Tony devoured the burger in two or three bites, dusted off the crumbs, and took a deep breath.
“I know you all have a lot of questions.
But before you ask, I have a few important announcements to make.” His expression grew solemn, his voice echoing through the hall via the microphone.
“Over these past two months, I saw many people lose their lives because of weapons manufactured by Stark Industries.
I saw my masterpieces fall into the hands of those who should never have had them.” Hearing those words, a commotion broke out among the journalists in the audience.
Everyone assumed Tony had developed a conscience and was about to announce the closure of the weapons division.
This was massive news!
Even Obadiah, sitting in the front row, seemed to foresee something terrible.
His face turned hideous.
*Damn it, what is this guy doing?!* However, Tony’s next words caught everyone completely off guard.
“So!” Tony stood up abruptly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire room.
“After careful consideration between Luca and myself, we have decided that Stark Industries will absolutely NOT close its weapons division!” An uproar erupted throughout the hall.
“On the contrary, we will be undergoing an unprecedented, full-scale restructuring!
Effective today, we are suspending all large-scale external arms sales.” “We will channel all of the company’s funds and resources into a brand-new field—the research and development of individual defense and strike systems!” “If someone uses our weapons to strike us, then we will build even stronger weapons to destroy them.
I want the name Stark to become our enemies’ nightmare.
That is my decision.” The moment Tony finished speaking, the press hall exploded into total chaos.
Reporters raised their hands frantically to shout questions, camera flashes blinding the eyes.
“Mr.
Stark!
What do you mean by ‘individual systems’?” “If external arms sales are suspended, how will Stark Industries guarantee its profits?” Obadiah’s smile froze on his face.
*Damn it!* Tony hadn’t just suspended arms orders; he was pushing some absurd individual system initiative.
This directly severed his cash flow from laundering money through illegal arms trafficking.
While the reporters were desperately shouting questions, Luca, who had been standing quietly off to the side, lightly tapped the microphone.
*Thump, thump.* The crisp sound quelled the uproar.
Everyone shifted their attention to this younger Stark brother.
Luca adjusted his suit, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
“Friends of the media, don’t be in such a rush.
Aside from the strategic restructuring Tony announced, as the second-largest shareholder of Stark Industries, I also have a small internal company matter to declare.” Luca deliberately slowed his speech, his gaze casually drifting over Obadiah sitting below.
“While we were vacationing in the desert, we discovered that a few filthy little rats seem to have snuck into our house.
These rats secretly sold our itinerary to outsiders.” The moment the words left his mouth, the entire room was rocked with shock.
This was an outright public admission that an insider high up in Stark Industries was involved in the kidnapping!
Ignoring the reporters’ shock, Luca continued in a loud, clear voice: “The Stark family hates rats more than anything.” “Therefore, starting tomorrow, Stark Industries will hire the world’s top independent auditing team to conduct a full review.” “This will include, but is not limited to, a comprehensive internal investigation into the dedicated financial accounts, offshore accounts, and all internal capital flows of senior board members.” “If any rat took money they shouldn’t have taken, we will drag them out into the light!” When Luca finished, he made a throat-slashing gesture right at the cameras.
Arrogant, wild, utterly reckless.
That was Luca’s unyielding style.
Meanwhile, Obadiah’s old face had turned deathly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
His heart began to hammer in his chest.
The blood money sent to that bald leader had been transferred directly from his own encrypted account.
Though he believed he had covered his tracks seamlessly, if the Stark brothers truly set aside everything to relentlessly audit all capital flows, it was only a matter of time before they traced it back to his head.
Obadiah panicked.
He had to wipe out all transaction traces and transfer those dirty funds before the auditing team moved in.
In that moment, the prey took the bait Luca had dangled.
*** The press conference ended in absolute chaos and shock.
Escorted by Happy and other security guards, Tony and Luca walked out through the hall’s side exit.
Just then, a middle-aged man with a dangerously receding hairline and a gentle, friendly demeanor blocked their path.
“Hello, Mr.
Starks.” The man handed over a business card with a professional smile.
“I’m Agent Phil Coulson.” “I represent the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
I was hoping to take a few minutes of your time to learn about the details of your escape from the Afghan desert.
Particularly…
regarding the massive explosion that took place there.” Coulson’s eyes lingered on Luca for a few subtle seconds.
In truth, after they escaped, SHIELD had discovered the wreckage of the destroyed terrorist base via military satellite.
Furthermore, satellite sensors had detected an unidentified high-energy reaction at that location right before the explosion.
Director Nick Fury keenly sensed that this might be connected to the Stark brothers—specifically Luca, who was supposed to be completely defenseless.
Luca and Tony stared in confusion.
They had no idea who this guy was, nor what this absurdly named agency was supposed to be.
Hearing the ridiculously long title, Luca rolled his eyes dramatically.
“What the hell?!
Strategic Homeland Whatever-The-Fuck Logistics Division?
Good lord, is that the name of a sewer maintenance company?
Is your department responsible for unclogging the Pentagon’s toilets?” Luca casually shoved the business card into Happy’s hands.
“Sorry, Agent Hairline.
We don’t have time for your survey.
We’ve got a luxury yacht party to catch.” “If you want to know what we did in the desert, go buy tomorrow’s paper.” Without a second thought, Luca shoved past Coulson and climbed into the car with Tony.
Coulson stood in place, watching the limousine drive away, and let out a helpless sigh.
He pressed his earpiece communicator and reported in a low voice: “Director.
Initial contact failed.
These brothers are even more arrogant and difficult than rumors suggest.
Especially Luca Stark—his physical condition doesn’t look at all like someone who was held captive for two months.
We need to place them under heavy surveillance.” Nick Fury’s cold, calm voice came through the comms: “Keep watching them.
Since they made such a massive scene, they’re definitely hiding something.”