𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃 | howard stark

xxxvi. 𝘐𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵

⋘  » ☆ « ⋙

"After a thorough investigation, we have concluded that Howard Stark is innocent of the theft and sale of weapons to foreign enemies. All charges against Mr. Stark have been dropped."

Thompson's voice boomed through the entire street as he spoke into the microphones set in place for the press conference. Howard remained unusually quiet through the ordeal, though the smug smile on his lips never wavered and he made sure every photographer on the scene got a good luck of it. Mr. Jarvis and Sousa stood on either sides of them, facing the crowd and the nosy reporters all huddled together in the outside of the building. (Y/N) and Peggy were mixed in between the crowd as an attempt to catch any signs of the three people they were looking for.

"We owe Mr. Stark a tremendous debt of gratitude, and his assistance in our current investigation is invaluable."

"'Hero'," Howard leaned down to whisper into Thompson's ear. "'He is a hero.'"

"He is. . .a hero for all Americans," Thompson's voice sounded strained, as if he disliked saying them out loud. His smile toward the crowd transformed into a grimace. "Mr. Stark will be working in concert with the SSR to bring those responsible for this crime to justice."

"'Humbled by his genius.' No," Howard did the same thing, only this time he struggled to find the proper words to describe himself as. "'Brilliance'. 'Humbled by his brilliance.'"

"We are humbled," The annoyance was audible in Thompson. "Here's Howard Stark."

He stepped aside and Howard didn't hesitate to take the podium all for himself. The audience saw his approach and huddled closer ( if that was even possible ) to the podium to get a good look of the billionaire. His hair blew back due to the wind and his hands were stuffed inside his jacket's pockets, eyes skimming the crowd in hopes to hear a question he wanted to answer.

"Mr. Stark!"

One reporter raised his voice amongst the rest of them to ask his question. "Is it true that you were hiding at the residence of Barbara Stanwyck?"

"For too long now, the name Howard Stark has been dragged through the mud," Howard completely disregarded the last question. "Today is a day of reckoning for anyone who doubts — "

A gunshot noise interrupted his words, alarming everyone at the scene of an attacker. The people in the crowd and the pedestrians walking by all shrieked in fear and ran into the nearest building for protection. Luckily, the bullet missed Howard a couple inches higher and broke a hole through the window behind him, but Thompson still tackled him to the ground and guided him to an alley. (Y/N) was already looking up at the skyscrapers all around her to get a view of the shooter, but in between all the commotion, it was difficult to do so.