The party ended abruptly, leaving the newly hired personal assistant Natalie to see off the guests, while Tony walked straight to the studio.
"Jarvis."
"Yes, sir."
"Investigate the relationship between Howard Stark and Anton Vanko, and the life file of Ivan Vanko."
"Yes, sir."
After instructing Jarvis, Tony went to his workstation and sat down.
Placing the Arc Reactor taken from Ivan on the workbench, Tony was lost in thought.
Howard Stark, what kind of person are you, really?
Did he appropriate the achievements of two people for commercial gain?
For a moment, Tony felt a mix of emotions.
He was a proud man and looked down on such actions. But this person was also his father. The two had a bad relationship, and they weren't really close but still...
"Sir."
Jarvis's voice sounded.
"The results are in. Anton Vanko was Howard Stark's partner, they jointly researched and developed the Arc Reactor. Later, they disagreed on the use of the finished product."
"Anton Vanko hoped to profit immensely from it, while Howard Stark believed it should be used for the benefit of all mankind."
"Subsequently, Anton Vanko secretly sold the reactor technology, was discovered by S.H.I.E.L.D. and the military, and after being exposed, was repatriated."
"As for Ivan Vanko, I apologize, sir. His information has been processed and cannot be found online. I suggest an on-site investigation in Siberia."
"Phew..."
Tony let out a long breath.
It seemed he didn't need to despise the old man who had been dead for many years.
As if remembering something, Tony asked, "Is Ivan Vanko Russian?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell Natalie to come in."
"Okay, sir."
A moment later, a woman with auburn wavy hair, about 1.7 meters tall and graceful, walked in.
"Boss, you called for me."
She was none other than S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Black Widow, posing as Natalie Rushman.
Natasha Romanoff.
When Natasha walked into the room, Tony turned to look.
It wasn't until she stood before him and spoke that he regained his composure and instructed, "How much do you know about Russia? Find someone to go to Siberia and help me investigate Ivan Vanko."
Although she heard clearly, Natasha, out of professional courtesy, confirmed again, "The person who caused a scene at the party just now?"
To be an ace Agent, one must love what one does.
Tony nodded slightly, affirming, "Yes."
"Okay, boss. Is there anything else?"
"No."
Tony shook his head, indicating it was just one matter.
"Okay, boss, then I'll be leaving."
With that, Natasha, wearing high heels, walked away.
Leaving Tony's studio, Natasha returned to her room.
Her figure subtly shifted. Her makeup remained, but her entire demeanor changed from a charming assistant to a cold and alluring Agent.
She opened her computer, making a show of contacting someone to investigate Ivan Vanko in Siberia. At the same time, she took out an earpiece and put it on, her fingers seemingly unconsciously moving, but actually tapping in a specific rhythm.
She was tapping Morse code!
A moment later, the tapping stopped, and the message was sent.
She had already sent a general report of what had happened at the party tonight back to S.H.I.E.L.D..
Soon, a brief message came through the earpiece.
"New instruction: arrange a meeting with Tony Stark."
Natasha tapped her earpiece, responding in Morse code.
Beep beep.
"Received."
On the helicarrier, Nick Fury narrowed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought.
Tony had not refuted Ivan's words when he left. It seemed his palladium poisoning was very serious. The time had come to try and recruit Iron Man again.
Nick Fury's gaze shifted to a folder on his computer desktop.
The folder's name—Avengers.
He opened the folder, and several files had already been created.
Looking at the file on the second line—Iron Man Tony Stark, Nick Fury showed a confident smile.
His gaze moved up to the first line—Sorcerer Lucas of Kamar-Taj, and his brow furrowed.
He had originally thought that Lucas, having no power or influence in New York, would easily encounter trouble, providing many opportunities to recruit him.
But things developed differently.
On one hand, Lucas lived a secluded life (In reality, he was secretly going to Earth-65).
On the other hand, everyone Lucas met was unusually friendly.
Where were the thugs and gangsters? Why hadn't anyone caused him trouble?
After careful observation, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents discovered that Lucas seemed to possess psychic abilities. Under his mental suggestion, ordinary people simply couldn't harbor ill will towards him.
He hoped that after recruiting Tony, he could use that to recruit Lucas to join the Avengers.
Thump! Thump!
Two figures landed one after another on Natasha's window.
The former was Ghost-Spider Gwen.
The latter was Sorcerer Spider-Man Lucas.
Knock! Knock!
Gwen gently tapped the window twice and began to chatter.
"Hello, Miss Natalie. Your friendly neighborhood Ghost-Spider reminds you, New York citizen. It's late, so get some rest and don't stay up late. Even if you still have work to finish, you must."
Natasha was speechless internally, but still smiled and said, "Okay, I understand, Ghost-Spider."
If it weren't for unfinished work, how many people would stay up late?
"Good night then, Miss Natalie."
Gwen waved goodbye nonchalantly, shooting a web and swinging into the night sky.
Natasha softly said, "Good night, Ghost-Spider."
Lucas tapped the window rhythmically.
He used to envy people who knew Morse code. Especially those who could pretend to reach into their pockets to scratch an itch, but actually use the opportunity to pass messages.
So, after acquiring supernatural power, Lucas specifically learned it.
Beep beep beep beep, beep beep beep.
"Sweet dreams, Natasha."
Natasha's face stiffened.
You're making it so I can't sleep, how can I have sweet dreams?
After Lucas and Gwen left Tony's mansion, they changed into their spider suits and began their date.
The way they dated was a bit special. The two swung back and forth in the night sky, fighting crime together and helping citizens.
With the assistance of Lucas's powerful perception abilities, wherever there was crime, there was Ghost-Spider.
Tonight, the friendly neighborhood Ghost-Spider descended upon Los Angeles.
(Tony's mansion is near Los Angeles, California, not in New York)
The bad guys in Los Angeles are in for a rough time.
"Hehehe."
Gwen's laughter echoed over Los Angeles.
She was very happy tonight.
One, she had helped many people.
The other, Ghost-Spider finally had a partner.
Gwen had her father, George but Ghost-Spider only had misunderstanding and doubt.
Ghost-Spider's superhero career in the past two years had not been smooth. Gwen's previous life had also been unsatisfactory.
Until I met you, Lucas.
The moonlight was beautiful, but the moon gradually sank behind the western mountains. The good times were coming to an end.
On top of Watts Towers.
Lucas and Gwen sat side by side, waiting for the sunrise.
The sun peeked out a corner, and a blush colored the sky.
"Did you notice the sky, Gwen?"
"It's beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you."