A week later

After fighting crime for an entire night, the Dark Knight returned to the Batcave. When he stepped out of the Batmobile, his trusted butler Alfred had already waited:

"Master Bruce, you have an appointment with Fertech Company today."

"Just cancel it. Or you can tell Lucius to meet them on my behalf."

"Master Bruce, with all due respect, I think you should meet them."

"Oh? What is special about this company to make you recommend them?"

"It's just my intuition."

"Welcome to Fertech Company, Mr. Wayne. I'm Alice, secretary of Miss Shieldon. Please follow me."

With his photographic memory, Bruce remembered all the faces he had ever seen. Alice's face was new, but something in her eyes made him feel familiar.

"Have we met each other before?"

Alice didn't turn back: "I know your reputation. If you want to ask if we have a one-night-stand before, the answer is no."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

Alice opened a door and introduced an ebony woman:

"This is Miss Shieldon, CEO of Fertech Company."

"Thank you, Alice. Now you can leave us alone."

Alice walked out and closed the door.

"Do you like tea? Coffee? Or a bit of ****?"

"Tea is fine, thank you."

The woman poured tea into two cups and handed one to Bruce. He took a sip, then placed the cup down and asked:

"Mrs. Shieldon..."

"Miss Shieldon, please. I'm still single. Though I prefer that you call me 'Amanda'."

"I heard that you want Wayne Enterprises to invest in your company, but I still didn't understand what your company does."

The woman leaned on her chair:

"Mr. Wayne, what do you think about Superman?"

Bruce frowned but still answered: "He stands for truth, justice, and the American way."

"The American way, huh? But he is not an American."

"Technically, he is. Superman has been granted citizenship."

"No American I know is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound."

"Do you hate Superman?"

"No. But I think if Superman is an American, why can't all Americans be Superman?"

"I don't have time for this, please go straight to the point."

"The point is, I want Earthling humans to gain the best qualities of any race in this vast universe: Kryptonian, Martian, Thanagarian..."

"And how can you do that?"

"Fertech is developing a technology allowing humans to cross-breed with other alien races. Only the best qualities will be selected and kept. No need to worry about a generation that fears a tiny glowing green stone."

"You want to give human superpower? With my experience, that would end up a disaster in most cases."

"You are thinking about supervillains, aren't you? When everyone is super, no one is. At that time, those villains are no different from normal criminals."

Bruce held his chin.

This is a dangerous idea, but even if I don't support them, many others like Lex will take an interest. Maybe it's better to keep it under my control.

"Okay, I'm in. But I want to have a throughout checking of this project to make sure it's legal. If you agree, meet me tomorrow at Wayne Enterprises."

Amanda smiled: "I know I can rely on you. Alice!"

"Yes, Miss Shieldon."

"Accompany Mr. Wayne to his car for me."

After sending Bruce to his car, Alice returned to the CEO's office. Amanda was still enjoying her tea.

"Do you get used to your new name? It's more feminine than 'Ace', isn't it?"

"Amanda, are you sure this plan will work?"

"And what makes you think it won't?"

"I have tried to prick his mind before. He's one of the few people, if not the only one, who managed to stay sane under my full power. No one could control such a strong-willed mind, it's like breaking into the Fortress of Solitude with bare hands."

"I'm no psychic, but I'm fighting wars before you were born. Let me tell you one thing: Even the most impregnable fortress is **** from the inside. We won't control him, his instinct will."