The following night.
Elliot Manor.
In a room facing south, Kino adjusted his tie.
His slightly wavy golden hair and a black, tailored suit accentuated his muscular physique.
Kino smoothed his tie, his gaze steady as he looked at himself in the mirror.
"Hey, Kino, don't forget about the banquet tonight!" Thomas's voice called from outside the door.
"I remember," Kino replied loudly, his eyes falling on the canvas bag in the corner. He looked at it with amusement and said, "I'm very much looking forward to attending the Gotham elite's gathering."
This game of cat and mouse…
Kino fastened the expensive watch on his wrist.
He was ready.
The young man stepped out of the room, looking at the handsome boy. Thomas, with his brown hair and nearing middle age, tugged at his tie and chuckled, "Honestly, you're as handsome as I was in my youth."
Kino shrugged, having nothing to say to his shameless uncle.
The two of them walked down the second floor and into the living room.
Letitia, who had just undergone psychological therapy, was asleep on the sofa, a soft blanket covering her.
Not far away sat a female doctor in a white coat, with beautiful blonde hair and glasses.
The girl wore a skirt that went past her knees and black stockings, paired with a pair of black high heels, making her look youthful and beautiful.
A pair of lovely blue eyes watched the doll in Letitia's hands, her pretty face thoughtful.
"Dr. Harleen, what's the diagnosis?"
Thomas scratched his head, walking between the two of them. His gaze swept over the sleeping Letitia, a flicker of guilt in his eyes.
"Ah? Oh, oh, she... her brain's neural pathways have suffered irreversible damage."
Harleen pursed her lips, her hands smoothing over the black, sheer stockings on her thighs. She slowly stood up, her small nose twitching beneath her black-rimmed glasses. Hesitating for a moment, she said softly, "To be honest, the chances of recovery are slim."
"Her spirit has been deeply traumatized."
"Combined with the pressure on her brain's nerves and the influence of her living environment, she's developed an avoidance personality."
"She only wants to remember the memories she chooses to keep." Harleen looked at Letitia, and strangely, a hint of envy flashed in her eyes.
No one can escape their past... except the mentally ill.
Kino silently looked at the sleeping Letitia.
It seemed that Dr. Harleen's medical skills were quite good.
His gaze swept over Dr. Harleen.
Bright, large eyes, a high-bridged nose, and those rosy lips.
Could this woman be the future, infamous Harley Quinn?
Kino secretly anticipated.
If so, it meant he could harvest points from her.
"In any case, thank you, Dr. Harleen."
Thomas chuckled and pulled a few bills from his wallet.
He was just about to hand the money to Harleen.
But, Thomas glanced at the clock on the wall and couldn't help but slap his forehead in annoyance: "Damn it, Kino, do you have a dance partner?"
Kino was slightly stunned, then shook his head.
He had just arrived in Gotham and had basically no social life, so how could he have a dance partner?
"Then." Thomas looked at Harleen and said, "Miss Harleen Frances Quinzel."
"Would you like to go to a dinner party with Kino?"
Harleen looked at the handsome young man and then at the ink stains on her hands.
Self-doubt swirled within Harleen.
The girl instinctively shook her head. "No, I'd rather not, I... I don't want to go."
"Oh, that's a shame." Thomas winked at Kino. "Looks like you'll have to join me at the banquet."
"Hopefully, you'll arrange a dance partner in advance next time."
"Maybe."
Iceberg Lounge.
Established long ago by the Cobblepot Family, this was Gotham's oldest and most upscale restaurant.
Elegant, classical music echoed through the opulent, gilded restaurant.
Numerous expensive, diverse sports cars lined the street outside the restaurant.
Those attending the banquet were either rich or powerful.
The hall was filled with guests, laughter, and chatter.
"Vroom!"
A Lamborghini screeched to a halt outside the restaurant.
An obedient valet quickly opened the car door for the owner.
Bruce, in a tailored suit, stepped out of the sports car with his long legs.
"That car is so cool!"
The valet couldn't help but admire the car's striking appearance.
Bruce smiled indifferently, "Perhaps you should look at another one."
A smile played on his thin lips beneath his high nose as the passenger door opened. Two women with black hair and blue eyes, dressed in elegant gowns, stepped out.
This alluring scene immediately labeled those who witnessed it with the "playboy" tag for Bruce Wayne.
"Sir, please follow me. Your seat is this way."
His two female companions linked arms with Bruce, escorting him toward the center of the hall.
"Bruce!"
A voice of surprise rang out. Then, Bruce saw a man stand up from a table of guests.
"Thomas!?"
Bruce's face also lit up with joy.
There are three things in life worth celebrating:
Good health.
Dreams coming true.
Reuniting with old friends.
Bruce and Thomas were good friends.
They grew up together until Bruce chose to travel the world after adulthood, while Thomas chose to become a surgeon.
Thomas walked forward, laughing, and opened his arms to embrace Bruce.
It was clear their friendship hadn't faded with time.
"Come with me, I'll introduce you to my nephew."
Bruce followed Thomas to the table.
"Kino Luthor, my sister's son, and one of the heirs to the famed Luthor Family."
Bruce looked at the smiling young man. Kino sat in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, looking relaxed and casual, as if he owned the restaurant.
The two men locked eyes.
In the next instant, a strange sense of dread welled up in Bruce's heart.
This terrifying feeling made Bruce instinctively tense up.
He didn't understand how this feeling had arisen.
It was as if the young man sitting in the chair could threaten his life at any moment.
The training he'd received from the League of Assassins had honed Bruce's sixth sense to an extreme degree, and his sixth sense told him that this young man was dangerous.
Yet, judging by his physique and appearance, Kino seemed to be just a young man in his early twenties.
With the characteristic youthful exuberance, how could such a young man make him feel fear?
"Hello."
Kino spoke, interrupting Bruce's thoughts.
He heard Kino's voice in his ear, his blue eyes filled with a deep, dark expression: "I am Kino Luthor."
The young man stood up with a smile and extended his hand towards Bruce, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Bruce remained silent, but also reached out his hand.
The two palms clasped tightly together, then separated.
The two sat down.
The atmosphere was silent for a moment.
Kino fiddled with the knife and fork on the table, smiling at Bruce.
He was the first to start a conversation, "Mr. Bruce, I haven't been in this city long. May I ask, what are your thoughts on Gotham?"
------------------------
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