Tony led Smith to the seat beside him at the head of the table. The other shareholders noted the gesture, smiles spreading across their faces as they welcomed the new board member. Smith's presence had already pushed Stark Industries' stock value higher. In this new era, superheroes sold extremely well.
As the last attendee arrived, the shareholders' meeting officially began.
Through methods Smith could only guess at, Tony had acquired all of Obadiah's shares before the meeting, achieving controlling interest in the company. With Smith's support as the largest individual shareholder, Tony claimed the chairman position with absolute authority, fully restoring his power within Stark Industries.
Tony stood at the head of the table, his posture confident. "Stark Industries has a new direction. The Weapons Division is permanently closed."
One shareholder leaned forward, his tone carefully neutral. "Tony, we support your return to leadership and your pursuit of new innovations. But will the armored suit mentioned in the news become the company's new flagship product?"
Tony met the greedy gleam in the shareholders' eyes with a firm stare. "I am Iron Man. Iron Man is me. The armor is my personal property and will not become company assets."
He pulled up a holographic display. "But I have identified the company's transformation path: large-scale clean energy supply."
His voice grew more passionate. "In the energy sector, Stark Industries will become a new titan. Our achievements will far exceed what we accomplished in arms manufacturing. Not everyone needs weapons, but affordable clean energy? Everyone needs that. Every person, every country on Earth."
Smith listened, fully supporting Tony's vision. The Ark Reactor technology would generate more profit than ten previous iterations of Stark Industries combined. And with the Mark armor protecting him, Tony could safeguard the benefits he created.
For Smith, this was a solid investment opportunity. He'd follow Tony's lead and make money while keeping his primary focus on Universal Capsule Company.
Tony didn't reveal his miniaturized arc reactor technology. Instead, he presented the large-scale reactor design, unsuitable for weaponization due to its size. But even that, Tony didn't hand over completely.
He proposed a licensing model. Tony Stark provided the technology, and the company paid fees to produce large-scale arc reactors for regional power grid installations. Through the company's transformation, Tony had seized absolute control of Stark Industries. No one could shake his position now.
Smith couldn't help but feel impressed by Tony's growth. The man would profit from licensing fees and then again from energy sales. No wonder he'd have enough money later to build countless Mark armors, treating them like disposable fireworks.
As Tony finished outlining the company's new direction, attention shifted to Smith. One shareholder cleared his throat. "Mr. Smith, I'm curious whether you'll collaborate with Stark Industries to develop human enhancement technology. Perhaps restart the Super Soldier Serum research?"
The shareholder's eyes gleamed with interest. "The Super Soldier Serum has significant historical connections to Tony's father, after all."
Tony would be lying if he claimed no curiosity about Smith's abilities. He'd formed numerous theories, but he understood boundaries. Some questions you didn't ask unless the other person volunteered the information.
Smith shook his head. "My involvement with Stark Industries as a board member is purely a business investment. I'm extremely bullish on the clean energy sector and have no intention of distracting Tony from that goal."
Disappointment rippled through the shareholders.
Smith almost laughed at the suggestion. He'd have to be insane to cooperate with Stark Industries on super soldier research. If he wanted that developed, Universal Capsule Company and Bulma could handle it independently. He wasn't short on personnel or funding.
The shareholders' meeting concluded. Smith didn't leave Stark Industries immediately. Instead, reporters blocked his path, steering him toward the scheduled press conference.
Looking at the crowd surrounding him, Smith decided not to fight it. He entered the press conference room, finding it packed with even more media than had been outside.
Smith's arrival electrified the atmosphere. Even Tony, seeing the commotion, wandered over to observe.
After the host's introduction, Smith approached the platform. A reporter near the front raised her hand immediately.
"Mr. Smith, have you seen a particular video circulating on YouTube? A young man showing off that he received compensation from the battle and picked up a new car."
She grinned. "He also claimed he kept the popcorn and soda you gave him, sealed them in amber like fossils, and turned them into a collector's item. He's hoping to get your autograph."
Smith remembered the guy. A bystander during the Iron Monger fight who'd been standing near him. Smith had handed over his uneaten popcorn and Coke on the spot. The poor bastard's car had been crushed into scrap metal by Obadiah's rampage.
Smith smiled genuinely. "If I get the chance, I'd be happy to sign it for him. His idea is brilliant. I honestly thought he'd thrown that stuff in the trash."
Laughter rippled through the press corps.
Smith continued, "We have to thank Tony Stark for that compensation. After all, he paid for it."
He paused, his expression growing more serious. "But I want to announce something here. I've established a foundation dedicated to post-conflict compensation."
The room quieted, reporters leaning forward.
"As you all know, the public considers me a superhero. Though I'm not particularly interested in becoming a vigilante or playing firefighter, certain malicious elements may not give me that choice. Once conflicts break out, casualties and property damage follow."
Smith's jaw tightened slightly. "Ordinary people already struggle financially. I don't want anyone facing a situation where some lunatic picks up their car, which they're still making payments on, and smashes it through their house, which they're also still paying off, leaving them with nothing and no recourse."
He gestured broadly. "The foundation I've established will compensate those who suffer property losses. Of course, only combat losses involving me directly."
Smith held up a finger. "But understand this is humanitarian compensation. It's not an admission of fault."
A slight grin crossed his face. "My assistant, Fox, suggested I start an insurance company and launch superhero property damage insurance policies. However, I don't currently operate any insurance businesses. So I'm encouraging all major insurance companies to develop this product category."
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