In the early 21st century, a super-biotech corporation with a market value in the tens of billions was still quite rare.
Even Stark Industries—the hottest weapons conglomerate in America—wasn't leagues ahead of the Osborn Group.
There's no doubt that both Stark Industries and the Osborn Group stood at the top of the corporate food chain.
When it came to real influence and government connections, these military tech companies had far more weight than any internet startup or pharmaceutical brand.
From another perspective, companies like Stark Industries and the Osborn Group didn't just shape the future—they owned the present.
Led by the attractive secretary, Ryan spent over an hour touring the Osborn Group's research departments.
He had to admit, the company absolutely lived up to its reputation as the Marvel Universe's premier villain factory.
In just one hour, he'd already glimpsed the future identities of several infamous figures—Norman Osborn, Otto Octavius, Roderick Kingsley, and Maxwell Dillon.
And that was only scratching the surface.
If there was ever a cursed corporate feng shui, Osborn Group definitely had it.
As noon approached, Ryan finally stopped the blonde secretary.
"Ms. Marlena, I heard that Professor Connors from New York University is working here under company sponsorship?" he asked.
"To be honest, I really admire Professor Connors' work in reptilian biology and genetics. Back in college, I even studied some of his research. I was wondering if I could visit his lab?"
Everyone liked a bit of flattery—especially when it cost nothing.
Ryan's polite compliment made Marlena, who had been trying and failing to seduce him, suddenly perk up again.
Before leaving Norman Osborn's office, she had received a hint: Win over the man Norman values.
She'd done that many times and knew exactly how to play the game.
At first, she thought Ryan was just another ambitious young man she could handle with charm and a low neckline.
Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a pure, research-driven "science monk."
She had already resigned herself to losing this "bonus opportunity," but just when she was about to give up, he mentioned reptilian genetics.
Well, maybe this really was his "interest."
Men and their strange obsessions.
"Of course!" Marlena said warmly. "Director Ryan, the Chairman instructed that you may visit any department in the Osborn Group.
Actually, Professor Connors is hosting a tour for a group of NYU freshmen this morning. I was going to take you there after lunch, once they finished."
As Norman Osborn's personal secretary, Marlena knew exactly how to deal with people.
Ryan smiled elegantly. "It's fine. The more, the merrier. Ms. Marlena, why don't we go now?
Although I'd love to spend more time with you, I've got a busy afternoon ahead."
If it weren't for today's student visit, Ryan wouldn't have picked this exact day to formalize his new shareholder position.
Two weeks ago, after hearing the news from his girlfriend Gwen, he had been preparing carefully for this opportunity.
In this chaotic, stitched-together world, there were three different Peter Parkers.
If things played out naturally, who knew which one would become the Spider-Man—or if Ghost-Spider Gwen would even appear?
Better to take control of the timeline himself.
Gwen's transformation into Ghost Spider was directly tied to his upcoming Foundation Establishment breakthrough in cultivation.
If he missed this chance, his next best options would involve… less cooperative candidates, like Witch Isabel from Wife for the Taking or Mary from Hancock.
Both of them were beyond his current cultivation level, and honestly, way too risky to approach right now.
So yeah—better to make sure things went smoothly with Gwen.
Lost in thought, Ryan followed Marlena to the biological research division.
From a distance, he spotted a group of young students full of energy and excitement.
Leading them was Gwen Stacy—brilliant, beautiful, and already serving as an assistant in Professor Connors' lab, helping coordinate the tour.
"Director Ryan, should I have someone clear the area for you?" Marlena whispered.
Ryan shook his head. "No need. We'll blend in."
With a faint smile, he stepped into the crowd.
Extending his divine sense, he immediately located a certain distracted young man—Peter Parker.
The Garfield version.
At the moment, Peter was sneaking glances at his girlfriend Gwen from the back of the group.
Nothing unusual there.
Among the three versions of Spider-Man, only the Amazing Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) was bitten by a radioactive spider at Osborn Industries.
Tobey Maguire's Peter got bitten during a science fair.
Tom Holland's Peter? Never even shown—he was already Spider-Man when we met him.
Still, Ryan preferred the Garfield version.
A little less powerful, maybe—but more scientific, more grounded.
And if memory served, there was also a decay formula hidden in an abandoned subway connected to this version's storyline.
Of course, this was also the only Spider-Man timeline where Gwen Stacy died.
For her sake, Ryan could only apologize to Garfield—
No, to Peter.