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Tony had almost broken free.
For a fleeting second, the invisible force restraining him trembled under the sheer intensity of his rage. His muscles strained, the servos inside the Iron Man armor whining at maximum output. Veins stood out at his temples. His breathing turned harsh and uneven.
Then—
The pressure increased.
It was like an invisible mountain settling onto his body.
His limbs froze again.
Jack watched him calmly.
The faintest smile curved at his lips.
His fingers trailed lightly along Pepper's cheek, almost tenderly.
"You must be very angry," Jack said softly. "Very, very angry."
"Don't touch me," Pepper snapped, trying to jerk her head away. "Take your hand off!"
Her body still wouldn't obey her.
Tony's eyes were bloodshot now, rage swallowing what little restraint remained.
"Jack!" he roared hoarsely. "I will kill you. I swear I will kill you."
Jack's smile deepened—dark, amused, almost delighted.
"You can't even endure this much?" he murmured. "Then what happens next might drive you mad."
Before anyone could react—
Jack pulled Pepper into his arms.
His head lowered.
He kissed her.
Not gently.
Not hesitantly.
It was invasive, forceful, utterly without restraint.
Pepper's eyes widened in shock. For a moment, her mind blanked completely. The taste of wine and heat pressed against her lips. The humiliation burned hotter than fear.
"Mmm—!"
She tried to struggle, but her jaw felt locked, her limbs useless. Anger and shame flooded her vision, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
Tony's roar shook the room.
"Jack!"
The pain in his voice was unmistakable. Stark Industries had fallen. Broadway had burned. But this—
This cut deeper.
Jack ignored him completely.
He continued the kiss as though the rest of the world did not exist.
Seconds stretched unbearably.
Finally, he pulled back.
Pepper staggered slightly in his grip, lips swollen, breath uneven.
"You'll die like a dog," she spat, eyes blazing with hatred.
Jack chuckled softly.
"Interesting," he said. "You really are a hot pepper. Your temper matches your name perfectly."
Tony's entire body trembled.
The air around him seemed to vibrate with fury.
Something inside him snapped.
"Ahhhh!"
With a raw, guttural scream, he forced himself forward.
The invisible restraint shattered.
He was free.
"I will kill you!"
The Arc Reactor in his chest flared blinding white. Energy surged through the armor's conduits, gathering in his palms. He fired.
A beam of pure force roared toward Jack.
Bang!
The blast filled the hall with searing light.
Jack stood unmoving, watching the incoming energy calmly.
"Anger doesn't close the gap between strength," he said lightly. "In front of absolute difference, rage solves nothing."
The beam halted midair.
Just one meter from him.
It trembled.
Then—
"Go back."
The energy reversed direction instantly.
Tony leapt sideways, dodging at the last possible second.
The beam slammed into the wall behind him.
Concrete exploded outward.
Tony landed hard, then fired again—another beam, then another.
Jack vanished.
Reappeared above him.
And stomped down.
Boom!
Tony crashed to the floor.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Jack's foot struck his back again and again, metal denting under the impact.
"You're very angry," Jack said calmly between strikes. "But without power behind it, anger is just stupidity."
"Damn you!" Tony roared, struggling against the crushing weight.
Pepper cried out, "Tony!"
Jack stopped.
He looked toward her.
Then, with a flick of thought, Tony was bound once more—immobile.
Jack walked toward Pepper slowly.
"Jack!" Tony shouted helplessly.
Jack wrapped an arm around Pepper's waist and lifted her effortlessly.
"Tony," he said lazily, "I'm taking Pepper with me. Relax. I'll take good care of her."
"Let me go!" Pepper struggled desperately now that movement had returned. "Let me go!"
"Jack!" Tony's voice cracked with fury. "Put her down!"
"Put her down?" Jack smirked. "That's impossible. When you're strong enough, come find me. If you can take her back, I'll admit your skill."
He hoisted Pepper over his shoulder and began walking toward the exit.
Tony's scream echoed through the ruined hall.
"Jack!"
---
Outside, Alice, Ada, and White Queen waited.
When they saw Jack emerge with Pepper slung over his shoulder, their expressions were complicated.
"Jack," Ada said with faint amusement, "you actually kidnapped her."
Jack turned serious.
"Wrong. You think it's that simple? I'm motivating Tony. Stimulating his hatred. Encouraging him to grow stronger for his country."
Alice reached up and pinched his cheek.
"Is this your face? So thick."
Ada laughed softly. "More like reinforced armor. Even missiles couldn't penetrate."
White Queen snorted. "You kidnapped someone and still found an excuse. We know your personality."
Pepper twisted angrily. "Let me go! The country won't let you escape. You'll be defeated!"
Ada glanced at Jack thoughtfully.
"You really enjoy being hated by women."
"It's interesting," Jack replied.
White Queen tilted her head, studying him.
"You like making women hate you first… then fall in love. It gives you a sense of conquest. That's your psychology, isn't it?"
Alice and Ada nodded in agreement.
Pepper's voice rose sharply. "Fall in love with him? I'd rather die."
White Queen shrugged lightly. "You love Tony. He loves you. But you lack the moment that pierces the final barrier between you. Now? You may never get that chance."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Pepper shot back.
White Queen only smiled faintly.
Alice folded her arms. "You kidnapped her. What next? The whole world is hunting you."
Jack turned and looked back at the villa perched on the cliff.
"Blow it up."
Pepper's eyes widened. "What? Tony is still inside!"
"If he dies," Jack said flatly, "then his luck was poor. Take her."
He passed Pepper to Alice.
Jack floated upward slightly.
A sphere of fire formed in his palm, swelling rapidly.
One meter.
Two.
Three meters wide.
The heat distorted the air.
Without hesitation—
He hurled it.
The fireball struck the villa.
Light erupted.
The explosion tore the structure apart. Glass shattered outward in a glittering wave. Steel beams bent like paper. Flames devoured walls and ceilings in seconds.
The roar echoed across the ocean cliffs.
Within moments, the mansion—worth hundreds of millions—collapsed into burning rubble.
Far below—
In the water—
Tony surfaced, soaked and furious.
He stared at the inferno consuming what had once been his home.
"Jack!"
His scream tore through the crashing waves.
"I will never forgive you! Never!"
His voice dissolved into the roar of the sea and the crackling of flames.
And high above the cliff, Jack watched calmly.
Unmoved.
Unrepentant.
Smiling faintly.