After the charity gala ended, Barbara linked Valentin's tracker signal to the Dark Web system, and everyone took turns monitoring it.
On Christmas morning, the aroma of roast turkey and cinnamon filled the halls of Wayne Manor.
Ririko stood before the full-length mirror and twirled. White fur trimmed the hem of her holly-red dress, adding to the cheerful Christmas mood.
She had also styled her hair with a curling iron, creating loose waves that spilled from her shoulders to her waist, with the ends curling at the small of her back.
She sprayed a little white tea perfume into the hollow of her throat, looked at herself in the mirror, and nodded in satisfaction-
Today, she was bound to receive a Christmas gift that was just what she wanted.
Just as she had hoped, Bruce knocked on her door.
She opened it to find him standing there in a dark gray turtleneck.
Compared with his smart suits, his casual clothes gave him a different charm, warm and homey.
At the sight of Ririko, he grew visibly excited, as though he could hardly wait to reveal something he had kept hidden for a long time.
"I want to surprise you," he said, looking a little shy. "Could you close your eyes first?"
Ririko could no longer suppress her smile.
She closed her eyes, the orange-red eyeshadow on her lids shimmering.
Bruce asked her to take his arm.
Her fingers curled around the crook of his elbow. His warmth seeped through his sweater, like she was holding a warm, cozy cat.
She kept her eyes closed, wondering what kind of gift Bruce would give her.
A gemstone necklace? It had to be a gemstone necklace.
*Maybe a whole set-a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, and a ring, nestled in a dark blue velvet