Chapter 5014

Bang! Nick's desk jumped in place, everything on it scattering across the floor. Only at a moment like this would the agents remember that Nick Fury, former Director of S. H. I. E. L. D., King of Agents, was actually a modified human too — he also possessed strength beyond ordinary people.

Nick pinched his temples tightly between thumb and middle finger, his whole face so dark it no longer looked like a white man's. He sat back down at his desk, head bowed deeply, not saying a word. The atmosphere in the entire office was oppressive beyond words.

"The press releases have already gone out, effect's not great. Aside from accusing the Renewal Alliance of favoritism and perversion of justice, they're all sympathizing with Tony Stark." Eddie, sitting on the other side of the desk, stared at his laptop as he spoke. "Have to admit, he's a pro at manipulating public opinion. Originally he was a fugitive who lucked out and escaped judgment; now he's turned into a victim caused by the Renewal Alliance's incompetence."

"How's the press release claiming he deliberately used mental illness to escape guilt working?" Natasha stood at the side of the desk, hand braced on it as she asked.

"Zero effect." Eddie said. "You have to understand one thing — feigning mental illness, for Stark, the cost is too high. Right now Stark Industries' stock has tanked; that's not even a matter of billions anymore. Who would be willing to pay that kind of price to lie?"

"Tony really has gotten smart." Nick lowered his voice. "Once Stark Industries' stock drops, everyone will think he had no choice but to reveal the truth to the public, or that he let it slip."

"Superheroes letting things slip is too common." Eddie said. "He's precisely exploiting that psychology, making people think he threw away the PR script Stark Industries gave him, rambled nonsense, and accidentally spoke the truth — leading to this situation."

"It's like, if you want someone to believe you're telling the truth, you'd better do it while drunk or mentally unbalanced, casually letting slip something that harms yourself — no one would doubt you accidentally leaked the truth."

"He's really not worried we'll haul him into court?" Natasha frowned. "He confessed himself; once he's in court, he'll definitely be convicted."

"That's exactly what I'm puzzled about." Eddie looked at the computer screen. "He seems dead certain you won't do it."

"It's not certainty — he definitely has a follow-up move." Nick took a deep breath.

Barely finished speaking when an agent rushed in hurriedly: "Boss, bad news — Stark Industries is pulling funding!"

"What?!" Nick shot to his feet.

"Call from the Stark Industries CEO — says the Group's business condition is poor, can't continue providing financial support to the Renewal Alliance, especially the recent expenses for receiving multiverse guests, they can't bear it anymore, now they're pulling out completely."

"Damn it!" Nick smashed his phone directly. He stood behind the desk, panting heavily several times. "That's exactly the game he's playing!!!"

Eddie, though, wore a look of sudden realization. No wonder he dared plead guilty — turns out he'd decided to pressure the Renewal Alliance by pulling funding. But considering how much importance the Renewal Alliance attached to this multiverse reception event, he really struck the seven-inch spot.

Eddie mentally replayed the whole process. The overall strategy was retreat to advance. Directly admit his crimes from the Civil War, confirming the previous mental illness rumors. At the same time, attribute the cause of his mental illness to guilt over his mistakes — wave of good-guy persona.

Then subtly point out the Renewal Alliance's incompetence; for the sake of stability, no public trial, instead pinning the cause of his mental illness on the Renewal Alliance, and playing victim to boot.

The head of Stark Industries suffering mental illness, unable to work short-term, would inevitably impact the stock price, possibly even push Stark Industries into an extremely tense state. Out of operational considerations, highly likely they'd pull funding from the Renewal Alliance.

And the Renewal Alliance just happened to be at a critical period for the multiverse reception event. Once Stark Industries pulls funding, the budget will inevitably be compressed, subsequent work hard to carry out — and the Renewal Alliance absolutely cannot accept that.

For the big picture, the Renewal Alliance will definitely find a way to demand Stark Industries reverse the pullout decision — that way the initiative ends up in Iron Man's hands. Forget court and trial; they might even have to apologize to him.

Nick and Natasha obviously figured it out too, but as Renewal Alliance employees, the two of them knew even more clearly that the funds Stark Industries supplied to the Renewal Alliance were indeed critical.

The Renewal Alliance was basically composed of two parts: on one side the Justice League, on the other the Avengers. Justice League funding came from Wayne Enterprises; Avengers funding came from Stark Industries.

But the problem was, before Thomas arrived, Wayne Enterprises' business condition wasn't great, the funding they could provide wasn't much, far less than Stark Industries — resulting in Stark Industries holding the Renewal Alliance's lifeline.

Actually, not putting Iron Man on trial before, even giving him a position, had this reason too — you're short-handed when you take someone's money.

