Marvel : Master of Role-Playing

"I'm merely a butler of the Wayne family. Even though Master Thomas and Young Master Bruce treat me well, my personal savings would hardly qualify me to book out a high-end Wayne family restaurant, would they?"

Reid's explanation was reasonable, and Earle had no choice but to accept it. Indeed, without leveraging the Wayne family's network, Alfred wouldn't have the financial means to book such an high-end restaurant, especially on Christmas Eve.

On the other hand, if Alfred had been willing to use the Wayne family's connections, Earle's plan to acquire shares in the family business would likely have succeeded long ago, and they wouldn't still be negotiating today.

"In that case, let's get straight to the point." Earle said bluntly, "With all due respect, I have no interest in dining in such a noisy place."

His words were direct, and he didn't even bother to glance at the exquisite dishes on the table.

In contrast, Reid was thoroughly enjoying himself. If not for Alfred's instincts as a professional butler keeping his appetite in check, Reid might have been tempted to pick up the steak with his hands and devour it.

"Well, that's truly unfortunate." Reid said with a smile. "Mr. Earle, you'll miss out on some incredible flavors. After all, the culinary skills of this restaurant's head chef have been personally praised by both Master Thomas and Young Master Bruce. I doubt the delicacies you've tasted could match their level of refinement."

Reid's words piqued Earle's curiosity. As much as he tried to suppress it, he couldn't help but wonder what these dishes tasted like.

"In that case, I'll give it a try." Earle said after a moment's hesitation. "I hope it doesn't disappoint me."

As it turned out, the moment Earle took his first bite, he couldn't stop himself. All thoughts of the shares he came to discuss vanished as he indulged in the exquisite flavors. It wasn't until the table was cleared of new dishes that he finally remembered the true purpose of their meeting.

"Now that the feast is over, Alfred, can we get to the main topic? I trust you didn't invite me here just to toy with me." Earle said, his tone slightly sharp but laced with curiosity.

"Of course, I would never toy with you, Mr. Earle." Reid replied calmly.

With that, he reached into the briefcase beside him and took out a document. It was none other than the official proof of the Wayne family's shares.

"As you've mentioned before." Reid began, "I cannot stand idly by as Wayne Enterprises gradually declines. If going public truly promises to bring substantial benefits to the Wayne family, I am willing to assist. However, I will need you, Mr. Earle, to provide a detailed explanation of Wayne Enterprises's future development plans. Only then can I place my trust in you and entrust the Wayne family's shares to your management."

Earle nodded thoughtfully. If Alfred had agreed too readily, it might have raised suspicions. But now, Alfred's insistence on a thorough explanation reassured him. This was the Alfred he remembered—devoted to the Wayne family, determined to fight for their best interests, even when forced to make compromises with reality.

"I've already prepared a detailed development plan for the future." Earle said confidently. "I'll have my secretary bring it over right away. In the meantime, may I take a closer look at this share agreement?"

"Of course, go ahead, Mr. Earle. As for me, I apologize, but I need to make a quick trip to the restroom." Reid said, with Alfred's usual composed tone.

Earle, now fully engrossed in examining the Wayne family's share documents, barely acknowledged Alfred's departure. He waved dismissively, signaling Alfred to do as he pleased, and immediately turned his full attention to the papers in his hands.

As Alfred—or rather, Reid—stepped through the restroom door, the seemingly tranquil atmosphere inside the restaurant was in stark contrast to the chaos unfolding on the streets of Gotham City.

"Woohoo! Hit the gas! Lose those pig cops!"

Two members of the Joker gang roared through the streets on motorcycles, their engines screaming as they weaved through traffic. With Reid's signal earlier, they had arrived in the area, and a police cruiser was hot on their heels, refusing to give up the chase.

As they sped past the restaurant, the two gang members suddenly pulled out two green bottles and hurled them directly at the building.

The glass bottles shattered through the restaurant windows, crashing onto the floor and breaking apart on impact.

