Chapter 25: The Press Conference Ends
Before Obadiah or any of the reporters could react, Tony delivered the sentence that would change everything:
"Which is why, effective immediately, I'm shutting down Stark Industries' weapons division."
The room erupted. Reporters sprang to their feet, firing questions from every direction.
"Mr. Stark, should we interpret this decision as remorse for your past actions?"
"Mr. Stark, is the shutdown permanent?"
"Mr. Stark, does this mean Stark Industries will no longer supply weapons to the U.S. military? Will this strain your relationship with the Pentagon?"
The press area descended into chaos.
To quell the commotion and the doubts, Tony Stark added, "This decision will remain in effect until I am certain of the company's future direction and new objectives that align with national interests."
Obadiah rushed onto the stage, trying to grasp Tony by the arm while smoothing things over for the cameras.
"Uh, I think there's been a misunderstanding about what Tony meant. The weapons division isn't shutting down. It's… temporarily pausing. Taking a short break, that's all."
He forced a smile. "Stark Industries will focus on next-generation technology. Future innovations. Future weapons…"
But Tony brushed his hand aside and faced the cameras head-on.
"Shut. It. Down."
At that moment, Obadiah's smile froze, replaced by shock and anger. He had no idea why Tony would corner the company like this.
In the audience, Colonel Rhodes muttered under his breath, "Come on, Tony…"
As Tony's friend and the military's liaison, he knew very well this decision would rattle the long-standing alliance between Stark Industries and the military.
The room exploded again. Reporters surged forward, flashes illuminating the room. Everyone understood they were witnessing a headline that would shake the entire defense industry.
Pepper watched Tony in silence, worry flickering in her eyes. She feared for the company's stock price and the pressure Tony was about to face, but she also sensed something else… He wasn't the same man who left for the Middle East. Something inside him had transformed.
Tony offered no further answers. With Happy leading the way, he moved through the crowd and exited the hall, leaving behind a storm of reporters and a stunned Obadiah Stane.
"This concludes the Stark Industries press conference," Obadiah snapped, then stormed off under the escort of security.
Even after both major figures left, the reporters couldn't regain their composure. Tony's announcement was simply too explosive.
Peter had no intention of mingling with them. He slipped out quietly.
Christine, who had been keeping an eye on him throughout, followed shortly after.
Outside Stark Tower, Peter walked in the direction of the Daily Bugle.
"If everything goes the way it should, Mr. Stark will become Iron Man soon. New York will have two heroes. That'll take some pressure off me and give me a little time to live as Peter Parker again," he murmured as he walked.
Photography was only ever a hobby for him. His true dream was to become a scientist, to work in research.
But in this universe, he had no academic credentials, no records, no identity. No one was going to let an undocumented nobody step into a laboratory and start conducting research.
The thought gave him a headache. With no past in this world, every step forward felt impossible.
"Let's see… Iron Man's first real battle was against Iron Monger. If I remember right, Mr. Stark said he took him down without much trouble. So that's one thing I don't need to worry about," Peter muttered to himself.
He replayed what he remembered of Iron Man's story. He was too young to remember much, but he clearly remembered Tony Stark saying on the news that the Iron Monger was no match for him.
"What I really need to think about now is how I'm going to face Mr. Jameson," Peter sighed, lowering his head. "He gave me an exclusive interview with Tony Stark, and I completely blew it. I didn't ask a single useful question."
There was no denying it. He had messed up this interview badly.
Just then, a black sedan pulled up beside him.
"Peter Parker. I'm heading toward the Daily Bugle anyway. Want a lift?" the driver called out.
"Christine?"
Peter turned toward the voice. Behind the wheel was the very reporter he'd just met.
"It's me," Christine confirmed, arching a brow. "So, Peter Parker, need a ride?"
"That would be great," Peter replied, quickly opening the door and climbing in.
Once he was seated, Christine stepped on the gas and steered the car toward the Bugle.
"You still haven't told me how you managed to get those Spider-Man photos," she said, breaking the silence.
"I just happened to catch him on camera. There's no secret to it," Peter replied casually.
"Funny. You're the only reporter in all of New York who's managed that," Christine said with a smile. "That doesn't sound like an accident."
"Guess I just got lucky," Peter shrugged.
Seeing he had no intention of opening up, Christine smoothly shifted the conversation.
"Do you actually believe what Tony Stark announced today?"
"Which part?"
"About permanently shutting down Stark Industries' weapons division."
"Why wouldn't I? He announced it publicly at a press conference."
"He's gone back on his word more times than I can count," Christine scoffed. "A heartless arms dealer gets kidnapped once and suddenly decides to stop making weapons? Don't you think that sounds a little surreal? If it were that easy, I'd wish every arms dealer in the world would get kidnapped once."
"This time feels different," Peter countered. "And with Tony Stark's intelligence, if he turns his focus away from weapons and into something else, that might actually be good news for ordinary people like us."
"Sure. Good news… assuming he means every word."
"You seem to have a pretty strong opinion about Tony Stark," Peter noted. "Do you have some kind of history with him?"
"I slept with him," she replied offhandedly.
"You're just… saying that?" Peter blurted, stunned.
"Why not?" Christine shot back, unimpressed by his reaction. "Tony Stark's had one-night stands with plenty of people. It's hardly a secret."