Spider-Man: The Original Benefit Machine

The next morning,

Bren lowered his head, glancing at his old phone as he walked out of his room.

Harry had sent him a text message.

It said that the funds had been deposited, and the other formalities were also taken care of.

"Harry works pretty fast."

Thank goodness for having Harry, the rich second-generation. Otherwise, even if Bren had money, starting a company would have been a challenge, especially with the biggest issue being his age. But now, with Harry's financial backing and connections, these problems were no longer an obstacle.

He and Harry had agreed to meet after school at the Williamsburg Bank to open a business account.

Aside from that, Bren also needed to visit the tax office and the state government.

Bren had been itching to get started. He had even considered taking the day off from school to get things done earlier, but it seemed like Harry had other commitments.

As he was heading downstairs, he heard another door opening behind him.

Peter was hopping down the stairs, hurriedly putting on his jacket, looking rushed.

"Are you coming with me to Oscorp today, Bren?" Peter asked.

"To Oscorp for what?"

Peter glanced toward the kitchen where Aunt May was still making breakfast and lowered his voice.

"The Lizard from last night might show up again. Dr. Connors is an expert in reptiles, and I think he might be able to analyze the Lizard's habits or find some weakness."

At this moment, Peter still hadn't suspected that Dr. Connors himself had turned into the Lizard.

"No, I've got other things to do." Bren said.

Peter's gaze became skeptical.

"Other things?"

"Why have you suddenly become so busy?" He asked, confused. "You used to go straight home after school. I've never seen you do anything else. Are you hiding something from me?"

"Leave my brother out of this." Bren plopped down at the dining table.

"Good morning, kids." Uncle Ben was sitting with the newspaper, and upon seeing them, greeted them immediately. "The world really isn't peaceful, even a lizard monster is showing up now."

"What? Uncle Ben, how do you know about the Lizard?" Peter asked in surprise, quickly asking.

"The newspaper." Uncle Ben unfolded the paper and showed it to them.

"Masked Spider-Man and the Lizard, two monsters wreaking havoc on the Williamsburg Bridge!"

"What monster?" Peter shouted in disbelief.

"I mean... Spider-Man was saving people! How can they report Spider-Man like that?"

Bren glanced at the newspaper.

"The Daily Bugle? Nothing surprising there."

Bren wasn't surprised at all by the Daily Bugle's stance on Spider-Man.

Jonah Jameson, self-proclaimed Spider-Man's biggest critic, had always hated Spider-Man and was his number one enemy.

Bren imagined Jameson's trademark grin.

"He's talking about that spider freak. Why are you getting so worked up?" Uncle Ben asked, looking up.

"I just... this..." Peter stammered, struggling to explain, "I just think he's doing good, like you told me. He has the ability, so he helps others."

"That's true, but how much do you really know about him?" Uncle Ben asked.

"Well..."

It didn't feel good to try and help others, only to have their actions doubted in return.

Especially since Peter couldn't reveal his identity, he felt like he had no way to defend himself.

Seeing his frustration, Bren couldn't help but speak up.

"At least he has good reviews on YouTube."

This was true.

The news of the masked freak fighting the Lizard on the Williamsburg Bridge had spread like wildfire.

The blurry videos on YouTube had received tons of likes.

Even though it was Peter's first day out as Spider-Man, rescuing the cars that almost fell into the East River on the bridge had earned him quite a few admirers.

Currently, there is only one open superhero in the world—Iron Man. The appearance of Spider-Man had clearly filled that void quickly.

"I believe time will prove Spider-Man right. What do you think, Peter?"

"You're right!"

Peter was easily satisfied. After hearing Bren's words, he happily sat down, ready to enjoy breakfast with them.

After breakfast, Bren and Peter were preparing to leave for school.

"Aren't you going to work, Uncle Ben?" Bren asked.

Normally, at this time, Uncle Ben would already be at work, but today he was still at home reading the paper.

Uncle Ben's face looked a little uncomfortable.

"No, I've got half the morning off. Do you want me to take you to school?"

"No, it's fine," Bren and Peter both shook their heads.

After they left the house, Uncle Ben sighed heavily, glancing at his wife. Tired, he said, "I really don't know how to tell them that I've lost my job."

"I've been a mechanic for 35 years, but they're cutting costs and raising profits..."

He had been sitting at the dining table, reading the newspaper, hoping to find some work.

"Don't worry, Bren," May comforted him, walking over and hugging him. "We've been through tougher times. This is nothing."

"But the kids need to go to college," Bren said.

If Peter and Bren weren't both doing well in school, it wouldn't be a problem, but one of them was a genius, and the other worked hard in school too.

"They need to go to college. I can't let them lose this opportunity because of money."

May hugged him tighter.

"You'll find work."

Outside,

Bren and Peter stood silently.

"I didn't even know... I mean, he never tells us." Peter stuttered, lost for words.

"Uncle Ben just doesn't want us to worry. He doesn't want us to miss out on an opportunity that could change our lives," Bren said.

They began walking toward the bus stop.

As they walked, Peter said seriously, "Bren, we need to find a way to help him. We're grown now."

"You're right, Peter." Bren nodded, thinking of something interesting.

"I've got a money-making idea, and it's perfect for you."

"What?"

"Remember the Daily Bugle?"

Peter nodded, still a little stunned. "They write reports, smear me, I mean Spider-Man. But I believe they'll change their minds eventually."

Unless Spider-Man disappears, Jameson will never stop slandering him.

Bren thought.

"Actually, they're paying for Spider-Man photos. The videos on YouTube are too blurry."

"Yeah!" Peter's eyes lit up. "You're right! I've got a camera, and I know where to find Spider-Man!"

Who could say that Peter Parker taking photos of Spider-Man to sell wasn't the ultimate Benefit machine?