Pepper wanted to quietly ask Tony something, but when she noticed his furrowed brow, deep in thought, she decided against it. He seemed preoccupied with something important.
She could tell that after Tony had met with Phil Coulson and Harvey Amberlock, something had shifted in him. He seemed different somehow.
Pepper had known Tony for many years, handling his affairs and caring for him. She prided herself on knowing him better than anyone. But now, there were things Tony didn't share with her immediately, things he kept to himself.
Earlier, when Tony spoke to Harvey Amberlock, the conversation had been short, almost cryptic. Yet, both Tony and Harvey clearly understood each other in a way that left Pepper feeling like an outsider. Tony was becoming more mysterious to her, and she wasn't sure why.
Just then, the sound of a helicopter's whirring blades filled the air outside. Pepper knew that Coulson had arrived, and, with Tony's usual demeanor, he'd likely ask her to leave.
"I'm full. You should get to work."
Pepper stood up, watching Tony, hoping he would say something, maybe even ask her to stay, even if just to pour some coffee. But he didn't.
"Yeah, you should head upstairs and rest for a bit. We have some things to discuss," Tony said, finally breaking the silence. "No matter what sounds you hear, don't come down. Only come down when I tell you it's safe."
Pepper hid her disappointment well, but it was there. She nodded and walked upstairs.
Tony had a lot on his mind, too much to worry about Pepper's feelings right now. Jarvis displayed the helicopter's feed, showing not only Coulson but a few other unfamiliar faces.
"Jarvis, let them in and guide them to me."
"Yes, sir."
Moments later, Coulson arrived with Nick Fury, Natasha Romanoff, and several other agents, lugging a large crate with them.
Nick Fury entered the room and spotted Harvey Amberlock sitting at the table, casually eating. He turned to Tony.
"Tony Stark. Son of Howard Stark."
"Didn't think you'd ever take an interest in your father's legacy, much less consider what he left behind."
Tony, slightly irritated, replied, "Sounds like you know more about my father's stuff than I do."
"Of course I do," Fury said with a grin. "Your father was a genius, and his work has been kept under our care as part of military secrets. I was hoping to pass it on to you when the time was right, maybe see if you could make something of it."
Tony cut him off. "Skip the flattery. Just hand it over."
"You can have it," Fury said, his tone changing. "But only if you agree to study it under our supervision."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "What's with the change in tone? Is this your way of saying I don't get it unless I play by your rules?"
"Look, Stark. We have our reasons. We can't let what you discover get out. That's non-negotiable."
Harvey, who had been silently eating, suddenly chuckled, drawing everyone's attention.
"So, first, you send agents to spy on me, then you send this—" he gestured to Natasha— "and expect me to believe S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't mean any harm?"
"Harvey Amberlock, we're not your enemy," Fury interjected, trying to defuse the tension. "But you're a person of interest, and your assets could pose a threat to global security. That's why we need you to sign an agreement—any significant movement of your wealth must be approved by us. Sign it, and you're free to go."
Harvey smirked. "My money under your control, and I walk away? Should I thank you for your generosity?"
"Harvey," Natasha spoke up, her tone calm but firm, "you've accessed black market networks, and your fortune could destabilize global security. We need to be sure you're not a threat."
"And if I refuse?" Harvey asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Natasha's expression hardened. Without hesitation, she pulled out her gun and aimed it directly at Harvey.
"If you refuse, we'll have to make you comply."
The air in the room turned cold.
"Resorting to violence when words fail, huh?" Harvey's smile vanished. His eyes became cold and calculating.
In the blink of an eye, Harvey disappeared from his seat. The agents barely had time to react before he reappeared, his hand around Natasha's throat, lifting her off the ground effortlessly. With a sharp snap, he broke her gun-wielding arm, eliciting a scream of pain from the seasoned spy.
The other agents, guns drawn, aimed at Harvey, but before they could fire, a series of snapping sounds filled the room. Their weapons crumbled to dust in their hands, and the bones in their wrists twisted and snapped, forcing them to drop what was left of their firearms.
The entire room froze, the only sound the groans of pain from the injured agents.
"Harvey, stop!" Coulson shouted, his voice urgent.
Harvey's eyes narrowed. "First you try talking. When that fails, you resort to force. And now that violence has failed, you're back to talking?"
He released Natasha, tossing her like a ragdoll across the room. She hit the wall with a sickening crack, leaving a spiderweb of cracks in the plaster. Blood spewed from her mouth as she crumpled to the floor, barely conscious, her body wracked with pain.
"You feeling the consequences yet, Romanoff?" Harvey asked, his voice calm but chilling. "You came here, shot at me, hoping to provoke a reaction. See if I'd show my true colors. Hoping to recruit me, maybe? Did you ever consider that maybe, just maybe, I'd kill you for trying?"
Harvey loomed over her, his gaze emotionless. To him, she was nothing more than an insect, a minor annoyance.
For the first time, Nick Fury fully grasped the depth of the monster they were dealing with. Tony had warned him, but nothing could've prepared him for the sheer terror of witnessing Harvey's power firsthand.
"Harvey Amberlock," Fury said, his voice strained, "let's be reasonable here."
"Reasonable?" Harvey laughed. "You think because you throw around words like 'security,' I owe you anything? That your little spy is some irreplaceable asset to the world?"
Harvey crouched down, looking Fury dead in the eye. "What's your loss got to do with me?"
Fury remained silent, too aware of the danger to push further.
"I warned you. Leave me alone, and we're fine. But your arrogance got the better of you. Now, you're left to pick up the pieces."
Fury clenched his fists, his mind racing, but before he could respond, Harvey spoke again.
"Let's be clear: You're not in charge here. And if you ever think of crossing me again, you'll learn the true meaning of pain." He glanced back at Natasha, who was barely clinging to consciousness. "She got off easy."
Harvey's words chilled the room. He stood, turning his back on them, leaving Fury speechless and broken. Fury realized that no matter what power or influence they had, it meant nothing against a demon like Harvey Amberlock.