Felicia awkwardly smoothed her hair. "Hi, Mom. What perfect timing."
Peter swallowed, unable to say a word.
Inside, he was frantically counting his blessings. Thank goodness I changed out of my suit into regular clothes.
Otherwise, this would only have been even more mortifying.
As for the Hand's mess, that would have to wait for another day.
Peter sat in the dining room, without the slightest hint of nervousness anywhere about him.
"Are you nervous?" Felicia raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips.
"No," Peter answered firmly.
"Then if you keep squeezing my hand that hard, you're going to break my bones." She glanced at Peter's white knuckles.
"Sorry." Peter immediately let go.
Felicia chuckled. "You really don't need to be nervous. Just be yourself. Remember the first time you met Uncle Ben and Aunt May? I told you not to be nervous then, too, but it didn't help at all."
"I remember."
"It's the same now." Peter sighed.
Ever since her mother had caught them getting intimate in Felicia's room, Peter had received the first genuine death threat of his life. Mrs. Hardy had flown into a rage, accusing Felicia of betraying her trust and complaining that she had never brought boys into her room when she was young. Felicia had let it go in one ear and out the other, but Peter genuinely wanted this woman to like him.
When Mrs. Hardy refused to approve of him because she "didn't know him," Peter offered to sit down and have a proper talk. That was how they had ended up here.
"Relax, Laohu." Felicia leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Being nervous won't help. She's probably forgotten all about today. She might already be on her way to Washington."
Peter rolled his eyes. "She's your mom, after all. However absentminded she usually is, surely she wouldn't forget something this important."
"Peter, I hate to break it to you, but you're not the center of the universe."
"No, I'm the center of your universe." Peter smiled.
"Spare me the cheesy lines."
"I'm serious. Precisely because this matters to you, she definitely won't forget." Peter shrugged.
"Want to bet?" Felicia's eyes shifted.
"On what?"
"If you win, you'll get your wish tonight-the best late-night window-climbing rendezvous ever." She smiled like a cat that had stolen a treat. "If you lose, you have to stay in my bed all night and use that amazing way with words of yours to keep me happy."
Peter immediately perked up. "Deal."
They waited a few more minutes. Just as Peter thought he was about to lose the bet, the front door opened, and Mrs. Hardy walked in carrying bags of all sizes.
"I win," Peter cheered under his breath.
"Of all the times to come home," Felicia muttered sulkily.
Mrs. Hardy walked into the kitchen and froze at the sight of them. "What are you two doing here?"
Peter blinked. "Didn't you ask us to come over today so you could get to know me better?"
"Oh... today is today?" She looked bewildered.
"Uh, yes."
"Oh my goodness, I completely forgot!" Mrs. Hardy gave a couple of awkward laughs.
Felicia leaned in to whisper in Peter's ear. "I win."
"That's not fair. You said she wouldn't come, not that she'd forget!"
"Call it a tie, then?"
"What about the prize?"
"We share it." She gave a sly smile.
"Sounds fair." Peter smiled too.
Mrs. Hardy turned around and found them still standing there. "You haven't left yet?"
"Mom, you did say you wanted to talk, and Peter's stubborn." Felicia giggled.
"Right, right, sorry, but we'll have to do this another day. I've invited important guests tonight. Sorry, Peder..."
"Peter," Peter corrected her.
"Right, Peter. Felicia, go get changed. Our guests will be here any minute."
"What? You're just kicking him out?" Felicia flared up.
"Xiaomaomi, it's okay." Peter sighed.
Mrs. Hardy sucked in a breath at the endearment.
"No, Peter, it's not okay!" Felicia glared at her mother. "He's my boyfriend. You can't just throw him out!"
"Suit yourself, but neither of you is to speak during dinner. You absolutely cannot ruin my business deal. Understood?" Mrs. Hardy narrowed her eyes.
"Fine." Felicia gritted her teeth.
Once Felicia went back to her room to change, only Peter and Mrs. Hardy remained in the kitchen.
"Peter," Mrs. Hardy finally said, "once the guests arrive, find yourself an excuse to leave."
"What? But..."
"No buts." She cut him off coldly. "This is my house, and you'll do as I say. I won't let my daughter waste her life on some lowlife thug living on the streets. I know people your age are impulsive, but I will never accept someone like you. Don't embarrass me."
Peter froze, his mind erupting.
Did this woman know who she was talking to? He was Spider-Man, for crying out loud. He'd saved New York and beaten the Green Goblin, and she was calling him a street thug?
Fury burned inside him, but his face remained perfectly calm. He nodded slowly. "Mrs. Hardy, do you really know me?"
"What do you mean?"
"You don't even know what grade I'm in or where I live, yet you've decided I'm worthless based on my appearance." Peter pointed to his clothes. "I certainly don't dress like a member of high society, but I promise I have plenty of qualities you'd appreciate."
"Such as?"
"For instance, your daughter only passes physics because I tutor her." Peter spread his hands.
"You're tutoring her?" Mrs. Hardy looked somewhat surprised.
"Yes. I'm actually pretty smart." Peter chuckled.
Mrs. Hardy's gaze was skeptical, but her attitude softened a little. She sighed. "Perhaps I spoke too hastily. But tonight is too important to me. Nothing can go wrong. Once things settle down, I'll make time for you. But tonight, you have to leave."
"Understood." Peter silently cursed the old witch.
When Felicia returned, Peter didn't mention her mother's cruel remarks, only saying he would come another day. Though unhappy, Felicia understood.
The doorbell rang. Mrs. Hardy immediately put on a warm, exuberant smile and opened the door.
