Chapter Six: A Conversation with Obadiah

Once the employment formalities were settled, Haoyun began his post as Tony Stark’s personal assistant that very day—yes, in a capacity even more “personal” than Pepper Potts herself.

It was only a couple of days later that the awards ceremony arrived—the very moment when Tony would depart for the Middle East, just two days away.

“I am thrilled to work alongside a true patriot—a friend, and also my greatest teacher… Ladies and gentlemen, it is my utmost honor to present this year’s Pinnacle Award to the esteemed Tony Stark!” On stage, Colonel Rhodes, an officer from the United States Air Force and the evening’s guest presenter, held the trophy aloft, his excitement unmistakable.

Yet as applause thundered and the music rose, Tony Stark was nowhere to be seen on the approach to the stage.

At the exit, Haoyun watched in exasperation as Tony tried to slip quietly into the emergency stairwell. Was this really his future uncle-in-law? Honestly, if he didn’t know Tony would change completely in a week, he might have sabotaged this marriage himself! Marrying the current Tony Stark? He’d rather adopt a stray dog—except for Tony’s wealth, a dog had him beat in every other way!

“Tony… Tony?” Rhodes called awkwardly from the stage, searching for Stark. Haoyun noticed Obadiah Stane, seated among the guests, making as if to rise and accept the award in Tony’s stead. Shaking his head, Haoyun stepped forward.

Never mind, he thought. Considering you’ll soon have your chest blown open, I’ll help you this once. If Obadiah takes the award now, you’ll probably toss it the moment you can… Wait, does Tony’s house even have a shelf for trophies?

As someone unfamiliar walked up, a glint of shadow flickered in Obadiah’s eyes before he sat back down, feigning the need to adjust his jacket.

“Ahem, thank you, Colonel. I am Tony’s personal assistant. Tony was feeling a bit under the weather and had to leave early, so he asked me to accept the award on his behalf. You know how it is with scientists—they’re always in the lab, and their health tends to suffer for it.” As Haoyun explained, he took the opportunity to poke fun at Tony. Laughter rippled through the audience.

Rhodes, barely suppressing a smile, handed the trophy to Haoyun. “Oh, I wouldn’t know about that—you’d probably have to ask his many girlfriends!”

Clearly, Rhodes was just as mischievous, making the most of Haoyun’s opening. The hint of innuendo only made the atmosphere livelier.

“Thank you very much for allowing me to accept this award on Tony’s behalf…” Haoyun delivered the formal acceptance speech, and as soon as the ceremony ended, he whisked Rhodes off to the casino. As expected, Tony and Happy were already in high spirits, surrounded by beautiful women, utterly oblivious to the suffering endured by their friend and assistant at the ceremony.

“Tony! You can’t just bail like that!” Rhodes shouted, grabbing Tony by the collar. Haoyun was about to follow Tony and Rhodes with Happy when a burly, bald figure abruptly blocked his path.

“Haoyun Potts? Ah, you must be Tony Stark’s newly hired personal assistant. You must be working hard to keep that slacker in line. Care for a drink?” Haoyun’s heart skipped a beat. What was this? Was he, a mere bystander, already on the villain’s radar?

“Mr. Stane, as Tony’s assistant, I really can’t stray too far from him, I’m afraid…” Haoyun put on a pitiful face. “I’m about to start college, and I’m still short on tuition…”

“Come now, surely Stark Industries isn’t going to stiff you on your wages. Tony! Tony!” Obadiah called out to the receding figure, “Mind if I borrow your assistant for the night? Don’t dock his pay!”

“No way! If you do, you’ll have to cover it yourself, Uncle!” Tony flashed a universally understood gesture back at Obadiah and dragged Rhodes off even faster.

Haoyun watched, speechless, as Tony retreated into the distance, his discontent growing. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to—just trying to keep me from spying for my aunt, aren’t you?

By contrast, he had to admit, Obadiah had his own charm—the kind of man who nearly ousted Tony from the board and even tried to kill him.

“Your boss has given his consent—come along, I have some fine liquor, better than anything Tony has ever tasted.” Obadiah extended the invitation again, and this time Haoyun had no choice but to follow.

Arriving at Obadiah’s private presidential suite, the man pulled a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “Try this—a limited edition, aged over fifty years, passed down from my father. Tony has begged for it many times, but I’ve never let him have it. Tonight, it’s just the two of us. It would be a shame to waste it.”

Without awaiting his reply, Obadiah uncorked the bottle with a flourish. Haoyun forced a smile, obediently poured two glasses over ice, and joined Obadiah in a toast.

After several rounds, with half the whiskey gone, Obadiah’s sharp gaze softened, taking on the gentleness of an elder. “Haoyun, your surname is Potts—you’re one of Pepper’s family, aren’t you?”

Exhaling a slow breath, Haoyun answered drowsily, “Yes, she’s my aunt. Pepper’s my aunt.”

Obadiah tsked approvingly. “The Potts family, always outstanding. You know, I have high hopes for Pepper—she’s extremely capable, wasted as a mere secretary. I proposed she be made CEO at the last board meeting, but Tony just won’t let her go…”

So the evening passed, Obadiah complaining endlessly about Tony’s inability to recognize talent, about wasted potential, about employees denied advancement. Fueled by drink, he promised that once he was in charge, he would make Pepper the executive president, a true authority.

Outwardly, Haoyun appeared muddled, but inside he was perfectly clear. So that’s why Obadiah was so eager to get close—because of Pepper. No, more precisely, to plant a spy near Tony Stark. With his background, if Haoyun pledged allegiance to Obadiah, his aunt would naturally become Obadiah’s person as well. And being a student, he’d be far easier to bribe or persuade than Pepper herself. What a cunning capitalist!

“Thank… thank you, Chairman. I’ve had a great time tonight. I should be heading back—I have to look after Tony tomorrow…”

Time had slipped away. After enduring Obadiah’s candid confessions, Haoyun staggered to his feet, making as if to leave. Obadiah caught him by the arm, then, in a hearty gesture, threw open the door and called for his secretary.

“Don’t call me Chairman, that’s far too formal! Call me Uncle! You’re not going back tonight—I’ll talk to Tony. Let Uncle take care of you! Kappa, Kappa, where are you? Come here!”

Obadiah summoned his secretary and arranged a neighboring presidential suite for Haoyun.

“Heh…”