Chapter 63: New Investment

After concluding his conversation with Pepper Potts, Link hung up the phone and turned to Fisk. "Stark Industries will soon contact your company. They'll conduct an assessment and evaluation. My charitable foundation will also step in, investing in the project under its name."

"That's fantastic news," Fisk said, clearly pleased. Link's involvement, especially with his substantial liquidity, meant they could quickly develop several plots of land. With Rand Group and Stark Industries in the mix, the pace of development would only accelerate.

Link offered a word of caution, "This is a huge opportunity for you, Fisk. But whether you can capitalize on it depends entirely on how well you handle the challenges. Numerous issues will crop up, and you'll need to address them flawlessly."

"Especially regarding the number of construction workers—don't prioritize speed over sustainability."

Fisk nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. I'll have my team plan carefully, ensuring the workforce remains stable and employed even after the main projects are completed."

Link's advice was crucial. If Fisk overhired to speed up construction, they'd face the problem of what to do with excess labor once the initial projects were done.

Link added, "Areas near the docks aren't ideal for premium offices or luxury apartments, but you could consider affordable housing there. That will earn you goodwill among the workers and the community. Doesn't the Rand Group also own some waterfront property?"

"I believe they do," Fisk acknowledged.

"Talk to them. Don't sacrifice long-term potential for short-term gain. The Rand Group, Stark Industries, and even myself—we're all in this for the long haul, not for immediate profit."

"I understand. Let's raise a toast to that," Fisk said, lifting his glass to Link in gratitude.

The mood at dinner lightened, and they discussed plans for schools, hospitals, and even a potential art gallery for Vanessa. After the meal, Link and Jessica bid their farewells and headed outside, where McCall waited by the car.

Link's status had evolved, and attending high-profile events or dinners without a driver was no longer appropriate. While he wouldn't attend many such gatherings, it was clear his days of being a professional gambler were over. His new role came with increased responsibilities and higher stakes.

Back in the car, Jessica took charge of finalizing the investments, and Link transferred most of his remaining funds into the charitable foundation, which he had named after Jessica. While the bulk of his assets were tied up, he still retained over a hundred million dollars for personal use. The specifics of the investment, including the equity split and final valuation of the construction company, still required negotiation. It wasn't a simple transaction, and they'd need time to work out all the details.

As for Danny Rand, Link had no immediate plans to interact with him. His own status had shifted significantly, and he needed to recalibrate how he operated. Engaging in high-stakes poker or mingling with those purely driven by money no longer fit his identity. He was now a shareholder in Stark Industries, and his conversations revolved around investments and strategy rather than gambling.

Link was fully aware that his evolving role was key to his ability to gather intel and operate within S.H.I.E.L.D. effectively. Meanwhile, on the Stark side of things, trouble was brewing. Tony Stark was struggling with palladium poisoning, and his attempts to counteract it with chlorophyll were proving inadequate. The situation was worsening.

Tony had handed the reins of Stark Industries to Pepper Potts, which aligned perfectly with her handling of the construction investment, while the Black Widow had successfully infiltrated Stark Industries.

…

"Link, Tony Stark's in trouble," Phil Coulson informed him during a sudden visit.

Link raised an eyebrow. "What kind of trouble?"

"Palladium poisoning. The energy source he's been using is slowly killing him, and he hasn't found a solution yet. Our research teams are also working on a fix, but nothing so far."

Link thought for a moment. "Then why doesn't he just stop using the energy source? Isn't his heart still lodged with shrapnel?"

"Yes, but he won't listen to us. That's the main problem," Coulson sighed. "You know what he's like."

"His personality might be an obstacle, but his life is at stake here," Link said. "A risky surgery might be an option. And doesn't S.H.I.E.L.D. have access to the Hand's medical techniques? You could offer those. The surgery should be relatively safe, and the success rate decent."

Coulson nodded, "Director Fury wants you to talk to him."

Link agreed. "Sure. When should I go?"

"We'll let you know soon." Coulson left as quickly as he came.

Link shook his head, thinking about how these Marvel superheroes were often emotionally fragile. Maybe he could start a new career as a psychological therapist for superheroes? The idea amused him, but it wasn't serious.

Link turned his thoughts inward, pondering what his next move should be. He wasn't keen on lounging around and doing nothing, as appealing as basking in the sun sounded. There was only so much time one could spend lying on a rooftop soaking in sunlight.

His powers continued to grow steadily, and while they developed rapidly at first, their growth had not yet reached a ceiling. Perhaps it was time to put his super brain to use, learning and mastering new things. With his exceptional memory and intellect, learning could become his next adventure.

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