Chapitre 28: Negotiation and Violence [28]
Lex entered Dr. Hamilton's lab for the second time, his quiet steps echoing on the concrete floor. The dim light illuminated the worn-out equipment, and a chemical scent lingered in the air. The scientist, hunched over his workstation, pretended not to notice Lex's presence.
"Dr. Hamilton," Lex began with a calm smile, his voice carrying a subtle authority. "I came back to see if you've reconsidered my offer."
The scientist slowly lifted his head, a mix of fatigue and apprehension in his eyes.
"I already told you, Lex... I don't want any involvement with your family. I don't need your money," Hamilton muttered, trying to keep his voice firm, but there was evident hesitation.
"This isn't about money," Lex said, walking around the lab, examining the equipment. "It's about continuing your work. You have talent, Doctor, and I'm offering you the means to advance your research. Think carefully before letting this opportunity slip by."
Hamilton glanced at his outdated instruments. Lex's offer was tempting, but the price of partnering with the Luthors concerned him. His indecision was clear.
"You're forcing me into a decision," Hamilton said in a lower tone, trying to regain control. "How can I trust you?"
Lex stopped, turning toward the scientist, his voice steady. "Trust takes time, Doctor. But with the right resources, you could go further than you ever imagined. Your research on Smallville's meteorites doesn't need to stagnate."
Hamilton's eyes betrayed his resistance, locking onto the green stones on his table for a moment. Doubt consumed him. He knew he was standing at a crossroads.
"What do you really want, Lex?" Hamilton asked, exhausted by the growing tension.
"Answers," Lex replied, directly. "You do the research. I provide everything you need. In exchange, you share the results. It's as simple as that."
Hamilton remained silent, his thoughts swirling. He knew Lex Luthor's power and influence, and he also knew that refusing could have consequences. His troubled past made him vulnerable, and Lex was certainly aware of that.
"And if I refuse...?" Hamilton stammered, hesitant.
Lex flashed a subtle smile, unhurried. "Doctor, no one needs threats. But second chances don't come every day. What do you say?"
The weight of the decision was evident on Hamilton's face. He knew that without Lex's resources, his research would be left to chance. There was no real choice.
"Fine," Hamilton sighed at last, his voice defeated. "I accept."
Lex extended his hand. "You've made the right decision, Doctor. Let's see where this takes us."
Hamilton hesitated for a brief moment before shaking Lex's hand, feeling as though the fate of his career, and perhaps his life, was now tied to the young Luthor.
Satisfied, Lex left the lab, knowing he had achieved what he wanted. As he walked through the door, he murmured to himself, "A new beginning, Doctor. Just that."
...
The next day, Clark arrived at the Luthor mansion for a meeting that had been postponed for some time. Lex greeted him in the office, the space lit softly by the sunlight streaming through the large windows.
"Clark, I'm glad you could make it," Lex said, rising from his chair to greet him. "Have a seat. We need to talk about the sales results of your book."
Clark settled into the chair in front of Lex's desk, still not quite used to the formality that came with his sudden fame.
"Of course, Lex. I've been curious to know how things are going," Clark said, trying to hide the slight anxiety in his voice.
"Well, I'll get straight to the point," Lex began, opening a folder with the sales reports. "Your book is selling very well, Clark. The reviews have been positive, and the demand keeps growing. I think it's time we started talking about profits and publicity."
Clark leaned forward slightly, interested. "I knew the sales were going well, but I didn't realize the scale it was reaching."
Lex smiled shrewdly, as if knowing Clark had been underestimating the success of his own work.
"You're going to be a wealthy man, Clark. And I don't say that lightly. To be honest, it's not every day an author gets a 50% share of the sales with a publisher like Luthor."
Clark frowned in surprise. "I thought about that, Lex. I didn't think many authors could get 50% of the sales from their books."
"You're right," Lex responded more seriously. "Normally, publishers keep 90% or more, and the authors barely make 10%. But in your case, it's different. You're not just a client, Clark. I consider you a friend. And that kind of partnership isn't something I'd offer to just anyone."
Clark stayed silent for a moment, processing what Lex had said. He knew Lex always had a plan, a strategy. But he also felt that, on some level, Lex was being genuine.
"I appreciate that, Lex. I really do. I just hope this is good for you and your publishing house too," Clark said with a smile.
Lex chuckled softly. "Don't worry about me, Clark. The Luthor name sells on its own. But having a successful author like you associated with my company is something I see as a long-term investment. The more you grow, the more I grow too."
Clark nodded, understanding the logic behind Lex's words. "I get it. And what else is on the horizon? You mentioned publicity and interviews."
