Soldier Boy’s gaze made it harder for Holander to breathe than any roar ever could.
Holander stood up, not knowing what to say.
He could see the disappointnt in Soldier Boy’s eyes.
There seed to be a trace of exhaustion in that gaze too, as if it were saying, I knew this would happen, but I still hoped it wouldn’t.
All the color drained from Holander’s face in an instant.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say sothing.
But every explanation that reached his lips was forced back by Benjamin’s silent stare.
Because deep down, Holander knew it too. No matter what he had been thinking just now, no matter whether he had actually given in or not, he had seemingly been just one step away from becoming that wimp controlled by Madelyn’s milk again.
Madelyn stood from the sofa, tugged at her wrinkled collar, and tried to recover so shred of dignity.
"Mr. Soldier Boy, I think this is a misunderstanding..."
"Shut up, you filthy old whore. If you’re that desperate for a man, go find so old beggar on the street."
Benjamin said.
Madelyn’s mouth snapped shut.
She was afraid Benjamin’s shield would suddenly co smashing into her skull.
Benjamin did not look at her again.
His gaze stayed fixed on Holander for several long seconds. Then he turned and walked out.
The sound of his footsteps gradually faded down the corridor, each step landing on Holander’s heart.
Only the faint hum of the air vent and Madelyn’s rapid, uneven breathing remained in the room.
Holander stood in place, hands hanging at his sides, clenched into fists.
Madelyn reached out, wanting to touch his shoulder, but he turned aside and avoided her.
That movent was far more decisive than any before it, with no hesitation at all.
"Leave. Now."
Holander said.
Madelyn stood behind him. Her lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing.
She bent down, picked up her handbag from the sofa, and walked toward the doorway in her high heels. As she passed the door panel that had been kicked off its hinges, her steps paused for a mont. Then she quickly left.
When Holander told soone to leave, they had to leave. That was the first rule when dealing with Holander. Those who did not leave would never get the chance to leave again.
Holander stood alone in the empty room.
In front of him was the tal door panel his father had kicked down.
There was a deep footprint in it.
He walked over, crouched down, and reached out to touch that footprint.
Soon, Holander followed after him.
...
When he barged into the Executive Director’s office, Benjamin was already there, because he knew Holander would co.
Holander walked to the desk in front of Benjamin and stopped.
The edge of his cape swayed lightly behind him, then fell still.
Holander’s hands hung at his sides, his shoulders slightly tense. His lips moved, as if he wanted to say sothing but did not know where to begin.
He rarely felt as though his tongue was heavy, but right now, it felt as if it had been filled with cent.
Benjamin stood up, then raised his right hand.
Holander’s pupils shrank.
His body reacted before his mind could. His neck pulled back instinctively, and his shoulders rose half an inch on their own.
The strongest Supe in the world, and the first thing he did when his father raised a hand was shrink back.
He was waiting for the fist to fall.
Like the punch on the rooftop, and like the punch that had landed on his shoulder in the conference room.
And honestly, he was used to it.
Ever since he was a child, mistakes ant punishnt. The researchers in the lab punished him for not cooperating with tests. The various experinters punished him for not performing well enough. Vought punished him for disobedience.
So it was normal for his father to punish him too. He had disappointed him.
But the fist never ca.
Benjamin’s hand hovered in the air above Holander’s lowered head, then withdrew.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
Holander slowly raised his head and looked at Benjamin.
His expression was full of confusion.
Benjamin looked at him, slowly lowered the hand that had been hanging in the air, and placed it on the back of his head.
"You thought I was going to hit you?"
Benjamin said.
Holander looked up, opened his mouth, and said hoarsely, "I thought you were disappointed in ."
"I am disappointed in you."
Benjamin looked at him and slowly withdrew his hand.
"Look at yourself. You really are a complete and utter wimp. You’ve fucking disappointed ."
Holander’s face went white.
So he really was disappointed?
Sohow, being scolded by his father like this felt worse than taking a few punches.
It hurt far more than getting hit.
"I... I was about to refuse."
His words began to co out in a ss.
"Even if you hadn’t stopped , I still wouldn’t have done that..."
"The way you were looking at that old whore just now, your eyes were practically drooling."
Holander opened his mouth.
"What exactly is your relationship with that old whore?"
Benjamin’s voice dropped. "Fuck buddies? Or so mother-son roleplay? If it’s the forr, I wouldn’t be this pissed. That’s your private life, and I can’t control it. But when I walked in, the two of you did not look like a simple man and woman having fun."
Holander stood there, panic written across his face.
"Did you sleep with her?" Benjamin asked.
Holander hesitated, then nodded.
"Then please, don’t look at Madelyn like she’s your elder, all right? She’s just your damn fuck buddy. Use her, toss her onto the bed, pull up your pants, and leave."
Holander nodded again.
Madelyn was not his mother, nor was she an elder.
She might even be one of the Vought employees who had helped set up Soldier Boy.
And Madelyn’s heartbeat had been very fast just now. She had definitely been lying...
Benjamin watched him nod several tis in a row, stayed silent for a few seconds, then stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.
"Co drink with tonight."
Holander looked up. He had never drunk alcohol before.
"I’m not saying a grown man can’t drink milk."
Benjamin withdrew his hand.
"But I want you to drink it as a man, no matter what damn female animal it cos from. Not as so fragile little baby."
"Co on. You’re the strongest Supe in the world. Act like number one. You don’t just need to be the world’s number one Supe. You need to be the world’s number one man."
Holander stood in place, turning those words over in his mind.
As a man. Not as a baby...
The corner of his mouth moved slightly.
"What should we drink?"
Holander asked.
"Beer first, then the hard stuff."
Benjamin headed for the door and glanced back at him.
"You’re buying. Those dumb fucks at Vought still haven’t paid ."
User Comments
0 comments from readers