Chapter 23: My Strongest Ability is [Cash Ability]

However, the emergence of Gwen Spider-Woman doesn't necessarily indicate swift progress. Instead, there is more uncertainty.

If history were to follow its course, young Spider-Man Peter would uncover his father's legacy: the invaluable formula that drove Dr. Connors' cross-species genetic research, ultimately giving rise to Dr. Lizard.

In Gwen's version, Peter becomes the Lizard due to bullying by Eugene "Flash" Thompson and various injustices. Under extreme repression, Peter injects himself with a self-made serum, transforming into the Lizard and ultimately failing.

In this life, Ang prevents this bullying as he doesn't want to see Peter fail.

"So, what will happen next?"

Ang has some expectations regarding the changes in the 'plot'. As a butterfly effect that alters history, Ang awaits the unfolding of the historical wheel. Meanwhile, he's not idle; for instance, he summons Eugene Thompson.

In a private room of an upscale members-only club, Ang meets the Thompson father and son.

"No need to be so nervous, Mr. Thompson. I harbor no ill intentions toward your son. I just want to make a friend."

In this world, Mr. Thompson is a retired American football player. His son has evidently inherited his genes and is now a school football star.

Mr. Thompson has experienced the world to some extent, and from Ang's demeanor, he recognizes that the person before him is a big shot who could easily crush them like ants.

"Make friends? It's Eugene who's trying to climb the ladder."

"No, no, no!" Ang casually shakes his right index finger. "Mr. Thompson, if we must put it that way, then only Tony Stark would qualify as my friend. I don't judge friends by their wealth. Besides, they won't be richer than me anyway."

With an ostentatious lineup of bodyguards, a stunning female secretary, and an aura of power that ordinary people could never possess, Eugene is utterly overwhelmed.

"Mr. Ang, I overstepped today. Please forgive me."

A cold glint flashes in Ang's eyes. "I'm not the one you need to apologize to; it's Gordon and Parker."

Perhaps due to a past lecture from his father, Eugene readily agrees. "Yes, I'll apologize to them tomorrow."

Without waiting for Mr. Thompson to speak, Ang waves his hand. "Those who haven't entered society are just kids. I don't concern myself with kids."

With this statement, Mr. Thompson naturally can't continue the conversation.

"I invest in the field of biotechnology, and I'm particularly interested in Eugene's genes. If it's possible, we could collaborate in the future." Ang finishes speaking, and Black Canary hands the Thompsons a project proposal.

To put it plainly, this is just to deceive the Thompsons. The plans mentioned in it bear some resemblance to the plans conducted by Dr. Connors of the Osborne Group.

Ang certainly doesn't expect the Thompsons to believe him.

However, according to history, Eugene will lose his legs in the Middle East War. He undergoes an experiment conducted by the U.S. government, allowing him to successfully bond with the Venom symbiote and become a superhuman Venom agent, an official American enforcer.

Ang won't leave this useful tool for the government.

All his scheming revolves around the section in the proposal titled "Physical Regeneration Experiment".

Eugene is currently in his prime physical condition, feeling invincible.

Ang won't intentionally harm Eugene.

When things go awry, that's when Ang will intervene.

Indeed, Mr. Thompson frowns as he reads the proposal. However one looks at it, it doesn't align with his son's future as a powerful athlete. Furthermore, the other party wants Eugene's genes and requires multiple blood samples and experiments, something Mr. Thompson isn't fond of.

He can't explode in anger but politely declines Ang's proposal.

Ang isn't upset. "Eugene, I understand you're skeptical. However, many things are not as you imagine. How about we settle it with an arm wrestle?"

Arm wrestle? I'm good at that.

Eugene has a short temper, but due to the other party's power, he doesn't dare act out. When it comes to strength, he's confident he can beat anyone.

"With who?" Eugene's words even exceed his dad's control.

Ang rolls up his sleeve and places his arm on the table. "With me!"

In an instant, scorn appears in Eugene's eyes.

Ang's muscular arm appears strong but possesses only ordinary strength.

Eugene is an athletic student, a true muscleman.

His dad watches as his son's muscle-packed arm lands on the table, thinking, "This is over!"

His son's arm is thicker than his secretary's thigh!

Ang, on the other side, is a wealthy individual! If his son's arm gets injured, it could lead to a grudge!

His dad's mouth twitches, and he can't stop him.

The challenge is accepted.

At the end of the day, these two are peers.

Mr. Thompson, as a father, can't say much.

Actually, it's not only the Thompson father and son who are curious. Ang's bodyguards are also stretching their necks to see.

Arm wrestling doesn't require a specific setting, just a stable table.

When two strong hands clasp, as Dana's clear "three, two, one" countdown concludes, confident Eugene takes the initiative.

Feeling the immense strength of the bear paw-like hand on the other side, Ang is genuinely surprised.

A strength value of 17, as per the system evaluation!

For an ordinary person, this is extraordinary.

To clarify, Eugene is just a football player, not a professional weightlifter. Eugene can't be a quarterback leading the team like he does in football. Compared to arm strength, his position on the field emphasizes leg strength.

In Eugene's view, he's strong enough to defeat the 'feeble' rich kid.

In fact, his initial assumption was correct. He exerts force, and the seemingly overwhelming strength gradually presses the opponent's arm down.

To his astonishment, when he pushes the opponent's arm to an angle of just 30 degrees from the tabletop, he can't push it any further.

"Ha!" "Hey—" "Ugh—"

Eugene's exaggerated roars reverberate in the room. His neck, shoulders, and arms all bulge with veins, his blood vessels swelling like little earthworms.

If one doesn't observe the arm's position, they might think he's the one being suppressed.

But at this moment, he still holds the 'dominant' position.

Well, at least on the surface.

He had bullied Gordon this morning, and now his and his dad's hearts are echoing "Gordon, Gordon."

He's exhausted all his strength, yet the affluent young man across from him handles it with ease!

"What's wrong, Mr. Thompson? Is your proud strength really so feeble?" Ang's taunt sparks Eugene's anger.

"Damn... Aaah!"

He flexes his muscles, trying his best to exert more pressure, attempting to achieve the final suppression.

Unfortunately, all his fury results in typical impotent rage. No matter how much he exerts himself, Ang's arm remains unmoved.

"Mr. Thompson, if your strength is only this much, then it's time for me to counterattack." The indifferent voice doesn't ignite excitement in Eugene but rather a sense of suppression!

His arrogance, his anger, his resistance—everything he's most proud of crumbles under the slow, insurmountable force.

Eugene keenly senses the growing force emanating from Ang's arm, which is a third smaller than his own.

The arms they grasp swing like a pendulum, starting to tilt towards Eugene's side.

This crushing force exceeds Eugene's resistance.

His exaggerated biceps are as comical as inflated balloons against this force.

Without intentionally causing harm, Ang is gradually rolling his way through, at a rate of 5 degrees per second.

"Thud!"

In the final 30 degrees, Eugene gives in, and his hand is pressed firmly onto the table.

He pants heavily, tears welling up in his eyes.

He can't comprehend how he lost.

Clearly, this seemingly useless rich kid, apart from having money, defeated him using Eugene "Flash" Thompson's most formidable skill.

Observing his son's defeat, Mr. Thompson is both saddened and relieved. At least Ang didn't intend to harm his son. A torn arm muscle could be fatal for a football running back.

After losing, Eugene's eyes widen in disbelief, and he asks, "So, wrist strength is your strongest ability now?"

Ang laughs, shaking his index finger. "No! No! No! No! My strongest ability now should be the [Cash Ability]!"

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