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Ethan took another small sip and then set the glass down.
Tony smiled. "See? Worth coming, right?"
Ethan didn't answer. His attention shifted as a few people nearby started whispering and looking his way.
It didn't take long.
A reporter approached him, microphone in hand. "Mr. Ethan, may we ask you a few questions?"
Ethan sighed quietly. "Keep it short."
That was all the permission they needed.
More reporters gathered, cameras clicking.
"There are rumors Arasaka is expanding into aerospace and defense," one asked.
Ethan replied calmly, "Rumors exist because people talk too much."
Another reporter jumped in. "What about Hammer Industries? Any comments on the recent instability?"
Ethan looked straight at them. "Companies fall when they're built on bad foundations."
"But recently, Justin Hammer was released," another reporter said.
"He claimed it was his plan to expose the corrupt senator, and that's why he recorded the conversation in the first place."
Ethan looked surprised. He paused for a moment, then shrugged.
"Well, I guess he's a good guy."
Cameras clicked rapidly as more and more questions were thrown at him.
Across the room, Justin Hammer noticed the attention and looked toward it spotting Ethan. A moment later, he smiled and walked over.
"Ethan," Justin said, holding a drink. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Ethan glanced at him. "Likewise."
Justin laughed confidently. "Enjoying Monaco?"
"It's loud," Ethan replied. "Totally not my cup of tea."
Justin nodded. "That's the charm."
They stood there for a few seconds, the tension obvious. Reporters watched closely.
Justin spoke again. "Maybe we should talk sometime. Business."
Ethan met his eyes. "We'll see."
Justin took the hint and moved away.
Sharon, watching from nearby, shook her head. "It's not that easy to take down people like him."
"It doesn't matter to me," Ethan said flatly. "He can't do anything to me."
Not long after, Tony returned, clearly excited.
"Hey," he said, leaning closer, "after the party, there's a private track event. Some demo runs. You should come."
Ethan frowned. "Track event?"
"Yeah," Tony continued. "F1 cars. Just a few laps. You'd love it."
Ethan immediately shook his head. "No."
Tony blinked. "No?"
"I don't know how to drive an F1 car," Ethan said. "And it's too risky for my taste."
Tony laughed. "You're too cautious. You should enjoy life a bit."
Ethan took another sip of his wine. "Invite me to a lab, not a racetrack."
Tony smiled and shook his head. "I'll remember that."
"Still," Tony added as he walked away, "do cheer me on."
Ethan watched Tony walk away, then let out a slow breath.
Sharon stepped closer. "You just turned down a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"I will turn such thing down any time," Ethan replied.
The crowd around them slowly shifted as the music changed. Conversations restarted, and attention moved on to other guests.
Another reporter tried to approach, but Sharon stepped in smoothly and redirected them.
"That's enough for today," she said with a polite smile.
Ethan appreciated that more than he said.
He finished the rest of his wine and set the glass on a nearby table. "I think I've had my fill of social interaction."
"Hmm… who's that?" Sharon was about to say when someone nearby pointed at a large screen.
Ethan looked up and saw the broadcast.
Whiplash.
His eyes narrowed slightly. 'Hmm… I remember now,' he thought. 'There was this scene in Monaco. This is where Whiplash-Ivan Vonko attacked Tony.'
He immediately turned to Sharon. "Go help Tony."
Sharon didn't hesitate. She nodded and rushed out of the room.
Ethan stayed behind, eyes fixed on the screen.
The sound of engines roared through the track as the F1 cars sped forward.
Suddenly, the screen shook.
A man stepped onto the track.
Metal whips crackling with blue electricity snapped outward.
Whiplash swung his arms.
One whip wrapped around an F1 car and yanked it sideways. Another strike hit a second car. Tires screeched as brakes slammed, cars crashing into each other.
Sparks flew. Smoke rose.
The crowd screamed.
Whiplash laughed loudly as he walked forward, dragging the electrified whips across the ground. Sparks jumped with every step.
A toothpick rested casually between his teeth as he headed toward Tony's car.
But when he reached it, Tony was gone.
Before Whiplash could react, Tony tackled him from behind.
They hit the ground hard.
Whiplash snarled and twisted, easily breaking free. His arms snapped outward, and the electrified whips lashed through the air. Tony barely avoided them, rolling across the track as bolts of blue energy cracked against the asphalt.
The whips slammed down again and again, carving glowing lines into the ground. Tony continued to dodge, rolling and scrambling as debris flew around him.
Tony slid to a stop behind a damaged barrier, breathing hard.
"Okay," he muttered, glancing at the wreckage, "this guy really hates me."
Whiplash yanked the toothpick from his mouth and flicked it aside. "You took everything from me, Stark," he growled. "Now I take everything from you."
He raised both arms.
The whips snapped together, forming a crackling arc of electricity.
Whiplash slammed both of his whips at Tony. Now without his suit, Tony could only watch helplessly as the electrified weapons came crashing down toward him.
But suddenly, a violet shuriken flew in from behind Tony, striking Whiplash and blasting him backward in a sudden burst of air blast.
It was Sharon wearing her Combat suit that helped Tony.
It was dark purple, covering her from head to toe, and a Arasaka logo was emblazoned on her back, easily visible.
"Ethan's guard?" Tony asked as Sharon nodded.
"Go," she said, drawing her sword.
Storm hadn't come with them. He had been left in New York, handling company matters in the absence of Sharon and Ethan, along with Aria.
And Sharon was more than enough to serve as Ethan's bodyguard now, so he left Ethan in her care.
"…Arasaka. We have no grievance with each other," Ivan Vanko said as he stood up. His gaze lingered briefly on the Arasaka flower logo on Sharon's back as she turned away, reaching down to pull Tony out from beneath the broken guardrails and scattered debris.