Online news always moved faster than traditional media. Google search showed that as soon as Tony Stark had finished watching the live broadcast, Xiang Qian had already found a webpage with the relevant news.
One glance was all it took for a surge of fury to flare in Xiang Qian's heart.
Tony had been right. Worthington Industries had indeed made big news. But to Xiang Qian, who knew the inner workings of the Mutant community far better, this was a disaster waiting to happen.
"During his speech, the head of Worthington Industries publicly declared that Mutants are a disease and need to be cured. There's no doubt that Worthington II's remarks will stir up a new wave of controversy among North American Mutants.
"So far, the White House and the Department of Mutant Affairs have not commented on his remarks. However, scattered protests have already broken out in some Mutant communities, with some Mutants accusing Worthington II of making racially discriminatory remarks..."
As Xiang Qian read the news, his gaze grew colder and colder.
There was no need to doubt American reporters' instincts for a story, let alone their knack for fanning the flames. Though it was already nighttime in the United States, Worthington II's remarks had immediately shot to the top of the political and social news headlines.
Xiang Qian didn't care what Worthington II had said. Americans were always boasting about freedom of speech, and as a major capitalist, Worthington II obviously enjoyed more freedom than ordinary people. After all, Worthington Industries was a giant in North America's biotech research and pharmaceutical industries.
What made Xiang Qian angriest was the research breakthrough Worthington II had announced after making his remarks.
"Mutant Gene Inhibitor."
"A cure for Mutants, perfectly eliminating the troubles caused by their mutations. (-_-) (-_-)"
"We're in talks with the government to include the drug in health insurance."
"The government may provide financial support for the drug's rollout."
As he read the quotes from Worthington II's press conference, Xiang Qian expressionlessly called the legal department at Wude Group.
"Did you see Worthington Industries' press conference?" Xiang Qian asked.
"We just saw it. The team is discussing..." came the reply.
Xiang Qian cut his subordinate off. "There's no need for a lengthy discussion. I need answers to two questions. First, did they notify us before publicly announcing the product? Did they?"
"I just checked. Neither the president's office nor the company's general secretariat received any notice from Worthington Industries beforehand."
"Good. Second, did Worthington Industries violate the commercial contract we signed with them by releasing the product without authorization?" Xiang Qian's tone didn't change at all, but as he looked at the photo of Worthington II at the press conference, a murderous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Yes. Our contract with Worthington Industries includes a clear confidentiality clause. The Mutant Gene Inhibitor was developed jointly, and product information could only be made public with both parties' knowledge and consent. They've breached the contract."
"Then prepare the legal documents immediately. Have our American subsidiary ready. As soon as the documents are prepared, file the suit. I want Worthington II bankrupt." Murder seeped into Xiang Qian's otherwise calm voice.
"Remember, I don't mean the kind of bankruptcy where they can still live in a mansion and throw parties. 😾🐺 ൠ✌ I want them father and son to spend the rest of their lives picking through garbage in the slums!"
The person on the other end sounded hesitant. "Boss, I'm afraid that'll be difficult. A breach of contract would only cost them some money. Unless Worthington Industries causes its shareholders further losses, there's no way to make them go bankrupt."
"Just do as I say. All you have to do is make sure we win the case. Someone else will handle the rest." Xiang Qian offered no further explanation and hung up.
Cause the shareholders further losses? Xiang Qian sneered to himself. Worthington II had said so many foolish things and now held a "weapon" capable of posing a fundamental threat to Mutants. There was a big question mark over how many days he had left to live.
Did he think Professor X was a kindhearted saint, or that Magneto would turn over a new leaf and become a good man?
Before Xiang Qian could decide what to do next, his phone rang again.
It was a number he knew well.
"Hello, Professor." Xiang Qian answered.
The professor's voice came through the phone, tinged with anger. "You deceived us, James."
"You mean Worthington Industries? I admit I've deceived plenty of people, and I admit I wouldn't hesitate to deceive you if I had to. But I'd never deceive Jean. I didn't tell a single lie about Worthington Industries."
The professor had no intention of playing word games with Xiang Qian. He got straight to the point. "You said the drug wouldn't kill Mutants, and that's true. But it will erase every Mutant gene. For Mutants, this drug is just as dangerous, if not more so."
"Right. If it simply killed Mutants, they might not dare use it on a large scale. They'd be branded with the label of genocide." Xiang Qian sneered. "But call it gene therapy, and it sounds much more palatable."
"James, is that your attitude too? You want to erase the Mutant gene completely?" Professor X's tone turned deadly serious. As one of the two great leaders of the Mutants and one of the most powerful people among them, Professor X's fury was something the whole world could hardly withstand.
Xiang Qian was unmoved. "If it were Jean, she wouldn't ask such a stupid question. Professor, when you judge someone, can you only rely on your telepathy? When your powers fail, are you completely unable to assess people accurately? If so, you're a real disappointment."
"I have to take responsibility for my Mutant brethren," Professor X said firmly.
Xiang Qian burst out laughing, not bothering to spare the professor's feelings. "Who are you taking responsibility for, and who authorized you to do it? Did your Mutant brethren vote for you?"
Xiang Qian gave the professor no chance to respond and continued, "Mutant powers look cool, but we all know that very few people can enjoy them without suffering serious side effects—probably just over fifteen percent. The remaining eighty-odd percent of Mutants either have powers so weak they're not worth mentioning, or suffer from defects they can never overcome."
"Why don't you ask whether the low-level Mutants who make up more than eighty percent need the gene drug? Why don't you ask the people around you—Rogue, Beast, or any of the other Mutants who can only survive under the X-Mansion's protection—whether they'd be willing to use it?"
Xiang Qian's barrage of questions easily knocked the wind out of Professor X's sails. On the other end of the phone, the professor sighed. "Of course I know about these issues. But the key question is, who can guarantee that the drug won't be abused? At the same time, we have to find a way to stop Erik from taking things too far."
"James, the situation is dangerous. Any misstep could lead to serious conflict between Mutants and ordinary people."
Xiang Qian pursed his lips. He wanted to say, What do I care about the conflict between North American Mutants and ordinary people? Things are perfectly fine back home. But this wasn't the time to fall out with the X-Men. His plan against Worthington Industries still required their help, whether they liked it or not.
"I'm leaving for the United States tomorrow. Worthington Industries' lab is on Alcatraz Island. You've all seen The Rock, right? We can meet in San Francisco."
"All right. See you then." Professor X knew when to back down. They did need Xiang Qian's help. Worthington Industries was at the center of it all, and Xiang Qian was both its business partner and a major shareholder.
As soon as he hung up with Professor X, another call came in, as if right on its heels.
It was another familiar number.
"Mr. Worthington, I'm surprised you still remembered to call me." Xiang Qian smiled through gritted teeth.
A slightly elderly voice came through his headset, weary yet urgent. "Hello, Mr. Xiang. I'm sorry, but I have to talk to you."
"Do you want to talk, or do you have to?" Xiang Qian sneered. "Is talking to me really that important? Or, to put it another way, is there any reason for us to talk now?"
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean...but given the current situation..." The voice on the other end grew flustered. But Xiang Qian had no intention of letting him off easily.
"You don't understand what I mean? Do I need to spell it out for you?" Xiang Qian's voice rose sharply. "You think having an angel born into your family makes you God, gives you the right to play savior?"