The photos Li Wei posted on social media shot straight to the top of the headlines.
In America especially, countless people grew excited, though their feelings varied.
In the photos, Tony Stark looked like a homeless man. He forced a smile for the camera, but one glance told you he was cursing inside.
No matter. Li Wei had thoughtfully edited a yellow smiley face onto him. Fake Smile Guy.jpg!
Anyone still holding Stark Industries stock was delighted to see the photo.
Tony Stark was back, and that meant money!
The stock was bound to soar!
Those who hadn't bought the dip, on the other hand, were full of regret.
Stark Industries shares had already begun to surge.
That was how much influence Tony Stark had over Stark Industries.
Of course, the person who hated it most was Obadiah Stane.
He had assumed Li Wei's trip to the Middle East was just a publicity stunt.
Who would have thought he would actually find Tony Stark?
"Aren't you two sworn enemies?"
Back in New York, Obadiah Stane raged in his office.
"Those damned fools demanded more money just to kill that idiot!"
"And after I paid them, they kept stalling!"
Obadiah was furious.
Those damned idiots had taken the extra money and still failed to do the job.
He had genuinely believed Tony Stark was dead. He'd already popped the champagne.
And now Tony was back?
Tony Stark had no idea how mixed the reactions to his return were.
He could guess that Stark Industries stock had plunged, but he didn't care.
He had nearly died. Why would he worry about a little money?
What he had thought about most in captivity was dying before he could spend the rest of it.
And Tony Stark wasn't in a good mood now,