"Because it wouldn’t be fair to the other participants if only we were invited to the vigers’ homes while they’re left with nothing but bread and other cold food. That goes against the rules," Hera exined patiently, her voice steady despite holding back tears.


    "But the Director never mentioned anything about it, and even the vigers enjoyed spending time with you, Brother Xavier, and Brother Zen..." Bry hupped as frustration brought tears to his eyes. "Did the Director scold you?" His concern was palpable, worried that Hera and the others might be in trouble for spending time with the vigers.


    Hera’s voice was weak as she replied, "No, he never said anything."


    "Ha! So, it was those other participants, right?!!" Bry’s anger erupted as he connected the dots. "Why would we even invite them to eat with us when they clearly look down on us and belittle us?!!!" Despite his youth, Bry disyed remarkable wit, quickly deducing who was causing trouble for Hera.


    "No, that’s not true. They just wanted us to be treated fairly," Hera rified, attempting to dispel Bry’s misconception about the other participants.


    "Then, was it them who raised the concern?!" Bry asked, looking up at Hera with a piercing gaze, seeking answers.


    Hera averted her gaze, focusing instead on adjusting her grip on the soup container with her other arm. "N-no..." Her voice sounded unconvincing.


    "So it was them," Bry said, his brows knitted together in a visible disy of anger. Despite only spending a couple of days with Hera and the others, he had grown close to them. Bry viewed Hera as a smart, hardworking individual who exuded humility and kindness.


    His trust in her was unwavering, making him even more indignant about the other participants. Despite the sour atmosphere, they continued on their way to their destination.


    [AuntieNextDoor: Aw! Bry is clearly upset for Hera because of how the other participants throw their weight around...]


    [HeraismySister: Completely agreed. Hera, Xavier, and Zen don’t even have to entertain the other participants as long as they are following the rules. And it’s clear the Director doesn’t see an issue with Hera mingling with the vigers, or he would have addressed it already and informed her it was against the rules.]


    [Just Reading: Precisely. I think those people just don’t want to see someone doing better than them and would pull anyone down so they wouldn’t feel bad for their ipetency.]


    [Dummy123: Aren’t you being too harsh and judgemental? Wasn’t it really unfair for the other participants?]


    [Bleep245: Right! Hera was just putting on an act to garner sympathy, why are you targeting the other participants when they are only saying facts?]


    [AuntieNextDoor: Clearly, @Dummy123 and @Bleep245, you are just water army hired to sway the masses and protect your employer. We’ve seen enough water army to know one.]


    [Bleep245: @AuntieNextDoor You must be the water army that Hera’s agency hired to paint her as a good person.]


    This sparked another conflict between the two factions, with the side opposing Hera ultimately losing ground. Xavier and Zen’s fans rallied to Hera’s defense, considering it a matter of their idols’ reputation as well, given their on the same side.


    But they are correct in one aspect: Hera is indeed seeking sympathy for herself and causing trouble for the participants who voiced their concerns.


    In reality, Hera intended to use this tactic with anyone who invited them to eat, not just herself—Xavier and Zen were doing the same. They consistently presented themselves as being in a difficult position,pelled topromise due to alleged opposition from other participants.


    They also orchestrated the situation with subtlety, ensuring viewers couldn’t catch on to their intentions. To outsiders, it appeared as if they were politely declining offers to dine with the vigers, yet they cleverly conveyed a sense of genuine desire to participate whilementing their supposed inability to do so. This strategy fueled the vigers’ gossipy nature, eventually leading to the three sumbing to pressure and revealing the true reasons behind their apparent denial of mingling.


    In the end, the vigers’ resentment towards the other participants, fueled by their perceived condescension, including Minerva’s disparaging remarks that morning, had already be widespread. Therefore, when Hera, Zen, and Xavier mention their inability to spend time with the vigers any longer, it is the final straw that broke the camel’s back.


    They became increasingly dissatisfied with the other participants, which eventually led them to iste themselves and ceasemunication with the others altogether.


    This was the retaliation Hera had contemted the previous night. She avoided engaging in verbal conflicts because she knew it would be unproductive and futile. Instead, she chose to channel her energy into actions rather than wasting time arguing with those unwilling to listen.


    So instead, she devised a n to teach them a lesson in a different manner. Embracing her inner viiness, she couldn’t help but feel petty after bing a target herself. She refused to be seen as an easy target, yet it seemed as though her back had be arge bullseye, inviting anyone who nced her way to take a shot.


    Left with no other recourse, she found herselfpelled to retaliate.


    Who said only they could y dirty? Hera knew the game just as well, and she was prepared to reciprocate what she received.