Chapter 72: Obadiah Stane

"So I had my eyes opened. I came to realise that I have more to offer to this world than making things blow up," Toni declares with determination as she stands at the podium.

"And that is why, effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons division of Stark International," Toni speaks definitively.

"Stark, Ms. Stark," the reporters go wild as they rush to get a statement from her.

Obadiah comes to the podium, trying to pull Toni gently away. You arrive silently, just a small distance away from Toni for the real fun part.

"Until such a time that I can decide what the future of the company will be, what direction this will take," Toni speaks her words and steps aside near you.

"Well, the one thing you can gather from this conference is that Toni is back," Obadiah speaks awkwardly from the podium.

"Well, yes, I am back, even though you tried your damned hardest to make sure I never came back," Toni speaks up from beside Obadiah, making the reporters go silent.

"Wh-what do you mean, Toni?" Obadiah asks with a stutter as he faces her.

"Luke, will you?" She gives you a look, and you nod. Before you can send the signal to D.A.I.S.Y., she lowers the projector screen herself, where the video for the ransom money is played with English-translated voices.

The reporters look on in bafflement at Obadiah.

"This is all editing. You know me, Toni. Why would I do anything like this?" Obadiah tries to appeal to Toni, who is looking stoically at him.

"We have solid proof, including bank accounts, money trails, and video evidence, that the terrorists who kidnapped Toni were being funded by the COO of Stark International, Obadiah Stane," you speak up as the cameras point toward you.

"That is bullshit," Obadiah says, pointing at you angrily.

"Take him away," Toni says angrily with narrowed eyes.

The FBI, which were on standby, enter and handcuff Obadiah.

"How can you do this to me? After everything that I have done for you! You will pay for this, Toni. You will pay!" Obadiah Stane shouts at the top of his lungs as the FBI escorts him away.

Toni sighs with her hand to her head.

"Miss Stark, Mr. Watson," the reporters start clamouring again at such a grand reveal.

"Are you all right, Toni?" you ask softly. She just nods and looks again at the reporters.

"This is just one of the changes that we will see in the future ... Pepper Potts will be joining us, leaving her post at the Watson Group, as the new COO of Stark International," Toni announces with a forced smile as she waves her hand toward Pepper.

Pepper awkwardly gets on the stage. As she tries to answer the press's questions, you and Toni slip away through the back entrance.

"Where to now, your house in Malibu?" you ask with a raised brow at Toni, who is still eating a cheeseburger with Happy carrying a huge pack behind you both.

"Let's go see this tower you keep talking about. I'm in a generous mood today, so if you say please I might even help you update your A.I. at least improve it upto Jarvis's standards," Toni suggests with a smirk. Before you can reply, your phone lights up with a childish female voice speaking from its speakers.

"I'm way better than an old fossil like Jarvis. Hmph!" D.A.I.S.Y. retorts with an irritated tone.

"Your A.I. is a spicy one," Toni observes with a giggle.

"Sorry, this was the new addition of the tsundere module," you explain with a wry smile.

"What is tsundere?" Toni asks with intrigue.

"Well, I'll have to teach you a lot of stuff, it seems," you say with a smile as you both head toward her car.

---

Obadiah Stane looks out of the window of the armoured car taking him to some prison in anger. His mind is clouded with disbelief and rage when suddenly the car takes a turn and goes inside a warehouse and stops abruptly.

The men in FBI clothes who were sitting with him open the door and get out.

Obadiah looks around in confusion, then gets out cautiously. He sees the men stand in line on both sides.

"Welcome, Mr. Stane. You must be wondering why you are not inside a jail cell or in a prison?" A magnetic woman's voice comes from inside a room as she appears before Obadiah, walking between the rows of FBI men toward him.

"Who are you people? Are you really FBI?" Obadiah asks with knitted brows.

"Let's first get these cuffs off you." The woman waves her hand at a man, and an FBI uniformed guy goes toward Obadiah and takes off his cuffs.

"We would like you to join us, Mr. Stane," the woman speaks with a smile.

"Are you the Hellfire Club or something? Look, I don't care who you are. I will join you guys if you let me have my revenge on Toni, who took everything that rightfully belonged to me. Me!!" Obadiah yells in rage.

"We can definitely help you with that, but we are not some small club. We are Hydra."

"Hail Hydra!" "Hail Hydra!" The rows of FBI uniformed men shout in unison

"And you can call me Viper!"

***

Chosen Plan for the next Month: Prepared for War +DAISY

Super Costume: 1 Energy

Design and manufacture a high-tech suit with enhanced durability and functionality for your future superhero persona.

Super Costume (Enhanced): 2 Energy

Upgrade the super costume with advanced technology such as integrated AI, enhanced sensors, or adaptive camouflage.

Filter Mask: 1 Energy

Develop a lightweight device that filters and purifies the surrounding air, allowing the wearer to breathe, in toxic or low-oxygen environments.

Anti-cognitive Mask: 2 Energy

This mask uses advanced cloaking technology to disrupt facial recognition and cognitive association processes. When worn, it prevents individuals from linking the wearer to their civilian identity, making it ideal for heroes and spies who need to maintain anonymity.

Research Mutant Genetics and Abilities Part-2: 2 Energy

Allocate resources to further study mutant genetics and abilities, aiming to better understand the nature of superpowers and potentially develop new treatments or enhancements.

Quantum Tech: 4 Energy

Start researching into Quantum Core Tech, and unlock the Quantum Tech branch.

Expert Training: 3 Energy

The increase in experience of all Powers will be like this: 60/Tier 1; 50/Tier2 ; 40/Tier 3; 30/Tier 4; 20/Tier5

Tier 2: 2 Energy

Increase in experience of any 4 powers.