Nighttime in New York, the bustling commercial center of Brooklyn, adjacent to Queens.
The property prices here were exorbitant, but the area was safe enough.
Like Times Square, the streets were lined with surveillance cameras.
In this city of neon lights and revelry, joy was the surface, but emptiness lay beneath.
Peter bought a bottle of dry red wine from a store.
It was basic etiquette when visiting someone's home.
Moreover, Ms. Carter had been very kind to Peter. Without her, it wouldn't have been so easy for him to secure scholarships over the past two years.
"What should I buy?"
Gwen was troubled. She was terrible at picking gifts.
The expensive ones were out of her budget, and the affordable ones felt too cheap.
Peter shook the bottle of wine in his hand.
"Let's just say this is a gift from both of us."
"I knew you'd have my back!"
By the time they arrived, Ms. Carter's house was already filled with people.
Not only were there her former students, but also colleagues from the school and some friends from her personal life.
This elderly teacher had quite the social circle.
As soon as Peter walked in, he felt numerous eyes land on him.
"Wow, Peter, you look so handsome in a suit."
"I'm going to tweet this. Let's take a photo together."
Several female classmates immediately surrounded him.
Peter, now free from his frail physique, was tall, fit, and academically brilliant. Most importantly, he had received a million-dollar grant from Stark Industries.
Naturally, many girls had their eyes on him, hoping to win his affection and, by extension, his money.
"Sorry, everyone. I'm not in the mood for photos today."
Peter brushed them off, his attention drawn to a middle-aged man talking to Ms. Carter.
A man missing his right arm.
Several people were gathered around them.
Gwen, arm in arm with Peter, seemed to be staking her claim.
In the past, she had often used her allowance to buy Peter clothes, hoping to make him more popular.
Now, she wished he weren't so popular.
Many girls at school had their eyes on him.
Peter smiled slightly.
"Miss Gwen, staking your claim isn't just about linking arms."
"It's also about this."
With that, Peter took Gwen's hand, interlacing their fingers and holding on tightly.
After more than a decade of knowing each other, they were well-acquainted, but the sudden hand-holding sent an electric shock through Gwen's brain.
"Oh, Peter."
Peter leaned closer to Gwen, whispering softly in her ear:
"Maybe what I'm missing is a proper confession."
Peter's words weren't impulsive.
He and Gwen had known each other for years, as neighbors and close friends.
And now, they were at the age where dating made sense.
There was no need to hesitate any longer.
It was time to elevate their friendship.
Gwen's face turned bright red.
This wasn't something she hadn't imagined, but it was all too sudden, leaving her momentarily at a loss.
"Peter…"
Words couldn't express even a fraction of her feelings.
But physical touch could.
Their hands remained tightly clasped.
Suddenly, Ms. Carter called out to Peter from across the room.
"Coming!"
Gwen sat on the couch, taking a big gulp of her cocktail.
Her heart was a mix of excitement, joy, and some complicated emotions.
After all, she still had a secret she was hiding.
She wasn't sure how to bring it up with Peter.
Meanwhile, Ms. Carter quickly introduced the middle-aged man beside her.
"Peter, this is Dr. Connors, a renowned biologist who has published numerous important papers internationally."
"Connors, this is Peter Parker, the student I told you about. He's exceptionally talented in the sciences."
The two shook hands.
"Hello, Dr. Connors. I've read your papers. They've been incredibly enlightening."
Connors smiled slightly:
"Mr. Parker, flattery isn't a good habit. It unconsciously places you in an unequal position."
Peter was taken aback.
I was just being polite…
Do you always talk to people like this?
"True respect comes from genuine talent."
Connors paused, then added:
"In my experience, high schoolers are only interested in dating and video games. Ms. Carter speaks very highly of you."
"So, let me test you with a question."
Ms. Carter shot Connors a slightly reproachful look.
I introduced my student to you out of goodwill, and now you're embarrassing him!
I won't introduce anyone to you again.
"Uh, go ahead."
Peter's eyes were red, clearly growing impatient.
He was no stranger to Dr. Connors—one of Spider-Man's classic villains.
Desperate to regain his health and his lost arm, Connors had injected himself with lizard serum.
In the end, he became the monstrous Lizard.
But Peter wasn't sure if this would happen in a world where Gwen was Spider-Woman.
After all, this world was a chaotic fusion.
Marvel, DC, Sony, and even The Boys.
No one could guarantee the story would follow the original plot.
...
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