Instantly, thick green gas erupted from the shattered bottles, spreading rapidly. It was Joker's signature laughing gas—deadly, potent, and cruelly efficient.

In a matter of seconds, the entire restaurant was engulfed in the toxic mist. No one even had time to scream. Instead, uncontrollable, maniacal laughter echoed throughout the restaurant as the gas took hold, turning the festive evening into a grotesque nightmare.

"Hahaha! It's... hahaha... the Joker gang! Hahaha! Help me!"

The chaos erupted so suddenly that no one had time to react. No one had expected the Joker gang to launch an attack on this particular restaurant. Earle could only stand frozen, watching in horror as the toxic laughing gas crept closer, threatening to enter his lungs.

But at the last moment, the man who would one day become the Riddler snapped into action. With sharp instincts, he quickly pulled out a handkerchief, pressing it firmly over his own mouth and nose before covering Earle's as well, preventing them from inhaling the gas.

"Why? Why is the Joker gang attacking here?" Earle stammered, his voice full of fear.

He knew of the Joker gang's infamy all too well. Under normal circumstances, he would never have risked venturing out at night, especially during these turbulent times. The gang's relentless expansion had plunged Gotham's nights into chaos, turning the city into a near-living hell. The only reason he risked it tonight was because of the tempting Wayne family shares.

For a brief moment, Earle wondered if this was Alfred's doing. Could this attack be Alfred's doing? Could the butler have orchestrated this madness to eliminate him? But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Alfred wasn't the type to stoop to such methods. Even if he were willing to hire someone to kill, he would never involve the Joker gang. That would be madness. After all, hiring the Joker to kill was akin to inviting a hurricane into your home. If the Joker decided to "have some fun" he'd likely kill the client along with everyone else.

But there was no time to think about it. Earle had to get out of there.

He clutched the share documents tightly and started moving toward the exit. His survival was the only thing that mattered now.

As for Alfred? Earle glanced back briefly but then dismissed the thought. Places attacked by the Joker gang rarely left survivors. If Alfred didn't make it, that would only make things easier. Earle would have full control of Wayne Enterprises.

"Maybe this works out perfectly." he muttered as he hurried out.

Just as he started to act, amidst the laughing gas, a tall, thin figure appeared in front of them.

Reid, now fully transformed into Joker, looked at Earle, who was trying to escape, and said:

"Hey there, audience members, you're not cooperating very well. How about this? You hand me that handkerchief, and I'll tell you a joke. What do you think?"

Naturally, such a request was impossible to agree to. Earle and Edward shook their heads furiously, as they simultaneously took a few steps back. But Reid wasn't planning to let them off so easily. He quickly closed the distance between them, pulling various weapons from his clothes—small knives, pliers, wrenches, guns, grenades, and more.

Muttering to himself, "No, no, that's too cruel. I need to be gentler." the words only further terrified the two men, leaving them in a state of panic.

In the end, the Joker pulled out a small bottle filled with laughing gas, extending his hand toward them.

"Don't worry, it'll be over soon." he said, ready to take the handkerchief from their hands and let them experience the effects of the laughing gas firsthand.

But just then, someone else suddenly rushed out of the gas-filled area. With a single kick to Reid's head, the figure sent him flying. The laughing gas bottle slipped from his grip and crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

"Get out of here, quickly!"

The person who had intervened stood in front of Reid and shouted toward Earle and Edward.

The two men had no objections. They immediately rushed out of the restaurant, sprinting toward their car.

Meanwhile, Reid slowly began to get up, his eyes widening slightly.

Having studied the Gotham City database and paying special attention to some well-known characters from the comics, he recognized the woman in the evening gown standing before him.

Sarah Essen Gordon, also Gordon's second wife.

At this moment, Reid recalled something.

In the comics, Gordon's second wife, Sarah, had been killed by the Joker while attempting to rescue babies kidnapped by the clown. Now, in a similar situation, Reid, who was playing the Joker's role, found himself in conflict with Gordon's wife once again.

'Well... this really is a coincidence.' he thought to himself.

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