Could this be a test?
Herman's eyelid twitched slightly.
A flood of possibilities rushed through his mind—maybe his script had made Professor Charles think he hated mutants, and this so-called investment was nothing more than a probe.
"Slandering mutants was never my intention when I wrote this script." Herman's survival instinct kicked in. The last thing he wanted was for Professor Charles to think he was defaming mutants.
With someone like Charles, he wasn't too worried about being killed outright. But Charles's best friend, Magneto? That was another story entirely.
At his current level, Herman had no way to handle someone like Magneto.
"I'm well aware of that. Don't be nervous… Perhaps we should move to something more pleasant. How much of an investment are you looking for?"
A flicker of wisdom flashed in Charles's deep eyes. Whatever his true thoughts were, no one could say for sure.
"The special effects for this show need to be pushed to the max. The budget can't be less than nine figures." Herman had two motives: first, he hoped the steep cost would make Charles back off—he really didn't want to work with this old man. Second, he wanted to fix one of the biggest flaws in the original The Boys.
A bunch of superhumans, trading punches without even breaking the floor beneath them—and they dared call themselves superhumans?
"That's no problem at all. In fact, I hold significant shares and influence in New York's top visual effects team."
Charles showed exactly what it meant to be absurdly wealthy. No wonder he could afford to support an entire school of mutants—and still have enough left over to build high-tech jets.
"Uh…"
Herman hadn't expected him to agree so easily.
"Any other questions?" Charles asked patiently.
Herman fell silent.
He should have said ten figures… But since the deal was done, he couldn't afford to look suspicious.
"No questions at all!"
"I'm truly grateful for your investment in this series. I promise it won't disappoint you!" Herman forced a smile and shook Charles's hand.
Whether Charles was acting on impulse or not, Herman had secured the funds he needed—and with it, one step closer to completing his identity mission.
"I have confidence in it as well."
Charles smiled warmly.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
It was Skye, back with coffee. Though she'd claimed she was only buying Starbucks, the cups in her hand bore a different brand.
Clearly, she had listened to Herman after all.
"One for each of us. Sir, would you like one too?" Skye's sense of courtesy wasn't bad—she'd even thought to buy a cup for Charles.
Probably because she didn't want to slight the investor.
"It's been a long time since I've had one of these… Thank you, young lady." Charles graciously accepted her kindness.
He gave her a long look before turning back to Herman. "Then it's settled. You can begin filming whenever you're ready."
"It's a deal?"
Skye's eyes lit up instantly.
Herman shot her a glare.
The girl shrank her neck, clutching her coffee cup as she moved to his side.
"Of course. You should celebrate—generous investors like me aren't so common in New York these days."
Charles winked, praising himself outright. And as the one holding the purse strings, Skye naturally flattered him in return.
After signing the investment intent agreement and promising that the funds would be transferred later that day, Charles prepared to leave.
"I look forward to our next meeting."
His parting words carried weight and hidden meaning.
Herman let out a couple of awkward laughs.
Watching the old man depart, he finally exhaled in relief. His Psychic Shield hadn't been touched—the professor hadn't attempted to read his mind.
In his later years, Professor Charles still seemed to respect privacy… But Herman remained unsure of what his true intentions were.
"Money! Share the money!"
The moment Charles was gone, Skye started shouting, snapping Herman out of his thoughts.
"Share what money? You're just my assistant. What, planning to run off with the investor's cash?" Herman looked at her like she was crazy.
"Then pay me my salary! Give me my money!"
Skye immediately switched tactics.
"You haven't even worked a full month yet. How am I supposed to pay you? Besides, this money is for producing the series!"
"Our share only comes after the show starts making a profit," Herman explained patiently.
"R-Really?" Skye blinked, clearly lost when it came to the ins and outs of the film industry.
"Of course! Would I lie to you? Never!"
After answering himself, Herman seized the moment before Skye could respond. Hugging his cup of coffee, he slipped back into his office without another word.
...
"Professor, how did it go?"
Outside the building, a woman with long silver-white hair and striking features quickly guided Professor Charles into a stretch van.
Her name was Ororo—better known as Storm.
"They've agreed to our investment."
Charles smiled broadly, his joy so genuine that it caught Ororo by surprise. It had been a long time since she'd seen him this happy.
"Will a show this dark really be of any help to us?" The question had been lingering in her heart for quite some time.
From the script alone, The Boys made her furious.
How could superheroes like that even exist?
"I have high hopes for it. And even if those hopes end in disappointment, I can assure you our situation won't be any worse than it is now." Charles gazed out the car window at the towering building, his voice carrying a note of lightness.
"Actually, after meeting the one who wrote the script, I feel even more confident about this show than I did before."
He hadn't probed Herman or Skye's memories.
But for someone who had lived as long as Charles, who had seen so much, there were things one didn't need telepathy to recognize.
Like the so-called film company that consisted of only two people—neither of whom were ordinary humans. One of them, in fact, might not even be human at all.
And the boss... who felt unreadable, almost as if he'd known Charles already. The powers he nearly lost control of were especially intriguing.
Charles had a premonition…
In the future, this man would bring profound change to him and to all mutants.