Metropolis is very close to Gotham City. In fact, you can cross a bridge from Metropolis, take a highway, and quickly arrive in Gotham. There's only a lake or inland sea between the two cities.
At the moment, Kara is driving a sedan, crossing that very bridge on her way to Gotham City. After all, Perry tricked her into interviewing Bruce Wayne.
"Damn Perry," Kara muttered under her breath, clenching her teeth.
The reason Perry managed to persuade her was simple: he offered her a full month of paid vacation. The only condition was that Kara had to prepare four columns a week in advance.
And honestly, the vacation was too tempting to resist. That month off would allow her to relax, go home to spend time with her family, and help Clark get ready for college.
As for the columns, Kara had already prepared the drafts well in advance. So it wasn't a surprise that Perry knew she had submitted this week's column yesterday, and the one for next week today.
In fact, Perry also knew she had several drafts ready, but he didn't bother to check them thoroughly. Damn Perry, she was definitely going to teach him a lesson when she returned.
Although the distance between Metropolis and Gotham isn't much, getting to Gotham doesn't mean she'll be at Bruce's house right away. Kara had called Bruce when she was crossing the bridge to ask him where he was. He had just returned to the city and was resting at Wayne Manor.
Wayne Manor is a gigantic estate located on the outskirts of Gotham City. If Kara wanted to visit, she would have to drive through much of Gotham first.
"Trouble, always trouble," Kara murmured, still grumbling.
Truth be told, she wished she could just fly there instead of driving. It would be much faster. But for now, she had no choice but to drive at a reasonable speed. After several hours of travel, she finally arrived at the gates of Wayne Manor around noon.
Wayne Manor stretches across several thousand square meters. The garden and lawn that surround it are tastefully decorated, and the impressive castle at its heart is splendid and magnificent, like something out of a medieval fantasy.
This is where the Wayne family has lived for generations. The value of the property alone is enough to make it a dream come true for an ordinary person, as long as they didn't run out of money.
When she arrived, Kara called Bruce from the main gate, and with a 'click', the doors opened.
Without hesitation, Kara drove down the wide driveway toward the castle. Standing at the entrance, waiting for her, was an elegant older man who was clearly a butler.
"Good afternoon, Miss Kara. I'm Alfred Pennyworth, the butler of this estate. You may call me Alfred," the gentleman introduced himself.
Kara stopped her car in front of the steps, not particularly concerned about whether or not it was a parking spot. It definitely wasn't.
She looked at the butler and joked, "Or can I call you Al?"
The butler gave a slight smile, aware of her teasing. He was about the same age as Bruce's father, and Kara had been classmates with Bruce, so the informality always felt a bit awkward.
Kara shrugged. "Alfred is a little long. I think 'Al' sounds nice. What do you think?"
Alfred smiled but didn't linger on the matter of names. Instead, he gestured politely and said, "Master Wayne is already waiting for you in the living room. Please follow me."
Kara nodded and followed Alfred. They climbed the long set of steps at the entrance, walked through an extensive hallway, and finally reached a spacious living room.
With the wealth of the Wayne family, the mansion was filled with cultural and historical relics, but Kara didn't pay them much attention.
When they arrived, Kara saw Bruce sitting on a couch near the window. Even though it was already midday, he was still wearing pajamas, his legs crossed, holding a glass of red wine. He glanced at her with a slight smile as she entered.
Kara rolled her eyes and asked Alfred, "Is this how you spoil him?"
Alfred shrugged and responded, "After all, he is the young master. Even though I'd rather not see the heir of the Wayne family looking so disheveled, there's not much I can do."
Bruce chimed in with a playful tone, "Alfred, you're talking too much."
Kara pulled a camera out of the practical bag she had slung over her shoulder. It wasn't a designer bag, just a functional one. Without warning, she snapped a picture of Bruce.
Caught off guard, Bruce raised his hand to block the camera and shouted, "Wait a minute! You're not planning to use these pictures for the cover, are you?"
Alfred, who was about to leave to prepare some black tea, paused and tried to dissuade Kara: "Miss Kara, remember, Master Wayne is the heir to one of the most important families in the country."
Bruce thought to himself that the "most important" part was unnecessary, but he kept quiet.
Kara waved the camera in front of Bruce and threatened, "Why don't you go change?"
With a resigned sigh, Bruce stood up. If it hadn't been Kara, his friend, he wouldn't have agreed to the interview in the first place.
Perry had been clever in sending her. If it had been any other reporter from Metropolis, Bruce wouldn't have bothered to make time for it. To be honest, sleeping in was much more appealing than dealing with interviews.
Faced with Kara's threat, Bruce reluctantly went upstairs, took a quick shower, and changed into formal attire. When he returned, he looked sharp and presentable, more like the young heir to the Wayne Enterprises empire.
Alfred returned just in time with a pot of black tea, which he served to both of them before discreetly leaving the room, allowing them to chat alone.