Chapter 59 - 59: Reactions from All Sides

"Next week marks the grand opening of both the Stark Expo and the Mason Industrial Expo." "Unbelievable! Mason Industries managed to construct an entire exhibition venue within just a month!" "Multiple corporations have already announced their participation in the Mason Industrial Expo." "Hammer Industries unveils their latest war robots!" "A cheap imitation at best!" "Hammer Industries developing war robots? Now that's a joke!" __ With only a week left before the Stark Expo and the Mason Industrial Expo, media outlets worldwide swarmed in anticipation. Major corporations sent representatives to set up their displays, each making strategic choices about where to allocate their best products and personnel. The difference in priorities was obvious. Their most cutting-edge technology and elite staff? All placed in the Mason Industrial Expo. As for the Stark Expo? Only leftovers and outdated tech were being showcased. This stark contrast already signified Mason Industries' rising dominance on a global scale. __ "Alright, alright! That should do it!" Inside Hammer Industries, Justin Hammer impatiently examined the war robots built by Ivan Vanko. How should he put it…? They looked like cheap knockoffs. Exposed wiring, flimsy armor—these machines couldn't hold a candle to the T-600 models from Mason Industries. "Combat capability. Strong," Vanko said, his expression laced with mocking amusement as he observed Justin Hammer's frustration. "I don't just want raw power! I need presentation! Do you understand?" Hammer snapped. "This is an expo! The whole world will be watching!" Shooting a warning glance at his bodyguards, he gestured for them to keep a close eye on Vanko before storming out of the lab. Outside, a swarm of eager journalists awaited. "Ah, yes! Our latest war robots from Hammer Industries combine the strengths of both the T-600 series from Mason Industries and the Stark Industries armor," he declared confidently. "They will be the ultimate safeguard for future peace!" seaʀᴄh thё nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. __ Meanwhile, inside his lavish mansion, Tony Stark was busy with the final upgrades to his Arc Reactor. For too long, the palladium poisoning had been killing him. But with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help, he had uncovered the secret left behind by his father—Howard Stark's undiscovered element. "Even after all these years, you're still teaching me lessons," Tony muttered, gazing at the newly glowing Arc Reactor. "Sir, I hate to dampen your spirits," J.A.R.V.I.S. chimed in, "but based on the publicly released specifications from Mason Industries, your Arc Reactor still falls significantly short of the power output of the energy source utilized in their T-600 models." Tony froze. "Excuse me?" "Your reactor's energy efficiency is notably inferior," J.A.R.V.I.S. reiterated. "... J.A.R.V.I.S., buddy, can we not rain on my parade right now? This is just a prototype, okay? Prototype!" A pause. "Wait… what the hell is a T-600?" It was only now, free from the looming threat of death, that Stark finally had the time to catch up on what had been happening in the world. And the moment he went online… His worldview was shattered. __ In a short span of time, everything had changed. Osborn Industries had been acquired by Mason Industries. Harry Osborn had become the new Green Goblin. Mason Industries had assisted the U.S. military in capturing the Hulk. There was now a Spider-Man swinging around Queens. And, to top it off— Even Hammer Industries was launching its own war robots?! Wasn't Justin Hammer supposed to be humiliated at the hearing? How was he still making moves?! Tony rubbed his temples. His company—Stark Industries—was bleeding. Ever since Mason Industries started aggressively expanding, Stark Industries had been losing ground in multiple sectors. Like an unstoppable juggernaut, Mason Industries had launched a barrage of disruptive innovations that left Stark Industries struggling to keep up. Tony wasn't alone in this struggle. Another so-called American genius—Reed Richards, CEO of the Baxter Corporation—was also taking a beating. His business, too, was being eroded by Mason Industries' relentless expansion. "What is Gene Mason trying to do? Just waiting for the government to break up his company?" Tony muttered in disbelief. The U.S. government would never allow a single corporation to grow this powerful unchecked. __ Meanwhile, at Stark Industries… Pepper Potts was in crisis mode. The Stark Expo was on the verge of disaster. Many companies that had initially agreed to participate had suddenly jumped ship—defecting to Mason Industries. With less than three days left until the expo's opening, it was shaping up to be one of the worst exhibitions in Stark Industries' history. "Damn it, what is Mason Industries trying to do?!" Pepper groaned in frustration. She had exhausted every possible negotiation tactic, but nothing worked. The moment companies caught wind of the Mason Industrial Expo, they flocked to it like starving dogs chasing a steak. Even before the expo venue was fully constructed, businesses had been lining up to be a part of it. And now, as she watched their carefully planned exhibition crumble before her eyes… Pepper Potts felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. -------------- T/N: Access Advance Chapters on my P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics