Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Complaining Bystander, Isabella’s Suspicions
After wrapping up the previous interview, the reporter approached another passerby.
This one was a man in his forties or fifties, more relaxed than the previous one.
Reporter: "Hello, would you mind giving us a quick interview?"
Middle-aged Man (glancing at the camera): "Sure."
Reporter: "Great. Are you aware of the recent disappearance of Mr. Tony Stark?"
To her surprise, the man's relaxed demeanor instantly shifted.
Middle-aged Man: "Oh, I know that guy, alright!"
The man suddenly launched into a loud rant:
Middle-aged Man: "What was he thinking?!"
Middle-aged Man: "A billionaire like him, and he dares go to the Middle East?!"
Middle-aged Man: "Now look, gone without a trace!"
Middle-aged Man: "Why couldn't he just stay in America, huh?"
Middle-aged Man: "Handle the company, date a few celebrities, live a good life, was that not enough?!"
Middle-aged Man: "But no, he had to go running around, playing hero!"
Reporter (inwardly): What's your problem with Tony Stark…? It's not like he disappeared on purpose.
Reporter: "Excuse me, but why are you so upset about Mr. Stark's disappearance? Are you connected to him somehow?"
Middle-aged Man (irritated): "Of course I am!"
Middle-aged Man: "I just bought Stark Industries stock!"
Middle-aged Man: "I was planning to wait for it to go up before I sold it!"
Middle-aged Man: "Now it's crashing and I can't get rid of it, I'm totally stuck!"
Reporter: "…Right. Got it."
She offered him a brief, polite response and quickly moved on to find another interviewee.
Carl, watching from Erika's couch, narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Carl (muttering to himself): "Right… I almost forgot."
Carl: "At this point in the timeline, Tony's still in the Middle East."
Carl: "Stark Industries stock is tanking… when he returns, it'll rebound."
Carl: "Then he'll shut down the weapons division and it'll drop again…"
Carl: "And once he announces he's Iron Man, boom. Stock explodes."
He rubbed his chin.
Carl: "Might be a good time to invest."
With billions in assets, Carl could afford to bide his time and strike when the opportunity was right.
Carl: "No rush. I'll make a move after he comes back."
With Erika out for work, Carl felt a twinge of boredom.
After a moment of thought, he used his super vision to locate Isabella.
She had hinted yesterday that he should call her.
He hadn't followed through then, but it wasn't too late today, was it?
A few seconds later, he found her.
Still at home. Still in bed.
Seemed like she had the day off.
In a flash, Carl vanished,
And reappeared directly inside Isabella's home.
Inside a luxurious villa, Isabella was curled up under her blanket.
She wasn't asleep.
She was thinking.
About Obadiah.
At first, she hadn't even recognized who he was.
When the news reported his death yesterday, she didn't care much.
But later, once photos and descriptions came out, it hit her.
She had seen Obadiah.
At corporate galas.
He'd always been just a vague presence in the background, until last night's party.
Because there, Carl had gotten into a fight.
With Obadiah's son.
And later, Obadiah himself had stepped in.
So had Kingpin.
The entire scene was etched into Isabella's memory.
And now, Obadiah was dead.
It was too much of a coincidence.
Especially with how deferential Kingpin had been to Carl.
The suspicion took root:
Isabella (in her mind): Could Carl have dealt with Obadiah… personally?
It was a ridiculous thought.
Or was it?
Somehow, to Isabella, it felt like it made perfect sense.
Just then, a warm voice rang out in the room.
Carl: "Hi, Isabella."
She froze.
That voice was…
Isabella (alarmed): Wait… was that real? Did someone just speak?!
Panic shot through her.
Isabella (panicking inwardly): Could it be… a crazed fan?! Someone broke in?!
She'd heard horror stories, of stalkers sneaking into celebrity homes.
And right now, she was wearing nothing but a thin nightgown.
No tank top underneath.
She wasn't naked…
But she was close enough that it was dangerous.
Especially if it was a male intruder.
She stayed frozen under the blanket.
Trying not to panic.
Trying to stay calm.
Then came footsteps, soft against the wooden floor.
They were coming closer.
Carl: "Isabella?"
His voice was gentle.
And strangely familiar.
A moment later, a hand softly landed on her shoulder.
Carl: "What's wrong?"
It wasn't rough.
It wasn't threatening.
It was Carl.
Isabella turned her head instinctively.
And saw,
Carl standing at her bedside, looking genuinely concerned.
Isabella (blinking in disbelief): "Carl?!"
Carl: "Yeah. What's wrong?"
He looked confused, sensing that something was off.
Isabella: "No… it's nothing. Nothing at all."
Carl's eyes finally took in the full picture.
Isabella in bed.
Nightgown.
No tank top.
Blanket half-draped.
And Carl…
Standing right over her.
From that angle…
Let's just say she wasn't wrong to panic.
Carl hadn't meant to see anything.
But now that he had...
Certain thoughts started bubbling up.
His body moved on instinct.
He leaned in,
And gently kissed her.