'As long as you plug this into the computer of one of the company's senior managers, you can gradually access internal information.'
Pepper Potts held the ordinary-looking hard drive in her hand. It seemed completely unremarkable, but inside was fraud software developed by Tony Stark—advanced enough to fool artificial intelligence systems, even one as sophisticated as J.A.R.V.I.S.
Stark Industries had been making a lot of moves lately—frequent capital injections and rapid expansions. While expanding weapons production might make sense on the surface, without actual orders, it was just a recipe for massive losses.
This entire matter was classified at the highest level within Stark Industries. Even a director like Tony Stark couldn't access the details directly. That's why he had to resort to this indirect method to investigate the company's weapons division.
After all, Stark Industries still bore his name. Tony Stark didn't want another incident like last time—where a misunderstanding or unauthorized project could bring superpowered trouble knocking on his door.
Pepper waited until Obadiah was away and stayed late at the office. She had already tested the hard drive on her personal computer, but since it wasn't connected to the company's internal network, it yielded nothing—no different than surfing the web from home.
That, in itself, confirmed Stark Industries was keeping her out of the loop. Otherwise, how could someone at her level—not even a department manager—be denied internal access?
The chairman's office had once been a space frequently shared by Tony and Pepper. After renovations, it was handed over to Kain pent. But since his brief visit, no one in the company had seen the mysterious boss of the Pent Group again.
Using a special disk to unlock the door, Pepper stepped into the office, quietly closed the door behind her, walked to the computer, powered it up, and inserted the hard drive.
The software Tony Stark had created worked like a charm. It bypassed the artificial intelligence firewalls, and Pepper was able to connect seamlessly to Stark Industries' new internal network and began scanning through the available data.
What Pepper didn't know, however, was that all of Kain's personal assets were under separate surveillance—overseen by the Red Queen AI.
If she had chosen to go to Obadiah's office instead, she might have avoided detection and still uncovered the weapons division's secrets.
"Oh my god, what is this… A robot? Or something else?"
She nearly gasped at the screen but quickly covered her mouth, then started downloading the information.
"This isn't a robot—it's a weapon of war. A new-generation energy-based mechanical guard. If an interstellar war ever breaks out, these will serve as the frontline troops. The military holds them in high regard, though in my eyes, they're merely the most basic weapons of war."
A man's voice sounded suddenly from behind her.
The shock nearly stopped her heart. Pepper screamed and staggered backward—but her voice was cut off almost instantly. She tried to speak, but no sound came out.
When she turned around and saw Kain standing there, her voice returned.
"When did you—?"
"I just arrived. My systems are monitored separately, so the moment you accessed anything, I knew.
Tsk, tsk. This counts as corporate espionage. The files you're accessing were commissioned by the military.
Your actions could be considered treason.
Did Tony Stark instruct you to steal classified state secrets and compromise national security?"
Pepper froze for a moment, then took a deep breath, steadied herself, and answered, "No. This was my decision alone."
"Then I'm afraid you'll be spending the rest of your life in Alcatraz. Even if Tony Stark hires the best legal team in the country, it won't help. You do realize that Betty's father is about to run for president, right?"
When Kain said this, he suddenly felt like he was revealing too much—like someone pulling strings from behind the scenes—so he paused, then continued:
"If you've reconsidered what I said last time, then you don't have to go to Alcatraz, Miss Potts. The choice is yours."
Pepper Potts instantly recalled Kain Pent's previous invitation.
He had offered her a larger stage—greater opportunities—if she left Stark's side. She had rejected him firmly back then. But this time… things were different. He had the upper hand now.
"May I think about it?"
Pepper asked, trying to stall. If she could just get out of here, there might still be a way to turn this around.
"Of course," Kain replied with a smile. "But I suggest you think it over in the confessional chair. Even if you're convicted and sent to Alcatraz, my offer still stands. Take your time."
With that, he pressed a button on the nearby panel. Across Stark Industries, the emergency alert blared. All access points locked simultaneously—elevators, stairwells, even the windows sealed shut.
