"When you are a Super, the situation is the opposite. Others only need to suspect, and you have to provide evidence to prove your innocence. If you can't, you are guilty."
Ron smirked.
"Sometimes, if you are too powerful, making people uneasy is a crime in itself."
Starlight hadn't been a Super for long, but Superman should be particularly experienced with this kind of thing.
An alien, he toiled tirelessly to protect the Earth, fought his own kind for the sake of the Earth, had to painfully kill his own people with his own hands, destroyed the hope of Kryptonian reconstruction, and saved the World more than once.
But he was still often suspected and guarded. Some believed his powers were too strong and that protecting the Earth would hinder its development, so they tried to kill him. Others thought he might turn evil and threaten the Earth, secretly planning to deal with and kill him.
Kryptonite, which restrains Superman, was everywhere. Even slightly powerful villains and laboratories could pull out two pieces of Kryptonite.
Superman's power could have made him a god on Earth, but he was made to look pathetic by weak ordinary people, subjected to public criticism, and received no thanks for his efforts.
"That's so unfair."
Starlight couldn't help but complain.
"Time's almost up. Didn't Ashley want you to go to Madeline's office?
I'll go with you."
It was almost ten o'clock, Ron said with a smile.
"Let's see what they want to say."
...
Madeline's office.
Ron and Starlight walked in.
"Ron, why are you here?"
Madeline, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up, surprised.
"Am I not welcome?"
"No, you can come to my office anytime you have anything."
Madeline's gaze subtly shifted between Ron and Starlight, who were standing intimately close, her heart skipped a beat, and she smiled.
"Ms. Madeline."
Starlight nodded, calling out a little reservedly.
"Please, have a seat."
Besides Ashley, there were a few other people in the room.
They watched Ron and Starlight sit closely together on one sofa.
"Oh no!"
Ashley, who was good at reading expressions, secretly cried out in dismay, her face immediately became unnatural, and she leaned over, somewhat ingratiatingly.
"Starlight, relax, do you know?
Actually, things have turned around. The victim girl you saved saw the website video and came forward to testify for you, describing the incident in detail."
She no longer showed the angry, cursing demeanor she had towards Starlight this morning; she was now humble after being arrogant.
"What?"
Starlight, a little unaccustomed to Ashley's attitude, was stunned, then reacted, asking in disbelief.
"Does that mean… this matter is resolved?"
She had prepared herself to be reprimanded or even fired.
"Yes, your popularity has soared, and you've gained a large number of female fans. They feel you give them a sense of security."
Madeline said.
"That's great."
She was overjoyed.
"Hello, Starlight, we're from the marketing department. We have some ideas and believe that perhaps the company and you can expand your profits from this attention."
At this moment, several people from the marketing department eagerly followed their prepared procedure, excitedly saying.
"We believe you should focus on your current female fan base, change your image, and show stronger female power."
"What do you mean?" Starlight asked, puzzled.
Ron's gaze was cold. Vought's understanding of female power was quite different from what normal people would think.
Ashley's face stiffened slightly, and she secretly gestured to Madeline with her eyes for instructions, but before Madeline could say anything.
"Clang! Clang!"
One of the three people unveiled a half-body mannequin in the room that had been covered with a yellow cloth, revealing a revealing new suit, almost a one-piece bikini.
The color and style left no doubt that it was prepared for Starlight.
"Oh, I won't wear that."
Starlight felt humiliated when she saw that suit, her reaction was strong, and her tone was firm.
"Why? It's so beautiful!"
The three people from the marketing department were stunned and questioned, still trying to persuade her.
"Look at it. In two days is the A-Train and Impact's Race of the Century. Imagine you wearing it and appearing in the stadium; you'll definitely be the center of attention."
Ron let out a sneer.
Yes, how could she not be the center of attention?
Anyone who wears a one-piece bikini as everyday clothing and appears in public will absolutely attract attention.
It's just that some organizations in this World aren't strong enough, otherwise they would definitely let Vought see what it means to split the sky with one punch.
"Ron…"
Frowning, Starlight looked at Ron, seeking help.
