MARVEL -BLACK SPIDERMAN

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Everyone is paying attention to some strange creatures right now, so our stock price won't keep falling, but the bad news is that no one will care about my operations in the future."

Obaday glanced at Tony. "What do you plan to operate? The Valen Mining operation?"

"Yes, the acquisition is just the first step. There are many more steps to follow, but right now, that's not important. I want to enjoy my pie. Want some? Maybe it'll help you forget your troubles."

Tony pressed a button on his phone and spoke to the secretary on the other end: "Okay, you can send my pie in."

Obaday was dissatisfied with the playboy's frivolity, but since Stark Industries still needed him to be at the helm, he suppressed his frustration.

"No, I have an appointment, so I'll skip your party, Tony. I also heard you're going to set up a research foundation."

"Mm."

"I'm indeed interested in strange creatures. In a way, I'm helping the citizens of New York. Maybe our mayor should give me an award called the 'Tony Stark Non-Scientific Contribution Award.'"

Obaday frowned. He felt Tony wasn't taking things seriously, but he refrained from commenting on trivial matters.

Eventually, he said, "Be careful. Those troubles aren't like your business enemies. They won't follow any rules."

"Actually..." Tony shrugged. "I'm not really someone who follows rules. Remember the last time I attended Louise's funeral? I punched the priest."

Obaday recalled the incident. "Because of his inappropriate condolences, I still remember Mrs. Louise being sedated in the lounge."

Tony was exactly how Obaday saw him—proud, willful, and unruly.

Obaday patted Tony on the shoulder. "I understand. Louise was one of your good friends."

Although Tony seemed sociable on the surface, Obaday knew he was a lonely person who wasn't good at making real connections.

"He wasn't my good friend."

Tony replied, "Actually, I don't even know who my good friends are."

Obaday feigned surprise. "Am I not one?"

Without waiting for Tony's answer, Obaday patted his arm again. "Alright, I don't care about this. Just make sure you're on time for the meeting this afternoon and don't get caught up with reporters."

After Obaday left the office, Tony Stark sat in the manager's chair.

He quickly operated the virtual display screen on his desk, and a three-dimensional image appeared in the air.

It was a newly discovered mine by Valen Mining, an open-pit copper mine.

If the proven reserves were accurate, this copper mine could hold half of the reserves of the Kenigot copper mine.

(Kennegot: one of the largest open-pit mines in the United States)

"Part of this mine is near the state park."

He suddenly remembered the most recent news: the hunter Kraven had an accident in the state park.

"I hope my luck isn't that bad."

Tony said, taking a bite of the banana pie that the secretary had brought in.

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The Next Day

At the bustling Kennedy International Airport, Harry was busy arranging for his tickets while Peter and Gwen sat on plastic chairs in the waiting area, listening to the announcements about flights and departures.

Harry needed to stay in Chicago a while to deal with his father's debt legacy.

Although he had some company in Chicago, it was still a tough journey for a high school student.

As good friends, Peter and Gwen had come to the airport to send him off.

They arrived at the airport 40 minutes before the flight was scheduled to depart and then took the elevator to the boarding area. Harry looked nervous, and Peter was texting on his phone.

Helen had texted back: "Why me? You can do it yourself."

Peter had asked her to buy two hundred lottery tickets for him earlier.

Of course, the tickets were for a specific set of winning numbers Reed had obtained through coercion and bribery.

According to Reed's calculations, these numbers included the lieutenant general's number.

"It's easier for you. You often change your identity, so this shouldn't be hard."

Peter texted back: "The first prize is 13.69 million. I'll give you 10%."

"You're really confident, Peter. You've already planned how to spend the prize money before even buying the tickets."

"Why, don't you want to?"

"Fifty percent."

Peter quickly disagreed. "You're just running errands. This is fair."

"I'm bearing all the risks. I bet you didn't win the prize by normal means. I'm doing this for you, so it's only fair."

Peter responded: "20%."

Helen texted: "40%."

"Then I'll find someone else."

Seeing Peter about to withdraw, Helen finally relented: "Okay, I agree. You're really a Grandet."

By the time Peter put his phone away, they had reached the ticket office.

Gwen asked Harry if he wanted to visit the bookstore in the airport to pick up something to read on the plane.

Harry, with a pensive look, replied, "To be honest, I don't really like reading."

"I don't think I'm good at it, at least. I'm not like you or Peter. Dad always thought I wasn't talented enough, and I think so too."

Gwen felt the need to encourage him out of his negative mindset.

"I think you're really smart, Harry. At least when Peter was often bullied, you always knew what to say to comfort him. Every time he listened to you, he felt so much better."

Peter was speechless.

Somehow, he was involved in this too.

Harry's mood lifted a little, and he glanced at the bookstore crowd. "Alright, Gwen, do you have any books to recommend?"

"I don't know. If you want recommendations for rock music, I could suggest a lot."

Gwen said as she walked toward the bookstore with Peter and the others.

There weren't many people in the bookstore. After Harry bought his books, he approached the counter to pay. In front of him stood a father and daughter.

The little girl seemed worried about skipping school. She looked up at her father and asked, "Dad, will the truancy officer catch me? Teacher Andy said there's an officer who catches truants, and he specializes in that."

Her father patted her head and reassured her, "Don't worry about the truancy officer. I'll give you a school leave. You can come back and start school again in the fall."

The girl's face seemed pale.

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