The Usefulness of a Friend

In the early morning, Tony Stark was in a good mood.

Although there had been a lot of trouble lately, he had once again used his super intellect to get his life back on track.

It was just that now that Obadiah was gone, he had to chair the meeting himself.

Otherwise, he wouldn't even bother attending a shareholder meeting as pointless as this.

As soon as 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 was talking to the person next to him. When he heard Tony Stark's voice and saw that grumpy face, his expression immediately turned into a smile.

"Huh? Didn't I tell you?

I'm also a shareholder of Stark Industries, and a major one at that."

Tony Stark's face grew even darker upon hearing this.

"You scoundrel, didn't you already sell all your Stark Industries stock!"

Noah's expression remained unchanged, and he even said with a hint of seriousness:

"I've always had enough confidence in you.

As long as you're alive, Stark Industries won't lose money.

So, after selling the stock last time, I heard that Stark Industries' stock dropped again, so I bought it back.

Speaking of which, I must thank you.

After all, from now on, I'll have a share in the profits of every research you invent."

Tony Stark's face couldn't get any darker.

But Noah wasn't done with him yet, continuing:

"I've saved you twice, and you still haven't told me how you plan to thank me."

Tony Stark gritted his teeth and said:

"Don't worry, I'll give you a satisfactory answer today."

Noah smiled and nodded.

"That's good. I think your life is quite valuable, and I hope you agree with that sentiment."

"I won't disappoint you!"

With that, Tony Stark sat down in his seat.

He didn't even want to stay here any longer.

Seeing Tony Stark flustered, Noah's mood lifted again.

The recent frustration from burying himself in research vanished.

Eating, sleeping, and… ahem, teasing Tony was, in itself, a form of entertainment.

The meeting was incredibly boring.

After two hours, Tony Stark felt drowsy, and so did Noah.

Such a pointless meeting was torture for geniuses like them.

Fortunately, the torture finally ended.

As the meeting concluded, both of them unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

Tony Stark walked over, his expression softening a bit, likely having calmed down from his initial agitation.

"Considering you've done me a few small favors, let's go to my lab."

He turned and left. Noah didn't mind and looked around as they walked.

He had to admit, Stark Industries was significantly more advanced in terms of its technological feel than his own Umbrella.

Compared to the outdated equipment at his company, Stark Industries' machinery was clearly top-of-the-line.

Fortunately, his own equipment was about to be updated.

As they walked, Noah asked:

"Seriously, aren't you considering selling those large Arc Reactors downstairs?

I guarantee that if you sold those, our company's stock would rise significantly tomorrow."

Tony Stark, walking ahead, felt extremely annoyed by Noah's casual address.

But he still replied:

"I decide what to do with the technology I develop.

That will never be a standard product for sale."

Noah wasn't surprised by Tony Stark's answer.

The large Arc Reactor held immense value in the energy industry.

But Tony Stark always kept control of the terminal.

At most, he would share some energy to gain some profit.

It was just that this Arc Reactor was too terrifying.

An energy source beyond its time, while pushing the world forward, could also bring unforeseen crises.

This era might not be ready to welcome it.

However, he figured that Tony Stark wasn't truly unwilling to sell it, just as he said himself.

It would never be included in 'regular' sales.

There would always be special buyers.

"Can you install this in my company?"

Noah stated his purpose.

Hearing this, Tony Stark frowned.

Noah continued:

"You know I have two companies. While our energy demands aren't as high as Stark Industries', energy is still one of the main factors limiting my companies' growth.

I also plan to build a research base in the suburbs in the future. Without a good energy source, it'll be too inconvenient."

After a moment of hesitation, Tony Stark nodded.

"Alright."

This wasn't a big deal for him.

He wasn't actually afraid of someone cracking the Arc Reactor technology.

In fact, much of the basic information about the reactor was public.

As for the deeper aspects, if one could replicate it just by looking at a prototype, then the Arc Reactor wouldn't be considered a groundbreaking technology.

A smile spread across Noah's face.

Half of his objective had been achieved.

The two soon walked into the laboratory.

As a man who enjoyed research, Tony Stark's laboratory was essentially his residence, located on the outskirts of Stark Industries.

Upon entering, Noah immediately felt what high-tech living was like.

Compared to this, his own life felt like that of a primitive man.

The advanced technology in this world sometimes felt unreal.

Tony Stark poured Noah a cup of coffee and then said:

"I'll arrange the Arc Reactor for you as soon as possible. Is there anything else you want?

In this world, there's nothing I, Tony Stark, cannot do."

"Heh heh~"

Looking at Tony Stark, who was addicted to showing off, Noah really wanted to pour the coffee in his cup onto his face.

However, after some thought, he abandoned the tempting idea.

"What do you think I'm lacking?

While your talent in mechanics is impressive, I'm not bragging when I say that in the field of biological research, I might not be inferior to you.

What do you think could impress me?

Or rather, what do you think is worth two of your lives?

If we're going to talk about a transaction, then tell me. I'll be right here, ready to hear your answer at any time."

With that, Noah leisurely sipped his coffee.

Tony Stark was simply too arrogant.

Perhaps as time went on, this arrogance would gradually be hidden deep within him after he became Iron Man.

But at least now, he was an utterly conceited individual.

Even though Noah had helped him twice, he hadn't earned a pleasant expression from him.

However, Tony Stark's most outstanding trait was his intelligence.

Considering Noah's words, his expression shifted back and forth.

Indeed, logically speaking, Noah didn't have anything urgent he needed from him.

Even the Arc Reactor from before seemed like a small gift to him.

His life wasn't that cheap.

What exactly did Noah Allen mean?

A moment later, Tony Stark reluctantly stood up.

"You win."

"Perhaps we can be friends."

Friendship was a luxury item in his dictionary.

Rhodes was one, others...

Well, he couldn't think of anyone else.

But without a doubt, friends were much more troublesome than business.

Noah's lips curved upwards; this was precisely his goal.

Normally, no one could get their hands on Tony Stark's armor, but why could Rhodes become War Machine?

Wasn't it because he was Tony Stark's friend?

So the question arose:

We're friends, how could an AI refuse me?

We're friends, it's not too much to ask to borrow a suit of armor from you, right?

We're...

In short, many benefits.

A transaction?

That was the lowest form of approach.

Noah's lips curved slightly, his eyes smiling as he looked at Tony Stark.

"Hmm? What did you say?

I don't think I heard you."

Thanks to book friend 20210517090415116 for the 100 coin reward!