Chapter 81: The Considerate Gwen

"Alright." Compared to attending school, going to work seemed much more interesting. Suddenly, she felt that Michael's decision to drop out of school was absolutely correct.

"By the way, Michael, why did you even go to high school? Attending classes must have been terribly dull for you."

Michael's expression froze; how was he supposed to explain this? He wanted to extract Spider-Man's genes, but didn't wish to make a big fuss and attract attention, so he decided to quietly go by himself... It was all so complicated to explain.

Gwen noticed Michael's difficulty and said, "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

After a brief hesitation, Michael answered, "Actually, Martha wanted me to make some friends and just go through the motions, maybe pick up a diploma or something along the way."

Making friends was Martha’s idea; she believed Michael needed companions his own age, that a life without friends was incomplete. Getting a diploma was Jack’s suggestion; he had always hoped Michael would skip grades straight to college, collect more certificates, and thereby create more value for him.

But Michael's talents had far exceeded his expectations. Even without prestigious teachers, he still generated astonishing wealth for Jack.

Gwen gazed at Michael, sensing that he was lying. Yet she had no proof, and Michael showed none of the usual micro-expressions that betrayed a lie, but Gwen simply felt something was off.

"So why did you transfer schools at the last minute? If it was just to make friends and pick up a diploma, there was no need to transfer, was there?"

"Unless you were after something else."

Confronted by Gwen’s questioning, Michael had no choice but to be frank.

"Alright, I admit, there was someone I wanted to meet. But, fortunately, I found you."

Imitating the romantic types, Michael stepped forward to embrace Gwen, intent on a passionate kiss.

But Gwen held him back, smiling radiantly. "Shouldn't you tell me who it is first? You think you can fool me with this? I'm a high-IQ girl, you know."

Michael hesitated, unsure how to explain.

He couldn't possibly say that he had advance knowledge of Spider-Man's origin and had gone there specifically to extract his genes.

Gwen smiled and said, "I think I can guess—it's Peter, isn't it?"

"How did you know?" Michael was surprised.

"First of all, besides me, Peter is the only other person you've really met. Second, in your previous lab, there were bottles labeled with Peter's name. And the decay formula for the cross-species gene integration experiment—it seems Peter provided that as well."

"I see."

Michael nodded, realizing for the first time that all his careful efforts were full of holes.

"I thought I had everything perfectly covered, but apparently there were plenty of flaws."

Gwen draped her arm over Michael's shoulder, pulling him close, and said, "At the time, you needed cross-species gene integration technology, so you targeted the spider gene research by Peter and his father."

"The genes were encrypted with Peter's genetic code, so you needed his DNA. Only by perfecting cross-species gene integration could you cure yourself."

Michael looked into Gwen’s eyes and asked, "Do you think I'm hypocritical, that everything I did was for myself?"

"Not at all. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, as long as you don't deliberately hurt others."

"I promise, I'll never intentionally hurt anyone—especially you."

Gwen hugged Michael’s neck and kissed him deeply.

Felicia entered just in time to witness their passionate kiss, and, embarrassed, quickly covered her eyes. After a moment, thinking that lingering would only dock her pay, she tiptoed out again.

When Gwen finally pulled away, she leaned against Michael’s shoulder and said, "I was so nervous when she walked in just now."

"So was I."

Suddenly, Michael remembered something. "Come to dinner at my place tonight—Martha wants to meet you."

"Alright," Gwen agreed without hesitation.

Felicia seized her chance to enter, handing Michael the documents she carried.

Michael glanced through them; the military wanted to purchase armor from him.

"Are they still here?" he asked.

"They've already left," Felicia replied, "but they've scheduled a meeting for tomorrow afternoon."

Michael had instructed Felicia that all documents must first be reviewed by Red Queen; if she approved, Felicia could sign for him and proceed directly. Anything Red Queen couldn’t handle was to be brought to him before the end of each workday. As for meetings, unless they were with friends, everyone else needed to make an appointment in advance.

After thinking for a moment, Michael said, "Alright, I’ll speak with them tomorrow."

With work matters settled, Michael and Gwen headed home together.

Jack was outside pretending to water the garden, but in truth, he was waiting for Michael. Unbeknownst to them, the balance of power had shifted—Michael no longer needed his adoptive father, while Jack had come to covet Michael’s position. In reality, if not for Martha, they might have cut ties already.

After all, Jack had only ever used Michael to achieve his own ends.

He gazed at Michael with a complicated expression and asked, "Michael, have you been busy lately?"

Michael gestured for Gwen to go inside first and waited to see what Jack wanted.

"More or less. I have no time to waste—I've even been sleeping at Angel Tower."

The top floor of Angel Tower had a room, once Norman’s, now Michael’s.

"There’s something... I’m not sure how to talk to you about," Jack said awkwardly. Some people, hoping to curry favor with Michael, had approached Jack, but he knew their relationship wasn’t close enough for that. He could only refuse them again and again, which pained him.

Michael replied, "Jack, you’re a shrewd man. You should know that no one can earn wealth beyond their knowledge—unless money falls from the sky."

He looked at Jack sternly.

"Jack, don’t put me in a difficult position."

Under Michael’s gaze, Jack felt an oppressive aura of authority, making his legs go weak.

"Understood," Jack said, a little shaken. Michael had changed so much.

Ever since Angel International, Michael had almost never come home. Jack guessed he must look down on him by now.

"What are you two doing? Come in already!" Martha called out, seeing them standing at the gate.

"Coming," Michael replied, his sternness vanishing into a warm smile as he entered.

Martha looked at Michael and said, "I used to worry about you, not talking to anyone, not knowing if any girl would ever like you. But now, with Gwen looking after you, I'm relieved."

Michael stubbornly retorted, "That’s not true—it's obviously me who's looking after Gwen."

Gwen didn't argue, just covered her mouth and giggled. Michael did take good care of her, always supporting her, but she could feel that his lonely heart needed her just as much in return.