The Royal Hotel's parking lot was filled with every kind of luxury car, like a grand exhibition.
Among those dazzling luxury vehicles, the gray Ferrari Bruce Wayne had driven was indeed as understated as Alfred had said, perfectly suiting his temperament.
Although he was one of the stars of the evening, few people had noticed that Gotham's richest Playboy had already arrived at the banquet.
Still, Bruce was a little... awkward. He had not been late, nor had he kept the lady from Lars Group waiting, but he had been stood up...
"Miss Talia had an urgent matter and returned early. She asked me to apologize to you and said she hoped to have dinner with you next time."
The waiter politely conveyed Talia's message, and Bruce did not know what expression he should make.
Looking toward the banquet hall, it was less a charity gala than a ballroom salon for high society. The charity fundraising event afterward was merely an elegant performance.
Since there was dancing and socializing, no one had come alone. They had all brought their own dance partners, while a famous band from France played romantic tunes in the music hall.
The people here were all well-dressed, accomplished, wealthy individuals. Though they were no longer young, the power behind their lavish spending—
—gave them energy like young people, perhaps even more. They sat in twos and threes on the sofas in the corners, quietly discussing their grand schemes for making money.
Bruce looked even more awkward among them. He could only hold a glass of gin and stand by the window, looking out at the nightscape.
Compared to the dazzling decadence inside, Gotham outside was also awash in neon and nightlife. Flickering lights adorned that bottomless darkness, carrying a different kind of temptation.
Yet only Bruce