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"Shocking news—Osborn Industries' Genetic Lab has been shut down! Professor Curt Connors, head of the facility, is now under close police surveillance. Rumor has it that the strange monster that suddenly appeared…"
Early the next morning, Obadiah Stane walked into his office and saw the bold headline splashed across the front page of the newspaper.
"Osborn Industries? Hmph. Trying to steal defense contracts from me? Serves them right."
Obadiah couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction reading the news.
Though the public still didn't know about Tony Stark's disappearance, high-ranking government officials were already well aware.
Because of that, Stark Industries' influence with the military had dropped like a rock after losing their genius weapons expert.
And right at that moment, Osborn Industries seemed to have gotten some inside scoop. Taking advantage of Tony's disappearance, they'd started cozying up to the military and were even on the verge of signing a huge long-term deal.
"Luckily, we didn't come out of this empty-handed either. It cost us a bit, but in the end, we managed to land a spot in the government's post-disaster rescue and rebuilding project."
Sure, Tony going missing had weakened Stark Industries' standing with the upper brass.
But for Obadiah, it was a golden opportunity to fully seize control of the company.
And while the "rescue and rebuilding" project seemed like a money-losing deal on the surface, Obadiah knew it would bring some unexpected benefits.
"Get me all the major stakeholders and execs. I'm calling an emergency meeting in half an hour."
After giving the order to his secretary and hanging up the phone, Obadiah grinned uncontrollably, thinking about the special gains he'd made in the new government partnership.
Half an hour later…
The large meeting room was already packed. Everyone was dressed to the nines—sharp suits, expensive ties—the very picture of corporate success.
These were the top executives and shareholders of Stark Industries.
"Mr. Stane, what's going on? You called this urgent meeting out of nowhere—is something wrong with the company?"
Now that everyone had arrived, they all stared toward the head of the long table. Obadiah was sitting in the CEO's chair with his back to them, not saying a word.
Finally, one of the shareholders couldn't hold back and asked, clearly anxious.
As shareholders, they had already heard rumors that things weren't looking good for Stark Industries.
"Oh? Sounds like someone here doesn't believe in the future of our company. In that case, I'll go ahead and take those shares off your hands. Don't worry—I'll pay top dollar."
Obadiah didn't even turn around, but his voice was full of pressure and dominance.
"Uh… Mr. Stane, that's not what I meant…"
Of course, the shareholder didn't want to give up his shares so easily.
"Too bad. You're no longer a shareholder. And since that's the case, you don't get to attend this meeting."
The moment Obadiah said that, two large men in black suits and sunglasses—who'd clearly been waiting nearby—walked into the room. Ignoring the man's protests, they dragged him out like it was nothing.
"Now then… I hereby announce the official establishment of Stark Industries' Bio-Genetics Laboratory—effective immediately."
"Anyone object? Anyone approve?"
Obadiah slowly turned his chair around, staring them down as he laid out his decision with an unshakable tone.
"Mr. Stane, why are you suddenly opening—"
Pepper Potts, as Tony's executive assistant, had the right to attend this high-level meeting. But just as she was about to ask her question, Obadiah cut her off.
"Congratulations, Ms. Potts. On behalf of Tony, I'm giving you six months of paid vacation. So you won't be involved in company business for a while."
"So… anyone else got a problem with this?"
Given the situation, no one dared speak up. After all, it was just a new genetics lab—didn't seem like a big deal.
"Hmph, smart choice."
Obadiah flashed them a warm smile, but in his heart, he was sneering coldly.
Meanwhile, at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, inside Director Nick Fury's office…
"So, it's been nearly two weeks since Tony Stark went missing—and you're telling me you still have nothing? Are my S.H.I.E.L.D. agents all a bunch of amateurs!?"
Nick Fury's already pitch-black face looked even darker now.
It had been almost half a month and they still hadn't found a single trace of the missing scientists. It was like they'd vanished into thin air.
"Sorry, Director. We've scoured hidden zones around the world. We even sent agents to Wakanda—that backward farming country in Africa."
"Unfortunately, still no luck. But we've started expanding the search to the polar regions now. If we don't find anything there either, then I'm afraid…"
Agent Hill didn't look too optimistic either.
To find those missing scientists, S.H.I.E.L.D. had mobilized over ten thousand lower-tier agents for a global sweep.
And still, no progress. In fact, they'd received more bad news—another lab had been cleared out completely during the search.
"Director, we haven't found any solid proof yet, but my gut tells me this is all connected to him. Should we shift our focus to—"
"Absolutely not. The President has issued a directive, and under a U.N.-backed agreement, no country or organization is allowed to investigate anything related to him."
Of course Agent Hill could feel it—and there was no way Fury didn't as well.
But even if they had proof, what good would it do?
At this point, that guy's status on Earth was practically god-tier. Every country was walking on eggshells around him. No one dared provoke him. No one wanted to be the next to experience what happened to the moon.
No one wanted to see one of their major cities erased off the map overnight.
"Fine. Keep the investigation going. But as for the outcome…"
Truth be told, Fury wasn't expecting much anymore.
Ring ring ring…
"Go ahead and answer it right here. Let's see if it's another disaster."
Fury crossed his arms and grumbled, just like the last time.
"Hello? This is Hill. What? Another missing scientist? You mean Professor Connors—the one already under tight police watch?"
"Great… just what I thought. Another piece of bad news."
Nick Fury didn't need Hill to report in—he already knew it was bad news. Again.
"Director, Professor Connors is missing…"
Riiing riiing…
Hill had barely hung up from one call and started briefing Fury when her phone rang again.
"You're gonna—uh, you know what? Just take it outside this time."
As Hill's phone rang for the second time, Fury's commanding tone softened a bit. Even as the director, he couldn't stand being contradicted twice in a row in front of his own people.
"Yes, sir."
Hill stifled a laugh, gave a quick nod, and stepped out of the office to take the call.
But just as the door closed behind her, it was suddenly thrown open again. Her usual composed demeanor was completely gone—she looked shaken.
"Director, they just said… they found something under the Arctic ice…"
"....."