If possible, Tony would have preferred not to discuss this matter at all. He could spend a fortune on something meaningless, even without giving it a second glance. But he hated being extorted.
So he felt deeply conflicted inside, while Arthur, admiring the Iron Monger Armor, commented, "This is a really great piece of work. Its structure is unique. Although it looks ugly, its core technology is beyond imagination. I think if I sold it to someone else... or even to a country, they wouldn't hesitate to give me a huge amount of money!"
"Arthur, please don't go on..."
Pepper said helplessly, "Please state your demands!"
"Hmm..." Arthur thought for a moment before saying, "Honestly, a one-time payment wouldn't satisfy me. Nobody knows how far my research will go. Scientific experiments are full of surprises. So, in addition to a large sum of money, I also need some shares in Stark Industries!"
"Do you even know what you're asking for?" Tony looked at Arthur incredulously. "If my father knew that his friend was using something his son created to blackmail him to this extent..."
"That's too harsh a way to put it," Arthur quickly interrupted Tony. "Besides, I never intended to use those shares for anything. I don't need any real power, just the dividends would be enough. You know what I mean? All you'd have to do is pay me a sum of money every year, and whenever you don't want to see me, you'll never have to. These two big guys are like my... technological equity contribution. How about that?"
'Tech equity, my foot!'
Tony gritted his teeth and shook his head. "No way. You're asking too much. I can't agree to that."
"How about I ask for fewer shares? Perhaps a smaller annual dividend?" Arthur blinked.
"It's not the amount!!!"
Tony waved his hand. "If you like these two, you can take them with you anytime. But from now on..."
"Wait!"
Just as Tony was about to make an irreversible decision, Pepper suddenly spoke up. "Actually, what you want may not be out of reach, but your offer is far from enough."
Tony was taken aback and looked at Pepper.
Pepper gave him a knowing wink.
Tony had almost complete trust in Pepper. Seeing her speak now, he resisted the urge to say anything and waited quietly.
"All right, all right, negotiations... Go ahead, tell me what you need." Arthur said with a smile.
"We won't interfere with your experiment or your research." Pepper replied with a smile. "What we need... is your finished product! If you're willing, then this experiment could indeed be your technological equity."
Arthur blinked, then shook his head. "I'll give you the same answer: it's impossible! If my experiment succeeds, it will undoubtedly be a breakthrough that will go down in history, possibly even changing the global landscape. Just as Tony doesn't want those two guys to go on the market, I don't want the results of my experiment to go public either. At least not without my approval.
The Perfect Serum, if released, would have consequences far worse than Iron Monger Armor.
It could completely surpass them!
It's not hard to imagine that once a truly perfect serum is created, tweaking genes so that everyone could become like Steve... or even the Hulk... no number of Earths would be enough.
Why did Dr. Erskine struggle inwardly countless times before the final experiment?
Why, as if entrusting his legacy, did he hand over the last vial of the Super Soldier serum, and why did he seem so relieved after doing so?
What Arthur was now worried about was exactly what Tony had feared. Tony was as worried about the Iron Monger Armor coming to market as Arthur was about his own creation.
This conversation caused Tony's expression to change. He quietly asked Pepper, "Do you know what kind of experiment he's actually conducting?"
"I know a little."
Pepper replied quietly, then turned to Arthur and said, "Perhaps my words gave you the wrong impression. We don't need to control your entire finished product. We only need two pieces..."
"...Actually, I'm more curious about how much you really know." Arthur said, intrigued. "Do you even know what I'm actually doing?"
"What I currently know is based on my own deductions." Pepper replied with a gentle smile. "What I know is what you already know. If it were just for that purpose, I don't think you'd need the stock in Stark Industries. Since you need ongoing financial support and dividends, it proves that your ambition is something beyond that."
"Smart woman." Arthur remarked, realizing that he had to make a choice.
He thought for a moment before saying, "As for the finished product... I can only give you one."
"That's acceptable, but it's still not enough." Pepper replied. "I've been following some of Dr. Connor's activities. It's said that Dr. Connors disappeared after that night... Well, if possible, I assume you have some related products in development. When the time comes, we'd like to have the rights to manage them."
Arthur took a deep breath. He realized that he had completely underestimated this woman.
Beneath her intelligent exterior was a sharp, ruthless mind capable of making such deductions from mere bits of information.
What was he going to do?
Deny it?
Of course, he could! But that would end the negotiations.
Because she didn't think the current offer was enough!
On the other hand, if Dr. Connors was really with him and Arthur had promised certain things, then the direction of his research was almost certain.
That was what this woman really wanted!
So Arthur blinked and asked, "Just management? All the profits would go to me?"
"That's certainly impossible. In fact, I believe we could agree on a 9:1 profit split,"
Pepper proposed. "We'd take 9."
"You're delusional!!!" Arthur was stunned. How could this seemingly sweet and pretty woman make such a shocking demand?
The auxiliary products she mentioned were likely gene serums aimed at limb regeneration or similar, in case the perfect serum didn't pan out. If such products ever hit the market, the profits would be unimaginable.
And here she was, asking for the lion's share as if she were pulling off a heist with nothing but her words!
Seeing Arthur's outburst, Tony became gleeful and said, "No way, we want 9!"
Then he whispered to Pepper, "What exactly are we asking for?"
(End of Chapter)
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