Chapter 40 – A Tough Request

"Alex, it seems you've taken quite a liking to this car. I didn't expect us to have such similar tastes."

Seeing Alex staring at the Cadillac without looking away, Howard Stark chuckled from the side.

With a twinkle in his eye, he made a suggestion. "Wanna take it for a spin? You know, after we finish dinner, I can let you drive it around for a bit—feel it for yourself."

"Really, Mr. Stark?"

"Of course! It's no big deal."

"That's great—I'm really looking forward to it!"

Alex agreed almost without hesitation.

He was already planning to get a closer look and figure out what was so special about this car.

"Mr. Stark, Mr. Alex, dinner is ready,"

Just then, the ever-reliable butler Jarvis stepped forward to announce.

"Well then, Alex, let's eat first,"

Howard patted Alex on the shoulder and led him into the grand dining room.

Alex's eyes swept across the room—and wow.

When Jarvis had mentioned that Howard Stark had prepared a feast, Alex hadn't thought much of it. But now that he was seeing it with his own eyes, he was genuinely stunned.

The long table was packed to the brim with dishes—dozens of them, vibrant and exotic.

He couldn't name half of them, but he estimated at least twenty or thirty different plates.

Even the tableware in front of him was lined up like a ceremonial display.

Truth be told, Alex hadn't had any fancy food in his past life. He never really studied it, just knew that the etiquette was complicated—different forks and knives for different dishes, rules for everything.

Now, staring at the assortment of cutlery, he was completely lost.

"Alex, I imagine you're hungry. Please, help yourself."

After motioning for him to sit, Howard smiled and gestured at the food.

Well then—

Since he didn't know how to use the cutlery properly anyway, he figured… why bother?

He simply picked up a random set of utensils, ignoring the formalities of dining, and began eating while chatting with Howard.

Howard, for his part, quickly realized Alex didn't know the etiquette—but the playboy billionaire wasn't exactly one to care much for strict rules himself.

Besides, Alex was clearly not an ordinary young man. Howard didn't look down on him for it at all.

In fact, the atmosphere at the table was pleasantly relaxed.

"By the way, Alex—pardon my curiosity—but could I ask how you came by your extraordinary powers?"

As the meal wound down, Howard finally brought up the question he'd been itching to ask.

It wasn't just Peggy Carter who was curious. Howard himself had a deep interest.

After all, the Strategic Scientific Reserve—S.H.I.E.L.D.'s predecessor—was founded to study super soldiers.

And Howard Stark had been one of the key researchers.

"Agent Carter already asked me that," Alex replied, shrugging. "I was born with them."

"Okay, okay. If you don't want to talk about it, I understand," Howard said, thinking Alex was trying to hide something. "That was a bit rude of me."

Alex didn't bother to explain any further.

He was telling the truth anyway—whether others believed it or not had nothing to do with him.

Seeing he wouldn't get anything more, Howard dropped the topic and moved on.

Howard Stark was a man of exceptional intellect, no doubt about it. And while Alex might not have had formal education on that level, as a reborn soul, his vision and knowledge were far from average.

The two hit it off surprisingly well.

"Alex, I have to say—I'm genuinely impressed," Howard said with admiration.

Though Alex was young, his insights were sharper and more forward-thinking than many industry veterans.

The kid had real potential.

All in all, the dinner ended on a high note.

After some post-meal conversation in the lounge, Howard brought Alex back to the garage as promised.

And just as he said he would, he handed Alex the keys to the Cadillac.

"Alex, just to be sure—you do have a driver's license, right?"

Just before Alex started the car, Howard couldn't help asking again.

"Relax, Mr. Stark—I'm an old hand at this."

Alex smiled, smoothly starting the car and driving it out of the garage onto the open road.

He'd already known how to drive in his past life, and after a few quick tries in this one, he was back in full form.

He'd even driven Charles's car before—his driving skills were solid.

Vroom!

A sleek, fire-red convertible roared onto the street.

Luxury car, handsome driver—these things never fail to turn heads. Countless admiring gazes followed him as he sped down the road.

If Alex felt like it, he could've easily picked up a beautiful woman or two.

But right now…

That wasn't where his mind was.

All his attention was locked on the car.

He drove through two or three streets, carefully testing everything—but still, he found nothing unusual about the vehicle.

From what he could tell, it was just an ordinary car. Nothing fancy under the surface.

That made Alex frown slightly.

Could it be something like Fast and Furious 5? Nothing on the outside, but something hidden inside the car?

But after parking and giving the whole vehicle a thorough inspection—inside and out—he still came up empty.

He even asked the system about the mysterious energy source, but—as always—the cold, aloof system gave no response.

That made Alex just a little… frustrated.

He couldn't exactly return the car with nothing to show for it, could he?

That just didn't sit right with him.

He had to figure out a way to keep the car a bit longer.

Maybe even—make it his.

Which meant… he needed to buy it off Howard Stark.

He was already preparing to take the whole thing apart, after all.

Sure, he didn't have the money right now. But for someone like him, making a quick fortune was easy enough.

Buying the car wasn't the issue.

The real problem was, he'd just met Howard, and the man clearly loved this car.

To ask for it now… was definitely awkward.

But he had no choice.

He'd have to bite the bullet and give it a try.

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