Let the Show Begin

"Director Nick Fury of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."

The bald black man wore a black eyepatch, black clothes, black pants, black shoes, and black gloves, topped with a long black leather coat. His tall frame completely blocked the sunlight streaming through the shop door...

"Wow, who turned off the lights?"

The moment Tony heard his introduction, he exaggeratedly raised his brows and stood up. His delightfully sharp mouth immediately opened fire:

"I definitely put up the closed sign after I came in. Don't you know it's rude to enter without permission? And it seems like you were eavesdropping on our conversation?"

Naturally, he ignored the fact that he himself had barged in without so much as a greeting. Pulling out his phone, he waved it at Nick Fury, whose expression he could not make out.

"I think I should have my lawyer speak with you properly."

Nick Fury's lips twitched. Though Tony Stark was just a brat in his eyes, the kid had a powerful background—

His father was Howard!

Well, although the kid currently had no idea about the relationship between Howard and the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division...

"And your agency's name is way too ugly and way too long. Do you think everyone who deals with you enjoys reciting poetry?"

All right, this little bastard needed to be taught a lesson. Even if Howard were still alive, he would not be able to stop him.

"Entering uninvited is my style, and unfortunately for you, I have that privilege—

If you need legal authorization, I can mail the search warrant to your office, Mr. Stark."

Tony's face immediately twitched. How many years had it been since someone had put him in his place like that?

Well, there had been one. The guy beside him had done exactly that before.

"Tony, it's fine. You're not in a position to go up against him right now."

Oaks slowly stood and patted Tony on the shoulder. The man was apologizing to him—he had heard Fury introduce himself, realized he had come looking for trouble with Oaks, and wanted to ward him off for him.

"After all, they're a global organization. If those agents set their sights on you, it'll really cut into your money-making time."

"Can you handle it?"

"Leave it to me."

"All right then, let the show begin."

"..."

Tony dropped back onto the sofa and lounged there with one leg crossed over the other. Then he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Oh, right, what was it you said you were putting out just now?!"

Zhang came downstairs with Goose, Moco, and Coco.

"Wow! Mr. Stark, when did you get here?"

"Uh, ten minutes or so?" Tony shrugged. "Oaks, you got two more pets?"

"Mm-hmm. Sponsored by this Director's... subordinates."

Oaks caught the leaping Goose and had the two little ones stay with Zhang before tossing Goose toward Nick Fury.

"Old friends meeting again. Did you bring a gift?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Nick Fury shouted dramatically. "Be careful!"

Smack!

Goose landed directly on Nick Fury's left shoulder, reached out with her left paw to feel his eyepatch, then proudly raised her head.

"Meow~"

"What did she say?"

"If you dared visit this kitty empty-handed, you can forget about keeping your other eye too."

"..."

Fury was ten thousand percent certain that Oaks was making it up.

Fortunately, he had come prepared—he swiftly pulled a... cat treat tube from his leather coat pocket.

"Hey, Goose~ Who's the cutest little kitty? Hahaha!"

"Wow," Tony said with his mouth slightly open. "This guy really is the director of that whatever agency?"

"Probably."

Oaks clicked his tongue, feeling a little toothache, and could not help offering some well-meaning advice.

"Have some dignity, Director."

"Ahem..."

Fury hurriedly set Goose down, put his cold expression back on, then pulled out another box of cat treat tubes and pointed at Zhang.

"Mr. Zhang, please come take Goose away."

He gestured toward the stairs, indicating that Zhang should take the pets upstairs so they could avoid the discussion.

Zhang hurried over and picked up Goose. Though he did not know this imposing-looking big shot, it was perfectly normal for employees to step aside when the boss was discussing business.

"Zhang, come sit down. Since everyone's here, I might as well make things clear today."

Oaks frowned. He did not much like Fury's manner.

"This is my shop. You're my employee, so do as I say."

"...Yes, Mr. Oaks."

Zhang glanced at the slightly frowning Nick Fury and Tony, who wore a look of open glee, then moved over a chair and sat beside the sofa with the three little ones.

"Director, go ahead."

After gesturing to Nick Fury, Oaks walked to the sofa where Tony was sitting and took a seat beside him.

"My partner." He pointed to Tony, who had his chin raised.

"My employee." Then he pointed to the well-behaved Zhang.

"My pets." He pointed again at the three little ones staring in their direction. "So, Director, what exactly did you come here to find out today?"

"Quite the lineup."

Without the slightest awkwardness, Nick Fury walked to the sofa across from Oaks and sat down with an imposing air.

"Like Mr. Stark, I'm very interested in how you can travel back and forth to the Amazon Rainforest without any entry or exit records—"

Before he could finish, Tony cried out:

"You investigated me?!"

"I merely discovered the military's inquiry records."

Fury gave the angry Tony a cold glance.

"We are a global organization. The U.S. Military requires our assistance in many matters as well. Don't worry, Mr. Stark, I won't report Colonel Rhodes."

"Wonderful. It seems I need to advise the military to improve its information security measures!"

Tony was even more furious. Investigating Rhodey angered him even more than investigating himself.

"We can discuss that later. Now then, Mr. Oaks."

Fury seemed to have already seized control of the conversation, his presence overbearing.

"Although my two subordinates both gave you excellent evaluations, I'm the sort of person who likes to get to the bottom of things."

"A good habit, especially for the head of an intelligence agency."

Oaks was not angered by Fury's aggressiveness. He smiled slightly and patted Tony's arm, signaling him to calm down.

"Tony, I'm negotiating a business deal now—in America, a successful transaction usually means both sides get what they need, right?"

"Of course. The bigger the businessman, the less likely he is to act like some street thug and demand the other party hand things over the moment he opens his mouth."

Tony snorted and shot a contemptuous glance at the expressionless Fury.

"We reach an agreement at a price both sides can accept, and negotiating that price is a profoundly sophisticated art."

"I think Tony makes a great deal of sense. So, Director Fury, what price do you intend to pay for my 'exclusive information'?"

Oaks leaned forward slightly. To be honest, he had been annoyed with this guy for a long time.

A man whose secrets no one knew the full extent of? Ha!

At the very least, you don't even know who you're really working for right now, do you?