Chapter 186: Homelander's Wrath (REWRITE)

"What exactly are you trying to do? You've worked so hard to join the Super Seven, but now you're destroying your own image, aren't you?" Alessa asked in confusion.

"You're overthinking it," Jon replied. "There are countless scandals within the Super Seven far worse than what I just did. Take Homelander, for instance. Any one of his transgressions would be enough to ruin his entire reputation. Besides, I'm doing this to prevent Vought from suspecting me."

"What do you mean?" Alessa asked, puzzled.

"Think about it. I'm a super-powered individual who seems to have appeared out of thin air, with no records or background. If I joined the Super Seven and acted like a saint—never doing anything wrong, always focused on saving the world—they'd find it impossible to trust me. Vought knows there's no such thing as a perfect hero, which would make them suspicious of me."

"But if I behave badly, like Homelander, and openly display my desires after joining the Super Seven, then they'll think I'm just another ordinary person who wants to indulge himself."

"The former behavior would make me a threat—uncontrollable. The latter, however, makes me look like someone driven by human desires. That makes me controllable in their eyes. Even if I behave poorly, at worst, I'll just be the next Homelander."

After Jon's explanation, Alessa snorted. "Hmph! Such despicable humans, always scheming and manipulating. Isn't it disgusting to live in a society like this?"

Jon replied with a chuckle, "Hey, don't be like that. You were human once, too."

"Shit! From now on, I'm not believing a single word that bastard says!" Ashley cursed as she stormed into the Super Seven's meeting hall, muttering to herself angrily. She had just received a report detailing Jon's recent behavior.

During his interview, Jon had said how much he loved the fresh air of the country, and how he genuinely cared for its people, pledging to protect them at all costs.

Ashley had believed those words back then, partly because Jon had been hooked up to a lie detector during the interview. It should have been impossible for him to lie. But now she realized just how badly she had underestimated him.

Back at the police station, Jon's derogatory slurs and provocations were the complete opposite of what Stormfront stood for—just another form of twisted racism.

Ashley froze as soon as she entered the room, noticing Homelander standing by the window, deep in thought.

That was his habit whenever he needed to think something through.

Ashley hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to speak. "I just received a report—it's about Phoenix Warrior."

"I know. I knew about this before you did because I've been keeping an eye on that punk," Homelander responded in a surprisingly light tone.

"Now, we've finally got dirt on him, haven't we?" Homelander turned to face her, a wicked grin on his lips.

Ashley blinked in surprise, then said, "Yes, that's true. But for some reason, there isn't any video evidence of his actions. During the police station incident, every single surveillance device and even the electronic equipment failed simultaneously."

Back when Jon had caused chaos at the police station, he had deliberately used his magnetic disruption ability to disable all surrounding electronic devices, effectively keeping the incident from gaining public attention.

Vought needed to maintain its image, and if Jon's popularity suddenly plummeted, Vought wouldn't hesitate to cut ties with him. Without video evidence, however, the public wouldn't be easily convinced. Even if Officer Rock tried to air his grievances online, he would likely be ignored.

After all, without solid proof, who would believe such a wild story?

However, Homelander seemed confident. "It doesn't matter. All we need to do is find that officer he beat up and have him reveal the truth to the media."

"But without video evidence, his words may not be convincing enough," Ashley said worriedly.

"Well... what if I add my influence to the equation?" Homelander asked, smiling.

Ashley hesitated, but then understood what Homelander was implying.

Homelander's influence was still immense, even if there wasn't any evidence. This could indeed destroy Phoenix Warrior's reputation.

But Phoenix Warrior had also gained a following. If a media battle broke out, it could end in mutual destruction. Even if Homelander won, it would be a Pyrrhic victory.

"I know what you're thinking, Ashley, but some things have to be done," Homelander said, his voice dropping.

"It all started with him—Phoenix Warrior. He killed Stormfront and climbed to power over her corpse. Worse yet, he dared to provoke me publicly!" Homelander's voice grew more heated.

"But if we do this, the Super Seven, which has already faced one reputation crisis, will face yet another. Vought will not tolerate such a thing. They'll pressure us..." Ashley voiced her concerns.

Homelander's brow furrowed. He turned to Ashley, his voice soft but menacing. "Do you remember what I told you, Ashley?"

He stepped forward, his voice growing colder. "Do. Not. Question. Me. Again."

"I am Homelander. I don't make mistakes. I'm not like the others—I am stronger, smarter, the pinnacle of humanity. I am better. I do whatever the hell I want. I'm not some brat who needs others to tell me how to behave. Why the hell are you trying to turn me into that?!"

"My whole life, people have tried to control me. The rich, the powerful—they've tried to shut me up, to restrain me, to make me helpless and obedient, to turn me into a puppet. And now there's someone else who dares to threaten me—Phoenix Warrior. He's Vought's new tool to control me, and I will not allow that. That bastard needs to disappear!"

"I'm done. I'm done being persecuted for my strength. Why does that punk, Phoenix Warrior, get to walk free while I get hounded for every little mistake? He trampled over Stormfront to get here, and now he's trying to provoke me, clearly wanting to replace me. I've had enough!"

"That bastard... must disappear!"