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*****
Three days later, a piece of explosive news shattered what had been a quiet morning.
The true face of Star Company!
Beneath this headline were rows upon rows of damning evidence against Star Company.
In order to boost the popularity of their own superheroes, Star Company had manufactured crimes one after another. Some of the so-called supervillains were, in fact, their own people.
This alone was already intolerable.
Not to mention the other crimes exposed.
Espionage, threats against people's lives, and even using psychic powers to control others...
The list of Star Company's crimes was nothing short of horrifying.
Upon seeing this, people's first reaction was shock, followed quickly by disbelief.
A superhero company—nothing more than a den of criminals?
Could you believe such a thing?
Yet the reality was undeniable. Star Company was indeed under investigation, and several so-called "superheroes" had even engaged in fierce battles against the Avengers and the X-Men.
Two days later, the matter was confirmed beyond doubt.
Star Company was finished.
Every superhero under their banner who had committed a crime was thrown into prison.
"Bah! Those bastards don't deserve to be called superheroes!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
"Only people like Superman, Captain America, and Iron Man deserve that title!"
"Thank goodness it was exposed early. Who knows how many more would have suffered otherwise?"
"It's a pity their boss disappeared. That man is truly detestable!"
"Let's hope the Avengers catch him soon."
Hearing the voices of discussion as he strolled outside that morning, Mike's lips curved into a faint smile.
This matter had finally come to an end.
Good.
Wait a second!
Mike suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He seemed to have forgotten something.
Right—wasn't the man in the White House also one of Jason Stryker's people?
Although he had been under mind control, he had still committed crimes before that.
"Well, I'll leave it to Tony and the others to deal with," Mike muttered, stroking his chin as he turned to head home.
"John? Lana?"
Seeing the couple standing at his doorstep, noticing the urgency written on their faces, Mike's heart stirred.
"Mike!"
When John spotted him, it was as though he had seen a savior. His eyes lit up as he strode over.
Mike patted him on the shoulder and said, "Let's talk inside."
John and Lana both nodded.
Once they were inside, Mike poured them each a glass of water before sitting across from them. "Is this about Luke?"
Both nodded.
"Don't worry. Luke won't be affected by the Star Company incident when it comes to school."
John exchanged a bitter smile with his wife before turning to Mike. "Thank you, but... Luke hasn't come back yet."
"What?"
Mike's brow furrowed.
Logically speaking, during the investigation into Star Company, someone like Luke—merely a trainee superhero—should have been released after a brief questioning.
After all, Luke was only a reserve and had not participated in any missions, nor committed any crimes.
"It's all my fault!"
John clutched his head in remorse.
If he hadn't been persuaded into thinking Luke could become a real superhero instead of hiding his true self forever, he never would have let him join Star Company as a trainee. None of this would have happened.
Lana wrapped her arms tightly around John. "Darling, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known."
"Don't worry," Mike assured them. "Luke will be fine. I'll ask some people to help find him and bring him back."
Hearing this, the couple's eyes welled with relief.
With Mike's help, the matter was practically resolved.
Mike gave them a reassuring nod and, right in front of them, called Tony and the others.
John and Lana's anxious hearts finally settled somewhat.
After chatting for a while, they took their leave.
They wanted to search for Luke themselves.
Even though they knew their strength was insignificant and the chances of finding him were slim, simply sitting at home waiting was unbearable.
Fortunately, their torment did not last long. The very next day, Luke was safely returned.
Because there were too many cases being processed, Luke had been thrown into prison and forgotten in a corner.
After such an ordeal, John and Lana didn't let him return to school immediately. Instead, they had him rest at home for a while.
While Luke was recuperating, Gwen and Peter, along with the others, came to visit after school.
As Gwen rang the doorbell, she turned to the group with a stern expression. "Don't mention Star Company or superheroes!"
Peter and Harry, along with Mary Jane—who had recently been spending more time with them—all nodded quickly in agreement.
At that moment, the door opened.
Seeing Gwen and the others, John's face lit up with relief.
Thankfully, these kids hadn't abandoned Luke because of what happened.
"Come in, children."
He stepped aside, and once the four entered, he pointed upstairs and whispered, "Luke is in his room. Go on."
They nodded, tiptoeing up the stairs.
John exchanged a smile with his wife.
"Luke has good friends."
Lana nodded warmly. "I'll prepare some snacks and fruit for them."
Meanwhile upstairs, the group found Luke lively as ever, though clearly a bit shaken. Seeing this, their worries eased.
They chatted casually about school. But soon enough, their conversation drifted inevitably toward superheroes.
Noticing Luke's downcast look, Gwen's eyes rolled mischievously. She clapped him on the shoulder and said boisterously, "Cheer up! We'll form our own superhero team one day, and we won't let anyone else join!"
"Yeah! I'm in!" Harry jumped in excitedly. "I'll be Angel!"
Gwen chuckled, recalling her transformed appearance. "If you're Angel, then I'm Demon!"
Peter glanced at Gwen, his cheeks reddening slightly.
If Gwen was a demon... he'd gladly fall with her.
Mary Jane, however, could only watch them with envy.
Superheroes were far beyond her reach.
All she wished for was to be independent and live comfortably without worrying about money.
Seeing the four of them bicker and laugh, Luke's smile finally returned.
His fear of being shunned vanished completely.
"Kids, have some fruit."
Lana entered with a tray. Seeing the group happily chatting, and her son smiling again, she felt completely at ease.
"Thank you, Aunt Lana," Gwen said first, grabbing an apple without hesitation.
Lana smiled, and after hearing all their polite thanks, closed the door and quietly left.
In a secret laboratory...
A group of scientists in white coats stared at a blood sample, their faces alight with excitement.
They had found the "cure."
This was a groundbreaking discovery.
If the serum could be successfully developed, it would become the antidote for countless people, saving innumerable lives.
(End of Chapter)