Marvel: Rise of the Ultimate AI

Chapter 20 - 20: The Mason Industrial Towers

Three years later, in the heart of the Big Apple, two skyscrapers, as majestic as the former Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, rose miraculously into the skyline.

Today marked the grand opening of the Mason Industrial Headquarters.

Upon receiving the news, journalists from across the nation and around the globe swarmed the site like sharks drawn to the scent of blood.

Mason Industries had become a legend over the past three years, rising at an almost supernatural speed within the United States. With its cutting-edge re

"Mason Industries' miraculous rise is a story known to all. Today, I am here at the headquarters, bringing you a live broadcast from the grand opening!"

"Look at this! More and more influential figures are arriving for the ceremony!"

"Oh my God—that's Secretary of Defense Robert Gates!"

"That's Justin Hammer, the CEO of Hammer Industries!"

"Wait—is that Tony Stark from Stark Industries? And Norman Osborn from Oscorp?"

—

A reporter gasped in disbelief as more and more political and business heavyweights arrived.

The crowd was abuzz, with journalists frantically trying to secure interviews with these VIPs.

But none of them succeeded.

Despite having little business overlap in the past—Stark Industries specializing in industrial technology and Oscorp focusing on biotechnology—the rise of Mason Industries had shattered this once stable division.

Because Mason Industries had entered both fields—and not just entered, but outperformed its competitors in both.

—

Meanwhile, hidden among the guests, were agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

For Nick Fury, the name "Gene Mason" instantly triggered memories of the events from three years ago.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had been investigating Mason for three years, yet found nothing suspicious.

As far as their records showed, Gene Mason was clean—a blank slate.

But even now, Nick Fury couldn't shake his unease.

His one good eye remained glued to the stage, watching as Gene Mason confidently stepped forward to deliver his speech.

—

"I sincerely thank you all for attending the grand opening of the Mason Industrial Towers. It is an honor to welcome you here today."

"On this occasion, I would like to—"

—

A short but powerful five-minute speech—yet the audience erupted into thunderous applause.

After all, this was America—a land where wealth and power commanded absolute respect.

If you had enough influence, you could bend the world to your will.

—

"Director, I don't think this Gene Mason is the same guy from five years ago."

Standing beside Nick Fury, Phil Coulson whispered cautiously.

"Maybe. Perhaps I'm just being too paranoid," Fury muttered.

After all, S.H.I.E.L.D. was now using several advanced weapons supplied by Mason Industries. If Gene Mason were a real threat, would he be arming them?

At least on paper, he was no longer a suspect.

—

"And now," Gene Mason continued on stage, "allow me to officially unveil the Mason Industrial Towers!"

—

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

The skyscrapers' glass windows, which had appeared normal, suddenly transformed into massive digital displays.

Across the two towers, two symbols appeared—one a red-and-white umbrella emblem, the other a web-like pattern of intersecting blue lines.

—

"What in the world—?"

"Is this magic?!"

"How did they do that?!"

"Are these the future logos of Mason Industries?"

—

Among the murmuring crowd, Tony Stark frowned.

He knew exactly what this was.

It was a new type of interactive glass technology.

Stark Industries had been developing this technology, but somehow, Mason Industries had beaten them to it.

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