Long before now—back when Stark Industries went against Tony's wishes, refused to shut down the weapons division, and even issued a ban restricting him—Tony had already begun to grow suspicious of Obadiah.
And at this moment, he was more certain than ever of the guess in his heart.Only their long-standing relationship left him a sliver of hesitation, a thin layer of sentiment that kept him from acknowledging the truth completely.
"JARVIS, pull up Obadiah Stane's recent activity records."
After thinking for a moment, Tony calmly issued the command.
In fact, he had investigated Obadiah long ago. But from Obadiah's computer and the recordings stored in surveillance footage—daily conversations, meeting logs—not only did Tony fail to find any clues related to his kidnapping in Afghanistan, the footage even showed Obadiah looking worried and frantically searching for him.
Yet in Tony's eyes, this didn't clear Obadiah's name.If anything, all of it looked like deliberately planted evidence.
Still, because of the emotional barrier in Tony's heart, he had gradually set aside his doubts after finishing that investigation.He focused instead on building suits of armor, and from time to time went to conflict zones to test new features—while conveniently hitting the Ten Rings terrorists running rampant overseas.
Because of these repeated actions, in those regions he had already earned the nickname "Iron Man."
It was just that the name hadn't yet reached the US homeland.
Now, hearing what Obadiah said at the press conference, Tony suddenly had a new idea.
If he couldn't find direct evidence proving his suspicion…Could he perhaps consider indirect evidence?
After all, Stark Industries could not find any trace of the "key weapons project" Obadiah spoke of.That meant:Either everything Obadiah said was a lie…Or the weapon capable of altering modern warfare that he mentioned was never inside Stark Industries at all, and was instead something he had been developing secretly.
What kind of weapon was worth doing something like that?
Tony's expression darkened.He watched JARVIS pull up the movement log and lock onto one location.
It was a warehouse next to Stark Industries headquarters—used for storing prototype weapons.
And it was part of Obadiah's daily route.
Meaning: Obadiah passed through this warehouse every single day.
What was in a warehouse that warranted daily visits?
"Pull up the warehouse surveillance."
Tony spoke.JARVIS brought up the feed—but the footage was only from outside the warehouse perimeter.
Tony frowned.
"Where's the interior feed?"
JARVIS replied, "Sir, the system shows no cameras installed inside the warehouse."
"…Alright."
Tony curled his lip, but his expression did not relax—only grew heavier.
"So it is you…"
He took a deep breath."JARVIS, prepare the Mark IV suit and plot a route to New York."
"Right away, sir."
JARVIS complied.
The first three Mark-series suits all required an external robotic assembly frame.But starting with the Mark IV, Tony could equip the suit autonomously.
And the Mark V portable suit allowed him to take armor with him anywhere.
Tony Stark's genius was not to be underestimated.
Especially in this world already altered by Anton's interference—Tony's pace of research had grown even faster, his innovations even more advanced.
Within a short time, he reached New York, landing on the Stark Industries rooftop.
He hesitated briefly, then stepped out of the suit.
He walked toward the stairwell—
And unexpectedly ran into someone he never thought he'd see here at this hour.
"Tony?"
A blonde woman stared in surprise at the bearded man before her.
"Pepper?"
Tony froze."It's this late. Why are you still here?"
"I'm your assistant. Even if you're banned from coming to work, you're still the chairman. I still have to sign documents for you every day, you know?"
Pepper rolled her eyes."And anyway, it's barely past quitting time. Why are you here? And why did you come down from the roof?"
"I'm here to see Obie."
Tony brushed past the question—he wasn't interested in explaining."Go back to your work. Don't worry about me."
With that, he headed toward Obadiah's office.
"Tony?"
Obadiah looked pleasantly surprised."My, my, what a rare guest! Even in the past, you barely showed your face around the company."
"It's different now, Obie."
Tony fixed his gaze on the bald man before him."I came because I have something to ask. And I want you to answer honestly."
"Oh?"
Obadiah raised his brows."What is it?"
"It's about my kidnapping in Afghanistan."
Tony said slowly.
Obadiah narrowed his eyes.Then—silently, without warning—he stepped closer.
"This matter… hmm!"
Before Tony could finish speaking, Obadiah struck.Tony collapsed to the floor, eyes wide, staring at Obadiah in disbelief.
"Shit!"
He was shocked to the core—he never thought Obadiah would dare to attack him so openly inside the company.
"A neural-disruption induction device. Temporarily paralyzes the nervous system.A pity the government refused authorization. I must admit… it's useful at times."
Obadiah looked down coldly at Tony, the ambition in his eyes burning uncontrollably.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you.Your death will be caused by a fragment of shrapnel in your heart—an irreversible cardiac failure."
His voice was eerily calm.
"After all, you do have an artificial device lodged in your chest. And you know… mechanical things do malfunction from time to time, don't they?"
With that, he tore the arc reactor from Tony's chest.Then he turned and left—locking the office door behind him.
Clearly, Obadiah was far too confident.
He underestimated Tony's will to survive—And ignored the fact Tony was Marvel's beloved protagonist.
Tony dragged himself to the door, forcing it open, then crawled his way toward the CEO's office down the hall.
Creak—
Pepper pushed open the door—and unknowingly knocked Tony's limp body aside.
Tony let out a strangled groan, almost dying from the impact.
"Tony!"
Pepper cried out, immediately noticing he was in terrible condition.
"What happened?!"
"Pepper… listen!"
Tony could barely speak, suffocating for breath."I remember… I gave you a 'heart'… I hope it's here…"
If not, I'm dead.
He didn't say the last sentence aloud.Because over Pepper's shoulder—inside the open office—he could see his old arc reactor sitting right on the desk she was using.
-----------------------
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