American comics: Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who worry about their fathers!.

Chapter 1134 Machima, Angel or Devil?

Just when Lex was about to give up and let the darkness engulf him.

A figure suddenly appeared outside the car window.

In his near-death delirium, Lex vaguely thought he saw an angel descending to earth.

In his increasingly blurred vision, he saw the "angel" reach out and gently press her hand against the sturdy, specially made car window.

The glass shattered instantly!

The river surged in even more violently, and "Angel's" hand reached directly into the car and grabbed Lex's arm.

An overwhelming force pulled him out of the shattered car window with ease.

Lex was quickly carried to the surface of the water.

"Crack-!"

The two emerged from the water.

Lex greedily inhaled the fresh air, his violent coughing making his lungs feel like they were on fire.

Lying limply on the grass by the riverbank, Lex was soaking wet and disheveled, his expensive suit covered in mud and weeds.

After a while, he finally raised his head and looked at the "angel" standing in front of him, who was also soaking wet.

Machima tilted her head slightly, and water droplets dripped from the ends of her hair.

Soaked to the bone, Machima's golden eyes scrutinized the man who had just been pulled back from the brink of death.

Lex was stunned when he saw that the "angel" who saved him was a little girl.

This little girl has such great strength?

"you……"

Lex suppressed his shock, regained his composure, and, panting, tried to ask who the other person was.

But before she could even speak, her words caught in her throat when she met Machima's strange golden-rimmed eyes.

Machima glanced calmly at the sports car slowly sinking in the river, and at the other vehicle in the distance that had also plunged into the ditch and belonged to Wibby's gang.

She then looked away and returned her gaze to Lex, asking, "Can you stand up?"

Lex looked up and met Machima's golden eyes.

Up close, this little girl is even more impressive.

His red hair clung wetly to his cheeks and neck, and his exquisitely doll-like face was devoid of any superfluous expression, as if smashing the bulletproof glass and pulling him out of the sunken car with his bare hands was nothing more than a trivial matter.

"Yes, yes, I can."

Lex forced himself to steady his breathing and tried to stand up by pushing himself up with his hands.

As the head of the Lexar Group, one of the most powerful people in the world, he has to maintain a basic level of decorum.

But the moment he stood up, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his left leg.

The sprain caused by the impact made him stumble as soon as he stood up.

Machima watched Lex's movements quietly, without offering to help him up.

On the other side, Adrian and Don were just beginning to recover from the shock they had just experienced.

The two supported each other, their faces pale, their eyes filled with shock as they looked at Machima.

The little girl just pierced Wilby's chest, and now she's pulling someone out of the river.

She is simply superhuman!

"Thank you for saving me."

Lex finally managed to stand, suppressing the pain in his legs, and said to Machima with a composed demeanor, "I am Lex Luthor, girl. Can you tell me your name? Whose child are you? I must express my gratitude."

Machima shook her head gently, water droplets falling from her hair.

"Need not."

She replied simply, "I'm going back now."

Seeing Machima turn to leave, Lex instinctively wanted to go up and ask her questions, at least to find out who she was.

However, his injured leg betrayed him once again.

He took a step, his legs gave way, and he fell forward uncontrollably.

"careful!"

Adrian exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward with Don, supporting Lex on either side as he nearly fell to the ground again.

Lex used the momentum to regain his balance, thanked them, and kept his eyes fixed on the direction Machima had gone.

The red-haired little girl's figure quickly disappeared behind the bushes.

"Do you know her?"

Lex looked away and at the two still-shaken boys who were supporting him.

Adrian shook his head, his voice still trembling slightly.

"No... I don't know her, but she just... saved me."

He pointed to the river, then to the spot not far away where Wibby had fallen.

Only after being reminded did Lex focus his attention entirely on the scene.

Besides his sports car that had sunk in the river, there was a figure lying on the grass, with dark red bloodstains on his chest that stood out starkly against the green grass.

"What... is going on now?"

Lex asked in shock.

Why is there a guy lying on the ground?!

Adrian and Don exchanged a glance, and under Lex's shocked gaze, they recounted what had just happened in fits and starts.

He recounted all the details to Lex, including how the two of them were bullied by Wibby, how Makima intervened, and how Wibby was eventually defeated by Makima.

Lex listened quietly, outwardly calm, but inwardly he was in turmoil.

Piercing through a human body with bare hands?

How can it control a vehicle out of control and even shatter bulletproof glass underwater?

This is no longer in the realm of ordinary superpowers, is it?
"I probably understand."

Lex quickly calmed down and interrupted their conversation.

Whoever this girl is, the priority right now is to deal with these immediate issues.

After offering a few words of comfort to the two boys, Lex took out his highly waterproof phone, dialed a number, and ordered the group's security department to immediately send a helicopter to handle the accident scene.

Lex also instructed over the phone that there were still wounded people there and to dispatch a helicopter as quickly as possible to transport them to the nearest hospital.

Ten minutes later.

The Lex Group personnel arrived quickly.

After undergoing an initial examination and bandaging, Lex changed into clean clothes brought by his men.

He rejected the suggestion to return to the Metropolitan immediately and insisted on continuing his original itinerary—towards Patrick Farm.

Before leaving, he waved his hand, signaling his men to come over.

"Tell these boys not to say anything carelessly, especially the three who are seriously injured."

Lex ordered his men to use some methods to prevent the boys from telling anyone about what happened today.

"Yes, sir."

The secretary nodded in agreement.

After giving his secretary his instructions, Lex got back into the car and drove towards the farm.

Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil. The image of Machima, those cold, golden-rimmed eyes, lingered in his mind.

A few minutes later, Lex arrived at Padrick Farm, deep in thought.

The next day, Padrick Farm was bathed in the same peaceful and tranquil atmosphere as always.

