Chapter 49: Ambition

Suddenly, Hans stopped in his tracks.

"How did you promise me back then? You said it wouldn't be a problem! That's what you told me—you said it'd be fine! I've poured every cent I have into these steel mechas!"

"I want armored suits now and so does the government! Like Iron Man's, understand? That's what the people want! That's what excites them!"

The guy with the toothpick swaggered over, shaking his head and locking eyes with Hans.

"Buddy, don't be so stubborn. You've got to learn when to let go."

Hans was momentarily speechless.

Wasn't that exactly what he had just told Ivan earlier?

Talk about having your own words thrown back at you.

"Talk is cheap. I want results! Like they say—whether the treatment works or not depends on the outcome! These steel soldiers had better be a massive success!" Hans stormed off in fury. If he stayed a moment longer, he might just collapse from rage.

Russians. Nothing but trouble. Once this armored exhibition was over, he'd make sure that Russian was torn to pieces. Only then would his fury be appeased.

Ivan watched Hans's retreating figure and spat on the floor.

"Pah! What a joke! Putting on airs in front of me? Take a look in the mirror—you'd need a puddle just to see how pathetic you are. Your brain's as empty as a toilet bowl after a flush. Go die, for all I care!"

"Let's go, Jack!" Hans barked as he climbed into the car.

"Where to, boss?" Jack asked, starting the engine.

"Brooklyn, New York. Third Avenue." Hans pulled out a chilled bottle of Sprite from the seat cooler. Vintage '82. He took a long, aggressive swig.

"Buuuurp—"

A deep, satisfied belch burst out. That single gulp seemed to release all the frustration he'd swallowed from dealing with Ivan.

"What are we doing there? Aren't you going home this late?" Jack asked curiously.

"Why the questions? Just drive!" Hans snapped.

His darling Maria lived there. As her boss, shouldn't he care about her life outside of work?

Wasn't that what responsible employers were supposed to do?

"My sweet Maria, here I come..."

"Tony Stark, we've made a breakthrough with the new element!" Dr. Carter's voice crackled through the phone in Aetheris's hand.

Ever since that congressional hearing, Aetheris had ramped up funding and staffing for developing the new energy source. Even SpiderMan hadn't seen Mary Jane in over a week.

Dr. Carter and SpiderMan had combed through every piece of data, every disc Howard left behind. They even scanned each video frame by frame—until they finally found a clue.

Technically, this discovery should've been made by Tony Stark himself. But Tony's version-230 brain had long been replaced by Aetheris's version-250 brain. The numbers went up, but the quality took a hit.

Aetheris glanced at Nova sleeping beside him. Her delicate face looked like it was carved from jade. He gently slipped his arm from her embrace. Her smooth, warm skin made it hard to let go.

She didn't stir. He dressed quietly, leaned down, and kissed her gently on her closed eyelids.

He stepped out into the living room. The fireplace crackled with fragrant wood, wrapping the space in a cozy warmth.

This had also been the battlefield where he and Nova had gone to war the night before. The sofa, the dining table, the cashmere rug… remnants of their "battle" still lingered.

Aetheris felt himself falling even deeper for this soft yet fiery beauty. Her gentleness, her resilience, her affectionate surrender—they all made him feel more alive. More like a man.

As he quietly shut the door behind him, Nova playfully opened her eyes. Her gaze, still glowing with contentment, shimmered with delight.

The domineering CEO falling for me... it's really happening.

And this CEO? He was truly the fighter jet among roosters.

"Ethan, what did you find?"

Aetheris burst through the lab doors, excitement radiating off him.

"Tony, you're here. Come take a look," Dr. Carter said, gesturing toward the virtual screen.

Aetheris nodded to SpiderMan .

"Hey there, Mr. Stark!" the kid greeted enthusiastically, waving like a starstruck fan.

On the screen, Howard appeared beside a scale model. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, his lean, determined features strongly resembled Tony Stark's. No need for a DNA test—anyone with eyes could tell they were father and son.

"Tony, you're still young. You wouldn't understand this now, so I decided to record it in advance."

Howard sat beside the model display, his gaze distant and thoughtful.

Aetheris could almost feel that gaze pierce the decades, reaching through the screen to meet his.

It was a powerful sensation like reading a book. The characters may be silent on the page, but when woven together, they form a voice. A connection between reader and writer, thoughts and wisdom transcending time.

A meeting across dimensions.

Howard continued,

"So I recorded this for you ahead of time. All of this was created with you in mind. One day, you'll understand—this isn't just an invention. It's my life's work. The key to the future."

The camera zoomed in on the miniature models: towering skyscrapers, fountains, vehicles. In that instant, the city came alive—a glimpse into a futuristic world.

"I'm limited by the science of my era. But one day, you'll understand it all. And when you do, you'll change the world. My greatest creation… is you."

Aetheris stared silently at the screen. Emotions welled up, condensing into a breathless sigh.

What a shame… I'm not your son.

But I'll carry everything your son left behind—and I'll lead humanity, step by solitary step, through this troubled world.

"So touching," came Pepper's voice beside him.

"If you need a shoulder to lean on... mine's available."

Aetheris rubbed his nose and glanced mischievously at the generous curve beneath her suit.

"I don't think I need your shoulder. I think I need... those—your endless compassion."

Pepper rolled her eyes.

"You used to have something called knowledge rattling around in that skull. Now it's just boobs and butts."

"Hmph! Haven't you heard? The only thing broader than the ocean is the sky… and the only thing broader than the sky is a woman's compassion."

Aetheris leaned close and whispered it into her soft, rounded ear.

A flush of warmth surged through Pepper's cheeks and ears.

"Ahem, ahem"

Dr. Carter cleared his throat, reminding Aetheris to keep it professional—especially with young Peter Parker standing right there.

Young people didn't need that kind of temptation.

(End of Chapter)

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