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Besides, one long-standing tradition among American police officers was looking after their own.
Henry wasn't technically part of the police force, but his initial recommendation to evacuate had saved countless officers and firefighters.
Those who had been ordered to withdraw from the Twin Towers before their collapse only regretted that they hadn't managed to rescue more civilians.
None of them blamed the person who had issued—or suggested—that order.
After all, those who hadn't received the order, or had ignored it, were still buried beneath the rubble waiting to be rescued.
Already thinking of Henry as one of their own, George Stacy gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"I understand.
"We'll remember what you've done here today.
"Now go get some rest."
---
Henry said nothing more.
He simply turned to leave.
Before he reached the exit of the command tent, however, someone began clapping.
No one knew who started it.
Then a second person joined.
A third.
Soon everyone inside was on their feet, applauding as they watched Henry depart.
Everyone present had witnessed what he'd done over the past few days.
During the most chaotic hours of the disaster, he'd somehow squeezed every ounce of efficiency out of the available manpower.
Everyone knew perfectly well that very few people could have managed the situation as effectively.
For more than two days, Henry had barely left his position.
Only now—after the rescue operation had stabilized and new technology and reinforcements had arrived—did he finally hand over responsibility.
Surely he deserved a round of applause.
Hearing it, Henry turned around.
With exaggerated theatrical flair, he gave a deep stage bow.
Then he fled the tent as if running for his life.
The contrast made the whole scene unexpectedly comical.
---
Tony Stark followed him outside and looked at him with obvious disdain.
"Show-off."
Henry shot back immediately.
"There's no mirror here.
"Did you somehow see yourself reflected in my pupils?"
At that level of banter, Tony couldn't even be bothered responding anymore.
He merely maintained his expression of disgust.
Mostly because someone even more irritating had just walked over.
"Henry Brown!"
Justin Hammer strode toward them loudly, radiating confidence and enthusiasm.
Unlike on the first day, he was no longer walking around barefaced like a publicity-hungry clown.
The respirator covering his face was every bit as sophisticated as Tony's.
The only thing missing was an oxygen tank and a full scuba mask.
---
Since someone had called his name, Henry stopped to hear him out.
Justin spoke with his usual self-assured smile.
"Come work for Hammer Industries.
"Twenty million dollars a year.
"You won't find an offer like that anywhere else.
"Even the guy standing next to you couldn't pay that much."
Tony had merely intended to watch the show.
Instead, Justin had somehow managed to kick him right in the ego.
Naturally, he exploded.
"What exactly does your factory produce besides cheap knockoffs?
"You want to hire him at that salary...
"So he can work as an assembly-line technician?"
Justin spread his hands dramatically.
"Oh, Tony.
"Are you worried Hammer Industries might replace Stark Industries someday?
"Relax.
"There's plenty of money for everyone."
He smiled smugly.
"Maybe when that day comes, I'll even be a little more generous in our patent lawsuits.
"I certainly won't demand absurd damages like a certain someone.
"After all, even the courts won't award the amounts you're asking for."
Mentioning that lawsuit immediately reignited Tony's anger.
If the military hadn't quietly discouraged the conflict from escalating...
Tony was convinced he could have Hammer Industries delisted tomorrow, bought the entire company, and then personally burned every factory to the ground.
---
Meanwhile, Henry found himself unexpectedly pushed into the background as the two billionaires glared at each other.
Thinking about it...
This wasn't even his first encounter with Justin Hammer at the disaster site.
Henry had actually met him once nearly ten years ago.
It wasn't surprising that Justin no longer recognized him.
That had only been a brief meeting.
At first, Henry had assumed Justin simply had enough manners not to interrupt someone busy coordinating disaster relief.
Apparently not.
The man had merely waited until Tony was standing beside Henry.
He had intentionally chosen this moment.
Almost as though provoking Tony had been the entire point.
Looking at them...
Henry suddenly found himself thinking of elementary school children.
The kind who secretly liked someone and expressed it by constantly teasing them.
