Chapter 418: The Mystery of Metropolis (Part 2) (Patreon)

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"According to our sources, the body of former Military Intelligence Section 6 Agent Harold Harry Philby, who passed away on May 11th in Moscow, was officially claimed by his family yesterday."

"However, Moscow authorities have once again refused to allow the body to be transferred, and it has been confirmed that Philby will be buried in Moscow before January of this year."

"It is reported that Military Intelligence Section 6 has not commented on Moscow's actions, and they may be ashamed of the name Harold Harry Philby. A journalist from The Times contacted a senior operational officer from Military Intelligence Section 6, who refused to disclose their identity and only stated that there is a deeper conspiracy behind Moscow's detention of Philby's body."

"Next, we will bring you the life story of Harold Harry Philby, the legendary double agent of Military Intelligence Section 6..."

With a "click," the radio emitted a waiting sound of "sizzle." Merkel, who was sweeping the desktop with a duster, turned to Schiller, who was reading the newspaper at the dining table, and said, "Gentlemen, it's time for the morning news in Gotham. Do you want me to switch the channel for you?"

Schiller flipped a page of the newspaper and said without looking up, "Sure, and turn up the volume a bit. I can't hear it very well."

After the radio was turned on again, the familiar female host of the Gotham morning news could be heard inside:

"Evan Brownmayor went to Greene Street for inspection before 6 a.m. this morning and expressed deep concern about the snowstorm and the resulting traffic problems. He said that even the poorest and most chaotic East District, and even the densely populated Living Hell, should not be abandoned..."

"Traffic problems have always been the focus of his governance of the city. In the past few months, his work has been remarkable. Although this snowstorm has added another burden to Gotham's traffic, no disaster can defeat the strong Gotham citizens..."

Seeing Schiller flipping the newspaper faster and faster, Merkel turned the knob on the radio with her hand, and another host's voice could be heard.

"City News: Recently, the security situation in Metropolis has been called into question, with a new serial killer leaving no trace and the efficiency of the Metropolis Police Department being criticized..."

"The police chief stated that during his 23 years in office, the security situation in Metropolis has always been very good, and the police department will do its utmost to solve this case as soon as possible..."

"The serial killer's methods are extremely cruel, and multiple people have been killed in a short period of time, including several important aides to the mayor..."

"The killer's methods are sophisticated, and the process of committing the crime is extremely cruel. There are already six victims..."

Seeing Schiller's hand slowly stopping the flipping of the newspaper, Merkel stopped cleaning the desktop and turned up the volume of the radio a bit. However, what came from this channel was a pleasant music, followed by another host's voice:

"Breaking news: Due to the unfavorable weather conditions in major cities on the East Coast, the newly appointed mayor of Metropolis, Mr. White, will hold a disaster relief charity dinner at the Metropolis Mayor's Mansion at 9 p.m. tonight..."

"This dinner will invite celebrities from major cities on the East Coast, hoping that they can use their influence to bring new hope to the ordinary people of East Coast cities..."

"The mayor stated that this is just a sense of social responsibility that a qualified mayor should have. Whether it is Metropolis or other East Coast cities, darkness is only temporary, and light will eventually come..."

Merkel observed Schiller's expression, walked over to the radio, turned it off, and collected the newspaper. Schiller picked up his utensils and began to eat, as if he was not interested in the news that had just been broadcast on the radio. When the meal was almost over, he started his usual small talk.

Schiller asked Merkel, "Are you from London?"

"No, gentlemen, my hometown is Birmingham, but when I was in high school, my parents came to work in London, and then we settled in London," Merkel replied.

"Did you go to high school in London?"

"I spent one year in Birmingham and then went to London."

"How were your grades? They must have been good, right?"

Merkel smiled modestly and said, "They were actually pretty good, but not at the top, and compared to my peers, I don't have any talents. I can't play any instruments and I don't know much about Latin."

"Did you go to grammar school?"

"Yes, but now the children in grammar school are also very talented. I really don't have any artistic talent..."

As they were talking, the mailbox downstairs rang again. Schiller frowned and Merkel turned around and walked to the window, where he saw a newsboy waiting by the mailbox.

After Merkel went downstairs, he came back with a paper bag containing freshly baked pretzels. He handed the bag to the newsboy, who then handed him a letter. This was the first time Merkel had come into contact with Schiller's personal mail during his work. He looked at the wax seal on the envelope and found an unfamiliar emblem.

