c11 – Harvey's Attitude
Harvey left the press conference venue and walked straight toward his luxury car, his expression calm as if nothing unusual had happened. The noise from Stark Industries' press conference faded behind him, but the implications of that event were only just beginning. As Phil Coulson followed closely, Harvey opened the car door and gestured casually.
"Get in. I'll take you somewhere I consider safe," Harvey said without looking back. "You can say whatever you want there." His tone was relaxed, but there was a clear boundary he would control the environment of this conversation.
Coulson didn't hesitate. As a senior operative of S.H.I.E.L.D., he understood the importance of maintaining the opportunity to talk. He opened the passenger door and got in without ceremony. Soon after, Harvey started the engine and drove off toward his estate in New York, the city lights reflecting across the windshield.
"What exactly do you want from me?" Harvey asked as he drove, his voice casual but direct. There was no attempt to hide his impatience only a controlled curiosity.
"Mr. Harvey Ambellaca," Coulson began calmly, "the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division was established under the authority of the World Security Council to handle events beyond the scope of conventional agencies." His tone was professional, carefully measured.
"First, let me assure you we have no hostile intent toward you, especially as a lawful citizen and major taxpayer," Coulson continued. "However, your rise over the past two years has been… exceptionally smooth. Based on our assessments, there's a possibility that you possess abilities beyond those of ordinary humans."
"That's why we approached you," Coulson added, not hiding his purpose. "If possible, we hope you would consider cooperating with us or even joining an initiative currently being planned by Director Nick Fury to protect Earth from emerging threats."
"So let me get this straight," Harvey said, his tone turning colder. "You suspected I might have powers, and without any solid evidence, you sent someone to test me—with a gun?" His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
"And not just any test," he continued, glancing sideways. "A reckless one. That doesn't exactly sound like a smart way to recruit someone or even start a conversation." His words carried clear dissatisfaction, referencing Natasha's earlier actions without restraint.
Coulson's expression grew slightly awkward. "There were… complications that day," he admitted. "Agent Natasha Romanoff acted under pressure, and her approach was more aggressive than intended."
"However," Coulson added quickly, "while the situation may have frightened you, she had no intention of causing real harm. I hope you can understand and perhaps forgive the misjudgment." His tone was sincere, though he knew the explanation wasn't perfect.
Faced with someone like Harvey wealthy, influential, and with a completely clean public record Coulson couldn't apply the usual pressure tactics. Even without confirmed superhuman abilities, Harvey's rapid financial success over the past two years had already made him a figure worth maintaining a good relationship with.
Harvey's expression eased slightly, but his dissatisfaction remained visible. "I can accept that your intentions might not have been entirely malicious," he said, his voice calmer but still edged. "But that doesn't change the impression it left."
Coulson nodded. "On behalf of Agent Romanoff and S.H.I.E.L.D., I sincerely apologize," he said again, more formally this time. The apology was genuine maintaining trust, even a fragile one, was critical.
"The idea of protecting Earth is admirable," Harvey continued after a brief pause. "But that depends on whether your organization remains true to that purpose… or ends up becoming a tool for certain political interests." His words were blunt, cutting straight to the core issue.
"Let's be honest," Harvey added. "An organization established by the World Security Council can't possibly act with complete independence. There will always be restrictions, directives… control." His tone carried quiet certainty, as if he had already seen through the structure of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"And me?" Harvey shrugged slightly. "I'm just an ordinary citizen with money no need to worry about survival, work, or politics." He slowed the car as they neared his estate. "So I'd prefer not to get involved."
The car came to a stop. Harvey looked at Coulson briefly before speaking again. "If one day I truly receive help or protection from your organization, I'll show my gratitude," he said calmly. "But that day isn't today."
His meaning was clear. He wasn't interested in joining, being recruited, or being controlled.
For Harvey, accepting paid missions was one thing but becoming part of a structured team like the Avengers Initiative, operating under orders, was something else entirely. He followed only his own will. And anyone who intended to command him… would first have to prove they had the power to do so.
At least for now, neither S.H.I.E.L.D., nor American politicians, nor public pressure could influence Harvey's decisions. He had no intention of revealing his true identity yet the timing simply wasn't right. His current lifestyle was stable, comfortable, and most importantly, allowed him to continue evolving without interference. However, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s repeated probing had already crossed a line in his eyes, and he had begun to consider reminding them and by extension, the United States of their limits.
Coulson sensed the shift the moment the car stopped. From Harvey's words, he could clearly feel the underlying disdain not just toward political figures, but toward any form of control. As an experienced agent, he couldn't deny that Harvey's assessment wasn't entirely wrong. Organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D., despite their stated mission, were inevitably influenced by the World Security Council.
"I understand," Coulson said after a brief pause, his expression carrying a trace of apology. "Thank you, Mr. Harvey Ambellaca, for taking the time to speak with me." His tone was sincere. He knew pushing further would only worsen the situation.
Without hesitation, Coulson opened the car door and stepped out. Though the conversation hadn't gone smoothly, he had achieved something important he now understood Harvey's stance. Whether Harvey possessed superhuman abilities or not was still uncertain, but one thing was clear: he would never willingly join an organization like S.H.I.E.L.D.
From Coulson's perspective, this was a familiar problem. Even initiatives like the one proposed by Nick Fury the early concept of the Avengers would inevitably face resistance. No matter how noble the purpose, the political strings attached would always become a barrier when dealing with independent individuals.
Completely removing those influences was impossible. At best, they could only try to obscure or minimize them when recruiting potential allies. But people like Harvey, who valued absolute autonomy, would see through that immediately. That made him both a valuable potential asset and an uncontrollable risk.
After Coulson stepped out, Harvey didn't waste another second. He pressed the accelerator and drove off without looking back. The conversation was over, and in his mind, there was nothing more to discuss.
Coulson, left standing by the roadside, calmly took out his phone and sent a message requesting extraction. He had no intention of contacting Tony Stark immediately. With Stark Industries about to suffer a massive stock collapse, Tony would undoubtedly be dealing with internal chaos. Approaching him now would be poorly timed and likely unproductive.
As for his interaction with Harvey, Coulson chose not to report it in detail. Even if he did, it would only complicate matters within the organization and possibly provoke unnecessary reactions. Sometimes, withholding information was the more strategic choice.
Meanwhile, Harvey returned to his luxurious manor. After resolving the matter with Coulson, he no longer needed to avoid his residence. The estate had been maintained regularly, with cleaners visiting weekly, so everything remained spotless despite his absence.
Entering the living room, Harvey switched on the television. Almost every channel was broadcasting news about Stark Industries. The media frenzy was intense countless commentators claimed Tony Stark had lost his mind, while others exaggerated the situation to absurd levels for ratings.
In the financial world, perception often mattered as much as reality. Stocks could surge or collapse based on speculation alone, and Tony's announcement about shutting down weapons manufacturing had struck like a bombshell. Panic was inevitable.
Harvey opened his trading software and observed the market in real time. As expected, Stark Industries' stock price was plummeting rapidly, its value dropping with every passing minute. Investors both small and large were rushing to sell, desperate to minimize their losses before things worsened.
However, Harvey remained calm. He knew this was only the beginning. Once Tony Stark revealed his shift toward clean energy centered around the Arc Reactor technology the company's value would rebound dramatically. But that moment hadn't arrived yet.
For now, it was still unfolding. And until the market reached its lowest point, it wasn't the right time for him to make his move.
.....