The car slowly pulled over to the side of the road.
Henry opened the door and stepped out.
Standing by the window, he smiled at Tony in the driver's seat.
"Big bro, enjoy the party. Don't drink too much, and don't go too wild." Though his tone was teasing, his eyes carried genuine concern, the care of a younger brother.
Tony paused for a moment, then quickly reverted to his usual arrogant expression.
"Oh, come on." He smirked. "Mind your own business. Don't mess up your date and come running back crying to me. I don't have time to comfort a heartbroken Superman."
"Relax," Henry said with a smile. He glanced at Natasha in the back seat—she thought she was invisible, but he had no intention of stopping her. Let her be a bystander.
"I never mess up a date."
With that, he didn't linger. He lifted off the ground and vanished into the sky in an instant.
The car restarted and merged back into traffic.
Tony watched Henry disappear in the rearview mirror, silent for a moment, then muttered to the empty air, "J.A.R.V.I.S., track where that brat went."
"Sir, Mr. Henry has departed," J.A.R.V.I.S.'s calm voice replied. "Satellite thermal imaging indicates that thirty seconds ago, he ascended vertically from downtown Los Angeles, currently heading toward Stark Industries."
Tony chuckled and swore under his breath. "That damn kid… he's becoming increasingly reckless."
…
7:00 PM
Los Angeles, a top-tier Michelin three-star restaurant.
Henry, clad in a well-tailored casual suit, sat at a window-side table, swirling a glass of red wine, watching the Los Angeles sunset.
He was patient with dates—like waiting for a perfect dish, the anticipation itself was part of the pleasure.
Helen Cho arrived soon after, dressed in an elegant black evening gown. She had swapped her usual white lab coat for this, her demeanor softer and imbued with a gentle, refined intelligence.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, slightly embarrassed.
"You're just in time," Henry replied, standing to pull out her chair in a gentlemanly manner. "Beautiful ladies are always allowed to be late. After all, the wait is part of the enjoyment."
Helen smiled at him, charmed by his effortless charm.
"Mr. Stark, you seem… even more articulate than the news portrays."
"Oh? Is that so?" Henry poured her a glass of wine as he sat down. "It seems the media has been too superficial—focusing on my looks and wealth, ignoring the depth of my mind. Truly a pity."
Their dinner began in this lighthearted, enjoyable atmosphere. They spoke of science, art, the future—everything.
Helen was surprised at how knowledgeable and thoughtful he was. His mind was an endless treasure trove, always capable of astonishing insights from unconventional angles. She felt like an explorer discovering a new continent, and he was the uncharted, thrilling land before her. She was completely captivated.
…
Meanwhile, at the Malibu beachfront villa.
The deafening music nearly lifted the roof off the mansion.
The pool was crowded with bikini-clad beauties, neon lights reflecting off the water, champagne bubbles mingling with laughter—a scene of hedonistic excess.
This was Tony Stark's world, full of wealth, women, and indulgence.
Yet today, the owner of this paradise seemed distracted.
He leaned against the balcony on the second floor, holding a glass of whiskey, staring blankly at the chaos below.
"Why hide up here drinking alone?"
Pepper's voice came from behind. She had changed from her professional suit into a simple white dress, softening her presence.
"Oh, nothing," Tony said, snapping out of his daze. He turned to her, forcing a smile. "Just pondering a serious question… like how to turn the pool into champagne without harming any of the poor bikinis."
"Sure," Pepper rolled her eyes and joined him at the railing. "You're worried, aren't you?"
Tony fell silent.
"Worried about what?" he finally said after a long pause, shrugging with feigned nonchalance. "I'm Iron Man. What could possibly challenge me?"
"You're worried about Henry," Pepper pointed out, piercingly. "You fear he might get hurt, that he could lose himself with this sudden power. You fear losing him… like you lost your father."
Tony stiffened.
He turned to look at her, incredulous.
"You…"
"I know you, Tony," Pepper said softly, her eyes full of empathy. "You always shoulder everything yourself. You wrap yourself in arrogance like armor, pretending to be invincible. But your heart… it's softer than anyone realizes."
Tony opened his mouth, but no words came.
He felt something gently stir within him, a touch he rarely allowed himself to feel.
"Alright, the party's over."
After a pause, his voice grew hoarse.
He went inside and shut off the blaring music downstairs.
"Hey, sweethearts! Time's up!" he shouted to the still-stunned crowd. "Party's over! Go home! My assistant will send your checks to your agents tomorrow morning!"
Ignoring the complaints, he strode toward the underground lab.
Pepper watched his slightly lonely figure and smiled wryly, then followed.
…
In the lab.
Tony stood alone before the holographic display, staring at the models of two future tech suits. He was silent for a long time.
"Still worried about him?" Pepper asked softly, approaching him.
"Worried?" Tony scoffed, as if it were the biggest joke. But this time, he didn't counter with his usual stream of trash talk.
He looked away, avoiding Pepper's penetrating gaze, feigning indifference.
"Why would I worry about that guy? He's Superman now, a monster who could punch down a building. The ones to worry about are his enemies."
He reached out and lightly touched the projection of the all-black, powerful yet elegant suit. Cold and intangible, yet he felt as if it carried his brother's concern.
"I'm just thinking…" His voice grew low. "That brat always takes everything on himself. From Afghanistan, to New York… who knows what else he's been through. He never tells me. Never… what actually happened."
Pepper watched him, seeing the man who always hid behind arrogance and pride reveal a rare softness. Her heart ached.
She said nothing, placing her hand gently over his.
Tony flinched slightly.
He looked at her, confusion and helplessness flashing in his confident, arrogant eyes.
"Pepper, I…"
"Shh," Pepper placed her other hand over his lips. "You don't need to say it."
She smiled warmly.
"I understand."
***
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