The night was deep, yet the lights in the mayor's mansion of Metropolis were still shining brightly. The traces of blood in the main hall hadn't been cleaned up, and the agents patrolling the yard and various floors were using high-power flashlights, making every corner as bright as daylight.
No one in any of the rooms had fallen asleep. Events had unfolded too rapidly; many people were still in a state of shock, abruptly herded into the various guest rooms like frightened ducks. Now, however, as they calmed down, they began to notice many anomalies.
Everything that happened seemed too coincidental. Mayor White had summoned all the influential figures of the East Coast to host a charity dinner. As it happened, the agents were in charge of the dinner's security. As it happened again, right when the dinner was about to start, Mayor White, the organizer, died in front of everyone's eyes.
Another coincidence was the resurfacing of the Philby List, which combined with the murder case gave the agents more reason to hold everyone captive.
Many people began to realize that this might be a conspiracy from the spy agency.
Usually, the agents would not come knocking on their doors for investigation one by one; if such a thing were to happen, the ones being investigated would surely inform each other and combine forces. The spy could also get the news and hide deeper.
However, seizing this opportunity, everyone was taken under control on the spot. At least for this night, they could not leave.
Their external industries and networks were being investigated while they were in a state of disconnect, unable to arrange and prepare. Under these circumstances, if anyone had any unmasked traces, there was a high chance they would be found.
Perhaps Mayor White's death was also a performance carried out by the agents themselves, just to have an excuse to lock everyone here and facilitate their investigation.
Upon thinking of this, everyone felt a chill running down their spines. They thought that the so-called Philby List and the mysterious agent must be of great importance, so important that the security agency would sacrifice the mayor of Metropolis to have them confined here.
Many began to weigh whether they were more critical than the mayor of Metropolis. If not, it was best to behave and stay put in their rooms.
In Shiller's room, he was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, muttering to himself: "The Cambridge Five..."
He pressed his middle finger against his brow, recalling the intriguing yet slightly ludicrous story he once knew.
The Cambridge Five referred to five legendary spies who graduated from Cambridge University. They were all natives of England, or even if they were not born in England, they were born in British territories and spent most of their growth time in England.
They all came from well-off families. Some were nobles; some were rich businessmen. They had been well-fed and comfortable since childhood, completely disconnected from the proletariat.
However, once they got into Cambridge University and started working at the British intelligence agency MI6, they all turned to communism without exception and did it out of idealism without wanting any payment.
All five of them had held high positions in the British intelligence department for many years, passing information to the Soviet Union all the while.
Among the five, the most outstanding and well-known was undoubtedly Harold Kim Philby.
In Philby's legendary career, he once served as the highest leader of the counterespionage department of MI6. What this implies is self-evident.
But, in the real history Shiller knew, there had never been any mention of the existence of a "Philby List". He didn't know if this was a change generated by the DC World or a mysterious plot he wasn't aware of.
What he was most worried about was the shady plot that forced his past self to leave Metropolis and go far to Gotham.
As Shiller pondered, he heard a knock on the door. The knocking sounded somewhat muffled, indicating that the visitor was probably not very familiar with Shiller.
Shiller put on his glasses, walked out of the bathroom, and then went to the door. He asked, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Professor Rodriguez, I'm Lionel." Lionel's voice came from outside the door. Shiller twisted the doorknob and opened the door, Lionel, fully suited, was standing outside.
Shiller raised his glasses, and before Lionel could speak, he said, "You've come to invite me to the living room to meet Mr. Little Luthor, haven't you?"
"Exactly, Lex has been waiting in the lounge. Originally, if the banquet went smoothly, I would have brought him down with me at the beginning, introducing him to the mayor first, and then letting the mayor introduce him to the celebrities."
"Of course, I know. This is typically the scene for most children to enter social circles. Unfortunately, his luck is not so good as the banquet didn't go smoothly."
Lionel nodded, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "That signifies my negligence as a father. I thought it would be an excellent occasion, with the influential figures of the East Coast gathered together. He had met many of them at the parties I hosted."
"That way, he wouldn't feel too awkward when talking to them. Besides, the mayor's eldest daughter and the deputy mayor's son were also present. Mr. Wayne and he are of the same generation, their conversation would be more relatable."
