Obadiah's Malice

Obadiah was Stark Industries' largest shareholder aside from Tony, and also Tony Stark's elder and close friend.

Seeing that Obadiah wanted to speak with Stark Industries' new shareholder, the directors and entrepreneurs gathered around Harry quietly withdrew, leaving them some space.

As a figure at the very pinnacle of high society, Obadiah had countless ties to the military and senior government officials. He was not someone they could afford to offend.

Once the irrelevant people had all left, Obadiah smiled in satisfaction, pulled over a chair, and sat beside Harry.

He glanced over the pile of plates on the table, forcing a gentle smile onto his stern face.

"This restaurant's steaks are delicious. I like them too, but I can only manage three portions at most. Any more, and I can't eat another bite. I truly envy young people's appetites."

Because of Tony, Harry had always held a favorable impression of Obadiah as an elder.

But after meeting him today, Harry found that Obadiah did not seem so friendly. There seemed to be a faint, barely perceptible malice directed at him.

Why? Was it because Tony had given him five percent of the shares?

Harry kept his expression unchanged and smiled. "I'd never eaten here before, so I had a little extra today. I didn't expect to run into you, Mr. Obadiah."

"Yes, what a coincidence. I came here for a meal as well, and I didn't expect to see Tony's good friend. As it happens, I have something I wanted to discuss with you."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Harry, do you intend to sell the shares in your possession?"

"The shares?" Harry had not expected Obadiah to be after his shares.

Harry did not believe for a second that Obadiah had merely happened to run into him. Obadiah had clearly investigated his whereabouts and come to this restaurant specifically to "coincidentally" meet him.

Then why did Obadiah want to acquire his shares?

Clearly, to increase his influence on Stark Industries' board of directors.

That was nothing like the diligent, good-natured elder Tony had described, someone devoted to working for Stark Industries.

Noticing the strange look on Harry's face, Obadiah hurriedly explained.

"Harry, I'm doing this for your own good. Ever since Tony shut down the weapons development division, Stark Industries' market value has fallen again and again. Just today, it dropped from five trillion dollars to three trillion dollars.

"If nothing unexpected happens, this will continue. By then, the shares in your hands will depreciate drastically. So why not sell them to me? I can offer one hundred billion dollars for them!"

Harry refused without hesitation. "I'm sorry, Mr. Obadiah, but I must decline. I won't sell the shares in my possession.

"Not only because those shares were a gift from Tony, but because I believe in him. He will absolutely invent other technologies to turn the situation around. The shares I hold may even become more valuable than before."

If he had not known the truth, Obadiah's offer would indeed have been quite good.

But Harry knew about Tony's backup plans. Whether it was the various technologies derived from the Iron Man Armor or the most crucial Arc Reactor, either one could bring endless wealth.

Obadiah could not possibly be unaware of those two technologies. His apparent goodwill was actually an attempt to swindle Harry out of his shares at a low price, and naturally, Harry would not agree.

After being rejected, Obadiah's expression immediately stiffened. Harry instantly sensed a far more obvious malice, even a trace of killing intent.

Obadiah wanted to kill him!

However, Obadiah quickly resumed his genial facade. Yet that friendly face was too false, like the unsteady reflection of the moon on water, ready to shatter at a touch.

He stood, patted Harry on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Good. Tony is fortunate to have a friend like you. If you ever decide to sell those shares, you can contact me. I'll be leaving now. I have a business meeting over there."

"Goodbye, Mr. Obadiah. I wish you a pleasant life."

As Harry watched Obadiah leave, Gwen, who had been quietly fading into the background, suddenly spoke. "Harry, I... I feel like Mr. Obadiah isn't as friendly as he appears."

Gwen's tone wavered. Clearly, she was not certain of her own guess, but out of concern for Harry, she said it anyway.

Harry was surprised. He had not expected Gwen's intuition to be so sharp. She did not possess senses as keen as his.

Harry flashed his neat white teeth and patted Gwen on the head. "No, your intuition is right. Obadiah isn't a good person!"

Having her crush pat her head, a captivating blush instantly spread across Gwen's face. She lowered her head, speared a piece of steak, and put it into her mouth. It tasted sweet.

Harry drove the Lamborghini to a stop in front of 15 West 81st Street in New York.

He opened the door and helped Gwen out. The date had clearly put her in a good mood, and she skipped lightly as she said goodbye to Harry.

Harry waved, politely smiled toward the villa's window, and drove away.

The moment Gwen pushed open the door and entered, she was surrounded by her father and mother.

Chief George's stern face was as black as ink as he said in a flustered rage, "Gwen, who was that boy?"

He had never expected that his precious cabbage had nearly been rooted up by a pig without him even knowing.

Well, even if that pig was rather handsome, it was absolutely not allowed!

Mrs. Stacy pushed her husband aside and covered her mouth as she chuckled. "Don't mind him, Gwen. That boy just now was Harry, the one you often mention, right? I think he's quite good. You should find an opportunity to invite him over for dinner."

"Ah, Mom, Dad, I'll tell you later!"

Gwen was too embarrassed and fled into her room in a panic, slamming the door shut with a bang before covering her cheeks and rolling around on her bed.

After bidding farewell to Gwen and Gwen's parents, who had been peeking from the window, Harry returned to the car. The engine roared as he sent his beloved car racing toward Queens like the wind.

Soon, he stopped at the site where the news had reported a radioactive material leak.

The leaked radioactive materials in the surrounding area had already been cleaned up, leaving no trace behind.

But Harry could still sense some residual radiation. Most of it came from beneath a rusty sewer cover. It seemed that the radioactive material that had flowed into the sewers had not been fully cleaned up.

There was nothing unusual about this area, so the thing that had given him a sense of danger was probably not here.

Could it have been small animals like radiation-mutated spiders or lizards? That did not seem right either.

Harry felt that it was more like some kind of magical curse, one that would harm him or his family in the future.

Unable to find any clues, Harry could only set the matter aside for now and deal with it when the danger emerged.

Chaos Magic told him that this crisis would not cause him much harm.

On the way home, Harry drove while calling Tony.

The call connected, and the crisp sound of a hammer striking metal came from the other end. "Harry, what is it? I'm busy over here. Uru Metal is very useful. Give me a little more time, and I'll successfully develop the Magic Armor!"