Thunderous applause rang out as Bruce took the microphone, the spotlight bathing him in a radiant glow.
"Thank you for your speech, Mayor Anthony, and welcome, everyone, to tonight's banquet." Bruce's smile was gentle, but his voice carried conviction. "Tonight, Wayne Enterprises will sign a ten-billion-dollar infrastructure agreement with Gotham City Hall. Once the agreement takes effect, the foundations under Wayne Enterprises will invest in stages in projects to improve every aspect of life in Gotham City. These will cover the rebuilding of the old city, medical facilities, children's education and recreation, policing and public safety, and more. Our first step will be the reconstruction of Old Town. We..."
Bruce's speech was brief, but it was more than enough to cause an uproar.
"Did I hear that right? Ten billion?!"
"I think I must still be dreaming..."
"Even Wayne Enterprises couldn't easily put ten billion in assets into an investment that's practically charity!"
"What exactly is Bruce Wayne planning?"
"I knew he was a spendthrift, but I never imagined he'd take it this far!"
"The board of Wayne Enterprises actually agreed to something this outrageous?"
"You didn't know? After the board stabbed him in the back and removed him from his position, Bruce Wayne turned around and bought up shares in Wayne Enterprises. He now personally holds more than fifty-one percent of the company's shares and has the final say. Besides, Lucius Fox is one of his staunchest supporters..."
"But isn't this still way too much?"
Speculation flew. Bruce had expected this reaction and waited quietly until the voices began to subside. Only then did he flash a playboy's smile and continue, "All right, everyone. That was the script the company wrote for me. You know me-I'll take any chance to slack off. On a night like this, I'd much