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The conference room was utterly silent, and A-Train stammered for a long time, unable to speak.
Homelander looked at him, waiting for his answer.
A-Train's gaze darted around, then suddenly focused on a screen in The Seven's conference room.
Homelander followed his gaze.
The screen was playing an interview program. Homelander remembered that Translucent had also participated in a similar interview.
Only, sitting next to the host now wasn't Translucent.
It was The Deep, dressed in a suit, handsome, and looking even more attractive than Homelander.
Seeing The Deep in this state, Homelander's mouth twitched involuntarily. He stared intently at The Deep's appearance for a long time.
Only then did he start listening to the interview.
"...Many people are very curious now, how did you manage to catch the plane smoothly that day? It's incredible!"
The host brought up the hijacking incident. The Deep, by controlling the seawater, saved everyone on the plane, which to many seemed like the sea god Poseidon himself descending to earth.
Many people had even started to regard The Deep as a son of God, much like Homelander.
The Son of Poseidon.
Facing the host's question, The Deep sat there with his legs crossed, looking at the camera and explaining:
"Hmm, accurately speaking, I didn't catch it. I just, like Homelander, 'supported' the plane with water, then slowed down its speed, letting it slowly land on the sea surface."
"So, you just used some method to give the plane a buffer?"
"Pretty much."
"Then that must require a lot of water, right? And that leads to the second question the audience is very curious about: when did you start having the ability to control water?"
The host asked another crucial question.
The Deep pondered for a moment, then replied:
"Actually, I've always had the power to control water. Moving swiftly in water, breathing underwater, most of it is related to water. It's just that recently, the water currents I control have become stronger.
"If everyone is truly curious about this question, then please pay attention to my new movie, 'The Deep 3'. All your questions will be answered there."
"Oh, The Deep, this isn't your movie press conference here..."
"Is that so? Sorry, director, cut that part just now, don't air it!"
"The Deep, this is live."
The host said helplessly, and the audience below chuckled kindly.
After a while, seeing the atmosphere amicable, the host changed the topic again.
He seriously asked The Deep:
"But speaking of which, I heard rumors online that the real reason for the plane crash was because Homelander and Maeve went into the cockpit and accidentally destroyed the control panel... Is this true?"
"?"
As soon as the host asked this, The Deep's expression on camera changed slightly.
Not only The Deep's expression changed; outside the camera, Homelander, who was watching the live broadcast, also looked very displeased.
His hand, wearing a red glove, was tightly clenched. The squeaking sound of the rubber glove rubbing echoed in the conference room, making A-Train not even dare to breathe.
This interview was authorized by Vought, and the host responsible for interviewing The Deep also belonged to Vought.
Or rather, the entire program's financier was Vought.
Therefore, what questions the host should ask and what questions the guest should answer were all under Vought's control.
Logically, the host should not have asked a question that could potentially damage the reputation of The Seven's leader.
But he did!
Even if this might be a script, and The Deep would later give a very reasonable explanation, what would the audience think when they heard that Homelander might be the culprit behind the plane crash?
Would Homelander's fan base also be shaken because of this?
Just thinking about this, Homelander found it somewhat unacceptable.
Looking at The Deep, a surge of anger inexplicably rose within Homelander.
Homelander had initially thought that The Deep would be his most capable subordinate, given his recent performance.
But first, he was almost overshadowed by him at the last appreciation event, and then he vaguely heard that the group's board of directors thought highly of him.
This already made Homelander unhappy, and now, the reporter was asking such questions...
Homelander no longer wanted to hear The Deep's subsequent answer.
He took a deep breath, turned to A-Train, and returned to their initial conversation:
"It was The Deep, right? It was The Deep who saved that Asian chick?"
When Homelander had questioned him just now, A-Train subconsciously looked at The Deep on the screen.
While this might have been an unintentional act by A-Train, like a student instinctively looking around when asked a question by a teacher.
Homelander, however, still firmly believed that The Asian woman's escape was absolutely, definitely related to The Deep.
And perhaps because Homelander had spoken the 'truth', which wasn't something A-Train had volunteered, A-Train actually breathed a sigh of relief. He hesitated for a moment, then finally admitted:
"It... it was him, but he told me not to tell you..."
"So you've been hiding it until now? A-Train, who is the leader, me or him?!"
"I'm sorry! Homelander, I... I'm very sorry... But... but he became very powerful for some reason. He... can control the water in my body..."
"So you're afraid he'll kill you? Huh? Then why aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
Homelander was furious. He grabbed A-Train's head with one hand, and a crimson light glowed in his angry eyes.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!! I'm really sorry! I won't... I won't do this next time! Absolutely not! I'm sorry, please spare me!"
