Chapter 71: Toni is back (Edited!)

Throughout the flight, Toni kept talking about her experiences during the kidnapping and asking about my newfound abilities. I patiently listened to her and even explained the world of mutants, mutates, and my own superpowers.

I even filled her in on S.H.I.E.L.D., hinting that her father might have been one of its founders. Toni, however, seemed more interested in me and my powers than S.H.I.E.L.D. or her dad's past.

We had spent the night together on the plane. While nothing more than kissing happened, Toni held me tightly all night. Her display of physical affection has only increased since then.

The military jet touches down on American soil. I help Toni out as she leans on me for support.

We both spot Pepper and Happy waiting for us there.

I can see tears in Pepper's eyes, and I can also tell why Happy has his sunglasses on.

"Thank you, Luke," Pepper says with a warm smile.

"Red eyes? Missing your long-lost ex-boss?" Toni teases with a playful smile.

"Just glad you are back," Pepper replies with a happy smile.

Toni smiles back at her before turning to Happy. "Good to see you again, Happy," she says with a nod.

Happy's voice cracks slightly as he mumbles, "H-happy to see you... Ma'am."

I shake my head at his attempt to appear macho.

"Let's go to a cheeseburger place first," I suggest. "Toni must be craving one."

"How'd you know?" Toni asks, her eyes lighting up. She hugs my arm and leans in closer as we walk towards the car.

"I also need to announce a press conference," Toni adds with a smile as I open the door for her.

As we both get in, Pepper and Happy look at each other, most probably confused by our newfound closeness.

"Are you sure you don't need to go to a hospital?" Pepper asks Toni as we three sit in the back seat with me in between.

"No, I have stayed a month in captivity, and I want my cheeseburger first," Toni remarks, looking out at the city in thought.

"Pepper, I think you should go back to Stark Industries," I suggest while looking at her.

"Are you firing me?" Pepper asks, baffled.

"I appreciate all you have done for me, Pepper," I express as I hold her hand in mine. "But Toni filled in on why you followed me. I was naive to think you followed me for my charm," I add with a chuckle.

"Look, it wasn't just because of what Toni said. I cared and still care for you, so I also agreed with Toni's decision willingly. She didn't force me," Pepper explains, looking into my eyes sincerely.

"Thank you, that does make me feel better, but I still think you should go to Stark Industries as Toni will need you more," I say earnestly, squeezing her hand as I gaze back into her eyes. Pepper shyly looks away because of our close proximity.

"Yes, I will be needing a new COO soon," Toni speaks up, ruining the moment.

"Oh, then Obadiah?" Pepper asks with a raised brow. I give her a wink, making her nod in understanding.

"But who will take care of your company? You are busy with who knows what, and Susan is busy nowadays with the Fantastic Four business. There has to be someone who can have a firm grip on the company," Pepper asks in worry.

"It will not be immediate, but I was thinking of making Sage the new COO," I say with a smile.

"Oh, then I can rest assured. If it's Sage, then there is no need to worry," Pepper responds with a relieved expression.

"That little girl I saw? I should have talked with her for a bit. I want to see why she has both of you praising her so much," Toni notes with a pout.

"Well, you will definitely be surprised," I reply with a wry smile.

"So that means you will be my boss once again," Pepper says with a heavy sigh, while hiding her smile.

"Well, as your new boss, I will just give you a warning that there will be some major restructuring soon," Toni declares as the car stops at a Burger King.

---

"Toni ... Toni, welcome back! It is so good to see you!" Obadiah opens the door and hugs Toni with a warm smile.

"Me too," Toni remarks with a fake smile.

As they both converse with Pepper and Happy following them, I stay behind as I see Moira in the crowd. She walks besides me and gives me a subtle nod, making me realise that they were ready for the arrest.

I go inside and stand in a corner with Moira, not wanting to draw attention. From afar, I see someone I know very well from my meta knowledge approach Pepper.

"Miss Potts, can I speak to you for a moment?" the man asks politely.

"The press conference is starting soon," Pepper informs, her gaze fixed on the crowds of reporters capturing images of Miss Stark.

"I am not a reporter. I am Phil Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division," Phil introduces himself, handing her his card.

"That is a mouthful," Pepper raises an eyebrow as she tries to read the tiny font.

"Look, Mr. Coulson, Toni has already spoken with the D.O.D., the FBI, the CIA--" Pepper explains with a sigh.

"We are a separate division with a more...specific focus. We need to debrief Toni about the circumstances of her escape. More importantly--" Phil starts explaining but is interrupted.

"Well, great, but I don't work for her. I work at the Watson Group. No, I mean I will work for her, but officially--" Pepper speaks with a weird look.

"I just need a minute of her time. She will listen to you," Phil continues politely.

"I will see if she has time; can you please sit down now?" Pepper requests with a professional smile as Phil nods and moves to stand aside.

I smile wryly at how polite Phil always is. I was afraid he would approach me, but he simply stands to the side and focuses on Toni, who has just sat down in front of the podium.

"Hey, would it be all right with everyone if they sat down? This way I can see you, and you can see me," Toni says, motioning for all the reporters to sit down on the floor with her.

"I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them and protect them," Toni starts emotionally.

"I always wanted to meet you, Mr. Watson," my focus shifts from Toni and her speech to the silent lady beside me.

"Why so, Moira? And you can just call me Luke," I say with a smile.

"Just curious. Your life, what you have achieved in such a short amount of time—all the companies you invest in become part of the Fortune 500. Your future deals are the stuff of legends. Some people call you a genius, but some call you a prophet," Moira remarks, looking at me with hidden sharp eyes.

Okay, that just confirmed it. She is definitely a mutant. She has definitely reincarnated. Now I just have to figure out how many lives she has lived until now. At least it is good that she is willing to talk to me; that does give me an advantage.

"What can I say? Lady luck had always smiled upon me. Speaking of which, I did read up on your file. You have a master's degree in genetics and have reached a very high position in the CIA, and that too at such a young age. Now that is what I call impressive," I speak looking at her with interest.

"You did a background search on me?" Moira asks with a raised brow.

"I just wanted to know more about the woman who I was going to ask on a date," I speak with a smile as I gaze into her eyes.

"Oh?" Moira looks surprised. "Hmm, yeah, I would love to have a date with you. I am sure I will enjoy it," Moira responds quickly with a sweet smile.

She is too good of an actor for me to tell anything more about her, but I know one thing: she is definitely interested in me, and I am guessing that it is not because of my charm.

"So I had my eyes opened. I came to realise that I have more to offer to this world than making things blow up," Toni declares with determination as she stands at the podium.

"And that is why, effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons division of Stark International," Toni speaks definitively.

"Stark, Ms. Stark," the reporters go wild as they rush to get a statement from her.

Obadiah comes to the podium, trying to pull Toni gently away. I arrive silently, just a small distance away from Toni for the real fun part.

"Until such a time that I can decide what the future of the company will be, what direction this will take," Toni speaks her words and steps aside near me.

"Well, the one thing you can gather from this conference is that Toni is back," Obadiah speaks awkwardly at the podium.

"Well, yes, I am back, even though you tried your damned hardest to make sure I never came back," Toni speaks up from beside Obadiah, making the reporters go silent.

***

I give a heartfelt thanks to my new Patreon Supporter! :)

Ogkush

You are Alpha level on Patreon and Tier 1 on Discord now!!

***