After returning to the house in Queens, Karl proposed moving everyone to the Manhattan manor.
Peter, Wanda, and Pietro reacted instantly.
Their eyes lit up with excitement, and they rushed to their rooms to pack.
Only Aunt May lingered in the living room, clearly hesitant.
She said nothing, but the uncertainty in her expression was obvious.
Karl sat beside her and gently took her hand.
"May," he said softly, "I know you feel like you're relying on me for everything… but this isn't a burden."
He met her eyes.
"What's mine is yours. You're my family… you're my love."
He paused, then continued gently:
"Peter can attend a better school. He'll have more opportunities — and his own room. Wanda and Pietro will too."
He squeezed her hand.
"Come with me. Let's go together."
Aunt May was silent for a long moment.
She did feel embarrassed depending on him so completely.
But she also wanted Peter to have the best future possible.
And Wanda and Pietro deserved stability and safety.
Finally, she nodded.
"…Okay."
Karl smiled.
"From now on, you'll be the lady of the manor. You'll manage everything for me."
"Hmph!" Aunt May rolled her eyes, blushing faintly. "I'm not becoming some manor lady. That sounds ridiculous."
She stood quickly.
"I'm going to pack."
Karl watched her go with a soft smile.
Then he turned back toward the television.
Stark Press Conference
The screen showed Tony Stark standing at a podium, reporters shouting questions from below.
"Mr. Stark, do you really expect us to believe you were rescued by a bodyguard wearing experimental Stark armor? That sounds absurd."
Tony glanced down at the prepared statement in his hand.
"Yes… well… I have many flaws," he muttered. "Heroism isn't one of them."
He tried to continue reading.
Another reporter pressed:
"We're not asking if you're a hero. We want the truth about last night. Your statement sounds like corporate damage control."
Tony paused.
Looked at the paper.
Then slowly lowered it.
Silence filled the room.
He took a breath.
"…The truth is…"
He looked directly into the cameras.
"I am Iron Man."
The press room exploded into chaos.
Shouts. Flashbulbs. Reporters yelling questions.
Karl chuckled softly.
Tony Stark — still incapable of following a script.
An Unexpected Visit
Moments later, the roar of an engine sounded outside.
Karl stepped out the back door and saw Tony pulling up in a sleek sports car, with a Rolls-Royce following behind, driven by Happy Hogan.
Tony stepped out, removing his sunglasses.
"Happy, trunk."
Happy sighed but obeyed, opening the trunk and hauling out stacks of gift boxes and shopping bags.
"What's all this?" Karl asked.
Tony grinned.
"Compensation."
"For Wanda and Pietro. Some clothes, electronics, a few designer items… and a game console."
Karl stared at him.
"They're ten, Tony."
Tony blinked.
"…She's ten?"
He frowned.
"I thought she was at least twelve. Thir— okay, fine. They can grow into them."
Karl shook his head.
"Perfect timing. We're moving. I need the extra vehicles."
Tony smirked.
"Of course you do."
Tony's Apology
Inside, Wanda, Pietro, and Peter sat with their packed bags.
Tony approached the twins and spoke with unusual seriousness.
"These are for you," he said quietly. "A small apology."
He hesitated.
"I've also established a relief foundation — ten billion dollars — dedicated to rebuilding communities affected by weapons trafficking in Sokovia and surrounding regions."
He lowered his head slightly.
"I am truly sorry for what happened to your family."
The room fell silent.
Wanda and Pietro looked at Karl.
He gave a small nod.
They accepted.
Tony straightened, visibly relieved.
He handed Peter a gift box as well.
Karl raised an eyebrow, surprised at Tony's thoughtfulness.
Tony's apology was not only about guilt.
It was also respect.
Karl had saved his life — twice.
And Tony understood power when he saw it.
Strength deserved sincerity.
Leaving Queens
"Alright," Karl said. "Let's go."
He took Aunt May's suitcase.
Happy, resigned, reloaded the gifts and luggage.
Karl and May rode in the Lamborghini.
Wanda, Pietro, and Peter rode with Happy in the Rolls-Royce.
Tony drove ahead.
Neighbors gathered outside, watching in astonishment as luxury vehicles filled the quiet street.
Some recognized Tony Stark.
Others simply stared.
The small Queens home watched its family depart.
The Manhattan Manor
When they arrived, Tony didn't stay long.
Seeing they needed time to unpack, he departed with Happy.
The children explored in awe.
The estate felt like a world of its own.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Delivery
Later that evening, a secure S.H.I.E.L.D. transport arrived.
Inside:
60 pounds of vibranium.
As agreed.
Karl inspected the sealed container.
Minutes later, he traveled to the temporary S.H.I.E.L.D. medical site and released the cryogenic ice imprisoning Coulson and the agents, restoring circulation and normal body temperature with precise control of his freezing power.
Medical teams rushed in immediately.
The agents would survive.
Karl returned to the manor without ceremony.
New Priorities
Standing in the control room overlooking the estate grounds, Karl reviewed the security systems.
Perimeter sensors.
Cameras.
Automated gates.
Good — but not enough.
Too predictable.
Too conventional.
He made a decision.
He would recruit elite security personnel.
People capable of protecting a family that now lived in a world far from ordinary.
Karl looked out across the quiet Manhattan skyline.
Life had changed.
And it would never slow down again.
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