On How to Make a Goddess, a Doctor, and a Genius Simultaneously Admire You in One Sentence!

Bro, how could you just say anything out loud? Was that "job" of yours something you could just tell people about?

Gwen had been saved by Toby in a bloody manner, and after that incident, she had fallen irretrievably in love with the man.

So, she naturally knew that when Toby spoke of clearing out underground "pests," he was not referring to literal pests, but to pests among humanity!

However, Dr. Connors clearly had not considered that possibility. There was only a hint of regret in his eyes as he looked at Toby.

"So you're doing pest-related research. That is indeed quite good..."

"In modern human society, after all the pollution brought by industrialization, pests have indeed become harder and harder to eradicate. If a genius like you devoted himself to that field, perhaps you truly could make a tremendous contribution to humanity's pest-control efforts..."

"It's just a pity. With your talent, I can't help feeling that focusing only on pest-control research is somewhat wasteful..."

On the surface, Kingpin's Fisk Enterprises was itself an upstanding company primarily engaged in charity and public welfare. So Toby saying that he worked in pest control was perfectly reasonable.

Other than Gwen, who knew the truth, no one—including Peter—suspected anything.

Toby, meanwhile, answered indifferently, "No task is too small. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility."

"I believe my abilities are better suited to dealing with pests, so that's what I do. There's no question of whether it's a waste or not."

The three of them were all taken aback when they heard that, each drawing their own insight from Toby's words.

Dr. Connors felt ashamed. He had not expected that, at his age, he would be less clear-sighted than a young man barely in his twenties.

Peter looked utterly admiring, thinking to himself, As expected of the cousin I've looked up to as a role model since childhood. Even his ideological awareness is far beyond that of ordinary people!

Lastly, Gwen's gaze toward Toby became even more full of worship.

As expected of the man she had decided she absolutely had to win over!

Smart, brave, powerful, low-key, uninterested in fame or fortune—his body was in darkness, but his heart was in the light. Every beautiful quality in the world seemed to be embodied by this man!

Even that perfectly sculpted face of his seemed like the least noteworthy of all his qualities in comparison!

He really was amazing. I loved him so much!

Seeing the three sets of positive eyes fixed on him, each filled with different emotions, Toby fell silent.

Had he said something incredible?

Hadn't he merely borrowed one of his dad's famous lines?

Seeing that the three of them continued staring at him, Toby said helplessly, "Weren't we going to visit Dr. Connors's laboratory? Or are you planning to stare at me like this until those interns arrive?"

Only then did the three of them snap back to their senses.

Dr. Connors had completely put away his manner as an elder and invited Toby in the tone of an equal.

"Mr. Parker, please follow me. It would be my honor to have you visit my laboratory."

With that, he took the lead toward his laboratory.

The three exchanged glances and followed after him.

After being disinfected, they entered Dr. Connors's private laboratory.

Although the laboratory was not particularly large, it had everything it needed. All of its research equipment was the latest model available on the market.

Some of it was even biological research equipment exclusive to Osborn Enterprises, unavailable for purchase anywhere else.

Dr. Connors first introduced Toby and Peter to the various research achievements he had made in the past.

After receiving plenty of praise from Toby and Peter, Dr. Connors moved on to introduce the project everyone was most interested in—the cross-species lizard gene regeneration serum project he was currently trying to crack.

Connors looked at the dead white mice in the test chamber, his expression somewhat dejected.

"I have successfully completed countless cross-species biological research experiments, yet this lizard regeneration serum project—the one I most wish to succeed—has held me back for a full ten years. I've remained stuck at the final step, unable to achieve success..."

"People outside call me the modern Darwin of cross-species genetics, but only I know that, compared to the truly brilliant geniuses among humanity, I have always been one step short. And that one step is a chasm I will never be able to cross..."

"If anyone could be called the modern Darwin of cross-species genetics, there is probably only one person. If he were still alive, perhaps this final algorithm would have been solved long ago..."

Toby's eyes narrowed slightly. He had already guessed who Dr. Connors meant by "he."

And Toby was not the only one who figured it out. Peter, standing beside him, did too.

The smile on Peter's face slowly faded, and when he spoke to Dr. Connors, his voice had become low. "The person you mean is..."

"That's right..." Before Peter could finish, Dr. Connors answered him with a trace of guilt in his eyes. "Your father, Richard Parker..."

Although Gwen had not mentioned Peter's surname when introducing him, she had introduced Toby by his surname.

And Dr. Connors knew a little about Toby. Two years ago, he had learned that Toby was the nephew of his former colleague.

Since Peter called Toby his cousin, there was naturally no need to state Peter's identity outright. Dr. Connors understood it as well.

That was why, upon learning Toby's identity, Dr. Connors had looked at the two cousins with such complicated eyes.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Dr. Connors continued.

"Peter, this research was originally conducted by your father Richard and me..."

"And with Richard's intellect, I believe he could absolutely have completed this regenerative research, which could have benefited countless people!"

"But unfortunately, during the final stage of the project, the flight your father was on tragically crashed. That algorithm has trapped me for ten years as well..."

"I'm sorry, Peter. I was your father's colleague and friend, yet I never visited you even once all these years, because I hated..."

"I hated Richard for leaving at the critical moment of the regeneration research. I hated him for taking away my chance to regain a whole body..."

"But it wasn't until Toby's words today that I finally woke up. With great power comes great responsibility. I lacked that power, yet I foolishly tried to shoulder a responsibility beyond my capabilities, and I even blamed it all on your father. I truly feel ashamed..."

"I'm sorry, Peter..."

With Dr. Connors's final apology, Peter clenched his fists tightly, his entire body trembling slightly.

It was as though he was angry, yet also as though he was grieving...

The VIP reading experience has been optimized. Tap the center of the screen to bring up the menu, where you can conveniently access "Settings," "Previous Page," "Next Page," and "Back to Top."