It was obvious.
Whether it was Tony or Pepper, both of them leaned toward trusting Ian.
Even though Ian had appeared out of nowhere, he was still the man who had saved Tony's life. And he was so powerful that he had no need to scheme against anyone.
"How long do you need?"
Tony pressed.
Pepper sighed. "I'll get back to you tomorrow."
"Tonight."
"Tony—"
"Tonight." Tony didn't raise his voice, but it was firm. "This can't wait."
Pepper was silent for a few seconds.
"Fine. Tonight."
The call ended. Tony put his phone into his pocket. The elevator reached the top floor, and the doors opened. He stepped out. At the end of the corridor was his bedroom.
He didn't go in. Instead, he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the city lit up beyond the glass. New York's night was bright, like a pot of boiling water, churning with every color. His fingers tapped lightly against the glass. Once. Twice. Three times. Then he turned around.
He walked into the bedroom and closed the door.
About two hours later.
Pepper's call came in.
Tony sat up in bed and answered. Pepper's voice came through the receiver without any small talk.
"I found it."
"Talk."
"Natasha Romanoff. Her file only starts from the day she joined Stark Industries. In reality, everything before that is blank."
"She forged a certificate with official backing, and she also falsified her past experience. In reality, she has no birth certificate, no school records, no Social Security number. She's like someone who appeared out of thin air."
Pepper paused. "My friend at the CIA said there's only one possibility for a blank file like this—her identity was created by some official agency or large organization."
Tony leaned back against the headboard.