(A/N: This is the last pre-written chapter I have so the updates are going to start coming slower. I'll try to do once a week. Also, please forgive me if I don't get 100% of the facts right in Spectacular Spiderman. I haven't extensively looked into it [It not being on Disney+ makes it difficult to watch as well. Though it may come soon and maybe with a third season if Disney decides to do it. They made a 7th for Clone Wars after all]
Anyway, sorry for the rambling. I do not own Spiderman. That right belongs to Sony).
*1:58 PM, CEO's Office, Oscorp*
Peter walked in the Office with both Felicia and Liz by his side.
"Ah, Mr. Parker. Good to see you. My name is Andrew Richards, the General Counsel of Oscorp. We spoke on the phone a while ago" The counselor said.
"Yes, sir. Thank you" Peter said, shaking the man's hand with his free hand. Felicia didn't let go of his arm though.
"I see you made true to your word to bring some people over" Andrew said, noticing the two ladies holding onto Peter.
"Yes. This is my girlfriend, Liz Allan, and this is Felicia Hardy, my...uh…"Peter said, trying to find a way to explain this delicately.
"I'm his girlfriend as well" Felicia said, nuzzling into his arm.
"Oh! I see...interesting" Andrew said with a surprised look on his face. Surprised, but not judgmental.
"Uh...yeah. That's...not an issue, is it?" Peter asked, blushing.
Andrew shook his head no. "No, not at all. It's not my place to judge people on their lifestyles. In my view, as long as someone is following the law and isn't hurting anyone, they're as right as rain in my book"
Peter smiled. "Thank you. Where's Harry?"
"Oh, Mr. Osborn is on his way up now from what I've heard. Why don't you three have a seat on the sofa here. Mr. Osborn left a video to play along with the actual documentation so I don't have to bore you by simply just reading it" Andrew said, leading them to a sitting area with 2 leather sofas and some leather chairs. All three sat on the same sofa together.
"Great" Peter drawled out. He now had to see this guy's smug face one more time. The girls just squeezed his hand and arm in comfort.
A few minutes later, the elevator at the end of the room dinged and open. Peter refused to look around as he heard footsteps walking toward his directions until he felt presences behind him.
"...Peter?" A small, soft voice said. Peter sighed a deep sigh and turned to see Harry, Gwen and Emily Osborn, Norman's wife, behind him.
"Good afternoon" Was all he said before turning his head back around.
Harry raised his eye at the cold shoulder Peter was giving them. This was unlike Peter but given the circumstances, it wasn't unexpected. He was hoping that given enough time, Peter would just get over Gwen and vice-versa but it seemed at least in Peter's case, that didn't seem to be happening.
"We...heard you were in the hospital last night, Peter. Is...Is everything ok?" Gwen asked her friend, a frown appearing across her face. She had indeed heard about the hospital visit but she hadn't heard what the cause was. He looked fine now but she wanted to be sure.
"Everything's fine" Was all Peter said, refusing to say another word on the subject.
"Hey Pete...we're worried about you, dude. We...we've been hearing rumors you've been...you know...drinking...like heavy stuff. Is...Is that true?" Harry asked, trying his best to reconcile with his friend who he still saw as his friend despite the little feud they were having.
"I hardly see how that's any of your business" Peter said, refusing to look at them.
"Peter, can you please look at us when you talk to us? For me?" Gwen asked, still wearing a frown. She didn't like the way Peter was acting but she could understand why he was.
Peter had to let out a light laugh at that. The last time he did something for Gwen, it bit him in the ass big time. However, under the circumstances, he figured there was no harm in obliging.
He turned to look at the two standing above him.
"Peter...have you been drinking? Please answer" Gwen pleaded with him.
Peter for a few short moments did nothing until he gave a small nod.
"Oh Peter, why would you do such a thing?" Emily Osborn practically shrieked, shocked that the boy she had known since he was in 2nd grade would stoop so low as to that.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Osborn but I'm not the one to answer that" Peter simply said to the woman then shot a quick glance at Gwen who noticed and shifted slightly in guilt, knowing full well what he was referring to.
Gwen was just stunned at the lengths Peter would go to because of her. She never thought it would go this far. She thought he may be moody but she wasn't expecting him to become a full blown Alcoholic.
"Pete, why are you-" Harry tried to ask before he was interrupted.
"Would you leave him alone already? Can you not see he's not in the mood to talk to you?" Liz asked with a glare.
Harry turned his attention to the Latina girl. He didn't expect to see her here, given the big breakup her and Peter had months ago.
