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Chapter 100: Pre-Emptive

"Why aren't you doing it? Our agreement was to kill him on the spot, not just kidnap him!"

"You didn't mention that it was Tony Stark who needed to be killed. I've changed my mind. He's a golden goose who can provide me with more than you can."

"Damn it! Triple the price and kill him!"

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it when the time comes. You can consider him as good as dead."

Stark turned off the video, his face reflecting his distress.

He never imagined that Thor's own enemy would turn out to be someone he knew so well—Obadiah Stane, the veteran of his company who had supported him for decades.

Additionally, the USB flash drive contained files revealing inhumane devices created by Obadiah and weapons sold to terrorists without authorization.

No wonder Thor had said he wouldn't believe it without evidence.

Meanwhile, in a laboratory, Obadiah was examining a pair of heavily modified armor—the Mark 1.

The armor, which was previously damaged, had been extensively repaired and upgraded with advanced weaponry. However, a significant issue remained—a large hole in its core.

The most crucial component of the armor—the energy core, also known as the Arc Reactor—was missing.

"Tell me, how long will it take to shrink this down enough to fit?" Obadiah demanded, gripping an experimenter's chest with one hand while pointing at a massive energy battery with the other.

"Sorry, it's too difficult. The current technology can't handle it," the experimenters replied, showing signs of distress.

"That's nonsense! Stark did it in a day!"

"Sorry, but I'm not Stark..."

Obadiah vented his frustration, knowing that without Stark's technology, replicating the Arc Reactor was nearly impossible.

At that moment, an employee came in with news of Stark's recent activities.

"He just returned from Thor's estate, looking serious. He's locked himself in the study and instructed that no one should disturb him."

Obadiah's expression changed.

"Since he knows I sent someone to kill him, he probably realizes I'm behind the kidnapping of Tony. They're closely connected. Could it be..."

People with guilty consciences tend to overthink, but in this case, Obadiah was correct.

Deciding he could not wait any longer, he resolved to act first.

While Stark was still contemplating how to deal with Obadiah on the sofa, Obadiah took the initiative. He incapacitated Stark, who had not yet put on his armor, using an unauthorized paralyzing device, and seized the Arc Reactor from his chest.

"Stark, you're clever, but your Arc Reactor and my team's efforts can't be replicated easily."

Obadiah boasted, "But I can take it directly from you. Just wait, Stark Industries will soon be mine. It's a shame you won't live to see it."

With that, he left the villa with the reactor, leaving Stark to die.

At this moment, Stark felt a deep sense of desperation...

In the original story, Pepper Potts had secretly kept the first-generation reactor that Stark had replaced, which had saved his life at a critical moment.

Currently, Pepper Potts was processing documents for Thor at his estate.

Fortunately, Stark had a loyal assistant, Happy.

"Oh no! Boss, what's happened to you?"

Happy's exclamation startled Stark, who had been waiting for death. He weakly gestured towards his chest and then pointed towards the door.

"Do you want me to take you out?"

Stark's forehead was lined with veins as he struggled to speak. "Reactor... basement... trash can..."

Happy hurried to the basement and began rummaging through the trash.

Fortunately, Obadiah had confronted Stark earlier than expected, and Stark had only replaced the reactor that afternoon.

If it had been any longer, the reactor would have been disposed of with the garbage, which would have been disastrous.

Just before the shrapnel could reach his heart, Happy finally found the Arc Reactor and quickly reinstalled it in Stark's chest.

"Ah... this year has been so unkind to me. I almost died again!"

Stark gasped for air and gratefully said, "If you hadn't arrived in time, I would have been out of a job tomorrow."

Happy smiled. "It's thanks to Mr. Thor. He called and asked me to come to you with the documents for the transfer of equity, saying it's needed for tomorrow."

Stark's expression darkened once more.