Ability Points Break 100,000 Again

"When you're a superhero, it's the opposite—others just need to suspect you, and you have to prove your innocence. Fail to do that, and you're guilty."

A sneer curled at the corner of Ron's mouth.

"Sometimes, being too powerful and making people uneasy is itself a crime."

Starlight hadn't been a superhero for long, but Superman should have plenty of experience with this sort of thing.

An alien, working tirelessly to protect Earth, fighting his own kind for the planet's sake, forced to kill his own people with his own hands, destroying the hope of rebuilding Krypton, saving the world more than once.

Yet he was still constantly suspected and guarded against. Some thought his power was too great, that protecting Earth would hinder its development, and schemed to kill him. Others believed he might turn dark and threaten Earth, secretly preparing plans to deal with or eliminate him.

Kryptonite, the substance that could restrain Superman, was scattered everywhere—any halfway decent villain or lab could pull out two pieces of it.

With his abilities, Superman could have been a god on Earth, yet he was hounded by weak ordinary people, made a mess of, blamed by everyone, and got nothing but grief for his trouble.

"That's so unfair."

Starlight couldn't help complaining.

"Time's almost up. Didn't Ashley want you in Madelyn's office? I'll go with you."

It was nearly ten o'clock. Ron smiled.

"Let's see what they have to say."

Madelyn's office.

Ron and Starlight walked in.

"Ron, what are you doing here?" Madelyn, sitting on the sofa, stood up in surprise.

"Not welcome?"

"No, you're welcome in my office anytime, for anything."

Madelyn's gaze flickered subtly between Ron and Starlight, who stood close together, and her heart tightened. She smiled.

"Ms. Madelyn."

Starlight nodded, a little stiffly.

"Please, sit."

Besides Ashley, there were a few other people in the room.

They watched as Ron and Starlight sat down close together on one sofa.

"Damn it!"

Ashley, sharp at reading people, felt a sinking feeling. Her face immediately turned unnatural as she sidled up, a hint of fawning in her tone.

"Starlight, relax, you know? Actually, things have taken a turn. The victim girl you saved saw the online video and came forward to testify for you, describing the whole incident in detail."

Now she looked nothing like the furious, cursing woman from this morning who had screamed at Starlight—first arrogant, then servile.

"What?"

Starlight, thrown off by Ashley's attitude, was stunned for a moment, then processed the words and asked in disbelief.

"You mean... this is resolved?"

She had braced herself for a scolding or even being fired.

"Yes, your popularity has soared. You've gained a huge number of female fans who feel you gave them a sense of security," Madelyn said.

"That's great."

A wave of joy washed over her.

"Hello, Starlight. We're from marketing. We've got some ideas—we think the company and you could expand the benefits from this attention."

At that, a few people from marketing, eager to follow the prepared script, spoke excitedly.

"We believe you should seize the moment, lock in your current female fan base, change your image, and project a stronger sense of female power."

"What do you mean?" Starlight asked, confused.

Ron's gaze turned cold. Vought's understanding of female power was nothing like a normal person's.

Ashley's face stiffened, and she shot a questioning look at Madelyn, but before Madelyn could say anything—

"Ding-ding!"

One of the three pulled the yellow cloth off a half-body mannequin that had been covered in the room, revealing a new, revealing costume—almost a one-piece bikini.

Judging by the color and style, it was clearly meant for Starlight.

"Oh, I'm not wearing that."

Starlight felt humiliated at the sight of that suit, her reaction fierce and her tone resolute.

"Why? It's beautiful!"

The three from marketing were baffled and tried to persuade her.

"Look at it. Two days from now is the century race between A-Train and Shockwave. Imagine wearing this into the stadium—you'd definitely be the center of everyone's attention."

Ron let out a snort.

Yeah, no kidding.

Anyone who wore a one-piece bikini as everyday attire out in public would absolutely draw every eye.

If only certain organizations in this world had more power, they'd show Vought what it meant to punch a hole through the sky.

"Ron..."

Frowning, Starlight looked to Ron for help.

