"Thank you."
As soon as the elegant blonde handed him a cup of coffee, Octavius, who had just sat down, immediately stood back up.
"You're welcome. Take your time."
Pepper set the mug down, gave Aetheris a knowing wink, and walked out of the room.
"So, what do you think about my proposal?"
Aetheris straightened up and fixed his gaze on the man in sunglasses.
"Uh, Mr. Stark, perhaps you should look through my research report first. I believe I can earn a place at Stark Industries based on my own merit without relying on any outside influence."
Octavius's tone was earnest, almost humble.
"I'm happy to review your report. But first, would you mind taking off your sunglasses? Honestly, it's a bit distracting."
Aetheris smiled, though inwardly he scoffed. Wearing shades indoors? Who does he think he is, a film director?
"Oh, terribly sorry. I'll take them off right away."
As Octavius removed his sunglasses, he explained,
"Mr. Stark, I'm not trying to be stylish. My eyes were damaged during an earlier experiment too much exposure to intense light. Since then, I've needed these."
Without the glasses, his face appeared aged and haggard. One of his eyes was slightly misaligned, the result of his past injuries.
The moment Aetheris got a full look at his face, he leapt up from his executive chair.
"Doctor Octopus!"
That's right, this Octavius was none other than the infamous villain from the Spider-Man 2 movie: Doctor Octopus.
"Uh… I'm sorry, what did you say? Octopus? Not sure I follow. Are you saying I look like one? Or do all your employees get nicknames?"
Aetheris stepped forward, grabbed both of Octavius's hands, and shook them with enthusiasm.
"You have to join my team!"
Octavius was visibly confused by Aetheris's sudden outburst.
"You know about my past?"
"No, but your face says it all. I never imagined a modest university could produce both you and Ethan—two rare talents in one place. This must be fate."
Looking at the familiar face of Doctor Octopus, Aetheris felt a wave of satisfaction and excitement.
"After graduation, I've been buried in energy research. If my wife hadn't kept nagging me to find a job, I wouldn't have come out at all."
Moved by Aetheris's genuine admiration, Octavius felt like a lonely genius finally meeting someone who understood him a kindred spirit.
He, the thousand-mile steed, had finally found his Bole.
"Haha! Welcome, welcome! If I'd known earlier, well, never mind. Welcome to the Stark Group! You're hired!"
Aetheris circled his desk and warmly shook Doctor Octopus's hand again.
"So I'm in already? Just so we're clear, I charge a premium. I don't need a fixed salary, but if my work makes you money, I want ten percent of the profits."
"You'll get that, plus a base salary of half a million a year same as Ethan. Not a cent less. I mean it, we need you."
Octavius was still dazed by the unexpected turn of events.
"Alright, for you guys, I'll make an exception. What about my experiment?"
"I, Tony Stark, am investing in this project. Work starts tomorrow. You've got my full support!"
Aetheris gave Doctor Octopus a firm slap on the shoulder. Octavius flinched from the impact.
"Haha, Tony, looks like you've bagged both the dragon and the phoenix!"
Ethan walked in through the office door at just the right moment.
"Perfect. Ethan, take Dr. Octavius to the lab and help him get familiar with the place. If you need anything, talk to my assistant, Nova. She'll approve it. But one condition"
Aetheris suddenly remembered something important and grew serious.
"His experiment must be conducted in a remote western region. There must be no one within a hundred kilometers. Do you understand?"
"Mr. Stark, I can guarantee there's nothing dangerous about my project. Please trust me, it doesn't even need a big lab."
Octavius stepped forward quickly, clearly worried that Aetheris might think he was planning something like a nuclear test.
"Haha, it's not a matter of trust. Every experiment carries risk. I'm familiar enough with your work to know that. But when it comes to safety, we can't take chances. I won't compromise on the safety of the public or our employees."
Aetheris's tone was firm and uncompromising.
Noticing Octavius was about to argue again, Ethan subtly tugged on his sleeve from behind, signaling him to let it go.
Only then did Octavius fall silent, though his displeasure was still evident.
Aetheris didn't take it personally. Arguing with a genius never led anywhere. Only results could speak for themselves, that was cheap compared to proof.
"Dr. Octavius, choose a site and get your lab ready. When you're ready to begin the actual experiment, inform me. I want to witness this breakthrough with my own eyes."
"Understood, Mr. Stark. If there's nothing else, I'll go pack up."
He slipped his sunglasses back on, concealing his misaligned eye once more, gave a polite nod to both men, and left.
"Ethan, did Peter show up late again today?"
Aetheris sat back down in his chair, took a sip of the coffee, and let its warm bitterness roll over his tongue—authentic, freshly ground.
"He wasn't late, but he didn't exactly shine today. Looked like he hadn't fully woken up."
Ethan answered honestly, not bothering to sugarcoat Spider-Man's performance. Aetheris's words from the previous night had stuck with him. They had a point.
Peter's choices were his own, but as someone older and wiser, Ethan knew it was their responsibility to guide him during his aimless phases like a lighthouse in the fog. A steady hand could prevent him from crashing into the rocks.
"As long as he shows up, it's a start. Oh, has he completed his coursework?"
Aetheris suddenly remembered that Peter was still a university student.
Ethan shook his head.
"This past year, he's been all over the place—skipping class, showing up late. He's failed several subjects. No chance of graduating anytime soon."
"Got it. You go focus on your own work. Leave Peter to me. I've got plenty of time these days."
Aetheris closed his eyes and slowly savored the last of his coffee.
When the workday ended, Peter Parker slung his backpack over his shoulder, gave Ethan a quick goodbye, and rushed out of the building without looking back.
"Riding my little scooter, traffic's not a bother.
Riding my little scooter, home's just around the corner…"
Peter pulled out his phone.
Incoming call: Mary Jane.
(End of Chapter)
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