Early that morning, Tony Stark was in a pretty good mood.
Although he had run into quite a few troubles lately, he had once again used his superhuman intellect to get his life back on track.
It was just that with Obadiah gone, he had to attend meetings himself now.
Otherwise, he could not be bothered to show up for a pointless shareholders' meeting like this.
The moment he walked into the conference room, his expression changed slightly.
"Noah Allen, why are you here? This is an internal meeting of Stark Industries!"
Noah had been talking to someone beside him. When he heard Tony Stark's voice and turned to see that sour face, his expression immediately turned into a cheerful smile.
"Huh? Didn't I tell you?
I'm also a shareholder of Stark Industries, and the kind with quite a lot of shares."
Tony Stark's face darkened even further.
"You bastard, didn't you already sell all your Stark Industries stock?!"
Noah's expression did not change. He even spoke with a hint of seriousness.
"I have always had enough faith in you.
As long as you're alive, Stark Industries won't lose money.
So, after selling my shares last time, I heard that Stark Industries stock had dropped again and bought it back.
Speaking of which, I have to thank you.
After all, from now on, I'll get a share of the profits from every invention you create."
Tony Stark's face could not have gotten any darker.
But Noah had no intention of letting him off and continued.
"I saved you twice, yet you still haven't told me how you plan to thank me."
Tony Stark said through gritted teeth,
"Don't worry. You'll get a satisfactory answer today."
Noah nodded with a smile.
"That's good. I think your life is worth quite a lot, and I hope you agree."
"I won't disappoint you!"
With that, Tony Stark sat directly in his seat.
He did not even want to stay here any longer.
Seeing Tony Stark suffer, Noah's mood rose once again.
The irritation from burying himself in research these past few days was swept away.
Eating, sleeping, beat... ahem, teasing Tony was not such a bad pastime.
The meeting itself was incredibly boring.
After two hours, Tony Stark felt like he was about to fall asleep, and Noah felt the same.
For geniuses like them, this kind of meeting full of pointless wrangling was simply torture.
Fortunately, the torture finally ended.
As the meeting drew to a close, both of them unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
Tony Stark walked over, his expression somewhat gentler. Apparently, he had calmed down from his earlier agitation.
"Since you helped me out with a few little things, come on. Let's go to my lab."
After saying that, he turned and left. Noah did not mind and looked around as they walked.
He had to admit that Stark Industries was more advanced than Umbrella by far when it came to technological flair.
Compared to the obviously outdated equipment back at his own company, Stark Industries' equipment was clearly all top-of-the-line.
Fortunately, his own equipment would soon be upgraded as well.
As they walked, Noah asked,
"Seriously, have you never considered selling the large Arc Reactor downstairs?
I dare say that if you sold that, our company's stock would rise again tomorrow."
Tony Stark, walking ahead of him, was extremely displeased by Noah's utterly familiar way of referring to their company.
But he still replied,
"The technology I develop is mine to decide on.
That will never be listed as a regular product for sale."
Noah was not surprised by Tony Stark's answer.
The large Arc Reactor had enormous value in the energy industry.
But Tony Stark had always kept control of the end product.
At most, he would share some energy and earn a bit of profit from it.
The Arc Reactor was simply too frightening.
Energy that was ahead of its time could drive the world forward, but it could also bring unforeseeable crises.
Perhaps this era was not yet ready to embrace it.
Still, Noah guessed that it was not truly unavailable for sale, just as Tony Stark had said.
It would never fall under the category of "regular" sales.
There would always be special buyers.
"Can you install one for my company?"
Noah finally stated his purpose.
Tony Stark frowned slightly at that.
Noah continued,
"You know I have two companies. Their energy needs may not be as great as Stark Industries', but energy is still one of the main factors limiting their development.
I also plan to build a research base in the suburbs in the future. Without a good energy source, it would be far too inconvenient."
After hesitating for a moment, Tony Stark nodded.
"Fine."
It was not a big deal to him.
He truly was not afraid of anyone cracking the Arc Reactor technology.
In fact, much of the basic information regarding reactors was public knowledge.
As for the deeper aspects, if someone could reproduce it merely by looking at the reactor prototype, then the Arc Reactor could hardly be called groundbreaking technology.
A smile appeared on Noah's face.
Half of his objective had already been achieved.
The two soon arrived at the laboratory.
For a man who loved research, Tony Stark's laboratory was practically his home, located on the outskirts of Stark Industries.
The moment he entered, Noah immediately understood what a high-tech life was like.
Compared to this, his own life was practically primitive.
The black technology in this world sometimes felt truly unreal.
Tony Stark poured Noah a cup of coffee, then said,
"I'll arrange the Arc Reactor I promised you as soon as possible. Is there anything else you want?
There is nothing in this world that I, Tony Stark, can't do."
"Heh."
Looking at Tony Stark, addicted to showing off, Noah really wanted to dump the coffee in his cup all over his face.
But after thinking it over, he gave up on that tempting idea.
"What do you think I lack?
Your talent with machinery may be outstanding, but I'm not bragging when I say that I may not be any worse than you in biological research.
What do you think could move me?
Or rather, what do you think is worth your two lives?
If you insist on calling it a transaction, then go ahead and tell me. I'll sit right here and listen to your answer whenever you're ready."
As he spoke, Noah leisurely sipped his coffee.
Tony Stark was far too arrogant.
Perhaps as time passed, after he became Iron Man, that arrogance would slowly become hidden deep in his bones.
But at least for now, he was absolutely the sort of guy who looked down on everyone.
Even though Noah had helped him twice, Tony had not shown him a pleasant face.
But Tony Stark's greatest quality was that he was smart enough.
As he considered Noah's words, his expression shifted repeatedly.
Indeed, logically speaking, Noah did not have anything he desperately needed from him.
Even the Arc Reactor from before had only seemed like a small gift to him.
His life was not that cheap.
What exactly did Noah Allen mean?
After a moment, Tony Stark reluctantly stood up.
"You win."
"Perhaps we can be friends."
Friends were an exceptionally extravagant thing in his dictionary.
James Rhodes counted as one. As for anyone else...
Well, he could not think of anyone.
But without a doubt, friends were far more troublesome than business.
The corner of Noah's mouth curled up. This was exactly what he wanted.
Ordinary people could never get their hands on Tony Stark's armor, so why could James Rhodes become War Machine?
Wasn't it because he was Tony Stark's friend?
So the question was.
We're friends. Would you really have the nerve to refuse me an Artificial Intelligence?
We're friends. Borrowing one of your suits of armor isn't too much, is it?
We're friends...
In short, there were plenty of benefits.
A transaction?
That was the lowest form of approach.
Noah's lips curled up slightly as he looked at Tony Stark with smiling eyes.
"Hm? What did you say?
I don't think I heard you."
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