"What reason?"
Silver Sable's interest was immediately piqued.
She truly could not imagine what reason could possibly convince her to do something as dangerous and thankless as accusing Kingpin in court. That man was not just a criminal—he was an empire.
Batman stood by the window.
Sunlight poured in from behind him, outlining his tall figure and casting his face into partial shadow. From Silver Sable's angle, his expression was indistinct, almost unreal.
"Osborn Group has been hit by a series of scandals," Batman said calmly. "Its stock price has dropped again and again."
Silver Sable listened silently.
"Kingpin did not sell his shares," Batman continued. "Instead, he began aggressively buying more—from frightened shareholders, from opportunists, from anyone willing to sell."
Silver Sable frowned slightly.
"If this continues," Batman said, "he will complete his transformation—from underworld ruler to legitimate businessman."
He paused.
"And once that happens, he will control both Hell's Kitchen's underworld… and a multinational corporation like Osborn Group."
Batman turned his head slightly.
"Do you really believe Kingpin would abandon his criminal influence?"
Silver Sable shook her head without hesitation.
She might not understand corporate battles or financial warfare, but she understood power.
Men like Kingpin never let go.
"Exactly," Batman said. "Even as a legitimate businessman, he will keep his Gang network."
"So what does he need next?" Batman asked rhetorically.
"A security company."
Silver Sable's posture stiffened.
"A security company that grows alongside Osborn Group," Batman said. "A company that expands across the country… and eventually across the world."
He looked directly at her.
"One that will push Silver Sable Security out of the market completely."
For the first time, Silver Sable's heart sank.
She could see it clearly now.
Once Kingpin completed his whitewashing, he would use Osborn Group's global subsidiaries to expand at terrifying speed. His criminal resources would become corporate logistics. His violence would become "private enforcement."
Against that kind of pressure, her company would be nothing more than a canoe facing a tsunami.
Even if she tried to avoid Kingpin—
He would come for her.
And when that day came, she wouldn't be facing street thugs from Hell's Kitchen.
She would be facing gang forces from across the world.
No further explanation was needed.
This reason alone was enough to make Silver Sable willing to accuse Kingpin.
She was just about to nod—
When Batman spoke again.
"The bad news is over," he said. "Now comes the good news."
Silver Sable froze.
In her mind, simply stopping Kingpin's expansion was already a massive advantage. She couldn't imagine what else he could offer.
"What benefits?" she asked.
Her legs came down from the desk. She sat upright, her tone no longer sharp—only cautious, and faintly expectant.
"To turn your company," Batman said evenly, "into Silver Sable International."
The words struck like thunder.
Silver Sable stood up abruptly.
"That requires massive funding," she said quickly, "and top-tier technology."
She stared at Batman, unblinking.
"Are you certain?"
If the earlier reason forced her to act out of necessity, this promise ignited something far stronger—ambition.
Batman said nothing.
Instead, he acted.
He opened the armor on his forearm. A compact miniature computer slid out with a soft mechanical click.
His fingers moved swiftly.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
Suddenly, the computer screen on Silver Sable's desk lit up.
"WARNING! UNKNOWN INTRUSION DETECTED!"
"FIREWALL BREACHED!"
Red alerts flashed violently across the screen.
Silver Sable's pupils shrank.
As a professional security company, their internal data—personnel files, weapons inventories, operational routes—was protected by a firewall she personally approved.
Yet Batman had breached it in seconds.
"How did you do that?" she asked quietly.
Batman's tone remained flat.
"I'm rich."
Thud.
Silver Sable collapsed back into her chair.
At this point, she no longer needed persuasion.
If anything, she was the one urging him now.
"When do we make the accusation?"
Batman reached into his belt and tossed her a device.
She caught it easily.
It was flat, heavy, and cold to the touch—about the size of a cigarette case. A black Bat symbol was engraved on its surface.
"Wait for my signal," Batman said.
Silver Sable examined the communicator.
When she looked up again, the window was empty.
Batman was gone.
"…Does this man not know how to say goodbye?" she muttered.
She pushed off the desk and leapt to the window.
Outside, sunlight flooded the city. The streets were peaceful.
There was no sign of Batman—almost as if he had never been there at all.
---
Meanwhile.
In the detention room of the Manhattan Police Station.
"Dr. Octavius," Agent Phil said patiently, "your crimes are severe."
Dr. Otto Octavius sat with his head lowered. His hair was wild, his eyes swollen and bloodshot, exhaustion etched into every line of his face.
"But your talent," Agent Phil continued, "is priceless."
He leaned forward slightly.
"We know your nuclear fusion research is only one step away from success."
"The Homeland Strategic Defense, Counterattack, and Logistics Support Bureau can provide you with everything you need."
He began listing calmly.
"World-class laboratories."
"Unlimited funding."
"Global application of your research."
"We can even grant you full immunity," Agent Phil said.
"There is only one condition."
Dr. Otto raised his head slowly.
"You must assist us in certain special operations."
Dr. Otto's lips tightened.
"No," he said hoarsely.
"I refuse."
He leaned back against the cold wall.
"I would rather spend the rest of my life in prison."
The mechanical tentacles… no, that thing… had terrified him.
They had become part of him.
And he wanted them destroyed—not used.
Agent Phil sighed.
At least the Director hadn't issued a kill-or-recruit order. Otherwise, this would have been impossible to explain.
Later, Agent Phil entered Chief George Stacy's office.
George Stacy sat behind his desk, brows deeply furrowed, eyes fixed on a stack of documents. He didn't even look up when the door opened.
"I failed," Agent Phil said. "Dr. Octavius refused recruitment."
"I recommend immediate surgery to remove the mechanical tentacles."
"I'll take custody of them."
George Stacy finally looked up.
"And then?" he asked impatiently.
"Then you can release him," Agent Phil replied calmly. "The immunity document remains valid."
George Stacy nodded absently, already returning to the case files.
Osborn's underground laboratory.
The Spencer family.
Too many unanswered questions.
After several minutes, George Stacy slammed the documents onto the desk.
Bang.
He was about to call his assistant when he noticed Agent Phil hadn't left.
"We don't serve dinner here," George Stacy said dryly.
Agent Phil smiled.
"I'm not here for dinner."
"There's one more matter," he said.
"About the individual known as… Batman."
George Stacy snorted.
"Batman?"
"Don't joke with me, Agent."
"All we know is a name—and even that came from Dr. Octavius."
"Rumors say he can fly, turn invisible, teleport… like some kind of vampire."
Agent Phil's smile widened.
"Then prepare me a spotlight," he said.
"And garlic."
"A cross."
"And some silver."
"I'll figure him out."
---
End of Chapter 38
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