My Brother, You Are the True Hero!

"Correct!"

Lu Heng nodded. "That video only showed the first half; the rest was deliberately cut. This proves that whoever did it wants to smear Starlight's reputation, and they don't like me much either."

"If you are willing to step forward and personally recount the full sequence of events, telling the public the truth, you can elevate the image of The Seven."

"Because when someone is treated unfairly, there is someone who stands up for them."

Homelander frowned. "That would only restore Starlight's reputation, or perhaps improve the public's view of The Seven. What does that have to do with me?"

"Don't be impatient."

Lu Heng continued, "Annie's own testimony isn't enough; the full video must be released, otherwise it lacks credibility."

"What is in the second half of the video?" Homelander hadn't seen the complete footage yet.

He had only heard a few scattered words from The Deep.

He was completely unaware of the part where the Guardian saved the damsel in distress.

Ashley took the initiative to explain, "In the second half of the video, the Guardian kicks the door open, confronts The Deep in public, and executes perfect, precise justice!"

Homelander tilted his head slightly.

"So, this is about clearing your name again? What about me? Am I invisible?"

"Look at you, getting worked up again. I haven't finished speaking!"

Homelander hurriedly waved his hand, showing a rare moment of patience.

"Go on, go on."

"With Annie's testimony and the video as evidence, the public will believe it, and I can coordinate the publicity."

"The reason Starlight was saved this time is because Homelander had long been aware of the misconduct within the team, but kept it secret, waiting to secure concrete evidence."

"That video recording is the key evidence we intended to use to charge The Deep with sexual harassment."

"But it was exploited by malicious actors to slander The Seven, even pointing the finger directly at Homelander—their intentions are truly treacherous!"

"They are not only fooling the public, they are the greatest enemies of America!"

As Lu Heng reeled off this string of words, Homelander was left dumbfounded.

Holy shit!

You can actually spin the narrative like this?

Before I met you, we were just doing PR like idiots!

Madelyn was already listening in exhaustion.

Ashley didn't dare to speak at all, even though she had clearly been thinking the exact same thing just a moment ago.

But if she had said it herself, the credit would have inevitably gone to Madelyn.

So, she simply chose not to express an opinion.

Starlight's eyes lit up; she felt this was an excellent plan.

She could restore her reputation, the Guardian could use this to build goodwill, and Homelander's credibility would rise.

That news PR disaster would also have a new angle for explanation.

Vought's reputation would suffer no losses.

Everyone would have a bright future!

"Good!"

"Very good!"

"Excellent!"

Homelander said it three times in one breath, showing just how satisfied he was.

"I was blinded by people with ulterior motives before, and I actually suspected you were a spy who infiltrated Vought. I owe you an apology!"

"I shouldn't have doubted your motives!"

"Because you are a true hero, pure justice—you are far better than that bunch of trash in the PR department!"

With one sentence, Homelander insulted both Ashley and Madelyn.

Madelyn could barely keep her composure.

Lu Heng, however, said, "The reason I was able to think of this angle is actually thanks to Ashley."

"Oh? There's a hidden talent here?"

Homelander looked at Ashley, full of surprise.

He actually had such a talent by his side? And he hadn't noticed it all this time!

Ashley looked confused.

"I... me?"

"I'm a talent?"

Lu Heng explained, "Actually, in the early hours of the day I stopped The Deep, Ashley had already called me, but I didn't pick up. When I arrived at Vought the next day, she showed me that internal video."

"He had already proposed a PR strategy back then, but someone didn't agree and suppressed this footage."

"Later, as you know, this video was stolen by Translucent."

Homelander had been listening to Lu Heng's heartbeat the entire time.

His heartbeat proved that everything he said was true.

Ashley's heartbeat was also stabilizing.

She showed her phone's call logs to Homelander.

It was true that she had contacted the Guardian that night.

"Very good!"

"Ashley, why didn't you tell me sooner? You almost caused me to clash with the Guardian again."

