"Is that so?"
Falcone replied without lifting his head, his attention still on the documents in his hands.
"Ra's al Ghul never changes. Even sitting in the League, he still knows everything happening in the world. The Wraith only appeared yesterday, yet he already caught his attention. That alone says enough."
Falcone paused, then continued calmly.
"But Jonathan, you already know something about the Wraith, don't you?"
He folded the document containing the cargo details and slid it neatly under the ashtray. The second file lay open, filled with photographs of Axel taken from different angles and locations.
As Falcone examined them, his voice remained steady.
"You encountered him before I did. When the Wraith went back to that battlefield near the bus station for the third time yesterday, it was your car that picked him up."
Falcone's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Because of that, I initially assumed he was one of Ra's al Ghul's hidden pieces, or perhaps a favored disciple. But according to this, the Wraith has no connection to the League at all."
He placed the document down and glanced sideways at Jonathan.
"That surprised me. His abilities, and the way he operates, are far too similar to the legends surrounding the League of Assassins."
Jonathan adjusted his glasses and smiled mildly.
"It seems you're very interested in the Wraith, Mr. Falcone."
"No," Falcone interrupted, his tone sharp. "I'm interested in Ra's al Ghul."
He leaned back slightly.
"Tell him I look forward to our meeting. I'm curious how he plans to deal with such an uncontrollable animal."
Falcone's gaze hardened.
"You're a doctor at Arkham and a psychology professor at Gotham University. You've met the Wraith yourself. You know exactly how troublesome he is."
Jonathan nodded.
"When I first met Axel, I thought he was just another lunatic Gotham produces every night. Men like him, reckless with life and death, drifting between women, drugs, and violence."
Jonathan paused briefly.
"But I was wrong. He exceeded my expectations, and I suspect he may even exceed Ra's al Ghul's expectations."
Jonathan closed his briefcase and stood.
"The moment Ra's al Ghul received intelligence on the Wraith, he decided to come to Gotham himself. You should be ready to meet him at any time."
He bowed politely, then turned and left the garden.
After Jonathan disappeared, Falcone exhaled slowly.
Once someone like Axel reveals his strength to the world, the world responds with terrifying speed.
For now, it was only Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins. As for what came next, Falcone shook his head slightly.
Did he truly have a chance to take control of even a piece of Axel?
As that thought lingered, a woman stepped out from the corridor leading into the mansion.
Sophia Falcone moved with elegant confidence. Ignoring her father's disapproving look, she walked behind him and gently massaged his shoulders.
Falcone frowned.
"I told you to wait in my study, Sophia."
"But Father," she said softly, leaning closer. "We haven't seen each other in three years. Do you have any idea how much I missed you?"
She brushed her cheek against his.
Even so, Falcone remained unmoved.
"Missing me is not an excuse. Were you listening to my conversation?"
Sophia clicked her tongue.
"Of course not. I'm not interested in family business. You know my fashion brand is doing extremely well."
She gestured to her outfit.
"The wide leg jumpsuit I designed is selling out everywhere. I'm wearing my own work, Dad."
As she spoke, she rested a hand on Falcone's forehead and massaged gently.
Falcone closed his eyes, tolerating it.
Sophia's gaze drifted to the photos on the table. Her eyes locked onto Axel's image.
Still speaking casually, she said, "Dad, you promised that if my brand succeeded, you'd invest two hundred million Dollars so I could produce a fashion film."
She smiled sweetly.
"My brand is gaining traction now. You wouldn't go back on your word, right?"
Falcone opened his eyes and looked at her.
"The money will be transferred next week," he said. "But tell me something first. How old are you this year?"
"Twenty seven," Sophia snapped. "You really forgot my age?"
"I didn't forget," Falcone replied. "But I want you to remember it. You're not a child, and you're not just another socialite either."
His voice softened slightly.
"Don't chase the chaos those people live in. You're better than that."
Sophia rolled her eyes.
"So what is this? Are you trying to set me up with someone?"
She picked up Axel's file and glanced through it.
"This guy," she said, pointing at the photo. "Terrible fashion sense. Those torn suits are an insult to tailoring."
Falcone allowed her to take the documents.
"Take his information. Find a way to meet him," he said. "I won't force you into sacrifices for the family, but I'd like to see if anything comes of it."
Sophia nodded easily.
"I'll try. I'm not good at this stuff, but if you're recommending him, there must be a reason."
She smirked.
"Still, Selina would be better at this sort of thing. If she weren't interested in women, she'd be lethal."
"Enough," Falcone snapped. "Get out."
Sophia shrugged and left the garden, carrying Axel's file with her.
Falcone watched her go, eyes heavy with fatigue.
Despite everything he had achieved, few of his children truly satisfied him.
At least Sophia was still better than Councilor Lawrence's daughter.
Yesterday's news had made that clear. Now all of Gotham knew the Lawrence family had raised a brainless disaster.
Falcone sighed and returned to reading the Gotham Gazette.
At the Lawrence residence, that very disaster was pacing the living room.
Haino Lawrence had been awake since before eight, phone clenched tightly in her hand.
Councilor Lawrence lowered his newspaper.
"Haino, if you need to walk so badly, use the treadmill. Stop marching back and forth like a broken machine."
"I know, I know, shut up," Haino snapped.
She stormed back to her room, collapsing onto her bed while staring at her phone.
Ever since she learned the police failed to catch Axel, she could barely sit still.
She wanted to see him. To work with him. To cause trouble together.
Crime thrilled her.
So why the hell wasn't Axel calling her?
After nine o'clock, she finally snapped.
"If you won't call me, I'll call you."
She dialed the number.
At the same time, in Smallville, just outside Metropolis, Louise Lane sat in a café when her phone vibrated.
Her body stiffened.
"He… he actually called."
She showed the phone to her father.
General Lane nodded calmly.
"Don't worry. He won't hurt you."
Louise took a breath and answered.
"Hello, this is Louise. Axel, are you really coming to Metropolis? I'm on assignment in Smallville right now, I…"
Her words were cut off by screaming.
"Who the hell are you? Why do you have Axel's phone?"
Haino's voice exploded through the line.
"That phone is mine. I picked the number myself. Louise, right? You're dead."
Louise froze.
"My dad is a Gotham councilor. My mom works for the Defense Department. You're in Smallville, aren't you?"
Haino's voice turned shrill with rage.
"Wait there. I'll kill you myself."