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For a moment, neither of them spoke.
General Drake's expression tightened, his earlier confidence fading but he kept his expression calm.
Pity for him, Ethan's FOCUS easily saw his heartbeat spiking.
"You're making a dangerous choice," he said simply.
Ethan didn't flinch.
"No," he replied. "I'm stopping a bad one."
Drake's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was holding back a stronger reaction.
"You understand this will make enemies in places you don't want."
Ethan shrugged once.
"I already have enemies. One more won't matter."
The general breathed out slowly through his nose.
"You think this is about winning or losing a court argument," he said. "It isn't. It's about influence. About what comes next."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"And what comes next?"
"Control," Drake answered. "If Stark keeps that technology to himself, every other country will race to catch up. That kind of imbalance starts wars."
Ethan didn't blink.
"And if the U.S. gets it first, the world suddenly becomes peaceful?"
Drake didn't answer. That was the answer.
Ethan set down his drink.
"You want to control the future. I just want to protect mine," he said. "We're not the same."
Drake stared at him for a long moment before nodding once.
"So that's how it is."
"That's how it's always been," Ethan replied.
The general straightened his uniform and took a step back.
"When the time comes," he said, "don't expect support."
Ethan's tone stayed calm.
"I don't need support. I need freedom to make decisions."
" Besides my Arasaka is way ahead that never in your dreams you can expect to support me"
Drake paused halfway through turning away.
"You're protecting Stark today," he said. "But what if his tech becomes a threat tomorrow?"
Ethan answered without hesitation.
"Then I'll deal with him too."
The general finally looked away.
"Good luck, Mr. Cliff," he said, voice flat. "I hope you understand what you're choosing."
Ethan watched him walk into the crowd.
"I do," Ethan said under his breath.
As the general left, Black Widow walked back to him.
"I guess the talk didn't go smooth?"
"Did you really think it would go smooth?" Ethan asked.
"No, that would have been too easy," she said.
Ethan nodded.
"You're not going to ask how I eavesdropped on your conversation?" she asked, taking another drink as she looked at him.
"You said you're a master spy. I guess they taught you lip-reading," he said.
She smiled. "And here I thought you don't know much about spy stuff."
"Woman I designed my cars after watching James Bond, what made you think I don't know about spies?"
"Your reputation of being a closed basement nerd" She replied as Ethan didn't said anything much.
"So, why are you acting as his secretary?" Ethan asked.
"Unlike you, he has a knack for causing problems," she said.
"So in his case, it's to keep him in check?" Ethan asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
They talked a little longer about small things before she finally stepped back.
"It was good talking to you, Mr. Cliff. I hope we get the chance to work together in the future," she said.
Ethan shook his head lightly.
"I'm more than happy with my current life," he replied.
She only smiled at that, then disappeared into the crowd once more.
Soon the party came to an end, and people began to leave—some reluctantly, others already busy answering calls or messages that dragged them back to the real world. The music softened, conversations thinned, and the glitter of the evening slowly faded under the hall's dimming lights.
Ethan walked toward the balcony, taking in the sight of the city through the glass walls—its lights stretching endlessly like a field of stars that had fallen to earth. A quiet satisfaction washed over him. A perfect night, he thought.
He was just about to head home when he sensed an unfamiliar presence behind him.Assuming it was just another guest wanting a conversation, Ethan turned—only to find a Black man in a formal suit, wearing tinted glasses. Even with the attempt at subtlety, Ethan instantly recognized him.
Nick Fury.The father of his in this new life.
"Quite the party tonight, Mr. Cliff," Fury said, extending his hand with a polite smile on his face.
"Thank you," Ethan replied, shaking it—acting as though he had no idea who the man truly was to him.
"Sorry I'm late," Fury said.
Ethan shrugged lightly."You're not juts late. The party already ended."
Fury gave a small nod."I could tell. Even from the street, I saw people leaving while I was coming inside."
They walked a few steps away from the doorway where staff were clearing up.
"We haven't officially met before," Fury continued. "My name is Nicholas Fury. Or, as some prefer—Director Fury."
Ethan raised an eyebrow politely."Oh, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.? I didn't know you were coming tonight."
"I came to thank you for the watch you made," Fury said, touching the device on his wrist. "It's impressive."
"Don't mention it," Ethan replied calmly. "I've already been paid."
Fury gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.They sat down nearby, each lost in different thoughts as the last echoes of the party faded around them.
Should I tell him he's my son? Fury wondered.His mother never wanted that… the least I can do is honor her wish.
Ethan glanced toward him briefly, expression unreadable.
I wonder when he'll tell me he's my father…
Fury broke the silence first.
"So," he said, adjusting his glasses slightly, "I heard you'll be at the court tomorrow."
Ethan didn't look at him directly.
"I will."
"For Stark?" Fury asked—even though he already knew the answer.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"Someone has to keep him alive long enough to fix his problems himself."
A faint hint of amusement tugged at Fury's lips.
"That's one way to put it."
They watched a cleaning crew roll away the last tables; only the faint echo of soft music lingered in the air.
Fury leaned back looking at him."I can't tell you how to run your company. You made that clear a long time ago."
"Good," Ethan said, adding calmly. "Because I wouldn't listen anyway."
And silence fell once again.
'Man, this is awkward' Ethan thought.