Every guard on duty received the signal. But these weren't Stark's people anymore. The entire security team had been quietly replaced with Umbrella operatives.
Pepper stared at Kain in disbelief.
"You called the police?"
"You stole company secrets. What did you expect me to do—look the other way?" Kain said lightly. "If you have anything to say, tell it to Betty before the trial."
And with that, he vanished—disappearing before Pepper's astonished eyes.
"Shit… Was that a superpower?"
But Pepper had no time to think. The alarm was still blaring. She quickly wiped the hard drive, trying to cover her tracks. But before she could shut down the computer, the office door burst open—and a flashbang rolled inside.
Back at home, Kain didn't give the matter another thought. Pepper Potts, in his view, was a collectible—not high in value. She was capable, yes, but the Pent Group already had people like Laura.
Still, he was curious to see how the Avengers might react. Maybe they'd even get to see a certain green titan come out.
"Where did you go?" Betty asked as Kain walked in. She'd received a message earlier and had assumed something urgent had come up.
"It's nothing. Just a little mouse broke in. I took care of it," Kain replied casually.
"Did you call someone from a housekeeping service?" Betty asked, suddenly remembering something. "I don't recall arranging for that. Are you maintaining this entire manor on your own?"
Back when they lived elsewhere, Betty used to handle all the villa's affairs. But ever since they moved here, she had let those duties slide.
And yet, the place remained spotless. She had just gone to pour a glass of water earlier—only to find one already waiting on the table.
Creepy… and impressive.
"Don't worry," Kain said with a grin. "I hired a house servant."
He walked over to her, giving her an admiring look. "And don't take this the wrong way, Betty, but you're looking sexier lately…"
Betty's body had become visibly younger since undergoing physical enhancement. Combined with her commanding presence, sharp features, tailored suit, short skirt, and black stockings—she looked nothing short of stunning.
Tonight, Kain could finally feel the effects of the Dragon ability serum strengthening his body. Though he hadn't yet transformed into a half-human beast, his physical capabilities in all aspects were already significantly enhanced—and would only grow stronger with time.
News of Pepper Potts stealing confidential data from Stark Industries didn't break until the following day, but once it did, it spread across the United States like wildfire.
After the Stark Industries weapons division resumed operations, it secured numerous military contracts. Not long after Pepper was captured, the military arrived at Stark Industries and immediately took her into custody.
Given the severity of the information breach, Pepper Potts was now facing the possibility of a prison sentence exceeding a hundred years—and being held in one of the most secure facilities in the country.
Tony Stark had consulted with numerous lawyers, but the outlook was grim. Very few were willing to take on her case, knowing they'd be up against the Pent Group's elite legal team—backed by the might of the U.S. military.
"Stark, calm down," Steve Rogers said, watching Tony angrily hurl objects across the room. "If we can't resolve this through legal channels, we'll find another way. Potts acted for the sake of the Avengers—none of us are going to abandon her."
"Yes, but first we need to speak to Pepper," came a new voice.
Nick Fury walked into the room and sat down beside Tony Stark. "We have to know what exactly she saw. It must have been something serious—serious enough that the military is this desperate to keep her contained. I heard they've enforced the highest visitation restrictions?"
Steve added from the side, "Only three visits allowed before trial—and only her lawyers are permitted to see her."
"That's a blatant violation of her civil rights," Fury said. "Once we get her out, lawsuits are guaranteed."
He turned to Stark. "As Steve said, we will get her out. And you don't have to act alone. S.H.I.E.L.D. recently identified a superpowered individual. Turns out, we were wrong about who was behind your kidnapping last time—but this new lead changed everything."
"Luckily, there's a woman in S.H.I.E.L.D. who has a habit of collecting… interesting things. I sent her two rare gifts, and in return, she agreed to help me twice—purely personal favors, off the record.
"And from that, I realized—she's not working alone. There's an organization behind her.
"But first things first—let's deal with Pepper Potts."
…
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