103: Tony’s Hearing

Compared to the ongoing three-day battle online, the mainstream media in reality had a unified stance—full of praise.

For example, Lyon was now watching the news on the BBC channel.

Just a month ago, this channel was hinting that Superman was a dictator, one who would oppress people worldwide.

Now, the same familiar female anchor, with the same familiar smile, was saying:

"The appearance of Superman is a powerful boost of morale. He has thwarted the evil Hydra's plan for world destruction and saved millions—a beacon of light for humanity!"

"Undoubtedly, he will be the lighthouse of a new era and our closest ally here in the U.S.!"

"We've invited the renowned sociologist to provide a more in-depth analysis."

Then a professor with a "Francis" nameplate came on screen.

He cleared his throat before beginning.

Starting with Superman's kindness in comics, he extended his analysis to the real-world Superman who faced the nuclear explosion three days prior.

He concluded that this real-life Superman must certainly have had kind-hearted parents, just like the Kents.

In the end, they concluded—Superman is absolutely just and kind.

Scoff~

Lyon watched, clicking his tongue in amazement.

The same people, the same scenario.

How could these folks manage to say something completely opposite to what they'd said just a month ago with a straight face?

Didn't the boomerang of their words make them feel the slightest bit ashamed?

He hadn't expected the joke he'd made with Tony to actually become a reality.

Unless he showed some side of himself that was truly kind and soft-hearted, the media would likely keep praising him, pushing him further and further into the image of ultimate virtue.

"Superman is the embodiment of justice?" Little Sherry walked into the living room, reading out the news headline—she'd just gotten home from school.

"Hmm… you're watching this news again?"

"There's been so much of this these past few days; it's at school, on the road, everywhere."

She took a few quick steps and sat beside Lyon.

"But big bro.. Even though they're saying nice things, something feels off…"

Sherry furrowed her brow, "It's like… they're putting you, Superman, on such a high pedestal that there's no way down."

"Hey, you're exactly right," Lyon said, ruffling Sherry's hair with a bit of surprise.

"Even though everything they're saying sounds good, it's not exactly out of kindness."

If even Sherry could pick up on the issue, it showed just how exaggerated the media coverage had been these past few days.

Media worldwide was trying to elevate Superman's psychological expectations through endless praise.

The goal was to get him to redefine himself, to actually see himself as a saintly figure.

Ideally, they wanted him to think through every step he took outside, even wondering if starting with his left foot would align with his new persona.

If Superman wasn't powerful enough, this would be a form of lethal praise.

But given his resilience to nuclear blasts, it was more like a subtle form of moral manipulation.

Except Lyon didn't accept those kinds of morals, so there was no way he'd feel trapped.

Tony, on the other hand, might actually enjoy this attention.

After all, Tony had called him several times over the past three days, repeatedly expressing his envious resentment over Superman's soaring popularity.

"I knew it was like that!"

Sherry was delighted by Lyon's affirmation, feeling like she'd grown up just a bit more today.

But Sherry looked puzzled. "Then why do you watch the news every day?"

Lyon obviously couldn't say he was just watching for fun.

He cleared his throat. "Actually, I wasn't watching the news. I was waiting for your Uncle Tony's live broadcast, which just started. Let's watch it together."

Today, Tony was attending a Senate hearing about the illegal private ownership of armor.

Lyon knew the hearing probably wouldn't lead to anything serious, so he hadn't paid much attention to it.

After all, in the Hydra list published by the Rising Tide organization, quite a few names in the Senate were included, with solid evidence against them.

The higher-ups were so busy rooting out traitors and stabilizing the situation that they barely had time to give Tony any trouble.

With Tony's Iron Man status now globally recognized, this hearing was likely just a formality to grant him a legal license to manufacture armor.

Lyon waved his hand and switched the projection to the live feed of the hearing.

On screen, the seats on the podium and in the audience were packed with people.

