"Hello, I am Starlight's mother and agent. Starlight weighs fifty kilograms, is one meter seventy tall, her favorite colors are blue, white, and yellow, and her favorite food is…"
"Her dream is to use her innate, God-given superpowers to save the world and protect justice and peace."
"Without a doubt, Starlight is a righteous female hero, and she has perfectly inherited my looks and figure."
"You two should really get to know each other."
Before Aaron could speak, Starlight's mother fluently rattled off Starlight's measurements, preferences, and special skills.
Like a salesperson pitching a product, her speech was fluid and her articulation clear, making one suspect she had rehearsed the same words tens of thousands of times.
"Mom!"
A long-haired blonde woman in a golden-yellow and white uniform stood shyly not far away, interrupting her mother's next words.
She was both surprised and angry. Her mother had told everything about her to outsiders, almost even the color of her underwear.
However, when Annie saw Aaron, all her anger vanished.
"Come quickly, Starlight."
Annie's mother quickly pulled Annie over, saying to Aaron like she was hawking goods, "See, I didn't lie a single bit."
"She always holds onto hope, just like the never-setting morning sun."
Firecracker turned her head and sneered continuously.
She finally understood. No wonder Annie was such a bitch, it turned out she had an even bitchier mother.
Aaron hadn't even spoken yet, and she was already climaxing repeatedly, wishing she could shove her entire daughter into Aaron's arms.
Hmph, like mother, like daughter.
"Ahem, hello everyone, I'm Aaron, a…"
Faced with Annie's mother's rapid-fire speech, Aaron didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Firecracker spoke up then, "Aaron is the most popular Superhero in the future. He is also a Vought International executive with immense connections. As long as he speaks, anything can be approved."
Starlight's mother's eyes brightened even more. If it weren't for Gwenpool and Firecracker being there, she would have really wanted to tie Aaron and Annie together.
Of course, she had actually already ignored Firecracker and Gwenpool.
"You are all of similar age, so I imagine you have similar topics. As an old woman, I won't disturb your conversation."
"Annie, take Mr. Aaron on a good tour of Iowa, and make sure Aaron enjoys himself thoroughly."
Annie's mother pushed Annie out, and without waiting for Annie to speak, she slammed the door shut.
Gwenpool couldn't stand it anymore. She hadn't expected Annie's mother to be so snobbish and so crazy.
Aaron wasn't surprised at all.
The reason Annie kept participating in auditions, and even wanted to become a true hero who saved the world, was precisely because she had such a mother.
As soon as Annie was born, her mother collaborated with Vought International, signed an agreement, and had her injected with compound V. Then she deceived Annie, telling her that her abilities were a gift from God, innate. She was destined to be a girl who became a hero.
After much coaxing, Annie believed it too, subconsciously feeling that she had to become a Superhero and then save the world.
From a few years old, her mother took her everywhere to participate in various auditions.
Not a single one was missed.
Annie's mindset had been shaped by her mother.
With such a selfish, deceitful mother, Annie naturally lived like a puppet, her actions dictated by her mother, with almost no will of her own.
Even now, knowing her mother's actions were wrong, Annie didn't know how to refuse, subconsciously doing as her mother said.
"H-hello, why don't we go sightseeing in Des Moines first?"
Annie mustered her courage to look at Aaron. Faced with Aaron's appearance, she, who was seasoned in the audition arena, uncharacteristically stammered.
Aaron nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you."
Annie was about to nod, but Firecracker chuckled and interjected, "Before we tour the town, I think we should first find a luxurious hotel to settle down."
"Starlight, you must know which hotel has the best view and the best environment, right?"
Aaron glanced at Firecracker, who winked at him, her intention obvious.
Firecracker hated Starlight deeply. She didn't even want to continue playing nice with her. She just wanted to go straight for the kill, to fight a bloody battle.
Develop feelings? Was Annie even worthy?
She only deserved to take the back door.
The forced kind.
As long as she could see Annie on her knees, crying and begging for mercy, it would be worth smiling at Annie a hundred times now. All the smiles now would be repaid later.
Annie didn't realize the hidden meaning in Firecracker's words.
She nodded, smiling, and led the three towards the town's central district.
Upon arriving at the city's most upscale hotel and checking into two presidential suites, Annie was about to leave the room to continue sightseeing but she saw Firecracker blocking the doorway.
"Is something wrong?"
Annie still hadn't realized the problem.
"Don't leave so fast. We should first test the quality of this suite."
"For example, whether the soft parts are soft enough, whether the materials are original, the amount of water flow, and if there are any strange noises…"
Annie was full of questions. "That shouldn't be the case, should it?"
Firecracker snorted, about to say something.
Aaron stopped her. "Let me handle it."
Firecracker still didn't know what Annie truly wanted. She couldn't even retaliate, she was still too naive.
Look at how Deep handled things?
Aaron smiled and said, "Annie, I'll just call you Starlight."
"Listen, do you want to be a member of The Seven?"
Starlight nodded, puzzled. "Of course. Perhaps you don't know, but I used to stand in front of the mirror, fantasizing about sitting in The Seven's position."
"I've worked hard for this for a long time, but it's ultimately very difficult to achieve my dream."
Aaron glanced at the thoughtful Firecracker and continued, "Wanting to join The Seven isn't as simple as you think. Simple auditions won't succeed."
