"Alright, if things go south, I can always leverage my position and connections to sort this out. After all, it’s Tyler’s mess to clean up." Then, with a hint of suspicion, he added, "Unless, of course, he’s doing all this for your fiancée?" Dave couldn’t resist throwing some shade Zhane’s way, knowing Hera held Zhane in high regard while his own reputation was less than ster. He wanted to level the ying field, ensuring Zhane had to work twice as hard to catch up to Hera, while he was already hot on her heels.
Despite Zhane’s typically calm demeanor and refined upbringing, Dave’sment made him want to throttle him then and there. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration at Dave’s audacity to say such things in front of Hera. Zhane had barely had the chance to interact with her, unlike Xavier and Leo, who had spent numerous days showcasing their abilities to her. He felt like he was constantlygging behind them, which is why he took the initiative to check on Bry’s uncle—hoping to make a favorable impression on Hera as a gesture of goodwill.
Zhane felt a surge of betrayal from his friend’s unexpected attempt to undermine him. Despite this, he managed to maintain hisposure, his face a mask of indifference. "Dave, please refrain from speaking as if you have no fiancée yourself. We all know that the woman you’re referring to as my possible match was merely a prospect chosen by my family for strategic alliances. However, if her brother’s conduct is any indication of bad upbringing, it’s doubtful my family would pursue such a union." Zhane’s exnation flowed effortlessly, though inwardly he was tense, unable to meet Hera’s gaze directly. Instead, he busied himself adjusting Hera’s nket, a subtle distraction from his difort.
Dave’s throat tightened, and he felt a surge of anger so potent it threatened to choke him. He hadn’t anticipated Zhane’s deft reversal, let alone the mention of a fiancée that existed only in the fabrications of family politics. Amongst their circle, Dave was renowned for his wild and untamed nature, hardly the type to acquiesce to any arranged match. If the situation demanded it, he’d conjure a hundred reasons to resist, or worse, concoct schemes to drive the poor woman away.
Before the banter between the two men could escte, amotion outside the door interrupted them.
"Let me in, I want to see her," Leo’s voice, though weak and hoarse, echoed from outside. Hera felt a mix of happiness and worry upon hearing him. She wasn’t sure how to face Leo at this moment. What had transpired was unexpected and embarrassing. She hadn’t fully processed it yet, solely focused on punishing the culprit to find some peace of mind.
"Sir, I apologize, but the patient in this room is still resting, and I don’t think it would be good to disturb her," the nurse at the door exined. Meanwhile, Zhane’s subordinate moved to assist the nurse in ushering Leo away, ensuring that Zhane could spend time with his future wife without interruption. Though he wanted to also remove Dave from the room, hecked the authority to do so, thus he focused on managing Leo, who was waiting outside.
"Move aside," Leo’s voice grew colder, devoid of the gentleness she had heard earlier in the private room. Hera could tell that Leo was bing irritated. Since the room had a small window attached to the door, Leo must have seen Hera awake and with Dave and Zhane. His desire toe inside and check on her was evident, but being denied entry indicated that either Zhane or Dave had given this instruction. Leo couldn’t believe that Hera didn’t want to see him unless she explicitly said so. The thought of Hera not wanting to see him also sent a jolt of pain through his heart.
Hearing Leo’s softened, almost pleading voice, just to see her, melted Hera’s heart. She couldn’t bear to make Leo sad just because she felt undecided. So, she let go of her embarrassment and other emotions holding her back from meeting Leo and said, "Please, let him in."
Hearing Hera’s willingness to meet Leo made Dave nervous. He could sense that Leo held a better position in Hera’s heart than any of them, and that thought was nerve-wracking.