"What did you say?"
"An elite with an international outlook?"
Li Jie looked at the stiff white invitation in his hand, embossed with exquisite, subtle patterns, then gave the hotel manager a bewildered look.
International outlook? The only international exposure I've had lately was checking out a few foreign chicks in Las Vegas, and then, before I knew it, I'd donated all my money to international charity at the gambling tables.
"Is that person you were just talking about supposed to be me?"
"That's right, Mr. Li." The manager wore a professional smile as warm as sunshine. "You're from Gotham, which is, in itself, a very... controversial region."
Ha! Famous far and wide. What a... glorious distinction.
"So, this thing Mr. Oliver Queen is holding at the Dome's Radiance Hotel, uh..."
He picked up the invitation and looked at it again. "Star City's Future Light Charity Gala... what does anything in Star City have to do with an out-of-towner like me?"
"Mr. Quinn hopes that talented individuals from across the country and around the world will offer their valuable insights into Star City's development."
The hotel manager bowed slightly. "Especially an officer with limitless potential such as yourself, who personally serves on the front lines of urban counterterrorism and public safety. Your experience in developing police departments and improving security is an invaluable asset to Star City."
Holy shit. No wonder you're the manager!
Fine, I'll go. With that much flattery propping me up, it'd be embarrassing not to.
Though he knew perfectly well that the environmentalist he'd left speechless last night simply wanted to switch venues and have another round with him as Oliver Queen.
As for donations, the dirty money in his trunk hadn't exactly fallen from the sky, especially after twenty thousand had already blown away. Even