123. Chapter 123: It's Good You Have Ideas, But I Care More About Results
"Okay, Mr. Jervis." The staff member responsible for the recording adjusted the camera and gave the host an OK gesture.
The male host nodded slightly in understanding. "Ladies, shall we do that again?"
"No problem." Starlight maintained her standardized smile, while Stormfront beside her reluctantly adjusted her sitting posture. "I have no objection."
"Where's Queen Maeve? Why don't I see her?" Xia Shang scanned the Room and found that Queen Maeve was not in the Interview Room. According to the schedule, today's interview was supposed to be with Starlight, Stormfront, and Queen Maeve.
Ashley Barrett whispered from the side, "Queen Maeve left after taking a phone call. We can't reach her at the moment."
"Keep calling her. If she doesn't answer, send a text message. Tell her that if I don't see her in half an hour, she should never come back. Prepare the breach of contract, and let's see how much she can afford to pay!"
Xia Shang's face was cold. It seemed that in Queen Maeve's mind, his deterrent power was still less than Madelyn Stillwell's. At least before Madelyn Stillwell died, Queen Maeve would never have dared to do this.
"Mr. Jervis, won't you reconsider?" Queen Maeve was a veteran hero at Vought, with high popularity and reputation within the company. Ashley Barrett was worried that Queen Maeve might actually choose to breach of contract in a fit of anger.
Xia Shang didn't speak and turned to leave the Interview Room.
Breach of contract? That's only if Queen Maeve has the guts. Don't forget, he still had the black box of Flight 37 in his hands. Unless Queen Maeve wanted to be utterly ruined, she would have to come to him obediently and admit her mistake.
Xia Shang's actions, like striking the mountain to shake the tiger, directly shocked Starlight and Stormfront. They showed expressions of astonishment, unable to believe that Xia Shang would go to such extremes.
"Let's talk about the next topic." The male host, seeing the atmosphere was off, quickly changed the subject.
"How about we talk about men? Starlight, I heard you rejected The Deep's pursuit. Are you currently single, or taken?"
Facing the host's question, Starlight said decisively, "Single, definitely single."
"Alright, I believe the netizens will respect your choice. What about Ms. Stormfront?"
"Same as her." Stormfront originally wanted to cross her legs, but remembering Xia Shang's warning just now, she couldn't help but lower the right leg she had just raised.
Seeing the interview progress going so smoothly, completely contrary to how it was before Xia Shang arrived, Ashley Barrett couldn't help but marvel at Xia Shang's brilliant means. At least she wouldn't dare to openly pressure the two like this.
"What are your thoughts on the recent focus of public opinion, the topic of feminism?" the host asked.
Starlight spoke first. She smiled slightly: "I think this is inevitable. With the development of the era, women have gradually awakened their consciousness. When faced with injustice and discrimination, they no longer tolerate it silently but bravely stand up and speak out. They represent the women of the new century and should be respected and recognized."
"Pfft!" Stormfront, sitting next to Starlight, couldn't help but laugh out loud. As an Aryan who believed in nationalism, she only found this thing ridiculous and laughable, but she quickly suppressed her laughter.
"Don't misunderstand, I just thought of something funny. As for my view, it's completely consistent with Starlight's."
As time passed, the interview neared its end. During the interview, Starlight occasionally picked up her mobile phone to check for the latest news. Although she appeared calm on the surface, she was extremely anxious inside, because Gecko had previously promised her that he would deliver the Compound V to her today.
Just then, the host continued to ask, "Starlight, your teammate A-Train has been out of the public eye for a long time. Vought's explanation for this is that A-Train has recently been carrying out a secret mission overseas. Are you worried about him?" Starlight, who knew the truth, was well aware that this was just Vought's excuse, but she had to pretend to be concerned: "Of course, I pray for him every night. The people of the United States are fortunate to have such a brave hero fighting for the United States, and it also represents Vought's determination to protect the safety of the United States people!"
"What if I told you, he's right behind you?" As soon as the host finished speaking.
A-Train, who had been waiting for a long time, rushed out from the Room next to them. He struck his standard pose in front of the Media and smiled at everyone: "Hey, A-Train is here! How's everyone doing lately?"
A-Train's sudden appearance stunned Starlight. After she recovered, she pretended to be delighted and stepped forward to hug him.
After they separated, A-Train greeted Stormfront next to him: "Stormfront, it's an honor to meet you, I'm a huge fan of yours."
"Me too." While the two were exchanging pleasantries.
Starlight found Ashley Barrett and asked her why A-Train suddenly appeared.
"This was a surprise specially prepared for you by Mr. Jervis. After all, everyone knows that A-Train is your best partner." Ashley Barrett smiled, but she quickly noticed that Starlight didn't seem very happy. "Why do you look like you're not very happy?"
"How could that be? I was just a little surprised." Starlight forced a smile. In fact, she and A-Train both knew what happened that night.
She had betrayed Vought to help Hughie, and A-Train had fallen unconscious due to injection of a large amount of Compound V. Since Stan Edgar didn't want the Compound V matter exposed, it was impossible for A-Train to talk about it in front of the Media, and when Homelander found him.
He only said that he was a step late, and by the time he arrived, the few people had already escaped from the Underground Prison.
On the other side.
Xia Shang arrived at the Vought President's Office.
At the same time, Homelander and Ryan were also there. After seeing Xia Shang enter, Homelander took Ryan and left the Room.
"Sit." Stan Edgar was expressionless and told Xia Shang to sit down.
After Xia Shang sat down, he spoke: "I've read the plan you submitted. I don't object to the plan of forming The Seven, but this project is something Vought has never attempted before, and there is still a certain risk. I hope you treat it with caution."
"You probably know my working style, which is more conservative, but I understand that the 21st century is the century of young people. It's good that you have ideas, but I care more about results. If your plan doesn't achieve the effect I want, I will immediately terminate it. I hope you can understand."
"Understood."
Xia Shang handed the document he had prepared in advance to Stan Edgar.
"According to market research, I found that many people are very much looking forward to witnessing the growth of superheroes. This is a huge and brand new market, which can enhance the fans' loyalty to Vought and is very beneficial to Vought's development. If, and I mean if, the updated Compound V can be stabilized.
It can be sold as a regular drug. By then, Ryan and others will be the perfect promotional candidates for Compound V."
(End of Chapter)