Reed wanted to walk away. He wanted to turn and leave without another word. But he held himself back. He knew he needed LexCorp. Without them, no other company in the entire country could support his experiment.
As for the U.S. government? That was even less likely. All the key technology was in LexCorp's hands. Even if NASA wanted to help, they simply didn't have the infrastructure to make it happen.
"We can sign an agreement," Reed said sharply. "Any accident on the space station, we'll take full responsibility."
It was a reckless offer. One that was basically handing over his life to LexCorp. If such an agreement was signed, and they chose to let him die in space, they wouldn't even be held legally accountable.
But even so, Luthor still refused.
"Some things can't be shouldered just because you want to take responsibility for them," he responded, his tone lofty and cold.
Reed was clearly irritated by the way he spoke.
"You'll be working aboard a LexCorp space station. No matter what happens or how it happens, if something goes wrong, people will question the company's abilities. That kind of damage is something you, Reed Richards, simply can't afford to pay for. So I need guarantees. Stronger guarantees. I need to be certain there won't be any accidents in space."
"Hoo..."
Reed let out a slow breath. Beside him, Ben looked over with concern. He was genuinely worried the man might storm out on impulse. If that happened, and Luthor spread the story, it could ruin his friend's entire scientific career.
Right now in America, when it came to advanced science and tech, it was either Stark Industries... or LexCorp.
"So what kind of guarantee do you need from me?"
As soon as Reed spoke, Luthor stretched out his hand. Susan immediately handed him a copy of the Daily Bugle.
When Reed took the newspaper from him, the front page showed a recent photo of the U.S. President meeting with 'Hal.'
"Green Lantern, Hal Jordan. Unless Captain America suddenly comes back from the dead, he's currently the greatest superhero in the eyes of the American people."
Thanks to forged documents by LexCorp and cooperation from the government, there was now a mountain of "evidence" placing 'Hal' in key moments during the Civil War. Slowly, the American public was beginning to accept this hero who had been gone from Earth for over a hundred years.
"And I have to admit," Luthor continued, "his powers really are remarkable. So, I want you to convince him to join this project. I'll only feel assured if Green Lantern is the one protecting your team during the experiment."
"Fine!"
Reed was already furious. At this point, it didn't matter what Luthor asked. He would've agreed to anything. After nodding, he turned and left the conference room with Ben.
Back in the office, Luthor finished organizing some documents and handed them to Susan.
"Lex," she asked as she neatly arranged the papers, "Reed is just an ordinary man. Isn't it too much to ask him to find Green Lantern? That guy could be off somewhere in the solar system enjoying his private time. Even our satellites can't locate him."
Her tone wasn't defensive. She wasn't trying to stand up for Reed. She just couldn't understand Luthor's logic. If he had already decided to support the experiment, why set a condition that was nearly impossible to meet?
"Sue," he answered calmly, "you know your old classmate better than I do. For him, building a device capable of transmitting a signal into space isn't a real challenge. Besides, when it comes to contacting Green Lantern, it has to be Reed himself. LexCorp can't be involved."
As the company expanded and started taking over more and more industries in America, all eyes in the country were watching it closely.
Because of that, certain matters had to be handled with extreme caution. That was also why, on the surface, 'Hal' maintained a distance from LexCorp and instead kept frequent contact with S.H.I.E.L.D.
In an unstable political climate, having too much power could itself be seen as a crime.
LexCorp could have ties to 'Hal,' but it could never be the one to initiate contact, at least not publicly. Officially, a company that had someone like Reid under its wing couldn't afford to form deeper relationships with people like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, or 'Green Lantern.'
* * *
Elsewhere, at one of LexCorp's private docks, Victor had just left the main building and was preparing to depart. He planned to head straight for his homeland, Latveria.
As for LexCorp's acquisition of Doom Industries, he didn't plan to intervene directly. As long as they offered a reasonable price, the shareholders would sell off their stakes without hesitation.
To them, resisting LexCorp's purchase would only mean bigger losses. Blocking a juggernaut like them would do more harm than good.
At the port, Victor ran into another high-ranking figure from the company—Reid Pennyworth. Unlike Susan or Johnny, he wasn't a public figure. He had no official shares and always operated behind the scenes as Luthor's assistant.
"Mr. Pennyworth," Victor greeted the man.
Luthor's invitation to him hadn't been about manipulation like it was with Susan and Johnny. It was genuine. He hoped Victor would stand alongside them, helping to take control of Earth's future, and face the coming disasters together.
Naturally, Reid's true identity wasn't hidden from him.
"Mr. Doom, before you board the ship to Latveria, I have a few gifts for you."
As he spoke, Reid opened a nearby shipping container. Inside was a full set of exoskeletal armor, crafted from LexCorp's latest advanced metal alloy.
"Doctor Doom—this is the title and the armor that come with it. Of course, if you have another name in mind, you're free to choose your own."
"That name is perfect."
Victor didn't usually let others define his future. But for some reason, the title Doctor Doom resonated deeply with him. He liked it more than he expected.
"But I must warn you," he said as he accepted the gift, then looked at Reid seriously.
"You want access to the magic passed down by my mother. I don't object. But I've only ever heard about it, I can't say for sure whether that thing actually exists. You'll need to be prepared for disappointment."
LexCorp was providing Victor with technology and funding. In return, he would share what knowledge he had about the magic left behind by his mother, a Romani sorceress.
It was an exchange. A partnership that could benefit both sides. And it would fully bring Victor into the powerful organization that Reid had built.
"Believe me, Mr. Doom," Reid replied with a smile, "that is real magic."
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