All eyes were on the newcomer, Tony.
Nick Fury watched Tony's shocked expression with deep satisfaction. He knew better than anyone how much effort and how many compromises he had made to assemble this team. But seeing even the worldly and jaded Tony taken aback, Fury felt that every bit of hardship had been worth it.
Black Egghead confidently addressed Tony, "Join us, Tony." He believed that with Tony's talent and power, he would be a tremendous asset to the Avengers.
Black Egghead was certain Tony would accept the invitation.
Tony admitted that the Avengers had initially stunned him, but he quickly regained his composure. "So this is your 'Super Boy Team'," he remarked, his tone laced with mockery and disdain.
Ignoring Black Egghead's question, Tony approached Captain America Steve and said slowly, "Didn't expect you old-timers to still be around."
Steve sized up the defiant Tony before replying, "I knew your father, Howard. He was a good man."
He reached out to shake Tony's hand, but Tony ignored him and continued walking forward.
Tony's next target was the bald old man in the wheelchair.
He approached him and asked with a smile, "May I ask your name, sir? Has S.H.I.E.L.D. started targeting even the elderly now?"
Though his tone was teasing, his eyes were deadly serious.
He instinctively felt that this man posed the greatest threat. His eyes seemed to pierce through one's very soul.
The bald old man didn't answer immediately, instead gazing at Tony with profound eyes.
This gaze made Tony uncomfortable, as if he were being completely seen through.
But he didn't flinch, meeting the man's gaze with even greater resolve.
"You may call me Charles, or Professor X. Rest assured, I'm just an unarmed old man. I pose no threat to you."
Charles smiled at Tony, as if he had already seen through his thoughts.
Tony realized this was Charles, one of the leaders of the Mutants. Having heard that Professor X could read minds, he resolved to build a mind-shielding armor as soon as he returned.
At that moment, a man in a blue suit approached Tony and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Reed Richards. It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Stark."
Reed Richards was Mr. Fantastic, the leader of the Fantastic Four. After being exposed to cosmic rays during a space mission, his body structure was altered, allowing him to stretch and reshape his body at will.
The other members of the Fantastic Four included the Invisible Woman, who could become invisible, fly, and generate energy blasts to create force fields. There was also his close friend, The Thing, a hulking, rock-skinned behemoth with immense strength and durability, serving as the team's mascot. Finally, there was the Invisible Woman's younger brother, the Human Torch, who could generate flames, fly, and reach surface temperatures as hot as a supernova.
Tony glanced at Richards, his aloof demeanor pricking the pride of the intelligent man, though Richards showed no outward reaction.
"I know you," Tony said. "Your reputation precedes you in the investment world."
Richards, thinking Tony was complimenting him, was about to humbly deflect when Tony's next words cut him off.
"Your projects are a disaster, losing money one after another. You're the bane of our investment circle."
"In my opinion, any idea that pops into my head could make a fortune. How do you manage to lose money on every single project? In a way, you're a genius," Tony teased. A true scoundrel like Tony despised hypocrites like Richards. He believed Richards, though intelligent, used his talents for devious schemes rather than upright endeavors.
Hearing Tony's sarcasm, Richards' smile froze. Ever the gentleman, he couldn't show his displeasure, but his mind was already plotting how to make Tony pay.
Nearby, the hot-headed Human Torch, hearing Tony mock his teammate, burst into flames, ready to confront him.
However, his sister, the Invisible Woman Susan, intercepted him with a glare.
"Wow-wow-wow, is Captain America your father, you little firecracker?" Tony immediately taunted the Human Torch. It wasn't entirely his fault; the Human Torch bore an uncanny resemblance to Steve.
This remark infuriated the Invisible Woman Susan. She never expected Tony to be so rude.
Even the usually mild-mannered Steve glared at Tony, unable to tolerate his insults toward his teammates.
The atmosphere in the conference room instantly grew tense, thick with the smell of gunpowder.
"Enough, Tony. Answer me: join or not join." Nick Fury finally spoke.
Tony immediately refused, "I refuse. I have no interest in joining your 'Super-Boys.' Just send me my father's things."
With that, Tony stormed out of the Avengers conference room.
His swift refusal stemmed from his realization that Black Egghead's primary goal in forming the Avengers was undoubtedly Chen Ye of Hell's Kitchen.
Unbeknownst to himself, Tony's heart had already quietly shifted toward Chen Ye's side.
Now, Tony began considering whether Chen Ye's faction could defeat the Avengers.
Ordinary members like Hawkeye and Natasha posed no threat; Chen Ye's assassins could handle them easily.
As for the Fantastic Four, Tony declared he would personally deal with Mr. Fantastic, for reasons he couldn't quite explain but felt a deep-seated loathing for him.
The remaining members could be left to Deadpool and the young woman at Chen Ye's side.
Tony had simulated this battle scenario countless times in his mind, and the outcome was always a victory for Chen Ye.
This eased his anxious heart slightly, as if he could see the dawn of victory.
However, Tony was unaware that the Avengers possessed an even more powerful force—Captain Marvel.
Just as Tony was about to inform Chen Ye of the Avengers' involvement, Chen Ye called him.
"Hey, Chen Ye, I was just about to call you," Tony said.
On the other end, Chen Ye expressed surprise. "What a coincidence! I was just about to call you too. I have good news and bad news."
Tony hated riddles and was curious about the good news Chen Ye had for him. "Tell me the good news first."
Chen Ye's tone suddenly turned serious. "The good news is, I've found the killer who murdered your parents."
Tony's heart skipped a beat, and he nearly dropped his phone.
His eyes widened, and his voice trembled with shock. "How is that possible? My parents died in a car accident!"
The news struck Tony like a thunderclap. He had always believed his parents had died in an ordinary car accident. If Chen Ye was telling the truth, it meant he had allowed the real killer to roam free for over twenty years while remaining completely unaware.
Tony desperately wanted to know more details. He felt he needed more information to process this earth-shattering revelation.
He decided to go see Chen Ye in person. A face-to-face conversation would be clearer than a phone call.
Tony took a deep breath and said, his voice strained as if squeezing toothpaste from a tube, "Wait for me, I'm on my way!"
Then he hung up the phone.
-----------------------
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