Obadiah maintained a calm facade, asking skeptically, “That sounds like a very tempting offer.
But there’s no free lunch in this world.” “What do you actually want?
Why help me?” The leader laughed contemptuously.
“Our demands are simple!” “From today onward, Stark Industries will be at our disposal.
You will cooperate with us and produce the weapons and equipment we require.
You will serve as one of our organization’s external liaisons.” Obadiah froze, then laughed out of sheer anger.
Was this even human speech?!
He had slaved away for decades, and they wanted to redefine everything with a single sentence?
He stood up directly, hands on his hips.
“What kind of joke is this?
You’re treating me like a puppet!” “I worked my ass off to control this company so I could make my own decisions, not to be your dog!
Do you really think I’m an idiot?” “Fuck!!” Obadiah pointed a finger at the leader.
“And what the hell is this organization you keep blabbering about?
A few nobodies in Halloween masks dare to swallow Stark Industries?!” “I’m telling you, that is absolutely impossible.
It will never happen!!” “I, Obadiah, will never be a slave!” The leader remained seated on the couch, unmoving.
Even facing Obadiah’s rage, he paid it no mind.
“You don’t have the luxury of choice, Mr.
Stane.” “We know everything about you.
Yes, everything.” “Including the ledger of secret weapon sales to Middle Eastern warlords, and the wire transfers paying for the hit on the Stark brothers.
All that evidence is in our hands right now.
Do you understand the consequences of refusing us?” Obadiah’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.
Damn it, these people really knew everything.
The leader ignored his reaction and continued to press.
“Furthermore, regarding our organization, I can only tell you that we control key powers and regimes across most of the world.
Our influence spans every corner of the globe.
Resolving the head of a mega-corporation without a trace is trivial for us.” The leader stood up, walked slowly over to Obadiah, and lowered his voice.
“It’s merely a small matter of replacing a leader.” The leader leaned closer, his tone dripping with menace.
“But if you refuse our offer tonight…
I assume you wouldn’t reject the sun rising tomorrow, would you?
After all, dead men can’t see the sun.” A explicit threat of death.
Obadiah’s expression was grim.
His mind raced rapidly.
If they really possessed such vast power and evidence, he truly had no choice or leeway.
Damn it!
Who were these people?!
When had such a secret organization emerged in the world?!
Obadiah fell silent for a long time.
He weighed the pros and cons repeatedly in his mind.
If he refused, he might die tonight, or go to prison for murder tomorrow.
If he accepted, although he would be a puppet, at least he would officially control Stark Industries.
Well, to stay alive, certain unnecessary bottom lines could be abandoned.
A few minutes later.
Obadiah sat back down on the couch.
He had compromised.
“I have one more question,” Obadiah asked, staring bitterly at the leader.
“If you needed a proxy, why choose me instead of the Stark brothers?” “It’s common knowledge that both brothers are rare geniuses.
The technology in Tony’s head is twenty years ahead of the world.
Luca, as much of a bastard as he is, is also world-class in biology and chemistry.
Wouldn’t controlling them be far more suitable and lucrative for you?” The leader seemed to expect this question.
He sat down as well, his tone relaxing slightly.
“We considered that long ago.
But you know their personalities better than anyone.
They are completely uncontrollable.” “Tony Stark is arrogant, and Luca Stark is an unprincipled scoundrel.
They would never obediently follow orders.
So, do you think it’s worth wasting our time on them?” Obadiah nodded and took a deep breath.
With things laid out like this, what else could he say?
He had to admit they saw right through human weaknesses.
He agreed with the reasoning—those brothers were unmanageable lunatics.
Always had been.
“Fine.” Obadiah said no more, accepting reality.
“What are you planning to do tonight?
And what should I do?” The leader stood up and adjusted his suit.
“We will dispatch professional assassins from our organization to handle them at the hotel.
Our hitmen are highly professional; they won’t leave any trace.” “All you need to do is stay quietly at home and take over the company once it’s done.
When the time is right, our people will contact you.” Without waiting for Obadiah’s reaction, the masked men turned toward the door together.
At the entrance, the leader stopped and looked back at Obadiah.
“Enjoy your evening, Mr.
Stane.
Remember to open a bottle of good wine to celebrate.
Starting tomorrow, you won’t have to walk on eggshells around those brothers anymore.” With that, they opened the door and vanished into the night.
Obadiah sat alone in the living room.
Once he was sure they were truly gone and there was no sound, he suddenly grabbed the wine bottle on the table and smashed it violently against the wall.
The bottle shattered instantly, red wine trailing down the wall like a splash of blood.
“Damn bastards!
How dare they threaten me!” Obadiah cursed venomously, his expression dark.
He despised the feeling of being held by the throat.
However, after venting his rage, he gradually calmed down.
The arrogant faces of Tony and Luca at the press conference flashed in his mind.
Obadiah smiled—a confident, sinister smile.
He realized this wasn’t so bad after all.
If someone else was willing to do the dirty work for him, why shouldn’t he enjoy the ride?
“Damn Luca, damn Tony.” “So what if you’re geniuses?
So what if you’re billionaires?
Even if you were lucky enough to escape Afghanistan, tonight you’ll still die in a woman’s bed.
Your end has come after all.” Hearing the sound of shattering glass, the housekeeper hurried in.
Obadiah waved his hand, ordering her to clean up the shards immediately.
Once the housekeeper finished and left the living room, he walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured a full glass.
He raised his glass toward the empty air.
“Farewell, Stark brothers.” Obadiah chuckled happily.
He downed the strong liquor in one gulp, finding it sweeter than ever.
He was already imagining taking over the company tomorrow morning.
That would be the most wonderful scene in the world—and, of course, a scene belonging solely to him.