"So in the end," Tony said quietly, "money's what saved me."
He let out a dry laugh. To most of the world, he wasn't a victim. He was a weapons dealer whose products had ended up in the hands of extremists. That part wasn't even wrong. His missiles had been used here. People had died because of them.
Outside of those with something to gain, who would bother risking their neck for someone like him?
"You're not wrong," Rowan said evenly. "You don't give people much to miss besides your money. Though plenty of people hate you, too."
Tony glanced over.
"I passed through Sokovia once," Rowan continued. "Met a brother and sister there. Civil war. Your company's weapons were everywhere. Their parents died when a Stark missile hit their apartment. They said they'd never forgive you."
Tony went still, like he'd been punched somewhere deep and vital.
"They're right to hate me," he said after a moment. "I was arrogant. Thought I was untouchable."
From the back seat, Dr. Farid leaned forward. "You're not beyond fixing things," he said gently. "Don't give up."
His own family had died to weapons like those. But he knew the truth. Steel didn't choose targets. People did. And from what he'd seen, Tony Stark wasn't cruel. Just blind, until now.
Tony straightened, the familiar grin sliding back into place like armor.
"I'm Tony Stark," he said lightly. "I don't quit."
Then he looked at Rowan. "Even if you came for profit, you still saved us. So here's some friendly advice. I'm holding a press conference the day after tomorrow at five. Sell every share you own before that. Otherwise, you're going to lose a lot of money."
Rowan blinked. "You're… telling me this?"
Tony shrugged. "I'm trying not to be a jerk anymore."
Rowan smiled despite himself. "Didn't expect that. You're a better man than your reputation."
The jeep slowed to a stop. Rowan's expression sharpened.
"They're coming," he said, opening the door and stepping out. He rose smoothly into the air. "The search teams. I'll disappear before they arrive. If you can help it, don't mention me."
Magnetic fields whispered warnings. Vehicles. Helicopters. Colonel Rhodes would be close now, drawn by the explosion.
Tony stared upward as Rowan became a shrinking silhouette against the sky.
"He flies," Tony muttered. "When I get home, I'm building something that does that."
Not long after Rowan vanished, military vehicles rolled in. Rhodes found Tony and Dr. Farid alive, shaken, but breathing.
Rowan was already aboard his aircraft by then. Using a secure channel, he contacted Leon.
"Buy now," Rowan said. "Then sell everything before five p.m. the day after tomorrow."
The call ended. The aircraft banked smoothly.
"Heading back?" Isa asked from the controls.
"Yes," Rowan said. "We have work to do."
Tony Stark's return sent shockwaves through the market the next morning. Stark Industries stock surged, climbing even higher than before the kidnapping.
On the third day, Tony landed in New York and announced a five o'clock press conference.
After it ended, the stock collapsed.
That night, Rowan met Leon again on a rooftop.
"This is your cash," Leon said, handing over a heavy case. He looked at Rowan the way people looked at forces of nature.
In days, his assets had multiplied tenfold. The Leon family now rivaled half the major families in the Bronx combined.
"Reinvest most of it into Stark Industries," Rowan said calmly.
Leon didn't question it.
"And find me the best neurologists and neurosurgeons in New York," Rowan added. "Bring them here tomorrow night."
Leon straightened. "All of them, if you want."
Rowan turned away, already planning his next moves.