How to describe the feelings of the reporters? They were undoubtedly happy. The Stark brothers were their favorite subjects.
Every time they interviewed them, they always got a big scoop. Just those words alone—they were already imagining the rewards they would get from their bosses when they returned.
The backstage corridor and the press conference hall were two different worlds. On one side was the noisy, chaotic hall, and on the other, a sudden silence.
Pepper and Natasha stood by the exit, staring blankly at the two men walking leisurely toward them. Pepper felt her mind had completely crashed. She felt her heart was about to stop.
This was too crazy; life was wonderful, but perhaps it didn't need so many ups and downs. Who would understand? If your boss suddenly declared war on the world and expected you to fight on the front line, what would you think?
"You two..." She opened her mouth, but her throat was dry, and she couldn't utter a single word. She wanted to curse, to scream, to rush over and slap both of them. But in the end, all her emotions were reduced to weary exhaustion.
"Hey, Little Pepper." Tony was the first to speak. He walked up to Pepper and spread his arms, seemingly wanting to hug her, his face sporting a come and worship me smile.
"How was that? Wasn't my performance amazing? I bet our company's stock price will soar to a whole new height tomorrow."
Pepper didn't return his hug. She just stared at him blankly, as if he were an alien.
"Oh, come on," Henry also walked over, seeing Pepper's resigned expression, and unceremoniously mocked Tony.
"That wasn't amazing; that was stupid. I bet Pepper wants to know if you realize how much trouble your words just now will cause us? That's definitely on point. And I bet those old guys at the Pentagon are already discussing which type of nuclear missile to use for our humanitarian physical cleansing."
Pepper: ...
"So what?" Tony shrugged carelessly.
"Do they dare? Besides, even if they dare, do you think their slow, turtle-like missiles can catch up to us?" Tony was very confident; even without his abilities, his wealth alone could get the people at the Pentagon replaced.
"They won't dare, but they'll buzz around you like flies, annoying you to death," Henry rolled his eyes.
"I can already see it: for the next month, our doorstep will be lined with all sorts of black Chevrolets, and a bunch of guys in cheap suits and sunglasses will be conducting 24/7 friendly visits." Henry knew the nature of the people at the Pentagon all too well, but he didn't care.
If they dared to come... they would be welcomed.
"Perfect then." Tony's eyes instantly lit up.
"I was just wondering where to test my new weapons. If they dare to come, I'll let them taste my latest 'Welcome Series' of micro-missiles."
Pepper listened to their casual conversation, feeling her temples throbbing again. She took a deep breath, using all her strength to find her voice.
"The two of you, shut up!" she roared, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Do you two even realize what you just did?! You're playing with fire! You're going to drag all of Stark Industries into the abyss!"
"Oh, Pepper, don't be so dramatic," Henry walked up to her, patted her shoulder, and comforted her lightly.
"Relax, take a deep breath. You have to trust us. We're Starks. When have we ever done anything without a backup plan? Besides, if the sky falls, I, Superman, will hold it up, right? My six-foot-three height isn't just for show, is it?"
"Exactly," Tony also nodded, then winked at Natasha beside him.
"Miss Natalie, did you see that? This is our company's corporate culture. Always full of passion, and a little bit of minor family drama. You'll get used to it."
Natasha's face maintained her perfect professional smile. As she looked at the scene, her mind was racing with analysis. These two men seemed frivolous and lawless, but in reality, every decision they made seemed to be carefully considered.
After all, they were arrogant, but they had the capital to be so. Unless, of course, you could also knock out the Hulk with one slap.
"Alright, let's not waste any more time here," Henry glanced at the still-restless press conference hall behind them.
"I bet those reporters are about to break through the security line and come after us. I don't want to be stuck here answering questions like what color underwear Superman wears."
Just then, a man in a well-tailored suit and a good-natured smile suddenly appeared around the corridor corner, blocking their path. It was Phil Coulson. Behind him were several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who looked equally serious and intimidating.
"Mr. Stark, Mr. Henry," Coulson's tone was as polite as ever, but his eyes, which usually carried a smile, were now serious.
"I wonder if we could spare a few minutes to talk?"
"Oh, look who it is?" Tony was the first to speak. He sized up Coulson, his gaze like that of someone inspecting an outdated antique.
"Isn't this Agent Coulson from the Department of Homeland Something-Something Strategic Something-Something Offensive and Logistics Agency? Don't tell me your business scope has expanded to backstage press conferences? Are you here to sell insurance or investigate us for tax evasion?"
"We are now called S.H.I.E.L.D., Mr. Stark." Coulson maintained his professional smile, seemingly unaffected by Tony's words.
"And I believe what we need to discuss this time may be slightly more serious than insurance and taxes."
He glanced at Tony, then at Henry, and his tone became earnest.
"Your statements at the press conference just now have drawn the attention of the highest levels. Your actions have severely exceeded the controllable boundaries. Publicly announcing your identities and disregarding the government and the law will bring incalculable chaos and risk to this country, or the entire world."
"Risk? Chaos?" Henry laughed when he heard that. He slowly walked up to Coulson, his tall frame bringing an invisible pressure.
"Agent Coulson, I believe you have misunderstood something," he said.
"We are not creating risks. We are solving the risks that people in suits like you can never solve."
He extended his finger and lightly tapped Coulson's chest.
"As for chaos? Oh, come on, look at New York that night; do you call that 'not chaotic'? If we hadn't stepped in, I bet you'd be tearing your hair out right now, trying to explain to those old fogeys in Congress why half of Manhattan was reduced to ruins."
The corner of Coulson's mouth twitched imperceptibly, but he managed to maintain his composure.
"We understand your contribution, but..."
"There are no buts," Henry interrupted him, the smile on his face slowly fading.
"Coulson, go back and tell your Black Egghead to understand his place. S.H.I.E.L.D. is one of the legacies left behind by my father, Howard Stark. It was established to protect this world, not to be a tool for certain people to play power games and satisfy their lust for control."
"After all, since when does an outsider get to dictate what happens with my family's possessions?"
His words echoed in the silent corridor! Coulson's face instantly changed. He stared at Henry in disbelief, his mind blank. He even knows that?! These are all top-level secrets! Well, they even knew about the Avengers Initiative.
"Alright, the conversation is over." Henry ignored the stunned Coulson, casually waving his hand.
"If you're here to congratulate us on a successful press conference, then thank you. If you're here to represent certain people and lecture us, then please kindly roll out of here."
With that, he walked past Coulson without another glance. Tony also shrugged. As he passed Coulson, he patted his shoulder, his tone sympathetic.
"Hey, buddy, don't take it too hard. My brother is always this direct. However, I personally suggest you go back and suggest to your boss that he consider a new haircut. You know, a bald head reflects too much light at night."
With that, he strode quickly to catch up with Henry. Only a bewildered Coulson and a group of helpless S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were left standing there.