"Huh? This..."
Upon hearing Maeve's intelligence report, Homelander immediately turned to look at Fang Yuan, wearing an expression that suggested he had caused trouble.
They had just planned to stop distributing compound v, but the Superhuman Terrorists had already been exposed, immediately rendering their recent plan moot.
Seeing Homelander's nervous and uneasy appearance, Fang Yuan felt amused.
Little John, you'll never figure out all of your brother's schemes.
Naturally, Fang Yuan had calculated the timing before going to Homelander to lay his cards on the table.
How could he bear to let his little brother's efforts go to waste?
However, in front of Homelander, Fang Yuan's expression was just as serious as he had anticipated.
"We can't hide it anymore." He sighed.
Maeve was surprised: "What can't be hidden? Wait, did you two know about the Superhuman Terrorists beforehand?"
Homelander immediately became tense, while Fang Yuan offered an excuse without changing his expression: "Vought has been using compound v to create superhumans for so many years; some of it was bound to leak out."
Maeve nodded; that explanation was reasonable.
But Starlight was shocked, as she hadn't known about compound v before this.
So Maeve briefly explained it to her. Starlight quickly looked at Fang Yuan, and when Fang Yuan nodded in confirmation, Starlight felt utterly shattered.
She had always believed that her superpowers were a gift from God, never expecting that she was merely a product of Vought.
"I need to go home!" Starlight immediately declared.
She had to go back and confirm this with her mother, because according to Maeve, all superhumans like them had contracts signed by their parents before they were injected with compound v as children.
Starlight rushed away. Fang Yuan seized the opportunity to change the subject: "We actually didn't want the Superhuman Terrorists to be discovered, because if they are, Vought's inclusion in the Military-Industrial Complex will become inevitable, and Vought's power will only grow."
Maeve also frowned. Although they were all Vought employees, they didn't want Vought to succeed too much.
"Madelyn must be very happy," Maeve sighed, then glanced nervously at Homelander.
She was still not used to speaking ill of Madelyn in front of Homelander.
But Homelander didn't think anything was wrong; his mind was entirely focused on his brother now.
After Maeve left, Homelander lowered his head, looking exactly like a child waiting to be scolded for a mistake.
"Lift your head, chest out!" Fang Yuan called out softly.
Homelander quickly complied.
Fang Yuan lectured him: "Remember, you are the greatest Superhero. Don't let others see your weak side."
"Okay!"
Homelander quickly agreed, then looked at Fang Yuan, hesitant to speak.
Fang Yuan naturally knew what he was thinking and immediately added: "It doesn't matter when you're in front of me!"
Homelander immediately smiled.
He really enjoyed being the little brother in front of Fang Yuan, because it meant he had someone to rely on.
Homelander was not suited to be a leader; he was suited to be a second-in-command.
Provided, of course, that the leader was someone close to him.
Otherwise, laser eyes warning.
"Since things are already like this, we can only try our best to distance you from it," Fang Yuan instructed. "Think carefully about who knows you were responsible. Get rid of the unimportant people quickly."
"Alright." Homelander readily agreed.
The people he cooperated with were just radical Terrorists; killing them was no big deal.
But there was still one person.
"Brother, A-Train also knows. Should... should I kill him?"
Homelander found A-Train very useful and was a little reluctant to part with him.
But if Fang Yuan gave the word, Homelander wouldn't hesitate.
"A-Train? If you trust him, then no need. You should also have people who help you do things," Fang Yuan said in an encouraging tone. "I trust your judgment."
Homelander's smile became even brighter. Not only did his brother care about him, but his words were also pleasant to hear. Who could resist that?
So Homelander volunteered the information: "Also, if Vought investigates compound v, Madelyn might guess it was me, but don't worry, Brother, Madelyn won't do anything to me."
"Madelyn..."
Unexpectedly, Fang Yuan's expression changed when Madelyn was mentioned. He seemed troubled, wanting to say something, but hesitated for a moment and ultimately kept silent.
"Brother, what about Madelyn?" Homelander asked.
"It's nothing." Fang Yuan forced a smile, then waved his hand at Homelander. "It's getting late, go back and rest. I believe you'll be busy soon."
After speaking, Fang Yuan returned to his room, but Homelander remained rooted to the spot.
His face was full of confusion. His brother clearly had something he wanted to say, but couldn't bring himself to say it in front of him, and it was related to... Madelyn?
Before today, his brother hadn't had any issues with Madelyn. Why the sudden change... Wait.
If there was anything different about today compared to before, there was indeed one thing
—Becca!
He hurried to the Intelligence Department and asked someone: "Did Bro— did Fang Yuan come here today?"
The Vought Intelligence Department is staffed 24 hours a day.
"Yes, he did. After asking about the information you were looking into, he also asked for Dr. Voughtbaum's contact information. Since you instructed us to, we gave it to him," the staff member said cautiously. "Is there a problem?"
"No, keep doing this in the future." Homelander said, then hurried away.
His guess was right. His brother knew about Becca, but why would his brother look for Dr. Voughtbaum?
