Chapter 34: Tony Stark's Invitation
Lynn Hall had been waiting for James Duke to reveal his identity and then “coerce” him into joining HYDRA.
After all, whether it was being told to kill Kevin Robert, or the exquisite HYDRA brooch given to him after joining the Brotherhood.
Or this time, the Vampire family's black card “corruption” incident, all of this was enough to prove that he had fallen into HYDRA's trap.
But James Duke just wouldn't reveal his identity.
And he even pretended to have a headache, spouting nonsense about a large number of 'Vampire-like' people in high levels of the government who wanted to extend their lifespan.
Heh, when did the Federal Bureau of Investigation need to give face to high-ranking government officials? You should know that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is subordinate to the Department of Justice, and they have not investigated and arrested fewer high-ranking government and Military officials over the years, so this is simply nonsense!
If Lynn Hall had the ability to read minds, he would know what James Duke was thinking.
Then he would definitely tell Duke that he was his most loyal subordinate, and that he really wasn't as righteous as they imagined!
Unfortunately, Lynn did not have mind-reading abilities, so he could only leave with the black card.
After returning to his office, Lynn opened his laptop and checked the account, discovering that the black card contained a total of ten million U.S. dollars.
This amount of money was nothing to a long-established Vampire family.
But for Lynn Hall, it was a very large windfall.
He had originally planned to buy that large apartment in Central Park, which he had longed for, after Stark Industries' stock soared.
He didn't expect the plan could be realized ahead of schedule!
Thanks to the generous HYDRA!
At the same time, Malibu Beach, inside Tony Stark's sea-view Villa!
“Tony, I don't understand what you've been doing lately!”
Looking at Tony Stark, who was drinking a dark green vegetable juice, Pepper put down the documents and said, “Although Stark Industries' stock price has gradually stabilized during this period, it has still fallen by a full 73% compared to before.”
“During this time, Obadiah Stane has been working hard to persuade the board members to remain patient with you.”
“But the criticism from the outside World towards Stark Industries, especially towards your decision to permanently close the weapons manufacturing department, has never decreased!”
At this point, Pepper placed the documents in front of Tony Stark.
“Tony, if you can't come up with a corresponding...”
“Pepper, are the weapons I manufacture truly righteous, used to protect our country, protect innocent civilians, and maintain World peace?”
Before Pepper could finish speaking, Tony Stark interrupted.
“Isn't it?”
Pepper was momentarily taken aback by Tony's sudden Rhetorical Question.
However, thinking of Tony's previous experience, Pepper's tone softened a little: “Tony, I know you suffered a lot of inhuman torture during your time in the Middle East.”
“But Stark Industries...”
“Pepper, do you know how many innocent civilians have died because of the weapons I developed?”
Looking at Pepper, Tony Stark's expression was unusually serious: “Honestly, I don't know, because no one has counted, but I am very clear that this number must be more than I imagined.”
“And they don't have my good luck; even if they miraculously survive, they can't build an Arc Reactor to prevent shrapnel from flowing into their hearts through their blood vessels.”
“Tony...”
“All along, I thought everything I did was righteous, but now it seems that's not the case!”
He picked up the remote control and turned on the television.
On the TV screen at this moment were Middle East civilians who had been driven out of their villages by armed forces and were displaced.
“I don't know how many weapons manufactured by Stark Industries have flowed into the hands of these armed forces over the years.”
“But I know that every bullet and every bomb from Stark Industries that flows into the Middle East is an accomplice to those armed forces!”
Hearing Tony say this, Pepper was silent for a moment: “Tony, this is not your fault.”
“Of course, this is certainly not my fault.”
Spreading his hands towards Pepper, Tony Stark continued: “But those weapons were developed by me!”
As Tony's personal assistant and secretary, Pepper knew very well that Tony Stark was now stuck in a rut.
At this time, the more she told him it wasn't his responsibility, the more he would believe that since these weapons were developed by him, he was one of the culprits behind all of this.
Thinking of this, Pepper suddenly smiled: “What do you think of the cover girl in the latest entertainment magazine?”
“Perhaps I can help you throw a party and invite her in your name...”
“Compared to a cover girl, Pepper, I now want to do two things!”
“What things?”
Hearing Tony Stark say this, Pepper asked curiously.
“First, I want to eat two cheeseburgers now.”
“Of course that's possible!”
“Second, I want to know through what channels the weapons manufactured by Stark Industries flowed into the Middle East, and I was attacked and kidnapped in the Middle East, so the matter is definitely not that simple!”
“I can't help you with that!”
Looking at Tony, Pepper said, “Do you need me to hire some private Detectives to investigate?”
“Private Detectives? Pepper, I don't think they can find anything!”
While speaking, Tony Stark took out his phone: “Do you remember that FBI agent who rescued me from the Middle East?”
“Mr. Lynn Hall?”
“Exactly!”
Finding Lynn Hall's number on his phone, Tony looked at Pepper and said, “If he is willing to accept my employment request, I believe that with his ability, he can definitely find out about this matter!”
“Are you sure he will be willing to help?”
“I truly appreciate him from the bottom of my heart.”
“So, you highly approve of him, but it's far from the kind of relationship you have with Rhodes, right?”
“It can't be said that way... I think... anyway, I'm going to invite him to dinner!”
As the person who understood Tony best, Pepper knew how difficult it was for Tony to truly consider someone a friend from the bottom of his heart.
So after standing up from the sofa, Pepper looked at Tony and said, “Since you're inviting Mr. Hall to dinner, and you also have a favor to ask of him.”
“Then it would be too impolite if there were only two cheeseburgers on the table. I'll go arrange dinner right away.”
“Oh, I remember you have a few bottles of twenty-year-old red wine cherished in your wine cellar, right!”
“Pepper, those are what I...”
Mid-sentence, looking at Pepper's expression, Tony Stark spread his hands and said, “You know, dining with a genius like me is something many people can only dream of.”
Looking at Tony's arrogant demeanor, Pepper was a little helpless, then turned and left!