The Moment of Truth

Henry was speaking the truth.

However, given Tony Stark's recent behavior, Gitano Dragonetti had to admit that it was indeed very likely to happen.

Henry wasn't so curious as to press the other man about what he wanted from the young master. But Gitano Dragonetti wasn't about to let him off the hook, so he took the initiative to say:

"Actually, my meeting with Mr. Stark was to discuss business cooperation. I have funds, a large sum of money, that I can invest."

"Perhaps Stark Industries isn't short of funds right now, but we can also offer other things that everyone dreams of. Like those old men outside."

"What do you think they want more than money? It's health, youth, and the energy of a young person. These things are readily available with our help."

"What If...? you want, it's not impossible to discuss. I believe you've already learned some secrets from the Continental Hotel that ordinary people wouldn't know."

Henry did not easily succumb to such a gentle approach, but instead asked, "Then what's the price? There are many more people outside who crave such a gift, yet Mr. Dragonetti has come to me alone. Surely this isn't all free?"

"Heh, that's why I enjoy dealing with smart people. Like I said, it's all for business cooperation."

Since the other party didn't mention what they wanted to trade, Henry certainly wasn't foolish enough to ask what their bargaining chips were. They just wanted shares, after all.

Offering small favors and taking away large sums of money is the trick these people are best at.

In response, Henry feigned helplessness, saying, "I can't interfere with Stark Industries ' affairs. But What If...? Mr. Dragonetti wants shares in Stark Studios, he'll have to talk to Tony Stark. He's the sole owner; I don't own a single share."

"Oh, such treatment is hardly worthy of a skilled person. What do you think, Mr. Henry Brown?"

"Ha, it's a pity I'm away from Stark Studios; there aren't any other supercomputers to play with. So I'll just have to make do." Henry gave a curt reply.

"Indeed, those inside Stark have access to resources that outsiders can't even imagine. Who would have thought that Hollywood uses supercomputers! Do you know how many tech people have complained to me about this with envious looks?"

Hmm, that's an interesting answer. It seems they don't want him as a person, but rather a spy for Stark. Henry thought this, but said something else entirely.

"Actually, for Stark Industries, which is truly owned by that young master, these things are like the difference between a supercar and a toy car."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have let an outsider like me control so many resources. It's precisely because he looks down on me that I have this opportunity.

"What If...? you and I cooperated in a different way?" Gitano Dragonetti offered his bait.

"What kind of cooperation?" Henry tentatively teased the bait that reeked of decay.

Gitano Dragonetti leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said as if speaking frankly, "I think your technical skills are not limited to digital imaging."

"After all, it's reasonable to think that someone who has also mastered excellent medical skills can do more. What If...? we had your support, allowing you to enter Stark Industries and climb the ranks, how high do you think you could reach?"

"Perhaps, like the legendary collaboration between Howard Stark and Obadiah Stane, you can create an era belonging to Tony Stark and Henry Brown?"

Holy crap! This statement is utterly disgusting. It gives me goosebumps. So, should I kill the Vampires who said this, or go back and kill Iron Man?

However, these words also show that the old Vampires in front of him was indeed aware of his identity as a "Tinkerer".

On the surface, Henry continued to display his superb acting skills, leaning forward to ask, "It's the same question again, what's the price? The only thing I believe is..."

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

"It's both a price and a reward. What If...? I told you I could make you one of us?" Gitano Dragonetti said smugly. "Oh, but that would certainly create some inconvenience."

"So this qualification can be reserved for you, and we'll conduct the conversion ceremony when you truly want to join us. Until then, we'll support you in climbing the ranks within Stark Industries through a collaborative approach."

"But if we're going to do this, you should understand that we need some proof, some guarantees, to ensure your cooperative relationship with us."

I won't regret it afterwards.

"This is a Pledge of Allegiance," Henry thought to himself, but outwardly remained serious as he asked, "What kind of guarantee do you want?"

"Your girl." Gitano Dragonetti's reply was brief, but his target was clear.

Sure enough, they've got their eyes on Charlize Theron.

She's not even a minor celebrity yet; she's the kind of person who could disappear into the crowds of Los Angeles and go unnoticed. It's probably only her mother who would sell everything she owns and travel all the way from South Africa to find her, only to be met with despair time and time again.

At times like this, getting angry and frustrated is useless; it will only make them fixate on their goal. So Henry simply tilted his head.

He said in confusion:

"What If...? that girl you're talking about is really that important to me, how could I possibly give her up? But if I just hand her over so easily, wouldn't that mean she's worth nothing to me? Is that all you need to hear?"

Henry's counter-question, ironically, made Gitano Dragonetti less confident.

There really isn't anyone who, having sacrificed their wife, children, and family, is determined to go down this path to the bitter end and remain steadfastly loyal from then on!

Throughout his long career, Gitano Dragonetti encountered people who, regardless of the initial cost, would inevitably betray him when the benefits of betrayal outweighed the benefits of maintaining loyalty.

This is true humanity. Nothing lasts Eternity.

Unless you keep things hanging and withhold the benefits that should be given, you won't have the leverage to control the other party and continue to demand more from them.

In this way, he kept getting people to escalate the stakes, and only when the sunk costs became too high to lose could the loyalty they spoke of be considered to have a basic guarantee. However, he couldn't control Henry Brown in this way the cooperation he wanted to achieve.

In order not to arouse Stark's suspicion, the other party could not leave too much of Vampires aura on them.

Because of the fact that the Howling Commandos, who had a good relationship with Old Man Stark, included a Vampires - Werewolves hybrid named Nina Price, known as the Vampire by Night, Old Man Stark was no stranger to Vampires.

Therefore, their previous attempts to infiltrate Stark Industries had never succeeded. They could only remain in insignificant positions, and none of them had the considerable opportunity to climb up the ranks, or even enter the core, that Henry Brown had today.

If they attract the other party's attention, their investment in Henry Brown will be completely wasted. Therefore, they can only try their best to keep the other party infiltrated within Stark Industries in a clean manner.