The chaotic city of Gotham never fails to surprise, no matter what happens.
For example, Bruce Wayne's mansion losing an expensive necklace, or an unfortunate senator getting involved with Catwoman after attending a Wayne Foundation charity dinner, only to be used as a pawn and end up getting shot, barely clinging to life.
But none of this compared to the appearance of two individuals at a charity ball hosted by Ms. Tate.
"Oh! My God! It's Bruce Wayne!" Whether by coincidence or not, after a period of seclusion following the Joker's chaos, the infamous Bruce Wayne suddenly showed up tonight in a sports car.
His arrival immediately caught the attention of the reporters waiting at the entrance.
Then, a small surprise followed.
"Oh! Praise Lord! It's Atreus!"
As one of Gotham's most famous playboys after Bruce Wayne, Atreus was a walking advertisement. If a nightclub hadn't hosted him, it couldn't call itself one of Gotham's elite. Not to mention, he had recently bought shares in Stark Industries and publicly shorted Osborn Group, becoming the new darling of Wall Street.
With his various undisclosed dealings with major banks, no one really knew how much he was worth. The only certainty was that, excluding his Stark shares, his cash flow was in the billions.
Atreus's appearance caused an immediate stir among the reporters, who even abandoned Bruce Wayne to rush over to where Atreus was parking his McLaren, snapping photos like crazy.
Bruce was no stranger to the flashing lights of cameras, nor did he care. He had retreated from the public eye precisely because he was tired of the press.
But when he saw the face that bore a striking resemblance to his own, albeit younger and more handsome, his normally calm heart seemed to ripple.
"Oh! What a coincidence! You must be the famous Ba..—oh no, Bruce Wayne, right? 'Nice' to meet you! I'm Atreus. Oh, my surname's a bit unique —it's Atreus!" Atreus, pretending to be just another fan, greeted Bruce enthusiastically, even tripping over his words slightly out of "nervousness."
Bruce, ever the seasoned veteran, instantly recognized from Atreus's tone that this kid knew far more than he was letting on.
The question was, how much did he know!?
When Bruce was wearing the Bat mask, he could ignore Atreus.
In public, however, as the head of Gotham's most powerful family, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to simply ignore a major shareholder of Stark Industries.
"Hello, Mr. Atreus." Despite himself, Bruce extended a hand to shake Atreus's.
Atreus didn't grip too hard to give his wild dad a shock, but from the slight twitch in Bruce's face, it was clear that Bruce had fully grasped Atreus's strength.
The most surprising part wasn't that—it was the system notification that followed.
**[Special Task (Rebel Against the Magnificent King) Activated—A request from the remnant soul of the original owner: This body's former owner harbored deep resentment toward his father, Bruce Wayne. If the host can stage a grand revenge against his father, soul power rewards will be granted depending on the degree of vengeance.]**
Atreus was dumbfounded.
What kind of plot twist was this?
He personally didn't harbor ill will toward Batman. Heck, if Batman kept funding him, Atreus wouldn't mind treating him as a father.
As for revenge...
There were many ways to seek revenge. Atreus figured the original owner probably didn't want to kill his dad, right?
So...
Atreus smiled mysteriously. "As fellow Gotham billionaires, we have a responsibility to contribute to charity and peace."
Bruce could feel the layers of cunning hidden beneath Atreus's words, but he didn't get angry. He simply retracted his hand with a graceful smile. "Of course."
With the press watching, it wasn't the time for any deep conversation.
This was just a simple, friendly first encounter.
Charity balls were, on the surface, glamorous events where the wealthy flaunted their fortune, elegance, and philanthropy. Through auctioning off items that may or may not have value, they publicly contributed to charitable causes, balancing society.
Of course, how many wealthy people used charity funds to dodge taxes or pass their fortune to their children was another story.
To Atreus, the charity ball itself was incredibly boring.
After casually donating a day's worth of pocket money, Atreus waited until his wild dad went off to chat with the event host, Ms. Tate, and then sought out the real star of the ball.
Atreus had once thought that if this world's Catwoman turned out to be an 18-year-old beauty, he'd definitely be a dutiful son and leave her for his wild dad.
As luck would have it, the Catwoman standing before him was 18!
Well, men are nothing if not consistent.
On behalf of the original Atreus, he thought: I really am a dutiful son!
"Wow! Beautiful lady, has anyone ever told you that you look just like the famous actress Anne Hathaway?"
Wearing a mysterious butterfly mask, revealing a sharp jawline, seductive red lips, styled in a classic European updo, and dressed in a form-fitting black gown with a perfectly low neckline, Catwoman was undeniably the brightest star in the ballroom.
Atreus casually slipped his parking ticket behind a statue and, smiling, approached her with the same cliché pickup line as the other men.
The difference between him and the men doomed to rejection? He was Atreus—the only man in Gotham who could rival Bruce Wayne in wealth and popularity.
Not to mention, he was younger!
As a professional thief, Catwoman immediately recognized Atreus, even with his masquerade mask on.
"Sir, such a compliment truly makes me happy."
"Would you honor me with a dance?" Atreus extended his hand.
"It would be my pleasure!"
The moment her delicate hand rested on Atreus's shoulder, his heightened senses told him—something had been stolen.
Atreus convinced himself that it was only his dignity that had been taken.
As the graceful music began, a professionally trained thief and a body-hopping playboy displayed a dance as harmonious and stunning as no one could have expected.
Atreus's gaze was a bit too direct as he looked at her chest. "Wow! That necklace is quite large and stunning!"
Catwoman, usually unflappable, showed a rare hint of surprise. "I'm quite fond of this necklace."
Atreus smiled. "I happen to have one that would suit you even better."
Though it sounded like typical flattery, Atreus appeared to be no different from the lecherous aristocrats and officials who lusted after her beauty.
Catwoman responded smoothly, "What a shame. I'd be happy to wear it if I ever get the chance."
As the dance ended, Bruce Wayne appeared beside them.
It was clear that Batman had spotted Catwoman, the thief who had stolen his necklace. He somewhat impolitely asked Atreus, "May I be her next dance partner?"
"Of course, but I'd suggest you count your fingers first."
Bruce: ???
Catwoman: ???
Predictably, Bruce and Catwoman, eternal friendnemies, clashed. Bruce first called out Catwoman's real name, then unceremoniously snatched the necklace from her neck.
In return, his parking ticket was stolen.
When Bruce left the ball and was informed by the valet that "your wife drove off with your car," the shock was clear on his face.
Miles away, Catwoman laughed gleefully as she drove, her left hand on the wheel and her right hand pulling out her second prize of the night.
When she opened the box she had lifted from Atreus's pocket, her initial joy quickly turned to shock, nearly causing her to swerve off the road.
The necklace, without a doubt, was valuable—a diamond necklace worth at least fifty thousand dollars.
But it wasn't the necklace that concerned her. It was the note attached to the box:
"To the lovely Selina Kyle, this necklace is for the beautiful you!"
Signed, **Atreus!**
(End of Chapter)