"Shocking! Oscorp Industries' Bio-Genetic Laboratory has been sealed off. Professor Connors, the person in charge, is under close police surveillance. It is reported that the monster that suddenly appeared..."
Early the next morning, Obadiah had just arrived at his office when he saw the front page headline in the newspaper.
"Oscorp Industries? Hmph, they dared to steal military business from me. Looks like they got what they deserved."
The moment he saw the news, Obadiah felt incomparably delighted.
Although Tony Stark's disappearance had been concealed from the public, the country's upper echelon was fully aware of it.
Thus, Stark Industries, having lost its genius weapons developer, saw its influence within the military plummet overnight.
Yet Oscorp Industries seemed to have obtained some inside information and had begun closely contacting the military while Tony Stark was missing.
It was said that they were about to secure a major long-term cooperation contract.
"Fortunately, we haven't come away empty-handed either. Although we paid a certain price, we finally obtained the opportunity to cooperate with the government and participate in the post-disaster relief and reconstruction project."
Tony's disappearance had weakened Stark Industries' influence among the upper ranks.
But for Obadiah, it was a perfect opportunity to take complete control of the company.
Besides, while participating in the "post-disaster relief and reconstruction" project seemed like a losing deal, there would actually be unexpected gains from it.
"Contact all the company's key personnel and shareholders. In half an hour, I'll be holding an important meeting."
After instructing his secretary and putting down the phone, Obadiah could not help revealing an excited smile as he thought of the special gains he had obtained from this cooperation.
Half an hour passed quickly.
The enormous conference room was already packed with people, all dressed in suits and expensive ties, looking every bit like successful businessmen.
Most of them were senior executives and shareholders of Stark Industries.
"Mr. Stan, why did you suddenly summon us? What important matter do you have to announce? Has something happened to the company?"
Everyone had already arrived, yet Stan sat in the boss's chair at the head of the long conference table with his back to them, showing no intention of turning around.
At last, one shareholder could no longer hold back and asked anxiously.
As shareholders, they had naturally heard some unfavorable rumors about Stark Industries.
"Hm? It seems this gentleman does not have much confidence in our company's prospects. In that case, I'll take over the shares in your hands. Don't worry, I'll offer you the highest market price."
Without even turning around, Obadiah spoke slowly in a voice filled with a sense of oppression.
"Uh, Mr. Stan, that's not what I meant..."
Naturally, the shareholder would not easily give up his shares.
"Sorry, you are no longer a shareholder of the company. Therefore, you cannot participate in this meeting."
The moment Obadiah finished speaking.
Two burly men in black suits and black sunglasses, who had long been waiting outside, strode straight into the conference room. Ignoring the shareholder's protests, they forcibly dragged him out.
"Now, I announce that Stark Industries' Bio-Genetic Laboratory will officially be established today."
"Who agrees? Who objects?"
Slowly turning around, Obadiah announced his decision in a forceful tone.
"Mr. Stan, why do you suddenly want to establish..."
As the president's secretary, Pepper naturally had the right to participate in this high-level meeting. But before she could finish her question, Obadiah cut her off.
"Congratulations, Ms. Pepper. On Tony's behalf, I approve a six-month paid leave for you. For the time being, do not involve yourself in company matters."
"So, does anyone else have any questions?"
Seeing the situation, no one else dared raise any objections. After all, it was only the establishment of an ordinary Bio-Genetic Laboratory.
"Hmph, at least you know what's good for you!"
A warm, friendly smile appeared on Obadiah's face, but he snorted coldly in his heart.
Meanwhile, in Nick Fury's office at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
"So, nearly half a month has passed since Tony Stark disappeared, and you're telling me that you still have nothing? Are S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents all useless?"
Nick Fury's already pitch-black face looked even uglier at that moment.
Nearly half a month had passed, yet they had still found no information whatsoever about those missing scientists, as though they had vanished from the Earth into thin air.
"Sorry, Director. We have searched hidden regions across the world. We even sent agents to investigate Wakanda, that backward agricultural nation in Africa."
"Unfortunately, we still have nothing. However, we have now begun searching the polar regions. If we cannot find any information about those scientists there, then I'm afraid..."
Agent Hill's expression was not much better.
To search for the missing scientists, they had mobilized more than ten thousand low-level agents from around the world for a comprehensive investigation.
Yet they had made no progress. During the search, they had even received the terrible news that other Laboratories had been emptied again.
"Director, although we have not found any evidence, my instincts tell me this must be connected to that person. Should we focus our investigation on..."
"That's impossible. The president has proposed, with the United Nations taking the lead, that all countries reach an agreement: no country or organization may investigate any information related to that person."
Agent Hill could sense it, so how could Nick Fury, as director, fail to sense it?
But leave aside the fact that they had no evidence. Even if they had sufficient evidence, what could they do?
That person's status on Earth was now equivalent to the "ancestor" of every country. Every nation had to appease him, or no one could guarantee that he would not reenact what happened to the Moon on Earth.
No one wanted one of their country's major cities to be completely erased from the Earth overnight.
"Forget it. Continue investigating this matter, but as for the final result..."
To be honest, Nick Fury no longer held much hope.
Ring, ring, ring...
"Take it here. I want to see whether something big happens again this time."
Nick Fury continued to put up a tough front, just as he had last time.
"Hello, this is Hill. What did you say? Another scientist has disappeared? Professor Connors, who was under close police surveillance?"
"Well, sure enough, it's another piece of bad news."
There was no need for Hill to report it. Nick Fury already knew it was bad news again.
"Director, Professor Connors has disappeared..."
Ring, ring, ring...
Hill had just hung up and was in the middle of reporting to Nick Fury when her phone rang again.
"You can just... Uh, you should go outside to answer it this time."
As Agent Hill's phone rang again, Nick Fury suddenly changed his tone. Even as director, he could not bear being embarrassed twice in a row in front of his subordinate.
"Yes, Director."
Hill held back her laughter and quickly walked out of the office to answer the call.
But the instant she stepped outside, she abruptly pushed the door open again. Her steps were no longer composed, and her previously calm face was now filled with shock.
"Director, they said they found something beneath the Arctic ice..."
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