Honestly, Nick really didn't know what else Iron Man wanted to stir up. No court, no actual imprisonment, even gave him a very important department. Even if everyone had some grudges in their hearts, they were all respectable people, no isolation or bullying, daily interactions normal — what more did he want?

Anger was anger, but a solution was still needed. Nick told that agent: "You go ask Stark Industries what exactly they want. As long as it's not excessive, agree to it all."

Natasha looked up at Nick; Nick looked back at her. "If the multiverse guests hadn't arrived, there'd still be room to ease this. But now they're all here — if the event doesn't continue, or ends anticlimactically, it's all over."

Natasha also sighed. Now the arrow was on the bowstring, forced to fire. If the initial reception standards had been lower, fine — but they'd set the bar this high, repeatedly stated budget was unlimited, everything to the highest spec. Now suddenly lowering reception standards, the guests won't say anything on the surface, but once they go back they'll definitely say the hospitality was poor.

That's equivalent to originally wanting to show face in the multiverse, but ending up exposing their ass instead. Spent money, did the work, didn't get the publicity effect, instead left a bad impression — this absolutely cannot be how it's done.

So Nick could only let Stark Industries demand whatever they wanted. Of course, Nick kept a card up his sleeve — he asked what Stark Industries demanded, not Iron Man.

He didn't believe that with Iron Man dealing such a heavy blow to Stark Industries, the other shareholders and managers would have no objections?

Although named Stark Industries, Tony Stark's control over Stark Industries was very high — but that didn't mean there were no other voices. Moreover, Stark's capable assistant Pepper had already fallen out with him.

Thinking of this, Nick immediately said: "Get me Ms. Potts on the line."

Natasha went to make the call. Once connected, she handed it to Nick. Nick barely straightened his body, one hand on hip, one hand holding the phone: "It's me, Pepper."

"I know what you want to say." Pepper's voice was a bit cold. "He didn't just threaten you — or rather, he went around such a big circle just to retaliate against me."

Nick's eyes widened slightly. The current Iron Man wasn't the kind of good man who repaid evil with kindness — or rather, he had no morals, and a very petty mind.

Pepper dumped him — how could he possibly let it go? If it were a kind Iron Man, even if unhappy, he might only choose to leave sadly. But this evil Iron Man — impossible not to retaliate viciously.

This is why they say, better to find a good person than someone who treats you well. When two people get along, anyone can be deeply affectionate. But for an evil person, once someone crosses them, their true face is exposed. Evil people aren't necessarily without sincerity, but an evil person's sincerity always comes with extremes — like a honey-coated knife, not everyone can bear it.

"He threatened me. Right now Stark Industries' situation is already very bad. Without a sufficient reason for him to come back, it'll only get worse. Either I bow my head and beg him, or my life's work is ruined." Pepper's voice was filled with suppressed anger.

Nick started rubbing his temples again. "Very effective threat."

Everyone knows the soul of Stark Industries is Stark — his technology and inventions put Stark Industries far ahead of other commercial organizations. Now Stark has temporarily left Stark Industries — only causing stock fluctuations so far — but long-term, the technological break will gradually reduce the whole Stark Industries to mediocrity, impossible to ever regain commercial giant status.

Now Eddie started sighing too. He'd looked into it a bit — no idea what Pepper was thinking, not only dumping Iron Man but flash-marrying a bodyguard. Iron Man was crazy too — the more he couldn't get, the more he wanted; rather destroy Stark Industries than not retaliate against Pepper — truly a pair of madmen.

But Eddie had to admit, Iron Man played this hand beautifully. Not only retreat to advance, reverse the public opinion situation, pin the Renewal Alliance unable to advance or retreat, let himself escape perfectly — but also incidentally retaliate against his ex-girlfriend.

"What do you think?" Nick also knew this couldn't be forced. If Pepper wasn't willing, no one could compel her.

"I have a husband now." Pepper said.

"I don't think he necessarily cares." Nick spoke truthfully too. "So by all means, I hope you can talk properly with him. But I must also warn you — try not to be alone with him. He's capable of anything."

"I know. I'll try my best." Pepper said. "But I see — he's made up his mind to force me to choose between my husband and my career."

Hanging up with Pepper, Nick let out a long sigh, stared at the desktop for a long time, finally remarking with feeling: "Why do I feel like ever since we merged with Gotham, it's Batman and Joker everywhere?"

Natasha's movement paused. "Maybe that's just Gotham's curse."

The two of them spoke without intent, but Eddie listened with intent. After leaving Renewal Alliance headquarters, he stood at the door of Shiler's hotel room and knocked.

"Professor, do you have time now? I want to talk."