Free Web NovelChapter 24: 24: Madelyn Gets Emotional Damage
For those of us climbing to the top of the food chain, there can be no mercy. There is but one rule: hunt or be hunted.
~ Frank Underwood (House of Cards):
____
"Right!"
Hillel nodded. "That video only showed the first half. The rest was cut on purpose, which means whoever leaked it wanted to trash Starlight’s reputation and also had a bone to pick with me."
"If you’re willing to step up and personally tell the full story about what really happened, you can help clean up The Seven’s image."
"Because when you got screwed over, someone actually stood up for you."
Homelander frowned. "That only fixes Starlight’s rep, or maybe helps The Seven a bit. What the fuck does it do for me?"
"Don’t rush."
Hillel kept going. "Annie’s statement alone isn’t enough. We need to release the full video, otherwise it won’t land."
"What’s even in the second half?" Homelander hadn’t seen the complete footage yet.
He’d only heard bits from The Deep’s whining.
He had no clue about The Guardian’s heroic rescue.
Ashley jumped in to explain. "In the second half, The Guardian kicked the door open, confronted The Deep right there in the room, and delivered perfect, on-time justice!"
Homelander tilted his head slightly.
"So this is about clearing your name again? What about me? Do I not count?"
"See, you’re rushing again. I haven’t finished yet!"
Homelander waved his hand quickly, showing unusual patience.
"Go on."
"With Annie’s personal account plus the full video as proof, the public will buy it, and I can help push the story."
"We frame it like this: Homelander had known about the rotten shit happening inside the team for a while, but he stayed quiet and waited until he had solid evidence."
"That video was the key proof we were going to use to nail The Deep for sexual harassment."
"But some malicious bastards stole it and used it to smear The Seven, even trying to pin everything on Homelander. Their intentions are fucking evil!"
"They’re not just lying to the public. They’re the biggest enemies of America!"
After Hillel laid all that out, Homelander just sat there stunned.
Holy shit.
You can spin it like that?
Before you showed up, our PR was complete garbage!
Madelyn listened with pure exhaustion on her face.
Ashley kept her mouth shut. She’d been thinking the exact same thing.
But if she said it, all the credit would go straight to Madelyn.
So she stayed quiet.
Starlight’s eyes lit up. She thought this was a brilliant plan.
She could clear her name, The Guardian would score some major goodwill, and Homelander’s image could recover too.
The whole PR disaster would get a fresh angle.
Vought wouldn’t take as big a hit.
Everyone wins!
"Good!"
"Very good!"
"Excellent!"
Homelander said it three times fast, clearly thrilled.
"I was blind before, listening to people with bad intentions. I actually suspected you. I owe you an apology!"
"I shouldn’t have doubted your intentions!"
"Because you are a real hero. Pure justice. You’re so much better than that useless bunch in the PR department!"
With one sentence, Homelander dragged both Ashley and Madelyn through the mud.
Madelyn could barely keep her face straight.
Hillel added fuel. "Actually, I came up with this thanks to Ashley."
"Oh? There’s more talent here?"
Homelander looked at Ashley in surprise.
He had talent like this right under his nose the whole time and never noticed?
Ashley looked completely lost.
"Me... me?"
"I’m talented?"
Hillel explained: "The morning after I stopped The Deep, Ashley actually called me, but I didn’t pick up. When I got to Vought the next day, she showed me that internal video."
"At the time she already had a PR plan ready, but someone shot it down and buried the video."
"Later, as you know, Translucent stole it."
Homelander had been listening to Hillel’s heartbeat the whole time.
It proved every word was true.
Ashley’s heartbeat was steady too.
She showed Homelander her phone’s call log.
She really had tried to contact The Guardian that night.
"Very good!"
"Ashley, why didn’t you tell me earlier? You almost made me fight with Guardian again!"
"Is someone making things difficult for you?"
Ashley’s heartbeat spiked.
Homelander’s face turned dark.
Ashley really was getting screwed over!
Who the fuck was blocking her?
Wasn’t that the same as slapping him, Homelander, in the face?
"Someone threatened you! They wouldn’t let your PR plan through, right!"
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Someone’s heartbeat went completely erratic.
Homelander looked toward the sound.
Madelyn shook her head frantically.
"No, it’s not that, listen to me explain!"
"No need."
Homelander made his judgment on the spot.
He’d been at Vought for years. He knew exactly how ruthlessly Madelyn used her people.
Ashley was one of them.
When things went right, Madelyn took all the credit.
When shit hit the fan, the subordinates took the fall. freewёbnoνel.com
In the past Homelander wouldn’t have cared, but now Madelyn’s judgment couldn’t keep up with what he needed.
So a choice had to be made.
"Ashley, from now on you will personally handle all PR strategy for The Seven."
"You report directly to me."
"If anyone has a problem with that, tell them to come see me!"
Homelander promoted Ashley on the spot like a tyrant.
Ashley was stunned by the sudden rise.
She immediately got excited and started thanking him.
"Homelander, thank you! I’m just... so excited!"
"Oh my god! THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING! You’re my real hero!"
Homelander could feel her emotions. She was genuinely grateful.
"Alright, enough of this circus. Time to get to real business."
Hillel left the room first.
No one objected.
Even Homelander trusted The Guardian now, so what the hell could anyone else say?
A little while later.
Hillel, who had stepped out, came back into the room.
"This is my office. You guys are the ones who should be leaving."
...
Once everyone else had cleared out, Ashley was still sitting there.
Madelyn shot her a look sharp enough to cut glass.
How could she not see it? Ashley had fully thrown in with The Guardian.
With both The Guardian and Homelander backing her now, there was nothing Madelyn could do about it.
Only after Madelyn finally left did Ashley stand up.
But Hillel put a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay quiet.
Homelander was still out in the hallway.
He was listening to Madelyn’s desperate explanations.
Half an hour later.
Homelander left Vought Tower.
Madelyn stood there frozen. Homelander hadn’t listened to a word she said and wouldn’t even look at her.
Only then did Hillel signal that it was safe for Ashley to talk.
"That video... you were the one who leaked it, right?"
Hillel didn’t say anything.
"You don’t have to admit it. I just wanted to confirm one thing."
Ashley took a deep breath.
"Everything you said earlier about Madelyn, climbing the ladder, and all that backstage shit — was it all true?"
Hillel kicked his legs up on the desk and looked at her.
Ashley got the message instantly and walked over to start massaging his legs.
"I spoke up for you back there. My recommendation carries real weight, but only if you actually deliver."
Hillel didn’t say more.
Ashley immediately made her position clear.
"Then I’ve decided. From today on, I’m your person. If you tell me to do something, I’ll make sure it’s done. If you tell me to go against someone, I won’t hesitate!"
"Good girl!"
[Key Character: Homelander — Emotional Change: Trust deepened, seriously dissatisfied with Madelyn]
[Ability Points Gained: +3,891]
...
[Key Character: Starlight — Emotional Change: Grateful, trusting, willing to cooperate]
[Ability Points Gained: +1,456]
...
[Key Character: Madelyn — Emotional Change: Hostile, angry, anxious about losing power]
[Ability Points Gained: +1,877]
...
[Key Character: Ashley — Emotional Change: Ambitious, submissive, admiring]
[Ability Points Gained: +2,134]
...
[Key Character: Maeve — Emotional Change: Complex]
[Ability Points Gained: +743]
...
[Current Ability Points: 97,760 / 100,000]
____
Early access to 12 advance Chapters.
P@t: MilkLoverFanfics
