43 Chapter 43: Filial Piety

The next day.

Osborn Manor.

"Tonight, we will take you on a mysterious and wonderful journey with Norman Osborn. Anyone who has read the financial section of the newspaper will be very familiar with the name Norman Osborn," the TV announcer said.

Norman Osborn sat at the dining table, the television airing a program about the Osborn Group.

However, his attention wasn't on the television.

A newspaper lay spread out on the table, filled with news about Spider-Man.

The TV host's voice continued, "He has brought a series of unexpected changes to the field of biotechnology, which has brought him substantial profits and propelled his company to the forefront of the world."

As he skimmed through the newspaper, Harry approached.

Harry, who had spent the day in the cold wind on top of the Cross Church, was finally relieved.

"How did the doctor say, Harry?" Norman Osborn put down the newspaper, turning his gaze towards him.

"I'm fine. The doctor said it's just superficial injuries, with a risk of catching a cold, but that's for later. For now, I should be fine," Harry said as he sat at the table, picking up a knife.

He squeezed a large piece of toast into a ball, breaking the egg yolk, and the overflowing liquid mixed with the maple syrup surrounding them.

Instead of consuming it directly, Harry put down the knife and looked up at Norman. "Dad, have you seen the news about Spider-Man?"

"Yeah," Norman said, picking up the remote and turning off the TV.

"That's not something you should be concerned about, Harry. You should focus more on your studies and other things," Norman said.

Taking a deep breath, Harry asked Norman, "What other things? Are you talking about our household's vacuum cleaner turning into a killing machine?"

"What?" Norman Osborn shot an unhappy look at Harry. "I mean the robot that fought the Vulture, our household's vacuum cleaner."

No longer concerned about his father's authority, Harry said everything he wanted to say. "The man who calls himself the Vulture claimed you stole his achievements, he kidnapped me to make you apologize, but Dad, you have a better solution. There's no need to send robots, just a simple apology can resolve everything."

Norman Osborn's jaw tightened. "Are you saying I'm wrong?"

"I just think there shouldn't be innocent people dying because of us."

"You're too naive, Harry," Norman Osborn said coldly, looking at him. "Do you think cornered beasts will just sit back and wait to die? I've told you countless times, if you want to be a predator, you must let go of your unnecessary pity and sympathy. Whether innocent people live or die has nothing to do with you; you can't align yourself with them."

Harry pushed his plate aside, looking at his father with unfamiliar eyes.

He couldn't believe these words were coming from his own father.

"No! Dad, I'm not a bad person, and I don't want to be like you!"

"Do you think everyone is inherently good?" Norman Osborn stared at Harry, his tone turning colder. "Go out and look at the people on the street, farmers, immigrants, truck drivers, rural yuppies, maybe they've all been to church, thrown a coin or two into the offering plate, they're kind to everyone, smiling at everyone, appearing to be law-abiding citizens."

"And do you know what they do behind closed doors? Theft, prostitution, deception, exploiting others' sympathy to deceive and harm others."

Norman stood up, his face filled with disappointment. "Harry, if you hold onto this kind of mindset, you won't succeed. Instead, you'll be hurt. The closer people are to you, the deeper they'll hurt you."

Harry's anger also surfaced as he asked Norman, "What does success mean to you? Becoming a renowned entrepreneur, making your company one of the world's top?"

"These things are not what I want! They only bring me pain."

Harry breathed heavily, looking at his father. "In whichever school I go to, I'm always the wealthiest one. People want to be close to me, they're after my wealth, but that's not mine, I know that clearly."

"More people mock me for being the rich kid relying on my family's wealth. They never truly see me as a friend. I've been through countless schools, and now I only have Peter and Gwen as friends."

Norman Osborn listened to his son's outburst, his expression growing uglier by the moment.

He coldly asked Harry, "Do you think everything I've given you is pain?"

"No, I appreciate you, Dad, but I can't become the person you want me to be."

"I don't want to become like you either," Harry said, shaking his head.

Norman Osborn's brow furrowed as he looked at Harry.

"Escaping reality won't help. No matter what, you are an Osborn, and you can't live in your own world."

Harry exhaled deeply. "I won't escape, I won't be like Mom."

"What did you say?"

At the mention of his mother, Norman's expression instantly turned sour.

"I said, Mom chose to escape."

Harry no longer concealed the words he had kept hidden in his heart. "In her final days, she kept numbing herself with Scotch whiskey, six whole years. In my memory, she was always accompanied by alcohol, because she knew you were wrong, but she couldn't stop you!"

"Shut up!"

Norman Osborn, in a fit of rage, slapped Harry across the face.

"Snap!"

Gwen slammed the locker with great force, her face full of anger.

The location was a school hallway, and the time was morning.

The hallway, yet to start classes, was bustling with students.

Though her body felt somewhat off, she still came to school.

After all, this was her secret, and she couldn't use it as an excuse to skip class.

"Why are you so angry?"

She fumed as a voice came from behind her.

Gwen turned around to see Peter.

"This must be a joke! Don't they know who saved the entire subway yesterday?" Gwen handed the newspaper to Peter, speaking angrily. "Look at their headlines."

Peter took the newspaper, and the bold headline caught his eye—"Spider-Man: Dangerous Thug!"

Looking at the headline, he glanced up at the top of the newspaper.

"The Bugle," the words appeared prominently.

Wasn't that the most loyal anti-Spider-Man newspaper?

And now, it was the first to come out against Spider-Man.

Staring at the newspaper, Peter fell into contemplation.

Did he really correct the world's preconceived notions?

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