[Frog] Chapter 62: Invitation to the Party

At Oscorp Industries, Norman Osborn and Peter Parker had just finished watching Tony Stark's speech. They also searched online for the video from the previous night.

“Come on, Peter. We need to move quickly,” Norman said, no longer interested in watching any further.

He had confidently told the military that current technology couldn’t produce such advanced armor. But now, not only had it been made, but there were two of them. It felt like a slap in the face to him.

As a fellow genius scientist, Norman’s competitive spirit was fully ignited. Returning to the lab, Norman handed Peter some research documents.

“Peter, these are our research materials. Take a look,” Norman said as Peter began reading.

Norman explained his research direction: “During World War II, Howard Stark developed a gene serum that enhanced the human body, which led to the creation of Steve Rogers.”

“Yeah, I know, the Captain America who became a war hero during World War II,” Peter responded.

Publicly, the U.S. military portrayed Steve Rogers as a miraculous soldier who helped secure victory in the war. But scientists at the higher levels knew he was the result of genetic modification—the most successful attempt at it to date.

While the public saw him as a superhero, the scientific community referred to him by a more accurate term: superhuman.

“Do you know why Steve Rogers was the only superhuman created?” Norman asked.

Peter paused, realizing he had never considered this before. He ventured a guess: “Was it because Rogers was the only one who survived the experiment?”

Norman smiled and corrected him, “No, Rogers was the only test subject. The military selected him from a group of soldiers. But after Rogers successfully underwent the transformation and the military planned to create an army of superhumans, HYDRA agents destroyed all the experimental data and stole the last serum sample. The serum was destroyed during the ensuing chase.”

Norman explained this lesser-known story, his expression showing regret for the lost serum. “Even for a genius like Howard, without the experimental data and materials, recreating the serum wasn’t something that could be done overnight.”

Peter, flipping through the documents, was amazed. “So this is what Captain America looked like before the transformation? Unbelievable.”

He saw two photos, both of Steve Rogers. In one, he was scrawny and frail; in the other, he was muscular and strong. It was hard to imagine they were the same person.

“After the transformation, Steve Rogers’ physical abilities exceeded those of a normal human. That’s our research focus,” Norman explained.

Peter put down the documents. “So that’s why this project is called the ‘New Captain America Project.’”

Norman nodded. “But so far, our enhancement serum has only been tested on animals.”

“How effective is it?” Peter asked.

“Not very promising. Come, take a look,” Norman said, leading Peter to another room.

Inside, a monkey was confined in a cage. Although it was just a monkey, its muscles were unusually well-defined, giving it an appearance of immense strength.

“It looks successful. This monkey has gained a physique it shouldn’t have,” Peter observed.

Norman smiled wryly. “Yes, if that were true, it would be a success. But you might not believe it—the monkey developed a second personality under the influence of the serum.”

Peter was stunned. “What?”

“A second personality in a monkey?” he repeated, finding it hard to believe.

Norman, understanding Peter’s skepticism, took a banana and approached the cage, feeding it to the monkey.

The monkey began eating normally, but Norman checked his watch as if timing something. “3... 2... 1...” he counted.

Suddenly, the monkey froze, its eyes turning red. It threw the banana to the ground and began pounding the glass walls of the cage in a frenzy, its roars echoing through the room.

“This is its second personality. It emerges at a fixed time each day—violent, irritable, and extremely aggressive,” Norman explained.

After the demonstration, Norman led Peter back to the lab. “I thought solving this problem would take a long time. But after seeing your and Dr. Connors’ decay formula and your anti-gene formula, I knew that if we worked together, we could recreate the super-soldier serum in no time!”

Norman was filled with confidence. Peter, still troubled by the sight of the frenzied monkey, like a reminder of Dr. Connors, replied, “I’ll do my best to help.”

Sensing Peter’s unease, Norman added, “Trust me, once we succeed with this research, we’ll surpass Howard Stark in the field of life sciences. You’ll gain fame and recognition.”

...

"Pepper, you know I’m terrible at managing the company… I’m just… clueless…" Tony said, sitting in his office. He gently pushed Pepper Potts into his own chair, clearly indicating that he wanted her to take over the management of the company.

Despite some reluctance, after Tony’s persuasion, Pepper eventually agreed, leaving Tony free from the burdens of running the company.

Knock, knock, knock...

"Got a moment?" Happy Hogan walked in, holding a stack of documents.

Tony smiled, "Come on in, Happy."

"Tony, this is the guest list for tonight’s party. Take a look," Happy said, placing the documents on Tony’s desk, knowing that Tony didn’t like taking things directly from others.

Tony picked up the list and skimmed through it. In truth, he didn’t personally know many of the people on it. He only knew that they were either social elites or wealthy tycoons. But one name, in particular, caught his attention.

"Happy, who’s this?" Tony asked, pointing to a name on the list.

Happy glanced at it and replied, "Alan Ford, a guy who bought a large amount of Stark Industries stock. He purchased our stocks aggressively when they hit rock bottom and now holds the most shares outside of the company."

Tony, showing off, handed the list to Pepper. "See? There were still some people who believed in me during tough times."

"Now he’s made a fortune," Tony added with a smirk. "I want to meet this guy tonight, see who had such keen insight."

Pepper glanced at the name, found nothing problematic, and handed the list back to Happy. "Go ahead and send the invitations as per the list. Also, in Tony’s name, send two bottles of fine wine to this Alan."

Tony didn’t question Pepper’s decision. After all, to him, sending two bottles of wine was no different from giving away two bottles of water.

