An Offer of Help [32]

Clark approached the officer, still invisible, carefully observing his actions. The officer seemed restless, constantly checking his watch as if he were expecting something.

Clark, focusing on the thoughts running through the officer's mind, sensed a dark suggestion implanted by Bob Rickman.

[You should take care of it… tonight.]

Clark frowned, realizing that Bob had left a deep mark on the officer's mind. He needed to act quickly.

'This idea needs to disappear now.'

Clark lightly placed his hand on the officer's head, connecting his mind to the officer's. Slowly, he erased the thought of killing Kyle, removing every trace of Rickman's dangerous suggestion.

With his mind cleared, Clark began to implant a new idea in the officer's mind, something that would make it easier for Kyle to be released from jail.

The officer blinked a few times, as if waking up from a trance.

'This will take care of things for now. Now, I need to find Bob.'

Clark quickly left the police station, still invisible, moving swiftly outside the building. He knew the next task was to figure out where Bob Rickman was staying in Smallville.

'If I were a businessman with dirty intentions, where would I be?'

Clark began considering all the options. He sped through the town, still invisible, heading toward the more secluded mansions of Smallville. He knew there weren't any luxury hotels in town, so it was likely that Bob Rickman was staying in one of the more discreet properties, perhaps in the company of someone influential.

'Victoria Hardwick... she has resources and influence. Bob might be with her.'

Clark arrived at one of the large mansions in Smallville, a property known to belong to the Hardwick family.

Clark entered the mansion, the surroundings exuding a sophisticated atmosphere. The dining room was set up for what looked like a romantic dinner. Soft lighting illuminated the table, which was impeccably set with fine dishes and crystal glasses.

'With Bob's powers of persuasion, it's unlikely any woman would turn him down,' Clark thought as he observed the scene.

Bob Rickman sat at the table, reaching out to Victoria Hardwick, who was across from him, finishing her glass of wine.

"Let's go to your room and seal the deal," Bob said in a suggestive tone.

Victoria slowly stood up, adjusting her dress as she looked at him. "You can stay in my house, Bob," she said with a cold smile. "But nothing is going to happen between us. I'm interested in men bigger than you."

Bob withdrew his hand, surprised by the rejection, but he kept a fake smile on his face. Victoria walked out of the dining room with firm steps, leaving Bob alone with his frustration.

Clark watched everything from the side.

'That was fun to watch.'

Taking advantage of Victoria's absence, Clark approached Bob, still invisible. He reached out and touched Bob's head, connecting to his mind. Slowly, Clark erased all memories of Bob's powers of persuasion and the influence he had exerted over others. Now, he would be just another ordinary man.

"You will confess to all the environmental crimes you committed," Clark murmured in a firm tone, implanting the new order in Bob's mind.

With a quick move, Clark used his heat vision to burn the palm of Bob's hand.

AAAAARGH!

Bob's scream echoed through the room as he clutched his burned hand, his face contorted in pain.

Victoria came running back into the room upon hearing the scream, concern etched on her face. "What happened to you?" she asked, seeing Bob writhing in pain, holding his hand.

Clark approached Victoria and, still invisible, placed his hand on her head.

"He had an accident in the kitchen. You're going to help him and, while you're at it, stay away from Lex," Clark said, precisely shaping her thoughts.

Victoria started picking up the phone, calling for an ambulance, while Bob continued to groan in pain.

Clark watched the scene unfold and began to leave the mansion, satisfied with the outcome. As he walked away, his thoughts drifted to the past.

'Victoria Hardwick… if I remember correctly, at some point Lionel Luthor was going to sleep with her. Consider this my gift to you, Lex. You won't need to know your father slept with your ex.'

With a discreet smile on his face, Clark left the mansion, his thoughts already elsewhere, while the night in Smallville remained calm.

...

The next morning, the shrill sound of the phone broke the silence in Clark's bedroom.

Ring! Ring!

Clark picked up the phone from the bedside table and saw Lex's name on the screen. He answered quickly, still a bit groggy.

