Chapter 60 (The Mortal Multiverse : Liam Raven Harper)

Chapter 60 - Meeting Howard Stark & Got a Date?

Liam Pov

The chairman stepped forward with a broad, polished smile and extended his hand.

“Mr. Harper, it’s an honor to finally meet you. I’m Richard Cole, Chairman of NutraGenix.”

His grip was firm, confident—though I could sense a faint tremor beneath the surface. A man trying to hide the stress of keeping his empire from crumbling.

“And this,” Richard continued, gesturing to the man beside him, “is my good friend, Howard Stark.”

Howard Stark’s reputation preceded him. 

The name alone carried an aura of genius and swagger that filled the room long before he spoke. He took my hand with a strong, deliberate shake, the corner of his mouth lifting in a self-assured grin.

“Congratulations on your case, Mr. Harper,” he said. “I’ve been following the headlines. Impressive work.”

Richard shifted slightly in his stance, clearly uncomfortable with the compliment. 

After all, it was his company that had almost been destroyed because of the same case Stark was praising me for. 

His former CEO, Adrian Kane, had nearly burned NutraGenix to the ground.

I only gave a polite smile in response. “Appreciate it, Mr. Stark.”

Richard quickly stepped in, gesturing toward his office “Why don’t we have some tea, gentlemen? Please.”

We moved past the line of bodyguards standing stiffly outside his door. 

The moment we entered, the heavy glass doors shut behind us with a soft sound. 

The room exuded wealth and subtle intimidation — a wide oak desk, a skyline view of Midtown, and art pieces that screamed expensive taste.

Tea arrived moments later, served by a woman who moved with quiet precision. 

She poured the hot brew into crystal cups, set down a plate of snacks, and departed as silently as she had come.

I took my cup, letting the steam curl between my fingers before speaking. “I’ll be honest, Mr. Cole,” I said. “I didn’t expect to see Mr. Stark here today.”

Howard leaned back comfortably in his chair, that familiar spark of confidence in his eyes.“Oh, he didn’t bring me,” he said casually. “I came to see you.”

That caught me off guard, though I didn’t show it. I simply raised an eyebrow, waiting. 

If he had something to say, I preferred to let him get there on his own and he didn’t disappoint.

“I was impressed,” Howard said, his tone sharpening with intent. “Not by your win in the Hale’s case, but by how you built it. You went out of your way to uncover the truth — without backup, without department support.”

I gave a small nod. “I had help from the police department.”

Howard’s smile widened. “You can stop there. My sources already told me how that went. You did the work. They just put their names on it for finishing touches.”

[Detective Cross must have said it to his colleagues. Remember, he wasn't keen on taking credit for your work Liam]  

I looked back to Stark, still calm. “People do what they must in their positions. I wasn’t in it for credit.”

Howard chuckled softly. “You really don’t care about recognition, do you?”

“Only about results,” I replied.

Richard Cole exhaled, clearly relieved the tension had eased. “Mr. Stark and I go way back, Mr. Harper. He was about to invest in NutraGenix before this Adrian Kane mess nearly ruined us. When our CEO was arrested, our reputation almost vanished overnight.”

He paused, his tone more sincere now. “But you… you cleared our company’s name. You exposed the truth — that Kane acted alone. Because of you, NutraGenix survived.”

I shrugged lightly. “I just said what was true. Adrian Kane was the only one guilty. There was no way I’d punish the innocent.”

A faint smirk crossed my lips. ‘Afterall, I personally verified everyone involved… with my Sharingan.’

Howard’s eyebrows rose, amused. Richard blinked and my reply 

“Indeed,” Richard continued, smiling again. “But others would have used this case for fame — taken down a major company just to boost their profile. You didn’t. For that, I wanted to thank you.”

Howard leaned forward, folding his hands. “And you earned my respect,” he added. “My investment in NutraGenix will proceed as planned. But that’s not the only reason I’m here.”

I tilted my head slightly. “Then what is?”

Howard’s eyes locked with mine, sharp and deliberate. “I want to offer you a job.”

[Looks like he’s dazzled by you,Mr.Super Prosecutor] Eve commented

I almost laughed at Eve’s timing but managed only a small smirk.

“A job?” I asked aloud, keeping my composure. “That’s unexpected.”

Howard smiled that signature Stark smile — confident, magnetic, almost teasing. “Yes. Come work for me.”

I leaned back in my chair, expression unreadable. “I just started at the DA’s office. Not exactly looking to move into private practice right now.”

Howard’s grin widened. “I’ll take that on a positive note.”

“Pardon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You said you’re not interested right now,” he said smoothly. “Which means someday, you might be.”

For a moment, silence hung in the air — the kind that says two men just acknowledged a future they both know is coming.

I finally smiled. “Maybe. But only time will tell.”

Howard nodded once. “Indeed it will.”

Richard Cole looked between us, visibly impressed though unsure what he had just witnessed — a casual conversation or the beginning of something far bigger.

The tea had long gone cold by the time we stood up, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this meeting had just set a new piece on the board.

