"Did J.A.R.V.I.S. say anything else?" Alan asked. He had no idea why Tony was looking for him at such a critical moment.
They should be focused on making plans and reinforcing their defenses. The Hydra situation had been temporarily put on hold, so could there be something new to discuss?
"No, he just left a message inviting you over," Red Queen replied. She was also curious about what they wanted with Alan.
"Tell him I'll go tonight. I can't leave right now," Alan said, his attention fixed on Scott, who was about to get fired.
This was a good job—though a bit risky. But fortune favors the bold, right? At least it was better than Scott going back to his old ways.
Clang!
Just as Alan expected, Scott was fired—again. With a criminal record, keeping a steady job was almost impossible for him.
"Hey, Scott."
Scott snapped out of his thoughts and turned around, spotting the customer from earlier—the one with the blonde girl by his side.
"Uh… sorry, do I know you?" Scott was clearly disheartened. "If you're here to sell me something, I'm not interested. I don't need anything, and I don't have any money."
He lifted his foot, ready to walk away. He wasn't in the mood to figure out what this stranger wanted from him.
His daughter's birthday was coming up, and he was still worrying about how he was going to show up for her.
"Of course, I'm here to offer you a job," Alan said confidently, folding his arms as he faced Scott with ease.
Red Queen, standing beside him, watched in surprise as Alan effortlessly persuaded Scott into accepting the job—willingly.
---
Inside a towering skyscraper, only those with high status were permitted to attend the special demonstration.
A man with slightly graying hair and sunglasses was stopped by security at the entrance.
"Sir, please show your identification," the large security guard said firmly.
Without a word, Hank Pym removed his sunglasses and pointed at the portrait hanging in the main hall.
"My face is the best identification there is."
Hank Pym hadn't planned on coming here.
But he needed to know how far his former protégé, Darren, had gone. Darren had been obsessively researching the mechanics of the Ant-Man suit.
And now…
Hank Pym regretted it. Maybe he should never have pursued size-altering technology in the first place. Darren had no grasp of the dangers it posed.
---
"My old mentor, Hank Pym. Have you come to witness my success?"
Darren's bald head gleamed under the intense lights.
He grinned broadly, pretending to be magnanimous as he reached out to embrace Hank.
But behind that seemingly warm gesture, his mockery was obvious.
"Hank, do you regret it now? If you had worked with me, today's glory would have been ours—not just mine."
Hank Pym smiled slightly. "Congratulations, Darren. As your mentor, it's an honor to witness your success. But I must offer you a word of advice…"
Darren sighed impatiently, lightly pushing Hank away.
He had heard this speech from Hank too many times.
Hank could repeat himself endlessly, but that didn't mean Darren was willing to listen over and over again.
"Enough, Dr. Pym. The reason I invited you here today was to show you just how foolish you were to walk away from the lab."
...
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