Chapter 125: 125: Ivan’s Press Interview
"You want me to be the kid’s godfather? Like Sirius Black in Harry Potter?"
In America, the word carried different meanings. Besides someone with special status in a field, it could also refer to a Christian godparent, though the two weren’t exactly the same.
Nowadays, most people just used it to mean a god-dad — basically an adoptive father figure.
"Exactly. As Vought’s vice president, you have both the position and the ability to become Ryan’s godfather. If you agree, I’ll let him join Vought." Becca’s goal was simple: she wanted Ivan to act as Ryan’s shield. Her instincts were sharp. She could tell Ivan’s relationship with Homelander wasn’t ordinary.
At the very least, he wasn’t afraid of him.
"Alright. I accept."
Outside the door, Homelander’s face turned iron-gray. He gripped the handle so hard the metal twisted and deformed under his monstrous strength. After a moment of hesitation, he held himself back from pushing the door open.
Fine. As long as Ryan stayed near him, godfather was godfather. Ivan was just an outsider anyway. He was Ryan’s real father.
"Ryan." At Becca’s call, Ryan came out of his room.
"This is Mr. Greevs."
Becca introduced him.
"Hello, Mr. Greevs," Ryan said nervously.
"From today onward, Mr. Greevs is your godfather. Go on, call him godfather." Becca quietly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and gently brushed the dirt off Ryan’s clothes.
But Ryan pressed his lips tightly together, his eyes full of resistance.
Seeing this, Becca spoke gently, "Mr. Greevs is a good man. Haven’t you always wanted to visit Vought Tower? He’s the vice president. He can take you to meet lots of superheroes."
It was telling. Words like "superhero" and "Vought" would never have left Becca’s mouth before. They had always been forbidden topics in this house.
"Are all superheroes like my dad?" Ryan asked quietly.
Clearly, Homelander’s earlier behavior had left a deep, lasting scar on the poor boy’s young mind.
"Of course not. They’re all really nice, and their powers are super fun," Ivan said with a warm smile.
Ryan hadn’t fully awakened his powers yet, which meant Ivan couldn’t analyze anything from him right now. But he wasn’t in a hurry. He still hadn’t completely fused A-Train’s Super Speed. Besides, there were plenty of other powers available for him to choose from. He just needed to patiently nurture Ryan.
His goal was to make Ryan’s potential surpass even Homelander’s.
"Alright. Mr. Greevs."
Ryan still couldn’t bring himself to say the word "godfather."
"Ryan!" Becca scolded sharply.
"It’s fine. Don’t blame the kid. He’ll get used to it," Ivan said, standing up and walking over to Ryan. He patted the boy’s shoulder with a warm smile. "Come on. I’ll take you on a tour of Vought Tower and treat you to a big meal."
Ryan didn’t move. He looked at his mother.
Becca nodded. "Go ahead and come back soon. I’ll be waiting at home."
After mother and son hugged, Ivan took Ryan out of the villa. Through his electromagnetic senses, he noticed Homelander had moved from the doorway to right beside the car.
Seeing Ivan and Ryan walking toward him, Homelander flashed his bright, sunny smile and moved to hug his son.
But Ryan ducked his head, avoiding his father’s arms, and hid behind Ivan.
"Alright. We’ll have plenty of time for father-son bonding later."
Homelander: "...."
Ivan then drove toward Manhattan. The walls along the streets were covered in posters of Stormfront, Queen Maeve, and Starlight. The slogan read: "Defenders of Women’s Rights. The Three Most Lovable Ladies."
Today was the official launch of the new hero publicity campaign, so Ivan had bundled all three together.
He turned on the car radio. Starlight’s voice came through immediately.
"Are you ready to meet the newest member of The Seven? I know you’re all excited. Our new member comes from Portland to Seattle. She has unimaginable powers. Stay tuned, everyone."
Meanwhile, Ryan sat in the passenger seat, staring curiously out the window. Everything was brand new to him.
Homelander couldn’t hold back any longer. He needed to talk to his son. "Is this your first time in Manhattan? Oh, and can I have your phone number? If anyone ever bullies you, you can call me anytime."
Ryan stayed pressed against the window. "I don’t have a phone. This is Manhattan? There are so many people. I’ve never seen this many before."
