Some time later…
When the last employee left the executive floor and the heavy silence settled over the office, Tony remained standing in the center of the room, hands in his pockets and an unusually somber expression on his face. It was as if the playful charm he displayed so easily in public had been peeled away in an instant.
With slow, deliberate steps, he walked toward a secluded corner of the office where a large object sat under a thick white sheet. He stopped in front of it, taking a long breath as though gathering courage. Finally, he pulled the sheet away.
"…I don't doubt Arthur's words, but…" he muttered, staring at the massive scale model of a futuristic city.
The very same model he had ordered to be brought from his old office earlier that day. One phone call was all it took, and within hours, the piece was there.
Tony slid his hand across the miniature towers and roadways, as if touching the ghost of his father.
"Did you really leave something here, Dad…?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying a faint bitterness.
Little by little, the anxiety tightening his chest began to harden into something sharper. Determination. His eyes lit up with that focused, stubborn fire—
The fire of a Stark hunting for answers.
"No matter how long it takes. No matter how much I have to tear apart. I'm going to find whatever you hid. Even if I have to dismantle this thing piece by piece."
He straightened up, letting the sheet fall at his side, ready to dive headfirst into his newest obsession.
---
Meanwhile…
Inside the women's restroom of Stark Industries, the quiet atmosphere was broken by the soft click of an electronic lock.
Natalie— or rather, Natasha Romanoff— quickly checked the stalls, ensuring she was alone. She pulled out a small device disguised as a lipstick. It clicked open, revealing a compact communicator.
"This is Agent Romanoff. Director, I've successfully established direct contact with Tony Stark," she reported in a low, professional tone.
Fury's response came with a faint crackle from the encrypted channel.
{And?}
"According to the preliminary analysis of the file 'Palladium Toxicity,' he's already showing clear symptoms of poisoning. He's trying to hide it, but he's not doing nearly as good a job as he thinks."
{Understood. Keep monitoring. Any change— emotional, physical, or behavioral— you report immediately. He's far too valuable an asset to lose.}
"Understood, Director."
The device closed with a soft click, and Natasha slipped seamlessly back into the persona of Natalie Rushman before leaving the restroom as though nothing had happened.
---
Outside, high above the city…
Gwen clung upside-down to the glass exterior of a skyscraper, the lower half of her mask lifted so she could sip her milkshake while listening to the police frequency through her earpieces.
"Uuuugh… I'm so bored!" she groaned, kicking her legs idly. "Two days on the job and zero adrenaline. At this rate the police chief is gonna fire me for underperforming…"
Down below, a few pedestrians noticed her sticking to the glass like some kind of thrill-seeking tourist. Instantly, phones were raised.
"Hey, lady! Over here!" someone called out, convinced she was doing some kind of bizarre photoshoot.
Gwen stuck her tongue out in response.
Then the radio crackled:
{All units, armed robbery reported at Diamond Hall Jewelry…}
"Oh, finally!" Gwen perked up, pulled her mask back down, and threw herself into the air. "Mommy's back to work!"
One leap, two flips, and a well-timed webshot later, she shot across the sky like a silver comet—
after tossing the rest of her milkshake into the nearest trash bin, of course.
---
At the jewelry store…
Five minutes.
That's all it took.
The doors burst open with a single kick.
The robbers raised their guns.
Gwen smiled—
and in the blink of an eye, they were all hanging from the ceiling, bound upside-down and swinging like disgruntled, human-shaped Christmas ornaments.
The employees were already breathing sighs of relief when the police arrived.
George Stacy entered first, leading a small squad.
"Good evening, officer," one of the clerks said, handing him a note. "Spider-Woman asked us to give this to you."
George took in the sight of the immobilized robbers, sighed heavily, and finally opened the note.
[No need to thank me.]
[From your friendly neighborhood Spider-Woman]
Below the message was an adorable chibi doodle giving a thumbs-up.
George's mustache twitched.
"…I'm going to strangle her," he growled, ripping the note into confetti. "Get these criminals out of here before I lose my patience!"
---
Later, at Arthur's house…
After a triumphant glide across the city, Gwen slipped through the bedroom window and landed on the carpet with the elegance of an exhausted cat.
"Home swee—"
[Welcome back, Gwen.]
"AAAAAAAAH?!" She jumped. "Who said that?!"
The voice came directly from the intercom built into the wall.
[I am Cortana. An advanced artificial intelligence designed to assist Arthur in all residential, tactical, and academic operations.]
"…Cortana?"
Arthur has an AI?
And he didn't tell me?!
Uncertain whether to be impressed or offended, Gwen headed downstairs toward the backyard.
And there they were.
Arthur — laughing like an idiot.
And Saeko… flying.
"Wheeee!" Saeko cackled as Arthur spun her in the air by the waist like a hyperactive ballerina.
Arthur spotted Gwen and waved.
"Oh! Welcome back!" he called, still spinning Saeko effortlessly.
"Thanks." Gwen crossed her arms. "Now… exactly when were you planning to tell me you have a fully functional AI?"
"Well… yeah, about that…" Arthur scratched his neck awkwardly while still keeping Saeko in perfect balance. "I kinda forgot. And I thought you'd already met her yesterday."
Still laughing, Saeko chimed in:
"He forgets where he leaves his socks. Don't expect too much."
"Hey!" Arthur protested.
The three laughed, the atmosphere as warm as ever.
Then Gwen's phone buzzed. She answered, and her father's voice came through.
"Gwen, are you coming home today? Helen's making your favorite dish." He paused— sounding desperate. "Your very favorite. Very, very favorite."
Gwen narrowed her eyes.
"…Huh. Okay. I'll go."
When she hung up, she sighed.
"Unfortunately, I can't stay tonight."
Arthur flashed a mischievous grin.
"No problem. More for me and Saeko, right?"
Saeko beamed.
"Yes! We're going to eat sooo much!"
Gwen frowned.
"More of what?"
Arthur answered casually:
"Lasagna. Saeko practically begged me to make one today."
"Lasagna?!" Gwen's eyes widened. "…Is it too late to cancel dinner at home?"
"I wouldn't recommend it," Arthur laughed. "You've practically been living here these past few days. Your parents must be missing you like crazy."
"Damn…" Gwen muttered, defeated.
Arthur and Saeko burst into laughter.
(End of chapter)
It's kind of annoying to admit this, but the updates will continue every two days until around January 2nd or 3rd.