The evening sun cast a warm, golden hue over New York City as Hela sat in her sleek office, the hum of her laptop breaking the stillness. Her office was modest yet exuded an air of sharp professionalism—an embodiment of its owner. The faint aroma of coffee lingered, mixing with the soft sound of pen tapping against wood. Documents were scattered across her desk, each page detailing a story of deceit and betrayal.
She had been approached by Mars Industries just days ago. The case they presented was no ordinary corporate dispute; it was a potential bombshell that could shake the foundations of Stark Industries. A company with such vast influence and wealth that many feared even speaking against it, let alone taking it to court.
Her focus was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door.
"Come in," Hela said without looking up.
The door opened to reveal a tall, nervous man in his early fifties. Jonathan Mars, CEO of Mars Industries, stepped in, his demeanor tense. He adjusted his tie, his hands betraying a slight tremor.
"Mrs. Black, thank you for seeing me," he began, his voice laden with urgency.
Hela gestured for him to sit. "Mr. Mars, I don't take just any case. You have ten minutes to convince me this is worth my time."
Jonathan nodded, sitting across from her. He leaned forward, placing a sleek USB drive on the desk. "Stark Industries has stolen from us."
Hela raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not yet convinced. "A bold accusation. Do you have any proof?"
Jonathan took a deep breath. "Yes. Our company developed software designed to streamline the delivery of food and medical supplies to remote, impoverished areas. It was a breakthrough—a real chance to make a difference. But a few months ago, Stark Industries hacked into our servers and stole the code. Now, they're repurposing it for military use, specifically for precision missile targeting."
Hela's eyes narrowed, her interest piqued. "You're sure of this?"
Jonathan nodded. "We've kept quiet, but we've traced the cyberattack back to their servers. The evidence is all on that drive—logs, timestamps, even fragments of their communication."
Hela picked up the USB, her fingers turning it over thoughtfully. "Why come to me? There are plenty of lawyers who'd love to take a shot at Stark Industries."
Jonathan's gaze was unwavering. "Because you're not just any lawyer. You've built a reputation for taking on impossible cases and winning. And because you're not afraid of anyone."
A slow smile spread across Hela's lips. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Mars. But solid evidence will. I'll take a look."
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Hela immersed herself in the data, her sharp mind piecing together the puzzle. The evidence was damning. Stark Industries had indeed infiltrated Mars Industries' servers and stolen their proprietary software. The implications were staggering—what was meant to save lives was now being weaponized.
Late one evening, Harry entered the room, carrying a mug of coffee. His eyes flicked to the piles of documents and the illuminated screen of Hela's laptop.
"You've been at this for hours," he remarked, setting the mug on her desk. "Find anything?"
Hela leaned back, rubbing her temples. "More than enough. Stark Industries is guilty as sin. They've taken technology meant to help people and turned it into a tool for war."
Harry folded his arms, leaning against the doorway. "Tony Stark doesn't strike me as someone who'd let that slide. Are you sure he's aware?"
"Whether he knows or not is irrelevant," Hela replied. "It happened under his watch, and someone needs to hold him accountable."
Harry nodded slowly. "You're really going through with this?"
She met his gaze, her eyes burning with determination. "Absolutely. Stark Industries might be untouchable to most, but they haven't met me yet."
The next day, Hela met with Jonathan Mars to discuss her findings. The two strategized, outlining a plan to take Stark Industries to court.
"We're going to hit them hard," Hela said, her tone steely. "Public exposure, financial penalties, and if we're lucky, criminal charges. Stark Industries thrives on its reputation. If we can prove they've been stealing technology and using it for military purposes, their image will take a serious hit."
Jonathan nodded, his resolve firming. "I'm ready for whatever comes."
Hela smirked. "Good. Let's get to work."
She wasted no time in filing the case, accusing Stark Industries of intellectual property theft, cybercrime, and unethical business practices. The news broke quickly, sending shockwaves through the corporate world. Headlines screamed: Stark Industries Faces Lawsuit Over Stolen Humanitarian Software.
As the lawsuit gained traction, Stark Industries scrambled to control the narrative. Their legal team issued statements denying the allegations, framing Mars Industries as opportunistic. The media frenzy intensified, and public opinion became sharply divided.
One evening, Harry walked into Hela's office, tossing a newspaper onto her desk. The headline read: Stark Industries Accused of Cyber Theft—Battle Looms in Court.
"They're already spinning their side," Harry said. "Claiming Mars Industries is just after money."
"Let them talk," Hela replied, her expression unbothered. "The truth will come out in court."
Harry sat down across from her, his face serious. "You know this won't be easy. Stark's legal team is the best money can buy."
"That's fine," Hela said, her eyes gleaming with determination. "They've never met me before."
Hela threw herself into the preparation. She assembled a team of experts in cybersecurity, intellectual property law, and corporate ethics. Witnesses were prepped, evidence meticulously organized, and every possible angle of attack considered.
During a late-night strategy meeting with her team, Hela addressed them with unwavering confidence. "This isn't just about Mars Industries. It's about standing up to corporate giants who think they're above the law. We're going to show them that no one is untouchable."
Her words ignited a fire in her team. They worked tirelessly, knowing they were part of something much larger than a simple lawsuit.
