c9: Don't You Feel Any Heartache?
Soon, Tony Stark stepped onto the stage, one arm still bandaged, accompanied closely by his loyal bodyguard Happy Hogan. Despite his injuries from captivity under the Ten Rings, his posture remained confident, and his presence immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. The atmosphere shifted instantly as cameras flashed and reporters leaned forward, eager to capture every word from the man who had just returned from presumed death.
"Everyone, please sit down, okay? That way you can all see me," Tony said casually, his tone carrying the same effortless arrogance he was known for. "I can order whatever I want." Even in his weakened state, his personality hadn't changed. The room responded quickly, with reporters and guests taking their seats, understanding that this moment would likely become historic.
Seated at the front, Tony's gaze swept across the crowd before briefly landing on Harvey Ambellaca, who stood out at the back. Although they had never formally met, Tony was aware of him. In recent years, Harvey's rapid rise in wealth had become a topic of discussion in elite circles. As one of the few young Asian billionaires in New York, his identity was easy to remember, even if Tony hadn't paid much attention beyond surface-level information.
In Tony's eyes, Harvey was someone who had risen through opportunity rather than innovation. Compared to individuals who built empires through technological breakthroughs, Harvey seemed like a fortunate investor rather than a visionary. As a result, Tony had never taken a real interest in him. Still, his presence here today suggested a clear motive investment or business alignment with Stark Industries.
When their eyes met, Harvey simply smiled and gave a polite nod, offering no further reaction. Under normal circumstances, Tony might have considered speaking with him after the press conference to explore potential business discussions. However, the situation had changed. Having just survived captivity and with his body still recovering, Tony had neither the energy nor the inclination for such matters. More importantly, he was fully aware of the shock his upcoming announcement would cause.
Taking a breath, Tony began speaking, delivering the moment that would redefine his company and his legacy. "Effective immediately," he said, his tone shifting slightly, "I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries." The words landed like a shockwave, instantly throwing the room into chaos as reporters erupted with questions, disbelief, and confusion.
The announcement directly contradicted everything Stark Industries had represented for decades. As one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers, its entire identity and profit structure was built around military contracts. Standing beside Tony, Obadiah Stane forced a strained smile, clearly aware of the devastating implications this decision would have on the company's stock and reputation.
From the back of the room, Harvey watched the scene unfold with a faint smile. Everything was playing out exactly as he remembered. This moment, the rejection of weapons and the beginning of Iron Man's transformation was a pivotal turning point. The familiarity of the event made him almost certain that this world followed the main Marvel timeline rather than a divergent one.
At the same time, Tony noticed something unusual. Among all the shocked and panicked reactions, Harvey remained completely calm almost pleased. If Tony remembered correctly, Harvey had invested a significant amount of money into Stark Industries, possibly hundreds of millions. Logically, such an announcement should have triggered frustration or disbelief. Yet Harvey showed neither, which immediately caught Tony's attention.
Why wasn't he reacting? That question lingered in Tony's mind. However, before he could dwell on it further, he noticed Harvey turning away, seemingly preparing to leave the venue. The timing felt deliberate, as if Harvey had already anticipated everything that would happen. This only deepened Tony's curiosity.
"Rhodey, stop him I want to talk to him," Tony said quickly, addressing James Rhodes.
"Stop who?" Rhodes asked, confused by the sudden request. Although he didn't understand the situation, he trusted Tony's instincts and was ready to act.
"That Harvey Ambellaca," Tony replied without hesitation, his tone firm. Whatever the reason, he needed answers.
However, before Rhodes could move, someone else had already intercepted Harvey. Phil Coulson stepped forward, blocking his path with a polite smile. As an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson had also taken note of Harvey's unusual behavior and chose to act first.
"Mr. Harvey Ambellaca, I'm an agent with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division," Coulson said calmly. "Do you have a moment to talk?"
Harvey's expression immediately darkened. "You people again?" he said bluntly, his tone filled with irritation. "That crazy woman already pulled a gun on me, and now you're still following me around? How long are you planning to keep this up?"
