Hera felt as if she had been struck by lightning upon hearing thest few sentences. She remembered Athena mentioning that she had to go on a blind date arranged by her family, which was to take ce in a private room at the Dragon Pce Hotel. Everything Zhane’s subordinate said matched perfectly with Athena’s situation. It dawned on Hera that Tyler Lennon had likely intended to drug Athena, to molest her, or, worse, sleep with her while she was under the influence of the aphrodisiac. Having experienced the potency of the aphrodisiac herself, Hera shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if it had been Athena who consumed it instead.
She was convinced that Athena wouldn’t be able to restrain herself and might fall into a trap that could be exploited against her. The possibility of Athena being recorded inpromising circumstances and that footage being used as ckmail against her and her family was deeply troubling. Hera dreaded the idea of her best friend losing both her reputation and her innocence, fearing the devastating consequences that would surely follow.
Hera gritted her teeth in fury as she felt herself seeing red. Even if Tyler Lennon hadn’t intended to use the aphrodisiac on Athena, the fact that he had it implied sinister motives. Why it ended up in their room remained a mystery. However, one thing was clear: she now harbored a deep distrust of the Lennon family. A family capable of producing such a despicable individual must either be corrupt themselves or grossly ipetent.
"Leave this to me," Hera dered, her eyes as calm as a stillke yet harboring depths of emotion impossible to fathom. While her thoughts remained inscrutable, her anger was palpable. It was evident to all present that Athena was her friend, and Hera had something nned.
"We can’t," Dave replied urgently. "Though the Lennon family isn’t as powerful as mine or Zhane’s, they’re still wealthy enough to pose a threat. The only saving grace is that if the Lowerys and Jacksons unite, the Lennons won’t stand a chance. But you, Hera, you’re different. Tyler Lennon wouldn’t hesitate to target you, and worst of all, he has a reputation as a notorious troublemaker and womanizer. I fear that instead of targeting your friend, he’d view you as a new target, and that’s far worse." Dave’s voice carried a sense of urgency; he couldn’t bear the thought of Hera being in harm’s way.
"Besides, leave this matter to me and Zhane. We’ll find a solution and ensure that Tyler Lennon faces the consequences," Dave reassured Hera, patting his chest to emphasize his confidence in handling the situation without putting her in harm’s way. He understood Hera’s momentary emotional reaction, her anger clouding her judgment. Yet, he believed that once she calmed down, she would see that his offer provided the best solution.
Hera’s anger began to dissipate as she observed Dave’s genuine concern for her well-being. Her lips curved into a confident, reassuring smile—a smile that Dave found both beautiful and gant. In that moment, she resembled a heroine from a fantasy novel, radiating strength and determination. Without realizing it, Dave found himself nodding at Hera, his response mirroring that of a loyal dog, as he returned her smile.
"Don’t worry," Hera began, her voice calm but determined. "I have a n that won’t require you to directly leverage your family’s influence or power against the Lennons. Doing so could strain your rtionship with their family, potentially affecting your business dealings and even tarnishing your reputation by appearing to bully the weaker party." She nced at Zhane and Dave in turn, noting the surprise on their faces. They hadn’t expected her to understand their family dynamics so well or to consider their family’s well-being. They had underestimated her grasp of the intricacies of the upper circle. Hera understood that despite their families’ power, openly antagonizing the Lennons could lead to significant losses, particrly for the Everett family, which had close dealings with the Lennons due to their production of medicinal herbs.
Despite Hera being away from home for an extended period and only recently beginning her training as an heiress, she hadn’t neglected her responsibilities to familiarize herself with the upper echelons of society and the influential families therein. She diligently studied which families had close rtions with the Averys, those who opposed them, and others who held significant sway in society. This included the families of the five male leads, along with many others who contributed valuable resources to society. While Hera might not have been aware of the specific connection between the Everetts and the Lennons, she was familiar with the Lennons’ business endeavors and their impact on society.