"The Commando Commander?!"
This was a name even more renowned than Captain America. Even seventy years later, people still frequently discussed him. In terms of historical significance, he ranked even above Hitler.
Hitler had ignited the war and nearly conquered the world through military force, while the Commander had almost single-handedly eliminated the Nazis' supreme combat power—the advanced, formidably armed Hydra Legion—thereby ending World War II in one decisive stroke and preserving world peace.
Furthermore, to prevent Hydra's insane plan for global annihilation and protect the world's major cities from destruction, the Commander chose to sacrifice himself. Without hesitation, he personally piloted Hydra's super bomber intended for their apocalyptic scheme and crashed it into the ocean, saving the lives of hundreds of millions of civilians.
His immense power and savior-like heroic deeds inspired countless people with reverence and admiration. However, the image he left the world was of a figure clad in pitch-black full-body combat armor, carrying a sword and shield on his back, dual pistols in hand. Most people only knew him as the Commando Commander—very few knew his actual name.
So when these Stark Industries board members saw Chen Mo's name on the contract, they didn't make the connection to the Commander.
Not until Tony Stark revealed Chen Mo's identity did they realize that Stark Industries' true owner all along—the mysterious controlling shareholder with sixty percent of the shares—was none other than the legendary Commando Commander!
But considering Howard Stark's former identity, his close relationship with the Commander, and the various legends they knew about the Commander, it wasn't so surprising after all.
Rumor had it that the Commander came from a mysterious and ancient family in China, worth billions and wealthy enough to rival nations. Meanwhile, Howard Stark was obsessed with developing cutting-edge technologies like anti-gravity, spending money like water—no amount Stark Industries earned was ever enough for his research.
With one man having inexhaustible wealth and the other never having enough money to spend, and the two being close wartime comrades, it made perfect sense that Howard would sell Stark Industries to Chen Mo.
It also explained why Chen Mo never participated in company management and gave all the profits to Howard for his research.
However...
"The Commander crashed into the ocean with his plane seventy years ago. Even if he survived, he'd be over ninety years old now. How could this young man possibly be the Commander!"
One director stared at Chen Mo's youthful face, completely refusing to believe Tony's words.
"Tony! Don't take us all for fools!"
The other directors joined in condemning Tony Stark.
"The Commander saved the entire world back then. Our parents and elders survived because of him. If this person is really the Commander, wouldn't we all have to call him uncle?"
"I think grandfather would be more appropriate!"
"Haha!"
"Tony, you're so childish, coming up with this method to regain control of the company. Do you think we're idiots who'd believe such an obvious lie?"
"Absurd!"
"Simply laughable!"
...
The directors completely disbelieved Tony Stark's claim that Chen Mo—sitting before them, looking even younger than Tony—was the Commander.
They assumed Tony had found that share transfer contract, discovered the mysterious shareholder's true identity as the Commando Commander, and was trying to use this to seize back control of the company from them and regain command of Stark Industries.
But in their view, Tony's idea was far too naive. Finding some young man with an imposing presence and expecting them to believe he was the Commander who'd been missing for seventy years—pure fantasy!
Did he really think they'd believe such a ridiculous lie? What nonsense!
Tony Stark, seeing that no one believed him, looked helplessly at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo showed little reaction to the commotion below. He glanced up at the time, then turned to Pepper Potts standing beside Tony.
"Turn on the TV."
Though Pepper didn't understand Chen Mo's intention, she turned and retrieved the remote from a nearby table, switching on the television mounted on the conference room wall.
The TV appeared to be broadcasting a press conference. Judging by the Pentagon logo on the background wall, it seemed to be a military-hosted event.
Seeing Chen Mo remain silent, Pepper randomly changed channels, only to find every station showing the same scene—apparently every network was broadcasting this press conference.
Pepper sensed something unusual was happening. She seemed to realize something and stopped channel-surfing. Everyone's attention shifted to the television. They wanted to see what this impostor was up to.
Soon, the press conference officially began. A middle-aged military officer in a crisp uniform, his face stern and resolute, took the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Department of Defense has convened this press conference to announce a matter of great importance."
