In a conference room at Gotham City Hall, Oswald Cobblepot was outlining the design plans for phase two of the East End Revival Plan with his trademark, slightly exaggerated gestures.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting dappled light and shadow over everyone's heads. His voice was loud and compelling, every figure precise to two decimal places, every promise sugarcoated-something he had learned from Li Jie, though he might not even have realized it himself.
"...In conclusion, within the next three years, Gotham's East End will become a model for urban community management across the United States."
Cobblepot lowered his pointer and gave the audience a slight bow. Applause rose, not enthusiastic, but polite enough.
Several senior City Hall officials exchanged meaningful glances. They all remembered that just six months ago, the man standing at the podium had still been known as the Penguin—a mob boss and a regular visitor to the Police Department.
Now he was Congressman Oswald Cobblepot, the standard-bearer of Gotham's "pragmatic reform."
After the meeting, several developers surrounded Cobblepot, their faces plastered with fawning smiles, their hands full of proposals for various projects. As he dealt with them, he glanced toward the corner of the conference room.
Sofia Falcone stood there.
She wore a dark blue Chanel suit and held a glass of sparkling water, watching him calmly. Her eyes held none of the developers' eagerness, only composure and doubt.
Cobblepot felt a slight knot tighten inside him.
"Excuse me, gentlemen."
He interrupted the developers' torrent of questions. "I have an important conference call. My assistant will arrange a time to discuss things with each of you in detail."
He walked toward Sofia, putting on a smile that struck just the right balance between politeness and familiarity.
"Sofia." He held out his hand. "I never expected you