Sure enough, as soon as Lacy and I enter through the front doors of the Wolfe estate, we are confronted with the press. The flashing of the cameras is annoying, and if I didn't constantly have eye protection, the paparazzi would be fucked. I would definitely kill them all, and probably lose my job in the process. I guess, in their defense, most people don't know how sensitive my eyes are, but still.

I just place my hand at the small of Lacy's back, applying pressure and steering us in the general direction I'd like to go. They don't let up, and right when I'm about to either fulfill my intrusive thoughts of murder or tell them to fuck off (and therefore give them exactly what they want), Mr. Wolfe himself is there.

"Alright, alright, that's enough," he waves them off, and they listen, though that's at least in part because some new guests arrive behind us. The man stands in front of me, a warm smile on his face, looking a lot happier and more carefree than I've seen him in a while, if ever. "Glad you two could make it."

"Of course!" Lacy smiles at him, far more acclimated in the way of social interaction than I am. "What'll you do with all your new free time?"

Mr. Wolfe's face lights up when she says that, and I try to at least pretend to be interested in the conversation and his plans for retirement. He goes into story mode, essentially, and typically I'd be able to at least feign some small amount of fucks to give, but I get distracted by the sheer state of chaos his home is in.

The press are here, though I'm pretty sure they were given permission to be present since this is a private residence. He also has waitstaff running around with plates of drinks and food, and the majority of the room is full of pristine white-clothed tables. The tables appear to have small papers with assigned names on them as well, and I see a long food buffet on the other side of the room, though it seems to only contain desserts.

The tables appear to already have a select few guests seated at them, the rest of them standing in various spots throughout the large room. They're all socializing and having a great time, and I finally spot Dayanara on the other side of the room, standing next to her husband.

"Shit!"

I jump, snapping out of the trance I'd fallen into while people watching. I turn back to the conversation and find Mr. Wolfe's clean white shirt spattered with red wine, as well as shattered glass on the ground. There's a waiter apologizing profusely, looking scared for his life, and Mr. Wolfe just seems fed up with it all. He looks like he just wants to end the party right now.

Then, I blink, and it's gone.

"Harlan? Are you okay?" Lacy asks me, and I glance over to find her giving me a concerned—though knowing—look. So is Mr. Wolfe, and this is typically what happens. Even if what I'm seeing isn't real to them, my reaction sure is.

"Yeah, I just—" then, I spot the waiter. He's backing up while speaking to a few guests, right in Mr. Wolfe's direction. I don't even think about it, reaching out and grabbing Mr. Wolfe by the arm, then pulling him towards me. The waiter turns around right at that moment, and if Mr. Wolfe was standing there, he'd have ran right into him.

Luckily, I got him out of the way, and the server runs into nobody. He just continues walking, none the wiser to what could've happened. I let go of Mr. Wolfe once the crisis has been averted, and find that his wife has now joined the conversation. She's giving me a strange look, but Mr. Wolfe and Lacy are well aware that I just saved a server their job and Mr. Wolfe from an inconvenience.

"Thank you." Mr. Wolfe tells me, and I just nod, going back to looking around the room and barely listening to their conversation.

Or, I try to. "So, Harlan."

I look up to see who addressed me, and find Mr. Wolfe's wife. She has a friendly, approachable demeanor, though there is something about her that always seems a little cold. Once she has my attention, she continues. "Are you staying with Wolfe, or are you going to look for a different HSA?"

"Diane," Mr. Wolfe mutters, and I frown. Why is she asking that? For one, it's not up to me, since I go wherever Day goes. Why would I leave anyway, though? Is it because of the change in leadership?

"No, why?" I ask her, frowning. "Is Day?"

"No, no," the woman shakes her head in the negative, which is good. It would be a hassle to find another HSA, I'm too lazy for it. Then again, I guess Dayanara would probably do everything in terms of the search. "It's a normal thing that happens when a hero support association gets a new CEO, though."

I didn't know that. Wolfe is the only HSA I've ever worked for. I guess it would make sense, though. Other heroes tend to be picky with who they associate with, since public image is important to most of them. There's no telling if Wolfe's son will be as great as his father. Lavina is a big hero too, one of the most successful in the district. For all I know, she is looking, although I doubt she'd keep that from me. She's also just... incredibly loyal to Wolfe, though.

