Hera’s words had a noticeable effect on Dave, causing him to cease his intense re at Leo. However, inwardly, he still harbored resentment. His mind raced with spective thoughts about what might have transpired between Hera and Leo in that enclosed room. Despite recognizing that he had no rightful im to Hera and that she was not yet his, a possessive instinct stirred within him, already considering her as his own.
He couldn’t reconcile the feeling that someone else had imed what he perceived as his own. However, this didn’t trante into a rational willingness to concede to Leo. On the contrary, his determination to win Hera’s affection only grew stronger, fueling his animosity towards Leo even more.
He felt tempted to spread the incident among his friends, hoping to garner more support against Leo. Yet, a sense of responsibility prevailed. He realized that such actions would tarnish Hera’s reputation and reflect poorly on himself, portraying him as someone willing to manipte situations for personal gain. Understanding that Hera wouldn’t approve, he chose to refrain, aware that it would onlypound his disadvantages.
Under different circumstances, he might have pursued that course of action without hesitation. However, the gravity of potentially losing Hera’s trust gave him pause. He recognized that regaining her trust, once lost, would be an arduous task. Thus, he opted for caution, emting Leo’s careful approach. Despite his disdain for Leo, he begrudgingly admired his integrity—a man who wouldn’t evade responsibility or deflect me. Deep down, he understood Leo’s perspective as a man, yet his animosity clouded his judgment, overshadowing any empathy he might have felt.
In a mere two hours, theb results arrived and were promptly delivered to Hera’s private room, where she and the others awaited anxiously. The messenger was the same woman who had facilitated the collection of samples earlier. Throughout the hotel, a lockdown was enforced, restricting the movement of both guests and staff. Remarkably, the staff willinglyplied, fully aware that their heiress had been targeted. Motivated by a collective sense of outrage and loyalty, they conducted their own investigations in solidarity to help out Hera.
"Youn... Miss, we have collected samples from both your utensils, te, and ss, along with Mrs. Hendrix’s. It appears that Mr. Hendrix’s ss was positively tainted with a potent aphrodisiac, banned long ago." She paused, handing the report to Hera before continuing. "ording to our findings, the rim of the ss was coated with a liquid-based aphrodisiac. Our team is currently tracking the individual who obtained this substance and reviewing CCTV footage from the kitchen and the route taken by our staff carrying your food and utensils before reaching the room."
Hera nodded with a furrowed brow, her mind spinning with all the possibilities of why this happened. Now, she also understood how she had been drugged. She could still vividly recall the moment Leo took a sip of wine from his ss. Not long after, his behavior began to shift, prompting her to ask if he was feeling alright.
It became apparent that she had been drugged after Leo kissed her. The drug lingering on his lips had unknowingly transferred to hers, and she had remained oblivious to it. Consequently, she found herself under its influence, sumbing to the desires it stirred within her. Reflecting on this, Hera realized the potency of the aphrodisiac. The trace she had tasted through Leo’s kiss had been potent enough to cloud her judgment entirely. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the strength of will it must have taken for Leo to retain control of his own body.
Learning about the potency of the drug only deepened Hera’s favorable opinion of Leo, but it also stirred a sense of anger within her. Realizing its strength meant understanding its potentialsting effects on Leo. Hera’s guilt weighed heavy; this had happened in her supposed territory. "Call for a doctor immediately," she instructed, her concern for Leo evident in her tone. "We need to get him tested right away!"