Shane Freak
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Chapter 604: Borrowing the Blade to Kill the Eagle (Part 2)
🕑 Added 2023-09-27 14:19:24 +0000 UTCIn DC World With Marvel Chat Group : Table of Content/Chapter List
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Lex's butler was equally swift in his actions. In no time, dinner was prepared. During the meal, Clark confided in Lex about the trouble he had encountered. Lex, sitting at the head of the table and cutting into his steak, paused for a moment before asking:
"So, you're saying a group disguised as KGB agents entered your dorm and was then subdued by this 'rat'?... It seems more likely they're from the CIA."
Clark was taken aback by Lex's certainty and asked, "How can you be so sure? What if it wasn't them?"
"Blaming the KGB, even before successfully framing them, aligns with the motivations and expertise of the CIA," Lex continued to work on his plate, speaking as he ate. "Clark, it's not surprising that the CIA has taken an interest in you. You might think you're discreet when using your superpowers, but to those professional agents, you hardly make any effort to conceal yourself."
"You believe you've found a secluded spot to take off, but in reality, your vanishing act raises the most suspicion. Once they've set their sights on you, every path you've traversed will be closely monitored."
"I suspect that you've, on more than one occasion, performed feats like lifting a car with your bare hands or ripping a door off directly to save someone or assist others. These actions can't have gone unnoticed."
"You should understand that Metropolis is the most important city on the East Coast, bar none," Lex looked out of the window towards Luthor Manor's door. "All significant figures here are under surveillance, including you and me."
Clark shivered and suddenly found his food less appetizing. He said, "Please don't tell me even this Manor is..."
Lex shook his head and remained silent, but Clark felt uneasy. He added, "I don't like the feeling of being watched."
"Do you want to deal with these people? Eliminate them? Make them feel fear?"
"Of course not," Clark replied immediately. "I know it's their job, but that doesn't mean I have to like spies, regardless of their nationality. I believe most people feel the same way as I do."
"So, can you make them stop bothering me? Even though I owe you a favor, feel free to call on me whenever you need help," Clark offered.
Lex pursed his lips. He wasn't accustomed to Clark's straightforward way of speaking, but eventually, he sighed and said, "Very well, I'll contact them on your behalf and give them a warning not to go too far. However, complete surveillance removal is impossible, even I can't do that."
"That'll have to do," Clark said with a hint of resignation. "I remember when I was younger, these two nations used to make headlines for their inventions and achievements. Why did it turn into a rivalry of spies and surveillance?"
No one answered him, and the question lingered in the halls of Luthor Manor, fading into the evening breeze of Metropolis.
The bustling city remained unfazed by anyone's questions or worries, continuing its development like a beacon for all of humanity.
After Clark left, Lex sat alone in the library of Luthor Manor. He opened the door of a pet crate and looked at Pikachu as it hopped out. "Professor Shiller has a message for me, right?"
"It's easier to talk to you," Pikachu said. "That Clark, he's a good person, an innocent one, perhaps too noble for his own good."
Pikachu jumped onto a bookshelf, crossed its legs, and continued, "Those two individuals were indeed taken out by me, and they did infiltrate Clark's dormitory. I didn't expect them to come to us so easily, which saved me a lot of trouble."
"The emblem, it wasn't found on them, was it?" Lex inquired.
Pikachu nodded and said, "Don't ask about the specifics of the plan. In any case, Schiller hopes you'll fulfill your promise and contact the CIA in Metropolis, warning them not to tail Clark anymore."
"What does he want to achieve?" Lex asked while picking up a book. Pikachu shook its head, indicating it didn't plan to reveal more. Lex didn't press further, gazing out of the library's window at the night sky, taking in the vibrant night views of prosperous Metropolis.
At the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency in Metropolis, Kayla picked up the telephone and said, "Alright... I see... What? You mean Lex Luthor, the new head of the Luthor family, invited me for dinner? Why..."
After hanging up the phone, Kayla stood still for a moment, deep in thought, and then said to her subordinate nearby, "Prepare a car for me; we're going to Luthor Manor."
A CIA vehicle stopped at the entrance of Luthor Manor, where the butler welcomed Kayla. She was dressed in a sharp field agent outfit, wearing a tracksuit under a jacket, looking energetic.
However, Lex's expression was less than favorable when he received her. As they both sat down at the dining table, Lex got straight to the point:
"Do you know your recent activities have been rather frequent? Do you think the Luthor family's security cameras are for show?"
"It's for security reasons," Kayla replied as a matter of routine. "These are turbulent times, and we recently had a murder at the mayor's mansion. You've experienced something similar before. Do you want Luthor Manor to become another crime scene?"
"Don't try to use this to threaten me," Lex retorted. "You know better than anyone what's really going on. Luthor Manor is perfectly safe, and my security doesn't concern you."