She was very smart. Vice President Madeline and Ashley must have approved this decision in advance, otherwise they wouldn't have brought it before her. She probably couldn't change the decision about the new suit on her own.
"Damn it…"
Looking at the three people who were still unaware, Madeline covered her forehead, not expecting things to develop this way. She had a bad feeling.
Ashley looked scared and had an even stronger urge to hide.
"I think it's pretty good."
Ron slowly smiled.
Starlight was stunned, eager to say something.
He quietly gave her a look, signaling Starlight not to rush.
"Really."
The three people from the marketing department were excited.
"I said how bold and brave this suit is." One of them, a middle-aged female designer with large square glasses, adjusted her glasses and said proudly. She had designed Homelander's suit before.
"Are there any extra suits?"
"Yes, of course, we made several in advance, in case there was no replacement after damage."
"Bring them out to see."
The three took out several identical new suits.
"Not bad, not bad."
He stroked his chin, seemingly admiring, and leaned back, instructing, "Put them on and let me see."
"Miss Starlight…"
The three people from the marketing department looked at Starlight with delight, holding the clothes.
"No, I mean you all put them on and let me see."
A cold voice interrupted, Ron was expressionless.
"Us?"
The three people from the marketing department were stunned, pointing to themselves and standing frozen, looking at each other, wondering if they had misheard.
Among the three of them, two men and one woman: a thin Mexican, a sturdy Black man, and the remaining one was a woman, but she was a middle-aged woman with loose skin.
"Yes, that's right, you all."
"Mr. Ron, we…"
The three resisted and hesitated.
"Ron…"
Madeline opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
"I said—put them on and let me see, don't make me say it a third time!"
Ron showed her no respect, his eyes lighting up with terrifying scarlet light, his voice like a cold wind from the North Pole, making people shiver, he slowly said.
"Unless you never want to hesitate about what to wear again!"
Humans are social animals; no one has never hesitated about what to wear in front of others, unless they are dead.
The air in the room solidified for a moment, filled with a terrifying and trembling aura.
Madeline closed her mouth, and Ashley was so scared she didn't dare to breathe.
"Oh, oh, oh, I'll wear it, I'll wear it!"
Under the terrifying threat, the three were scared pale, entered the room, and soon after, walked out wearing the one-piece bikini-style new suits, their hands and feet not knowing where to put them, shuffling out step by step.
The scene was both comical and 'unsightly.'
"What?
You all don't seem to particularly like this suit."
Ron sneered, watching.
The three's faces turned red, wanting to find a hole to crawl into, not daring to say a word.
"That's enough, Ron."
Starlight felt this wasn't very good, but for some reason, she felt a sense of satisfaction. She gently shook Ron's arm.
Ron waved his hand, telling them to leave.
The three were as if granted a great pardon, slinking away without daring to look up.
He glanced at the panel.
Ability points: 102,000
It increased by a few thousand again, reaching over one hundred thousand.
His ability points had increased once before, Ron guessed it was because he had sent Invisible Man to the hospital, saving his life and preventing him from discovering the bug, thus not following the original plot to find Hughie and Butcher and losing his life.
And this time, not only did it change Starlight's new suit, but more importantly, it allowed Madeline to see the relationship between the two. Starlight's original difficult situation in Vought would disappear, and she would directly have the greatest freedom under him and Homelander.
After the matter was over, Ashley found Starlight, humbly and awkwardly apologizing with a smile for her rude scolding that morning, hoping she wouldn't take it to heart.
Starlight felt even more comfortable and was touched by Ron's actions to protect her and stand up for her.
In the evening, Starlight was uncharacteristically much more proactive.
...
Two days later, Vought's promoted Race of the Century between A-Train and Impact arrived.
A huge stadium in New York, capable of holding over a hundred thousand people, was packed, with every seat taken, noisy and lively.
The two would compete to determine who was the fastest man in the World, representing significant meaning.
On the highest viewing platform.
"Dark Star, look here!"
"Black Noir!"
"Queen Maeve and Starlight, we support you!"
Among The Seven, Ron and three others appeared, receiving huge cheers.