Just as the blonde woman was lost in her fantasy of becoming a socialite, a mature female voice spoke from behind her.
"Your clothes have been ironed, and the car to take you back is already waiting outside."
The blonde turned slowly.
A beautiful, sharp, businesslike woman in a professional suit stood before her, holding the same clothes she had worn the night before.
The blonde immediately recognized her—Tony Stark's assistant, Virginia "Pepper" Potts.
At Stark's press conferences and important public events, she was always by his side.
Because of her crisp, efficient style, Tony Stark had given his assistant a nickname—"Pepper."
The blonde woman looked at Pepper and, instantly comparing herself, felt smug.
In figure and appearance, she believed Pepper was no match for her. Pride swelled inside her.
With disdain, she sneered,
"So, you're Tony Stark's assistant, Miss Potts."
Pepper's expression didn't change. Calmly, she replied,
"Yes, I am."
The blonde's scorn deepened.
"You've been working for Mr. Stark for so long, and yet you're still stuck doing chores like this. Honestly, I pity you."
Pepper looked at her like she was just another foolish peacock.
"Another one who doesn't know her place," she thought silently.
Outwardly, her voice remained cool.
"Anything Mr. Stark asks of me, I'll do. Including dealing with used things. Like trash. Mr. Stark has already asked you to leave. Don't make me call security."
The blonde's arrogance collapsed instantly. She snatched her clothes from Pepper's hands and stormed off, fuming.
Inside, she muttered,
"When I become Mrs. Stark, we'll see if you can keep this job."
But she didn't understand—some things are strictly one-time only.
Pepper watched her go with a weary smile. She had seen this scene too many times before.
Just then, a figure emerged from the basement—billionaire, playboy, genius, Tony Stark himself.
Pepper walked over at once.
"Mr. Stark, there's a major contract that needs your signature. Your private jet is ready."
Tony nodded and turned to leave.
…
Meanwhile, in Washington.
The Triskelion—the headquarters of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Inside, a red-haired woman in a black suit strode confidently through the halls.
The outfit accentuated her perfect lines.
It was Natasha Romanoff—the Black Widow, who had recently crossed paths with Maguire.
She entered an office.
Inside, a man in black leather, one eye covered by a patch, sat behind the desk.
It was the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury.
Natasha spoke at once.
"That man has rejected our invitation. He openly told us he doesn't fear any methods we might use."
Fury answered evenly,
"In that case, we'll leave him be for now. Recently, in Queens, New York, two superpowered youngsters have appeared. Here's their file—take a look."
A massive blue holo-screen lit up.
Two teenagers' images appeared.
It was Garfield and Holland.
The screen also showed them in costume—their red-and-blue Spider suits.
The only difference: Garfield's chest emblem was a red spider, Holland's was blue. Clearly designed to match their names—Red Spider and Blue Spider.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intel was terrifying.
Despite their efforts to hide their identities, the agency's satellites had revealed everything.
Studying the file, Natasha noticed something interesting—their homes were very close to where she had once encountered that "interesting little guy."
Thinking of him made her smile faintly.
She asked,
"Director Fury, you want to recruit these two kids? They're just high schoolers."
Fury nodded.
"Yes. Even though they're teenagers, their actions show strong justice instincts. But they also wield immense power. Unchecked, that could have serious consequences. Watch this video."
The screen shifted to footage of Holland battling the Lizard, and then both him and Garfield fighting the monster at Midtown High.
Natasha frowned.
"What is that green creature?"
Fury shook his head.
"We don't know yet. But the videos tell us two things: First, the creature possesses incredible strength—even those two couldn't handle him. Second, he's a severe threat to public safety. He's a non-human criminal. But lately, he hasn't been seen."
Dr. Connors' research had been funded by Oscorp. Research of that kind would never get S.H.I.E.L.D.'s approval. And with Oscorp's resources, it wasn't hard to block their surveillance.
Thus, S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't yet discovered that the Lizard was Dr. Curt Connors.
…
Natasha nodded.
Fury continued,
"You'll go to New York. Invite those two kids to join us. Give them a high degree of freedom if necessary."
Natasha nodded once more and left.
Alone in his chair, Fury's single eye gleamed with a sharp light, deep in thought.
…
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