Obadiah was pressing Tony hard to hand over the technology for the Arc Reactor.
That technology—belonged to Stark Industries!
Right now, Stark Industries' stock value was still plummeting.
Until they injected some new technology, there was nothing they could do.
And worse yet, there were always people targeting Stark Industries.
As a military contractor, Stark Industries had stolen more than a few lucrative deals from other arms manufacturers—
like Hammer Industries,
and the Osborn Group.
Now that Tony had voluntarily given up that advantage,
those other companies would love nothing more than to beat Stark Industries to death with a single strike.
They moved from the shadows,
sending Stark's stock tumbling another ten percent overnight.
At this point, Stark Industries was worth barely a tenth of what it had been at its peak.
Obadiah, who had worked for thirty years to build the company, was so enraged he nearly spat blood.
Today, he would seize control of the entire Stark Group.
If Tony refused to cooperate—he'd just be removed from the board.
Once the storm blew over, Obadiah could have him killed…
or locked up somewhere far away.
If Tony could build a miniature Arc Reactor in a shabby cave,
then what kind of devastating weapons could he create with a proper lab?
And this thought wasn't Obadiah's alone—
the vested interests behind him were all thinking the same thing.
Tony Stark was better off just playing the part of the playboy.
All they needed was the name "Tony Stark" hanging over the company's logo.
The business itself didn't need his involvement.
In recent years, without Tony's interference, Stark Industries and the military had enjoyed a smooth partnership.
But now that he'd come back, everything was falling apart.
When problems can't be solved—then you solve the one who caused them.
Tony had become the problem that needed solving.
That was why some members of the board and the military were backing Obadiah.
"The Arc Reactor technology? Forget it.
Stark Industries still bears my name,
so I have every right to decide the company's direction.
Now, please—get out."
Tony issued the order to leave without hesitation.
Obadiah stared at him, a cold smile spreading across his face.
He glanced casually over his shoulder,
and a military officer stepped forward.
"Mr. Stark, we won't interfere with your company's internal affairs," the officer said coolly.
"But we need to take Frank in for questioning.
During your kidnapping, we spent enormous resources trying to locate you—without success.
Yet somehow, this retired soldier had access to inside information.
We suspect he may be connected to your abduction.
He'll have to cooperate with our investigation."
The officer's tone was strictly by-the-book.
Tony's expression darkened instantly.
"Colonel Rhodes has already conducted a preliminary investigation into Frank's situation.
He's my personal bodyguard.
Without my permission, you have no authority over him."
"I'm afraid you're mistaken," another military representative interjected.
"We do have authority.
In fact, we've found evidence linking Frank to multiple attacks in recent months.
He's suspected of several homicides.
He's now officially a criminal suspect."
"Frank, surrender!"
One of the soldiers drew his weapon and aimed it directly at Frank.
Tony's face tightened.
These men couldn't touch him directly—his public image made that too risky.
But Frank… Frank was a different matter.
Standing behind Tony, Frank didn't seem worried in the slightest.
Instead, his eyes grew dangerously sharp.
So these people had come for him this time?
The quiet peace he'd forced on himself these past days began to crack apart inside him.
Did they really think he was someone to trifle with?
If not for the promise he'd made to Qin Xiao to complete this mission,
he would've already unleashed a storm of blood across New York.
His wife and daughter's vengeance remained unpaid—
and now these fools thought they could push him around?
You people… really had no idea who you were provoking.
"Mr. Stark," Frank said, his tone calm but edged with steel. "I'll go with them."
Part of him wanted to see what they were really planning.
Tony, however, knew exactly what kind of man Frank was.
Frank was a powder keg—one spark, and there'd be an explosion.
Letting these people take him away was practically suicide.
Moments later, Tony could only watch helplessly as the military officers led Frank out.
When they were gone, only Obadiah and several board members remained in the villa.
Obadiah's face was dark as storm clouds.
"Tony, your bodyguard's crimes are serious. If they've really taken him in, he might never come back.
Hand over the Arc Reactor. As long as you do, Stark Industries will remain a partner to the military."
His message was clear:
refuse—and Frank would vanish forever.
Tony's thoughts immediately turned to Qin Xiao.
Frank was Qin Xiao's man—he needed to let him know what had happened.
Then—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed from afar.
"That's… the military convoy!" Tony exclaimed.