Chapter 41: 41: Pampered Daughter & Mad George
"Mark 2, you finally built it?"
Andrew watched as Mark 2 vanished from sight.
Its successful creation meant the complete birth of Iron Man.
Future Iron Man suits were just iterations and optimizations of Mark 2.
Plus specialized anti-threat models.
It demonstrated Tony's immense talent.
"Next, once Tony becomes renowned as Iron Man, Stark Industries stock will rally bigtime."
"Then you won't have to live so poorly."
...
Elsewhere.
Gwen, just returned home, opened the door.
"Mom, Dad's not back yet?"
Having changed earlier nearby, Gwen asked about George as she entered.
She knew her father's detection skills all too well.
How else could he become an NYPD chief?
"He called saying he'll be late tonight. Told me to keep an eye on you, make sure you weren't out too late."
"Luckily I don't have to report to him."
Gwen's mother approached with a glass of water, handing it over.
"Thanks Mom."
Gwen kissed her cheek. "Dad still treats me like a kid."
"Well he only has one precious daughter like you."
"Are those...new earbuds?"
Gwen's mom noticed the black earpieces instantly.
"Yup, my old ones broke, so these are new."
Gwen laughed it off, then said, "Mom, I've got some projects to finish still. Going to my room."
She returned the emptied glass and headed upstairs.
Gwen's mother smiled, shaking her head. "Like father like daughter."
In the living room, Gwen's mom called George.
In a dark sedan, George seemed staking something out across the street.
Peter Parker's home.
A middle-aged man approached carrying groceries.
Beside George, an officer said, "That's Peter Parker's uncle, Ben Parker. Works at a nearby supermarket."
George nodded, asking, "Update from Team B?"
"Parker hasn't left Osborn Industries since entering."
"Without orders we can't go inside."
"No need, just confirm Parker's presence."
Clearly George hadn't fully trusted Peter's words that morning, secretly having him followed.
He also came to Peter's house to monitor.
After a fruitless day...
George's personal phone suddenly rang.
Seeing it was his home number, he answered.
His wife said, "Your good daughter's home. Don't worry."
George checked his watch.
This early today?
"Did she come back alone?"
"Yes, it was only her."
"Okay, I'll be back after I finish up."
George hung up.
The officer with him smiled. "Still quite concerned about your girl."
"Of course, she's my daughter."
"Not many good folks at colleges like that. Gotta protect her."
The whole station knew George doted on his daughter.
...
In her locked room, Gwen confirmed it was safe.
She powered on the desktop computer.
"Red, my computer's on..."
"One moment Ms. Gwen."
Soon Red's voice sounded from the computer.
"I'll alert you to anything amiss here. Just speak and I'll vocalize as if you're in the room."
"Great idea by Andrew."
Gwen shed her clothes, beneath which was the spider suit.
She leapt out the window, swinging off on a web.
"Thanks Red!"
Not long after Gwen left, her mother knocked with a snack.
"Gwen, I brought you a bite in case you're hungry."
Red immediately vocalized as if Gwen was there.
"Good thing Andrew planned ahead, or I'd be caught tonight."
Gwen said happily, "No thanks Mom, I'm not hungry. Save it for Dad."
Hearing the response, Gwen's mother didn't insist.
"Don't stay up too late, take care dear."
"I will, Mom."
In New York, Gwen darted between buildings.
Red suddenly notified her: "Robbery reported in Bronx Block, the victim was an elderly man."
"Thank you Red."
"Time to teach him doing bad things is wrong."
...
Inside Tony's lab.
Tony held an ice pack to his head.
Falling from 10,000 meters was fine, but the heavy armor crashing through his house floor hurt.
It even smashed one of his cars.
Tony was exasperated.
Beside him, Yinsen smirked. "Seems you need a lighter aerospace titanium alloy."
"Great idea."
"JARVIS, order some aerospace titanium please."
"Right away sir."
"The new design modeling is done, have a look?"
"Show me."
A titanium armor model appeared, styling and all.
"Color's not great."
It was pure gold.
"Any other schemes JARVIS?"
"I thought this fit your subtle personality best."
Hearing JARVIS' deadpan humor, Yinsen understood the AI was reaching human levels.
He joked, "Your butler knows you well."
"JARVIS, color it like that mystery mech."
"Certainly sir."
The sleek silver-white armor rendered onscreen.
Tony nodded, satisfied. "That's it."
Just then Yinsen noticed the news on TV. "You've got a charity gala tonight?"
Tony looked confused. "What? I've been here all day."
He saw the reporter discussing a benefit hosted by Tony Stark himself.
And criticizing his recent behavior.
Clearly she was burned by the Stark stock drop.
"Come on Yinsen. I'll buy you a drink..."
"JARVIS, don't wait up on supper."
"As always, sir..."
...To be continued.
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