"You've considered all aspects very carefully, Mr. Luthor. However, misfortunes come at the least expected times, and no one can predict everything."
Lionel gave another smile and said, "Fortunately, every cloud has a silver lining. Originally, I planned to introduce him to you after the banquet. Now it seems he can meet the knowledgeable professor a bit earlier."
Shiller nodded and said, "Of course, I would be happy to see him, in gratitude for your previous help with Benjamin."
Their conversation contained numerous hints and insinuations. Common figures of speech that might seem awkward to most were imbued with different meanings.
For instance, the phrase Lionel used to remind Shiller that he had helped him out before and therefore he owed him a favor for his son was the same one he had used when defending Shiller in front of Benjamin.
Shiller acknowledged this, telling Lionel that he knew he had done it intentionally.
The two old foxes testing each other, soon arrived at the door of the reception room through the second-floor corridor.
Upon opening the door, Shiller saw a tall, young boy standing by the French windows. When he heard someone come in, he turned around and Shiller was met with a handsome young face.
Though his body was nearly mature, his appearance suggested a youthful innocence, characterized by curly red hair. Though his hair color was different from Lionel's, their eye color was the same.
Lionel stepped forward and patted Lex on the back, saying, "Come, Lex, this is the professor you've been wanting to meet. It took quite a lot of effort to arrange this."
What puzzled Shiller was that Lex seemed quite shy. He hesitated in his place before he stepped forward under Lionel's watchful eyes. He shook hands with Shiller, but quickly pulled away.
"Sorry, professor, Lex is a bit like his mother. He's introverted. He suffered from autism at a young age, so he's a bit … in social interactions."
"That's okay, I've dealt with many children like that. I believe that I can communicate with them. Come, Lex, I heard that you're interested in consciousness and dreams ..."
Lex kept his head down, making it impossible for Shiller to see his face. Upon hearing these words, Lex nodded his head and followed Shiller to sit down on the sofa in the reception room.
What puzzled Shiller even more was that during the ensuing conversation, he did most of the talking while Lex merely listened. Lex didn't ask many questions, and instead appeared aloof and shy. In contrast to this, Lionel asked question upon question.
When the conversation came to an end, Lionel took Lex back to his room. When he returned to the reception room, Lionel heaved a sigh of helplessness and said: "Sorry for the poor impression. Lex has always been like this."
With a furrowed brow, Lionel said: "To be frank, I have another favor to ask."
" I read in your paper earlier, it's possible to shape or change a person's personality by influencing their deep consciousness. In fact, I was hoping you could apply this method to treat Lex."
Lionel's expression turned melancholy as he recounted: "The boy had a difficult past, his mother was mentally unstable during her pregnancy, but she still decided to give birth to him."
"He is my only son and I love him very much. We've consulted with many eminent physicians to treat him. His personality, however, remains aloof and it's something we haven't been able to shift."
"Had he been a normal child, I wouldn't have placed such demands on him. But as the heir of the Luther group, he must learn to socialize like Little Wayne, even if it means becoming a playboy. As he is now, he can't possibly take over the group."
With hopeful eyes, Lionel clasped Shiller's hand saying, "Professor Rodriguez, you're a top expert in this field. I believe, you're the only one who can solve the future heirloom issue of the Luther Group."
"I assure you, I will offer you a satisfactory price. You will always be a friend of the Luthor family ...."
Shiller slowly narrowed his eyes. After a moment of silence, he asked, "What would you like me to do?"
Lionel, watching him closely, tentatively asked, "What are you capable of?"
"Everything you can imagine, and even beyond."
Shiller looked into Lionel's eyes and said seriously, "I can erase his current personality and build a new one from scratch. Whatever kind of personality you want can be created."
"Alternatively, I can add several personalities to him and set different triggers for each, allowing them to surface in different scenarios to accomplish certain tasks."
Like a man listening to a fairy tale, Lionel's eyes gradually widened. As Shiller regained his usual expression, he offered a smile and said,
"Most importantly, I can duplicate a person's personality and plant it into another person."
Lionel's expression hardens. With his eyes downcast, Shiller asked almost as if he's talking to himself,
"If all the memories and personality traits of a person are transferred into another person's mind, does that mean, he has been reborn?"