He had expected Homelander to show immediate disdain upon hearing about his background. After all, people in high society loathed being associated with criminals.
But Homelander merely nodded slightly, as though he had heard nothing out of the ordinary.
"Case from three years ago... Scott..." Homelander pretended to ponder for a moment, then a look of realization flashed through his eyes.
"No wonder you looked familiar. Scott Lang... the cyber Robin Hood who hacked into Vista Company's security system and drove the CEO's Bentley into a swimming pool?"
Scott nearly spat out his drink. Somewhat embarrassed, he asked, "Y-you've heard my story?"
"Someone mentioned it during small talk at a business cocktail party once." Homelander leaned against the bar, his tone casual.
Scott lowered his head in sudden understanding. Right. To those billionaire circles, his "great feat" back then had merely been an amusing story for after-dinner conversation.
Homelander took out a box of slim Cohiba cigars from his inner suit pocket. He pulled one out for himself and handed one to Scott as well.
Scott accepted the cigar but declined the lighter offered by the bartender, carefully slipping it into his pocket.
Homelander noticed, smiled faintly without saying anything, and continued.
"But there's something I'm curious about."
"You hacked into your former employer's system and altered the flow of funds. Even if you didn't put the money into your own pocket, it still legally constituted unauthorized cyber intrusion and the illegal transfer of a massive sum of money. That felony usually carried five to ten years in prison."
Homelander raised one finger, then a second.
"Second, you broke into the company CEO's private residence. Whether or not you stole anything, unlawful entry into a residence was a very serious crime. If anyone had been inside, the sentence would have