Chapter 86: Full, This Dog Can't Eat Any More

Mid-February, Valentine's Day.

By now, the sky had gradually darkened. Wayne Manor was peaceful and serene. District Attorney Harvey and Chief Gordon sat before a warm fireplace. The fire burned brightly; neatly split birch logs and coal burned quietly in the crimson flames, occasionally emitting crackling pops.

This atmosphere made both men feel deeply at ease. Even without mentioning the black tea Alfred had brewed, the comfortable environment of Wayne Manor, the countless artworks of profound significance scattered everywhere, or the large murals recording the manor's history—simply sitting by the warm fireplace, listening to the crisp crackling of the burning wood, opening a book by the bright firelight, and slowly reading was enough to make one forget the cold wind and snow outside the window.

Yet neither man felt like reading at that moment. So Harvey simply began strolling around the room, while Gordon occasionally took out his pocket watch to check the time.

At that moment, Alfred suddenly raised his tone slightly and spoke.

"Gentlemen, in view of the fact that today is Valentine's Day, there is one point I believe it would be my dereliction of duty not to mention."

Harvey and Gordon both turned their gaze toward him, listening as he continued: "Sigh, how should I put it? Judging by Master Bruce's popularity..."

"... he may not return for quite some time."

Hearing this, Gordon looked up at the large floor-to-ceiling window before the stairs. The twilight obscured the sky; the sun had already vanished. Night was about to fall, yet Bruce Wayne remained nowhere to be seen.

He sighed softly and asked casually, "Harvey, would you like to visit again later?"

The man behind him offered no response.

"Harvey?"

Gordon turned his head, only to see Harvey Dent standing before a huge portrait in Wayne Manor, examining it closely.

The portrait depicted a handsome man and a gentle woman. The man's features bore a strong resemblance to Bruce's. Undoubtedly, the figures in the portrait were the previous head of the Wayne family and his wife.

"So, that's Bruce's old man, huh?"

Harvey turned around, pointing his thumb at the man in the portrait: "This, uh, Alfred, right? You wouldn't happen to remember someone named 'Falcone' ever coming here, would you?"

"To meet Dr. Thomas Wayne?"

Hearing Harvey's question, Alfred's smile on his face slightly faded. Hearing Harvey's so direct and blunt questioning, Gordon sighed, took off his glasses, and gloomily rubbed his brow.

The butler no longer looked Harvey in the eye; instead, he turned his head toward Chief Gordon on the side: "As I said, today is Valentine's Day. I believe you must still have some... other obligations. Chief Gordon, how is Mrs. Gordon? We haven't met in quite some time."

Gordon's expression immediately changed. He knew this was butler Alfred's dismissal, but he also knew there was a high probability Mrs. Gordon was indeed waiting for him at home.

"Ring-ring-ring-ring—"

Just then, Harvey's phone suddenly rang.

"Hello? Harvey, where are you now? Is it convenient to take a call? I have something I want to say."

Next, Harvey said his goodbyes to the two men and went out to take the call.

"Now then, Ma Ma Zhaodi, what do you have to say?"

"Alright, Harvey, I'll make this brief. Listen carefully."

"First, while I was working at Maroni's restaurant, I saw Vernon and Maroni acting suspiciously together, and he took quite a bit of money from him. I guess you're being watched."

"Second, the Holiday Killer came to Maroni's restaurant. Four people died, a car was blown up. The handgun, pacifier, shell casings, and the kind of Valentine's Day chocolates commonly found in stores left at the scene—now the scene has been cleaned up by Maroni, so there's no need for you to rush over."

Hearing the news Ma Ma Zhaodi delivered, Harvey couldn't help but clench his fists.

"Speaking of which, there's another interesting piece of gossip." Ma Ma Zhaodi's voice sounded again: "Today I saw Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle having dinner together. I guess they might spend a romantic sleepless night tonight—hehe, I'm not envious at all."

This gossip made Harvey feel equally uncomfortable, for it meant he and Gordon had waited in vain at Wayne Manor today; Bruce would most likely not return tonight.

Ten minutes later, Harvey walked back in from outside. Gordon could tell from his expression that he seemed somewhat exhausted, as well as angry and frustrated.

"Harvey, what's wrong?"

"No, Gordon." Harvey shook his head: "Nothing major. I can handle it."

Seeing this, Gordon stopped pressing and instead sighed: "Barbara, Harvey, did you remember to buy anything for Greta for Valentine's Day?"

Harvey immediately froze in place. The gloom on his face temporarily faded, replaced by a look of despair. He raised both hands and covered his face: "No... Oh god, Greta will kill me."

"Harvey, you haven't hung up the phone yet."

At that moment, Ma Ma Zhaodi's voice suddenly came through Harvey's phone: "Harvey, Chief Gordon, long time no see—you two are very lucky. I made a few extra Valentine's Day chocolates. I'll find a package on my way home and deliver it to your houses, marked 'For the Male Head of Household Only.' These chocolates are now your order. Remember not to say the wrong thing once you get inside."

"It's 9:07 PM. If you two move fast enough, you can still make it home before Valentine's Day ends, giving yourselves a slight chance to win forgiveness from Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Dent."

"That's all. My shift for today is done. I should go home and enjoy my time as a single noble."

"That's it. Ciao—"

Confused, Gordon and Harvey looked at each other. A moment later, both let out a long breath as if they had survived a near-death experience.

At least today's Valentine's Day wasn't completely wasted.

"Creak"

"The courier told me you'd be home soon."

Barbara, holding a blonde-haired infant, sat by the table feeding the baby with a bottle. The meal on the table had just been reheated, and an unopened package sat beside it.

"So I just reheated the food."

"Barbara."

Gordon looked at his smiling wife, momentarily speechless. Only after being pulled to the table and seated did he reach out to open the package, taking out a beautifully wrapped heart-shaped chocolate.

"I-I know I've told you too many times already, but I-I'm still very sorry."

"Shh—"

Barbara gently covered Gordon's mouth, took the chocolate from his hand, and then kissed him softly.

A very familiar feeling, just like the night years ago when he proposed to her.

"No matter how many times you say it, I never tire of hearing it..."

(End of Chapter)