The Savior of American Comics? I'm the Subspace Evil God!

Chapters 518, 952, and 953: Tony: Ten minutes is more than enough.
"Think about it, what will happen then?" Alexander Pierce asked smugly, looking at Hitwell's widening eyes.

"At that point, all we need to do is send people to secretly bribe a few influential media outlets, especially the Daily Bugle, which loves to create sensational news, and have them 'dig' and 'hint' at the problem..."

"I've even thought of the titles for them: 'Tragic Hero Falls? Former Head of the PPDC Organization Suspected of Committing Suicide Due to Unbearable Pressure and Insider Trading Accusations!' 'Mech Ownership Leads to Death? Who's Pressuring General Pentecost?'..."

"We only need to use the death of Steker Pentecost to muddy the waters and subtly point the finger at those who are most eager for the Titan Hunter mech, and we can easily appease everyone's requests in the past."

"Huh? Using Stephen Pantecost's death as a pretext?"

Hitwell scratched his bald head, a puzzled look on his face.

Alexander Pierce really wanted to kick him to death when he saw this. I've explained it so clearly, even a pig should be able to understand it, right?

But considering the other party's loyalty, he patiently explained on their behalf again:

"As soon as Strick dies, and dies 'just in time' and 'with many suspicious points'... he will immediately become the eye of a super storm in global fishing discussions!"

"All discussions about the dismantling of the [PPDC organization] and the ownership of those [Titan Hunter mechs] will be completely overshadowed and diverted by this death mystery involving a 'conspiracy' and 'forcing a hero to his death'."

"At this critical juncture, anyone who dares to demand those [Titan Hunter Mechs] will become the target of public criticism."

Even if Nick Fury really wanted it, he had to think twice. If he reached out now, would he be labeled a 'murderer' by the overwhelming public opinion? So, he could only back down and wait until the storm had completely passed!

Hitville suddenly understood. This time, he truly comprehended it. His face lit up with immense admiration, and his bald head flushed with excitement. He immediately gave a thumbs-up and enthusiastically flattered Hitville:

"High! It's really high!"

"Sir, your tactic of shifting blame and diverting the trouble is a stroke of genius, killing three birds with one stone!!"

"It eliminated potential troubles, completely silenced Nick Fury and his ilk, and perfectly diverted public attention. It's absolutely brilliant! I'm incredibly impressed!!"

He rubbed his hands excitedly, "That way, those six Titan Hunter mechs can lie safely in our secret warehouse, waiting for your Insight Project to need them when it comes time!"

"I believe that under your strategic planning, Project Insight will be a complete success, eliminating all threats and establishing a true new order for Hydra!!"

Although he lacked intelligence, Hitwell's flattery was deafening.

Moreover, Alexander Pierce seemed quite pleased with this, and then waved his hand expressionlessly, as if he had just dealt with a trivial matter.

“Go ahead and tell the Winter Soldier to do it cleanly, preferably like a perfect ‘suicide’.”

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"

Hitwell straightened his back, his face filled with the fervor of someone carrying out a sacred mission, and excitedly left the office.

The heavy door closed again.

Alexander Pierce stood alone in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, the glass, which had a built-in blackout function, reflecting his cold, indifferent, and angular old face, which was as sharp as a marble sculpture.

The sunlight outside the window was bright, but it did nothing to warm the office, which was filled with an atmosphere of conspiracy and death.

As Alexander Pierce had said before, Steker Pantecost's fate was sealed the moment he stepped out of that door.

And he, Alexander Pierce, was like the Grim Reaper hidden behind the scenes, gently plucking the strings of the other's fate.

…………

……

Dark as ink.

【New York】.

【Stark Tower】.

whoosh-

A flashing streak of light tore through the bustling night sky of Manhattan, landing precisely and swiftly on the spacious private take-off and landing platform on the top floor of Stark Tower, like a falling star.

The engine's hum gradually faded, and the Mark 43 armor gracefully split open to the sides like flower petals, revealing Tony Stark dressed in an expensive suit underneath.

Tony Stark's face showed a hint of weariness that was hard to hide, but his eyes gleamed with an undisguised excitement.

He straightened his tie and stepped out of his armor.

"Welcome back……"

Pepper Potts, who had been notified in advance and was waiting there, was dressed in a smart Chanel suit. As soon as Tony emerged from the armor, she quickly went to greet him.

Her face was filled with worry and longing. Without the slightest hesitation, she gave Tony Stark a sweet hug that they hadn't seen in a long time.

“You know what, Tony…”

Pepper Potts' voice whispered in the other person's ear, her voice carrying a hint of heartache and reproach:
"If Jarvis hadn't been reporting your vital signs and GPS information to me every day, I would have really thought that your weeks-long 'technical exchange' was actually you sneaking off to fool around with some model or female scientist behind my back..."

"Hey, honey, don't think of me as such a terrible person!"

Tony Stark casually put his arm around Pepper Potts' waist, flashing his signature, slightly roguish smile, and leaned down to plant a passionate kiss on her smooth forehead, saying smugly:
"Besides, I clearly sneak back every week during my free time to 'pay my dues,' isn't that enough to prove my loyalty to you? Besides..."

He suddenly leaned close to Pepper Potts' ear, deliberately lowered his voice, and teased her mysteriously:

"Can't you sense that my prodigal son's heart has long been completely captured by you, my Queen, and there's no room for anyone else?!"

"Hmph, I'd be a fool to believe you."

Pepper Potts blushed slightly at his teasing and gave him a disapproving glare, but her tense shoulders visibly relaxed.

Sure enough, women of all levels always love to hear sweet words.

Pepper Potts took Tony Stark's arm, and the two walked side by side toward the luxurious glass doors leading into the building.

"Any news from Dr. Banner?"