"You should know that every position in The Seven represents unparalleled glory, it's a noble crown."
"One who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight, do you understand?"
Starlight nodded repeatedly.
She thought Aaron was about to reveal some secrets and excitedly said, "Of course, I'm always ready."
"No, you don't understand."
Aaron shook his head. "The Seven's position is so dazzling. If you want to join, you must face an important question."
"Where will your position come from?"
Starlight was stunned, then immediately calmed down.
That's right, if she wanted to become a member, it involved an important question: if she joined, who would leave?
Putting herself in their shoes, she would absolutely not give up her position.
Starlight felt despair.
But then, Aaron continued, "However, that's not a problem. You know, my identity is not simple. I can decide who stays and who leaves, even among The Seven."
He rephrased the meaning of Firecracker's fabricated identity and continued.
However, he wasn't lying. His identity was indeed not simple, and he could indeed decide who stayed and who left.
It was just that, unlike what Starlight thought, he relied not on company power, but on strength.
Starlight's eyes sparkled with golden light, and a smile bloomed on her face. "Really? Do you think I can do it?"
Next to them, Firecracker showed an evil smile. She understood everything.
She hadn't expected Starlight to be so foolish and naive, believing a lie so easily without even thinking of verifying the identity, even offering herself up.
Ridiculous!
Was that statement back then not Starlight's own thought, but something her mother said through her?
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Of course, no problem at all."
Before Starlight could get excited, Aaron changed the subject, "But now there's a problem. Why should I let you stay?"
"You know, The Seven are doing perfectly fine. Why should one of them leave for you to join?"
Annie's smile froze, and she said unwillingly, "I think I can do better."
"Oh? That's just what you think." Aaron still shook his head.
"Are you willing to pay any price to become a member of The Seven?"
Annie clenched her fists and said firmly, "Of course, even my life."
"Very well, then come on."
"Let's try to use the back door."
This time, it wasn't Aaron speaking, but Firecracker.
"Use the back door?" Annie's eyes were puzzled, she didn't understand.
Weren't they already trying to use the back door?
Firecracker said with a hint of playfulness, "Yes, use the back door, literally."
"To become one of The Seven, you must prove you are willing to give everything for it."
"Including… the back door."
Annie followed Firecracker's mysterious gaze downwards, and her face changed slightly.
"No! This is not allowed!"
She turned to leave.
Firecracker stopped her, without using force.
Annie grabbed Firecracker's arm, and with a little effort, she could push her away. Her abilities began to activate: electric lights flickered in the surrounding buildings, and these currents surged into her body, transforming into a powerful force that temporarily boosted her physique.
But—
Firecracker smiled mysteriously. "Don't get agitated, I know your abilities are very powerful."
"But the problem is, I'm a Superhero in Florida, and Aaron is an even bigger figure."
"So, you know, if we speak up, you'll never be able to become one of The Seven."
"Especially after you attacked me."
Annie was stunned. "Attacked?!"
Firecracker's voice was like a devil's whisper, "The sweetheart of Iowa, the Guardian of Des Moines, attacked the Superhero Firecracker and two innocent people due to mental derangement."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, I am the host of the the Truth Bomb show."
"This alone is enough to make you disappear completely from this line of work."
"Then you'll just have to go home crying with your tail between your legs to your mommy."
Annie's face turned pale and she staggered back two steps, looking at Firecracker as if she were a demon.
Firecracker laughed triumphantly as if her great revenge had been exacted.
It was a bit frantic, a bit vengeful.
She continued, "Think of all those children, I mean those children who admire you."
"And your supporters…"
"I mean, they'll be heartbroken, their idol, their dream, shattered just like that."
"Annie, Starlight, that's not what you really want, is it?"
Firecracker pointed at Aaron, Gwenpool had disappeared at some point.
"It's time to make a choice, either leave this room, or try to use the back door. I think you can endure it for a bit, hmm... just a few hours."
"It's no big deal."
"In this society, who doesn't use the back door?"
"And then do you know what will happen?"
"That's right, all your dreams can come true, you will become one of The Seven, become a Guardian of the world, wear the crown, enjoy countless praises, and gain supreme glory."
Aaron nodded.
Firecracker had great potential for persuasion. He only gave her a slight hint, and she was able to extrapolate, hitting Annie's pain points hard.
Annie's mind was now completely lost. She looked at Aaron dazedly, slowly, step by step, approaching him.
Her mind was filled with 'the back door'. If she just used the back door, could her dreams come true?
Maybe… she could endure it for just a little bit?
Firecracker was right, it was no big deal.
Society was just like that.
What she was paying was just a trivial price.
After today, she would become one of The Seven, and her mother would be proud of her.
Oh, right, before they parted, her mother had instructed her to make sure Aaron was satisfied.
This meant… at all costs.
I understand correctly, right? It should be so.
So… Annie stepped forward proactively.
Aaron let her do as she pleased and Annie showed no reluctance, she was very proactive.
Even though it was her first time, and she was even coerced by Firecracker, Annie had no dissatisfaction, at least no dissatisfaction with Aaron. Perhaps she didn't dare or didn't want to in her heart, or perhaps it was because Firecracker was the one who threatened her later.
At least in this situation, and even in Annie's heart, she had no reluctance towards using the back door with Aaron.
This was probably because… he was a pure 'stat monster', right?
'Stat monster' didn't just refer to looks, but also to another aspect.