City of Freedom

Fang Bie's reminder was somewhat useful. After confirming the texture of the Golden Apple in his hand felt normal, Tony casually placed it into his Backpack, though his eyes couldn't help but scan his surroundings, as if everyone had become a culprit plotting to lure him into danger.

After this thought crossed his mind, his footsteps even became a bit heavy, though to others, it perfectly matched the image of a man who had just survived a life-or-death ordeal.

He didn't have any major external injuries, but the weariness of his journey was etched onto his face; having returned after being missing in the desert for a month and a half, no matter how much he cleaned up, certain traces were impossible to escape.

For instance, the rough cuts on his face from the wind and sand, the temporary skin discoloration caused by prolonged darkness, or his somewhat dazed eyes and gaunt frame.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see he had suffered greatly during this catastrophe, so perhaps only Obadiah Stane felt a complex mix of emotions inside at this moment?

As the close friend of Tony's late father Howard and the true helmsman of Stark Industries, he wore a smile of extraordinary surprise as he draped an arm around his nephew and walked toward the venue.

Yet, he could never have imagined that there was someone in the crowd who knew his conspiracy like the back of his hand.

Meanwhile, Tony, who was munching on a burger, very brazenly released a piece of news to the press present—a piece of news that would almost shock the world.

"I saw young American compatriots being killed, dying precisely by the weapons I had intended to create to protect them. I also discovered that this system is content with being irresponsible, and I happen to be one of its members!"

Tony very forcefully interrupted the questions from those around him, not feeling the need to consider what greater or more far-reaching impacts his words might have on others.

"I have done some deep thinking, and I realize that what this world needs from us is to contribute more, rather than just manufacturing those explosive weapons."

"Therefore!" He took a deep breath, "I have decided to shut down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries, effective immediately, until I decide on a new direction for the company—one that aligns with the interests of the world!"

Fang Bie listened to the speech that had already been broadcast throughout the venue via the microphone, while Yinsen, who was providing an incredibly detailed translation for him, quipped.

"If I had money, I would definitely go crazy shorting Stark Industries stock right now. I feel like this sentence of his is going to make me a lot of money!"

"No one in this world is a fool. If you can think of this, others can't possibly miss it. Most importantly... you don't have any money!" Yinsen exposed his scar without hesitation.

"As if you have any," Fang Bie retorted, and then the two looked at each other, both revealing a smile of the impoverished.

"Alright, neither of you has money, but I do. Do you want me to take you to experience the life of the wealthy?" Tony had already hopped into the car and sat in the front passenger seat.

"Forget it, you can't even protect yourself right now. Do you know that doing this will cause your net worth to drop by at least 50%?" Pepper said to him, somewhat angrily, her voice even drowning out Obadiah Stane, who was still busy making excuses over the broadcast.

"It's only temporary. I will soon become the richest person in the world because... new energy is coming!" Tony said with great confidence, and then he revealed his chest, which was covered by thick clothing, showing no light.

A pale blue reactor sat quietly on his chest, standing there silently and emitting a dazzling light that made it hard to look away.

"My god? You actually made it? An Arc Reactor?" Pepper covered her mouth in shock, then watched as her boss closed the door.

"So don't think too much, go do your own thing! Happy, let's go home!" The 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled away from the area with steady grace.

Only the tall Pepper remained, staring at the car in a daze. She truly couldn't understand what kind of relationship those two people in the car had with Tony to be able to sit there so safely until now.

At this moment, Tony handed the Golden Apple back to Fang Bie, "It seems you were overthinking it; no one is going to endanger my life."

Fang Bie refused him, "You should keep it yourself. I only said someone might threaten your life, not that it would be today. Don't forget, that thing in your chest still isn't resolved!"

Only between them would he say such things.

Fang Bie had no roots in this world and no conflicts of interest, so his words were truly disinterested advice—the only kind Tony could actually listen to.

"Those things can be solved later. For now, let's go to my place; I'll show you my house!" Tony's expression quickly became animated, and the vehicle they were riding in soon arrived near Tony's villa in California.

This villa was named the City of Freedom, with a price tag as high as 25 million dollars, and it was one of Tony's favorite houses—though, of course, that was by his own admission.

Happy did not enter the villa with them; after dropping the three off, he quickly drove away.

At this moment, a discreet vehicle had already arrived nearby. A group of men in black suits stepped out, and the leader looked at the villa with a complex expression, speaking incessantly as if communicating with others.

The July weather was still scorching, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, but this did not affect their actions. The group quickly left the area, leaving only the leader behind in the car, looking at the villa on the hilltop with a hesitant expression.

Of course, Tony didn't know that he had been targeted the moment he escaped from the outside, but given his status, he didn't really care about such things.

He was busy taking his new friends to tour his home.

The moment Fang Bie saw this house, he felt that he would probably never be able to live in one like it in his life. There was no other way to put it; in MC, he probably wouldn't be able to build a house that was almost entirely circular in his entire life.

"Welcome to the United States!" Tony cheered, throwing himself onto his sofa. At that very moment, the previously dim villa gradually brightened up.

The walls, which appeared to be made of metal, flickered and lit up, transforming into a massive floor-to-ceiling window.

"Smart Sensor Glass. You can clearly see the beautiful scenery outside, but it won't let people outside see you, especially when you're doing things, tsk tsk tsk!" Tony raised his eyebrows as he introduced it to the two.

"Whoa!" Fang Bie couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. When this kind of black technology, which previously only existed in movies, truly appeared before his eyes, the shock was simply beyond words!