Upon hearing the news that nothing romantic had happened after lunch, the three eager spectators looked visibly disappointed.
However, when Tobey tossed the new truck keys to Ben, the expected outcome occurred. The old couple immediately started scolding him for spending so much money.
Only Peter excitedly raised his hand, adding to the chaos by asking if he could test drive the new truck.
In the end, Tobey knew exactly how to handle his parents. A price tag around a hundred thousand dollars was right at the absolute limit of what they could mentally accept. So, after a healthy dose of lecturing, warm smiles finally broke out on their faces.
May smiled with profound happiness, touched by her son's filial devotion.
Ben smiled for a different reason. He was absolutely thrilled to have a brand-new ride.
After all, there was not a man alive who did not love a new truck.
What? Are you asking what happened to the 'old reliable' Ben refused to part with just yesterday?
Ben proudly declared that it was getting towed to the scrapyard tomorrow. His old partner had reached retirement age anyway!
Ultimately, Ben beat Peter to the punch, becoming the very first person to sit in the driver's seat.
This was his precious new baby. How could he let anyone else take its first ride?
As for Tobey, he was basically just the valet who delivered the car. He did not count as the first driver!
Watching Ben obsessively stroke the steering wheel, caress the door panels, and even step out to pat the rear bumper like a total fanatic, Tobey, Peter, and May all covered their faces in speechless embarrassment.
Since Ben spent half the afternoon refusing to get out of his new truck, Peter tragically never got his test drive.
After Tobey changed into fresh clothes, the two cousins drove to Oscorp Tower.
While Ben had been hesitant to upgrade his vehicle, Tobey actually owned a car of his own. An Audi R8.
He had not bought it himself. It was a gift from Kingpin after a particularly successful hit.
When he brought it home, Tobey simply told his parents his boss had rewarded him with a company car for outstanding project performance.
It was not exactly a lie. Was an assassination contract not technically a project?
However, after driving the massive Ford Raptor he bought for Ben, getting back into his Audi R8 felt a bit suffocating. The cabin was simply too cramped.
While the R8 was not as aggressively low-slung as some hypercars, it was still far too compact for a heavily muscled guy standing over two meters tall.
Tobey decided he would find some time later to buy himself a massive, heavy-duty vehicle like the Raptor.
Yes, he would definitely drag Gwen along to act as his consultant again.
As for the R8, he would just give it to Peter. The kid already had his driver's license anyway.
If Peter knew Tobey was planning to casually hand him an Audi R8, his brain would probably short-circuit.
Wait, you are telling me my primary mode of transportation is upgrading straight from a skateboard to an Audi R8?
When they arrived at their destination and stepped out of the car, Peter looked up at Oscorp Tower, one of New York's most iconic landmarks. His expression suddenly grew complicated.
"What is wrong?" Tobey asked, noticing the shift in his mood.
Peter shook his head, though a clear trace of sorrow lingered in his eyes.
"Nothing. Just thinking about the past. My parents used to work here at Oscorp. And one of my best friends was part of the Osborn family. But the same year my parents died in that accident, my friend was sent to study abroad."
Hearing Peter's words, Tobey rubbed his chin in quiet contemplation.
The best friend Peter mentioned was undoubtedly Harry Osborn. But Tobey had not realized Harry had been sent away at the exact same time Peter's parents died.
Was the timing really just a coincidence?
Were the two events connected?
Before Tobey could untangle the web of corporate conspiracies, Peter forced a bright smile back onto his face.
"But during the hardest time of my life, I am so glad I had you, Uncle Ben, and Aunt May. Without you guys, I really do not know how I would have survived!"
Tobey fell silent for a moment before patting Peter heavily on the shoulder.
"We are brothers. I am supposed to be by your side. Always."
Looking at Peter, who had endured such tragedy yet still smiled so brightly and maintained such a pure, kind heart, Tobey suddenly felt a fleeting pang of doubt.
Had he made the right choice in letting Peter's parents die?
The thought vanished as quickly as it appeared.
The past could not be changed. Dwelling on it now was utterly useless. He could only control the present.
For instance, he could easily slaughter the man responsible for the death of Peter's parents. Norman Osborn.
With his fully awakened Spider-Man abilities, he could assassinate Norman Osborn, or even wipe out the entire Osborn family, without leaving a single trace.
However...
Tobey looked up at Oscorp Tower, his eyes flashing with calculation.
Perhaps he should let Peter handle this particular vendetta. It was better not to leave the kid with any unresolved regrets in his life.
Besides, if everything went according to script, Peter was about to acquire his own spider powers today!
Tobey had agreed to accompany Peter to Oscorp for a very specific reason. He remembered that the radioactive spider destined to bite Peter was kept right here inside this building!
And more importantly, it was a super-spider genetically coded with the DNA of Peter's father, Richard Parker.
Only someone sharing Richard Parker's bloodline could be bitten by that specific spider and gain its powers. Anyone else would either be poisoned to death or mutate into a horrifying genetic monstrosity.
But Richard Parker and Ben Parker were biological brothers. Did that mean Tobey, sharing the same bloodline, could also accept the super-spider's genetic enhancement?
Should he try it?
From what he remembered of the plot, Oscorp had bred more than one of those radioactive spiders.
A bold, greedy idea began forming in Tobey's mind.
To play it safe, Tobey decided he would let Peter act as the guinea pig first. Then, Tobey would steal a few spiders, take them home, and run some tests to confirm it was safe before letting one bite him.
He already possessed the powers of a fully realized Spider-Man. If he took another bite, who knew if it would trigger a genetic collapse or an uncontrollable mutation?
He really did not want to turn into a monstrous freak with eight eyes, six legs, and the ability to shoot webs out of his ass.
"Hey, Tobey! Peter! What are you two just standing out there for? Come on in!"
Gwen's sudden voice broke Tobey's train of thought and pulled Peter out of his nostalgic melancholy.
The two of them walked toward the lobby, where Gwen was waving at them enthusiastically. After swiping the temporary passes she had provided, they smoothly passed security and entered Oscorp.
Gwen was currently wearing a pristine white researcher's lab coat. Rather than hiding her beauty, the professional attire only made her look even more intellectual and stunning.
Even Tobey could not help but offer a genuine compliment.
"The lab coat suits you. You look beautiful."
Gwen flashed a mischievous smile. She did a playful little twirl right in front of him and winked.
"Oh? So you like this look? If you treat me to dinner again, I will wear this exactly as it is on our next date. How about it?"
Gwen had only intended to tease him a little, but to her absolute shock, Tobey nodded without missing a beat.
"Deal. How about next weekend? I will buy you dinner."
Gwen's pupils dilated instantly. Her heart began hammering so violently against her ribs that Tobey's superhuman hearing picked up the frantic rhythm clear as day.
Observing every single subconscious physiological reaction her body betrayed, Tobey smiled faintly.
It seemed Gwen truly harbored a deep, biological attraction to him.
Just two simple date invitations had been enough to send her emotions skyrocketing into complete chaos.