That’s what having money to burn was all about!

Happy left the office and immediately started organizing the team to contact everyone on the list.

Following Pepper’s instructions, Happy personally went to the wine cellar and picked out two fine bottles of red wine.

After noting Alan’s address, he commented with some amusement, "Thirteenth Street again?"

He remembered how he’d recently been sent by Tony to Thirteenth Street to look for the golden armor. After Tony got into trouble, they hadn’t been back there.

"This world is full of strange coincidences," Happy muttered, placing the wine in the car and heading to Alan’s place.

Meanwhile, at Alan’s house, Gwen and Red Queen were discussing some modifications to the Spider Suit’s features. Gwen wasn’t just concerned with functionality; she also wanted the suit to look good! Their conversation went on for over an hour.

Feeling a bit bored, Alan decided to hop on the treadmill for some exercise. Since it was so hot, he took off his shirt to run.

Thanks to his recent training, his muscles had become more defined but still perfectly proportioned, giving him an aesthetic that radiated strength.

Gwen, trying to stay focused on her discussion with Red Queen, found herself distracted. She couldn’t help but glance at Alan, impressed by how good his physique was—almost unfairly so.

In the past, whenever they got close, it was usually with clothes on, so she hadn’t seen much of his body.

Gwen didn’t want to stare, but every time she tried to focus back on the conversation, her eyes drifted to Alan. Each time she looked, she felt a wave of relief that Alan hadn’t noticed.

Since Alan was concentrating on his workout and wasn’t paying attention to her, Gwen decided she might as well indulge in a few more looks.

Just as she was really getting into it, Red Queen suddenly called out, "Master."

Alan turned around, locking eyes with Gwen. Fortunately, he didn’t catch her staring. Gwen’s face instantly flushed red as she glared at the laptop screen, as if silently scolding Red Queen for ruining her moment.

Red Queen, however, seemed equally innocent in the situation.

"What is it, Red Queen?" Alan asked, puzzled.

"Happy Hogan from Stark Industries is calling," Red Queen replied.

Alan stepped off the treadmill. "Happy? What does he want with me?"

He wondered, since as far as he knew, he had no dealings with Stark Industries other than owning some stock. Could Tony have discovered his identity as the Emperor?

"Put the call through," Alan said. Then, noticing Gwen's flushed face, he asked curiously, "Gwen, what's wrong?"

Gwen quickly turned her face away. "N-nothing. I’m fine. I just need to use the restroom."

Alan didn’t think much of it, as Happy's call was already coming through.

"Hello, is this Mr. Ford?"

"Yes, that's me."

"This is Happy Hogan, Mr. Tony Stark's bodyguard. I'm here to visit you."

"Are you home?"

Visit me? Alan thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, I’m home. You can come up whenever."

"Great, I'm already downstairs and on my way up."

After hanging up the phone, Alan put on his shirt. He then called out to Gwen in the bathroom, "Gwen, we’re having a guest over."

"Got it," Gwen replied.

In the bathroom, Gwen splashed some water on her face, which helped the redness fade a bit.

Soon, there was a knock at the door. Alan walked over to open it, revealing Happy Hogan standing there with two bottles of wine.

Seeing a young man open the door, Happy asked, "Hello, I’m looking for Mr. Ford."

"That’s me," Alan replied.

Happy looked a bit skeptical. "You’re Alan Ford?"

He had expected someone who had enough money to buy a significant amount of Stark Industries stock to be middle-aged or older. He never imagined it would be such a young guy.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I just didn’t expect you to be so young," Happy quickly apologized.

Alan smiled. "No problem. What brings you here, Mr. Hogan?"

Happy immediately handed over the two bottles of wine. "These are a gift from Stark Industries to thank you for your support during our company’s toughest times."

Alan accepted the bottles without hesitation. The moment he took them, he recognized that they were high-quality wines.

He understood Happy’s gesture; by purchasing a large amount of their stock, he had shown faith in Stark Industries.

Now that the company was back on its feet, it was only fitting to send a token of appreciation.

However, sending Happy to deliver just two bottles of wine seemed a bit over the top.

As expected, after handing over the wine, Happy pulled out a shimmering gold invitation card from his pocket and said, "There’s a party hosted by Tony Stark himself tonight. Please make sure to attend."

Alan placed the wine bottles aside and took the invitation from Happy’s hand.

A party, huh? Since coming to this world, he hadn’t attended any events like this. And it was being hosted by Tony, no less.

Also...

Alan looked at Happy and asked, "Would it be alright if I bring my partner?"

"Of course, Mr. Ford. You’re welcome to bring anyone you like."

Alan nodded and called out into the house, "Gwen, would you like to join me for an event?"

Gwen emerged from the bathroom and politely greeted Happy, "Hello."

Happy returned the greeting.

"What kind of event?" Gwen asked.

Alan handed her the invitation. After reading it, Gwen’s expression showed that she really wanted to go, but after hesitating for a moment, she said, "I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can."

"Why not?" Alan asked.

"Because I don’t have a nice evening dress to wear to such a formal event," Gwen explained.

In Western culture, attendees of such events are expected to dress up—men in sharp suits and women in evening gowns/dresses—to show respect for the host.

"That’s not a problem," Alan said with a smile. He then turned to Happy and asked, "Mr. Hogan, would you mind taking us to pick out some outfits? I don’t have a suitable suit for the event either."

Happy was momentarily stunned. How could someone as wealthy as Alan not have a suit?

But he didn’t ask further, instead making a welcoming gesture. "Of course, it would be my pleasure."

"Thank you," Alan replied.

....