After a moment of stunned disbelief, Doctor Doom smiled, though his smile looked rather dangerous.
"You actually turned me down. Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Tony folded his arms and nodded calmly.
For anyone else, letting someone study their powers in exchange for eliminating a formidable enemy would undoubtedly have been a worthwhile deal.
But to Tony, it was an insult. Since when could an enemy swagger up to him and act so high and mighty?
So he rejected Doctor Doom's so-called deal without the slightest hesitation.
Watching this unfold, Nick remained expressionless, but inwardly, he was already overjoyed.
Just as he had expected, Tony was still Tony: confident and domineering.
He was always the one threatening others. Who would dare threaten him?
It was precisely because Nick had counted on this that he could remain so calm.
He knew that even if Tony wanted to negotiate with someone, it would only happen after he had secured complete control of the situation.
With someone like Doctor Doom, who opened by threatening a fight, there was no way Tony would agree.
Though delight filled his heart, Nick let none of it show on his face.
As for Doctor Doom, the rejection had truly enraged him. He could tolerate the mockery of ants, because humans did not bother holding grudges against ants.
That was why the snide remarks from the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents earlier had not particularly angered him.
Simply put, those people were nowhere near his level. They did not even qualify to make him angry.
Tony, however, was different. Doctor Doom acknowledged his strength, so Tony's rejection had directly provoked his fury.
A cold sneer curled his lips. "How long has it been since someone dared reject my goodwill? You truly have no idea how far out of your depth you are!"