"Clark, you don't need to worry about Bob Rickman anymore. He confessed to some crimes and won't be bothering your family again," Lex said on the other end of the line, his voice calm.

Clark, who already knew exactly what had happened, kept his composure.

"Thanks for letting me know, Lex. That's a relief for all of us."

"But there's one more thing, Clark," Lex continued. "I want you in Metropolis on Saturday. We have a lot to discuss about you and your book."

Clark smiled slightly, already expecting something like that. "Deal, Lex. I'll be there."

After chatting a bit more and ironing out the details, Clark ended the call, glancing at the clock.

"I have two days until Saturday," he murmured to himself, getting out of bed.

He stretched and left the room, ready to start getting ready for another day at school.

...

In the Torch newsroom, Clark sat next to Chloe, watching as she typed the final touches on an article she had written about Bob Rickman.

"I was thinking about trying to get an interview with Lex for The Torch," Chloe said, without taking her eyes off the screen as her fingers flew across the keyboard.

"The principal won't like seeing you report on things that have nothing to do with the school," Clark replied with a slight smile.

Chloe chuckled, still focused on the computer. "It's all a matter of perspective, Clark."

Clark laughed, shaking his head. "The only perspective that matters is the principal's. By the way, I haven't seen Pete around for a while."

"Oh, Pete's happy as can be with Jodi. The two of them are pretty much always together now," Chloe commented, giving the text one last look before saving the file.

"At least he's happy, and that's what matters," Clark said, glancing at the computer screen.

Chloe smiled and turned to Clark. "So, what did you think of the article about Bob Rickman?"

"It's really good, Chloe," Clark responded, genuinely impressed with her work.

The two continued talking about the article, laughing and discussing the details as Chloe put the final touches on the paper.

...

Clark was driving back to the farm after a long day at school. The sky was starting to take on orange hues with the sunset, creating a peaceful atmosphere. As he neared the house, he noticed his father sitting on the porch, gazing at the sky with a distant expression.

Clark parked the truck and got out slowly, watching Jonathan, who seemed absorbed in his thoughts.

"What's wrong, Dad? You seem lost in thought," Clark said as he approached and sat next to him on the porch.

Jonathan gave a faint smile but clearly tried to brush it off. "Oh, nothing, son. Just... thinking about a few things."

Clark, realizing his father wasn't being completely honest, sighed as he subtly activated his telepathy. As he read Jonathan's mind, he picked up on the worries about the farm's finances. The weight of the debt was beginning to overwhelm his father.

Clark let out a deeper sigh.

"Dad, if money's the issue, I can fix it," Clark said, trying to offer a solution.

Jonathan shook his head, firmly rejecting the offer. "Clark, no. I can't accept that. This farm has always been the livelihood of our family, and I won't let you take on that responsibility."

"And what are you going to do, mortgage the farm? You can't let your pride cloud your judgment, Dad," Clark said, keeping his tone calm but firm.

Jonathan looked at his son, considering what he had said. The silence between them was broken by a soft sigh from Jonathan, who finally began to consider Clark's proposal.

"You won't give it to me, it'll be a loan," Jonathan said, conceding a little but maintaining his integrity.

Clark smiled and stood up, giving his father a light pat on the shoulder.

"All right, Dad. I'll arrange the bank transfers," Clark said, satisfied that he could help without hurting his father's pride.

Clark went inside the house, where he was greeted by Martha's warm smile, clearly aware of the conversation between father and son.

Martha looked at Clark with an approving gaze. "You're a good son, Clark," she said as she continued to prepare dinner.

"Thanks, Mom. I'm just doing what I can to help," Clark said as he approached the kitchen counter, watching the meal Martha was preparing.

"Dinner's almost ready. Can you call your dad, please?" Martha asked as she finished setting the table.

Clark left the kitchen and went back to the porch, where Jonathan was still sitting, gazing at the horizon. "Dad, dinner's ready."

Jonathan slowly stood up, still lost in thought but with a smile on his face. "Let's go eat, then."

The two walked into the house, and soon the Kent family was gathered around the dinner table, sharing a meal and enjoying each other's company.

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