My Dad's a Congressman!

"Is that so?"

Listening to Jonathan's words, Falcone responded without even lifting his head.

"Mr. Ra's al Ghul is as he has always been; even while sitting securely within the League, he knows everything that happens under the heavens. The Wraith has only appeared for a single day, yet he has already entered his line of sight. It is truly admirable. However, Jonathan, you should know something about the Wraith, shouldn't you?"

As his voice trailed off, Falcone folded the document containing the cargo information in half and placed it beneath an ashtray. Immediately after, he looked at the various photographs of Downton from the second file. While scrutinizing the details in the photos, Falcone continued.

"You must know that you had contact with the Wraith even earlier than I did. When the Wraith went to the battlefield near the bus station for the third time yesterday, wasn't it your car that dropped him off? Because of this news, I initially thought the Wraith was some sort of secret weapon or prized disciple of Mr. Ra's al Ghul. I never expected that the Wraith and the League would have no connection at all. This leaves me quite surprised; after all, the Wraith's abilities and the legends of the League of Assassins... they are simply too similar!"

Falcone set down the documents and cast a sidelong glance at Jonathan. Meeting Falcone's gaze, Jonathan raised a hand to adjust his glasses, then offered a gentle smile.

"It seems Mr. Falcone is also filled with curiosity about the Wraith."

"No, it is not curiosity about the Wraith, but curiosity about Mr. Ra's al Ghul!"

Falcone interrupted Jonathan. "Tell Mr. Ra's al Ghul that I am very much looking forward to meeting him, because I am curious: how does he intend to tame such a troublesome beast as the Wraith? You are a doctor at Arkham Asylum and a professor of psychology at Gotham University; having seen the Wraith in person, you should be able to understand just how troublesome he is."

"Indeed."

Jonathan nodded lightly. "When I first met him, I merely took him for one of the countless madmen in Gotham. Whenever night falls, bastards like Downton, who disregard life and death, always linger between women and narcotics, stirring up one meaningless mess after another. But the facts have proven that he far exceeds my imagination. I might as well tell you, he may even exceed Mr. Ra's al Ghul's imagination. Because the moment Mr. Ra's al Ghul received the intelligence on the Wraith, he made the decision to rush to Gotham. In short, Falcone, please be prepared to meet Mr. Ra's al Ghul at any time."

Having said this, Jonathan closed his briefcase and stood up from the sofa. After bowing once more, he turned and left Falcone's garden. Once he was gone, Falcone let out a soft sigh.

Once an ability like Downton's is clearly displayed to the world, the world's response to him will be shockingly fast. What is before him now is merely Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins, but as for the future...

Falcone could not help but shake his head. Did he truly have a chance to get a piece of the pie when it came to Downton?

Just as Falcone was thinking this, a graceful beauty emerged from the corridor leading from the mansion to the garden. Ignoring Falcone's slightly reproachful look, the woman walked straight behind him and began to gently massage his shoulders. Feeling the woman's touch, Falcone frowned.

"I believe I told you that you should be waiting for me in the study, Sofia."

"But Father, we haven't seen each other in three years. Do you know how much I've missed you?"

Sofia acted spoiled, then leaned down to press her cheek against Falcone's. Even so, Falcone shook his head in dissatisfaction.

"Missed me? That is an excuse, not a reason. Sofia, do you want me to think you were eavesdropping on my conversation with a guest?"

"How could I do such a thing, Daddy? I'm not interested in the family business anyway. You know as well as I do that my fashion brand is making a fortune, especially the wide-leg jumpsuit I designed myself—the one I'm wearing right now. My brand is selling out everywhere, Daddy!"

After responding, Sofia placed her hands on Falcone's forehead and began to gently massage his head. Feeling his daughter's movements, Falcone closed his eyes in cooperation, while Sofia's gaze instantly locked onto the photos of Downton. While examining the Downton in the pictures, Sofia continued to act spoiled toward Falcone.

"Daddy, you promised me that if I could make a success of my clothing brand, you would invest two hundred million into a fashion film for me. Now that my brand has seen some small success, shouldn't you fulfill your promise regarding the film investment?"

"Investment?"

Hearing this, Falcone raised his eyes and glanced at Sofia.

Meeting Falcone's gaze, Sofia stuck out her tongue and gave a playful laugh.

Seeing this, Falcone let out a sigh of resignation.

