Dario Agger

Dario Agger

"Roxxon Corporation was founded around 1932. It started out in oil. Its first head was Hugh Jones, a friend of my father's—though perhaps only for a time. That was business. Friends today could be rivals tomorrow. But after an accident, Hugh Jones had been missing for quite some time.

Roxxon's current head was a man named Dario Agger, the one who sent us the invitation. I couldn't dig up much information on him. He was rather mysterious. There were plenty of rumors, though. They said the methods he used to rise to power weren't exactly honorable, but that was hardly surprising. Roxxon had done plenty of terrible things that couldn't be spoken of back when it was getting started."

Tony Stark had deliberately ridden in the same business van as Luke Field. They were currently on their way to Roxxon Corporation's reception, and Tony was telling Luke what he knew about Roxxon and its current manager, Dario Agger.

"Really? So you brought security measures?" Luke smiled and glanced toward the front seats of the seven-seater van. Tony's bodyguard, Happy Hogan, sat solemnly with a metal briefcase the size of a woven sack clutched in his arms, as if that made him look as professional as Snoke in the driver's seat. Noticing Luke's scrutiny through the rearview mirror, Happy gave Luke a serious smile through the reflection.

"No, I just make a habit of bringing my armor." Tony followed Luke's gaze to the case, then said proudly, "Mark V. Its performance isn't exceptional. Foldable materials, mediocre defense, no external power source or weapons, so its offensive capability isn't much either. Its only advantage is portability. If something happens, I only need ten to eighteen seconds to put it on. Enough to knock down the enemy, get out of danger, or stall while waiting for Reinforcements. I strongly suggest you get one too. I don't want to hear someday that you got kidnapped as well. Oh, right. I remembered wrong—you already were kidnapped."

"Attempted!" Luke firmly corrected him.

Though both of them had run into this unpleasant mess right after selling weapons and landing a huge order, Tony Stark had nearly lost his life. He had even been captured and forced to make Jericho Missiles for his captors. Luke had faced a similar script, but he had been far more vigilant than Tony. Even if Wallace had not worn the equipment Luke made, Luke still had other ways to deal with the situation and ensure both his own safety and Ina's.

"We're here. Once we're inside, do whatever you need to do. If you trust me, I can handle Dario Agger for you." Tony's words made Pepper Potts, seated in the back, glance at him in surprise. Having followed Stark for so long, this was the first time she had seen him attend a reception and actually take the initiative to shoulder responsibilities.

At previous receptions, Tony Stark would at most show his face—sometimes, he would not even do that. He would just go off to have fun with the pretty women there. Obadiah usually handled the social obligations and public speeches, or Pepper and James Rhodes would step in. If the man speaking in front of her had not been so familiar, she might have suspected Tony had been replaced.

Though Tony's tone was not gentle and even carried his usual barbed edge, Luke still heard the goodwill behind his words. He nodded. He would have loved for someone else to take care of these troublesome matters. Wasn't the reason he had approached Stark for an energy partnership to reduce trouble—and to gain another powerful partner when trouble came knocking? After all, Hebron had only been established for a little over six years.

Whether Tony Stark was trustworthy remained to be seen, but so far, he had done quite well since their partnership began. Both companies had put in tremendous effort and expended their own connections to get this far, but throughout the process, Tony had never dodged any blame he shouldered or pressure he was meant to bear.

Of course, he had not missed a single chance to be in the spotlight either.

The man was like a fighter at the end of his life—absurdly responsible and absurdly brave.

Dario Agger was a tall man. With an amiable smile on his face, he removed the sunglasses from his nose bridge and warmly greeted Tony, Luke, and the others. He enthusiastically led them around the reception, introducing them to the so-called elites and important figures in attendance. When he went onstage to give his speech—

Tony Stark leaned close to Luke's ear and swept his gaze around the venue. "See it? This is a show of force. Everyone he introduced was a big name in the energy sector, from government or corporate circles."

"I thought you didn't understand this stuff?"

Luke shot him a surprised glance. That glance made Tony feel insulted. His voice rose slightly. "Kid, not caring about something doesn't mean I don't understand it! It's like how I never manage the company, but if I had to, I could get the hang of it fast. I just think my intelligence and time shouldn't be wasted on that kind of thing, understand?"

"So you chose to waste your energy and time on one woman after another?"

Luke's single remark shut Tony right up. He saw that his Pepper had already drawn near.

Dario Agger's speech was eloquent and passionate, brimming with the atmosphere of a hospitable host. He spoke fervently onstage, as though Stark and Hebron had already reached a partnership agreement with him today and opened a new chapter in the energy revolution. The elites and dignitaries listening below cheered and applauded one after another, driving the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

In that charged environment, Luke and the others stood expressionless like a few forgotten outsiders. Strictly speaking, they were the central figures of this reception.

"Let's work together. Believe me, as long as my Roxxon joins you, every obstacle you've encountered will vanish into thin air. Roxxon can handle every trouble that has happened or has yet to happen. We are good at using flexible methods to resolve all kinds of problems, whether they come from the public, the government, or corporations.

Roxxon can provide enormous funding, all of our connections, and the most selfless assistance. What do you say? You have the technology. I have the connections, funds, and power. If we work together, all the energy in the entire Planetary System will be ours. Maybe we can even haul the ice from Jupiter's Moons to this planet and auction it off. We will make endless money and gain even greater power."

Still carrying the momentum of his speech, Dario Agger returned to Luke and Tony and extended his invitation to cooperate.

Luke, Tony, and the others exchanged looks. Then Tony caught the look Luke gave him—the one telling him to go ahead. He curled his lip, feeling more and more like one of Luke's tools. "How much of a share do you want?"

PS1: This week and next week are crucial for recommendations. Please keep following the latest chapters if you can. Many thanks!