Chapter 87
Ross's Family Affairs
As Ross reached the door, he glanced back at Betty and saw her looking at him with concern. A smile involuntarily appeared on his face. Then, as he turned around, he saw Tony grinning at him. His face immediately fell, and he pulled Tony aside.
After confirming that Betty inside the house couldn't see him, Ross said coldly:
"What are you doing! Tony Stark! You're the one who spearheaded the bio-enhancement program! While I was researching the Super Soldier Serum, you were still working on your crappy missiles!"
"General Ross, if that's how you put it, then we need to discuss the patent issue for the super soldier serum. My father should at least get 50% of it, okay?"
Tony's words stunned Ross, so he added, "And you wouldn't want your daughter to know what you did, would you? Human experimentation, chasing Banner?"
Rose's face turned dark this time, and Tony, thinking it was enough, quickly changed his tune:
"Most importantly, haven't you noticed that your daughter's attitude towards you has improved?"
At this point, Ross calmed down a bit and looked at Tony, urging him to continue.
"You have to coax women. You can't reason with them. You have to lie to them, understand?" Tony coaxed patiently.
"And then?" Ross followed Tony's train of thought, mainly because he saw the change in Betty's attitude towards him. In any case, the scumbag still has a way.
"Leave this operation to me. You're in charge of being the good guy and smoothing things over between father and daughter. After all, we're family."
Ross thought about it for a moment, and realized that he really had no ideas. He had thought of a lot to say when he was looking for Betty, but when he actually met Betty, he couldn't say a word.
"Okay, but you must report your plans to me throughout the entire process."
Tony said confidently, "Don't worry, we'll need your cooperation for the backup plan."
Ross hesitated for a moment, then added, "You also have to help me get back together with my daughter."
"That's easy. I'll definitely let Betty catch Banner in the end, and I have to thank you for that."
After reaching a consensus, the two walked back into the house with cold faces, sat back down at the table, and the second conversation began.
"Miss Betty, you are very lucky to have a father who loves you so much, so you don't have to go to prison."
Betty laughed in exasperation and asked, "Why should I serve time? What crime did I commit?"
Leonard finally couldn't take it anymore. Not only were they ignoring him, but now they were even trying to arrest his girlfriend.
"Mr. Stark, if that's what you're saying, please leave my house and contact my lawyer if you have any questions."
Tony looked at Leonard and said doubtfully, "Do real estate agents have private lawyers now? Isn't the real estate market in a slump?"
Leonard asked in confusion, "What real estate agent? I'm a psychologist!"
"I'm sorry, you look too much like a real estate agent I know, but you can save some money. General Ross has taken all the blame, and Miss Betty won't be going to jail."
"Hey! Is anyone listening to me? What kind of prison am I in?! Nobody told me yet!"
Ross seized the opportunity to sit down next to Betty and said, "Stark has tracked down Banner's trail. He might be coming to Culver University to look for old experimental data. Stark thinks you will help Banner."
"That doesn't mean you can send me to jail! I haven't even helped Banner yet!"
"But you stored experimental data, data from classified experiments, data that belongs to the military and me," Tony suddenly said.
"How did you know!" Betty blurted out in surprise, but immediately realized that she had inadvertently given herself away.
Ross was also shocked, not expecting his daughter to have this trick up her sleeve: "Why did you save the data? I clearly ordered it all to be taken away."
Betty opened her mouth, unsure how to explain, but Tony stepped in to help, saying, "It's a very simple reason, General Ross. You underestimate a scientist's dedication to their research project. I'm sure Miss Betty has never given up on her research into gamma rays over the years."
"Yes, I want to figure out what happened, why Banner turned into, turned into that monster! But, I'm not Banner, I can't understand those data at all, I'm just a biologist, I really don't understand physics."
It seems there's still a big difference between a top student and a genius. Tony is glad that although he's neither, he has a cheat code.
Seeing Betty starting to blame herself, Ross stood up and sat down next to her, first shooing away Leonard who also wanted to come closer, and then gently putting his arm around Betty's shoulder.
"This isn't your fault. Don't worry, I'll get everything back on track."
Seeing this, Tony had no choice but to stop for the time being. He was afraid that if he interrupted Rose's tender moment, the old man would fight him to the death.
Once Betty had calmed down, Tony continued, "Originally, I planned to capture Banner, lock him up, and study him slowly, but General Ross made a suggestion, and as a partner, I had to respect his opinion."
After Tony finished speaking, he looked at Ross, who was full of questions. When did I make that suggestion? I didn't know. You didn't mention it outside the door either. But Ross was a good actor and nodded expressionlessly.
Tony continued, "General Ross suggested giving Banner a chance. Since Banner has been wanting to return to normal, I can help him do so. However, he will have to undergo a period of supervision, since he caused a lot of damage during his transformation."
After hearing Tony's words, Betty glanced gratefully at her father and then said:
"Then what can I do?"
"If the plan goes smoothly, you won't need to do anything. But if Hulk, that is, Banner, doesn't fall into the trap as planned, we'll need you to help us persuade him, or make him fall into the trap." Tony finally revealed his true intentions, but after such a long build-up, Betty accepted Tony's persuasion.
"Okay, but you have to promise not to hurt Banner. He's a good man." Betty had already been completely fooled.
"That's great. I wish us a pleasant collaboration. I'll be leaving now. I think you and your daughter have a lot to talk about." Tony said, getting up to leave.
Leonard, feeling awkward looking at Rose and Betty, quickly stood up and said, "Let me see you out, Mr. Stark."
Outside the door, Tony glanced inside and saw Ross and Betty already talking, seemingly in a harmonious atmosphere. He then patted Leonard on the shoulder and said...
"Dude, I suggest you find a new girlfriend. Your father-in-law is difficult to get along with, and her ex-boyfriend had a terrible temper too. I think you'd be better off marrying someone named Claire."
After saying that, Tony turned and left, walked to his car, dialed Eric's number, and said:
"Prepare for action. We're in charge now. General Ross is too busy to get involved for the time being."