17 Chapter 17: Don't Be Fooled
"Back already, Miss Harley, and Miss Dinah. It seems you've successfully dealt with the GCPD detectives, right?"
Hearing the crisp sound of the metal gate being unlocked, Jekyll, who was originally lying on the couch, immediately sat up straight. He cleared his throat and tried to adopt a calm and composed posture.
Upon entering and seeing Jekyll, Harley Quinn first blinked in mild surprise. Then, her face immediately lit up with joy, and she rushed toward Jekyll with quick steps.
"Sweetie! You're finally awake. You really had me worried~~"
However, Harley's hand reaching out for a hug was grabbed, and Jekyll turned his face slightly, looking at Harley Quinn with a cold and stern gaze.
"Miss Harley, there's no need to keep pretending. I asked Walker just now, and it turns out you've known all along that I'm not the real Joker but just a clone. Moreover, you planned to push me into the role of the Joker gang's leader, taking over the Joker's job, right?"
The smile faded from Harley Quinn's face. She glared fiercely at Walker, who had been casually sipping his beer. The latter was startled and nearly choked on his drink.
"Cough, cough. Wait, wait, something's not right. I only mentioned to him that you wanted to hand over the Joker gang's leadership to him. Everything else is his nonsense—Oh, wait, you're a clone of the Joker?!!!"
Seeing Walker's reaction, Harley realized she had been inadvertently tricked. She gently freed herself from Jekyll's grip and looked at him with a complicated expression. About to say something, Jekyll preemptively spoke.
"You don't need to say anything. I won't agree. Regardless of whether I'm a clone of someone, I have no interest in engaging in criminal activities or leading a group of rogue elements to cause trouble everywhere—"
"Who are you calling a rogue? Kid, your tone is really annoying. Who do you think you are to talk to Harley like that!"
Bang!
Just as Jekyll was delivering his stern speech, Dinah's flying kick interrupted him. It wasn't clear if the girl did it on purpose, but her kick precisely targeted Jekyll's recently operated side, causing intense pain and instantly ruining Jekyll's dignified image he had maintained for five minutes.
"Hiss—You, you brat, you're not human. Have you ever thought how I got this injury while saving someone?"
"Definitely not me. Don't think I was unconscious; I saw everything clearly. While I was on the ground getting beaten up, you were sneaking around, avoiding getting involved until it was Harley's turn. I remember very clearly how differently you treated me."
Dinah raised her round and fair thighs, giving Jekyll a hostile look, seemingly ready to deliver another kick.
"Enough, Dinah, stop playing. You and Walker go outside for a while. I have something to discuss privately with Puddin'." Harley said with a serious tone, interrupting Diana's intentions.
Hearing Harley Quinn suddenly speaking seriously, Dinah obediently put down her leg. After giving a fierce glare to Jekyll, who was still nursing his wounds, she left the basement with Walker.
Once the sound of the iron door closing echoed, Harley Quinn slowly walked up to Jekyll, then crouched down.
"Don't move; I'll check if the wound has reopened. Relax; I have a medical doctorate, even though my specialization is in psychology, I still have basic first aid knowledge."
Harley Quinn's face displayed none of the previous madness. With a serious and gentle gaze, she examined the wound on Jekyll's side, carefully removing the bandage and revealing a sweet smile.
"Don't worry; Diana knows how to control her strength. Besides, she's actually grateful to you. When she saw you bleeding excessively and almost in shock, she got so anxious that she nearly cried."
Jekyll silently doubted Harley's words. However, his attention wasn't on this; he was silently watching Harley as she rebandaged his wound.
Although her face was adorned with heavy makeup, Harley's demeanor was unexpectedly quiet and graceful at this moment. The gentle contrast of this demeanor made Jekyll unconsciously fascinated.
Damn it, Harley Quinn can't be this gentle and thoughtful. This must be an act; he shouldn't be fooled.
Even though he thought so, Jekyll couldn't help but be influenced. Unconsciously, his wariness towards Harley Quinn had diminished.
"All right, let's continue our discussion from earlier."
After finishing dressing the wound, Harley gently patted it, causing a sudden pain that instantly brought Jekyll back to full alertness.
"By the way, cough, cough, you heard what I said earlier, right? I don't intend to take on the role of the Joker gang's leader. You saw Dinah's reaction, and the other Joker gang members won't accept this sudden change either."
Harley brought a chair and sat across the table from Jekyll. Leaning lazily on the chair, she revealed the sly smile familiar to Jekyll.
"That's not a problem, dear. Anyone who doesn't support you can leave the Joker gang. Then, we're left with those who vote in favor. Look, that problem is solved."
Harley, at this point, removed her high-heeled boots and casually placed her feet in two-colored stockings on the table. Jekyll tried his best to keep his focus on Harley's face, but his gaze couldn't help but wander.
Damn, is this a seduction? Unfortunately, it has very little effect on me.
"Your own thoughts don't really matter. Joining the Joker gang is already a done deal."
"Those traitors who didn't die are probably going to spill the beans soon. A man identical to the Joker, while Black Mask was beating Harley Quinn, suddenly intervened, saving her and eliminating the traitors of the Joker gang."
Harley blinked cutely at Jekyll, suggesting that he could imagine what happened next.
Jekyll's heart sank. As Harley said, as long as someone looks like the Joker, saves Joker's companion, and kills Joker's enemies, that person would be considered the Joker— at least that's what others would believe.
At this rate, Jekyll, who already had blood on his hands, would undoubtedly become the prime target of GCPD. Others with grudges against the Joker wouldn't spare him either.
"So, you understand, rumors are spreading. There's no safe place for you outside anymore. Your only option is to go along with the flow, replace the missing real Joker. At least here in the Joker gang's base, you're safe."
Jekyll frowned, staring at Harley intently, and spoke with a heavy, slow tone.
"Safe here? The other Joker gang traitors know about this place. What if they tell GCPD or others?"
"You don't need to worry about that. I have an agreement with Gordon: as long as I don't cross certain lines, he turns a blind eye. Don't judge Walker by his appearance; he has connections among the villains. As for Dinah, her identity is somewhat special. With her here, many so-called righteous extras wouldn't dare to act recklessly."
Harley stood up, approaching Jekyll step by step, and with delicate fingers, she touched Jekyll's cheek, revealing a mysterious smile.
"Understand, as long as you're by my side, I'll protect you continuously—now, you can only accept my protection."
Jekyll sighed helplessly and looked at Harley with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you going to such lengths, Harley? You should already know I'm not the Joker you love. We only share the same appearance, and everything else is completely different—"
"No, it's not just the appearance."
Harley interrupted Jekyll and held his chin, bringing her face close to his. Their proximity was so intense that Jekyll could feel Harley's warm breath, as if a slight tilt of his head would lead to a kiss.
"And I will slowly change you, turn you into the man I love, into my dream Joker."
Jekyll frowned and murmured softly:
"I think this is impossible. Your idea is just too—"
"Crazy, right? Exactly. But don't forget, I am Harley Quinn—a mentally insane person, crazy and unreasonable for the sake of love. To meet my beloved Joker again, I can go to any lengths. Understand, Mr. Puddin'?"
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