"Norman! I'm so glad you could come!"
"Thank you for inviting us, Mrs. Hardy." Norman Osborn entered in an impeccably tailored suit, then pushed the person behind him inside. "You remember my son Harry?"
"Hello, Mrs. Hardy." Harry gave a shy smile.
Peter inwardly rolled his eyes. Why was Norman Osborn as impossible to shake off as psoriasis? If he was already like this, what would he be like once he became the Green Goblin?
"Welcome, come in." Mrs. Hardy greeted them warmly. "Will anyone else be joining us tonight?"
"Just the three of us, and..." Norman's gaze landed on Peter and Felicia in the distance. Once he recognized Peter's face, he burst out laughing. "I never expected to see you here!"
Peter put on a smile as well. "Dr. Osborn, how have you been?"
"Wonderful, Peter." Norman turned to Felicia. "This must be your daughter?"
Mrs. Hardy paused, then nodded. "Yes. Felicia, come here." She put an arm around her daughter. "My pride and joy. I hear she and Harry go to the same school?"
Norman nodded. "They do."
"What a coincidence! Felicia, why don't you show Harry around?" Harry immediately gave a slightly sleazy smile.
Peter's gaze turned cold. He really wanted to punch the guy's teeth out.
"Peter." Mrs. Hardy turned to stare at him. "Didn't you have something to do?"
"Did I?" Peter countered coldly.
"Didn't you just say you were leaving..."
"I changed my mind." Peter strode over to Felicia and pulled her into his arms, his eyes fixed on Harry. "I need to stay here."
Mrs. Hardy's face went livid with anger, Harry looked a little nervous, and Felicia smiled sweetly. At the sight, Norman burst into hearty laughter. "Wonderful! I've been meaning to talk to Peter. What a coincidence."
Mrs. Hardy recovered from her shock. "You two... know each other?"
"Know each other? This young man single-handedly saved my company!" Norman laughed.
"What?" Harry and Mrs. Hardy said in unison.
"What happened?" Felicia leaned close to Peter's ear.
"I stopped one of his science experiments from exploding and blowing half a block sky-high," Peter explained quietly.
"As Spider-Man?"
"No, as Peter Parker."
"You owe me a detailed explanation."
"No problem."
Norman continued, "I invited him to the Christmas party, hoping to poach him. He took one look at Otto's machine and figured out my plans for the evening in seconds. Not only that, he pointed out a fatal flaw in the machine that nearly bankrupted the entire subsidiary. He's my lifesaver."
Peter paused slightly. He really hadn't thought that much about it at the time. Had he unwittingly prevented the birth of Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin? He hoped so.
"Really?" Mrs. Hardy looked at Peter incredulously, her gaze completely transformed.
"Of course." Norman patted Mrs. Hardy's shoulder. "Now, let's talk business. Harry, go upstairs with Peter and Felicia."
Harry obediently nodded. Peter raised an eyebrow. The guy was a complete pushover in front of Norman.
In Felicia's room, Peter flayed Harry alive with his eyes. The two barely spoke until Norman and Mrs. Hardy finished their discussion.
Dinner was pleasant. Norman Osborn certainly was a good conversationalist. Peter could understand his arrogance; he had spent his entire life striving to earn it. At the same time, he understood why Norman disliked Harry-if he had such a useless son, he would have been angry enough to hit someone too.
"Peter, what major projects have been going on at the Baxter Building lately?" Norman asked.
"Nothing groundbreaking at the moment. We just got a patent for a digital folder, something like an advanced e-reader. We sold the production rights to Amazon. It should hit the market in five months."
"A very smart move. Steady cash flow." Norman nodded.
"Susan handles the money. Without her, the Baxter Foundation would go bankrupt in a week."
"Susan Storm is certainly impressive." A barely perceptible flicker of admiration crossed Norman's eyes.
"But, Peter, while looking through the Baxter Building's patents, I found something truly revolutionary." Norman stared at Peter. "Have you heard of 'Parker's Blood'?"
Peter's expression didn't change. Playing dumb in front of Norman was a cardinal mistake.
"Have you?" Norman asked.
"Of course." Peter smiled slightly. "I invented it."
"You?" Harry's eyes widened.
"What, you thought someone else would name their invention 'Parker'?" Peter scoffed. Mrs. Hardy looked stunned, while Harry's face turned livid with anger.
"I knew it." Norman smiled. "A brilliant design. How do you intend to market it?"
"That's Susan's department. We just provide the toys and opinions."
"Looks like I'll have to speak with her. Honestly, Peter, I don't understand why you're still in high school. Your talents belong in the business world."
Peter shrugged. "I know. But I'm just a kid, Norman. I want to experience life first, not turn into a ruthless money-making machine. Too many geniuses throughout history went down that road and ended up forgetting how to be human."
Norman nodded appreciatively. "A very mature outlook." He shot Harry a cold glance. "If only other people your age could be as sensible as you."
Peter secretly reveled in it, but showed nothing on his face.
After dinner, Norman said his goodbyes. Mrs. Hardy looked at Peter with an entirely different attitude. "It was lovely getting to know you, Peter. I hope we'll see more of you. Felicia, see Peter out."
Once Mrs. Hardy entered the kitchen, Felicia immediately hugged Peter. "You looked so incredibly hot talking back to my mom."
"You're welcome. Honestly, it felt pretty good." Peter grinned.
Felicia rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. She murmured, "Knock on my window in an hour. You owe me a late-night rendezvous."
Peter nipped her earlobe. "As you command, Xiaomaomi."