A faint ripple appeared in Natasha's beautiful eyes, and her heart could not help but stir with excitement. She felt eager to quickly travel to Brazil and acquire the terrifying power of Bruce Banner, that green monster.
However, she could not appear too eager right now. She believed this guy was more impatient than she was. She needed to let him know who was truly in charge.
Natasha composed herself and turned on the television, which was broadcasting news about Tony Stark's return.
"This guy really loves to show off," Natasha remarked as she watched Tony Stark on TV. He looked tired, his face smudged with dirt, and was devouring a hamburger.
Natasha had no ill will toward Tony. On the contrary, she felt admiration.
To be able to create such a technologically advanced armor in six days—even without her, this genius probably would have escaped on his own.
As for Tony Stark's arrogant personality, there was not much to say. Geniuses were always individualistic.
"You know what? I'm actually thinking about my father right now. I didn't say goodbye to him. Yes, I didn't say goodbye to him in his final moments. I really have a question I want to ask him now.
Did he ever hesitate? Did he ever waver? Did he ever regret creating this company and selling weapons that can take away other people's lives all over the world?
I really want to ask him what it feels like to be a merchant of death."
Tony Stark sat on the ground and said these words to countless media outlets. As soon as his words fell, all the media fell silent, and then a huge wave of sound erupted.
Almost everyone desperately pushed forward, trying to get their microphones closer to Tony. At this moment, with their keen professional instincts, they sensed the presence of a big news story.
Not just them—even Obadiah Stane on the side felt this strange tension.
He quickly grabbed Tony, wanting to ask what he was going to say and why he had not discussed it beforehand. But it was too late.
Tony had already released the explosive news.
"I have decided to cancel the weapons development department under Stark Industries. This resolution is effective immediately."
As soon as this news came out, let alone the media, almost everyone who saw it felt an overwhelming shock, like a mountain tsunami crashing down.
Anyone holding Stark stock at that moment most wanted to quickly dump their shares. Everyone knew that a huge financial fluctuation was imminent.
The most worried and frightened about this upheaval was none other than Obadiah Stane. He was one of the founders of Stark Industries and valued this company more than his own son.
How could he allow Tony to so easily cripple one of its major pillars? He quickly grabbed Tony to stop him from continuing and then took over the microphone on the press conference podium.
"The main purpose of our press conference today is to tell everyone that Tony is back. Anything else Tony said was just a joke with everyone."
Although he said that, not many people believed him. Stark Industries was, after all, named Stark, not Stane. Everyone knew that Tony Stark had the final say, not Obadiah Stane.
Seeing the press conference end, Natasha turned off the television. She could already sense the impending storm.
It was imaginable that the stock market would likely plummet in the future. However, what did that have to do with her? She was a top agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Tony was the owner of Stark Industries.
The two had no connection.
"If I were you, I would be aggressively acquiring Stark Industries stock during this time," Ren suddenly said.
"Why?" Natasha asked, her brow slightly furrowed.
Although she was an agent proficient in various combat techniques, firearms, and killing skills, her business acumen was not very sharp.
"Have you forgotten what Tony Stark was driving earlier?" Ren retorted.
"That extremely crude armor?" Natasha recalled the gray exoskeleton armor Tony had been piloting a few hours ago.
"Tony is not only a genius inventor but also a super-genius businessman. He played this hand really well," Ren remarked, feigning emotion.
"What do you mean?" Natasha was a bit confused.
Was he the alien creature or was she? Why did he seem to understand business so well while she was completely lost?
"What do I mean? It's simple. He was able to invent this exoskeleton armor in such a rudimentary environment. Now that he's back in the U.S. base, the exoskeleton armor he can develop will naturally be more refined and powerful.
He just needs to wear the Iron Man armor in plain sight to resolve some issues—for example, going to the Middle East to kill some terrorists—and then declare that he is the one wearing the Iron Man armor.
This method is called commercial packaging, just like how celebrities hype themselves up. It can completely reverse the sluggish stock market situation.
And he only needs to say one sentence. Not only will he not lose money, but he will also gain at least tens of billions in wealth.
This kind of commercial packaging method is enough to be written into textbooks and called a model of business operation.
Not only that, Tony probably already figured out why he got into trouble based on a few clues. He even wants to take this opportunity to test Obadiah Stane.
Once Obadiah makes a wrong move, he will fall into an endless abyss, and Tony will also take the opportunity to reclaim Obadiah's shares, achieving absolute control over Stark Industries," Ren analyzed.
Natasha was stunned. She had never expected that Tony merely announcing the closure of the weapons department could lead to so many implications.
She immediately asked suspiciously, "This isn't just you making wild guesses, is it?"
Ren gave Natasha a disdainful look and said indifferently, "How about a bet? I bet Tony will definitely do as I say. If you lose, you have to listen to me."
"And if you lose?" Natasha retorted, unconvinced.
"If I lose, then I will submit to you as my master, and you will forever be my host," Ren said proudly.
"So you were planning to leave me at any time?!" Natasha said, annoyed.
"Nonsense. There's an old saying: a wise one chooses the best place to thrive. If you can't help me, then I'll just have to find another host who can.
Symbiotic relationships are mutually beneficial, aren't they? You give me the genes of a super-powered individual, and I'll give you incredible strength.
Sounds fair, doesn't it? So, one question—are you in or not?" Ren said calmly.
After a moment of silence, Natasha nodded and said, "It's a bet! No backing out!"
...
Author's Note:
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