Howard held a bouquet of flowers as he walked cheerfully toward his butler, JARVIS, who had been waiting beside the car.
Obadiah followed close behind, carrying a box of documents that looked quite heavy and panting with every step.
"I can tell you're in a good mood today, sir."
JARVIS opened the car door and complimented Howard on how well he looked.
"Is it that obvious?"
Howard carefully placed the bouquet on the passenger seat, then stroked his mustache, a contented smile on his face.
"Oh, right, give Brad a call and invite him over for dinner the day after tomorrow. Hmm...
"Actually, I'm planning to ask him to be Tony's godfather."
Howard gave JARVIS the instructions.
"I've already sent Dr. Brad a text."
Obadiah struggled to poke his head out from behind the box of documents, revealing his eagerness to take credit.
Howard turned around and wagged a raised finger.
"Foresight. That's one of the many reasons I appreciate you."
Obadiah chuckled sheepishly, remembering to put the box of documents in the trunk before politely bidding Howard farewell.
Howard straightened his collar with both hands, then climbed into the car, humming a tune after JARVIS opened the door.
At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Brad, now a little old man in his sixties, picked up his phone and glanced at the text. An involuntary smile crossed his face, and he cheerfully resumed typing on his keyboard.
Then the scene kept shrinking, as though a camera were pulling farther and farther back into a bird's-eye view. A thousand meters above the ground, a young man dressed in black held the hand of a child whose expression still carried a trace of sorrow.
"Arno, from now on, you'll be living in this reality."
Brad spoke softly.
"No one will remember you, including your parents.