Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Rising Approval Ratings
But if you looked closely, there was no trace of violated humiliation on Neuman’s still-flushed face.
Instead, it was filled with the bliss of being utterly conquered, along with a deep, helpless infatuation.
For so long, she had been walking a tightrope in politics, always afraid her Supe identity would be exposed...
And she had to fear Soldier Boy and Homelander on top of that.
She was exhausted.
But tonight, beneath the strongest man on Earth, she felt a kind of safety she had never known before.
Maybe as long as she held tight to this towering tree...
She and Zoe would never have to live in fear again.
"Sir..."
Like an obedient kitten, Neuman gently rubbed her pretty face against Benjamin’s hard chest.
She lifted her damp eyes slightly, her voice hoarse, but filled with genuine obsession.
"You’re incredible."
She meant it.
His strength.
His prowess as a man.
Both had gone far beyond anything she had imagined.
Enough to make her addicted.
Benjamin leaned against the headboard and casually lit a cigar.
He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, then gave Neuman two careless pats with his rough, broad hand.
The force made Neuman tremble all over, but she bit her lip and obediently pressed even closer to him.
"Cut the fucking flattery."
Benjamin bit down on the cigar, his eyes turning cold again.
"Now that you’ve had your fun, don’t forget the real business. Tomorrow’s congressional hearing. I don’t care what methods you use or how many connections you call in, you’re going to clean up this mess for that useless pussy of a son of mine."
Neuman quickly pushed herself up and nodded again and again.
"Don’t worry, sir. I know what to do."
After what had happened tonight, she was now completely tied to the same chariot as Soldier Boy and Homelander, the father-and-son pair.
If they rose, she rose. If they fell, she fell.
Just then, Benjamin seemed to suddenly remember something.
The fingers holding his cigar paused slightly, and his brows furrowed.
"Oh, right. Neuman."
Benjamin lowered his eyes and spoke in a domineering tone that left no room for argument.
"I might only see you as a convenient little plaything, but I’m generous enough not to give a shit about your past bullshit."
He suddenly reached out, grabbed Neuman’s chin, and forced her to look him in the eye.
Neuman blinked, then gazed at Benjamin with deep affection.
"But I’ve got a serious fucking cleanliness problem."
Benjamin said,
"No other flies are allowed to touch a woman I’ve touched. So you understand what I mean, right?"
Neuman’s entire body shook.
Of course she understood.
"Contact that useless husband of yours as soon as possible. Separate from him immediately. Don’t let me see you two having anything to do with each other again."
If this had been before, if anyone had dared force her to wreck her own family, Neuman would have blown their head off without hesitation.
But now,
Faced with Benjamin’s absolute command, Neuman did not hesitate for even a second.
"Yes, sir."
Neuman answered with perfect obedience, her expression full of sincerity and submission.
"I’ll take care of it right away. From now on, sir, I belong only to you."
Hearing that vow-like promise, Benjamin finally smiled in satisfaction.
The danger had passed.
Neuman’s tense nerves finally relaxed.
Looking at the man in front of her, the desire he had awakened inside her surged up again.
She was no longer simply enduring it.
Neuman took the initiative and climbed onto Benjamin’s shoulders.
She kissed the man’s Adam’s apple, her movements heated and wild.
Benjamin soon snuffed out the cigar.
In the bedroom, an even fiercer storm rose again.
The two of them stayed tangled together for the entire night.
Zoe: ...
...
Early the next morning,
The rising sun streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and spilled across the rumpled bed.
Neuman opened her eyes in exhaustion. She had no clothes on, but the space beside her was already empty.
There was not even a trace of warmth left on the sheets.
Benjamin had left just as silently as he had come, without even a goodbye.
Enduring the sharp pain that made her feel like her whole body had been taken apart, Neuman struggled to climb out of bed.
She glanced at the clock on the wall.
There was not much time left before today’s congressional hearing.
Leaning against the headboard, Neuman swiped across her phone screen until her finger stopped on a contact named "Sameer."
He was her husband.
And the father of her daughter, Zoe.
A faint flicker of struggle passed through Neuman’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by absolute coldness.
In this dog-eat-dog world,
The only way to survive was to cling to the strongest thigh.
She took a deep breath, then tapped rapidly across the screen.
"Sameer, let’s get divorced. My lawyer will send you the agreement later."
Tap. Send.
Neuman gave no explanation.
After that, Neuman tossed the phone aside weakly and covered her face with both hands.
I’m sorry, Sameer.
Last night, Soldier Boy had completely shredded all her pride. And now, she belonged to Soldier Boy.
To protect herself.
To protect Zoe.
I had no choice but to abandon you...
Neuman closed her eyes, and a tear filled with tangled emotions slid from the corner of her eye.
...
At the same time, on the top floor of Vought Tower, inside a luxurious penthouse apartment.
The rising sun poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass and fell across the leather sofa in the living room.
Homelander was completely naked.
He wore nothing at all, lying sprawled across the sofa like a perfect ancient Greek statue.
He had been lying there all night.
His blue eyes stared straight at the ceiling, a rare trace of confusion hidden deep inside them.
In a little while, that damn congressional hearing would begin.
He knew perfectly well that after today’s congressional trial, he might lose his title as Vought’s superhero for good.
Because of yesterday’s speech, he might have lost everything.
But right now, none of that was what filled his head. It was another man.
Soldier Boy.
Why hadn’t Soldier Boy come to see him?
Homelander irritably ran his fingers through his blond hair.
Yesterday, in the square, he had torn those politicians apart in front of the whole world.
He thought he had looked like an untouchable god of war.
He had not backed down.
He had not cried and apologized.
That speech was not weak at all, okay?
Had he still not done enough?
Had he still disappointed him?
The more Homelander thought about it, the more irritated he became, a nameless fire building in his chest.
Just then, Ashley rushed in, heels clacking, clutching a tablet tightly in her hand.
"It’s up! It’s up! Oh my God!"
Ashley was so excited her whole face was red.
She was so thrilled she had forgotten to knock.
But, the moment she stormed into the living room, Ashley’s excited scream cut off abruptly.
Because the first thing she saw was Homelander lying on the sofa, completely naked.
Sunlight fell over the man’s body without restraint.
The sight hit her like a truck.
Ashley’s pupils instantly dilated.
"Do people not knock before entering someone else’s room anymore?"
Homelander did not get up. He did not even close his legs.
Still naked, he only turned his head slightly and stared at Ashley with calm eyes.
"Oh! God! S-sorry!"
Ashley shuddered. She backed away again and again, clapping a hand over her eyes as she stammered and tried to run.
"I’m blind! I didn’t see anything! I’ll, I’ll come back later!"
"Stay."
Homelander’s low voice echoed through the living room.
One word was enough to freeze Ashley in place.
Ashley turned around stiffly.
"You came in shouting."
Homelander narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone giving away nothing.
"What did you say was up?"
Ashley swallowed hard and forced herself to open her eyes.
The hand holding the tablet was shaking like crazy.
"It’s, it’s your approval rating, sir!"
Ashley stammered out the report, but her eyes kept drifting downward completely against her will.
She simply could not control where she was looking.
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