Marvel: I am Iron Man

Upon returning to the lab, Tony immediately had Jarvis add another item to his research and development list: portable miniature nuclear warheads.

Although overall, this weapon doesn't seem to have many applicable situations, Tony anticipates that it will be useful sooner or later.

Tony, having stepped out of his armor, quickly returned to his workbench: "Alright, Jax, organize your to-do list and remind me again. What's our next project?"

He often felt that having Jarvis's help made everything much easier.

For example, Jarvis is an excellent secretary when it comes to scheduling. He can organize Tony's ever-growing to-do list, including personal matters, threats to be dealt with, scientific research and development, etc. He prioritizes everything and promptly informs Tony of each key milestone.

With Jarvis around, Tony didn't feel overwhelmed or at a loss despite having a lot of things to do.

For example, Jarvis reminded him of something he had completely forgotten.

"You need to attend a board meeting at ten o'clock this morning, sir," Jarvis said.

Tony raised an eyebrow: "The kind of thing you absolutely have to do?"

While it's not that he doesn't want to manage his company personally, there are simply too many other priorities. Therefore, Tony Stark has avoided making public appearances unless absolutely necessary.

Jarvis said, "Yes, sir. You personally confirmed during the scheduling process that this meeting involves important plans for the future of the Stark Group, and your attendance is required."

He paused, as if afraid Tony would forget, and added, "New energy, sir?"

"Oh, yes." Tony rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Venturing into the energy sector is indeed a crucial direction for the company's future development—just like in the original film's timeline. And only Tony can personally spearhead this.

The Stark Industries remains very important to Tony. Ensuring the company's continued success is crucial for him to maintain his unlimited wealth and access to the unimaginable social resources and connections of a top-tier conglomerate.

These, like armor and weapons, are an important part of his power—a power that ninety percent of other superheroes do not possess.

Commonly known as "money power".

Therefore, you still have to attend the board meetings when required.

Seemingly sensing Tony's reluctance to leave the lab, Jarvis joked, "It's alright, sir. Even if you take a short break, the work won't stop. While you're gone, I'll continue running some simulations, and when you return, we might have some good data."

"Okay, maybe you're right."

Tony waved his hand, turning off the holographic screen in front of him. The pale blue light on the lab table dimmed.

He thought he might have been spending too much time in the lab and in the armor. He felt like he was Iron Man 30 days a month, working non-stop. Maybe it was time to give Tony Stark some time too.

So at 9:50 a.m., Tony Stark, who hadn't been seen for a long time, returned to his company.

The meeting itself wasn't particularly noteworthy. The board members were very optimistic about the blueprint Tony presented, as everyone saw Stark Industries' strength in energy technology and the vast goldmine hidden within this field.

This is why, even when Tony Stark in the movies unilaterally announces the shutdown of Stark's arms manufacturing business and pours money into the Avengers project, which is like a bottomless pit, the board of directors doesn't dare to say a word no matter what he does.

Of course, one reason is that Tony has absolute control over his company, but that's only part of the reason. If that were really all there was to it, the board certainly wouldn't let him do whatever he wants.

Rules are rules, but people are flexible. If Tony were just a rich second-generation heir with nothing to offer besides absolute control, the board would have gotten rid of him long ago. The board of directors of Stark Industries consists of top-level figures; none of those sitting at this conference table are pushovers.

But they didn't do that—at least not except for Obadillac. Another, more important reason is that everyone knows Stark Industries can't function without Stark.

Obadiah Stane, when he was alive, likened Tony Stark to a "golden goose," a very apt description. Stark Industries' dominance stems from its very existence.

Losing Tony Stark would be a catastrophic blow to the company. Everyone on the board can be ousted or replaced, but not Tony Stark.

After finishing his business at the board meeting, Tony put on his Bluetooth headset as he walked out of the conference room.

Jarvis's voice immediately came through the headset: "How did the meeting go, sir?"

"It went fairly well. How did the experiment go? Wait for me to get back..."

But before Tony could finish speaking, Jarvis interrupted him: "I'm afraid you'll be back even later, sir. Someone wants to see you."

Tony found it a little strange. He hadn't made any appointments for today, and most people who didn't have appointments couldn't see Tony Stark.

"Who?" Tony asked.

"Agent Phil Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D., sir," Jarvis said. "He's already at Stark Tower and is waiting for you in the reception room."

"Coulson?"

Tony was taken aback, and the image of that nice-natured agent immediately popped into his mind, especially his balding head with a hairline high enough to reflect light and confuse snipers.

This person hasn't appeared in the MCU movies since the conclusion of Phase One in Avengers. All subsequent appearances have been in the TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

But Coulson had a lot of work to do in the first phase, including but not limited to delivering packages and doing sales. And every time he appeared, he brought important news, usually something big had happened.

With that in mind, Tony decided to meet with Coulson and hear what he had to say.

Tony arrived at the reception room. Coulson was already there, as expected; the impeccably dressed agent stood up as Tony pushed open the door.

Tony glanced at the newcomer's strategically receding hairline: "Working for S.H.I.E.L.D. must be tough, huh?"

Coulson seemed oblivious to the sarcasm, remaining ramrod straight and responding in a very serious and formal manner: "Our work is all about making the world a better place."

He really is an honest person.

Tony's serious response put an end to his joking mood, and he waved for Coulson to sit down.

Tony sat down on the opposite sofa. "Okay, I think you know I'm busy, but I guess a dedicated public servant like you has a tight schedule. So let's skip the formalities and get straight to the point. You wouldn't be contacting me unless it was something really important. So..."

Tony glanced at Coulson's serious expression.

"What went wrong?"

"Something has indeed happened...some unusual stuff. So we'd like to use your expertise to temporarily serve as our consultant in this extraordinary situation."

Colson said sincerely.

Tony asked, "Shouldn't I at least know what happened first?"

"Of course." Coulson didn't keep them in suspense. "It's in the New Mexico desert, something fell from the sky... something other than a meteorite."

His expression became more serious than before, and his voice seemed to be deliberately lowered.

"We believe this is very likely a 'second kind of contact' incident."