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A simple hacking incident wasn’t enough to make Pepper trust the intruder in any way.
After all, the intrusion method itself was far from any legitimate means.
But desperate times call for desperate measures, and Pepper was truly at her wits’ end.
Realizing that someone capable of hacking into her private computer was no ordinary person, she decided to take a chance.
The next day, she received a normal email from the hacker, along with a paper note left in her mailbox.
The email contained Arthur’s address and stated that if Arthur refused to help, she should give him the note.
Pepper investigated the e-mail but found nothing.
She also looked into Arthur’s background, but since he had no official records, she couldn’t find any information from more than half a month ago.
Finally, Pepper decided to take a chance and visit Arthur.
…
…
After listening to Pepper’s story, Arthur rubbed his temples before he spoke: “So, tell me about your current problem.”
“Stark Industries… you must have heard of it.” Pepper looked at Arthur as she asked.
Arthur nodded: “Of course, I know a lot more about it than you might think.”
Pepper didn’t notice the note of nostalgia in Arthur’s voice and continued, “Well, the truth is… Tony Stark is missing.”
“Uh…”
Arthur blinked when he heard this as this was news to him.
He hadn’t been paying much attention to Stark Industries lately. Between dealing with Randolph and playing games with Abomination, he had no time to keep up with the activities of his old friend’s son.
“When did this happen?” Arthur asked.
“A week ago,” Pepper replied. “Mr. Stark went to Afghanistan on business. Then something unexpected happened. Their convoy was attacked. Oh, I brought the relevant documents with me.”
She pulled a folder out of her purse and handed it to Arthur.
Arthur took it but didn’t look at it: “Even if Tony Stark is missing, there must be a lot of people looking for him, right? Why come to me?”
“They can’t find him!” Pepper’s tone was agitated for a moment, but she quickly calmed herself down.
She took a deep breath and said, “They can’t find him, and the situation there is very complicated. They can’t even find out who took him.”
Arthur remained silent and the atmosphere grew tense.
After a moment, Pepper sighed and said, “I’m sorry, I got too emotional. Maybe I was just fooled… maybe it was just a prank. I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“I can help you.”
Just as Pepper was about to get up, Arthur spoke: “But you have to agree to certain conditions I have… We have to make a deal. Otherwise, we’ll pretend you never came here.”
“Anything! I’ll do my best to fulfill your wishes!”
Pepper quickly turned around and said.
Arthur smiled: “First thing! Regardless of the outcome, no one else can know about our deal, except for that damned hacker. No one can know you came to see me, and after it’s over, you can’t tell anyone, including… Tony Stark!”
“Why?”
“You have no right to ask why. You can only accept or refuse,” Arthur replied.
“I accept!”
“Good,” Arthur smiled. “Then get me a plane ticket… Oh, and I’m off the grid right now. You’ll have to help me sort out my identity issues.”
“Of course!”
Pepper agreed without much hesitation, seemingly prepared for this request.
…
…
Five minutes later, Pepper took her leave.
Arthur stood by the window on the second floor and watched as her figure gradually faded into the distance. He sighed softly and looked down at the note in his hand. It read… “World Peace!”
“Peace my ass!”
Arthur’s mouth twitched as he stared at the note.
But soon his frustration turned to melancholy.
It had been half a month since he arrived in this so-called world seventy years in the future.
Lily had mentioned that she would start school in half a month…
Since arriving in this era, there were things he had thought about and things he dared not think about.
He dared not think about how he would face the now elderly and frail Agent Carter. Whenever he thought of her, a strange pain gripped his heart and made him avoid the thought.
He dared not visit Colonel Phillips’ grave for fear of losing control of his emotions.
The stubborn old man had no family. With Arthur gone from their lives, with what expression would he have faced the world?
A smile, perhaps?
People who like to smile aren’t necessarily carefree.
They just don’t want to show anyone their bleeding wounds because it hurts too much!
And Arthur… he didn’t even have anyone to show his pain to.
Looking for Agent Carter? Aside from SHIELD’s tight security, how could he be sure where she was?
Seventy years had passed, and even if they met again, what would be the point?
Its better to let her think that he’s dead.
After all, this country never acknowledged his existence, and he never claimed to belong to this country!
Given that, why should they interact more?
Their pain has been dulled by seventy years, and even Howard’s ashes have been buried.
What right has a man who has been dead for seventy years to disturb their lives?
But even though he didn’t dare to think about it, he couldn’t help but wonder…
So he dressed in black and called himself ‘Instructor’.
Partly to minimize trouble in dealing with Randolph.
But if some people were still around, maybe…
And now this note appeared!
He sighed softly and looked at the note again, and sat down on the sofa: “But why go through so many tests? If it’s really them… a single word from any of them would be enough to convince Pepper, right? Is it because they’re not sure? Or is there another possibility?”
With a flash of flame, the note turned to ash: “Tony’s disappearance can’t be ignored. After all, he’s Howard’s son. In that case, I might as well take a trip. Besides, I’m looking forward to Iron Man’s appearance!”
Arthur then turned and went downstairs. Before departing, he still had other things to do!
(End of Chapter)
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