Alvin and Stark sat on the edge of the private dock under the blazing sun, watching a group of kids play on the beach.
Alvin took a sip of beer, fiddled with the fishing rod he was only pretending to use, then stretched out comfortably on his lounge chair and said with a laugh, "You son of a bitch. How did you manage to piss Albus off so badly that he left too?
Now we have to make our own food if we want to eat. Is this really how the world's richest man gets treated?"
Stark glanced at Little Morgan on the beach. Ever since her older siblings had arrived, the girl had forgotten all about her dear old dad.
Ever since Little Ginny showed up, the fat dog, Captain, had acted like he'd found a powerful ally. Whenever Little Morgan tried to stand up, he would eagerly knock her back down, then run excitedly around her.
Little Morgan didn't get mad when she was bullied. Calling, "Brother! Brother!" she spread her arms and gave her little brother, Harry, a sweet smile.
Then eight-year-old Little Harry would forget how much trouble she'd caused him and run over like a knight, kicking Captain—the dog who only grew fatter, never taller—out of the way before taking Little Morgan to join his group's game.
Stark didn't seem the least bit disappointed to have been forgotten. He picked up a bottle of chilled beer and gulped it down, then said to Alvin, "Pepper took Alita to Stark Tower. There's a lot of work waiting to be dealt with there.
Alita seems a little interested in managing the company, and Pepper thinks she needs an assistant..."
As he spoke, Stark kicked the fishing rod, scaring away the little fish that was about to bite.