As the infiltration succeeded, the computer whirred to life on its own. All the confidential data stored inside began to download—clearly, the USB-like device housed a subroutine of J.A.R.V.I.S.
Blueprints of Tony's missile designs appeared on-screen, followed quickly by the file for the Mark I armor. The screen indicated that the file had been accessed in "Sector 16."
Seeing the unfamiliar label, Pepper raised her eyebrows in confusion.
"What are you up to, Obadiah?"
Suddenly, a video began playing.
A group of armed militants stood holding a hostage, one of them reading aloud:
"Obadiah Stane, this is Gulmira. You never told us the target was Tony Stark."
As the hostage's hood was pulled off, the face beneath was unmistakably Tony Stark.
Pepper hurried to activate the real-time translation function.
Reading the subtitles, she gasped in horror.
"Oh my God... Obadiah Stane!"
Without hesitation, she began copying the files.
"This is—"
Obadiah's voice echoed from the hallway. Startled, Pepper snapped her head up. The office door creaked open.
He was visibly surprised to see someone inside, but quickly composed himself and changed his tone.
"This matter… How should I deal with it?"
He stepped into the room and walked toward a table where a bottle of whiskey sat.
As he uncorked the bottle, he said casually,
"I know how you feel, Pepper Potts."
Noticing the unease on her face, Obadiah frowned slightly but took a sniff of the whiskey and continued,
"Tony… never lacked good liquor."
He claimed he was only here to sample Tony's prized whiskey.
Pepper forced an awkward smile and subtly covered the USB drive with a newspaper.
As Obadiah poured himself a drink and walked over, Pepper quickly activated the screensaver.
Standing beside her, he glanced at the screen—still locked—and said,
"When he first came back, I was so happy. Like light breaking through the darkness."
"But now I see—Tony never really returned. Part of him stayed behind in that cave."
"He broke my heart."
Obadiah's bitterness was clear. He was still upset Tony never told him about the suit, though Zala had eventually handed over the prototype sketches.
Seated at the desk, Obadiah mused aloud, and Pepper replied after a moment's thought:
"Yeah... He's complicated. Been through a lot. He'll be okay."
Obadiah sipped his whiskey, eyes fixed on her, still unaware anything was amiss.
"You're one of the rare good ones, Pepper. Tony doesn't know how lucky he is."
Despite her pounding heart, Pepper smiled calmly.
"Thank you. Really."
Then she stood.
"I should get going."
As she grabbed the newspaper and subtly pulled out the USB underneath, Obadiah remarked,
"Smith Doyle—that's the guy who saved Tony, right? I've noticed the company's been helping him buy restricted materials, specialized gear… even using our own inventory."
"The total's not small—billions, actually."
"I'm not saying he didn't deserve thanks. But didn't we already pay him $100 million and supply him with equipment?"
"Isn't that enough? You can't let gratitude bankrupt the company."
Pepper stopped, forced to explain.
"That was part of the original rescue agreement. In addition to the money and gear, we promised him exclusive distribution rights for our light weapons."
"But since Tony halted international arms sales after he returned, the contract was revised. Instead of weapons, we're helping him purchase materials and tech."
Obadiah's voice turned colder.
"You know the board never approved Tony's resolution, right?"
Clearly, he saw no value in brokering tech purchases—selling weapons would've been far more profitable.
Pepper replied,
"I know. But Tony personally renegotiated the contract after he got back."
Obadiah sighed, then noticed the newspaper in her hand.
"Is that today's paper?"
Pepper stiffened, but forced a smile as Obadiah approached.
"Yes."
He reached out.
"Mind if I take a look?"
"No problem."
Obadiah took it and explained,
"I like the crossword."
"So do I," she replied, then quickly turned to leave, gripping the USB tightly.
Watching her go, Obadiah added,
"Careful out there."
At the elevator, Pepper turned back with a composed smile before stepping inside.
But Obadiah's suspicion had been piqued. Pepper was acting far too nervous.
Realization struck.
He rushed over to Tony's computer and hit the keyboard.
The screensaver vanished. On-screen, a message read: Download complete.
"Damn it!"
Cursing, Obadiah smacked his forehead in frustration, then stormed out of the office.
Meanwhile, Pepper had already made it to the building's lobby. On a sofa by the stairs sat none other than Agent Coulson—the ever-polite SHIELD operative.
"Miss Potts, we had an appointment. You didn't forget, did you?"
Seeing his familiar face, Pepper nodded quickly.
"No, I didn't. Come with me."
She spoke rapidly and walked even faster.
"Let's start right away."
Seeing her urgency, Coulson followed.
"Alright. Lead the way."
He was puzzled but didn't question her.
Pepper glanced back toward the upper floors—just in time to see Obadiah glaring down at her.
Quickening her pace, she said to Coulson in a hushed, urgent voice:
"You won't believe what I've uncovered…"
---
—End of chapter—
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