Chapter 2248: Late Autumn in Gold City (47)

Discovering their homes were on fire, the gang leaders could no longer care about any banquet and rushed back in a panic. However, this flight meant they were completely cut off from Cat Getan's high society.

Putting aside who hosted the banquet, although it seemed the previous towering tree had shaken the foundations of the Rodriguez Manor and turned the garden into a mess, making it likely the banquet would have to be rescheduled, the situation was already as it was. Shouldn't they have departed in an orderly fashion and expressed their regrets and condolences to the host?

That is how high society works: lose the battle but not the formation, lose the substance but not the face. Whoever can remain pretentious until the end wins.

Also, although the earlier fight was interrupted by special circumstances, they had at least fought a round. Everyone was covered in dust, making it impossible to tell if anyone was injured.

At this time, those who hadn't helped should naturally have checked on the heroes' injuries and provided whatever assistance they could. This wasn't about kindness, but about morality; gangs were supposed to be the most principled of all.

The manor owner invited you, an accident occurred, the house collapsed, and people were injured. You didn't offer help, didn't even offer a word of concern, and rushed back the moment something happened at your own home. If you were ordinary people, there would be nothing to say—everyone just sweeps the snow from their own doorstep.

But gangs have always styled themselves as the creators and managers of Cat Getan's order, believing they are the ones who call the shots in Cat Getan. If they only look out for themselves when trouble strikes, how can they be convincing?

So, even though there was a chaotic battle going on in the North District, almost no one followed to help. The few superheroes who had intended to go changed their minds upon learning that the area was mostly empty manors with no residential districts.

In their view, money and antiques were merely external possessions. Shouldn't these gang leaders be grateful that only their manors and property were destroyed? It was the banquet at Rodriguez Manor that helped them escape a disaster; otherwise, when the thunderous rage struck, they would have been reduced to ashes along with the buildings.

Thus, this behavior was exceptionally undignified, and no one wanted to mention it. As a result, people discovered that this young godfather hadn't left and had actually walked out with Shiler.

"I must announce a piece of happy news here," Shiler said with a smile. "A few years ago, as a witness, I saw the wedding ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Falcone. Just now, I received another piece of good news: Mrs. Falcone is pregnant."

Cheers immediately erupted in the hall. No matter when or where they hear such happy news about anyone, humans are always happy to see one more of their kind added to the world.

Alberto only revealed a faint smile. In fact, he had known this news for two weeks. Currently, the expectant mother was in the most stable period, so walking around wasn't a problem, but he had to find a reason for not having returned.

"The accident just now was truly an unexpected event. I must offer my most sincere apologies to everyone. Now, the southeast corner of this house's foundation has some defects, making it difficult to guarantee the building's complete integrity. Continuing the banquet here would be somewhat unsafe for everyone."

"Although my manor needs repairs, a victory worth celebrating just occurred, and I cannot interrupt my godson's graduation celebration ceremony. Therefore, please move to the Wei En Grand Hotel; the second half of the banquet will be held there."

Bruce stood in another direction and nodded to the crowd. Soon, several dedicated Wei En Hotel cars arrived in front of Rodriguez Manor. The guests boarded one after another, and the motorcade drove toward the Wei En Grand Hotel.

No one questioned why the Wei En Hotel could immediately organize another banquet. Come on, that was a Wei En Group hotel. The buffet there was almost always configured for world-class banquets, and the rooftop pool was the best party location for celebrities to show off their status. You could scatter hundreds of people in there and still not find them.

Shiler also boarded the last car to arrive at the Wei En Hotel, but this caused a huge problem. At this moment, the Wei En Hotel was packed, filled with tourists from all over the world who had flocked to Cat Getan for the music festival.

These tourists were not your average Western backpackers. Even the cheapest standard room at the Wei En Hotel was definitely not something ordinary people could afford. Moreover, it was peak tourist season; even single rooms with a view could be booked for 30,000 USD a night. And this was before the turn of the millennium.

Guests dining in the buffet restaurant soon discovered that a group of uninvited guests had invaded. Then, they quickly realized that this group of strange people didn't look simple, and more importantly, the proportion of handsome men and beautiful women among them was truly too high.

Some thought this was a model troupe brought in for a pool party, but soon they recognized Clark Kent, Bruce Wei En, and Diana Prince. The three of them were indeed the three most famous people in this universe right now.

Because of his continuous reporting on Batman, Clark Kent was already a quite famous reporter in Metropolis. In fact, he was even more famous for his handsome appearance and the stories in the gossip tabloids about the things that must have happened between him and Batman.

There was no need to mention Batman; he was already Cat Getan's most famous mascot, and it was expected that his fame would increase by another 10 times within the next 24 hours to 7 days.

Diana Prince was a veteran star, and she had appeared at world-class events. The title of Amazon Princess was both mysterious and noble, yet she came and went without a trace; most people had never encountered her by chance.

The three of them had come in one car and were discussing matters concerning the Green and Barbatos. Mostly, Diana was explaining some hidden history to them.