"Is that so?" Kayla's gaze lingered on Lex's injured jaw, and she said, "Indeed, after a trip to Gotham, you've only sustained this minor injury. Your security is indeed impressive."
Kayla wasn't being sarcastic; she genuinely meant it. After all, she knew just how perilous Gotham could be.
"Not to mention me, why are you all keeping an eye on my friend? And why did you even break into his dormitory? That's a bit too much," Lex expressed his displeasure as he tapped his fork against his plate during the meal.
"My friend?" Kayla furrowed her brow and asked, "Who?"
"Don't play dumb with me. The tall one named Clark, you've seen him before at the mayor's mansion, haven't you?" Lex replied.
Kayla gradually recollected. During the mayor's murder case, there seemed to be a superpowered individual named Clark who had clashed with them. She sighed and said, "Monitoring superpowered individuals is not our responsibility; that falls under the jurisdiction of the Special Branch."
"In that case, all I can say is that the department is utterly foolish. Not only did they casually invade Clark's dormitory, but they even carried a Soviet Union emblem to pose as KGB agents. Do they think everyone is a fool? Falling for such a ruse?"
Hearing this, Kayla hesitated for a moment. A flicker of unnatural expression briefly crossed her face, but it quickly vanished. She said, "Posing as KGB? You mean the people from the Special Branch responsible for monitoring Clark posed as KGB?"
"Correct. I know they intended to use Clark's unique abilities against the KGB, which might be justifiable in these times. But can't they be more discreet about it? Even that big simpleton saw through it."
"So, he asked me to convey a message, to warn you not to bother him anymore. He's seen through your little games."
Kayla furrowed her brow deeper and fell into thought. Lex called her a couple of times, but she remained absorbed in her contemplation. Finally, Kayla spoke, "I understand the situation you've described. Can you show me the emblem they found on them?"
Lex retrieved the emblem he had obtained from Pikachu and handed it over. When Kayla laid eyes on the emblem, her pupils contracted. She became expressionless, and her facial muscles tensed, as if she were trying to control her emotions.
However, in the end, she said, "This is crucial evidence. Can you give it to me? If you keep it, it might..."
"I intended to give it to you from the start. I don't want to hold onto this thing. If it ever becomes evidence against me, that wouldn't be good, would it?" Lex remarked with a hint of implication.
"I'll vouch for you," Kayla said as she stowed away the emblem. She then stood up and said, "I'll coordinate with the Special Branch, but don't expect too much. They're a stubborn bunch, not easily persuaded."
"I just hope to convey my attitude. If you don't follow what I've said, the consequences are on you," Lex replied with an indifferent tone.
Kayla didn't say more; she turned and left. Once inside the car, she let out a sigh, tightly pressed her arms against her body, placed her palms behind her knees, and concealed her slightly trembling fingertips.
Upon returning to the CIA headquarters, she sneezed a few times, rubbed her nose, and then pretended to be fatigued as she told her subordinates, "I might be coming down with a cold. I'll visit the hospital; you guys keep an eye on things this afternoon."
"Don't worry, boss. There haven't been any major developments lately. You've been working around the clock since the murder case was closed. It's time to see a doctor."
Kayla waved them off and left. It was clear that she had much better rapport within the CIA than Benjamin.
After leaving the headquarters, Kayla rushed to the hospital. She registered, found her way to the examination room, and saw the doctor in one continuous motion.
In the doctor's office, Kayla signaled the female doctor, who then closed all the curtains and shut the door. The doctor took a seat and asked, "What's going on? Comrade Valeria, why did you suddenly contact me?"
Kayla took a deep breath and spoke rapidly, "Suspected Special Branch personnel disguised as our agents infiltrated the dormitory of a superpowered individual named Clark. They had a red flag emblem with them, intending to frame us and provoke that superpowered individual into coming after us."
"I've already sent the intelligence on this superpowered individual back to Moscow, and Moscow is taking it very seriously because he's genuinely powerful."
The female doctor furrowed her brow and said, "Indeed, if they resort to such dirty tactics, our field agents could be seriously compromised. I'll compile this information into a report and send it back. We should get a response within three days at the shortest."
"But that's not the main point," Kayla frowned. She reached into her pocket, retrieved the emblem, and slapped it onto the table, making a crisp sound. She emphasized, "The important thing is, the emblem they used to pose as us is genuine. It's an authentic red flag emblem, and..."
Before Kayla could finish her sentence, the female doctor reached out and took the emblem. After a quick glance, she said, "Correct, it's indeed our item, and it's from the early days."
"It's not just an early red flag emblem; it has a special marking on it. Someone once told me its significance, representing a particular hero..."
The female doctor paused for a moment while holding the emblem and looked at Kayla. Kayla also gazed at her and slowly uttered the name, "Harold Harry Philby."
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Next Chapter>>Chapter 605: Borrowing a Knife to Kill a Hawk (Part 2)
