Chapter 369: Allen Pulls the Plug on Baldy
"Why'd they all run off?"
Allen couldn't help but wonder, "Could it be my sheer presence scared them off?"
He retrieved his round shield.
Then he noticed a camera tucked in the corner.
Bouncing on his toes, Allen waved at it and called out, "Hey, Baldy! Come out and have a chat."
[Ding!]
At the far end of the corridor, the elevator doors slid open automatically.
"Let's go meet the boss."
Slipping the shield onto his back, Allen strode into the elevator without a care for danger.
Bucky and Sam exchanged a resigned glance and followed. They had no real grasp of the base's layout—escape wasn't an option.
Besides, LexCorp was a formidable high-tech company, not necessarily inferior to Stark Industries in terms of technological prowess.
[Ding!]
The elevator descended straight to the lowest level.
When the doors opened, they revealed an office decorated with absurd luxury.
Seated at a massive executive chair was Luthor, watching them closely.
He was fully geared up in a power suit—bulky and awkward, lacking the sleek elegance of Iron Man's armor.
Beside him stood a tall assistant—neatly cropped mid-length hair, a tight-fitting chauffeur-style uniform, a figure-hugging miniskirt, and opaque black pantyhose. Her look screamed both competence and allure.
She was Eve—Luthor's trusted right-hand woman and more than just a subordinate. Their relationship had long crossed into intimate territory.
Pfft…
An awkward snort broke the silence.
Sam averted his gaze, licking his lips awkwardly, barely suppressing his laughter.
Bucky, meanwhile, struggled to keep a straight face.
That ridiculous toilet plunger stuck on top of Luthor's head was simply too hard to ignore.
"Hey, Baldy."
Allen greeted him like an old friend. "I've been looking all over for you."
Luthor replied darkly, "Get this damn thing off my head, or I'll order the execution of that brainless shark and the pink dolphin."
Ever since the Silence Staff had attached itself to his head, he'd sought help from countless people.
All had failed him.
The only viable solution required surgically removing the skin on his scalp and grafting new tissue over it.
But that would leave him with a permanent patch of mismatched skin tone—an unbearable outcome.
So, Luthor schemed and waited for a chance to force Allen's hand.
Finally, when Nanaue and the pink dolphin started their shameless romantic escapades, Luthor saw his opening.
In the past, he might've had no leverage.
But he'd realized Allen truly cared for Nanaue—and with the dolphin in the mix, he'd found the weak spot he needed.
"You could've just called, you know." Allen waved it off.
After all, they weren't exactly mortal enemies. As long as Luthor could show some humility, Allen didn't mind helping him out.
"Could you look at me when I'm talking?" Luthor growled.
From the moment they entered the office, Allen's gaze had locked onto Eve—more specifically, her black-stockinged legs.
"Oh…"
Allen glanced briefly at Luthor, then returned his eyes to Eve's legs. With total honesty, he said, "You're not as good-looking as she is."
"…"
Luthor shot to his feet, seething. "I didn't bring you here to ogle thighs!"
He activated a projector, displaying a surveillance feed.
Inside a massive water tank, Nanaue and the pink dolphin were clinging to each other, lost in flirtatious play. Neither showed the slightest awareness that they were in danger.
"Ugh, having a girlfriend really changed him. So clingy. It's disgusting to watch."
Allen grimaced, clearly jealous and bitter.
"Take the damn thing off my head," Luthor barked, pointing upward. "Or I'll order them to release high-voltage currents into the water. If that doesn't work, we'll dump in toxins."
"You're vicious."
Allen looked genuinely shocked, then nodded seriously. "But I agree. As a single man, I can't stand seeing happy couples."
"…"
Nothing was going according to plan.
Luthor had prepared so many threats and tactics, yet now he was at a loss for words.
While he stood dumbfounded, Allen suddenly grabbed his hand, smiling warmly. "Baldy, seeing Nanaue living happily makes me really relieved. I'll leave them in your care."
"…"
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
Not one step of his plan was working.
A flicker of panic crossed Luthor's face. Forcing calm, he said, "I'm not kidding. I know how much you care about that shark."
"Don't be ridiculous. Playing games with an idiot only lowers your IQ."
Allen's utterly indifferent attitude began to worry him.
Could it be… he'd fail after all? Was he really doomed to live with this toilet plug forever?
"What will it take for you to help me?" Luthor finally caved, deflated like a popped balloon—his tone now full of pleading humiliation.
"It's easy."
Allen grinned shamelessly. "Just say I'm handsome."
"…"
Could it really be that simple?
Or was he being toyed with again?
From the intelligence Luthor had gathered, this guy was a certified lunatic—totally unpredictable.
"Being handsome is the least of my many virtues. I never bring it up, but it's a plain fact," Allen bragged without an ounce of shame.
Seriously?
Can you be any more full of yourself?
"...You're handsome," Luthor said stiffly.
"So half-hearted." Allen pursed his lips.
"You're really handsome. The most handsome person I've ever seen."
"Sounds forced. Never mind then."
"Being handsome is your defining trait. The world needs to see your face on the big screen."
"Really?"
"Of course! If you want, I'll finance a movie starring you. Women around the world will swoon over you."
"Aww, that's too kind. Will it be the kind of movie where I don't have to wear clothes?"
"…What?"
Luthor's eyes widened.
He vaguely suspected this was heading into adult-film territory.
As a billionaire, Luthor never lacked female companionship—he certainly didn't need to watch anything to get by. Now he needed to confirm whether he'd misunderstood something.
"Forget it. I'm shy and introverted. Acting's not for me… for now."
Allen beamed. "But since you've finally learned your place, Baldy, I'll help you take it off."
"Thank you—thank you so much!"
Relieved beyond measure, Luthor felt all his frustration melt away.
Finally, the nightmare of the toilet plunger was coming to an end.
"Baldy, get on your knees."
"…What?"
Allen said solemnly, "It's easier to pull it off that way. If you're standing, I can't reach."
Luthor looked down at Allen, who was half a head shorter.
Sounded reasonable.
He got down on both knees, hands on the floor, and urged, "Do it."
"Here I come."
Because Luthor had lowered his head, he didn't see the mischievous grin spreading across Allen's face.
A tug of pressure followed.
Allen gripped the handle and began pulling.
"Hold on, let me change my position."
"…Why are your feet on my shoulders?"
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