Could it be... A small flame ignited in Homelander's heart.
Did Madelyn lie to him?
Since his brother was unwilling to talk, Homelander decided to go ask someone else.
"Boom!"
A violent landing sound echoed again in Dr. Voughtbaum's manor.
After a long while, Homelander saw lights turn on in the manor, and then the housekeeper opened the door.
Homelander strode in with his head held high. Dr. Voughtbaum, wearing pajamas, had just sat down on the sofa.
"Next time you decide to drop by, I hope you can choose a time closer to daylight," Dr. Voughtbaum sighed. "I'm old, and it's hard for me to fall asleep."
Homelander, however, was in no mood for pleasantries.
"Did my brother contact you today?" he asked directly.
A look of distress appeared on Dr. Voughtbaum's face, and he nodded.
Homelander quickly pressed: "What did you tell my brother?"
Dr. Voughtbaum looked extremely troubled: "I've revealed too much to you both. If Vought assassinates me one day, it wouldn't be surprising at all."
"No one can kill you!"
Homelander immediately stated.
"If anyone tries to kill you, just tell them Homelander will avenge you."
He also realized Dr. Voughtbaum's importance. This old man had served as Vought's Chief Scientist for a lifetime and knew too many internal secrets, making him very useful to both him and his brother.
Of course, for Fang Yuan, Dr. Voughtbaum being alive was most useful, as it allowed him to share newly fabricated stories with Homelander.
"Are you here to ask about Becca too?" Dr. Voughtbaum asked.
"What exactly happened to that woman?" Homelander demanded angrily.
"She gave birth to your son!" Dr. Voughtbaum dropped the bombshell.
Homelander was stunned on the spot.
"What?" His eyes widened instantly, and he immediately yelled out loud.
Then Dr. Voughtbaum briefly explained the situation.
Eight years ago, Madelyn brought Becca to him, and they successfully delivered a little boy.
"This little boy is named Ryan. Because he is the first naturally born superhuman, Vought places great importance on him."
"Madelyn specifically found a place to establish an area dedicated for Ryan's growth, where Becca raises him, and no one is allowed near."
Dr. Voughtbaum's words caused a massive emotional shock to Homelander.
"I have a son... Haha, I have a son!" Homelander shouted happily.
He deeply yearned for family affection and had once considered having offspring, but had always failed. He thought he couldn't have children, but it turned out he already had one.
"Wait..."
Homelander's expression instantly became serious.
He thought of something else.
"Madelyn!" He uttered the name bitterly.
Homelander realized that Madelyn had been lying to him all along, not even telling him about something as important as having a son.
"Where is Ryan?" he asked Dr. Voughtbaum.
"I don't know." Dr. Voughtbaum shook his head. "As you know, I'm retired."
"Furthermore, I advise you not to ask Madelyn directly. She told me previously that if you ever asked, I should say Becca died in childbirth."
"If you expose her, she might relocate Ryan, or even use Ryan to threaten you!" Dr. Voughtbaum warned.
Homelander suddenly understood: "No wonder... No wonder Brother clearly wanted to tell me something today but didn't say it in the end. He was worried about me."
At the same time, Homelander developed intense resentment toward Madelyn.
"Exactly." Dr. Voughtbaum lent a hand. "Fang said he wanted to help you find your son and ensure their safety before telling you, otherwise he was worried something might go wrong."
Homelander immediately felt a surge of warmth. Sure enough, he could always trust his brother.
But for Madelyn, the other protagonist in this story, Homelander's high regard completely vanished.
He felt betrayed. Besides his brother, Madelyn was the person he trusted most in the World. He couldn't believe she would do such a thing behind his back.
"The reason Fang didn't tell you was likely because he considered your unusual relationship with Madelyn and worried that knowing would put you in a difficult position."
"I didn't expect you to come straight here, so I couldn't help him keep it a secret anymore."
Some things are most effective when spoken by a third party, just like what Dr. Voughtbaum had just said.
This single conversation instantly drove a wedge between Fang Yuan and Madelyn in Homelander's mind.
Nanny?
A nanny is nothing compared to a brother!
Homelander then recalled that Fang Yuan was still worrying about how to help him conceal the matter of the Superhuman Terrorists.
Now, Homelander seemed to have an idea.
"We just need a scapegoat," he said in an icy tone.
"What?" Dr. Voughtbaum pretended to be hard of hearing due to old age.
"It's nothing." Homelander immediately turned and left.
Dr. Voughtbaum quickly called out from behind: "Actually, you could just call next time!"
The only reply he received was the sound of Homelander breaking the air barrier as he took off.
Fang Yuan detached from Dr. Voughtbaum and couldn't help but reveal a triumphant smile.
This wasn't exactly Fang Yuan framing Madelyn; it was something she had done herself, and according to the plot, she was destined to die once Homelander found out.
Fang Yuan was merely putting her to use before her death.
Since Homelander's favorable impression of her was going to reset to zero anyway, it was better to transfer all that goodwill to Fang Yuan instead.
You will get 90 chapter ahead for this fanfiction.
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