Chapter 63: Shorting Stark Industries

New York Airport.

Smith walked down the steps of his private jet as it slowly came to a halt. Lined up on the tarmac were six vehicles: two military Humvees, two Rolls Royces, a Cadillac SUV, and an ambulance.

Pepper, having learned that Tony was safe, had also informed Colonel Rhodes, who had halted the search operations in Afghanistan and came to meet Tony at the airport.

Fox stood beside a Rolls Royce with John, awaiting Smith's return. On the other side stood Pepper and Happy, accompanied by a team of security personnel.

Even Rhodes himself, with his own detail, waited nearby.

This was a gathering to welcome both Tony Stark and Smith back home.

As the cabin door opened, Tony Stark stepped out.

Pepper's eyes reddened at the sight of him walking down, and she waved for the medical team to move forward with a stretcher.

But Tony waved them off immediately."I'm fine, no need for this. Let them go."

Looking at the worn but upright Tony, Pepper's worried face broke into a joyful smile. At least outwardly, he seemed unharmed.

Walking up to her, Tony said:"Your eyes are red. Worried about your boss?"

Pepper laughed faintly:"Happy tears. I hate looking for a new job."

Tony chuckled."Well then, vacation's over."

At that moment, Smith appeared, holding Pur in his arms. He had deliberately waited to give Tony his moment.

To everyone else, the blue cat in his arms was just a toy.

When Smith stepped forward, Pepper quickly walked up and bowed slightly."Smith-san, thank you so much for rescuing Tony from those brutal militants. We'll arrange the promised payment as soon as possible."

Tony didn't ask what payments she meant.

Smith smiled slightly."Pleasure doing business."

He didn't care much about Stark Industries' weapons channels anyway — Tony would soon announce the end of weapons sales. Instead, he'd turn those channels into his supply lines for scientific equipment and rare materials. With Tony's identity, he could obtain materials that Smith himself couldn't.

Meanwhile, Rhodes approached Tony and gave him a hug."Man, don't disappear on me again. Happy's not happy."

Tony merely shrugged.

Pepper finished thanking Smith just as Tony called out:"Smith, don't forget our little agreement. I'll make sure you see my next masterpiece."

Clearly, he hadn't forgotten his embarrassing flight crash in the Mark I — or his promise to gift Smith a private jet.

A metal crate was brought down from the cargo hold, which Tony ordered his people to take away. With a wave, he left in his Rolls Royce, already eager to begin his next project.

Fox stepped forward and gave Smith a hug as well."GOD, welcome home!"

John opened the car door and took the driver's seat.

After exchanging the embrace, Smith climbed into his Rolls Royce, with John at the wheel.

Inside the car, Fox gave her report."We've borrowed $500 million worth of Stark Industries shares from other institutions. Once the price drops, we only need to return the same number of shares."

"If the price goes up in the meantime, though, we'll need more money to buy them back."

She hesitated."With Tony's return and his position as Stark's chief scientist, his survival will boost the stock price. We might lose money."

Smith shook his head."Don't worry about the temporary rebound. Dump all the borrowed shares on the market and push the price down."

"And keep borrowing. As long as they're willing to lend, meet their collateral demands and pay their interest."

"Keep shorting."

Fox was still unsure."Are you sure about this?"

Smith nodded firmly."Pass the word down. Five hundred million won't be enough."

"You'll soon see why."

Fox nodded and got on her phone to give the order, while John focused on driving them back to headquarters.

…

On the other side.

In the car, Happy asked:"Where to?"

Pepper answered first."Hospital, Happy."

But Tony cut her off."No."

Pepper frowned."No, Tony, you need a check-up."

Tony refused again."I said no."

"You need a full medical evaluation!" Pepper pressed.

"I don't need anything," Tony said."I've been locked up for three months. Right now there's only one thing I want to do—"

Thinking he was about to say "find a supermodel," Pepper cut in, annoyed."Don't say it."

Tony noticed her misunderstanding and clarified:"Not what you think. I want to hold a press conference."

Pepper blinked."A press conference?"

Tony nodded at Happy."Yes. Happy, drive."

Pepper still didn't get it."Why a press conference?"

Tony simply said:"Get ready. The press will want to hear that I'm alive."

Happy didn't ask any more questions and steered the car out of the airport.

…

(End of Chapter)

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