Los Angeles, Stark Industries branch.
A press conference.
Eddie and Phil squeezed into the crowd, holding their cameras, determined to be the first to capture a photo of Tony Stark, who had been missing for three months.
From being of unknown fate to returning home.
What had Tony Stark experienced during these three months? What did he hope to express by holding this press conference?
These were questions everyone wanted answered.
Not just the reporters.
News of Tony Stark's return had spread across the internet.
The news had spread, and now everyone was eager to hear what the genius inventor, playboy, billionaire... the man with countless titles, the ultimate winner, would say at the press conference.
Anton and Betty stood on the periphery of the crowd, watching a black car pull up to the entrance of Stark Industries' branch.
"He's here," Anton said softly, his eyes fixed on the figure in the passenger seat.
Betty focused her gaze.
Tony Stark, his right hand in a sling, got out of the passenger seat, greeted by an old bald man.
He still sported his signature, sexy mustache and was impeccably dressed in a suit.
On the surface, Tony Stark's first public appearance since his disappearance looked no different than it had been three months prior.
Betty could sense a subtle, indescribable shift in this person.
His demeanor was drastically different.
"I have a feeling he's about to say something unbelievable."
Anton crossed his arms, watching Tony Stark walk onto the stage.
Then.
"Anton, good to see you again."
A familiar voice called out. Turning, he saw Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D.
He didn't seem surprised to see Anton here.
Anton wasn't surprised to run into him here, either.
"Can we talk alone?"
Coulson glanced at Betty, who was standing beside Anton, and said seriously, "I need to confirm a few things with you."
"Of course."
Anton looked at Betty and followed Coulson to the edge of the crowd.
He then asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
Coulson said, "Regarding Obadiah Stane, we haven't found any evidence that he was involved in the attempt on Tony Stark's life. However, we've discovered that Tony's disappearance is connected to an organization called the Ten Rings. This organization has a strong presence in Afghanistan and is secretly colluding with many underground organizations..."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Anton interrupted Coulson impatiently, without any attempt at politeness.
Coulson asked, "Are you familiar with the organization known as the Ten Rings?"
"The Ten Rings?"
Anton stroked his chin and shook his head. "I don't know them, so I can't help you."
He wasn't lying.
Information about the Ten Rings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was very obscure.
In the early world-building of the entire movie universe, apart from the name "Mandarin," the Ten Rings didn't reveal any important information. Even the Mandarin who appeared and was captured in Iron Man 3 was fake.
If he had to say he knew something, Anton could only judge based on his superficial understanding of the comic book world.
This could only be considered an unknown.
"Alright."
Seeing this, Coulson didn't press further. "Inform us immediately if anything comes up."
Anton nodded.
Following that, he watched Coulson enter the venue and approach Tony's assistant, Pepper Potts, to say something.
At the same time, the entire venue erupted in an uproar, filled with gasps.
A group of reporters went wild, rushing to the podium and surrounding Tony Stark.
Clearly, Tony had announced that important decision.
Closing down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division.
As an arms dealing giant, shutting down the weapons manufacturing division meant Stark Industries was withdrawing from the industry they were so proud of. This was absolutely shocking news.
Betty stood in the hall, taking in every word Tony Stark said.
Suddenly, she recalled Anton's prediction.
"...He's going to say some incredible things next."
Betty exhaled, murmuring, "This really is incredible."
Thump, thump, thump!
Footsteps echoed in her ears.
Turning around, she saw Anton, a smile on his face. He was looking at Tony on the stage, who was still talking to himself, his expression calm.
"Anton, you were right!"
Betty still had a look of shock on her face. "You absolutely won't believe what Tony Stark just said."
"Shut down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division?" Anton asked with a smile.
"You heard it?"
Betty was stunned, then said, "Do you know how terrifying this news is? A giant in the arms industry is going to withdraw. This will be a huge blow to Stark Industries. The board members of Stark Industries will never allow Tony Stark to make this decision, but Tony Stark is the soul of Stark Industries. When he says this, it means..."
Anton crossed his arms. "It means Stark Industries will be in internal turmoil, and the outside world will be pessimistic about Stark Industries. Tomorrow, Stark Industries' valuation will drop by at least 40 points."
"That's right."
Betty nodded, suddenly admiring him a little. "This guy is so courageous. I really don't know what he went through in Afghanistan."
"That's his story, it has nothing to do with us."
Anton revealed a smile and instructed, "Starting tomorrow, keep an eye on Stark Industries' stock. Buy as much as possible at the lowest point, using all the resources I can access. Buy as much as we can."
"What?"
Betty was taken aback. "You dare to buy Stark Industries' stock at a time like this? Aren't you afraid of losing everything?"
"You said it yourself, Stark is the soul of Stark Industries," Anton said. "I'm just showing faith in Tony Stark."
"You're crazy!"
Betty was completely baffled.
In her opinion, this was undoubtedly a gamble.
And judging by the amount of funds Anton could mobilize, if he lost, it would be a disastrous loss.
"Betty, the more you don't understand now, the more you'll admire me later."
Anton laughed heartily.
While the two were talking, Tony Stark was led away, and Obadiah Stane took the stage to speak in Tony's place.
"The main purpose of today is to inform everyone that Tony is back, and he is in good health... We will discuss everything he just said internally, and we will inform everyone of the final decision in a timely manner!"
Obadiah Stane explained, wearing a smile that was worse than a cry.
At this time, Tony had already followed his assistant, Pepper Potts, and his driver, Happy Hogan, into the car they had arrived in and driven away.
Before leaving, Tony saw Anton standing at the door.
He clearly recognized Anton, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
But he didn't say anything, just exchanged a look with Anton and nodded slightly, as a form of greeting.
"This kid doesn't seem so arrogant anymore!"
After the press conference, before Anton and Betty left, he thought about the look Tony Stark gave him when he left, and sighed with emotion.
Since Tony Stark left Afghanistan, he was no longer that simple playboy with many titles.
All of these titles will soon be replaced by a nickname.
Iron Man.
"Anton, what are you thinking about?"
On the way back, Betty woke Anton, who was lost in thought, and asked curiously, "You've been acting strange since just now."
"It's nothing."
Anton came back to his senses and said lightly, "I just thought today's press conference was very interesting."
Witnessing the birth of Iron Man was like witnessing history.
It really was very interesting.
-----------------------
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