Homelander had said that.
But hearing Madelyn bring it up now felt like a deliberate reminder.
It irritated him. He found himself resisting it.
Homelander had never been someone people could order around at will.
Everything he had done to please Madelyn had been voluntary, born of his fascination with her unique charm.
But for all his devotion, Homelander was no mindless lapdog.
He needed her to respond to what he gave her.
If he gave Madelyn his whole heart, he expected something equal in return.
To Homelander, their feelings for each other should have been pure, untouched by self-interest.
Only now was he beginning to realize that Madelyn's affection might not be sincere. Perhaps she saw him as a powerful protector and had feigned affection to secure his care and support.
Madelyn rested her head against Homelander's broad chest. After a long while, she said quietly, "I have some thoughts about this, but I don't know whether I should say them."
Homelander stroked her hair. "I'm here. Just tell me."
Madelyn lifted her head from his chest and placed her hands lightly on his shoulders, her expression grave. "The moment I saw those CIA photos, I realized that an experiment on this scale would require an astonishing amount of Compound V. I'm afraid only one person in Vought International could supply a secret experiment like that without anyone noticing."
Homelander frowned. "You mean Edgar?"
Madelyn nodded. With her careful hints, she had steered Homelander in the right direction.
She needed him on her side. That would give her a better chance against someone as calculating as Edgar.
"The CEO has always left the company's affairs alone. Haven't you noticed how strangely he's been acting lately?" Madelyn asked.
Homelander nodded.
Edgar had indeed been busy lately. He had personally chosen