Chapter 36: Handle It? I’ll Handle You!

Inside the Grand Ballroom As the two bald men strode in, murmurs rippled across the room like wildfire. 『Guest A』: Wait... isn't that Obadiah from Stark Industries? And... Kingpin!? 『Guest B』: What the hell? Why are they walking in together? 『Guest C』: I know Stark Industries, sure... but who's Kingpin? 『Guest D』: You don't know Kingpin!? 『Guest C』: Should I? 『Guest D』: He's the king of the underground. Not just in New York, practically the entire U.S. 『Guest E』: For real? That powerful? 『Guest F』: Heh. Try crossing him and find out. 『Guest C』: ...No thanks. 『Guest A』: But what did Obadiah mean just now? 『Guest B』: Could it be... the guy who got wrecked is related to him? 『Guest E』: Sounds like it. Maybe his son or nephew? 『Guest F』: Otherwise, why would a top exec step in like that? 『Guest D』: Makes sense. Unlike Carl and Zach, two names most guests didn't know, Obadiah Stane and Kingpin were figures that carried serious weight. Almost everyone in attendance recognized at least one of them. Obadiah was a senior executive of Stark Industries, and next to Tony Stark, he was the most well-known face of the company. As for Kingpin? Fewer had seen him in person, but those who had... stayed far away. The man was a shadow emperor of America's criminal underworld. 『Guest G』: Why would Kingpin be with someone from Stark Industries? 『Guest H』: I've never heard of them teaming up... 『Guest I』: Idiots. Even if they were working together, you think they'd tell small fries like us? 『Guest H』: ...Fair. The crowd went quiet instantly. One man let out a sigh as he glanced toward Carl. 『Guest A』: What a shame. The kid might've had promise... 『Guest B』: It was already bad enough to offend Stark Industries... 『Guest C』: But now that Kingpin's involved? 『Guest B』: He's as good as dead. Those who knew Kingpin's reputation all nodded grimly. 『Guest D』: Can't blame anyone but himself. Obadiah Stane and Kingpin, Either man alone was a terrifying presence. To offend both? You might as well dig your own grave. Even Obadiah thought so. He knew who Carl was. This wasn't just some random young man, Carl was a major shareholder of Stark Industries. Of course Obadiah had investigated his competition. He'd studied Carl's file in detail. Yes, Obadiah still held more shares... But Carl's stake was large enough to pose a threat. Under normal circumstances, Obadiah wouldn't dare provoke him openly. But now? Tony Stark was in the Middle East. Soon, he'd be "kidnapped and killed." Once that happened, Stark Industries would be Obadiah's. And with Kingpin backing him? Why should he be afraid of Carl anymore? In fact, He was hoping Kingpin would "clean up" this loose end for him. They were already negotiating a deal. Something like this? Was nothing to a man like Kingpin. He handled garbage for a living. Zach, still groaning on the floor, lifted his tear-streaked face, And saw him. 『Zach』: D-Dad... Even the pain dulled for a moment. His father was here! And not just him, Kingpin too! Zach had never taken the underworld boss seriously before... But now? He was practically moved to tears. With someone like Kingpin here, that black-haired bastard wouldn't live another minute! For the first time, Zach truly believed, Carl was finished. Carl raised a brow as the two approached. He immediately recognized Obadiah. That was obvious, he was the villain from Iron Man. But what was his connection to the guy Carl had just wrecked? 『Carl』: Wait... you know that guy? Obadiah's face contorted with rage. 『Obadiah Stane』: Of course I do! That's my son, Zach! 『Obadiah Stane』: And you dare lay a hand on him?! 『Obadiah Stane』: You've brought this on yourself, Carl! Carl blinked. 『Carl』: ...You have a son? Huh. Made sense. A man that age, swimming in money? Obviously. But so what? Even if Zach was Obadiah's son... Carl didn't care. He smiled faintly. 『Carl』: So what? 『Carl』: What are you gonna do about it? Obadiah's expression froze. This brat... Wasn't even flinching? Obadiah was a senior executive at Stark Industries. He had power. He had resources. He was feared. And Carl? A shareholder. Young. Inexperienced. Sure, he had a large stake in the company, but that didn't give him any real control. He had just beaten up Obadiah's son. Shouldn't he be begging for forgiveness? Originally, Obadiah had intended to intimidate Carl. To pressure him into selling off his shares cheaply. But now? Forget it. 『Obadiah Stane』: Mr. Fisk. This is your turf. I'll let you handle it. Kingpin glanced sideways, silent. Then slowly raised his hand, pointing toward Obadiah and Zach. 『Kingpin』: Grab those two. Break their legs. Silence. Dead, suffocating silence. Even his men froze. 『Kingpin's thug』: ...Boss? 『Kingpin』: What are you standing there for? 『Thug』: Y-Yes, sir! They didn't hesitate again. In the blink of an eye, Kingpin's men surged forward, Grabbing Obadiah and Zach and dragging them toward the exit. 『Obadiah Stane』: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, KINGPIN!? He thrashed in disbelief. Had this lunatic lost his mind!? Kingpin gave him a calm, cold stare. 『Kingpin』: Nothing. The truth? Because of Erika, and her father, Kingpin already knew better than to mess with Carl. Now Obadiah wanted him to "handle it"? What, was he supposed to kill Carl? Not a chance. Kingpin wasn't stupid. He valued his own life. So instead of dealing with Carl... He dealt with Obadiah. Sure, this would affect their business deal. But so what? There were plenty of arms manufacturers out there. He didn't need Stark Industries. 『Obadiah Stane』: KINGPIN! YOU BASTARD! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THIS!! He screamed as he was dragged away. Zach too. His entire body ached, But even worse than the pain was the shame. Everyone had seen it. He hadn't just been beaten. He'd been discarded. Even Isabella was still watching. Zach lowered his head and tried desperately to hide his face. To be continued...