American Comics: Something's Wrong with This Superhero World

Chapter 265 Bug

As the King of Gotham and Chairman of Wayne Enterprises, Bruce knew better than anyone the Wayne Enterprises' monopolistic practices in Gotham and the profits they brought.

It's not just about profits. If Wayne Enterprises were broken up like America Telephone & Telegraph and Standard Oil, Bruce would no longer be able to control every aspect of Gotham's economy as he does now. The spun-off subsidiaries would become Bruce's most troublesome enemies.

An even worse outcome would be that Bruce, due to the sharp drop in stock price, would be ousted from his position as chairman by a coalition of minority shareholders. At that point, Bruce's survival in Gotham, let alone becoming the King of Gotham, would depend on the Wayne and Martha families' years of management of the city.

Sitting in his high-backed chair in the study, Bruce clenched his fists, his brow furrowed. He had considered countless options, but none seemed capable of salvaging the current situation. Finally, he made a difficult decision.

"Alfred," Bruce pressed the intercom, "come to the study."

A moment later, Alfred Pennyworth entered. When Alfred saw Bruce's tired expression, he couldn't help but show a worried look.

"Young master, please take care of yourself."

Bruce took a deep breath and looked directly into Alfred's eyes: "Alfred, the situation has reached a point where we can't do anything about it. Now, the only way is for you to turn yourself in."

Alfred was stunned. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just nodded slightly and said, "I understand, young master."

Bruce continued, "Only if you step forward, take responsibility, and quell public opinion can we save ourselves. This is our only chance."

Alfred said with a firm gaze.

"I understand, sir. I'm willing to do so." Alfred's voice was calm but resolute. "I will turn myself in and take full responsibility."

Bruce felt a pang of heartache, but he knew it was a necessary sacrifice. He stood up, walked over to Alfred, and placed his hands on Alfred's shoulders.

"Don't worry, Alfred. I promise I'll find a way to get a pardon from the President as soon as possible," Bruce solemnly promised. "Until then, I'll arrange for you to be put in a Wayne Enterprises prison. The conditions there will be better, and we can take better care of you."

Bruce paused, then added, "Meanwhile, I will immediately begin the procedures for medical parole. I assure you, you won't stay inside for long."

Alfred smiled slightly, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes: "Young Master, you don't need to be like this. I'm old now, and I'm content to make one last contribution to the Wayne family."

Alfred gazed at Bruce with gentle eyes.

"Young Master," Alfred said softly, his voice trembling slightly, "before I leave, I have a small request, if you don't mind."

Bruce turned around and looked at the old man who had been with him for many years.

"Of course, Alfred. You know, I'll agree to anything you want as long as it's within my power," Bruce said sincerely.

Alfred took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. His hands trembled slightly, and his eyes flickered with complex emotions as he looked at Bruce. Although Bruce was a ruthless and wicked man, he was still his own son.

"Bruce," Alfred said, unusually addressing Bruce by his first name, "I know I don't deserve it. I'm a scumbag who betrayed my friends, taking advantage of your mother when she was drunk. But I have no other wish than to ask you to call me 'Dad'?"

Bruce felt his eyes welling up and his throat tighten. He took a step forward and looked directly into Alfred's eyes.

"That woman doesn't deserve to be called my mother, but you are the most worthy father in my heart. Dad."

Tears welled up in Alfred's eyes instantly. He opened his arms, and Bruce rushed into the embrace without hesitation.

"My child," Alfred said, his voice choked with emotion, "my good child, don't worry, your father will take all the blame for you. You will always be the King of Gotham!"

Bruce stood there, tears still streaming down his face, his shoulders trembling slightly, watching Alfred leave.

As the door slowly closed, Alfred's figure disappeared behind it.

Bruce's sobs stopped abruptly, and his trembling shoulders instantly regained their composure. Bruce took a deep breath, pulled a fine handkerchief from his pocket, and carefully wiped the tears from his face. His movements were precise and calm, showing no trace of his previous grief.

Wiping away the last tear, Bruce turned and walked towards the enormous floor-to-ceiling window. He put his hands in his pockets, gazing at the Gotham City skyline. The setting sun bathed the city in a golden glow.

"Sigh," Bruce muttered to himself, his voice devoid of the emotion he had just displayed, "It's really hard to find another butler like Alfred—so loyal, capable, willing to do all the dirty work for me, and even volunteering to take the blame."

After saying that, Bruce walked to his desk and pressed the intercom button: "Have HR begin screening new butler candidates immediately. I want a preliminary list within three days."

After hanging up the phone, Bruce glanced out the window again. Night was falling, and the lights of Gotham City were gradually coming on.

"The real show is just beginning," Bruce said in a low voice, a hint of danger in it. "I will make everyone pay for what happened today."

"This guy really holds a grudge. Luckily, he doesn't know I have magical surveillance." Xiao Xian commented, seeing Bruce muttering to himself through the projection in his hand.

Although, given the nature of the superhero world, as long as Xiao Xian doesn't kill Bruce, Bruce will eventually discover the flaws in Xiao Xian's scheme, and the plot will eventually turn into Batman versus Xiao Xian.

However, as long as Xiao Xian keeps sending his subordinates or other supervillains to mess with Batman, triggering the storyline of Batman fighting other supervillains, he can keep exploiting the bug and keeping Bruce stuck in the storyline of fighting his underlings. Even if they occasionally encounter each other, he can use the method of faking death and changing identities to keep dragging it out and harvesting evil and emotional power.

This trick was learned by Xiao Xian from the Japanese version of Saw, in the world of Death Elementary School. As long as you keep going in a straight line, the main storyline will never end.

As the saying goes, if you exploit the bugs well, the final boss won't die. In fact, let alone the final boss, for decades, the Grim Reaper has gone from using a candybar phone with an antenna to a flip phone, and finally even a smartphone. He hasn't even killed the mini-boss Gin. He mainly focuses on the main storyline and hardly ever goes through it, while frantically grinding side quests.

(End of this chapter)