Chapter 36

[Homelander's POV]

The familiar office was filled with sunlight, illuminating the bright interior furnishings. 

There were no significant changes from the old office, and the mini-fridge was new.

The old one seemed to have been left in the previous office downstairs, which now belonged to Ashley, or the new Ashley since the last one had been fired.

I wonder if she realizes that she was chosen solely for her name to avoid wasting time memorizing it.

"Sorry, I was delayed by Mr. Edgar."

Ashley entered the office, looking slightly out of breath, and sat in the chair.

The ruse worked, of course, if I hadn't seen her calmly walking here.

What was that about?

Does she really think I'll be offended if she doesn't rush to meet me?

However, with Homelander, such behavior is indeed preferable, especially if there are no levers to pressure him.

"It's alright. If Mr. Edgar delayed you, then I'm not upset."

I smiled condescendingly at her, briefly assessing her changed appearance.

Like any manager, Madelyn took care of her appearance and dressed according to her status.

However, this status did not make her a millionaire who could spend money freely.

She wasn't poor, but she didn't dress as well as she does now.

As far as I know, her salary has significantly increased, and she has been given a bonus. She must have taken advantage of this to have her work outfits customized.

I can tell the difference between regular fabric and the kind worn by supers.

"By the way, nice outfit."

I complimented her choice.

"Noticed?"

Madelyn smiled, understanding what was being referred to from the tone alone.

With such skills, she's just the right candidate for Stan Edgar's position, which he himself approves of.

The old man seems tired of working with virtually uncontrollable heroes.

He had worked at Vought even when the company mascot was Soldier Boy and an active mascot at that.

He had experience working with the world's strongest supes even before Homelander and me.

"One flaw—her head."

I commented, once again thoughtfully scanning her outfit.

"Otherwise, it's almost unnoticeable. Practically like Stan's."

"You can't protect against everything when it comes to ordinary people."

She snorted, seemingly envying the abilities of people like me.

"Maybe we should get straight to business? I have another meeting and personal matters scheduled."

I sighed, watching her reaction.

"Can't the Seven wait for their leader for a few extra minutes?"

She replied irritably but almost immediately put on a fake smile when realizing she had let her emotions slip.

Well, it seems she's really being rigorously trained for the CEO position if she shows her true feelings without any effort on my part.

Madelyn's having a tough time, but ambition comes at a price, and often money plays more than a secondary role.

"Let me guess, you can't see your son due to your workload?"

I guessed, seeing confirmation in her heavy sigh.

"I understand, though I haven't been a father for that long."

"Alright, enough about family matters."

She said, casting a skeptical glance at me.

"Yesterday, you and Stormfront caught two supervillains, effectively nipping a potential scandal in the bud. Brilliant work."

"Thank you."

I replied, not mentioning that I did all the dirty work while my partner lounged in the neighboring building's wall.

"However, that doesn't change the fact that supervillains did make it into the city and caused a stir."

Madeline continued grimly, giving me a strange look.

"Don't you find it suspicious?"

"Suspicious about what?"

"Their timing was too convenient, just like last time."

I was even angry that she was so direct in her accusations.

"What are you implying? Do you really think I'd send terrorists to the city over a minor scandal?"

I showed my anger, abruptly rising from my chair. I didn't realize she had such a low opinion of me.

What does she take me for?!

"Alright, alright, calm down!"

Madelyn looked at me in horror, shrinking back into her chair to ease my negative mood.

This made me notice the red glow reflecting on the glass of the cabinet where Madelyn's personal awards and other junk were displayed.

The fire in my eyes dimmed immediately, slightly calming the frightened woman.

"Remember, Stillwell. I'm not some psycho ready to sacrifice innocent lives for a minor issue that will be forgotten in a week."

I address her in a calmer voice and silently leave, not wanting to look at that fool any longer.

What if she had blurted that out in front of outsiders?

It is as if I have time for such idiotic acts with all the concerns on my plate.

I was able to calm down a bit in the elevator, where I could already be thinking about the consequences of my outburst. 

They seemed fairly harmless if I'm not mistaken. I didn't go overboard and calmed down in time.

Still, it's not wise to conflict with the future head of Vought especially if I want to retire smoothly in a couple of years and avoid being pestered with attempts to eliminate the threat I pose.

"Looks like everyone is here, so we can start."

I clapped my hands, drawing everyone's attention as I entered the room.

"Oh, and I almost forgot the elephant in the room. Train-A, congratulations on your recovery. How are you feeling?"

"Ready to run at the speed of light."

A-Train replied cheerfully with a smile but then slightly calmed down.

"And thank you, sir."

"It's primarily your achievement, remember that."

He nodded silently, apparently not knowing what to say.

Homelander didn't pamper his team, and it's no wonder they've become such indecisive dummies under his leadership.

