The next day.
Alvin was still in bed when Stark woke him with a phone call.
"What is it? It's early in the morning. Can't you let me sleep a little longer?" He yawned, his eyes sunken and heavy with fatigue.
Yesterday, after dealing with that damned lizard, he'd gone to the Osborn Group to collect the incomplete Super-Soldier Serum research. He'd been busy until the middle of the night before finally getting some rest.
And now, before eight in the morning, he'd been woken by a phone call.
"Pepper's missing!"
Tony's voice was frantic, utterly unlike his usual easygoing self. "She celebrated my birthday yesterday, and after she left last night, she didn't show up at the office this morning!"
"So what? Is that so strange?" Alvin couldn't quite understand. He scratched his head. "Maybe you two had too much fun and she's taking the day off."
"Bullshit! I didn't do anything yesterday!" Tony denied it vehemently, shouting in a rage. "I know Pepper. She wouldn't take a day off for no reason. Even if she did, she'd tell me, but she didn't. And I had J.A.R.V.I.S. check—she didn't go home last night!"
"Where are you now?"
Alvin furrowed his brow. He suddenly realized this wasn't so simple and immediately asked.
"I'm in the lab at the seaside villa."
Tony was like a headless fly, worried about Pepper's safety but with no idea where to start.
"Wait for me. I'll be right there!"
Alvin got dressed and kicked open the door.
"What happened?" Outside stood Black Widow, who had been awake for a while. She'd vaguely heard the voices inside and asked what was going on.
"Someone kidnapped Pepper Potts." Alvin thought for a moment, then turned to ask, "Can you get S.H.I.E.L.D. to help find her?"
"I can,