Just as Adam was about to continue his conversation, a customs officer approached Lois and said politely, "Miss reporter, it's your turn for a car inspection. Please open the trunk."

Adam and Lois had both traveled overland, each renting a vehicle. Adam, having quietly greased a few palms with generous cash bribes, had breezed through customs without so much as a glance at the arsenal hidden in his trunk. Lois, however, hadn't offered any such incentive. Being a famous journalist didn't grant her immunity from standard procedures. She would have to go through the inspection queue like everyone else.

As Lois reached for her keys, Adam coughed lightly, catching her attention. Years in Gotham had taught him that when traveling through dangerous or corrupt territories, you never left your vehicle unattended during a search. All it took was one planted "illegal item," and you'd be branded guilty for life.

Lois hesitated for a moment, then nodded, understanding the unspoken warning.

Clark, of course, didn't need a reminder. With a faint apologetic smile toward Adam, he followed Lois closely, like a guardian shadowing his queen.

The inspection was little more than a formality. Lois stood aside with dignified poise, her presence radiating confidence and elegance even in this dusty, sun-baked borderland.

Clark leaned against the nearby wall, arms crossed, silently watching her like a man admiring a piece of living art. His expression softened, as though these quiet moments were more precious to him than any grand display of heroics.

"Farm boy, what are you thinking?" Lois's voice rang out casually, her tone teasing. She didn't look back, but it was clear she knew he'd been watching her.

Clark's face flushed. He coughed into his fist like a schoolboy caught peeking at a classmate. "I was just… thinking about that man, Adam. He's… interesting. He has a way of looking at things that's—" He paused, searching for the right word. "—different. Mature, even. I didn't expect that from someone from Gotham. Honestly, I thought Gotham was filled with people who've stopped caring, but… he surprised me."

"You're right," Lois agreed, handing the keys to the customs officer. "Without his help, I'd still be stuck arguing with these officials. But…" Her brow furrowed slightly. "His views on Superman are infuriating. I swear, he sounds like Lex Luthor's long-lost brother. Those two should meet and throw philosophy bombs at each other."

Clark chuckled softly. "If the Metropolis prison ever allows open visits, maybe I'll introduce them." Then, his tone grew serious. "But what he said about Batman… I can't ignore it. He's not entirely wrong. Batman's methods—" Clark hesitated, glancing at Lois. "—they work, but they send the wrong message. He's always outside the law. And if people start believing that the law is weaker than vigilantism, they'll stop trusting the system. That's dangerous."

Lois tilted her head, intrigued despite herself. "So you agree with Adam?"

"Not entirely," Clark admitted. "But Batman's refusal to cross the line… his insistence on never killing anyone, even when it would be easier… that's why I respect him. He understands that the moment he breaks that rule, he's no better than the criminals he fights."

Lois nodded slowly, considering his words. "Maybe that's what Adam was trying to say. Gotham doesn't just need fear—it needs hope. Someone in the light, not just someone in the shadows. Batman can't give people faith in the system if he's breaking it every night."

Clark's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Adam's core point is about fixing Gotham's corruption from the ground up, through the system itself. That's not something even Batman can do alone. And… maybe he's right."

"The search is complete. You're free to go," the customs officer announced.

Lois smiled politely, reclaimed her keys, and headed for the car. Clark, however, glanced at a nearby vehicle with faint suspicion. His eyes lingered on it for just a second too long.

"Was this car inspected?" Clark asked casually.

The officer, somewhat startled by his tone, glanced over and nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. Same group as yours. No issues."

Clark said nothing, but his sharp gaze lingered before he followed Lois back to the car.

Later, after a brief farewell meal, Lois insisted on continuing her journey. Adam tried to persuade her to stay, but she was relentless. He eventually gave up; truth be told, he wasn't eager to spend more time under the watchful eyes of Superman.

But as Clark passed Adam on the way out, he leaned in close, his voice so low it was almost a whisper:

"Mr. Adam," he said quietly, "check under the back seat cushion of your car when you have a moment. Something's not right."

Adam stiffened. A chill ran down his spine.

'Of course.'

He had forgotten that Superman's vision wasn't limited by metal or leather upholstery.

But… what could be wrong? He only had cash and weapons—items that, while frowned upon, weren't unusual for a place as dangerous as this. Everything else was in the trunk.

So why had Superman warned him?

Adam's eyes narrowed and thought, 'Did someone plant something? Something I don't know about?'