Vought Tower, the CEO's office on the 82nd floor.
Edgar could neither sit nor stand still. The unease deep inside him grew stronger, his usual composure long gone.
Unable to remain in his office any longer, he immediately rose and hurried to the 99th floor to seek Homelander's help.
But the vast 99th floor was empty. Homelander was not in the building.
Homelander had left Vought Tower early that morning to visit his son Ryan and had not returned since.
The situation had spiraled completely out of control. Not daring to waste a moment, Edgar urgently arranged for personnel to evacuate while taking out his phone to call Homelander.
At that moment, on the open lawn outside the safe house.
Homelander was playing baseball with Ryan. In a rare departure from his usual brutality and obsessiveness, a trace of gentleness filled his eyes as he enjoyed this brief time with his son.
The phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated, its shrill ringtone shattering the peace.
Homelander frowned deeply. All the warmth vanished from his eyes, and impatience covered his face, but he still raised his hand and answered.
Before he could speak, Edgar's urgent, icy voice came through the receiver.
"JS killed Black Noir!"
Boom!
That brief sentence struck like thunder beside his ears, instantly shattering all of Homelander's calm.
Within the Seven, and even throughout Vought International, Black Noir was the only person he trusted unconditionally.
Since Madelyn's death, Homelander had regarded Black Noir as his only emotional anchor at Vought, his last psychological refuge.
But now, even Black Noir was dead.
Overwhelming rage and grief instantly consumed his reason.
Crack!
Homelander suddenly tightened his grip, crushing the baseball in his hand with immense force and sending scraps flying.
Beside him, Ryan stiffened in fright at the sudden sight,