Free Web NovelChapter 56: 56: Controlling Homelander? I’m Just A Good Friend!
If you want to control people, you have to understand them first.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli
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The next day, Hillel went to work in high spirits.
Last night, Annie’s eyes flashed thirteen times.
The lights of the entire building were like the flashing lights of a DJ dance club. Absolutely wild. The landlord even contacted a priest, along with the electrician, this time.
Vought Tower lobby.
Two familiar figures were waiting there early.
Cate and Jordan.
The two had just returned from Godolkin University. Their final exams were over.
Cate wore a loose hoodie, her hair casually tied into a ponytail, looking just like a pure college girl.
The blonde girl had no shortage of secret admirers now.
Especially after becoming The Guardian’s intern, she had practically become the object of everyone’s flattery at school.
Her popularity ranking on campus had risen to number one.
Then there was Jordan.
As the school’s number two, she still presented herself in her female form, with short hair, wearing an athletic tank top and cargo pants.
To be honest, female Jordan was quite good-looking.
Her style was also very cool.
Too bad she was bigender.
"Sir!"
When the two saw Hillel, their eyes lit up at the same time.
"How were the exams?"
"Straight A’s," Cate smiled.
"I got a B+ in one," Jordan shrugged. "The professor targeted me. He doesn’t like Asian-Americans."
"Alright, don’t dwell on it, it’s good that you’re back."
Hillel nodded. "I have plans for today. Follow me."
Just as the three of them reached the elevator, someone was already waiting there.
Homelander.
He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, his American flag cape hanging neatly behind him.
But his expression... was somewhat gloomy.
What was wrong with Homelander now?
"Waiting here first thing in the morning?" Hillel raised an eyebrow.
"Not really."
Homelander shrugged, trying to act casual.
But he couldn’t hide the gloominess in his demeanor.
Cate and Jordan sensibly took a couple of steps back.
"What are your plans for today?" Homelander asked.
"Give them some special training." Hillel pointed behind him.
"I want to see if supes can undergo a secondary awakening of their superpowers through training."
In the original show, Starlight only awakened her flight ability later on.
Homelander nodded, looking preoccupied.
First thing in the morning, standing before him with such a solemn expression. Hillel knew he couldn’t avoid it. This kid had come seeking comfort like a puppy again.
Hillel temporarily put the training plan on hold and turned to Cate and Jordan. "Go to the training room and warm up first. I’ll be over in a bit."
"Yes, sir."
The two of them quickly slipped away.
"Spit it out."
Hillel leaned against the wall. "What kind of bullshit could make Homelander look like a pile of shit?"
Homelander remained silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
"If... you had a friend and he..."
Hillel raised his hand. "Let me interrupt. This friend of yours isn’t me, is it?"
Homelander gestured for Hillel to let him finish.
Hillel waved his hand. "Go ahead, go ahead."
"...If this friend had a secret they were keeping from you, what would you do?"
Hillel looked at him with a flat expression.
"Isn’t that completely normal?"
Homelander froze for a moment.
"If I liked to pee while doing a handstand, do I have to tell the whole world?"
Homelander’s cheek twitched, clearly not expecting such an answer from Hillel.
"This... this is different—"
"How is it different?" Hillel shrugged. "For example, if you like to drink rare milk products, would you tell the whole world?"
Homelander’s expression froze.
His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his eyes flickered.
"How... how do you know—"
"Eh? Know what?"
"No... nothing!"
Homelander’s face looked strained, as if a taboo secret of his had just been exposed.
He cleared his throat, trying to get the conversation back on track.
"I’m not talking about that kind of secret! I mean... an important secret! The kind that concerns... trust!"
"Alright bruh, I’m a busy man. There are still plenty of high-quality women in the world waiting for me to save them. If you have something to say, spit it out."
Homelander took a deep breath.
"I went to see Madelyn."
Hillel nodded. Homelander had gone to the ’production workshop’ for some fresh-squeezed milk, and then?
"She investigated your background."
Homelander spoke faster. "Like me, you’re an orphan. You have no record of any supe lineage, and no channel to access Compound V..."
He stared at Hillel.
"...How did you get your powers? What is your goal in getting close to me?"
Oh, Homelander’s mommy was pulling strings behind the scenes.
Hillel had been wondering why Madelyn, whose position he had stripped away, hadn’t come to settle the score yet.
It seemed the moment had finally arrived. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Hillel said very seriously, "I didn’t get my powers from Compound V."
"Then how did you..."
"I’m purely a late bloomer who accumulated strength over time."
Homelander’s expression looked like he had just swallowed a fly.
"Are you treating me like a child?"
Hillel straightened up, seeming to think about how to phrase his words.
After a moment of thought, he gave up on thinking.
"Homelander, who the fuck do you think you are?"
Homelander’s pupils shrank.
"...You really think too highly of yourself! Even if I were plotting something, it would be to bring Edgar down. Why would I target you? Are you the boss? You have to ask permission from above just to decide who gets in or out of The Seven. In my eyes, you’re just a joke!"
Homelander’s face turned red with anger in half a second.
Yet, he didn’t snap, because Hillel’s heartbeat remained perfectly steady.
"John, oh John! You’re just an immature kid living in a man’s world, trying to pretend you’re an adult."
Hillel kept pressing.
"Madelyn told you to question me, and you just did? You believe whatever she says? Has your brain been fucked by an idiot?"
"Answer me."
"Look into my eyes!"
Homelander’s fists clenched.
He was the one who came to demand answers, so how did he end up getting blasted in the face by The Guardian?
He, the great Homelander, the protector of people, was actually standing here like a dumbass, quietly taking a scolding?
Yet, he was being scolded so thoroughly that he couldn’t even muster any temper.
"I... I’m not some idiot kid!" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"Oh, you’re not an idiot kid, you’re a dickhead kid!"
...
[Homelander—Emotional Turmoil: Shame, Confusion, Surprise, Delight]
[Obtained Ability Points: +11,234]
...
Delight..? What the fuck.. oh, well, 11k points baby!
Seeing that he had scolded him enough, Hillel decided to save some rep for Homelander. He pulled out his phone and dialed Ashley’s number.
"Ashley, how is the investigation into Becca’s matter going?"
A clatter sounded from the other end of the line as a folder dropped to the floor.
Ashley’s voice came through, laced with nervousness.
"Sir... I’ll come over and tell you right away."
Thirty seconds later, Ashley trotted over from the end of the corridor.
She saw that Homelander was also there, but she still braced herself and walked over.
"Sir, regarding the matter you asked me to investigate..."
Ashley’s expression was very strained, like someone who had made a mistake and was waiting for punishment.
"I went to Madelyn, but... she wouldn’t say anything. I tried every method I could think of—coercion, bribery, even hinting that it was your wish.. but she just wouldn’t budge."
"I’m so sorry, sir, I..."
"Alright."
Hillel interrupted her. "Madelyn is a tough nut to crack. After all, even our poor Homelander is played like a fiddle by her, so it’s only natural that you failed."
He turned to look at Homelander.
"Take me to see Dr. Vogelbaum."
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