Court of Owls

At night, Gotham was still shrouded in dark clouds, the lingering clouds weighing heavily on the entire city.

But even in such a repressive city, waves of lively conversation inevitably stirred up, spreading like ocean waves through the streets and alleys, incessantly infecting and spreading the atmosphere.

The reason, of course, stemmed from Bruce's on-the-spot announcement that he was Batman.

In just about ten hours, from day to night, the streets and alleys were filled with newspapers being thrown down. Almost every newspaper was rushing to produce countless newspapers to feature Bruce's appearance and Batman's image.

The entire city was plunged into another kind of panic and turmoil, which caused a violent reaction from the Gotham City Government, the police department, ordinary citizens, and gangsters.

Meanwhile, at Gotham Building.

The spacious conference room was brightly lit by a bright incandescent light overhead, illuminating everyone's faces.

More than thirty people were in this grand conference room.

At the dark oval table in the center sat several people, including shareholders who controlled more than 5% of Wayne Enterprises' shares and had voting, initiative, and decision-making power. On either side sat other key figures from the Gotham Family.

Of course, the majority of the shares are held by the Wayne family, which is why the Wayne family has always maintained control.

Ba Di was dressed in a well-fitting suit, his figure as solid as a mountain. With his back to everyone, he gently flicked the aromatherapy oil lamp on the table with his fingers.

He stirred the wick of the rather retro-style aromatherapy oil lamp until the flame rose, and wisps of invisible aromatherapy smoke spread from the meeting room, subconsciously relaxing the tense shareholders who were ready to question him.

"Chairman Bruce, aren't you going to explain this to us?"

"If this is just a game for you, then it's not fun. Please quickly disclaim your identity as Batman."

"We are all businessmen, not some Dark Knight saving justice."

Please don't make such a joke.

The conversation began with a thin, bespectacled middle-aged white man sitting to the side, and the rest of the people started to speak, mostly shareholders who were not seated in the main seats.

Even those not seated at the head of the table, but sitting around listening, were millionaires and billionaires from companies far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Their shareholdings were enough to grant them entry and the right to question Wayne Enterprises about everything.

Bruce's actions have seriously affected their interests.

The future of Wayne Enterprises as a result of this incident is something they cannot predict.

As for what happens to Batman, that's none of their business.

They are businessmen; they care about their own interests.

"Bruce, if you can't provide a satisfactory explanation, please step down from your position as chairman for the sake of Wayne Enterprises."

Finally, an old man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles sat at a dark oval table, leaning on a cane. He owned a significant number of Wayne Enterprises shares and was the head of the Kane Family, one of Gotham's Family. In Ba Di's memory, the Family had once produced a rather famous figure: Batwoman.

There were quite a few people around who silently nodded in agreement.

It concerns their interests, and they cannot allow a Playboy to play games like this.

Previously, Alfred, who was quite capable, handled all company decisions on his behalf without any problems. But now, after being messed up by Ba Di, they were almost scared to death.

Ba Di gently fanned the aromatherapy diffuser against his face, and the fragrance seeped into his nose, causing him to close his eyes and squint slightly.

This hypnotic gas, used in emergencies, was created by him by modifying the Scarecrow's Fear Toxin and combining it with the vast database in his mind. It was enough to hypnotize many Wayne Enterprises shareholders with Bruce's body, which had no superpowers, and with Ba Di's understanding of the human mind and body, and to give them psychological suggestions.

Ba Di turned around, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as ocean whirlpools, scanning each shareholder before speaking, "Here..."

"How many are from the Court of Owls?"

Ba Di's eyes scrutinized the expressions on everyone's faces.

Upon hearing these words, almost ninety percent of the people in the room subtly changed their expressions, their hearts skipped a beat, and they felt a hint of panic. However, being cunning old foxes, they quickly regained their composure, though their breathing became rapid, their blood circulation quickened, and the aroma of the incense permeated their nostrils.

"I was just kidding."

Ba Di suddenly laughed again. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and looked at everyone with a mocking gaze.

The person whose secret had just been exposed immediately breathed a slight sigh of relief. In this state of tension and relaxation, their mind had relaxed, and their consciousness had begun to gradually blur, preparing them to be hypnotized by Ba Di.

What is the Court of Owls?

"Is this some kind of organized crime group?"

"Chairman, you can't keep playing around like this."

The members of the Court of Owls almost breathed a sigh of relief, exchanging glances from the corners of their eyes. Even those who weren't from the Court of Owls began to look at each other strangely.

Sudden.

At a moment when no one was prepared.

He sat in the chair and slammed his hand hard on the table.

'Thump...'

A deep, resonant thud emanated from the dark oval tabletop, as if a sound wave were drilling into their heads, making them drowsy.

Immediately, everyone in the room was caught in a hazy feeling, like they had just woken up but also wanted to go back to sleep.

"Summon all Court of Owls personnel tomorrow night."

"It's in Wayne Enterprises, in the secret cave of the Court of Owls!"

Ba Di's face was relaxed, his eyes as deep, mysterious, and captivating as a whirlpool in the ocean, drawing the attention of all the shareholders who stared at him with hazy eyes.

His fingers tapped on the dark oval table, its smooth surface reflecting the overhead chandelier. His fingers moved in a continuous, rhythmic motion, like playing the piano, producing a soft sound, reminiscent of ocean waves and the gentle rustling of grass across the plains.

'smack'

Suddenly, Ba Di snapped his fingers.

"Wayne Enterprises is fine. I have a complete plan, but I haven't had time to tell you."

"The day after tomorrow, I will prepare a detailed plan. This is an opportunity for us to cooperate deeply with the government and expand our business."

"Please look forward to it, Wayne Enterprises will not let anyone down!"

Ba Di stood up and spoke, making very polite eye contact with each of the shareholders.

All the shareholders, without any apparent feeling, had already recovered, as if in the blink of an eye they had heard Bruce's reply.

Following on from the previous one, although some shareholders had objections, they could only wait for the chairman's so-called plan the day after tomorrow, since Wayne was still a Wayne family business.

Ba Di strode out of the conference room first.

Alfred was already at the door, standing ramrod straight like an English butler.

Seeing Ba Di walk out of the conference room, he followed, took out a tablet from behind his back, and said.

"Sir, based on the clues you provided, we have probably, possibly, or should have found the Joker."