"Liz? What are you doing here?" Harry asked Liz. He looked up to see a woman he recognized as Felicia Hardy. She appeared every now and then in his father's records and he knew who she was. She was the daughter of the man that killed Peter's uncle Ben. Did he not know this? While he would like to state this fact to Peter, he wanted to see what exactly her part here was.
"And who is this woman right here that's clinging ever so close to you?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow at Felicia, jealousy sweeping over her.
Harry noticed and rolled his eyes, sneering at her slightly.
"To answer your first question, Petey and I patched things up last night and we're back together again" Liz said as she nuzzled her cheek onto his.
"Oh, that's good. Glad to hear it" Harry said, smirking. Now that Liz and Peter were back together, things could finally start getting back to normal.
"Yeah...real nice" Gwen said, looking to the ground, saddened by the news. She turned her head to Felicia who seemed even more clingy than Liz was being at this moment.
"And….what exactly are you to Peter?" Gwen asked with a bit of a sneer and a raised eyebrow.
"Well...let's just say I'm also a really good friend of Peter's" Felicia said, smirking and running her hand up and down Peters arm.
Harry just blinked at this, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Gwen had to blink at this. Peter...was dating...2 girls? 1 beautiful, popular, Latina cheerleader and one gorgeous platinum haired woman who was at least 2 years older than him? Anger and jealousy filled her. Just what had happened these past few months?
"Ok, if everyone can be gathered around, I will now present the last will and testament of Norman Osborn. Along with his official will, he also left a DVD recording of his own reading" Andrew said, wanting to stop the teenage drama as quickly as possible.
Everyone sat down as requested so they could start listening.
He inserted the DVD into a computer on a nearby coffee table and plug the computer into the monitor. Soon, an image of Norman Osborn sitting in front of a fireplace came onto the screen.
Peter glared deeply at the screen, not caring at all for the man in the picture as one would imagine.
"Good afternoon. If you are seeing this, then that means I have reached my unfortunate end. As a result, it is time to share who will inherit my fortune in my absence" Norman Osborn said on the monitor.
Harry smiled a bit. As if there was any doubt who he would leave his billions to.
"Well first and foremost, let me share the 2 main benefactors of my will: The first is to my own flesh and blood, Harry Osborn and the other is a boy that's parents and uncle were cruelly snatched from him at such a young age" Norman said.
This particular bit caused Felicia to twitch in guilt. Peter sensed this, squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek, whispering assurances in her ear. Gwen noticed and glared at the couple.
"That boy would of course be Peter Parker, a boy I've come to know as a son with his accomplishments knowing no second in mind other than myself" Norman said rather smugly which caused Peter to roll his eyes.
"So let's get down to business. I'm now going to focus on the first of my 2 benefactors: Harry. Harry, we've had spats every now and then and maybe I put too much pressure on you to be more like Peter but you are my son and I love you unconditionally" Norman said in the video.
Harry gave a bittersweet smile at this. He hated being compared to Peter by his father but he appreciated the fact that he said he loved him.
"Therefore, I leave you and your mother...25% of my shares at Oscorp and a trust fund of $250 million, enough to allow both you to live comfortably for the rest of your lives...assuming you don't spend recklessly on loud parties and women" Norman said, chuckling.
Harry's smile quickly disappeared. His mind went blank for a moment before quickly realizing.
"Wait...what? Tw...25%?! That's it?!" Harry asked, getting angry.
"Harry, calm down. That's an unbelievable amount of money!" Gwen said, trying to calm him down.
"But...that's much lower than what I'm supposed to get. I'm supposed to be CEO of the company! It's a family company!" Harry retorted, standing up with an angry expression.
"Mr. Osborn, could you please sit down? We need to proceed as scheduled" Andrew said, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder that he quickly shoved off.
"But...who...who could take his place but me?" Harry asked, slowly sitting down. Gwen squeezed his shoulder as he sat on another sofa right next to the sofa in which Peter, Liz and Felicia were seated.
"Let Mr. Osborn explain himself. Calm yourself. Please" Andrew said as he resumed the video tape.
"And now I turn to the other benefactor of my last will and testament: Mr. Peter Parker. Peter, I've known you ever since Harry brought you home for dinner when you were both in 2nd grade. From the very first moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were destined for greatness and you did not disappoint. I saw you grow up from a clever young boy to an extremely intelligent young man with your knowledge of science and technology rivaling some of the best scientists I've ever hired. The damndest thing as well is you're just a teenager at this moment I'm recording this video with several more years to grow your already vast intellect. For that very reason...I see no other person more worthy and deserving to take up my mantle" Norman said in the video.
