The Truth About Howard and His Wife

Thud!

The three of them shut the door, sneaking around as though they were up to no good.

No... We're not bad people, so why are we sneaking around?

Stark and Steve came to their senses. They exchanged a glance and instantly found themselves on the same side.

Though they had their disagreements now, a single accord could never shake the bond between them. It could only create a temporary conflict, much like when they had first met in New York and could not stand the sight of each other.

Of course, things were much better now.

"Spit it out. My time is valuable," Stark said bluntly as he sat on the couch. His tone was still as punchable as ever, as if this were his own home.

Steve folded his arms and frowned at the composed Li Nian. He had a feeling that whatever was about to happen would definitely involve him.

Li Nian ignored Stark. He would have plenty of time to cry later.

He connected to the television in the room and played a recording from twenty years ago.

"Heh, you didn't call us here just to watch a documentary with you, did you?" Stark's tongue was as sharp as ever. At this moment, he had yet to recognize his father's old car, assuming it was merely footage of some politician's trip.

"Hey, Tony."

Steve was not as flippant as Stark, and he had already spotted something amiss. He quickly stopped Stark before he could show off his sharp tongue again.

Stark finally fell silent. His eyes gradually widened, and he suddenly rose to his feet.

Because he saw his father.

The footage was extremely blurry, but it was still possible to make out that this seemed to be the car Tony's parents had been in when they died.

The wrecked car lay by the roadside. A masked man with disheveled hair yanked open the door and dragged the battered Howard out of the vehicle, treating him like a dead dog by the road, as though this once-lofty man were nothing more than a lamb awaiting slaughter.

The masked man pulled out a pistol, aimed it at Howard, and then...

Bang!

Li Nian secretly glanced at Tony's reaction. His face had gone pale, while his pupils trembled violently as though he were straining to force his eyes wide open.

He could sense the volcano in Tony's heart on the verge of erupting. The veins on his clenched fists stood out, and his overwhelming hatred nearly burst from his body.

Steve was equally dumbstruck. As Howard's friend, he naturally felt deep sorrow, but even more than that, he was overwhelmed by disbelief and helplessness.

Because the man who had shot Howard was none other than his lifelong best friend—Bucky Barnes.

Bang!

Tony violently shook his head, then slowly sat down while bracing himself against the couch. Covering his eyes, he seemed unwilling to let his tears fall.

Bucky tossed Howard and his wife's bodies by the roadside, then turned and fired a bullet into the camera.

The video ended there. None of the three spoke. Whoever spoke first would surely touch Tony's fragile, volatile nerves.

"Tony... I..." Steve could not bear to see Tony's tears and finally spoke.

"Shut up!"

Tony sprang up from the couch. His pupils were bloodshot and vicious, his face flushed as though the blood had rushed into it, and he glared at Steve with blazing fury.

"Your good brother... your brother!"

He shakily pointed at the frozen screen. His chest rose and fell violently, as though it might explode at any moment.

"Tony, listen to me... Bucky was under Hydra's control. Otherwise, he never could have... could have..." Steve did not continue, because Tony's mental state was clearly unstable. Saying too much might only make things worse.

A flash shone across Li Nian's forehead, and the Mind Stone's light fell upon Tony, easing his fury slightly.

Tony calmed down and fixed his bright eyes on Steve's face before opening his mouth.

"He has to die!"

With that, Tony slammed the door behind him and stormed out without looking at Steve once.

"Tony..."

Steve slumped onto the couch, burying his hands in his hair with a face full of anguish. He truly had no idea what to do.

On one side was his best friend since childhood, the one who had always stood up for him whenever he was bullied. They had even enlisted together.

On the other was a comrade who had shared life and death with him, as well as his friend's son—a friend with whom he had fought side by side to save Earth several times.

He did not know whom to side with or whom to condemn. The best outcome would be for the two of them to let go of the past, but anyone with a shred of sense knew that was impossible.

The hatred of a father's murder could never be reconciled!

"Caught in the middle, isn't it?" Li Nian walked over and sat beside Steve. "It doesn't feel good. I understand your pain."

"You don't! You never should have shown that video to Tony! It'll drive him insane!"

Steve shouted at Li Nian. The sudden turn of events had left him completely lost, and he could only find someone to vent his anger on.

"Would it have been fair to him if you told him nothing?"

Li Nian asked expressionlessly, "You should know that paper cannot cover fire. As long as Bucky remains in this world, that secret can never stay buried!"

Li Nian faced Steve without the slightest fear.

"For Tony, the truth is the best answer he can receive."

The two fell silent...

Tony stormed out, leaving the nearby Avengers staring in astonishment. How had Tony gotten this furious in less than ten minutes?

"Tony..." Rhodey tried to stop him, but Tony's bloodshot eyes startled him so badly that he forgot to lower his outstretched hand.

Tony floored the accelerator and soon arrived at Ross's territory—the place where they had just held their meeting.

"What is it, Tony Stark? Have you finally made a decision?"

A sly smile curled across Ross's lips, but when he saw Tony's condition, a hint of confusion surfaced in his eyes. Who had provoked this spoiled rich kid?

"I'll sign the Sokovia Accords. And I'll personally build prisons and devices to restrain enhanced individuals, along with all kinds of specialized weapons."

Tony's words hit Ross so hard that he felt dizzy. Had he heard wrong? That arrogant playboy was actually offering himself up to be sheared? Had the sun risen in the west?

"But I have one condition!"

Of course!

Ross silently became wary. This guy was up to no good after all. He had to be setting a trap for him here.

"Say it."

"I want you to spare no effort in investigating someone. Find his whereabouts and tell me."

"Hm? That's all?"

Ross seemed unable to believe what he had heard and could not help looking Tony up and down.

Did this guy get kicked in the head by a donkey?

Such an insignificant condition in exchange for a team of enhanced individuals? It was practically a steal!

"Of course!"

Ross agreed with a beaming smile. Tony immediately signed the accord.