Control (Overhaul X Reader)

Chapter 28

Time passed agonizingly slow and the outside world moved on. Police investigated the terrorist attack on your party and found out that Kusumoto had exchanged emails with the League of Villains asking for help to plan your demise, and as such, he and your COO were solely blamed for what happened while you were now considered a victim, thus clearing any previous suspicion of you. Everyone thought your vice president betrayed you and that you were truly innocent. No one had any idea what you had done or how much had really been involved.

Things didn't look good for the pro heroes either. After Dabi dropped the revelation about Endeavor on your anniversary party, the Fire Hero had been under the constant pressure from the media, some even trying to find the psychiatric ward his wife had been confined in. He confirmed everything to be true and wanted to change but the damage was already done, many citizens lost their faith not only in him but other heroes as well, and people wondered: were heroes really all that good? Does committing good deeds make you a good person? Just because a hero saves someone doesn't mean they couldn't hurt another?

The media just contributed to this time of doubt and misery, and journalists became less concerned about the consequences of publishing some rather controversial articles about pro heroes without proper evidence, which did nothing to help. You hated the media and knew just how damaging and cancerous they could be. There were even some articles suggesting you and Hawks were dating after seeing you together at the anniversary party but news was not well-received by his fan girls. Reading the news exhausted you and you decided to take a break.

Somehow you managed to survive the weeks of healthy food and limited screentime and it had now been enough time for 'you' to finally be discharged from the hospital and get back to work. Today would be your first day and you couldn't help but feel anxious like a child going to their first day of school. Except you were the CEO of your company, you were expected to hold an air of charisma and authority around you. With everything that has happened, could you still act the same? You felt so different from who were prior to the anniversary party.

You were getting ready for work, sporting a matching blazer and pencil skirt. On second thought, the skirt was a couple of inches above your knees and you knew Kai wouldn't approve of that. Now that you were practically living in this hideout, you didn't think you could just go our and wear whatever you wanted.

Whenever Kai had been around, he asked you to wear something less 'revealing', even though you thought there was absolutely nothing provocative about your outfit, and whenever the tabloids spotted you, they published articles about you becoming more 'traditional' or 'conservative'. Kai saw nothing wrong with that and didn't understand your complaints.

You weren't in the mood to pick out a different skirt so you opted to just wear a pantyhose underneath, that should be enough. As you checked yourself in the mirror for the last time, a soft knock sounded from your door, and you gave permission to enter.

"Are you ready for work?" The yakuza head entered, fixing his tie. "I gathered from our sources that your board will elect a new vice president today. We already collected basic information on the possible candidates but among all options it would be safest to choose your treasurer. Some of the other applicants are too uncertain and difficult to obtain information about or have questionable ties and history."

Kai's golden orbs scanned you up and down while he was talking and handing you a paper with description about the possible vice president candidates. Kusumoto had died just a few weeks ago and they were already looking for someone new. The urgency was appalling but you supposed that's how it was when you enter this business. When you die, someone will just take your place.

You were surprised at how few of your board members were included in the list and most of them were presidents from your partner companies or subsidiaries, including that CEO of the video game company you blackmailed long time ago.