Chapter Forty-Seven: Felicia

After hearing everything, Rhodes looked at Tony with a grave expression.
“Have you considered seeing a doctor? Just to make sure you’re not dealing with some kind of delusional disorder?”
“I’m telling you, Rhodes, I don’t have any delusions—you just don’t know what I’ve gone through these past two days.”
Rhodes was completely lost, but Tony didn’t look like he was lying.
“I didn’t come here to listen to this. Have you figured out what you’re going to do tomorrow? They’ve asked me to testify.”
Tony nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll be ready.”
...
Michael looked at Gwen helplessly and said, “It’s probably going to get a bit busy from here on out.”
Gwen nodded in understanding.
Anyone who could catch Tony’s attention was bound to be noticed by others as well.
A striking red-haired woman pushed a wheelchair up to Michael.
Looking at the bald man with the hooked nose and the red-haired woman, Michael had a few guesses about their identities.
“Hello, I’m Charles. I’m also a doctor.”
“Hello, I’m Michael. It’s an honor to meet you.”
The name matched, so this must be Professor X, founder of the X-Men and Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, an Alpha-level mutant with psychic abilities powerful enough to read minds.
Charles smiled. “I’ve founded a school to take in and protect children with special talents. I wonder if you two would be interested in joining us?”
Michael replied politely, “I’m sorry, Professor Charles, but Gwen and I aren’t mutants.”
Hearing his refusal, Charles didn’t seem disappointed. He continued, “You may encounter some trouble soon. If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to call me.”
He handed Michael a business card and moved on to meet others.
Michael took the card, frowning.
Trouble?
What had this old man found out? What kind of trouble was looming? Was it related to stocks or the vampire bat incident?
But Michael didn’t ask Charles. The man’s intentions were clear: if you wanted help, you had to pay a price.
The status of mutants was delicate; Charles wouldn’t deal with him as an equal. He probably wanted to recruit Michael into the mutant cause.
Money, fame, ability—Michael lacked none of these. The only thing he needed now was connections.
For someone like Michael, a promising newcomer, he was a rare and valuable asset in Charles’s eyes.

Watching Charles, now mingling and making endless connections for the future of mutants, Michael couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes, being powerful wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
Gwen looked at Michael. “Is he famous?”
Michael replied, “Charles is an Alpha-level telepathic mutant. He can read anyone’s mind and can even kill with a mere thought. If you ever see him again, just steer clear.”
Gwen was visibly shocked that such terrifying abilities could exist.
Michael continued, “Luckily, he’s one of the more law-abiding ones. Otherwise, he would have been killed long ago. Don’t be fooled by all the smiles; everyone’s actually scared of him.”
Gwen could sense it too—the smiles people gave were laced with fear.
Charles might look like a good man, but people feared him much more than Magneto.
At least Magneto’s powers were visible, while Charles could kill you silently, in your dreams.
“Professor, is that young man Michael really so important?” Jean asked Charles.
Charles replied gravely, “In the medical and charity fields, he’s only modestly famous. But he wields considerable influence.”
“Why?” Jean was puzzled.
Charles explained, “Most people do charity for appearances, but he genuinely helps many patients, earning their gratitude. Plus, he owns sixty percent of the Stark shares that were distributed. Given Stark Industries’ performance, he’ll soon become one of the wealthiest.”
“So, will he join us?” Jean couldn’t help but worry. He was so outstanding—why would he risk everything to join them?
Charles smiled confidently. “If he needs help, we’ll have a chance to bring him to our side. If not, there’s nothing I can do.”
Thanks to Tony, Michael was soon flooded with business cards.
At that moment, a silver-haired beauty approached gracefully.
“Hi, Michael.”
“Hi, Felicia.”
Michael stood up and invited Felicia to sit.
Felicia was the Black Cat. In the comics, she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, while her father, the Cat Burglar, was sent to prison. Seeking revenge, she began training and eventually became the Black Cat, starting a tumultuous relationship with Peter—full of breakups and reconciliations.
In the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, Peter initially pursued Felicia, but after he broke his promise, Felicia never got together with him. Later, she became Michael Morbius’s girlfriend. After Michael fused with bat DNA and misunderstood Felicia’s relationship with Peter, Felicia became the Black Cat and got entangled with Peter again.
No matter the version, Felicia eventually admitted to theft, earning Kingpin’s admiration and an invitation to join his organization.

Currently, Felicia was secretary to Osborn Industries. Whether she was the Black Cat remained unclear, though there were hints of a relationship with Harry, the extent of which was unknown.
“Gwen, let me introduce you. This is Norman’s secretary, Felicia.”
Gwen politely shook Felicia’s hand.
Felicia didn’t seem much older than them, yet was already Norman Osborn’s secretary—clearly, there was more to her.
“Michael, you seem different,” Felicia remarked, her keen eyes noticing the change.
“Really? I don’t think it’s that dramatic.”
“Oh, it is. Your chest is bigger than mine.”
With that, Felicia reached out and squeezed Michael’s chest for confirmation.
Gwen’s gaze darkened at Felicia’s gesture.
“Alright, let’s not talk about that.”
Michael quickly changed the subject. “So, Felicia, how’s work? I mean, has Norman been more irritable lately?”
Felicia thought for a moment. “He has changed. The way he looks at me is growing fiercer—like a hungry wolf, greedy and possessive. His temper’s worse too. I’m considering quitting.”
“I knew it. Felicia, do you trust me?” Michael’s tone turned serious.
Felicia was startled. “Michael, do you know something? You’ve been working with Norman a lot lately.”
Gwen realized something was wrong as well.
Norman’s sudden change in temperament—Michael clearly knew something.
Suddenly, she sensed danger, turned around, and saw Norman Osborn himself.
Norman gave her a sinister smile. Gwen immediately warned, “Norman Osborn is watching us.”
Michael glanced at Norman and asked, “Did you come with him?”
Felicia nodded.