"I know, but… oh my God, my boyfriend has nuclear-level power."
But unlike the calm Ron, Starlight was very excited. She put down her coffee cup, wrapped her arms around his neck, sat on his lap, and looked excitedly at his handsome profile.
Strength represents excellence. Who wouldn't like excellent people, especially women who need strong men to give them a sense of security.
"Ever since Soldier Boy sacrificed himself, Homelander emerged, and people thought no hero could ever come close to Homelander.
But you did it."
"My boyfriend is one of the two most powerful superheroes in the World."
"I can't eat with you like this."
Ignoring Starlight's admiration, Ron chuckled.
"Ron, after breakfast, how about we stay home for a while before going to the company?"
"What for?"
He asked curiously.
"After you've had breakfast, don't you want some dessert?"
A blush appeared on Starlight's face as she whispered in his ear, making his ears tingle.
…
"Damn it, damn it!"
In his room, Homelander stood with his hands behind his back, looking out at the city, his expression as gloomy as Water.
Although he was extremely angry at the moment, he chose not to vent by smashing things; that was for the weak.
"Vought, I can't believe you really replicated another me."
He tried hard to suppress his rage, gritting his teeth and speaking ferociously.
According to common sense, if a person creates a beast, it's impossible not to have a way to control it.
Edgar on the eighty-second floor, even when he intentionally showed a cold face and anger several times, never once panicked, feared, or had his heart race when facing the most powerful superhuman on Earth.
Vought must have some backup plan to deal with him.
He had suspected that Vought's backup plan might be to clone or replicate another him using Compound V.
"But the old man clearly said I was his greatest success, an unreplicable miracle!"
Homelander used to believe he was unique, and Vought's backup plan might just be some highly restrictive, underhanded methods that couldn't see the light of day.
But his last shred of hope was shattered by that kid named Ron. When he attacked with all his might and couldn't even scratch Ron, his years of pride were shattered.
"Sir, sir."
The door was quickly knocked twice and opened, and Ashley excitedly burst in with a laptop.
"Ashley, don't you even know how to knock anymore?"
Homelander was in a raging mood, almost on the verge of losing control. He turned around and asked grimly, almost unable to stop himself from using his laser eyes.
"I'm sorry, sir, but you really must see this.
Your popularity has soared, and everyone is talking about you now."
Ashley was a bit scared, but she knew where Homelander's soft spot was, so she bravely stepped forward.
"Popularity?"
As expected, upon hearing "popularity," Homelander's anger vanished. He snatched the computer tablet, and as he looked, he was astonished and bewildered, a blank look on his face.
His popularity had soared?
In just one day, he gained nearly ten million followers, and it was still rapidly increasing. Every refresh showed new data, making one tremble with excitement, but why?
Regardless of men or women, everyone inherently respects and worships the strong. This is something written in their genes since the ancient barbaric era.
No matter how strong Homelander's theoretical data was, he acted no different from other superheroes, just fighting petty thieves and robbers. What was so special?
Moreover, the persona Vought created for him was too boring.
A persona like Jesus, the Holy Son, detached from worldly affairs, but he wasn't a god, only old-fashioned people would like him.
But now it was different. He displayed truly god-like power, shocking the entire World. Looking back at his "sunny and humble, crime-fighting" image, it immediately felt different.
He possessed power that surpassed everyone, yet had a golden spirit, humble and kind, protecting the weak.
How could the public, unaware of his true character and thus deceived and fooled, not worship and like him?
Knock, knock!
The door was knocked, and Madeline stood outside with Mei.
"Madeline, are you also here to tell me about my soaring popularity?
I already know."
Homelander was all smiles. At this moment, there was no trace of his previous gloom and rage.
Thinking of so many people discussing him, constantly paying attention to him, he even threw the fact that he wasn't unique to the back of his mind.
"Congratulations, Homelander."
After congratulating him, Madeline's expression turned serious.
"However, I have something else to discuss."
In the hallway, she led Homelander and Mei towards The Seven's operations meeting room, walking quickly.
As she walked, she quickly explained the situation.
"Exclusive news from the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Seven minutes ago, Transoceanic Flight 37 from Paris to Chicago was hijacked in the air. There are over two hundred hostages, including men, women, and children."
"You should know that the company has recently been trying to get into the Department of Defense, to make our Vought superheroes part of the national defense system.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
If Vought could enter the Department of Defense, it would bring endless benefits, not to mention Vought International's status would immediately change, a qualitative transformation.
She seemed to already see Vought entering the Department of Defense, and her own status as Vice President rising with it, her tone filled with joy and excitement.
"If we can react faster than the country and resolve this matter, saving over two hundred passengers, it will most likely be our opportunity to pass the bill and get involved with the Department of Defense!"
"Most likely?"
Homelander, in a good mood, secretly scoffed.
He didn't like uncertainty.
Compared to rescuing these people, he vaguely had a better idea.
"For example, the 'Holy Son,' who could have saved countless lives, received the news too late and couldn't provide timely rescue, leading to immense grief, and two hundred passengers consequently lost their lives.
The country's obstruction and suspicion, and the delay in passing the bill, led to the tragedy!"
"The enraged public protests against the country, sending the 'Holy Son' into the Department of Defense!"
However, he couldn't do it openly.
Homelander glanced at Mei beside him. He knew Mei's personality very well.
He hadn't given up on this woman whom he had liked and almost gotten.
…
"Madeline, you seem very happy?"
In Madeline's office, Ron asked from the sofa.
"I'm waiting for news, news that could bring Vought hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars in profit annually."
Madeline chuckled from behind her desk.
"Oh?"
His expression shifted slightly as he remembered something.
"Is that going to happen?"
Ron's eyes deepened.
Recently, Vought had been seeking to pass a bill to enter the Department of Defense.
The so-called news should refer to Homelander and Mei successfully rescuing the hijacked airliner from the Terrorists in advance, thereby entering the Department of Defense.
"This incident is Homelander's fatal weakness, enough to push him to a dead end."
"Even if others had this weakness, they wouldn't dare threaten him too much, fearing they might push him to destroy the World, but I am different."
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