Seeing Arias right outside her home, Lois Lane couldn't help but tense up on the spot.
She hesitated to answer his question and glanced toward the entrance of her penthouse building.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly or make an appointment."
Not wanting to linger around him for long, Lois quickly recovered her fearless demeanor and replied confidently, even placing a hand firmly on her hip as if to emphasize her stance.
Arias's expression, however, didn't change, and he still showed her the same unsettling faint smile.
"Oh? And here I thought you wrote that article because you care for Superman. It seems I was mistaken. I have no business here, then."
Completely out of her expectations, Arias didn't push the matter, nor did he show any visible anger. However, that only made her more concerned.
Without another word, Arias opened the car door, poised to enter, making the curious Lane reluctant. Her mind now wandered about the meaning behind his words.
"Wait! What did you mean by what you said?" she asked, still speaking as if she were in a more advantageous position, now even crossing her arms.
It was as if she were purposefully trying to force a reaction out of Arias, but no such thing occurred, and his mood remained unreadable.
"This isn't an ideal place to talk. As you know, my reputation these past few hours is less than ideal. I can't afford any more accusations," he replied blandly, once again looking ready to enter the car.
But Lois remained unwilling to let him leave without explaining. "Wait! Okay, then why don't we talk in my penthouse? Over a drink—consider it an unofficial interview."
Lois could only suggest this option as she was unwilling to go anywhere she felt unsafe with Arias. At least in her penthouse, she felt somewhat more comfortable. It was because of this that she found the courage to speak so confidently to a man she knew was a killer, in more detail than most.
"Lead the way, then, Miss Lane."
Hearing Arias address her formally again, Lois couldn't help but feel uneasy. Still, she showed no nervousness on the surface and strutted confidently past Arias's vehicle and into the building.
Once Lois walked through the door, Cheshire stuck her head out of the car and looked at Arias. "I wouldn't mind following that perky little ass sometime, provided you don't kill her, that is."
Arias gave Cheshire a side glance and ignored her whimsical comment. "Just wait in the car."
Saying nothing more, he proceeded to walk into the building, leaving Cheshire smiling mischievously. "So much for sightseeing. Oh well, maybe next time."
---
Meanwhile, inside the building, Lois was already standing in the elevator, tapping her heel impatiently against the floor as she waited for Arias.
The building's lobby was largely empty apart from two roaming security guards, an older-looking bellboy who stood near the elevator, and a female receptionist, roughly in her late twenties.
Upon seeing Arias, they couldn't help but stare, but none dared to speak up or even take a picture.
Given Lois's position in the city and her fame, she had hosted individuals of a grand nature before. With such a social network, she could only stay in a building with strict privacy rules, for both residents and staff.
History had shown that those who tried to go viral by breaking those rules to reveal a juicy scandal learned that the price wasn't worth paying... quite literally.
Arias paid no mind to the onlookers and didn't really care if he was spotted. The only real reason he wanted to arrive quietly was to avoid the League tailing him, which they would if they learned he had come to Metropolis to see Lois Lane of all people.
Once inside the elevator, the bellboy looked at Lois worriedly, but she confidently pressed her floor button, and the doors shut, leaving her and Arias alone.
She was half-expecting him to say something now that it was just the two of them, but he did no such thing. Instead, the only sound came from the elevator's mellow beats.
Lois also chose to remain silent for the duration of the ride, speaking only when the elevator rang to a stop.
"This is me. Make yourself comfortable… a lady needs to freshen up."
Lois's tone carried sarcasm as the elevator stopped directly at her penthouse. She strutted out confidently and pointed toward the lounge, directing Arias.
However, the moment she tried to walk away, he reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back.
**Bang**—Lois's body struck the wall with mild force, causing her only to feel a great sense of shock as her entire body thumped.
Before she could make sense of it or even panic, Arias blocked her path, still holding her wrist firmly above her head, her back against the wall.
"No need. I don't plan on taking much of your time. I only want a name. You should know whose."
Arias didn't mince his words and revealed his true intentions plainly.
Lois's heart was now beating at a more rapid pace, worry visible on her face, but her stubborn nature soon led her to frown instead.
"If anything happens to me, they'll know it was you. So do your worst—you don't scare me."
She spoke with vigor and confidence despite her unfavorable position, but Arias had expected as much from someone of her character.
Instead of showing anger, he cracked a smile and shook his head. "Oh, it's not you who'll suffer. Imagine if, during these hard times, while Superman is in recovery, his identity gets exposed. With him nowhere to be found… don't you think his loved ones would become the target of hate for so many criminals?"
Lois's eyes widened as she immediately understood the threat behind Arias's words.
"You bastard, I should've done more than just expose you."
Lois couldn't help but curse at what she felt was a disgusting thing to say, but Arias remained unmoved.
"Oh? But you've done enough, Miss Lane. Because who do you think Superman will blame when he awakens to find everyone he cared for dead? All because of a selfish reporter who wanted a big story."
Arias didn't retract his words, instead emphasizing the potential consequences of Lois's decision.
She couldn't help but sink into silence for a brief period, genuinely pondering if her choices would indeed leave such an impact.
Arias, though, wasn't about to let her waste time in thought. He pressed at her wrists harder while resting his knee between her legs, slightly raising her off the ground.
"I'm not opposed to this position, but if you really care for Superman, then you will give me a name."
He warned, his voice losing any semblance of charm.
This felt no better than mockery to the helpless Lois Lane, but she had no way out of this situation and was unwilling to let innocent people suffer because of her.
"…Green Arrow. I don't know who he really is, but that's my anonymous source, okay? Now get off me!"
With great reluctance, Lois gave a name, all while showing Arias an incredibly hateful gaze.
However, he only smiled upon hearing her answer. Despite this now composed exchange, he let go of her wrist and held her tightly by the chin before leaning his head close, mere inches from her face.
"I admire your ambition, but I advise you to know your limits. This game you think you're playing… it won't end well if you find yourself on the wrong side."
Lois continued to glare at Arias. "Oh? And I suppose you're the right side?" she asked mockingly, her body struggling to escape his hold.
Arias paid no mind to her attempts and traced a finger against his lips while replying,
"In this game, Miss Lane, I'm the only side—a fact you'll come to realize very soon."