Chapter 239: SHIELD's Action Suffers
Setbacks When it rains it pours, this is probably what Tony Stark is talking about.
Pepper and Tony Stark had a quarrel, and soon after, they found out that Tony was kidnapped, and that Tony was wearing the Iron Man suit and fighting against two people who were also wearing metal suits, but was defeated and finally abducted.
It was also after SHIELD conducted multiple investigations that they finally determined that the person wearing the Iron Man suit was Tony Stark. As for who the other two superpowers were, Nick Fury didn't know.
This was the first battle of the Maximoff siblings. Even if SHIELD's intelligence capabilities were strong, it would be impossible to find out the information about Pietro and Wanda through the nano suits, especially since the abilities of the two were revealed for the first time.
SHIELD soon came to Tony Stark's home and sent many people here to investigate. Pepper Potts was a little flustered with worry, but she was warned by Coulson, so she didn't even tell Obadiah about this.
"Ms. Potts, we will investigate this as soon as possible. Before the results come out, you must pretend that Tony Stark is safe and sound."
Agent Coulson was comforting Pepper Potts, but suddenly an agent came over and said to Coulson anxiously: "Agent Coulson, I think you must take a look at this."
After that, the agent took out a tablet computer, which was the largest video platform in the United States, and the top video was related to Tony Stark.
The video began with the Iron Man suit that appeared in New York City not long ago, and then it was stripped off piece by piece, revealing the person inside, who was the missing Tony Stark.
Coulson immediately ordered: "Let the technical department track down the address clues of the video release, and analyze everything in it immediately."
However, the video was very short and there was nothing to analyze. It would be too difficult to analyze where Tony Stark was from it, and if it was released deliberately, the other party would not let them collect clues so easily.
After a while, the technical department of SHIELD sent feedback that they could not track down any clues.
But now everyone in the world knows that Tony Stark has been kidnapped again. He is not only the largest arms dealer in the United States, but also a well-known figure with many titles such as charity tycoon and playboy, and the soul of Stark Company.
When Tony Stark got into trouble for the first time, the stock price of Stark Industries fell by about 20%. Although it rose a little after Tony Stark came back, he immediately announced the closure of the weapons manufacturing department, causing the stock of Stark Industries to plummet, almost to the point of being cut in half.
However, at that time, the board of directors still had some confidence in Tony Stark. They believed that the company had a genius like Stark, and there was still hope for the stock price to rise; if the board of directors really had no confidence in Stark, then Obadiah would not have to look for external help, and the joint board of directors could directly seize the power of Stark Industries and continue to open the weapons manufacturing department.
But this time Tony Stark got into trouble again, which directly shattered the board of directors' last hope for Tony Stark.
Obadiah took the opportunity to convene a board meeting. He wanted to announce the acquisition of Stark Industries by the Pent Group. The market value of Stark Industries was more than 300 billion at its peak, but now after a series of blows, it is only about 120 billion.
After such a big drop, the board of directors' patience with Tony Stark has been worn out. For a long time after he came back, he not only did not care about the development of the company, but also played the promising Stark Industries into this state.
He hid at home and did not care about the company. He handed all the matters to an assistant. In addition, he was kidnapped again today. The shareholders of the board of directors also decided to give up Tony Stark. They have to think about their own wealth.
"Dear directors, I believe that many people are like me. Because of the uncertain prospects of Stark Industries, their wealth has shrunk a lot. However, if the Pent Group acquires Stark Industries, I believe that you will never worry about the shrinkage of wealth."
Obadiah said excitedly at the board of directors, and almost all shareholders were very moved. The board of directors originally notified Pepper Potts this time, but she was absent because of Tony Stark's affairs, so it was completely led by Obadiah.
Moreover, the benefits offered by the Pent Group were huge. The biopharmaceutical company that had risen rapidly recently was owned by the Pent Group. In just a few years, it had come up with many new drugs, including several "magic drugs" for treating terminal illnesses and restoring amputated limbs. This also caused the market value of the biopharmaceutical company to soar by hundreds of billions in a short period of time.
The company's net profit was even more frightening. The money earned by the company that saved lives was several times the net profit of the company that "killed people".
If the conditions were really the same as what Obadiah said, then the directors of Stark Industries felt that they could immediately raise their hands and agree to the acquisition plan of the Pent Group, and they would consider shortening the time to within eight months.
Who knows what Tony Stark would do? If it weren't for the rules and wealth, they would all want to sign a contract and be done with it.
Bang.
Just as Obadiah and the directors were discussing happily, the door of the conference room suddenly opened, and then a group of people walked in, led by Pepper Potts and a man in a suit.
