Chapter 82: Tony Stark

In the underground laboratory of the Malibu seaside villa, Iron Man Tony Stark was drinking a bitter green juice while attempting the synthesis of a new element.

Watching the screen once again display a synthesis failure message, a hint of discouragement and sadness flickered in Tony Stark's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

“Damn it, this stuff tastes terrible,” Tony Stark complained.

“Sir, chlorophyll can effectively alleviate your poisoning symptoms. For your own health, I urge you to continue,” Jarvis replied in his mechanical tone.

Tony Stark was clearly growing impatient with Jarvis’s advice. “Jarvis, you’re the one who should persevere. Keep working on the new element synthesis. If you can’t find it before I die, you’ll end up an unwanted orphan!” He leaned back in his chair, gazing at his armor displayed in the cabinet.

“I am doing my best, sir,” Jarvis responded, and then continued, “Sir, you have a new email!”

Tony Stark, staring intently at his armor, asked offhandedly, “Who sent the email?”

“I don’t know, sir. I can’t trace its sender,” Jarvis replied mechanically.

“Damn!” Stark snapped out of his reverie. “What’s in the email?”

The next moment, the content appeared on the computer screen, and Tony Stark’s pupils dilated as surprise spread across his face.

Jarvis spoke up, “Sir, I found no signs of intrusion!”

“No, Jarvis, your father’s secrets have already been exposed. Sever all connections to the outside network immediately. Daddy’s going to give you a thorough check-up—I want to see which bastard dared to spy on me!”

“Sir, I recommend contacting the sender. They seem to have no malicious intent. Perhaps they really have a way to cure your poisoning symptoms,” Jarvis advised.

“Quiet, Jarvis. Don’t disturb me while I’m working.” Tony Stark said as he reviewed Jarvis’s data.

But after examining every line of code, Stark found nothing suspicious.

Unwilling to give up, he went through all the network data from the past week. He did find a clue—but it was as good as nothing. All he found was a compromised port, but no information about who, what IP address, or when the intrusion occurred.

Just as Tony Stark was feeling disheartened, Jarvis suddenly announced, “Sir, Miss Potts is here.”

No sooner had Jarvis spoken than Pepper Potts walked in with a stack of documents, looking exasperated. “The opening ceremony program for the Stark Expo was due two hours ago. I called you, but you were out of service, and you didn’t respond to messages. What on earth are you doing all day?”

“Uh, there are still several days before the Expo opens. We have plenty of time, no need to rush, darling!” Tony Stark said with a smile.

“Plenty of time? You think all you need to do is come up with ideas? The venue, staff, material logistics, and rehearsal times for the performers—sixteen days is already tight!” Pepper Potts said, exasperated.

“Alright, alright. Starting now isn’t too late. I already have a vision in my mind.”

“I’ll borrow a transport plane from Rhodey, jump out from the plane, land directly on stage amidst fireworks, take off my armor, and be surrounded by bikini beauties.”

“The audience below will scream themselves unconscious for me!” Tony Stark said, brimming with narcissism.

“And the details? How many boxes of fireworks, where to place them, how many people, and when exactly you’ll jump from the plane?”

“I’ll leave all that to you. I trust you!” Tony Stark looked at Pepper Potts with a face full of confidence.

“Damn!” Pepper Potts stared at him, bewildered and incredulous.

“You’re my assistant—this is your job!” Tony Stark shrugged, as if it were only natural.

Pepper Potts took a deep breath to steady herself, then said helplessly, “Fine. Just don’t regret it later!” With that, she turned and left the underground lab.

After she left, Tony let out a long sigh, grabbed the chlorophyll juice from the table and took a hard gulp, then muttered with a frown, “I’m starting to get used to this damn taste!”

In a dilapidated town in Moscow, Alice and Wang Lei walked slowly along snow-covered streets. “Moos says that Ivan Vanko is in this town,” Alice said, holding her phone as she walked.

“It’s a big town. Where do we start?” Wang Lei asked, wrapping himself tighter in his coat.

“We’ll start at the tavern. We should be able to find some clues there.” Alice pointed to a small tavern ahead, steam rising from its entrance.

As Alice and Wang Lei stepped inside, everyone in the tavern turned to look at them, giving Alice the feeling of walking into a western movie.

But the next moment, everyone turned away and resumed drinking their vodka.

Alice and Wang Lei went to the bar, ordered two glasses of rum, and while the bartender poured their drinks, Wang Lei pulled out a photo of Ivan Vanko from his pocket and asked, “Do you know this man?”

The bartender glanced at the photo and shook his head. “No.”

But Wang Lei could tell the bartender recognized Ivan Vanko.

Wang Lei then pulled out a stack of dollars and placed them on the bar, pressing them down with two fingers. “If your answer satisfies me, the money is yours.”

The bartender eyed the cash, his gaze growing heated and then greedy. “That’s not enough,” he said coldly.

Wang Lei scoffed, pulling out another stack of dollars. But the bartender, clearly greedy, just smiled and shook his head, acting as if he had Wang Lei cornered.

Seeing the bartender’s greed, Wang Lei’s expression turned cold, and he shoved all the money back into his coat.

The bartender’s eyes flashed with anxiety, but he hid it well, clearly thinking Wang Lei would come back to negotiate.

But reality didn’t go as he hoped. A disheveled, sleazy-looking man who had been observing Wang Lei and Alice for some time sidled up and said with a grin, “I know where Ivan Vanko is. Give me the money, and I’ll take you to him!”

Seeing this, the bartender grew anxious. “Buck, if you dare take them to Ivan, you can forget about getting credit here ever again!”

But the sleazy man named Buck ignored the bartender’s threat, smiling at Wang Lei and Alice.

Looking at Buck, missing a front tooth, Wang Lei handed him a stack of dollars. “This is a deposit. You’ll get the rest when we find him.”

“No problem! Please follow me.” Buck bent slightly and gestured toward the tavern door.