Chapter 16: Tony’s Gift

The notion of “fighting for custody” had just surfaced in Luca’s mind, only to be quickly dismissed by himself.

For one, his mother, Gina, was still unconscious and had not yet lost her guardianship rights. Although the likelihood of Gina ultimately being declared a vegetative state was quite high at this point, even if custody were to be immediately enforced, there was Dragán—his uncle, notorious for gambling and drug abuse.

If these facts were exposed, the court would never grant custody to him. Even if custody were assigned to the Child Welfare Bureau or a family trust fund, it certainly wouldn’t fall into his hands. Furthermore, even if Dragán somehow obtained custody, the company’s shareholders would never allow such a man to manage the business.

“Perhaps later, I should try to gather some medical synthetic tools to attempt to wake Gina up,” Luca thought. “If my guess about the ‘golden finger’ is correct, there should be quite a few technological medical devices available.”

Putting aside such uncertainties for the moment, Luca immediately shifted his focus.

“Where does Dragán get the confidence to boldly claim he can influence the board? Surely he can’t be relying on family ties to proxy-hold those shares and decision-making rights?”

Apart from that, he had no real connection to the company at all.

“Did he secretly buy shares? Where would the money come from?”

Luca had seen too many gamblers and addicts like Dragán in his past life. He didn’t believe such a man could turn his fortunes around in under two years. Without bankrupting himself or drowning in debt, Luca would consider him reformed.

“What means did he use to persuade other shareholders? Or is there someone backing him?”

Though not very familiar with the company’s operations, Luca’s mind was filled with tangled thoughts he couldn’t quite unravel.

“It seems I’ll have to wait for Samira to deal with this uncle first, then see if I can pry some intelligence from him.”

Now, Luca was almost thankful that this idiot had stepped forward to expose himself rather than scheming in secret. Such a dim-witted man could have hidden in the shadows but instead chose to reveal himself and challenge others openly.

“Then again, this might prove he has someone behind him,” Luca pondered.

Just as he was deep in thought, the sharp ‘click-clack’ of high heels echoed closer from a distance.

At the same time, surprised exclamations came from the guests who had been about to leave after the earlier commotion.

Luca instinctively reached for his waist and swiftly turned around.

But upon recognizing the visitor, a look of puzzlement replaced his initial reaction.

---

“Mr. Orange, good day. I was sent here on Tony’s instructions,” the visitor said.

Tall and poised, her presence commanded attention. Almost everyone along her path fixed their gaze on her.

Even those attending other funerals nearby cast curious looks in her direction.

This was not due to exceptional beauty alone but more so because of her identity.

Among the affluent attendees at the funeral, many immediately recognized her.

She was the true manager of Stark Industries.

“Ms. Pepper Potts?”

Luca’s expression grew curious as he quietly addressed Tony Stark’s well-known girlfriend, the famed Pepper Potts.

Pepper examined Luca’s unusually youthful face and a hint of softness flickered in her eyes.

In truth, she had indeed come on Tony’s behalf.

However, since she did not have an invitation to the funeral, she had originally planned to meet Luca outside the cemetery and deliver Tony’s condolences.

Upon noticing the earlier commotion here, Pepper had boldly entered.

Yet seeing the guests dispersing on their own accord and this one-armed boy standing silently by the tombstone, even the usually decisive and efficient career woman felt a pang of sympathy, her tone softening.

“Tony told me that during the battle in New York, you provided him with great assistance,” she said gently.

“He asked me to come, firstly to express regret over the Orange family’s misfortune, and secondly, to thank you for your past help.”

The guests, some of whom had started harboring other thoughts after Dragán’s outburst, now looked at Luca with envy upon hearing Pepper’s words.

This was the CEO of Stark Industries, and the gratitude came from none other than Iron Man himself, Tony Stark.

It was worth noting that even after Stark Industries closed its weapons division and perhaps strained relations with the government and military, the company’s vast wealth and groundbreaking energy innovations still placed it among the elite few at the pinnacle of the corporate pyramid.

Moreover, Tony Stark’s identity as Iron Man truly saved all of New York.

To be favored by such a figure, a company the size of Orange Industries could be said to be destined for rapid ascent.

Luca himself, however, felt no particular excitement. After all, these were familiar cinematic characters from the original story.

Even knowing the significance Pepper represented, facing these “familiar strangers,” he could only respond with polite nods.

---

“It is already my honor to have Ms. Potts attend my father’s funeral. There is no need for thanks,” Luca said courteously.

However, Pepper Potts merely shook her head lightly and beckoned behind her.

Immediately, a slightly stout man—more like a director than a bodyguard—dressed in a suit and carrying a long rectangular case hurried over, panting slightly.

This was none other than Happy Hogan, Tony Stark’s trusted bodyguard.

Happy silently placed the long case before Luca without a word.

Pepper then spoke softly once more.

“Tony has been tied up these days with disaster relief and reconstruction work and couldn’t come himself. He asked me to bring you this gift.”

Luca accepted the case with some confusion, his face full of bewilderment.

“A gift at a funeral??”

Seeing this, Pepper glanced carefully at Luca’s missing arm and said quietly,

“You can open it. I think it will be of help to you.”

Though not speaking loudly, her words carried enough volume that many nearby guests peered curiously, eager to see what gift the famous Tony Stark had brought for Luca—and that Pepper Potts had personally come herself.

Yet out of respect, they remained rooted in place, craning their necks silently.

Without hesitation, Luca placed the case on the seat, pressed the latch, and opened it.

Inside the case, against a crimson-golden padded lining, lay a… prosthetic arm.

Its delicate texture and lifelike skin were astonishingly realistic, indistinguishable from Luca’s left arm except for the reversed palm orientation.

If not for the dark hollow joint at the elbow, Luca might have thought it was a real arm.

More importantly, at that moment, the arm emitted a pale white glow visible only to Luca himself.