The next morning, inside the café!
"Your eyes are bloodshot—it's clear you didn't rest well last night."
Looking at Pepper Potts, who sat across from him with a cup of coffee, Su Che comforted her softly: "Don't worry, Mr. Tony Stark should be fine."
Yes, news of Tony Stark's kidnapping had spread.
In just one night, reports of Tony Stark being kidnapped while demonstrating weapons in the Middle Eastern desert flooded every media outlet.
Major news networks, websites, video platforms—almost every TV channel and computer screen—were dominated by the story.
It was safe to say that Tony Stark's kidnapping had become the hottest news of the year.
Speculations about the incident were endless.
Some even believed Tony Stark had already been killed.
Though unconfirmed, conspiracy theorists insisted there was a terrifying plot behind the kidnapping.
Regardless of the theories, the news was unsettling to watch.
Especially for Pepper Potts.
As Tony Stark's personal secretary and life assistant, she was deeply worried.
After learning of the incident, Pepper spent the night frantically calling for updates, but each negative response only heightened her anxiety.
"Thank you."
Without her usual playful demeanor, Pepper held her coffee and said anxiously, "Sorry, I can only calm myself by sitting here for a while."
"If I stay in the office, I can't stop thinking about it."
"It's fine."
Su Che softened his tone. "You can stay as long as you need. If necessary, I can even have a bed set up for you in the café."
"Forget it, I don't like sleeping in front of so many people."
Her tense nerves easing slightly, Pepper forced a smile.
"I've called—Tony's friend, Colonel Rhodes, has taken a team to search for him."
"But the desert is vast, and finding any trace of Tony is incredibly difficult. Not to mention, the wind can erase all signs in the desert."
"Since last night, every time I close my eyes, I see Tony being attacked."
"I can't imagine what horrors Tony is enduring right now."
At this, Pepper's eyes reddened. "And the longer this drags on, the more danger he's in."
As if struck by a sudden thought, she stood up without hesitation and said to Su Che, "No, I need to hire a private detective now. Stark Industries is willing to offer a hefty reward for Tony's safe return."
"Su, thank you for the coffee. I hope you'll treat me to another cup like this once Tony is back."
"You're welcome!"
Smiling as Pepper hurried away, Su Che didn't mind.
It was just a cup of coffee—as the owner of the café, he could afford it.
Natasha Romanoff, who had been watching from nearby, approached with a cup of black coffee.
"Su, black coffee, no sugar!"
"Thanks!"
Taking the coffee from Natasha, Su Che smiled gratefully.
"Was that Tony Stark's life assistant who just left? The one from the news about his kidnapping?"
"It seems her feelings for him go beyond just professional concern."
Watching Pepper's anxious departure, Natasha asked with seemingly casual curiosity.
"Who knows?"
Shrugging off Natasha's gossip, Su Che remained noncommittal.
He had written in his diary that Tony Stark and Pepper would have a daughter named Morgan Stark, and Natasha knew it.
Her question was merely a conversation starter.
Of course, as Su Che, who was "unaware" that his diary had been "snooped on," he wouldn't reveal this.
Maintaining his persona in front of the Widow was crucial.
"A woman's intuition tells me Ms. Pepper has unusual feelings for Tony Stark."
"But honestly, who would've thought Tony Stark—billionaire, genius of the century—would be attacked and kidnapped?"
"My God, when I saw the news last night, I was absolutely shocked."
Slipping seamlessly into the seat across from Su Che, Natasha adopted a tone of exaggerated surprise. "Every major outlet is covering this now."
"Who knows if the kidnappers want ransom, revenge, or something else entirely?"
Not far from the counter, Selena watched as Natasha smoothly seated herself across from her boss and engaged him in conversation.
Wiping a coffee cup, she nodded thoughtfully.
So that's how it's done.
Note taken.
As her high school teacher said, you can learn something from everyone.
But seeing Natasha chatting so effortlessly with the boss, Selena decided she needed to step up her game.
After all, the position of manager at Peach Blossom Woods Café was still up for grabs.
Well, instead of just talking to the boss, hard work was the real key!
Secretly motivating herself, Selena redoubled her efforts.
Everyone has dreams.
And Selena's dream was to become the manager of Peach Blossom Woods Café.
At the coffee table…
"Seriously, isn't it boring sitting here every day?"
Suddenly, Natasha grinned at Su Che. "Hey, I know a really fun activity. Want to try something exciting later?"
"Trust me, it's a great stress reliever—super therapeutic. I guarantee you'll love it!"
After chatting for a while, Natasha smoothly extended the invitation.
"Come on, Su, don't turn down a lovely lady's invitation. Please…"
Clasping her hands together, she put on a pitiful act.
Tsk—to invite Su Che, the Widow was even resorting to acting cute!