Chapter 28 Children looks at right and wrong, adults only look at the pros and cons (Rewritten)

"We have another person here who uses an apology as a bargaining chip," Stephen remarked, shaking his head slightly. "Why don't you understand? When you don't have a bargaining chip, you should apologize early and wait for opportunities. But when you do have a bargaining chip, you don't need to apologize at all."

With those words, Stephen turned and walked towards Laurel, who was still asleep, unaware of what was happening.

"Let's take a look at that beautiful face of yours," Stephen said with a chuckle, looking at Laurel, who lowered her head slightly. He extended his fingers, and a current of electricity flickered from his fingertips, gently touching her cheeks.

ZI ZI ZI.

Laurel's face trembled slightly.

"What are you doing to her?" Dinah Lance shouted, her face filled with worry.

"Do you think I didn't know she's your dear daughter?" Stephen squinted at Dinah Lance. "Initially, she wasn't in any danger. I just wanted to give her a choice. Not out of selflessness, but to satisfy my own interests. However, I don't think that's the case anymore."

"I'm sorry!" Dinah Lance exclaimed, stunned by his words, and immediately offered a sincere apology.

"Too late, dear. That ship has sailed," Stephen replied, shaking his head slightly.

Dinah Lance slowly stood up and silently walked towards Stephen, who looked at her with interest.

Step by step.

Dinah Lance stopped a few steps away from Stephen and suddenly knelt down with a thud. "I'm sorry for approaching you the wrong way. I understand that you're angry because of my actions and behavior, but please, I beg you, let my daughter go. She's my only remaining child."

"Sigh... Just be more decisive and sincere from now on," Stephen said, smiling at Dinah Lance. "Considering your age and how much you love your daughter, I should forgive you based on ethics, but... I don't want to. You previously told me that what I did in Gotham threatened the security and peace of human society. Did you ever consider that you might have accused the wrong person? My name is Stephen, not Bane."

"Even though it has nothing to do with justice or bringing peace to the city, I killed Bane and saved Gotham."

"And now you're claiming that I threaten the security and peace of human society?"

Dinah Lance said solemnly, "We have investigated you and your background. You display extreme selfishness, above average antisocial behavior, and possess typical antisocial personality disorder traits. Although you occasionally show friendliness and are easy to get along with, it depends on your mood. Most of your actions are driven by instinctive desires, and you exhibit unpredictability, aggressiveness, and destructive tendencies."

"Hmm... That sounds like the standard profile of a villain," Stephen said cheerfully. "It's a shame that I can't withstand scrutiny. Who isn't selfish? Everyone is. Tell me, if Laurel wasn't your daughter, would you have knelt down and apologized? When you're in a good mood, you're friendly and easygoing. But when you're in a bad mood, you become indifferent and even quarrel with others, correct? Drinking water, eating, making love, shopping—aren't they all driven by instinctive desires? You only do what you want."

"Just based on a character analysis, I've been labeled as a threat, a villain, while ignoring my actions to save Gotham. It's what a typical person with an extreme ego mentality would do. Let me guess, if I had cooperated and obeyed, you would have tried to control me. I might have lost my freedom, my life, or become a pawn in your hands. If I didn't cooperate, you would see me as a threat and attempt to destroy me."

"Actually, in my opinion, it has nothing to do with character or behavior, justice or evil. It can be summed up in one sentence: Only children search for right and wrong, while adults consider the pros and cons, right?"

Dinah Lance fell silent for a moment and slowly nodded. "Right."

"So, the donkey determines its rider," Stephen smiled. "I appreciate your candor. It seems Laurel has heard all of your replies. So, Miss Laurel, what are you going to do from now on?"

Laurel appeared to be waking up.

Dinah Lance instinctively looked at her daughter and saw her raise her head, opening her eyes in a moment of complex silence.

In the past few days, Laurel had been undecided about whether she should go and find Stephen. However, tonight, her mother suddenly appeared before her, confessing that she is a secret agent of ARGUS, and then questioning why Stephen came to her. After speaking, her mother warned her that Stephen was very dangerous and needed to be controlled. Earlier, he had also mentioned knowing the true perpetrator behind the Queen's Gambit accident. That's why Laurel decided to come to Stephen today.

She just didn't expect to be bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. When she saw Stephen, she didn't anticipate overhearing the conversation between her mother and Stephen upon waking up. Whether it was her mother, the "righteous" one, or the "evil" Stephen, they were different from what she had imagined and thought.

"It seems you don't know what I usually do, so follow my lead," Stephen said with a chuckle. "Alright then, between the two of you, one must die here."

Upon hearing Stephen's words, Dinah Lance and Laurel were shocked. Were they being forced to choose between themselves, mother and daughter?

"I...!"

"I...!"

They both shouted almost simultaneously.

Stephen laughed dryly. "The love between a mother and daughter is touching, but at least let me finish. The person who dies will either be the ARGUS agent or the mastermind behind the Queen's Gambit boat accident. Choose one."

...

Real Author: Marvel King

Translator: Zatch[King]Rex