Tony Stark had just learned from Carl that Natalie was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

And, even more unexpectedly, his father had been one of the founders of the organization. This piqued Tony's curiosity about S.H.I.E.L.D.

Naturally, nothing about this department could be found online.

So, Tony decided to call Natalie directly.

Being her employer, he of course had her number.

Of course, the original reason he saved her number…

Wasn't to inquire about her "department."

Let's just say… it was for entirely normal reasons.

The phone rang and connected quickly.

『Natalie』: "Mr. Stark?"

Her voice sounded a bit puzzled.

『Natalie』: "Is there something I can help you with?"

『Tony Stark』: "Oh, right, about that..."

Originally, Tony intended to be subtle about it.

But he realized trying to tiptoe around would just waste time.

So, he got to the point.

『Tony Stark』: "Miss Natalie."

『Natalie』: "Yes?"

『Tony Stark』: "I heard you're an agent for some other department?"

『Natalie』: "Uh..."

Black Widow froze for a second before instinctively denying it.

『Natalie』: "I'm sorry, what are you talking about?"

『Tony Stark』: "Hmm... what was it called again... oh, right, S.H.I.E.L.D."

『Tony Stark』: "Are you an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Naturally, she was undercover and couldn't admit it easily.

But she thought back to last night's party. Carl had been there.

And now, Tony Stark was calling her the next day, clearly to confront her.

Highly likely... Carl had told him.

Which meant... Superman had recognized her?

But then… why hadn't he said anything? Or taken action?

Black Widow was puzzled.

Still, what mattered now was the present.

Given the close relationship between Carl and Tony...

Tony would definitely trust Carl.

After a moment's silence, she lowered her voice.

『Natalie』: "That's right. I am an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D."

『Natalie』: "However, we mean you no harm."

Before she could finish her explanation,

『Tony Stark』: "You're fired."

『Tony Stark』: "By the way, I'd like to know more about your organization."

As one of the richest, most brilliant men in America, and now also a superhero, Tony couldn't possibly tolerate an undercover agent within his own company.

『Natalie』: "Oh... alright."

She sounded resigned.

Though she had wanted to stay, the fact remained: Stark Industries was Tony's company.

One word from him, and she'd be out.

After thinking a moment, she said:

『Natalie』: "Regarding our department... I think we should meet and talk."

『Tony Stark』: "Come on. You're a spy and you want to meet me?"

Had this been before he was kidnapped, Tony might've agreed right away.

But that experience had made him cautious.

『Natalie』: "..."

『Natalie』: "You can wear your Iron Man suit. And you can pick the place."

『Tony Stark』: "Oh, that's more like it."

Tony considered it. She didn't seem to mean harm.

And if he wore the suit, he'd hardly be afraid of some agent.

『Tony Stark』: "Alright then. Meet me in my office in two days."

『Natalie』: "Got it."

He ended the call.

He wasn't trying to dig too deep, just wanted to understand more about his dad.

...

Meanwhile,

After hanging up with Tony, Carl took Zhao Hailun out for a meal.

While eating, Carl suddenly remembered something.

『Carl』: "Isn't the day after tomorrow the last day of your vacation?"

『Zhao Hailun』: "Yeah, that's right."

『Carl』: "Then let's go to Korea that day."

『Zhao Hailun』: "Sure!"

She smiled brightly.

...

After eating, the two went for a drive along the coast.

Later that night, they enjoyed some quality time at home.

...

Two days later,

In the morning, Carl and Zhao Hailun were having breakfast.

『Zhao Hailun』: "So when we go to Korea later, are we flying or... flying?"

『Carl』: "Flying, of course. Planes are too slow."

Today was Zhao Hailun's last day off.

Tomorrow, she had to return to her lab job.

Usually, a new lab member wouldn't get much time off. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt

But Zhao Hailun was different.

First, she was a genius.

Everyone in the lab liked her.

Second,

That was thanks to Carl.

She got into the lab through Stark Industries' backing.

Naturally, the lab knew not to make things hard for her.

As long as they kept working with Stark Industries, they wouldn't dare complain even if she asked for a few months off.

At most, they'd grumble privately.

Still, Zhao Hailun was no slacker.

She genuinely wanted to work in the lab.

So she rarely used any special privileges and stayed focused.

Now that her vacation was up, it was time to return.

Carl didn't try to stop her.

『Carl』: "Work if you want to."

『Carl』: "Besides, it's a good excuse to visit Korea again."

But he had no intention of taking a plane.

Back when Zhao Hailun first went to work in Korea, he'd suffered for it.

Flying took more than ten hours.

And Carl needed to sign in daily without missing.

Every time he visited, he had to plan carefully.

Now? A trip to Korea was just a blink away.

No way he'd fly.

But,

『Zhao Hailun』: "Maybe we should fly, after all?"

『Zhao Hailun』: "You've got your own plane, and it's faster than commercial flights."

『Zhao Hailun』: "It's comfortable, too. Feels just like being on land."

Carl looked at her curiously.

『Carl』: "Why? Isn't getting there faster better?"

『Zhao Hailun』: "Well, all international travel is recorded."

She smiled.

『Zhao Hailun』: "Even if I want to return quickly, we still need official records."

『Zhao Hailun』: "When I flew into the U.S., there was a record. That'll be checked."

『Zhao Hailun』: "I don't want people thinking I smuggled myself back."

『Zhao Hailun』: "Or drawing unnecessary attention."

『Carl』: "Ah. Fair point."

He nodded.

『Carl』: "Alright, I'll contact the flight crew. Shouldn't take long to get approval."

『Zhao Hailun』: "Okay."

Back when Zhao Hailun worked in Korea, Carl had to visit frequently.

So he bought a private jet.

It was faster and more convenient.

He'd even signed a contract with Korean airports and secured specific flight paths.

At the time, he was already worth hundreds of billions.

Buying a private plane was no big deal.

Still, each flight required prior documentation.

Otherwise, the authorities might mistake it for a hostile aircraft.

To make paperwork easier, Carl had registered the plane under Stark Industries.

Given Stark Industries' standing with the authorities, flight applications were approved almost instantly.

Flying wasn't so bad after all.

With that in mind, Carl called the pilot and asked him to begin the approval process.

End of chapter...

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