**Chapter 78: A Christmas Party Eight Years Ago**
Meanwhile, in the Office of the FBI Operations Division.
Billy met Susan again. Susan's attitude towards Billy's arrival remained neutral, neither welcoming nor opposing.
"You didn't come to me this time just to apply for investigation funds, did you?" Susan fiddled with the small ornament on the table, which was made up of a dozen small balls. As long as the wind blew, the small steel balls beneath the ornament would collide with each other, making a pleasant sound.
"That huge sum of money has led some people to suspect I'm embezzling public funds."
"Who's got the guts to investigate even the esteemed Division Chief? Tell me their names, and I'll take care of them for you," Billy said with a playful grin. Then, from his clothes pocket, he took out the Compound V wrapped in a file bag and placed it on the table in front of him. "The Compound V you wanted is inside."
"There's evidence proving Vought is injecting this damn stuff into babies globally, involving over fifty Hospitals. Besides that, there's something even more terrifying."
"Something more terrifying than injecting babies with drugs?" Susan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Billy shrugged. "Yeah, those bastards have absolutely no bottom line."
"Let's send it to the lab first." Susan was just about to pick up the file bag on the table, but was interrupted by Billy. Billy took out another list and placed it in front of Susan.
"Before that, let's handle something important."
The contents of the list were all related to the four-person investigation team. Billy made a series of demands regarding the team's salaries, office conditions, security level, immunity clauses, and so on.
To get the Compound V, Susan had no choice but to agree to each item. However, she did not agree to the last item, which was an accusation against Homelander, because Susan understood that doing so would kill many people. The Mallory incident was a lesson learned.
"Regarding your wife's matter, I deeply sympathize, but you need to understand, if you accuse Homelander, it won't just be you who dies, but thousands of lives. If you push him too hard, the consequences are something neither you nor I can bear."
"You're scared."
"That's right, I am scared, and you should be too."
Susan made no attempt to hide her inner fear of Supes. Only by dealing with those Supes would one understand how terrifying they are. With just Homelander alone, it would only be possible to kill him by using a nuclear strike and sacrificing the lives of millions of people in New York.
But could she do that?
No one could bear those consequences!
In Susan's eyes, Homelander was a walking nuclear warhead, ready to explode at any moment.
"Are you sure you won't agree to accuse Homelander?" Billy said, suppressing his anger.
"Let's change the subject. For example, we could raise your salaries." Susan tried to change the subject.
"No need."
Billy snatched the Compound V sample from Susan's hand and stormed out, slamming the door. Since the FBI wouldn't help, he would use his own strength to bring down Vought International, especially that bastard who raped his wife.
...
A few days later, Xia Shang transferred the photos Mesmer sent him to Homelander.
"Well done." Looking at Billy's photos, Homelander was reminded of previous events. That was a Christmas party eight years ago. At that time, Becca was still the Senior Director of Digital Marketing for Vought International, and her main job was to help him manage his social network.
After a few rounds of drinks, Becca was slightly tipsy. At that time, Becca was still charming and had a unique appeal. Seeing this, Homelander couldn't help but feel a little tempted, but he still controlled himself.
But from then on, Homelander was particularly concerned about Becca, and Becca could clearly feel that Homelander was interested in her.
Finally, a few mornings later, Homelander tested the waters again. Seeing that Becca didn't refuse, Homelander took her to an Office. After a violent struggle lasting over three hours, they finally stopped. It must be said, Homelander still savors this experience to this day.
What was even more ironic.
On the other side, Billy happened to be watching the recording from before his wife's disappearance. His expression was solemn, and a hint of sadness couldn't help but show in his eyes.
This also reminded him of that day eight years ago.
That was a Christmas party hosted by Vought. He was invited to the party by his wife. At the party, Becca introduced him to Homelander. To be honest, the moment he saw Homelander, he felt a bit of disgust towards the guy in front of him. Homelander was tall and handsome, and a national idol. Anyone whose wife was around someone like that would probably feel a sense of crisis.
Of course, Billy would never admit this point.
But from that day on, his wife became quiet and withdrawn, and finally even disappeared directly. During that time, Billy was depressed all day, only knowing how to drown his sorrows in alcohol, until an agent from the CIA named Mallory knocked on his door and played a surveillance video from a few days after the Christmas party in front of him.
The video showed his wife and Homelander entering an Office. Over three hours later, his wife walked out, disheveled and looking dazed. She then sat in a Park for the entire afternoon. Since that day, his wife Becca had been missing.
This is why Billy hated Homelander so much, and subsequently extended this hatred to all Supes.
"Becca, I'll get revenge for you, I swear to God." Billy opened his wallet, looking at the selfie of his wife in the inner pocket. He silently swore in his heart that as long as he was alive, he would definitely get revenge for his wife.
At this moment, in The Seven's Meeting Room.
Homelander put away the photos without changing his expression. Then he said to Xia Shang, "Tell me, what reason should I use to get the others to hunt them down with me?"
"Extremist terrorists hiding underground in New York, gang organizations involved in human trafficking and gambling, pirates interfering with the Superhero industry, or perhaps the culprit who killed Translucent," Xia Shang said in a flat tone.
"Oh, buddy, you were born for this. Promoting you to Public Relations Department Head was truly the most correct decision I've ever made." Homelander showed a sunny, brilliant smile and kindly patted Xia Shang's shoulder.
"But isn't Translucent still alive?"
The Translucent Homelander was referring to was naturally the Doppelganger.
Xia Shang smiled slightly and replied, "As long as you let him live, he won't die. As long as you let him die, Vought can broadcast a death notice about Translucent right now."
"Good, very good." Homelander put his hands behind his back, gazed into the distance, and said, "As far as I know, since Translucent can't use his Superpower, there are already people online raising questions?"
"Yes."
"In that case, he has no value anymore. Go handle it."
"Okay, I'll issue Translucent's death notice immediately." Xia Shang appeared quite calm and turned to leave the Meeting Room.
(end of chapter)