Chapter 90: The First Dangerous Public Performance

Realizing the danger, Uncle Ben quickly kicked the handgun on the ground.

The shopkeeper also quickly retrieved his hidden handgun and aimed it at the two thugs.

"Don't move!"

The situation instantly reversed as the groaning thugs, clutching their wrists, found themselves staring down the barrels of guns and immediately raised their hands.

On the way back, Uncle Ben and Peter walked along the dimly lit street.

The two robbers in the supermarket had already been taken away by the arriving police.

Uncle Ben stopped in his tracks and said to Peter, "Peter, you're not hurt, are you?"

"I'm fine, Uncle Ben."

Uncle Ben walked over, patting Peter on the shoulder, and said, "That's good. Peter, you've always been a good kid, full of vitality and hope. I've always believed in you."

"I don't know what's been happening with you lately, making you less cheerful and talkative than before."

Uncle Ben sighed, "But I know you've always been a kind child, just like you showed back there."

A car drove by, stirring up a few fallen leaves.

Uncle Ben looked into Peter's eyes and said, "Your father had a belief, and he firmly held onto it throughout his life, reaping great benefits from it."

"What belief, Uncle Ben?"

Peter indicated he was listening.

"He believed that if you could do something for this world, you had to do it well, and better than others, doing things that help others and make life beautiful for them."

Uncle Ben's gaze drifted into memory, "He believed that doing these things wasn't just out of temporary kindness, but because of a sense of responsibility driving him."

"So."

Uncle Ben turned his gaze towards Peter, "Peter, extraordinary things will happen in your life, and you're destined for greatness. But along with that comes significant responsibility, though it may weigh heavily on you."

Peter listened silently to Uncle Ben's words.

Suddenly, a premonition rose in his mind, one he found impossible: had Uncle Ben noticed something?

"Cough, let's go."

Uncle Ben coughed and looked satisfied at Peter's thoughtful expression.

It seemed his words had struck a chord with Peter.

The next day.

The Allen household was bustling with activity.

As the student council president of Midtown High School, Liz had a lot of influence and popularity at school.

The party she proposed to hold had attracted many students.

Initially, Gwen wasn't interested in such gatherings, but as a member of the "Mary Janes" band, she had to accompany her bandmates to the event.

Gwen wore a straight-cut velvet dress with an embossed hem, which Gloria said was prepared for the band members, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"You look beautiful, Gwen."

Gloria genuinely complimented her.

"Well, if the conservative folks saw my outfit, they'd surely say, 'On this sacred soil! We know you bring the scrutinizing eye, the dreadful triple eye, and the sound of the black horn, we repent.'"

Gwen made an exaggerated expression, "My goodness! Gwen, you're such a conservative person."

"I'm not a conservative Christian, I just..."

Gwen glanced at her phone, muttering, "I just think such a beautiful dress should maybe be seen by someone special."

She had also received a reply from Peter.

She had invited Peter to watch her band perform last night.

Although it wasn't a public performance, it was her first time performing in front of an audience.

She had heard from her dad last night about Peter's encounter with a robbery at the supermarket.

Though she knew Peter and Uncle Ben had subdued the thugs, she still worried.

Could it be that Peter had suffered some psychological trauma?!

She should have gone around Peter's neighborhood last night.

As Spider-Woman, if anything happened to Peter, she wouldn't be much of a successful superhero.

"Hey, Gwen!"

Liz came up to greet Gwen, interrupting her thoughts.

Liz wore a black dress and wore a black crow-themed mask on her head.

"Good evening, Liz, your outfit is very special."

Gwen greeted her.

"Of course, I'm now - Lenore!"

Liz twirled around, saying to Gwen, "On a winter night, a solemn crow suddenly came to visit me, intending to learn about the condition of my deceased lover from the crow, but the crow told me 'nevermore'."

Gwen and Gloria exchanged glances.

"Cough, I'm not interested in sonnets, 'Lenore'."

Gwen had seen the play performed by the drama club at school, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven."

It seemed the female protagonist in it was called Lenore, and Liz was playing her.

But Gwen had no interest in literature or anything like that.

"The bookworms are always interested in science and such, and despise useless novels and poems, I understand."

Liz said understandingly, casually picking up two cups of juice soda from the table and handing them to the two.

"Peter didn't come, did he?"

She asked Gwen.

"No, maybe he's on his way."

Gwen suddenly felt conflicted again.

She was afraid that something bad might happen, but she also hoped Peter would come to see her performance.

In the spacious living room, Jefferson Airplane's album "Tall John Silver" was playing.

Gwen thought of having the same old album covered with scratches, but she loved listening to the song.

The students in the room were enjoying the party time, and Gwen and the "Mary Janes" band were performing on stage.

Gwen skillfully played the drums, following the beats she had practiced, keeping up with the overall rhythm of the band.

Gloria, as the lead singer, confidently showcased her vocal prowess.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The drumsticks struck heavily, like pounding on the heart.

"Thud!"

A man in a suit was struck heavily in the heart, his body crashing to the ground, kicking up a lot of dirt.

Peter stepped on his chest, asking him, "Who told you to follow me?"

Shocked by Peter's display of speed and strength, the man opened his mouth, suppressing the pain in his body, and squeezed out a word with all his might - "Mr. Osborn."

Although he didn't want to say it, his mind was now filled with one thought: this guy is a monster!

After his mental sanity was destroyed, all he could do was confess.

After hearing the full story from him, Peter frowned.

He had been staying at home, but he noticed suspicious figures around the residence.

When he led the man further away from home, he took action and overpowered him.

After listening to the man's full confession, he looked up and glanced into the distance.

Norman Osborn not only had someone surveilling him, but he also sent someone to harm Gwen.

It seemed that Osborn already had suspicions about Gwen's identity.

Thinking this, he took out his phone and looked at the text message Gwen had sent him.

Gwen was attending the party at Liz's house.

Ordinary humans she could handle, but what about the Green Goblin?