The years unfolded exactly as Alexander Ashborn had foreseen.
Stark Industries rose.
Not gradually—
but decisively.
Weapons contracts expanded.
Research divisions multiplied.
Market value surged until analysts ran out of comparisons.
Tony Stark became what the world expected him to be:
A genius.
A billionaire.
A playboy.
And somewhere in the background—never in headlines, never in scandals—
Alexander Ashborn watched, smiling.
Friends, Not Partners
Tony and Alex became something rare in that world.
Not rivals.
Not manipulators.
Friends.
They drank together.
Argued about engineering philosophy.
Mocked politicians and laughed at tabloids.
Tony once said, half-drunk,
"You know what scares me about you?"
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"That I don't bill you consulting fees?"
Tony laughed.
"No. That you never want anything."
Alex only smiled.
Veronica Stark, Unprepared
Veronica Stark, however, was far less composed.
Every time she spoke to Alex alone—
Her voice softened.
Her thoughts tangled.
Her confidence… faltered.
She hated it.
She was a Stark.
She didn't fluster.
And yet—
"Good morning, Lord Ash— I mean— Alex— I mean—"
Alex tilted his head, amused.
"Relax," he said gently. "I don't bite."
Her face turned bright red.
Tony, witnessing this from across the room, nearly choked laughing.
"Oh my god," Tony wheezed.
"My sister is broken."
Alex chuckled softly.
Veronica glared at both of them.
"I hate you," she muttered.
Alex leaned closer, teasing just a little.
"No you don't."
She froze.
Tony lost it completely.
Dinner with the Starks
It was Tony who invited Alex to a Stark family dinner.
No press.
No executives.
Just food and conversation.
Alex accepted.
The evening was surprisingly warm.
Stories of Howard.
Memories of childhood.
Laughter without expectations.
Veronica sat beside Alex, pretending not to notice how naturally he fit in.
Like he'd always belonged there.
That thought unsettled her more than anything.
New Faces Enter the Stage
During these years, Alex crossed paths with three remarkable women.
Gwen Stacy — brilliant, curious, endlessly driven.
Felicia Hardy — sharp-eyed, confident, with a smile that hid secrets.
Skye — observant, adaptable, and far more perceptive than she let on.
Alex didn't force fate.
He simply spoke.
And listened.
Felicia became his secretary at Stark Industries, efficient and amused by her unusual employer.
Skye became his assistant, quickly realizing Alex was nothing like other executives—and far more dangerous in ways she couldn't explain.
And when Alex founded Ashborn Labs, focused on medicine and cosmetics—
He offered Gwen a position as a scientist.
She accepted without hesitation.
Ashborn Labs
The impact was immediate.
Breakthrough treatments.
Revolutionary skincare.
Patents that changed entire industries.
Ashborn Labs became a global name—
not flashy, not aggressive—
But trusted.
Veronica often found herself assisting Alex on projects.
Late nights.
Quiet conversations.
Stolen glances she pretended not to notice.
Her feelings deepened.
Unwanted.
Unavoidable.
The Calm Before the Storm
By 2004, everything was in place.
Tony thrived.
Pepper Potts became his secretary—and something more.
Stark Industries ruled the market.
And Alexander Ashborn—
Friend, investor, shadow—
Waited.
Because timelines always moved toward disruption.
And he knew—
The world was about to change again.