She was smart enough to know that Vice President Madelyn and Ashley must have approved this decision beforehand, or they wouldn't have brought it to her. On her own, she probably couldn't change the new suit's fate.

"Damn..."

Madelyn pressed a hand to her forehead, watching the clueless trio. She hadn't expected things to go this way and had a bad feeling.

Ashley looked terrified, even wanting to hide.

"I think it's not bad."

Ron smiled slowly.

Starlight froze, eager to say something.

He gave her a gentle look, signaling her not to rush.

"Really?"

The marketing trio got excited.

"I told you this suit was bold and daring." One of them, a middle-aged female designer with large square glasses, adjusted them proudly. She had designed Homelander's suit before.

"Are there extras?"

"Yes, of course. We made several in advance, just in case one gets damaged and needs replacing."

"Bring them out."

The three pulled out several identical new suits.

"Not bad, not bad."

He rubbed his chin, feigning appreciation, then leaned back and ordered, "Put them on and let's see."

"Miss Starlight..."

The marketing trio held the suits, looking eagerly at Starlight.

"No—I meant you three put them on and let's see."

An icy undertone cut through as Ron spoke, his face expressionless.

"Us?"

The three from marketing froze, pointing at themselves, standing dumbfounded and exchanging glances, wondering if they'd misheard.

Among them were two men and one woman: a scrawny Mexican, a burly Black man, and the woman, a flabby middle-aged woman.

"Yes, you."

"Mr. Ron, we..."

They hesitated, resistant.

"Ron..."

Madelyn opened her mouth to say something.

"I said—put them on. Don't make me say it a third time!"

He showed her no courtesy, his eyes glowing with a cold, ominous red light, his voice like a frigid wind from the Arctic, sending chills down spines as he spoke slowly.

"Unless you never want to hesitate over what to wear again!"

Humans are social creatures; everyone has hesitated over what to wear in front of others—unless they're dead.

The air in the room froze, filled with a terrifying, trembling aura.

Madelyn shut her mouth. Ashley was too scared to breathe.

"O-okay, I'll wear it, I'll wear it!"

Under the terrifying threat, the three turned pale with fear, went into the room, and soon came out wearing the one-piece bikini-style new suits, not knowing where to put their hands or feet, shuffling forward step by step.

The scene was comical, yet painfully cringeworthy.

"What's wrong?

You don't seem to like this suit that much either."

Ron let out a sneer as he watched.

The three of them flushed crimson, wishing they could crawl into a hole in the ground, not daring to utter a single word.

"That's enough, Ron."

Starlight felt this wasn't quite right, but for some reason, a sense of satisfaction stirred in her heart. She gently tugged at Ron's arm.

Ron waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

The three of them, as if granted a pardon, slunk away with their heads down, not daring to look up.

He glanced at the panel.

Ability Points: 102,000

Another few thousand had been added, pushing it past the hundred-thousand mark.

His Ability Points had increased once before. Ron guessed it was because he'd sent Translucent to the hospital, saving his life—preventing him from discovering the bug and, following the original plot, going after Hughie and The Butcher and getting himself killed.

This time, it wasn't just about changing Starlight's new costume. More importantly, it had made Madelyn see their relationship. All of Starlight's original hardships at Vought would vanish from here on out. She would directly gain the greatest freedom beneath him and Homelander.

After the matter was settled, Ashley found Starlight, humbly and awkwardly forcing a smile, repeatedly apologizing and groveling for her rude scolding that morning, begging her not to take it to heart.

Starlight's mood grew even lighter, and she was moved by how Ron had protected her and stood up for her.

That night, Starlight was unusually proactive.

Two days later, Vought's heavily promoted century race between A-Train and Shockwave arrived.

In a massive stadium in New York capable of holding over a hundred thousand people, the stands were packed to capacity, a sea of noise and chaos.

The two would compete to decide who was the fastest man in the world—a match of monumental significance.

On the highest viewing platform.

"Dark Star, look over here!"

"Black Noir!"

"Queen Maeve and Starlight, we've got your backs!"

Among The Seven, Ron and the other three made their appearance, greeted by a thunderous roar of cheers.