c10: Who Are You?
Tony Stark's words immediately caught Phil Coulson off guard. Standing nearby, Coulson instinctively shifted his attention back to Harvey Ambellaca, his expression turning more serious. As a senior agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., he understood exactly what Tony was implying. Harvey's calm reaction wasn't normal, it was the kind of anomaly that demanded investigation.
It was precisely because of this almost predictive accuracy that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been monitoring Harvey in the first place. One correct investment could be luck, but a flawless record over multiple major financial movements was something else entirely. If Harvey had made even a single visible miscalculation, they might have dismissed him. But he hadn't not once. That alone made him suspicious.
This time was even more extreme. Tony's decision to shut down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries wasn't public knowledge beforehand. It was sudden, disruptive, and guaranteed to send shockwaves through global markets. No normal investor could have predicted it. Yet Harvey's reaction suggested he had already accounted for it.
"What's there to feel heartbroken about?" Harvey replied calmly, his tone relaxed. "I sold all my shares more than two months ago." He smiled faintly, meeting Tony's gaze without hesitation. "If anything, your announcement today just proves that my decision was the right one."
Tony's expression shifted slightly, genuine surprise flashing across his face. "You're telling me you sold everything that long ago?" he asked, his voice carrying disbelief. For someone who prided himself on intelligence and foresight, this kind of timing was difficult to accept.
Without wasting a second, Coulson pulled out his tablet and accessed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s financial surveillance data. The results appeared quickly. Harvey Ambellaca had indeed liquidated his holdings worth approximately 1.13 billion dollars in multiple transactions, all executed near peak market value. The sales were completed within the month before Tony's disappearance in Afghanistan.
At that time, Stark Industries stock had been steadily climbing. With Tony still publicly active and military contracts intact, it was considered one of the safest and most profitable investments on the market. Most investors were holding or buying more shares, expecting continued growth. Yet Harvey had exited completely and profited massively in the process.
The numbers were undeniable. That single decision had earned him an additional profit of at least 300 million dollars. Coulson stared at the data for a moment longer before slowly lowering the tablet, his eyes returning to Harvey. The question forming in his mind was unavoidable: was this foresight… or something beyond human capability?
"Over the past year, the stock performed well. I earned enough from appreciation and dividends," Harvey said lightly, spreading his hands in a casual gesture. "At some point, you take your profit and leave. That's just basic investment logic." His explanation sounded reasonable too reasonable.
Tony noticed Coulson's reaction and the confirmation in his data. Then he looked back at Harvey, studying him more carefully. If he hadn't made today's announcement, Stark Industries would have continued its upward trajectory. Any rational investor would have stayed in. Selling at that exact moment required either incredible intuition… or knowledge no one else had.
"No wonder everyone else is panicking," Tony said slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And you're just standing there, completely relaxed… maybe even enjoying this." There was a hint of irritation in his voice now. Harvey's composure felt almost provocative.
"But tell me," Tony continued, his tone sharpening, "how long do you think that kind of luck is going to last?" In his mind, Harvey's rise still didn't align with logic. Genius recognized genius but Harvey didn't fit that category. That left only one explanation Tony was willing to accept: luck.
Harvey chuckled softly. "Tony Stark, you really don't hold back, do you?" he said with a grin. "In terms of wealth, I'm still far behind you. And when it comes to intelligence, I definitely can't compare to a genius engineer who built weapons systems and advanced tech like the Arc Reactor."
He paused briefly before continuing, his tone calm and confident. "But whether you call it luck or something else… it doesn't really change the outcome. I make money. Consistently." His words carried no arrogance, only quiet certainty.
Tony's gaze hardened slightly as he listened. There was something about Harvey's demeanor that he couldn't quite decipher. That unwavering calm, that subtle confidence—it didn't match the profile of someone relying purely on luck. And that contradiction irritated him.
"So why are you here?" Tony asked bluntly. "Did you come all the way to my press conference just to show me how smart you are?" His voice carried a clear edge now, the probing turning more direct.
Coulson, standing to the side, also fixed his gaze on Harvey Ambellaca. To be honest, even he was curious. Harvey had never shown interest in high-profile public events, yet today he appeared at Tony Stark's press conference without hesitation. For an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., such an abnormal behavioral shift was worth careful observation.
"I'm not here to show off any foresight I never thought about it that way," Harvey said calmly, shaking his head with a faint smile. "I just came to see how you were doing after disappearing for several months." His tone was light, almost casual. "So, where exactly did you come back from? I'd like to make sure I avoid that place if I ever plan a vacation."
"Afghanistan," Tony replied directly, his expression softening slightly now that Harvey's intentions didn't seem provocative. The single word carried weight, enough to silence any lingering levity in the room.
"Afghanistan? A place crawling with terrorist organizations like the Ten Rings… that's certainly not somewhere most people would survive," Harvey said, showing a hint of surprise. His reaction seemed natural, aligning with the public perception of the region's danger.
"Yes," Tony answered, his tone returning to its usual sharp edge. "But even if I didn't tell you, it's not like someone in your line of work would ever go there." He glanced at Harvey critically. "From what I can tell, your wealth comes from real estate and stock trading nothing innovative, nothing uniquely yours."
Harvey didn't seem offended. Instead, he smiled lightly. "That may be true for now," he said. "But the future is unpredictable. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll need my help." His tone was relaxed, yet carried an undercurrent of quiet confidence.
"Need your help?" Tony repeated, then let out a short laugh. "That's impossible. Absolutely impossible." His voice was firm, filled with the certainty of someone who had always relied on his own genius.
"Don't be so certain," Harvey replied, his expression unchanged. "You're a man who built revolutionary weapons systems and advanced technology far beyond your peers. A genius like you should understand better than anyone anything is possible." As he spoke, he casually lifted a finger and tapped lightly against Tony's chest.
Coulson didn't find the mention of advanced technology surprising. Tony Stark's intellect was already well known across intelligence networks. However, Tony's reaction was different. His eyes narrowed instantly, his expression shifting into something far more serious.
Aside from James Rhodes and the late Ho Yinsen, no one should have known about the miniature Arc Reactor embedded in his chest. That device—his lifeline after escaping captivity was not public knowledge. And he was certain Rhodes had never interacted with Harvey.
"Who exactly are you?" Tony asked, his voice lower now, the casual arrogance replaced with sharp scrutiny.
"Harvey Ambellaca," Harvey replied simply, a faint smile on his face. "The same 'lucky guy' you mentioned earlier." He didn't answer the question directly, instead deflecting it with deliberate ease.
"I think we'll have more dealings in the future," Harvey added calmly as he stood up. "So let's leave it at that for now." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the exit.
Coulson frowned slightly, unable to fully grasp what had just happened between the two. Something in that brief exchange had clearly shifted Tony's attitude. However, he had no intention of letting Harvey leave so easily there were still too many unanswered questions.
Turning back briefly, Coulson addressed Tony. "Mr. Stark, Phil Coulson—Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division." He placed a business card on the table. "I'd like to speak with you about your escape from Afghanistan, but I understand you're occupied. I'll follow up at a more convenient time."
With that, Coulson quickly moved to follow Harvey out of the room.
Tony remained where he was, watching Harvey's departing figure, his eyes flickering with thought. There was something deeply unsettling about the man something that didn't align with logic or probability. At the same time, Tony was reminded that Obadiah Stane would undoubtedly want to speak with him soon.
He exhaled slowly. There were far too many things to process and not nearly enough answers.
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