The internal power shifts within Stark Industries, while not as dramatic as the upheavals of ancient royal successions, were far from simple.
It was nothing like in urban novels, where as long as the older generation was alive, they could suppress all dissent within the company. Such a situation was impossible to occur here.
Howard Stark was aging, and after Maria's death, he became even more frail. The rapidly deteriorating Howard no longer had the ability to continue generating value for Stark Industries. His decisions could no longer be relied upon to steer the company in the right direction.
In this situation, even though he had once held high prestige within Stark Industries during his younger years, it no longer had any impact.
People may show respect for someone based on their past achievements, but that doesn't mean they would still follow their orders.
In American companies, owning the most shares doesn't automatically make someone the chairman.
When the chairman can no longer bring benefits to the company or guide it forward, shareholders have the right to remove them from their position and select a more qualified person to take over.
As for the former chairman, he would become a major shareholder, losing all authority and only be able to wait for the annual dividends.
Therefore, Tony taking over Howard's position was far from smooth sailing.
He had to create value for Stark Industries in a short amount of time. Otherwise, once those below him started getting restless, any moves he wanted to make would be hindered and difficult to implement.
For Tony, the quickest way to achieve this goal was to seek external cooperation.
And what company could bring benefits without posing risks to Stark Industries?
Naturally, it was Wayne Enterprises, a weapons company that had lost its leader, much like Stark Industries.
...
In Gotham City, at Wayne Manor.
Reid placed the freshly brewed tea on the table and quietly sat across from Tony, elegantly sipping his tea.
On the other hand, Tony, young as he was, couldn't keep his composure. Even though he tried to remain calm, the slight trembling of his hand as he held his tea betrayed his inner thoughts.
"Alright, I have to admit it, Alfred, you really do know how to stay calm. I lost."
Tony finally gave in. He shouldn't have tried to compete in patience with a man in his seventies. After all, he was only 21! How could he possibly remain composed?
"Looks like Mr. Stark is ready to get down to business?"
"That's right."
After giving up on maintaining a calm demeanor, Tony spoke directly.
"I want to collaborate with Wayne Enterprises."
"Well, then you should approach Wayne Enterprises directly through Stark Industries, not come to me, a lonely old butler, right?"
Reid still asked knowingly. He firmly believed that only by maintaining control could this collaboration be more stable.
Even though he knew Tony's character and that he was unlikely to take any underhanded actions, Reid hadn't forgotten that Stark Industries still had an Obadiah Stane. While Howard was still alive, his influence had greatly diminished, but he could still keep Obadiah in check for now.
From Reid's observation, however, Howard's physical decline had been so severe that, perhaps within a few years, he might pass away.
Even though Reid had happened to save Howard after his arrival, it had merely postponed Howard's death by a few more years.
"Alright, Alfred, enough with the cryptic remarks. I genuinely want to cooperate with you. Trust me, I would never do anything that would harm the Wayne family."
Tony, not wanting to waste more time with Alfred, made a direct commitment.
"I don't know how you managed to temporarily suspend Wayne Enterprises' listing, and frankly, I don't want to investigate it. You are a loyal butler and a man worthy of respect."
"Similarly, with your wisdom you should understand that the suspension of Wayne Enterprises' listing is only temporary. As long as interests are at stake, even with Earle dead, others will emerge. Only by stabilizing the value of Wayne Enterprises can we secure the hearts and minds of those involved. I am willing to help you, and in return, I need your help as well."
With that, Tony took out a document and placed it on the table in front of them.
"This is the collaboration I propose. Wayne Enterprises has a complete industrial supply chain that can help Stark Industries rapidly expand its industry. Of course, during this process, Wayne Enterprises will also stand to profit."
Reid gently picked up the collaboration document.
After arriving in this world, Reid had done some research. By the end of 1991, Stark Industries had already become the largest weapons conglomerate in the U.S., and the Stark family had long been the wealthiest in the country.
However, the Stark Industries of this time wasn't yet at the level of dominance it would achieve when the Iron Man storyline began.
Due to the limitations of the era's technological level, even though Howard was a genius, the weapons and equipment he created weren't particularly outstanding when compared to those produced by other companies.
The reason Stark Industries became as wealthy as it did in the future was primarily due to Tony's rise to power. Riding the wave of the technological explosion, he took Stark Industries to unprecedented new heights.
Naturally, Reid could see Tony's ambition in the document. He was confident that Tony could push Stark Industries even further, but the prerequisite for that was the unity within Stark Industries.
A partnership with Wayne Enterprises would not only accelerate Stark Industries' expansion by leveraging Wayne Enterprises' industrial chain, but it would also help stabilize the internal dynamics of Stark Industries.
In the future, as Stark Industries soared to new heights, Wayne Enterprises, maintaining its collaboration with Stark Industries, would also rise along with it.
This was the situation Reid most wanted to see, and it was the final step in securing the future of Wayne Enterprises.
"As the butler of Wayne Enterprises, I must say, this is a collaboration I cannot refuse."
Now that the objective had been achieved, there was no need to continue pretending to be reserved.
Reid placed the document directly on the table, then looked at Tony and extended his right hand.
"I can guarantee that there will be no issues with this collaboration. Also, I have a gift I'd like to give to Mr. Stark."
"A gift?"
Upon hearing that the collaboration had been confirmed, Tony let out a sigh of relief.
He could have gone directly to Wayne Enterprises for cooperation, and they wouldn't have refused. However, without Alfred as a stabilizing link, Wayne Enterprises wouldn't be as controllable. At a critical moment, they might even betray Stark Industries.
Now that the goal had been achieved, he naturally felt relieved.
But when he heard that Reid was offering a gift, Tony was taken aback.
"What kind of gift? It's not some health supplements, right? I'm only 21, I'm not in need of that stuff."
Reid simply smiled slightly, then replied.
"It's information about the assassin."
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