had a good reputation and could provide a carbon-14 test report. Coulson had also provided relevant information before, so Link could buy with confidence.
He bought quite a lot this time, but the overall price was still less than the cost of the oil paintings.
Link got a good deal. He mainly bought porcelain from the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Some of it will become decorations in his home, while the rest will be kept as a collection.
Vanessa could tell that Link really liked the porcelain; her business presentation this time was quite good.
"Thank you so much," Link said to Vanessa after making the purchase. "Without you, an expert, I wouldn't have been able to buy something so good."
"You're too kind. I'm hoping you'll continue to buy my paintings!" Vanessa said.
"Of course, there are still a few rooms that haven't been furnished yet. However, I'm not planning to buy any more of this painter's works. Remember to let me know about your next exhibition," Link said. "Also, I'm planning to set up a charitable foundation specifically to provide financial assistance for legal matters."
"You know, I used to be a policeman. Now that I have money, I want to do something."
"And it also gives Jessica something to do."
Vanessa said enviously, "You're so good to her."
"You and Mr. Fisk..." Link only mentioned it briefly.
Vanessa shook her head and said, "I don't know either."
Link didn't press further; such topics were best left unsaid. Instead, he extended an invitation, "How about I treat you to lunch as a token of my gratitude?"
"Okay!" Vanessa agreed.
Link treated the man to lunch, then took him back to the gallery before saying goodbye and leaving.
……
However, Wilson Fiske learned of his actions, and his trusted aide and friend James Wesley reported it to him.
"Did they engage in any intimate behavior?" Fisk asked.
"No, it was just a polite thank you," James Wesley said.
"Hmm, help me organize some card games, and then invite Lin to participate." Fisk actually organized a card game.
"Okay, but who should we invite?" James Wesley asked.
"Mrs. Gao and Langley!" Fisk thought for a moment, then said.
……
Link received the call and readily agreed. It seems that Fisk cares a lot about Vanessa's situation and has been keeping a close eye on it.
Link hadn't expected a card game to be organized so quickly, but it was within his plan.
He could have chosen not to invite Vanessa to dinner, but he did so under the guise of gratitude, just to get Fisk's attention.
Vanessa doesn't usually eat with her guests, but Link isn't an ordinary guest. He knows Fisk, he wants to deepen his connection with Vanessa, and he also has a girlfriend.
He had no designs on Vanessa!
On the day of the card game, Link got ready and was seen off by Jessica. He then drove to the place Fisk had prepared.
However, a body search was required to enter, and Link handed over his sidearm before being allowed in.
"Mr. Fisk!" Link extended his hand and shook hands with him, saying, "I didn't expect you to invite me."
"I do have some questions to ask, which is why I organized this card game. Let me introduce it." Mrs. Gao and Langley were both there; they had arrived early.
The two men found Fisk's organization of the card game quite strange. Langley recognized Link as soon as he entered and said, "Mr. Link, it's been a long time."
"You two know each other?" Fisk asked curiously.
“Yes,” Link said. “My financial affairs are handled by Mr. Osley’s accounting firm, and he recently helped me purchase a large amount of Stark Industries stock.”
"Tax season is coming soon, and I need to use my funds, otherwise the taxes I have to pay will keep me up at night."
Langley smiled and said, "Yes, but time is too short. For now, we can only buy relatively stable stocks to preserve our wealth."
"That's quite a coincidence," Fiske said, realizing what she meant. "This is Mrs. Gao; she has many properties in New York."
"Hello, madam." Link shook hands with her.
Mrs. Gao said in Mandarin, "Hello, Mr. Lin."
"It seems we'll have a lot in common. I recently bought some antique porcelain; I wonder if Mrs. Gao would be interested in that?" Link said in Mandarin as well.
James Wesley, who was translating in Fisker's ear, was a man with a strong learning ability and was proficient in multiple functional languages. He was Fisker's right-hand man.
"Is Lin Xinsheng a new immigrant?" Mrs. Gao asked.
"No, my family has been here for four generations, but we always speak Mandarin at home. Unfortunately, my parents were in a car accident, and now there's no one in my family who speaks to me anymore," Link said with a regretful expression.
Then the game began, with a thousand dollars per card, much smaller than what Tony Stark and his friends played.
Link remained observant, while Fisk became more talkative, "Link, how is Vanessa now?"
"Wilson, you shouldn't be asking me that!" Link said, puffing on his cigar. "I saw her a few days ago, but I don't know much about what's going on between you two. I only mentioned it briefly. It seems Vanessa is hesitant."
"You should be bolder."
Mrs. Gao and Langley exchanged a glance. They did not approve of Fisk being distracted, but it was not appropriate to bring it up in this setting.
Fisk's invitation to the two of them naturally had its own purpose; he wanted to make his stance clear, something Link was unaware of.
"Once you've made up your mind, you have to do it. If you hesitate too much, you'll lose it."
Link encouraged Fisk, saying that even without his encouragement, Fisk was a decisive person, and Link used this to bring the two closer.
"You're right, there was some unpleasantness at dinner last time, and that was my fault," Fisk said frankly. "I will invite her again."
"That's right, I believe Vanessa will come," Link continued to encourage.
(End of this chapter)