Chapter Eleven: Harvey's Attitude

Harvey left the press conference and walked over to his luxury car.
"Let's go. We'll head to someplace I consider safe, and I'll listen to what you have to say."
Harvey Amberlake looked at Coulson, who had caught up with him, and gestured for him to get in.
Coulson didn't stand on ceremony; he opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.
Harvey drove off, steering toward his estate.
"What is it you people really want from me?"
Harvey asked casually as they drove.
"Mr. Harvey Amberlake," Coulson began, "our Strategic Homeland Defense, Attack, and Logistics Division is a special unit established by the International Security Council to handle unusual events."
"First, I can assure you that our department holds no ill will toward high-value taxpayers such as yourself."
"It's just that your rapid rise has been nothing short of remarkable, and our assessment suggests you may possess certain extraordinary abilities."
"Therefore, we'd like to talk to you. If possible, we hope you might consider joining us, contributing to the well-being of Blue Planet."
Coulson made no attempt to conceal his intentions, formally introducing himself and stating his purpose.
"So, you're saying you had no evidence, only suspicions about my supposed superpowers, so you sent that lunatic woman to test me?"
"And by 'test,' you mean opening fire?"
"That hardly seems like a wise approach to recruit me—certainly not the way to win my cooperation."
Harvey showed no warmth in response to Coulson's courteous demeanor, continuing to criticize the appalling impression Black Widow Natasha had left on him.
"We encountered some unforeseen complications that day, which led the agent to act a bit hastily."
"She may have startled you, but she didn't actually harm you, so I hope you can forgive her."
Coulson was somewhat embarrassed by Harvey's blunt attitude.
With an ordinary citizen, Coulson could have been more assertive, but facing Harvey Amberlake—a man with no scandals and a substantial tax record—he couldn't afford to be too aggressive, lest he leave an even worse impression.
Even if Harvey Amberlake wasn't a superpowered individual, his achievements over the past two years suggested that, given time, he might become an investor in some of their projects.

"She didn't hurt me, but she certainly left me too shaken to venture out for a while."
Harvey's tone softened slightly, but he still voiced his complaints.
"Mr. Harvey Amberlake, I sincerely apologize for that."
Coulson offered an honest apology on Natasha's behalf.
"Contributing to Blue Planet is a noble ideal, provided your department's intentions remain pure and don't become a tool for certain politicians."
"But I doubt it's possible for you to escape their influence."
"After all, your agency was established by the International Security Council, so its operations have been under their control from the start. You can't act freely, can you?"
"I'm just an ordinary civilian with some money, free from worries about work or finances."
"So please, don't bother me again."
"If someday, I truly benefit from your help or protection, I will express my gratitude sincerely."
"But you should know—it certainly isn't now."
Harvey parked the car and voiced his thoughts, finally distancing himself from their organization.
He was willing to take on tasks for payment, but joining the Avengers and subjecting himself to orders and constraints was out of the question.
He acted solely according to his own will; anyone who wished to command him had better have the power to do so.
At least, neither Hydra's branch nor SHIELD had it, nor did American politicians, and public opinion was powerless to affect him.
He wasn't ready to reveal his identity—the timing wasn't right, and he didn't want to disrupt his comfortable life or hinder his progress.
But if SHIELD pushed too hard, he would teach SHIELD and America a proper lesson.
Coulson heard Harvey's words, saw the car stop, and recognized Harvey's distaste for politicians and his determination not to be controlled.
He couldn't deny the truth in Harvey's reasoning.
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Harvey Amberlake, for taking the time to share your thoughts with me."
Coulson paused for a moment, his face showing a hint of regret, then spoke.
He opened the door and stepped out.
The conversation had been far from pleasant, but Coulson had gained clarity about Harvey Amberlake's mindset and attitude.
He still couldn't be certain whether Harvey Amberlake possessed superpowers.

But judging from his attitude, Coulson was sure that regardless of Harvey Amberlake's abilities, he would never agree to join them.
No matter how noble the stated purpose of the Strategic Homeland Defense, Attack, and Logistics Division, its nature was unavoidably subject to political influence.
This was a persistent obstacle they'd face when recruiting others.
Eliminating it completely was impossible, so they could only try to blur its impact in people's minds.
Harvey, seeing that Coulson wisely exited the car, wasted no words and drove off at once.
Coulson sent a message for someone to pick him up.
Now wasn't the right time to approach Tony Stark directly, since Stark Industries was about to face a major drop in stock prices.
That would certainly leave Tony Stark beset by trouble and in no mood for a meaningful conversation.
As for his contact with Harvey Amberlake, Coulson had no intention of reporting it, since relaying these events would only irritate others in the department.
Harvey returned to his lavish estate.
His encounter with Coulson had reassured him enough to come back to the manor he'd been absent from for months.
Weekly cleaning ensured there was little dust.
Harvey entered his home and turned on the television in the main hall.
The screen was filled with news about Stark Industries.
Commentators claimed Tony Stark had lost his mind, and hosts put on exaggerated performances.
Stock prices could rise or fall at any moment, driven by rumors and events.
Especially since Tony Stark's declaration to halt weapons production was a bombshell.
Harvey opened his stock app and, as expected, Stark Industries' shares were plunging, glowing green as they dropped.
Countless small shareholders and major investors were frantically dumping their stocks, terrified that each passing second would see their holdings lose value.
Harvey knew that once Tony Stark announced a shift to the energy sector and demonstrated results, the stock would soar.
But this downturn was only the beginning; it was not yet time for him to start buying shares in bulk.