Tony Stark shrugged noncommittally and asked directly, "The group that kidnapped me was the Ten Rings Gang. Are You related to the Ten Rings Gang?"
"The leader and young leader of the Ten Rings Gang were both killed by me."
"..."
Good heavens, I'm being direct, and You're even more direct than me!
Is this something that can be said in public?
Tony Stark rolled his eyes, "You know what I'm asking."
Samuel said with a half-smile, "You suspect that I instigated the Ten Rings Gang to kidnap You?"
Tony Stark said, "You got over a hundred million U.S. dollars, and your Void Express became famous because of it, with business booming."
According to the principle of whoever benefits the most is the most suspicious, Tony Stark had reason to suspect Samuel of orchestrating it himself!
Samuel shook his head, extended his finger, and said with a smile, "First, I am richer than You. That over a hundred million U.S. dollars is just the normal fee that should be collected."
"Second, I didn't expect to make money from Void Express. With Void Express's business capabilities, even without this incident with You, it would still become famous and have booming business."
"Kidnapping You and using You to promote myself, I might as well kidnap a General or a President or something. Although in the eyes of ordinary people, their fame might not be as great as Yours, they are more professional!"
"Finally, I'll tell You a piece of information that needs to be kept confidential for now. You know Captain America, right? S.H.I.E.L.D. came to me today to send him a package."
Tony Stark looked incredulous, "Captain America has been dead for a long time, hasn't he? You can still send packages to dead people?"
"If a person is dead, we naturally won't accept the order."
"You mean, he's not dead?"
Tony Stark said in disbelief, "Are You kidding me? If he wasn't dead, he should be an old man close to a hundred years old by now, right? He... He really isn't dead?!"
"His shield was conveniently brought back by my people," Samuel shrugged and said nonchalantly. "Captain America is the faith of the entire U.S. If I wanted to hype something up, he's more suitable than You, and the effect would be better!"
If You say that, I won't be convinced!
Tony Stark pouted, "He's an outdated old fossil, how could he compare to me!"
"The news of Tony Stark being kidnapped is indeed explosive, but the resurrection of Captain America, the faith of the entire U.S. and a people's hero, is even more explosive!"
To give a somewhat inappropriate example, no matter how popular father Ma's news is, it can't be more explosive than the news of Huo Qubing's resurrection, right?!
Of course, first, You have to prove that this news isn't a scam message like 'I, Qin Shi Huang, send money'!
Although he didn't want to admit it, if what he said was true, and Void Express really found Captain America and confirmed he was still alive, the hype effect might indeed be more explosive than the news of his own kidnapping.
Tony Stark was very clear that many people liked him, and even more people hated him!
So, wasn't he the one who kidnapped me...?
Tony Stark changed the subject, switching topics: "Although I'm not very satisfied with Your service, and even without You, I could have escaped myself, but..."
"Alright, I have to admit, You did save me!"
"I plan to hand over all of Stark Industries' transportation business to You, so we'll be even."
"I don't like owing favors!"
Tony Stark knew his limits; money was money, and a life-saving favor was a life-saving favor.
At that time, Stark Industries, the Military, and even S.H.I.E.L.D. had used almost every available resource but couldn't find him.
Samuel was the only one who could find him and was willing to act, and it was also he who reminded Pepper Potts to borrow money from S.H.I.E.L.D., which allowed Pepper Potts to place the order immediately!
"Repay a favor?"
"You haven't fully repaid this favor!"
Samuel smiled and patted Tony Stark's shoulder, "You don't have the final say on Stark Industries' business operations!"
"I don't have the final say? I'm Tony Stark!"
Tony Stark pretended to be arrogant, brushed off the spot Samuel had patted, and confidently wanted to give instructions to Pepper Potts.
Pepper Potts, however, gently added a jab, "The company's business and operations have always been handled by Mr. Obadiah."
Tony Stark's face instantly turned black.
Trying to show off failed, and he got slapped in the face!
Obadiah Stane, he was a friend and business partner of Tony Stark's Father Howard Stark, and also the uncle Tony Stark trusted the most.
Although Tony Stark was the Chairman of Stark Industries, he basically didn't handle affairs; normally, the company and the board were the responsibility of Obadiah, the CEO.
Ignoring the black-faced, speechless Tony Stark, Samuel invited Pepper Potts, "Want to have a drink?"
"Okay!"
Pepper Potts smiled sweetly, proactively took Samuel's arm, and walked towards the crowd.
The girls in the crowd who were eager to try couldn't help but look at each other.
Wasn't she Tony Stark's personal assistant? How did she become Samuel's female companion?
What is this?!
Does the pavilion nearest the water get the moon first?
Bitch!
Some were indignant, some retreated and gave up, and of course, there were definitely confident ones ready to show their charm and compete with Pepper Potts for him.
Pepper Potts didn't feel unhappy, because she had seen this kind of situation many times, but Samuel's response made her feel secretly delighted.
Everyone who came over to strike up a conversation tried to attract Samuel's attention like peacocks displaying their feathers, but Samuel firmly refused them every time, looking like he was already taken, and always kept his attention on her.
Everything is afraid of comparison, and with this comparison, the gap became even more obvious!
...
Pepper Potts's affection for Samuel soared like a Rocket, increasing rapidly; she unknowingly drank several more glasses and got closer and closer to Samuel amidst the noisy music.
Closer and closer...
"Hey, aren't You going to chat with me?" Tony Stark walked over.
"Chat about what?"
Samuel put his arm around Pepper Potts's waist, raised his glass, and spoke, his casual demeanor making it seem like he was the Master of the place.
"I'm very curious about Your teleporting ability, what is it, a superpower?" Tony Stark asked curiously.
Samuel didn't deny it; the era of superheroes had begun, and more and more super-powered individuals would appear in the future.
In the early stages, ordinary heroes without superpowers, such as Black Widow, Hawkeye, Captain America, and the like, could still get by.
By the later stages, when Inhumans or Eternals appeared and all sorts of superpowers became widespread, they could only train the next generation.
If Tony Stark, this Iron Man, didn't die, with his mind and technology, he could hold his ground.
At the very least, his Firepower is enough!
Speaking of Firepower, this guy's Iron Man Suit should be ready by now, right?
If I hadn't dispelled his doubts, maybe he would have already put on the Iron Man Suit and started fighting me by now, right?
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