Chapter 54: Death Party

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After Peter documented the image of the parasite host described by Clark and Azoo, he sent it to Officer Chandler, asking for his help in the investigation.

Nightfall.

Peter was having dinner with the Jonathan family when the farm phone rang.

He answered, “Hello, this is Patrick Farm.”

“It’s me, Chandler,” came the voice.

Hearing Chandler’s voice, Peter brought the receiver closer to his ear and said, “Let me guess—you want me to help identify that guy. So, you’ve got a lead now, Officer Chandler?”

“You guessed right, Peter. Based on your description of that man’s appearance, I narrowed it down to a few suspects.”

On the other end, Chandler said, “The prime suspect is Dr. David Harewood. He works for Luther Chemical Group, specializing in synthetic biology and bioenergy.”

“He’s also the chief technology officer at Luther Group’s biology lab. Normally, he wouldn’t be in Smallville, but someone recently spotted him in town.”

Peter adjusted his posture, switching the receiver to the other ear. “That’s not surprising. Maybe Leno Luther is conducting some secret experiments in Smallville.”

After thanking Chandler and hanging up, Peter held the receiver thoughtfully.

David Harewood seemed a very likely candidate for the alien parasite’s host.

That could also explain why he attacked Lex Luther.

As an employee of the Luther Group, harboring resentment and dissatisfaction might have driven him to assault Leno Luther’s family, which made sense.

Come to think of it... Leno Luther had invited him to a party he was hosting.

If he remembered correctly, it was tomorrow night.

Looks like he’d better prepare to attend the party in advance.

After setting down the receiver, Peter made up his mind.

...

The next day.

Evening came swiftly.

In the Luther estate’s grand yet tastefully decorated living room, the air was filled with cheerful, lively, or sometimes insincere chatter and laughter.

Peter stood in the hall, putting down his glass of champagne, observing the elegantly dressed guests clustered in small groups.

The party wasn’t crowded, and Peter recognized many familiar faces—the oldest Hanks family members in town, old Mac, the museum curator and amateur historian, the mayor, and his office assistant.

“Thank you for coming to the party, Patrick.”

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Leno approached, in good spirits, greeting Peter. “I haven’t properly thanked you for bringing Lex back last time.”

Peter replied politely, “No need to mention it. It was just a small favor.”

Leno took a glass of champagne from a waiter and said, “Giving champagne leaves a lingering fragrance on the hands—something I can’t quite match. Anyway, Patrick, let me express my gratitude.”

He knew Peter wouldn’t accept any material thanks, so he intended to introduce some guests to him.

“No, thank you. I don’t need that for now,” Peter declined.

He wasn’t here to network.

If David Harewood was indeed the alien parasite’s host, as the boss, Leno Luther might know something.

He planned to use the opportunity of the party to investigate the Luther estate, so he wouldn’t waste time on social niceties.

After being refused, Leno set down his glass with some regret.

Just as he was about to say something else, other guests waved to him.

After exchanging a few words with Peter, he went to attend to the other guests.

Peter watched him leave, tightened the somewhat unfamiliar tie on his suit, then turned toward a corner where no one was paying attention.

“Whoosh!”

A gust of wind lifted the curtains, and in that instant, Peter vanished.

Upstairs, Leno Luther’s office.

Peter scanned the room, beginning his search for clues.

Soon, he found a tape labeled “Laboratory David Harewood Incident” in a drawer.

Inserting the tape into the player, a video of David Harewood dissecting a coyote appeared on the screen.

Peter saw Harewood grab the lab assistant’s face, rapidly drain his life force, then paused the video.

He stepped closer, staring intently at the distorted, eerie face on the screen.

The alien parasite seemed to grant David immense power, while also affecting his mind.

He looked away from the screen, gazing out into the foggy night, frowning slightly.

If this parasite could grow stronger by absorbing life force or energy, then after absorbing Clark and Azoo, would it become even more powerful?

...

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Meanwhile, downstairs in the hall.

An uninvited guest had arrived at the party.

Leno Luther was conversing with guests when he caught sight of a familiar figure.

Seeing Dr. David Harewood’s face at the doorway, Leno’s expression instantly changed.

He forced himself to remain calm, feigning indifference as he told those around him, “Excuse me, I need to step away for a moment.”

Saying this, he hurried upstairs, telling his secretary who followed, “Lock down all exits on the first floor immediately. Have all guards take their positions. Since he’s here, he won’t be able to escape.”

“But... what about the guests?” the secretary asked hesitantly.

“Don’t worry about them. Sometimes sacrifices must be made,” Leno said evenly.

Then he stopped, hesitating for a moment before adding, “Arrange for a helicopter right away. Also, assign someone to protect Patrick upstairs. His safety is paramount.”

Having learned that David Harewood was possessed by the parasite and witnessing his terrifying power, Leno was certainly not unprepared.

Though he didn’t know where Harewood would strike, he had already made various contingency plans.

“Bang!”

With a heavy thud, the hall doors slammed shut.

The lively noise in the room fell silent; everyone stopped and looked toward the source of the sound in confusion.

Fully armed guards in protective suits surrounded David Harewood.

David, wearing the face of a middle-aged white man, looked around at the guards in surprise and said,

“Well, I didn’t expect such a warm welcome from Leno. I just wanted to have a chat with him.”

With a wave of his hand, accompanied by a dull crashing sound, guards armed with guns were slammed against the walls.

Bones shattered, blood splattered the walls, painting a gruesome “red canvas.”

The stunned crowd immediately erupted in terrified screams and scattered in all directions.

Amid the screams and cries, accompanied by the heavy scent of blood, the once lively gathering instantly turned into a chilling “death party.”