c14: Reminder
Tony Stark arrived quickly at the venue of the Stark Industries charity gala. The event was, as always, a gathering of New York's elite, powerful businessmen, celebrities, and influential figures dressed in extravagant suits and evening gowns, accompanied by elegantly dressed women who drew just as much attention. The moment Tony stepped out and handed his car to the valet, the atmosphere subtly shifted, with conversations pausing as eyes turned toward him.
Tony acknowledged the greetings around him with casual nods, but his attention was elsewhere. His sharp gaze swept across the crowd, searching for Harvey Ambellaca. He hadn't come here for socializing, he needed answers. Ever since hearing about Harvey's massive reinvestment into Stark Industries, the questions in his mind had only multiplied. He wanted to know just how much Harvey truly understood about him, about the company, and perhaps even about things no one else should know.
However, after scanning the venue, Tony didn't spot Harvey. With no immediate lead, he turned his attention to Obadiah Stane, intending to question him about certain arrangements surrounding the gala. The two exchanged a few brief words, but before Tony could press further, the sound of a powerful engine cut through the air outside.
A silver Audi R8 pulled up smoothly at the entrance, its sleek design instantly drawing attention. In a city like New York, where luxury cars were common among the wealthy, such a vehicle still stood out, and more importantly, so did its owner. Many of the guests immediately recognized who had arrived. Tony, who had specifically investigated him, naturally knew as well.
The car door opened, and Harvey Ambellaca stepped out, tall, composed, and carrying himself with effortless confidence. His presence immediately stirred whispers among those nearby. Some recognized him as the young billionaire who had risen to prominence in recent years, while others had already heard rumors of his bold financial moves involving Stark Industries.
"He directly leveraged billions and became a major shareholder overnight…"
"There's another major figure to watch now…"
Soft murmurs spread through the crowd. Several elegantly dressed women cast curious and interested glances toward Harvey. Unlike Tony Stark, who was a regular at such events, Harvey rarely appeared in public social gatherings. His presence here was unusual and intriguing. Even more surprising, he had arrived alone, which only fueled speculation and interest.
Standing at the top of the steps, Tony Stark's eyes locked onto Harvey's. Without hesitation, he walked forward.
"I heard you don't attend events like this," Tony said as he approached. "Even though I sent you an invitation, why show up this time?"
Harvey met his gaze calmly, a faint smile forming on his lips. "There should be plenty of good food here. I happened to receive an invitation and had nothing better to do, so I came to take a look," he replied casually. Then, after a slight pause, he added, "Besides, I figured you'd want to talk to me."
Tony didn't deny it. The certainty in Harvey's tone only confirmed that this meeting wasn't coincidental. "So you're free to talk?" he asked directly.
"That depends on what you want to talk about," Harvey answered, leaving his response deliberately open-ended.
Tony glanced around at the crowd before making a decision. "Let's go inside," he said.
Harvey nodded, and the two walked into the venue together. Their interaction, familiar yet mysterious, immediately became the center of attention, sparking more whispers among the guests. Not far away, Phil Coulson noticed the scene unfold. Seeing Harvey once again and now speaking directly with Tony, he silently resolved to find an opportunity to approach him later.
Without lingering in the main hall, Tony led Harvey through the venue and out onto a quieter balcony overlooking the city. The noise of the gala faded behind them, replaced by the distant hum of New York at night.
Tony turned to face him, his expression sharpening. "Why did you suddenly buy shares in Stark Industries?" he asked bluntly.
Harvey leaned slightly against the railing, his gaze drifting toward the city lights below. "The reason is simple," he said calmly. "I want to make more money."
Tony frowned slightly at the dismissive answer, his tone growing more pointed. "That's not what I'm asking," he said. "Why do you suddenly have such confidence in Stark Industries again?"
Tony Stark could not understand the root of this problem. As someone who relied on logic, engineering precision, and verifiable data, the kind of mindset that allowed him to miniaturize the Arc Reactor in a cave, he found Harvey Ambellaca's actions completely illogical. Therefore, the only way forward was to get answers directly from Harvey himself.
"With your brain, you shouldn't have trouble figuring out my reasons, right?" Harvey said, his gaze subtly shifting toward Tony Stark's chest, where the miniaturized Arc Reactor was embedded.something only a select few like Ho Yinsen and James Rhodes truly understood.
"Who told you? Oba… Obadiah Stane?" That single glance made Tony Stark feel as though he had been completely seen through. His eyes narrowed as he immediately named the most likely person who could have betrayed him.
"Dispensable trash, easily erased, isn't worth my time," Harvey said calmly, his tone flat, as if he were speaking of something insignificant rather than one of the most powerful executives within Stark Industries.
Tony Stark fell silent for a moment. He could clearly sense the indifference in Harvey Ambellaca's voice, and it wasn't an act. To Harvey, Obadiah Stane.who had worked alongside Howard Stark for decades and maintained deep ties with the U.S. military.was nothing more than a minor figure. That level of dismissal made Tony question what kind of confidence Harvey truly possessed.
"I have no grudge against you, so I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Tony Stark said. Although he did not hold Obadiah Stane in particularly high regard, the man was still part of his father's generation and a long-standing pillar of Stark Industries, so he wasn't someone Tony would casually belittle.
Based on Tony's prior investigation into Harvey Ambellaca's background, if Obadiah Stane ever learned how little Harvey thought of him, it could provoke unnecessary conflict. Even though Tony found Harvey irritating, he had to admit there was no real hostility between them, only suspicion and curiosity.
"So you're going to help me keep this a secret? Well, thank you very much," Harvey said, his expression shifting as the earlier indifference melted into a faint smile. "As a token of gratitude, Tony Stark, I can give you a hint. Would you like to hear it?"
"This time, it's not me asking, you're the one offering," Tony Stark replied immediately, drawing a clear boundary. His pride would not allow him to appear as though he needed help, especially from someone as unpredictable as Harvey.
"Of course, just a small thank-you gift," Harvey said lightly. "You've been investigating who deliberately handed you over to the Ten Rings, haven't you? Then trust your instincts, and be careful. Even trash can cause trouble."
"You… how did you know I was kidnapped?" Tony Stark's voice dropped instantly. The moment he heard those words, a name surfaced in his mind, but he suppressed it just as quickly, lowering his tone to avoid drawing attention.
"I'm a little hungry; I should get something to eat," Harvey replied, completely ignoring the question. He casually rubbed his stomach and walked toward the ballroom, where the banquet tables were filled with expensive dishes.
Tony Stark watched Harvey Ambellaca walk across the dance floor and head straight for the food, his mind filled with unanswered questions. The man's behavior, knowledge, and timing were far too precise to be coincidence, yet there was no concrete evidence to prove anything.
However, with Harvey now in a crowded public space, it was clearly not the right moment to continue pressing him. Left with no choice, Tony Stark temporarily suppressed his doubts and stepped onto the dance floor, though his thoughts remained far from the music and celebration.
....