With the kinds of beasts Bruce had hunted… the kinds of things he faced.
Earning that amount of gold was no longer unrealistic for him.
It was only natural. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she exhaled.
"I see," she murmured.
For a moment, pride welled up in her chest, strong and overwhelming. Pride in the son standing before her. In how far he'd come. In what he'd become.
But it didn't erase her principles. Lucy then straightened.
"I'll accept it," she said firmly. "But not as a handout."
Bruce frowned slightly. He was about to he raised a hand, stopping him.
"I'll use every coin properly," she continued. "I'll rebuild the company. Expand it. Make it stronger than it's ever been." Her gaze sharpened. "And I will pay you back."
Bruce opened his mouth to object.
She shook her head.
"No," she said, softer now, but no less resolute. "Even if you're well off. Even if you don't need it. It doesn't sit right with me to leech off my own son."
Her voice didn't carry guilt.
