"What's this?" Tony asked, scrolling through the tablet with a deep frown.
Elaina kept her voice quiet. "A whistleblower from one of Stark's offshore divisions sent it to me. If your company really stopped making weapons, then what are these?" She pointed to the manifest. "Crates labeled as decommissioned—shipped to places like Afghanistan, Sokovia, and parts of East Africa."
Tony's expression grew darker.
Alex leaned over to get a better look, his eyes narrowing as he read through the list. Pepper stepped in closer too, her face tense with worry.
"These are from just last quarter," Elaina added. "Way after your announcement. And some of those crates ended up in the hands of insurgents. People are starting to think Stark Industries is still secretly selling weapons."
Tony's grip on the tablet tightened. "This shouldn't exist."
"Exactly," she said firmly. "I'm not blaming you. But someone in your company clearly is responsible."
Tony slowly handed the tablet back, his voice cold and hard. "Thanks for bringing this to me first."
"I thought you'd want a chance to deal with it before it hits the public," Elaina replied before disappearing into the crowd.
Alex let out a quiet breath. "That's the evidence we needed."
Pepper turned to Tony. "Do you really think Obadiah's been running a secret weapons operation?"
Tony's jaw tightened. "I don't think—I know."
Without another word, he turned and headed toward the hallway. Alex and Pepper followed, leaving the noise and music of the party behind. This wasn't about celebration anymore.
Tony pushed through a door and found Obadiah deep in conversation with a couple of board members.
"Obadiah," Tony said, his tone like steel.
Obadiah turned with a fake look of surprise. "Tony. Something wrong?"
"We need to talk. Alone."
The board members left quickly.
Tony stepped closer. "You've been selling weapons behind my back."
Obadiah didn't flinch. "You're overreacting."
"I've seen the shipment records," Tony snapped. "You're using Stark Industries to fuel war zones."
Obadiah gave a slow shrug. "The company needs stability. Real leadership. And you? You've lost your focus. You're chasing wild projects and ideas. Not grounded in reality."
Tony's fists clenched. "You betrayed me."
"I've been keeping this company running since your father passed," Obadiah said flatly. "Just let me do what needs to be done. You can stay the public figure. You've always been the face, Tony. Not the mind."
Tony stood still, the words landing like a punch to the gut. He turned and walked out without another word.
Alex caught up to him in the hallway.
"What do you want?" Tony snapped. "Here to mock me? Say something like 'look at Tony Stark—can't even run his own company'?"
Alex shrugged. "I thought about it. But I figured right now… you could use someone on your side."
Tony didn't respond but gave a small nod. Some of the tension in his shoulders faded as they walked together toward the parking garage.
—Later that night, Tony's home—
Tony sat on the couch, staring at the television. The screen showed foreign news—a shaky video of a village under attack. There were explosions, gunfire, and armed men using high-tech weapons… all with the Stark logo clearly visible.
He didn't say a word. The distant cries of frightened children echoed softly through the speakers.
Alex stood behind him silently, the glow of the TV throwing long shadows across the room.
"If you want," Alex said quietly, "I could just go out and kill them all. You're my patient, after all. Keeping your mind stable is part of my job."
Tony didn't answer at first.
Then he asked, "I thought you were a doctor. Someone who only saves people."
Alex gave a small, cold smile. "Killing terrorists saves people."
Internally, he added to himself, And besides… I need to kill now. It's part of the system.
Just days ago, after completing the full stabilization of his Dawnborne evolution, a message had echoed in his mind:
[Dawnborne Evolution Stabilized]
[Unique Pathway Unlocked: Balance of Sin and Virtue]
[New Attributes Unlocked: Sin Points & Virtue Points]
[All actions will now be judged and assigned to either Sin or Virtue]
[System Store updated: Sin Shop and Virtue Shop unlocked]
Sin Shop: Acquire demonic essence, cursed relics, weapons forged in chaos, and bloodlines from Hell.
Virtue Shop: Gain angelic bloodlines, divine gear, and blessings from celestial realms.
Back in the moment, Alex exhaled and spoke aloud, "So yes, killing them is saving lives. And more than that… it's something I have to do."
Tony glanced sideways at him, unsure whether to be impressed or worried.
"Can you even fight?" Tony asked. "Sure, you've got this… mystical energy thing going on. But are you bulletproof? Can you even take a punch?"
Alex gave a faint smile.
He raised his hand, palm open. A golden light gathered there, focused and dense. In a blink, it fired like a sniper round—slamming into the far wall with a loud crack. A hole sizzled into the concrete—clean, sharp, and still smoking.
"I'm not just a magical doctor, Tony," Alex said calmly. "And that? That was me holding back."
Tony looked at the wall, wide-eyed. "That… might be more powerful than my early repulsor beams."
Alex smirked. "Remind me again—who's the real tech genius?"
Tony laughed dryly and pointed at the Mark I suit sitting nearby—a replica, not the real thing. "Hey. That thing, or at least the original, got me out of a cave."
Alex chuckled. "Fair. But it still looks like you built it during a nervous breakdown."
Tony waved him off, then motioned toward a curtain.
"Forget that. Let me show you something that matters."
He tapped his watch. A hidden panel opened nearby with a soft hiss, revealing a sleek new suit—red and gold, polished and humming with power. The chest core glowed softly, and the smooth plating reflected every beam of lab light.
"Mark II," Tony said with pride. "Fully flight-capable, improved repulsors, self-contained arc reactor, and full AI interface. This is the real deal."
Alex whistled under his breath. "Looks like you're ready to take down those arms dealers yourself."
Tony turned to him. "That's exactly what I'm planning."
"So… you're coming with me?" Alex asked.
Tony nodded. "Damn right I am."
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