The atmosphere froze instantly.
"Don't be so tense, Mr. Kent, I'm just joking."
Horace, who had initially worn a serious expression, suddenly relaxed. "In any case, I hope you and Mrs. Kent will think it over. I'll visit again."
As he spoke, he prepared to leave. At the door, he put on his sunglasses, turned back to Jonathan and his wife, and added, "But don't worry too much. I'll keep this matter confidential."
After Horace left, a worried Martha turned to her husband. "Should we tell Peter?"
Jonathan nodded solemnly. "I'll contact him right away."
Ten minutes later…
Peter arrived at the Kent farm. After listening to Jonathan's account, he frowned. The documents proving Clark's adoption had been fabricated using his "money power," yet this guy had managed to find loopholes. It seemed he would need to fix them afterward.
After a moment of thought, Peter pulled out his phone and called Chandler at the police station, asking if there was any officer named Horace Hawkins in the Smallville Police Department. The response was negative. Ending the call, he turned to the couple and said, "There's no officer named Horace Hawkins at the station. Clearly, this guy is an impostor."
"A fake cop?" Martha looked even more confused. "Then who on earth is he?"
"Whoever he is, his target is Clark and John," Jonathan said, squeezing Martha's hand for reassurance. He then addressed Peter. "I suspect he'll come to you as well, Peter."
Peter nodded. "Good. I'd like a word with him." If this man dared to show up in front of him, Peter wouldn't hesitate to use a bit of force to teach him the price of going after his son and godson.
"We don't know who he is, and for your safety, I suggest you and Clark stay at my place for now," Peter advised the Kent family, hoping to offer them protection in case this man became more aggressive.
"Clark and Martha can stay with you for now, Peter, but I'm not going anywhere," Jonathan replied, refusing Peter's offer. "I can't leave the farm."
Martha opened her mouth to persuade her husband, but knowing his stubborn nature, she swallowed her words with a sigh.
Peter frowned. "Don't be stubborn, Jonathan. This is for your safety."
"I know, and thank you, Peter, but I trust this fake cop won't act recklessly. If he promised to keep things secret, it means he's got something to fear."
Jonathan was determined to stay at the farm and deal with the man himself. For his son's sake, he would face whatever tactics the intruder threw his way.
Martha gave Peter an apologetic look. Since Jonathan insisted on staying, she felt she couldn't leave him. "I'm sorry, Peter. Jonathan is stubborn, and if Clark is going, then I'm staying with him."
Peter was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Let's stay in touch." Since Jonathan was set on staying at the farm, Peter had no choice but to go back and devise another plan.
The next day…
Nothing unusual happened during the day.
That night, Jonathan was moving tools to the back shed. In the dim moonlight, silver shadows covered the ground. The sounds of cicadas were replaced by crickets as a soft breeze dried his sweat.
While arranging the tools, Jonathan suddenly heard footsteps outside. He paused, looking toward the entrance.
"Mr. Kent."
A familiar voice caught his ear, and, to his shock, the same fake cop from yesterday was now standing at the door.
Jonathan immediately grew wary. "Why are you here, Mr. Hawkins?"
"I just wanted to talk," Horace replied, removing his sunglasses. "We might find common ground regarding Clark."
"I have nothing to discuss with you," Jonathan said, frowning. "Clark is just a child; he knows nothing about your dirty world. Leave him out of it."
"You're right, Mr. Kent. It's a dirty world." Horace's expression darkened. "A world full of injustice and discrimination, ruled by brute power. Police and judges trample on the law, while bankers squander the hard-earned money of the lower classes."
After decades in prison and having his family's home seized by the bank, Horace's heart was filled with resentment.
"That's why we must change this world, Mr. Kent. Clark and I are alike. We're chosen; we have the power to change things. I swear, he'll reach his potential under my guidance."
Jonathan stared at the man, stunned by his crazed words.
"You're insane!" Jonathan replied, discreetly reaching for a pitchfork nearby.
But Horace seemed to anticipate this. In an instant, he appeared right in front of Jonathan, moving at lightning speed. Jonathan felt a sharp pain in his chest as he was thrown backward. With a heavy thud, he hit the ground, thankfully cushioned somewhat by scattered straw.
Still, the pain in his chest left him breathless.
"You…!" Jonathan looked up in shock as Horace slowly approached.
"Yes, I have powers too, just like Clark," Horace said, kneeling beside Jonathan with eerie green eyes glinting in the darkness. "Sorry, Mr. Kent, but I've run out of patience. I'll have to ask you and Mrs. Kent to come with me."
Jonathan, gasping for air, tried to stand but blacked out before he could resist further.
At Peter's farm…
Unaware of what had happened to Jonathan and Martha, Peter was having dinner with Clark and Azur.
Knock! Knock!
There was a knock at the door.
Peter answered it to find a young, freckle-faced boy from a neighboring farm.
"You're Sam, right?" Peter asked, recognizing him.
The shy boy nodded, handing Peter an envelope. "Mr. Padrick, a stranger outside asked me to give you this."
"A stranger?" Peter took the letter, glancing out into the dark. "Where is he, Sam?"
Sam pointed to a crossroads in the distance. "He was there a moment ago, but then he just… disappeared."
Peter gave Sam a few honey sticks and sent him home. Returning to the dinner table, he opened the letter. As he read, his frown deepened.
"Dad, what does it say?" Azur asked, curious.
"Someone… has kidnapped Clark's parents."
Clang!
Clark's knife and fork clattered onto the table.