บท 618: 416
"Breaking news for our station, since May 11th, following the news of the death of Harold. Jin. Philby, a former agent of Military Intelligence Section 6 in Moscow, the case of Philby's body destination was officially closed yesterday."
"Moscow once again refused the family's request to transfer the body and it has been confirmed that Philby will be buried in Moscow before this January…"
"Reportedly, Military Intelligence Section 6 is indifferent to the actions of Moscow. Perhaps they are ashamed of the name, Kim Philby. A reporter from The Times tried to contact a senior action manager from Military Intelligence Section 6. The individual, refusing to reveal his identity, indicated that the detention of Kim Philby's body by Moscow involves a deeper conspiracy…"
"Next, we will bring you the life of Harold. Jin. Philby, a legendary double agent from Military Intelligence Section 6…"
With a "click", the radio issued a "buzzing" waiting sound. Merkel, who was dusting the table with a duster, turned to Shiller, who was reading a newspaper next to the dining table, and said, "Sir, it's time for the Gotham morning news. Would you like me to change the channel for you?"
Shiller flipped a page of the newspaper, without lifting his head, he said: "Okay, by the way, turn up the volume a bit, I can't hear it very clearly."
The familiar voice of Gotham's morning news female host was heard when the radio was switched on again:
"Mayor Brown went to Green Street for inspection before 6 a.m. this morning, expressing deep concern over the snow disaster and the traffic problems it caused. He stated that even the poorest and most chaotic East District and even the densely populated Living Hell should not be abandoned…"
"Traffic has always been the focus of his city management. His work has been effective in the past few months. Although this snow disaster has added another burden to Gotham's traffic, no disaster can knock down the strong citizens of Gotham…"
Merkel was watching Shiller paging faster and faster through his newspaper, when he used his hand to tweak a button on the radio. Another male host's voice came on.
"City bulletin, recently, Metropolis's security situation has been questioned, the new serial killer is nowhere to be found, and the efficiency of the Metropolitan Police Department is criticized…"
"The Chief of Police stated, during his 23-year tenure, the security situation in Metropolis has always been very good. The police will make their best effort and solve this case in the shortest possible time…"
"The method of the serial killer in this case is extremely cruel, killing multiple people in a short period of time, including several key staff members in the mayor's office…"
"The perpetrator is skilled and extremely cruel in the process of killing. There are already six victims…"
Watching Shiller slowly stop flipping through the newspaper, Merkel stopped dusting the table and turned to slightly increase the volume of the radio. As a result, a pleasant piece of music came from this channel, followed by the voice of another host:
"Interrupt for urgent communication. Due to poor weather conditions in major East Coast cities, Metropolis's new Mayor White will hold a disaster relief charity dinner at the Metropolitan Mayor's Mansion at 9 o'clock tonight…"
"This dinner will invite celebrities from major East Coast cities, hoping they can use their fame to bring new hope to ordinary people in East Coast cities…"
"Mr. White said that this is just the social responsibility that a qualified mayor should have. Whether it is Metropolis or other East Coast cities, the darkness is temporary and light will eventually come…"
Merkel observed Shiller's expression, walked to the radio, and turned off the radio. Shiller closed the newspaper in his hand, folded it, and put it aside.
Merkel walked over, picked up the newspaper, and Shiller began to eat as if he were not interested in the news just broadcasted from the radio. Towards the end of the meal, he began his usual chitchat:
Shiller asked Merkel: "Are you from London?"
"No, sir, my hometown is in Birmingham, but when I was in secondary school, my parents went to work in London and we settled in London."
"Did you go to middle school in London?"
"I spent a year in Birmingham, and then went to London."
"How were your grades? They must have been great, right?"
Merkel laughed modestly, he said: "Actually, they were not bad, but they were not the best, and compared to my peers, I don't have any talents, I don't play musical instruments, and I don't know much Latin."
"Did you go to a grammar school?"
"Yes, but nowadays, children in grammar schools are quite versatile; I really don't have any artistic talent…"
Just as they were talking about this, the mailbox downstairs rang. Shiller frowned, and Merkel turned and walked to the window, seeing a newspapers boy waiting next to the mailbox.
After Merkel went downstairs, he was carrying a brown paper bag containing freshly baked alkali water bread. Merkel handed the paper bag to the newspapers boy, who stuffed it into his jacket, and then directly handed Merkel a letter.
This was the first time that Merkel had come into contact with Shiller's private mail during his period of employment. He looked at the wax seal on it and found it was a symbol he did not recognize.
A few minutes later, Shiller was sitting at his desk in his study, opening a letter with a letter opener. He slowly cut open the wax seal with the letter opener, then opened the envelope. Inside was a very common type of vintage stationery, on which was written:
"Dear Professor Shiller Rodriguez, I heard about your recent academic accolades, congratulations."
