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"I'm guessing you're Miss Rachel," Morin said, raising his glass. "The one Bruce can't stop thinking about. Looks like he succeeded?"
Rachel blushed and glanced at Bruce.
"We were never apart," Bruce said with a laugh, pulling her close.
"Alright." Morin raised an eyebrow and decisively opted out of their public display of affection. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Gordon, Alfred persuaded Bruce to go mingle.
The guests couldn't compare to the Wayne family. They were all a bit much.
But they'd come for his birthday. Ignoring them would be rude.
"So what do we do now?" Gordon looked around, clearly uncomfortable. He was just a police officer. This kind of place wasn't familiar territory.
"You've got two options," Morin said. "First, flirt with women. Though given your position, I recommend restraint, Officer Gordon."
"I know that without you telling me," Gordon muttered.
"Second option." Morin pointed toward the food. "Eat and drink."
"That's not bad," Gordon nodded. "What about you?"
Morin sighed, disappointed. "Do you know how many people were staring at me just now?"
"..."
Even Gordon, who already knew Morin's real face, had been stunned earlier.
"So of course I'm going to flirt," Morin said, patting Gordon on the shoulder before heading off.
Then his gaze stopped.
Someone interesting.
Or more precisely-
A black swan-like cat.
"Sir?" A maid holding a tray of wine was stopped by Morin. She looked at him, confused.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Morin said, studying her face. "What are you doing here?"
"...Sir, have you mistaken me for someone else?" The maid stiffened. She noticed the surrounding gazes shifting toward her. A trace of coldness flashed in her eyes.
"If there's someone in this world named Selina Kyle-" Morin leaned in and whispered.
Then he turned and walked away.
The maid-no, Catwoman-watched him closely. After a brief pause, she glanced at the curious onlookers, kept her polite smile, handed her tray to a waiter, and headed toward the back of Wayne Manor.
Her hand was clenched.
Morin watched without following.
Why was Catwoman here now?
If this was a butterfly effect caused by earlier changes, then what was her goal?
The League of Assassins' plan hadn't changed. A quick scan had already revealed more than ten disguised members in the hall.
This wasn't the time to expose them.
But Catwoman's presence needed an explanation.
As Morin pondered, he took a few steps forward.
The women who had been watching him suddenly couldn't find him anymore.
The "maid" exited the hall into a secluded corner.
She removed the white patterned fabric of her disguise, revealing a simple black dress. Plain, but perfectly fitted to her tall figure.
Then she loosened her hair.
In an instant, the maid vanished.
Catwoman appeared.
"That man knew my identity..." Selina frowned.
During her previous heists, she'd always worn her suit. She was certain she'd never exposed her real face.
Strictly speaking, this was her first time acting as herself.
And she'd been recognized.
It felt like seeing a ghost.
"And this is...?" Selina opened her palm.
A small syringe rested there, filled with bright blue liquid that shimmered in the moonlight.
That strange man had slipped it into her hand.
She hadn't been able to refuse.
Now she hesitated.
Leave, and abandon the payment.
Stay, and risk exposure.
The organization was offering diamonds.
A lot of them.
"That's an antidote," a voice said. "It counters a neurochemical agent that induces fear and confusion."
Selina jolted and immediately took a defensive stance.
Morin stood behind her, having appeared without warning.
"...An antidote?" She looked between him and the syringe.
After a moment, her eyes softened. Her voice turned smooth.
"Care to explain more?"
"Heh." Morin smiled faintly. "Catwoman suits you, Ms. Selina."
"Affectionate, but always distant."
"Your disguise is excellent. Just not against me."
This was not what Selina expected.
When he stopped her earlier, she thought he was just another man attracted to her looks.
She had reason to be confident.
But when he called her name, she froze.
When he reappeared and mentioned an antidote, she assumed interest. Just... informed interest.
So she played along.
Seduction was familiar territory.
But now she realized she'd misjudged him.
Morin could act.
And he had every right to.
"I don't even know your name," Selina said, no longer underestimating him.
"Morin," he replied. "Why are you here?"
"How do you know my name?" she countered.
"I know more than you think."
"I'm here for a part-time job," Selina said plainly.
A lie.
"Heh." Morin chuckled. "Are we keeping this up?"
"Then I'll leave." She raised an eyebrow, stepped back, and turned.
Then-
"Leave?" Morin stood in front of her. "Go where?"
Her eyes widened.
Impossible.
She had just turned around.
"How did you do that?" Selina was fully alert now.
"I don't like fighting women," Morin said lightly. "Especially ones I like."
"So. What do you think of my suggestion?"
"If you like me, shouldn't you respect my wishes and let me go?"
"That's not happening. I'm not stupid."
"Then I'll get angry."
"...And?"
"Then I won't talk to you."
"That's fine. I can force you to."
It was a bluff.
Morin had principles.
But with Catwoman, being too soft wouldn't work.
A little dishonesty was acceptable.
"You're shameless!" Selina felt real fear now.
Good-looking. Powerful. Shameless.
That combination was terrifying.
"A lot of women say that," Morin replied. "You're just the first before we've even started."
"What do you want so you'll let me go?" Selina asked.
She understood one thing clearly.
Leaving safely tonight would be luck.
"Tell me why you're here," Morin said. "I'm interested."
"...I heard it was Bruce Wayne's birthday. So I came to steal jewelry."
"That sounds true," Morin said. "But incomplete."
"That's all," Selina replied flatly.
"You think you can fool a psychologist?" Morin tapped his temple. "Your expressions don't match."
"You told part of the truth. And hid the rest."
"...I answered half," Selina said after a pause, a sly smile forming.
"One question each. Fair?"
"Interesting." Morin nodded. "Go ahead."
"Why did you give me this?" She raised the syringe. "I'm not poisoned."
"Not yet," Morin said. "This involves a terrorist organization planning to release a toxin over Gotham-"
"Stop." Selina cut him off. Her expression changed. "I don't want to hear this."
"But you already did."
"You told me!"
"You asked."
She was speechless.
"...Can't I pretend I don't know?" Selina said, playing pitiful.
It didn't work.
If she could really turn into a cat, Morin might've let her go.
On second thought-
That would've just given him a better excuse not to.