Chapter 12 - The Construction Revolution II

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Stark." The woman approached him, extending her hand. "I'm Amanda Kreed, one of the three sponsors of this fundraiser."

An expert in genetics funding a children's hospital? It makes sense, and worries me at the same time. Tony murmured to himself, wondering if she was planning anything on the kids.

"Tony Stark." He shook her hand and stood beside her, discussing genetics and such, wondering if she could help him somehow. "...Interesting. So you've found people with these extraordinary natural bodies?"

"It's hard to find them, but they are out there, living normal lives," Amanda replied, her voice dreamy as she held the champagne glass, her shoulders almost touching Tony's. "It's an amazing world, Mr. Stark. I firmly believe humanity hasn't yet unlocked even half of our full potential."

Tony nodded, thinking deeply about what she had just said. His primary interest for most of his life had been building stuff, so he never really sought the world's secrets beyond his workshop. But, to learn that there are people born with natural resistance to chronic disease...

"Mind if I meet this person you mentioned?" He asked, a hint of curiosity dancing in his eyes.

Amanda chuckled, looking at Tony. "I'm afraid it's not possible. Their identity has been kept under utmost secrecy, and this is what they want."

Tony continued to stare into her green eyes, her beauty a charm. If I can replicate that effect, will the Palladium poisoning be answered?

"Maybe..." Amanda purred, leaning closer to Tony, her lips almost brushing his ear as she rose on her toes. Her breath was warm, tantalizing. "If you can bring me in confidence... maybe."

Hot! Tony, unsatisfied, thanks to Sue's tease, felt the familiar warmth in his groin. But, knowing she was a researcher, and from the looks of her, a dignified one, he hesitated to mess around. What does she want?

However, before he could reply, the fundraiser began. It was the usual auction of some useless items sold at a high price. There were a few cute drawings made by the children of the hospital, too. Tony loudly and theatrically bought all of the drawings at a high price.

Jarvis. Keep an eye on that money. Make sure it only goes to the hospital. He ordered at the same time. He wasn't new to the game, after all.

Soon, the fundraiser ended with him outdoing everyone else. Then, a small brunch started, where he once again shared his time with Amanda.

I need her. Tony could hear the clock ticking, bringing him closer to his death.

"Professor Kreed, would you like to accompany me to a Stark Industries event? It's in Manhattan in three days. I'll be unveiling some revolutionary tech to the world," Tony asked her with polite intent. He threw the lure of new tech in the hope she'd be interested.

Amanda smiled warmly, tucking locks of her hair behind her ear. "Is that a new way to ask for a date, Mr. Stark?"

She's interested in me? Tony realized, not very shocked. This wasn't the first or last time this had happened. Well… she's not bad.

"Well, I reckoned someone with a brain as sharp as yours might crave a bit more thrill than the standard dull dinners," Tony quipped as he rose from his seat, deciding to head back home.

"Hmm…" Amanda mused, a sly smile playing on her lips as she retrieved a pen. With a graceful flourish, she wrote her number on a napkin.

"Here's the challenge," she purred, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Call me every day until the event. Keep me captivated in conversation for at least an hour each day—do that, and I'll join you."

Challenging? Tony was amazed since, usually most women interested in him would just follow him home right away. Fascinating.

"No guarantees." Tony grabbed the napkin and walked back to his Iron Man suit on the lawn. He stood in the open armor, letting it cover him. His eyes remained firmly on the woman the whole time, his desire for her now much more than just physical.

Woosh!

Soon enough, he flew away with the roaring grunts of a rocket. The guests returned to normal after watching it all in awe.

As for Amanda, she continued to stare at the sky where Tony vanished. As if talking with someone, she muttered something. "I'm in… It was easier than expected… Understood."

After that, she removed a tiny, barely noticeable earpiece from her left ear and placed it in her pocket.

"Let's see where this goes."

