Witch?

"This is..."

After two seconds of silence, Eric prepared to tell his parents a necessary "white lie."

A nervous expression appeared on Clark's face as he said to his father, "This doesn't belong to us."

Jonathan froze, casting Clark a suspicious glance. "If it doesn't belong to you, why is it in your hands? Clark, you know where our boundaries lie."

"Yes, I know."

Clark guiltily glanced at the expressionless Eric.

"Clark, you and Eric possess extraordinary gifts. I don't want you to squander them. You know what you may do and what is absolutely forbidden."

As he spoke, Jonathan walked toward Eric. "The same goes for you, Eric. You know the bottom line I set for you. Use your abilities carefully. That was our agreement, wasn't it?"

"I understand."

Eric nodded. He understood what his father meant.

He was simply worried that Clark and he might use their extraordinary abilities to commit illegal acts.

"So, Clark, what exactly is in the box?"

After lecturing his two sons, Jonathan finally got to the most crucial question.

"Inside..."

Clark hesitated, preparing to give the excuse he had come up with.

Creak!

The bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.

Lex Luthor entered through the door. "Sorry, Mr. Jonathan. I asked Clark and Eric to keep this for me."

Everyone in the room, especially Clark, was shocked by Lex's sudden visit.

"Lex?"

"Sorry, Clark. I came by without letting you know beforehand."

Lex gave Clark an apologetic smile, then walked over to the stunned Jonathan and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jonathan."

Jonathan did not shake his hand. Frowning, he said, "I don't believe my son's friendship with the Luthor family is close enough for this."

"Actually..."

Lex did not seem bothered by the other man ignoring his handshake. He naturally withdrew the hand hanging in midair. "I ran into some trouble. The manor I lived in was damaged, so I asked Clark to temporarily store some valuables for me. You know, rebuilding a manor is a very lengthy process."

"Isn't that right, Clark?"

Lex asked Clark.

"...That's right."

Clark let out a long breath and nodded repeatedly.

He was immensely relieved that Lex had come to save the day at such a critical moment.

"I know my son attended a party at your manor and was then attacked by unknown assailants."

Jonathan's tone was clearly unfriendly. "Perhaps you should stay away from my son. Then the trouble you attract won't drag Clark into it."

"...I'm very sorry, Mr. Jonathan."

Lex awkwardly rubbed his nose. "I'm grateful to Clark."

"What we need isn't gratitude. It's an appropriate distance."

"Jonathan!"

Seeing her husband's tone grow increasingly hostile, Martha feared the two might clash and spoke up to stop him. "You've said enough today. Clark, Eric, and their friend may have things to discuss. We need to give them some space."

After hearing his wife, Jonathan stopped taking digs at Lex. He gave him one last look, then went upstairs with Martha.

"Lex, thank you!"

Once his parents had gone upstairs, Clark let out a breath and thanked Lex.

"No, I should be the one thanking you. I'm happy to know you're all right, Clark!"

Lex replied in a good mood.

After chatting with Clark for a few moments, Lex walked over to Eric, who was about to leave, and extended his hand. "You're Eric, right? I'm Lex Luthor. I've read your book. It has truly eye-opening, bizarre imagination."

Eric looked at Lex's outstretched hand. "I always thought schemers and capitalists had no leisure for reading."

"Actually, for capitalists, reading allows them to see the true nature of society. For schemers, reading lets them embrace the notion that 'when the time is right, anyone can do evil,' allowing them to find excuses to cross their moral bottom line with a clear conscience."

"You don't seem at all reluctant to admit you're a capitalist and a schemer."

Although Eric's impression of Lex was not as bad as his father's, it was hardly favorable.

"I know you, Lex Luthor. I can smell the selfishness and hypocrisy on you, and I know about the little moves you make behind the scenes. If you don't want to invite trouble you can't handle, put away that excessive curiosity and those little tricks. Otherwise, you won't always be this lucky."

After threatening Lex, Eric turned and left.

Lex remained where he was, deep in thought.

"You all right, Lex?"

Clark walked over and patted the thoughtful Lex on the shoulder.

"I'm fine."

Lex smiled and asked Clark, "Clark, how did you escape from the manor? I remember you were in the hall at the time..."

Hearing the question, Clark's face fell. He had no idea how to explain it.

The next morning.

Smallville High School.

"It's great to see you back safe and sound, Clark."

Pete punched Clark in the chest. "But I knew you'd be fine. After all, you're Superman with limitless strength."

"I'm not, Pete. If I hadn't been lucky, I wouldn't have gotten away so easily."

Clark replied helplessly.

"Shouldn't we be focusing on the fact that there was a very serious terrorist attack yesterday?"

Chloe complained unhappily, "No students were hurt, but Luthor Manor was completely destroyed. I don't understand why everyone is acting like nothing happened."

"Chloe, it seems you don't understand the Luthor family's public relations power. They can make everyone forget anything unfavorable to them, just like what they did to my parents."

Pete had a terrible impression of Lex and said irritably, "So you'd better keep quiet. Otherwise, the principal will shut down your little journalism room. Oh, right."

Pete quickly remembered something else. "For this week's community service event, Clark, can you come with me? I don't want to spend the whole day alone talking to those denture-wearing old folks at the nursing home."

"Didn't you say you met an old man who could foresee the future?" Chloe teased.

Foresee the future?

Hearing those words, Clark's heart stirred.

He suddenly remembered the scene he had witnessed—Eric holding up a steel fork embedded in someone's head, murmuring, "Darkseid is dead."

Was that a future that could be predicted too?!

Thanks to "Ordinary High-Level Player" for the tip.

The weekend is here. Hope everyone has a great weekend!