A short while earlier, after dropping Rachel Dawes off at Wayne Manor, Finch waved at her eagerly.
"Good luck, Rachel!"
"It is not luck, it is just old friends meeting again," Rachel replied, slightly embarrassed as she waved back.
She walked toward the gates of Wayne Manor and spoke to the security guards.
"Hello, I'm Rachel Dawes. Do you remember me? I would like to see Bruce, or Alfred. Could you please inform him that I'm here?"
The guards exchanged subtle looks the moment they heard her name.
Rachel immediately noticed the change and tightened her grip on her handbag.
"Is this a bad time?"
"Not at all, Miss Dawes. Please wait a moment while I notify Mr. Alfred."
One guard made the call while Rachel looked toward the manor in the distance. Only then did she realize what felt strange.
There were many people gathered in the yard. Even from afar, it was obvious Wayne Manor was entertaining important guests.
So she had probably arrived at the wrong time.
She sighed softly.
"If the Wayne Family has visitors, I can come back another day, I do not want to interrupt."
"There is no need, Miss Rachel. Mr. Alfred will personally come to receive you shortly. Also, good luck… and welcome back."
The guards had served the Wayne family for years and naturally recognized her. Still, they quietly wondered why Alfred allowed her entry today of all days.
Rachel waited calmly. Since childhood, Wayne Manor had always felt like a second home to her. Whenever Alfred came to pick her up, everything usually felt normal.
Soon, a golf cart approached.
Alfred stepped out, offering a polite but slightly strained smile.
"Miss Rachel, welcome back."
"Long time no see, Uncle Alfred. Does Bruce have guests today?"
Rachel walked over cheerfully and immediately slid into the driver's seat of the golf cart, patting the seat beside her.
"Come on, Uncle. I have not driven around the manor in years. Bruce disappeared for seven whole years, it really has been a long time."
"Yes… it certainly has," Alfred replied, looking troubled as he sat beside her.
As Rachel drove forward, Alfred suddenly spoke in a careful tone.
"A great deal has changed during these years, Miss Rachel. You should prepare yourself."
Rachel nodded casually.
"I understand. Bruce runs Wayne Enterprises now and carries enormous responsibility. I am not here to reopen old feelings. This is simply a visit between friends."
Alfred's expression stiffened instantly.
"That is not what concerns me. I am quite certain Master Bruce still cares deeply for you. However… at present, even Bruce is technically a guest in this manor."
Rachel slammed the brakes slightly.
"What do you mean? This is Wayne Manor. How could Bruce possibly be a guest here?"
Then her eyes shifted forward.
On the lawn, Selina Kyle rested comfortably on a sofa.
Axel Voss, meanwhile, was crouched nearby with Lex Luthor, both focused on advanced equipment scattered across the ground. Rachel failed to notice him at first.
Seeing Selina alone caused Rachel's breathing to falter.
Her voice trembled.
"So… the manor truly has a new owner now? Maybe I should never have come. Seven years is enough time for everything to change…"
Alfred nearly panicked.
"No, no, absolutely not!"
Internally, Alfred cursed his own poor explanation. If misunderstandings continued like this, Bruce's chances of marriage would completely collapse.
He quickly grabbed Rachel's wrist.
"That lady is Master Axel's partner. Master Axel Voss is the current owner of Wayne Manor. Master Bruce is already on his way here, and I will ensure your safety until he arrives."
Rachel blinked.
"Master… Axel?"
Then realization struck.
"Wait. Axel? You mean the new King of Gotham? The one people call the Immortal Wraith?"
A relaxed voice answered from nearby.
"Oh? People are saying nice things about me again? Damn, Gotham finally has taste."
Axel stood up and looked toward them.
The instant Rachel clearly saw his face, her entire body locked up in shock.
The golf cart suddenly surged forward.
"Rachel! Watch the lake! Let go of the accelerator!" Alfred shouted while grabbing the wheel.
Rachel remained frozen.
Annoyed, Axel moved instantly, appearing in front of the cart and stopping it by force.
The vehicle halted completely.
Rachel stared at him, shaking.
"Am… am I dreaming?"
Axel snorted.
"If you are dreaming, your brain seriously needs an upgrade. Or what, you planning to invite me into your sleep too?"
Without waiting for a reply, he casually lifted Rachel like she weighed nothing and carried her toward the seating area.
Nearby, Lex Luthor watched glowing blue indicators rise from his portable testing devices. Earlier, Axel had provided a tissue sample.
The readings fascinated Lex.
The stronger the light became, the clearer the result.
Axel Voss was genetically closer to baseline humanity than almost anyone alive.
Definitely human.
Not alien.
Lex's smile widened dangerously.
Axel dropped Rachel onto the sofa beside Selina.
"Selina, look after our guest. Bruce should be here soon."
"No problem, Axel. Taking care of people is one of my many talents," Selina said with amusement.
Rachel suddenly shivered as recognition hit her.
"You are Selina Kyle. Two years ago I prosecuted you for theft, but Carmine Falcone had my evidence destroyed!"
Selina's smile sharpened.
"Yeah, let's not talk about that bastard. Let's discuss something more entertaining instead, Miss Prosecutor."
She pulled Rachel closer despite Rachel's obvious discomfort.
Alfred sighed quietly. Wayne Manor truly felt different now.
Meanwhile, Axel turned toward Lex.
"So, genius, how fucked are the results?"
Lex practically vibrated with excitement.
"Incredible, Axel. Your genetic compatibility exceeds ninety nine point nine nine percent with mine. The same applies to others as well. Your DNA adapts universally. This suggests perfection in human evolution itself."
Pierce stepped forward cautiously.
"Lex, control yourself."
"How can I?" Lex snapped. "The future of humanity might literally be standing in front of me!"
He grabbed Axel's wrist excitedly.
"I am relocating nearby. My laboratory will move here immediately. Human evolution is about to advance."
Axel laughed and slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Sure, move in if you want. Just calm the hell down first. Also, quick question, Alexander Luthor, why does everyone call you Lex?"
Lex nodded seriously.
"I dislike Alexander. Lex is simpler. Axel, call me Lex. I believe we will become great friends."
"Works for me," Axel replied. "And since we are friends, how about a gift? I seriously need a battlesuit. Every fight wrecks my clothes and I end up looking like a damn flying idiot."
Lex's eyes lit up.
"Perfect. I will design a battlesuit while collecting combat data from you."
Before he could continue, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan roared into Wayne Manor at high speed.
Bruce Wayne stepped out immediately.
From his angle, he saw Axel holding a slim ponytailed figure.
Rachel.
Bruce's heart nearly stopped.
His lifelong love appeared to be in Axel's arms.
Rage exploded instantly.
"You kidnapped her? What the hell are you trying to pull, Axel! I'm coming right now!"
Unfortunately for Bruce, he had only seen Axel and Lex from behind.
The situation looked far worse than it actually was.