However, as a key figure in the final battle, Scott definitely wasn't going to die here. The future would still need him to turn the tide.
Based on the plot, this highly educated guy really was as sharp as they said. His mind worked fast. Later, he probably used those blue flying discs on himself and forcibly pulled himself out of the subatomic world. Even the experts who dedicated their lives to studying the Ant-Man suit, Pym Particles, and Dr. Pym himself had never thought of such a wild move… If only Pym had known earlier.
He never would've let his wife enter the quantum realm…
Back at the villa, Blaine lay on the sofa, watching the news while eating potato chips.
Cross was still locked away in the Hunter Space, but Blaine hadn't decided how he wanted to deal with him yet.
"Hi everyone, I'm the chairman of Stark Industries,"
"Tony."
"I am Iron—Man!"
The TV was replaying Tony's first worldwide press conference after escaping HYDRA. It was the moment he publicly revealed his identity and took over Stark Industries.
"Huh? Yeah… that's actually a good idea."
Watching Tony on screen, full of energy and confidence, Blaine suddenly had a thought.
"Let's just do it."
"I'll let you live for one more night."
He lazily tossed another potato chip into his mouth, muttering to himself.
He'd left at eleven-thirty and only returned around one in the morning. Blaine hadn't expected the trip to take that long. After calling Tony, he fell asleep immediately.
Of course, with his mental strength, that little bit of rest barely mattered.
When the first rays of sunlight hit the bed, Blaine was still asleep. As always, time slipped away while he slept. The sunlight warmed his back, and the glare finally woke him up.
Just as he sat up and stretched—
*Beep beep beep…*
"So early…?"
He picked up the phone and answered.
"Mr. Hunter, it's already noon," Tony's impatient voice snapped through the speaker before Blaine even held the phone to his ear. "I'm waiting for you. Hurry up. Every extra second costs a hundred thousand in gold!"
"Relax. Handle your stuff first. I'll be there soon."
Blaine yawned, responding casually before hanging up.
Being woken by sunlight annoyed him enough, but hearing Tony yell the moment he woke made him even more irritated. Sure, Blaine was technically responsible for this—it was his instruction—but that didn't mean it was okay to disturb his sleep.
He dressed and washed unhurriedly. He wasn't anxious at all. He fried eggs in a pan, heated milk in a cup, and sat in front of the TV enjoying his slow morning.
It was as if Tony's call hadn't been for him, and as if the bombed house had nothing to do with him…
On TV, footage of Blaine's exploits in space from two weeks prior was still airing. A panel of experts rambled on nonsense about "sunny days and bright moons." Blaine only smirked dismissively.
After switching through several channels, he finally found the news he wanted: a live global press conference.
Tony stood on stage, facing countless cameras. This wasn't a replay of his announcement years ago—this was live.
"Welcome, friends from the media, to Stark Industries' global press conference," Tony said.
"It is my honor to speak as the chairman of Stark Industries."
"Today, I have an important announcement—"
"Not as Iron Man, but simply as a chairman."
The audience laughed. Blaine, however, felt nothing. Maybe foreign humor was just this dark and weird. Only they could understand it…
"Please remember this day," Tony continued.
"It marks a new era for Stark Industries."
"Today, Stark Industries will officially enter the field of scientific research."
"Scientific advancement is the sharpest weapon of a nation…"
"And so, Stark Industries will fully acquire Claus Technologies."
…
As Tony's speech reached its climax, the applause roared like waves.
Blaine drank the last of his milk, wiped his mouth, and prepared to leave. After all, he hadn't forgotten there was someone waiting inside the Hunter Space.
"…As expected of a business elite," Blaine muttered.
"It's a pity—if Tony weren't Iron Man, he'd be a legendary business tycoon. Probably the most powerful figure in the industry."
"Well… he kind of already is."
"Damn, why are some people born standing at heights others spend their whole lives trying to reach…"
He had listened to Tony's entire speech, and even Blaine—who understood nothing about business—felt fired up. Talking to himself, he stepped out of the villa and vanished from Queens.
Teleportation in the U.S. was ridiculously convenient. In just a few breaths, Blaine appeared in the air above Tony's press conference.
"Come out," Blaine said coldly.
"Even if your throat breaks from screaming today, no one's going to save you."
When he lifted his wrist, Cross appeared in his grasp—still wearing the Wasp suit.
After last night's fight, on top of his broken arm, Cross was pale and exhausted, fear and pain draining all his bravado. Dangling in Blaine's grip like a chicken, his eyes had dulled—probably from being trapped in the Hunter Space.
But the moment he reappeared outside, his arrogance resurfaced.
"Oh shett—squid fack, squid fack!"
"Let me go if you dare!"
"Don't think I'm scared just because you broke my arm!"
"You better not let me escape!"
"Or I'll blow up your house!"
"I'll make your life worse than death! You'll live in misery forever!"
Hearing Cross's wild screaming, Blaine frowned. Not even a little honesty. He raised his palm.
*************************************
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