198. Chapter 198: Bloody Storm!
Frenchie sat on the sofa, holding a bucket of popcorn he had just bought from the Cinema Entrance.
Hughie and Starlight sat to his left, while Mother's Milk sat to his right. Since the narrow sofa could only fit four people, Billy and Kimiko took up different positions. Billy stood behind the sofa, staring intently at the television screen with a solemn expression. Kimiko squatted on the floor in front of Frenchie, her gaze also fixed on the television screen.
"Do you think it'll work this time?" Hughie stuffed his hand into the popcorn bucket and pulled out a large handful.
"If you could have kept an eye on Lamplighter, the situation right now would be more favorable," Billy sneered.
"Alright, I admit it was my fault, but I did save Starlight, didn't I?" Although Hughie knew he was wrong, he still wanted to defend himself in front of Starlight. "I suspect he didn't want to help us at all, otherwise he wouldn't have kept delaying. Haven't you seen the recent entertainment news? Vought announced that an old friend is about to return to The Seven. Without a doubt, that guy must be Lamplighter."
No sooner had he finished speaking than he was met with Billy's cold laugh: "Trading a human witness of utmost importance for a Superhero who wears a ridiculous outfit all day, what a profitable deal. Honestly, if you had a button on your head, I'd press it without hesitation and flush all that garbage waste out of your brain."
"In that case, his brain would be completely empty," Frenchie added from the side, not forgetting to twist the knife.
"The hearing is about to start," Mother's Milk said nervously.
Soon, Victoria Neuman's voice came from the television.
"First of all, I'm very happy everyone could attend this hearing organized by the Bipartisan Committee. Here, I will present evidence of Vought International's crimes."
Victoria Neuman held up a small tube containing Compound V. "This is Vought International's main product, and also the miraculous serum that gives rise to Superheroes and Terrorists. Through our investigation, Vought International does indeed have instances of illegal use of Compound V. Next, I will read the testimony..."
She then placed the container of Compound V on the table and lowered her head to adjust the microphone in front of her.
Most of her testimony consisted of the evidence Susan had possessed before her death.
Regarding this, Xia Shang, Homelander, and Stormfront, who were sitting in the Front Row, all maintained calm expressions. Trying to bring down Vought International with just these things was undoubtedly a pipe dream. Unless the other party could produce substantial evidence or a human witness that Vought couldn't refute, this hearing would ultimately just be a farce.
At this moment, Victoria Neuman On Stage was also well aware of this.
"Based on the above testimony, it is sufficient to show that Vought has committed illegal and disorderly acts and is guilty of several major crimes. To make this testimony more truthful and credible, we have specifically found someone who personally witnessed Vought's crimes. He knows Vought very well, and his identity is also extremely special."
Victoria Neuman nodded to the presiding member beside her.
"Next, let us call upon Vought's former Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Jonah Vogelbaum."
The scene immediately erupted in an uproar. Stormfront subconsciously turned her head to look behind her. She saw Dr. Jonah Vogelbaum, dressed in a suit with very little hair left, sitting in an electric wheelchair. Using the buttons on it, he controlled the wheelchair to slowly emerge from the End of the Corridor. Almost everyone present showed expressions of shock.
They couldn't believe that Dr. Jonah Vogelbaum, as Vought's former Chief Strategy Officer, would actually appear in court to testify against Vought!
This was absolutely earth-shattering news!
As he passed by Homelander, Homelander's eyes held an extremely complex look. He slightly lowered his head, his fingers nervously intertwined.
"What the f*ck? You said it didn't work?" Hughie looked at Billy in disbelief.
A smug smile appeared on Billy's face.
"Since Vought could threaten him with his family, so can I. I don't care about any damn laws or morality."
He leaned closer to the television, staring intently at Homelander on the screen. "Go to hell, watch me screw you over!"
"Dr. Jonah Vogelbaum, thank you for coming today. You have five minutes..."
The presiding member, who was speaking, had not even finished his remarks when his head suddenly exploded. Like a bursting watermelon, juice splattered everywhere. Victoria Neuman, her face covered in blood, stood frozen in place, as if scared silly.
However, this was only the beginning.
Immediately after, Dr. Jonah Vogelbaum's head also exploded, the splattering blood forcing Homelander to block with his arm.
This head-exploding feast was not over. Soon, the heads of a third person also exploded in succession, like some kind of chain reaction.
At this point, the crowd in the Meeting Hall finally recovered from their shock. They screamed, clutching their heads, and desperately surged towards the exit.
Looking at the incredibly noisy scene, Homelander and Stormfront stood up simultaneously, observing the surroundings. Homelander had a faint smile on his face. "A very exciting performance."
"Couldn't agree more."
Xia Shang looked at the bloodstain and some yellow liquid on his cuff. His expensive suit was ruined.
The screams around them were incessant. The important figures who were usually so high and mighty now huddled together like quail about to be cooked, trembling madly. They protected their heads, trying to hide under chairs to avoid the attack, but even so, the explosions continued. On the gray floor, dense bloodstains were visible everywhere.
The thick smell of blood was almost suffocating.
"Do you know who did it?" Homelander asked.
"If you don't know, how could I possibly know."
Xia Shang shook his head, but his gaze unexpectedly met Victoria Neuman's, who was slumped in her chair.
Although Victoria Neuman still looked stunned, she was secretly using her superpower, preparing to give Xia Shang a small lesson.
However, this time, her superpower seemed to have failed. Xia Shang in front of her showed no reaction at all, and even smiled at her.
Had her superpower malfunctioned due to excessive use?
Victoria Neuman subconsciously increased the power of her superpower to the maximum, then carefully observed Xia Shang's expression.
Xia Shang frowned tightly. He could feel an invisible strength suddenly appearing in his head, expanding rapidly like a balloon.
Soon, his eyeballs, filled with blood threads, bulged outwards. Shocking cracks quietly appeared on his face, revealing the bright red muscle fiber through the cracks.
(end of chapter )