——Malibu, Tony Stark's Mansion
Under the advanced defensive systems of Rhodes Island Industries, Tony Stark's luxurious mansion stood like an impenetrable fortress on the cliffs of Malibu Beach.
"Do you still think I don't stand a chance now?"
Tony Stark turned to Maya Hansen, who was still in shock, and asked, "Looks like Killian's grudge against me runs pretty deep. But honestly, his tech is still a tiny bit inferior to Hitomi's."
Tony pinched his fingers together to show a tiny gap, illustrating the difference between A.I.M and Rhodes Island Industries.
However, in Maya Hansen's eyes, that gap felt as vast as the entire universe.
"Alright..."
Maya let out a helpless chuckle. "Well, at least I won't have to feel guilty for getting you killed, Tony Stark."
"Exactly." Tony nodded. "And if you could tell us everything you know, that would be even better."
"I will. I came here today to tell you all about Killian anyway."
Maya spread her hands. "This story starts all the way back in 1999. It's a long one."
Having survived the crisis with Kagura's protection, Maya Hansen was now determined to expose Aldrich Killian's actions.
She knew perfectly well that Killian had planned the helicopter strike today to silence her, knowing she would visit Tony Stark.
With her boss abandoning her, any trust between her and Killian was shattered.
With Maya's help, Tony Stark and Kagura Hitomi uncovered Killian's sinister deeds.
His experiments on disabled veterans, his use of the Extremis virus to create biological weapons, and his plot to threaten the World Security Council were all brought to light.
'Ha! What a clown!'
After hearing Maya's story, Kagura couldn't help but scoff.
Aldrich Killian was nothing more than a petty opportunist, far from a true scientist.
His so-called "think tank" was just a bunch of amateurs with delusions of grandeur.
Even the revolutionary Extremis virus wasn't his creation—it originated from Maya Hansen's DNA repair project, which existed long before Killian met her.
Pathetic.
Killian merely manipulated Maya's desire to perfect the virus for medical advancements, exploiting her emotions and blinding her with lies to keep her working for A.I.M.
"Tsk tsk tsk, what a poor, and foolish woman..." Kagura sighed.
All because of a one-night stand with a drunk Tony Stark and a casually scribbled equation on a hotel card, Maya devoted over a decade to perfecting the Extremis virus.
What a joke.
Tony had long forgotten that fleeting romance, yet Maya poured her heart and soul into the research, hoping to catch Stark's attention again.
Killian played her like a fiddle, promising that completing the virus would allow her to reconnect with Stark and earn his admiration.
And she actually believed him...
Kagura couldn't comprehend Maya's blind devotion and felt pity for her.
If she wanted to contact Tony, a simple phone call would have sufficed.
Even if she aimed to perfect the Extremis virus, Tony Stark, being a scientific genius, would have gladly collaborated for the sake of medical progress.
The Extremis virus could have revolutionized the medical world and changed the fate of countless disabled individuals.
Tony Stark would have never refused such a project.
Yet, under Killian's deception, Maya spent over a decade refining the virus, expanding its scope from plants to animals and eventually to humans—without solving its core instability.
The woman, who fell for a playboy's fleeting charm, dedicated her life to a formula Tony Stark barely remembered.
Kagura could only shake her head in disbelief.
Maya Hansen's blind love for Tony Stark and her misguided trust in Killian were the true causes of the Extremis virus disaster.
In reality, Maya was the only one in A.I.M with any real scientific talent.
"Miss Hansen, now that Killian has marked you for death, returning to A.I.M is out of the question. Plus, A.I.M is practically finished. How about joining Rhodes Island Industries?"
"Huh?"
Maya, still immersed in her story, was stunned by Kagura's sudden offer.
"I'm saying, you can come work for us!"
Kagura smiled. "You're an outstanding biologist who simply followed the wrong boss. With the right environment, you could truly make a difference."
"Besides, Rhodes Island Industries is about to acquire A.I.M. Wouldn't you like to continue your research with us?"
"I... can I?" Maya hesitated. "But I was part of Killian's crimes. I bear responsibility for what happened."
"That doesn't matter, Miss Hansen." Kagura shook her head.
"If Rhodes Island Industries establishes a biotech research division in the future, you'd be a perfect fit. What do you say?"
"Hmm..." Maya glanced at Tony Stark, then lowered her head in contemplation. "Alright, I'll consider it."
"Great!"
Maya Hansen's scientific expertise was undeniable.
With the right guidance, she could contribute to both Rhodes Island Industries and the world.
"Alright, now that we've successfully poached talent, it's time for business." Tony Stark clapped his hands.
"Now that we know Killian is behind all this, we need to track him and the Mandarin down as quickly as possible and take them out."
"Agreed."
Kagura nodded. "Let's end Killian's little dream."