Despite Hera’s clear difort and attempts to create distance, the man persisted, approaching her to strike up a conversation. His gaze lingered from her face down to her chest and further, making her feel even more uneasy.


    "Hi, I’ve never seen you join thepetition before. Is this your first time?" His voice grated on Hera’s ears, pretentious and annoying like a fork scratching the back of a pot. She winced involuntarily at the sound, realizing how far it was from the natural hoarse and raspy voices of the male leads. The only person she’d heard with a simr quality of voice was Leo. In retrospect, Leo seemed to embody the essence of the male leads in every aspect—from his looks to his voice, and perhaps even his family background.


    If they were talking about voices, his was the kind Athena once described as capable of impregnating your ears with its seductive allure.


    Hera couldn’t help but recall the encounter with Leo in the women’sfort room—the vulnerability in his state at that time contrasted sharply with the determination and coldness in his eyes. He was the true epitome of a man.


    The man’s forced hoarse voice sounded again, forcefully pulling Hera away from her thoughts as he repeated his question. "Hi, I’ve never seen you join thepetition before. Is this your first time?" Thinking that Hera must not have heard his question the first time, so he turned his voice a little louder this time.


    After hearing his grating voice, Hera unconsciously frowned and released a deep, annoyed exhale. However, the man misinterpreted her reaction as admiration for his voice, assuming she was trying not to appear embarrassed in front of him. If Hera could have read his thoughts, she might have felt a wave of revulsion and gag right there and then. His evident narcissism and inted self-image were unmistakable.


    Hera recalibrated her emotions and replied curtly, "Yes, it’s my first time participating." Her tonecked warmth or enthusiasm, and her demeanor resembled that of an ice queen. She didn’t want to engage in a conversation with him, but she also didn’t want to reveal her disinterest openly just yet. Until her n was fully executed, she preferred to keep her distance and not alert her enemy, ensuring they wouldn’t foresee their demise or identify who to seek vengeance against.


    Despite her impatience, Hera maintained aposed facade, revealing nothing on her face beyond the minimum politeness necessary to engage in a conversation with someone. And, as if sensing her thoughts, Xavier intervened just in time. "Have you finished your preparations?" His voice exuded effortless allure as he leisurely made his way toward her his hands tucked in his pockets.


    Observing Xavier’s approach, the irksome man clicked his tongue in annoyance, contemting whether to depart or oust Xavier from the scene. However, he restrained himself, recognizing his outsider status and the limitations it imposed. His recent warning from his uncle echoed in his mind, cautioning against stirring up trouble, especially considering his uncle’s political ambitions.