Chapter 7: A Foundation

A day had passed since the incidents that almost resulted in Arias's demise.

Since he was unsure whether they were being searched for at the time, Arias decided it would be best to remain hidden in his apartment.

Despite the shooting at the club itself being covered by the media, there was no news on the accident.

Dmitri's role wasn't stated, and he was completely left out of the conversation. Only Arias's name was mentioned, and he was given the labels of shooter and attempted murderer.

He was reported missing after being last seen leaving Gotham in a stolen Porsche.

Dmitri couldn't help but seem furious as they watched this news.

"They changed the entire story, why am I not surprised. With my dad's ties to politics I guess he can't have a criminal son, what a bastard." The more he heard, the more Dmitri cursed and expressed his utter anger.

"That and he can win the voter's pity by relating to them, having been a victim of Gotham's so called rampant crime. He really took our supposed death as a stepping stone." Arias continued, his remarks being rational and true even though he didn't appear to be bothered in the least.

When Dmitri saw this, he questioned why he wasn't more furious than him.

"Doesn't that piss you off? Not only that, they're pinning everything on you."

While Dmitri took up the remote control and turned the television off completely, Arias turned his head away from the screen.

"It annoys me far more than you can imagine but I can work around this. It's not my first time being wanted so this only affects my freedom of moving openly for now. My funds are crypto based and this entire building houses criminals so I'm not worried about money or a home for the time being."

Arias approached a drawer and started digging through his personal belongings. He only stopped when he found a little flip phone tucked under the board.

"Then what are you worried about?" Curious, Dmitri questioned.

And Arias responded. "How to make even more money. Even criminals don't like hiring or working with individuals who have a lot of heat on them and with the valentine family as our enemy, we can assume the other big families won't want to get involved, that leaves very few operations that offer good pay open to us. But…"

Arias flicked open the phone and swiftly entered a number without saying anything else.

"Hello, Clause? Yes I'd like to be on the list. What I want? Blueprints to the Valentine mansion. Approving the transfer now."

Arias pulled out a smartphone while on the phone and verified a pop-up notification before entering a pin and thumbprint.

He ended the call on the flip phone once a sizable green check appeared.

"You bought blue prints to the Valentine home? So you want revenge too?" Dmitri questioned, his brows wrinkled, appearing to agree with Arias's suggestion, but he shrugged it off.

"No. Since they cut off our means to gaining money, our only option is an operation by which we can earn large amounts of money without exposing our identities or tying ourselves to anyone, robbery."

When Dmitri heard what Arias said, his eyes glowed.

"If that's the case then we should start with my place. I know the place well enough plus I also know the password to the family vault, he keeps not only valuables but information that we could sell or even use to blackmail him for more money anonymously."

Dmitri's suggestion caused Arias to arch his brow, sigh, and shake his head slightly.

"So you can be smart at times, good, that plan works better and carries less risk. Here's some cash, there's a dark haired kid by the stairs, tell him to go to the tailor and order some black clothes for us, tell him the room number and your measurements, he already knows mine."

After reaching a compromise, Arias pulled out a large sum of cash and threw it towards Dmitri before giving him those instructions.

"You really are a hit man huh? This sort of feels like a movie. Do you also have a sexy doctor who patches you up after jobs?" As he approached the door, Dmitri grinned and ridiculed, but Arias responded directly.

"She only works after 10 pm, now hurry up."

Dmitri turned to stare at Arias, not sure if he was kidding or not. All he could do was scowl and follow instructions.

After Dmitri left, Arias began to hear a now-familiar voice in his head.

[Arias?]

"Yes?" Given that it had been some time since he had last heard from the infinity, Arias responded in a casual and uncomplaining manner.

[ As it stands you're more than capable of accomplishing tasks to attain wealth quickly without the assistance of another. Do you simply enjoy that being's company? ]

Before responding, Arias chuckled a little at the query.

"Not at all. Until I understand my own limitations and powers, I prefer using the longer route. As for Dmitri, it's always better to work with allies even if they aren't necessary. It lessens the danger directed at one's self as I can simply employ my plans through them. This is how the wealthy and powerful do their dirty work whilst keeping their own hands clean."

[ So you do not plan to dirty your hands? ]

"That is unavoidable, but done right I could do so without incurring the consequences upon myself… but another. Tonight will prove to be one such example."