As Lex's new car entered the estate driveway, he saw Peter standing on the porch making a phone call.

Upon seeing Lex, Peter hung up the phone in surprise.

He hadn't expected Lex to visit him at this time.

This kid hasn't come over in ages.

"Lex."

Peter approached and sized up the other man.

"Looks like your journey wasn't going well?"

He noticed the muddy smell emanating from Lex and the lingering fatigue on his face.

Peter suspected that the guy had accidentally tripped and fallen on the road.

He never expected that the other party had been caused by Machima to fall into the river again and nearly drown.

(Peter: "Why did I say 'again'?")
Lex saw Peter and a smile crept across his face.

Suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, he said to Peter, "It was just a small accident, sir. It's been taken care of, it's nothing serious."

As he spoke, Lex's gaze casually swept across the courtyard.

The next second, his breath hitched almost imperceptibly.

In his shocked gaze, he saw Machima sitting on a swing under a large tree not far away, gently swaying.

At this moment, Machima had changed into a clean light blue dress and was looking down at a book on her lap.

The girl's profile was quiet and beautiful, a stark contrast to the cold and powerful "angel" she had been on the riverbank.

She's actually here?!
Could the other person be Mr. Peter's child?

Lex immediately realized what was happening.

No wonder the girl possesses such incredible abilities; she is Mr. Peter's child, which explains everything.

Peter noticed Lex's unusual expression. He followed Lex's gaze, his smile deepening. "Her name is Machima Padrick, my youngest daughter."

Peter waved to Machima. "Machima, say hello. This is Lex Luthor."

Machima raised her head and looked calmly at Lex, her golden eyes devoid of any emotion, as if she had never known Lex before.

She gently closed the book, got off the swing, walked to Peter's side, and politely greeted Lex: "Hello, Mr. Luther."

Lex felt a slight dizziness.

This little girl seems to be a better actress than me!
Forcing himself to remain calm, Lex forced an uneasy smile.

Hello, Machima.

While greeting Machima, Lex's brain was racing, analyzing everything before him.

Does Mr. Peter know what his daughter has done?

Judging from his expression, he seemed completely unaware.

Is the little girl named Machima in front of me pretending?
Why is she pretending?

Was it to prevent his father from finding out?

Was her saving him a coincidence, or did she have ulterior motives?
Countless questions instantly flooded Lex's mind.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but he ultimately decided to remain still.

In any case, this girl saved his life, and she possessed a powerful force that intrigued him and even made him eager to study her.

Exposing her now will do me no good.

"Sir, you have another daughter. Congratulations."

Lex changed the subject, saying with some regret, "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't prepare a gift in advance."

Peter shook his head. "Lex, we don't need to be so formal with each other."

After speaking with Lex for a while, Peter led him to the study.

In the study, Lex got down to business.

He had many questions about the Barbatos incident, and Peter answered them one by one.

After discussing Barbatos, Lex seemed to suddenly remember something and said to Peter, "By the way, sir, I'm having a private art exhibition at the Metropolitan Art Center this weekend, featuring some rather valuable artifacts, and I'd like to invite you to attend."

Peter didn't refuse outright, but nodded and said, "That sounds good, I'll consider it."

Although Peter had little interest in this kind of art exhibition, his mischievous kids might.

Lex's gaze inadvertently swept across the window and he saw Machima carrying a glass of water as she walked through the courtyard.

After thinking for a moment, he said to Peter, “Sir, you are also very welcome to bring Miss Machima along. Sir, you have a new daughter, and I haven’t had time to prepare any gifts yet. This exhibition can be considered a small token of my appreciation to celebrate Miss Machima’s arrival.”

He looked at Peter and said sincerely, "It's always good for children to broaden their horizons."

Peter looked at him with slight surprise, then smiled and said, "I'll ask her what she thinks."

"Well then, we look forward to your arrival."

Lex shook hands with Peter to say goodbye.

In the courtyard, Lex waved to Peter and closed the car door.

The moment the car door closed, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he fell into deep thought.

As the car drove on, Lex took one last look through the rear window at the tranquil manor and the seemingly harmless red-haired girl in the courtyard.

Machima… Mr. Peter Patrick’s new daughter.

A being with terrifying power, yet hidden beneath a docile exterior.

Not only will he not tell Peter what happened today, he will also try to get closer to her, understand her, and perhaps... use this power in the future.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition was clearly an excellent start.

The next day.

Lex is in the private showroom on the top floor of the Luther Group headquarters.

Lex stood alone in the center of the exhibition hall, his gaze sweeping over the priceless classical paintings and sculptures.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, his cell phone rang in his suit pocket.

Lex walked to the window and pressed the answer button.

“Mr. Luther,” came the subordinate’s voice, “We’ve received news from the hospital that the young man named Wibbie Carton has woken up.”

Lex narrowed his eyes and asked, "How is it?"

“His vital signs are stable and his injuries are healing faster than expected, which is a bit strange in itself… but what’s even stranger is his memory.”

The subordinate paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, "According to a joint assessment by psychologists and neurologists, he has large gaps in his memory of the day of the incident. He remembers having a conflict with someone, but he has absolutely no recollection of... who hurt him."

Lex frowned. "Completely? Not even a single relevant fragment?"

"Yes, sir, he himself is completely unaware of it, he just feels that he can't remember it, and is even a little annoyed."

"What about the other two? His two friends?"

"They gradually regained consciousness, and the situations were similar. The driver only remembered suddenly feeling dizzy while driving, and then the car accident. The other person had a vague memory of the conflict on the bridge, only vaguely feeling that it was 'terrifying,' but the specific details, especially regarding the girl, were also a blank. Medical examinations ruled out conventional amnesia caused by brain damage. This memory loss is very specific, sir."

(End of this chapter)