The leading man in a suit came up to Obadiah, showed an ID and said in a cold voice: "Mr. Stane, we are agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and we now suspect that you are involved in colluding with terrorists to kidnap Tony Stark. Please come with us!"
After hearing the words of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, all the directors of Stark Industries in the room were stunned, and then looked at Obadiah Stane in disbelief; if this was true, then they could only say that Obadiah was too courageous.
However, Obadiah was not at all flustered. He took out a new cigar and lit it, then said bluntly: "S.H.I.E.L.D.? What rights do you have to doubt me? I will definitely let my legal team sue you. If you don't apologize to me publicly on ten news TV stations, I will fight you to the end!"
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent said calmly: "It's up to you, this is your personal decision, but now you must come with us and cooperate with the investigation; all our actions have been approved by the U.S. government, and everything is legal."
"Humph, you just wrongly accuse good people, even if you are a government department, you will never get away with it!" Obadiah knew that he would have to go today, but he was not afraid at all. If it was before, he might feel guilty, but now all the evidence has been eliminated, what is he afraid of?
"Everyone, today's board meeting was interrupted by some ignorant people. Let's continue next time."
After saying that, Obadiah picked up the phone and followed the SHIELD agent outside; he had already notified his lawyer and the people of the Pent Group, and he would not say a word before that.
After Obadiah was taken away, Pepper Potts asked angrily, "What's going on? Why wasn't I informed about the sale of Stark Industries? This is against regulations!"
"Potts, Obadiah said he informed you, and the board of directors made the decision a long time ago. You knew it then."
A director explained, and then another director said, "Ms. Potts, we need a way to keep our wealth now. In this case, do you have any better ideas? Even if we reopen the weapons department now, those military orders need to be re-obtained. You called the police to have Obadiah arrested. Who will solve these problems?"
Pepper Potts explained loudly, "He colluded with others to harm Tony!"
"If there is evidence, we will not support Obadiah's behavior." The director who spoke just now continued, "But if there is no evidence to prove that this matter is related to Obadiah, then the board of directors will definitely move forward with the acquisition of Stark Industries by the Pent Group."
The board of directors parted unhappily, and Pepper temporarily took over most of the company's affairs as Tony's assistant; in addition to the most profitable weapons department, Stark also has many profit points related to industrial manufacturing. She wants to stabilize these and hopes that SHIELD will quickly find Tony Stark.
What Obadiah said just now was right, that is, SHIELD did not have any evidence in their hands, and they just took emergency action.
Obadiah is expected to be back in less than two days.
But SHIELD has another plan.
"Why did your father come to me again?"
Kahn asked while lying on the passenger seat. "He has come to me only a few times, and most of them are official matters. Is it because you are running for president? Betty, you can drive faster, no one will give you a ticket."
Now it is indeed almost time for the election. With Ross's merits and the support behind him, the chances of him becoming president are very high; if he has this intention, then the Pent Group will fully support him.
However, Kahn does not need to show up for this matter at all, Betty can decide it alone.
Betty answered while driving distractedly: "It may be related to this matter, but he wants to have a family dinner with my daughter more."
There was another car following behind the sports car. It was Betty's two super soldier bodyguards. One of them should have driven, but Betty suddenly wanted to drive over by herself.
However, just when they were about to reach Ross's house, the road ahead was suddenly blocked by several cars.
After Betty stopped the sports car, several people from the other side got out and walked to the convertible sports car. They took out their IDs and said to Kahn and Betty, "Mr. Pent, we are agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. We need your cooperation in investigating something."
Before Hill finished speaking, Kahn reached out and took her ID, tore it in half and threw it aside. Then he picked up the phone and called Ross, "We were stopped near your house. It was S.H.I.E.L.D."
After a while, Kahn chuckled and handed the phone to Agent Hill, motioning her to take it.
Hill sighed slightly. She didn't expect Kahn's attitude to be so tough, and she also knew who he had called just now. It seemed that this mission would fail.
"I'm Agent Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D."
The person on the other end of the line interrupted Hill before he could finish. "I don't care who you are from S.H.I.E.L.D. If you dare to touch them, you will be hunted down by the Third Air Force of New York State and the Super Soldier Squad. I will immediately prepare missiles to show you guys what restraint is!"
"I understand."
Hill hung up the phone, then waved to the people blocking the road ahead, and the cars were quickly released. "Sorry, Mr. Pent, it's my duty."
"Agent Hill, think carefully about who you are facing next time. General Ross is not a good-tempered person!"