Chapter 320: Luthor Takes Action!
A Monster's Resolve
In the end, Joshua managed to control himself, preventing another killing spree.
Whether the figures he saw were real or just illusions, there was no need to take his anger out on other people.
And then there was Comi...
Thinking of the girl who gave him such passionate love, Joshua felt a stabbing pain. He had promised her a happy and beautiful future, but reality had ruined everything.
"I owe her too much. No matter what, I can't let anything happen to her."
Joshua tightened his tattered leather coat and slipped into a garbage-filled, abandoned alleyway. Compared to the wide, bright streets, this felt more like his proper home.
...
Luthor's Orders
Metropolis, top floor of LuthorCorp.
Lex Luthor sat alone in his art-filled office. Standing before him was an extremely burly white man, Brad Watt. Brad had straight brows and a thick, authoritative face, but he currently stood with his head bowed, an expression of indescribable panic on his face.
Brad Watt was the boss of a well-known Metropolis gang, the Genesis Society, and Lex Luthor's underground representative.
"Brad, I warned you that Joshua is extremely important. You needed to find him, and yet you lost the woman who had the closest relationship with him."
The cold words echoed in the room, carrying a subtle threat of murder.
Brad's face paled. He hastily explained,
"Mr. Luthor, it truly wasn't my fault. It was the Hongmen! Those damned bastards broke the rules and leaked information to the police, causing us to arrive late. They're the ones to blame."
"Oh?" Luthor raised an eyebrow slightly. "The Hongmen?"
"Yes, the Hongmen."
Brad ground his teeth, wishing he could tear them apart. "Those Asians have gone crazy lately, expanding their territory fiercely. They've broken the established power structure. And the new branch leader, Wang Hu, who was allegedly transferred from Coast City, is ruthlessly violent. He personally strangled the boss of the Irish Gang and bled him out, then poured the blood into the stomachs of the Irish thugs. Those maniacs are terrified."
"Such things are happening?"
Luthor's face darkened, and he rapidly tapped his fingers on the desk. "Does the Hongmen's unusual activity have anything to do with Luke Shaw?"
"I'm not sure about that, but there are rumors that Wang Hu and Luke Shaw have an extraordinary, life-or-death relationship."
"I knew it!"
Luthor sneered. "I knew that boy wasn't harmless. To think he could come here and try to claim the city after only a few months—he severely underestimates Metropolis."
"Brad, are you certain Comi is in the hands of the Hongmen?"
Brad nodded emphatically. "My men saw it with their own eyes. No mistake."
"Good!"
Luthor stood up. "Use every means necessary to seize Comi for me. If you can't, then kill her. Make sure everyone believes Comi died at the hands of the Hongmen. Do you understand?"
Brad nodded, then asked,
"Mr. Luthor, I don't understand. Why bother with that Mexican girl? I investigated her—she has no secrets; she's just an ordinary person."
"Don't ask too many questions. Do as I say."
"Understood. I will make the arrangements immediately."
Brad turned to leave. Shortly after, the door opened again. Anthony Ivo, with dark circles under his eyes, rushed in excitedly, carrying a petri dish containing a purple chunk of flesh.
"Luthor, guess what I found?"
"It's it! It's incredible!"
Anthony held up the container, gesticulating excitedly. "This is what I've been dreaming of! I've found the secret to eternal life!"
Luthor said expressionlessly, "If you dare to inject that into yourself, I will kill you without hesitation."
Anthony's face froze, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on him. His good mood instantly evaporated. He stomped over to the desk and slapped a list of materials onto it.
"This is what I need. Get it prepared immediately."
Luthor picked up the list and scanned it from top to bottom. His face visibly darkened, his shiny bald head seeming to pulse with blue veins.
"Two billion dollars!"
"You damn old fool! Why don't you just rob a bank? Do you think I own a gold mine?"
"No money! Not one cent!"
"Get out!"
The final "get out" was so loud it threatened to crack the windows.
Anthony dug out some earwax. "If you give me the money, I'll tell you two pieces of good news."
Luthor suppressed the urge to beat him and said in a low voice,
"Tell me the news first."
The old man held up his finger, speaking triumphantly. "First, I've developed an agent that inhibits the parasite's life activity. Just one injection, and the creature's cells will enter a dormant state, making it completely harmless."
"Second, I've deciphered the parasite's bio-electrical signature and used it to create a tracker. As long as I have a piece of its flesh, I can pinpoint Joshua Cveria's location at any time. Of course... he can also track us."
The old man spread his hands, looking innocent.
"Those two inventions are worth two billion!"
Luthor's jaw twitched violently. Two billion for these flimsy inventions? Did he think banknotes were disposable paper in a toilet?
"Are you going to pay, or not?"
"Wait!"
Luthor shot him an irritated look, picked up his phone, and stepped aside to call the Metropolis government and the Department of Defense. After a round of negotiations, he turned back.
"I can fulfill the list's demands, but you must help me capture Joshua. You absolutely cannot let him escape."
"Don't worry, you can count on me."
Anthony patted his chest confidently. His eyes shifted as he asked, "What kind of deal did you make? You must have gotten quite a bit out of it!"
"That's my business, and it doesn't concern you!"
"The fools in the White House are still so dim-witted!"
The old man looked smug. "Working with you is less reliable than sacrificing to a demon. At least a demon knows to fatten up the prey before the kill."
Luthor narrowed his eyes. "Have you said enough?"
"Alright, alright, I'm done. Just get the materials on the list ready quickly. I need them urgently."
Luthor pointed toward the door.
"Get out!"
...
Sam Lane Under Interrogation
As Anthony Ivo suggested, the White House was indeed in turmoil. First the Bloody Christmas, then Glen Carr, and the attack on A.R.G.U.S. that hadn't been publicly disclosed. After all these events, at least fifteen hundred people had died at the hands of the Parasite.
What was worse, the killing hadn't stopped and was likely to continue. No one knew where the next slaughter would occur.
Pressure was mounting on the Metropolis government and the White House from all sectors of society, urging them to find the killer quickly.
Online discussions about the murderer were frantic, with some citizens even planning to leave Metropolis and settle elsewhere.
Everything was spiraling out of control.
Department of Defense, third floor, the restricted interrogation room used for high-value prisoners.
Sam Lane, his hands bound, sat in the prisoner's chair. Across from him was the Deputy Secretary of Defense and former comrade, Dick Bell.
Sam Lane raised his manacled hands, a hint of mockery in his voice.
"I never thought I'd see the day I'd wear these things."
Dick Bell sighed softly. "I never thought I'd be talking to you here either—as your interrogator."
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