[Well, that escalated quickly and in an unexpected route]

“Yeah,” I said under my breath as I shook Howard Stark’s hand once more. “It usually does.”

By the time I reached my apartment, the city had quieted down. 

The hallway lights buzzed faintly as I unlocked the door and stepped inside. It was peaceful — too peaceful.

No sign of Emma. That wasn’t unusual; she had her own work schedule, her own dating life.

I loosened my tie and sank into the couch, the events of the day replaying in my mind—Howard Stark and the hidden implications of that conversation.

Stark didn’t offer opportunities without a reason. That much I knew.

Still, I had to admit, it was… intriguing.

Before I could think more, my phone rang — this time flashing “Mom” on the screen.

A small smile found its way onto my face. I answered. “Hey, Mom.”

“Liam! Oh my god!” came Evelyn Harper’s unmistakable, energetic voice. “Do you know what I’ve been doing all day? Bragging, that’s what! Bragging to every single person I know about my brilliant son winning his first yet High Profile case!”

I leaned back, amused. “I can only imagine.”

“I told Barbara that my son was in the news. She said, ‘Oh, Evelyn, I didn’t know you had that kind of lawyer in the family!’ And I said, ‘Of course I do, Barbara — not everyone’s kid can run a law office!’”

I couldn’t help chuckling. “You really said that?”

“Absolutely! I even showed them the News Papers. They said you looked very handsome in that photo. I told them, ‘He gets that from me!’”

I shook my head with a quiet laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Don’t you forget it,” she said proudly. “So, when are you visiting me, mister big-shot prosecutor?”

“I’ll try soon,” I said, though I knew that tone wouldn’t satisfy her.

“No, no, no,” she insisted. “Promise me, Liam. You’ll visit California once you’re free.”

“Alright,” I said with a grin. “I promise.”

“That’s my boy! Now go celebrate or something. You’re young, handsome, and apparently too busy for your own mother.”

“I’ll call you later, Mom.”

“Fine, fine. But remember — if I find out you’re still single when you visit, I’m signing you up for one of those matchmaking shows.”

I laughed again as the call ended. 

Typical Evelyn Harper — loud, dramatic, and completely unstoppable.

[You know, she’s right. You should enjoy life a little more. Maybe go out,meet someone] Eve said

I glanced up at the ceiling, smirking. “What, you’re giving me dating advice now?”

[Statistically speaking, prolonged isolation increases stress levels by 37]

“Maybe,” I said, stretching out on the couch. “Though I don’t even know where I’d start.”

[Anywhere. You have charm, intelligence, and...questionable sleeping habits. That’s apparently attractive.]

I chuckled. “Questionable sleeping habits?”

[I monitor your sleep patterns, remember?]

“Fair point.”

It was still a few hours before midnight — plenty of time before my meeting with Natasha. 

I thought of taking a nap before the midnight meeting, try to get some rest, but fate had other plans.

My phone rang again. 

‘Marshall Eriksen.’

I smiled faintly and answered. “Hey Marshall.”

“Liam!” Marshall’s cheerful voice boomed through the line. “Man, congrats on that Hale case! My whole office was talking about you. You’re like the LeBron James of prosecutors right now.”

I laughed softly. “That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Not even close,” Marshall said with genuine excitement. “Anyway, my friend Robin wanted to talk to you, she’s right here.”

“Robin?” I asked, curious but before I could say anything more, another voice came on the line. A soft, slightly flustered one.

“Hi, um, Liam? This is Robin Scherbatsky. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Her tone was polite but nervous — 

“Not at all, How are you doing Robin?” 

As a journalist, she quickly recovered from her nervousness and continued.

“I’m doing good, Liam. I just wanted to congratulate you on your big win. The way you handled that case… it was brilliant. Honestly, it’s the kind of thing reporters like me love to see.”

“Thank you,” I replied smoothly. “I just did my job.”

There was a short pause, and then she continued, her voice regaining a bit of confidence. “Actually, I was wondering if you’d be interested in talking about the case sometime. Maybe… over coffee?”

It sounded casual — professional even — but both Eve and I picked up the subtext immediately.

[She’s asking for a date] Eve easily picked up on that and so did I

“Yeah,” I said lightly. “I’d like that.”

“Really?” she asked, sounding surprised — and maybe a little excited.

“Sure. Sunday work for you?”

“Yes! Sunday’s perfect,” she blurted out quickly. “It’s a date—” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing what she said. “I mean— a meeting, of course. About the case.”

I could almost picture her face turning red.

I smiled, my voice calm and even. “It’s a date.”

There was a short silence, then a nervous yet happy laugh from her end. “Right… a date.”

She said goodbye and hung up quickly.

I stared at the phone for a moment, then placed it down, shaking my head with a small grin.

[You’re smiling. That’s a bit scary]

“Seriously? Today morning, you use said i looked charming when i smile” i knew she was just kidding

“Maybe, I'm just excited to go on a date ” I said, leaning back on the couch.

[Enjoy it Liam, but don't forget, you still have that midnight meeting with Natasha]

“I know,” I replied quietly, staring out the window at the city lights. “But for now… I’ll take a little peace.”

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