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Chapter 214 - Attacking S.H.I.E.L.D.

"So, Mr. Stark, do you need our help?"

The questioning was over, and Tony had come to his own conclusion: his mother had indeed died under suspicious circumstances. Once he knew that, there was no way he wouldn't dig deeper.

"You already have a plan, don't you? You two have probably been preparing to go after S.H.I.E.L.D. for a while now. Tell me. What do you need me to do?"

As Tony agreed, Reid also didn't hold back anymore and pulled out a file.

Even though he had telepathic powers, not everyone was comfortable with getting information that way.

Taking the file, Tony started flipping through it carefully. At the same time, Reid began explaining.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't completely Hydra. Or rather, Hydra might've infiltrated it, but they don't truly control it. At least, not yet. That's why we need to push them a little. And that organization was created by your father, I'm guessing you don't want to see it fall apart like this."

Tony didn't answer, but his silence was agreement. He didn't like S.H.I.E.L.D. much and felt his father had been too idealistic in founding it. But it was still Howard's legacy. And ever since reconciling with his father under Reid's influence, there was no way he'd just let S.H.I.E.L.D. fall into Hydra's hands.

Reid continued, "Next, we're going to expose the existence of S.H.I.E.L.D. to the public. There will be harsh condemnation. Our goal is to force them entirely out of New York."

"Oh? That's quite the move."

While speaking, Tony set the file aside. Since someone was explaining, there was no need for him to read through all the dense technical text.

"Aren't you worried they'll go nuts? You do realize how dependent they've become on the weapons and serum you manufacture."

On the surface, S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed wary of LexCorp, but in truth, they had been heavily purchasing the company's enhanced serums and advanced weaponry at high prices.

Tony had already uncovered this during his investigation. After all, the agency no longer bought weapons from Stark Industries.

Given how often they dealt with superpowered individuals, S.H.I.E.L.D. needed LexCorp's unconventional gear more than traditional arms.

"Which is exactly why they need someone to give them a hand, right? Mr. Stark, don't forget who your father was."

With just one sentence, Reid made his intentions clear.

"You want me to work with S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"That's right. Once they're completely at odds with LexCorp, they'll turn to you. Whether it's the regular agents or Hydra moles within the agency, they'll all have to acknowledge your intelligence and resources. Partnering with you will be inevitable."

"And you're not afraid that I might join forces with them and take your whole empire down?"

Tony couldn't help but ask.

Right now, LexCorp looked unstoppable, but it wasn't invincible. If Stark Industries stepped in and joined hands with a global organization like S.H.I.E.L.D., it could seriously halt the company's growth.

To that, Reid calmly spread his arms, looking completely unbothered.

"Everything I've said today has been the truth. Why would I fear you turning against us? Or are you like those naive fools who believe that just gathering a few idealists is enough to protect the world?"

Without responding, Tony simply picked up the file he had set down moments ago.

"Starting tomorrow, Stark Industries will officially cut all ties with LexCorp and Wayne Enterprises. You'd better be ready."

He had made up his mind.

Tony was never naive. In the original timeline, he was the one who proposed wrapping the world in armor in the Age of Ultron—an idea completely at odds with Captain America's belief in freedom. That alone showed how similar he and Reid truly were.

The only difference was that Reid was selfish. Tony, on the other hand, had the heart of a hero.

"You're not taking the helpers we prepared for you?"

Just as Tony was about to leave, Reid's question made him pause. A moment later, he turned and waved to Richard and Mary.

"You two, come with me. The sooner we root out Hydra from inside S.H.I.E.L.D., the sooner you can both reclaim your identities."

The couple exchanged a quick glance, understanding this was a storm they couldn't avoid. Without another word, they nodded and followed him.

Reid couldn't control what Tony would do after reestablishing contact with S.H.I.E.L.D., but knowing the man's personality, once he found the truth, Hydra wouldn't be getting away easily.

"Luthor, get ready to issue the public statement and launch the operation. If we're going to do this, we do it thoroughly. No trace of S.H.I.E.L.D. should be allowed back into New York State."

* * *

The next day, news exploded across New York, and soon, all of America.

First came the announcement from Stark Industries: all cooperation with LexCorp and Wayne Enterprises had officially ended.

Then, in what felt like retaliation, the government sent in investigators, using a slew of nitpicky reasons to audit and inspect Stark Industries.

In response to the mounting pressure, Tony successfully convinced the company's board of directors to relocate Stark Industries' headquarters. The move was bold; shifting from New York on the East Coast all the way to Los Angeles on the West Coast, where a local branch was rapidly expanded and restructured into the new HQ.

Thus ended the partnership between Stark Industries and LexCorp after more than seven years of cooperation.

But before the public could even catch its breath, LexCorp struck again with an even bigger move.

News reports all across New York State began exposing a mysterious organization that had long existed in the shadows of America, an agency that had evolved out of the CIA.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Along with that came shocking revelations. The recent plane crash incident, which had previously been reported as an accident, was now exposed as a deliberate act orchestrated by S.H.I.E.L.D.—a supposedly international peacekeeping agency that had abused taxpayer money in an attempt to seize LexCorp's property.

Just like that, the veil over this covert spy organization was torn away by LexCorp.

Public outrage erupted instantly.

Using taxpayer money, at least the FBI and CIA were doing something worthwhile. They had roles, they made contributions.

But S.H.I.E.L.D.? What had this organization actually done?

For years, Richard Parker, a scientist responsible for pharmaceutical development at LexCorp, had worked on new drugs that saved countless lives. Now, he and his wife Mary, also a scientist, were reported dead in a tragic incident.

That damn agency, funded by the public, hadn't just failed to do its job. It had taken away a brilliant scientist from the world.

The story spread like wildfire beyond New York. In nearby Washington D.C., protests and demonstrations soon erupted.

New York had set an example. Now, crowds gathered in front of the White House, demanding the federal government stop funding S.H.I.E.L.D. They called for the expulsion of the agency, accusing it of wasting taxpayer money while endangering lives.

The newly elected president, already backed by LexCorp, had been prepared for this. He quickly announced a complete termination of all cooperation with S.H.I.E.L.D.

Though secret funding still flowed behind the scenes, the move effectively cut the organization's operational budget in half.

For an intelligence agency like S.H.I.E.L.D., money was everything. With their funds slashed, they had no choice but to officially pull out of the U.S.

But in reality, they didn't vanish.

They simply scattered, splintering into countless small cells. Their agents quietly slipped back into the country, blending into society.

* * *

One of those agents was Fury.

Staring at the Triskelion building in the distance, he muttered, "Never thought… LexCorp would move this fast."

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