Chapter 38: Stubborn Jonathan Finally Pinned Down

The atmosphere froze in an instant.

"Don't be so nervous, Mr. Kent. I was only joking."

Horry, whose expression had been stern just moments before, suddenly relaxed. "In any case, I hope Mr. and Mrs. Kent will give it some serious thought. I will visit again."

With that, he prepared to leave.

As he reached the door, he put on his sunglasses, turned his head, and said to the Kents, "But there's no need to worry too much. I will keep this matter confidential."

After Horry left, Martha, her face etched with worry, asked her husband, "Should we tell Peter?"

Jonathan nodded solemnly. "I'll contact him right away."

Ten minutes later, Peter drove up to the Kent farm. After listening to Jonathan’s account, he frowned slightly. The credentials for Clark and A-Zu’s orphanage had been secured through his own "money power," and he hadn't expected this man to uncover the loopholes. It seemed he would have to patch them later.

After a moment of contemplation, he pulled out his phone and called Chandler at the police station to ask if there was a police officer named Horry Hawkins in the Smallville Police Department.

Upon receiving a negative response, he hung up, shook his head, and said to the couple, "There is no officer by that name at the station. Clearly, this guy is a fake."

"A fake cop?" Martha felt even more unsettled. "Who... who exactly is he?"

"Whoever he is, his target is Clark and John." Jonathan took his wife's hand to offer some comfort and said to Peter, "I suspect he will come looking for you, too, Peter."

Peter nodded. "That would be perfect. I was hoping to have a talk with him." If this man dared to show his face before him, he wouldn't mind using a little violence to let him know the price of targeting his son and godson. "Since this man is operating in the shadows and we don't know his identity, for your safety, I suggest you and Clark move to my place for the time being."

"Clark and Martha can stay with you for now, Peter, but I don't need to," Jonathan declined. "I can't leave the farm."

Martha opened her mouth, wanting to persuade her husband, but knowing his temperament, she could only swallow her words in frustration.

Peter frowned at him. "Don't be stubborn, Jonathan. This is for your safety."

"I know, and thank you, Peter, but I believe this fake cop won't do anything reckless. Since he said he would keep it a secret, it means there is something he is still wary of."

Jonathan decided that for his son's sake, he would stay here and deal with that bastard himself. Whatever methods the man used, he would face them head-on.

Martha cast an apologetic look at Peter. Since her husband had chosen to stay, she could not go to stay at Peter’s house either. "I'm sorry, Peter. Jonathan is just that stubborn. Clark will go with you, but I'm staying here to be with Jonathan."

Peter was silent for a few seconds before nodding. "I understand. Let's keep in touch." Since Jonathan was determined to stay, there was no way to persuade him; he would have to go back and rethink his strategy.

...

The next day passed without incident.

At night, Jonathan was moving farm tools into the shed behind the house. Dim moonlight spilled in, covering the ground in a silvery glow. The chirping of cicadas was replaced by the sound of crickets, and a gentle breeze wiped the sweat from his brow.

As he was tidying up, he suddenly heard footsteps outside. He stopped what he was doing and looked toward the shed entrance.

"Mr. Kent."

A familiar voice reached his ears. To his astonishment, the black fake police officer from the day before stood at the door.

Jonathan immediately became alert at the sight of him. "Why are you here, Mr. Hawkins?"

"I just want to have a talk with you." Horry coughed and removed his sunglasses. "I think we can reach an agreement regarding Clark."

"I have nothing to discuss with you," Jonathan said, frowning. "Clark is just a child. He doesn't understand anything. Do not drag him into your dirty world."

"You are right, Mr. Kent. It is a dirty world." Horry’s expression turned solemn. "It is a world of power, filled with injustice and discrimination. Police and judges trample on the law at will, while bankers squander the blood and sweat of the lower classes." Having spent decades in prison, with his parents' property seized by the bank, his heart was filled with resentment. "That is why we need to change this world. Mr. Kent, Clark is like me. We are the chosen ones; we have the ability to change this world. I swear, in my hands, his talents will be revealed."

Jonathan stared in shock at the madman spouting such rhetoric. "You are insane!" As he spoke, he moved to grab a pitchfork nearby without drawing attention to his intent.

Seemingly reading his move, Horry teleported in front of him like lightning in the next second. Before he could react, Jonathan felt a sharp pain in his chest and was sent flying.

With a loud thud, his body slammed into the ground. Fortunately, the layer of crop stalks on the floor cushioned some of the impact, but the pain in his chest still left him gasping for air.

"You...!" Jonathan looked in shock at the man walking slowly toward him. The guy’s speed was like lightning; he had only seen a blur before being sent flying.

"Yes, I also possess extraordinary powers, just like Clark." Horry crouched down in front of Jonathan, his eyes glowing with a faint green light. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kent, but I have no patience right now, so I’m afraid I have to insist that you and Mrs. Kent come with me."

Jonathan struggled to breathe, trying to stand up and fight back, but his vision went black, and he passed out cold.

...

Patrick Farm.

Peter, unaware of what had happened to the Kents, was having dinner with Clark and A-Zu.

"Knock! Knock!"

The front door was rapped. Peter went to open it and found a teenage boy from a nearby neighbor's house.

"You're little Sam, aren't you?"

The shy, freckled boy nodded and handed Peter a letter. "Uncle Patrick, a stranger asked me to give this to you."

"A stranger?" Peter took the letter and looked out into the dark night. "Where is that stranger, Sam?"

Sam turned and pointed to a fork in the road in the distance. "He was right there, but then he just vanished."

Peter glanced at the empty intersection, gave Sam a few honey sticks to send him on his way, and returned to the table. He opened the letter, and as he read the contents, his brow began to furrow.

"Dad, what does it say?" A-Zu asked curiously.

"Someone has... kidnapped Clark's parents."

"Clang!"

Clark's knife and fork dropped onto the table.