However, the tourists didn't know that they were all superheroes who were also connected. Having Batman and Clark was one thing—at most, it was just gossip about a billionaire and a small reporter—but adding a princess made the gossip about the trio much more exciting.

Tourists flocked over to ask for autographs. Many tourists who had been resting in their rooms were also called down by their companions. In an instant, the Wei En Group's buffet restaurant was bustling with people and very lively.

"Hey, boy, can you help us take a photo? Okay, thank you... Oh, you took it really well. Are you a reporter? My god, a researcher, you're too amazing, aren't you?"

"Hello, sir, uh, can we take a photo together? By the way, the shield in your hand... ah, no, it's not blocking me, it's just that I think, um, it's simply too cool!"

"Hello, this lady, are you Russian? Yes, I am too. I live in Saint Petersburg and came here to attend the music festival. I own a music company. Oh, have you been there? Are you a Muscovite?"

"... Yes, that has absolutely nothing to do with it. I was also diagnosed with uterine fibroids when I was 42, about the size of a peanut. No, no, it's not that terrifying at all. This thing can be operated on. Simply put, it hurts the most when you get the anesthesia, and then everything just takes its natural course..."

Once there were many people, the scene naturally became lively. Shiler also gave his speech again.

"I am very happy that everyone can gather here, in this city, in this gradually cooling autumn, to witness a student and this city take the most important step after experiencing hardships, disappointments, and becoming full of hope once again."

"My godson, Alexander Luthor, possesses keen wisdom and grand ambitions. I'm afraid I must mention that the theme of his graduation project is to make this city see the sunlight again."

"He comes from a sunny city, Metropolis. I think there are some among you who come from there, and the legends you have heard about Cat Getan there are always overcast and full of darkness."

"In the previous years, this city was indeed like that, but there was one person who, upon hearing such legends, did not choose to mock or ridicule, but chose to come here in person and save this place."

"I don't want to say that every aspect of Cat Getan's progress is due to him. Many excellent people among you have constantly guided him and led him forward. Today's banquet is held to thank all of you."

"The thing we should be most grateful for today is that the young man's bold fantasies and lighthearted arrogance did not fall from the land of light into the darkness and shatter, but were held up by those who share his great ambitions. It will turn into a pure white bird and fly before God, telling the Lord of the millions of gospels He has bestowed upon the world, and only the unwavering determination is what should make Him raise a glass to celebrate."

Shiler saw that the light in the eyes of the several Batmen in the crowd was brighter than anyone else's after hearing these words, and he knew it was time to toast.

Shiler raised his glass, and everyone in the hall raised their glasses as well. As they drank and celebrated together, a cold autumn rain in Cat Getan finally took away the heat from the sun that the people here had once longed for but were now terrified of.

The banquet lasted until three in the morning. Many people were drunk to the point of unconsciousness, and even Shiler felt a bit tipsy.

The vast majority of people stumbled into the elevators to return to their rooms at the Wei En Grand Hotel. Shiler, however, did not stay and closed his eyes to rest in the car.

He didn't return to his manor because the manor had indeed become a dangerous building and required extremely thorough reconstruction and renovation. Therefore, he went with Lex, Clark, Bruce, and others to Lex's new hillside manor.

The journey home after a banquet is always filled with drunkenness. The evening breeze is cool, and the dampness creeps up along the collar. The blurry lights in the distance, in the hazy field of vision, are sometimes cold and sometimes warm.

After setting foot on solid ground again, the short walk to the room becomes very long, but it makes one feel a kind of reality that cannot be felt when sober, as if the air inhaled into the lungs can be distinguished in the blood from the vulgarity and mediocrity of the past.

Lex took Shiler to his bedroom. This was the master bedroom that had long been prepared in the manor's residential area. Shiler loosened his tie, walked over, and sat in a chair.

Lex, however, did not leave and instead sat opposite Shiler.

"Do you insist on making me talk to you at this time?" Shiler shook his head with some fatigue and said, "Then you will only get a bunch of messy ramblings. I'm drunk."

"It's exactly the right time, Professor. I'm afraid I have to say you're not drunk enough, because you are simply too sharp when you are sober, and I can only choose this time."

"I really praised you for nothing." Shiler shook his head and said with a smile, "Don't you know that a drunkard will be more paranoid about things in his professional field?... Stop poking your head around there, come in."

The door was pushed open, and Clark, Diana, Bruce, and Pamela walked in one by one.

That's right, Pamela walked in, not carried in. Before the Green left, it at least didn't forget this agent of its and healed her injuries.

However, she said with annoyance, "I knew this banquet wouldn't be that simple, Professor!"

By the time the tone reached the last word, it was already quite gritted-teeth. Clearly, this fish that had just had its mouth scratched by a fishhook was so angry that it was frantically slapping the water with its tail and wanted to know exactly how it had been hooked. The others were clearly here for this purpose as well. ===== CHAPTER 2249 =====