(I just checked and found that the scientist name is Doctor Ho Yinsen not Ethan but now i can't edit every chapter, so please adjust with the name.)
"By the way, Carl, how can I find you after I go back to New York and finish my business?"
Seeing Carl about to turn and leave, Tony quickly asked.
Carl turned his head and smiled:
"My company is called the Hudson Group, it's located in Manhattan. Our most famous product is the Power Pill, also known as the Red Medicine. Just search it—you'll find us easily."
Then he looked at Dr. Ethan and added:
"By the way, Dr. Ethan, the doors of Hudson Group are always open for you."
After finishing, Carl leapt down the collapsed valley wall, found the jeep he had reserved in advance, and quickly drove away from the area.
As Carl's figure vanished into the desert, Tony murmured to himself:
"So the Red Medicine is made by your company. No wonder it works so well."
As a world-renowned playboy, Tony had... connections—with Hollywood stars, supermodels, reporters, and scientists alike. If she was beautiful, chances were they'd spent at least one night together.
Naturally, he was also the top-tier customer for male health supplements like the Power Pill.
Out of 30 days a month, he probably needed the pill on 20 of them—not due to any deficiency, but simply because good performance required good tools.
"If what he said is true, I might really consider working with him,"
Ethan thought to himself silently.
His family had been slaughtered by those terrorists. He had nothing left—no home, no purpose. Originally, his plan had been to help Tony escape and then die alongside the ones who'd taken everything from him.
But Carl had changed that. He had avenged Ethan's family and saved them both.
If the Hudson Group was as ethical as Carl claimed—and if their medicine truly served to help regular people—then Ethan was ready to contribute. Ready to work for something meaningful again.
"Hey! Hey! Over here!"
Seeing the two helicopters flying closer, Tony started waving frantically and shouting.
After being imprisoned for weeks, he was finally going home.
Perhaps seeing Tony's signal, the two helicopters accelerated and quickly landed nearby.
Tony's longtime friend, Colonel Rhodes, jumped out with a squad of soldiers. Seeing Tony standing, alive and grinning, he let out a breath of relief.
"Hey, was the jeep ride comfortable? Next time, try taking a car with me!"
"It wasn't bad," Tony chuckled.
In the distance, Carl, now standing beside his jeep, lowered the telescope he'd been using to observe the scene.
With a small flick, he stored it in his mission space, then took out a compass and glanced at it.
"Time to go home."
Over the past three years, Carl had completed many side missions throughout Sokovia, collecting all kinds of useful gear along the way.
No high-tech weapons, but plenty of traditional cold weapons—swords, spears, halberds—and practical items like telescopes and compasses.
The next morning.
Having returned to New York, Carl, who was sitting on the sofa at home, shared snacks with Wanda while watching the news report of Tony Stark's safe return on TV.
On the screen, Tony, now cleaned up and wearing a suit, sat cross-legged on the ground with a cheeseburger in hand, speaking slowly:
> "I've always had a question I wanted to ask my father: what did he think about building weapons? Did he ever feel conflicted watching innocent people die because of the tools we created—tools meant to protect them?
I've decided—effective immediately—we're shutting down Stark Industries' weapons division.
At the same time, I want to apologize to the people of Sokovia. The weapons I made caused you pain. I will set up a relief fund to support the families hurt by war."
After finishing, he stood up, bowed deeply, and left as reporters surged forward.
Next came the talk shows and "experts," most of whom criticized Stark Group. Shutting down its arms division was, they said, "business suicide" for a company founded on weapons.
"I hope he really means it, and this isn't just a show," Wanda said, her voice quiet.
To be fair, Tony's apology and his sincere bow had softened the last bit of resentment in Wanda's heart.
But only if it was genuine.
Carl gently brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled:
"I'm cooking lunch today. Authentic Chinese food. Want to give it a try?"
He didn't want Wanda living in hate. If food and comfort helped her heal, then that's what he'd offer.
---
That afternoon, Carl returned to the office of the Hudson Group.
And Tony Stark arrived, looking refreshed and well-rested.
"I thought you'd take a few days before coming to see me," Carl greeted him with a smirk.
Tony shrugged.
"I'm a man of my word. And you left so fast that day I didn't even get a chance to say thank you properly."
Carl slid a USB drive across the desk.
"Here. Recordings and footage of Obadiah's deal with Raza to have you kidnapped. I've already pulled strings and had Obadiah released—so you can handle him yourself."
Tony pocketed it without hesitation.
"Also, I brought someone I'd like to introduce. Miss Potts, come in."
The door opened, and Pepper Potts walked in wearing a sleek, professional secretary outfit.
"This is my most trusted assistant. I've handed her full authority over Stark Industries' daily operations. If you ever need anything from the company, she's your go-to person. I've told her to fully cooperate with you."
Obadiah would soon be in prison, and Tony had decided to pour all his attention into perfecting the arc reactor and suit he'd started in the cave. For now, Pepper would be the one running Stark Industries.
"Hi, I'm Pepper Potts," she said, extending her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Potts. I'm Carl Hudson, or just call me Carl like Tony does," he said with a warm smile as they shook hands.
Carl then turned toward the door.
"David, go get Jack."
"Yes, boss!" came a gruff voice from outside.
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Is that your bodyguard? He sounds like a tank."
Carl chuckled.
"No, that's my secretary."
"Secretary!?" Tony blinked, then looked over at the elegant Pepper, then back at the memory of the fierce, bald man from earlier. He blinked again and muttered:
"...Well, your secretary definitely seems... secure."
A few minutes later, Jack, the person in charge of Hudson Group's operations, entered the office looking thrilled and nervous. He greeted Carl quickly before turning his full attention to Pepper and starting to coordinate.
Jack hadn't expected his boss to have this kind of personal connection to Stark Industries—it blew his mind.
Carl's reach, it seemed, extended far deeper than Jack ever imagined.