“Mr.
Rowan.” Agent Coulson smoothly changed the subject.
Clearly, he had no intention of continuing the organization’s name debate.
“We know who you are.” “We’d like to hear more about how Mr.
Stark escaped.” “Based on our information, Tony Stark emerged almost completely unharmed.” “Could you tell us what happened?” Rowan had just opened his mouth to answer when Tony suddenly called from the stage.
“Rowan!” “Get up here.” Saved by the bell.
“I’ve gotta go.” “We can talk later.” Coulson politely stepped aside.
There was no rush.
He had time.
Tony grabbed Rowan’s shoulder and pulled him onto the stage.
Then he pointed at him in front of every camera present.
“This is Rowan Ashford.” “From today onward, he’s my little brother.” The entire room exploded.
Reporters instantly lost their minds.
Tony Stark publicly acknowledging a younger brother?
And announcing it at a press conference?
That was headline material.
Massive headline material.
Meanwhile, Rowan was having an existential crisis.
Brother…
My dear brother…
Sure, I’m happy to have Stark Industries as a backing.
But I’m a support class!
Support classes are supposed to hide in the back!
Why are you dragging me onto the front line?!
Perhaps, in Tony’s eyes, things were simple.
If Rowan was his brother…
Then the entire world should know Rowan was his brother.
Years later, after enduring countless losses and tragedies, Tony would become fiercely protective of the people he cared about.
He would hide them from the world.
Shield them.
Protect them.
But right now?
Tony Stark was still Tony Stark.
Loud.
Proud.
And completely incapable of keeping anything subtle.
Feeling both touched and helpless, Rowan forced a smile and waved at the crowd.
Immediately— FLASH!
FLASH!
FLASH!
“MY EYES!” Rowan nearly got blinded by the barrage of cameras.
He retreated from the stage at top speed.
Tony watched him flee and chuckled.
Then his expression turned serious.
“Now.” “The second thing I want to discuss today.” The room instantly fell silent.
Every reporter leaned forward.
Tony took a breath.
“I used to believe my weapons protected people.” His voice was calm.
“But I watched a young man die.” “Right in front of me.” “Killed by a weapon I designed.” “A weapon that was supposedly built to protect him.” A reporter immediately shouted: “What happened over there?” Tony ignored the question.
Instead, he continued.
“These past months have made me realize something.” “I can do more for this world than build things that explode.” “Because of that…” “I am shutting down Stark Industries’ weapons division.” “Effective immediately.” “Until I determine a new direction for this company.” The room detonated.
It felt like someone had thrown a grenade into the conference hall.
Every reporter began shouting questions.
At once.
Chaos erupted.
Obadiah Stane’s face darkened instantly.
Fury flashed across his features.
He hurried onto the stage and attempted to stop Tony before he said anything else.
Watching the scene unfold, Rowan sighed.
“This is such a Tony thing to do.” After the press conference, Tony gave Rowan and Yinsen a tour of Stark Industries.
Standing beneath the gigantic Arc Reactor powering the building, Rowan couldn’t help staring upward.
The thing was enormous.
Compared to the miniature version in Tony’s chest, it felt like comparing a bicycle to a spaceship.
And somehow…
Tony had recreated a working miniature version in a cave.
In just a few days.
With scraps.
Rowan shivered.
“Terrifying.” “Technology geniuses are absolutely terrifying.” Just then, a furious Obadiah stormed into the room.
“Mr.
Rowan.” “Mr.
Yinsen.” “I’d like to speak with Tony privately.” Rowan immediately shrugged.
“Sure.” Then he dragged Yinsen away before the old man could change his mind.
Some time later, Tony and Obadiah emerged from the building together.
Laughing.
Talking.
Acting like old friends.
Rowan knew exactly what had happened.
Tony had told Obadiah about the Arc Reactor in his chest.
He sighed.
That thing is still a huge weakness.
I wonder if Tony would let me remove the shrapnel now.
Maybe I’ll talk to him about it later.
Over the following weeks, Tony’s announcement shook the entire world.
Stark Industries stock prices immediately plummeted.
Investors panicked.
News outlets went crazy.
Financial analysts collectively suffered emotional damage.
Meanwhile…
Tony, Rowan, and Yinsen were living their best lives.
