A Different Seat

Tony Stark wanted to swear, but he didn't know what to say. After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out, "Why?"

Because I wanted to test your attitude, including yours.

Henry, of course, didn't say what he truly felt. Instead, he said, "I've never been a good person; I just want to avoid trouble. Different situations require different approaches; different environments also require different attitudes."

"It's like walking on the beach. Whether you're barefoot, wearing flip-flops, or wearing dress shoes, will your attitude and thoughts be the same?"

Even if you don't consider the value of the shoes, your feelings in that moment would be different. Before, I had nothing, so I wasn't afraid of others taking advantage of me, because there wasn't much to take advantage of anyway.

"But today you've set me up as a target. If you continue with your old attitude, anyone can treat me like a cake."

If I could just dig out a bite and eat it anytime, I'd be driven crazy.

"Isn't everything you did today for the same reason? Or do you think I should just tough it out and bear it all?"

What If...? that's the case, remember to write it in the contract first next time.

Whether he'd figured it out or given up, Tony Stark stopped dwelling on his initial emotions and changed the subject, jokingly saying, "I just think it's a shame I used you as bait and only caught a yellow-skinned monkey. Looks like you're not a good bait."

Henry chuckled, "The blue-blooded sharks are still underwater. If you want to catch your target fish, you need patience."

Henry wasn't angry at all about being used as bait, because he had expected this to happen.

Or, to put it another way, suddenly becoming the CEO of a long-established film company after going from a penniless young man is bound to attract extra attention. With attention comes corresponding tests and temptations.

This is why Henry initially didn't want to accept Tony Stark's offer of a position. It's impossible to have it all without getting involved in anything bad.

But since he had agreed, Henry would play his role well. However, Henry did not rush headlong down the path of self-destruction, partly because the fish that would bite at the beginning were all small fry, while the real target fish were still underwater.

This time, it was the sudden appearance of the Skrulls and their unreasonable and Reason actions that exposed their weakness, giving others an opportunity to exploit the situation.

Tony Stark quickly dismissed his pointless sympathy, saying with a sense of relief, "Never mind." He then turned back and continued walking uphill.

"Oh, you're just going to let it go like that? I thought you were going to take me to the police station. It seems that when it comes to his own interests, Tony's Moral standards aren't so firm after all," Henry couldn't help but mock.

Tony Stark, his eyes squinting, turned around and looked at the boastful man with a strange expression. "You really want to go to jail and pick up soap?"

Do you really think that if a thief steals a bomb and blows himself up, it's the bomb owner's fault?

"This is similar to Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners to use force to defend themselves and resist unauthorized entry into their private property."

The consequences they cause are exempt from legal liability and they will not be prosecuted.

"The one who makes the first mistake must bear all the consequences; this is the fundamental spirit of Anglo-American law. What If...? those who manufacture bombs are held jointly liable, do you think executing all those arms dealers a hundred or eighty times would be enough atonement?"

Well, that's typical Western thinking. Henry couldn't quite grasp that line of thought for a moment, always trying to make everyone equally culpable.

Besides, isn't this guy an arms dealer now? Typical case of self-interest determining one's perspective.

Although Henry still wanted to complain, he held back. Continuing to say anything would really make it seem like he was deliberately trying to get himself arrested. There was no need to be so eager about something like this.

Tony Stark, continuing his ascent, said, "Anyway, what Sony stole is technology that Stark Studios is developing. Whether or not you have the relevant technical information on your personal devices, they showed that intention, and that's damn good!"

"Compared to bombing cases, which involve clarifying the mastermind, commercial espionage cases are judged by their outcome. As long as Sony cannot provide evidence that it obtained the relevant information equipment legally and compliantly, then it was obtained illegally, and the commercial espionage case can be established."

"Obadiah's lawyers are all very familiar with these kinds of cases. As long as you cooperate well with the lawyers, Sony will be skinned alive."

Henry followed, seemingly indifferent, and said, "I've been cooperative enough. I've done whatever the lawyer says. But with everything blown up, are there any technical documents inside? Can my word alone be enough to prove anything?"

"But there's no way to prove it doesn't exist, is there?" Tony Stark put his Sun Pharma on and said smugly, "Convincing the judge is the lawyers' job. If someone can't, I'll just find someone who can."

Yeah, that's the mindset of the rich. Henry didn't even have the energy to complain. Anyway, the main characters are those lawyers; he just needs to cooperate and provide support.

Tony Stark didn't see Henry's expression; he simply continued, "I won't take a single penny of the compensation. The lawyer's commission and necessary taxes will be deducted from it, and the rest is yours. As long as I win this case, is that alright?"

"You have to talk to the lawyers about this kind of thing. I'm just doing my best to cooperate. It's just that if this lawsuit drags on for three to five years..."

You can't match the Stark ' might."

"Don't worry. Sony Japan has already surrendered. They also want to use this opportunity to bring down Mitch Schulhoff. There are just some conditions that haven't been agreed upon yet; the settlement is set at 200 million."

Henry was speechless. Besides fixed fees, United States lawyers also charge a percentage of the damages awarded.

If the latter option is chosen, no further fees will be charged. All expenses incurred during the litigation process will be borne by the lawyer. However, this commission rate is typically as high as 20% to 35%.

As for taxes, it depends on how much of the compensation is compensatory and how much is punitive. The latter, such as common compensation for emotional distress, is taxable. Compensation for property damage is not taxable.

Therefore, it is roughly estimated that one-third to one-quarter of the 200 million settlement amount can be retained.

Thinking about how hard the Tinkerer had worked to swindle the mob boss out of a large sum of money, and even risked being double-crossed, all of which amounted to a fraction of the settlement money he could actually receive, Henry felt utterly disillusioned with life.

Even if I used my Kryptonian abilities to rob banks and steal cash from the West Coast to the East Coast, I might not be able to steal that much!

Is this the world of the wealthy? Is this the profit that those who make the rules reap?

"As for the conditions they proposed, I'd like to hear your opinion," Tony Stark said to himself.

There was no response from behind, so he turned around and saw a lifeless face. Tony Stark immediately understood and scoffed, "You're not scared off by this little bit of money, are you? I thought you were the kind of person who wouldn't budge no matter how much money you had."

Henry, his expression returning to normal, could only reply to Tony Stark's teasing, "It's like someone who thinks a car only needs four wheels and can run; they won't be impressed by a sports car."

"But What If...? a fighter jet flying at several Mach 6 were to whiz by at that moment, I think anyone would be stunned."