Lex Luthor ran a hand through his thick, luscious hair and chuckled. "While that particular trope sounds amusing, as far as I know, neither you nor this 'Superman'—what a terrible name, by the way—is bald. So I'm afraid the stereotype doesn't quite fit."
"Trust me, only a bald you is the real Lex Luthor."
As Superman's arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor's bald image was deeply ingrained in the public consciousness. Perhaps there was truth to the idea that long hair meant short knowledge; maybe shaving it off was what caused his IQ to skyrocket. As an ordinary human, Lex Luthor's achievements in the comics rivaled even Batman's.
Especially the Kryptonite-embedded exoskeleton armor he developed, which had given Superman such a hard time. The movie Batman v Superman had been orchestrated by him single-handedly. He had even used Zod's body and Kryptonian technology to create Doomsday, leading to the death of Superman.
However, what Jack Kadere admired most was that in the comics, he and Superman actually had a son together!
Superboy, Kon-El Kent!
He had been created by Lex Luthor using cloning technology, with half of his genes coming from Superman and half from Lex Luthor. This was true love and hate between arch-nemeses, far more powerful than the dynamic between Batman and the Joker—at least they didn't have a son!
Jack Kadere placed the green Kryptonite on the table and chuckled. "This is called Kryptonite, and it is the Kryptonians' greatest weakness. Once a Kryptonian approaches it, they lose their 'Man of Steel' abilities and a host of other superpowers, becoming as fragile as ordinary humans. Currently, most of the Kryptonite on Earth is in my hands. As long as you shave your head bald, I will allow you to use this piece to manufacture a cold weapon. This will give you the opportunity to understand and analyze Kryptonite in detail."
"It sounds like I'm doing you a favor for free," Lex Luthor said slowly.
"I think many people would fight for this opportunity," Jack Kadere replied with a grin.
"Deal!" Lex Luthor stared at the Kryptonite, his eyes revealing a hint of excitement. He rubbed his hands together, walked over, and picked up the stone. Suddenly, he brought it close to Jack Kadere. "Why aren't you affected?"
"Although A.R.G.U.S. placed the neighborhood under martial law last night, I know you fought Superman and even defeated him. You used the same abilities as him. Can I assume that General Zod might be stronger than Superman, or perhaps he ignores the effects of Kryptonite?" Lex Luthor looked at Jack Kadere and suddenly smiled. "Or are you not a Kryptonian at all, and you simply copied his abilities? You told Lois Lane the news about Superman so she would report it, ensuring he would appear so you could copy his powers!"
"You have more research value than this stone." Lex Luthor stared at Jack Kadere with burning intensity. After a long while, he suddenly gave a self-deprecating smile. "It's a pity you won't let me research you, and I can't force you. So, I suppose I'll have to give up for now."
Turning around, Lex Luthor looked at Carol Ferris. "I want to see Superman."
"That's impossible!" Superman's existence was a sensitive matter; he couldn't be contacted by just anyone.
Lex Luthor shook the Kryptonite. "I don't need to remind you that the best way to study this is to find a Kryptonian to experiment on. Superman is currently the best—and only—experimental subject, isn't he?"
Carol Ferris hesitated for a moment, then stood up and left the office to make a call to her superiors.
"Take this opportunity to study it well. If the chance arises, I'll let you do something interesting." Jack Kadere stood up, walked over to Lex Luthor, and patted him on the shoulder. He then turned to Mercy Graves, who was wearing a sour expression. "Come over and help him cut his hair."
Mercy Graves looked at Lex Luthor, and he gave a slight nod.
Clack, clack, clack.
The sound of high heels echoed as Mercy Graves turned and walked out. She returned shortly with hairdressing tools and began shaving Lex Luthor's head. As the blonde hair fell away in tufts, Lex Luthor's expression was grim. Although he had accepted the condition, watching his hair go was unpleasant for anyone.
Snap!
The moment Lex Luthor's head was as smooth and shiny as an egg, Jack Kadere snapped a photo with his phone.
Carol Ferris pushed the door open. Seeing Lex Luthor's new hairstyle, she was slightly stunned. After a long pause, she said, "My superiors have agreed to your request. Someone will come for you and take you to see Superman."
"Good!"
Poor Superman didn't know that Lex Luthor was currently holding Kryptonite with a mix of curiosity and displeasure, preparing to conduct some 'friendly' research on him. The outside world was also unaware of what methods the government had to deal with the appearance of aliens. The name Kal-El had become the most frequent term on the internet, television, and in sporadic conversations.
Everyone was discussing what to do.
Where was Kal-El? What was his purpose in hiding on Earth? Should he be handed over to the aliens if found? What if a war broke out?
Regarding this news, Jack Kadere had only one feeling: worrying over nothing!
No matter how much people thought or discussed, what was the use?
Of course, not everyone was just talking. Many known and unknown superheroes were also preparing in their respective cities. After all, no one knew where the Kryptonian would appear next!
The hotel they had stayed in the previous night had been temporarily requisitioned; the civilians had been cleared out, and military soldiers had moved in.
After leaving the LexCorp building, Jack Kadere and the two women returned to the hotel.
With nothing else to do, Jack Kadere began chatting with Lois Lane and Carol Ferris. Especially Carol Ferris—although her rank was Major and she was currently serving as the General's secretary, she was actually an extremely talented pilot and a wealthy, beautiful woman. Her father, Carl Ferris, was the owner of Ferris Air. The market value of Ferris Air was by no means low; not only did they independently research and develop new types of aircraft to sell to the military and other sectors, but they also owned and operated many airports.
There was a Ferris Air airport in Central City. The Flash's capability testing right after gaining his powers, and later in the series when he was trapped in the Speed Force and rescued by Cisco Ramon, had both taken place at that very airport!
Among the women Jack Kadere currently knew, she should be the richest.
Of course, that wealth referred to the figures on paper.
"Is Lois Lane your girlfriend?" After chatting for a while and getting more familiar with each other, Carol Ferris wasn't as constrained as before.
"I have a girlfriend, but it's not her!" Jack Kadere glanced at Lois Lane and said with a chuckle.