On the 22nd, the new Officer Bettywen brought seven felons to the GCPD cells. Four of them were knocked unconscious, while the remaining three suffered more serious injuries – psychological trauma from the “Mediterranean” hairstyle.

Bella Vivi Bettywen herself felt it was a bit excessive.

Seven daily missions, seven random skill level 1s, apart from the skills practiced during the missions, other skills seemed to be upgraded in odd ways.

【Bella Vivi Bettywen】

【GCPD Detective】

【Lock Picking lv2, Hand-to-Hand Combat lv2, Interrogation lv7, Shooting lv2, Case Solving lv2, Motorcycle Skills lv2】

【Due to the consecutive arrests, you have become somewhat known within the GCPD, and your reputation has improved to an extent】

Among a bunch of level 2 skills, the glaring level 7 Interrogation skill was really too much!

“Is this good luck or bad luck… Why did I randomly level up Interrogation five out of seven times?”

She watched helplessly as the Interrogation skill upgraded with each task, while other skills barely improved. Although this indeed accelerated Vivi’s task completion and information gathering, she felt even more vulnerable and weak.

Her desperately needed combat skills were still too weak.

Vivi wanted to continue at night, but was stopped by Joe and Gordon: “Of course, you can go, unless you don’t care about your life.”

Heeding their advice, Vivi decided to follow their guidance, as death was the least of her concerns, but she was now more experienced and not in a hurry.

That night, she continued to modify her room. Meanwhile, Vivi happened to meet Secretary Millie and Rat Catcher Sheila on her way home, both living on the adjacent floor.

However, they naturally didn’t recognize Officer Bettywen, and they passed by each other without interaction.

The next day, she solved nine “cold cases.” Unlike the previous day, people in the Eastern District pointed at her, calling her “that cop,” realizing she was a police officer intruding into their territory.

More people viewed her with hostility and tried to hinder her, affecting her work efficiency.

—Even so, Vivi felt the tasks were completed too easily. If it was this easy to arrest so many criminals, why hadn’t Batman taken action?

On a TV in a small store in the Eastern District, she saw an official interview being broadcasted. The Minister of Logistics was speaking on the issue of the East End renovation, sounding very convincing. Obviously, the people of the East End didn’t believe it.

“It doesn’t matter if they don’t believe it, humans have a strong herd mentality. They only unite and resist when there’s a powerful leader to oppose. When there’s no leader and they haven’t felt the real pressure, they tend to fight individually.”

Vivi wasn’t just doing tasks these two days; she was also scouting and gathering information for a final sweep. Thanks to her Interrogation skill, getting information was much easier than before—

Many thugs knelt before her, crying and pleading, “Please, don’t shave my hair!”

After that day.

【Bella Vivi Bettywen】

【GCPD Detective】

【Lock Picking lv4, Hand-to-Hand Combat lv4, Interrogation lv9, Shooting lv3, Case Solving lv3, Motorcycle Skills lv2】

【You arrested a large number of criminals in a short time, earning you admiration and fear on a small scale, significantly boosting your reputation.】

Then came the third day, the 24th.

The apartment in the staff dormitory area was completely transformed, and she didn’t know what the point was, but it felt satisfying to fill the empty room with her belongings.

—Even though those items were all dangerous explosives.

Today, Vivi had a big task!

When she arrived at the GCPD, Shelk was already there.

The secretary, not seen for a long time, had darker circles under his eyes, exuding a no-nonsense aura.

He was there to convey the order from the Mayor—Vivi herself from the night before.

To fire the Deputy Chief of the Homicide Division, Chloe Andre, the direct subordinate of Gordon, and the superior of “Bella Bettywen” and Joe.

Homicide, Major Crimes, and SWAT, these three divisions formed the administrative structure of the GCPD. Vivi was using back channels to make “Bella” replace the Deputy Chief of Homicide—a bit rushed, but her reputation was surely enough after the past two days.

This was because Vivi had overheard NPCs talking—

【“Officer Bettywen might have informants in the Eastern District, how many has she caught? They all need to be thrown into Blackgate Prison!”】

【“Maybe Officer Bettywen is just very capable herself. Before long, we should probably be calling her Detective…”】

【“Where did she come from? I heard it was Arkham?”】

【“Arkham Town, not our asylum. She seems to be a resident of that town. After completing her studies in New York, she chose to become a police officer in Gotham. Choosing Gotham… that’s quite courageous!”】

【“Although Gotham is dangerous, it often comes with opportunities, and Officer Bettywen clearly has the ability to seize those opportunities—”】

Finishing her recollection.

Shelk handed two folders to Gordon, then asked Joe, “Bella Bettywen”, and Deputy Chief Andre to stay behind.

Additionally, a few people from other divisions, including MCU, also remained in the room.

Andre frowned in silence, taking a few steps forward, seemingly wanting to inquire about what was happening.

The two MCU officers immediately restrained Andre’s hands, and one of the female officers said, “Chloe Andre, you are suspected of embezzlement, bribery, and torturing criminals. You are now under MCU custody for investigation.”

