196. Chapter 196: That Useless A-Train Should Also Retire
However, Stan Edgar immediately added, "After all, you are Vought's Vice President. Appearing more in the News Media might not be a bad thing, but I must warn you, there might be some Accident at the Hearing the day after tomorrow. Don't be too nervous then; I have already arranged everything, and nothing will happen to you."
Hearing this, the killing intent that had just brewed in Xia Shang's eyes quietly dissipated, and a faint smile reappeared on his face. "Okay, Mr. Edgar, I will follow all your instructions. Is there anything I need to prepare? Like a script for my remarks, or some other information?"
Stan Edgar waved his hand. "Your ability is beyond doubt. You decide these matters yourself."
"I called you here just to inform you. If there's nothing else, you can leave."
"Okay, Mr. Edgar, I wish you a pleasant life."
After leaving the CEO's Office.
Xia Shang couldn't help but frown slightly. Since Stan Edgar could inform him in advance that there would be an Accident at the Hearing the day after tomorrow, it meant Stan Edgar didn't want to kill him. If that was the case, his purpose in having him attend the Hearing was probably to use Victoria Neuman's ability to intimidate him and serve as a warning.
As expected of someone with a Fried Chicken Uncle's face, he was full of schemes from head to toe.
Time came to evening.
Xia Shang was about to pack up and leave work when he unexpectedly sensed an unfamiliar brainwave.
This brainwave didn't belong to any member of The Seven. Could it be Lamplighter? Xia Shang guessed that Hughie had seen Vought's newly released announcement and brought Lamplighter to rescue Starlight. According to the original plot's development, Lamplighter's purpose in coming to Vought was not actually to save Starlight, but to end his inner torment by self-immolation.
Walking right into a trap.
At this moment, Xia Shang was considering whether the gain from killing Lamplighter was higher, or the gain from saving him and using him for himself was higher. The former didn't seem to change the plot much, and the Fantasy Value obtained would likely be negligible, while the latter's gain would be much higher. That useless A-Train should also retire.
At the same time.
Lamplighter, bringing Hughie, arrived at an Alley near Vought Tower. Since he had often secretly snuck into Vought Tower with his admirers before, he was very familiar with the Building's layout.
He pointed out the most likely location where Starlight was held captive while pulling open an inconspicuous ventilation grate, then walked forward along the Passage behind the door, finally stopping in front of an elevator door.
"If my Authority hasn't been deleted by Vought, I should be able to reach Vought's core area through this elevator."
Saying this, Lamplighter placed his hand on the Access Control. After a few seconds, the Access Control beeped and lit up green.
"It seems my Authority is still in the System."
Then the two of them entered the elevator and didn't stop until the ninety-ninth floor of Vought Tower.
"Hey, hey, hey, why did you bring me here? The urgent matter now is to rescue Starlight."
Hughie looked at Lamplighter walking into the Meeting Room, puzzled.
"They moved my statue," Lamplighter said, showing a look of disappointment as he looked at the statues of The Seven in the Meeting Room.
Just as he was about to do something.
An unfamiliar voice suddenly sounded.
"If you wish, your statue can reappear here." Xia Shang, standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, slowly turned around to look at Lamplighter.
His black suit and the unique aura of someone in a high position almost made Lamplighter mistake the person in front of him for Stan Edgar. "You are... Vought's newly appointed Vice President, Mr. Jervis?"
"I'm glad you actually recognize me, Mr. Lamplighter. By the way, who is this?" Xia Shang's gaze swept over the two of them.
"I, I'm a cleaner who just started working at Vought International. I came into the wrong Room, I'm really sorry."
Hughie decisively slipped out of the Meeting Room, secretly relieved that he hadn't been recognized. But in reality, Xia Shang just saw through it without saying anything.
"Sit down, don't be so nervous. After all, you were once a member of The Seven, you should be very familiar with this place."
"Yes, Mr. Jervis." Lamplighter pulled out his lighter, preparing to self-immolate in front of Xia Shang.
"Lamplighter... a veteran hero, who voluntarily announced his withdrawal from The Seven at the peak of his popularity."
Taking steady steps, Xia Shang walked up to Lamplighter. "I'm very curious about the reason behind it."
"You'd better stay away from me." Lamplighter was a bit nervous; he didn't want to involve Xia Shang in his self-immolation.
"Tell me, maybe I can help you."
"No one can help me except myself!" As Lamplighter pulled out his lighter, he retreated several steps.
And Xia Shang's expression also changed from clear to gloomy. "What? You want to attack me?"
"Don't misunderstand, I just want you to stay away from me." With that, Lamplighter flicked open the lighter's lid and activated his superpower.
One second... two seconds... until several seconds later, still nothing happened.
What's the situation? Lamplighter, slightly bewildered, lowered his head to look at the lighter in his hand, only to find that the wick on the lighter had been completely severed by something unknown. Was it Billy and them who did it? Impossible, he had checked it before coming.
"Lamplighter, I remember your Father seems to live in Texas, right? Did you consider his feelings by suddenly committing suicide?"
"How do you know?" Lamplighter asked in disbelief.
"That's not important. Vought needs you to join now. I think you can replace A-Train's position."
Xia Shang patted Lamplighter's shoulder, making him sit in A-Train's seat.
"Since I chose to leave Vought, I never thought of going back." Lamplighter was ready to die.
"Actually, even if you don't say it, I know what happened back then. After all, Captain Mallory's grandson died in a fire, which was big news back then. Although there's no evidence proving you did it, it was obvious to everyone."
"You want to atone by committing suicide? That's not a good idea. God won't forgive you, but I can help you atone. For example, establish an Organization similar to a Child Protection Foundation. You can donate all your salary to help those homeless or seriously ill children. Isn't that much more meaningful than you killing yourself?"
Xia Shang knew exactly where Lamplighter's weakness lay. Against someone who didn't even care about death, mere threat was ineffective.
"Heh, easy for you to say. Don't think I don't know Vought's style. That so-called foundation will only end up being a tool in your hands, a tool for experimenting with Compound V. Do you still want me to help you do evil! Shit! I've had enough!"
(end of chapter)