"Sir, your physical condition is excellent, and all vital signs are completely normal. At least for now, this item called the Gaia Memory has not caused any negative side effects," Jarvis reported to Tony, displaying the diagnostic results on the screen.
"One might even say that after using this Gaia Memory, your physical fitness has shown a slight improvement, Sir."
Tony nodded upon hearing this and picked up the Machine Memory, a peculiar glint flashing in his eyes.
Although Tony felt great while using the Machine Memory, he still insisted on a thorough check-up just to be safe, ensuring he wouldn't suffer any adverse effects. Now that it was confirmed that using the Gaia Memory would not harm him, Tony was eager to use the power of the Machine Memory—the ability to manipulate mechanical structures at will—to realize his various ideas.
"Sir, Miss Pepper is calling," Jarvis announced.
"Tony, what on earth is going on? That Elsa woman went to the villa, and you two ended up fighting right outside?! Why did you keep this from me?" Pepper asked, her tone filled with anxiety.
Tony inwardly cursed Nick Fury. When he had notified S.H.I.E.L.D. to clean up the battlefield and take Elsa away, he had explicitly told Fury not to tell Pepper.
Faking a relaxed smile, he said, "The matter has already been resolved. Elsa has been taken away by S.H.I.E.L.D. I just thought, since you're busy organizing the group's events, there was no need to worry you. That's why I didn't notify you immediately."
Pepper scanned Tony from head to toe, and only after confirming he wasn't injured did she nod in relief. "Then, will you still be attending the banquet?"
Although the threat posed by Elsa was gone, the news of the banquet had already been publicized; it was impossible to cancel it at the last minute.
Tony shook his head directly. "I'm not going."
Pepper nodded, not at all surprised. After all, missing parties at the last minute was a common occurrence for Tony Stark. With Tony's absence, everyone was mentally prepared.
After ending the call with Pepper, Tony picked up the Engine Memory, his eyes shining brightly.
"If the Machine Memory allows me to manipulate various mechanical devices and change their structures at will... then can it remove the shrapnel inside my body?!" Tony felt a surge of excitement.
Although the Arc Reactor in his chest guaranteed that the shrapnel wouldn't reach his heart and become life-threatening, it would obviously be for the best if it could be removed entirely.
"MACHINE!"
The Memory's sound effect echoed.
A moment later, Tony held the Machine Memory and looked at the shrapnel that had been extracted. He couldn't hide the joy in his eyes. "It actually worked. It's out."
"So you're saying this Elsa was just a buyer of the Gaia Memory and has no connection to the organization selling them?" Pierce asked with a frown.
Didn't this mean that their efforts had once again been in vain?
"S.H.I.E.L.D. agents have conducted a comprehensive investigation and interrogation of Elsa; there shouldn't be any mistakes. Nick has already transferred her to the NYPD, which indicates there truly aren't any valuable leads on her," Sitwell whispered.
Pierce's face darkened. A bolt of electricity leaped from his hand and struck the table, leaving a charred mark.
"Continue the investigation. Send out personnel to buy Gaia Memories everywhere and make contact with those selling them. At the same time, keep a close eye on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s progress. We must find this 'Emperor of Fear' who is selling these Gaia Memories!"
Danny Rand had been feeling a bit troubled lately. It concerned the company his father left behind, Rand Enterprises, which was now controlled by Harold Meachum.
At the age of nine, Danny had traveled to Kun-Lun with his parents. While hiking, the three of them met with an accident that resulted in the deaths of both his parents. Danny was rescued by Lei Kung and taken to Kun-Lun to practice Qi. It wasn't until recently, when his Qi cultivation reached the entry level and he obtained the Power of the Iron Fist (Dragon Force), that he left Kun-Lun and returned to New York.
During the decade or so that Danny was missing, Rand Enterprises had been managed by his father's business partner, Harold Meachum. Although Danny was nominally the absolute heir to the company, he had been missing for so many years that he was essentially presumed dead. Taking the company back from Harold was clearly not going to be simple.
Danny's current situation was somewhat similar to Tony's previous predicament, yet also very different.
In the past, although Tony didn't pay much attention to the operations of Stark Industries, he had always held the position of CEO. Furthermore, the rapid development of Stark Industries in recent years was inseparable from Tony's various genius inventions. In fact, the biggest reason Stark Industries could become the leader of the American defense industry was Tony himself.
Therefore, when Tony wanted to regain control of Stark Industries and deal with Obadiah Stane, it wasn't actually that difficult. It was precisely because Obadiah realized this that he tried to resort to foul play to take Tony's life.
However, Rand Enterprises had been in Harold's hands for over ten years, and Danny had essentially zero influence within the company.
Even more importantly, the reason Danny was determined to compete with Harold to the end was that, while fighting for the company, he accidentally discovered that the "accident" his parents suffered might have been related to Harold.
"If your parents' accident was indeed orchestrated by Harold to gain control of Rand Enterprises, then Harold is very likely to move against you now that you hold the inheritance rights," the lawyer, Matt Murdock, analyzed for Danny.
Matt had been hired by Danny Rand to handle the legal transfer of Rand Enterprises.
"After all, the vast majority of the company's shares are still in your name. While Harold can use various means to delay the process of you taking over, it's only a delay. To completely seize Rand Enterprises, he would need you, the legal heir, to disappear from the world forever. Judging by his recent uncharacteristic behavior of acting friendly toward you, it's highly likely he's about to make his move. He's trying to lull you into a false sense of security."
Danny snorted coldly and raised his fist. "If Harold is plotting something, I will definitely make him regret it."
"If you ask me, we should just go over there and take care of this Harold guy directly. I haven't been in a fight for a long time; my whole body is itching for some action," Ao Xing said, puffing out its chest and hopping out majestically.
It wasn't the first time Matt had heard Ao Xing, so he wasn't as surprised as he was during their first meeting.
He simply shook his head and said, "If Harold attacks Danny and Danny successfully fights back, that's self-defense. But if we strike first, Danny will be in the wrong legally."
Danny nodded upon hearing this. "And I need to confirm whether the accident my parents met with was indeed designed by Harold. If it really involves him, he will surely take action against me this time, and I'll be able to catch the flaws he reveals and ensure he receives the punishment he deserves."
"Fine, fine. So it's a sting operation? You humans and your complicated affairs," Ao Xing grumbled, settling onto Danny's shoulder.
(End of Chapter)