Chapter 48 Homelander: Let You Be the Captain
When Lucas flew back to Vought Tower, it was already dark.
The lights of Manhattan spread out beneath his feet.
Butcher and his crew shouldn’t be causing any more trouble in the short term.
Lucas held his Achilles’ heel; Butcher could only act like a good little doggy, obediently listening to Daddy.
As for compound v, let them investigate it.
He wasn’t a traditional Supe; judging by bloodline purity, he wasn’t even human anymore.
Lucas had originally planned to find Queen Maeve.
To farm some emotions from the cool older sister and get another wave of Evolution Points.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
Ashley sent a message: "Are you free to come to the conference room? Someone wants to see you."
Another one: "It’s a good thing! Absolutely a good thing! I swear!"
And another: "I beg you, please reply."
Lucas curled his lips.
Ashley was still as servile as ever; this woman lived in a world of Supes, and anxiety was carved into her bones.
...
The Seven conference room.
When Lucas pushed the door open and walked in, Ashley was standing by the long table, with someone standing next to her.
Male, white, looked like the younger brother from Supernatural.
This was the speedster replacing A-Train, Mr. Mister Marathon.
But whenever Lucas saw him, he always thought of Sam Winchester.
"Mr. Guardian!"
The man took a step forward and reached out his hand.
"I am Mister Marathon. It’s an honor to have your favor."
Lucas didn’t reach out; he just hovered in mid-air and glanced at him.
Mister Marathon, whose home was filled with baby oil, occasionally liked to snort some pure stuff.
Lucas didn’t want to know what the other guy had on his hands.
Mister Marathon’s hand froze in mid-air, then he sensibly pulled it back, his smile remaining undiminished.
"Being personally recommended by you is already a tremendous honor for me!"
Mister Marathon cherished this interview opportunity.
Lucas landed and pulled out the chair at the head of the table to sit down.
"Ashley, go ahead."
Ashley immediately entered work mode.
"After A-Train and The Deep’s positions opened up, The Seven currently lacks two seats. According to your and Homelander’s wishes, we need at least one speedster to fill A-Train’s vacancy."
Two photos appeared on the projection.
One was Mister Marathon, the other was Shockwave.
Ashley finished introducing Mister Marathon’s detailed stats, then tirelessly started talking about Shockwave.
"We have already leaked the news on social media: #WhoWillBeTheNewMemberOfTheSeven#. The topic’s popularity is currently ranked third in the country, second only to your and Homelander’s daily activities."
Ashley spoke faster and faster, her eyes shining with excitement.
The life value of a corporate slave lies in realizing value for the boss.
Ashley was clearly that kind of person.
"Regardless of who is finally chosen, this wave of popularity will raise The Seven’s attention level to another tier. The public loves talent shows, competition, and picking sides. I have designed a two-week public voting segment—"
"Ashley."
Lucas interrupted her.
"How much of a kickback did Shockwave give you?"
The conference room immediately went quiet, and Mister Marathon’s expression was subtle.
Ashley’s smile froze instantly.
"I... what?"
"Don’t pretend."
Lucas crossed his legs and tapped his fingers on the armrest. "In the voting segment you designed, Shockwave’s initial exposure resources are clearly biased."
"The homepage recommendation slot you gave him, the order of the topic entries, even the comparison image has Shockwave on the left. People’s visual habit is from left to right; by putting him on the left, you are deliberately suggesting something to the public."
"This... this is just a layout habit—"
"You’ve been riding high lately. I noticed when I flew back that there’s a new Porsche Cayenne in your parking spot?"
"Also, Mr. Mister Marathon’s proposal was decided internally. I never proposed any extra options, so why did you bring Shockwave in?"
Ashley’s heart rate accelerated, and her face turned visibly pale.
"I, I can explain..."
"No! No! No! No need to explain!"
Lucas stood up and walked over to Ashley.
Ashley subconsciously took a half-step back, but Lucas just patted her on the shoulder.
"Ashley, you don’t need to be nervous."
Lucas’s tone suddenly became gentle.
"You’re a smart person. It’s normal for smart people to want to make more money. After all, you’re under a lot of pressure and need to splurge to relieve it. But I don’t care whose kickbacks you take; I only care about who you listen to! Understand?"
Ashley looked up, meeting Lucas’s gaze.
She hadn’t expected that Lucas was actually more humane than Homelander.
He actually forgave her actions after exposing her?
If this were Homelander, her brain would have turned into jelly long ago.
Beside them, Mr. Mister Marathon stared at the tabletop. What a table this table was!
"Good!"
Lucas sat back in the main seat.
...
[ Ashley Barrett — Emotional Shift: Sense of belonging, loyalty, gratitude ]
[ Evolution Points Gained: + 8,734 ]
...
Mister Marathon didn’t even dare to speak, even though the two people in front of him were making a naked deal that concerned his own future and livelihood.
"By the way." Lucas seemed to suddenly remember something. "Do you have any plans tonight?"
Ashley froze for a moment, then her face flushed slightly.
"I... I have time tonight..."
"Then help me check what Queen Maeve’s schedule is like recently."
Ashley: "..."
"Queen Maeve..."
Ashley cleared her throat and switched back to work mode. "Speaking of which, I was just about to discuss this with you and Homelander. We’ve received some news recently..."
She lowered her voice, and Mister Marathon sensibly covered his ears.
"Queen Maeve might be... a lesbian. Paparazzi caught her with a woman in a bar in the West Village..."
"Who is a lesbian?"
The door was pushed open.
Homelander strode in, his cape trailing behind him.
Following closely behind him was Maeve.
Maeve was wearing her signature heroine armor, her expression as cold as ever, but the moment she saw Lucas, she quickly looked away.
"I, I was just saying—"
"I heard it."
Homelander walked over leisurely, a playful hint at the corner of his mouth.
"Maeve is a lesbian? Interesting!"
His gaze turned to Lucas and Maeve. So, when Lucas took Maeve away last time, did he do nothing at all?
Oh ho!
Lucas is interested in Maeve, Maeve likes women—what a love triangle!!
This is much more exciting than the reality shows produced by Vought.
"Find a place to sit."
Lucas tilted his chin at Homelander.
Homelander glanced at Lucas’s seat; that was his main seat.
It was obvious that the other party had no intention of yielding.
Homelander’s mouth twitched, then he suddenly laughed and sat down on Lucas’s right.
"I’ll let you play Captain for a day today, just for fun, bro!"
Mister Marathon finally found a sense of presence at this moment.
He took the initiative to walk towards Homelander, reached out his hand, his face full of enthusiastic smiles.
"Mr. Homelander! I am Mister Marathon. It’s truly..."
Homelander didn’t even lift an eyelid.
Mister Marathon’s smile stiffened.
Fine, fine, fine, so this is how you all play, right!
"Mister Marathon."
Lucas spoke up.
"Sir! I’m here!"
Mister Marathon immediately straightened his back.
The awkward atmosphere just now dissipated.
"What work arrangements do you have recently?"
Mister Marathon’s eyes lit up; the other party finally paid attention to him.