Mayor’s Secretary Shelk nodded in agreement, adding, “This is an electronic investigation order personally signed by the Mayor. During your investigation, your duties will be temporarily managed by a capable officer selected from the police force, which is this person—”

He glanced at Vivi and Joe.

“Chief Joe Hawk.”

Vivi: Huh?

Joe looked even more shocked than the unflappable Vivi: “Me? Why?”

Shelk frowned, stepped forward to shake hands with him, and whispered an explanation to the two: “The Mayor is interested in Officer Bettywen, but the council issued a transfer order for you, Chief Joe Hawk. Please immediately take over the duties of the arrested former deputy chief.”

Vivi pondered, “You specifically came to explain this…”

Given Shelk’s character, he didn’t seem like someone who would be particularly helpful, especially since his current mood was [Irritated].

“The Mayor has high hopes for you,” he spoke quickly, yet clearly, “I just hope you don’t misunderstand the Mayor.”

Shelk stepped back, smiling, “Now, I think I have to announce the second transfer order. Let’s first congratulate Officer Bettywen—”

“Just today, Blackgate Prison’s Deputy Warden Green Antonio was arrested for maliciously torturing criminals to death. Hearing of Officer Bettywen’s reputation, everyone unanimously agreed that Ms. Bettywen is capable of taking up this position. Congratulations, you are now the second in command of Blackgate Prison.”

Vivi silently looked at Shelk, then extended her hand, and the two shook hands.

Shelk’s lips moved slightly, whispering, “Don’t disappoint the Mayor’s trust.”

Vivi: “…”

She was sure Shelk had misunderstood something!

—He thought “Bella Vivi Bettywen” the officer was someone personally promoted by the Mayor?

She had hoped to obtain the position of Deputy Chief of the Homicide Division, using it as a stepping stone—

She could dispatch officers to capture criminals in the Eastern District without having to fight alone and complete the 【Special Forces SWAT】 side quest, as her status as a regular newcomer didn’t allow her to interact with the special forces.

But the repeated interventions of the “council” disrupted Vivi’s plans.

Shelk hurriedly left, and one of the MCU personnel escorted the former deputy chief away. A man stayed behind, raising his hand and softly clapping.

Vivi glanced at him, then at Joe, and also clapped, “This is what you deserve, Joe. Congratulations on the promotion.”

Joe’s attributes were already higher than most officers, he had a long service, and was reliable, so the promotion was quite normal.

Joe managed a forced smile, seemingly not too happy.

The man who started clapping introduced himself to Vivi, “I’ve heard a lot about you, Warden Bettywen. I’m Winston, the head of SWAT.”

Vivi raised an eyebrow, and they shook hands.

The man smiled, “I thought Warden Bettywen would become our colleague, but you got such an unexpected transfer.”

Vivi shrugged, “Can’t I still catch criminals after being in charge of Blackgate Prison?”

“Of course, not,” Winston said, “But guarding criminals is more important than capturing them, and wise people know how to choose.”

【Your side quest “Special Forces SWAT” has been updated】

【Your new task is merging with the current task, and no key phrase has been triggered yet, loading…】

Gordon coughed, “You can go out and talk.”

Vivi patted Joe on the shoulder and waved goodbye to him.

She and the head of SWAT walked out side by side.

“Actually, I’m quite curious about SWAT…” she said, “My dream since childhood was to become a secret agent.”

“Special forces and secret agents are not the same,” the man smiled, “Maybe I could invite you to dinner, and we could talk about it?”

“Talk about secret agents?”

Winston smiled, “No, talk about… the Court.”

【Activated keyword “Court of Owls”】

【“Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from a shadow perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed, speak not a whispered word of them, or they’ll send The Talon for your head.”】

【You have completed the side quest “Bloody Nursery Rhyme”】

【Discovered a new force: Court of Owls】

【Current stance: Neutral (leaning towards hostile)】

【The Court doesn’t think highly of you, but in their eyes, you still have a chance to redeem yourself… Warden Bettywen?】

Vivi smiled wryly: Not thinking highly?

Coincidentally, she didn’t think highly of this “council” that had been opposing her under the guise of the “Court of Owls”!

No need for redemption, better to blow them up together and turn them into fireworks!

After Winston mentioned the Court, he smiled and remained silent, as if he assumed Vivi knew what kind of force it was.

Of course, she knew: They seemed to control elections, had private armies under the Mayor’s nose, and arbitrarily modified the Mayor’s orders… Their profile indicated they had been in Gotham for over seventy years, an entity the Mayor couldn’t shake for now.

Vivi was not one to act rashly. She might be immortal, but the current Court of Owls was an organization she couldn’t root out even if she died a hundred times.

She decided to observe the situation first.

Winston was very gentlemanly, “Do you have any recommended restaurants, Ms. Bettywen?”

Vivi sat in his passenger seat, pondering, “How about the Iceberg Lounge?”