"I finally woke from my dream. I began to realize that I could do more for this world, for society, instead of merely blowing it up."
The suddenly raised voice drew Aaron and Coulson's attention. The two looked toward the podium at the same time. Tony Stark had somehow taken the main position and was speaking directly into the microphone.
"So, I intend to shut down Stark International's weapons manufacturing division as soon as possible."
The moment the words fell, the venue erupted.
The reporters all rose to their feet, as excited as sharks that had smelled blood.
The world's largest arms dealer was actually going to stop making weapons. There was no bigger headline than that.
Camera shutters clicked nonstop, while flashes made it impossible to keep one's eyes open. Stark was still saying something, but his uncle Obadiah went onstage and stopped him from continuing.
That statement alone was enough to send Stark Industries' stock price plunging. The company did not belong to Tony alone.
"How could this happen?" Coulson murmured in disbelief.
"This was within my expectations," Aaron said with an inscrutable smile. "These three months may have been a transformation for him."
"A transformation?" Coulson asked in surprise. "What do you know?"
"Don't misunderstand. I don't know anything.
It's just that when a genius scientist stops profiting from weapons and instead thinks about benefiting humanity and contributing to society... the contrast may be huge, but the results will definitely exceed expectations."
Coulson fell into thought. He was an agent with a strong sense of justice himself. Perhaps Stark's change could help bring peace to the world.
But he quickly remembered something, and his face twisted bitterly. "Contributing can wait. I need to sell the Stark Industries stock I'm holding before I lose even more money."
"Do