American Comics : God Of Avengers

As Nathan combed through the scattered remnants of Richard Parker's data, something peculiar caught his attention.

The surveillance footage within the lab showed snippets of Richard's daily activities. Most were mundane—typing at his workstation, feeding spiders, calibrating equipment—but Nathan's sharp eyes picked up on something others had missed.

In the corner of Richard's lab stood a photo frame.

A family photo—Richard, his wife Mary, and their young son, Peter.

Nathan paused the footage and zoomed in.

The frame had been there from Richard's first day in the lab, always placed in the same spot near the computer monitor. It was nothing extravagant, just a modest black frame—yet it clearly meant something to Richard.

But then…

Nathan skipped ahead to the date Richard had supposedly purged all his experimental logs.

On that day—the photo frame was gone.

That's when it clicked.

"Why take the photo frame... but leave everything else?" Nathan murmured to himself.

Richard hadn't packed up or shown signs of leaving. His notes, books, and personal gear remained untouched. The only item removed from the lab—was that single frame.

Coincidence?

No. Too perfect to be coincidence.

Nathan's pulse quickened. He immediately checked the timestamp of the last system-wide data deletion—the moment Richard erased all records of the Spider Project. It matched exactly with the disappearance of the frame.

Nathan leaned back slowly in his chair, eyes glittering.

"That frame wasn't just sentimental. He hid something in it."

A tingle ran down his spine. If Richard had hidden something inside—**research notes, genetic formulas, or a key to his encryption systems—**then recovering it could save Nathan weeks, maybe months of reverse engineering.

Normally, it would take him months to fully decode the extraordinary spider DNA and restructure it to bind with human physiology.

But with Richard's work?

He could finish in days.

Maybe even hours.

"Stand on the shoulders of a giant…" Nathan whispered.

That's what this was. Richard Parker had done most of the climbing. Now, Nathan just had to follow his footholds.

He scoured through the internal Osborn records and found what he was looking for—an internal log noting that Richard had taken the photo frame home, specifically to his son's bedroom.

Nathan's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Then that's where I'm going."

He tapped the side of his tablet, then turned to Kurt.

"Let's go," Nathan said briskly. "We're going to visit Richard Parker's son."

Kurt blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Right now?"

The scientist looked at Nathan with mild confusion. After all, they'd just finished a deep-dive analysis into the Spider Project, and now Nathan wanted to visit a teenage boy?

Nathan didn't elaborate. He stood up and explained with a vague smile, "Richard was one of our finest researchers. Though he's no longer with us, his contributions to Osborn Biotech were invaluable."

"I want to show that this company cares. That we don't forget those who gave their all."

Kurt stared at him for a beat longer, then nodded respectfully. "Boss, you really are… the best employer I've ever had."

Nathan smiled. "I know."

Kurt: "…"

After a pause, Kurt said, "I remember—after Richard and his wife passed, their son Peter was placed under the care of his aunt. I'll have someone trace the current address."

"Good," Nathan said. "Let's not waste time."

Osborn may have been struggling in some sectors, but it still had resources—a capable internal intelligence network included.

Kurt pulled out his phone and made the call.

A few minutes later, Kurt's phone buzzed with a reply. "Found it," he said, handing the phone to Nathan. "That's their current residence."

Nathan read the address and nodded. "Let's go."

"Should I call the car?"

"Yes," Nathan said. Then he added, "On the way, let's stop and get something."

Kurt tilted his head. "Like a gift?"

"Exactly," Nathan replied. "We're guests. We're not walking into someone's home empty-handed."

---

Later that afternoon—

A black car rolled to a gentle stop in front of a modest apartment building in Queens. Kurt stepped out first, carrying a gift basket. Nathan followed, flanked by a driver holding a few more items—cookies, fruits, flowers.

They made their way to the third floor, stopping in front of a plain white door.

Knock knock.

A few seconds passed.

Then the door opened to reveal a kind-faced woman, perhaps in her late 50s. She wore a gentle smile but looked understandably confused to see strangers standing at her door.

It was Aunt May.

She peered cautiously at them. Her eyes landed on Kurt's one-armed figure. Recognition flickered in her gaze.

"You…" she said slowly. "I know you. You're… one of Richard's colleagues, right? You came to the funeral."

Kurt nodded gently. "That's right. I'm Kurt, from the Osborn R&D department."

May's demeanor softened. "Oh, of course. Come in, come in!"

She stepped aside and motioned for them to enter.

The three men entered the humble home, taking seats on a modest couch as May headed to the kitchen. "I'll get you some water."

Nathan let his eyes roam subtly around the room.

Photos lined the walls—Peter as a toddler, Peter on a school trip, Richard and Mary smiling in older frames. It was a warm space, full of memories.

And then he saw it.

A glint of glass from the slightly ajar bedroom door.

Nathan's eyes narrowed.

The photo frame.

He could just make it out on Peter's nightstand. Same size. Same frame.

He had found it.

His heart began to beat faster.

Whatever Richard had hidden—if it was inside that frame—was just a few steps away.

---

May returned with a tray of water and cookies. "It's so nice of you all to come."

Nathan nodded politely. "We're here not just to visit, but also to pay respects. Richard may be gone, but his impact still lives on in our company."

"We want Peter to know his father's legacy hasn't been forgotten."

May smiled warmly, clearly touched. "That means so much. Richard loved his work. I know he'd be proud."

"Is Peter home?" Nathan asked gently.

"Ah, no," she said. "He's at school—science club after hours. You just missed him."

Nathan nodded. "We'll keep the visit brief."

Kurt sipped his water, while Nathan let his gaze flick once more toward the bedroom.

Just then, May stood. "Let me get you Richard's old scrapbook. I think it'll make you smile."

The moment she left the room, Nathan stood and moved toward the bedroom door silently.

In the quiet room, the photo frame sat quietly on the table. He picked it up, eyes narrowing.

It was heavier than it looked.

Subtly, he twisted it in his hands. He ran a finger along the backing and found what he was looking for—a tiny magnetic catch.

With a soft click, the back panel popped open.

Inside wasn't just a photo. Behind the smiling family image was a thin folded sheet, delicately tucked between layers.

Nathan carefully slipped it out and unfolded it.

Handwritten equations. DNA charts. Vector maps. Retrovirus delivery models.

His eyes widened.

This was it.

Richard's hidden notes.

The foundation of the Spider Project.

Carefully, Nathan returned the note and sealed the frame again just as May returned, holding an old book.

As he sat back down, he smiled warmly. "Thank you for welcoming us. You have a beautiful home."

She smiled. "Thank you."

After a few more minutes of polite conversation, the visitors stood.

"If there's ever anything Peter needs," Nathan said, "you can contact Osborn. We take care of our own."

May placed a hand over her heart. "You're very kind."

Nathan and his team exited the apartment, and once the door closed behind them, he looked at Kurt.

"We found it."

Kurt blinked. "We did?"

Nathan didn't explain further.

But in his pocket, a folded sheet of genius rested against his chest.

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