Seeing Tony’s reaction, Jones couldn’t help being surprised inwardly.
It seemed that Tony’s parents really were extremely important to him.
Otherwise, Tony wouldn’t have lost his composure so badly just from hearing that little bit of information.
Looks like…
I have even more leverage in my hands now.
A trace of amusement flashed through Jones’s eyes, but his expression didn’t change in the slightest.
Staring straight at Tony, Jones asked softly, “Really?
Are you sure you’ll give me whatever I want?”
“…”
Hearing Jones’s words, Tony’s brow furrowed.
He gave Jones a cold look, and the eagerness on his face faded somewhat.
After remaining silent for a moment, Tony finally spoke.
“It has to be something I can actually do.
And…
if you’re planning to ask for shares in Stark Industries, don’t even bother.
Even if I gave you shares, those people on the board would eat you alive.”
“You’re thinking too much!”
Jones curled his lip disdainfully.
“I have to admit, money is extremely important in this world.
But…
money will never be the most important thing.”
“What are you trying to say?!”
Tony quietly looked at Jones.
He didn’t comment on what Jones had just said, but his vigilance toward him increased even further.
He vaguely felt that Jones was hiding a deep ambition inside him, an ambition that couldn’t be taken lightly no matter how seriously one regarded it.
“Do you remember how you escaped?”
Jones quietly looked at Tony.
“You won’t give up on that Iron Man armor, will you?”
“!!!”
The moment Jones finished speaking, Tony shot up from his chair and stared directly at him.
“You want the Iron Man armor?!”
“Calm down.”
Seeing Tony’s excited reaction, Jones didn’t even raise his eyelids.
“There’s no need to get so excited.
I know you won’t give up researching that thing.
Whether it’s because you’re interested in it, because of a scientist’s passion, or for some other reason, you’ll perfect it.
You’ll even continue developing it further.
Am I right?”
“That’s right!”
Tony didn’t disappoint Jones.
He immediately admitted it.
“But…
why should I give it to you?”
“Don’t misunderstand something.”
Jones chuckled.
“I’m not asking you to give me something.
This is a trade.
You give me an Iron Man suit, and I’ll solve your palladium problem.
Then…
we can begin our third deal!”
…
Hearing Jones’s words, Tony fell completely silent.
He stared straight at Jones, his expression extremely unpleasant.
“Are you threatening me?”
“It’s mutual, isn’t it?”
Jones chuckled, his expression completely natural.
Tony had just tried to use the identity issue to threaten him.
This was simply a case of returning the favor.
But…
compared to Jones, Tony probably wouldn’t be quite so lucky, would he?
It wasn’t as though Coulson would come back again and tell Tony about the new element, right?
The thought had barely crossed Jones’s mind when he shook his head inwardly.
As far as S.H.I.E.L.D.
was concerned, everything had to be done for maximum benefit.
Even if they knew about the problem with palladium, they would probably wait until Tony was on the verge of death before telling him.
That was precisely why Jones wanted to use this bargaining chip to get something from Tony as early as possible.
If he waited too long, this bargaining chip would effectively become worthless.
…
After hearing Jones’s words, Tony’s expression stiffened, but he didn’t say anything else.
After remaining silent for a long time, Tony finally spoke again.
“I admit you’re right.
I really won’t give up on the Iron Man armor.
But…
I haven’t actually built one yet…”
“I know!”
Before Tony could finish, Jones directly interrupted him.
“You only returned to America yesterday.
How could you possibly have built the Iron Man armor already?
I just want a finished suit after you build it!”
“…I need to think about it.”
After remaining silent for a long while, Tony finally spoke.
He neither agreed nor refused.
“Fine!”
Hearing Tony’s answer, Jones immediately nodded.
Tony hadn’t truly realized the power of the Iron Man armor yet.
Although he valued it somewhat, he didn’t attach nearly as much importance to it as he would later.
After some time, once Obadiah created another version of the Iron Man armor and nearly killed Tony with it, Tony would truly understand how dangerous the Iron Man armor could be.
Trying to obtain an Iron Man suit at that point would undoubtedly be several times more difficult.
Now was Jones’s best opportunity!