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Outside the Dior boutique, reporters from the Metropolis Daily Planet struggled to find a suitable vantage point for their shots.

While shielding the camera and camcorder in his arms, Jimmy Olsen, the photographer, offered a reminder to the lead reporter.

"Lois, watch out, some Gotham bitch is trying to kick your leg!"

"I'll kick her right back and show her what a Metropolis girl is made of, but only after we've secured our spot, Jimmy!"

As she spoke, Lois used her shoulder to shove aside two jerks who were hogging the space, forcing her way through the crowd of reporters to the very front.

Though she had made it out, Jimmy was still stuck in the throng, so she had to free up a hand to push and clear a path for him.

Finally breaking free from the crowd, Jimmy let out a relieved sigh.

Nearby, seeing the spot they had picked out snatched away by the pair, a reporter from the Gotham Gazette glared at them with dissatisfaction.

After checking the press badge hanging on Lois's chest, the reporter took a deep breath and growled at her.

"Daily Planet? You're the colleagues from Metropolis? I've got my eye on you. Damn it, from now on, don't even think about covering any news in Gotham, you assholes!"

"Ha, how amusing!"

Facing the threat from his colleague, Lois tossed her hair with disdain.

"News doesn't grow legs; it stays right where it is. You weren't fast enough to get here, and you have the nerve to threaten me? Jimmy, ignore them and hurry up to set up the camera. The kidnapping of the Department of Defense deputy secretary's daughter in Gotham has an impact that goes far beyond this city, and it also serves as proof of the corruption within the Gotham police force and the inaction of Gotham City Hall!"

"Copy that, Lois!"

Jimmy gave Lois an "OK" sign with a grin, then, while setting up his gear, leaned in toward the Gotham Gazette reporter who had threatened them.

"Buddy!"

Jimmy said to the Gotham Gazette reporter with a mysterious look on his face.

"If I were you, I'd scurry away right now, because my boss Lois's father isn't just a general—he's a senator!"

"Shit!"

Hearing Jimmy's words, the Gotham Gazette reporter's face changed, and he raised his middle finger at Jimmy and Lois.

"Vile capitalism, damn bloodline connections, you sons of bitches!"

As the words fell, the reporter tucked his tail and quietly melted into the back of the crowd.

At the same time, the Gotham female reporter who had just tried to trip Lois also vanished without a sound.

Watching the Gotham colleagues tuck tail, Jimmy grinned and said.

"They all hate people with connections, but they all steer clear of them too. Lois, your old man is really useful!"

"That's enough, Jimmy, don't make jokes like that. My job has nothing to do with my father!"

Lois gave Jimmy a light kick and continued to remind him.

"Hurry up and get the camera set. Downton and the hostage have been in the fitting room for half an hour. They should be coming out soon! We need to rush in the moment they emerge and the police make their move, so we can get a closer angle. You have to keep up with me!"

"Don't worry, Lois, I'll keep up. I swear it on my college track record!"

"Forget the swearing!"

Suddenly, Lois let out a sharp cry.

"Quick, they're coming out!"

"I see them. Wow, Downton's new outfit is actually quite nice. That coat has to be worth at least three thousand, right?"

Accompanied by Jimmy Olsen's shout, Downton pushed open the fitting room door and gave Heino a kick in the backside.

"Don't just stand there like an idiot, go get some water."

"Alright, wait for me!"

Heino adjusted her makeup, her face a mix of exhaustion and excitement as she headed toward the lounge.

She was a regular at various luxury stores, and even without staff around, she knew the place like the back of her hand, aware exactly where the brand kept supplies for their clients.

Watching Heino's retreating figure, Downton smiled faintly and spread his hands toward the police officers outside who were beginning to move.

Crash!

With a deafening roar, the store's glass door was shattered by gunfire, and Gordon charged toward Downton with over twenty officers.

"Drop your weapon!"

"Damn it, drop the gun now!"

"You're surrounded! Drop the weapon and surrender!"

"Downton, I don't know why you're doing this, but you have nowhere left to run!"

The final sentence came from Gordon, who leveled his gun at Downton's head as he spoke.

At the same time, Heino, who had only taken three or four steps away, suddenly reacted. Her face filled with terror as she spun around, immediately attempting to lunge back toward Downton.

But she was no match for the speed of the police; before she could even throw herself forward, they had already restrained her.

"You're safe now, Miss Lawrence!"

While pinning Heino down, the officer reminded her in her ear.

Hearing the officer's words, the terrified expression on Heino's face went completely blank.

"I'm safe?"

She looked dazedly at Downton, who was now tightly surrounded by police.

"Waaah!"

Tears instantly gushed from Heino's eyes.

"I'm not safe at all, I'm clearly doomed! I've never had such an exhilarating life! Compared to him, every other man I've met is just a boring doll or a disgusting sunflower!"

As she spoke, Heino gritted her teeth, her mind suddenly clearing.

"Let me go! We were just playing around! Downton only broke one person's leg; he didn't kill anyone, he didn't even run a red light! Besides, he never intended to hurt me; he had already let me go. You can't get many years for breaking a leg, the guy only lost one leg!"

"Enough, Heino!"

Just then, Mayor Don Mitchell strode over and grabbed Heino by the wrist.

"Your father just called me; he wants to see you immediately! Someone, take poor Miss Lawrence to see her distraught parents!"

"I'm not going! I don't want to see them! I barely see them a few times a year, why should I have to see them now? Let me go, let go of me, you jerk! My father is a Gotham councilman and my mother is the Deputy Secretary of Defense! If anyone dares to hurt Downton, I will make you pay, I promise! Let me go, ahhhhh!!!"

Even though Heino struggled like a pig headed for the slaughter, she was still dragged away by the mayor's men.

However, the words Heino left behind sent a shiver through the police surrounding Downton, causing the perimeter to loosen slightly.

Meanwhile, countless reporters clamored to interview Heino at that moment, but before they could get close, they were ruthlessly blocked by the mayor's men.

This was where Lois Lane's shrewdness showed; from the moment she saw Downton push Heino away, she had never intended to interview her.

She charged ahead, microphone in hand, heading straight for Downton, and the slightly loosened police perimeter provided the perfect opportunity for her approach.

"This story just got a lot more interesting. Keep up, Jimmy. Downton is about to be taken into custody; we need to be the first media outlet to interview him after he's caught!"

"I'm trying!"

Jimmy was truly trying his best, but the tripod clearly had other ideas.