Chapter 32

Until Natasha found him, Vex had been deep in thought, while Norman Osborn and his son, Harry, stood nearby. Harry was around the same age as Gwen. After using the [Horse Talisman] to heal him, Norman expressed his endless gratitude before leaving with Harry.

Watching the two leave, Vex's mind wandered. He couldn't help but wonder, in this world, would Peter Parker become Spider-Man, or would he turn into the Lizard? He was quite eager to find out.

But one thing was certain…

Spider-Gwen was going to be his.

Vex glanced at the nearly finished Stark Tower across the way.

"I'll be staying here for now while that place is under construction," Vex said with a smirk. "Bring my wives over. Tonight, we're celebrating."

Even two of them… weren't enough of a match for him!

—-—

On the top floor of Osborn Tower, a whole level had been transformed into a private residence, extravagantly decorated with high-end amenities.

The four of them spent the entire night there, moving from the door to the sofa, the bedroom, and even the guest room.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, Faora, even with her Kryptonian bloodline, finally collapsed from exhaustion.

Vex, on the other hand, remained full of energy.

"Three are still not enough…" he mused. "I need to take on ten!"

Shaking his head, he used the [Horse Talisman] to restore the energy of the three women, then carried each one to bed, tucking them in.

After a quick shower, Vex donned a bathrobe Natasha had left for him and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out over Manhattan.

He felt like he had the world in the palm of his hand.

But as his gaze swept across the skyline, his eyes narrowed at the sight of Stark Tower, which was taller than his own.

It annoyed him.

He wasn't the type to throw a tantrum and demand Tony Stark tear down his building, but still…

"Alpha, contact Natasha," he commanded.

As the Dark Matter Computer, Alpha could effortlessly tap into any electronic signal.

Moments later, Natasha's voice echoed in Vex's mind.

"Boss, what's the order?"

"Change Osborn Biotech to Dawn Biotech, and Osborn Tower to Dawn Tower."

"Understood, Boss."

"And one more thing, add an additional level to the top of this tower. Make sure it's taller than Stark Tower."

"No problem, Boss."

Vex was satisfied with Natasha's quick efficiency. Keeping her around had been the right decision.

What? A completed building can't have additional floors?

Laws are the moral bottom line for the masses. At Vex's level, it was all about self-restraint.

In other words…

Earth's laws didn't apply to him, Vex.

As long as he didn't cross any moral lines—like indiscriminately killing people or causing huge public scandals—he could do whatever he wanted.

After all…

Vex was a "come-and-go-as-I-please alien." If Earth didn't suit him, there were always other places.

Even Fury was more worried about whether Vex was comfortable.

And Natasha? She was Fury's "special privileges" liaison for Vex. Everything was handled with special consideration.

In less than half an hour, cranes and helicopters were already delivering equipment to change the signage on "Osborn Tower" and begin adding floors.

This quickly caught the attention of Tony Stark, who was checking on the progress of his own tower.

"What's going on? That old man Osborn wants to compete with me for the tallest building?" Stark grumbled. "Tell the construction team to extend the building!"

"Okay, I'll start the paperwork for the extension," Pepper Potts responded.

"No, just build it! We can deal with the permits later!" Stark commanded with authority. "Do you think they'll dare deny us?"

Pepper, used to Stark's rebellious nature, nodded in agreement.

Stark, always the maverick, had only grown more defiant after becoming Iron Man. He didn't see the need to follow all the rules anymore.

However...

Just as the construction crew started working, Stark received a notice from the New York City government.

The extension permit had been denied!

Even Pepper thought she'd heard wrong.

They were Stark Industries, after all!

Whether in terms of taxes, status, or connections, there was no way they should be held up by such a trivial issue.

"There must be a mistake. I'll go ask," Pepper offered.

"No need!" Stark grumbled, his pride bruised. "If the city doesn't agree, then I don't need their approval!"

Stark immediately called Phil Coulson. This kind of small issue could be handled easily.

After explaining the situation, Coulson replied apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Stark. But the Dawn Tower, formerly Osborn Tower, now belongs to Mr. Vex. His specific request is that it must be taller than yours, so…"

Coulson didn't finish, but the implication was clear.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had sided with Vex.

Both parties were wealthy and powerful, but Nick Fury wasn't about to ask Vex to back down.

So…

They were blocking Stark's request instead.

"So you're asking me to give in?" Stark raged. "I'm Tony Stark! Iron Man! And you're telling me to back down?"

Coulson felt awkward.

With both sides being difficult, he could only say, "Maybe you could speak to Mr. Vex directly?"

Stark fell silent.

Yeah, right!

The first time they met, Vex had turned him into a clownfish for running his mouth. Even when S.H.I.E.L.D. pleaded for his help later, Vex had still taken advantage of him.

Would Stark really go looking for trouble again?

But could he swallow his pride?

"You tell Nick Fury that if this isn't resolved, he can handle the Kryptonian tech development himself!" Stark threatened.

"I'll relay your message," Coulson replied.

Stark furiously hung up, and Pepper quickly handed him a glass of water.

Before she could say anything, Fury called.

And his opening statement was a bombshell...

"Stark, you know we can't risk offending Vex over this," Fury said helplessly. "Why don't you make another request? S.H.I.E.L.D. will try to accommodate you as much as possible."

Stark clenched his jaw.

So they'd rather lose his involvement in the project than say 'no' to Vex?

"Nick Fury, are you sure you want to do this?" Stark issued his final ultimatum.

Fury sighed on the other end, frustrated by how the two were butting heads over something so trivial. But in the end, he had to weigh the consequences carefully...

"I understand," Stark growled. "As for the position of Avengers technology consultant you mentioned—find someone else."

With that, he slammed the phone down onto the coffee table.

Unfortunately, the tempered glass wasn't going to break so easily. Instead, the shattered phone case sliced open his palm.

Pepper gasped in alarm. "Don't move! I'll take care of it!"

She rushed to get the first-aid kit and carefully disinfected and bandaged Stark's hand.

Seeing that he was still fuming, Pepper gently suggested.

°°°

A/N: Btw, I'll be releasing another fic sooner than later. It's a Jujutsu Kaisen fic, that's all, check it out when it comes out, thanks.

Link: Påtreon.com/Moziel

I post 20 advanced chapters of this fanfic there.