After speaking, Tony took a big bite of his burger and pointed to what he had been working on earlier.
Only then did Blaine notice what Tony was studying on the console. It was the ruins of Blaine's home in Queens—the aftermath of the bombing.
"Tell me."
Blaine took a bite of the burger, speaking coldly. He didn't care what he was eating anymore. Tony's exclusive custom burger was surprisingly real—delicious and filling. Even rich people ate hamburgers extravagantly. This was probably the best burger Blaine had ever tasted…
"This house in Queens was built by me, so its security is also my responsibility."
"So you found a clue?" Blaine asked.
"Not yet."
"Are you forcing me to tear down your home?"
"But I invited you here because you're stronger. It'll be easier to find clues with your help. Look—this…"
He pointed to the 3D model on the console, which appeared to be images captured by Tony's private satellite.
"It's not your home. Why do you care so much?" Blaine asked.
"I now have reason to suspect that the bombing has something to do with you!"
Blaine turned sharply and pointed at Tony.
"No no no—NONONONO—I swear on Iron Man, it has absolutely nothing to do with me."
"Then what is it?"
Despite Tony's sincerity—and even with mind reading confirming it—something still felt off.
"Alright, I'll be honest."
"Better."
"You know, as the chairman of the Stark Industries, I not only handle research but also manage the corporate affairs of Stark Industries."
"Skip to the important part…"
"Don't worry, don't worry—just sit and listen."
"As the leader of one of America's major corporations, business competition is fierce, especially for Stark Industries."
"I won't explain what happens in the open market, but behind the scenes, families wage their own private battles."
"The house in Queens was built under my name."
"I believe many people with ulterior motives want to draw my attention or threaten me…"
As Tony rambled about corporate experience, Blaine couldn't take it anymore and cut him off.
"So the bombing looked like it was aimed at me, but it was secretly targeting you—Tony—and the Stark family's attention, right?"
"And as part of this business competition, you're making me the scapegoat?"
After all the rambling, Blaine finally understood. He activated mind reading—Tony's nervous jolt confirmed everything was exactly as Blaine said.
But seriously, what the hell? Rich people fought among themselves, and ordinary people like him suffered. Well—"ordinary" didn't exactly apply…
"Mr. Hunter really isn't ordinary. You figured it out so fast."
"Stop talking nonsense. Let's see what's going on."
Blaine stuffed the rest of his burger into his mouth in two bites, ignoring Tony's flattery. He went straight to the console.
He had to admit, Tony's tech represented the cutting edge of the United States.
The console's footage could be replayed frame-by-frame in fully rendered 3D—it was so advanced that Blaine had no idea how to describe it. It wasn't much worse than the Superman-level AI of his Hunter System 2.0.
The two of them circled the console, watching carefully. Tony paused here and there, then walked around it again. He had obviously been at this for a long time—probably exhausted.
Blaine sighed. He'd have to rely on himself. Even if this business mess wasn't his responsibility, it was still his home. He couldn't ignore it.
His mental power spread across the entire 3D projection. Not a single detail escaped him.
The footage played again.
"No suspicious persons."
"No suspicious vehicles."
"No suspicious flight controllers."
"Not even a suspicious bug…"
"There doesn't seem to be a single suspicious sign…"
After multiple viewings, Blaine still couldn't find anything. What was going on? Was it truly a haunting?
"Did your recording miss something?"
Blaine trusted his psychic ability. If he couldn't find anything, the footage had to be at fault.
"Impossible. I screened the video myself. This is the footage before and after the explosion—there's no mistake."
"Pull up the screened footage. I want to see it."
Blaine still didn't believe him, but after watching the screened clips two or three more times, finding nothing, even he was uncertain. Time to see what Tony's filters removed…
He watched several more times—still nothing.
"Damn it, this is so weird."
"There's not even a fly—how are we supposed to investigate anything…?"
Tony, usually composed, finally swore. After this long, anyone would lose patience.
"Wait—flies? Bugs?"
Tony's offhand comment hit perfectly. Blaine sharpened instantly.
"Tony—play it again."
"Hey, forget it, Mr. Hunter. Let's go. This time I'll treat you to the most authentic American dinner—consider it my apology."
"I said play it again."
Without realizing it, Blaine's tone rose. Seeing his expression, Tony obeyed immediately. Under mind reading, Tony was wondering whether the Bounty Hunter might actually demolish his building over a hamburger. Blaine almost laughed.
"Stop. Right there. Pause."
Three minutes before the explosion, Blaine told Tony to freeze the frame.
"Zoom in."
"Zoom in again."
"Keep playing."
"Oh my god, why are you being so fussy? Just zoom in a hundred times!"
When something small floated into frame, both of their eyes lit up. A clue.
It was an insect—a bee, to be exact. A person disguised as a bee.
"Tony, do you know who this is?"
"No idea."
Tony didn't know—but Blaine did.
It was the original Ant-Man's nemesis. Dr. Pym's apprentice—Cross.
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