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*****
By evening, after a long day, Aunt Carter, Aunt Stark, Grandpa Pym, and young Kent finally wrapped up their exhausting battle.
This fight had been brutal, almost wrecking Aunt Stark and Grandpa Pym's old backs.
But unlike the two ladies who walked away empty-handed, Grandpa Pym profited quite a bit. In fact, he managed to sweep the whole table, even winning a chunk of the money Mike had earned earlier.
Watching the smug expression on Hank Pym's face, Maria and Peggy Carter left Mike's house gritting their teeth.
Just as Hank Pym was rubbing his sore waist and getting ready to leave, Mike stepped forward and closed the door in front of him, leaving Pym staring in confusion.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Pym's eyes narrowed warily at Mike.
Mike smirked coldly, stepping closer and closer until Hank was pressed up against the wall.
Bang!
Mike braced one hand against the wall, towering over him with a menacing presence. "Old man, you sure know how to play the game."
"What are you implying?"
"Still pretending?"
Arms crossed, Mike sneered. "Don't think I didn't notice you cheating at cards just now."
"You'd better have proof before you accuse me!"
Hank glared back self-righteously.
Expressionless, Mike said flatly, "Fine, then I'll just go tell Maria and Carter about it."
Turning around, he started toward the door.
Hank's face twitched, and when Mike reached the doorway, he shouted, "What do you want?"
Mike turned, smiling slyly. "Split the winnings—half for me."
"Bah! You're too greedy!"
"Oh?" Mike dug a finger in his ear. "Go ahead, say that again."
"You really are a great guy."
Hank Pym forced a thumbs-up.
Satisfied, Mike nodded. Together they went to the living room, split the money evenly, and Mike clapped him on the shoulder. "Nice work, but you've got no shame—using ants to cheat?"
Hank's face twitched. "Well, they were ganging up on me at first. I almost lost the shirt off my back."
"Ha!"
Mike laughed so hard his eyes teared up.
Hank snorted coldly and turned to leave.
But as he reached the door, he called back, "I'm coming here for breakfast tomorrow!"
"What?"
"What, you got a problem?" Hank jabbed a finger at him angrily. "I lost that much money to you, and you won't even cover a few meals?"
With that, he slammed the door and stormed out.
Mike stood in silence for three seconds, the corner of his mouth twitching. He muttered, "Tch! It's not even your money."
"Guess I'll add some dishes tonight."
Grumbling, he left for the supermarket.
That evening, when Gwen and Clark came home, their eyes widened at the table full of food.
"Dad, did you strike gold?" Gwen asked, running over and snatching a piece of tenderloin to pop into her mouth. "Delicious!"
Clark tugged her ear. "Wash your hands first!"
Gwen stuck out her tongue, grabbed another piece of meat, and darted toward the bathroom with a mischievous grin.
Setting his chopsticks down, Mike told Clark, "Hank came over. We played mahjong, and I won some money."
Clark's eyes lit up. "Did Hope come?"
"No. Hank said she's been busy lately."
Seeing his son's slight disappointment, Mike teased, winking. "What's this? Already set your sights on Hope? What about those two from the Daily Planet? Planning to marry all three? I'll even build you a house."
Clark's face stiffened, then turned oddly complicated. "Something happened… they, uh… well, they ended up together."
"…Huh?!"
Mike stared in shock. "You mean they paired up and tossed you aside? Even dramas wouldn't dare write this!"
Clark nodded, but instead of regret, he seemed relieved—almost freed.
Mike shoved chopsticks into his hands. "Quick, tell me everything!"
Seeing his father's gossipy face, Clark twitched but still sat down and explained.
Apparently, after failing to win him over for so long, the two women grew closer during their rivalry. Then, while on a trip, Lois ran into danger, and things… naturally developed from there.
"Wait a second!"
Gwen, who had snuck back, nearly dropped her chopsticks.
Chewing thoughtfully, she frowned. "But that doesn't make sense. Weren't they both into you? I mean—they liked men, right? Even after everything, they'd just end up as friends and maybe share you, not suddenly become a couple!"
Clark's expression twisted. "Carrie doesn't care if it's a man or woman."
"Hiss!"
Mike and Gwen sucked in a sharp breath, exchanged glances, then both said in unison, "Eat!"
Enough gossip. Time for dinner.
Mike picked food into Clark's bowl. Gwen added some too, leaving Clark speechless.
Father and daughter exchanged a look, sighed, and shook their heads.
It's over. No more chances.
He could have scored a triple win.
Still, dinner tasted especially good tonight.
At Gwen's school, lunchtime arrived.
Carrying her lunchbox into the cafeteria, Gwen scanned the crowd and spotted Peter and Harry waving her over. She smiled and walked to their table.
Soon after, Mary joined them with her own tray.
"Where's Luke?" Gwen asked Mary.
Luke and Mary were classmates, and they usually came to lunch together.
"I called him. He said he'd be along soon," Mary replied, glancing at Gwen's lunchbox.
Harry muttered, "What a hassle."
"There he is!" Peter pointed at the entrance.
Gwen waved cheerfully. "Hey, over here!"
But Luke only glanced their way before heading straight to a corner seat, ignoring them entirely.
Gwen froze, her brows knitting together.