Before he knew it, the two men somehow had pink hearts floating behind them in his imagination.
May you two eventually become lovers who turn into bitter enemies, Henry thought.
Almost immediately...
Both men suddenly turned toward him simultaneously.
Their eyes locked onto the innocent bystander who'd been enjoying the spectacle.
"Mr. Brown, what do you think?" Justin asked.
"Henry?" Tony said at exactly the same time. "What's your answer?"
---
Becoming the center of attention once again, Henry remained perfectly calm.
"Mr. Hammer...
"Thank you very much for your generous offer."
He smiled apologetically.
"But unfortunately...
"I have to decline."
Justin frowned.
"Why?
"Not enough money?
"Tell me your price."
Henry shook his head.
"No, sir.
"It has nothing to do with money."
He answered honestly,
"I just don't think it'd be interesting.
"So I don't want to."
---
Justin Hammer had countless ways of persuading people.
Higher salaries.
Better benefits.
Career opportunities.
But...
How exactly was he supposed to solve 'it's not interesting'?
Was he supposed to turn Hammer Industries into Disneyland?
Tony was equally surprised.
He burst into laughter at Justin's awkward expression.
Then his smile abruptly froze.
Because...
If Henry thought Hammer Industries sounded boring...
Didn't that imply he'd also left Stark Pictures because that had become boring too?
Tony suddenly felt like he'd been hit by friendly fire.
He looked at Henry with unmistakable resentment.
---
Henry couldn't have cared less about either billionaire's emotional trauma.
As long as he wanted nothing from them...
He never had to bow his head to anyone.
He merely waved casually without looking back.
Then he walked away.
---
He had intended to leave in dramatic fashion.
Unfortunately...
After only a few steps, Happy Hogan appeared from nowhere.
"Henry."
The former boxer greeted him with his usual easygoing smile.
Happy was genuinely pleasant to deal with.
He always understood boundaries.
Never overstepped.
It was difficult to dislike him.
Over time, he and Henry had become familiar enough to address each other by their first names.
"Happy."
Henry raised a hand in greeting.
Happy pointed toward a young man standing behind him.
"You don't have a car, right?
"Tony asked me to arrange one.
"This kid'll drive you wherever you want."
He grinned.
"Fenwick, Connecticut?
"That's no problem either."
One of the reasons Henry liked dealing with Happy was exactly this.
Without realizing it, Happy often revealed surprisingly important information.
Just from that brief conversation...
Henry could already tell that Tony had a remarkably complete understanding of his current situation.
At the very least, Tony knew Henry had already escorted Katharine Hepburn back to her family's estate instead of leaving her in New York.
Someone paranoid might suspect they were being investigated.
In reality...
This was simply part of a good Western butler's job.
Know your employer's guests.
Provide attentive service.
Nothing more.
---
Originally, Henry had planned to find somewhere secluded and simply fly away.
But since someone was willing to give him a ride, he saw no reason to refuse.
He stepped forward and shook hands with the young driver.
"Then I'll leave it to you, sir."
The young man smiled.
"Mr. Brown...
"Just call me James."
"The car's right over there.
"This way, please."
Henry nodded.
"Happy.
"Tell Tony I said thanks."
With that, he climbed into the car.
The moment it started moving, he prepared to sleep like the dead.
Two days without closing his eyes wasn't much for a Kryptonian.
But if he wanted to continue pretending to be an ordinary person...
Then ordinary people slept.
Ordinary people ate.
He had to do both.
---
Watching the vehicle drive away, Happy eventually returned to his employer.
"Tony.
"Henry's gone.
"Destination: Connecticut."
Having just finished arguing with the shameless Justin Hammer, Tony was still in a foul mood.
He merely nodded.
"Then let's head back too."
He sighed.
"Back to Long Island.
"I've been awake all night.
"I'm tired."
"Right away."
Happy immediately called for Tony Stark's car.
As the billionaire departed...
The X-Men continued rescuing group after group of survivors from beneath the ruins in the distance.
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