"The money I promised you will be transferred to your company's account in installments starting next week. But before that, I want to ask you: how old are you this year?"

"Twenty-seven, Dad. You can't even remember my age!" Sofia rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"I know how old you are, but I would prefer it if you didn't forget that you are already twenty-seven! Even if this age isn't considered old in the so-called socialite circles, you aren't just a socialite. Believe me, don't just look at their glitz. In some respects, you are far better than them. Don't force yourself to live like that mess they call a life!"

"So, Dad, are you trying to set me up with a man? Is he your target? An Asian guy? He looks handsome enough, but his fashion sense is truly tasteless. Does he always like wearing suits with holes in them like this?"

As she retorted, Sofia naturally snatched the file on Downton and pointed at the photo to ask Falcone.

Falcone tacitly allowed Sofia to take the intelligence and then gave her a slight nod.

"Take his file and find a way to meet him. I won't force my daughter to make any so-called sacrifices for the family, but I would still like to see some sparks between you two."

As his voice trailed off, Falcone silently scrutinized Sofia, who nodded readily.

"Sparks, is it? Although I'm not good at this, I'll try my best. Because you wouldn't lie to me, Dad. Whoever you recommend must be the most suitable for me. But compared to me, shouldn't Selina be better at this kind of seduction? If she weren't into women, she would truly have the blood of a femme fatale in her bones. Why not let her..."

"Shut up. Get out."

Falcone suddenly interrupted Sofia, then raised a hand to dismiss her from the garden.

Seeing this, Sofia shrugged, picked up Downton's file, and left.

Watching Sofia's retreating figure, Falcone narrowed his eyes in exhaustion. Even after a glorious life, few of his children were able to satisfy him.

However, Falcone thought again: although Sofia was a handful, she was at least much better than Councilman Lawrence's daughter. Look at the news from last night; now all of Gotham knew that the Lawrence family had a brainless bitch for a daughter.

Thinking of this, Falcone let out a long sigh and continued reading the day's Gotham Gazette.

As for the daughter of Councilman Lawrence, who had just been mentioned...

At this very moment, at the Lawrence residence.

Because she had something on her mind, Heino had crawled out of bed before eight o'clock, pacing back and forth in the living room while clutching her phone.

In front of the television, Councilman Lawrence shook his newspaper in frustration.

"Heino, if you really like walking so much, go use the treadmill next door. Don't pace back and forth in the living room like a robotic vacuum!"

"I know, I know! You're so annoying!"

Heino grumpily took her phone and ran back to her bedroom, continuing to wait anxiously for Downton's call.

Ever since she received the news that the police hadn't managed to catch Downton, Heino couldn't wait to see him. She was Downton's little fangirl; she wanted to be his criminal accomplice, she wanted to be in cahoots with him, because she absolutely loved the thrill of crime!

But... why wasn't Downton calling her?

Waiting until after nine o'clock, Heino finally couldn't take it anymore.

"If you won't call me, then I'll just have to call you!"

After muttering to herself to build up her courage, Heino bravely dialed Downton's number.

Meanwhile, in the town of Smallville on the outskirts of Metropolis.

Lois, sitting in a coffee shop, gave a violent start.

"He... he actually called!!!"

Exclaiming, Lois showed the phone to her father sitting beside her.

Hearing this, General Lane nodded calmly.

"Don't worry, he won't be able to lay a finger on you."

"Then I'm answering."

Lois nodded and picked up the call.

"Hello, this is Lois. Downton... are you really coming to Metropolis to see me? But I'm on an assignment in Smallville, I..."

"Wait, why is it a woman's voice? Lois? Who the hell are you, you bitch? Why is Downton's phone in your hands?"

"That was the phone I gave him, and I even picked out the number for him myself!"

Heino was so infuriated by Lois Lane's voice that she shoved the receiver right up to her mouth and roared at the bewildered Lois on the other end.

"Lois, is it? You're dead. My father is a Gotham councilman and my mother is the Deputy Secretary of Defense. I'm telling you, you're dead!

You're in Smallville right now, aren't you? Just wait for me. I'm going to slaughter you with my own hands, with my own hands!!!"

My mindset is still okay; it's not that easy to break. Even though I'm running naked this week, there's still a glimmer of hope for next week!

I ask everyone to keep following the story. Let's work together and at least get Downton onto a trial run!