Xavier stepped forward. Being the youngest in the group, he wasn’t as restrained as the others. He approached Hera’s side and gently brushed her hair with his hand. "Are you alright? Can you share what happened?" His genuine worry and hurt were evident, making it difficult for Hera to push him away.


    With Xavier bravely asking the question everyone else had been eager to pose despite Dave’s antics, six pairs of eyes turned to look at Hera.


    "Do you want to tell them?" Zhane offered, gently rubbing the back of Hera’s hand. "If not, no one will force you. But if you want, I can exin the general gist to ease your difort."


    "We might be able to help too," Luke said, his calming voice dispelling the awkwardness in the air. He offered his hands, ready to assist with any issue. Luke, Rafael, and Xavier sensed that something serious had happened, given the guarded but understanding expressions on Zhane and Dave’s faces. It was clear that whatever had transpired wasn’t Leo’s fault and that there was more to the story than they were letting on.


    Hera thought long and hard about whether she truly wanted their help. While she pondered, no one interrupted her. The room remained silent, each person understanding that Hera had much to consider and respecting her need for quiet reflection.


    After a few minutes of silence, Hera spoke up. "I appreciate that you’re all willing to help," she began, her voice steady. "But I don’t want to drag you into this. I know that one way or another, you and your families are connected to the Lennons, whether socially or in business. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position. I’ve got this. Your support means the world to me." She finished with aposed and determined smile.


    Yes, she had the Avery family backing her and Athena had support from both families, but if her suspicions were correct and Tyler Lennon was targeting powerful families through their heiresses, the situation was moreplex. The Avery Consortium was indeed a major conglomerate with many allies, but they also had many rivals eager to take them down. Despite their significant influence, if numerous families united against them, it could result in a prolonged economic tug-of-war, with one side inevitably losing.


    In the novel, this was precisely how the male leads dealt with the Avery family. They banded together, leveraging their connections and power to turn others against the Avery. Simrly, others attempted to do the same when her parents died, knowing that the Avery family was weakened without their two strong swords and shields, the generals who had been paving the path.


    This was why her grandfather was too busy to even look after her; they wanted to wear him down. While Lennon’s motives might differ, aiming primarily to elevate his own position, everyone was striving for the same goal: growing their power by expanding their alliances. Although Lennon’s methods were unorthodox and underhanded, the oue would ultimately be the same.


    If she used the Avery’s influence to suppress the Lennons and teach them a lesson, she was certain they wouldn’t back down. They would likely fight back even if she provided solid evidence. Hera believed the Lennons were arrogant and bold, and their willingness to pull this trick in the Avery’s territory suggested they weren’t afraid of the repercussions.


    Turning down the male leads’ help was actually a reverse psychology tactic. Zhane had just dered his interest in her and even spoke for the rest, indicating that she had sessfully garnered their attention. Even without love, their possessiveness and protectiveness over what they considered theirs would surely drive them to take action. By refusing their assistance and expressing concern about bringing trouble to them, she was confident it would only make them more eager to help her.