The father, who had originally intended to speak calmly, was startled upon hearing Alfred's voice.
Although the voice was slightly altered by the recording equipment, the intonation was identical.
He instantly recalled the long and agonizing wait at the Manor entrance and the cold response he received, and he immediately bristled.
His eyes widened, his face flushed, and he pointed a finger at Alfred, roaring furiously, "You're the one who spoke at the entrance just now!"
Alfred's expression remained calm and composed; he nodded slightly and said softly, "That was I, sir."
His tone was unruffled, as if he wasn't the one being pointed at.
Upon hearing this, the father's anger became uncontrollable, and he burst into curses: "I waited at the entrance for so long, and that's all the reaction you had? Damn it! You did it on purpose!"
As he cursed, he took a step forward.
Alfred, unhurried, took a slight step back, his tone still calm: "I also did not expect the automatic door to malfunction. For this, I am deeply sorry, sir. I will ensure it is repaired as soon as possible to prevent such incidents from recurring."
His expression was serious, yet his demeanor remained polite and gentle, completely unchanged by the father's aggressive reaction.
The father stared intently at Alfred, noticing that he remained perfectly composed from beginning to end, his expression almost unchanged, without even a hint of remorse.
This made the father even angrier. His chest heaved violently, and his hands clenched into fists, his fingernails almost digging into his palms.
But just as he was about to erupt again, he remembered that the compensation had not yet been secured. He forcibly suppressed his anger, his expression somewhat contorted.
Given the circumstances, securing the compensation was paramount.
Taking a deep breath, the father tried to make his tone sound more conciliatory, saying, "The teacher said there was compensation, which is why I came. Where is Miss Wayne? I want to speak with her directly."
As he spoke, he looked up and peered into the main residence, but the door was closed, so he couldn't see anything inside.
Alfred maintained his polite and calm demeanor, bowing slightly and saying, "The two Miss Wayne are currently busy. However, sir, please rest assured that as the butler here, Miss Wayne has delegated authority to me to handle relevant matters on her behalf."
"I want compensation, and I must receive a satisfactory explanation," the father raised his voice, a hint of urgency and greed in his eyes. "My son is in a terrible state now! He can't even stand up! Your Wayne Family must take responsibility!"
As he spoke, he gestured, attempting to make Alfred realize the seriousness of the situation.
Of course, he actually knew the truth: his son had at most sustained a minor injury from the fall.
According to his son, the other two were each kicked once, making his son the one with the lighter injuries.
Alfred nodded, his expression unchanged, merely observing the man opposite him: "The Wayne Family has always been responsible, and we are willing to offer compensation for this incident. But before that, I would like to confirm, are you certain you wish to accept compensation?"
Upon hearing this, the father's heart began to pound.
What did he mean, "Are you certain you wish to accept compensation?" Was this a threat?
But thinking that only a fool would refuse money, he still said without hesitation, "Of course, I definitely want it! My poor child!"
"Very well, sir," Alfred nodded slightly, saying nothing more. "The Wayne Family's compensation amount is fifty thousand U.S. dollars."
"What? Only fifty thousand U.S. dollars?" The father, who had been lamenting for his child, immediately stopped upon hearing this, his face filled with disbelief. "That's too little! My son suffered so much, and your Wayne Family is so rich, shouldn't you compensate more?"
Alfred quietly watched the father; it was clear the other party's voice had risen, and he was somewhat agitated.
But his expression remained completely unchanged as he calmly inquired, "Do you accept? Of course, if you feel the compensation amount is unreasonable, we can also pursue legal action. Wayne Group has a professional team of lawyers who will handle this matter appropriately."
Alfred's tone remained calm, but to the other party, his voice was like a clap of thunder, and his face instantly turned pale.
He then came to his senses, realizing the situation he was in.
Damn it, he had been a bit blinded by money.
Fifty thousand was already a considerable sum, especially since his child wasn't truly severely injured.
While it wouldn't solve his financial problems for the rest of his life, it was still a significant profit.
This was much easier than robbery!
Moreover, and most importantly, his own child had not only bullied classmates but also possessed a controlled knife at school. If this matter went to court, it would definitely be disadvantageous to his side.
Most importantly, everyone in Gotham City knew how formidable Wayne Group's legal team was; no lawyer would be willing to take on such a hopeless case.
Thinking of this, the father's demeanor instantly weakened. His lips moved, and he stammered, "No... let's not go to court, that's too much trouble."
Alfred nodded slightly, still wearing his polite smile, as if he had anticipated the father's reaction all along.
"Then, you agree to the fifty thousand U.S. dollars in compensation?"
Upon hearing this, the father's heart was in turmoil.
On one hand, he felt that fifty thousand U.S. dollars was far below his expectations, leaving him unwilling.
On the other hand, he worried that pursuing legal action would make things worse; he might not only receive no money but also be outmaneuvered by the Wayne Family.
After much deliberation, he knew he had no better choice.
The father gritted his teeth, filled with resentment but also helplessness, and finally nodded, implicitly agreeing to the compensation amount.
"Please wait a moment, I will go back and retrieve the money," Alfred said, then turned to enter the main residence.
However, before leaving, he said something into a walkie-talkie, and then two burly men emerged from one side of the Manor.
Their gazes were stern as they walked directly to the father and stood before him, their eyes fixed on him as if guarding an important prisoner.
The father felt utterly uncomfortable under the gaze of these two burly men, as if he were sitting on pins and needles.
When he had been talking with Alfred just now, he hadn't felt anything particularly unusual, but now, standing alone at the entrance of their Villa—no, correction, their castle—with two expressionless, intently staring burly men in front of him, the previously ignored discomfort became exceptionally pronounced.
He had waited at the entrance for an unknown amount of time, so long that he was hungry, and the door hadn't opened.
During this time, he hadn't eaten or drunk any Water, and it was a bit cold outside the car.
Now, he was even more exhausted from the prolonged standing and mental tension.
However, under this surveillance, he dared not sit down to rest, nor did he feel comfortable asking the two burly men for a glass of Water. He could only stand awkwardly in place, occasionally shifting his feet, trying to alleviate his physical discomfort, while silently praying for the butler to return quickly.