"Alright, well," Mr. Wolfe ends the conversation abruptly, despite the fact it was likely coming to an end anyway. "I suppose it's time to begin the dinner."

Lacy and I sit with Day and her husband. They have a baby on the way—Day is about three months along, now—so they just talk about that until Mr. Wolfe finally takes the makeshift stage at the front of the room. They seem quite excited about the baby, or at least Day does. I've never liked her husband, Wallen, all that much.

It seems as though they had somewhat of an arranged marriage, and at least from what I can tell, he's never home. He spends a lot of time at work, and even when he is around, he doesn't seem all that interested in whatever's taking place. I don't know, she seems happy enough with him, so I've never thought all that hard about it.

"Alright, alright, settle down," Mr. Wolfe orders the room after taking the stage. The house full of superheroes and politicians, as well as miscellaneous rich people, do as asked, and he continues. "I'd like to begin by thanking everyone for coming, tonight."

This is going to be so boring. Dayanara and Lacy, as well as the rest of the people in the room, are giving him their undivided attention. I am trying my best to do so as well, but my attention span has always been lacking, borderline nonexistent. That's the only upside of my job, aside from the pay: constant action. It's rare I get bored.

Typically I don't mind it when I lose interest in social gatherings, either. Again, my public image isn't all that important to me. However, I've always genuinely liked Mr. Wolfe. Ever since our first meeting, years ago when I was first out of the asylum. Most people in the hero field were treating me like crazy was a contagious disease, but not him. He was always fair, and kind, and patient. All qualities I appreciated then, but even more so now.

"—which has of course been an honor. I will miss working with you all dearly, but that's enough of that. My son and the new CEO of Wolfe HSA will now take the stage. Please, everyone give a warm welcome to Noel Wolfe."

Oh, shit. That makes sense, I guess, though it didn't cross my mind. Of course his son would be at his retirement party, anyway, but especially because he's taking over the company.

After giving us his parting words, Mr. Wolfe leaves the stage, and a moment later, a man is entering. He looks vaguely familiar, so I assume he's been in the public eye, especially considering who his father is.

Noel Wolfe has brown hair with greyish highlights, and Mr. Wolfe's entire head of hair is the color of snow, giving me the idea that their family greys early. He's a large, fit man, taller than his father and likely most of the party's attendants. His features are sharp and chiseled, striking yellow eyes already scanning the room as he steps up to the microphone. When he opens his mouth to speak, his teeth are razor sharp. A comedic part of my brain supplies me with a comparison: his grin is wolfish.

Something about him unnerves me. I can't quite put my finger on what, maybe it's the teeth, but there's a lingering unease that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. His voice doesn't help.

"I hope everyone is enjoying their night." Is how he greets the crowd, and it sets me on edge. I don't like the way he talks. It's not like he has any sort of accent or anything, it's the voice itself. It's husky and low with a natural volume to it, quite different from my own, which has always been quiet and rough. His voice demands attention, but there's something grating about it. I want him to shut the fuck up immediately, but I also want him to never stop talking.

This is getting weird.

I don't think I'm alone, though, since the entire room is dead silent. The buzz and ease from before, when Mr. Wolfe was talking, is gone. Something about this guy demands all the attention, his presence is just striking. It makes me want to leave, but I have no idea why that is.

"I know everyone wants dessert, so I'll make it quick," he continues, earning some chuckles from the crowd. The tension in the air eases, but not for me. There's something off about this guy. "I am taking over for my father, effective immediately. I hope I can measure up to half the amazing job he's done with this company, and everyone can be patient during the adjustment period. At the request of my father, I will be implementing a gold-star system, though that is all I have in store for you right now. Thank you, I look forward to working with everyone."

Holy shit, they're actually doing the gold star idea. I wasn't even completely serious, I had no idea I'd get this far. They're really going to give us stickers when we do a good job? This is sick. Maybe I will like this guy. Actually, no, I definitely won't. It's not like it was his idea to implement it, or even his idea to begin with.

I don't see Noel again, after his speech. I don't know why I even look for him.