####

After returning home, Tony shut himself up in his workshop. There were self-imposed deadlines to be fulfilled. So, he placed all his focus on creating as many Iron Guardians as possible, all the while researching ways to make his main suit stronger, and finding a replacement for Palladium.

He listened to the news from time to time, mainly about public perceptions of his Iron Guardians. Even after the Monaco incident, the general public was unbothered. Only the government, a few Senators, and some Generals made the most noise.

Yet, the people loved the concept of Iron Guardians. The suits needed no sleep, and made marginal errors in their actions. They had already stopped countless robberies, car chases, murders, and home invasions, and helped dying people.

Finally, phase two of the Iron Guardian deployment was completed. Setting up the entire assembly line in his workshop took him two days.

"Jarvis, deploy them," Tony ordered, finally relaxing in his chair, his body sweaty and smelly from the sleepless work.

"Understood, Sir." Jarvis handled the final deployment from its side. "New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania have been selected—Iron Guardian deployment in ten."

With that, the total number of Iron Guardians reached fifty, covering the top five most-populated states in the US. Tony had already bought properties in each of the states so the Iron Guardians could stay on standby.

"I should plan automated repair stations in each state," he murmured, beginning to plan the next phase already. "But our pace? Still sluggish, Jarvis. We've got a good four-fifty more to churn out."

"Sir, the assembly line designs are currently undergoing simulations. Once finalized, you'll have the capability to produce Iron Guardians autonomously," Jarvis dutifully reminded him. "With one assembly line here and another in the new Stark Tower, you're comfortably on track to meet the deadline for the elections, Sir."

Tony yawned, sleepy and tired. He looked at the clock, and it was already eight in the night. The next day he had the event planned in New York. "Time to use the pool, I guess."

Sluggishly, he removed his shirt, drenched in sweat. Then, he walked upstairs to change into swimming trunks. He didn't realize he wasn't alone until he arrived at the main living room upstairs.

"Natalie?" He blurted, finding his seductive secretary sitting alone, working on a laptop.

"Mr. Stark." She quickly got up to her feet and faced him. Her attire was a simple, tight black top and beige-colored formal pants, her ankles revealing her high-heeled black footwear—very professional.

"I don't remember there being an overtime clause," Tony muttered.

Natalie smiled softly, her red wavy hair a highlighter of her facial charm. "Ms. Potts ordered me to keep an eye on you, Mr. Stark."

Tony rolled his eyes, "Of course, she would. Anyway, I'm going for a dip in the pool, wanna join?"

Natalie's eyes narrowed for a moment, his invitation too sudden. "I don't have a swimsuit, Mr. Stark."

"Hmm…" Tony rubbed his bearded chin for a moment, really wanting some company after two days in the workshop. "Wait a sec."

Tony rushed to one of the rooms in the big mansion. When he returned, he had changed into his swimming trunks, and in his hand was a red two-piece bikini, not too revealing, but not that modest either.

"They forget to take these back often." Tony handed her the pair. "Don't worry, it's cleaned."

Without speaking, Natalie grabbed the two pieces, looking at them and then at Tony alternatively. She waited for a moment and even coughed, but still, the billionaire remained standing there as if frozen, gazing at her.

"Ah!" Tony stepped back when he saw her unbuttoning her shirt right there. He realized he was shamelessly staring at her and made as much distance between them as possible. Yet, he failed to turn around and stop looking.

Natalie unbuttoned her top one by one. Her eyes kept looking straight into his as if she was daring him to look away. Her fingers nimbly went down the row of buttons, slowly revealing her smooth white skin and black bra.

This was the first time Tony got a clear view of her beautiful assets, smothered under her lace-free bra; so simple, strict, and formal as if her own form was plenty alluring; she didn't need all those frivolous decorations. She was perfect in every way, her toned belly, the curvy waist, the sumptuous hills.

Tony gulped. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

But Natalie suddenly turned around, unclasped her bra, and then put on the red bikini bra, tying it behind her with masterful flexibility.

The lawsuit is starting to sound worth it. Tony gulped the more he looked, now it was her pant's turn.

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