Tony's Gift

The thought of "seeking custody" had barely surfaced before Luca dismissed it himself.

Setting aside the fact that his mother, Gina, was merely in a coma and had not yet reached the point of losing her legal rights.

Even though, by all current appearances, the probability of Gina being declared brain-dead was quite high.

But even if the process were to be executed immediately, Dragan was an uncle with a history of degenerate gambling and drug abuse.

As long as he exposed these facts, even if the court ultimately awarded custody to the Child Welfare Bureau or a family trust, it would never fall into his hands.

Furthermore, even if he did manage to secure custody, the company shareholders would never allow a man like that to manage the firm.

Perhaps I should try to see if I can collect some medical-type synthetic items later to try and wake Gina up.

If my theory about this golden finger is correct, there should be quite a few technological items in the medical field.

Putting these uncertainties aside for the moment, Luca immediately shifted his line of thinking.

Where did Dragan get the confidence? To dare to assert so firmly that he could influence the board of directors? He couldn't possibly be relying on his kinship to act as a proxy for those voting shares, could he?

Beyond that, at this moment, let alone influencing the board, the entire company had nothing to do with him.

Did he acquire shares privately? And where would the money come from?

In his past life, Luca had seen too many gamblers and addicts like this; he didn't believe such a person could turn his life around with that kind of money in less than two years.

Luca would have considered it a reform if the man hadn't gone bankrupt and buried himself in debt.

What means did he use to persuade the other shareholders? Or is there someone standing behind him?

Luca, who had never really been involved in company business, felt his mind flooded with a thousand tangled thoughts, unable to find a clear path.

It seems I can only wait for Shamira to finish dealing with this uncle and then see if I can pry any information out of him.

As it turned out, Luca was actually quite grateful that this idiot had jumped out to expose himself instead of working in the shadows.

A guy with a fried brain like that—he could have hidden in the dark, yet he chose to expose himself and pick a fight.

No, that's not right. This seems to suggest even more that there is someone behind him.

Just as Luca was thinking rapidly, the "clack-clack-clack" sound of high heels approaching from afar drew near.

At the same time, because of the earlier farce, gasps of surprise rippled through the guests who were supposed to have already left.

Luca instinctively reached toward his waist while quickly turning around.

However, once he saw who it was, his expression shifted into one of confusion.

"Mr. Orange, hello. I am here today at Tony's request to pay my respects."

The woman was tall and carried herself with a capable, professional air. As she walked, almost everyone locked their eyes firmly upon her.

Even those attending other funerals nearby couldn't help but cast their gazes toward this spot.

Of course, this wasn't because of her striking appearance, but rather because of who she was.

The people attending funerals in this area were all wealthy or noble, and many recognized her identity immediately.

The current true manager of Stark Industries.

"Ms. Pepper Potts?"

Looking at Tony Stark's legitimate girlfriend, the famous "Pepper," Luca spoke softly with a strange expression.

Pepper, after scrutinizing Luca's excessively young features, felt a flicker of softness in her eyes.

In fact, she had indeed come here under Tony's instructions.

However, since she didn't have an invitation to the funeral, Pepper had originally intended to meet Luca outside the cemetery to convey Tony's condolences.

But after noticing the commotion earlier, Pepper Potts had ventured inside.

Yet, upon arriving and seeing the guests leaving of their own accord, and this one-armed boy standing alone and dazed before the tombstone, even a career woman known for her decisiveness like Pepper Potts couldn't help but feel a sense of pity, her tone softening.

"Tony told me that you provided him with a great deal of help during the Battle of New York."

"I was sent here to express our regret over the Orange family's loss, and also to thank you for your previous assistance."

The guests who had harbored other thoughts due to Dragan's earlier outburst now looked at Luca with envy after hearing Pepper Potts' words.

This was the CEO of Stark Industries, and she was bringing thanks from Iron Man, Tony Stark himself.

One had to realize that even after Stark Industries closed its weapons division, its relationship with the government and the military might not have been as harmonious as before.

However, with the astronomical wealth of Stark Industries and its innovations in energy, it remained among the very elite at the top of the pyramid.

Not to mention, Tony Stark's current identity as Iron Man had truly saved all of New York.

To gain the favor of such a person—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a company of Orange Industries' size was set to take off.

Luca himself, however, felt no excitement; after all, in his eyes, these were merely familiar characters from the movies he knew.

Even though he was well aware of the influence Pepper represented, it was hard to feel any awe toward these "familiar strangers." He simply waved his hand politely and said, "Ms. Potts, your presence at my father's funeral is already an honor for me. There is really no need for thanks."

However, looking at the well-mannered boy before her, Pepper Potts simply shook her head gently and reached out to beckon behind her.

Immediately after, a slightly chubby man in a suit, carrying a long briefcase and looking more like a director than a bodyguard, came jogging over while panting.

The newcomer was naturally Tony Stark's personal bodyguard, Happy Hogan.

After Happy handed the long briefcase to Luca, he remained silent.

Pepper Potts then continued in a soft voice.

"Tony has been tied up with post-disaster reconstruction work these past few days and truly couldn't get away. This is a gift he asked me to bring you."

Luca took the briefcase with some confusion, his face full of bewilderment.

"A gift at a funeral??"

Seeing this, Pepper carefully swept her gaze over Luca's severed arm and said softly.

"You can open it and see. I think this should be of help to you."

Although Pepper Potts did not speak loudly, she did not deliberately avoid the others either.

At this moment, many people were looking over with surprised eyes, trying to peek and see what kind of gift the famous Tony Stark had sent to Luca, to the point that even Pepper Potts had to show up in person.

However, constrained by etiquette, these people could only stand where they were, craning their necks without moving.

Hearing this, Luca did not hesitate any longer.

He simply placed the briefcase on the seat, pressed the latches, and opened it directly.

After lifting the lid, right in the center of the gold-red cushioned interior, lay... an arm!

With delicate textures and completely realistic skin, it looked exactly like Luca's left hand, except for the palm facing the opposite direction.

If not for the hollow interface at the elbow joint, Luca would have felt as if it were a real arm.

And more importantly.

In Luca's eyes at this moment, this arm was actually emitting a faint white light that only he could see!