The Man Who Failed to Say "Because I'm..."

Though Du Mu kept using Bruce to get a rise out of him, Thomas was not angry at all. He even played along, hoping Du Mu would keep talking.

After all, this was his only way to learn about Bruce.

Besides, a father ought to be proud when his son outdid him.

Thomas filtered out Du Mu's embellished slander and could tell that Bruce's life in the other world was not too bad. That brought him some comfort.

Of course, it would have been even better if Bruce had not become Batman.

As Batman himself, Thomas knew better than anyone that the title was nothing to boast about. It was more like a curse, trapping them in the darkness for life and leaving them to struggle against it again and again.

He would rather Bruce be a spoiled heir who lived off the family fortune, drove sports cars, and went to parties every day. Bruce could squander everything he and Martha had left him, so long as he dated a few women and gave the Wayne Family some descendants. Their fortune could support a whole football team with ease.

"Then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."

Du Mu saw right through Thomas and said slowly, "As far as I know, Bruce still doesn't have a serious partner. There's a gorgeous, long-legged woman on his team, but all his attention goes to his best buddy Clark. His butler Alfred is worried sick."

Now Thomas was worried too.

Surely the Wayne Family line would not end with Bruce?

"Could you stop reading my mind whenever you feel like it?"

Thomas's expression stiffened slightly.

In front of Du Mu, he felt as exposed as if he were standing there naked.

Du Mu looked perfectly serious. "What are you talking about? I can't