The problem, though, that you can't really accuse this version of Luthor of being "unrealistic," because he's based on the '80s corporate tycoons of the Donald Trump mold, and if you want to talk about people who play transparently obvious asshole games ... well, Trump makes Luthor look sedate. I mean, at least LexCorp turns a PROFIT - HOW many times has Trump declared bankruptcy, again, and people STILL do deals with him?
No, I'm afraid this is one of those cases where reality itself is an even worse writer than Byrne.