Chapter 87: Vincent Apprehends

Chapter 87: Vincent Apprehends

North District Security Bureau, Meeting Room

Apart from the officers on duty at the entrance, all the security officers were gathered in the meeting room.

They had no idea what had gotten into Director Smith.

"Cleaning up security?"

Who'd believe that nonsense?

"I think it's just for show because the Inspection Team is coming. Director Smith probably wants to put on an act," one officer sneered.

The female officer who had previously handled Wang Dapeng's case thought for a moment and spoke up, "Let's not be so quick to judge. What if Director Smith really wants to focus on his work? After all, everyone knows he's backed by Director Vincent. No matter what, the Inspection Team wouldn't dare target him."

The officer scoffed, placing his hands behind his head. "Oh, come on! Just wait and see. This meeting is all for show."

At that moment, the door to the meeting room swung open.

Willard Smith walked in with a stack of files, his face dark.

The room instantly fell silent as everyone straightened up, waiting for Director Smith to speak.

Willard slammed the stack of files onto the table, glaring at the officers in frustration.

"This past month, have you all done absolutely nothing?" he demanded. "Just look at the cases in the North District over the last month! Are you telling me it takes a whole month to catch a petty thief?"

Seeing this different, determined side of Willard made him almost unrecognizable to everyone in the room.

The officer who had previously claimed this was all for show stood up and explained, "It's like this, Director. After the monster attacks on the city, many surveillance systems haven't been repaired, which has made investigations a lot harder."

He figured Willard was just looking for an excuse.

Maybe he wanted a valid reason in case the Inspection Team decided to review their case files.

The officer even thought he was being clever, giving Willard an excuse to ease the situation.

But Willard stared at him coldly. "No surveillance, so you can't investigate? Is that what they taught you in security school? And besides, why hasn't street surveillance been repaired after a whole month?"

The room went silent.

Street surveillance was the responsibility of the Security Bureau. Hiring a team to repair security facilities was a lucrative opportunity.

Everyone had been waiting for Director Smith to distribute the benefits.

Who would have thought Willard would ignore everything, avoid responsibility, and not even bother fixing street surveillance?

Did he really not know how profitable this repair job was?

The officer figured he should remind Willard subtly, hoping to earn some favor.

"Director, repairs require the station to file a request, the Bureau to approve funds, and then for us to put the project up for bid."

Willard immediately saw through the scam.

Funding approval, bidding—classic opportunities for pocketing extra money.

But would a true mage care about such trivial sums?

After becoming a mage, Willard's mindset had shifted dramatically.

It was like winning the lottery; when a person suddenly gains millions, things they used to value feel trivial.

Willard smirked. "So the station files a request, the Bureau approves it, then funds are allocated, and the bidding process starts—two months pass by! So you're just going to stop investigating for two months?"

Everyone was at a loss.

That was the standard procedure. What did he want to do instead?

It wasn't like this was an unreasonable complaint!

The officer, feeling humiliated, suppressed his irritation and asked, "Well then, Director Smith, how do you suggest we resolve this surveillance issue?"

Willard replied in a low voice, "I'll cover the repair costs. You handle finding the repair team.

"And don't think about skimming off the top. I'm not a fool."

This left everyone in shock.

Had he been possessed by Ethan Blake's spirit?

Using his own money to fix public property?

The female officer's eyes sparkled, admiration brimming in her gaze.

They must have misjudged Director Smith before. His absences from work were clearly for more important matters!

He must be a security officer dedicated to selfless service, just like Captain Ethan Blake!

What female intern wouldn't want to work under such a supervisor? Who wouldn't envy Sarah?

The key detail was that this female officer's family was quite well-off.

She immediately stood up and said, "Director, my family is in the low-voltage engineering business.

"You can count on us, Director. I'll make sure my family does it for free."

Willard Smith eyed the female officer with suspicion.

Not taking a cent?

I'm doing this for my merit gathering, accumulating virtue. But what's her motivation? Is she just being generous?

Then, he noticed a familiar look in her eyes.

It was the same look Sarah had when she looked at Ethan Blake.

Willard froze.

He knew what that look meant.

It was admiration.

A strange feeling welled up in Willard's heart.

Is this what it feels like to accumulate merit? Does a female officer actually look up to me?

Willard softened his tone, "Charge what it costs; don't insist on doing it for free."

"I'm the director; I make the call."

He wondered if this officer repairing the cameras without compensation would diminish his own merit. He didn't want to share that.

The female officer nodded enthusiastically before sitting back down, her admiration for him only deepening.

Willard's actions earned him newfound respect from the others. They were impressed—setting aside all other factors, using his own money to maintain security equipment was admirable!

Their initial scorn for Willard vanished, and they listened attentively to his meeting agenda.

During the meeting, Willard elaborated on a bold strategy for the future security of the North District, speaking until his throat was dry.

Most of it, he had picked up from observing Ethan Blake, and he hadn't expected he'd ever use it.

The North District officers were astonished at his ideas!

Who would've thought that the usually laid-back director had such a strategic mind when he got serious?

Seeing their reaction pleased Willard immensely.

Is this the sense of accomplishment Ethan Blake feels every day?

Willard grew more enthusiastic, fully embracing the role of a diligent director.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Interrupted, Willard frowned and asked, "Who is it?"

Vincent, in uniform, pushed open the door with a mocking grin.

"Well, well, Willard, what nonsense are you spouting here?"

"You're in trouble. Come with us."

Only then did Willard notice that Vincent had brought a team of fully armed officers with him.

Willard had no idea what Vincent was planning, but a sense of unease crept over him.

He stepped down from the podium, instinctively bowing in front of Vincent and asking cautiously, "What's this about, Director Vincent?"

In an instant, all the authority of the director was gone, and Willard reverted to his old lackey persona.

Vincent shoved him aside in disgust. "Who's your 'brother,' you scum?"

Then he pulled a warrant from his coat with a cold smirk.

"Willard Smith, you're under suspicion for intimidation, fraud, embezzlement, and abuse of power."

"Come with us. If you have any questions, take it up with the Inspectors."

This left the North District security officers stunned.

Wasn't he just the selfless director moments ago? How did this happen so suddenly?

They realized he might have sensed trouble and staged a last-minute act to save face.

What a pathetic display.

The female officer looked on in disbelief, her eyes reflecting both disappointment and a lingering glimmer of hope.

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