Seven Tower.
In the command hall, Ashley stared at the screen of her phone, her eyes fixed on the live broadcast from Dodger News Channel.
On the screen, the reporter, Dodge Wesson, spoke passionately into the camera.
"Everyone, this is absolutely outrageous!"
"I've just uncovered the identity of the injured woman. Guess who she is."
"That's right—Angelina Caton! The daughter of the late billionaire Truman Caton."
"Now, if my memory serves me right, after Mr. Caton passed away, Miss Angelina was so heartbroken that she tried to take her own life. And it was Homelander who saved her."
"But today—she was attacked right inside Seven Tower."
"This opens up so many questions!"
"Could it be that Homelander is somehow involved in the death of Truman Caton?"
"Is he entangled in the billion-dollar inheritance dispute that followed?"
"If so, then it makes sense why Homelander intercepted the ambulance and took Angelina away before she could receive emergency treatment at the hospital."
"Perhaps—he doesn't want her to survive."
"Of course, we'll need Homelander or someone from Seven Tower to officially address these concerns."
Dodger's expression turned solemn as the camera angle shifted, showing him now in the grand lobby of Seven Tower.
"I am Dodge Wesson, reporting live from the heart of Seven Tower. I'm here to get answers—answers that my audience deserves."
"We all want to know: Why did Homelander forcibly take Angelina away?"
On the screen, Ashley saw the reporter reach the reception desk and begin questioning the staff.
"Bastard!" she muttered under her breath.
Her gaze flicked to the view count at the bottom of the broadcast—1,027,921 live viewers.
Over a million people were watching.
The chat was exploding with rapid-fire comments, moving so fast that it was impossible to read them. But one thing was clear: public interest was through the roof.
If this wasn't handled properly, Homelander's reputation could collapse.
Ashley groaned in frustration, tugging at her hair. When she let go, a few loose strands drifted to the floor.
At that moment, her phone buzzed—a call from the front desk.
A few minutes later, Ashley descended to the lobby, where she found Dodge Wesson waiting, radiating smug confidence.
Forcing a professional smile, she greeted him.
"Mr. Wesson, how can I assist you?"
The reporter wasted no time, his questions firing like bullets.
"Ms. Ashley, why did Homelander intercept the ambulance? Why did he forcibly relocate the injured woman without her consent?"
"Wasn't he aware that Angelina's condition was critical? Doesn't he realize that such reckless behavior could endanger her life?"
"Do you know where Homelander is right now?"
Ashley's mind raced, overwhelmed by the barrage of questions.
How the hell would I know why that lunatic stopped the ambulance?
Does he even care if she lives or dies?
And where is he? If I knew that, I wouldn't be standing here! I'm just an assistant, not his babysitter!
Just as she was about to respond, a dull whoosh sounded from outside.
Then someone in the lobby shouted, "Homelander is back!"
Dodge's eyes lit up, his face brimming with excitement.
"Ms. Ashley, can I interview him? Just a quick exclusive?"
Ashley kept her smile intact. "I'm sorry, sir, but all interviews must be scheduled in advance. You understand—superheroes are very busy, and that includes Homelander."
Dodge grinned slyly. "Busy? Doesn't seem like it. If he had time to stop an ambulance in the middle of the road..."
"Ms. Ashley, I suggest you think carefully. Over a million viewers are watching right now. They all want to know the truth about Angelina Caton."
"Am I right, everyone?"
He turned to the camera. "If you want answers, type '1' in the chat."
The chat erupted instantly—thousands of "111111" messages filled the screen.
Ashley's face darkened as she watched the numbers flood in.
"Well, Ms. Ashley?" Dodge pressed, smelling blood like a vulture circling a carcass.
"Are you trying to hide something for Homelander?"
"Or does he have secrets that can't be revealed?"
"If I'm right, then everything about him—this so-called 'protector of the people'—is nothing more than a lie."
"If that's not the case, then show me the facts, Ms. Ashley!"
Ashley shook her head and raised her hand. "Security, please escort Mr. Wesson off the premises."
"Oh no!" Dodge exclaimed theatrically.
"Did you hear that, everyone? They're kicking me out!"
"Are we not entitled to the truth?"
"Or is Homelander hiding something he doesn't want the public to know?"
He raised his voice to a fever pitch, playing to the camera as if rallying troops for a holy crusade.
Two security guards approached, ready to remove him from the premises.
Then, a calm but firm voice echoed through the lobby.
"I won't allow you to slander Homelander."
Ashley's expression brightened with relief.
Dodge Wesson blinked in confusion, his excitement momentarily deflating.
At Ashley's signal, the guards stepped aside, revealing the speaker—Angelina Caton herself, walking gracefully toward them.
Dodge's mind reeled.
She's supposed to be dying.
How the hell is she walking around?
Does this make me... a fraud?
I just told over a million viewers that she was at death's door, and now...
Panic gripped him, and he fumbled to shut down the live stream.
But Ashley was faster—snatching the phone from his hand and pointing the camera directly at Dodge.
"You wanted the truth, Mr. Wesson?" she said coldly. "Well, here's your chance. You can ask her yourself."
Dodge's face twisted in embarrassment, but Angelina stepped forward, poised and unbothered.
Facing the camera with grace, she spoke clearly.
"Yes, I was attacked inside Seven Tower. My life was hanging by a thread."
"But it was Homelander who saved me—again. For the second time."
"If not for him intercepting that ambulance and giving me the care I needed, I might not be standing here right now."
"And if I had died, it would have pleased some people, wouldn't it?"
Her sharp gaze pinned Dodge in place.
"But what shocks me the most," she continued, "is that while Homelander was risking his life to save me, someone—someone like you—was busy spreading lies and slander."
"You wanted to exploit this tragedy for your own gain, Mr. Wesson. To build your reputation off the suffering of others."
"Do you even have a conscience?"
"Homelander saved lives this morning at the Walmart hostage crisis. And when he learned I was in danger, he didn't hesitate to save me again."
"While he was protecting us, you were here—undermining him, questioning a real hero's intentions."
Her voice was steady, yet laced with quiet anger.
"You are a disgrace to your profession, Mr. Wesson."
"You... are not fit to be a reporter."
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