The Display of Resolve Before Guardian

"Yes, sir! I accepted a role in an American TV series called Supernatural. It has two male leads, and I play one of them. But the producers still haven't found the other lead. If you're interested..."

"Not interested."

Lu Heng cut him off bluntly. Supernatural? Interesting.

Soldier Boy could take the other lead. Besides, wasn't Soldier Boy still making a fortune in Moscow lately?

Wasn't this just causing trouble? Vought was beset by problems at home and abroad, while he was off sleeping comfortably in Moscow!

Marathon shrank back, suspecting this was part of Guardian's play.

Lu Heng turned to Ashley Barrett.

"Are Marathon and Shockwave clean in private? Any history of drug use? Any other bad behavior?"

Although they had discussed it last time, Marathon was a little cleaner than A-Train. But these Supes were all fools.

If even one of them were like Maeve, only occasionally smoking weed, they would count as decent people with sound character.

Marathon's expression changed, and he was about to speak—

"Sir, you can ask me directly..."

Homelander's eyes lit up red.

"Ever since earlier, I've found you especially noisy. If you can't keep your mouth shut, I'll weld it shut for you myself!"

Homelander huffed.

"Y-Yes, sorry, Mr. Homelander, I wasn't..."

"Shut the fuck up!!"

Homelander flew into a rage. He had already found Marathon unpleasant to look at!

And now the guy was still yapping!

[Marathon—Emotional Outburst: Fear, Humiliation, Resentment (Homelander)]

[Ability Points Gained: +4,211]

Lu Heng glanced at Homelander, not expecting such timely assistance from him.

"All right, stop scaring him."

Homelander shrugged. "He brought it on himself."

Ashley hesitated and looked at Marathon. Truthfully, she had not only taken Shockwave's kickback; Marathon hadn't been left out either.

Taking money from both sides was nothing shameful. But now, with the man standing right in front of her, she had already accepted his money and still had to speak badly of him?

"Go ahead. Homelander and I will back you up. You'll be the safest ordinary person on Earth, so don't be afraid."

Ashley swallowed and exchanged a look with Marathon.

Brother, don't blame your sister. Two big shots are sitting right here!

Marathon looked pale and desperate.

Ashley opened her tablet and pulled up two files.

"Marathon's Vought file says that among speedsters, he ranks around the lower middle. He has a history of drug abuse and inappropriate interest in minors. Honestly, sir, I don't think the Marathon you recommended is suitable to join The Seven!"

"Bingo!"

Homelander clapped his hands like a mischievous child.

He pointed at Lu Heng and laughed a few times.

"I told you Marathon wasn't suitable!"

Lu Heng ignored him and gestured for Ashley to continue.

Marathon raised a hand in protest. "That wasn't me. My account was hacked before!"

No one paid attention to him.

Homelander even looked disgusted.

"Of course, sir, I'm not questioning your decision. Because even Shockwave, whom I recommended, isn't a good person. He also has an extensive history of drug use, a messy private life, and he's a well-known bi... bisexual in the industry. I've heard he's into all sorts of things."

"At present, Vought doesn't have a single speedster with a clean record."

Lu Heng nodded. Compared to these people, A-Train really was a little better.

If he could slowly improve, it wouldn't be impossible to tailor an image for him as a reformed rogue whose return was worth more than gold.

After all, America was especially tolerant of that sort of thing.

The actor who played Iron Man in Lu Heng's previous life was a typical example.

"Then leave the position vacant for now. Better none than the wrong one."

He looked at Marathon.

"You can leave."

Marathon wanted to say something else, but Homelander had already huffed.

Marathon closed the door behind him as he left. A suppressed roar came from the hallway.

"Fuck!!"

[Marathon—Emotional Outburst: Humiliation, Anger, Fear, Despair]

[Ability Points Gained: +6,845]

"Pedophile." Homelander's tone was full of contempt. "Trash like that deserves to join The Seven?"

"Is Vought really so huge that it can't find a few saints as clean as me?"

Lu Heng rubbed his forehead. Even if they were merely a little lustful like him, they would still be unquestionably good people.

Maeve snorted and said nothing.

If we are being technical, you and The Deep belong at the same table.

Homelander shook his head. "The quality of Supes needs improvement. Don't you have two assistants? What were their names... Cate and Jordan?"

"They went back to prepare for finals."

Homelander spread his hands, out of ideas.

The Seven still hadn't filled all its positions. How could it still be called The Seven?

"Why don't you join us and fill The Deep's or A-Train's spot? Bro, we can fight side by side!" Homelander lightly tapped Lu Heng's chest.

Lu Heng shot him a glance. "Sure. Let me be captain. You go fuck yourself!"

Homelander shut up.

The atmosphere in the hall gradually became more harmonious.

Ashley was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when her phone suddenly vibrated.

She looked at the screen, and her expression changed.

"What is it?" Maeve asked.

"The Deep... He's on TV."

Ashley turned her phone screen toward them.

On the screen, The Deep wore a white casual suit and sat in a brightly lit studio. Across from him sat a spokesperson for the Church of the Collective.

The Deep was attending a confession event.

His expression seemed rehearsed—remorseful, sincere, pained, even carrying a faint hint of rebirth after release.

"I'm deeply sorry for my past behavior."

The Deep faced the camera, his eyes slightly red. "I hurt Starlight. I hurt many people. But with the help of the Church of the Collective, I found my true self."

"Fuck off!!" Homelander had been huffing frequently today.

What set him off was The Deep's next sentence.

"As for returning to The Seven, I don't dare hope for that. I only hope Mr. Guardian can give me a chance to prove that I've changed."

The screen switched to the live comments and comment section.

[Has The Deep really changed? Those are crocodile tears!]

[Sisters, like and boost my handsome brother! The Deep is so hot!!!]

[What the hell is the Church of the Collective?]

[So Guardian kicked him out? I thought it was Homelander!]

[Does that mean Guardian is actually The Seven's big brother?]

After watching, Lu Heng handed the phone back to Ashley.

"Church of the Collective? What kind of bullshit organization is that?"

He looked at Homelander. "Bro, didn't you say only you could control The Seven? Why does it feel like any random nobody can kick you around?"

Homelander looked at Lu Heng and said nothing.

"I think... their target may be you, sir," Ashley said.

"How dare they? Are my hand blades not sharp enough?"

Lu Heng huffed instantly.

"Brother, look at you getting worked up again!" Homelander hurriedly stopped Lu Heng.

"They're just a bunch of clowns." Homelander flicked his cape. "Ashley, warn the Church of the Collective. If they dare use The Deep to stir up trouble against Guardian, I'll have Vought sue every last one of them. Does a molester deserve to stay in The Seven?"

"Also, find some superhero representatives focused on environmental protection and animal welfare. I refuse to believe that, in all of America, we can't find a suitable candidate!"

Homelander looked flamboyant.

[Homelander—Emotional Fluctuation: Disgust (The Deep), Desire for Control (The Seven), Desire to Show Off (Displaying Decisiveness Before Guardian)]

[Ability Points Gained: +7,823]

Lu Heng raised an eyebrow.

Something about this seemed off.

Forget it. Whatever!