"Professor Miles's injuries completely healed two weeks ago, but he has been slow to regain consciousness. Fortunately, thanks to the caregiver you arranged to give him daily care and massages..."
Accompanied by Dr. Helen Cho, Batman stepped into the hospital room.
"Peter." Professor Miles Warren's eyes lit up upon seeing Peter Parker arrive.
"Professor, I heard you woke up. Are you experiencing any discomfort?" Batman asked, sitting down beside the hospital bed and looking at Miles Warren.
"Discomfort? None at all. I feel like I could jump into a kickboxing match right now," Professor Miles joked with a laugh.
"Alright, I'll arrange one for you." Batman nodded, pulling out his Bat-communicator—disguised as a cell phone—and making a motion to place a call.
Professor Miles Warren quickly laughed and stopped him, changing the subject. "Peter, I just learned from the doctor that I've been out for a full two and a half months. Can you tell me what happened after I went under?"
Dr. Helen Cho pricked up her ears. She had long been curious about Miles Warren's injuries, which looked as though they had been inflicted by creatures like vampires or werewolves. She had even suspected if Batman was the one who had wounded Professor Miles.
Much to her disappointment, Batman didn't mention a single thing related to the professor's injuries, choosing instead to recount only a few major news events. Such as the dinosaur invasion, the Fantastic Four, and Garrett trying to blow half of Manhattan sky-high.
The events that unfolded while Professor Miles Warren was comatose were completely unprecedented in his thirty-odd years of life, prompting him to marvel for a moment before the conversation drifted back to Oscorp.
"I remember there were a few others in the lab with me. How are they doing? Surely they haven't been in a coma this whole time like me?"
Dr. Helen Cho quietly observed Peter Parker's expression.
"We can talk about that later. Right now, the most important thing is for you to stay here under observation for a bit longer. We'll discuss it once you are discharged," Batman said, sidestepping the topic.
"How long do I need to stay under observation?" Professor Miles asked.
"Three days," Dr. Helen Cho spoke up.
"Whew... Three days is no problem." Professor Miles let out a sigh of relief. He dreaded hearing something like being held for a month of hospital observation.
After spending half the morning at Metropolitan Hospital, Batman repeatedly verified that Professor Miles Warren's mental state was perfectly sound, and that he hadn't undergone any mutations or grown any unexpected limbs or organs.
Only then did Batman feel reassured enough to leave. Yet, just as he stepped out of Metropolitan Hospital's doors and was about to drive off from the parking lot, Dr. Helen Cho hurriedly caught up to him.
"Peter! Wait."
With one foot on the car's running board and the other on the ground, Batman looked at the rushing Dr. Helen Cho and asked in confusion, "Doctor?"
Having caught up with Batman, Dr. Helen Cho seemed hesitant to speak. "Peter..."
Batman frowned deeply. He detected a hint of shyness and embarrassment on Dr. Helen Cho's face, mixed with a touch of anticipation. This was usually how a girl in love behaved... but Helen Cho had already been married for years.
"I would like to join the Parker Corporation," Dr. Cho said, immediately dispelling Batman's concerns. Her shyness, anticipation, and embarrassment all stemmed from this request, rather than any romantic feelings toward Peter Parker.
"Why?" Batman asked, somewhat curious about where this sudden idea had come from.
"Being a doctor isn't my ultimate career goal. Being a scientist is," Helen Cho explained.
"Why?" Batman asked once more.
Helen Cho and Reed Richards were close friends. If she wanted to leave her medical practice to pursue scientific research, why didn't she turn to the far more familiar Reed? Why come to Peter Parker, a man she had barely met a few times? Was it to uncover exactly what kind of creature had attacked Professor Miles Warren, or did she have an entirely different motive?
"I know you must be wondering why I didn't go to Reed instead of coming to you." Dr. Helen Cho smiled, taking a deep breath to compose herself, her composure returning to a balanced, dignified state.
Batman nodded. He was indeed curious. If Dr. Helen Cho had a compelling reason, he wouldn't mind welcoming her into the Parker Corporation.
"Actually, my primary field of study isn't medicine—it's materials science," Dr. Helen Cho said. "Becoming a doctor was just a way for me to gain a deeper understanding of the human body. After successfully treating Professor Miles Warren, I believe I have learned enough."
Batman didn't dispute that. He knew Dr. Helen Cho was an exceptionally talented surgeon.
"As for why I didn't join Reed at the Baxter Building..." Helen Cho continued, "joining his team would certainly grant me access to any resources I could ever want, but their research focus is the cosmos, not materials science."
The Parker Corporation had built its fortune on "memory fiber," a downgraded version of the material used in the Bat-cape.
The reasoning was straightforward and fairly compelling. But more importantly, Dr. Helen Cho added, "I'm sure you're aware that the Baxter Building is currently heavily guarded by Navy SEALs. I have no desire to be scrutinized by government higher-ups at the slightest sign of trouble. Because I'm trying to conceive."
Batman smiled at Helen Cho. The excuse of "trying to conceive" was perfectly reasonable and sufficient to explain everything.
"Congratulations in advance, and welcome to the Parker Corporation." Batman stepped down fully onto the pavement and extended his hand to briefly shake Dr. Helen Cho's.
"As a boss, you're not even going to ask what kind of materials I'm researching?" Dr. Cho asked with a bright smile.
"Perhaps I should," Batman replied.
Dr. Helen Cho tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Nanobiotechnology."
"An incredibly ambitious field of research," Batman praised. "I'll have our CEO, Alice, get in touch with you and grant your security clearance... Actually, get in. We'll head to the Parker Corporation together. I happen to have some business to take care of there anyway."
"Thank you, Boss," Dr. Cho smiled, walking around to the passenger side of the Audi R8 and opening the door.
After dropping Helen Cho off at Parker Tower, Batman reviewed the status of their latest acquisition, confirming that the chip company takeover was complete and research and development were underway before taking his leave.
Batman didn't actually need the company's tech talent to design the chip for his Alfred AI; he simply required a secure, isolated workspace. That very afternoon, Batman buried himself in the facilities of the newly acquired chip firm and went to work.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, neither Robin nor Dr. Otto had sent back any updates regarding Adamantium, and Iron Man, Tony Stark, had yet to return.
At midnight, an earth-shattering explosion ripped through Hell's Kitchen.
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