Chapter 83 – And Its Name Shall Be… Umbrella Corporation!

A security company focused on urban surveillance systems.

By conventional naming standards, it should be something like "XYZ Urban Security Services Ltd." But come on… that's just so lame.

This is the DC Universe. With superheroes, supervillains, mad scientists, and aliens running around, any company here needs a name with real punch.

Think in keywords… this company publicly offers security services. So, the obvious keywords are: protection, guardianship, watchfulness.

Guardian of Life?

Eternal Watch?

The Watchmen?

Wait—nope. DC already has a "Watchmen" group.

Protection… Protect… Umbrella!

Leo's eyes lit up, and his fingers began tracing invisible designs in the air.

Yes—Umbrella!

What a loud, powerful, confident name.

Anyone who hears it would immediately think of—T-virus—no wait, safety and reliability!

He could already picture the company logo: a bird's-eye view of an umbrella. And to highlight the humanitarian spirit, he'd borrow the red-and-white color scheme from the Red Cross. Classic, symbolic, and noble!

It was perfect. And they'd even use the alternate name: Umbrella—in English.

High-end, classy, top-tier! The vibe was immaculate.

"Alfred! I've got it!"

Leo shared his moment of creative genius, successfully drawing a gasp of admiration from Alfred.

"I didn't expect you to be this talented in naming, Mr. Leo. 'Umbrella Corporation'… yes, the name immediately makes the business clear. And the logo is quite recognizable."

"Of course! I'm a pro in this field. I'm all about the tech!"

With the name finalized, they'd officially completed the last step—ready to launch.

Leo found that Bruce might actually be more impatient than he was. Not only did he approve the company, he even loaned his almighty butler to ensure Umbrella Corporation started off on the right foot.

With Alfred—the man with the "Face-Fruit" of Gotham—on his side, everything went smoothly.

Alfred opened his sleek briefcase and pulled out two iPads. He and Leo each grabbed one and began inspecting the factory space in detail, going over plans and designs.

Leo had experience setting up small-scale server rooms in the past. Plus, after days of digging through the web—and with PureWhite's help—he now talked about IDC server room construction like a true expert.

Leo handled the layout and equipment selection. Alfred took notes and made calls. The two worked in perfect harmony and soon completed a draft blueprint.

"Initial investment… let's say 15 million. I need to keep some cash for other things."

"No problem. Just remember, we only offer additional investment after seeing results."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You're the client—I know how this works."

Leo gave his account balance a mournful look. His freshly acquired $20 million would soon shrink to a mere $5 million.

Stocking up 104 cubic meters of food supplies wouldn't cost that much, but he needed emergency funds just in case.

By the time everything was settled, the sky was already painted with fireclouds from the setting sun.

Leo was exhausted—but fulfilled.

According to Alfred, this factory had been designed to industrial standards, with reserved spots for equipment. So as long as the machines and workers arrived, they could start construction immediately.

No hesitation needed—Leo authorized the 15-million-dollar transfer.

With a few quick phone calls, companies under the Wayne umbrella and their partners got to work. The equipment was already being loaded in. Construction would begin at dawn.

This is the efficiency of the ultra-rich…

"Well, that's everything for today, Mr. Leo. Master Bruce is waiting to have dinner with you."

Leo twitched slightly.

"Only you could make tight surveillance sound so friendly. Say… since I'm free now, can I get my own place?"

Alfred simply smiled.

Leo instantly understood.

His "freedom" was limited. He could go out during the day—with Alfred's company. But come nighttime? It was back to house arrest.

Damn Batman. He—

Wait.

Would Batman really just sit quietly in Wayne Tower and watch me remotely? With his paranoia, he'd more likely be tailing me, ready to pounce from the shadows at any moment…

"Come out, Batman! I see you!"

Leo looked around cautiously, scanning for the elusive dark knight.

The new factory didn't have much built-in infrastructure yet—hardly any places to hide. He looked up.

If he were Batman, he'd definitely be perched somewhere high up. Especially behind a window.

Yet even with his cybernetic eye scanning the whole area, Leo found no sign of him.

Did I overthink it?

Minutes later, he got his answer.

He hadn't. Batman was waiting in the car.

"Where were you hiding just now?"

"…"

Bruce wore his usual civilian disguise—dark clothing and sunglasses that made it impossible to read his expression.

Leo couldn't get an answer, so he reluctantly resumed his "promising career" as Gotham's hottest chauffeur, driving around two local tycoons.

Back at Wayne Tower, he gave his client a project update and received a rare "not bad."

Bruce seemed distracted, saying less than usual.

After dinner, he gracefully dabbed at his mouth with a napkin and suddenly said:

"That silver suit of yours—don't wear it again in Gotham. The Joker… is looking for you."

That hit Leo like a thunderbolt.

"Joker… is looking for me? Are you serious!?"

"Afternoon news. I forwarded it to your phone. You were busy then, probably didn't see it."

Leo quickly pulled out his phone and opened the video.

Onscreen, the Joker's grotesquely made-up face sprang to life.

["Hahahahaha—!"]

["Did you miss me, Batsy?"]

["You abandoned me… for some woman! It hurts, Batsy. But that kind of tangled, painful love is exactly what makes you so addictive—like the truth beneath your mask!"]

["Ahahahaha—AHAHAHAHA!"]

The Joker was cackling hysterically, looking like he was seconds away from rolling on the floor.

["No big deal, Bats. Just letting you know—I'm back. I'm a man of my word. As long as you don't take off the mask and surrender to the cops, Gotham will never be at peace. People will die every day."]

["Oh, by the way…"]

He slicked his hair back with a knife and smacked his lips.

["A little shout-out to our newcomer friend. Told you we'd meet again. Didn't expect to find you cozying up with Batsy though… how pathetic. You're like a rat caught in a glue trap."]

["Tsk tsk tsk… You don't belong there. Birds with broken wings don't fly far."]

["But don't worry. I have a feeling we'll meet again. And when we do—I'll fix you. Hahahaha!"]

The camera spun through the air. The Joker had thrown it. It crashed, cracked, and flickered to black.