Wearing a black off-shoulder gown trimmed with gold threads, Max sat with her eyes closed, unusually docile, while Caroline applied shimmer to the corners of her eyes. The real lady behind the scenes, with her long golden hair, was dressed in a short champagne-colored dress, revealing her long, slender legs.
The launch event of Stark Industries' first product was more grandiose than imagined.
The media flocked in, and many top companies were invited not only because of the pre-launch hype surrounding the first public-facing AI, "Fairy" – a simplified version of Friday – but also because Tony couldn't bear loneliness and finally equated Iron Man with Tony Stark.
Even Luther couldn't help but be tempted to meet Stark, but he ultimately restrained himself.
Tony didn't show up in person today. Instead, Baia Wayne, the second-largest individual shareholder, and the current CEO, Max Blake, arrived at the scene with the previous version of the Iron Man suit.
Wayne, once again, made a big splash.
Although Max's personal credit record was a mess, compared to Baia, who was the daughter of a Ponzi scheme and Caroline, who appeared out of nowhere in the public eye, she was downright clean. Paying off Max's loan with company funds and having Friday hack into some bad records, Max had a new lease on life.
As for the silent backer, Damian Wayne, after weighing the situation, he decided to stay behind the scenes for the time being. After all, having an eight-year-old CEO was too risky for risk assessment.
Caroline held tightly to the investment that Friday had worked so hard to negotiate.
"Mr. Kent?"
A girl in a starry blue dress deftly avoided the reporters, and Clark didn't know when she had come up to him. Bending her head, the future Pulitzer Prize winner, with the Daily Planet reporter's badge hanging from her chest, smiled gently. "What's up, Miss Wayne?"
"Just," Baia tiptoed, wanting to whisper in his ear, but then remembered Superman's super hearing, so she just lowered her voice and said, "Whatever happens today, don't worry, we've got this."
Clark nodded, not surprised that she knew his identity.
It sounded like the little bat had other plans. Clark tightened his grip on the camera, feeling that this press conference might be unusual. Standing so forward, he could grab a bite of the action.
Baia looked up at Clark, feeling deeply shocked, stealing glances at him for a long time. But it was still hard to associate Clark Kent with the imposing Tomorrow's Son. It's not that Kent didn't have his own shine; it's just that the aura was completely different.
It was like the difference between a dazzling diamond and a gentle emerald.
No wonder no one could recognize him. If it weren't for the system, she would have thought they were two different people.
Reporters' cameras were already aimed and ready, and inside the venue, industry elites exchanged greetings. But the person they were all waiting for, the one who truly understood the "Fairy" technology, hadn't shown up yet.
Max took the microphone from the stand and lightly tapped it a few times. In an instant, all the flashes and gazes converged on her.
"Hey, ladies and gentlemen – keep your eyes here," Max raised an eyebrow.
"Ms. Blake!" A reporter raised his microphone. "Can you guarantee the authenticity of the demonstration video? What are the qualifications of the 'Fairy' development team? Is 'Fairy' really as intelligent as advertised?"
"At least smarter than you," Max crossed her arms. "As for the other questions, why not let 'Fairy' answer for herself?"
With casual steps in her black high heels, Max sauntered a few steps to the left, snapping her fingers lightly. Originally, only the Stark Industries logo was lit up on the giant black screen, but with the snap of her fingers, blue particles converged, forming a rotating sphere of holographic data.
"Hello, everyone," Friday said. "I am Fairy."
This was a perfect opportunity for anyone to conduct a Turing test on Friday, and for Friday, it was child's play. Not only did she answer questions fluently from reporters and researchers from other companies, but she also cracked jokes effortlessly. Stark Industries' product launch was nothing like what everyone expected; Friday had no mechanical stiffness; instead, she electrified the atmosphere, turning the event into a grand party. The light effects, music, and revelry turned the conference into a massive party, truly embodying Tony Stark's personal style.
"We want to see Iron Man!" someone shouted.
"Iron Man?" Friday said, "No problem!"
The floor of the podium split open to reveal the golden-red armor, slowly emerging to cheers from the crowd.
In their eyes, the so-called "Iron Man" Tony Stark assisting the Justice League was purely a business move. His biggest difference from superheroes was that he made it clear he needed to make money.
So, all the technology was priced accordingly.
"Are you sure anyone will take the bait?" Max approached Baia with a champagne glass, widening her eyes, scaring away the reporters surrounding Baia.
