Lex displayed a very visible look of displeasure as he glanced outside his cell, where an unexpected guest stood, looking at him as if he were some comical attraction at a zoo.
"Arias Markovic..." Luthor muttered slowly before the frown on his face faded and was replaced by a grin. "What brings you here?" he added.
No matter how cool Lex tried to play it, Arias was well aware of his situation and was here to capitalize on it. Arias also showed a confident grin and shrugged his shoulders slightly before replying, "Oh, I had some business to take care of here and thought I should stop by to pass my greetings. After all, it may be the last time I see you within the span of three years."
Once Arias said those words, Luthor's grin vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow. "You don't want me as an enemy, Markovic," Luthor warned in a grave tone, but Arias simply laughed in his face.
"Enemy? You've already tried to kill me once and ruin my reputation multiple times, and you have the audacity to claim we aren't already enemies? Please, don't humor me, Lex."
Arias's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "It's you who doesn't want me as an enemy, Lex. Just look where that's gotten you so far. This time, a presidential pardon won't work either. In fact, a little birdie told me the President hates your guts. Tsk, tsk, whatever shall you do?"
Lex was smart enough to know when the cards were against him. He realized that Arias had a far better understanding of his predicament than he initially thought. Worse off, threats weren't going to get through, so Lex could only admit defeat this time.
"Name your price. Everybody has one."
*Got him!* Arias thought to himself, keeping the same expression on the surface. He didn't hesitate to answer Lex. "Five billion."
"What!?" Lex couldn't help but shout upon hearing that absurd number. His frown deepened as he looked at Arias's grinning face. "That price is absurd! Are you mad?"
Arias shook his head, maintaining his calm demeanor. "No, but you're desperate. Plus, I need to be compensated for the damages your little thugs caused to my city, as well as the attempt on my life. If you ask me, my asking price is rather low."
Negotiations were always tough when one was desperate, and such was the case. Still, five billion was a large sum, even for Lex, whose company made billions in revenue each year. So, he tried to counteroffer. "One billion. I won't go any higher."
No businessman would accept the first demand so easily without counteroffering a lower or more advantageous price. Sadly, this wasn't a normal deal, so Arias wasn't even willing to negotiate. "Then we have nothing else to discuss; this wasn't a negotiation, Lex."
After saying that, Arias turned away from the cell and began walking away.
"Wait! Don't be unreasonable!" Lex yelled, but Arias's footsteps continued to grow more distant. "Okay, half!" he added, but still, Arias continued to walk away.
Lex was desperate with very few options open to him. Furthermore, although five billion was an immense amount of money, it wasn't an amount that would hurt his finances. So, with a heavy heart, he yelled, "Fine, it's a deal. Get me out and—"
Arias wasn't about to let Lex try and control the direction of the transaction, so he cut him off. "I'll leave the account details with that pretty little henchwoman of yours. You have 48 hours to deliver the funds, and I'll have this fiasco disappear. Fail to do that, and I'll consider the deal void. Don't bother trying to contact me; I won't respond. Just do your part, and I'll do mine."
After giving those instructions, Arias left without giving Luthor the chance to say anything.
By setting clear instructions for Luthor to follow, Arias left him no choice but to comply unless he risked causing the entire transaction to collapse. He even went a step further by barring communication. This meant Lex couldn't stall for time or try to make excuses. If he delayed the payment or tried to, he needed to be willing to risk everything.
…Truly a tough spot to be in.
Lex could only return to his lone bed and sit at the edge while thinking of all the ways he would ruin Arias once he got out. *You'll definitely pay me back for this.*
…
Unknown to Lex, once Arias got outside the cell hall, Luthor's lawyer was waiting anxiously.
Arias approached the man and tapped his shoulder. "Good work. He genuinely believes that he might get a harsh sentence. Once my business is done with him, I'll keep my end of the bargain."
The lawyer trembled at those words, and a cold sweat appeared on his brow.
"He'll kill me once he realizes I lied about the gravity of the charges, and you can bet he won't stop at anything to ruin you. Please, just rethink this; let my wife and children go—"
As the man was about to plead, Arias strengthened his grip on the man's shoulder, causing bones to creak. "Shhh, you're overstepping your limits. You only need to concern yourself with the now. Unlike Luthor, if you disappoint me, I will make sure your entire extended family dies miserably before dealing with you last. Are we clear?"
The man became teary-eyed, but the situation was hopeless. He needed to make a choice, and right now, Arias seemed like the right bet. At least with Luthor, only he was in danger, or so he assumed.
Reluctantly, he nodded. "Crystal clear."
Once Arias heard those words, he let the man go and gestured over to the police officer on duty in the corner.
The officer walked over and saluted Arias as if he were in command before speaking in a respectful tone. "Are you done, sir?"
Arias gave a light nod before giving the lawyer's back a pat. "I am, and so is he. Please keep an ear and eye open to any and all visitors Mr. Luthor may have. Ensure your colleagues are aware of this as well, understood?"
The officer grinned and nodded. "Understood, sir."
With that said, Arias excused himself and left the area alone, while the lawyer was escorted away. On their way out, the lawyer couldn't help but notice just how respectful many of the officers were to Arias.
It became clear to the man at that moment.
*He really controls Gotham...*