"Just stick to what you said earlier. Even if some media outlets don't believe it, they won't be able to stir up too much public opinion. We're very experienced with this sort of thing; we know how to make this issue gradually disappear from public view."
Coulson handed over a piece of paper.
"And here's your alibi. You were on a yacht at the time. As for Obadiah, he will die in a private plane crash a week from now."
Tony was reading the newspaper, looking at the headline: "Who Is Iron Man?"
"Iron Man, huh? Not a bad name. Although my suit is made of gold-titanium alloy, it fits well enough. I like the nickname!" Tony commented on the newspaper.
Seeing that Tony didn't respond to Coulson, Pepper turned to Coulson and said, "Thank you! We wouldn't have known how to explain this to the media today without you. We really appreciate everything you've done!"
"No problem, it's our duty. Besides, one of our trainee agents was heavily involved in this incident. It's kind of an internal matter for us." Coulson took the rare opportunity to tease Blake.
At this moment, Blake, dressed in a black suit, stood aside, looking every bit the part of a qualified agent or security guard.
"Exactly, this whole mess was started by this guy. He should be the one explaining things to the media today." Tony pointed at Blake standing on the side and said mockingly.
"And you'd better remember your role, Mr. Instigator. Today, your outfit should be used to maintain order among the reporters outside!"
"Understood, Mr. Stark!"
Blake responded professionally, adjusting his sunglasses and turning to leave, exuding the demeanor of a seasoned agent.
This surprised Tony quite a bit.
"What did you do to him? How did you get this guy to suddenly become so obedient? You didn't use some kind of brainwashing tool on him, did you?" Tony joked, pointing at Blake.
"Our boss threatened him. If he didn't cooperate today, his monthly salary would be cut off. You know, this guy recently bought a nice apartment, so he probably doesn't have much money left!"
Coulson beamed with satisfaction. After being outmaneuvered by these two during the Middle East incident, it felt good to finally have the upper hand. Although Blake had volunteered to help this morning, it was Nick Fury's call that made him comply so readily. Honestly, it was quite gratifying to be able to command this guy.
With everything ready, Colonel Rhodes had been stalling the reporters outside for a good half-hour. Tony spread his arms, allowing Pepper to help him into his jacket.
Looking at the obedient and charming Pepper, Tony suddenly realized how much he had been overlooking this girl by his side.
What was that proverb Blake had mentioned?
"Rabbits don't eat the grass by their own burrow."
To hell with that. It must be because the grass near the rabbit's burrow wasn't enticing enough.
After clearing his throat, Tony looked at Pepper, who was adjusting his clothes, and decided it would be better to discuss this in another setting.
Coulson had already signaled Rhodes. Outside, Rhodes stopped his rambling and announced, "Mr. Stark has prepared a statement, but he will not be taking any questions today. Thank you!"
Tony took the stage, and the crowd erupted in applause. No journalist disliked Tony Stark—not because he was particularly likable, but because he always had enough sensational news.
Tony scanned the reporters and glanced at Blake, who stood silently in a corner. With a challenging look, he subtly gave Tony the finger.
"Pfft!"
Tony couldn't help but laugh, then awkwardly coughed and said, "It's been a while since I've seen you all. Today, I have a prepared statement!"
He pulled out the so-called official statement prepared by Coulson's team.
"Regarding the rumors that I was involved in last night's..."
"Excuse me, Mr. Stark, but do you really expect us to believe that nonsense about a bodyguard in a suit of armor?"
A female reporter interrupted Tony. Tony not only knew her but had also had a one-night stand with her. She had always been dedicated to exposing Stark Industries for allegedly selling weapons to terrorists, labeling Tony Stark as an executioner.
"Hmm?"
Tony hesitated for a moment. Although he had agreed not to answer any questions today, he couldn't resist pointing at Blake and saying, "Yes, indeed, there was a bodyguard in a suit of armor, and he is right here. It's that guy over there, the Asian guy wearing sunglasses and trying to look cool. It was him last night!"
Following Tony's direction, the flashlights of all the cameras immediately turned towards Blake.
"F**k!"
Caught off guard, Blake could only mutter a curse. Seeing a group of reporters aiming their cameras at him, Blake flashed a highly formal smile and made a peace sign near his chin.
The main concern at the press conference was the identity of Iron Man. Now that Tony Stark had spoken, whether true or not, Blake became the reporters' prime target.
Only the female reporter in the front row remained seated, unmoving. She looked at Tony Stark and calmly said, "So, he was the one in the armor. Alright, Mr. Stark, then who is the person wielding the narrow sword?"
The female reporter casually took out a laptop from under her seat and played a video. It was a night scene shot with a camera, with some color distortion and unclear footage. However, it clearly showed Blake wielding a Tang sword, cutting off the legs of the Iron Monger as it tried to ascend.
It was evident that the person was Blake. Tony, shown in a corner of the screen, had his helmet off. Due to the angle and the video quality, it was barely discernible that he was a white man.
The whole room buzzed with surprise once again! No one had expected someone to have recorded the rooftop fight scene.
The female reporter, wearing a victorious smile, waited for Tony Stark's explanation. She had been investigating Tony Stark for a long time, covering his romantic history and his company. To get first-hand information, she had even bribed the head of security in a nearby office building.
She had installed cameras and remote video equipment capable of capturing various scenarios, instructing the security head to start recording if the lights on the top floor of Stark Industries lit up at night.
Last night, by chance, the security guard saw Tony and the Iron Monger flying in the street. Thinking it was an alien, he rushed to the rooftop with his equipment. When he couldn't find them, he soon saw them land on Stark Industries' rooftop. After hurriedly setting up his equipment and figuring out the night vision function, he captured the scene of Blake cutting off the Iron Monger's legs.
Luckily, due to his lack of professionalism, only Blake's face was clear. Tony, because of the angle and focus, was not clearly visible.
The female reporter was eager to see how Tony Stark would deny this.
Unexpectedly, Tony remained silent for a moment, then threw his prepared statement on the table and admitted, "Let me correct one thing: that's called a Tang sword! Also, you guessed it right, I am Iron Man!"
Tony then made a peace sign towards the cameras.
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