Max was thrilled to learn more about the company.
From his memories, he vaguely recalled that his father had been venturing into some kind of business over the past year or two, though the previous Max had never found a reason to delve into it.
After all, the venture was still in its infancy and had yet to establish a prominent position.
Now, however, Max felt he finally understood his father's mindset and plans. One thing became clear: technology.
'This must be it,' he mused, heart pounding. 'Is this why Dad insisted I graduate with a technology major?'
Max breathed a sigh of relief.
'At least this young master wasn't a complete waste,' he admitted, recalling that the previous owner had completed his graduation with majors in biotechnology and electronics.
While his success in those fields wasn't exceptional, it still gave him a foundation of knowledge he, the current Max, could now utilize.
Turning his attention to Victor, he prepared to dig into the details of the company. The name KTech fascinated him.
'Must be short for Knight,' he guessed.
However, he failed to notice Victor's initial reluctance to speak on the topic further, as if discussing the company were akin to triggering an untouchable curse. But faced with Max's curiosity and eager gaze, Victor had no choice but to elaborate.
"KTech," Victor began carefully, "was founded by your father with hopes of diversifying into communication and electronic chips—integrated chips or microchips. I'm not entirely sure about the technicalities, but communication was his primary focus."
He hesitated before resuming. "Your father strongly believed that mobile phones had the potential to revolutionize communication technology, and he wanted to develop in that direction."
Max listened with mounting excitement at first, but as Victor finished, his enthusiasm began to waver. It gradually dawned on him that things might not have gone as well as his father had hoped.
Mobile phones, integrated circuits, and chips—yes, these industries had enormous potential, but everything depended on who was spearheading the innovation.
'This is 2005, in Marvel,' he mulled. 'Let's not even get started on which universe this is. Even in my previous, ordinary world, Japan dominated electronics in the beginning, South Korea rose steadily, and China was starting to dominate with its aggressive policies.'
'As for the mobile market, Apple was already redefining the industry with its vision, and other companies from those regions were gradually seizing market share.'
That was the reality of his old, normal world. But here, in the Marvel Universe, with Tony Stark playing with advanced tech and designing integrated circuits in his teens, there were bound to be companies leagues ahead of anything his father could dream of.
Still, he refused to give up just yet.
'What if there's more to KTech than I know?' His curiosity burned, but Victor's hesitation, eyes darting around left him with a sinking feeling. Perhaps the reluctance wasn't just about KTech—it might be tied to deeper issues Max had yet to uncover.
He asked eagerly, though a bit nervously, "Uncle, you don't sound too optimistic. Just tell me everything straight."
Victor sighed a hint of bitterness in his tone. "Your father mentioned once that things weren't well for the R&D department. Since the day the company was founded, it's mostly survived by doing small tasks for big tech giants—just enough to keep the lights on."
Max nodded, letting out a deep sigh. 'I was right.'
Without a brilliant scientist like Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, Reed Richards, or even Doctor Doom—assuming he'd ever cooperate—it's almost impossible to challenge the tide and create something groundbreaking.
Or even some decent researchers and visionaries to level the field a bit.
He reflected further. Even by 2008, Tony Stark's tech was leagues ahead of most industries.
In the ordinary world, he used to live in, Apple had already released the first iPhone by the mid-2000s. Unless his father had somehow come up with a revolutionary idea or technology, it was no surprise his company struggled to survive.
Turning back to the stack of documents, Max eyed the ones detailing KTech. Without high hopes, he picked them up and skimmed through the pages, hoping—at the very least—that its market value might be decent.
As he read on, his eyes widened. He abruptly stood up and exclaimed, "What the hell?! Why is this company valued close to $1 billion?!"
He turned to Victor, expression incredulous. "Is everyone in the market crazy or what?"
Victor's tangled expression only made Max more suspicious.
'Did Dad discover some alien tech or something?'
Perhaps realizing Max's thoughts were running wild, Victor quickly dashed his hopes with cold reality.
"Market investors aren't crazy, but something did happen to create this situation," Victor began carefully. "Do you remember trying to hit on a woman at a party about a year ago?"
Max's brow furrowed. "A woman? At a party? What does that have to do with anything?"
Victor's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Max trying to piece things together. "Her name was Pepper Potts."
Max blinked, still confused. "So—" He was about to dismiss the name when the realization hit him like a freight train.
"Wait. You don't mean Pepper Potts—" Max's words caught in his throat. A vivid memory surfaced of a smug, drunk Max attempting his worst lines. He winced. "Damn."
Victor nodded. "Yes, that Pepper Potts."
Max stood frozen, dumbfounded by the revelation.
Victor noticed his stunned state and continued. "Of course, you were turned down by her. But Tony noticed the whole thing. Whether out of pettiness or revenge—or something else entirely—we don't know, but he bought a 25% premium stake in KTech shortly afterwards."
Victor smirked faintly and added, "His involvement and name alone skyrocketed the company's valuation. Some informed people thought Tony's move was a way to humiliate your father and drive him out of the company, eventually bankrupting it. But he never did anything beyond buying those shares."
Max frowned, still processing. "And the valuation?"
Victor shrugged. "Most financial experts expected the stock to crash if Tony wanted. But the ordinary public—those who didn't know better—saw Tony Stark investing in KTech positively, which led to an overvaluation fueled by speculation and hype. For an entire year, nothing happened. Tony didn't interfere and didn't use his shares for leverage. He just… left things as they were."
Victor's expression grew serious. "But this is where your real ordeal begins, Max. This situation—Tony buying those shares—is why I've been so hesitant to talk about KTech."
Max's brows furrowed further waiting for some revelation. "Why? What happened?"
…
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