Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics

"Boss." Another agent knocked on the door and walked in, holding a document, and said, "The report from the technical department shows that there have been no intrusions on Wayne Enterprises' network. We can basically rule out online hacking; it's more likely to have happened offline."

"The information security manager is more suspicious now." Shiller lightly tapped his fingers on the table and said, "It might also be someone else from Wayne Enterprises. Department heads have more or less some connections with Diamond Street, and they are all suspects."

"But we can't just arrest all of them." Another female agent crossed her arms and frowned, saying, "I'll investigate if they have any suspicious activities recently. But this action is very sensitive, it's best to get the President's consent first."

"We're unable to contact the President." An older agent in the front row adjusted his glasses and said, "He declined all communications about three hours ago, and the locator signal has also disappeared. According to Washington, this situation will last for at least 24 hours."

"Let's proceed." Natasha said, "I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens."

Everyone stood up from their seats, ready to carry out their tasks. Shiller and Natasha stayed behind last, and Shiller lowered his voice, saying, "Special situations require special handling, we need to inform the Justice League."

"Is it that serious?" Natasha's frown deepened as she looked at Shiller and said, "Flirting with a Slavic female agent might tarnish one's reputation a little, but not to the level of Justice League intervention, right?"

"Do you really think it's just Diamond Street's doing?"

"What else? Even if they were colluding with otherworld visitors, that person's skills are not that great. Otherwise, how could they have executed two such unprofessional attacks that only served to alert us?"

"Have you considered that it might be a smoke bomb to confuse you? To make you think they're not capable, thus lowering your guard."

"I never lower my guard." Natasha said, "But this matter is indeed odd, I'll go talk to them."

Shiller and Natasha parted ways at the stairway. He returned to the office where agents were discussing work in small groups. One person walked in and said, "Boss, the FBI working with the local police department wants us to minimize interference. Did you pressure the local police department over them?"

"There was a problem." Shiller said succinctly, "The murderer in the suburban villa case attacked the CIA investigating the crime. I had to push them to get some information quickly, or the CIA would be eager to exercise their newly obtained enforcement powers."

"Is there any work for us to do?"

"Of course. Two things: you take a team to keep an eye on Diamond Street for any unusual activities; Nina, you lead another team to the Gotham Police Department and inform me immediately if there's a report on murder or other serious crimes."

The agents in the office quickly dispersed, leaving behind a few technical staff. One young male agent with glasses took off his headphones and said, "Boss, the listening device left in the ambulance picked up some information. Want to come and listen?"

Shiller walked over, leaning one hand on the table, picking up the headphones with the other hand but not wearing them. He held one side to his ear to listen to the conversation inside.

It was the victim's daughter, the little girl sitting at the back of the ambulance, sobbing while talking to the doctor. Initially, she was expressing her fears, but by the end of the conversation, the little girl mentioned the content of her parents' argument. Surprisingly, it wasn't about an affair, as suggested by the police, but rather about the rise and fall of a fund stock.

Another technician had apparently also finished listening to the recording, and while typing, he said, "This explanation seems more credible. I just found out that it's not just the wife who was unfaithful; the husband was too. Actually, they were both involved in extramarital affairs like separate lives, and this status quo had lasted for three years. Even if their relationship were to break down, it wouldn't just happen now."

"Furthermore, based on the psychological profile of the perpetrator by the Behavior Analysis department, she's not an emotionally driven person. To be able to achieve the position of a top fund manager at three investment banks on Diamond Street, she must value her career more than anyone else. A motive of financial conflict is more plausible than an emotional one."

Shiller stood behind them, deep in thought, when suddenly a report came through on his earphone: "Boss, we're on Diamond Street now, and I see a helicopter."

"A helicopter?"

"Yes."

"Whose helicopter?"

"Luther Group's."

"Boss, news just came in." A female agent pressed her earpiece as she barged into Natasha's office, saying, "About a month ago, Metropolis' Luther Group established a project called 'Atlantic Policy Reserve Fund,' and over 60 groups have invested in it, with over 1,000 professional managers involved. The murderer in the suburban villa case was one of the main managers of the project's first phase fund."

"Lex Luther..." Natasha savored the name, twirling the pen in her hand, and asked, "What's the specific purpose of this fund?"

"In general, it's an anti-risk hedge fund." The subordinate explained in the most succinct words possible, "Since the new President took office, many policies have been unfavorable to the financial industry. This fund is to address the anticipated impact of future policies on the East Coast's financial and economic development, and to reserve funds for potential financial fluctuations brought about by new policies."