A bank card was caught between Silver Sable's two fingers and flicked away, only to bounce off the wall and return steadily to her fingertips.
It contained three million U.S. dollars, the 'information confidentiality fee' Norman Osborn paid after Silver Sable discovered the human experimentation on the second underground level of Osborn Group.
Sitting in the president's office of Silver Sable Security, Silver Sable casually tossed the bank card towards the open window.
Judging by her technique and force, she had no intention of keeping the bank card, nor the three million U.S. dollars inside.
Slam!
Just as the bank card flew out the window, two fingers shot out like lightning, caught it, and flicked it back in front of Silver Sable.
It wasn't strange for someone to be outside the window, but Silver Sable Security was located on the twentieth floor.
Intruder!
This was Silver Sable's first thought. She propped herself up on the desk with both hands, vaulted over it, and without even looking to see who was outside the window, she hooked her leg and delivered a kick.
As the president and chairman of a security company, Silver Sable had encountered attacks from rivals and other enemies many times.
But this was the first time she had seen someone so brazenly break in through the window in broad daylight.
Silver Sable's kick landed squarely on the intruder, but she didn't relax; instead, her heart sank.
Her kick felt like hitting a steel plate; the opponent's body didn't budge, and instead, Silver Sable's own foot was jolted with pain.
Without further attack, Silver Sable used the force of the kick to roll on the ground, stand up, and cross her fists in front of her, ready for battle.
At this point, she also got a clear look at the intruder: his entire body was hidden beneath a dark gray, armor-covered battle suit, whose lines were sharp and exposed, and he had a pair of sharp, dagger-like ears on his head.
Although his exposed chin made him seem human, the Daily Bugle had already published stories about a strange species called 'Squid Man,' and combined with the opponent's steel-plate-hard body, Silver Sable strongly suspected that the exposed chin was meant to mislead others.
"Who hired you? I'll pay double."
The moment Silver Sable saw this guy, she decided to avoid making an enemy of him if possible. Her kick just now would have broken an ordinary person's ribs, yet the opponent was standing perfectly fine by the window, as if the kick had no effect whatsoever.
The newcomer was Batman. He deliberately lowered his voice and said,
"I'm not here to make trouble with you, Silver Sable."
"Who are you?"
Silver Sable tucked her silver-gray short hair behind her ears, to prevent it from obstructing her vision if a fight broke out, and at the same time, she asked in as calm a tone as possible.
"Norman's second underground lab," Batman said, seeing that Silver Sable hadn't recognized him, offering a hint.
With his reminder, Silver Sable's expression changed from bewilderment to confusion, then to sudden realization:
"You're the man in black from that night?"
That day in Osborn Group's underground lab, Batman was wearing only ordinary night clothes, whereas now he was in an armor-covered battle suit, so it was no wonder Silver Sable hadn't recognized him earlier.
"It's me," Batman said.
"What can I do for you?" Silver Sable lowered her raised fists and slowly sat back behind her desk.
"I hope you can introduce me to a lawyer." Batman remained motionless by the window.
Silver Sable sat in her chair, looking unusually relaxed:
"A lawyer?"
"I thought you were here to discuss how to expose Norman Osborn's crimes."
"I sent the video I took on my phone to the Daily Bugle that day, but there was no ripple the next day. Do you know why?"
"The Military covered it up," Batman said.
"Norman Osborn actually has a Military background, which makes things difficult," Silver Sable said. "Even if the evidence is posted on social media, it will definitely be erased."
Batman was silent for a while:
"...So what do you plan to do?"
He had only come to ask Silver Sable to recommend a brave and capable lawyer, but he didn't expect Silver Sable to also plan to take action against Osborn Enterprise.
"You know Norman's Military background, but do you know which General specifically?" Silver Sable asked in return.
"General Ross, a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General," Batman said.
Silver Sable was startled and gasped:
"Lieutenant General? My goodness, Silver Sable Security only has a little over two hundred people in total, and he can easily command several divisions of troops..."
"Wait, say his name again?"
Silver Sable seemed to suddenly think of something, stood up abruptly, pressed her hands on the desk, and stared intently at Batman.
"General Ross," Batman said.
"I have a way to make Norman lose the Military's protection." A mischievous smile appeared on Silver Sable's face. "From what I understand, General Ross has made capturing the Hulk his lifelong mission. As long as I find a way to locate the Hulk, General Ross will definitely deploy troops."
"At that time, he won't be able to bother covering for Norman Osborn anymore."
Silver Sable grew more and more excited as she thought about it, pacing back and forth in the office:
"General Ross acting as Norman's protector must also be to develop something against the Hulk, even condoning human experimentation for it."
"I'll get ready and leave in a few days to find the Hulk."
She finished speaking and looked at Batman, who remained motionless by the window like a statue:
"Oh, right, what was that about you looking for a lawyer? There are over three hundred law firms in New York, yet you came to my security company?"
"Because I'm also dealing with Osborn Group," Batman said.
"Sorry, Silver Sable Security doesn't have a fixed partnered lawyer, otherwise I could introduce you..."
Before Silver Sable could finish speaking, she felt the office lighten slightly. She turned to look at the window and found that Batman had already vanished.
Knock, knock.
The office door was knocked, and several Silver Sable Security personnel walked in.
"Jason, go investigate whether the forces behind Norman Osborn are as that person just said," Silver Sable instructed her subordinate.
"Miss Silver Sable, don't you believe him?" Jason looked at the window. "I thought that person specifically came to give you information."
Silver Sable shook her head and chuckled:
"I don't even know him, how could I believe him?"
Batman knew it would be difficult to find a lawyer with enough courage and ability, but he didn't expect it to be so challenging. He could only put this matter aside for now and first arrange the funds needed for Dr. Otto's experiment.
On the rooftop of a street building.
Whoosh!
With an extremely faint sound, the nitrogen spring launched a web line at an incredibly high speed. Batman pulled hard, and with immense strength, he immediately propelled himself forward.
Silver Sable's security company was located on the outskirts of Hell's Kitchen. Batman had to quickly return to the Abandoned Shipyard to take off his battle suit and continue his activities as Peter Parker.
But a short staff flew from behind, aiming directly at Batman's back of the head. Just as it was about to hit, Batman released the web line, raised his hand, and knocked the staff away.
The short staff rolled on the ground and stopped at the feet of a man wearing a dark red battle suit with two short horns on his forehead.