Fate?
Ha!
The next day.
Early morning.
— Hello?
Lok, who had just finished showering, saw several missed calls, raised an eyebrow, and when he answered, realized it was Gwen.
She told him to come out of the building; she and her father were waiting for him.
Taking the elevator down, Lok saw George Stacy's police car parked a short distance away.
This car...
He usually didn't drive in such vehicles... It was a bit strange...
Lok opened the back door and greeted George, who was in the driver's seat: — Hello, Mr. Stacy.
He was as polite as ever.
Normally, parking here was prohibited and usually resulted in a fine... but who would dare fine an NYPD police car with Sergeant George Stacy at the wheel?
Only someone with a death wish.
At school.
— Bye, Dad!
Gwen waved to George and waited for him to drive off, then looked at Lok and asked with concern: — Lok, are you really okay?
She still replayed the moment in her head when she saw Lok's back, absolutely riddled with glass.
— The doctor said it would only leave a small bruise and heal quickly, so I decided not to take the day off.
Gwen smiled faintly: — Thank you, Lok!
Lok remained silent.
Well...
It was his chance to become a hero in her eyes.
During the first morning break, Gwen was pestered by her friend Kim, who had been absent yesterday.
That is to say...
The news that Gwen had left yesterday with the new student in an Audi R8 quickly spread throughout Midtown, and this morning, it was learned that the two of them had been dropped off by George Stacy.
Now, rumors started circulating at school that they were dating.
Moreover, it seemed her parents approved.
Kim was envious.
Her father and mother were divorced. Although she spent most of her time with her mother, her father still raised her with unusual strictness.
Gwen was a little flustered by Kim's barrage, looked at her with a strange gaze, and spoke haltingly: — Kim, I already told you I started doing homework with Lok because you weren't here yesterday.
She blamed Kim.
Gwen suddenly realized that if Kim hadn't skipped classes yesterday, Gwen wouldn't have done homework with Lok, and if not for that, Lok wouldn't have been at her house yesterday.
In that case.
That way, Lok wouldn't have been in danger.
It was all Kim's fault!
Kim, standing next to her, froze at the look Gwen gave her.
What's going on?
— Are you serious?
— What do you think?
— Oh, come on, Lok has only been at our school for two days, and it's only natural that I, as class representative, help new students, — Gwen shook her head.
Kim looked at Gwen's expression, then shifted her gaze to Lok, who was currently sitting and eating, and then smiled, saying: — Oh, then I'll just go ask Lok.
Kim took advantage of Gwen freezing at the unexpected turn, grabbed her plate, and headed towards Lok.
— Lok?
— Kim, — Lok said, looking up from the phone he had been staring at a minute ago, glancing at the girl.
"Kim..."
"Lok seriously wondered if this Midtown School was the *real* Midtown."
"There's no Spider-Man at this school."
"Gwen's best friend is named Kim."
"What's more, this Kim was from the movie 'Taken'."
Kim winked at Gwen, who had already approached her, and then looked at Lok: — Lok, are you and Gwen dating?
"Dating?"
Lok looked at Gwen with some curiosity.
— Hey, don't talk nonsense! We're just friends! — Gwen nudged Kim.
Lok nodded, supporting the statement.
— Geez, are you sure? Gwen is the school's top beauty.
— Believe me, if I were dating Gwen, the whole world would know about it.
He often claimed women only hindered the speed of his missions.
But...
In reality, Lok wasn't entirely against relationships.
But definitely not now.
He had become a target for the Brotherhood.
Lok was even starting to consider not returning to the Star Building until he resolved this issue.
The recently purchased Audi R8 was already more like scrap metal; he didn't want the same thing to happen to his home.
Gwen, in turn, pondered Lok's words.
"The whole world would know about it?"
But...
It was actually normal to be in a relationship.
Gwen remembered seeing his shirtless body in the ambulance last night, his abs revealing his masculine charm and charisma.
Gwen quickly changed the subject: — Are you really okay?
— Yes, as I already said, — Lok confirmed for the second time that day.
The wound on his back had healed.
Even if he had a bullet wound, with his [Level 3 Endurance] talent, the wound would have closed overnight.
Kim listened with some surprise to the dialogue between the two "friends."
When Kim heard about Gwen's experience yesterday, her eyes nearly popped out of her head in shock: — When will *my* hero appear in my hour of need and protect me?
"You already have one..."
"...your father," Lok thought, looking directly at Kim's face.
On the other hand, Gwen heard a hint of teasing in Kim's words and playfully smacked her head, then looked at Lok: — We have an interview at Oscorp Industries tomorrow, do you want to come with us?
— An interview?
— Well, Dr. Connors's lab is looking for a couple of interns; it's a great opportunity, plus it would be good experience.
Gwen said this, then introduced Dr. Connors.
Lok raised an eyebrow with some doubt.
But...
— No, I can't this week. I'm busy, — Lok smiled.
He hadn't finished his revenge yet.
He couldn't afford to be disrespected.
Missions were certainly valuable, but he wasn't about to let himself be disrespected!
If he didn't deal with this matter and allowed himself to be disrespected, what would happen?
Would some random guy just come and dump on his doorstep tomorrow?
If he could tolerate *that*, what *wouldn't* he tolerate?
In fact, even if the Brotherhood hadn't come for him first, he would have still paid them a visit.
Gwen shivered slightly, with some regret: — I see, that's a shame.
She thought Lok would also consider it a good opportunity.
In the afternoon.
He received a call from the insurance company.
Stepping out of the school gates, Lok saw a brand-new Audi R8 appear not far from him.
The insurance company representative handed Lok the keys, said a few words, and then left.
Half a minute later.
The unmistakable roar of the Audi R8 echoed, and Lok, in his new car, sped away from the school grounds.