In the office at the top floor of Wayne Building, Thomas seriously examined the financial reports in his hand, while the finances manager standing in front of the table looked even worse than Thomas, his hair turning white with worry.
"Mr. Wayne, the company's financial situation is very worrying this quarter. I know you're actively seeking income, but the lack of liquid funds has already led to a cutback in many business sectors…"
"Alright, I got it. Try to hold on for one more quarter. Also, bring me the data on those projects still in the expansion phase. I want to see if there's room for optimization."
At that moment, there was a knock at the door and a middle-aged lady dressed in a business suit walked into the office. She nodded her head at the finance manager then, turning towards Thomas, she said: "Mr. Wayne, I'm sorry but I have to remind you again. Your personal doctor has called to emphasize that you can't continue working without sleep for three consecutive days, it could put your life at risk."
Thomas lowered his gaze and responded: "I am fully aware of my physical condition. But right now, there are pressing matters that need to be resolved. I must utilize all available time. That's enough. Go fetch me those documents."
Thomas stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, hands in pockets, peering down at the view below. The woman stepped forward and stood across from him, saying: "Thomas, we've known each other for nearly twenty years. When we learned that you were returning, both Herman and I were quite pleased."
"Of course, Melinda, you're the best personal assistant I've ever had. You've been a great help to the Wayne Family even after I left. Still, I never thought you'd ultimately choose to be with Herman. I thought the German would be the victor," Thomas responded with a hint of a smile. Teasing Melinda, the stern-faced woman was not in a joking mood. She looked Thomas in the eye and said, "Thomas, look at what you're doing now. You're killing yourself."
"From the trash bag of the cleaner who comes in to tidy your office, I found dozens of energy drink cans. You do not want me to continue as your personal assistant because you know I would never allow you to drink dozens of cups of coffee a day. Do you still think you're a young man in your twenties?"
"I know I'm not young anymore." Thomas gently tilted his head and replied: "But I've wasted so much time. I now need to make up for it. Even if it's not for my own regrets, there's no way I'm going to allow the fruits of my lifetime's labor to end up in penury and decay."
Lowering her head, Melinda sighed and added: "Little Wayne isn't doing a bad job, he just wants too much."
Upon saying this, the woman, whose face still held traces of her youthful beauty, turned to look at the city through the floor-to-ceiling window.
It was raining in Gotham again today, just as it does every day, with heavy clouds looming over everyone's heads. The thin rain lines resembled shackles binding the soul. Every pedestrian walking down the street moved to the rhythm of a somber musical score, their steps heavier than the fingers of a piano master pounding the low notes.
"Do you think his efforts are in vain?" Thomas lowered his eyebrows and looked at the woman across from him.
"I know his work is beneficial, but I can't see the end of the road. So much sacrifice for such a minuscule change, a change that might ultimately decay over time and return everything back to the way it was," Melinda shook her head and replied.
"If you have experienced more desperate times, you would understand how delightful these minor changes can be," Thomas said, his gaze fixed firmly on the city. His slightly aged eyes revealed an unspoken optimism that others failed to comprehend, akin to the first bud blossoming after spring ploughing.
"Can this city get any worse?" Melinda responded with a bitter smile.
"Certainly, it can worsen beyond your imagination," Thomas answered.
"But I still don't agree with what you're doing. You should cherish this life that you've managed to scrape out of the jaws of death."
"The meaning of life is not about its length."
Beholding Thomas as he stubbornly defended his stance, Melinda felt a mix of frustration and despair. Just then, the room suddenly became brighter.
Both were taken aback. Their initial reaction was to look towards the ceiling light in the office. But there wasn't any change in the indoor lighting. In fact, the room seemed dimmer because the light shining through the window was brighter.
The figures close to the window turned around in astonished. The intense light made Melinda instinctively use her arm to shield her eyes. The blinding brightness brought tears to her eyes as her pupils struggled to adjust. Thomas, in contrast, looked like a vampire about to be incinerated by the sun. He hastily moved a few steps back towards the shadowy edge of the wall. But soon, the shade disappeared as well.
The sunlight flooding through that giant floor-to-ceiling window left no corner untouched, making everything in the room appear dazzlingly white.
Squinting against the intense light, Thomas noticed a bright spot in the middle of the dense black cloud. As the spot dispersed, ripples of light spread out, dispelling the darkness and bringing daylight.
The brilliant midday sun started to shine through a circular opening in the cloud cover. At that moment, one could truly comprehend the shape of light.