Chapter 709: Chapter 709: Exploring the Building
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Besides Thena’s roasted lion, Gilgamesh’s roast camel, Ajak’s horse meat, and the whole roast lamb Henry had prepared beforehand, there was no shortage of more familiar barbecue staples either—fresh oysters, shrimp, bell peppers, corn, and plenty of other grilled favorites.
The main people tending the grills were Kingo’s portly Indian valet, Karun Patel, and Henry himself.
Although each of the Eternals had their own signature dish, none of them could compare to a food-loving Kryptonian when it came to handling an entire barbecue.
Besides, everyone present ate an astonishing amount—and at an equally astonishing speed.
If all the work were left to Karun alone, he’d probably lose ten pounds by the end of the barbecue without even having to cut off a piece of himself.
There was simply no way Henry could avoid helping.
Not to mention...
The moment Henry saw the row of curry spices Karun had lined up beside the American barbecue, he nearly kicked the man all the way back to Mumbai.
That was like putting pineapple on pizza right in front of an Italian.
An unforgivable act of culinary blasphemy.
Henry didn’t mind trying new things.
But if someone intended to turn the carefully prepared barbecue into an all-curry feast...
Then the anniversary of Karun Patel’s death would be celebrated this very day next year.
When Karun’s nephew had accidentally ruined the plan to manufacture Alzheimer’s medication in India, Henry hadn’t complained.
He genuinely hadn’t cared.
But messing with food?
That was a capital offense.
Nobody could save him.
As for the perfect companion to barbecue...
Naturally, it was ice-cold beer.
No liquor or expensive wine could compare to draining an icy can of beer in one gulp.
Refreshing to the soul.
Inspired by Hollywood college party movies, Kingo had brought out an enormous metal tub, filled it with ice and cold water, then generously stocked it with every kind of premium craft beer and draft beer imaginable.
Anyone who wanted a drink simply reached into the ice bath.
Maximum refreshment.
Since there were two minors present, naturally there were also chilled soft drinks and fruit juices available.
Just as satisfying.
Even so...
Whether they were the "big kid" or the "little kid," both kept sneaking glances toward the beer.
It looked as though, given even the slightest opportunity, they’d grab a bottle and finally see what all the fuss was about.
Unfortunately, now that her Alzheimer’s had been cured and she only pretended to be forgetful through sheer acting skill, Katharine Hepburn possessed eyes sharper than a hawk’s.
Neither teenage girl could slip past her watchful gaze—not even for a single sip.
The four Eternals had nothing to say about it either.
None of them were the sort to encourage children to drink.
Quite the opposite.
They treated children with exceptional patience and kindness.
Just because someone was an ordinary human didn’t mean they were beneath conversation.
As for Henry...
Although his vision had yet to recover completely, all of his other senses were functioning perfectly.
Nothing escaped his notice.
The last thing he wanted was to deliver a drunken Gwen back to her house.
Who knew what George Stacy would do if someone brought his intoxicated teenage daughter home?
For all Henry knew, he’d end up wearing a shiny pair of handcuffs and spending the next day or two sitting in a jail cell.
Why invite that kind of trouble?
Unable to sneak any beer—and having no reason to hide their healthy appetites in front of adults—the two girls still finished eating rather quickly.
After all...
The stomachs of two teenage girls couldn’t possibly compete with one Kryptonian and four Eternals.
Once full, Skye dragged Gwen into the building to explore.
Neither of them had the slightest interest in listening to the adults ramble on about things that had happened thousands of years ago, speaking as though they’d personally witnessed every event.
Well...
In fairness...
They actually had.
At the moment, the building contained no one besides their own group.
None of the apartment doors were locked.
They could wander in and out freely.
The building’s front entrance, however, remained securely locked and access-controlled.
Only because of that did Henry feel comfortable allowing the two tomboyish girls to roam around on their little adventure.
The building’s security system had been designed and built by Henry himself.
