Hera looked at Logan, towering like amppost yet quiet as a mouse. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t standing up for himself, but she also knew that she couldn’t force help upon someone who didn’t seek it. Despite feeling resigned to inaction, she struggled with the urge to do something.


    Hera smiled at Logan’s friend. "No need. I was just treating him to the cafeteria since I had some extra. Maybe you could join those other freshmen you’re with—they seem well-off. Perhaps they’d be up for treating some new friends." She gestured subtly towards Minerva, who she knew came from a wealthy background. While Minerva didn’t catch Hera’s words, she sensed Hera nudging the guys in their direction.


    After hearing Hera’s suggestion, the young man hesitated visibly, his expression betraying deep thought. "Then, senior, how about treating me to a meal too after this?" he finally asked, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.


    Hearing his bold request to be treated to a meal by a girl he had just met once took Hera by surprise, momentarily shocking her. Fortunately, due to her suggestion, the young man excused himself and returned to Minerva’s group. He didn’t leave until he red at Logan, but his manner conveyed a clear message for him to go home and not apany Hera.


    Hera found their interaction overly controlling. "Are they a couple?" she wondered silently. She nced up at Logan, observing his reactions closely. When he caught her knowing gaze, he seemed to interpret it as judgmental and felt he was unfairly wronged.


    Hera observed that he didn’t appear romantically involved with his friend; instead, he seemed insecure andcked self-confidence.


    Meeting Logan’s friend under those circumstances rified Hera’s understanding of Logan’s demeanor. While she couldn’t fathom the reasons behind his friend’s actions, one thing was certain: that guy wasn’t Logan’s friend.


    After hearing everything he said to Logan, his subtle way of belittling Logan while elevating himself suggested that this was a regr urrence. He systematically undermined Logan’s self-confidence under the guise of caring for him, effectively shattering his self-confidence and self-worth while isting him.


    If that was the case, how long had he been doing that to Logan? A year, two years, or perhaps even longer? Hera nced at Logan standing quietly beside her, appearing a bit hurt but choosing not to speak up, almost as if he silently agreed with his friend’s disparaging remarks. He gripped his backpack tightly, clearly ready to leave without Hera.


    Minerva and her cronies also departed, casting a mocking sneer on Hera’s way. Logan’s friend must have informed them about her suggestion to treat Logan to the cafeteria, which was likely why Minerva left with a satisfied spring in her step.


    But Hera refused to give up; she wanted to trust her instincts that Logan possessed a hidden talent, and she felt she was uncovering a gem. Observing his friend’s actions only strengthened her belief that he might be undermining Logan out of envy for his talent. With this new perspective, Hera was increasingly convinced that this jealousy was a significant factor driving his behavior towards Logan.


    So, she became even more determined to bring him back with her to thepany. When she saw Logan walking briskly away from her, seemingly heading home, Hera clung to his arm like a child, her eyes starting to well up with red-rimmed tears.