"Who are you? How do you know my name?"
Stick's grip tightened on his cane despite being restrained. His tone remained controlled, but there was clear tension beneath it.
Yelena didn't answer.
Karl stepped forward slowly, cold blue mist faintly curling around him — not threatening, simply present.
"You didn't investigate before coming here?" Karl asked calmly. "That's careless."
Stick's expression hardened.
"I sensed dragon bone energy. I came to confirm."
Karl's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I'm not interested in the Hand. I'm not interested in the Chaste. Whatever war you've been fighting for centuries — keep it away from me."
The temperature around them dipped a few degrees.
"If you or your people step onto my property again without permission, I won't issue a warning."
There was no shouting.
No theatrics.
That made it worse.
Yelena released Stick and stepped back.
Stick remained silent for several seconds.
Then he rose and left without another word.
Karl watched him go.
Different from Madam Gao.
The Hand calculated.
The Chaste reacted.
Interesting contrast.
Inside the manor, Wanda immediately ran over and wrapped her arms around Karl.
He smiled and lifted her gently.
"You're practicing again?"
She nodded seriously.
Red energy flickered between her fingers.
"Control," she said.
Karl brushed her hair lightly.
"Good. I'll be back soon."
After setting her down, he vanished.
Stark Workshop
Karl reappeared in Tony's underground lab.
Seven sleek metallic bracelets were arranged on the table.
Helen Cho glanced up — composed, but distant.
Tony spread his arms dramatically.
"Behold. Vibranium adaptive response suits."
He tapped one bracelet.
It unfolded instantly, nanostructures flowing outward to form a full-body defensive suit around a mannequin in under two seconds.
"They default to bracelet form. Manual or voice activation. No weapons — per your instructions. Pure defense, kinetic absorption, structural reinforcement."
He tapped another screen.
"Yours has full tracking interface. The others are localized systems — communication, biometric monitoring, emergency recall."
Karl nodded slowly.
"Energy buffering capacity?"
"High. Not infinite," Tony replied dryly. "Let's not test it against a star."
He then added:
"Raven's suit is modified. Electromagnetic separation layer — her mutation plays better with modular vibranium dispersion."
Karl gave a small approving nod.
Tony smirked.
"And yes, I kept the leftover vibranium. I'm not stupid."
Karl gathered the bracelets calmly.
"Thank you."
Tony waved him off.
"Go. Before I regret being generous."
Karl turned to leave — then noticed Helen watching him.
Not cold.
Not angry.
But conflicted.
"Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
She walked upstairs without waiting for an answer.
Tony raised both hands.
"Don't look at me. I stay out of relationship diplomacy."
Karl followed.
Upper Balcony
Helen stood facing the ocean through the glass.
When Karl approached, she didn't turn immediately.
"Do you have someone?" she asked.
"Yes," Karl replied directly. "Two."
She turned sharply.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
Silence hung between them.
"Then why were you flirting with me?" she asked.
Not hysterical.
Not accusatory.
Just direct.
Karl answered calmly.
"Because I was interested."
Helen exhaled sharply.
"That's not flattering."
"I wasn't mocking you. I wasn't playing."
She crossed her arms.
"You understand how that looks?"
"Yes."
He did not dodge it.
"I don't lie about who I am. The women in my life know exactly how I live. There are no secrets."
Helen searched his face for hesitation.
There was none.
"You're saying they accept that?"
"Yes."
She looked away briefly.
"That doesn't automatically make it respectable."
Karl didn't argue.
"That's your choice to decide."
The wind shifted slightly.
After a moment, he added:
"If you're uncomfortable, we remain professional acquaintances. I won't cross boundaries."
Helen's expression softened — slightly.
She hadn't expected that answer.
She had expected arrogance.
Possessiveness.
Deflection.
Instead, he had simply stated the truth and given her agency.
Her thoughts felt unsettled.
Not anger.
Not acceptance.
Just… complicated.
"I need time," she said quietly.
Karl nodded once.
"That's fair."
She turned away again, cheeks faintly warm — not from embarrassment, but from internal conflict.
He didn't press further.
He stepped back.
Then disappeared.
Helen remained standing there for a long time after.
Uncertain.
But no longer angry.
…
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