Chapter 64: Stark: I Didn't Do Anything

The raging fire consumed the entire cave. Stark burned all the corpses along with the Stark Industries weapons and ammunition outside the cave.

In the brilliant flames, he felt a sense of purification and transcendence. From Stark's expression, Cohen knew that the weapons division of Stark Industries was destined to be shut down.

Now came the moment of testing. Stark's return would cause stock prices to skyrocket, but once he announced the closure of the weapons division, the stock would plummet. There would be only a few hours between these two events.

The three of them left in an old convertible jeep. As for Stark's suit of armor, it was too inconvenient to carry, so it was burned after use.

Under the blazing sun, the car drove through a sky full of yellow sand, raising a cloud of dust. It wasn't until Stark got a face full of sand that he realized, "F**k, you're rescuing me in this broken jeep? Even if you don't have a helicopter, couldn't you at least get a Humvee with air conditioning?"

Cohen sighed and shook his head, "Stark, you didn't know what was happening outside while you were in the cave. The world has changed dramatically. The U.S. military doesn't have time to look for you anymore. Without me, even if you escaped the cave, you would have died in the desert and wasteland."

Stark was shocked, "What happened?"

"Judgment! Stark, your military has undergone a brutal judgment. A divine entity appeared with a health bar, and the godhood shattered. All enemies around it, including the Avengers and scavengers lurking in the shadows, were drawn to it!"

"What do you mean?"

"A few nights ago, divine punishment descended, and two large U.S. military bases were reduced to rubble, with 3,000 soldiers dead. The scene was unbearable, like hell on earth!" Cohen smacked his lips, "There's a rumor that when Obama got the news, he passed out. Vice President Biden reportedly shivered and wet his pants after watching the video footage. Rumor has it the Pentagon has started calling that day the 'Day of Mourning' and they're considering pulling out of Afghanistan. The military here is acting like frightened rabbits, hiding and depending on the local forces to bring in supplies."

Stark was dumbfounded. How long had he been gone, and U.S. dominance was already crumbling?

"Who could destroy two U.S. military bases simultaneously? Did the Russians lose their minds, or did the East intervene?"

Cohen glanced at the serious expression on Stark's face in the rearview mirror and shook his head, "They say it was a demon, eight feet tall, with a fierce face and thunderous voice. Odd, isn't it? What did American soldiers do to provoke even demons?"

Stark didn't know how to respond.

A few hours later, they passed by Bagram Airfield. Seeing the ruins, Stark finally snapped back to reality. Could this be the beginning of America's decline?

Upon reaching Kandahar International Airport, Stark contacted Pepper Potts, and with a grand gesture, chartered a private jet to head straight for New York.

The news quickly spread back to New York. Stark Industries' previously plummeting stock suddenly soared. Everyone knew that the return of this genius meant Stark Industries was far from finished.

Yesterday, Cohen had instructed David to sell off all the shorted stocks, making a hefty profit. He had invested $120 million, turning it into $540 million! Cohen then reinvested all of it into Stark Industries stock. While flying back to New York, he directed David to sell the rising stock again, preparing to short it once more.

Today might be a day of mourning for U.S. investors, but for Cohen, it was the day of his rise.

As the plane slowly landed at Kennedy Airport and the doors opened…

"F**k, why are there so many heavily armed agents?"

Cohen's eyes widened. Was he exposed? Did they find the bodies in the church's backyard? Wait, is that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Sitwell?

"Stark, I'm a CIA agent. I suspect you are the culprit behind the Day of Mourning. Please cooperate with our investigation..."

"Stark, I'm an FBI agent. I suspect you are the culprit behind the Day of Mourning. Please cooperate with our investigation..."

"Stark, I'm from Homeland Security. I suspect you're involved in the Day of Mourning. Please cooperate with us..."

"Stark, I'm from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. You are under suspicion for the Day of Mourning. Please cooperate..."

Among the federal agents, there was also a young NYPD officer who, seeing the aggressive agents, nervously shrank back before gathering the courage to say, "M-Mr. Stark, I'm with the NYPD. Please cooperate with my investigation..."

Staring at the large crowd of heavily armed, yet distinctly different agents, Cohen was stunned. "Huh?"

Stark was equally baffled, "F**k!"

Even Yinsen was shocked, "What?"

Cohen leaned in to Stark and whispered, "Uh... just a suggestion, but maybe cooperating with the NYPD would be your best option."

Stark shot Cohen a furious glare before angrily addressing the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to know why you're arresting me. What makes you think I'm connected to the Day of Mourning?"

The agents exchanged glances until Sitwell finally stepped forward to explain. "Mr. Stark, based on the information we have, the Bagram Airbase was destroyed by Jericho missiles. In the test, three missiles were launched, but only one was used. The remaining two were under your control when the incident occurred. You were the only person capable of launching them."

Stark exploded with rage, "You said it yourself! I was taken hostage! I was trapped in a cave, tortured by terrorists, and none of you bothered to rescue me! Now that I'm finally free, the military loses some missiles and you come after me? Where's the justice in that?"

"Mr. Stark, the Jericho missiles are your creation. It's hard to imagine anyone using them without your knowledge or authorization."

Stark's face was livid as he shook his fist. "I'm a genius by birth. Just because you idiots can't crack my technology doesn't mean I'm guilty!"

He turned and pointed at Yinsen, "I've been locked up with him the entire time. Yinsen is my alibi!"

After he finished speaking, the agents looked at each other. Suddenly, someone said, "Mr. Yinsen, we also suspect you are involved in the Day of Mourning. Please cooperate with us."

"F**k!"

Stark's face turned red with fury as he exploded, "You shameless clowns! Parasites! Taxpayer-funded scumbags! I'll sue you, I'll put down a billion dollars to ruin you..."

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(End of Chapter)