Half an hour later, in the CEO's office on the top floor of Lex Tower.
Standing before the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, Lex Luthor held a glass of whiskey and looked down over the glittering nightscape of Metropolis.
"Boss." The head of security entered and bowed respectfully. "The security team escorting Dr. Thorne to Gotham is ready. Everyone has heavy weapons, and the armored vehicle is standing by."
"Good." Lex Luthor swirled his glass, making the ice clink sharply.
"Keep a close eye on him once you reach Gotham. He's a genius, but geniuses often entertain impractical fantasies. I don't want anything happening to him in that cesspool and delaying work on my formula."
"Understood." The head of security hesitated, then lowered his voice.
"But boss, Gotham has been restless lately. Apparently, a vigilante in a black cape has appeared in the East End, going around breaking people's bones. And someone wiped out the Falcone Family's human trafficking operation last night. The East End is a complete mess right now."
"Just a gang war. A pack of rats that will never amount to anything."
Lex Luthor snorted contemptuously and drained his whiskey. "If Falcone dares touch my people, I wouldn't mind using LexCorp's financial resources to buy his entire Mafia empire, then tear it to pieces!"
Meanwhile, vast banks of fiery clouds fractured the sunset over Malibu. On the terrace of the cliffside villa, a three-Michelin-star chef placed a cut of M9-grade Wagyu on the grill. Fat dripped onto the charcoal, releasing a rich, seared aroma.
Jessica had changed into an extremely eye-catching patterned bikini. Holding a Long Island Iced Tea, she was competing with Trish to see who could hold her breath longest in the infinity pool. Tony Stark, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and carrying a glass of bourbon