Al Swan, Alex

Alex ignored Patty's gritted teeth and barely suppressed rage from behind him. He also didn't feel the obsession and regret of a flat-chested girl who, despite having a perfect face, intelligence, long legs, and skin, was lamenting the one missing piece to her perfect womanhood: her chest.

Worse still, Alex's words had precisely and deeply struck Patty's sore spot, enraging her to the point where her chest seemed to cave in. It was a truly cruel moment, making Patty feel deeply hurt, just as Barry had described his good friend.

Alex walked into the police station office, the headquarters of the Central City Police Department. This was the most important police office, usually a bustling place filled with plainclothes officers and uniformed personnel rushing to and fro, handling difficult cases from the Central District and even from various other districts and sectors.

But now, all the police officers had stopped in their tracks, their gazes fixed on the office of their superior, the Chief Director. Through the slits of the Venetian blinds, they could vaguely see Al Swan's silhouette engaged in an argument.

"Mark, I can do it. I can lead the Special Ability Handling Team. My abilities are more than enough to deal with so-called superpower crimes!"

An indignant voice boomed from their superior's office. The sound was already quite loud, and Mark inside was feeling a bit of a ringing in his ears from the sheer volume.

Alex's eyes swept across the room. He walked up to a police officer he recognized, lightly patted his shoulder, and looked towards the director's office, which everyone was staring at. "Jenson!"

Jenson's body instinctively flinched. He reached for his waist, his heart skipping a beat. He took a deep breath, the reaction within the normal range of being startled. He quickly turned his head, saw Alex, and visibly relaxed. He lowered the hand that had been on his waist – a standard professional reaction for a police officer.

Alex shrugged, as if to say Jenson was overreacting.

American police officers generally don't work alone; even for minor incidents, at least two officers are dispatched. The "two-officer rule" in the US is primarily for safety, and also for legal, enforcement, oversight, and assistance reasons.

Jenson was partnered with his adoptive father, Bert, and they often carried out missions together.

"Alex, what are you doing here? Isn't Bert on leave today?"

"Yes, he's at home cleaning out the storage room. You know, a troublesome girl is coming back to live with them, so they're excited."

Jenson smiled knowingly. He knew it was Alex's sister and that Alex didn't get along well with her. He just smiled and didn't ask further, then turned his gaze back to the director's office.

"Al Swan, you've probably heard of him! He's often on TV, on the floor below us."

"I know him, what's up?"

Alex had heard of him. Just that morning at breakfast, Bert had specifically warned him not to cripple the guy.

Alex had also seen him on TV before and had even encountered him twice in person when visiting the police headquarters. He seemed rather arrogant and confident, but they hadn't interacted at all.

The Central City Police Department had a large police force, and Alex wasn't stationed there. Since they weren't even on the same floor, even though he had helped Bert with missions a few times, he hadn't gotten to know the celebrity officer.

"Officer Swan wants to lead the Special Ability Handling Team. What a confident guy," Jenson said, looking at the director's office with a hint of disdain on his lips.

Even his partner, Bert, wasn't qualified to lead the Special Ability Handling Team. How could Al possibly get Mark's approval to lead it?

In terms of ability, Bert had over twenty years of police experience, was seasoned, cautious, meticulous, and had solved countless cases. He possessed numerous advantages and was far more outstanding than the rookie celebrity officer Al Swan. There was no reason to choose Al Swan to lead the Special Ability Handling Team.

Especially in the last year or two, Al Swan had frequently represented the police department on television, hogging the spotlight with his arrogant demeanor, which greatly annoyed Jenson as a colleague.

If not for the Swan family behind him, how could Al Swan have been promoted so quickly!

Jenson felt quite disgruntled, but he didn't voice it. These were internal police matters and didn't need to be shared with Alex.

So it's because of me!

Alex suddenly understood. He looked at the Chief Director's office, saw Al Swan's figure, and a playful smile curved his lips.

After finishing speaking, Jenson subconsciously asked again, "Alex, is there something you need at the police station?" He wasn't suspicious of any wrongdoing, but as a police officer, he instinctively wanted to understand the situation clearly.

"Me? I'm here to take up a position."

Alex said with a smile, then walked past the bewildered Jenson towards the director's office and, under the gaze of numerous police personnel, lightly knocked on the glass door of the office.

Knock, knock, knock…

As he knocked, Alex could still hear Al Swan continuously trying to impress, believing he was capable of taking on the important role.

"Come in."

Mark's pupils beneath his gold-rimmed glasses revealed a flicker of joy. Through the glass window, he saw Alex, wearing his black-rimmed glasses that concealed his handsome features, exuding an understated luxury and reserved demeanor.

Compared to Al Swan, who was overconfident, lacked social graces, and was an outstanding talent from the Swan family with centuries of history, Alex seemed more like he came from a prestigious family, possessing that comfortable aura. His words and actions revealed an unhurried optimism and understanding, knowledgeable and polite yet discerning right from wrong, tolerant and easygoing yet frank and direct, calm and sincere.

In the few times he had interacted with Alex, Director Mark had developed a very good impression of Bert's adopted son.

Coupled with Alex's formidable combat prowess, Director Mark was even more inclined to have him join the Special Ability Handling Team to deal with superpower crimes that ordinary officers couldn't solve for Central City.

"Who are you…?"

Al Swan turned his head. His eyes, which had been enthusiastically facing Mark to showcase himself, suddenly sharpened like an eagle's. He glared fiercely at Alex, a dark cloud settling over his face.

"Alex Liang. I invited him for a long time before he finally agreed to officially join the police department and become a member of the Special Ability Handling Team. He will be the captain of the team. Al, if you want to join the Special Ability Handling Team, you must gain Alex's approval before I will allow you to enter."

Mark, with his gentle, plump face, stood up directly and extended his hand towards Alex.

This action was like throwing Alex onto a hot griddle.

Seeing Mark stand up to welcome Alex, Al Swan's expression turned extremely ugly. Rage surged within him, and he couldn't help but let out a low growl.

"Mark, I don't believe someone from outside the police force has the ability to apprehend superpower criminals."