Vought Tower, The Seven conference room.
Everyone had arrived.
Maeve sat on the left side of the long table with a glass of whiskey in front of her, drinking by herself early in the morning.
Black Noir sat in the corner, motionless, like a statue.
Yet, various cartoon characters floated on the table; he didn’t need to speak to communicate with those imaginary figures, finding his own amusement.
Translucent’s seat was empty, but there was a butt print on the chair.
As for our A-Train, he was currently sitting in the seat on the far right, his entire being radiating unease.
His legs were shaking incessantly under the table, and his fingers were anxiously tapping on the tabletop.
Ever since he was slapped in public by Lucas, A-Train’s status within The Seven had plummeted.
Starlight sat next to Maeve, quietly observing everyone.
She had only joined the team a few days ago and was still adapting to this bizarre environment.
Of course, such a grand occasion couldn’t be without The Deep; his face was projected onto the big screen.
A remote connection.
He was at his home in Seattle, and because the expression on his face was slightly ecstatic, coupled with the fact that the camera didn’t capture his lower body, it was unknown what he was doing.
Anyway, far away from the core of The Seven, he could do whatever he wanted!
Could there be a worse situation than this?
Just as everyone was feeling anxious, Homelander finally walked in.
He pushed the door open very slowly, his cape dragging a perfect arc behind him.
Even his expression was disguised perfectly—serious, righteous, and carrying a hint of heartbreak.
He didn’t even forget to act in front of his own people.
He sat down at the head of the table, crossed his hands on the surface, and scanned everyone in the room.
"I called everyone here today because I’ve made a decision."
The conference room went quiet.
Even Translucent didn’t dare to make a sound while breathing.
"The Seven is the symbol of America, the benchmark of justice, and the lighthouse looked up to by people all over the world."
"But some things that have happened recently force me to reflect... has our team been infiltrated by some... people who don’t deserve to be here?"
A-Train’s legs shook even more violently.
On the screen, The Deep’s face visibly turned pale.
"Therefore, starting today, I am going to carry out an internal reorganization of The Seven."
Homelander’s gaze fell on the screen first.
"The Deep."
"...Here," The Deep’s voice came through the speaker.
"Everyone has witnessed your performance in The Seven, but your abilities are too limited, and your practical value is very restricted."
"And your private life..."
Homelander paused for a moment, "I won’t say it in front of everyone; I’ll save you some face."
"I suggest you voluntarily apply to withdraw from The Seven; Vought will arrange other positions for you."
"Be decent about it; it’s better for everyone."
The Deep’s mouth opened and closed, but his expression looked particularly strange.
"Homelander... oh... I can change..."
"No need to change." Homelander’s composure was already slipping.
"You just need to leave my team. Also, don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing, you damn fish!"
The Deep on the screen subconsciously stood at attention, and then his full-body shot appeared on the big screen.
Maeve looked up, took a glance, and gave a sneer of disdain.
Starlight turned her head away; her once-favorite idol was actually this sleazy in private.
Her idol filter shattered into pieces.
Homelander’s gaze turned to A-Train.
"A-Train."
A-Train jolted as if struck by lightning.
"Vought helped you cover up your drug use, but that kind of thing might fool children; no one actually believes those PR talking points."
"You almost killed a civilian during a community run event, and the video is still circulating online."
"Do you think you still have the qualifications to wear this suit?"
A-Train’s lips were trembling.
"Homelander... please... I can quit, I’m already quitting... give me a chance..."
"A chance?" Homelander tilted his head, "I gave you a chance, and Vought gave you a chance. You snorted your chances away yourself."
"No! That’s not it!" A-Train stood up abruptly, his chair sliding backward and hitting the wall, "You can’t treat me like this! How many years have I slaved away for The Seven! Collaborations, endorsements, commercial events—I haven’t missed a single one!"
"So you think your value is only commercial value?" Homelander laughed, "Then go talk to Vought’s finance department; don’t talk to me."
"You can’t do this!" A-Train’s voice became shrill, "I’ve fought wars for Vought, I’ve bled! You can’t treat me like this! I’m going to find Madelyn, I’m going to find Edgar, I’m going to report this to the top brass! To the top brass!!!"
The conference room door was pushed open at this moment.
Ashley rushed in, clutching a stack of documents, her hair already half-messed up.
"Stop! Everyone stop!"
She stood panting beside the conference table and slammed the documents onto the table.
"Homelander, you cannot make this decision unilaterally! The contracts for A-Train and The Deep are still in effect. Forced termination involves breach of contract penalties, commercial compensation, termination of brand licensing..."
"I don’t care!!"
"You should care!" Ashley’s voice went up an octave, "A-Train’s collaboration sneaker line has 500 million dollars in sales per year, and The Deep’s ocean conservation merchandise makes 300 million! If you kick them out, Vought loses 800 million directly in a year!"
"What does 800 million have to do with me?"
"Of course it has to do with you! Your personal brand value is tied to The Seven! If The Seven’s commercial revenue drops, your endorsement fees will also..."
Homelander’s eyes lit up.
This was not a metaphor.
They really lit up.
Two beams of red light flickered in the depths of his pupils, like two stars about to ignite.
Ashley’s words came to an abrupt halt.
She even forgot who she was dealing with; the person opposite her was Homelander!
If Homelander had any logic when doing things, she wouldn’t be losing her hair in handfuls.
The temperature in the conference room plummeted.
Everyone felt that sense of oppression.
In terms of combat power, Homelander was far and away the number one in The Seven; who dared to confront him head-on?
Just at this moment, another voice came from the doorway.
"Ashley, don’t make things difficult for yourself."
Lucas leaned against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets, looking as relaxed as a neighbor coming over for a visit.
"This is an internal matter of The Seven. The leader has the right to decide the retention of members. You’re from the PR department; you have no say here."