"We sincerely invite you to participate in a charity dinner regarding disaster relief for the East Coast cities …"
Shiller frowned as he read the words, his eyebrows furrowing even deeper as his gaze fell upon the sender's name.
Slowly folding up the letter, Shiller seemed to ponder about something. Merkel, who was waiting by his side, heard Shiller slowly ask, "What are the current available transportation options to Metropolis?"
Merkel paused for a moment, seemingly not having considered this question. He glanced out the window at the snowy landscape and said, "I'm afraid any ground transportation would be impossible."
Noticing Shiller's furrowed brows, Merkel lowered his head and said, "I'll immediately get in touch with a helicopter company…"
This kind of morning conversations often occurred within English manors, and the Wayne Manor was no exception. When Selina walked into the manor in her thick wool coat, the fireplace was already lit. The butler took her coat, hung it on the coat rack, and Selina lightly touched her hair, saying:
"The roads are terrible, right? I heard that not only Gotham but several East Coast cities were affected by this snow disaster. Of course, the cities down south are in somewhat better conditions, but they are also experiencing a cold spell not seen in decades."
"Yes, Master Bruce is planning to attend a charity dinner. He should be inviting you as his date."
"Oh?" Selina's eyes widened in surprise. As she walked further in, she turned to Alfred and asked, "So how should I respond? I've never received such an invitation."
"All you need to do is express your sympathy for the common citizens and say that you'd be glad to attend."
"Alright." Selina gathered her long hair behind her ears, a bit nervous as she asked,"When is the charity ball? How should I present myself? What am I suppose to say?"
Alfred led Selina to the dining table. Bruce, who hadn't slept all night, didn't look the least bit tired, but Dick seemed rather groggy. Selina noticed a stranger sitting at the table. She nodded to him, then turned to Bruce to ask, "Aren't you going to introduce us?"
"This is Hal."
After saying this, Bruce fell silent once again. Hal had no choice but to introduce himself, "Hello, my name is Hal Jordan… No, I'm not related to that basketball player. I can't get his autograph for you…"
Selina looked a bit disappointed. Then, she looked towards Dick, who was glowing green. Dick shrugged and told her, "It's complicated. It's hard to explain. In short, I now look as green as a Christmas elf."
Seeing Dick's distressed expression, Selina couldn't help but laugh. She brought Aisha over next to her and fed her, and after a while, Bruce finally spoke:
"There's a charity dinner tonight in Metropolis for joint disaster relief for the East Coast cities. I need to attend, and I hope you can be my date. What do you think?"
Selina sat up straight and moved her neck a little, but she couldn't bring herself to utter the ostentatious sympathetic words. Instead, she just said, "Alright, Of course, I can. But I'm not quite sure what to do…"
"Later, a fashion consultant I've booked will come over to tailor a dress and jewelry for you."
"Once the dinner starts, all you need to do is to walk into the hall with me, and then you don't have to do anything else. If anyone engages you in conversation, just keep on repeating how terrible the disaster is, how many ordinary people it has affected, and that you feel profound sympathy for them."
Selina sighed. In the past few months, she had accompanied Bruce to quite a few parties. Most of the time, she had to maintain a stiff smile that strained her facial muscles, while chatting with the ladies and listening to them gush over their gorgeous dresses and precious jewelry. God knows how much she wanted to pry off the gemstones from their necklaces …
After finishing his words, Bruce turned his attention to Dick. Scratching his head, Dick said, "I actually think I'm doing better now. I admit, I was a bit scared when I first started glowing…"
"But, when I calmed down, it seems like this power calmed down as well. At least during the few hours when I was asleep, it didn't teleport me around."
"I think you can try to maintain this state until all the Green Lantern energy is spent," Hal added. "Don't worry, I will be watching you the whole time."
Dick extended his hand and looked at the ring, saying, "I will return this ring to you when the time comes. It's just too ugly."
After breakfast, Bruce's fashion consultant arrived as scheduled. Selina was displaying various dresses in the middle of the living room, asking, "Bruce, I heard the name of an entrepreneur on the radio before I arrived this morning. Apparently, he is the most prominent businessman in Metropolis …"
"The host said he is the most famous philanthropist, is that true?"
Bruce was sitting on the sofa, holding an envelope in his hand. He opened the envelope and looked at the stationery inside, and without lifting his head he said, "you can replace the word 'philanthropy' that he said with 'tax evasion'."
Selina shook her head, seemingly not understanding Bruce's remark. Bruce frowned as he looked at the piece of stationery in his hand, and his gaze fell on a slightly familiar name in the sender's spot - "Lionel Luther".
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