Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman

Chapter 432 432 — The Real Game Begins

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Henry was simply telling the truth.

And judging from Tony Stark's recent behavior, Gitano Dragoneiti had to admit the scenario Henry described was entirely plausible.

Henry didn't bother asking what Dragoneiti actually wanted from Stark.

But Dragoneiti clearly had no intention of letting Henry leave empty-handed.

So he continued:

> "The reason I wish to meet Mr. Stark is actually quite simple — business cooperation."

"I possess capital. A great deal of capital that can be invested."

"Perhaps Stark Industries doesn't currently need funding. But we can offer something else… something many people dream about."

He gestured vaguely toward the outer hall.

"Like those old men outside."

"What do you think they desire more than money?"

"Health. Youth. Vitality like young people."

"With our assistance, those things are easily obtained."

"And if you wanted them… negotiations would not be impossible."

"I'm sure the Continental has already told you certain secrets ordinary people never hear about."

Henry didn't immediately give in to the soft temptation.

Instead he asked calmly:

> "And the price?"

"There are far more people outside who want what you're offering."

"Yet you approached me specifically."

"So this certainly isn't free, Mr. Dragoneiti."

Dragoneiti chuckled.

"This is exactly why I enjoy dealing with clever people."

"As I said — it's all part of business cooperation."

He deliberately avoided specifying the trade.

Henry also refused to ask directly what they wanted.

Because the answer was obvious:

They wanted equity. Influence.

Give a small favor, harvest enormous profits.

A classic move.

Henry shrugged helplessly.

"Stark Industries is beyond my authority."

"But if you want shares of Stark Pictures, you'll still have to talk to Tony Stark."

"He's the sole owner."

"I don't even hold a single share."

Dragoneiti tilted his head.

"That seems rather poor treatment for a man with such valuable technology."

"Don't you think, Mr. Henry Brown?"

Henry smiled lightly.

"Well, leaving Stark Pictures means losing access to a supercomputer."

"So I make do with the situation."

A soft but firm rejection.

Dragoneiti nodded.

"Indeed."

"Inside Stark's company, the resources are unimaginable."

"Who would expect Hollywood equipment to run on a supercomputer?"

"You should hear how many technical people complain to me about that."

Henry caught the hidden meaning immediately.

Dragoneiti didn't want Henry himself.

He wanted a nail embedded inside Stark's organization.

Henry responded with another casual deflection:

"To Tony Stark, Stark Pictures is basically a toy company compared to Stark Industries."

"That's why he allows an outsider like me to control those resources."

"He doesn't care about it."

Dragoneiti leaned forward slightly.

"What if we changed the form of cooperation between us?"

Henry played along.

"What sort of cooperation?"

Dragoneiti lowered his voice conspiratorially.

"I don't believe your talent is limited to digital imaging technology."

"Especially for someone who also possesses remarkable medical skills."

"If we supported you…"

"If we helped you enter Stark Industries and climb upward…"

"How high do you think you could go?"

He smiled faintly.

"Perhaps just as Howard Stark and Obadiah Stane once worked together…"

"You could create a new era."

"Tony Stark and Henry Brown."

Inside, Henry nearly gagged.

The proposal was so nauseating it gave him goosebumps.

Should he kill this vampire right now?

Or kill Iron Man later?

But the statement also revealed something important.

The vampire clearly knew something about Henry's "Tinkerer" identity.

Henry maintained his calm expression.

> "Same question as before."

"What's the price?"

"The only thing I believe in is that nothing in this world comes free."

Dragoneiti smiled proudly.

"The price… and the reward."

"What if I told you I could make you one of us?"

"A member of our kind."

"Of course, such a transformation has… certain inconveniences."

"So we could reserve that privilege."

"When you're ready, we perform the ritual."

"Until then, we support your rise within Stark Industries."

"But for such cooperation…"

"We would require proof."

"A guarantee you won't betray us later."

Henry understood immediately.

They wanted a pledge of loyalty.

So he asked calmly:

> "What kind of guarantee?"

Dragoneiti answered briefly.

"Your girl."

There it was.

They were targeting Charlize Theron.

She wasn't even a proper celebrity yet.

If she disappeared in Los Angeles, nobody would notice.

Maybe only her mother would travel from South Africa searching desperately.

Henry knew showing anger would only confirm their strategy.

So he tilted his head thoughtfully and replied:

"If she truly means that much to me, how could I hand her over?"

"But if I hand her over easily…"

"Wouldn't that prove she's not actually valuable to me?"

"Would such a guarantee really satisfy you?"

Henry's counter-question made Dragoneiti hesitate slightly.

Because throughout his long life he had learned something:

> People who sacrifice family for loyalty… almost never remain loyal.

Whenever the benefits of betrayal exceed loyalty, people always betray.

That was human nature.

Nothing was eternal.

Real control came from keeping rewards withheld.

Offer just enough hope.

Increase their investment repeatedly.

When the sunk cost becomes unbearable, loyalty finally becomes stable.

But that strategy wouldn't work with Henry Brown.

They couldn't leave obvious vampire influence on him.

Because Howard Stark once had close connections with the Howling Commandos.

And among them was a vampire–werewolf hybrid:

Nina Price — the Midnight Vampire.

Which meant Howard Stark knew vampires existed.

Because of that connection, vampire infiltration attempts in Stark Industries had always failed.

Their agents were stuck in insignificant positions.

None had ever gained the opportunity Henry Brown now possessed —

A chance to reach the core of Stark Industries.

If Tony Stark became suspicious, their investment in Henry would collapse instantly.

So they had only one option:

Keep Henry clean.

Let him infiltrate Stark Industries without any visible vampire ties.

Only then could he quietly climb toward the center of power.

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