Homelander's killing intent rushed forth. A-Train, knowing his personality, begged for mercy repeatedly, almost kneeling to kowtow to Homelander.
Homelander, however, didn't listen to his excuses. He violently pushed A-Train to the ground, pointing at him and saying:
"Now, deal with Kimiko immediately! As for The Deep..."
Homelander turned to look at The Deep on the screen, who was calmly answering and showing a handsome smile, his gaze icy cold:
"I'll go talk to him personally."
...
Vought is really trying to stir up trouble...
Kevin, who had come down from the stage, recalled the host's questions and pondered.
As Homelander had suspected, everything about this interview was pre-arranged, including what the host would ask and what Kevin would answer; there was a script for everything.
Even Kevin's feigned ignorance for advancement on stage was part of the script.
But one thing, and only one thing, was not in the script.
That was the host's question about the hijacking incident, which should not have appeared in the live broadcast.
Although this matter was already settled, Kevin could simply use the official statement to brush it off, which wouldn't have any impact on the overall situation.
However, the moment this question was asked, it would somewhat affect Homelander's public image.
Many people would certainly wonder if Homelander had really done such a thing that day.
For example, Homelander's haters.
Homelander's public image was damaged, while, conversely, Kevin's image was rapidly being established...
Is Vought really trying to cultivate Kevin into the next leader?
Are they serious!?
Kevin had thought Edgar was just talking, like the empty promises he had always made to others.
But now it seemed Edgar might actually have such intentions?
If that's the case, then he and Homelander might truly have a day when they clash...
"Are you okay?"
Below the stage, Annie, dressed in casual clothes, walked over. She looked at the pensive Kevin and asked worriedly.
Kevin smiled at her:
"I'm fine, how could I not be? Oh, by the way, how is Kimiko? Is she getting used to staying with you?"
"She's alright, she's doing quite well here."
Annie responded simply, then suddenly asked:
"Speaking of which, I'm planning to invite you as a guest to the Faith Expo in a couple of days. What do you think?"
The Faith Expo organized by Ezekiel was scheduled to start in a few days. Annie hadn't forgotten to look for clues on Ezekiel, but she felt it might not be very safe to go alone.
Coincidentally, Kevin had done such a big thing during this period, and many believers began to regard Kevin as a new Son of God arranged by God.
Annie could also use this opportunity to invite Kevin as a guest.
After all, there were quite a few Catholics on that plane that day.
Annie wanted a helper, and Kevin knew that, but the problem was...
"I don't believe in Catholicism."
Kevin said this to Annie.
He was a non-believer; he didn't believe in any denomination. Such a non-believer didn't seem very suitable for attending the Faith Expo.
"It's okay, you're an actor, just act a little."
Annie patted Kevin's shoulder, smiling as she spoke.
If that were the case, then perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea for Kevin to go. After all, it should also be part of the plot, and Kevin could gain skill points by participating, so why not?
"You're right. Alright then, I'll arrange my schedule these next few days, and I'll go with you that day."
"Okay, since you've agreed, then tomorrow, shall we go out and... buy some things that Catholics would have... or something."
Seeing Kevin agree, Annie quickly stated her request.
This request was made very quickly, without any thought, as if Annie had already planned to do this for a long time.
Kevin froze, stopped walking, turned to look at Annie, and after staring at her for a while, asked half-jokingly:
"Sorry, maybe I misunderstood. Did you just... want to ask me out tomorrow?"
"What? No, no, no, how could that be?"
Annie was stunned, a faint hint of panic in her eyes that was hard to detect. She waved her hands repeatedly, explaining:
"I just thought that as a Catholic, you should have something to prove your faith. We Catholics always have one with us, like this."
Annie said, even pulling out the small cross around her neck, trying to prove that her invitation for Kevin to go out tomorrow was not a date.
Annie's reason seemed very sufficient and plausible.
Kevin thought about it and agreed.
Since he had agreed to Annie's invitation to attend the expo, he should at least do a good job of appearances.
Chatting with Annie, the two left the backstage together, preparing to head back.
Perhaps it was because of Kevin's ill-timed question just now that the atmosphere between him and Annie was a bit awkward. After walking a distance, neither of them spoke.
This awkwardness continued until someone descended from the sky.
Thud.
A Superhero-style landing, blue hero suit, and red cape, indicated the person's identity.
Looking at Homelander, who had suddenly appeared, Kevin instantly stopped.
He almost instinctively shielded Annie behind him, looking at Homelander, who had suddenly arrived.
But before he could ask, Homelander asked the two in a seemingly kind, but actually chilling tone:
"What? Did I interrupt your date?"
Whether he interrupted a date or not was one thing, but your sudden appearance certainly startled me.
Kevin thought this as he looked at the uninvited Homelander.
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