Chapter 71: The Arrival of the Protagonist
The lively exhibition had come to an end, and after dinner, everyone gathered at Justin Hammer's showcase venue.
"Where's Tony? Didn't he come?"
Oaks saw Pepper and Happy, and from Pepper's forced smile, he could tell that Tony had caused trouble again.
"The boss said he 'wasn't interested in a waste management exhibition.' Well... that's what he said."
Happy answered, and raised his fist while nodding in agreement.
"I think the boss is right!"
"Well, I guess Tony found out who the guest of honor was supposed to be today?"
Oaks shrugged and looked at Pepper, who nodded helplessly.
"Rhodey told him it was an order, but Tony obviously... was being stubborn. He doesn't want to equip Rhodey with weapons himself, but he also doesn't want to see Justin Hammer's weapons on his suit."
As Pepper spoke, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"So, he's contradicting himself and throwing a tantrum."
"Don't worry, he'll come. Let's just enjoy the show slowly, now that we're here."
Oaks called for his people to sit down and gave a nod to Melinda. She nodded back and approached Pepper, engaging in conversation. Soon, the two women were chatting and laughing.
In fact, Pepper and Melinda had met in the Benevolence Society before, and now was the time when Pepper held the highest regard for S.H.I.E.L.D., which had helped Tony overcome the palladium poisoning crisis.
Pepper even regretted that Natasha, Who was such a capable secretary, wasn't actually a secretary.
Blaze and his team were on standby outside, while Antonio and Sharon accompanied Dr. Yinsen and Dr. Banner. Oaks was left with Matt, who wanted to witness the exhibition's grandeur.
"How have you been feeling lately?"
Oaks looked at the slightly uneasy Matt. Perhaps it was because more people were rapidly gathering around, and his heightened senses were burdening him.
"Ah... Mr. Chairman, I've been feeling great lately. EveryoneiIs very energetic."
Matt was successfully diverted by Oaks and let out a sigh of relief.
"And this job has allowed me to gain rich experience. I'm confident that I've surpassed most of my peers!"
Watching him brimming with confidence, Oaks nodded in satisfaction and patted his sturdy arm.
"By the way... if anything happens later, I'll ask you to keep an eye on Antonio and Dr. Yinsen's side."
"Huh?"
Matt was momentarily startled, and his muscles tensed up.
"Mr. Chairman, are you saying there's danger?! Dr. Banner...?"
"It's fine, you don't need to worry about him."
Oaks concealed the peculiar expression on his face from Matt.
"On the contrary, it's those who provoke him who need to worry. And it's not even certain, it depends on whether the key figure shows up or not."
If Tony didn't come, Ivan Vanko, who had no target, wouldn't act now.
But... it seemed like this guy had actively enticed Tony to come?
Because Tony's disregard for Justin Hammer had pushed this little fool to the edge.
As the announcer's voice sounded, the little fool Justin Hammer jumped onto the stage with his supposedly cool dance moves, exclaiming "Yeah, yeah."
"This guy sounds... like a fool."
Matt's face turned peculiar, as his heightened senses allowed him to clearly hear the muttered words that even the microphone by Hammer's mouth didn't capture.
"Tony's backyard," "taking a dump here," "becoming famous," "idiot"...
And other peculiar phrases.
Oaks smirked, "Well... he probably is."
Matt: "?"
"Buzz..."
Oaks' phone rang, but there was no sound—switching to silent mode was necessary at the exhibition.
"Hello? Who's this?"
"Thanks... it's me!"
Tony's voice came through the phone, but it seemed like the pronunciation of his first word was abruptly interrupted.
"You're at Justin Hammer's showcase? Is Pepper there too?"
"That's right, are you coming over?"
"Listen, Oaks, do me a favor. Take Pepper and leave that place..."
Oaks glanced at the puzzled Matt and couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.
"Again? You're her boss, why don't you just call her directly?"
"I'm afraid it won't be in time if I do that!"
Tony hastened his pace of speaking.
"All the people at that venue are in danger! I'll be there in a few minutes, but before that..."
"You're not asking me to evacuate the crowd, are you?"
Oaks lowered his voice.
"Please, this is your Stark Industries expo. If you evacuate the crowd for no reason, do you know how much trouble it will cause?"
"...Forget it, anyway, I'll be there soon. Before that, make sure Pepper is safe!"
"You're flying pretty fast this time. Is it thanks to the new reactor?"
"Of course! This time, I'm going to completely defeat that coward who is hiding."
After hanging up the phone, Oaks shrugged. Matt, who was next to him, had a serious expression on his face.
"Chairman Oaks, is there really trouble?"
"Well, remember what I told you just now. I might not have time for this later. If something 'amazing' happens with Dr. Banner, don't be surprised. Just do what needs to be done."
"Um... understood."
Justin Hammer had already showcased his army of drones—Air, Land, Sea, and Marine Corps, four teams in total.
But these were just warm-up acts, background props. The main dish he truly wanted to showcase was...
"Colonel James Rhodes of the Air Force!"
It was the heavily armed Mark II armor, along with the pilot Rhodes, that appeared on the stage.
"Phew... Tony didn't come? That's great. It would have been awkward to see both of them. I knew the decision from higher-ups was a bit hasty..."
Rhodes muttered to himself in a low voice, thinking that no one heard him... but he was wrong.
However, before he could finish his breath, a flamboyant figure in gold and red colors arrogantly soared into the exhibition hall, trailing a long streak of fire. He landed next to the stunned Rhodes in a standard superhero entrance pose.
"Wow—!!!"
The audience erupted with cheers and applause, with over ninety percent of the spectators standing up.
"See that, Rhodes..."
Tony's voice cut into Rhodes' helmet.
"This is the difference between the original and the knockoff!"
"Tony, I'm just following orders..."
"We'll talk later. This little fool is working with Ivan Vanko, but he still doesn't know he's been sold out."
While Tony waved to the audience below, his gaze turned to Oaks in the audience seating area.
"Hey, someone still believes in me. Rhodes, from now on, you must unconditionally believe in me too...
Why do I rely on you?!"
The massive shoulder cannon on Rhodes' armor locked onto Tony amid the astonished gazes of the entire venue. At the same time, the drones in the four teams on the stage made the same move!
"Everyone get out! The entire operating system has been compromised!"
As Rhodes shouted angrily, chaos erupted in the venue.
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