Chapter 81 (edited)

Kara and Jennifer stayed at Wayne Manor until around noon when they received a call from Harvey, who was on his way. 

Court sessions typically happen in the morning, which gave Jennifer some time to prepare for the upcoming trial scheduled either tomorrow or next week. Most of the information related to the crimes was still with the serious crimes unit, so they planned to go there for further investigation. 

As Kara and Jennifer were getting ready to leave, Bruce followed them to the door, watching them with an air of hesitation, as if wanting them to stay but unsure of what to say. 

Since Harvey was still on his way, Bruce tentatively asked, "Why don't you stay for lunch before you go? I'll have Alfred prepare something." 

Alfred quickly chimed in, "I'll get started right away." 

Jennifer shook her head politely, declining his offer with a smile. "Mr. Wayne, we've already intruded enough. You have much to do—Gotham City needs you now. Don't waste your time on me; go and help more people." 

There was a certain gleam in Jennifer's eyes as she spoke, and Bruce couldn't help but notice. She already knew his secret—that he was Batman. She added teasingly, "Unlike Miss Rachel, I think I prefer the Dark Knight over the playboy mask." 

Bruce nodded, momentarily at a loss for words. Just as he was about to respond, Harvey's car arrived, pulling up outside the manor. 

"Jennifer, are you okay?" Harvey asked as he approached, his concern evident. 

Jennifer found herself amused by the sudden surge of people worrying about her. 

Still, she knew the motivations behind their concerns. For Bruce, his worry extended to the unexpected new life within her. Harvey, on the other hand, was likely more concerned about her being fit for the next trial. 

The only person who cared purely and selflessly for her well-being was Kara. 

Jennifer took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. She glanced at Harvey and gave a firm nod. "I'm fine. Let's go." 

With that, Jennifer climbed into Harvey's car without looking back. 

Kara lingered momentarily, glancing back at Bruce. She let out a soft huff before quickly following Jennifer. 

Harvey, however, paused to exchange a few words with Bruce. But Bruce wasn't paying attention—his eyes remained fixed on Jennifer as she left. 

Inside the car, Jennifer and Kara sat together in the back seat. 

"Are you not bringing your suit?" Jennifer asked, glancing at Kara. 

Kara sighed in mild exasperation. "You don't have to get so excited over that kind of question." 

Jennifer stuck out her tongue playfully, making a face. 

Despite both women being in their thirties, they hadn't lost their charm. Jennifer's playful antics, in particular, made her irresistibly endearing. 

In truth, Jennifer had been excited since the morning. A lifelong fan of both Batman and Oracle, she could hardly believe she'd spent time at Wayne Manor. 

Kara, meanwhile, couldn't help but wonder if merchandise royalties were being overlooked in all this. 

Jennifer's chatter centered on Batman. She admitted that, unlike Rachel, she preferred Bruce as the Dark Knight rather than the billionaire playboy persona he used as a mask. 

Her observations struck Kara deeply. Jennifer seemed to understand Bruce in a way few others did. 

Rachel, for all her good intentions, wanted Bruce to abandon Batman, not realizing that Batman wasn't just a role he played—it was his true self. His life as Bruce Wayne, the wealthy socialite, was the real mask he wore to conceal his nightly crusade. 

In one comic, Wonder Woman used the Lasso of Truth on herself, Superman, and Batman, compelling them to reveal their true identities. Wonder Woman admitted she was Diana; Superman revealed he was Clark Kent, also known as Kal-El. But when it was Batman's turn, he simply said, "I am Batman." 

For Bruce, abandoning Batman would be equivalent to abandoning everything he believed in: justice, his ideals, and the future he envisioned for Gotham. 

Jennifer's insights only deepened her feelings for Bruce. She'd fallen for Batman and, by extension, the man beneath the cowl. 

Resting her head on Kara's shoulder as they left Wayne Manor, Jennifer sighed. 

Kara, who rarely allowed anyone into her personal space, merely let out a resigned breath. "Heading to the hospital?" she asked knowingly. 

Jennifer shook her head silently. 

Harvey, misinterpreting her silence as lingering pain from her injuries, chimed in, "If you're still not feeling well, maybe you should see a doctor. There's no rush to work." 

Kara gently patted Jennifer's head, her tone soft. "The hospital can't fix this, Harvey. A wounded heart is beyond their reach." 

It was only then that Harvey realized what was really happening. Glancing at the two women through the rearview mirror, he couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and disdain for Bruce Wayne. 

He admired Bruce's ability to attract remarkable women like Jennifer but disdained his inability to hold onto them. 

Harvey silently vowed to cherish his relationship with Rachel, determined not to repeat Bruce's mistakes. 

The rest of the drive passed in silence, as both Jennifer and Kara seemed lost in thought. 

When they arrived at the serious crimes unit of the Gotham Police Department, Jennifer stepped out of the car, her demeanor shifting to that of an unyielding judge. 

Harvey followed, still concerned. "Jennifer, you don't have to handle this personally. The prosecutor can take care of it." 

Jennifer shook her head. "Come on, Harvey. Let's find enough evidence to make sure those bastards never see the light of day again."