Chapter 377: Nighttime Transaction
Barbara's Choice
It is difficult to change a person's core beliefs. Luke didn't want Barbara to change dramatically; his questioning was just the first step. If it succeeded, things would be easy; if it failed, he would simply try another approach.
Inside the luxurious room, Luke stood by the window, swirling his wine and silently enjoying the night view. He was waiting for her response.
After a long silence, a murmur came from behind him.
"Those men are your subordinates?"
"Yes," Luke nodded. "They are all my people, my trusted inner circle, raised from a young age."
Barbara hesitated. "You are now the boss of ShowMe and Tesla, with a bright future. Why do you continue to involve yourself with gangs? Gangs are still the underworld."
Luke chuckled, slightly exasperated. After a moment, he said,
"Your father is a police officer, a good one. Naturally, you're influenced by that. I'm the same. My maternal grandfather's name is Changlin Shaw. Have you heard that name?"
Barbara shook her head blankly. The name was completely unfamiliar.
"Fair enough. It's hard to find information about the old man online, so it's normal you don't know, but your father certainly does. He was a thorough gangster, once the head of the Hongmen—the world's largest Chinese gang organization—and retired ten years ago. I grew up at his side."
The girl was stunned, her eyes wide. She had seen many rumors about Luke Shaw online. She thought they were false, but now realized they were true.
"So you really are a mob prince?"
Luke laughed heartily.
"I was. Now... I don't like that title, so I gave it away. Alright, let's not change the subject."
Luke walked up to her, staring straight into her eyes. "Answer my previous question: Leave? Or stay?"
The girl nervously ran her hands through her hair.
"Is this a marriage proposal?"
Luke was momentarily speechless. How could she ask that? He regained his composure and explained,
"The two options don't really concern me; they concern you. It's about whether you become a person like your father, or choose a broader path. If it's the latter, I'll be very happy and give you some help."
"And if it's the former?" the girl pressed. "Are you going to break up with me?"
"Of course not." Luke shrugged, joking slightly. "A girl this exceptional and beautiful is rare in a lifetime. Only a fool would break up with her."
Barbara was somehow relieved. She hesitated for a few seconds, then whispered,
"Can you give me some time to think about it?"
"Of course. My door is always open for you."
Luke smiled broadly, but a shadow of doubt flashed in the depths of his eyes.
How could changing a person be that simple?
The Mayor's Safe Room
At Gotham City Hall, when the news of the police station attack arrived, the distressed new Mayor Mars quickly retreated into the safe room with his trusted staff. He had considered hiding in the suburbs but abandoned the idea upon reflection. The Court of Owls was incredibly resourceful, their claws reaching into every sector. There were definitely moles in the political and legal spheres. If his hiding spot was leaked, it would be a dead end. Hiding in City Hall at least offered protection from the Guard, though he wondered how long they could hold out.
Mayor Mars couldn't help but curse, thinking of all the trouble the Court of Owls had caused. The waiting was agonizing. Mars could do nothing but sit in his chair, eyes closed, trying to compose himself. The bodyguards stood tense, ready for anything.
A sense of despair spread through the room. After a long wait, heavy footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. There were many footsteps, at least seven or eight people. Everyone's face changed, and panic set in. The Court of Owls was terrifying; they had defeated the Guard—a force equipped with heavy weaponry—in such a short time.
Mars clenched his fist, staring intently at the door.
The footsteps quickly approached and then stopped at the entrance.
"Mr. Mayor, you received a call twenty minutes ago. I'm here now."
Mars was overjoyed and immediately rose from his chair.
"You said half an hour, why are you so fast?"
"The longer we delay, the more troublesome things become. May I ask you to open the door?"
Mars waved his hand. The bodyguards were suspicious, but seeing the Mayor's insistence, they reluctantly unlocked the eight security measures and pushed open the twenty-centimeter-thick steel door.
Dior, wearing the Shadow Flyer armor, walked in. He scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Mars.
"This is a sensitive matter. I can only speak with your Excellency alone. Everyone else, please step out."
Everyone frowned, displeased. The man's tone was too domineering, like he was seizing control. Some looked toward Mars, who remained silent for a moment before waving his hand.
"You may all leave."
An aide hesitated. "Are you sure about this? We don't know who this person is. What if..."
"It's fine. I know what I'm doing."
Seeing the Mayor's resolve, the others could only leave.
After everyone was gone, Dior closed the door and opened the laptop in his briefcase. A highly detailed, simulated map of Gotham City appeared on the screen, prominently displaying several striking red dots.
"The red dots indicate the location of the MAX power armor. With this, you won't have to worry about being attacked by armored thugs."
"That's excellent!" Mars clenched his fist. With this map, the Court of Owls was like a fish in a net, with no way to escape.
Dior continued, "The computer can help you locate the thugs, but the Talon unit doesn't wear armor. My Boss anticipated this. For your safety, I will remain here with four other warriors in Shadow Flyer armor to protect you."
"As long as I am here, absolutely nothing will happen to you."
Mars looked Dior up and down, asking curiously,
"May I know who you are?"
Dior removed his faceplate, revealing a somewhat androgynous face that would attract most young men and women.
"Dior, Head of Security for Tesla."
"So it's you. I didn't expect Luke Shaw to send you."
With Dior's identity revealed, Mars's last shred of doubt vanished. After a moment of thought, he said deeply,
"I feel Mr. Shaw's sincerity. Since this is the case, I have nothing more to say. The contract is fine, but the price..." Thinking of the money, Mars's cheek twitched uncontrollably. It was a massive order worth billions of dollars.
"Could you possibly drop the price by two more percentage points?"
"I will relay your message to my Boss verbatim. Mr. Mayor, this computer is extremely important. Please keep its secret."
Mars nodded solemnly.
"Only I, Jim Gordon, and Harvey Dent will know. No fourth person."
"I hope so."
Dior put his faceplate back on and turned to leave.
Upon receiving the computer, Mars immediately contacted Jim Gordon. Using the clues displayed on the map, the city began its full-scale effort to surround the Court of Owls.
The major battle had just begun.
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!