"Is there some kind of difficulty?"

Ashley's heart rate spiked instantly.

Homelander's expression darkened.

Ashley really was in a difficult position!

Who was giving her a hard time over this matter?

Wasn't that the same as giving him, Homelander, a hard time and slapping him in the face?

"Someone threatened you! They wouldn't let your PR measures pass, right!"

Thump, thump, thump!

Someone else's heartbeat in the room became erratic.

Homelander followed the sound and looked over.

Madelyn was shaking her head frantically.

"No, it's not that, listen to me explain!"

"No need to say anything!"

Homelander made his judgment immediately.

He had been at Vought for so many years; how could he not know how ruthlessly Madelyn, as a superior, exploited those beneath her?

Ashley was one of them.

If there was credit to be taken, Madelyn took it all.

But if a mistake was made, it was always the subordinate who took the fall.

In the past, Homelander wouldn't have said anything, but now, Madelyn's judgment could no longer keep up with his needs.

Therefore, a choice had to be made.

"Ashley, from now on, you will handle the PR planning for The Seven yourself."

"You will report your decisions directly to me."

"If anyone has a problem with that, tell them to come find me!"

Homelander "tyrannically" promoted Ashley on the spot.

Ashley was stunned by the sudden promotion.

She immediately expressed her gratitude with excitement.

"Homelander, thank you, I'm just... so moved!"

"Sob, sob, sob!"

"You really are my Superman!"

Homelander could truly hear Ashley's emotions; she was genuinely grateful to him.

"Alright, let the farce end here. We have real work to do."

Lu Heng was the first to leave the room.

The others had no objections to this.

Even Homelander was convinced by the Guardian; what could they possibly say?

A short while later.

Lu Heng, who had left, returned to the room.

"This is my office; you all are the ones who should be leaving."

After everyone else had left, Ashley remained seated.

Madelyn's gaze was sharp as a blade, slicing into her with a fierce glare.

How could she not see it clearly now?

Ashley had firmly thrown her lot in with the Guardian.

Now that she had both the Guardian and Homelander as her backers, there was simply nothing Madelyn could do to her.

It wasn't until Madelyn left that Ashley finally stood up.

But Lu Heng placed a finger to his lips, signaling for her to remain silent.

Because Homelander was still in the hallway.

He was listening to Madelyn's explanation.

Half an hour later, Homelander departed Vought.

Madelyn stood rooted to the spot; Homelander hadn't listened to her explanation, nor did he even want to look at her.

Only then did Lu Heng signal that Ashley could speak.

"That video—you were the one who leaked it, weren't you?"

Lu Heng said nothing.

"You don't have to admit it. I just wanted to confirm one thing."

Ashley took a deep breath.

"Everything you said before—about Madelyn, the backstage dealings, climbing the ladder—it's all true, isn't it?"

Lu Heng propped his legs up on the desk, watching Ashley.

Ashley understood instantly and immediately moved over to massage his legs.

"I put in a good word for you just now. My recommendation is worth a lot, and if you don't play the role you're supposed to..."

Lu Heng didn't finish his sentence.

But Ashley immediately declared her stance.

"I've made up my mind. From today on, I'm yours. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west!"

"Good girl!"

[Key Character: Homelander -- Emotional Change: Trust deepened, severe dissatisfaction with Madelyn]
[Ability Points Gained: +3,891]
[Key Character: Starlight -- Emotional Change: Gratitude, trust, willing to cooperate]
[Ability Points Gained: +1,456]
[Key Character: Madelyn -- Emotional Change: Hostility, anger, anxiety over loss of power]
[Ability Points Gained: +1,877]
[Key Character: Ashley -- Emotional Change: Ambition, submission, admiration]
[Ability Points Gained: +2,134]
[Key Character: Maeve -- Emotional Change: Complex]
[Ability Points Gained: +743]
Current Ability Points: 97,760 / 100,000