"By the way, meet our new member Stormfront. Now, let's start the meeting."

I continued, reaching my chair and sitting down.

"The agenda here today is the film "The Dawn of the Seven" currently just the script. We need to make revisions that will satisfy all team members. Adam, please."

The chubby guy in glasses perked up when I addressed him. Next to Adam Bourke was the screenwriter Seth Reed.

As far as I recall, Seth had a fling with the Snow Princess a few years ago.

Just thinking about what happened to his... well, let's just say it sends a chill down the spine.

Thankfully for Vought, Seth didn't blame Snow Princess and didn't go to court even though he could have.

That would have sparked a real scandal, as he would have won the case.

This would have been a lot of accusations and lawsuits poured in like a bucket.

That's why he was entrusted with an entire film and his friend.

According to the plan, we need to look at what he wrote. Unfortunately, it's the only way.

There's already a damn LGBT park planned, kind of like Disneyland, where kids will be taught tolerance by Maeve and Starlight.

I can't even imagine why they were chosen for this role.

Meanwhile, Adam started explaining how the film would begin.

A standard opening with Homelander constantly in the spotlight, capturing some guy and chaining him up.

He then turns to the team and tells them they should work together more often to fight crime.

It was clear that the backstory of these events wouldn't be shown. This is the first collaborative effort of the Seven.

Brilliant...

Fortunately, the rest of the team seemed to share similar opinions and radiated incredible enthusiasm.

It's a pity it was fake, as seen from Seth, who didn't share Adam's opinion but supported him with a strained smile and nods where necessary.

Essentially, this presentation focused on my reaction and decision, which would have worked with Homelander.

But not with me.

"And powerful music: Haaaans Ziiiimmer!"

Adam sang at the end, under awkward glances.

"Fade out! Title: Dawn of the Seven!"

"Wonderful. As I understand it, a stunt double will play the main scene."

I had to break the silence formed after this "epochal" presentation.

"Yes! Of course. Lin-Manuel Miranda himself wants to voice him!"

He brightened up when he realized that no one would throw rotten tomatoes at him.

"Well, then we can involve him in major episodes."

I continued, eliciting confusion from Adam and now genuine interest from the team members and Reed.

"What?"

"Adam, Seth."

I looked at the two misguided artists.

"I'm flattered by the focus on my persona, but we're making a film about the entire Seven, not just one Homelander."

Everybody but Maeve looked at me, confused and shocked.

She was just smiling, watching the show.

Of course, I didn't want the only one to be in the spotlight.

"The beginning should be supplemented, and add a scene on the water where... a whale crashes into a boat so the villain can't escape. Instead of a tree that Martinez crashes into, we could use Starlight to melt the ground. Instead of one car, we should use a couple of jeeps for the spectacle. The Queen Maeve and A-Train will take out the guards from these jeeps while Noir handles the cleanup at the mansion. And of course, the villain will manage to escape in a car, but inside there will already be the Deep."

Silence.

It definitely turned out fresher than what those who have been working in this field for years offered.

On the other hand, Homelander can be blamed because he made them used to this.

After all, he had the right to change the script as he pleased, so they did what they always did.

That is, they did everything to please me.

"And you?"

Seth asked who had come to his senses earlier than everyone else.

"I'll descend from the heavens and cuff Martinez."

I shrugged as if saying something insignificant.

"And we need to adjust the script. Too much focus on me, that won't do. We need to rewrite it to focus on Starlight as the newcomer, with whom the audience can more easily relate."

"But why? Didn't you like the script?"

Adam seemed humiliated, losing all his enthusiasm.

"Adam, admit it, following the adventures of an invulnerable rock is much less interesting than watching a seemingly fragile girl who will strive to fit into a team of legendary heroes."

Starlight's surprised look elicited a smirk from me.

She hasn't even appeared in a solo project yet and is already playing the lead role in a team project.

"And we mustn't forget that she will need to match the predecessor against the background of another newcomer who will differ in self-confidence."

"Wow, so I'm the villain here?"

Stormfront exclaimed indignantly.

"Competitor. Don't twist the words, darling. Competition greatly contributes to hero development and fits easily into the plot. And women could use more human dialogue. So, is anyone against these changes?"

I look around at the members.

A-Train remains silent, indicating that he's fine with everything.

Deep is looking at me with admiration, and Noir has buried himself in his notebook while starting to draw something.

Maeve calmly drinks her juice while Starlight still processes what she's heard.

Stormfront is the only one who looks unhappy but remains quiet because she knows nothing will change my mind.

That's good.

"So, you'll revise the script. Let's meet in a week; I think that should be enough time."

I make the decision and wait for the director and screenwriter to leave.

"This meeting is over."

After saying goodbye to everyone, I decided to take care of personal matters.

It's time to start Ryan's training.

...

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