Chapter 80: Another Invitation

Henry gave him a plainly awkward expression and said, "The producer fired me to avoid any more conflicts between you and me."

"So, do you want me to get your job back for you?" Tony asked directly. "Or find you another job? Let me be clear—this isn't something I asked for."

"I know, and I don't need it," Henry shook his head. "It's just everyone being overly cautious and acting on their own initiative. Even if you didn't say anything, those people would still do the same when they see it."

"By the same logic, today I helped you. As long as you don't explicitly tell everyone to target me, those people will know what to do. Even if they don't specifically save the opportunity for me, at least they won't interfere. That's enough."

"Is that really enough? You helped me just for this?" Tony asked.

Henry sneered. "Mr. Stark, use that genius brain of yours. Maybe you couldn't be sure at first, but now, looking back—were we really in danger?"

"The assassins' target was crystal clear: Jash Hilton, that fat guy. Everyone else just needed to cooperate, not resist, and not a single scratch would happen."

"You could say you acted to save lives. But in the end, they still got their target—you didn't save that fat guy, did you?"

"Your interference only resulted in you wounding some people, maybe even killing some. Is that what you wanted? Because you got tired of shooting static targets, and when a chance at live ones came, you couldn't pass it up. Is that it?"

"So my helping you at the start was actually risk-free. The sense of life-or-death danger you felt throughout the whole process? You created it yourself. In fact, you led it."

"I never expected you to help me with my job, because the goal had already shifted to keeping you alive so you wouldn't drag me down. Have you ever thought about how huge the fallout would be if you'd been shot in there?"

Tony grumbled, "How could we have known the outcome beforehand? At the start, could you guarantee those assassins wouldn't hurt innocents?"

Henry honestly shook his head.

Tony continued, "If you can't guarantee that, someone has to step forward—not just let the bad guys do whatever they want. So why not me? As for the fallout issue—ha, do I even have any influence?"

"Tch, Mr. Stark of the Stark family," Henry sneered.

It's like humans on Earth breathing air so routinely they never think it's anything special. So discussing whether air counts as a privilege with an Earthling feels stupid.

By the same logic, discussing this with this young master only highlights how poor you really are—not just in wallet, but in every way.

So in the instant he understood, Henry found it meaningless. He really should stay far away from these protagonists, lest their cursed fate of solitude bring misfortune upon him.

Even if Iron Man isn't a cursed soul, he's still a black hole that attracts trouble—or a personality that generates it—and should be avoided.

Henry stood up, glancing left and right, searching for a police officer or FBI agent to give his statement. He wanted to finish quickly and go home to rest, not sit beside a trouble magnet.

Tony asked, "What are you doing?"

"Going to turn myself in. Do with me what you will."

"You were with me. Aren't you waiting for my lawyer to arrive?"

"I can defend myself. The law's all in those books anyway—glance at a few pages, it's enough."

It was a thoroughly vainglorious statement, yet Tony Stark didn't find anything odd about it, because his own understanding of the law was the same. He handed it to lawyers only because he was too lazy to read.

What annoyed him was this guy's expression of fleeing a plague, rushing to get as far away from him as possible!

Fortunately, geniuses usually have excellent memories. Many things aren't on their minds, but when needed, Tony Stark could still recall them.

"If I invited you to another banquet, would you go?"

"No thanks. I think my constitution is allergic to rich people's banquets. A few more of these, and I'm afraid I won't survive. By the way, do you really have no Russian blood? The way you act makes it feel like you downed a bottle of vodka before coming, just missing the 'Ura!' shout." Henry walked away.

Tony, rarely unamused by Henry's teasing, simply said, "The banquet I mean isn't some messy mess like this. It's a simple dinner and chat, hosted by one of my elders."

"Then it's even less relevant to me. What would I do at your old-money gathering? Put on a monkey show for you? Or serve as a poor example so you can broaden your horizons?" Henry walked farther away.

Tony made an exaggerated look of regret. "What a pity. Lady He Ben's banquet isn't open to just anyone. Come to think of it—what would I even bring you for? You don't know anyone there, and you couldn't even talk to them."

Henry quietly turned back, bowing respectfully. "Mr. Stark, I think there's been a small misunderstanding between us. If I've caused you any discomfort, please accept my sincere apology here."

"Your lawyer will be here soon, right? I can recount the entire sequence of events for you—you only need to add details. That way, we won't waste too much breath."

"Of course, I'll emphasize your heroic deeds and your noble character. As the heir to Stark Industries, you risked your own life to save so many—every young person in America should learn from you."

"Ah, by the way, this is Hollywood. Maybe putting this story on the big screen, letting everyone know about your pinpoint shooting and your fearless courage, would be a great choice."

"If you think killing too many people hurts your image, how about this? I'm the one who pulled the trigger. Your genius mind made the best judgments, repeatedly saving me from death. Without your command, I'd already be dead in the assassins' gunfire."

Henry's rapid-fire speech left Tony Stark utterly stunned. He forced himself to suppress his discomfort and stared at the man before him with an expression of horror.

"Hmm… was that too much?" Henry asked with a fawning smile.

"This… isn't just too much." Tony stepped back a few paces from the man who'd just switched personalities. "Do you have dissociative identity disorder? Which personality are you now?"

"Mr. Stark, it's only me—your most loyal friend. If you think I'm unworthy, then I'm your most loyal servant." Henry nearly lunged forward to hug Tony's leg.

Tony cursed. "Damn it, talk normally. And don't call me Mr. Stark—it reminds me of another old man. Call me Tony. Maybe then I'll consider bringing you to Lady He Ben's banquet."

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(End of Chapter)