Tony Returns

New York, Haulers Building, top floor.

The phone kept ringing on the desk. Ryan sat in his office chair, looking at the explosive rumors online, a smile curling at the corner of his lips.

As Nazarick turned from illusion into reality, he had gained the foundation of invincibility. With the means to flip the table, there were naturally some things he no longer needed to worry so much about.

Knock, knock...

A knock came from outside the office. After Ryan called for them to come in, Ashe pushed the door open and entered.

Dressed in professional women's attire, Ashe looked somewhat exhausted today. Ryan could even see the dark circles beneath her foundation. Clearly, she had not slept all night because of his orders.

"BOSS, a document issued by the Commerce Department half an hour ago has prohibited shorting the United States economy. The three billion dollars we invested is now trapped, and it is expected to be a total loss."

"The other shareholders also just called together to question us. They oppose the Group continuing to spread rumors unfavorable to the stock market and question the rationale behind this investment. There is word that they are coordinating, preparing for the board meeting..."

"Rumors? I merely stated my opinion on the stock market. And they're coordinating?" Ryan gave a cold chuckle and said disdainfully, "What can they possibly coordinate?"

"When the Group accepted their investments, it was made clear that they only had dividend rights, not management rights. Even if I run this company into the ground, as long as I am not secretly lining my own pockets and am willing to lose money alongside them, they can only swallow it!"

"This company is mine. Tell them that if they still want dividends in the future, they had better use their influence to find the mastermind behind this attack. Otherwise, I guarantee they will not get a single cent from this company again!"

Ryan spoke in an icy tone, and the resentment he had been suppressing in his heart seemed to have finally been released somewhat.

There was no denying that the shareholders within the Group had contributed to its development. However, they had only helped the Group. Over the past decade, ever since he built up Haulers, there had been conspiracies, betrayals, assassinations, and eventually even attempts to kill him right out on the street!

He had endured countless overt and covert schemes. Most had been the work of competitors, but a small portion had indeed come from others within the Group.

A man with no backing, not even an heir, controlling more than half the shares of a publicly listed company worth hundreds of billions of dollars—it was easy to imagine what an enormous piece of meat he looked like in the eyes of capital.

Previously, his foundations had been insufficient, so he could only borrow strength and maneuver carefully, putting on a strong front to protect himself. But now, he no longer needed to keep yielding. These people were no longer qualified to make him yield.

"Understood." Ashe took a deep breath and continued her report. "The employees' emotions are somewhat unstable. All sorts of rumors are spreading internally..."

"Then fire them!" Ryan cut her off bluntly. "Fire everyone spreading rumors, and have the Finance and Legal Departments investigate them. As long as any embezzlement is uncovered, take them to court!"

Ryan stood up and looked directly at Ashe, whose eyes carried a trace of disappointment. He said seriously, "I have not gone mad, and I know what I will face after this. But trust me, nothing will happen to Haulers Group!"

"You're the BOSS. Naturally, what you say goes." Ashe's cheeks reddened slightly. She subtly avoided Ryan's gaze and spoke softly.

"Heh!" Seeing Ashe, the company's famously icy beauty, display such a rare feminine demeanor, Ryan laughed. He patted her shoulder and headed out. "Work hard. If you satisfy me with how you handle this incident, I'll give you a surprise afterward."

Ryan walked out of the office, while Ashe remained inside, stunned for quite some time.

"A surprise?"

"Something to look forward to!"

A smile capable of captivating anyone appeared on her lips. Having gathered herself again, she strode energetically toward the door.

Washington, United States.

Headquarters of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. The one-eyed director had a splitting headache.

After receiving word yesterday that the kidnapping had failed and the target had not been injured, he had stopped paying attention to Haulers Group. But now...

"Have we still not figured out which force was behind this?" Nick asked his adjutant.

If the economic crisis worsened, it would directly affect him—no, the agency's budget for next year!

If he found out which son of a bitch had caused this mess, he would definitely find a chance to screw them over hard in the future.

They knew full well that Ryan Garcia was a nationally famous porcupine, yet they still dared provoke him. More importantly, they had dragged him into it. If he did not teach them a lesson, he would write his name backward from now on!

"So far, we have only determined that they were foreign mercenaries. The few clues we had either disappeared immediately or were extremely difficult to trace. The other side was very cautious." Hill shook her head, indicating that they had not uncovered much intelligence.

"Who did the agency send to investigate?" Nick Fury suddenly asked.

"Agent Carvinel." After answering, Hill could not help asking, "Do you suspect he has a problem?"

"No. Perhaps I am merely being overly suspicious. Still, have Agent Coulson investigate it again. Remember, keep this matter secret!"

Nick spoke after pondering for a moment. His agent's instincts told him that something was off. Although the investigation had only been underway for a short time, with the agency's influence in the United States, even if they could not uncover the whole truth, they should at least have found some leads on the other side.

Of course, Nick had not yet considered that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been infiltrated. He merely thought the investigating agent was not competent enough.

"Understood. I'll make sure to notify Coulson." Hill nodded.

"Mm. Keep watching this matter. Notify me of any developments."

Just as Nick finished speaking, the phone on his desk suddenly rang. After answering it, a trace of delight finally appeared on his usually impassive face.

Tony Stark had been rescued and was flying back to the United States. It was the only piece of good news he had heard amid the countless bad reports of recent days.

"Notify Coulson—no, send Natasha. Have her investigate how Tony Stark escaped!"

"Yes, BOSS!"

Tony Stark's return alive instantly became the hottest topic in the United States. Even hotter, however, was his declaration at the press conference that he would shut down the weapons division.

"That bastard!"

Ryan rubbed his head. Tony's sudden return had disrupted many of his plans. The news spread by the Group instantly became far less noticeable in the face of this even hotter story, giving the government and others more time to prepare.

"Looks like the plan needs to change!"

Ryan sighed.

He had originally intended to use this opportunity not only to flush out his enemies, but also to buy back the Group's shares, delist it, and take it private.

However, that was only possible if Haulers Group faced the risk of collapse and the risk of retaliation from the United States Government afterward.

Otherwise, no one would be willing to sell a hen that laid golden eggs.

But the topic ignited by Tony's return instantly shattered the previous media offensive. Trying to manipulate public opinion again to pressure the government—not to mention that the United States Government was not incompetent, the other shareholders were not fools either.

His previous actions could still be excused as irrational decisions made in a fit of rage. But now that a way down had been handed to him, if he continued like this, someone would certainly suspect his true intentions. At that point, it would be more than just a minor problem.

"Damn it!"

After viciously cursing Tony Stark in his heart for returning neither early nor late, but precisely at this moment, Ryan composed himself and headed toward Annie's room.