Chapter Four: Gwen and George

"Hello, I'm Gwen Stacy."
"Hello, I'm Michael Morbius."
The two shook hands.
"Thank you," Michael said, looking at Gwen.
What a beautiful and kind-hearted girl, he thought, though it's a shame her heart belongs to Peter Parker.
"No need to thank me. Honestly, you would have been fine without me, wouldn't you? You seem very calm."
"Yes."
Gwen asked again, "If I hadn't been there, what would you have done?"
Michael smiled. "I'd have pulled out a wad of cash and thrown it in his face."
"And if that didn't work?"
"Then I'd let my private bodyguard have a word with him."
Following Michael's gesture, Gwen looked out the window and saw a burly man dressed as a mechanic standing at the entrance.
Michael's genius mind was invaluable, so Jack always arranged for bodyguards to accompany him, even within the school.
"Oh, I hate rich people."
"Do you hate me, then?"
"No, I admire you. I know all about you."
Gwen grew flustered, thinking she had misspoken.
On the other side, Peter Parker was feeling down. Seeing Gwen so nervous and excited, he thought his chances were gone.
"Everything?"
"Yes." Gwen nodded.
Michael understood. For someone like Gwen, a top student, discovering a peer even more brilliant would naturally prompt her to compare herself and look up everything about him. And upon finding out that Michael, despite his disabilities, was resilient, helpful, accomplished, and just, it was only natural she would feel a kindred spirit, perhaps even idolize him.
It seemed Gwen had first noticed Peter Parker because he stood up to bullies and refused to take photos for them—a display of justice in the face of power.
Later, with some help from her uncle, Gwen truly fell for Peter Parker.
Thinking about it, maybe he still had a chance.
Damn it, isn't this kind of thinking exactly what the old schemer would do? Besides, there's still Martine waiting for him.
"In that case, I'm honored."
"Would you like me to show you around campus?" Gwen asked nervously.
"With a beautiful lady as my guide, I'd be delighted." Michael cast a glance at the dazed Peter Parker, feeling a pang of regret. He had come here to become good friends with Peter, but ended up meeting his girlfriend first.
Oh well, he thought, not knowing how to approach Peter without seeming abrupt. With Gwen's help, it would be more natural.
The two strolled around the campus, discussing various papers in biochemistry.
Only then did Michael realize Gwen was no ordinary top student. Her knowledge surpassed that of most graduate students, and she had unique insights into many papers.
Could Gwen also possess a superbrain?
In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Gwen helped Peter improve his web-shooter to deal with Electro—a feat even the protagonist hadn't accomplished, but Gwen had done with ease.
It's not just about being talented; it's about being talented and hardworking.
Gwen was equally astonished by Michael's knowledge. No matter the topic, he could keep up and even provide answers.
That was because Michael not only had a superbrain but also the auxiliary of Keisha, a supercomputer.
Since Keisha was integrated into his body, Michael could passively use some of her abilities without conscious effort.
Thus, he possessed not just a superbrain, but also super memory, super analysis, and bullet-time reflexes.
For Michael, memorizing and analyzing academic papers took only an instant.
If his creativity came from his superbrain, then his learning ability was like copying and pasting, and it barely took any time at all.
It was thanks to these abilities that Michael was so outstanding.
While they were chatting, a police car pulled up beside them and rolled down the window. A blond middle-aged man leaned out, looking at Gwen and Michael.
"Hi."
At the sight of him, Gwen's expression stiffened and she answered awkwardly, "Hi."
"Dad, this is the new transfer student, Michael Morbius."
"Nice to meet you, Michael," George said, reaching out his hand.
Michael immediately understood what was happening—this was George, Gwen's father, the police chief of New York and a notorious overprotective parent.
Having seen all kinds of crime and the malice men could harbor toward women, not to mention the schemes of young men, he was especially protective of Gwen. He often picked her up himself and was suspicious of any male friends she had, to the point that all her male friends over the years had been driven away by him.

"Hello, Mr. Stacy."
Meeting George's piercing gaze, Michael did not flinch or look away.
With years of experience apprehending criminals, George's eyes were sharp and intimidating. Many young men had been undone by that oppressive stare, their pretenses unraveling. But Michael was different. In his eyes, George saw only calm indifference and confidence, as if he had endured countless hardships and could now look down on everything.
He had only seen such eyes in great men before.
It was hard to believe that a boy who looked about the same age as his daughter had gone through whatever was needed to gain such eyes.
"It seems my daughter has made a fine friend," George said, glancing at Michael's cane with a hunter's gleam in his eye.
Gwen was shocked; it was the first time she had seen her father rate a stranger so highly.
"I should be the one feeling fortunate to know Gwen. Her sense of justice and courage have opened my eyes. To raise a daughter like her, I always wondered what her parents must be like. Now that I see for myself, it's truly admirable."
Gwen blushed at Michael's praise.
"You have a way with words, but I don't care for men who only know how to talk. Besides, it's time for us to leave."
He turned to Gwen and said, "If we don’t go now, your mother will get anxious."
"Alright."
Gwen looked back at Michael, reluctant to leave. "Michael, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
"Goodbye."
With that, George started the car and drove away with Gwen.
Michael opened his pocket watch for a glance.
It was 3:40 in the afternoon; there was still time. He might as well check in at Oscorp.
…
George glanced at his sullen daughter in the rearview mirror. He’d never seen her like this and couldn't help but worry, even feeling a sense of crisis.
"You like him? But he seems to be ill."
Emaciated, pale, and walking with a cane—none of those were good signs.
Gwen looked at him and said, "Dad, can't boys and girls just be friends?"