After Colonel Rhodes left, his female secretary, Kate, walked into the office carrying a newly tailored suit.
"Boss, your clothes!"
"Thank you!" Fisher didn't hesitate; he took off his jacket and changed on the spot.
The custom-made suit, costing thousands of dollars, accentuated his already tall physique, making him appear even more heroic and extraordinary.
Coupled with the resolute face sculpted by his military career, a quintessential suit-clad tough guy emerged.
"How does it look? Good, right?" Fisher asked his secretary, shaking his sleeves and looking at himself in the mirror.
"Amazing, just like a professional male model! It's a huge mistake that Hollywood hasn't cast you as a leading man!" the secretary chuckled, complimenting him softly.
"Being a leading man is out of the question; my acting isn't professional.
But it's good that my image is perfect, after all, many people will probably come to see me then, and I can't let Atlas lose face!"
Fisher touched his hazelnut-colored hair, then checked the time, "Hmm, the celebration is about to begin!"
The New Baghdad reconstruction project was Atlas's largest order to date, involving hundreds of billions of dollars.
Fisher had put in a tremendous effort to secure this order.
At that time, shortly after the Iraq War ended, to promote American freedom and democracy, the US President and Congress launched the Baghdad reconstruction plan.
Its aim was to rebuild the war-torn and dilapidated Baghdad city center into an international metropolis, thereby winning over the hearts of the people.
This plan appeared to be an act of kindness from the United States, but in reality, all the industrial products and technical personnel for the reconstruction came from within the US, which in turn revitalized the American economy.
A host of large, medium, and small enterprises profited immensely, and of course, this plan also greatly enriched Fisher's pockets.
The Iraqi government, extremely satisfied with the reconstruction project, even expressed interest in signing a series of follow-up contracts with Atlas, including ordering weapons and equipment, training military officers and the National Guard, and even cooperation in oil and mineral extraction.
Congress was also happy to see domestic capital expanding abroad, granting Atlas many preferential policies.
Even the military ordered a large number of advanced equipment from Atlas.
Other financial groups and enterprises were green with envy over the generous treatment, but they lacked the capability.
And those with the capability, like Stark Industries, couldn't get involved, as many of their products were prohibited from export...
"Next, let's welcome the CEO of Atlas Corporation, Mr. Fisher Adams!"
As the beautiful hostess exited, the newly set up cameras focused on Fisher, who was sitting upright at his desk.
"First, I must apologize to the residents of New Baghdad.
Today marks the first anniversary of the completion of New Baghdad, and I was unable to attend this grand event!"
With that, Fisher stood up and bowed deeply to the camera.
"Furthermore, I wish that all other cities in Iraq can thrive and prosper like New Baghdad!
In the past few years, it is the tireless efforts of countless engineers, workers, soldiers, and even farmers, day in and day out, that have brought about New Baghdad today.
And Atlas is merely a tiny fraction of this immense power!"
While Fisher spoke eloquently to the camera, many people were also watching his speech.
In a conspicuously flashy skyscraper in New York, a scruffy middle-aged man was repairing a motorcycle in front of him with a wrench, while listening to Fisher's speech and muttering to himself.
"Conscience? Who believes that?
An arms company that provides private mercenaries, yet it's heavily involved in charity here.
Jarvis, do you believe such a company exists?"
"Apologies, sir, but according to online data, Atlas Corporation's operations in Iraq have provided tens of thousands of jobs for the local population!" a clumsy robotic arm said, turning around with a toolbox.
"Shut up, what do you know, you broken machine? Hand me the wrench!"
"Yes, Mr. Stark!"
As Stark was busy repairing his beloved motorcycle, the workshop door beeped open, and his secretary, Pepper Potts, walked in, wearing a brown T-shirt and a long ponytail.
"Mr. Stark, Colonel Rhodes just called.
He said to clear some time in a couple of days; he wants to present you with a trophy!
Also, there's a pile of documents here that need your signature!"
"Award? What award?
It'd be better to host a private party in Las Vegas, full of champagne and beautiful women; that's what I love most!
Not talking eloquently about contributions in front of a crowd, like someone else!"
"Oh, are you jealous?" Pepper saw Fisher speaking on the screen; he was currently discussing Atlas's future plans for expanding job opportunities in Iraq.
"Jealous of him? What's there to be jealous of?
Rhodes is going to give me an award, right?
Tell him no problem, but he must invite this guy over!" Stark said with a straight face, subtly changing the subject.
"Alright, Mr. Stark, I will personally deliver the invitation!"
Pepper didn't expose Mr. Stark's last attempt to save face, as compared to Fisher, Stark's public image at the time wasn't very good.
You see, in the eyes of ordinary people, the standard for judging a person's character is entirely based on their public perception; they don't care whether you're a millionaire or anything else.
For example, when Stark is mentioned, people would say, 'Oh, he's that playboy who chartered a yacht and took dozens of beautiful women to revel,' rather than an inventor who created this or that technological product.
But when Fisher is mentioned, people would say he's a technological pioneer dedicated to developing new energy and new industries, and not a mercenary leader with blood on his hands.
It so happened that Stark himself overheard such remarks.
"To be honest, I think Mr. Fisher himself is quite good, at least much better than that sarcastic Justin Hammer!"
"Of course, neither of them can compare to Mr. Stark!" Seeing her boss's displeased expression, Pepper quickly added another sentence.
"Excellent, that's my good assistant!" Stark nodded in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, after speaking for over an hour, Fisher's segment of the ceremony concluded.
After all, the US government was theoretically involved in the establishment of New Baghdad, so a high-ranking official had to deliver the closing remarks.