A few minutes later, Schiller sat at his desk in his book room and opened the letter with a letter opener. He slowly opened the wax seal and then the envelope, which contained a very common old-fashioned letter paper with the following words:

"Dear Professor Schiller Rodriguez, Congratulations on your recent academic achievements. We cordially invite you to participate in a charity dinner for the East Coast City Joint Disaster Relief..."

Schiller frowned as he looked at the words on the paper, and his brow furrowed even deeper when he saw the signature. Slowly folding the paper, Schiller seemed to be thinking about something. Merkel, who was waiting nearby, heard Schiller slowly ask, "What are the transportation options to Metropolis now?"

Merkel paused for a moment, seemingly not having considered this question. He turned his head slightly to look out at the snowy ground and said, "I'm afraid no ground transportation will work now."

Seeing Schiller's furrowed brow, Merkel lowered his head and said, "I'll contact the helicopter company right away..."

This kind of morning conversation often happened in English Manor, and Wayne Manor was no exception. When Selena walked into the Manor wearing a thick woolen coat, the fireplace was already burning. The butler took her coat and hung it on the coat rack. Selena gently stroked her hair and said...

"The road conditions are terrible, aren't they? I heard that this snow disaster has affected not only Gotham, but also several East Coast cities. Of course, the cities in the south are better off, but they are also facing a cold wave that hasn't been seen in decades."

"Yes, Mr. Bruce is already planning to attend a charity dinner. He should invite you to be his companion later," the butler replied.

"Oh?" Selena widened her eyes in surprise as she walked inside and looked at Alfred beside her. "How should I respond to this invitation? I've never received one like this before."

"You just need to express sympathy for the ordinary citizens and say that you are very willing to attend," Alfred replied.

"Okay." Selena tucked her long hair behind her ears and nervously asked, "When is the charity dinner? How should I dress? Do I need to say anything?"

Alfred led Selena to the dining table, where Bruce, who had not slept all night, looked refreshed, while Dick seemed a bit dazed. Selena noticed a stranger sitting at the table and nodded at him before turning to Bruce and asking, "Don't you want to introduce us?"

"This is Hal."

After Bruce introduced him, he fell silent again, and Hal had to introduce himself, "Hello, my name is Hal Jordan... No, I'm not related to that basketball star and can't get his autograph..."

Selena looked disappointed, and then she saw Dick, who was emitting green light all over his body. Dick shrugged and said, "It's complicated, and it's hard to explain to you. Anyway, I'm as green as an elf now."

Seeing Dick's miserable look, Selena couldn't help but laugh. She picked up Aisha and fed her some food. After a while, Bruce finally spoke up:

"There's a joint East Coast disaster relief charity dinner in Metropolis tonight, and I need to attend. I hope you can be my companion. How about it?"

Selena straightened her back and stretched her neck, but she couldn't bring herself to say those sentimental words of sympathy. She just said, "Okay, of course, but I'm not sure what to do..."

"Afterwards, my appointment with the fashion consultant will arrive at your door to customize your dress and jewelry."

"After the dinner starts, you just need to walk into the banquet hall with me and do nothing. If someone talks to you, just repeat how terrible this disaster is and how many ordinary people it has affected. If you feel very sympathetic, that's enough."

Selena sighed. In the past few months, she had accompanied Bruce to some parties, most of the time she had to wear a fake smile that made her facial muscles stiff, chat with those ladies, and listen to them praise their gorgeous dresses and precious jewelry. God knows how much she wanted to pry the gems off their necklaces...

After speaking, Bruce turned his head to Dick, who scratched his head and said, "I actually feel better now. I acknowledge that I was a little scared when my body started to glow at first..."

"But after I calmed down, this power seemed to calm down too. At least during the few hours I slept, it didn't transport me again."

"I think you can try to maintain this state until all the green energy is consumed," Hal said. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you during this period."

Dick extended his hand and looked at the ring, saying, "I'll return it to you when the time comes. This ring is just too ugly."

After dinner, Bruce's appointment with the fashion consultant arrived as scheduled. Selena displayed various dresses in the living room and asked, "Bruce, I heard a businessman's name on the radio this morning before I came. He seems to be the biggest businessman in Metropolis..."

"The host said he's the most famous philanthropist. Is that true?"

Bruce sat on the sofa, holding an envelope in his hand. He opened it and looked at the letter inside without lifting his head. "You can change the two words 'philanthropy' in what he said to 'tax avoidance.'"

Selena shook her head, seeming not to understand Bruce's meaning. Bruce frowned and looked at the letter in his hand, which was signed by a somewhat familiar name - "Lionel Luthor."

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 419: Mystery in Metropolis (Part 3)