"Three months ago, a polar expedition team discovered a giant aircraft frozen in an ice shelf—an aircraft that had been encased in ice for seventy years."
"Inside this aircraft, we made an incredible discovery."
"The legendary hero who rescued the world's people from the flames of war during World War II and made tremendous contributions to ending that conflict—Commando Commander, Major General Chen Mo—was frozen inside this aircraft, sleeping alongside it in the glacier for seventy years."
"Just recently, after thawing, the Commander has successfully emerged from his frozen state. After a seventy-year hibernation, he has awakened."
"In other words, our hero of all humanity, Commando Commander Major General Chen Mo, has returned!"
"He will continue dedicating himself to the great cause of protecting human safety and maintaining world peace. Starting today, public safety has gained another powerful safeguard!"
As the officer's words concluded, the entire press conference erupted. Everyone plunged into a state of excited fervor.
The legendary hero, architect of world peace, guardian of human safety, savior—Commander Chen Mo wasn't dead after all, but had been frozen in a glacier for seventy years. And today, seventy years later, he had miraculously come back to life. It was all too fantastic, too incredible to believe.
An irrepressible excitement surged from their hearts. The impact of this news was no less shocking than learning that a true god had descended to earth. At the same time, a profound sense of security arose—a hero who had willingly faced death to protect civilians from bombing was far more reassuring than any lofty deity.
Setting aside the excitement and fervor of the press conference attendees and people worldwide upon learning this earth-shattering news, the Stark Industries conference room had fallen silent enough to hear a pin drop.
The nine directors looked at Chen Mo with incredibly complex expressions—shock, fear, worry, confusion, disbelief, and doubt—a multitude of emotions flickering in their eyes.
"Even if the Commander really did come back to life, how do we know you're the Commander?"
One director still refused to believe, or rather, was unwilling to accept it. In other words, he wouldn't cry until he saw his coffin.
Chen Mo glanced coldly at the speaker. Meeting Chen Mo's gaze, the director felt his eyes were impossibly bright, seemingly containing divine light. The sharpness within made his whole body involuntarily shiver, as if all his hair had stood on end. He unconsciously turned his head away, avoiding Chen Mo's stare.
At that moment, activity resumed on the television at the press conference.
The middle-aged officer raised his hand to quiet the frantic questions from the reporters below. Once they had temporarily settled down, he continued under their expectant gazes.
"To respond to special incidents that may threaten Earth's safety, Commander Chen Mo will assemble a strategic response team composed of powerful superheroes."
"This team will be personally led by Commander Chen Mo, and its first member is the superhero who recently eliminated a giant robot attacking civilians with his powerful iron suit—Iron Man, Tony Stark!"
...
Now the board members had nothing left to say. Clearly, the imposing young man sitting before them was indeed Commander Chen Mo, who had slept for seventy years.
Seeing everyone below had quieted down, obviously accepting his identity, Chen Mo slowly began to speak.
"It seems no one questions my identity any longer."
All the board members below lowered their heads in silence. Chen Mo continued.
"As the owner of Stark Industries, I have several decisions to announce to you."
Owning sixty percent of Stark Industries' shares, Chen Mo held absolute control of the company. His decisions required no one's consent—he was merely announcing them.
Everyone below understood this and listened intently with complex, heavy hearts.
"First, dissolve the board of directors."
The directors' expressions changed in unison. They opened their mouths wanting to say something but had no idea what to say.
Ignoring their reaction, Chen Mo continued.
"Second, the company goes private and recalls all shares."
The directors' faces changed again. This way, Tony and Chen Mo would control ninety percent of Stark Industries' shares. Their ten percent would completely lose any ability to influence company operations. They'd be completely kicked out of management, enjoying nothing but dividends.
Moreover, once the company went private, its valuation would definitely take a hit. The value of their shares would significantly shrink, resulting in massive losses.
Before they could react, Chen Mo continued.
"Third, recall all shares from minority shareholders and, together with my sixty percent, transfer everything to Tony Stark, completing the company's privatization."