Howard was speechless. Though they belonged to different departments, as a senior executive of Hydra's research division, he was fully qualified to issue orders to the Avengers by rank.
Of course, whether they would give him any face was another matter.
The Avengers decisively left since it had nothing to do with them, and Howard understood. The highest-ranking Hydra member was hiding behind the scenes; if it were him, he would have run too.
Better rely on himself than others, but he could not even get himself moving. Howard decided to wait a little longer. He had already noticed that the moment Tony dared to make a move, someone would immediately show up to interfere.
Maybe some fool would have a sudden lapse in judgment and save him.
"What's wrong? Have you given up already?"
Tony retracted his faceplate and glared viciously at Howard. "This isn't the old days anymore. If my father had dependable teammates like Captain and the others, Hydra definitely wouldn't have murdered him so cruelly!"
"I'm afraid I can't agree with that..."
Howard's eyelids twitched. He had not been that miserable back then. At the very least, he had The Marvels, and at least the teammates around him had truly been teammates.
"Hmph. I'll send you on your way."
Tony felt he had wasted too much breath. To prevent further complications, he unleashed his full firepower, releasing a shockwave that struck Howard in its entirety with a boom.
My life is over!
As the beams came hurtling toward him, Howard was stunned to find that none of the people who should have appeared showed up. Not even the Hydra leader he revered most extended a helping hand. He could only close his eyes and await death.
Howard understood that he should not have had to die.