"Mr. Harvey, that was a misunderstanding," Coulson replied quickly, maintaining his composure. "We mean you no harm. We're simply trying to gather some information. I assure you, nothing like that incident will happen again." His tone was sincere, carefully chosen to de-escalate the situation.
"And for the record," Coulson added, raising his hands slightly, "I'm not carrying any weapons."
Coulson had already heard about the report Harvey made to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding Natasha's actions, and a trace of awkwardness crossed his face. As an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., he knew the situation had been mishandled. To reassure Harvey, he patted his chest, pockets, and even his trouser legs, demonstrating clearly that he carried no visible weapons. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Natasha's earlier approach, showing a deliberate attempt to rebuild trust.
"So what exactly do you want to talk to me about?" Harvey asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. He understood that leaving forcefully would only deepen suspicion, especially under the watch of someone like Coulson, who specialized in observation and analysis. Instead, he chose to play along, maintaining the cautious attitude expected of someone who had just been threatened recently.
"This isn't the best place for a conversation," Coulson replied gently. "If you're willing, we can go somewhere you feel comfortable somewhere private, but not isolated." His tone remained steady and reassuring. "I can guarantee your safety." Behind his words was urgency. At this stage, S.H.I.E.L.D. was still in the early phases of identifying enhanced individuals, and the Avengers Initiative first conceptualized by Nick Fury had yet to fully take shape.
Coulson had no intention of abandoning any potential lead. Despite Natasha's earlier conclusion, Harvey still presented inconsistencies that warranted further investigation. In a world where individuals like Captain Marvel had already proven the existence of extraordinary power, overlooking even a small possibility could be a critical mistake. That was why Coulson chose a more patient approach this time.
Before Harvey could respond, another voice cut into the conversation. "You both look busy," it said casually. Tony Stark approached them without hesitation, his presence commanding immediate attention even outside the stage. "I'm Tony Stark." His tone carried a natural confidence bordering on arrogance as he continued, "Harvey Ambellaca, we haven't met, but I've heard about you. Seems fair to assume you've heard about me too."
Tony didn't wait for confirmation. "Why don't we find somewhere to talk? It won't take long. My time's valuable just like yours." His words were straightforward, yet carried the unmistakable self-assurance of someone accustomed to control. Even after everything he had been through, his personality remained unchanged.
Harvey's eyes flickered slightly at the unexpected development. Tony Stark approaching him directly was not something he had anticipated happening this soon. However, this aligned perfectly with his own plans. "Alright," he replied without hesitation, agreeing immediately.
"Good. Follow me," Tony said simply, turning without waiting for further discussion. His decisiveness left little room for refusal. With Harvey walking beside him and Coulson naturally following, the three moved away from the crowd and into a private room adjacent to the press conference hall.
Once inside, Tony poured himself a glass of water, his movements casual but deliberate. Then he turned his attention fully to Harvey, his sharp gaze revealing that this was no ordinary conversation. "From what I know," he began, "you've been buying up shares in Stark Industries over the past couple of years."
"At current valuation, that puts your holdings somewhere around a billion dollars," Tony continued. "And according to the rumors, you don't lose money—you only make it." His tone carried a hint of skepticism, as if testing whether Harvey truly deserved that reputation.
"Now, considering what I just announced," Tony said, leaning slightly forward, "the company's value is about to take a serious hit. Which means your assets tied to Stark Industries are going to drop—significantly." His eyes narrowed slightly, focusing on Harvey's expression.
"And yet," Tony added, his voice quieter but sharper, "you didn't look surprised. You didn't look angry either. If anything, you looked… satisfied." There was a clear probing intent behind his words. For someone like Tony Stark, patterns and anomalies were impossible to ignore.
"A billion dollars isn't exactly pocket change," Tony continued, gesturing slightly with the glass in his hand. "That's the kind of money most people wouldn't see in several lifetimes. If it suddenly lost half its value overnight, most people wouldn't handle it well." His tone became more direct, almost challenging.
"So tell me," Tony said, locking eyes with Harvey, "doesn't it bother you at all? Watching your wealth take that kind of hit… don't you feel any heartache?"
...