Before Roy could answer, waves of surprised exclamations suddenly rose from the crowd.
Everyone turned to look in the same direction.
Roy and Norman followed their gazes.
Why is he here?
Roy frowned slightly.
The person who had attracted everyone’s attention was— More precisely, a billionaire playboy known throughout America.
Tony Stark!
Wearing brown sunglasses and an expensive custom-tailored suit, Tony walked straight toward Roy under everyone’s watchful eyes.
His personal assistant and girlfriend, Pepper, followed behind him together with Happy, his bodyguard.
“I didn’t expect you to know him too.” Norman said.
Then he turned and walked toward Harry.
Before long, Tony reached Roy.
Taking off his sunglasses, Tony smiled.
“Your girlfriend just graduated, but you don’t look all that happy.” “Why are you here?” Roy asked.
“Why can’t I be here?” “We’re friends.
Your girlfriend is graduating, so I came over to show my support.” Tony replied with a grin.
Roy was just about to say something when Gwen walked over to them.
“Hello, Mr.
Stark.
I’m Gwen Stacy, Roy’s girlfriend.
It’s nice to meet you.” “I’m glad to meet you too.” Tony looked at her seriously.
“Roy’s mentioned you to me plenty of times.” “He kept bragging that he’d found a girlfriend who’s both beautiful and smart.” “Looks like he wasn’t exaggerating.” Hearing that, Gwen’s fair, delicate face lit up with barely concealed happiness.
People praised her looks and intelligence all the time.
But receiving a compliment from Tony Stark still made her genuinely happy.
“I have something I need to discuss with him privately.” “Mind if I borrow your boyfriend for a little while?” Tony continued.
“Of course not.” “Take your time.” Gwen replied immediately.
“Thanks.” Tony nodded and gave Roy a look, signaling for him to follow somewhere more private.
“I’ll be back soon.” “You stay here with your parents.” Roy said to Gwen.
“Okay.” Gwen replied softly.
After leaving the lawn with Tony, Roy asked, “What do you want?” “Can’t I come find you without needing something?” “We’re not only friends.
We’ve even fought side by side.” Tony said with a smile.
“Stop beating around the bush.” “What exactly are you after?” Roy rolled his eyes.
Tony deliberately put on a wounded expression.
“I pushed back other work and came all the way from Los Angeles specifically to see you.” “And this is how coldly you treat me?” “If you keep talking nonsense, I’m going back.” Roy frowned.
“All right, all right.
No more jokes.” “I really did come here specifically to find you.” Tony’s expression became more serious.
“Half a month ago, S.H.I.E.L.D.
Director Nick Fury—that one-eyed guy—showed up at my house in the middle of the night.” “He told me there are plenty of people in the world like me, I just don’t know about them yet.” “Then he started talking about forming the Avengers.” “After that, he criticized my personality.” “Said I was unpredictable, self-centered, and had no sense of teamwork.” Tony’s irritation resurfaced just from talking about Fury.
“Oh, and he also said you were on the recruitment list, but you rejected him.” “I want to know if he really approached you.” “He did.” “And I turned him down.” Roy replied.
“Why?” Tony looked at him curiously.
“I don’t work for free.” “I also have no interest in being tied down by a bunch of pointless rules.” “More importantly, I don’t like following someone else’s orders or having some so-called superior above me.” Roy answered unhurriedly.
“He didn’t criticize your personality?” Tony immediately asked.
“No.” “He wouldn’t dare criticize my personality to my face.” Roy replied.
“…” Tony immediately became even more annoyed with Nick Fury.
“Anything else?” “If not, I’m heading back.” Roy said.
“Gwen really is beautiful, but you don’t have to be that desperate to get back to her.” Tony teased him first, then continued, “The Mark III you wanted is finished.” “You can come pick it up whenever you want.” “Also, I bought a new building in Manhattan.” “It’s near the Empire State Building.” “Once the renovations are finished, it’ll become Stark Industries’ new headquarters.” “If you’re willing, I’d like to hire you as Stark Industries’ Head of Security.” “Annual salary: one hundred million dollars.” “Plus additional yearly profit sharing.” “You wouldn’t need to come to work every day.” “You’d only have to fulfill your duties when you’re actually needed.” “And if you want equity, I can transfer some shares to you and arrange for you to join the board of directors.” Head of Security?
Join the board?
Roy only thought for a few seconds before making his decision.
“Forget the Head of Security position.” “I don’t take long-term commissions.” “As for joining the board…” “I do have quite a lot of liquid capital, but at Stark Industries’ current share price, I wouldn’t be able to buy very much.” Ever since Tony had publicly declared himself Iron Man, Stark Industries’ stock price had skyrocketed.
It had already reached an all-time high and was still trending upward.
“You don’t need to worry about that.” “I’m not asking you to buy the shares at market price.” “I’ll transfer them to you at a price far below market value.” Tony explained.
“Of course, the shares will come with some restrictions on selling.” “For example, if you ever want to sell them, I get right of first refusal.” “And I’d buy them back at the original transfer price.” “Voting rights and dividends, however, won’t be restricted.” Tony might not care much about money, but he wasn’t going to casually give away his stock for next to nothing either.
He was generous.
He wasn’t stupid.
“You’re Stark Industries’ largest shareholder and hold absolute control over the company.” “Whether I join the board or not won’t affect your control.” “So why do you want me on the board?” Roy asked.
“If you’re on the board, the company will be a lot more stable.” Tony smiled.
“If nothing else, you can solve plenty of problems ordinary people simply can’t.” “Oh, and once you’re a Stark Industries director, it’ll also save you a lot of trouble when dealing with your girlfriend’s family.” “I can handle Gwen’s family just fine without being a Stark Industries director.” Roy replied.
“But since you’re so enthusiastically inviting me onto the board, I suppose I’ll indulge you and fulfill your wish.” “You’re not fulfilling my wish.” “You just can’t resist the gift I’m offering you.” Tony turned toward Happy and snapped his fingers.
Happy immediately walked over, opened the briefcase in his hand, and took out two share-transfer agreements.
Tony had already signed both documents.
“You even prepared the contracts in advance.” “You were that confident I’d agree?” Roy asked as he accepted them from Happy.
“I already told you.” “You won’t be able to refuse my gift.” Tony replied with complete confidence.