"Yes, we're planning a book signing soon, as well as an interview for the *Inquisitor* and other local publications. That should increase the visibility of your book even more."
"That sounds great," Clark responded, feeling more relaxed with the idea. "And what about the second book?"
Lex leaned forward slightly in his chair, watching Clark with interest. "The expectations for the second book are already high. Critics and the public love what you did with the first one, so it's natural they want more. Do you have any ideas in mind?"
Clark was silent for a moment, reflecting. "I have some ideas, but nothing concrete yet. I need some time to organize everything."
Lex nodded, understanding. "Take all the time you need. The last thing we want is to rush the creation of something with as much potential as the first."
Clark smiled, feeling more confident. "I won't disappoint, Lex."
"I know you won't," Lex replied with a confident smile. "We're just at the beginning of something big, Clark. And I'll be here to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible."
The two shook hands firmly, sealing not only the business agreement but also a partnership that, in Lex's eyes, could extend for a long time. For Clark, it was an opportunity to follow a new path, but he knew he'd have to tread carefully in the world that Lex controlled.
"Let's celebrate your success, Clark. You're about to see your life change in ways you can't even imagine," Lex said, standing up from his chair and signaling for Clark to follow him.
As they walked through the mansion, Clark sensed that the conversation wasn't just about business. There was something deeper, a connection Lex was trying to strengthen. What Clark didn't know was how far Lex was willing to go to maintain that partnership.
...
Metropolis - Night
Belinda Jenkins, exhausted after a long day, carefully placed her baby in the crib. The room was quiet, and the soft light from the lamp made the space feel cozy. As the child stared innocently at the ceiling, a barely perceptible noise echoed through the room.
"Earl, is that you?" Belinda murmured, noticing a shadow moving by the door.
Earl Jenkins stepped into the room, his shoulders slumped, an expression of weariness and nervousness on his face. He looked at his child, trying to smile as he slowly approached the crib. The baby gazed at him with curious eyes.
"I... I just wanted to say goodnight," Earl said hesitantly, reaching out with a trembling hand to pick up the baby.
As his hands neared his son, a violent tremor ran through his body, and his hand jerked back suddenly. His heart raced, and he stepped back, frightened.
"No... what's happening to me?" Earl whispered, staring at his hands, which now shook uncontrollably. The room around him began to shake along with him, the curtains swaying and the furniture vibrating as if an earthquake was happening.
Belinda heard the noise and rushed into the room, alarmed.
"Earl? Are you okay?" she asked, looking around, confused.
However, when she looked at the crib, everything seemed normal. The baby was there, quiet, and Earl was nowhere to be seen. She frowned, her heart still racing with worry, and looked around the room.
"Earl...?" Belinda called, but only silence answered her.
...
LuthorCorp
Under a torrential downpour, Earl stood outside the imposing LuthorCorp building, trembling uncontrollably. He held a small bottle of pills in his shaking hand, desperately trying to open the cap. But his fingers wouldn't obey, and the bottle fell from his hands.
"No... not now!" Earl murmured, panic rising in his voice as the pills spilled into the puddle, ruined by the rain.
He looked up at the entrance to the building and, with a final burst of willpower, ran toward it, pounding on the glass door.
"Will! Will, please, let me in! I need to talk to Lionel!" Earl shouted, his voice filled with desperation.
Will, the maintenance man, appeared on the other side of the door, a concerned expression on his face.
"Earl? What's going on?" Will asked, hesitating for a moment as he saw the state Earl was in.
"Please, Will, something happened to me at the factory in Smallville! I... I need to talk to Lionel! He has to know!" Earl begged, the panic in his voice growing as his body began to tremble again.
"You need a doctor, Earl. This is serious," Will said, approaching but hesitating to open the door.
However, Earl lost control. His body shook violently, and suddenly, with a single abrupt motion, he shattered the glass door with the force of his hands. He collapsed to the ground, exhausted and terrified of what had just happened.
"Earl, what did you do?!" Will exclaimed, running to help the man up.
As Will tried to lift him, Earl's body began to tremble again. He grabbed Will by the arms, trying to stabilize himself, but the tremors were uncontrollable. In a second, everything changed. Earl's violent shaking caused his arms to tighten with supernatural strength, and before he realized what was happening, Will's neck snapped with a horrifying crack.
"No... no... Will!" Earl screamed, horrified by what he had just done. He let go of Will's lifeless body, his hands trembling as he looked at his fingers, as if they were responsible for the tragedy.
Not knowing what to do, Earl fled, disappearing into the darkness of the night, his heart filled with guilt and despair.
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