Chương 4: Chapter 4
The sleek, modern interior of Vought Tower buzzed with nervous energy. In the luxurious penthouse suite, John Homelander, the most powerful and recognizable superhero in the world, stood rigidly before floor-to-ceiling windows. His piercing blue eyes were fixed on the dozens of screens before him, each replaying footage of the mysterious new hero's debut in Oklahoma.
Homelander's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath his perfectly chiseled features. He watched as the blue-and-red clad figure effortlessly lifted entire buildings, flew at impossible speeds, and even appeared to freeze fires with his breath. It was a display of power that rivaled – perhaps even surpassed – his own.
"Who the fuck is this guy?" Homelander muttered, his voice low and dangerous.
Behind him, Madelyn Stillwell approached cautiously. She knew better than anyone how to handle Homelander's volatile moods, but even she felt a tremor of unease at the barely contained rage emanating from America's golden boy.
"We're working on identifying him, John," Madelyn said soothingly, placing a hand on his arm. "But this could be an opportunity for us. Think about it – a new hero, possibly even stronger than you. The public will go wild."
Homelander spun to face her, his eyes flashing with a hint of red. "Stronger than me? Don't be ridiculous, Madelyn. No one is stronger than me."
Madelyn backpedaled smoothly. "Of course not. I simply meant that the public might perceive him that way. Which makes bringing him into the Vought fold even more crucial."
Homelander's expression softened slightly at her words, but the tension in his body remained. He turned back to the screens, watching as the new hero spoke directly to the cameras before disappearing in a blur of motion.
"Find him," Homelander said, his voice cold. "I want to meet this... Superman... face to face."
______________________________________
Several floors below, in a wood-paneled boardroom, the atmosphere was no less tense. Vought International's board members sat around a massive table, their faces a mixture of concern and calculation as they watched the same footage.
"This is unprecedented," one board member, a silver-haired woman in her sixties, said. "An independent hero with this level of power? He could destabilize everything we've built."
Another board member, a younger man with a sharp suit and sharper eyes, leaned forward. "Or he could be our greatest asset yet. Imagine the merchandising possibilities alone. We need to bring him in, whatever it takes."
"And if he refuses?" a third board member asked, voicing the fear they all shared.
The room fell silent, the implications hanging heavy in the air. They all knew the lengths Vought had gone to maintain their superhero monopoly. An independent hero of this caliber wasn't just a threat to their bottom line – it was a threat to their entire operation.
"We need to tread carefully," the first board member finally said. "This Superman has captured the public's imagination. If we move against him too aggressively, it could backfire spectacularly."
Nods of agreement circled the table. They would need a delicate touch to handle this situation – and they knew just the man for the job.
__________________________________________
In his spacious office, Stan Edgar sat behind his imposing desk, his face an unreadable mask as he absorbed the reports flooding in about the new superhero. Unlike the others, Stan's reaction was one of calm calculation rather than panic or excitement.
He had built Vought into the powerhouse it was today by anticipating and adapting to every possible scenario. This new hero, while unexpected, was simply another piece on the chessboard – one that needed to be carefully maneuvered into the right position.
"Ms. Stillwell," Stan said into his intercom, his voice as smooth and controlled as ever. "Please come to my office. We have matters to discuss."
Within minutes, Madelyn Stillwell entered, her usual confident demeanor slightly shaken by the day's events.
"You've seen the footage, I assume," Stan said, gesturing for her to sit.
Madelyn nodded. "Yes, sir. Homelander is... concerned. As are the board members."
Stan's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. "I'm sure they are. But where they see a threat, I see an opportunity. This Superman, as he calls himself, represents a new paradigm. One that we must be at the forefront of."
Madelyn leaned forward, intrigued. "What do you have in mind, sir?"
"We're going to change the narrative," Stan said, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of a new challenge. "The age of the corporate superhero isn't ending – it's evolving. And Vought will lead that evolution."
He stood, walking to the window that overlooked the bustling city below. "I want you to reach out to this Superman. Offer him everything – money, fame, resources. But more importantly, offer him legitimacy. The chance to work within the system to effect real change."
Madelyn nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. "And if he refuses?"
Stan turned back to her, his expression hardening just a fraction. "Then we'll need to consider more... persuasive methods. But let's hope it doesn't come to that. A hero like this could revolutionize our entire industry – if we play our cards right."
As Madelyn left the office, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from an unknown number, but the content made her breath catch:
"The Superman. Kent Farm, Smallville, Kansas. He's just a kid. 18 years old."
Madelyn's steps faltered for just a moment before she composed herself. This changed everything – and yet, in Stan Edgar's grand plan, it might change nothing at all.
The game was afoot, and Vought was determined to win, no matter the cost. As the sun set over the city, casting long shadows across Vought Tower, the various players in this unfolding drama prepared for their next moves. The arrival of Superman had shaken the foundations of their world, and the aftershocks were only just beginning.
In Smallville, unaware of the machinations unfolding in the distant metropolis, Clark Kent looked up at the stars, wondering what the future held. Little did he know, the choices he would soon face would not only determine his destiny but potentially reshape the very nature of heroism in a world hungry for hope that's legitimate.
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