"Yes." Luke’s voice was gentle yet sensual, tugging at Hera’s heart. She wasn’t sure if it was exhaustion making her lower her guard or if she was genuinely starting to warm up to the male leads.


    "What are you doing here at this hour?" Hera asked before Luke could get closer to her.


    "I was called in for an emergency meeting two hours ago, and I’m just now getting back. You look really tired." Luke quickened his pace,ing closer to Hera and gently holding her arm to support her.


    Hera nced up at him with an appreciative look. She was indeed tired, both mentally and physically, and she just wanted to crash into her bed now. "Thank you," Hera said, barely above a whisper.


    "Don’t mention it," Luke replied softly, supporting Hera as they walked slowly towards the elevator. Part of him wanted to sweep her up in a princess-style carry, but he restrained himself; he didn’t want to risking across like Rafael or Dave. Instead, he focused on being gentlemanly and providing Hera with thefort she needed.


    "You must be very busy." Hera said, trying to start a conversation so it would feel awkward since there were only the two of them in the dimly lit parking lot.


    Luke could sense Hera’s nervousness, and he chuckled softly, aware of his own inner struggle to maintain control, and reminded himself to maintain hisposure and not act impulsively. He fought the urge to sweep her off her feet, mindful of not sumbing to the desire to kiss Hera passionately. Despite his self-control, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was falling behindpared to his friends. A hint of impatience crept in, knowing they might win her over if he hesitated.


    "I thought you were out for dinner with Dave and Rafael?" Luke asked casually, trying to avoid sounding jealous or possessive. Then, realizing the need to rify, he added, "They happened to mention it during our discussion about the scandal targeting you."


    "You believe they’re targeting me? Isn’t it true, though?" Hera responded, her voice and expression neutral, masking her thoughts.


    Luke chuckled softly. "Even if it is true, it’s not your problem. We all took a chance at the same time. What can we do? You’re too good to resist, and all of us are worried that if we blink, someone else will sweep you off your feet." He shrugged nonchntly but his eyes gleamed with seriousness.


    Hera nced up at Luke, surprised by his answer, and couldn’t help butugh a little to herself. ’<i>No wonder this is a reverse harem novel’</i>, she thought, shaking her head.


    Unlike Luke, who was wrestling with inner turmoil, Hera had alreadye to terms with herself. She epted that no matter which path she chose, survival meant she couldn’t avoid entanglements with the male leads. At the same time, she was reluctant to let go of Leo, feeling a greediness to retain what they shared. Now, she simply wanted to go with the flow, embracing both the benefits and struggles that came with stealing the female lead’s fate.


    This was the path she had chosen to walk, and so she resolved to ept everything that came with it. Now that her decision was made, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders and a newfound sense of happiness. If this couldn’t deter her, she believed nothing could.


    "I see you guys were discussing the scandal. Any updates on that?" Hera chuckled as she asked, the atmosphere between them lightening.


    "Yes, actually... The whole topic has been deleted, and nowizens are buzzing about something else entirely," Luke answered with a smile, ncing at her expectantly, hoping for some praise.


    "New topic?" Hera asked with raised eyebrows, the elevator falling into a brief silence as Luke searched for the right way to exin what had happened to her.


    "We... I mean, me and the other five, just yed around a bit, and because of it, the whole topic has turned into a shipping battle about which one of us suits you better, and it’s actually boosted your poprity." Luke replied with a fond look, gently rubbing the top of her head.


    Hera looked up at Luke for a moment, blinking a few times before bursting intoughter. <i>’I haven’t even done anything, and these guys have managed to sort out the issue themselves without harming my career. Instead, they’ve boosted it up. That’s some serious ’male lead halo’ effect.’</i>


    Luke smiled happily as he watched Heraugh, her eyes brimming with happy tears as she imagined what had transpired online in her absence. If only he had known she would be this delighted, they might not have kept it from her and let her witness the online saga unfold alongside them.


    "You mean, you, Rafael, Zhane, Xavier, Dave, and Leo all worked together to bury the hatchet without theizens knowing?" Hera asked, stillughing as she imagined the scene.


    Luke nodded, his eyes narrowing with a smile as he joined in her happiness. Right now, Hera felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, knowing that one of her immediate problems had been solved.