"Mr. Parker. A word. Privately.
Harry looked worried. Flash raised an eyebrow. But Peter just nodded calmly.
They stepped into an adjacent hallway. Norman closed the distance between them. Invaded personal space. A power move. An intimidation tactic.
"You were gone for eight minutes during the bathroom break," Norman said. His voice was cold. "I checked the security logs. Eight minutes. That's a long time."
"Stomach issues," Peter said without hesitation. His enhanced Mind made lying effortless. Zero tells. Perfect composure. "The bus ride didn't agree with me."
"Convenient." Norman's eyes searched Peter's face. Looking for weakness. For cracks. "You're very interested in our research. I watched you during the tour. You weren't looking at specimens like a student. You were analyzing them. Like someone planning something."
"They're fascinating. Cross-species genetics could revolutionize medicine."
"Or create weapons," Norman countered sharply. "Power is power, Mr. Parker. How it's used depends on who wields it." He stepped even closer. "I could give you access to all of this. Real access. Not just a field trip. Full research collaboration. Unlimited resources. Work with me. Properly."
"I appreciate the offer. But I'm still not interested in joining Oscorp."
Norman's expression turned to ice. "You've refused me five times now. FIVE TIMES." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Do you understand how insulting that is? I'm offering you opportunities people would kill for. Literally kill for. And you keep saying no like I'm beneath you."
"It's not personal, Mr. Osborn. I just have different plans."
"Different plans," Norman repeated. His hand shot out. Gripped Peter's shoulder. Hard enough to hurt a normal person. Peter didn't react. "Let me be very clear, Peter. People who insult Norman Osborn tend to regret it. Accidents happen. Opportunities disappear. Lives become... complicated."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a fact." Norman released him. Stepped back. "The world is dangerous for people without powerful allies. Think carefully about who you make an enemy of."
Norman turned and walked away. His posture was rigid with controlled anger. Peter watched him go. Calculating. Planning.
'He's going to be a problem,' Peter thought. 'More than in the original timeline. I've made him an active enemy.'
Peter returned to the main group. Harry approached immediately. "What did my father say?"
"Another recruitment pitch. More aggressive this time."
"He's getting worse," Harry said quietly. "His obsession with genetic enhancement. His paranoia about competition. I think his sickness is affecting his mind."
"His sickness?"
"He's dying," Harry whispered. "Some rare genetic disorder. Degenerative. That's why he's so desperate for a genetic breakthrough. He thinks cross-species genetics might cure him."
Peter processed this. Norman's desperation made perfect sense now. He wasn't just pursuing power. He was pursuing survival. Fighting death itself.
'That makes him more dangerous,' Peter realized. 'A dying man with nothing to lose.'
Students boarded the buses. The field trip was over. Peter sat by the window again. Watched Oscorp Tower shrink in the distance.
Inside his system storage, safely in temporal stasis:
Three of the most dangerous genetically modified spiders ever created.
Six vials of lizard DNA regeneration serum.
Two samples of electric eel genetic material.
Complete genetic modification protocols worth billions.
Every secret of Oscorp's genetic research.
The heist was perfect. Clean. Untraceable.
But a few clone spiders were loose. Two of them had found their way into backpacks that Peter had no idea about.
The consequences of his actions were already in motion. Rippling outward. Changing futures.
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