Chapter Sixteen: A Change of Mind

When Harvey finished eating and walked out, he saw Stark standing on the steps at the entrance to the venue, his expression tinged with sorrow.

“I told you, trust your instincts,” Harvey said as he passed by Tony Stark.

“You were right. But Obadiah has watched me grow up since I was a child,” Tony replied. “Even if my instincts told me so, without seeing him actively show malice toward me, I just couldn’t bring myself to believe he was truly behind it.”

Tony Stark fell silent for a moment, his voice heavy. Earlier, when he went to confront Obadiah Stane, the response he received was that Obadiah wanted to strip him of his place on the board. Obadiah’s ambition to seize control of Stark Industries was now plain as day.

Tony couldn’t say when Obadiah first developed such intentions, but the surest way to take over would be to remove him altogether. Back when he was in Afghanistan demonstrating weapons for the military, there was no reason those people should have known he was there or been able to set an ambush in advance. Tony was convinced it hadn’t been a spur-of-the-moment attack by those terrorists on the American military; it had to have been a premeditated operation.

He’d been turning over in his mind, wondering who could have betrayed his whereabouts. It was a shock to realize it truly was Obadiah Stane.

Although Harvey hadn’t experienced this kind of betrayal himself, he could understand that being betrayed by someone you regarded as family was not something easily accepted.

“Once you’re certain who your enemy is, don’t hesitate to act,” Harvey reminded him. “Otherwise, when some things happen, it’ll already be too late.”

With that, Harvey only offered a few more words of caution, not any words of comfort. Tony Stark, hearing Harvey Ambellica’s advice, as if seeing through the struggle in his heart, let his gaze flicker. Though he had many questions, this time he did not ask them. Mysterious as Harvey Ambellica was, as if he knew everything, Tony was certain of one thing: they were not enemies—at least for now, Harvey Ambellica had shown no intent to harm him.

Tony Stark had originally wanted to find evidence of Obadiah Stane’s wrongdoing before making a move. But after Harvey’s reminder, Tony had already made up his mind.

Tony Stark then left the venue and returned directly to Stark Manor. Harvey also returned home. The enormous evolutionary points gained from that meal brought Harvey to his two hundred sixty-fifth evolution.

A violet light enveloped Harvey’s body, and after a brief moment, his Void Skin evolved for the forty-sixth time.

Harvey decided to evolve his Void Skin to a hundred times before focusing on other directions. After all, in the Marvel world, many heroes’ bodies weren’t particularly tough, but their offensive power was tremendous. If he wanted to survive safely, then the strength of his own body was the most important thing. As long as he wasn’t killed in a single blow, he could always stage a comeback.

Harvey hadn’t planned to meddle too much in Tony Stark’s affairs, but this time he chose to warn Tony because he’d come to a realization. Aside from Tony Stark’s brush with death and transformation into Iron Man—a pivotal moment—other minor events could be influenced appropriately.

Obadiah Stane would ultimately be dealt with by Tony Stark regardless. With no outside interference, Tony Stark would gain full control over the future of Stark Industries.

If, aside from key moments, he could not influence anything at all—if just a few reminders from him could turn this universe into something other than the main universe—then his future attempts to lead Tony Stark to believe in the Void would change this universe just the same.

That was the reason Harvey had thought it through and gone to the party. And even if this universe wasn’t the main one, it would only affect some of his later plans, not his safety.

For now, as long as he didn’t openly preach the Void and draw the attention of the Ancient One or Odin, he could act as he pleased.

Harvey felt the power within his body and headed to the basement to acclimate himself. The Void Skin not only enhanced his physical defense but also strengthened his power. Although the improvement wasn’t as dramatic as evolving his active skills, it still steadily increased his strength.

That was why Harvey was currently so enthusiastic about advancing his Void Skin.

Of course, his mental resistance also needed to be improved, but that wasn’t urgent yet. After all, he would only face magic-wielding opponents, like Wanda the Scarlet Witch, once they appeared.

And there was no need for excessive fear—even if his opponent’s magic was formidable, they wouldn’t have the chance to confront him head-on. Before any spell could be cast, he could strike from the shadows, silently maiming or even killing his adversary.

This time, Harvey had spent over three billion dollars in one go. After accounting for his fixed assets, he was left with only a hundred million in liquid funds.

So he casually opened the darknet, hoping to pick up a few jobs for extra cash. But after browsing, he saw only small contracts left, worth one or two million each.

Most were bodyguard assignments, requiring protection for a week or half a month. These jobs were usually favored by mercenary teams, since guarding meant time to set up defenses and then dealing with the enemy as needed. Earning a million in a week was not insignificant.

But for Harvey, time spent on such small jobs was better spent eating more, striving to evolve a few more times as soon as possible.

Finding no high-value contracts—nothing worth more than five million for assassination or destruction—he closed the darknet and went into the basement to begin his daily training.

Meanwhile, Harvey Ambellica’s gluttonous display at the Stark Industries charity ball did not become the talk of all New York, but word spread through the city’s upper echelons.

Some among New York’s elite looked on with disdain, yet others felt a pang of envy. Years of affluence had made their palates ever more finicky; most foods were barely tasted before losing their appeal.

Most of those who scorned Harvey Ambellica were upper-class men. Among the elite women, however, his prodigious appetite sparked considerable curiosity.

Previously, as Harvey Ambellica rarely attended social events, interested women had no excuse to approach him. But now, things had changed—Harvey Ambellica had begun appearing at gatherings of the upper class.

Though so far he had only attended the charity ball hosted by Stark Industries, this was already a sign. In the future, they could try inviting him—perhaps he just might accept.