Jimmy struggled to carry his camera while sprinting behind Louise.
Axel, the center of everyone's attention, sat calmly on the boutique's sofa, surrounded by the muzzles of countless police guns.
After settling into a more comfortable position, Axel tucked his pistol into his waistband, ignoring the tense stares around him.
A police officer reached for him, but Axel seized his wrist and addressed Gordon instead.
"You're all seasoned Gotham officers. Act like it."
"Then why do you think I'm unprepared?"
"Just because I let that chatterbox girl go doesn't mean I'm out of tricks. Otherwise, do you think I'd sit here so boldly in front of you?"
"And guess again—when will the bomb I planted go off, and where in this densely packed city?"
Axel grabbed the first officer who moved to restrain him.
One hand on the officer's neck, he lightly slapped his face before pushing him aside.
The surrounding police froze.
"A bomb?"
"He planted a bomb in Gotham!"
"No wonder he's acting so cocky!"
"Shut up, don't let the reporters hear!"
"They already have!"
Gordon's eyes went wide as he looked outside.
A swarm of reporters reacted with astonished and terrified gasps, cameras flashing like a thousand startled teddy bears.
Louise, at the front, paused briefly, her gaze fixed on Axel with a mix of disgust and disbelief.
Gordon, seeing Axel so confident, swallowed hard and whispered.
"Why are you doing this? What's your goal?"
"My goal is simple," Axel replied with a smirk.
"A phone, a watch, a new outfit, and to pick up a wallet. Mission accomplished."
Gordon stared, incredulous.
"Don't joke, Axel! You kidnapped the daughter of a congressman and the Deputy Secretary of Defense. You planted a bomb in Gotham! Your goal isn't that trivial!"
"Alright," Axel said, shrugging as if bored.
"Since you're so curious, I'll tell you the truth. I want to rule this city. I want my shadow to cover Gotham. I want every Gothamite to know their emperor has returned from hell!"
He laughed, waving at a female reporter rushing toward them.
"That's right, you there! Hurry up and interview me—or I'll detonate the bomb!"
Gordon hesitated.
"Is there really a bomb?"
"Do you want to find out?!" Axel glared, indifferent.
After a tense moment, Gordon reluctantly backed down, unwilling to gamble with lives.
Axel waved at Louise again.
She froze, stunned.
She had planned only to get a few close photos and eavesdrop, but now Axel was directly beckoning her.
Jimmy gulped nervously.
"Lou… Louise, don't go! It's too dangerous!"
"If I don't, he'll detonate the bomb!" Louise shot back, taking a step forward.
Gordon moved to stop her, but Mayor Mitchell's secretary pulled him away, leaving Louise unopposed.
She handed Axel the microphone.
"I'm Louise Lane, special correspondent for the Daily Planet in Metropolis," she began.
"I want to know what drove you to—"
"Wait!" Axel interrupted, frowning.
"The Daily Planet? You're not Gotham media."
Louise blinked.
"Is that a problem?"
"There's a huge difference. You're just going through the motions."
Meeting her wide eyes, Axel grabbed her hand holding the microphone.
"Don't move! Sit down! Don't move!"
Around them, police guns clicked as the tension mounted.
From afar, Mayor Mitchell's voice boomed.
"Take him out! Don't let this continue! Tomorrow's voters will overturn City Hall!"
Gordon's voice reached them as well.
"Mayor, Axel isn't ordinary. If we shoot, he could escape!"
Axel, ignoring all, pulled Louise onto his lap, her face a mix of terror and disbelief.
He held her confidently, grinning.
"I remember now, it's Louise Lane, haha."
"I… It's me!" she stammered, trying to suppress nausea.
Axel patted her back gently.
"Relax, Louise. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No… no, why?"
Jimmy, filming nearby, finally lost it.
"Let go of Louise! Her father is a general and a senator!"
The police panicked instantly.
"Why didn't you say that sooner?!"
"Where did all these connections come from?!"
"Shoot him! To hell with the bomb!"
"No! Wait! I'll save her!"
Amid the chaos, Axel handed Louise a cell phone.
"No boyfriend, right? Hold this. I'll call when I have time. Don't let anyone else touch it."
"Okay!" she replied, heart racing.
Louise immediately bargained.
"I'll answer your calls. Exclusive interviews, dinners—whatever you want—just please disarm the bomb. Don't hurt anyone else, Mr. Axel!"
Axel's grin widened.
He leaned close, whispering into her ear.
"There was never any bomb, Louise. All I have is courage."
He pushed her gently away, mimed a phone gesture, and vanished in a burst of flame, leaving a stunned Louise clutching the device.
Around them, police and reporters were frozen.
"He disappeared!"
"Gone!"
"The Wraith… he's Gotham's Wraith. This is the third time I've seen him vanish in fire!"
"He's a devil walking among men!"
Amid the chaos, Jimmy rushed to Louise's side.
"Louise, are you okay?"
She swallowed hard, holding up the phone Axel left.
"I'm not okay, Jimmy. I'm really in big trouble…"