Chapter 98: The Right to Upend the Table

"I am Iron Man!"

With Tony's flamboyantly declared statement at the press conference, Stark Industries also began to initiate the Clean Energy Project. The stocks, which had plummeted to rock bottom, warmed up again and recovered to their pre-kidnapping levels within just three days.

During this process, Clark once again made a killing. His original capital of 50 billion skyrocketed to 120 billion.

The first thing Clark did with his windfall was to repay debts.

He first returned the 14.4 billion he owed to Hank Pym with an equivalent amount of Stark Industries stock, leaving the decision to sell or hold to Pym. As for the 160 million invested by Daredevil Matt Murdock, it had now turned into 480 million, making him overnight rich.

Under Clark's suggestion, Murdock withdrew 10 million from it to distribute a one-time bonus to all his subordinates according to their ranks, and the rest was simply left in Stark Industries to continue earning.

From now on, his gang would be financially supported by Stark Industries, freeing them from worrying about funding.

For this, Murdock was naturally very grateful to Clark. Although he did not say much, if Clark needed, his gang could be considered as a force under Clark's command.

Thus, our Clark became one of the biggest underground forces in New York without shedding a drop of blood.

It's worth mentioning that even Mindy made a huge profit during this financial storm. The 3 million dollars she acquired from robbing the rich to help the poor, under Clark's clever maneuvering, turned into Stark Industries stock worth 18 million dollars.

Now, the little girl had become a wealthy lolita.

At Pym Labs, Hank Pym, unconcerned, sold the newly acquired Stark stock to pay off the bank loans. His attention, however, was deeply attracted by another object.

"This is Howard's pride and joy, the Arc Reactor?"

Clark smiled proudly: "To be precise, it can only be considered a defective product. Even the one Tony Stark has in his chest is just a semi-finished product."

He paused for a moment, then continued: "Howard Stark's inspiration for this came from the Tesseract, also known as the endless energy source. So, the true finished product will be a device that can mimic the unknown element of the Tesseract, not palladium."

"How did you know?" Hank asked, then immediately added: "You don't have to say, it must have been in the quantum realm, right?"

Seeing Hank's knowing smile, Clark just shrugged indifferently.

Changing the subject, Clark continued: "Next, I plan to expand your lab, or rather, add a few more research teams, hire some innovative scientists to study their fields of expertise. We'll provide the funding and take the results. You'll manage everything. What do you think?"

"That's just burning money!" Hank snorted coldly but did not oppose: "Get the money ready, and I'll give you a comprehensive plan in a few days."

Clark's plan to expand the lab and recruit more scientists was actually beneficial for Hank as well.

After all, one person's capabilities are limited, but the quantum realm is limitless.

The research of other scientists might help his mission to save his wife.

Like the Arc Reactor, it's a great energy supply device.

"So, what do you plan to do next?"

Clark casually replied: "Write a screenplay."

"Write a screenplay?"

"Yes!" Clark laughed mischievously: "Did you think Tony Stark gave me this reactor for free?"

"He knows I'm venturing into the film and television industry and demanded that the protagonist of the next work must have the surname Stark. That was one of his conditions for giving me this reactor."

Hank frowned: "So, for this thing, you plan to glorify Stark?"

Although he liked the Arc Reactor, Hank was somewhat annoyed at the prospect of glorifying the Stark family.

But then he saw the mischievous smile on Clark's face: "Glorify? No way!"

"The pen is in my hand. How the story develops is up to me," Clark said playfully, winking. "If I'm annoyed, even the protagonist can meet a bad end."

Hank then showed a relieved smile: "Have you thought of a name for the screenplay?"

Clark looked ahead, calmly stating: "A Song of Ice and Fire."

...

Money does not equate to status and position, a principle universally acknowledged.

Even in the so-called free country of America, wealth does not necessarily earn one respect.

Normally, money can indeed accomplish many things since everyone is playing by the same rules, and few are willing to break these rules lightly.

But remember this about capitalists: When profits reach 10%, there is eagerness; at 50%, risks are taken; at 100%, all laws are trampled; and at 300%, even the gallows are not feared.

Who said that?

Well, that's not important.

What matters is, when interests are sufficiently large, someone will inevitably break the rules.

Like nine years ago, when senators called for Clark to hand over the Ant-Man suit, or in the near future, when they will demand Tony hand over his Iron Man suit.

That's breaking the rules!

But Tony, owning Stark Industries, could afford to flip the table and forcefully rebut those politicians.

Because if Tony flipped the table, though he would suffer great losses, he could ensure the politician could no longer hold their position.

Clark, however, had to settle for less, bluffing through the inability to authenticate the Ant-Man suit, then hiding with Hank, Hope, and Mindy.

This is the inevitable choice brought about by status and position, and Clark did the best he could.

Yet, compared to Tony, Clark still faced huge risks and indignities.

The reason? He lacked the right to flip the table!

Now with money in hand, Clark's first action was to use his fortune to buy the right to flip the table.

Over the next six months, Clark methodically acquired media and entertainment companies, TV stations, newspapers, and cinema chains, quickly becoming a top mogul in the US entertainment industry.

Time flies, and by the end of 2008, the first snowfall, slightly later than in 1998, arrived.

The snow day coincided with the premiere of "Frozen," the first project from Nirvana Film Industry since Clark's return.

The premiere attracted celebrities from all sectors, even Obadiah Stane attended with his daughter, marking a grand occasion.

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