Chapter 53: You're Actually Kind of Nice

Chapter 53: You're Actually Kind of Nice

"Turns out, it was my money that saved me in the end."

Tony laughed at himself.

It made sense. To others, he was just a warmonger who manufactured weapons. And indeed, his weapons had ended up in the hands of these terrorists. So, it was only natural.

Who else, besides those with a vested interest, would go out of their way to save a war profiteer like him?

"Aside from your money, there really isn't much else about you that people would care about. But from what I know, there are plenty of people who hate you.

I remember passing through Sokovia once and meeting a pair of siblings. The weapons used in their country's civil war were all from Stark Industries. Their parents were killed by a Stark Industries missile, and they swore they'd never forgive you."

George shook his head.

Although Quicksilver was already dead in this universe, and there was likely no Scarlet Witch, that didn't stop him from using this story to hit Tony where it hurt and strengthen his resolve to shut down the weapons division.

"They have every right to hate me. I was a self-absorbed jerk back then."

Tony felt a sharp pang in his heart. Yinsen, sitting behind him, comforted him:

"You still have a chance to make things right. Don't give up."

Yinsen's family had also been killed by Stark Industries weapons, but he understood that the fault didn't lie with the weapons themselves but with the terrorists who used them.

Moreover, through their interactions, he believed Tony was inherently good-hearted. He had just been blinded and hadn't seen the truth behind his actions. Once he woke up, with Tony's talent and resources, he could influence and help countless people.

"I'm Tony Stark, the most brilliant inventor and entrepreneur. Why would I give up?"

Tony quickly buried his guilt and put on his usual carefree expression as a mask. He turned to George and said:

"Even though it was for the money, I still want to thank you for saving us. As a friendly reminder, I'm holding a press conference at 5 PM the day after tomorrow. You might want to sell all your stocks before then, or you could lose a lot."

"Wow, I just realized you're actually kind of nice!"

George looked at Tony in surprise. He had already learned about Tony's plan to shut down the weapons division during the press conference through Legilimency and his psychic abilities.

What surprised him was that Tony had outright told him, essentially handing him a fortune.

"Because I've decided to stop being a jerk."

Tony shrugged.

"In that case, maybe we can be friends in the future."

George suddenly sensed something and stopped the jeep. He opened the door and slowly rose into the air:

"The military looking for you is almost here. I'll take my leave. If possible, don't tell anyone about me."

His magnetic senses picked up numerous vehicles and helicopters approaching in the distance, likely drawn by the earlier explosion. Colonel Rhodes, who had been searching for Tony, must have caught wind of it.

"That guy can fly? When I get back, I'm making something that can fly too!"

Watching George ascend and disappear into the distance, Tony couldn't help but feel envious.

He decided that once he got back, he would refine the design of his first Iron Man suit and add flight capabilities.

Shortly after George left, Colonel Rhodes arrived with a large contingent of soldiers and found Tony and Yinsen sitting in the jeep.

Meanwhile, George, who had already returned to the X-Jet, used the jet's special communication system to contact Leon before the military arrived.

"Start buying now, but remember to sell all the stocks before 5 PM the day after tomorrow."

"George, are we heading back now?"

Seeing George finish the call, Isa turned the jet and asked.

"Let's go back."

George nodded and began pondering his next steps.

Once news of Tony's return broke, Stark Industries' stock would quickly rebound. Selling all the stocks before the press conference would net a huge profit.

After the press conference, when Stark's stock plummeted due to the shutdown of the weapons division, he could buy back in at rock-bottom prices.

Then, once Tony revealed he was Iron Man, the stock would soar again. He could sell portions as needed, since Stark Industries' stock would only continue to rise in the future.

But he had to be careful. He had killed the Ten Rings' leader and destroyed the cave's original designs, so Obadiah Stane wouldn't be able to create the Iron Monger. This might push Obadiah to take drastic measures.

To protect his investment, he couldn't let Obadiah go rogue and kill Tony.

But he also didn't want to kill Obadiah right now.

On one hand, he believed Obadiah's presence could help stabilize Stark Industries' stock after the press conference, giving Tony time to develop the Iron Man suit and use his newfound hero status to boost the stock.

On the other hand, he could wait for Obadiah to make a move against Tony and then step in, earning Tony's gratitude.

After all, the hardest debt to repay between people is a favor—unless you're dealing with someone without principles.

"I need someone to keep an eye on things. Looks like I need to hurry up and find a doctor."

He had to focus on studying and researching magic with his doppelgänger, so he couldn't spend all his time watching Tony Stark. The only one in the base skilled enough for this was Wolverine.

But in his current state, Wolverine wasn't reliable. George needed to find a way to cure Wolverine's toxin issue as soon as possible.

If possible, he could also help alleviate Professor X's seizures, solving the students' learning problems in the process.

Previously, he hadn't dared to bring in a doctor for fear of leaking their secrets. But now that he had mastered the Memory Charm, he could erase the doctor's memories afterward.

The next day, news of Tony Stark's return shook the world, and Stark Industries' stock price skyrocketed, even surpassing its pre-kidnapping levels.

On the third day, Tony Stark returned to New York on a military plane and announced a press conference for 5 PM that afternoon.

After the press conference, Stark Industries' stock price plummeted.

That night, George met Leon on the rooftop again.

"Mr. Reaper, here's the cash you asked for."

Leon handed George a suitcase filled with money.

The way Leon looked at George now was as if he were gazing at a god.

In just a few days, his assets had multiplied tenfold. The Leon family's wealth now exceeded half of the combined assets of the thirteen families in the Bronx.

"Tomorrow, reinvest most of the idle funds into Stark Industries stock."

George took the suitcase and gave his instructions. He still didn't explain why, and Leon didn't ask. Leon now treated George's words as gospel.

"Oh, and no matter what it takes, find me the best neurologists and neurosurgeons. Bring them here tomorrow night. I have a use for them."

Before leaving, George tasked Leon with finding doctors.

As one of the thirteen families and a local powerhouse, finding doctors would be a breeze for Leon.

"Don't worry. Tomorrow, the best doctors in New York will be here for you to choose from."

Leon thumped his chest in assurance.

(End of Chapter)