Batman also understood that, under normal circumstances, requesting a ministerial position wouldn't be unusual. After all, there aren't many ministers in the Rebirth Alliance, and they wield significant power, often overseeing superheroes, making the ministerial position highly valuable.
However, the Rebirth Alliance is like ants on a hot pan now. Facing the Stark Group's withdrawal of investment, they urgently need someone to take over, and this is the best time for making big demands. Right now, just asking for a ministerial position seems abnormal.
"What exactly does Luther want?" Nick mused, his hand supporting his chin, not expecting Batman to answer. Suddenly breaking from his thoughts, he looked up at Batman and said, "I have something to ask you."
"What is it?"
"I'm worried Iron Man might harm Pepper. We're short-handed now, can you..."
"I certainly want to protect the lady, but the problem is, will Stark Group let me in?" Batman asked, "Even if I send someone, it'll be considered industrial espionage, and Pepper herself won't agree."
Nick showed a headache expression again. The trouble in this matter was that Pepper's own career is bound to the Stark Group, and she herself won't agree to any actions detrimental to Stark Group. Her steadfast professional ethics have instead become an obstacle in protecting Iron Man.
"Iron Man knows this," Batman said. "Pepper's interests and Stark Group are aligned, and Iron Man may not want to completely abandon Stark Group. So, he wouldn't push Pepper too hard. If she really were to leave, Wayne Enterprises and Luther Group would surely recruit her, and Iron Man definitely doesn't want to strengthen the enemy."
Nick felt Batman made a valid point. He thought for a moment and picked up his phone to call Natasha: "When will your helper arrive?"
"Just arrived," Natasha said. "After changing clothes, he'll come."
Soon, Natasha and the agent came in one after another. They were both wearing shirts and tactical vests, with a blue Rebirth Alliance jacket over them.
"Hello, Mr. Agent." Nick stood up, shook hands with the agent, and said, "The situation is urgent, so I won't waste words."
He picked up a photo from beside him, displayed it in front of the agent, and then said, "Protect Pepper Potts for 24 hours, prevent anyone from harming her."
The agent took the photo, rubbed it briefly, and then said, "'Harming' implies?"
"Don't let anyone hurt her," Nick said after pondering, "any act of violence must be prevented."
The agent seemed to understand something. He nodded and said, "Okay, leave her safety to me."
"Natasha will be your sole contact," Nick said, "report anything to her, and if support is needed, contact her too."
The agent nodded and left with Natasha. The two went to the break room, where Natasha started the coffee machine and said, "This job is tough. You noticed, Nick doesn't want to completely isolate the two of them; perhaps he hopes they might reconcile."
"If it's an easy job, you wouldn't have come to me." The agent brought out a paper cup. "I have a feeling the coming week will be long."
Natasha took the paper cup, placed it under the coffee machine, started the machine, and then said, "How about you study a traditional Catholic wedding?"
"No need," the agent flatly refused. After pausing, he asked, "If the wedding were held in a church, where would the security personnel stand? In the podium?"
"I'm afraid the Father won't agree," Natasha said. "Of course, we can have the Father stand slightly to the side, but considering the number of security personnel needed for this wedding, the Father might have to stand on the beach."
The agent chuckled, "Then let him recite the vows there; perhaps it's even safer."
"I considered placing him under the Statue of Jesus," Natasha said, holding a coffee cup, "but I'm also afraid of adding more holes to Jesus, especially if standing right in the center..."
Natasha didn't say anything, just lowered her gaze. The agent had already walked away with his coffee.
With a ding, the elevator stopped. When the door opened, the agent was checking his handgun with his head down. As soon as the door opened, he put the handgun back in its holster, marched toward the office, and, at the moment he pushed open the door, he also closed it behind him.
He stood before the door, took a deep breath, then opened the door again and saw the figure seated behind the office desk. The agent couldn't help but ask, "Do you think fate can explain everything? Greed?"
Greed looked up from the medical records, glanced at the agent, and then said, "This time I came first, you can't say I'm chasing you to cause trouble."
"If you were here first, my appearance here must not be coincidental." The agent still walked in, approached the desk, leaned over with both hands on the table, and said, "Did you do it again?"
"Which incident are you referring to?" Greed closed his pen cap. "Just like Arrogant constantly taught Batman, I've always diligently offered psychological counseling to Iron Man from each cosmos. His fees are high, you understand."
The agent helplessly turned away, then turned back and said, "What was consulted this time? How to disrupt an ex-girlfriend's marriage?"
"I swear I advised him," Greed said. "Except for his personal feelings, everything else could be related to me. But these two madmen really aren't my doing..."
"Anthony Stark!!!" A roar came from outside the office, "How dare you use Stark Group to threaten me!!!"
Greed widened his eyes and quickly sidestepped from behind the desk, grabbed the agent, and stuffed him into the nearby restroom, locking the door tightly. The agent wanted to push the door open, but soon afterward, Iron Man's voice came from outside the door.
"Don't talk as if this place is your home. I must remind you, Mrs. Hogan, the name of this group is 'Stark!' I'm the owner of Stark Group and the only one who can control Stark Group!"
"I've never denied that." Pepper stormed into the office, throwing a stack of documents toward the Iron Man behind her, "That's why I said, I'm resigning, I'm done!"
"Do you think you can leave just after betraying me with my friends? Dream on! If you dare leave, I'll immediately cut off Happy's medical funds, and he'll face his most dreaded brain damage. Try me if you don't believe it!"
"Stark, you're a madman! Happy saved your life!" Pepper grabbed a pencil holder from the desk and threw it over, "He became like this to save you!"
The pencil holder of course couldn't hit Iron Man but nearly hit Greed standing by the desk. He ducked, moved forward, and said, "Stop arguing, stop arguing. How many times do you have to argue in one day..."
"Did you help me pay him back by marrying him?!" Iron Man slammed the desk fiercely. He was wearing battle armor, and with one palm down, the desk shattered, and medical records scattered everywhere.
Greed took a deep breath.