Obadiah's face was livid, but he forced himself to maintain a smile, stepped forward to stand side-by-side with Tony, and spoke into the microphone.
"Everyone, please be quiet! Tony has just experienced a trauma, his emotions are still unstable, this decision requires detailed discussion by the board, it is not something one person can decide..."
"I have already decided." Tony interrupted him, turning his head to look at Obadiah, his gaze sharp.
"I am the largest shareholder and CEO of Stark Industries, I have this power."
Obadiah's smile froze on his face. The two stared at each other on the podium, and the tense, confrontational atmosphere could be felt even through the screen.
All the cameras captured this scene: Tony's determination, Obadiah's shock and anger, and the sudden, obvious rift that had appeared between the two.
"Tony." Obadiah lowered his voice, but the microphone still picked it up.
"We need to talk, privately!"
"We have already talked, Obie." Tony's voice remained calm, but every word was like a knife.
"Before my car was blown up, before those missiles I designed almost killed me. What did you say back then? 'Arms are our foundation'? 'Can't let emotions get in the way'?"
He turned back to face the media: "The press conference ends here. What I have said is the future direction of Stark Industries. Thank you, everyone."
After speaking, he turned and walked off the podium, ignoring the boiling media behind him and Obadiah's eyes that were practically spitting fire.
Bodyguards swarmed up, shielding him as they went through the side door and left the media hall.
The moment he stepped out the door, Tony heard Obadiah on the podium trying to salvage the situation: "Everyone, please understand Tony's current state... this decision still requires further study... Stark Industries will continue to contribute to the country's national defense cause..."
Tony sneered and left without looking back.
New York, Mavuika's apartment.
Mavuika sat on the sofa, holding a cup of tea in her hand, watching the live press conference on TV.
When Tony announced the closure of the weapons division, she raised an eyebrow slightly, a knowing smile curling the corners of her lips.
Must say, Tony really has quite a bit of gumption.
On TV, a financial commentator had already begun to analyze the impact of this decision: "...Stark Industries' stock price has already plummeted 23% in pre-market trading and is expected to fall further after the market opens. Analysts believe that if Tony Stark persists in this decision, Stark Industries' annual revenue will decrease by more than 12 billion USD, and at least 15,000 jobs will be affected..."
Mavuika changed the channel, and another commentator was speaking passionately: "...This is simply commercial suicide! Tony Stark has clearly suffered mental trauma during his kidnapping; what he needs is a psychiatrist, not to continue serving as CEO! Obadiah Stane should immediately call a board meeting to suspend Tony from his duties..."
Changing the channel again, the reactions on social media were also scrolling: "#TonyIsCrazy" became a trending topic, with both support and mockery underneath.
"Finally someone dares to say no to arms dealers! Support Tony!"
"Heh, once Stark Industries goes bankrupt, he'll know he was wrong."
"Became a saint after being kidnapped once? How ridiculous."
"What do you know? He saw the weapons he created kill people with his own eyes; can you understand that kind of impact?"
Mavuika turned off the TV. She didn't need to read these comments to know what kind of storm Tony's decision would cause.
Stark Industries is the world's largest arms dealer. This sudden pivot will shake the entire military-industrial complex, affect geopolitics, and even change the balance of war in certain regions.
But she believed Tony could handle it well.
That man might be arrogant, might be headstrong, but he is not stupid.
If he could make this decision, he must have already thought of a follow-up plan, or at least, was prepared to face the consequences.
A few days later, as expected.
Although the media was filled with condemnation and Stark Industries' stock price had indeed fallen sharply, it hadn't reached the point of being crippled.
Tony quickly called a board meeting. It was said the process was extremely intense; he had used all his power as the largest shareholder to forcefully pass the transformation resolution.
At the same time, Stark Industries announced it would invest heavily in developing new energy and medical technology, and announced several non-weapons projects that were already in the middle to late stages. Clearly, Tony had long since had a backup plan.
Just as the outside world was still arguing endlessly, Mavuika received a call from Tony.
"Mavuika!" Tony's voice came through the receiver, as excited as a child who had just received a new toy.
"Come over quickly! Come to my house! Right now!"
Mavuika raised an eyebrow: "Tony, it's ten o'clock at night in New York."
"Who cares!" Tony didn't care at all.
"I have something to show you! I succeeded! You will absolutely love it!"
"What kind of thing?" Mavuika was a bit curious.
Tony was rarely this excited; even back when he designed the Jericho missile, he had only whistled proudly.
"You'll know when you get here! No, I can't explain it clearly over the phone! You must see it with your own eyes! Now! Immediately! Right away!"
Mavuika smiled: "Alright, wait a few minutes for me."
"OK! Hurry up!"
After hanging up the phone, Mavuika put down her teacup, stood up, and walked to the balcony.
Golden-red flames rose, and she transformed into a stream of light, streaking across the night sky of New York, flying towards the West Coast.
Fifteen minutes later, at Tony's Villa.
Tony was already waiting at the entrance of the lab.
He looked much better than a few days ago; although his face was still pale, there was a sparkle in his eyes, and his walk was much steadier.
The device on his chest was still there, but it had been cleverly integrated into a black tight-fitting suit, making it look less obtrusive.
"You are thirty seconds late." Tony said as soon as they met.
Mavuika looked at her watch: "Actually, I arrived two minutes early; it was you who opened the door late."
"Details are not important." Tony grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the lab.
"Come in quickly, I've been holding back for several days; if I don't find someone to show off to, I'm going to go crazy."
The lab was Tony's sanctuary, occupying an entire floor beneath the Villa, with an area larger than most companies' R&D centers.
It was filled with various equipment: 3D printers, CNC machines, material analyzers, holographic projection tables, and dozens of computers for different purposes.
The air was permeated with the mixed scent of machine oil, ozone, and coffee—a typical Tony Stark working environment.
But today, there was an additional circular platform in the center of the lab, about three meters in diameter and half a meter above the ground.
Surrounded by six precision robotic arms, each arm had a different tool at its end: wrenches, welding torches, screwdrivers, and laser cutting heads.
Above the platform, more mechanical devices were suspended from the ceiling, looking like some kind of... assembly system?
"Where is Ethan?" Mavuika looked around but didn't see the Doctor.
"He went back to his hometown," Tony said, his tone becoming slightly more serious.