"Jessica." Homelander's gaze locked onto Jewel.
"I'm here." Jessica stopped twirling her pen.
"Your approval rating among women dropped by 1.5 percentage points." Homelander pointed at the data. "PR says you were too rough during that last livestream rescue. She was an old lady, not a punching bag."
"She was grabbing my hair and screaming!" Jessica protested. "I just wanted to make her shut up."
"Then make her shut up with a smile." Homelander flashed a perfectly practiced toothy grin. "Manage your expression, Jessica. We're heroes, but we're also products. If people don't like us, we have no value."
"And you, Pietro!"
"Present!" Pietro jolted in fright.
"Your social media engagement is too low. Fans want to see your life, not those boring car ads you repost. Post more selfies, show more muscle. Ashley arranged an Esquire photoshoot for you. Go finish it after this."
"Boss, I've been training lately..."
"Training doesn't conflict with publicity." Homelander cut him off. "Remember, in this era, if no one talks about you, you might as well be dead."
"Can we do it tomorrow? I also have plans..."
"Listen to Anthony, Pietro!" Wanda shot Pietro a stern glare.
"Okay, boss." Pietro raised his hands in surrender. "I'll go shoot a sexy spread as soon as the meeting ends."
"Good boy!"
"Listen up, everyone."
Homelander braced both hands on the table and leaned forward, exuding overwhelming pressure.
"We are Vought. We don't just have to win—we have to win beautifully. What I want is absolute dominance, not just on the battlefield, but in public opinion as well."
"I want to see every one of your names trending. I want—"
Click!
The conference room doors were pushed open.
The sound interrupted Homelander's speech, and everyone turned toward the entrance in unison.
Tony Stark and Bruce Banner