The technology in the DC world is very advanced, and it has many mechanical and energy technologies that have not been involved in the previous world, but its construction in the Internet is very backward.
Luke established ShowMe precisely to target this blank area. From the very beginning, he knew that as social platforms became more popular, superheroes would become regular visitors to ShowMe.
I just didn't expect that this day would come so early.
Batman, Batman!
Looking at the information on the database, Luke couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth, with a hint of pride mixed in with his surprise.
Old man, old man! I didn't expect you to be the first one to fall into the trap!
Charlie pushed open the office door and hurried in.
"Boss, you finally woke up. There's a big commotion outside."
"What's the fuss?"
"Not Batman yet!"
Charlie snorted, seeming a little dissatisfied. "Ever since he posted the news, the number of visits to ShowMe has skyrocketed, almost overwhelming the server!"
"Isn't this a good thing?"
"That's not a good thing at all. In just two hours, his account has over 400,000 followers! ShowMe has a total of only 5 million users, and he alone accounts for nearly one-tenth of them."
"Didn't you say a while ago that ShowMe needed to maintain diversified development and couldn't rely on superheroes and internet buzz?"
Charlie's words made sense. Luke touched his chin and thought for a while, then said,
"I'll handle this matter. How's the IP issue going?"
Charlie immediately had a strange expression on his face. "The technical department tracked Batman's IP address and found that he was in the Arctic."
"Arctic?"
Luke was stunned. "He didn't forge the IP address?"
"Zack and the others have repeatedly verified the authenticity of the IP address and found no signs of forgery. The address is real." Charlie grabbed his hair, very distressed. "I just can't understand why he is in the Arctic!"
Luke laughed out loud.
"Alright, alright, tell Zack to stop chasing. There's no need for that."
With Bruce Wayne's financial resources, it would be a simple matter to build a base in the Arctic. Which fool would go to the Arctic to find him?
Charlie had a different idea about this, and said seriously,
"I think it's better to keep investigating!"
Luke raised his eyebrows slightly and said in a deep voice, "What do you want to say?"
"While you were taking a nap, the Gotham City Police Department and the FBI called us one after another, asking us to provide Batman's IP address. As you instructed, I didn't give it to them."
"That's right, then what?"
"The threatening phone calls came in."
Luke was stunned. "A threatening call?"
"Yes, they called from Gotham City, more than a dozen times in a row. They weren't anonymous calls, and they weren't from the same person."
Luke's expression suddenly changed, his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of coldness.
"Those people?"
"Tommy Church, Alexander Rhodes, Justin Cook, Harrison Cord, and Victor Zavi's brother, Frank Zavi, are all well-known tough guys in Gotham City, and they all have grudges against Batman."
Luke picked up the coffee, was silent for a long time, and put it down again.
"Don't make this matter public."
"I've instructed the operator to keep this a secret. No one else knows about it except the three of us."
At this point, Charlie let out a long sigh. Those threatening phone calls were like a stone weighing on his heart. After removing them, his mood suddenly improved a lot.
"There's one more thing I want to tell you. For some reason, many news media outlets are pointing the finger at us. They say ShowMe is not only an accomplice in spreading terrorism, but also a breeding ground for murderers."
Luke frowned and said,
"Didn't Batman reveal the evidence?"
"Those media outlets don't believe anything they hear online. They say ShowMe's account is fake and that the person isn't Batman unless he comes forward and admits it. There are also reports that ShowMe is Batman's puppet and created the account to cover up his crimes."
"Are there many articles of this kind?"
"Gotham Weekly, Daily News, Business News, as well as traditional media such as city radio and radio stations are all reporting such remarks!"
Luke tapped the table back and forth with his index and middle fingers, his expression becoming more and more serious. The old man had really brought him into a big trouble.
Charlie said worriedly, "I think it would be best if we hold a press conference to clarify our relationship with Batman."
"If we do as you say, more than half of the five million users will be lost."
"But we can't be scapegoats! He's being a hero, and we're taking the blame. That doesn't make sense."
"Okay, stop talking about this useless stuff. Notify the heads of each department to have a meeting at three o'clock. Oh, and call Robert."
…
Bruce Wayne's remarks not only affected traditional media and online media, but also had an impact within ShowMe.
In the conference room, looking at the faces flushed with excitement, Luke could only look up at the sky.
Bang!
The copy fell on the table, interrupting everyone's imagination.
"This is the company's third executive meeting in four days. Honestly, it's a bit frequent, but I have to do it. As for the reason, you all know it, so I won't elaborate."
"I've called you here today for two reasons: First, we need to expand. The company is severely understaffed, so expansion is imperative. Please estimate the headcount gap in your respective departments and report back to me later. Second, I'm planning to move up the launch of the new version, which was originally scheduled for next Wednesday, to tomorrow at noon. Also, the marketing plan for [Black Coffin Carrying] needs to keep pace with the new version. Luo Wen, you're responsible for this."
As soon as the words fell, Zuckerberg stood up.
"Where's Batman!"
"Batman is not within the scope of this meeting."
"Why?"
Zack said excitedly, and the others looked puzzled. Whether analyzing it from an emotional or commercial perspective, this incident is a good opportunity for ShowMe to soar to the sky. As long as they stand behind the majority of users and cheer for Batman, they can tear a big piece of the pie from the mouths of traditional media.
ShowMe also became famous in the United States because of this and became a beacon in the hearts of young people.
Philip Arthur also expressed doubts.
"Luke, are you going to give up this opportunity?"
"Yes."
Luke answered without hesitation. He then glanced at the crowd, stopping at Robert Downs to his right. "Do you think the company should seize this opportunity and further expand its influence?"
No one spoke, but their expressions gave the answer.
"This is wrong. Let me reiterate that ShowMe is a social networking platform, not an arbitration institution for good and evil. We are dealing with the entire human society. Regardless of skin color, race, or gender, all ShowMe users will receive equal treatment."
"But..."
"No buts. Go back and tell your subordinates that this is the end of the Batman matter. No further discussion is allowed in the company."
Everyone came with high hopes but left disappointed. No one thought that the boss known for his daring and fearlessness would back down on Batman's matter.
Soon, Cindy and Robert were the only ones left in the conference room.
Luke looked Robert Downs up and down with a smile on his face.
"How is your injury? Does it hurt?"
"It's fine now, it doesn't affect my work."
"That's good. The company has been busy lately and needs more manpower. Your arrival can help share a lot of the burden." He turned to Cindy and said, "You should hand over the work to Robert. He will be responsible for the company's financing."
Cindy was stunned. She had never expected her boss to say such a thing. She thought, "It's my fault for not doing my job well! What went wrong?"
"Okay, Cindy, get busy!"
She nodded dejectedly, glanced at Robert, and turned to leave the meeting room.
As Cindy left, the smile on Luke's face disappeared, and a hint of seriousness appeared in his eyes.
"Some things can be hidden from them, but not from you. I won't say any more. The financing must be finalized before next Friday. Thirty-five million is my bottom line. Can you do it?"
Robert quickly stood up and said, "I won't let you down."
Luke added, "As long as you succeed, your share will not be reduced at all."
Robert waved his hands awkwardly.
"Don't mention that matter anymore. Decisions made on impulse don't count."
"No!"
Luke said seriously, "I will keep my promise. This is what you deserve."