A shadow slowly emerged from behind Tony Stark, who lay pale and ashen on the sofa.
"Tony, are you listening?"
Pepper Potts' voice came through the phone again, but by that time, the situation was already under Obadiah Stane's control.
"Remember this thing?"
Obadiah shook a small device in his hand with a smug grin.
"This temporary paralysis gadget… quite handy, don't you think?"
He crouched down, staring into Tony's fading eyes.
"When I ordered your assassination, I was worried I'd be killing a golden goose that lays golden eggs."
"But look at you — you survived! That's fate!"
Then, without hesitation, Obadiah used a tool to forcefully remove the Arc Reactor from Tony's chest.
"It's fate that you'll lay one last golden egg for me!"
Holding the glowing Arc Reactor in his palm, Stane finally revealed a triumphant, sinister grin.
The masterpiece created by Tony — this "golden goose" — had just delivered its final swan song.
Tony's condition deteriorated rapidly. His breathing faltered, his blood flow weakened, and his heart could no longer sustain him.
"Hahahaha! Tony, enjoy your last moments!"
"I, Obadiah Stane, will lead Stark Industries to its peak — the whole world will hear my name!"
"Don't worry, I won't even change the company's name. The Stark brand is far too valuable! Hahahaha!"
It was the cruelest kind of betrayal — not just stealing your legacy but parading your name to do it.
Obadiah Stane was ruthless, and Tony could only feel one thing — regret.
He regretted not listening to Leo's warning.
He regretted not digging deeper to expose the real mastermind.
If only he hadn't been so arrogant, maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way.
Obadiah looked at Tony's dying expression and felt even more satisfied. After years of suppressed jealousy and bitterness, he was finally on top.
With a self-satisfied smirk, he turned and walked out of the villa, laughing wildly.
Tony lay helplessly, fighting for every breath. He knew if he didn't act soon, it would be over.
"Jar… Jarvis… notify Leo…"
His voice trembled, every word a struggle. Only Leo could teleport here fast enough to save him.
"Yes, sir."
Jarvis immediately placed the call.
"Hello, may I speak with Mr. Leo?"
"It's me," Leo replied, already sensing something was wrong.
"Mr. Stark is in critical condition. Please come to his villa immediately."
"No problem. I'm on my way."
"Thank you, sir."
Jarvis' digital voice carried a rare urgency. Without him, there would be no Iron Man — every suit, every design, every line of code came through his processing power.
This was 2009. The Marvel Universe was just getting started.
Leo hung up and chuckled. "Heh, time to milk the billionaire again."
After all, Obadiah wasn't wrong — Tony was a golden goose that laid golden eggs.
With a soft whoosh, Leo appeared in the villa, looking down at the pale, motionless Tony.
"Hahaha, Tony, what kind of look is that? Damn, you're a masterpiece right now."
"Come on, let's take a picture for the record — I might auction this one day."
He whipped out his phone and took a few shots, the camera clicks echoing through the silent room.
Tony's face twisted in anger and pain.
"Q…quick… save me… you bastard…"
"When… I get better… I'm gonna strangle you…"
Even at death's door, Tony's attitude was pure Stark — stubborn, sarcastic, and loud.
"Heh, because of that line, the price just went up."
Leo grinned. "Let's say… one billion dollars. Not too much, right? You can afford that."
Tony's eyes widened. "You—!"
"What you? Pay up or I walk away."
Leo turned as if to leave, and Tony panicked. His life came first — always.
"Fine! I agree!"
He didn't know where the strength came from, but survival had a funny way of motivating people.
Leo smiled. "Pleasure doing business, Mr. Stark."
He headed to the workshop and retrieved the old Arc Reactor from the shelf. A few sparks later, Tony's heart started beating again.
"Holy sh*t… thank God… it feels good to be alive."
"Wrong," Leo said flatly. "You should thank me. And also, the green Franklin on those bills."
Tony glared. "You damn con artist! You've swindled over two billion from me already!"
Leo shrugged, smirking. "Keep talking, and next time it'll cost you two lives — and two billion."
That eerie smile made Tony's stomach drop.
Then it hit him — Pepper!
Obadiah knew she had stolen the company files!
"Leo, thanks — I've gotta go!"
He dashed into his workshop, strapped on his Iron Man armor, and blasted off into the night sky.
Leo watched him go and chuckled.
"Heh, Tony, Tony… your money's not going anywhere."