After returning to Queens through the Shadow World, Karl sat on the sofa, replaying the movie timeline in his mind.
When the news announced Tony Stark had returned to the United States, something clicked.
Karl suddenly straightened.
He grabbed his high-speed Bluetooth phone.
"Speed — sell everything at the peak price. Dump all Stark Industries shares before the press conference."
He remembered exactly what was coming.
Tony Stark would soon announce that Stark Industries was exiting the weapons business.
The market would panic.
The stock would crash.
"Understood, boss."
The rapid electronic voice responded instantly.
Karl exhaled slowly.
If he had forgotten this moment, billions would have vanished overnight.
His plan was simple:
Sell at peak.
Rebuy at collapse.
Hold until Iron Man reveals himself and Stark Industries pivots to clean energy.
When confidence returned, the value would skyrocket.
Karl intended to ride that wave all the way to the top.
He chose not to tell Aunt May, Wanda, or Pietro about rescuing Tony.
Every time Stark Industries was mentioned, Wanda and Pietro's eyes still filled with buried hatred.
Weapons bearing the Stark logo had destroyed their home.
Even if Tony hadn't personally approved those shipments — Obadiah Stane had — the pain remained real.
Karl didn't want to deepen their resentment.
Hatred in children only grew into something darker.
He would guide them slowly.
One day, they would understand the truth.
And one day, they would watch the man truly responsible pay the price.
Stark Industries Headquarters
Tony Stark rode in the back of his Rolls-Royce, clutching a cheeseburger like it was oxygen.
Yinsen had chosen to remain at the Malibu mansion to rest.
Meanwhile, JARVIS had already compiled a file on Karl.
Tony now possessed Karl's contact information.
He wasn't naive — Karl clearly had his own motives.
But the man had saved his life.
Twice.
And saved Yinsen.
Tony Stark knew the value of powerful allies.
The car door opened.
Obadiah Stane stood waiting.
"Tony!" he exclaimed, pulling him into a tight embrace. "My God, I knew you'd make it."
Tony hugged him back.
"You have no idea what I went through, Obie. Three months in a cave… I couldn't even get a decent hamburger."
Obadiah laughed warmly.
"You're home now. That's what matters."
He eyed the burger.
"Is there one for me?"
Tony immediately turned away and took a large bite.
"Nope. This one's spoken for."
Obadiah shook his head with a fond smile.
"Come on. The press is waiting."
The Press Conference
Flashes exploded.
Cameras clicked.
Reporters shouted questions.
Tony stood at the podium, thinner, exhausted — but sharper than ever.
He spoke candidly about his captivity.
About seeing firsthand the devastation his weapons caused.
Then he stopped.
The room fell silent.
"I saw young Americans killed… by the very weapons I created to defend them."
A pause.
Tony looked out across the room.
"And that's why… effective immediately… I am shutting down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division."
Gasps erupted.
Reporters shouted.
Stock analysts in the room stared in shock.
Obadiah's expression froze.
Tony stepped back.
Obadiah quickly moved forward, forcing a tight smile.
"Mr. Stark has been under tremendous stress. We will address the company's future direction at a later time."
He gripped Tony's shoulder and steered him away.
Inside Stark Industries — Arc Reactor Facility
Obadiah led Tony toward the massive arc reactor powering the complex.
"Tony," he said, voice tightening, "do you understand what you just did?"
Tony remained calm.
"I know exactly what I did."
"We are an arms manufacturer," Obadiah said. "This company was built on weapons. You shut that down — what do we sell? Teddy bears?"
Tony ignored the sarcasm.
"We change direction. Clean energy. The future."
Obadiah studied him.
"That's going to take time. The board will want something tangible."
His eyes dropped to Tony's chest.
Tony frowned.
"How did you— Pepper? Happy?"
He unbuttoned his shirt slightly, revealing the glow of the arc reactor.
Obadiah stared in awe.
"My God…"
Tony buttoned it back up.
"This stays with me. But I'll develop something better. Give me time."
Obadiah forced a reassuring smile.
"I'll try to hold the board."
Tony nodded gratefully.
"Thanks, Obie."
After Tony left, Obadiah's expression hardened.
Warmth vanished.
Only calculation remained.
Queens, New York
Karl watched the broadcast from his living room.
"…I am shutting down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division…"
He smiled faintly.
Iron Man was about to be born.
And Iron Monger would soon follow.
"Speed," Karl said calmly, pressing the Bluetooth.
"How much liquidity do we have?"
"Boss, total available funds: six billion U.S. dollars."
Karl's eyes flickered.
Six billion.
From one play.
"When the stock collapses, buy everything. Any large sell orders — absorb them. Quietly accumulate controlling shares if possible."
"Understood, boss."