Chapter 20 - 20: The Mason Industrial Towers

Three years later, in the heart of the Big Apple, two skyscrapers, as majestic as the former Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, rose miraculously into the skyline. Today marked the grand opening of the Mason Industrial Headquarters. Upon receiving the news, journalists from across the nation and around the globe swarmed the site like sharks drawn to the scent of blood. Mason Industries had become a legend over the past three years, rising at an almost supernatural speed within the United States. With its cutting-edge research capabilities and its pioneering advancements in biotechnology, the company had become a dominant force—one that now stood shoulder-to-shoulder with industry giants like Stark Industries and Oscorp as a top supplier of military weaponry. Its latest inventions, the laser rifle and rapid hemostatic agent, had been acquired in bulk by the Department of Defense. Rumors even suggested that Mason Industries was assisting in the development of the next-generation fighter jet for the military. Today, Mason Industries had evolved into a corporate behemoth, extending its reach into communications, military technology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced equipment manufacturing. Even established powerhouses like Stark Industries and Oscorp found themselves struggling to keep up with Mason Industries' meteoric rise. A growing crowd of elites, including top business magnates and political figures, gathered beneath the newly completed Mason Industrial Towers, eagerly awaiting the inauguration ceremony. — "My God, I had no idea these buildings would be this grand!" "Owning just one skyscraper in my lifetime would be enough for me!" "Damn, how did that guy make so much money?" "Quit dreaming. With your tiny company, you'd never be able to afford a place like this—even in a hundred lifetimes!" "Unbelievable! This is the most stunning architectural masterpiece I've ever seen!" — The twin skyscrapers were awe-inspiring, their sleek, streamlined design soaring skyward. At the top, the towers subtly tapered, creating a distinct and futuristic silhouette. Connecting the two buildings were three skybridges, allowing easy passage between them. To the onlookers, the Mason Industrial Towers were nothing short of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world. And standing at the very center of the gathering, surrounded by a sea of people, was a young man—the mastermind behind this entire empire. Gene Mason. Gene Mason is now disguised as a human in his twenties, hiding his robotic structure. It was he who had single-handedly forged this unstoppable corporate empire. — Sёarᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Mason Industries' miraculous rise is a story known to all. Today, I am here at the headquarters, bringing you a live broadcast from the grand opening!" "Look at this! More and more influential figures are arriving for the ceremony!" "Oh my God—that's Secretary of Defense Robert Gates!" "That's Justin Hammer, the CEO of Hammer Industries!" "Wait—is that Tony Stark from Stark Industries? And Norman Osborn from Oscorp?" — A reporter gasped in disbelief as more and more political and business heavyweights arrived. The crowd was abuzz, with journalists frantically trying to secure interviews with these VIPs. But none of them succeeded. Despite having little business overlap in the past—Stark Industries specializing in industrial technology and Oscorp focusing on biotechnology—the rise of Mason Industries had shattered this once stable division. Because Mason Industries had entered both fields—and not just entered, but outperformed its competitors in both. — Meanwhile, hidden among the guests, were agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. For Nick Fury, the name "Gene Mason" instantly triggered memories of the events from three years ago. S.H.I.E.L.D. had been investigating Mason for three years, yet found nothing suspicious. As far as their records showed, Gene Mason was clean—a blank slate. But even now, Nick Fury couldn't shake his unease. His one good eye remained glued to the stage, watching as Gene Mason confidently stepped forward to deliver his speech. — "I sincerely thank you all for attending the grand opening of the Mason Industrial Towers. It is an honor to welcome you here today." "On this occasion, I would like to—" — A short but powerful five-minute speech—yet the audience erupted into thunderous applause. After all, this was America—a land where wealth and power commanded absolute respect. If you had enough influence, you could bend the world to your will. — "Director, I don't think this Gene Mason is the same guy from five years ago." Standing beside Nick Fury, Phil Coulson whispered cautiously. "Maybe. Perhaps I'm just being too paranoid," Fury muttered. After all, S.H.I.E.L.D. was now using several advanced weapons supplied by Mason Industries. If Gene Mason were a real threat, would he be arming them? At least on paper, he was no longer a suspect. — "And now," Gene Mason continued on stage, "allow me to officially unveil the Mason Industrial Towers!" — The crowd gasped in astonishment. The skyscrapers' glass windows, which had appeared normal, suddenly transformed into massive digital displays. Across the two towers, two symbols appeared—one a red-and-white umbrella emblem, the other a web-like pattern of intersecting blue lines. — "What in the world—?" "Is this magic?!" "How did they do that?!" "Are these the future logos of Mason Industries?" — Among the murmuring crowd, Tony Stark frowned. He knew exactly what this was. It was a new type of interactive glass technology. Stark Industries had been developing this technology, but somehow, Mason Industries had beaten them to it. -------------- T/N: Access 30 Chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics