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The bullet pierced Frank's right shoulder.
He lay on the ground with a pale face, grabbing at his chest.
It looked like he wasn't in danger of dying just yet.
"It's fine as long as you don't die. Otherwise, I really would have ended up regretting my choice..."
Allen didn't care whether Frank was hurt or in pain.
He had just given the guy an agreement and then he was shot. If he died, wouldn't that mean he had gone back on the agreement of protecting him?
He would deal with the guys, but he would really feel a deep regret. He didn't want that.
As for the bullet… if it was aimed at him, he would have reacted easily.
At that moment, three people appeared near the gate.
The first person was hard to miss, dressed in red, with dazzling hair and a beautiful face under her bangs.
Two people followed behind her: one holding a gun, the other carrying a black case that looked like a piano box.
"Vera!"
Frank, lying on the ground, gritted his teeth and growled the name.
He quickly turned to Allen and spoke anxiously.
"She's with the Triad, the branch that handles drug distribution. I just killed one of her people. She's here to deal with me."
"You promised me. In exchange for my daughter, you said you'd protect me. I already agreed to this!" Frank reminded Allen, panicked and desperate.
Helena, lying on the ground nearby, had no expression on her face. But her eyes reflected her pain.
Vera gave Frank a sidelong glance and turned to Allen with a respectful smile.
"Hello, Mr. Allen, my name is Vera. And I'm here to deliver something."
"Bring it over," Vera instructed her subordinate.
The man carrying the case walked up to Allen, gently opened the box, and revealed the suit that Talia al Ghul had sent.
Allen nodded slightly.
The man then closed the box, placed it at Allen's feet, then slowly backed away.
"Mr. Allen, can I have a word with you?" Vera asked politely.
"Sure," Allen replied with a bright smile, glancing at the gunman standing beside her.
"But are you sure this conversation will keep me from killing your bodyguard?"
Vera's expression shifted slightly, but she smiled again.
"I believe so."
Allen was curious, but he turned his head to the side.
"I'll have a quick chat with her. You can handle the rest, yeah?" Allen said to Frank.
Frank nodded blankly, though his mind was racing.
He had assumed Allen simply had a strange ability but now... to have someone as dangerous and high-ranking as Vera showing him this much respect?
'Who was he, really?'
'And just how much powerful was the person who could command Vera to deliver something?'
Not far from the villa, a Hummer was parked.
Two guards stood outside the vehicle while Allen and Vera got into the car.
"Let's talk," Allen said with a calm smile.
Vera immediately started speaking.
"Besides delivering the package, I had another task… To kill you. The reward is quite generous."
Allen nodded casually.
If Talia al Ghul didn't take the opportunity to try something, it wouldn't be like her.
Vera turned and took out another suitcase, sliding it toward Allen.
When he opened it, stacks of U.S. dollars were neatly piled inside.
"This is the money. It's yours, I'm not dumb enough to try and become your enemy," she said.
"I hope this also makes up for my subordinate's earlier behavior,"
Allen looked at her with interest.
"Why would you do this?"
"Because I know who you are and what you've done in Gotham. I don't want to provoke you. If possible, I'd rather earn your friendship," Vera explained seriously.
She wasn't stupid.
The strength of the Triads was known worldwide, and it wasn't hard to gather information if one was inclined to look.
While Allen's actions in Gotham had been officially silenced, the street-level criminals still talked about it.
She knew who Bane was and how powerful he had been.
Even if she was bold enough to stand against Bane, she wouldn't challenge someone who could kill him in a flash, all for just some money.
And this person was in Starling City, on her turf.
Allen chuckled, then patted the box of money and suddenly pushed it back toward her.
"This is what you earned yourself. You can keep it."
"I won't question what happened before, let's say it's water under the bridge."
"But don't kill Frank anytime soon."
"Understood," Vera replied with a smile.
"If you ever need it, the Triad is at your service."
Allen smiled and got out of the car, heading back to the villa.
Helena was still lying where he had left her.
Frank had managed to sit up and roughly bandage his wound.
He was on the phone calling for someone.
When he saw Allen returning with the case in one hand and moving toward his daughter… he wanted to say something, but stopped himself.
Allen carried Helena on his shoulder.
Inside Helena's room, Allen shut the door, let go of her, and sat down on the bed.
He opened the case.
Inside were two full-body black suits, made of the same material as Batman's.
Along with pants, gloves, masks, multifunction belts, a collapsible baton, and standard grappling gear.
Allen carefully examined the contents, confirming there were no surveillance devices hidden in them.
Then he stood up and moved to the closet.
He found a bag, and casually stuffed the gear inside.
"Why do you look like your soul left your body?" Allen then said, grinning at Helena.
"You're still alive. Your secret's still safe with me. And now, you have more chances to collect evidence against your father. You should be happy."
"What's the point? You won't give me the chance to succeed."
Helena lifted her head and stared at him.
"You want me to feel like I'm getting closer and closer to success. But just before the finish line, you'll stop me, one step away."
"For that step, I won't dare to die, and I won't be able to give up. But I'll have to endure the despair that hides inside hope."
"You're so cruel…"
"I don't mind being deceived," Allen said calmly.
"But I won't let anyone make a fool of me. What, do you think I have no pride?"