"Calm down, ladies and gentlemen." Greed finally spoke. He first looked at Pepper and said, "I deeply regret your husband's current situation, but assuming he's stable and not in immediate danger, I suggest you don't rush to save him, adding another variable to an already complicated situation."
Pepper understood Greed's hint. What he meant was, if Happy wasn't near death, wake him up can be put off. If Happy woke up and learned of Iron Man's actions, he'd definitely turn into a super villain on the spot, and they'd have to fight each other in Forward York City and get themselves arrested.
If they got arrested publicly due to the fight, whether they deserve it or not, Stark Group's stock price would surely plummet again. Initially, White Can's unexpected maneuver already stabbed Stark Group in the back, and if this happened, they wouldn't have to discuss the future of Stark Group, because Stark Group would have no future.
Pepper sighed deeply, and it was evident she understood. This also proved that in her heart, whether Tony Stark or Happy Hogan, who she dates or marries doesn't matter; she always values her own interests and career more.
She needs Happy because she wants to use him to warn and balance Tony, which is why she sought Greed to save him. But if waking Happy would lead to a new crisis for Stark Group, she'd abandon the idea.
"Perhaps I was too hasty," Pepper said, "Happy's condition isn't great but can be maintained, and I don't want to use too aggressive methods; I'll consider more conservative treatments."
Upon hearing this, Iron Man was pleased. He was about to retort sarcastically but then heard Greed say to him: "Withdrawing investment from the Rebirth Alliance wasn't a wise move. You know well that many want to meddle in the management of Rebirth Alliance, not just super villains but businesspeople like you, who wouldn't want to connect with such a behemoth? You can still regret it."
"Regret?" Iron Man was evidently unmoved, "If I can't make Rebirth Alliance realize who's boss, they won't stop prosecuting me, and I don't want to stand in court!"
Greed sighed deeply. White Can's thinking is such—ensuring something is within his control, using only suppression and threats, with no concept of cooperation, trade, or even negotiation in his mind.
Therefore, tell him a million times, Rebirth Alliance isn't an enemy, a million ways can be found to ensure you don't end up in court nor let Rebirth Alliance suffer losses, he wouldn't listen.
The agent looked at Greed. In this situation, persuasion was useless, so it seemed Greed must leave him with no other choice.
But Greed didn't say anything more, instead turning his head to the agent and said, "You better escort Ms. Bozi back."
The agent didn't bother guessing what Greed intended, and escorted Pepper out of the office. After getting into the car, Pepper paused and said, "Besides protecting me, has Nick assigned you any other task?"
"No other tasks." The agent truthfully said, "The director specifically instructed that if support is needed, contact Natasha."
Pepper's expression clearly showed disbelief. But it's understandable; anyone discovering the Rebirth Alliance has sent an agent bodyguard would feel watched more than protected.
Though Iron Man is quite dangerous, the main issue now is Stark Group; withdrawing investment at a crucial moment, regardless of whether the incoming investor has bad intentions, just the lack of smooth cash flow could disrupt reception activities.
"Did he ask you to persuade me to convince the shareholders?"
"If someone needed to persuade you, it wouldn't be me coming." The agent remained honest.
Then the agent said no more, leaving the car's atmosphere quiet. Pepper still felt skeptical, but since the agent remained silent, she couldn't figure out Rebirth Alliance's intentions.
For Rebirth Alliance, the best approach is to send someone to win her over, inciting opposition within Stark Group, both aiding Rebirth Alliance and protecting herself. To her surprise, seeing the agent's demeanor, Rebirth Alliance indeed didn't intend so.
"Did they find new investors?" Pepper's response was quick, "Apart from Stark Group on our side, the other major companies are unreliable, is it from another cosmos?"
The agent kept silent. But Pepper continued with her speculation, "Many are ambitious towards Rebirth Alliance, many companies and forces are eyeing them. Tony's mind isn't sharp, giving up such a good deal easily. But reacting so quickly... Alexander Luther?"
The agent still said nothing. Pepper murmured to herself, "Luther once spent significant effort recruiting me, but I judged him young and possibly unreliable in execution, hence didn't interact much."
"Have you never thought of jumping ship?" the agent finally asked.
"Of course, I've considered," Pepper said, "Several major companies have tirelessly recruited me, but I know they're not after personal ability; the key is my operations within Stark Group."
"They want me, not just to use my talents for their efforts, but to take Stark Group's key technologies and networks with me to thoroughly cripple Stark Group."
"I've managed here half my life; I know all operations inside out. All of Tony's key technologies, even if I don't understand the principles, I can acquire samples, some things only I know, owning these resources is why they genuinely want me."
