I'm working on Marvel's Spider-Man in American comics.

Chapter 63 Norman Osborn

Peter Parker has more important things to do than become an Avenger: tonight's homecoming dance.

Because he had two things to deal with at the same time, one a little later but not troublesome—Sheriff George had unusually taken some time out today to take Peter and Gwen to the homecoming dance that evening, so Peter needed to take some time to dress up and not be so overwhelmed by Spider-Man that he wouldn't have time for anything else.

Another thing was that Harry successfully invited a girl named Liz to the homecoming party, and he became very nervous. He asked Peter and Amadeus to help him pick out a suit so he could prepare properly. Amadeus declined, so only Peter went with him.

"Thanks to Quentin for causing trouble early in the morning, giving me plenty of time, and thanks to New York City for being so peaceful again. It's best not to say that."

The thought of how he had talked about a peaceful New York City for two days, and then the Mysterio appeared, made Peter think it was better not to make any rash predictions.

And... the mastermind behind it all.

After Quentin Baker's arrest, he didn't reveal who hired him, not out of bravado, but out of fear—fear that the mastermind behind it all would kill him. Considering that Quentin used Stark Industries' old anti-aircraft missiles, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s older LMDs, and so many advanced drones in this battle, the possibility of a sponsor is further narrowed down—Kingpin, Hydra, or AIM. Peter can't think of any other possibilities.

Kingpin is the easiest to investigate, but he has broken into Fisk Tower twice without finding any clues. To investigate Kingpin, we probably need to find other methods, such as finding a blind lawyer who has been entangled with Kingpin for a long time and is sure to be collecting evidence that can put Kingpin in jail.

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

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

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

Peter rubbed his temples, speechless at Harry's taste: "Does it have to be so unconventional, Harry?"

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

Harry looked at himself in the full-length mirror, agreed with Peter's suggestion, and then picked out another suit before going into the fitting room. Peter took out his phone, intending to check if the alarm system needed his help.

Just then, he sensed something was wrong with his spider-sense. Someone sat down next to him. Peter put away his phone and looked at the person sitting next to him.

He recognized this person not only because he had met him at the opening ceremony, but also because he had been paying attention to him all along, trying to figure out if the person in front of him was really the Green Goblin.

"Mr. Osborne?"

The man who sat down next to him was Norman Osborne, who was wearing a light gray suit. He sat down next to Peter with a smile and thanked him.

“I am very grateful to you, Peter, not only for helping Osborn Technologies defeat Mysterio this morning and preventing further loss of our technology, but also because you are Harry’s friend, a kid who has never had any friends growing up.”

Peter Parker frowned.

He wasn't surprised that Norman Osborn knew his identity; after all, if Stark could find out, Norman could too. He figured he could contact the students at the tech expo through Spider-Man and find out something eventually.

What he was concerned about was why Norman had come at this time.

“Harry doesn’t think so, and he never uses the surname Osborne.”

“…He’s still young, there are many things he doesn’t know, and so are you.” Norman put on an air of experience and smiled elegantly: “For example, I believe Stark would be very satisfied with your actions and would like to invite you to join the Avengers. I believe he will provide you with assistance, but Stark Industries is not good enough because he doesn’t yet know your true potential, Peter.”

“You were bitten by Osborn Technologies’ spider. That’s the result of your father’s many years of research, and the result of your father’s students’ continued research. No one is more suitable to be Spider-Man’s backer than Osborn Technologies.”

Peter finally understood why Norman Osborn had come: like Nick Fury, he was there to promote his services and to train and help Spider-Man.

However, their purposes are probably different. Based on the information Harry occasionally reveals and Osborn's reputation over the years, Peter can probably understand that Osborn did this not because he really wanted to help Spider-Man, but to prove that Osborn Technology has the ability to create super soldiers.

In other words, it's still all about business.

But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Many of Spider-Man's villains, especially those who aren't beyond redemption and can be prevented, are related to Osborn Technology. If you choose to agree, you can keep an eye on these villains.

"Father?"

With a slightly awkward greeting, Harry opened the dressing room door and became quite angry when he saw Norman Osborn.

"What are you doing here?!"

“Let’s go celebrate my son finally mustering the courage to ask a girl to dance,” Norman said, standing up. “And while we’re at it, let’s 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, and Norman, quite sensibly, left, only saying with a smile, "Your new friend is not bad," before departing.

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

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

“Actually, I had a guess.” Peter shrugged. “I just felt you were hiding something, so I didn’t ask you.”

"It was just some family conflicts. Lyman is my mother's surname. She was a true scientist who loved humanity and science and was willing to give her life for it, unlike my father."

Harry sighed after speaking and looked at Peter with concern: "How were you? Did he give you any trouble?"

"No, perhaps it's because you came out in time."

Peter smiled and gave Harry some encouragement: "The new suit is nice; it's probably the best one you've ever picked out."

"Oh, really?" Harry finally smiled, as if he had made up his mind.

"I want this one! I want to choose my own image!"

(End of this chapter)