Clark ultimately did not find that familiar figure—Kara, who had disappeared earlier.
He returned to the farm dejectedly, only to discover that Lana had already left.
Tyson was no longer in the stable; Lana must have taken him with her.
Knowing he had messed up, Clark punched the fence beside the stable heavily.
Lana must have waited after his sudden departure, and when she saw he hadn't returned, she left in disappointment.
He had messed everything up again.
At the Luthor Manor, Doctor Helen angrily threw a newspaper down in front of Lex.
"What does this mean? You want the whole world to know?" she demanded.
Lex, who had been playing billiards, glanced at the newspaper on the table.
The headline read: "Gold-Digging Doctor Clings to Billionaire Bald Tycoon."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Helen asked.
"I thought I bought every newspaper in Smallville," Lex replied, shrugging and setting aside the billiard cue.
"Helen, I like you. I want to protect you."
"You like more than just me, don't you?" Helen retorted.
"I told you, Victoria and I are just in business collaboration."
"Huh," Helen nodded. "But I also heard that Sir Harry was almost bankrupted by LuthorCorp. If not for that accident a few months ago—countless celebrities and wealthy individuals disappeared in Metropolis, and without that, I think Sir Harry would have already gone bankrupt. You and your father don't seem as at odds as you appear."
Lex paused. "About the newspaper: I sacrificed a lot to achieve what I have today, Helen, and I value it deeply!"
"So now your reputation is ruined by gossip? Is that why you won't move into the Manor?" Lex asked.
"My lease hasn't expired yet," Helen answered quietly.
"I'll take care of your remaining lease. The movers I hired will be at your place in an hour. What are you still hesitating over?"
Helen fell silent for a moment. "I have my own plans."
"I want you to know, Helen, I have confidence in our relationship. But if you want to back out, I'll understand."
He handed her a key. "This master key opens any room in this Manor. I trust you absolutely. Think carefully."
After he turned to leave, Helen stood, key in hand, a slight smile on her lips.
After leaving the manor, Lex drove toward the Kent Farm.
"Hey, Clark— I need your help with something," Lex said as he entered the front door.
"Clark isn't here. If you want his help, you'll probably have to make an appointment in advance," Adrian said from the sofa, putting aside a newspaper about Gotham.
Lex raised an eyebrow. "Clark and I agreed to meet at this time. Maybe he was delayed?"
"The only thing that could delay him is Lana," Adrian replied casually.
"Lucky day for me: your parents aren't home," Lex remarked from the sofa across from Adrian.
"I don't think I'm lucky, even though I usually am," Adrian replied.
He thought of Clark as a friend—but toward Adrian, Lex held something more complicated. Adrian was cold, distant, so interaction between them had always been awkward.
"I heard there was a car accident near the farm yesterday," Lex said directly. "If the farm suffered damage, you could apply for agricultural disaster-relief funding for Smallville. I can help. Approval takes forever unless you apply with pressure."
"No, I don't think it's necessary," Adrian answered firmly. "Have you forgotten the last time you personally invited my parents out on the issue of agricultural subsidies—offered to help—and were rejected mercilessly?"
"Mr. Kent and Mrs. Kent may have some prejudice against me. 'Bad bamboo doesn't produce good shoots.' Perhaps that's how they see it,"
Lex leaned forward, fingers clasped. "When I was in school, I often experienced prejudice from others—in language or behaviour, I felt it. But if you care too much what others think, you end up unable to move forward. If you trust people, it might be risky—but it might also be your starting point."
"Hm." Adrian nodded. He didn't like Lex much, but he admitted the man could talk.
"But sometimes without the culture of prejudice and habit, you can't even walk across the room."
He paused. "Regarding my book's publication last time: I know you helped me a lot. Although my impression of you is basically the same as my father's, in some matters we share views."
"You're welcome. I only helped a little bit," Lex said. "I believe you could've done it without me."
Adrian recognised the sentiment. That had been clear since Lex first saw Adrian's painting—and had been drawn into the horrifying illusion it created.
"It's getting late. Clark might be so captivated by Lana he forgot the time." Lex stood, preparing to leave.
Just as he reached the door, he hesitated. "I met Doctor Hamilton today. Although I'm an outsider to the path of science, I know how science transforms our world. Some claims I hear are wild — the strongest weapon against them is science. I know people at top biochemical research institutions, and if you like, I can help you."
Despite everything, Lex spoke sincerely: He genuinely wanted to help Adrian. While probing Adrian for information, he hoped to draw them closer—to discover the secrets they held.
"I'll consider it," Adrian answered impassively.
"Okay—one more thing." Lex's voice faltered slightly. "I'm a fan of your book."
"Thank you," Adrian said briefly.
After Lex left, Adrian sat thoughtful. It seemed the man wasn't only after Clark, but also... after him. While he wanted to dismiss the idea of dealing with Lex immediately, he suspected the trouble it might bring was worse.
At Smallville High School, in the school newspaper editing room, Jonathan was talking with Chloe.
"Mr. Kent, I found the fingerprint results for the teacup you asked about," Chloe said, handing Jonathan a document. "I found the person—but even as the head of the so-called 'Wall of Weird,' I find it strange."
"Linda Harrison? A person who disappeared seventeen years ago?" Jonathan asked, stunned.
"Yes. She vanished seventeen years ago after a theft charge. On that day she passed through Smallville. The police couldn't find a body, so she was listed as missing." Chloe offered a newspaper article. "There's a portrait of her, but strangely she looks different from your description. The fingerprints match—but she hasn't aged in seventeen years. I don't know why."
Jonathan held the newspaper, his face serious. The one thing certain was: the woman calling herself "Kara" was not Kara, nor was she an alien from Krypton. She was thoroughly Earth-born.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Clark encountered trouble at the Talon Club.
"Hey! Stop! Let her go!" Clark shouted at the group around Lana. A man in flashy clothing had grabbed her arm to prevent her escape.
Clark would not allow this.
"Want a fight? Brat!" the leader, a burly thug, stepped forward and challenged Clark angrily.
____
A new cheaper tier has been added on my patreon, one that grants 40 bonus chapters in advance
Become a patron now, to read ahead of everyone
Patreon.com/Zphyr