Chapter 24 My brother, you are the real hero!
"Right!"
Lucas nodded. "That video only showed the first half. The rest was intentionally cut out, which means whoever did this wanted to smear Starlight’s reputation and also has something against me."
"If you are willing to step up, personally recount the full sequence of events, and tell the public what the truth is, then you can improve the image of The Seven."
"Because when you faced injustice, someone stood up for you."
Homelander frowned and said, "That only restores Starlight’s reputation, or perhaps improves public perception of The Seven, but what does that have to do with me?"
"Don’t rush."
Lucas continued, "Annie’s own account isn’t enough. That video must be released in its entirety, otherwise, it lacks credibility."
"What’s in the second half of the video?" Homelander hadn’t seen the full video yet.
He had only heard snippets from The Deep.
He was completely unaware of Guardian’s heroic rescue.
Ashley took the initiative to explain, "In the second half, Guardian kicked the door open, confronted The Deep in public, and executed perfect, well-timed justice!"
Homelander tilted his head slightly.
"So, now it’s about clearing your name again? What about me? Am I not a person?"
"See, you’re rushing again. I haven’t finished speaking yet!"
Homelander quickly waved his hand; he was being uncharacteristically patient.
"Go on, speak."
"With Annie’s statement and the video as evidence, the public will believe it, and I can also cooperate with the publicity."
"This rescue of Starlight happened because Homelander had long been aware of the malpractice within the team, but he kept it secret, waiting to obtain concrete evidence."
"That video recording is the key evidence we wanted to use to accuse The Deep of sexual harassment."
"But it was exploited by malicious people to slander The Seven, and even pointed the finger directly at Homelander—their intentions are truly wicked!"
"They are not only fooling the public but are also the greatest enemies of America!"
After Lucas said this series of things, Homelander was simply dumbfounded.
Holy shit!
You can even frame a narrative like this?
Before meeting you, our PR was a total mess!
Madelyn was listening, feeling exhausted.
Ashley didn’t dare to speak at all; she had clearly been thinking exactly the same thing.
But if she said it herself, the credit would definitely go to Madelyn.
So she just didn’t express an opinion.
Starlight’s eyes lit up; she felt this was an excellent plan.
She could restore her reputation, Guardian could use this to build some goodwill, and Homelander’s credibility could be improved.
That PR crisis would also have a new angle for explanation.
Vought’s reputation wouldn’t suffer.
Everyone has a bright future!
"Good!"
"Very good!"
"Excellent!"
Homelander said it three times in one breath, showing how satisfied he was with this.
"I was previously blinded by people with ulterior motives and actually suspected you were a spy who infiltrated Vought. I must apologize to you!"
"I shouldn’t have doubted your motives!"
"Because you are a real hero, pure justice. You are so much better than that bunch of trash in the PR department!"
With one sentence, Homelander scolded both Ashley and Madelyn.
Madelyn was barely able to keep a straight face.
Lucas, however, added, "The reason I was able to think of this is actually thanks to Ashley."
"Oh? There’s another expert?"
Homelander looked at Ashley with surprise.
He actually had such talent by his side? And he hadn’t noticed it all this time!
Ashley looked confused.
"Me... me?"
"I’m a talent?"
Lucas explained: "Actually, in the early morning of the day I stopped The Deep, Ashley called me, but I didn’t pick up. When I arrived at Vought the next day, she showed me that internal video."
"At the time, she had already proposed a PR response, but someone didn’t agree and suppressed the video."
"Later, as you know, this video was stolen by Translucent."
Homelander had been listening to Lucas’s heartbeat.
His heartbeat proved that everything he said was true.
Ashley’s heartbeat was also stabilizing.
She showed her phone’s call log to Homelander.
It was true that she had contacted Guardian that night.
"Very good!"
"Ashley, why didn’t you tell me beforehand? You almost caused me to have another conflict with Guardian!"
"Is there some difficulty?"
Ashley’s heartbeat spiked.
Homelander’s expression darkened.
Ashley really was having a hard time!
Who was making things difficult for her in this matter?
Wasn’t that making things difficult for him, Homelander, and slapping him in the face?
"Someone threatened you! They didn’t let your PR measures pass, right!"
Thump, thump, thump!
Someone else’s heart was beating erratically.
Homelander looked in the direction of the sound.
Madelyn shook her head frantically.
"No, it’s not, listen to me explain!"
"No need to say anything!"
Homelander made a direct judgment.
He had been at Vought for so many years; how could he not know how ruthlessly Madelyn exploited her subordinates as a boss?
Ashley was one of them.
When there was credit, Madelyn took it all.
But when something went wrong, the subordinates were sure to take the fall.
In the past, Homelander wouldn’t have said anything, but now Madelyn’s judgment could no longer keep up with his needs.
So, a choice had to be made.
"Ashley, from now on, you will personally handle the PR strategy for The Seven."
"You will report your decisions directly to me."
"If anyone has a problem, tell them to come see me!"
Homelander "tyrannically" promoted Ashley on the spot.
Ashley was stunned by the sudden promotion.
She immediately expressed her gratitude excitedly.
"Homelander, thank you, I’m just... so excited!"
"Wuu wuu wuu!"
"You are simply my superhero!"
Homelander genuinely sensed Ashley’s emotions; she was truly grateful to him.
"Alright, let the farce end here. It’s time for us to get down to business."
Lucas left the room first.
The others had no objections to this.
Even Homelander trusted Guardian, so what could they say?
A little while later.
Lucas, who had left, returned to the room again.
"This is my office; you are the ones who should be leaving."
...
When everyone else had left, Ashley was still sitting there.
Madelyn’s eyes were like knives, glaring sharply at her.
How could she not see it now?
Ashley had firmly sided with Guardian.
Now that she had Guardian and Homelander as her two backers, there was simply nothing she could do about her.
Until Madelyn left.
Ashley finally got up.
But Lucas placed his index finger on his lips, signaling her not to speak yet.
Because Homelander was still in the hallway.
He was listening to Madelyn’s explanation.
Half an hour later.
Homelander left Vought.
Madelyn stood in place; Homelander hadn’t listened to her explanation and didn’t even want to look at her.
Only then did Lucas signal that Ashley could speak.
"That video, you were the one who gave it out, right?"
Lucas didn’t speak.
"You don’t have to admit it, I just wanted to confirm one thing."
Ashley took a deep breath.
"Everything you said earlier, about Madelyn, backstage, climbing the ladder, and all that—was it all true?"
Lucas put his legs up on the desk.
Looking at Ashley.
Ashley understood in a second and immediately went over to massage his legs.
"I spoke well of you just now. My recommendation is very valuable, provided you can fulfill your role!"
Lucas didn’t continue.
But Ashley immediately stated her position.
"Then I’ve made up my mind. From today on, I am your person. If you tell me to go east, I will absolutely not go west!"
"Good girl!"
[Key Character: Homelander — Emotional Change: Trust deepened, seriously dissatisfied with Madelyn]
[Evolution Points Gained: +3,891]
[Key Character: Starlight — Emotional Change: Grateful, trusting, willing to cooperate]
[Evolution Points Gained: +1,456]
[Key Character: Madelyn — Emotional Change: Hostile, angry, anxious about losing power]
[Evolution Points Gained: +1,877]
[Key Character: Ashley — Emotional Change: Ambitious, submissive, admiring]
[Evolution Points Gained: +2,134]
[Key Character: Maeve — Emotional Change: Complex]
[Evolution Points Gained: +743]
[Current Evolution Points: 97,760 / 100,000]