Chapter 13: Conversation! Coulson!
"Hey, Tony! What exactly are you trying to do? We are a weapons manufacturing company! If you shut down the weapons manufacturing department now, what are we going to do? Make pacifiers?"
"Uh, I haven't thought it through yet. Don't worry, we'll definitely find a new path forward. Just think of it as Stark Industries' transformation."
"What? Are you kidding me, Tony! This is about the survival of Stark Industries, and you're making such a childish decision? Also, if we don't manufacture weapons, our ties with the Military will gradually weaken, do you understand what I mean?"
"I know, Stan, but I'll handle it, trust me. The weapons manufacturing department cannot be reopened. You don't know what I've been through these past three months, so I can't reopen the weapons manufacturing department!"
"Alright, alright, but you have to give me something to shut up those people on the board. You just closed the weapons manufacturing department without any discussion. Do you know how much U.S. dollars the board and we will lose?"
"I can guess. I think Stark Industries' stock must have already hit rock bottom. You'll support me, right?"
"Alright, alright, but you really need to give me something to shut up those people on the board, otherwise I really don't know how to explain to them, like this thing on your chest."
"Hmm? How do you know? Pepper told you? No, she wouldn't. Then it must be those bodyguards. Damn it, I knew those bodyguards were no good. I hate bodyguards the most!"
"Alright, alright, oh, look at it, how beautiful! I guarantee that if we use this as a company development project, we will definitely make a fortune!"
"No, no, no, it belongs to me, it only belongs to me. I will give you a good project, but not now, and not it!"
Obadiah, who had entered the laboratory, spoke to Tony with a helpless expression. After all, closing the weapons manufacturing department meant Stark Industries would lose its most profitable asset, as well as its connection with the Military! Tony was also a bit embarrassed by Obadiah's questioning, as he genuinely hadn't thought about what to do next.
Hearing Tony's answer, Obadiah looked at him in disbelief and said that although Stark Industries also involved other industries besides Military and weapons manufacturing, their profits were not even one-thousandth of those from Military production. It was no exaggeration to say that Military weapons were the lifeblood of Stark Industries.
Looking at Obadiah's expression, Tony spoke with a hint of anger and sadness. Obadiah could only nod helplessly, because Tony was the CEO of Stark Industries, and if he was firm in this decision, then he had no way to change it.
But he quickly thought of a solution, a trace of murderous intent flashing in his eyes as he looked at Tony. As long as Tony was dealt with, then he could control the entire Stark Industries. At that time, he could announce the reopening of the weapons manufacturing department, and then it would be no big deal.
As long as he inherited Tony's shares, his shares would exceed the sum of all other board members' shares. In this way, the board would become his domain! Any of his decisions could be made without the board's discussion and approval.
However, he did not show it directly, still earnestly trying to persuade Tony, but in the end, he feigned compromise, asking Tony to come up with a research project to appease the board members. His sudden announcement of closing the weapons manufacturing department not only affected the board members but also resulted in heavy losses for themselves.
There was no need to check the stock market; Stark Industries' stock had certainly plummeted. Then Obadiah set his sights on the small reactor on Tony's chest, wanting Tony to offer the small reactor as a company manufacturing project, but he was immediately rejected.
Tony looked at Obadiah in confusion, wondering who had told him about the thing on his chest. At first, he suspected Pepper, but then immediately dismissed it. Pepper couldn't possibly tell Stan about his affairs. Finally, he thought of those bodyguards. With a dark expression, he finished speaking to Obadiah and left the laboratory.
Watching Tony's departing back, Obadiah left the laboratory from another direction, his face grim!
When Tony and Obadiah entered the laboratory, Agent Coulson had an idea as he looked at Ethan standing next to Pepper. He approached Ethan and began:
"Hello, I'm Agent Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. I'd like to understand the situation regarding Tony Stark's escape from the Terrorists' stronghold."
"There's nothing to say. The Military found us, and then they rescued us. It's that simple..."
Hearing Agent Coulson's inquiry, Ethan naturally didn't tell the truth, directly placing the blame on the Military. Pepper, who was nearby, did not stop Agent Coulson when she saw him questioning Ethan, because she also wanted to know how Tony escaped.
Moreover, she still harbored suspicion and vigilance towards Ethan, fearing that he was deliberately approaching Tony. Otherwise, she could have completely stopped Agent Coulson. Even though Stark Industries was preparing to close its weapons manufacturing department under Tony's orders, Stark Industries was still a formidable giant.
Stark Industries had many connections with both the government and the Military. As Tony's assistant, it would be effortless to prevent an Agent from an unheard-of department from asking questions. Ethan was not a fool; as someone with a Dr. degree, he immediately saw through Pepper's thoughts.
But he still gave Agent Coulson a perfunctory answer. He would not tell the other party about the silver-White Armor and Tony's creation of the Iron Man Armor. The terrifying combat power of that silver-White Armor alone was enough to turn the tide of a war, and the Iron Man Armor created by Tony also had remarkable potential. He would not reveal it.
"Hey, what are you doing! He's my friend, what do you want to do to him? Get out of here. Pepper, why didn't you stop him? Security, escort him out, I don't care if you're from the Military or the government!"
Just then, Tony emerged from the laboratory and happened to see a man in a suit questioning Ethan, accompanied by two other people who looked similar to those FBI Agents. He immediately shouted in Agent Coulson's direction, looking at Agent Coulson with an unfriendly gaze.
At the same time, he blamed Pepper for not stopping the other party from questioning Ethan, and immediately called over the surrounding security guards to escort Agent Coulson and his two companions out, completely disregarding whether the other party was from the government or the Military.
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