Harry's breath stopped short as he heard this. It...It couldn't be. It...It wasn't possible…
"Peter...I leave you 75% of my shares and name you as my successor as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board to Oscorp Industries" Norman stated.
Peter's jaw practically dropped to the floor as he heard this. Did he hear that right?
"W….WHAT?!" Harry screeched as he practically leaped out of his chair. He was quickly reprimanded by his mother and forced down onto the couch by her.
The video continued.
"From this point on, you'll have access to the entire Oscorp headquarters and the company properties that come with it. For example, the office you're sitting in right now is your office. My desk is your desk. My desktop computer is your desktop computer. The board has already approved my choice as you as my successor and are under strict contract to fulfill this appointment. In the event that you are still an adolescent at the time of my demise, you will become CEO as soon as you graduate high school. Of course, there is still the chance you'll want to go to college. That is why I have taken a portion of my salary to create a reserve of $200,000 to pay for any schooling fees you may require. Your position of CEO and Chairman will be waiting for you by the time you graduate. Lastly, I have arranged for a trust fund of $500,000,000 to be created in the event of my death that you will be granted access to immediately and be able to use as you please. It has been the joy of my life knowing you, Peter. I know you'll do me and my company proud. This concludes my last will and testament. Please do not despair at my passing, boys. Live your lives to the fullest and know that wherever I am, I care deeply for you. Thank you"
The video then faded to black with everyone stunned at what they had just watched.
Peter was shellshocked. He inherited Oscorp? Him? From one of his greatest enemies? How could that be?
Little did he know that Harry was thinking along the lines of the same thing.
"This...this is crap!" Harry shouted.
"Mr. Osborn, please calm down" Andrew said as he shut off the monitor.
"No! I won't calm down! This company is my birthright! It has my family's name on it! My family! Not Peter's!" Harry said.
"Mr. Osborn, your father believed that with Peter's knowledge on science and technology, he's the best suited to lead this company, a company that is based around inventions of new scientific technologies. It was also his opinion that you likely wouldn't enjoy running his company, that it would cut in the middle of your social life" Andrew explained in further detail.
"Harry! Sit down now!" Emily continued to chastise.
"How can you be so calm?! He abandoned us! My father abandoned us!" Harry shouted to his mother.
"He left us a portion of his shares and a great deal of money, Harry. We'll be able to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. I can retire, you can go off to college and get a good job" His mother insisted.
"You have no problem with Peter running our corporation?!" Harry asked, gesturing to Peter.
"Honey, running a business like Oscorp is a full time job that requires the brightest mind possible to continue to make it function. I certainly can't run it, not on my own anyway and I don't want you to get overwhelmed by it. Peter on the other hand, he's as smart as a whip. I don't think he'll have any trouble managing it" Emily said, trying to rationalize her husband's decisions.
"Wha...you think I can't handle it?! That I'm not smart enough?!" Harry continued to screech.
"Harry, you know I never said that! Now stop acting like a 2 year old and sit down now!" Emily said, starting to yell back.
Harry just threw his arms up in the air. "Alright, fine. Great. Wonderful. Yet again, the great and perfect Peter Parker gets everything. He gets straight As with his eyes closed, he gets my dad's love and affection over me, he gets all the attention from girls and now he gets my money"
"It wasn't your money, Harry. It was your father's and he had a right to do with it as he pleased" Emily said, raising an eyebrow in disapproval at her son's greed.
"And he decided to give it all to a bumbling drunk. Just wonderful" Harry bluntly said, his angry face intensifying.
"HARRY!" Both Emily and Gwen said, shocked and angry at this comment.
Felicia stood up and tightly gripped Harry's arm. Harry twinged in pain at the grasp this woman had on him. It was kind of surprising how strong she was given her stature.
"You better watch what you say, buddy. I don't appreciate you talking about my boyfriend like that" Felicia said, practically growling before shoving him.
Liz was of the same mind. At that moment, she stood up and slapped him across the face.
"Ah!" Harry said as he held onto his cheek.
"Oh grow up, you big baby! It was just a little slap. It wasn't even that hard" Liz said, glaring at him.
"It wasn't the slap...your hands...they're...they're warm...like seriously warm" Harry said. Rubbing his cheek, it felt as if he had been hit by a burning stick.
This got Liz intrigued as well at thought….but she threw it off. Probably another subject for another time.
