CHAPTER 231

The citizens of Gotham City had been on edge and still in a state of panic, so I agreed to an interview with Vicki Vale, one she had proposed to me earlier on but I finally agreed to it since it was an perfect opportunity to gain the people's trust and love with my humanitarian activities in the city.

Gotham City was still recovering from the massive blow dealt to it's citizens and everyone toned in to the morning news in hope of hearing the good news that it was all going to be over soon.

"Good morning everyone. I'm Vicki Vale from the Gotham City's Gazette, and seated right next to me is Mr. Hendricks." She introduced.

"So tell us, after your bold declaration of helping out the city, what's your take on the recent happenings and have you had a change of mind due to them?" Vicki asked like she expected me to have a change of heart and run scared with my tail between my legs, she thought wrong.

"All I can say is that it's times like this were we are all scared for our lives and that of our loved ones, that we need to stick together and be our neighbors keepers."

"That is indeed true." Vicki remarked, nodding along to my opening statement as I continued. "It's during times like this we have to stay strong if we are going to survive this chaotic phase."

"You sound awfully confident Mr. Hendricks." She said with a smirk. "Indeed I am, a city is not just a place, but is made up of the people who reside within it and wish for nothing but peace and prosperity for the society." I replied while locking eyes with the camera as I spoke, while Vicki patiently listened to every word of mine.

"I have to say, that was well spoken." She replied. "I'm assuming you'll have some sort of contribution to the recovery of the city." She speculated.

"Of course I will." I replied, taking a minimal pause as I continued. "It so happens that the nearby hospital where majority of the victims were admitted, was at the verge of shutting down due to certain reasons which aren't appropriate to be disclosed by me." Vicki nodded, understanding what I meant.

"I had a meeting with the Mayor of Gotham City and after a few discussions and persuasion, I was able to purchase the hospital and prevented it from shutting down." I confidently said, pacing myself so I don't sound too cocky.

"That's wonderful news, I'm sure every patient and people who have a loved one there will be glad to hear this." She commented, holding up a smile as she did so.

"Not only that, but I will be covering everyone of their hospital bills. Meaning those who were admitted due to the gas explosion, will be treated free off charge." I broke the ice, that was sure to have the people of Gotham City talking and help me gain the favor of other politicians with higher power than the Mayor.

"That is wonderful news." She remarked, looking a bit dumbfounded by the information I had just dropped, seems she wasn't expecting that. I don't blame her, no one did, the mayor had a look of surprise on his face when I mentioned that to him during our second meeting.

"All that's left is the renovations of the buildings and infrastructures which were damaged from the blast." She made clear, attempting to ease the minds of the listeners.

"Oh, I also discussed that with the Mayor on that. I will be contributing to the rebuild of the infrastructural buildings in whatever way I can. And I intend to build an orphanage for those kid who lost their parents in that incident, I know how tough it is to live as an orphan." I declared with a sympathetic look in my eyes, making my claims sound more genuine and not just some political lies. I don't do politics but intend to reap from it and suck the government dry.

"You're full of surprises Mr. Hendricks, thank you for going out of your way to help this city during this trying times." She said, signaling the impending end of the live interview.

"It's my pleasure, I hope to rebrand this city into one different from its current reputation." I specified.

"There you have it folks, remember to be your neighbor's keeper. Until next time." She concluded as she put an end to the live interview. "Thank you for joining us Mr. Hendricks." Vicki appreciated once more with a charming smile across her lips.

"Of course, just doing my part in making the world a better and safer place." I replied, complimenting her smile with a brief one of mine which disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"You keep evading the question as to what you do for a living, I don't get how you're able to do all this without an actual source of income." Vicki brought up a topic I've done my best in avoiding for a while now, my company over at Metropolis was still under development so I couldn't use that. It was a good thing I started making investments in beneficial firms all around the world when I started to come up as Ghost.

"I made multiple investments which are baring consistent profits, but one that produces the most profit is an investment I made in the Middle East. Oil to be precise." I elaborated as we got off set and walked through the media hallway. Once again, an investment I was only able to get due to my connections as Ghost.

"Oil money?" She paused to ask, completely dumbfounded as she never expected that reply.

"I must say, you're quite full of surprises."

"Of course I am, I keep certain details private. That way I'm a complete mystery to those who do not know me on a personal level." I replied, pushing the elevator's button.

"And how do I do that?" She asked as the elevator's doors opened and a few people stepped out, showing signs of respect as they waved past me, some stared as they walked by, while two others interrupted our conversation to take a selfie with me.

"How about we go get dinner sometime." I replied, placing my hand at the edge of the elevator so the doors do not close. "Mr. Hendricks, are you asking me out?" She inquired with a flirty tone.

"Nothing too grand, just a dinner date. We could get to know ourselves a little better." I replied with an half smile, and she blushed a little upon hearing those words. "By the way, call me Tom." I chipped in right before the elevator's doors closed between us, then headed out of the building.

…

Upon getting home I met Leo seated on the sofa with a book in hand, while Jase was glued to the T V screen as he locked in on the game he was playing.

"If it isn't the man of the hour." Leo remarked, clearly stating they saw the interview. "Ha ha, very funny." I snarked.

"Gwen, turn off the TV." I commanded.

"Wait wait wait….!!!" Jason tried to stop Gwen but was too late. "Come on dude, a little warning next time."

"I'd be sure to remember that next time." I replied. "So what did you find?" I asked, referring to the assignment I had given to him during the night of our little investigation.

"Be right back." He replied as he got up and headed up stairs to go grab his laptop. About a minute later, he came back downstairs with his laptop and with a flash drive.

"There was nothing on them, they cleared out the footage from around the time period of the explosion." He briefed, but there seemed to be more. "All but one." He added.

"One of the cameras caught the reflection of these two entering the building, but they do not appear in any of the other cameras." He elaborated, pointing at the reflection of a dark-skinned dude with gray locks and some hot chick in a red dress.

"Run facial recognition on them." I instructed, fully aware nothing would come up but it wouldn't hurt to try. "Way ahead of you man, already did so but nothing came up."

"That's okay, now that we know what they look like….It's time to go hunting boys." I said with a mischievous smirk, I didn't create a top grade AI for nothing. "Gwen, Run a search on these faces and alert me the moment they come up on any surveillance camera or that of private establishments." I instructed.

"Yes, Master Tom." She replied, it was high time I stopped being the hunted and brought the fight to them instead.

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