Father and Son

Harry Osborn returned to the Osborn mansion in Manhattan, New York. Since graduating high school, he had moved out on his own and squeezed into a college dorm with his best friend Peter. But recently, his strained relationship with his father had begun to ease and was no longer as tense as before, so he had been coming home much more often.

After setting down his backpack, Harry walked inside. Ever since taking a trip to the West Coast, his relationship with his new girlfriend, Mary-Jane, had progressed by leaps and bounds. The two had swiftly fallen in love and spent every day in sweet bliss, leaving Peter miserable and depressed from having their icy-cold displays of affection shoved in his face all day.

"Why do you have time to come home today?"

Harry's father sat in the living room. The man at the helm of Osborn Industries was tall and lean-faced, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's. His entire body radiated an imposing authority that made others afraid to meet his gaze.

He was Norman Osborn, New York's renowned business tycoon. More than a decade ago, he had founded Osborn Industries from nothing. Rising from an unknown nobody to a man of staggering wealth and respected status, he was a truly legendary figure.

"School's on break. I came back to get some things," Harry said flatly. He had been sent to boarding school from a young age, and his relationship with his father had always been distant. The two rarely shared warm moments of conversation or heart-to-heart talks.

"I heard you got yourself a girlfriend?"

Leaning back on the sofa, Norman Osborn looked at his son, who seemed somewhat uneasy before him, and could not help feeling deeply disappointed. He had always hoped to raise Harry into a decisive, commanding man capable of taking over Osborn Industries in the future—after all, it represented the effort and lifeblood of his entire life, and naturally needed someone to inherit and carry it forward.

Yet the result had been disappointing. Harry's abilities were simply mediocre. Though he possessed good character, he cared only about comfort and pleasure, with not a trace of business talent. Over time, Norman gave up on the idea of grooming his son as his successor. In any case, he would remain in charge of Osborn Industries for a long time yet, leading the company to greater heights and turning it into a family corporate giant like Stark Industries.

"Yeah. I'm planning to bring her over for you to meet in a few days. She's a wonderful girl!" Harry spoke warmly of his girlfriend before his father. Young Master Osborn had already fallen hopelessly in love.

"I know some things about her—that girl called Mary-Jane isn't worthy of you, Harry." Norman rejected the idea directly and decisively. "She came from that sort of family, never attended college, dreams of becoming a big star, and knows nothing about the manners or upbringing of high society. How could a girl like that enter the Osborn family?!"

Ignoring his son's livid expression, Norman Osborn displayed his forceful side as a father. The Osborn family had only just managed to shed the label of nouveau riche and enter New York's upper class. If his son married a girl of humble origins, they would become a laughingstock.

"I've seen plenty of girls who worship wealth, Harry. They only care about your status and money."

Norman Osborn spoke earnestly. When Harry had been young, he had devoted all his energy to his demanding career, often becoming so busy that he never returned home. Later, he had even sent his son to boarding school, creating the cold distance between father and son. Now that Osborn Industries was gradually running smoothly, Norman had tried to repair his relationship with Harry. But because he was not good at expressing emotion, he always spoke to him as though he were addressing a subordinate at work, only worsening the conflict between them.

"I have things to do. I won't be eating at home."

Harry picked up his backpack and prepared to leave. He did not want to argue with his father. Besides, he had heard this sort of authoritarian parental lecture many times before.

"Oh, right. The day after tomorrow is Carnival. I invited Peter and some friends, and I hope you can come." After hesitating for a moment, Harry still extended the invitation to his father, then walked out the door.

The spacious, luxurious mansion returned to silence. Norman Osborn leaned wearily against the sofa, looking somewhat despondent. Harry had mentioned Peter just now, and that young man was quite impressive. Compared with the mediocre Harry, Norman thought more highly of his son's best friend, Peter Parker. He knew the shy young man had an unusual interest in scientific research and excellent grades at school.

Norman had even considered placing Peter in Osborn Industries after graduation, so he could cultivate a trustworthy assistant for Harry within the company. Those old geezers on the Board of Directors were ravenous wolves who swallowed people whole. If he had not deliberately kept their power in check, Osborn Industries would have been sold to the Wall Street Vampires long ago!

Rubbing his faintly aching head, Norman closed his eyes. Osborn Industries was about to undergo a massive transformation. He intended to break into the Military Industry, build a friendly relationship with the Department of Defense, and then become a behemoth like Stark Industries, gaining status and power worthy of respect.

To that end, Norman had invested nearly his entire fortune into the research and development of the Human Enhancement Serum, which was now close to producing results. The project originated from the Super Soldier Program that had created Captain America during World War II. The military had developed a serum capable of turning people into super soldiers with immense strength, but unfortunately, its inventor was later assassinated, and the formula became a secret known to no one.

Over the years, the military had never abandoned its pursuit and research of "super soldiers." Norman saw an enormous opportunity in it, so he took over the Human Enhancement Serum research project. It would be the best springboard for Osborn Industries to achieve explosive growth and become a Defense Contractor for the military in one stroke.

If he completed this project and gained the favor of several military officials along the way, he might even be able to turn his sights toward politics and have a chance of becoming a member of Capitol Hill.

Norman's thoughts ran wild. He could hardly wait to see his envisioned future become reality. During World War II, Howard Stark, the founder of Stark Industries, had relied on his extraordinary intellect and skill to transform himself into a major supplier of American military weapons. That was how Stark Industries came to be known as the leader of the Military Industry.

Howard Stark had seized the opportunity of his life and created Stark Industries' brilliant achievements. If he could do it, why couldn't Norman succeed as well?!

Norman was brimming with confidence. As long as the Human Enhancement Serum was successfully developed, Osborn Industries could become a favored guest of the Department of Defense. The flood of orders and soaring stock prices would be enough for him to lead the Osborn family into a brand-new future!

"As long as the Department of Defense representatives are satisfied tomorrow, everything will be perfect."

A smug smile appeared on Norman's face. He had waited far too long for this day. Filled with excitement, he slowly closed his eyes and sank into a wonderful dream.