Looking at Gwen running toward him, Loren couldn't help but smile.
According to the fused memories, although the original owner was the child of a chaebol family, he had benefited from his father's casual and free-spirited personality.
As a result, he hadn't been sent to an elite private school but had instead attended a public school that ordinary people could afford.
It was precisely because of this that he'd been able to meet Gwen and become close friends with her.
"Hey, beautiful Gwen—why are you here?" Loren asked, happy but also a little surprised.
After all, the party Tony Stark was hosting tonight wasn't open to the public. It was strictly invitation-only, and only those who'd received an official invitation could enter the venue.
As far as Loren knew, Stark had sent invitations exclusively to senior executives from major tech companies and government agencies this time. A few employees and shareholders within the Stark Group had also received them—but that was it.
Logically speaking, Gwen shouldn't have been here at all.
Yet the person standing before him was undeniably the Gwen Stacy he knew so well.
Naturally, he was very surprised.
When she heard his question, Gwen immediately grinned and said, "Guess!"
"Uh, I can't guess—just tell me already!"
"Can't you at least play along? We're classmates, remember?"
"Fine, fine—I'll cooperate. Let me guess… You came here specifically to run into me, and then we fell in love at first sight and lived happily ever after?"
Loren said it with a hint of sarcasm.
According to the fused memories, the original owner and Gwen had shared a very close friendship. Though they'd never been romantically involved—and the original owner had never harbored such feelings—they'd always laughed and joked whenever they met in private.
That was precisely why Loren felt comfortable teasing her like this now.
At his words, Gwen's face flushed red, and she huffed, "Tsk! I haven't seen you in a while, and you've gotten even more shameless!"
Loren wasn't fazed by her jab. He just smiled and replied, "Isn't it obvious? I've always thought my charm was irresistible!"
"Ugh, why are you so narcissistic all of a sudden? You're starting to sound greasy. Forget it—I'll just tell you straight out!"
"This summer, Peter and I were introduced by Harry to the Osborn Group as interns. Harry's father received several invitations from Stark Industries, but since Mr. Norman Osborn has been swamped with work lately, he didn't have time to attend the party himself. So he asked Harry to bring Peter and me along to broaden our horizons. That's how we ended up here—thanks to Harry."
"I see. So Harry and Peter are here too?"
At the mention of their names, the faces of two other classmates immediately flashed through Loren's mind.
Yes—in this universe, Gwen wasn't his only high school classmate. Peter Parker and Harry Osborn were classmates of his as well.
As a time traveler, Loren knew these names carried weight. In the Marvel Universe he was familiar with, Harry Osborn would eventually become the second Green Goblin, and Peter Parker was none other than Spider-Man—the most famous young hero in that reality.
Of course, this wasn't the main Marvel Universe. So far, he still didn't know what roles—if any—Peter and Harry played in this world.
"Yeah," Gwen nodded. "They went to park the car. I was waiting for them here and didn't expect to run into you. What a coincidence, right?"
"What a coincidence indeed!" Loren smiled.
At this moment, Gwen's gaze shifted to Tifa, who stood beside Loren.
Suddenly, a look of surprise appeared in her eyes.
Beneath her astonishment, there was also a hint of loss—deeply hidden, yet unmistakable.
It was clear that Gwen's feelings toward Loren went beyond a simple classmate relationship.
Yet Loren didn't notice any of this and continued to smile at Gwen warmly.
The Gwen before them had blonde hair, blue eyes, a curvaceous figure, and a strikingly Western beauty.
Though her appearance might not rival that of 2B or Tifa, she was undeniably stunning.
And indeed, that was the truth. According to Loren's integrated memories, Gwen had been the undisputed school belle during their high school years.
Naturally, countless boys had pursued her.
However, because Loren came from a noble family, the maids in his manor were all top-tier beauties.
As a result, he had long since become immune to so-called "beauty."
"Who is this lovely lady?" Gwen asked, turning her attention to Tifa.
Before Loren could introduce her, Tifa stepped forward with a graceful smile.
"Hello, Miss Gwen. I'm Master Loren's housekeeper and secretary—and his companion for tonight. It's a pleasure to meet you."
As she spoke, Tifa extended her hand, her social etiquette flawless.
Watching this, Loren couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. Fortunately, he'd brought Tifa to the party tonight.
Had it been 2B, she likely would have grown jealous the moment she saw a beautiful woman like Gwen engaging with him.
In that case, her demeanor toward Gwen wouldn't have been nearly so gentle.
"Butler? Secretary? What exactly do you do?" Gwen asked curiously.
"I handle everything related to the young master," Tifa replied smoothly. "Including accompanying him tonight."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… Master Loren, you're living like a god!"
A teasing voice rang out from just behind Gwen.
A young man in a black suit approached with a grin, opening his arms several meters away from Loren as if preparing for a hug.
Loren smiled and, out of courtesy, opened his arms to return the embrace.
The handsome newcomer was none other than Harry Osborn, heir to the Osborn Group.
"Wow! It's only been a little over two months, and you've shot up like a beanstalk!
I remember you were barely 1.7 meters—just a hair taller than Peter—but now you're as tall as I am!
Hey, Peter! Get over here! Wasn't Loren about your height before?"
After hugging Loren, Harry immediately noticed the change and his eyes widened in surprise.
Without another word, he yanked a bespectacled young man trailing behind him and pulled him next to Loren for a side-by-side comparison.
The glasses-wearing youth was Peter Parker.
Forcibly dragged into position, Peter's usually earnest face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
Yet deep in his eyes flickered a flash of displeasure—so subtle it would go unnoticed unless one was watching closely.
"Loren," Peter said, forcing a smile. "Long time no see!"