The Behind-the-Scenes Major Shareholder

Tony Stark had returned.

The news exploded like a bomb across Wall Street and the Pentagon, leaving everyone reeling.

After falling for three straight months, Stark Industries' stock price suddenly shot upward. It hit the daily limit the moment trading opened. The Pentagon's generals heaved a sigh of relief. Their favorite supplier of toys—the genius who could turn war into a spectacular fireworks display—was alive.

The press conference venue was packed to the brim. The camera flashes were dense enough to turn night into day.

Like sharks that had smelled blood, the reporters crowded together with countless black microphones, resembling a forest of upright sugarcane. They had prepared hundreds of questions, eager to pick apart every bone in Tony's body after those three months in Afghanistan.

But something seemed off about the Tony who had returned.

He did not go onstage immediately. He had his bodyguard, Happy, buy him several cheeseburgers. Then, under the gaze of the entire world, he plopped down on the steps in front of the podium and started eating without a care.

His business partner, the bald Obadiah Stane, wore the standard smile of a businessman as he walked over to smooth things over.

"Tony, everyone is waiting for you." He bent down, his voice gentle, as though coaxing a disobedient yet priceless child.

"I just want to eat a burger." Tony replied indistinctly through a mouthful of food.

Pepper Potts stood nearby, her eyes full of unconcealed concern. More than anyone, she knew Tony had changed. That arrogant playboy, always shining brighter than anyone else, now had something in the depths of his eyes that she could not understand. Like ashes left behind by a raging fire—cold on the surface, yet still concealing scorching embers beneath.

After a full ten minutes of fussing around, Tony