Tony Stark struggles but is finally able to defeat Mabel the nurse, who is actually Senka Grdic, a mercenary wanted for international crimes. While Tony explains his doctor that a filtering mechanism implanted in his body makes him immune to poison, Grdic tells Nick Fury that she works for North Korea, who purchased the weapon (used to attack the Chinese Embassy) from Stark. Then the F.B.I. discovers a deposit for 500 million dollars made to Stark Enterprises by North Koreans. The press and the law now consider Tony Stark the number one suspect in the Chinese Embassy attack.
Nick Fury believes that Tony Stark is being framed, and offers to protect him. But while taking Stark in a S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicle, they're attacked with missiles from a helicopter. Iron Man is barely able to contain the threat because Tony's still weak from his wounds.
Realizing nobody can protect him but himself, Iron Man visits the Kang-Ho Seok residence to let them know that they're also being framed, and that there's a traitor within their ranks. Moments later, Iron Man resists arrest, and flies away taking someone who was being punished at the residence.
Finally, F.B.I. Agent Neil Streich questions Pepper Potts, believing she is somehow involved, and she agrees (is forced) to cooperate.