As soon as they stepped inside the opulent hotel, Wanda turned to Lucas with eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you so much," she said softly. "I really mean it—thank you for bringing me in."
Lucas gave a small nod. It wasn't a big deal to him, but judging by her expression, it had meant a lot to her.
Wanda had been on the verge of losing control. He could sense it—the surge of unstable magical energy barely restrained beneath her calm facade. Had he not stepped in, her emotions might've triggered an outburst.
"You're welcome," Lucas said evenly. "But can I ask… why are you here?"
Something didn't sit right with him. Wanda didn't seem like someone who would attend a medical banquet just for fun. There had to be a reason.
Wanda hesitated. Her lips parted, closed, then opened again. She looked unsure, as though she were debating whether to reveal the truth. But in the end, she remembered this man had saved her from embarrassment just moments ago.
"I came here to find my brother," she finally said, voice quiet.
Your brother? Lucas blinked.
Quicksilver? Pietro? That only made things more confusing.
Why would Quicksilver be here—at a formal medical banquet of all places?
Just as Lucas was about to ask further, Wanda's expression shifted sharply. Her eyes narrowed, and she suddenly looked off toward the second floor.
"I'm sorry," she said abruptly. "I think I felt him. I have to go!"
And before Lucas could say another word, she turned and sprinted up the grand staircase.
He watched her disappear into the crowd above, brow furrowed in thought.
Something's not right… This timeline is diverging.
According to what Lucas remembered from the original events, Wanda and Pietro had no reason to be in this place at this moment in time. Their paths shouldn't intersect with Strange or the Avengers until much later.
And yet, here they were.
The world was shifting in unexpected ways.
"Was she pretty?" came a sharp voice from behind him.
Lucas turned around to find Harley standing there, arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
She wasn't smiling.
Her tone was sweet on the surface, but the undercurrent of jealousy was impossible to miss.
Lucas almost laughed.
Why is this girl always so jealous?
He didn't explain. Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Harley's waist.
"Let's go."
The unexpected gesture made Harley freeze for a moment. He'd held her arm before, but this was more direct—more intimate.
His palm pressed against her waist firmly, and it sent a shiver up her spine.
A thousand thoughts ran through her head.
Is this real? Is he doing this just to distract me? Or does he…?
But she didn't pull away.
She leaned closer.
Still, her thoughts lingered on Wanda.
She hadn't missed how quickly Lucas stepped in to help her—nor how gentle his tone was with her. Wanda was young, mysterious, and undeniably beautiful.
And that made Harley's heart twist just a little.
As they moved with the flow of guests, the two entered the main banquet hall.
It was breathtaking.
A massive chandelier hung from the domed ceiling, casting golden light across the room. The floor was polished marble, and every surface gleamed. Waiters in white gloves moved like dancers between tables, carrying trays of fine wine and hors d'oeuvres.
The hall was filled with doctors, researchers, and medical elites—people whose names were plastered on research journals and university walls. Most of them wore designer suits and evening gowns, chatting animatedly about recent breakthroughs.
Harley scanned the room in awe. "This place is incredible," she whispered.
Lucas nodded, but he wasn't interested in the scenery or the people.
He scanned the crowd with sharp eyes.
These weren't his people. He didn't recognize a single face.
That didn't bother him. He had never been part of the medical community, never attended conferences or written papers. He worked alone.
But it did raise one question—how did Stephen Strange know about him?
Why send an invitation?
What interest did Stephen have in someone like him?
As Lucas thought, Harley tugged his arm.
She had entered fangirl mode.
"See that round guy with the bow tie?" she whispered excitedly. "That's Dr. Ronen. He's a legend in psychiatry—my old idol back in med school! Though... you've kinda replaced him now."
Lucas smirked slightly but didn't comment.
"And that tall man by the bar? That's Dr. Yates! He wrote most of the modern textbooks on surgical anatomy. He's, like, a god in the OR!"
She pointed to a third. "That skinny guy with glasses—he's a heart specialist. His research on artificial valves changed everything about cardiac surgery."
She kept going, naming doctors like a fan naming celebrities.
But after a minute or two, she noticed Lucas hadn't said a word.
She looked up.
His expression was unreadable—detached, almost amused.
Harley pouted. "You don't care about any of this, do you?"
Lucas gave a small shrug. "Not particularly."
Harley rolled her eyes and tugged his sleeve gently. "Wanna go outside for a bit? Get some air?"
Lucas turned to look at her.
This girl—bright, expressive, always trying to connect—was offering him an out. She knew this wasn't his world and was willing to step away from it just for him.
He appreciated that.
But he also had other priorities tonight.
He smiled. "Didn't you say you wanted to meet Stephen Strange?"
"Well… yeah. But only if you want to."
"We should at least thank him for the invite," Lucas replied, a small glint of amusement in his eyes.
And perhaps plant a seed or two while we're at it.
Harley nodded, a little flustered by how attentive he suddenly seemed.
Then Lucas saw him.
Stephen Strange.
The man stood near the center of the hall, surrounded by a half-circle of eager admirers. His suit was immaculate, his posture confident. With every word he spoke, people leaned in to listen.
He was undoubtedly the star of the evening.
And it made sense.
In the world of surgery, Stephen was considered a genius—meticulous, innovative, and arrogant enough to pull it all off.
But to Lucas?
He's just a man.
A man with too much pride, heading straight toward his downfall.
But for now, he was untouchable.
Then Stephen looked up—and their eyes met.
Recognition flashed in the doctor's eyes.
He said something quickly to those around him, then began walking across the room toward them.
Harley noticed and gasped.
"Oh my god, he's coming over! He's really coming over!"
Lucas smiled faintly. "Act natural."
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