"I thought you considered the small town your home and had completely forgotten your family in the metropolis.
Lex's father, Lionel Luthor, who was lying on the hospital bed, said to Lex who was standing in front of the bed.
"I won't make everything about you the center. I have my own life. And haven't you always regarded exiling your son to a remote town as a test and tempering of his character?"
Although Lex rushed to Metropolitan Hospital as soon as he received the news that his father had been assassinated, his attitude towards his father was obviously not very friendly.
"The doctor said you were stabbed in the shoulder and back. Although your internal organs are not in danger, you will need to rest for at least two months. I think it would be best if you said less."
Lex said to his father in a calm tone.
"Oh"
Despite being injured, Lionel's tone was still full of energy. "So you think I used to talk a lot?"
"I'm not that naive. We all have our own lives, don't we?"
"Is this the reason why you're hanging out with that woman?"
Lionel said to his son, "Sir Harry has coveted Luther Corporation for a long time. His daughter played the only card she had on you, and you were willing to sink into Lex. I am very disappointed in you."
"This has nothing to do with any business dealings. What happened with Victoria is just my personal matter." Lex frowned.
"Not related to any business dealings? No one except you would think so. Everything is a chain extending from business. Once it involves Harry's family, it will be even more connected to 'business'. That woman is distracting you."
"Luthor Corporation is yours, not mine.
Lex had no intention of arguing with his father anymore, so he walked to the window so that his eyes wouldn't meet his father's.
"The collapse of an empire is not caused by external factors, but by the breaching of internal weaknesses."
Lionel tried not to sound sharp. "Lex, if you break up with your family, you'll be a real loner."
Lex didn't refute anymore, but his eyes became deeper as he stared at the darkness outside the window.
"How about talking about your injury, Father?"
Lex was silent for a moment, then turned around and said, "Was it your business rival who assassinated you, or were you accidentally involved in the melee of the bank robbery down the street?!"
"You don't need to worry about this. There are always some villains who try to use this method to make me surrender, but they don't understand that fear and death will not make the strong surrender, only power will!"
Lionel replied in a calm tone.
"I heard"
Lex hesitated and said, "The killer seems to be connected to the so-called 'Owl Council', an organization lurking in the shadows that controls the political and economic lifelines of Metropolis."
"Where did you hear that name?"
Lionel's expression changed slightly, but he quickly concealed it.
Lex replied, "I have my own methods and channels. Sorry, I can't reveal them to you."
"I don't know where you heard of this existence, but I tell you, I have never heard of this name."
Lionel's expression was somewhat serious. "The Luthor family, with roots in Metropolis for generations, has never recorded a single word about the existence of the so-called 'Council of Owls.' Lex, if the enemy disguises itself with fear, then tear off its disguise rather than indulge in the fear it creates."
"You'll eventually find out it's just a 'shadow on the wall.'"
"uh-huh."
Lex nodded, "Or I can choose to be fear myself."
"I have something else to do, so I'll go back first."
After gesturing to his father, Lex turned and prepared to leave.
"Lex!"
Lying on the hospital bed, Lionel called Lex, "For your own safety, I suggest you stay in Metropolis. Those assassins are not targeting me, but the entire Luthor family."
"Thank you for your concern, but I know how to protect myself."
Lex turned down his father's offer to stay in Metropolis.
"If you choose not to stay in Metropolis, I will send you the most professional bodyguards. Don't refuse, Lex. You no longer have the opportunity to refuse."
Lex listened to his father's words, stood there in silence for a few seconds, then turned and left.
The next day.
Kent Farm.
"Where's the rest of the pizza?"
Clark asked his mother Martha while wearing headphones and listening to his favorite rock music.
"Second shelf of the refrigerator. Be careful not to touch the chili con carne soup."
Martha replied to Clark.
Seeing the other party's lack of reaction, Martha stood up, walked to the refrigerator, and took off Clark's headphones.
"Clark, did you hear me?"
"Of course, the pizza is on the second floor, don't touch the nuclear chili con carne soup." Clark repeated his mother's words.
"I'm glad your hearing isn't damaged."
Adjusting Clark's collar, Martha smiled slightly.
"Where's Eric?"
After adjusting her collar, Martha realized that she hadn't seen her youngest son for a long time.
"He's helping Dad fix the car's exhaust."
Clark shrugged.
A few minutes later, Eric and Clark stood in front of the old Ford and said goodbye to their parents.
Jonathan and Martha are going to the metropolis for a three-day honeymoon to commemorate their wedding anniversary.
As for Eric and Clark, in order not to disturb their sweet time, they had to stay on the farm.
"Clark, Eric, I've left the hotel's phone number on the bedside table. If you get into trouble, remember to call."
Martha reluctantly gave them instructions.
"They're both young men now, Martha. You've got to have faith in them, haven't you?"
Jonathan walked over with a smile and patted Eric and Clark on the shoulders.
"I almost forgot."
Clark seemed to remember something and took out a greeting card from his pocket and handed it to his mother. "This is my gift. Happy anniversary!"
Martha was very happy to receive the gift and came over to hug Clark, "Thank you, Clark."
Eric, who was standing aside, handed out the gift he had prepared long ago, "Happy anniversary!"
The gift he prepared was an unpublished sample of "Cthulhu" sent to him by the publishing house. After wrapping it with ribbons, he gave it away as a gift.
Although he didn't pay much attention to holidays, he still made some special preparations considering that this was a very important day for his parents.
"Oh, what a wonderful gift. Jonathan and I love it. Thank you, Eric."
Martha took the gift and happily came over to hug Eric.
Clark, who was standing nearby and chewing on pizza, suddenly felt that the pizza in his mouth was not delicious at all.
Compared to the exquisite gift Eric gave me, doesn't the wrinkled card I prepared seem a bit shabby?!