Clark is upset

"Are you forgetting about your family in the metropolis and treating this small town as your home?"

Lying on the hospital bed, Lex's father—Lionel Luthor—said to Lex standing by the bed.

"I don't revolve everything around you; I have my own life. And haven't you always seen it as a test and tempering of your son to exile him to a remote small town?"

Although Lex rushed to the Metropolis hospital immediately upon hearing news of his father being attacked, his attitude towards his father was clearly not affectionate.

"The doctor said your shoulder and back were stabbed. Although it didn't endanger any organs, you'll need at least two months of rest. I think... it's best if you keep quiet."

Lex said to his father in a flat tone.

"Hmm."

Despite being injured, Lionel's voice was still vigorous, "So you think I've said too much before?"

"I'm not that naive; we both have our own lives, don't we?"

"Is that why you're messing around with that woman?"

Lionel said to his son, "Sir Harry has long coveted the Luthor Corporation. Her daughter is playing her only card against you, and you willingly fall into Lex. I'm very disappointed in you."

"This has nothing to do with any business dealings; my affair with Victoria is just my personal matter." Lex furrowed his brows.

"Nothing to do with any business dealings? No one would think so except you. Everything is linked to business, and once it involves the Harry family, it's even more connected to 'business.' That woman is distracting you."

"The Luthor Corporation is yours, not mine."

Lex had no intention of arguing with his father anymore. He walked to the window, avoiding eye contact with his father.

"The collapse of an empire is not caused by external forces, but by internal weaknesses being breached."

Lionel tried to keep his tone from being sharp, "Lex, if you break with your family, then you will truly become a loner."

Lex didn't retort anymore, just stared out the window into the deepening night.

"Let's talk about your injury, father."

Lex turned around after a moment of silence, "Was it your business rival's attempt on you, or did you unintentionally get involved in the melee of a street bank robbery?!"

"You don't need to worry about that. There are always some small fries trying to make me surrender through such means, but they don't understand, fear and death won't make a strong man surrender, only power will!"

Lionel replied in a steady tone.

"I heard..."

Lex hesitated for a moment and said, "The assassin seems to be related to the so-called 'Owl Council,' an organization lurking in the shadows controlling the political and economic lifelines of Metropolis."

"Where did you hear that name from?"

Lionel's expression changed slightly, but he quickly concealed it.

"I have my own means and channels to learn about things, sorry, I can't reveal it to you."

"I don't know where you heard about this existence, but let me tell you, I've never heard of that name."

Lionel's expression became serious, "The Luthor family, rooted in Metropolis for generations, has never recorded a word about the so-called 'Owl Council.' Lex, if the enemy disguises itself with fear, then tear off its disguise, don't indulge in the fear it creates."

"You'll eventually find out that it's just a 'shadow on the wall.'"

"Hmm."

Lex nodded, "Or... I can choose to become fear itself."

"I have other matters to attend to; I'll leave now."

With a gesture towards his father, Lex turned and prepared to leave.

"Lex!"

Lying on the hospital bed, Lionel stopped Lex, "For your 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 declined his father's proposal to stay in Metropolis.

"If you choose not to stay in Metropolis, I will send the most professionally trained bodyguards to you. Don't refuse, Lex, you have no choice but to accept."

Listening to his father's words, Lex stood in silence for a few seconds before turning and leaving.

The next day.

Kent Farm.

"Where's the rest of the pizza?"

Clark, wearing headphones, listened to his favorite rock music while asking his mother Martha.

"In the second layer of the fridge, be careful not to touch the chili meat sauce."

Martha replied to Clark.

Seeing that Clark didn't respond, Martha stood up and went to the fridge, taking off Clark's headphones.

"Clark, can you hear me talking?"

"Of course, the pizza is on the second layer, be careful not to touch the nuclear chili meat sauce." Clark repeated his mother's words.

"I'm glad your hearing isn't damaged."

Adjusting Clark's collar, Martha smiled slightly.

"What about Eric?"

After adjusting Clark's collar, Martha, who hadn't seen her younger son for a long time, asked.

"He's helping Dad fix the car exhaust pipe."

Clark shrugged.

A few minutes later, Eric and Clark stood in front of the old Ford car, bidding farewell to their parents.

Jonathan and Martha were going to spend a three-day honeymoon in the Metropolis to commemorate their wedding anniversary.

As for Eric and Clark, in order not to disturb the sweet time of the two, they could only stay on the farm.

"Clark, Eric, I've put the hotel's phone number on the bedside table. If you encounter any trouble, remember to call."

Martha reminded the two with reluctance.

"They're already young men, Martha, you have to have confidence in them, don't you?"

Jonathan smiled and walked over to pat Eric and Clark on the shoulder.

"I almost forgot."

Clark seemed to remember something, 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, came over and hugged Clark, "Thank you, Clark."

Standing aside, Eric also handed out the gift he had prepared long ago, "Happy anniversary!"

The gift he prepared was a sample book of "Cthulhu" sent by the publisher, and after wrapping it with a ribbon, he gave it as a gift.

Although he didn't care much about holidays, considering that this was a very important day for his parents, he still made some special preparations.

 "Oh, what an exquisite gift, Jonathan and I like it very much, thank you, Eric."

 Martha took the gift and happily came over to hug Eric.

 Clark, who was standing next to him and eating pizza, suddenly felt that the pizza in his mouth was not fragrant at all.

 Compared with the exquisite gift Eric gave, isn't the wrinkled greeting card he prepared a little shabby? !

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