A few minutes later, Homelander looked into the mirror with satisfaction. His stubble had been shaved clean, revealing a smooth chin. "What do you think? Not bad, right?"
Soldier Boy glanced at him. "It's all right."
The corners of Homelander's mouth lifted. He was both touched and happy.
He had longed for an ordinary daily life like this countless times, yet now it had come so easily.
It was like drinking a bowl of porridge with candied fruit in the bitter winter, sweet and warm.
"Oh, right. I called Pete yesterday and chatted with him a little about Carl's death. This morning, that lake was auctioned off to Vought as part of Carl's estate," Homelander suddenly said.
"Really?" Soldier Boy plopped down on the couch. "That old bastard must've been scared shitless."
Homelander nodded proudly. Remembering the barely suppressed panic in Pete's voice over the phone, he couldn't help smiling smugly.
"Yeah. I'm planning to build a villa there. When we have some free time, we can take Ryan there to relax." Homelander sat on the couch opposite Soldier Boy.
Soldier Boy nodded. "Sounds good. Handle it however you like."
"I'm planning to name it Homelander Lake."
The corner of Soldier Boy's eye twitched. No longer having the energy to argue, he lit a cigar and finally got down to business. "John, where did you go last night?"
Homelander's smile froze. "I went to see Ryan. That little guy..."
Soldier Boy interrupted him. "That's not what I'm talking about."
"What are you talking about? I don't understand." Homelander feigned composure, but his movements betrayed him. His body tensed, his back went ramrod straight, and his gaze darted around.
He looked like a little brat who had secretly smashed a neighbor's window and then been caught by his parents.
"Why the