The persistent snow disaster had disrupted the transportation systems of all cities, leading most companies to shut down, and people to stay at ho.
Even in cities that were not snowing, the cold air was making the locals sowhat uncomfortable. Rather than braving the freezing cold in the middle of the night, it was more comfortable to stay ho and watch TV.
However, there was an exception, and that was outside the tropolitan Mayor's Mansion where luxury cars were lined up on the broad street.
On the rooftop of a nearby high-rise, the helipad was cramd with helicopters. Given the weather, driving was less appealing hence, the Mayor who was hosting the charity dinner and an entrepreneur known as Luther were at the helipad receiving the guests.
If there was one absolute star among the many helicopters, it had to be the one marked with the Wayne Family emblem.
Dressed in a suit, Bruce stepped off the helicopter, the icy rooftop wind playing with his hair. He turned and helped Selina down.
A middle-aged man, slightly grey at the temples but still energetic, ca forward, enthusiastically patting Bruce's shoulder and saying, "It's been a while, Mr. Wayne. I think the last ti we t was at a celebrity performance, wasn't it?"
Bruce hugged him with a laugh, saying, "Yes, Mr. Luthor, I rember your generous donation at that charity performance..."
"Just call Lionel."
The businessman known as Lionel, arms draped around Bruce, moved forward, saying, "Oh, don't ntion it, it's the least we socially responsible entrepreneurs can do. We wouldn't just stand by and watch during a disaster, would we?"
They made their entrance through the roof doorway leading into the building. As Bruce took in the building's interior, he said, "So this building is now yours too? I rember when I ca here last ti, it belonged to soone... what was his na... I've forgotten."
Lionel laughed modestly, saying, "Oh yes, it used to be the headquarters of a shipping tycoon. But he's been having troubles with his business lately, so I bought it."
As they talked, they took the elevator downstairs and, passing through a small garden in the lobby, arrived at the adjacent mayoral mansion. Lionel, still grinning, said, "The biggest advantage is that it's close enough to our respected mayor, right?"
"Yes, if you threw a party in this building, the mayor could even spray champagne from his bedroom into your room."
Bruce joked smoothly while Selina simply held on to his arm, saying nothing. His jovial mood made her feel uneasy.
"About the last mayoral election..." Bruce's tone went low, bringing up the topic in a somber tone. Lionel looked around, his voice lowered too, saying, "It's best not to bring it up here; it's not sothing to be proud of."
"Seven out of the last mayoral candidates were spies sent by different countries..." Lionel glanced around again, lowered his voice further, and continued, "If it weren't for the fact that several candidates were assassinated during the last election and their real identities were discovered during the murder investigation, we would still be in the dark."
"And the current mayor..."
Lionel shook his head, sighed, and said, "Who knows? They're absolutely relentless."
"Oh, speaking of which, I almost forgot to remind you that there may be so security checks at the entrance of the banquet later. You know, those annoying security agents..."
"Ever since the incident during the last election, those people from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been keeping an eye on this place, suspecting everyone of being a spy."
Bruce showed a very disgusted expression, but he quickly hid it. However, Lionel still caught a glimpse of it.
He patted Bruce's back and said, "I feel the sa way as you; I don't like being searched. Later, I'll talk to the mayor's staff. They will just perform a routine check and won't search thoroughly."
Having said that, the two arrived at the entrance of the mayoral mansion. Lionel went up and spoke a few words with one individual. Several agents sized them up from top to bottom and finally, a female agent ca up, symbolically checking their clothes before letting them pass.
"Who are these people with?" Bruce asked Lionel as they walked away.
"They claim to be the FBI, but I think they're probably the CIA. They don't have law enforcent authority within the Federation, so they use other people's nas."
Inside the banquet hall, the lights were dazzling. The tables were adorned with magnificent tablecloths, underneath were hanging fringes that swayed slightly. Champagne flowed down from the tower of glasses, silver candlesticks stood at either end of the long table, food was splendidly displayed, and the social elites in their colorful gowns held goblets, conversing amongst themselves.
After chatting with Bruce for a while, Lionel walked off. Bruce, holding Selina's arm, whispered warnings to her not to constantly stare at other people's gemstones.
