The conversation lightened after their earlier remarks, and the atmosphere around the table improved considerably. As the three of them casually chatted, Pepper seized the moment to ask something that had been on her mind: what qualities would a woman need to possess to meet Harvey Amberlock's standards?
"Come on, spill the beans," Tony Stark grinned, getting a bit nosy himself.
"If I had to say what qualities I value..." Harvey thought for a moment before answering, "She'd have to be beautiful, intelligent, and strong."
Harvey occasionally enjoyed the company of beautiful women, but those encounters were fleeting, just physical connections without deeper meaning. They weren't what he was searching for in a life partner.
"Beautiful, intelligent, and strong," Pepper repeated thoughtfully. "Plenty of women fit the first two, but that last one is tricky. Women aren't like men—most seem strong on the surface but can be soft inside."
Tony had his own interpretation. He knew that when Harvey said "beautiful," it was straightforward. But "intelligent"? That likely meant more than just being smart; she would have to understand Harvey's intentions with minimal communication, know what to say and what to avoid, and grasp which actions were acceptable. Emotional intelligence was essential—something that already disqualified many women.
And "strong"? That likely meant not just emotional resilience but also physical power. Otherwise, how could she stand alongside Harvey Amberlock, understand his worldview, or even support him? Tony thought about it for a moment but couldn't recall a single woman who ticked all of those boxes.
"Your standards might be a bit idealistic. I don't think anyone on the planet fits that mold," Tony concluded with a slight chuckle.
"I know," Harvey replied with a smile. "But I've got plenty of time to look. And if I never find someone who meets those standards, so be it."
Pepper wasn't so quick to agree. "You two are being way too absolute. Sure, the bar is high, but there are plenty of beautiful, intelligent women who are also strong-willed."
"Pepper, I don't think you're quite getting what he's saying," Tony said, giving her a quick glance. He was wary that forcing the conversation into territory she didn't fully understand could easily irritate Harvey.
"You're right," Harvey chimed in with a chuckle. "But maybe one day, Miss Potts, you'll understand."
The offhand comment made Tony's eyes flicker with realization. Was Harvey hinting that Pepper could also become strong, just like him? Or was Tony reading too much into it?
"Is that possible? For her?" Tony asked, seeking clarity.
"That depends on whether or not you can convince me," Harvey replied with a knowing smile.
"Give me some time. I need to think about this. And I need to talk with her," Tony said, grateful for the opportunity. He understood that this was no small decision. Even if it was something he had to earn, it was still a hopeful sign for the future.
"Take all the time you need," Harvey responded nonchalantly as he continued to polish off his food.
Pepper, noticing the cryptic exchange, grew curious. "What are you two talking about? Is this about someone who matches your standards, Mr. Amberlock?"
"No, not really. If it comes to that, I'll let you know. If I don't, then don't worry about it," Tony answered, clearly keeping the details to himself.
He wasn't ready to make any decisions yet, especially considering Harvey still had the final say. Tony wasn't the one in control here, not when it came to the possibility of becoming something more than human—of gaining extraordinary power like Harvey. And convincing Harvey to allow Pepper that same fate? That was another challenge entirely.
Pepper sensed something significant in their words, but she decided not to press further, at least not in front of Harvey. Later, in private, she would undoubtedly get Tony to spill everything.
Harvey soon finished his plate and stood up. "This is too slow. I'll save some for you, but I'm heading over there to eat directly," he said, motioning toward the buffet table.
He knew that the seeds of desire had already been planted. It was only a matter of time before they bloomed. Humans, by their nature, crave advancement—whether it's longer life or greater power. And once they realize there's no risk to their survival, very few could resist such an offer.
Was Tony Stark someone who could resist? Of course not. No matter how his personality evolved over time, that insatiable curiosity—that inner mad scientist—would never disappear. Otherwise, Tony wouldn't have created Ultron, a terrifying weapon, despite the warnings of others.
Harvey knew that Tony, given the power of the Void, would one day create even more dangerous and revolutionary technologies.
"Don't worry about us. Our appetites aren't nearly as large as yours," Tony called out with a grin.
Harvey nodded in acknowledgment and moved back to the buffet table. Though he wanted to eat quickly, he did so with elegance and precision, his movements never rushed or careless.
Tony watched him closely, deep in thought. If gaining power like Harvey's meant he'd have a vastly increased appetite but also live for centuries with extraordinary abilities, he could easily live with that. He had more than enough money to afford extravagant meals every day, as long as it didn't involve anything morally objectionable like cannibalism.
But the real issue holding Tony back wasn't the physical change—it was psychological. His fame made him a public figure. The moment he became too powerful or unnaturally youthful, people would notice. They'd see him as an outlier, a freak, and that was something Tony wasn't sure he was ready to face.
It was a deep, personal conflict—one Harvey had already seen through. He wasn't rushing Tony, simply offering the opportunity and waiting for him to come to terms with it.
And eventually, Tony would have to decide.