Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman

Chapter 441 441 — Making the Request

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Even at the dinner table, Givenchy continued discussing the sculptures Henry had noticed earlier.

Many of them hadn't been perfectly preserved, meaning their current appearance was likely different from how they looked centuries ago when first completed.

According to Givenchy, these sculptures felt almost alive, continuing to "grow" as time passed.

Because of this, some pieces had gradually developed qualities that no longer matched their original themes.

Since Charlize Theron and J.J. Harris were present, the entire conversation was conducted in English.

Only occasionally—when a word was difficult to translate or when the English felt imprecise—would Givenchy and Philippe Venet switch briefly to French to clarify.

Charlize, however, was not left out of the discussion.

She had previously spent plenty of time listening to Henry analyze films—breaking down how directors, cinematographers, and actors collaborated to produce perfect cinematic language.

That exposure had trained her sensitivity to artistic expression.

She couldn't quote historical references or compare different masters the way a fashion legend—or Henry—could.

But she could describe her own impressions and feelings at just the right moment.

And that mattered.

It showed she had her own aesthetic sense, whether natural or cultivated.

Givenchy appreciated that.

What he disliked most was asking models for their thoughts and receiving nothing but empty flattery.

---

For dessert, they were served soufflé along with Irish coffee.

One might wonder why French people liked Irish coffee so much.

Its preparation is simple:

Hot coffee

Sugar

Irish whiskey

These are mixed together and topped with whipped cream, which is not stirred in.

As a result, each sip delivers three layers of flavor:

Cold cream

Hot coffee

Whiskey

But judging from the proportions served by Givenchy's staff, the drink tasted more like a cocktail with coffee added, rather than a normal cup of coffee.

During dessert, Givenchy finally turned the conversation to Henry.

"So, Henry," he said,

"you mentioned on the phone that you were having trouble and hoped I could recommend a designer."

"What exactly is going on?"

Henry answered plainly.

"It concerns my girlfriend, Charlize Theron."

He explained her situation without hiding much.

Then he concluded:

"Because of my situation, she's being targeted as well."

"She needs to attend an important film premiere early next month."

"And right now she doesn't even have a suitable gown."

"So I was hoping you might be able to introduce us to a designer with a bit of courage."

Givenchy raised an eyebrow.

"Courage?"

"What sort of trouble have you gotten into?"

Henry replied:

"I'm not sure how well known he is outside Los Angeles on the U.S. West Coast."

"Have you heard the name Gitano Dragoneiti?"

"Dragoneiti…" Givenchy frowned.

He exchanged a glance with Philippe Venet.

"I feel like I've heard that name… in places where unpleasant things are discussed."

Henry said calmly:

"They're vampires."

"Well," Givenchy replied,

"That's not surprising."

Neither Givenchy nor Venet seemed shocked.

It was clear they already knew about that shadow world.

Givenchy asked:

"I remember you saying you recently started working for a film company in Hollywood."

"As far as I know, if you stay away from that world, they usually won't force themselves into your life—"

"Unless you possess some kind of valuable interest."

Henry nodded.

"Their real target is Tony Stark and Stark Industries."

"I'm just collateral damage."

"I've already informed Stark about the situation."

"He can issue warnings that prevent them from doing anything too outrageous."

"But it's impossible for him to protect every small detail."

With Stark's wealth and power, solving Charlize's problem would actually be easy.

The real question was:

Why would he bother?

She wasn't his girlfriend.

And even if Henry didn't mind potential rumors, asking Stark for help would give gossip journalists endless material.

Charlize was still too young in her career to endure that kind of scandal calmly.

Henry preferred avoiding problems that might later require him to act as her therapist.

That was why Givenchy was the perfect solution.

After all, Henry had already briefly explained the situation during their phone call.

Now he laid everything out clearly.

"Givenchy," he said sincerely,

"I know the fashion world is… special."

"At your level, even creatures from the darker corners of society hesitate to interfere."

"But I also understand that brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, or Gucci won't work with someone who lacks sufficient commercial value."

"So I'm not asking for that."

"I just want to know if you could introduce a designer brave enough to work with us despite the pressure."

"Of course, if they have conditions, we can negotiate."

"Mutual benefit is always the foundation."

---

The fashion industry had an enormous range.

At the top were people like Givenchy, welcomed by old-money families and European aristocrats.

At the bottom were people who simply owned a sewing machine and called themselves designers.

Even setting aside his noble lineage, fashion icons like Givenchy were highly valued by the wealthy and powerful.

Why?

Because those elites needed something to display their status.

And nothing distinguished them from ordinary people better than luxury fashion that ordinary people couldn't afford.

For them, protecting great designers was equivalent to protecting their own prestige.

As long as these designers didn't destroy their own reputations, anyone who tried to harm them had to ask themselves whether they were qualified to do so.

For those designers who hadn't yet reached that level but still dared to resist the influence of the dark world, their courage often came from:

Strong backing in other areas

Or a clear stance that attracted like-minded allies

After all, vampires might be troublesome.

But they did not completely control the dark world.

And this was the Marvel universe, a world where superheroes existed everywhere.

Even before the grand stage of heroes fully appeared, the forces held by governments—and the existence of mutants—were enough to prevent vampires from acting without restraint.

Givenchy nodded thoughtfully.

"Actually," he said,

"I do have someone in mind."

The moment those words came out—

Charlize and J.J.'s eyes lit up.

Even Henry straightened slightly.

"Oh?"

"Who might that be?"

"And could you introduce us?"

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