Chapter 3: Planting the Seeds of Power
The fall of Carmine Falcone sent shockwaves through Gotham. His empire, built over decades, had collapsed in a single night. No gang war. No struggle. Just silence.
The next morning, the media scrambled for explanations. The GCPD feigned ignorance, claiming to be "investigating." But behind closed doors, Gotham's elite already knew the truth—someone new had stepped in. And they were terrified.
He sat in his penthouse, watching the news play on a muted screen. Across from him, Selina lounged in a leather chair, twirling a stolen diamond between her fingers.
"They're scared," she said. "They don't even know who you are yet."
"Good," he replied, sipping his coffee. "That gives us time."
[Daily Reward: A Senator's Private Blackmail Files (Includes Judges, CEOs, and Congressmen)]
He paused, reading through the system's latest gift. A slow smirk formed.
Selina raised an eyebrow. "What is it this time? More money?"
"Better," he murmured, swiping through the files. "Leverage."
The documents were a treasure trove—emails, hidden bank accounts, scandalous affairs, offshore transactions. Judges, politicians, CEOs—all compromised. Some were Gotham's own, but others? Federal. Influential.
"Looks like we're expanding," he mused.
Selina leaned in, curiosity sparking in her emerald eyes. "How far?"
"As far as the world will let me."
He reached for his phone and dialed a number. A few rings later, a voice answered.
"Mayor Sharp," he greeted smoothly. "We need to talk."
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "Who the hell is this?"
"Your new best friend."
A tense silence followed. Then—"What do you want?"
"Nothing much," he said. "Just your cooperation. You'll push certain policies, reroute funding, and keep law enforcement blind when necessary."
Sharp scoffed. "You think you can just—"
An email notification popped up on the mayor's phone. He heard the man click it open. Then, silence.
After a long pause, Sharp's voice was lower. Shaken. "What… what do you want me to do?"
"That's more like it," he said, smiling.
Selina chuckled, lounging back. "You're really pulling the 'shadow ruler' act now."
"It's not an act." He set his coffee down. "This city doesn't need another crime lord. It needs something bigger."
Selina studied him for a moment before nodding. "So, what's next?"
He looked at the screen again, where a senator's name flashed among the blackmail files.
"Politics."
Gotham was just the beginning.
---