Chapter 62: Norman Osborn

Instead of becoming an Avenger, Peter Parker had more important things to do: tonight's homecoming dance.

He had two things to handle, one later and not too troublesome: Captain George had a rare night off and planned to drive Peter and Gwen to the dance. So Peter needed to find time to get ready, not letting Spider-Man's duties overwhelm him.

The other matter was Harry successfully inviting the girl named Liz to the homecoming dance. He was incredibly nervous and found Peter and Amadeus to help him pick out a suit and prepare. Amadeus declined, so only Peter went along.

"Thanks to Quentin for making a mess first thing in the morning, giving me plenty of time. And also, thanks to New York City for being so peaceful again. It's probably best not to say that last part."

Just thinking about how he'd been saying "peaceful New York City" for two days, and then Mysterio showed up, Peter figured it was better not to jinx things.

And... the mastermind.

After Quentin Beck's arrest, he didn't reveal who hired him. Not because he was tough, but because he was scared—scared the mastermind would simply kill him. Considering Quentin used old Stark Industries anti-aircraft missiles, outdated S.H.I.E.L.D. LMDs, and so many high-tech drones in this fight, the list of potential sponsors narrowed further: Kingpin, Hydra, or A.I.M. Peter couldn't think of any other possibilities.

Kingpin was the easiest to investigate, but Peter had infiltrated Fisk Tower twice without finding any clues. To investigate Kingpin, he'd probably need to find another way, like approaching a certain blind lawyer who had been entangled with Kingpin for a long time and was likely collecting evidence to put Kingpin away.

"Peter, what do you think of this outfit?"

Harry happily stepped out of the dressing room. Peter looked at the new suit he was trying on, couldn't help but rub his eyes, and then felt shocked: who would choose a green suit to wear out?

"The last time I saw a green suit was in a comic, the kind the Joker wears."

Peter rubbed his brow, speechless at Harry's taste. "It doesn't need to be so outlandish, Harry?"

"I just thought the other suits were a bit old-fashioned, but you're right, green is just too weird."

Harry looked in the full-length mirror, agreed with Peter, then picked another suit and went back into the dressing room. Peter pulled out his phone, planning to check if the alarm system needed his help.

Just then, he felt his spider-sense tingle. Someone sat down next to him. Peter put away his phone and looked at the person beside him.

He knew this person, not just because they had met at the orientation ceremony, but because he had always been observing them, trying to figure out if this person was indeed the Green Goblin.

"Mr. Osborn?"

The person who sat beside him was Norman Osborn. He wore a light gray suit and smiled as he sat next to Peter, thanking him.

"I'm very grateful to you, Peter, not only for helping Oscorp Technologies defeat Mysterio this morning and preventing further technological leakage, but also because you're Harry's friend. That child has never had many friends growing up."

Peter Parker frowned.

He wasn't surprised that Norman Osborn knew his identity. After all, what Stark could find out, Norman could too. If he linked Spider-Man to the student at the tech expo, he'd eventually uncover something.

What he cared about was why Norman was here now.

"Harry doesn't think so, and he never uses the Osborn surname either."

"...He's still young, he doesn't know many things, and neither do you."

Norman put on the air of a seasoned man, smiling elegantly: "For example, I'm sure Stark is very pleased with your actions and wants to invite you to join the Avengers. I'm sure he'll offer you assistance, but Stark Industries isn't good enough, because he doesn't know your true potential, Peter."

"You were bitten by an Oscorp Technologies spider. That was the result of years of research by your father, and continued research by your father's student. No one is better suited to be Spider-Man's backing than Oscorp Technologies."

Peter finally understood why Norman Osborn had come. Like Nick Fury, he was here to make an offer, intending to train and help Spider-Man.

However, their objectives were likely different. Based on bits of information Harry occasionally let slip and Oscorp's long-standing reputation, Peter could probably tell that Oscorp was doing this not necessarily to genuinely help Spider-Man, but to prove Oscorp Technologies' ability to create super-soldiers.

In other words, it was still about business.

But this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Many of Spider-Man's villains, especially those who weren't beyond redemption and could be prevented, were connected to Oscorp Technologies. If he agreed, he could keep an eye on these villains at all times.

"Father?"

Harry opened the dressing room door, calling out with a slightly unfamiliar address. When he saw Norman Osborn, he became furious.

"What are you doing here?!"

"To celebrate my son finally mustering the courage to ask a girl to dance." Norman said, standing up. "And to see how my son's new friend is doing."

"What kind of friends I make is none of your business!"

Harry angrily pushed Norman away. Norman, knowing his cue, politely left, just smiling and saying, "Your new friend isn't bad," before departing.

Harry, having driven Norman away, looked at his friend with mixed feelings.

"I'm sorry I kept it from you for so long, Peter... you don't seem surprised?"

"Actually, I had a hunch," Peter shrugged. "I just figured you had some secret, so I didn't ask."

"Just some family issues. Lyman is my mother's surname. She was a true scientist, passionate about humanity and science, willing to dedicate her life to it, unlike my father."

Harry sighed after speaking, looking at Peter with concern. "How was it? He didn't give you any trouble, did he?"

"No, maybe because you came out in time."

Peter smiled, giving Harry some confidence: "The new suit is good. Probably the best one you've picked."

"Oh, really?" Harry finally smiled, a rare occurrence for him, as if he had made up his mind.

"I'll take this one. I'm going to choose my own image!"