Baia replied, "We barely arranged any security. If someone is really eyeing our technology, they won't miss this opportunity."
It wasn't an "if"; it was a done deal. Over the past few days, all the applicants had their backgrounds thoroughly investigated by Friday, and several of them were corporate spies sent by other companies.
"Let's nurture them for now," Caroline suggested, "Once we catch them red-handed, we can sue them into bankruptcy. Why not take the money?"
The most suspicious was Stark Industries. Instead of eagerly inquiring about AI technology, their corporate spies had been asking about security arrangements and other details since the news of the Iron Man armor appearing at the event came out.
It was too suspicious.
As Baia finished speaking, the lights in the venue suddenly went out, and the data stream representing Friday flickered and then went out. Chaos erupted in the venue.
"Someone cut the power," Baia looked up.
Friday's voice came through the earpiece, "Backup power has been activated. Should I restore the venue lighting now?"
"Just restore the microphones," Max said, "Wait a bit longer, the guests haven't arrived yet."
A gunshot rang out.
The once chaotic crowd instantly quieted down like a flock of sheep.
The muzzle was pressed against Max's lower back, and a voice, disguised with a voice changer, asked menacingly, "Where's Baia Wayne?"
"Right here."
The robber turned around to see the petite girl standing behind him.
Although he still had doubts in his mind, time was of the essence, and he couldn't care less now. Grabbing Baia, he followed the other mercenaries and left.
In the crowd, a blue-eyed reporter hesitated, his hand hovering over his tie. As the girl turned to look at him, Clark hesitated for a moment, then lowered his hand.
"Don't panic, everyone," Max picked up the microphone and shouted, "Everything is under control."
Friday's voice also chimed in gracefully, "Please remain calm, everyone. The power outage is just a minor mishap. However, the product launch event is nearing its end, so please exit the venue in an orderly manner."
The lights didn't come back on, but in the darkness, walls and floors suddenly lit up with colorful strips of light, indicating the way to the exits.
They were all... screens.
Actually, Max felt somewhat regretful. If it weren't for the unforeseen event, this launch event would have been even more successful.
"Don't worry," Caroline said, "The real show is yet to come."
Because there were many witnesses present, the disappearance of the Iron Man suit and Baia Wayne was quickly reported and caused a huge uproar on the internet.
"So, getting kidnapped is something you're used to now, huh?"
With her eyes covered, Baia had almost gotten used to the darkness. She heard a familiar voice in her ear, tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Baia stiffened. "You don't understand; this is law enforcement fishing!"
Red Robin sighed.
The ropes binding her wrists were cut by sharp blades, and Baia moved her stiff wrists to remove the blindfold.
Tim appeared before her, looking at her with concern.
"Simon Stagg took away the Iron Man suit," Baia explained quickly, "and he wants to exchange it for Friday's source code."
In Tony's original world, no one would ever think of stealing the Mark series. After all, everyone knew that even without Tony, with AI controlling it, the Mark series could take on dozens of enemies. It could only be said that Simon was too naive.
He only knew there was no one inside the armor, but he didn't know there was a Friday inside.
"Do you have the evidence?" Tim asked.
Baia nodded.
"Let's go then," Red Robin said, "You have no idea how worried I was when I first heard about this."
He looked a bit angry, making Baia feel guilty. She lowered her head and looked up at him. "Oh."
"Is that all you have to say?" Timothy led the girl through the corridor, intending to exit through the ventilation duct.
"Can't I be wrong?" Baia blinked her eyes innocently.
A patrol team approached chatting from the corner, and he quickly pulled Baia into the electrical room.
The electrical room was small and dimly lit. Baia could only cower in Red Robin's arms like a little kitten.
As the voices outside grew closer, Baia suddenly looked up, bumping her head into the big boy's chin.
"Scared?" he mouthed, his blue eyes shining like stars in the darkness.
Baia nodded.
System: Scared? You?
Baia was, of course, not scared.
Timothy knew she wasn't scared, of course.
Who cared?
"I'll protect you," Timothy whispered in Baia's ear, comforting her, as his hand, suspended in the air, landed on her shoulder. Baia wore a dress of starry sky color, exposing her smooth neck and back, while Red Robin's uniform gloves were somewhat rough.
It was a calm sea, but sometimes, even a single drop of rain could stir up a storm.