"Whatever. You're nothing but a greedy, selfish jerk. Petey's been through a hard enough time as is and you're sitting here slandering him simply because you're so petty that he's smarter than you'll ever be? And because you're so greedy, you're upset your already huge wallet won't be as big as it was before? Please….real great guy you got there, Gwen. Really worth keeping" Liz said, giving a mock thumbs up to the blonde, causing her to look down at the ground in shame.
"I'm mad at him because he pretends to be my friend but does nothing for me. Where was he when my dad was being murdered by Spiderman? Collecting pics of him to fill his wallet. Oh but I remember. It's to get money for his precious little aunt" Harry said, talking about his aunt in a mocking tone, glaring at Peter who just stood silent, not saying a word.
"Harry! You've gone far enough! I've had my fill of your nonsense today and we're going home now, a place you'll be staying exclusively at for the rest of the week until school starts! Now go downstairs and wait for me in the lobby. Now!" Emily demanded of Harry.
"But-" Harry tried to say before Emily interrupted.
"I said now!" Emily yelled, pointing to the elevator.
Harry said nothing for a while then turned to Peter for a quick second, then turned back to his mother before he turned and walked towards the elevator. Emily turned towards Peter and gave him a big hug.
"I'm so sorry, Peter. I don't know what's come over him" Emily said. Peter returned the hug, finding no reason to hate this woman who had been kind to him almost his entire life.
"Thank you, Mrs. Osborn...I don't really suppose me and Harry will be seeing eye to eye much anymore" Peter said after pulling apart. She looked to the ground in great sadness at this statement.
"That really is a shame. You and him...you guys were something else...I hope you'll be able to eventually sort it all out. Just remember though, Peter. You've always been like a 2nd son to me. If you need anything, anything at all, please call me" Emily said, looking back at Peter.
Peter let out a light smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Osborn. I appreciate that"
"Please, call me Emily, Peter. Anyway, I gotta go deal with Harry. Rest assured, he'll be receiving a major punishment when we get home" Emily said, her eyes getting a stern look as she thought about her son's attitude.
After saying one last goodbye, Emily Osborn turned and began to walk to the elevator.
All that was left was Gwen who looked to Peter with sad and regretful eyes.
"Peter…" She said, looking at him. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Gone was the lovable, quipping goofball she came to love. Here was this stoic and gloomy person who looked like he aged 10 years since she last saw him. What happened to him? Did she do this to him by her decision months ago?
As she tried to continue her statement, Peter held up his hand.
"No, Gwen...no. You made your choice months ago...and I faced the consequences of that decision...heavily. Go to Harry. He's your boyfriend...he needs you" Was all that Peter said.
Gwen didn't say a word, just let a few teardrops fall down her face. After a while, she just turned around and followed Mrs. Osborn to the elevator, not saying another word.
After they were gone, Peter gave a deep sigh and sat back down on the sofa. He laid his face in both his hands and shook his head.
Liz and Felicia both sat down at each side and held him deeply in their arms.
"This went even worse than I thought it would" Peter said, a bit depressed. If he had known beforehand, he would have stayed home.
"It's ok, Petey. I'm here" Liz said, giving a sad smile. She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"So am I, babe. That's why we came. To protect you" Felicia added.
Peter looked up and smiled at the two women around him. "Thank you both...very much"
He put his arms around both of them and brought them in close and they all shared a group hug.
After witnessing what had just happened, Andrew had felt it was necessary to finally come forward.
"Uh...Mr. Parker, if it's not too much trouble, would you mind coming back a couple of days from now to go over a bit of paperwork? Preferably before school starts which I think it does next week?" Andrew asked.
After his question, Peter unhooked himself from the arms of the girls and looked up at Andrew.
"Yeah, I will. Thank you" Peter said, nodding.
"Excellent. Would you like to take the company limo home? It is company property after all and as Mr. Osborn stated, that makes it your property now" Andrew said.
Peter shook his head. "I'd rather just take a taxi if I'm being honest"
Andrew nodded. "Fair enough. I'll see you later...boss". He said that last bit with a bit of a smirk.
With that he left the room, leaving Peter to contemplate his thoughts.
Here he was, with a billion dollar company that a man he couldn't stand left him after his death. He didn't know what exactly what he was going to do but one thing was for sure: Life was sure as hell not going back to what it used to be...and maybe it shouldn't.
Peter sat down on the sofa, content to sit in the girl's arms as they attempted to comfort him after all the drama that had just transpired.
(A/N: Made up the name for the General Counsel if you couldn't already tell. Thought I'd just throw that out there).