Chapter 339: Twisting the Truth of the Matter
"Because you killed the reporters they sent, you idiot!"
Stan Edgar's facial muscles trembled with rage. One must know that even anti-government organizations in some war-torn countries and regions wouldn't dare to easily lay hands on reporters. After all, the media holds sway over the vast majority of the world; they can make a person's name live on forever or be infamous for eternity.
Homelander's actions, however, had touched their true sore spot. If things were allowed to develop further, it wouldn't just be Homelander who was ruined; it would even drag the entire Vought International down with him.
"Look at the stupid things you've done! Are you planning to have me clean up your messes for the rest of your life? Fuck you!" Stan Edgar rarely lost control of his emotions, but today, his anger was written all over his face! He hadn't expected Homelander to be so stupid as to even dare kill reporters.
Stan Edgar walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the dense crowd below Vought Tower, his mood was terrible to the extreme.
"You don't really think you can cover the sky with one hand, do you?" His face was ashen as he turned his head to look at Homelander.
"Then... what do we do now?" Only now did Homelander understand the seriousness of the problem. To put it bluntly, he hadn't realized that one accidental indulgence of his would cause such severe consequences.
Thinking about the possibility of losing his past glory, transforming from a respected superhero into a murderer despised by everyone, this disparity was no different from a billionaire becoming a penniless beggar wandering the street. Homelander was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring. If his physical quality wasn't strong enough, sweat might already be covering his forehead.
"Mr. Edgar, Mr. Jervis has arrived." Ashley Barrett, looking tired, led Xia Shang into the meeting room. After receiving a nod from Stan Edgar, she turned and left.
"Soldier Boy, this is an internal Vought meeting. I don't want outsiders present."
Stan Edgar sat in the first chair at the head of the meeting table. After Soldier Boy left, he gave Xia Shang a meaningful gaze, pointed to a nearby seat, and said, "Both of you, sit down."
Seeing that both had taken their seats, Stan Edgar put on his gold-rimmed glasses and clasped his hands together on the table.
"How do we fix this? Let's hear your respective ideas."
Homelander was the first to speak: "Just say Billy and his group did it. Anyway, those media outlets don't have any substantial evidence."
He didn't believe those reporters, while fleeing for their lives, would disregard their safety to record video or take photos. As long as the scene wasn't captured, there would be no proof that he was the one who killed them.
Xia Shang smiled subtly upon hearing this. He had to admit, this logic was indeed very Homelander.
"Do you think the Police and the Federal Bureau of Superhuman Affairs are blind? Won't they recognize the traces left by Laser Eye? Just this point alone is enough reason to send you to Federal Court." To be honest, if the situation weren't so serious, potentially affecting the survival of Vought International, Stan Edgar truly wouldn't want to step in again to clean up Homelander's mess.
"Billy somehow got Temporary Compound V and, after injection, gained the same Laser Eye as me. I think..."
Before Homelander could finish speaking, Stan Edgar interrupted him with his gaze.
"Proof? Evidence that Billy has Laser Eye? You think you can convince the entire United States just by talking? Don't you find that ridiculous? Moreover, Temporary Compound V has never been publicly disclosed. Are you planning to reveal Vought International's top secret?" Regarding Homelander's naivety, Stan Edgar was no longer disappointed; he was utterly numb.
He shifted his line of sight to look at Xia Shang.
"Tell me your idea."
In the spacious meeting room, Xia Shang, sitting to Stan Edgar's right, smiled and said calmly, "Everything happens for a reason. To resolve this public opinion crisis, we first need to fabricate a reasonable and justifiable excuse. If I remember correctly, the incident happened in Vermont, where the annual Supe X-rated party 'Herogasm' was being held, and these ordinary humans didn't know about it.
First point... mass debauchery, and 'possibly' underage individuals they illegally imprisoned were present."
Xia Shang emphasized the word 'possibly'.
"Homelander rescued those girls, and we can 'find' them and have them come forward to testify for Homelander."
"Girls? What girls?" Homelander asked, confused.
"From now on, please keep your mouth shut. Can you do that?"
Stan Edgar tapped the table with his knuckles, then motioned for Xia Shang to continue.
"Second point, mass drug use. Although I haven't been there, there should be residual drugs left behind.
Third point, Soldier Boy, as the founder of the event, also participated in this activity, and he even brought Ryan with him. Homelander's purpose in going to Vermont was to pursue Soldier Boy, so naturally, a fierce combat occurred between the two. Many people were affected during the combat. Homelander intentionally controlled himself to avoid harming the innocent but was beaten back step by step.
Even his own son shot him with Laser Eye. Out of helplessness, Homelander was forced to counterattack. Subsequently, the battle situation reversed. Soldier Boy and Ryan, while escaping, killed those reporters and attempted to place the blame on Homelander.
It's easy to imagine how heinous Soldier Boy, who betrayed the United States and embraced Russia back then, must be. He is the strongest superhero criminal in history, Vought's lifelong enemy."
Xia Shang's voice was like the whisper of a devil, effortlessly twisting the truth of the matter.
"Very good, excellent." Stan Edgar revealed a satisfied smile. He hadn't misjudged him after all; Mr. Jervis was the same type of person as him. It was a pity that people like this had great ambition and couldn't be used by him, unless he employed some special means... He thought of a female student at Godolkin University; her superpower was rare and very useful.
"We'll do as Mr. Jervis said. I'll have Ashley Barrett arrange a press conference for you immediately. Remember, this is your only chance. If you mess it up again, no one can save you. Sometimes, you really should learn from Mr. Jervis, abandon that pathetic and sad fantasy in your heart. To Soldier Boy, you are just a clone of him. To Ryan, you are his mother's killer. I hope you understand how to choose."
Stan Edgar stood up and looked into Homelander's eyes. "Things that are hard to come by, you must know how to cherish."
(End of Chapter)