Chen Mo arrived at the bottom of Vought Tower a little after 10:00.
Ashley was waiting for him at the entrance.
Her golden hair draped down her back, and she wore a dark gray suit jacket over a white shirt, holding a blue folder in her arms.
At this point in time, she was still only a junior executive.
Chen Mo had quite a favorable impression of this kind-hearted girl.
In Vought Tower, a place overflowing with lunatics, man-children, addicts, and every kind of bizarre personality imaginable, she was one of the very few people who remained relatively untainted.
Even her second personality, awakened after injecting Compound V, was still firmly aligned with lawful good—a rarity.
Not to mention that she had even let her own assistant go.
So Chen Mo walked over and said: “Hey, Ashley, why are you here to welcome me?” Then he opened his arms and gave her a big hug, wrapping both her and the folder into his embrace.
Ashley was visibly startled by the sudden gesture.
Her body stiffened, allowing Chen Mo to hug her without reacting.
Honestly, ever since joining Vought, the superheroes she had met had been completely different from what she had imagined.
They were just a bunch of low-quality ordinary people.
Just as she was wondering how to respond— Fortunately, Chen Mo released her immediately.
“Did anything interesting happen today, beautiful lady?” Chen Mo asked while walking beside Ashley.
“Yes, sir.
We just finished explaining tonight’s operation script to Starlight, and she wasn’t very cooperative.” Ashley replied, still unaccustomed to The Deep’s sudden enthusiasm.
“Newcomers always need time to adapt.
You know, going from obscurity to the spotlight isn’t easy.
There are always difficulties to overcome.” Chen Mo spoke with a look of understanding.
As for where those difficulties came from…
best not ask.
Ding.
The elevator arrived, and the two stepped inside.
“Yeah…
yeah, that’s right.” Ashley nodded before turning toward Chen Mo.
“Um…
there’s one more thing.” She first made sure he was paying attention before continuing: “Ms.
Madelyn hopes you can go find the Mayor of Baltimore’s plane.
It crashed last night, and the government has entrusted the matter to us.” “I was just about to discuss that with Ms.
Madelyn.” Chen Mo replied.
“I’ve already found it.
Take me to see her.” He knew exactly what happened.
Homelander had done it.
The guy had serious mommy issues.
The two didn’t speak again until the elevator stopped on the 80th floor.
The doors slid open, and the cool air of the executive corridor greeted them.
Just as Chen Mo stepped out— “The Deep.” Ashley’s voice came from behind.
He stopped and turned slightly.
Ashley stood inside the elevator, holding down the door-open button.
The blue folder remained tucked under her arm, while her blonde hair obscured half her face.
In truth, she regretted calling out the moment she did.
What are you doing, Ashley?
You idiot.
“Ms.
Madelyn is currently taking care of the baby.
She’s in a good mood today.” Ashley forced herself to continue.
“So…
if there’s anything you need to discuss with her, now would be a good time.” “Alright, lady.” Chen Mo smiled.
“If there’s ever anything I can help you with at Vought, come find me.
I am a superhero, after all.” Chen Mo genuinely didn’t mind helping someone like Ashley.
Ashley felt as though that smile had seen straight through her awkwardness.
Thankfully, the elevator doors closed.
She let out a long breath.
Today felt strangely different.
Chen Mo walked to the door of Madelyn Stillwell’s office and knocked twice.
“Come in.” He pushed the door open and entered.
Madelyn Stillwell sat behind her desk holding a baby bottle.
Her computer was closed.
A white wooden crib sat beside the window, and the baby Chen Mo had never seen before slept peacefully inside.
“You’re late, The Deep.” Madelyn said while adjusting the bottle.
“We agreed on half an hour yesterday.
Remember?” “Ms.
Stillwell, of course I remember.” Chen Mo answered patiently.
“I was delayed because I went searching for the Mayor of Baltimore’s Gulfstream jet.
Please forgive me.” “A Gulfstream jet?” Madelyn raised an eyebrow.
“It seems you’ve already found it, right, The Deep?” “I have to admit, you’ve surprised me.” She stood up, buttoned the top button of her shirt, and placed the bottle into a refrigerator nearby.
“Yes.” Chen Mo nodded.
“It’s at the bottom of the Hudson Canyon, roughly three kilometers down.” “There were no survivors.” After a brief pause, he added: “The aircraft split apart in midair.
It appears to have been caused by engine failure.” “Very good, The Deep.” Madelyn smiled approvingly.
“You did well.” “There will be a press interview later.
Go inform the reporters.” “No problem.” Chen Mo replied.
“This is all thanks to spending so much time in the ocean.
It allows me to detect accidents quickly.” He quietly added another bargaining chip to his value.
Madelyn understood exactly what he meant.
She simply didn’t care.
“Is there anything else you discovered?” She asked.
“For example…
anything unusual on the aircraft?” Chen Mo knew she suspected Homelander.
He hesitated momentarily before deciding to tell her.
“There were burn marks on the engine.” He answered.
“They looked like they were caused by two narrow beams.” “The spacing between them was approximately the distance between a person’s eyes.” Madelyn leaned against the desk.
Her hands folded across her abdomen.
Her expression was one of weary helplessness.
The sort of expression that said: I knew it.
“I’ve already erased the evidence.” Chen Mo continued.
“So you don’t need to worry.” “The black box has been destroyed as well.” “As far as anyone is concerned, this was simply an accident.” Madelyn looked up at him in surprise.
For a moment, it was as though she was seeing The Deep for the first time.
She actually clapped twice.
The crisp sound echoed through the quiet office.
“The Deep, you should be named Vought Employee of the Year at the 2019 shareholders’ meeting.” She laughed softly.
“I have to admit, keeping you in the ocean was one of my best decisions.” “Thank you, Madam President.” Chen Mo immediately switched back into loyal subordinate mode.
“I only did what I should do.” “Loyal to Vought.” “And loyal to you.” “Good.” “Good.” “Good.” Madelyn repeated three times, clearly pleased.
Then she gestured casually.
“Tonight, you and Starlight have a public operation.” “Go mentor the newcomer.” “And don’t forget to get the script from Ashley.” “Understood, Ms.
Stillwell.” “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.” Madelyn waved her hand dismissively.
Chen Mo exited the office.
He still needed to deal with Homelander.
And he had absolutely no desire to get caught between the affairs of this mother-and-son pair.
That was never a pleasant position to be in.