Honestly...
If the law had permitted it, he’d seriously considered mounting a few Gatling guns to greet any uninvited guests.
The vacant apartments all had their windows securely shut.
Every major safety hazard had already been addressed during the recent renovations.
The building wasn’t exactly a fortress...
But its security had improved dramatically.
Petty thieves wouldn’t be getting inside anytime soon.
Everyone had already toured Thena’s and Gilgamesh’s apartments earlier.
All anyone could say was...
Their personal tastes were unmistakable.
There weren’t many religious decorations.
But from the furniture, layout, and overall décor, their individual personalities came through clearly.
And contrary to expectations, Thena’s apartment wasn’t decorated in pink or filled with girlish charm.
The most eye-catching feature was...
The enormous collection of fitness equipment.
Everything from heavy weightlifting machines to equipment designed for sculpting one’s physique filled the space.
Both girls immediately wanted to try them.
After all...
What girl had never secretly dreamed of becoming a badass?
Compared to that, Gilgamesh’s apartment contained far more artwork.
It contrasted sharply with his rough-and-tumble appearance.
The art itself, however...
Well...
It wasn’t particularly European.
Nor was it American.
Most of the remaining apartments were still largely empty.
Beyond cleaning grease from the kitchens, removing mold from the bathrooms, and repainting the walls, little additional renovation had been done.
Naturally, there weren’t construction materials and dangerous tools scattered everywhere either.
That was another reason Henry felt comfortable letting the girls run around.
A handful of apartments, however, had remained in excellent condition.
Combined with matching antique furniture gathered from other units, they were already fully furnished and ready for immediate occupancy.
Seeing those apartments planted a dangerous little idea in Skye’s mind.
Dragging Gwen along for moral support, she returned to the rooftop.
Putting on her sweetest, most innocent voice—complete with an impossibly adorable smile—she said,
"Henry... can I ask you something?"
Henry nearly broke out in goosebumps.
His mouth still full of roast camel, he barely resisted the urge to dump an entire beer over her head in hopes she’d return to normal.
"What do you want?"
"Can I move in here and live by myself?"
Henry swallowed his food, took another long drink of beer, and finally asked,
"Can you afford the rent?"
"You’d charge me rent?"
"Why wouldn’t I?"
Henry replied matter-of-factly.
"If you’re not financially independent, you don’t get to be picky.
"If you can afford it, then not only can you live here by yourself...
"You could live in a palace with a hundred servants if that’s what you wanted."
Skye immediately exploded.
"You’re rich!"
Henry rolled his eyes.
"Please.
"This is New York.
"There are more rich people here than almost anywhere else on Earth.
"Compared to them, I don’t even qualify as poor.
"And besides...
"My money is my money.
"What does that have to do with you?"
Unable to argue against that logic, Skye first looked hopefully toward Gwen, whom she’d recruited as backup.
Unfortunately, Gwen was just as dependent on her parents as Skye was.
She had no rebuttal whatsoever to Henry’s economic argument.
Out of options, Skye turned toward her final ally.
"Kate! Look! Henry’s bullying me!"
Katharine Hepburn usually spoiled the girl terribly.
But not this time.
"I don’t approve of a thirteen-year-old girl living alone."
She smiled calmly.
"Doesn’t matter how nice the neighborhood is.
"Now, if Henry had done something truly terrible to you...
"I’d absolutely call the police and have that brat sent to the electric chair."
She paused.
"Oh...
"I suppose New York abolished capital punishment.
"I really don’t know what those politicians are thinking.
"They never do the things that actually matter.
"But even if I can’t have that little rascal electrocuted...
"I can still beat the crap out of him for you.
"How about that?"
The elderly lady’s utterly uninhibited comment immediately earned groans from everyone present.
They were still eating, after all.
Talking about poop at the dinner table wasn’t exactly appetizing.
Even the Eternals found that a little too much.
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