While the group was standing on the tarmac trading jabs, a black stretch limousine slowly pulled up and stopped in front of them.
The door opened.
A burly, bald old man with a full beard stepped out.
This was a veteran executive of Stark Industries—and the prime suspect the two brothers had been debating on the plane: Obadiah Stane.
His facial expression control was worthy of an Oscar.
The moment he saw Tony and Luca, ecstatic emotion burst across his face.
He opened his arms and strode forward.
“Oh!
Thank God!
My boys!
You’re finally back!” Obadiah shouted, first pulling Tony into a tight hug and forcefully clapping him on the back.
“Tony, you’ve lost so much weight.
I almost couldn’t recognize you.
You have no idea how I survived these past two months.
I pulled every string I had trying to find you.” His voice trembled slightly, his performance remarkably lifelike.
Tony was held in Obadiah’s embrace.
In the past, he would have been deeply touched.
But now, because of the reasoning on the plane, Tony felt a bit stiff.
Still, he forced down his discomfort and squeezed out a tired smile.
“Uncle Obie, sorry for making you worry.
I just took a long vacation in the desert and happened to lose some weight along the way.” Obadiah released Tony and turned to Luca.
However, seeing that Luca had not only failed to lose weight but had actually grown even more robust and muscular, he was utterly baffled.
A flash of shock and gloom crossed his eyes.
Fortunately, he masked it well, opening his arms once more to embrace Luca.
“Luca, my young master!
Seeing you so full of energy makes me so happy.” Luca stared at him, sneering in his heart.
*Hypocritical old fox!* Yet he didn’t dodge.
Instead, he warmly embraced Obadiah right back.
Except, as Luca hugged him, he deliberately cranked up the pressure.
With Luca’s current strength, this “enthusiastic hug” was packed with deep, heavy love.
It squeezed Obadiah until his old face turned beet red, nearly choking the breath right out of his lungs.
“Oh, Uncle Obie!
You have no idea how much I missed you while in that cave!” Luca yelled right in Obadiah’s ear, putting on a show of intense excitement.
Sweating profusely from the pain, Obadiah hastily pushed Luca off and coughed awkwardly a couple of times.
“Cough, cough…
Luca, you sure are strong.
Looks like the desert environment really builds character.” Gasping for air, Obadiah quickly swapped to a face of deep concern as he looked at the two brothers.
“It’s wonderful that you’re back.
Listen, you don’t need to worry about anything from here on out.
I’ll arrange the best doctors to give you full checkups.” “You don’t need to bother with the board of directors either.
I’ll temporarily take over all operations and handle everything for you.
What you two need to do right now is rest up for a few months.” Obadiah’s tone was incredibly sincere, as if everything he said was entirely for their own good.
To Luca’s ears, however, the intent rang loud and clear.
Fresh off the plane, and the old man was already impatient to strip their control over the board under the pretext of “rest.” Talk about an ugly cash grab.
“Uncle Obie, did your high blood pressure flare up recently?
Are you a little muddled in the head?” “What do you mean ‘temporarily take over all operations’?
Stark Industries’ surname is Stark, not Stane.” “Even if Tony and I were stuck in wheelchairs typing code with our toes, we could still run this company with our eyes closed.” “Besides, I just told Happy to charter me a yacht for a party.
Where on earth would I find time to rest?” “As for you, Uncle Obie—at your age, with your beard already turning white, you’re still stressing over company business every day.
If you ask me, you’re the one who needs a vacation to Hawaii to find a few local aunties and dance the hula.” Luca fired off a rapid-fire barrage, leaving Obadiah zero face.
In any case, he had always had this kind of hot-headed, arrogant temper, so talking like this was completely in character.
Obadiah froze, his smile stiffening on his face.
He wished he could strangle this sharp-tongued little brat right here and now.
Two months in captivity and terrorists couldn’t kill him, yet he comes back with the exact same obnoxious, foul temper!
On the surface, however, Obadiah suppressed his rage and squeezed out an awkward smile.
“Haha…
Luca, you still haven’t cured that habit of joking around.
I’m just concerned for you boys.” “Alright, Obie,” Tony spoke up at that moment.
Though he had chosen to reserve judgment for now, there was no way he would hand over control of the company.
Tony turned to Pepper.
“Potts, notify the media immediately.
In one hour, at Stark Industries headquarters, I’m holding a press conference.” “And Happy—go buy burgers right now.
Miss a single one, and I’m docking a month of your pay.” With that, Tony grabbed Luca and pulled him straight into the car.
Watching the limousine speed away, Obadiah stood in place, his face turning dark as night.
His fists clenched tight, murder glowing in his eyes.
Those two little bastards actually made it back alive.
And from the looks of it, they seemed to have realized something.
*** An hour later, inside the press conference hall at Stark Industries headquarters.
The room was packed with journalists from major media outlets across the United States and the entire world.
Countless camera flashes flickered like a sea of stars, illuminating the hall almost as bright as daylight.
Everyone wanted to know what the two missing geniuses of the Stark family would say after surviving their ordeal.
In the backstage hallway, Tony had changed into a tailored suit, a cheeseburger in hand.
As he walked, he took large bites of the burger, a look of pure bliss on his face.
Luca had also changed into a suit, his hair styled to perfection, a luxury watch gleaming on his wrist.
Dressed like this, combined with his ridiculously handsome face…
no one would ever believe he was here for a press conference; he looked more like a Hollywood star attending an awards ceremony.
“Tony, are you sure you want to go on stage while eating a burger?
It makes the company’s stock look very unserious,” Luca teased with a smile, adjusting his collar.
“It’s called being casual.
I want those who thought I was dying to see that my appetite is better than ever,” Tony said around a mouthful of burger.
The two walked out to the stage.
The boisterous hall instantly fell dead silent.
Every lens focused straight on them.
Tony walked right up to the edge of the stage steps and sat down.
“Everyone sit down, don’t stand up.
Looking up at you like this tires out my neck.” Tony waved his hand, signaling the reporters in front to sit on the floor.
This casual gesture caught everyone off guard.
Yet that was classic Tony Stark style.
Luca unhurriedly walked over to the side of the podium, leaned against the table, and looked down at the crowd with a smile.
In the front row of VIP seats, he saw Obadiah smiling back at them.
*Excellent.
Let the show begin.*