"I can’t believe you don’t have a phone."
Homelander immediately pulled out his own phone and handed it over without hesitation. "This is a gift for you."
"Thanks." Kids are kids, after all. Even though Homelander was his father, Ryan had already forgotten the earlier unpleasantness.
He took the phone, turning it over in his hands with clear delight on his face.
"But I don’t really have anyone to call."
"You can call me, Ryan. When I was your age, I didn’t have any friends either," Homelander said understandingly. He knew that feeling all too well.
"Mom says being alone helps you understand yourself better."
Ryan’s words struck a chord with Homelander.
He looked at his son with pity. "Your mom’s right. Can I tell you a secret? My father never played baseball with me on the lawn. Actually... I never had a father. Or a mother."
Ivan, who was driving, kept his face blank as he turned the wheel.
"Ryan, you’ll understand soon enough. Being better than everyone else in the world isn’t easy. It almost isolates you from everything. And gods... shouldn’t have to feel that kind of... pain or loneliness. Ryan, we are gods. Son, we can do whatever we want. No one can stop us. It feels incredible."
"And now, you can share that incredible feeling with me."
Becca was right not to want Ryan around Homelander. The guy’s brainwashing skills were on par with Stormfront’s.
Unfortunately, Ryan had a mother. The way he’d been raised made him unable to fully understand what Homelander was saying.
"We’re here, Ryan. Let’s get out," Ivan said, opening the car door and leading Ryan toward Vought Tower.
Today, the entrance to Vought Tower was packed with supe fans and a huge swarm of media reporters.
Simp Blitz.. ehm.. Security chief Blitz was maintaining order. When he saw Ivan’s car waiting at the entrance, he immediately sent a team of guards to escort him.
"Nice work, Blitz. Looks like you’ve settled into the job," Ivan said with a smile, nodding at him.
"It’s what I’m supposed to do, Mr. Greevs."
Even though the two had a decent private relationship, this was a public setting. Blitz kept a serious face as he helped block the swarm of reporters rushing toward Ivan.
It was Ryan’s first time experiencing this kind of chaos. He looked nervous and scared. Homelander took his hand and pulled him close, raising his head with his signature bright smile. "Don’t be nervous. It’s no big deal. You should learn to enjoy this."
At the same time, Ivan stopped and nodded toward a blonde reporter in the crowd. Blitz instantly understood and brought the blonde reporter over to Ivan.
The blonde reporter was a classic white beauty. She looked at Ivan in disbelief. "Me? Is it really me?"
She couldn’t believe she had actually been chosen.
"Exactly, beautiful lady. It’s you. Luck has a habit of smiling on good-looking people like us," Ivan said. His words triggered a burst of laughter from the reporters and fans gathered around.
"Sorry..." The blonde reporter collected herself and lifted the microphone to her lips. "I’m honored, Mr. Greevs. There’s a rumor that you worked your way up from security all the way to Vice President of Vought. Is that true?"
Ivan took the microphone. "Yes, exactly as you see. At Vought, if you have talent, ability, and you work hard enough, you’ll receive incredible rewards. I’ve always believed that even the little guy can have his moment in the spotlight."
His answer earned a wave of enthusiastic applause.
"So Vought is waiting for your resumes. What are you still waiting for? Get moving," Ivan said with a smile.
"Mr. Greevs, while your words are inspiring, there’s been a flood of negative comments online lately. People are worried about supes joining the military. They fear Vought’s power has grown too large and is now completely unchecked. What do you have to say about that?"
The blonde reporter proved she was a pro by immediately throwing out a sharp, sensitive question.
"Vice President," Blitz stepped closer, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Ivan gave a tiny, almost invisible shake of his head, then kept his smile as he replied. "I know many people are very concerned and worried about this issue. But let me say this: Vought’s very existence depends on the support and trust of the public. I believe Vought isn’t regulated only by the Department of Defense."
"Millions upon millions of citizens like you also have the power to supervise Vought. You hold that great right too!"
In the top-floor office of Vought Tower, Stan Edgar sat in front of the television in his suit. Hearing Ivan’s response, the corners of his mouth curved up slightly as he lifted his coffee for a sip.
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Read 12 Advance Chapters—P@t- Captain69
