Tony slapped his forehead in frustration, seemingly only just realizing how foolish his actions had been; it was no different from turning himself in to the Police. Strangely, however, when facing Makima, the guardedness he usually maintained toward others seemed to fail completely, replaced by an inexplicable sense of trust.
"For the sake of our friendship, let's keep this our little secret, okay? I feel like you're not the type to tattle."
Makima didn't think there was any so-called friendship between them, but seeing Tony's look—at once both roguish and sincere—she could only nod in agreement.
Seeing the crisis averted, Tony returned to the main topic.
"Born from people's fear of Bombs..."
"Think about it: in the past few decades, who was the World's largest arms dealer? Who manufactured the most Bombs?"
He pointed at his own nose, his tone heavy with a trace of that damn ego:
"It was me, Tony Stark. At least, it used to be."
"My weapons didn't just fund armies; they once fell into the hands of Terrorists, casting a psychological shadow over countless people worldwide. You could say that for the past dozen years, the source of most fear regarding Bombs... was likely the warheads stamped with the'STARK' logo."
At this point, Tony's expression became peculiar:
"Looking at Reze's age, she's only in her teens, right? That coincides perfectly with the period when my weapons were proliferating..."
He swallowed hard and looked at Makima, asking a soul-searching question—
"So... is there a possibility? Did I bring her into existence?"
"From a certain perspective... could she actually be my... or rather, am I her..."
"Damn it..."
Tony didn't dare say the word, clutching his forehead in agony as his Christmas hat tilted to one side.
"If that's really the case, everything makes sense..."
What part of that makes sense, hey!
Su Modie couldn't help but roast him internally, though unfortunately, Tony couldn't hear her at all.
"Why she would seek me out, why she would ask me for money..."
"The way I treated her back then must have broken that child's heart... It must be... No wonder she..."
Tony got more and more worked up, even developing a sense of guilt akin to a scumbag father who had abandoned his wife and daughter.
He completely failed to notice Makima's look, which was as if she were staring at a complete idiot.
Just how much of an ego does this guy have?
Su Modie covered her face.
Following Tony's ridiculous logic to its conclusion—
Then the question arises: who is the perennial runner-up in the arms industry?
It's Justin Hammer of Hammer Industries!
These two practically dominated the entire U.S. arms market.
Especially after Tony announced his retirement from the arms industry, Hammer couldn't wait to take over the vacated market share.
In other words, if one follows Tony's logic...
That would mean... Reze is actually the child conceived together by Tony Stark and Justin Hammer, those two industry rivals?!
Holy crap!
What kind of hellish image is that?
Su Modie imagined the scene of these two grown men coming together to "give birth" to Reze and immediately felt a wave of nausea; it was simply too much to look at.
As expected, rivals are like wives... what a pair of ill-fated lovers... but looking at the gift box Tony handed to Makima, wanting her to help pass it to Reze, Su Modie fell into thought again... Never mind.
There was no need for her to bother clarifying.
On one hand, Tony was as stubborn as an iron mule and couldn't be persuaded; on the other hand... what if there were benefits to be had?
Hehe.
After all, Tony is a man cursed with knowledge... although right now he seems so severely cursed that he's hallucinating... let this rich guy keep guessing blindly!
After seeing off a preoccupied Tony, who suspected he had unexpectedly become a father, Makima saw that the day of her discharge was approaching.
Since her identity wasn't exposed and she had faked her injuries long enough.
Spending Christmas all alone in a hospital ward would be far too lonely and miserable... Meanwhile, in New York.
The scene on the other side was completely different.
It was the first Christmas for Su Modie and her villainesses.
Su Modie took the girls from the house out for a wild shopping spree.
However, when they returned to the base of Fisk Tower with bags full of decorations, turkey, and ingredients, bad news arrived—
The elevator was broken.
Looking at the closed elevator doors and the "Under Maintenance" sign hanging on them, Su Modie was dumbfounded.
Of all times to break, why did it have to be on Christmas?
This is the top floor!
To show off his status, that fat dead guy Fisk had specifically built his former residence to tower into the clouds.
It usually takes a while even by elevator; having to climb up... it'll be the death of me, won't it?!
Of course, that was only for Su Modie; as for the other avatars—
"Oh dear, this is quite a problem."
Unohana Retsu said so, but she quickly picked up two large bags of heavy ingredients, her feet tapping lightly as her figure became graceful.
With a few leaps, she disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
"Captain, wait for me!"
Kotetsu Isane followed, clutching a crate of apples. Despite her height, climbing stairs was like walking on level ground for a God of Death, and she caught up in just a few steps.
"Horo horo~ Kumashi, let's go!"
Perona casually tossed the odds and ends to Kumashi, who was waiting at the stairwell. With a light flutter of her skirt and a nimble leap, she sat steadily atop the Stitched Bear's broad head.
Only Su Modie was left standing at the entrance of the stairs, trembling and intimidated by the steps that seemed to lead to heaven.
Just then.
A purple figure crouched down in front of her.
"Hop on, Modie-chan."
Reze looked back, her small face carrying a faint blush and a gentle smile: "I'll carry you."
This scene momentarily overlapped with one from a few months ago.
Back then, when Reze was first summoned by Su Modie in that alleyway, it was just like this... Su Modie felt a warmth in her heart. Without hesitation or the awkwardness she felt before, she expertly climbed onto her back.
Reze's back wasn't broad—it was even a bit slender—but it was very steady.
She supported Su Modie's thighs and dashed up the stairwell with light steps, moving so fast she kicked up a gust of wind.
Leaning against that warm back, watching the floor numbers fly past.
Su Modie felt the events of the past flash before her eyes like a revolving lantern.
Time really flies.
A few months ago, she was still alone, living in a cheap, dilapidated rental in Hells Kitchen, a convenience store girl worrying about her livelihood every day. Her days were so bleak she was just one step away from starting an OnlyFans to make ends meet.
And now, she lived at the highest point of Hells Kitchen.
This Fisk Tower, which once belonged to the Kingpin of the underworld, was now her "home."
Moreover, she had so many powerful family members by her side.
This feeling of being protected and cared for... even if it originated from herself... was truly blissful.
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