Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 161: buzzed

Tring Tring~

Kael’s phone buzzed again, the screen still glowing with Lightning Lass’s name.

He glanced at the dining table—Freya, Rhea, and Lila staring at him, the remnants of Lila’s chocolate pudding cups scattered among the empty plates, the Haven’s air still sweet with cocoa.

"It’s Liss," he said, announced, his hazel eyes flicking to the group, his voice calm but braced for their reactions.

Rhea’s amber eyes narrowed, her crimson hair bouncing as she leaned forward, her white tank top creasing.

"Why’s that ass calling you now?" she snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Let’s find out," Kael said, his grin wry. He tapped the speakerphone button, lifting the phone, his t-shirt shifting as he settled back.

"Hey, Liss," he said, his tone light but guarded.

"Hey~ Kael!" Liss’s voice crackled through, bright and teasing, laced with her usual cocky edge. "How’s my favorite B-lister doing? Still playing house with your rehab rejects?"

Kael chuckled, his hazel eyes rolling slightly. "Doing fine, Liss. How about you? Still zapping your way to glory?"

"Oh, you know me, always electrocuting things up, it’s fun.," Liss said, her laugh sharp. "Caught up with any old teammates lately? Or you too busy babysitting?"

"Nah, just keeping the Haven lively," Kael replied, his grin steady, though he caught Freya’s blue eyes narrowing and Rhea’s fingers twitching.

The table was tense, the clink of Lila’s spoon against her pudding cup the only sound, everyone waiting for Liss’s real reason.

They traded a few more barbs—Liss teasing Kael about his "retirement," Kael dodging with quips about her ego.

The small talk dragged, the team’s patience thinning, Freya’s sapphire necklace glinting as she shifted, Rhea’s foot tapping under the table, Lila’s glasses catching the light as she watched silently.

"Guess what?" Liss said finally, her voice smug, practically vibrating through the speaker.

"What?" Kael asked, his hazel eyes flicking to the others, sensing the shift.

"Turn on the news," Liss said, her tone dripping with triumph. "Your favorite hero’s making headlines. Why don’t you ditch that trash rehab project and join my team, Kael? Come play with the big leagues."

Kael’s grin tightened, his voice polite but firm. "Thanks, Liss, but I’m good here. REAPER’s where I belong."

Liss scoffed, her voice sharpening. "You’re passing up a golden ticket, Kael. Work with me, you’ll get fame, cash, and I’ll whip you into shape myself. You’re wasting your shot."

Kael chuckled, unshaken, his hazel eyes steady. "Appreciate the offer, but I’ll stick with my team. We’re doing just fine."

"Fine?" Liss’s voice turned venomous, her words spitting through the speaker. "You and your pathetic little squad of has-beens and wannabes? You’re all weak, Kael, and you’ll stay that way, rotting in that dump you call a base. You’re throwing away the chance of a lifetime, you idiot!" Her curses echoed, sharp and personal, mocking REAPER’s every flaw.

Kael didn’t flinch, his grin unfazed. "Alright, Liss, take care," he said, cutting the call with a tap, the silence immediate.

He sighed, relief washing over his face, his shoulders loosening.

Freya and Rhea glared at the phone, their expressions mirror images of disgust.

"I hate that annoying piece of ass," Rhea growled, her amber eyes blazing, her hands balling into fists.

"She’s the worst," Freya said, her blue eyes icy, her platinum-cyan hair shifting as she crossed her arms, her navy pants creasing.

Lila leaned forward, her voice soft, her glasses glinting with curiosity. "Was that really Lightning Lass? Lightning Powers, blue eyes." she asked, her loose gown pooling around her.

Kael nodded, his grin softening. "Yup, that’s her."

"How do you know her?" Lila pressed, her black curly hair framing her earnest face, the power-suppressing collar a faint gleam.

"We were on a team together, back before I retired from hero work and started REAPER," Kael said, his hazel eyes distant, a flicker of nostalgia in his voice. "She was a handful even then."

Rhea snorted, her amber eyes rolling. "Block her number, Kael. Why do you even put up with her crap?"

Kael’s grin widened, his tone light but sincere. "I don’t hate her, Rhea. Liss saved my life more times than I can count. She’s a good friend, but, just... impulsive. Aggressive. Bit of a loose cannon."

Freya’s blue eyes narrowed, her voice cool. "What’s this about her being on the news? Did she pull something big?"

"Let’s find out," Kael said, standing, his t-shirt rumpling.

They washed their hands, the sink’s splash mixing with Rhea’s grumbling about Liss, and piled onto the Haven’s worn couch, the springs creaking under their weight.

Kael grabbed the remote, flipping on the old TV, its screen flickering to life.

The news channel blared, a bold headline scrolling across the bottom: "Lightning Lass Ascends to S-Rank Hero: Saves Diplomat from S-Class Villain!"

The anchor’s voice boomed, footage of Liss in her sleek, electric-blue suit flashing across the screen, lightning crackling around her as she faced a hulking villain, his massive frame dwarfing her.

Another headline flashed: "Thunder Queen’s Triumph: Diplomat Rescued in Daring Showdown!" The report detailed Liss’s feat—single-handedly defeating Titanus, an S-class villain known for his brute strength and near-invulnerability, to save a key diplomat from a hostage crisis.

Rhea leaned forward, her amber eyes wide, her crimson hair spilling over her shoulder. "I know that guy, Titanus. He’s a freaking tank. Built like a mountain and hits like one."

Freya nodded, her blue eyes sharp, her cyan t-shirt shifting as she crossed her arms. "She’s right. If Liss took him down solo, she’s stronger than we thought. Way stronger."

Lila watched silently, her glasses reflecting the TV’s glow, her hands folded in her lap.

She’d heard of Titanus—every villain had—but she and Tila steered clear of other rogues, sticking to their own schemes. She had no gauge for his power, but the news made it clear: Liss was a force.

"How’s that bitch getting so strong?" Rhea yelled, her amber eyes blazing, her hands sparking faintly, her tank top stretching as she gestured wildly.