The stock had jumped nearly three times its value in a single day.
James checked his portfolio with shaking hands.
Sixteen thousand, nine hundred and eighty-seven shares at eight dollars and forty-seven cents per share.
One hundred and forty-three thousand, seven hundred and nineteen dollars.
He'd nearly tripled his money in two weeks.
But the stock would go higher.
He remembered that much. Wayne Enterprises wouldn't acquire them until the price peaked. That meant it would keep climbing.
The question was how much higher and how long to wait.
James spent the next hour researching the company's pipeline, reading analyst predictions, checking institutional investor activity.
He processed all the data, built probability models, estimated trajectories.
Best guess: stock would peak somewhere between forty and fifty dollars per share when Wayne Enterprises made their acquisition offer.
That was maybe four to six weeks away based on the clinical trial timeline and typical acquisition negotiations.
He decided to hold.
Over the next three days, the stock climbed steadily. Eight forty-seven to twelve thirty. Then twelve thirty to eighteen seventy-five. Then eighteen seventy-five to twenty-four fifty.
James watched his portfolio value grow. One hundred and forty-three thousand became two hundred and nine thousand.
Then three hundred and eighteen thousand. Then four hundred and sixteen thousand.
It felt surreal. Like watching someone else's account.
On the fourth day, news broke that Wayne Enterprises had expressed interest in acquiring Helix Genomics for their biotech division.
The stock jumped again. Twenty-four fifty to thirty-one twenty in pre-market trading.
Five days later, it hit forty-four dollars and eighty cents in after-hours trading.
James sold everything.
Sixteen thousand, nine hundred and eighty-seven shares at an average of forty-four eighty.
Total sale: seven hundred and sixty-one thousand, four hundred and twenty dollars.
After trading fees, taxes would be due next year but not now, and accounting for his original investment, he netted eight hundred and thirty-one thousand dollars.
James stared at his account balance for a long time.
He was rich.
Actually rich.
He could stop right now. Take this money, invest it conservatively, live comfortably for years. Stay safe. Stay normal.
On his laptop screen, a news article showed Batman subduing escaped Arkham inmates.
The photo showed the Dark Knight standing over three unconscious criminals, cape billowing in the wind, completely in control.
James closed the laptop.
Rich and safe wasn't enough. Not in this world.
---
The factory was perfect.
James stood in the middle of fifteen thousand square feet of empty space, looking around with satisfaction.
High ceilings, at least twenty feet. Concrete floors that could handle heavy equipment. Loading docks for deliveries.
A separate office section that could be converted to living quarters. Reinforced walls that would provide security and privacy.
The real estate agent, Mr. Patterson, stood near the entrance looking uncomfortable.
He was a middle-aged man in a cheap suit, clearly unused to showing properties in Gotham's industrial district.
"Honestly, I don't know why you want this place," Patterson said. "The area's dangerous. Building needs at least two hundred thousand in repairs to meet code. There are squatters. Drug dealers use the loading docks at night."
"I see potential," James said simply. "It's private. Secure. No one will bother me here."
"What exactly are you planning to do here?"
"Research. Development. I need space and privacy."
Patterson shrugged. "Your funeral. Owner's asking one hundred and eighty thousand. Place has been on the market for three years though. Between you and me, he'd probably take much less."
"I'll offer one hundred and twenty thousand cash. Close in forty-eight hours."
Patterson's eyes widened. "Cash? Are you serious?"
"Completely serious."
"I'll call the owner right now."
The deal closed in thirty-six hours. James wired the money from his trading account. The factory was his.
He spent the next week making the space functional.
Hired contractors to fix the electrical system and install industrial lighting.
Had the office section renovated into a small apartment, just basic living quarters.
Installed a security system with cameras covering every entrance.
Then he started buying equipment.
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