Tony still had no idea he was in imminent danger.
He was working out and picked up a plate of apples to replenish his nutrients.
As he went downstairs, he remembered to give Happy a video call.
Happy held a special place in his life. He was not only Tony's former bodyguard but also a good friend.
Though Happy was no longer his bodyguard, he still protected the woman Tony loved most as head of security.
Upon learning that his girlfriend was admiring a brain with a handsome, wealthy scientist, Tony immediately pulled up Killian's information.
Meanwhile, Killian was trying to get Stark Industries to contribute to his Extremis project. Unfortunately, the moment Pepper Potts heard it was something akin to a Super Soldier program, she firmly refused.
As the woman Tony loved most, Pepper Potts knew perfectly well that the last thing he wanted was for Stark Industries to keep selling weapons as it once had.
Killian was handsome and rich now, but he was not the man Pepper Potts wanted.
Hearing her answer, Killian made a show of taking it gracefully.
"Well, I have to say I'm disappointed."
Killian walked out of Stark Industries with Pepper Potts and said, "I remember my father often saying that failure is the fog on the road to success."
He exuded masculine charm, and Pepper Potts smiled without any distaste. "Very profound. I don't even understand what it means."
"Neither do I. Maybe my father was just too stupid." Killian said goodbye to Pepper Potts. "We'll meet again, Pepper."
Those words sounded like a prophecy. Killian would not easily give up a chance to perfect Extremis.
His flirtatious farewell left Pepper Potts a little dazed.
The once-unremarkable Killian now flaunted his charms like a peacock.
Happy witnessed the whole thing and felt