As the trial date approached, tensions ran high. The courtroom was packed with reporters, legal experts, and spectators, all eager to witness the showdown. Hela stood at the helm, ready to take on one of the most formidable corporations in the world.
The courtroom was a spectacle of power and prestige. Cameras flashed outside the courthouse, reporters jostled for position, and the world's eyes were fixed on the legal battle between Mars Industries and Stark Industries. It was a clash of titans, and at its center stood Hela Black, a woman whose calm, razor-sharp demeanor had quickly become the talk of the nation.
Inside, the tension was palpable. Stark Industries' team of high-powered lawyers exuded confidence, their strategy clear: discredit Mars Industries and frame the software's similarities as mere coincidence. They presented polished arguments, claiming that their software had been developed independently, a technological marvel born from Stark's own genius.
But Hela was prepared.
During cross-examination, Hela systematically dismantled their claims. She presented irrefutable evidence, including timestamps from Stark's servers that coincided with the cyber breach at Mars Industries. Expert witnesses in cybersecurity testified, corroborating the data Hela had meticulously gathered. Every piece of evidence was a nail in Stark Industries' coffin.
Her voice, calm yet commanding, filled the courtroom. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what we have here is not a coincidence but a calculated theft. Stark Industries, in their arrogance, believed they could steal from a smaller company and weaponize humanitarian technology without consequence. But today, we are here to prove that even the mightiest corporations are not above the law."
Stark Industries, seeing the tide turning against them, tried a different tactic. First, they offered Hela a substantial bribe, delivered discreetly through their legal intermediaries.
"Ms. Black, let's be reasonable," their lead attorney said during a recess, sliding a check across the table. "This doesn't have to go any further. You could walk away with more than Mars Industries could ever pay you."
Hela's eyes flicked to the check for a brief moment before she slid it back, her expression unreadable. "I'm not for sale."
When bribery failed, the threats began. Anonymous messages, veiled warnings, and even a direct visit from a Stark Industries executive who hinted at the dangers of pursuing the case.
"Do you know what you're getting yourself into, Ms. Black?" he asked, leaning forward menacingly. "This could end badly for you."
Hela didn't flinch. "The only thing ending badly here is Stark Industries' reputation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a case to win.
After weeks of intense legal wrangling, the jury reached a verdict. The courtroom was silent as the foreman stood.
"We find in favor of Mars Industries."
The room erupted. The judge banged his gavel for order, but the celebration was unstoppable. Stark Industries was ordered to pay massive damages, their reputation taking a significant hit. Hela's victory was complete.
Mars Industries was jubilant, and Jonathan Mars publicly praised Hela's tenacity. "She's not just a lawyer; she's a force of nature. Thanks to her, justice has been served."
But Hela's victory extended far beyond the courtroom. Her name became synonymous with justice and integrity. Law firms and corporations clamored for her services, offering astronomical sums. She declined most, choosing her cases carefully.
Among the offers was one from an unlikely source—Tony Stark himself.
One evening, as Hela was wrapping up her work, her phone buzzed. It was an unfamiliar number. She answered, her tone cautious.
"Helena Black."
"Ms. Black, this is Tony Stark. I believe you've heard of me."
Hela leaned back in her chair, smirking. "What can I do for you, Mr. Stark?"
"First, let me say, you were phenomenal in court. Really gave my legal team a run for their money. Second, I have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening."
"I want you to represent Stark Industries."
Hela chuckled. "You can't be serious. After everything?"
"Oh, I'm very serious," Tony replied, his tone light but earnest. "You're the best there is, and I'm a man who believes in hiring the best. Besides, who better to keep us in line than the woman who just took us down?"
With a frustrated sigh, "Look, Mr. Stark," she snapped, her tone icy, "if you think I'll help you cover for your company's unethical practices, you're gravely mistaken. I don't work for thieves."
Tony's voice on the other end was surprisingly calm. "Ms. Black, I think you've got the wrong idea."
"Do I?" Hela's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Your company hacked into Mars Industries, stole their software, and weaponized it. You tried to bribe me, then threatened me when that didn't work. And now, you want me to clean up your mess?"
"Okay, first of all," Tony interrupted, "I didn't try to bribe you. That was my legal team, and they've been dealt with. Secondly, yes, mistakes were made, but it wasn't Stark Industries that stole the software."
Hela arched an eyebrow. "You expect me to believe that?"
"I'm not asking you to believe me blindly," Tony said. "One of our developers went rogue. He tried to create his own software but failed. So, he hacked Mars Industries and stole theirs. We discovered the breach, fired him, and tried to contain the fallout. The bribes and threats? Desperate attempts to protect our reputation."
Hela remained silent for a moment, processing his words. "And why should I care about any of this now? You've already lost the case."
"Because I want to make things right," Tony replied earnestly. "I don't like losing, Ms. Black. But more than that, I don't like the idea of Stark Industries being known as a company that steals and cheats. I want to meet with you—face to face."
Hela hesitated. "Why? So you can spin another story?"
"No spin," Tony promised. "Just the truth. Give me one chance to explain everything, and if you still think I'm full of it, I'll never bother you again."
Author's Note:
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