A bank card spun between Silver Sable's fingers.
With a casual flick of her wrist, she sent it flying toward the wall. The card struck the surface, rebounded, and returned neatly to her hand, caught again between two fingers.
The card contained three million U.S. dollars.
It was the so-called "information confidentiality fee" paid by Norman Osborn after Silver Sable discovered the human experiments hidden in the second underground level of Osborn Group.
Standing in the president's office of Silver Sable International, she walked toward the open window and tossed the card outward without hesitation.
Judging by her strength and accuracy, she never intended to keep either the card—
—or the money.
Snap.
Before the card could fall, two fingers shot out like lightning from outside the window, caught it cleanly, and flicked it straight back into the office.
The card hovered briefly in the air, then dropped gently onto the desk.
Silver Sable's pupils shrank.
Her office was on the twentieth floor.
Intruder.
That was her only thought.
She slammed her palms onto the desk, vaulted over it in one smooth motion, and without even looking at who stood outside the window, hooked her leg and delivered a full-force kick.
As chairwoman and president of a private security company, Silver Sable had faced assassination attempts more than once.
But someone breaking in through a window in broad daylight—
That was new.
Her kick landed solidly.
And her heart sank.
It felt like kicking a steel plate.
The opponent didn't move an inch.
Instead, pain shot back through her own leg.
Silver Sable immediately rolled with the force, sprang to her feet, and crossed her arms in front of her chest, entering a combat stance.
Only then did she clearly see the intruder.
A tall figure stood calmly by the window, fully wrapped in a dark gray armored battlesuit. The armor's lines were sharp and exposed, angular and aggressive. On his head were two dagger-like ears, pointing upward like blades.
The exposed chin looked human—
—but after the Daily Bugle's recent stories about strange beings like Squid Man, combined with the unnatural hardness of his body, Silver Sable suspected that chin was nothing more than a deception.
"Who hired you?" she asked calmly. "I'll pay double."
The moment she assessed him, she decided it would be best not to make an enemy if possible.
That kick would have shattered an ordinary man's ribs.
This intruder hadn't even staggered.
The man spoke, deliberately lowering his voice.
"I'm not here to cause trouble, Silver Sable."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
She swept her short silver-gray hair behind her ears, clearing her vision, keeping her breathing steady.
"The second underground lab," the man said. "Osborn Group."
The words hit instantly.
Confusion flashed across her face—then recognition.
"You're the man in black from that night?" she said.
Back then, he wore ordinary dark clothing.
Now he wore armor.
"It's me," Batman replied.
Silver Sable relaxed slightly and returned to her chair, folding her legs casually as she sat.
"What do you want?"
"I need you to introduce me to a lawyer," Batman said, remaining motionless by the window.
"A lawyer?" Silver Sable raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you came to discuss how to expose Norman Osborn's crimes."
She leaned back and continued calmly:
"I sent the video I recorded to the Daily Bugle that night. The next day—nothing."
"Do you know why?"
"The Military suppressed it," Batman said.
Silver Sable nodded.
"Osborn has military backing. That makes him difficult."
She smiled coldly.
"Even if I dump everything online, it'll be erased within minutes."
Batman was silent for a moment.
"…Then what's your plan?"
"You know Osborn has military protection," Silver Sable said. "But do you know which general?"
"General Ross," Batman answered. "U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General."
Silver Sable froze.
"Lieutenant General?" she repeated.
Her expression turned serious.
"My company has just over two hundred personnel. He can command entire divisions."
Then she suddenly stiffened.
"Say that name again."
"General Ross."
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Silver Sable's face.
"I have a way," she said softly, "to make Norman Osborn lose military protection."
Batman remained silent, watching.
"From what I know," she continued, pacing the room, "Ross has spent his entire life hunting one target."
"The Hulk."
"If I can locate the Hulk, Ross will mobilize immediately."
"Once that happens, he won't have the time—or attention—to shield Osborn."
Her excitement grew as she spoke.
"Ross only tolerates Osborn's crimes because he wants something to use against the Hulk."
"Human experimentation, illegal research… he'll look the other way."
She stopped and looked at Batman.
"I'll prepare and leave in a few days. I'll find the Hulk."
Then she remembered something and tilted her head.
"Oh right—you wanted a lawyer."
She sighed.
"Silver Sable International doesn't have a fixed legal partner. Otherwise, I'd gladly introduce one."
Before she could finish—
The room felt lighter.
She turned.
The window was empty.
Batman was gone.
Knock. Knock.
The office door opened as several security personnel entered.
"Jason," Silver Sable said, regaining her usual composure, "investigate whether Osborn's backing is really what that man said."
"Miss Sable," Jason hesitated, glancing at the window. "You don't believe him?"
She chuckled.
"I don't even know who he is," she replied. "Why should I believe him?"
---
Batman moved swiftly across the rooftops.
Finding a lawyer bold enough to challenge Osborn Group and Kingpin was far harder than he expected.
For now, he had no choice but to postpone the legal route and focus on securing funds for Dr. Otto's experiment.
Whoosh—
A web line shot forward, and Batman launched himself across a street.
Silver Sable's headquarters lay on the outskirts of Hell's Kitchen. He needed to return to the abandoned shipyard, remove the Batsuit, and resume life as Peter Parker.
Suddenly—
A short metal staff flew toward the back of his head.
Batman released the web line instantly, twisted midair, and knocked the weapon aside with a raised hand.
The staff clattered across the rooftop and came to a stop at someone's feet.
Batman looked up.
A man stood there, wearing a dark red battle suit, two short horns rising from his forehead.
The city's legends were colliding.
And another one had just stepped onto the stage.
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