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CHAPTER 29
🕑 Added 2025-06-22 15:40:32 +0000 UTCWhen Aidan followed the waiter to the second-floor alcove of the cafe, he found Tony and Yinsen already deep in conversation, laughing over a shared memory from the cave. Tony saw him approaching and gave Yinsen a subtle nod.
"I see you two started the party without me," Aidan said, pulling a chair from a nearby table and settling in. He took two cubes of sugar from the bowl and dropped them into his coffee with a soft plink, plink.
Tony’s eyebrow twitched. "You can't do that," he said, physically recoiling. "Coffee should be enjoyed in its pure form. The original flavor is the most mellow."
"I like sweets," Aidan said simply, and for good measure, dropped a third cube into his cup. Tony rolled his eyes and pointedly turned away.
"So, what were you two talking about?" Aidan asked after taking a sip, the sweetness just right.
"We were just discussing the possibility of Baymax Medical Technology joining the Stark Industries family," Yinsen said with a warm smile.
"No," Aidan said, his refusal immediate and absolute. "I plan to create my own company."
"Mr. Stark is prepared to offer you thirty-four percent of the company's shares," Yinsen continued, unfazed, watching for his reaction.
Aidan glanced at Tony, genuinely surprised. "I didn't think you had it in you to be so generous."
"That's thirty-four percent total," Tony clarified, leaning forward. "Your fifteen percent stake plus an additional nineteen from my personal holdings. It would make you the second-largest shareholder with a one-vote veto on any board decision." It was an incredible offer, the maximum he could give without risking his own controlling interest.
"And I appreciate it," Aidan said, shaking his head firmly. "But I've made my decision. The company needs to be independent. In fact, I'll be selling my fifteen percent stake back to the market in the coming months."
Tony scoffed. "You have no idea how hard it is to start a company from scratch, let alone a global one. I bet you won't last two years."
"I have a lot of advantages," Aidan said with a confident shrug. "I'm not worried."
"And your Baymax?" Tony pressed. "Is the technology mature enough for mass production? Can it face customers from all economic classes? Is the AI truly ready?"
"I've considered all of that," Aidan said. "And besides, with Dr. Yinsen here helping to manage the company, most of the day-to-day chores will be on his shoulders. It has very little to do with me."
Yinsen, who had been listening quietly, nearly choked on his tea. "While what you say may be true," he said, his voice laced with amusement, "you're not afraid I'll quit if you state it so brazenly?"
"I still have to go to school," Aidan replied proudly. "Of course I'll need you to manage things. You'll be compensated handsomely."
Tony knew he couldn't win. He understood the real reason for Aidan's refusal—his own past, the legacy of Stark weapons. He felt a pang of regret, but he would still offer his support where he could. The three men, so different in age and experience, settled into a slow, comfortable conversation over coffee.
Meanwhile, at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, the atmosphere was anything but comfortable. Professor X, Logan, and a burly, kind-faced Hank McCoy sat in the conference room, the air thick with tension.
"Logan, has he contacted you at all?" Professor X finally asked, breaking the silence.
"No," Logan grunted, shaking his head.
"Hank, what's the situation at the chip factory?" the Professor sighed.
"Men from the bank came to sign the final loan paperwork last week," Hank reported, nervously polishing his glasses. "Aidan used the factory and all its associated patents as collateral. I don't know what he needed that much capital for so suddenly."
"We have to prepare for the worst," Professor X said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We must find a way to secure the futures of the mutants working there. If the bank reclaims the factory, or if Aidan changes partners, it could cause a riot."
"Is there really no way to win him back?" Hank asked, his voice full of frustration. The factory had become a safe haven for so many mutants who were discriminated against elsewhere.
"We cannot initiate contact," the Professor said helplessly. "We can only wait for him. There are too many uncertainties."
"Why didn't we go get him when he was taken in Afghanistan?" Logan suddenly exploded, slamming his fist on the table. "He was out there, in a war zone, and we sat here and did nothing!"
"Logan, you know our position is precarious," the Professor explained, his voice weary. "For us to launch an unauthorized rescue mission in a volatile foreign country… the political fallout would have been catastrophic. It would have undone years of work." And, though he didn't say it, Aidan's status at the time did not warrant risking the stability of the entire mutant race.
Just then, Logan's phone began to shine. He looked at the screen, his expression shifting from anger to shock. "It's him," he said to the room, then connected the call. "Hey."
"Hello, Logan. How have you been?" Aidan's warm, casual greeting came through the phone.
"We've been waiting for your call," Logan said gruffly.
"Oh? Are there other people there?"
"Yes. The Professor has been wanting to apologize in person. He's been waiting for your approval."
"He doesn't need my approval for anything," Aidan's voice came back, tinged with sarcasm. He then continued, "But, while the Professor did make a mistake, he also helped me when I needed it. The chip factory partnership will continue. You will all remain in charge. However, from now on, your primary point of contact will be Dr. Yinsen. I'll send you his information."
Professor X frowned. This new arrangement cut him off, placing a firewall between himself and Aidan. It was a clear consequence of his actions. He fell into a guilty silence.
"...Okay," Logan finally said. "When you have time, come out for a get-together."
"Will do. Talk to you later," Aidan said, and the call ended.
"It's settled," Logan announced, putting down his phone. "The partnership stands."
Hank let out a massive sigh of relief. With the robot fighting league exploding in popularity, the demand for their chips was skyrocketing. As the primary manufacturers, their profits were soaring, and with that money came security, stability, and respect.
After hanging up, Aidan felt a sense of closure. With Yinsen handling the company and the film's post-production underway, he could finally return to some semblance of normalcy. He could go back to class.
The next day, as expected, he was mobbed the moment he stepped into the classroom.
"Aidan! Were you really kidnapped in Afghanistan?" a student asked excitedly.
"Dude, didn't you watch the news? Stark found him at an oasis."
"What's Tony Stark really like? Is he cool?"
"Did he introduce you to any models?"
The questions flew at him from all directions. It wasn't until the teacher came in that the crowd reluctantly dispersed. Aidan scanned the room, but didn't see Toby. He leaned over to the girl with glasses next to him. "Erica."
She glanced nervously at the teacher. "What? I'm trying to pay attention!"
"Where's Toby?"
"He left yesterday for a special robot designer training program," she whispered back.
"Anything else happen at school while I was gone?"
"No… well," she reconsidered, "that new girl, Hannah, got cornered in the bathroom by Doreen and her friends. Someone saw it."
"Doreen?" Aidan asked, his voice low. "I thought I dealt with her. Does she have new backup?" Doreen was a nasty piece of work, an obese girl who bullied everyone, protected by her police officer father.
"Her father just got back in town," Erica confirmed.
Of course, Aidan thought, a cold look passing over his face.
"Erica, stand up and answer this question," the teacher on the stage suddenly called out.
Erica's eyes went wide with panic. Seeing her pitiful state, Aidan raised his hand. "Teacher," he said loudly and clearly, "Erica says she doesn't know the answer."
Erica stared at him, her mouth agape in disbelief. Aidan turned his head and gave her a subtle, smug wink.
"Alright," the teacher said. "If you can't, then pay attention to the lecture."
Erica took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. The moment the bell rang for the end of class, she let out a sharp scream. "You bastard! Take this!" She stood up, picked up her textbook, and smashed it over Aidan’s head.
"Hey! It's not my fault you were whispering in class," Aidan said, rubbing his head with an expression of pure, unadulterated innocence.
