Tony's Unexpected Visit
Learn photography?
Peter looked at the DSLR camera and various lenses on the table, his young face full of confusion.
He had been interning at the agency for several days now.
However, during these days, Russell hadn't assigned him any serious tasks.
He was either told to do homework at the agency or to clean up the place.
The only somewhat serious task he had done was organizing the incoming commission letters, but from his observations, Russell, who was nominally a private detective, showed no interest in those letters.
"Sir, may I ask why you want me to learn photography?" Peter asked, his face still puzzled.
"Photography is an important skill, especially for young men."
"Imagine this: when you go on a trip with your girlfriend, if you can't take good photos of her, it would be heart-wrenching."
"A man who can take photographs not only becomes more charming but also adds an air of elegance."
"You're young now, and there are some things you don't understand yet. You'll realize it as you grow up."
Russell spoke earnestly.
Though he sounded serious, Peter couldn't shake the feeling that he was intentionally concealing something.
"Alright, sir!"
Peter furrowed his brow slightly and quickly responded.
As Peter started fiddling with the camera and lenses on the table, Russell picked up the game controller again, resuming his quest.
Teaching Peter photography was merely a spontaneous idea that crossed his mind.
In some universes, Peter not only enjoyed photography but also became a photographer for a newspaper.
In this world, perhaps due to his background, Peter hadn't cultivated an interest in photography.
That was alright; as long as he was around, Peter wouldn't face a scenario of "three generations of photography misery, a lifetime destroyed by a DSLR."
As Peter tinkered with the camera and lenses, Russell resumed playing his console game.
The two of them were silent, each immersed in their respective tasks.
Just when Peter thought it was going to be another uneventful day, the agency's door suddenly swung open.
A burly man in a black suit, with a genial face, walked in.
Once inside the agency, this man quickly scanned Russell and Peter.
Then, with a serious expression, he surveyed the environment, seemingly confirming its safety, almost like a bodyguard assessing the security of the place.
While the man inspected the environment like a bodyguard, a voice sounded from behind him.
"Move aside, Happy, you're blocking me!"
It was Tony Stark's voice.
Happy promptly stepped aside, allowing Tony, wearing sunglasses and an expensive custom-made suit, to enter the agency.
Inside the agency, after giving Russell a glance, Tony turned to Happy and said, "Happy, take this young man outside."
"Yes, sir!"
Without hesitation, Happy swiftly came to Peter and led the bewildered boy out of the agency.
Upon exiting, Happy made sure to close the agency's door.
"Sorry, took a few days to handle things over in Los Angeles, came a bit late."
Tony took off his sunglasses, spoke slowly to Russell, and placed them in his pocket.
"You're not late; take a seat, let's chat."
Russell put down the game controller, gesturing towards the chairs in front of his desk.
"I'd rather stand." Tony glanced at the chair in front of him and said again.
"As you wish."
Tony casually tucked the sunglasses into his front pocket and said slowly, "I've come this time not only to deliver the reward you requested but also for another matter."
"What matter?"
Russell glanced at the slightly shining chest of Tony and asked directly.
Small-scale Arc Reactor!
He did manage to make it!
"I would like to invite you to become the Head of Security for Stark Industries!"
Tony said with utmost seriousness.
Russell didn't answer Tony immediately.
At this moment, he received a message from the system.
"Reward: Endosymbiotic Battle Armor; Status: Activated; Activation Conditions: Prevent Tony Stark from becoming Iron Man due to a kidnapping incident; Activation Effect: Upon activation, obtain the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor!"
After glancing at the system message, he closed the system message and said to Tony, "The Head of Security for Stark Industries is no ordinary position. Do you trust me that much, especially considering this is only the second time we've met?"
"Counting this time, we've only met twice."
It seemed Tony had anticipated this response; he quickly added, "Do you know the first thing I did when I returned to Los Angeles?"
"What did you do?"
"I checked your background, Mr. Traveler."
Russell wasn't surprised that Tony had investigated him. When he had told Tony his name, he had been prepared for Tony to look into his background.
However, he didn't expect that upon returning to Los Angeles, Tony didn't immediately address the Obadiah issue but instead investigated his background.
"Now that you know I'm an Traveler, you should also know I'm not a good person."
"Inviting me to be the Head of Security at Stark Industries isn't a wise decision."
Russell looked at Tony and said with a smile.
"Of course, you're not a good person, but you're a dependable person."
"When you chose to save me in Afghanistan instead of killing me, I believe I have something you want."
"Joining Stark Industries, I can give you whatever you want."
Tony said confidently.
Looking at Tony's confident expression, Russell helplessly shook his head.
'To say such things without even knowing what I want, truly worthy of Tony Stark.'
"What I want, you can't give me."
"As for the position of Head of Security, your bodyguard Happy would be more suitable."
Russell decisively declined Tony's invitation.
Although he didn't dislike Tony, the idea of working under Tony was out of the question.
'Why not just be my own boss? Why bother going to work for someone else?'
"If you're not interested, that's okay."
Tony didn't take Russell's refusal to heart.
"By the way, I've been working on some new little inventions lately. If you have the time, I hope you can come over and take a look sometime."
Tony continued.
For some reason, when Tony spoke those words, Russell sensed a certain competitive spirit emanating from him.
Could this guy be planning to fight me wearing the Iron Man armor?
"Los Angeles is quite far away. I have no plans to go there anytime soon."
Russell said slowly.
"No need to go to Los Angeles. I forgot to mention, I'll be in New York for a while. If you want to see me, you can come to Stark Tower anytime."
After speaking, Tony took an envelope from his coat pocket and placed it on the table.
"This is your reward."
After placing the envelope down, Tony turned and left the agency.
Russell picked up the envelope and opened it, glancing inside.
Inside the envelope was a bank draft from a Swiss bank.
The amount: 600 million USD!
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