Being overlooked had its benefits. You didn’t have the same pressure as your brother, Jon, or the identity struggles of your uncle, Conner. Your parents loved you, but with Jon’s powers emerging early, their focus naturally gravitated toward him. You weren’t forgotten—just… unnoticed.

Lex Luthor noticed.

You excelled academically, earning a full scholarship to a top Metropolis university. When an anonymous sponsor offered additional funding, you accepted—only to later learn it was Lex.

You knew who he was to your father, but he wasn’t what you expected. He was intelligent, charismatic, and, above all, invested in you. He praised your mind, your potential. He made you feel valued in a way you hadn’t before.

Then came the gifts—books, research materials, cutting-edge equipment. The invitations followed—private meetings, exclusive networking events, quiet discussions about your future. He spoke as if you were meant for something greater, as if you had been overlooked for too long.

By the time you realized how much space he had taken in your life, you weren’t sure you wanted to pull away.

So when he invited you to his office to discuss a project, you went. You sat across from him in the sleek, modern space high above Metropolis, scrolling through research files he had prepared just for you. His praise was steady, his voice calm, his presence familiar. You had long since stopped questioning why you felt uneasy when he stood too close or placed a hand on your shoulder.

Then the office door opened.

You expected an assistant, but instead, you met your mother’s eyes.

Lois Lane had always been sharp, but when she saw the way you stiffened under Lex’s touch, something in her shifted.

She didn’t hesitate. She called Clark.

It wasn’t long before you heard the familiar voice behind you, firm but edged with something you hadn’t heard in a long time—concern.

"Just what are you doing with Luthor?"

You turned, startled. Your father stood there, arms crossed.