"Mr. Tony Stark, do you have any explanation regarding the charges of illegally owning weaponized armor?" a senator asked, just as they reached the key question.

Tony rubbed his forehead. "Weapon? You think that's a weapon? How can you see it that way?"

"In fact, it's a high-tech prosthetic I developed."

"You all know about the attack I suffered in Afghanistan that left me half-disabled."

"So, I need a prosthetic to assist with everyday activities. That's pretty normal, right? I don't see any problem with it at all."

The room erupted in laughter.

Today, Tony was wearing a short-sleeve wool-knit shirt, the fitted material showing off his well-defined chest. He could easily pass as a contestant in this year's American bodybuilding competition.

Yet here he was, claiming to be a disabled man, which only made the audience laugh even more.

One of the senators stifled a laugh, deciding to skip over this and get to the real issue.

"Former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, before his detainment, strongly requested a postponement on the agency's dissolution.

He also suggested that you should take over and reorganize S.H.I.E.L.D.

What are your thoughts on this?

Was his recommendation part of some secret deal, or because you possess weaponized armor?"

Tony paused briefly. "I suppose it might be because my father was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founders, which is why he recommended me."

"But I'll emphasize once more: the so-called armor you refer to is, in reality, a high-tech prosthetic that helps me with daily mobility."

The senator frowned, clearly dissatisfied with this answer. He seemed ready to press further, but someone beside him cleared their throat as a reminder, prompting him to move to the next question.

"There is currently an international group calling themselves the 'Men In Black.' They've been seen using armor identical to yours in multiple public incidents. Do you have any comments on this? Should we suspect that Stark Industries is still selling weapons to terrorists?"

"Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous," Tony scoffed.

"To my knowledge, the Black Suits operate under Superman."

"As everyone knows, I had an encounter with Superman in Sokovia."

"If you're suggesting that the Black Suit armors similar to mine, maybe Superman stole my tech."

"As a taxpayer, may I now request that you investigate Superman on my behalf regarding copyright issues?"

"And, if you believe the MIB are a terrorist organization, feel free to command him to disband them as well."

After finishing, Tony leaned back in his chair and turned to wink at Pepper, who was sitting in the audience.

The room fell silent. Even the few murmurs that occasionally rippled through the audience ceased entirely.

Some of the senators on stage appeared visibly unsettled. What had they just heard?

Those Black Suits are under Superman's command?

Though a few had previously suspected this, there had never been any confirmation, and no one dared to confirm it. But now, Iron Man had openly suggested it—and even asked the government to confront Superman about it?

The senator who'd posed the question felt his vision blur, nearly dizzy from the shock.

Wasn't he just asking a few questions about the armor?

How had this turned into a matter involving Superman?

Great, just perfect.

Now he feared that, rather than offending Superman, he might be "forced" to turn up dead, allegedly by his own hand, once he left the building.

And there was no doubt—he knew full well that among the crazies who worshiped Superman's terrifying power, there were indeed those who might go that far!

"W-We had no such intention!" he quickly clarified.

"Please, please forgive us," the senator stammered, his hands trembling as he picked up the gavel and pounded it down. "This was... all part of the normal process. We never questioned your position."

"It's over! This hearing is now concluded, completely over! Alright, alright, end the broadcast!"

The live feed cut off, and commercials began playing on the screen.

Lyon and Sherry exchanged glances.

"Did... did Uncle Tony just accidentally reveal your relationship with the big sisters?" Sherry blinked her big eyes.

Lyon tilted his head thoughtfully.

Although he had warned Tony about the risk of leaking information, he still cautioned Sherry, "Now you see how tight-lipped your Uncle Tony is."

"His mouth is like a public bus," Lyon continued. "A secret gets on at one stop, and it's off at the next."

"Don't ever count on him to keep anything under wraps."

Sherry mimed zipping her lips. "Got it! Never tell Uncle Tony a secret!"

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