Bruce took a glass of wine from the waiter's tray, his gaze fell on Lionel again as he surveyed the venue. He saw Lionel stride toward another figure. As Bruce's gaze landed on this second figure, he narrowed his eyes.
"Ah, 'you are Professor Rodriguez, correct?" Lionel approached and shook hands with Shiller, who had just entered the venue. Shiller nodded and said, "Mr. Luthor, I've heard a lot about you."
"Call Lionel." On Lionel's face was the extrely polite but unoffending smile of a businessman.
Before Shiller could speak, Lionel continued: "I was fascinated by your recent paper on dreams and consciousness. I have never thought that people's dreams could be interpreted from this perspective."
"Professor, your research has opened a new world for and my son, especially my son, Little Lex. He is very interested in this theory and eager to learn..."
"Actually, according to etiquette, I should correspond with you for so months before inviting you to a banquet I am hosting. However, Lex has been engrossed in this theory lately, so I took the liberty of sending you an invitation, in hope that you would honor us with your presence..."
Lionel used many polite phrases common among businessn, making him seem very courteous and sincere. However, his smile still carried a hint of arrogance. Apparently, the Luthor Family was not inferior to any elite family worldwide, and anyone they favored should feel proud.
Shiller nodded and smiled: "I'm glad to find like-minded people here. Under ordinary circumstances, I would be willing to stay here for a few days and interact with people who share my interests. However, what worries is..."
As he spoke, Shiller looked back at the agents still at the entrance. He stroked his hand back and muttered, "Their display was rather intimidating as I ca in. I almost thought I was entering so secret base. Mr. Luthor, what on earth is happening?"
Lionel detected a hint of dissatisfaction in Shiller's tone and hurriedly explained, "I'm sorry, was their attitude towards you inappropriate?"
Exasperated, he shook his head, "I heard that you worked in tropolis for a while and even gave lectures at tropolitan University. You must have heard about the election scandal..."
"Regarding the assassination of the candidate, no progress has been made in the investigations, and we were forced to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). But once they started investigating, they uncovered a host of spies, causing public trust to plumt and the entire political system to plunge into chaos..."
Lionel sighed deeply, "At that ti, my business was also affected, but luckily we managed to weather the storm."
Speaking of this, he turned his gaze to those agents and said, "Ever since then, these people have had a legitimate excuse to linger here, examining everyone they co across and suspecting everyone to potentially be a spy."
"Yes... I heard about that incident" Shiller spoke with gloom, "I was involuntarily drawn into it at the ti too. A vice chancellor from tropolis University was taken for question and over 20 professors from the school were suspected. The repercussions were really extensive..."
Lionel glanced around and gestured for Shiller to follow him to the center of the banquet hall, even further from the agents. Lowering his voice, he said, "I don't know if you're aware, but this incident is quite complicated and involves another major country. It is the result of international power dynamics. We are the victims..."
"Let's not talk about that anymore." It seed Shiller was still traumatized and unwilling to discuss it further. Seeing Shiller's reaction, Lionel changed the subject, "Thanks to the incident, many talents have left tropolis. However, after the successful turnover of the mayor and my company's successful weathering of the crisis, many people ca back."
"I've invited them to this banquet."
"Of course, I won't hide from you that I hope more talents can return to this city. The dark tis are over, I believe that the future will only get better."
The implications in Lionel's words were subtle and reserved. Shiller understood them and replied in agreent, "To be honest, before that incident, tropolis was indeed a wonderful city."
"Although I'm reluctant to say it, if the comparison is with Gotham, then anywhere else would feel like heaven. The weather and transportation system in that city are absolutely terrible."
The two discussed the topic extensively, eventually leading to Bruce, who they realized was Shiller's student as well, causing Lionel's smile to appeared even more sincere.
Then, it seed like Shiller suddenly rembered sothing, "Oh, I heard on the radio this morning that there were several serial murder cases that occurred here. What happened?"
Lionel hesitated and replied, "Indeed, there has been a serial murder case, but..."
"Bang!"
A loud noise echoed followed by frenzied screams. Shiller turned his head to see a shadow falling from the sky, landing in the center of the banquet hall--
It was the mayor of tropolis.
Or rather, the mayor's corpse.
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