Tony Stark barely paused before stepping into the warm, bright room and immediately got to the point, his tone even carrying a hint of eagerness.

"No way? Mr. Tony Stark? We're talking about work as soon as you get back?" Pepper Potts's tenderness was instantly replaced by a hint of displeasure. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him and said coquettishly:
"You came back travel-worn, without even having a cup of coffee with me, and the first thing you did was ask me about another man's whereabouts? Do you miss Dr. Banner that much?"

"Oh, come on, Pepper, this is important!"

Tony Stark patted the woman's hand apologetically, his tone carrying a hint of insistence, "Very important!!"

Pepper Potts, noticing the unusual seriousness in his eyes, sighed and stopped joking, answering truthfully:
“I’ve already negotiated with S.H.I.E.L.D. as you requested, and they’ve agreed. They should be ‘escorting’ Dr. Banner over soon, but they’ll most likely send someone to monitor him before picking him up… Now that I think about it, he should be here soon, no more than ten minutes at the latest.”

Upon hearing this, Tony Stark's caramel-colored eyes narrowed immediately, and his brows furrowed tightly: "'Escort'? 'Surveillance'? Nick Fury is really going too far!"

"Is he treating Bruce Banner like a dangerous object or a prisoner now? He's actually starting to restrict his personal freedom?"

"There's nothing we can do about it, Tony."

Pepper Potts' reaction was surprisingly calm. She took Tony's arm and even expressed her views on the matter in an almost cold and rational tone.

“You have to understand Director Fury’s position… After all, nobody wants to see what Dr. Banner looks like after transforming; it means enormous destructive power and huge, uncontrollable risks.”

"Therefore, for the sake of greater collective security, sometimes it is necessary and acceptable for individuals to make appropriate concessions and sacrifices... to restrict some freedom."

"This is called 'sacrificing the individual for the greater good'."

Tony Stark stopped abruptly upon hearing this, looking at Pepper with some surprise, as if he were seeing her for the first time. He then gave her an exaggerated once-over, even waving his hand in front of her face.

"Wow, wow, wow... Wait a minute, darling, are you... are you alright?"

"You didn't get brainwashed by Nick Fury while I was gone, did you? Or did someone put you under subconscious hypnosis?!"

"Your statement was exactly the same as the official jargon used by S.H.I.E.L.D."

"You bastard, die!"

Pepper Potts was amused by his actions and raised her fist to punch Tony in the chest, but her wrist was caught precisely by him in the next second.

Tony Stark's face flashed with a wicked smile, and with a sudden burst of strength, he swept the unsuspecting Pepper Potts up in a perfect princess carry.

"Huh?! Tony, what... what are you doing? Put me down right now!" Pepper Potts exclaimed, her cheeks instantly turning bright red.

However, Tony Stark ignored her and strode towards the private elevator, simultaneously giving a voice command:
“[Jarvis], go straight to the bedroom level... Oh, remember not to let anyone disturb us during this time.”

Then he looked down at Pepper Potts, who was both embarrassed and annoyed in his arms, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of a successful prank, and said in a pretentious tone:

"You just said Dr. Banner wouldn't arrive for another ten minutes, right?"

"So that means we have ten minutes of free time?"

"That's enough for us to do some lovemaking first, to see if I've really been drained of my body by other wild women..."

"Tony! Stop...stop fooling around!"

Pepper Potts blushed and struggled, clearly realizing what Tony was trying to do. Her voice held a hint of coquettishness and anticipation, but she still tried her best to persuade him:

"There's simply not enough time... and Dr. Banner could arrive any moment earlier!!"

"Trust me, darling..."

The elevator doors slowly closed, revealing Tony Stark's somewhat arrogant face, who confidently said:
"Ten minutes is more than enough for me!! And if you're still not satisfied, we can even have another round..."

The elevator doors closed completely, shutting out his even more absurd remarks.

……

ten minutes later.

In the lobby of Stark Tower, the revolving door slid open silently.

Dr. Bruce Banner walked in from outside, "escorted" by a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents dressed in black suits, with aloof expressions and communicators in their ears.

Bruce Banner wore a slightly worn wool coat over a plaid shirt, his face bearing his usual gentle yet tired expression, but deep in his eyes was a hint of unease and helplessness at being watched.

"Welcome, Dr. Banner. My boss has been waiting upstairs for quite some time..."

Happy Hogan, who had been waiting there for a long time, greeted him with a smile. After completing the handover with the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in a procedural manner and signing some tedious confidential documents, he smoothly led Bruce Banner to the private elevator that led directly to the top floor.

Meanwhile, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents spread out like shadows, guarding the building's exits and passageways, silently demonstrating their operational capabilities.

top layer.

Tony Stark's private studio.

Ding--

When the elevator doors opened, Tony Stark was already standing in the lobby, looking completely transformed.

He changed into a perfectly tailored, expensive white casual suit, his hair was meticulously styled, and he exuded a faint scent of cologne. There was no trace of the "intense exercise" he had just engaged in ten minutes earlier.

And twice...

Tony Stark, with a beaming smile, opened his arms to greet Bruce Banner.

"Bruce, my good buddy, long time no see... How have you been?!"

Tony Stark patted Bruce Banner hard on the back, his tone so warm it was almost excessive, giving the impression that the two were very close.

Bruce Banner awkwardly pushed up his glasses, forcing a helpless, wry smile: "Uh... to be honest, Tony, not so great."

"Various 'physical examinations,' 'psychological assessments,' 'stress tests'... it never ends, but at least..."

He sighed, his eyes darkening, a complex sense of relief creeping into his voice:

"At least I don't have to live in constant fear that I might lose control of my emotions and become 'someone else,' bringing devastating disaster to the innocent civilians around me."

(End of this chapter)