But being a heavy truck driver was a thing of the past.
After being maliciously extorted by that damn father-son duo in his previous life, his very first thought upon opening his eyes in this world was simple. He was never going to be a forward-looking good guy again.
Because in the end, good guys rarely get what they deserve.
He was going to be the bad guy. A bad guy who only looked forward to making money.
Money could not solve every problem in the world, but it could certainly solve ninety-nine percent of them.
For example, his family's rather humble financial situation.
Tobey pulled the 'pocket change' check Kingpin had written him from his coat and handed it to Ben Parker.
"I finished a massive project at Fisk Tower this month. Mr. Wilson Fisk gave me a hundred-thousand-dollar bonus. Take it and go replace that ancient clunker of yours."
Ben Parker did not look particularly surprised by Tobey suddenly producing such a massive sum of money.
After all, Tobey was not just born with freakish physical strength; he was an absolute prodigy. He had maintained the number-one rank in his school since childhood, skipped multiple grades, and graduated early from MIT at the age of eighteen.
That was only one year later than the world-famous Tony Stark, who had graduated from MIT at seventeen.
Given Tobey's completely unapologetic display of genius, it was only natural that massive conglomerates tried to recruit him after his early graduation.
Top-tier corporations like Oscorp, the very company responsible for Peter's parents' deaths, and Tony Stark's Stark Industries had all sent headhunters.
But Tobey rejected them all.
Instead, he chose to work at Fisk Enterprises, another top-ranking corporation in New York City. He had officially been employed there for two years now.
The reason for choosing the Fisk Corporation went without saying. He was merely using Kingpin's company as a legitimate front. In reality, he had never worked a single day in his life!
Kingpin not only paid him a regular salary but also shelled out massive commission fees for his underworld hits.
With a job this free and lucrative, why would he ever go slave away as a corporate drone for anyone else? Did they really think he was a workplace masochist like the traditional Spider-Man or Superman?
Regardless, in the eyes of his father, Ben Parker, his son was a generational genius. Was it not perfectly normal for a boss to reward such a prodigy with a hefty bonus after completing a major project?
Besides, this was not the first time Tobey had brought money home.
Ever since Tobey started working at Fisk Enterprises, he had regularly deposited his fifty-thousand-dollar monthly salary into the family account for living expenses. And occasionally, just like today, he would suddenly drop a massive project bonus in their laps.
So, Ben Parker skipped the polite refusals and openly accepted the check from Tobey.
However, he had no intention of actually using the money to buy a new car. He simply chuckled.
"Same rules as always. I will put it in savings for you. You will need it when you get married and have kids. As for my car, stop worrying about it. I couldn't bear to part with my old reliable!"
Tobey's mouth twitched slightly.
"Haven't I told you not to worry about my future? My personal stash is more than thick enough."
That was an understatement.
While not every underworld contract involved massacring an entire syndicate for an eight-figure payout, his bank account had long since crossed the hundred-million-dollar mark.
Even if he retired right now, as long as he stayed away from gambling and hard drugs, he had enough wealth to live like a king for the rest of his life.
Just then, Aunt May walked over carrying a plate of freshly baked cookies. She lightly tapped Tobey on the head, scolding him.
"Tobey, you cannot talk like that!"
"Young people like you are so used to spending freely. You have no idea how much it actually costs to buy a house, get a car, and raise a family. We are saving this for you so your life will be easier later on!"
Tobey covered his face in exasperation.
His parents were wonderful people. They were kind-hearted, open-minded, and had supported his every interest since childhood. But they shared the exact same mindset as millions of traditional parents.
They never spent a dime on themselves, always saving everything for their son.
The monthly allowance he provided was already more than enough for Ben and May to quit their jobs and enjoy an early retirement.
Yet, the two of them stubbornly continued working jobs that barely paid a fraction of what he brought home. They had never touched a single cent of Tobey's money, opting to lock it all away in a savings account for him.
Whatever. After twenty years, Tobey had gotten used to his parents' frugal and simple nature.
He decided he would not leave it up to the old man. Tomorrow, he would just go to a dealership and buy a new car himself.
It was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. He had pulled that trick plenty of times over the last two years, which was exactly why his mother accused him of being a big spender.
Aside from the house itself, which Ben and May had worked their whole lives to pay off, Tobey had systematically replaced every single appliance, piece of furniture, and daily necessity in the home with top-tier luxury brands.
After nodding along to his parents' continued lecturing, Tobey pulled a thick manila envelope from his coat and dropped it into Peter's hands. He grinned.
"Here you go. Your allowance for the month."
Peter, who had been watching his aunt, uncle, and cousin bicker with quiet envy, immediately blushed. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Tobey, I still haven't finished the allowance you gave me last month. You don't need to give me more. Besides, I am grown up now. I can get a part-time job and earn my own money..."
Before Tobey could respond, May stepped in, snatching the envelope and stuffing it directly into Peter's pocket. She immediately turned her lecturing sights on her nephew.
"If your cousin gives it to you, you take it. You are graduating and heading to college this year. Your only focus should be on your studies. I forbid you from getting a part-time job!"
Ben quickly chimed in from the sidelines.
"That's right, Peter. This is the time in your life to spend money, not worry about earning it!"
"Besides, didn't you say you liked Mary Jane Watson, the daughter of Dr. Philip Watson next door?"
"You cannot court a girl with empty pockets. So just accept your cousin's gift!"
Hearing Ben and May team up on him, and realizing Uncle Ben had somehow discovered his secret crush on Mary Jane, Peter was completely overwhelmed.
With his pre-Spider-Man awkwardness in full swing, he looked ready to bury his blushing face in his chest.
Tobey, however, paused when he heard the name Mary Jane. He looked at Ben in confusion.
"Mary Jane? Don't the Warrens live next door?"
Ben smiled and shook his head.
"You have been leaving early and coming home late for your company project, so you probably missed it. The Warrens moved to Connecticut at the end of last month. The Watson family just moved in next door!"
"And our boy Peter here fell in love with their eldest daughter at first sight!"
Tobey nodded in realization. It seemed that even in this universe, Peter could not avoid his destined encounter with Mary Jane.
Looking at Peter, whose face was now as bright red as a tomato, Tobey chuckled. He took the plate of cookies from May and clapped Peter on the shoulder.
"Come on, Peter. Let's head upstairs and play some games to unwind."
"Okay! I'll carry the cookies up for you!"
Desperate to escape the teasing, Peter immediately seized the out Tobey offered. He snatched the cookie plate and sprinted up the stairs like a spider with its tail on fire.
Tobey shook his head at his parents, amused by how much they enjoyed teasing the poor kid. He leisurely followed Peter up the stairs.
Perhaps it was because of his existence in this universe, but while Ben and May were just as kind-hearted as their cinematic counterparts, they lacked that permanent, unshakable undertone of tragedy.
Instead, they radiated a vibrant, joyful warmth.