The conference room felt unusually empty.
Under Edgar's gaze, Ivan remained perfectly at ease.
He tilted his head slightly toward Homelander and smiled. "It is quite a coincidence, but we don't exactly have a choice, do we?"
Homelander's expression remained cold as he stared at the phone lying on the table without saying a word.
For a moment, his vision blurred.
Stormfront seemed to appear in front of him, reaching out to stroke his cheek.
"Darling, I've always loved you. There's no question about that."
"I..." Homelander started to speak, only for Stormfront's features to suddenly twist and change.
"Come into my arms, baby."
Madelyn gently lifted her shirt.
The maternal aura around her drew Homelander in like a drug.
Without realizing it, he took several steps toward her.
"Homelander! You fucking hypocrite! You lying butcher!"
"Homelander! You don't deserve to call yourself a superhero!"
"Fuck off, Homelander!"
"..."
Countless furious voices crashed into his mind one after another.
A faint red glow appeared in Homelander's eyes.
"Baby, I'm truly sorry about Ryan. I really am. I never meant to keep it from you," Madelyn said apologetically.
"Come on. Harder. We can create a superior race together. This is your destiny, and your mission."
Stormfront looked at Homelander with pleading eyes.
"Shit! You were acting the whole fucking time! All of you! You treated me like a goddamn tool! Fuck your destiny! Fuck your lies!"
Homelander roared in fury.
"Homelander!"
Edgar, seated at the head of the table, frowned and called his name sharply.
Homelander snapped back to reality and looked around in confusion.
The heads of Public Relations and several other departments were staring at him, their faces filled with fear and panic.
It was the first time any of them had seen Homelander this close to losing control.
A primal terror, the kind that came from staring death itself in the face, had wrapped around them so tightly that they could barely breathe.
"Sorry. I zoned out for a second."
The crimson glow in Homelander's eyes gradually faded.
He drew a deep breath and forced the chaotic thoughts in his head back into order.
"Greevs is right. We don't have a choice."
"Understood. I'll have people spread these photos as quickly as possible," the head of Public Relations hurriedly agreed.
"Wait."
Ivan suddenly cut him off.
"There's no rush. Let the bullet fly a little longer. Wait until the public's anger has been fully stirred up. By then, they'll start spreading the story themselves. Once the backlash reaches its peak, release the photos."
Ivan smiled.
"That way, Homelander's reputation flips overnight. He won't just stop being seen as some psychotic murderer. They'll probably start praising him as a true American anti-Nazi hero."
His smile remained unchanged.
"But until then, Homelander should stay away from the rumors outside. If anything goes wrong, everything we've done could fall apart."
"Well said."
Edgar removed his glasses and met Greevs' gaze.
"But there is one thing I need to add. Stormfront was, after all, a Vought superhero. With a scandal this big, someone has to take responsibility for it."
Edgar's meaning could not have been clearer.
He wanted a scapegoat.
The moment he finished speaking, the department heads around the table lowered their heads almost in unison.
One studied the pen in his hand as though trying to find some hidden pattern on it.
Another grabbed his pen and started scribbling furiously in his notebook, though God only knew what the hell he was writing.
Someone else simply stared down at his trousers, apparently checking whether his fly was zipped.
Edgar swept his gaze around the room before finally settling on Ivan.
"None of them carries enough weight to take responsibility for something like this. It seems this burden can only fall on you, Greevs."
Edgar interlaced his fingers on the table and leaned back slightly.
"I understand that this decision is unfair. Even so, I hope you'll consider what is best for Vought. You may need to leave the company temporarily. I'll arrange for you to serve as vice-chancellor of Godolkin University. It is the cradle of superheroes and one of the foundations Vought depends upon."
He paused.
"Once this matter fades from public memory, Vought will welcome you back. By then, perhaps I'll already be retired. I'll submit your file to the board."
Edgar looked directly at him.
"You understand what I mean."
What?!
Several executives snapped their heads up at once, staring at Edgar in disbelief.
What Edgar had just said was practically the same as naming Greevs the next CEO of Vought.
Take the blame for one scandal, and in exchange, become Vought's chief executive.
No matter how they looked at it, that was one hell of a bargain.
Every single one of them regretted keeping their mouths shut.
If they had known this was where things were headed, they would have volunteered to take the fall themselves.
But now it was too late.
"Well then, I suppose congratulations are in order, Mr. Greevs," the head of Public Relations said sourly.
Compared to the naked envy on everyone else's faces, Ivan remained completely calm.
He had long since developed immunity to the grand promises Edgar liked dangling in front of people.
Edgar's intentions were obvious.
He wanted Ivan out of Vought.
Still, Ivan genuinely had some interest in Godolkin University.
Every student there was a supe.
Maybe one of them had a power worth taking.
Ivan remained silent for nearly half a minute, as if carefully considering the proposal, before finally nodding.
"I accept your arrangement."
A faint smile of satisfaction appeared on Edgar's face.
"I'll arrange your transfer as soon as possible. When the time comes, Godolkin University's dean, Indira Shetty, will come personally to receive you."
After the meeting ended, Edgar asked Ashley to stay behind.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, thinking in silence.
It took about as long as finishing a cup of coffee before he finally opened them again.
"Ever since Madelyn died, I've handed part of the business over to you, including matters involving Godolkin University. You've proven that you're capable, and more importantly, loyal enough to Vought."
Edgar regarded her calmly.
"I think it's time we adjusted your position."
From beginning to end, Edgar had never truly trusted Ivan.
The work he had given him had mostly been insignificant matters that did not touch the company's real foundations.
"Mr. Edgar..."
Ashley clapped both hands over her mouth in excitement.
At that moment, she felt like she had just hit the Powerball jackpot.
"I'm sorry, I honestly don't even know how to express how grateful I am. I swear to God, I'll carry out every order you give me, no matter what it takes."
"I've never doubted your loyalty to Vought, Ashley."
Edgar smiled.
"You've earned this."
Even after Ashley walked out of the conference room, her head was still spinning.
Every step felt like she was walking on cotton.
None of it seemed real.
"Indira."
Edgar stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the sunlit city buildings below as he held his phone to his ear.
"I need you to do something for me."
___
[]~(￣▽￣)~*
Read 12 Advance Chapters—P@t- Captain69