Starting from scratch, Batman crushed my dream of getting rich

Chapter 75 Undercurrent
The snow in Gotham seems endless. Since December, heavy and light snow has been falling continuously, and it has not stopped for a whole month.

On December 31st, the sun had already set below the horizon, but the lights were still on in the office of the local procuratorate. The light shining through the window reflected the snowflakes outside and the figure of a person working at a desk.

"Harvey, Harvey, if you had half a brain, you would know it's time to go home and be with Greda."

Although he was muttering to himself, District Attorney Harvey's butt was still firmly glued to the stool. He was carefully flipping through the files and case-related reports in his hands, and he didn't seem to want to go home immediately.

At that moment, the office door suddenly opened, and a blond young man in a white shirt and black overalls poked his head out. He looked fresh and youthful, probably in his twenties, and wore a pair of nerdy round glasses. He looked a bit timid. (This is just my perspective; I actually wear glasses myself.)
"I hope—I am not disturbing you, Mr. Dent?"

"Working late again? Vernon, all this extra work isn't going to help you get a promotion."

"But you work late too, sir. You've been working this late every day for the past week since I arrived at the District Attorney's Office."

However, Harvey's condition is actually much better than before. In the past, he would return home late at night - but since Greda proposed to have a child with him, he started to return home early. Perhaps the newly built house can make the two of them change their mindsets and have a new beginning?
The reason why he still works until an hour or two after get off work every day is mainly because there are too many crimes in Gotham, and there is especially a lot of work today because today is New Year's Eve - also, it is the time for year-end summary. Of course, this is also related to Harvey wanting to save more money for the future.

Haven't you heard that even Gotham City's two most vehemently feuding gangs, the Falcone family and the Maroni family, have temporarily put aside their differences tonight, New Year's Eve, and celebrate the arrival of the new year together with wine and conversation? If even the gangs are looking forward to the future, who in Gotham City isn't? Life is all about purpose.

Harvey listened to the young assistant's words and immediately stood up from his chair, turned off the desk lamp, and put on his windbreaker. "Look, Vernon, do you understand what I mean? You should look at everything from two different perspectives."

What a good rebuttal based on personal experience.

Switching to off-duty mode, Harvey walked towards the office door, patted Vernon on the shoulder, and said to him with a smile, "Today is New Year's Eve, son. It's time to go home, spend time with your wife, and hope that next year will be better than this year."

The Knight of Light truly admired this young man. As a newly appointed Assistant District Attorney, he hadn't yet been tainted by the squalor of the borough world, avoiding the shady dealings between his colleagues and the mafia. He also worked diligently, staying with him every day until this point. These qualities reminded him of himself when he first arrived in Gotham.

Although Vernon might not be able to persevere forever, he also has the potential to persevere. Wasn't Harvey Dent just an ordinary assistant district attorney? This is why Harvey has high hopes for every young person. They all have the potential to become the second or third Knight of Light in Gotham City in the future.

"Uh, yes, sir, but there's something here—something about the Roman case—I've been reading those old police reports, and—"

"I'm sure those reports can wait until I read them next year, Vernon." Harvey waved his hand nonchalantly and pressed the elevator in the corridor.

However, this time, Vernon did not follow Harvey's words as obediently as usual.

"Sir, this is very important."

He said seriously, "I've discovered a connection, a link - between 'Roman' Falcone and the billionaire, Bruce Wayne."

Harvey stopped just as he was about to step into the elevator.

"Excuse me, sir." Vernon handed over the report. "It's late now, but I thought you should be the first to know about this." As Vernon spoke, he noticed that Harvey was distracted by the report and seemed not to hear what he said, so he repeated softly, "Sir?"

"Actually, it should be the second one."

Harvey Dent stared at the report thoughtfully, then sighed: "Unfortunately, Bruce Wayne seems to have known about this for some time."

Snowy night, Gotham Harbor.

"Happy New Year, Salvador."

The sturdy hand wearing a precious gold watch easily opened the cork cap with a flick of the wrist, his movements extremely skillful.

Carmine Falcone held a bottle of expensive, premium champagne and poured it for Salvatore Maroni, who was standing beside him. According to the unfortunate Maroni, he had injured his right arm during a boxing match at Christmas, leaving him with only one hand. Therefore, he could only hold the champagne in his left hand and let the Roman pour him the wine.

However, Falcone still doesn't quite understand why Maroni went to find someone to practice boxing at that time.

Maroni watched the glass gradually fill up with golden wine, but his face didn't seem very happy. "Carmine, we've been fighting for a long time, and you always beat me."

"But if we can't find a way to stop that 'holiday killer', this New Year will be our last."

"Maroni, I know, I appreciate your concern, it really touched me, really, from the bottom of my heart."

The Godfather's hands were very steady. As he spoke, he poured himself a glass of champagne. "And I've been thinking about it too, about the 'Holiday Killer' - that's the name the newspapers gave him."

"Or maybe 'she,'" Maroni interjected.

"Whatever." The Roman's expression was profound. He took a sip of champagne and stared at Maroni, his eyes sharp and fierce. "All I know is that this bastard likes to mess with my family members and ruin my business—it doesn't seem like there's any bloodshed on your side."

Maroni held the champagne, his face suddenly changed: "Falcone, what do you mean?"

However, the Godfather did not answer his question, but turned and walked into the crowd, leaving him with his back and a New Year's greeting.

"Happy New Year, Sal, you're right."

“This really could be your last year.”

(End of this chapter)