What's going on?
"Didn't he see us?" Peter asked, puzzled.
"He saw," Gwen said firmly. Her eyes lingered on him, thoughtful.
"Then why didn't he come over?" Harry frowned.
Mary simply shook her head.
Just then, several kids walked toward Luke.
"What are they up to?" Harry narrowed his eyes.
Gwen snapped her lunchbox shut. "Guys, this looks like trouble."
The four of them had barely turned when a shout rang out.
"You freak! Get out of here!"
The sneer carried across the cafeteria. While Mary's face stayed neutral, Gwen, Peter, and Harry's expressions darkened instantly.
"Mary, watch our food," Gwen said calmly. Then, under Mary's worried gaze, she strode over.
Peter and Harry rushed after her, unwilling to let Gwen face it alone.
She reached Luke's side and glared up at the much taller boy towering over him. "What did you just say? Go on—say it again."
Luke tugged her sleeve nervously. "Gwen, you don't have to get involved. You'll just—"
"Shut up!" Gwen barked, making him shrink back.
Turning back, her face hardened. "I said—say it again."
Her cute face now radiated an icy chill that made the boy hesitate, swallowing hard before forcing a sneer. "I said, that freak—"
Before he could finish, Gwen's fist slammed into his gut, doubling him over. She yanked his hair and smashed his face down against the table.
Bang!
His head hit with a sharp crack, and Gwen pressed him there, glaring icily at the others.
They all stepped back in unison.
Watching from afar, Mary covered her mouth in shock. She never imagined someone so pretty could strike so decisively.
And against an upperclassman—taller, stronger, and outnumbering them.
"Let me go!!"
The boy struggled and shouted, "What, did I lie? Anyone who joins that wicked Stars Company must be a freak!"
"Yeah, maybe he's a criminal too!"
"And you, hanging around him—probably freaks and criminals yourselves!"
Their jealousy over Luke's selection as a superhero candidate now twisted into smug malice.
"Shut your mouth!" Gwen snapped, snatching up Luke's tray.
"That's enough!"
Luke grabbed her arm. "That's enough, Gwen."
He didn't want her dragged into his problems.
Startled, she tossed the tray aside, then swept her gaze over the growing crowd, their eyes filled with both fear and hatred. Pressing her lips together, she muttered coldly, "Idiots. All of you."
Releasing the boy, she said louder, "You're nothing but idiots."
He rubbed his face and, emboldened by the crowd behind him, shouted, "Let's drive the freaks out together!"
"Get out!"
"Get out!"
The chorus grew louder. Gwen's body trembled with fury.
Peter and Harry shouted back angrily, even rolling up their sleeves, but Luke quickly held them back.
"Get lost! Freaks aren't welcome here!" the boy roared, pumping his fist.
The crowd echoed his cry.
Gwen clenched her fists, seething.
Then, suddenly, she smiled coldly, stepping closer to the boy. "Tell me, am I a freak? Do you think I'll…?"
She dragged her finger across her throat, licking her lips like a movie psycho, eyes gleaming with menace. A faint aura of vengeance seeped out.
The boy flinched, retreating.
The others grew tense as well.
Gwen stood silently in front of them, her gaze unyielding.
When the cafeteria fell so quiet no one dared yell, she suddenly screamed—
"Die, all of you! Raaah!"
Her roar sent dozens—maybe hundreds—bolting for the exit.
Seeing them scatter, Gwen burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha!"
Her laughter echoed, shrill and cutting.
The stunned kids quickly realized they'd been tricked, glaring furiously at her.
But Luke, Peter, and Harry couldn't help but laugh along.
Gwen smirked, threw up her middle finger at the crowd, and the boys followed suit, all four shouting in unison: "F*** you!"
Then she spun around. "Come on, guys—we're out of here!"
The three nodded, leaving with her.
Mary, who had witnessed everything, felt her heart pounding.
She envied their friendship, admired Gwen's courage, and quickly gathered their lunches. Passing the angry students, she copied Gwen, flipping them off. "Bunch of cowards!"
With that, she hurried after them.
"Hey, wait up! Gwen! Your food!" Mary shouted.
The four stopped and turned, smiling as she caught up.
See? At least some people understood.
They hadn't misjudged Mary Jane—she was a good girl.
Gwen grinned, opened her arms, and hugged her.
"You'll be ostracized for this," Gwen murmured.
Mary Jane flipped her red hair. "So what? I've got you guys."
She winked playfully, making everyone laugh.
Just then—
Growl!
Peter's stomach betrayed him. Scratching his head awkwardly, he muttered, "I skipped breakfast."
"That's on me," Luke said sheepishly.
Gwen eyed her lunchbox. "But one portion won't feed all five of us."
Snap!
Harry clicked his fingers, smirking. "Give me a minute. I'll handle it."
He pulled out his phone, made a call, and ten minutes later a car screeched to a halt outside. Several men got out, nodded respectfully at him. "Young master."
Harry gestured at the cafeteria entrance. "Set it up."
"Yes, sir!"
They quickly arranged tables, chairs, and umbrellas, then laid out steaming plates of food.
As Gwen and the others stared in amazement, Harry chuckled. "Don't forget—I'm an Osborn."
(End of Chapter)