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Gotham City Library — Dining Area
Seated by the window, Dean Thurston casually chatted with Barbara while finishing the last bite of his cheese beef roll combo.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
The old wall-mounted television above the dining area was playing a rerun of The Big Bang Theory, laughter echoing faintly through the room.
Then—
The screen abruptly changed.
The sitcom was cut off mid-scene, replaced by a bold news banner.
> "This is Gotham Channel 7. I'm your host, Lexi White. We're interrupting regular programming for a breaking news report."
Dean paused slightly, his hand hovering over his drink.
> "At this moment, we are interviewing the contemporary matriarch of one of Gotham's oldest families—Mrs. Navidaran Chandler of the Chandler Family."
> "Just one hour ago, Mrs. Chandler announced a major decision."
> "She has chosen to publicly exhibit the Chandler Family's ancestral heirloom—the Dragon Egg Ruby Necklace—a treasure passed down for hundreds of years."
> "This marks the first time the Chandler Family has ever agreed to display this necklace to the public."
Dean lifted his eyes to the screen.
At the same time, Barbara also turned her head.
Their movements were almost perfectly synchronized—Barbara's reaction even a fraction of a second faster.
So much for pretending not to care, Dean thought wryly.
They really aren't wrong when they say women can't resist jewelry.
> "Legend has it," Lexi White continued,
"that the necklace is set with one hundred and thirty diamonds surrounding an enormous ruby."
> "Some claim the gem possesses the power to preserve youth. Many believe that Mrs. Chandler—now over sixty—appears decades younger because she has worn the necklace for years."
> "Whether this is truth or myth remains unknown."
Dean's expression remained neutral, but his interest had been fully captured.
> "It's also worth noting," the anchor added,
"that Kaito Kid—who has been extremely active in Gotham—has successfully completed two high-profile heists in a row."
> "Why, then, would Mrs. Chandler choose this moment to reveal such a priceless treasure?"
> "Let's switch to the interview site."
The screen shifted to a bustling outdoor plaza.
Flashing cameras.
Crowds of reporters.
At the center stood Mrs. Chandler, calm and dignified, surrounded on all sides.
A familiar blonde reporter pushed her way forward.
Dean recognized her immediately.
Vicki Vale.
Gotham's most famous investigative reporter—always at the center of every major headline.
"Mrs. Chandler," Vicki asked sharply, microphone raised,
"you've always opposed publicly displaying the Dragon Egg Ruby Necklace."
"What made you suddenly change your mind?"
Mrs. Chandler smiled faintly, her composure unshaken.
"There is no special reason," she replied smoothly.
"As one grows older, many attachments from youth naturally fade."
She continued calmly,
> "The Dragon Egg Ruby Necklace is not merely a Chandler heirloom."
"It is a treasure of Gotham itself."
> "While I cannot go against my ancestors' wishes by donating it to a museum, I believe the people of Gotham deserve the chance to see it."
She paused briefly.
A subtle glimmer flickered in her eyes—so fast that most missed it.
> "Therefore," she said,
"I have decided to co-fund a grand exhibition with the Cobblepot Family at the Natural History Museum."
> "The exhibition will run from March 1st to March 15th."
> "During this period, all tickets will be sold at a seventy-percent discount."
The plaza erupted.
A two-week exhibition?
Discounted tickets?
Held at the Natural History Museum?
All of that was already shocking enough.
But co-funded by the Cobblepot Family?
That changed everything.
The Cobblepot Family had once rivaled the Chandlers in influence.
Now, only Oswald Cobblepot remained.
And everyone in Gotham knew his other name.
Penguin.
Why would Mrs. Chandler associate herself with him?
Vicki Vale didn't hesitate.
"Mrs. Chandler," she pressed,
"Oswald Cobblepot is currently under investigation for suspected underground money laundering."
"Aren't you concerned about cooperating with him at such a sensitive time?"
Mrs. Chandler's eyes cooled.
"Please mind your words, Miss Reporter," she replied sharply.
"There is no evidence proving such accusations."
"If you continue spreading irresponsible claims, I will have security escort you out."
Vicki stiffened.
"…Very well. I apologize."
Then she asked one final question.
"Mrs. Chandler, are you aware of Kaito Kid—the jewel thief who's been active in Gotham?"
"Aren't you worried he may target the necklace?"
Mrs. Chandler smiled confidently.
"I am aware of him," she said.
"And I am not afraid."
> "I have full confidence in the security of this exhibition."
The broadcast soon concluded.
> "That wraps up today's report."
"This is Lexi White, Gotham Channel 7."
The TV returned to its sitcom loop.
Laughter filled the dining area again.
But Dean Thurston was no longer relaxed.
Co-hosting an exhibition with Penguin? he thought.
That's absurd.
Unless Mrs. Chandler had completely lost her senses, there was no way she would willingly cooperate with Penguin.
Which meant only one thing.
She had been forced.
But why?
If Penguin wanted the necklace, stealing or buying it would be trivial for him.
Why go through the trouble of staging a massive public exhibition?
Dean's eyes narrowed.
His target was never the necklace itself.
It was something else.
Just then—
"Hey, Dean," Barbara said suddenly.
"Can I call you Dean?"
Before he could respond, she stood up.
"I just remembered I have something urgent to take care of," she added quickly.
"I need to go."
Without waiting for an answer, she left in a hurry, her expression unusually tense.
Dean watched her go.
He didn't think too much of it.
After all—
He also had something urgent to deal with now.
---
Iceberg Lounge
In a dimly lit room, Penguin watched the same news broadcast.
A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.
From the shadows, a figure spoke.
"Are you really confident Kaito Kid will fall for such an obvious trap?"
Penguin snorted.
"No one else in Gotham would."
Then his smile turned cold.
> "But I know he will come."
The shadowy figure shrugged.
"As long as Kaito Kid is taken down, I get my five hundred thousand," he said indifferently.
"That's all that matters."
He faded back into darkness.
Penguin stared at the screen, eyes gleaming.
"The Burning Phantom Thief…" he murmured.
"…might make for a beautiful piece of art."
---