"But if I take these things and leave, that would be a complete betrayal of the Stark Group. The former Iron Man might not have done anything to me, but this one will definitely try every means to take my life. Moreover, a person who has betrayed will never be truly entrusted, no matter how many resources there are, there will come a time when they are exhausted, and that will be the time of my demise."
The agent said nothing but sighed inwardly. Pepper was truly driven to the edge. The White Can's eyes were big and his heart was empty, surrounded by wolves, he destroyed the Symbiotic Mecha, probably ready to fight to the death.
"Have you thought about triggering a civil war?" the agent asked.
"Civil war is a matter of time." Pepper's tone was very calm, "Even if it's not the destruction of the battle armor, there will be other issues. The discord between two universes is bound to explode sooner or later, it's only a matter of time, just like the First and Second World Wars."
"Have you ever thought about finding the original Iron Man?" the agent continued to ask, as he thought this might also be a way out; finding the good-natured Iron Man, who would heed Pepper's opinions and not hastily transform, maybe this game could break.
"If I had insisted on doing this from the start, then maybe it would have worked." Pepper said, "But now it's too late."
"Actually, I'm a bit curious," the agent said, "why didn't you immediately think of finding your original boyfriend."
"This one now is him too." Pepper lowered her eyes, "Their personalities and living habits are the same, in my opinion, it's not considered a change of person. But the reason I didn't immediately go to find the original Iron Man is also because I was defeated by my own greed."
Apparently, Pepper had deeply reviewed it. The agent was still somewhat curious and asked, "Greed?"
"The original Iron Man was a good superhero, but not a good businessman. Or rather, his decision to be a superhero meant the Stark Group had to pay for his personal dreams."
"He drew a lot of resources from the Stark Group, which affected the group's operation, but because he could bring greater benefits to the group, he was able to maintain his exalted status."
The agent understood. Pepper wanted both the intelligence and wisdom of Iron Man, but didn't want Iron Man to unduly impact the operation of the Stark Group. She might have thought that this evil and selfish version of Iron Man could forgo being a superhero and focus on managing the group, wholeheartedly being a good capitalist.
Simply put, she wanted to merge the two Iron Mans, to have both the flexible moral baseline of the White Can and the stability and intelligence of the original Iron Man. But apparently, Pepper lost the gamble.
She didn't expect that the previous Iron Man, focusing all his energy on superhero endeavors and delegating power, did not reveal his lack of greater mastery in business operations. On the contrary, Pepper, with enough power, could help him manage the Stark Group, thereby supporting his superhero career.
Now, the White Can, because he no longer pursued being a superhero, focused completely on the operation of the Stark Group, yet he didn't have such a smart business mind and insisted on consolidating power, finally resulting in a lose-lose situation with Pepper.
Such is often the case with things, gain and loss are interconnected. Overpursuing perfection leads to the ruin of all.
"So what do you plan to do now?" the agent asked. He couldn't think of any hope for Pepper. Now, she has to either return to the internal affairs of the Stark Group to lobby, thoroughly aligning with the Rebirth Alliance, or hold onto the Stark Group's crucial secrets and jump ship, finding herself a new patron.
But whichever it is, her half-life of efforts in the Stark Group would be destroyed, going anywhere means starting from scratch, and whether she can make a comeback is still unknown.
"Go to Wayne Enterprises." Pepper said to the driver.
The agent didn't comment on her decision. Pepper was absolutely a professional in this regard, knowing best how to secure maximum benefits for herself. As an agent, he better not get involved.
The car headed to Wayne Enterprises, Pepper got out, looked around first, then walked into the entrance of Wayne Enterprises.
"Sorry, I don't have an appointment." she said to the front desk receptionist, "But I think you can make a call to Mr. Thomas Wayne and say that Pepper Potts wants to meet him, now."
Upon hearing Pepper's name, the receptionist hurriedly made the call. Soon, an assistant appeared from the elevator and led both Pepper and the agent to the internal elevator.
They headed towards the office, and Pepper entered while the agent intended to wait outside. After all, the discussion might involve some commercial secrets, and no one likes an agent present; the agent himself didn't like listening to such matters. Leaving him outside meant he could grab a coffee.
But unexpectedly, Pepper turned back and said, "Didn't you say you wanted to protect me?"
The agent thought for a moment, Batman is also considered a dangerous figure, and if he wasn't present, it might be a dereliction of duty. He liked to slack off, but couldn't be that obvious. So, he had no choice but to follow inside.
"Hello, Mr. Wayne." Pepper said, looking at Thomas Wayne, who sat solemnly behind the desk.