"You said yes? That's great!" Storm exclaimed happily when she heard Harry's words.
Jean Grey and Cyclops, standing beside her, were both stunned. Clearly, neither had expected things to go so smoothly — though their thoughts about it were different.
"However—" Harry began, his tone shifting at just the right moment, hinting at a turn.
"What are your conditions?" Jean Grey immediately snapped out of that fleeting, inexplicable feeling she'd just had. Her cheeks warmed as she realized she had been secretly pleased, thinking Harry's easy agreement had something to do with her. But now that he spoke of conditions, she understood she had been wrong — and felt a faint disappointment. A woman's heart is always complicated, after all.
"I want to trade for something," Harry said, his gaze falling on Jean.
"What do you want?" Cyclops stepped forward sharply, unable to stand the sight of Harry staring at Jean that way.
Harry's eyes flicked over to him. Even though Cyclops wore his red quartz visor, Harry could still sense the sharp glare beneath it.
"I want your glasses," Harry said, pointing to them with a casual gesture. "As long as you leave those with me, Senator Kelly can go with you."
Hearing that, all three mutants relaxed a little — though confusion soon followed. Aside from Cyclops, who frowned slightly, both Jean Grey and Storm looked relieved.
For mutants, the most precious thing they could offer — and the thing they most guarded — was their blood. Too many incidents in the past had proven how dangerous it was for human organizations to possess mutant DNA. And given that Harry was the head of Oscorp, a company at the forefront of genetics and biotechnology, it would have made sense if he had asked for something like that.
But glasses? That was harmless.
"Well, I think that request should be easy enough for you," Harry said with a half-smile.
"Though I don't understand why you want them… I agree," Cyclops said firmly. Harry's demand might have felt strange and even a little insulting, but as the X-Men's leader, he knew the mission came first. Seeing the relieved expressions on Jean and Storm's faces, he decided without hesitation.
"Straightforward. I like that," Harry said, clapping his hands once in satisfaction and standing up.
"Mr. Kelly is resting, Al. Go wake up the Congressman," Harry said to Old Al, who stood quietly nearby. "We'll be sending him off soon."
"Yes, sir. Please wait a moment," Old Al said respectfully before heading toward the corridor.
"Now, the glasses," Harry said, holding out his hand toward Cyclops.
"Scott…" Jean began softly when she saw him reach for his visor.
"It's alright," Scott said, tilting his head slightly toward her. He raised an arm, silently stopping Jean from speaking further.
Then, he removed his special glasses, revealing his tightly shut eyes beneath them.
"Here," Cyclops said, handing them over.
"Thank you," Harry said simply, taking the glasses with a satisfied nod.
At that moment, Old Al returned to the living room, followed by Senator Kelly, who had cleaned himself up. His face showed no more panic — only relief and composure. It seemed he had rested well the previous night.
"Mr. Osborn," Senator Kelly said, his expression brightening as soon as he saw Harry. Crossing the room quickly, he clasped Harry's hand in both of his own. "Thank you so much, Mr. Osborn! If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have become of me!"
"This is what I should do, Mr. Senator," Harry said with a polite smile, gently withdrawing his hand from the firm grip.
"Mr. Senator," Harry continued, glancing toward the three mutants. Cyclops had already put on the spare glasses Jean handed him. "These three are here to escort you."
"You are…?" Senator Kelly looked at the trio's attire. It was clear they weren't government officials.
"Hello, Mr. Senator. We've met before," Jean said, stepping forward.
"You're… Dr. Grey?" Senator Kelly's expression shifted in recognition.
"I didn't expect you to remember me, Mr. Senator," Jean replied with a faint smile.
"Of course I remember. Because right after that day's hearing, I was captured by Magneto," Kelly said with a rueful chuckle, glancing back toward Harry in acknowledgment.
"Sorry, Mr. Senator. That was our mistake," Jean said sincerely. Under Professor Xavier's leadership, the X-Men had always sought to maintain harmony between mutants and humans. Even though Kelly had been one of the strongest advocates for the Mutant Registration Act, his life still had to be protected. If something happened to him now, it would ignite open conflict — far worse than any legislation could.
"You're mutants too, aren't you?" Kelly asked suddenly. As expected of a politician, he had quickly pieced things together from Jean's tone. As one of the bill's main supporters, he was well aware of the two mutant factions — and he had even met Professor Charles Xavier at that same hearing.
"Yes," Jean admitted softly.
"Alright. I understand," Kelly said after a pause.
"Mr. Senator… what do you mean?" Jean asked, momentarily uncertain.
"I'll go with you to meet your teacher. There are some things I'd like to ask him personally," Senator Kelly said, his gaze distant, his tone reflective.
"Well, alright," Jean said. She didn't know exactly what Kelly wanted to discuss with Professor Xavier, but their mission was already complete.
"Mr. Osborn, I'll remember your help. I believe we'll meet again," Senator Kelly said as he turned to Harry.
"I'm sure we will, Mr. Senator," Harry replied with a small smile, shaking his hand firmly.
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A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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