[ He doesn't miss that she that he drops in the middle of his explanation and it doesn't take a genius to figure out who that is. Pepper is the one who so callously tried to slot him into the spot the absent other Tony left in her life. That she shoved another one into SI hardly comes as a surprise. ]

I don't have anyone confused with anyone else. That's never been my problem. I'm afraid I can't say the same for former management.

[ He's not buying the lack of cozying up either. Considering the parties involved, he suspects something far less innocent than the way he'd initially meant it went down. ]

You want to work in the lab, fine. I'm not taking your job from you. But all the little perks that she gave you are over. You aren't him. And it's time everyone realized that.