Tony and Yinsen spent most of their time in the underground workshop.
The original Arc Reactor had been built under extreme pressure.
Its materials weren’t ideal.
Its construction wasn’t perfect.
Now that Tony had proper resources again, naturally he wanted to build a better one.
After all…
His life literally depended on it.
As for Rowan?
His schedule was even more enjoyable.
He simply ordered Happy to drive him around New York searching for food.
For days he ate his way through the city.
High-end restaurants.
Chinese restaurants.
Western restaurants.
Anything with a reputation.
Anything expensive.
Anything delicious.
Well…
Supposedly delicious.
Honestly?
Most of it was overrated.
Especially the Chinese food.
A few dishes were decent.
Most weren’t even close to the real thing.
One afternoon, after another food expedition, Rowan returned to the workshop.
The first thing he noticed was the Arc Reactor displayed inside a glass case near the entrance.
“Yo, Tony-ge.” “You upgraded your equipment?” “Did Pepper do this?” He tapped the glass.
Tony glanced over.
“Yeah.” “I told her to throw it away.” “She turned it into a souvenir instead.” His expression was full of helplessness.
“Where’s Uncle Yinsen?” Rowan looked around.
Normally the two of them were inseparable.
Tony continued working.
“He went home.” “To visit his family’s graves.” “I asked Rhodey to arrange security for him.” “I wanted to go too.” “He wouldn’t let me.” Rowan nodded and found a place to sit.
Watching Tony work was strangely entertaining.
The man was basically engineering incarnate.
After a while, Rowan casually asked: “Tony-ge.” “Have you thought about removing the shrapnel?” “And sealing the hole in your chest?” “I can help.” “One hundred percent success rate.” “One hundred percent recovery.” “Not even a scar.” Tony paused.
Then looked up.
“I know what you’re capable of, Rowan.” He thought for a moment.
Then shook his head.
“Not yet.” “I still need this.” He tapped the Arc Reactor.
“I want to rebuild what I made in that cave.” “I even tried recruiting Rhodey.” “He said no.” Then he grinned.
“Besides.” “I know that if anything goes wrong…” “You can save me.” “Right?” Rowan puffed out his chest proudly.
“Of course.” “I’m a premium support unit.” A moment later, Rowan remembered something.
“Oh.” “Tony-ge.” “You should be careful around Obadiah.” “I’ve got a bad feeling about him.” Tony laughed immediately.
“You’re overthinking it, little brother.” “Stane helped raise me.” “He’s practically family.” “He’d never hurt me.” “He’s just upset.” “I dropped a huge announcement without warning him.” “We already talked things out.” Rowan rolled his eyes internally.
Talked things out?
The guy wants you dead.
Outwardly, he simply shrugged.
“Just be careful.” “Sure, sure.” Tony clearly wasn’t taking him seriously.
Suddenly Tony walked over and threw an arm around Rowan’s shoulders.
“Rowan.” “What?” “You think your big brother treats you well?” Rowan acted aloof.
“Eh.” “You’re alright.” Tony grinned.
“Then do me a favor.” “What favor?” “Hit me with that Rejuvenation thing again.” Rowan blinked.
“Why?” “You’re perfectly healthy.” “What do you need it for?” Tony suddenly looked suspiciously mysterious.
“Ever since you used Rejuvenation on me…” “I’ve noticed my stamina has become incredible.” “I can work for hours without getting tired.” Rowan stared at him.
Very slowly.
Then narrowed his eyes.
“When you say ‘work’…” “…are we talking about actual work?” Tony immediately nodded.
“Absolutely.” “Completely legitimate work.” “One hundred percent professional.” Rowan’s expression became even more suspicious.
“I don’t believe a single word coming out of your mouth.” Still, he raised a hand.
A green glow appeared.
Rejuvenation.
Tony immediately looked pleased.
“At my current level, this should last around six hours.” “When it expires, come find me.” Then Rowan remembered something else.
His Mana Strength had increased enough recently.
Maybe it was finally time to plant a little insurance policy.
A life-saving one.
Tony, however, was already shooing him toward the exit.
“Alright.” “You can go now.” “I have important work to do.” His grin looked far too happy.
Rowan stared at him for several seconds.
Then sighed.
“Yeah…” “This definitely isn’t the kind of work you’re claiming it is.”