"S.H.I.E.L.D.? What kind of organization is this? Why have I never heard of it?"
"This is too blatant! Are they just trying to fool the public?!"
"Typical government playbook—something goes wrong, and they cover it up with a fake excuse!"
"Are we seriously funding these guys with taxpayer money? This is the second time they've pulled this stunt!"
"Wait… wasn't Tony Stark announced he was Iron Man in that conference? Why is it different here?"
The American public was outraged. Many felt deceived and demanded answers from this so-called S.H.I.E.L.D. Others were simply confused, finding the events unfolding different from what they had expected.
Meanwhile, Nick Fury sat in his office, watching as online discussions about S.H.I.E.L.D. spread like wildfire. His expression remained unreadable, but his headache was very real.
He had hoped to keep S.H.I.E.L.D. under the radar—but with the current situation spiraling out of control, that was looking impossible.
[After Coulson left, Pepper turned to Tony with a playful smile. "Let's put on a show, shall we?"]
["You know, this really isn't so bad. Although… I don't think I'm Iron Man." Tony smirked as he walked over to her.]
[Pepper helped him put on his coat, returning his smirk. "Of course, you're not Iron Man."]
["I am." Tony corrected, enjoying the title.]
["No, you're not." Pepper countered, knowing exactly how Tony's mind worked. She suspected he might go off-script, and she wasn't about to let that happen.]
["Okay, fine, it's up to you," Tony relented. Then, with a teasing smile, he added, "But imagine if I were Iron Man… and my girlfriend knew my real identity."]
["She'd be terrified every day, worrying that I'd get myself killed… but at the same time, she'd be so damn proud to call me her man."]
[As he spoke, he casually bit the corner of the cue card in his hand, his eyes locked onto Pepper's.]
["She'd feel conflicted, you know? Because knowing my real identity would only make her fall for me even more."]
["Tell me, Pepper… you've never thought about that night?"]
["Which night?" Pepper arched a brow, looking up at him.]
["You know which night."]
[Pepper narrowed her eyes, her expression turning less amused.]
["You mean the night we danced? When we went up on the roof, and I asked you to go downstairs and get me a drink? And then you just… left me there?"]
[Tony hesitated, suddenly realizing his mistake.]
[Pepper scoffed. "Thought so."]
[After helping him adjust his suit, she shot him a glare. "Are you done, Mr. Stark?"]
["Yes, Miss Potts."]
"Hahahaha! Tony Stark, you idiot!"
Otto slapped his thigh, laughing at Tony's horrible timing. Did he seriously just bring up the one night that pissed Pepper off the most?!
"No wonder Pepper was annoyed!" Rose chuckled. "High IQ, but zero emotional intelligence."
"But putting aside Tony's dumb move…" Otto mused, his face turning serious. "I think S.H.I.E.L.D. is in deep trouble. They're probably getting roasted alive by taxpayers right now."
"Yeah. Repeated deception like this destroys public trust," Rose nodded. "And since Tony Stark is too respected to take the blame, they're redirecting their anger toward S.H.I.E.L.D."
"In other words, Fury's got a PR nightmare on his hands."
["Next, Mr. Stark has prepared a statement but will not be taking any questions," Rhodey announced, handing the stage to Tony.]
[Tony strode onto the podium, holding the cue card in one hand. He glanced at the packed press room before smirking. "You know, it's been a while since I was in public."]
["I'll just read from my script."]
[The reporters chuckled, enjoying his casual approach.]
[Tony cleared his throat and began reading: "Some people have speculated that I was personally involved in the highway incident and the Stark Industries rooftop battle."]
[He had barely finished two sentences before Christine Everhart cut him off.]
["Sorry, Mr. Stark, but do you really expect us to believe that the man in armor was a bodyguard? I mean, he appeared conveniently, wearing your tech, and you—"]
[Before she could finish, Tony interrupted.]
["I get it. You're questioning the official statement. That's fine."]
["But let's not jump to conclusions and just call me a… superhero."]
["I never said you were a superhero!" Christine quickly denied.]
["Oh, good! Because that would be ridiculous!"]
[For some reason, her denial triggered a rebellious impulse in Tony. He paused, contemplating something for a moment.]
[Then, he smirked, leaning slightly forward. "I mean, let's be real. I'm not exactly the hero type."]
["Too many personal flaws. Too many mistakes."]
["Bad influence. Bad habits. Bad decisions."]
[Rhodey, realizing where this was going, subtly nudged Tony. "Stick to the script."]
["Yeah, yeah… I got it." Tony picked up the cue card again. "In fact…"]
[He paused.]
[A slow grin spread across his face.]
[Then, without hesitation—he threw the card away.]
["I am Iron Man."]
[The room exploded.]
[Reporters shot up from their seats, scrambling to ask a million questions at once.]
[Amid the chaos, Christine Everhart remained seated, calmly observing Tony.]
[She had suspected this the moment she handed Tony the photos of Gulmira. Not long after, the terrorists who captured him were attacked by a mysterious armored figure.]
[Then, Stark Industries was attacked last night, and the same figure showed up again.]
[Christine had been putting the pieces together. Given Tony's personality, she had a hunch he wouldn't just sit back and follow the official narrative.]
[And she was right.]
[Instead of sticking to the script, Tony Stark had done what only Tony Stark would do.]
[He had told the world the truth.]
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