Inside Wayne Manor, Axel stepped out of the bathroom to find Alfred waiting with his phone.
"Master Axel, you just received a call. Since the number wasn't saved, I wasn't sure whether to answer it."
Like a proper butler, Alfred handed over the phone. Axel took it, nodded, and immediately called back the number.
A moment later, the voice on the other end spoke softly.
"This is Victor Zsasz. Boss Axel, is that you?"
"It's me. But how do you have my number? Did Liv give it to you? And why are you calling? Has Falcone, that old geezer, already run?" Axel chuckled, moving toward the bedroom and sitting on the bed as the call continued.
There was a brief pause on the line before Zsasz spoke.
"Boss, Falcone has left Gotham. The Falcone Family no longer has influence here. I'm just a regular member of the mafia now, and you… you're clearly the best candidate to inherit the organization. You gave me your promise this morning. Can I… call you Boss now?"
"Haha, what can I say? Falcone is smart. If I were him, facing someone like me, losing all leverage, I'd run too!" Axel teased, leaning back on the bed.
"Since the old geezer ran, I guess it's time I made an appearance. Here's the plan: you and Liv come to Downton Manor immediately to pick me up."
There was a pause, then Zsasz's voice was tense.
"Ah… Boss Axel, Liv is currently being rescued. The situation is complicated. You may need to handle this personally."
"What the hell?!" Axel's grin widened. "I knew you guys would have a lively night, but I didn't expect even Liv—just hanging at the Iceberg Lounge—needs rescuing! Did Falcone really run and you lose your base? Interesting. Bring your people, I'll come see what's going on!"
"Understood, Boss. But where should we pick you up? Downton Manor… I haven't heard of that in Gotham."
Axel glanced at Alfred, then spoke, his tone playful.
"You know Wayne Manor, right, Zas?"
"Of course. So your manor is nearby?"
"No. Wayne Manor has become Downton Manor. You'll see when you come to pick me up."
Zsasz froze. He held the phone, wide-eyed, before finally yelling in disbelief,
"How could Wayne Manor become Downton Manor? Didn't Bruce Wayne return? How could he hand over the manor?"
"You ask why? Because he's kind! Now get your ass over here and pick me up!" Axel hung up unceremoniously, then turned to Alfred.
"Alfred, quick question. How tall is Bruce again?"
"Master Bruce is 188 centimeters, Master."
"Oh, only one centimeter taller than me. Clothes should fit perfectly. Find me a suitable outfit. You know what style Zsasz and his crew like—just pick something like that."
"No problem," Alfred said, heading to the cloakroom.
Soon, Axel emerged dressed as a refined, old-fashioned British gentleman. Alfred's gaze shifted disapprovingly to Axel's hair.
"Master, your hairstyle is too frivolous. If you permit, I can call the barber to trim it."
"No problem, Alfred. Treat me as you would Bruce. I'm not nearly as delicate as you think. In my eyes, I'm a perfectly decent person, aren't I?" Axel chuckled, patting Alfred's arm as the butler called the resting barber.
Soon after, Zsasz arrived at the manor gates. As his car approached, the gates opened automatically, and Alfred greeted him with a formal smile.
Zsasz, knowing Alfred's reputation, stepped out solemnly. Over Bruce's seven-year absence, this old man had become legendary in Gotham. Alfred had once defended the Wayne legacy fiercely—beating the Kane Family patriarch personally, outlasting three mayors, two police chiefs, and a majority of the city council. Political chaos or financial upheaval, Alfred had handled it all with unmatched skill.
Zsasz bowed respectfully. "The developments are truly unexpected, Mr. Pennyworth."
"Just call me Alfred. I am now merely Master Axel's butler," Alfred replied, leading Zsasz toward the main manor.
Victor exhaled deeply. "I still can't believe you took Wayne Manor so easily. Has Bruce Wayne been… handled by Boss Axel? Or is it precisely because you didn't harm him that someone like Axel commands such loyalty?"
Zsasz's mood brightened. Compared to Axel, Falcone seemed small. Axel's rise ensured his own prospects would continue growing.
Alfred responded without looking back.
"Before this, even I couldn't believe a man like Axel existed. But now we see it clearly—very few can refuse his demands. The current Wayne Family is far from capable of resisting him."