Chapter 76 [Luthor Mansion—Twenty Minutes Later]
Gwen walked into the dining room. Questions ate at her. She wondered what Lex and Jasmine had been talking about at his regional office in New York on the previous Thursday. She'd seen Chloe talking to someone at the Daily Planet on the phone. Dr. Dubois tended to Jennifer in the latter's guest room. Peter had gone for an impromptu ride with Lex.
So many things going on…so many secrets….
Why does it feel like the next shoe's about to drop? She bit her lip. And now Peter takes off with Lex before breakfast? She glanced at the text on her phone. At least he's all right. What's going on now?
"Miss Stacy?"
"Yes?" She turned to see La Fontaine peer out of her room. "Dr. La Fontaine? Forgive me. Do you know what's going on?"
"Oui." LaFontaine turned the lights on in her room. "Please join me. It will take but a minute." She ushered Gwen into her room. "And there is nothing for me to forgive. I take you from your meal." She stepped away from Sol's burning light. "I noticed the concern on your face. Perhaps I can answer your questions?"
Hesitation kept Gwen close to the door. She recalled Lex saying that the Canadian professor was an expert on their situation. "All right." She sighed. "Do you know what happened to Dr. Dubois?"
"I do. One of the ghosts attacked her. Dr. Dubois and a priestess from back east are treating her right now. She will survive." La Fontaine looked toward the closed window. "C 'est très curieux."
"Pardon me? I don't understand. What just happened?" Gwen stiffened.
"You are quite safe." La Fontaine looked about the chamber. "I believe it is the reason why your fiancé accompanied Alexandre into town. Do not be too harsh on Monsieur Parker. He was being helpful."
Gwen smiled. "Peter's like that. As long as he's safe."
"Such can change from moment to moment, Cherie. You have seen that for yourself. It will take traditional homeopathic remedies to assist Jennifer Dubois." La Fontaine opened the door. "I believe your meal awaits. Merci for your visit. I hope I was of service."
"Thanks. You've been great." Gwen smiled. Then she hustled toward the staircase. She glanced toward the now-closed door. "It's weird how she knew to open the door when she did." She shook off the notion. At least he's safe! She hustled toward the dining room. There she found Jasmine, the Duboises, Lex and Peter talking around the table. "Sorry I'm late." She slid in next to Peter.
"Sorry I just took off with Lex. Jonah woke me up abruptly this morning. Lex and I went for a drive," Peter explained.
"That's okay. Dr. La Fontaine told me. You two helped someone this morning. That's great! As long as you're safe." Gwen squeezed his hand. "What happened with Mr. Jameson? He was upset enough on Thursday."
Lex signaled for breakfast to be served. "Which one? There have been a few things. Chloe Sullivan's account of Jameson's attitude hit the Daily Planet this morning. He's still mad about not getting an in-depth interview into why the Duboises had to go into hiding the past decade. There are two pending lawsuits. There's the diplomatic incident from our visit. The paper's stock prices plummeted."
"Are you serious?" Gwen gasped. She looked to Peter.
"He is. But that's not all." Peter motioned to Jasmine.
Jasmine sucked in a deep breath. "My father, the Sultan of Javalastan, and I purchased the available stock. We intended to buy 10 percent. Because of the price and what was available, we own a third of that newspaper."
"She did that while we were getting our marriage license." Peter rubbed his forehead. "I'm glad we're not there." He looked toward Dubois and his wife. "I'm sticking to my guns. Chloe and I aren't going to violate your privacy. Doc Strange told Spider-Man and me about it. We respect that."
"It means a lot that you feel that way." Angie smiled. "I know it's been a lot of trouble. You see what's happening now that we're here."
"The mess was still there, Angie. We were keeping a lid on it. Still they were going to pull something eventually. Osborn knew." Dubois ground his teeth. Numbness burned through his scalp. His eye started to droop.
"Dave, stop." Lex shook his head. "You should never have had to do that. Miranda, while she's a great employee and Lana's friend, should have had you all instead of being forced to live with Arighatto. Smallville looked after her. I'm glad I could be her boss. The point is you both are not alone. You've never had to be alone. The Kents and I both consider you as family. Lana's parents did as well. Jameson can pound sand. The lawsuit will make sure he understands that. Chloe's article will make sure of that."
"Maybe we can do something about the Talon? Or something about your farmhouse? It's really old. Right? People would love that," Peter suggested.
"I would like the farmhouse idea. That is if it is all right with you both. You can speak of your families? Yes?" Jasmine sampled the eggs.
"That would be great. Our farm has been in our families since 1750," Angie agreed. "Maybe you can come and see it. Mrs. Crane and her husband know a great deal as well. So does Jenny."
"Yeah. I may write that before I make my decision." Peter looked to Jasmine. "There's more than an article from that." He sucked in a deep breath. "The Daily Planet's offered me a staff photographer position."
Jasmine took a gulp from her coffee. "And you've accepted?"
"Chloe said that Felicity Travers wanted to know. I told Chloe I needed to speak with Gwen and you first. Maybe Aunt May might like it there too." Peter shrugged. "Chloe suggested I wait until after your stock sale goes through. Then we could talk."
"Met U and ESU have the programs we need, Mr. P. I guess it comes down to Aunt May and if the Bugle can match the Planet. Remember though, you promised to come back to the Bugle."
"I did." Peter nodded.
"You promised Jameson not me. I would certainly not expect you to honor a promise to that fool." Jasmine shook her head. "Alex?"
Lex considered Peter. "He's a great photographer. The Bugle's lucky to have him. He's been underpaid for years. Either way he goes, he's got a partner in school and himself to support. Make sure he gets market value for his work. As for the promise, I was there. I heard it. Normally I'd expect you to honor it. Still what happened with Chloe was an extraordinary circumstance. It's your call, Peter."
"I can hear the 'traitor' now." Peter took a forkful of eggs. "I need a better job. He can't fault me for looking."
"He probably would. My father and I would value your skill. As you suggest, let the sale go through. When everything is settled, we will speak again. When you speak with Jameson, Miss Stacy and I will go with you. I would advise you to speak with your aunt and Miss Stacy before you make decision." Jasmine took a draught of coffee.
Peter nodded. He drank from his orange juice. It would be some decision….
