Hera nodded in satisfaction as she reviewed Gael’s business proposal. She exchanged a nce with the manager, who appeared to share her view but was hesitant to discuss the profit distribution openly. Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, the manager refrained from pushing the issue, as he didn’t like taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable position. He was content with his wellpensated position at the Avery and had no desire for the modest sum in question.
Hera decided to address the issue directly. "I see great potential in your business n, but there’s one aspect I don’t quite understand. Mr. Harrison, why have you proposed such a low profit distribution? You could easily aim for 20% or even 30%. Do you think the Avery family would exploit the vulnerable or act like opportunistic predators?" Her tone was friendly, but a subtle edge of threat lingered in her words, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
Gael felt a wave of nervousness under Hera’s intense scrutiny, while the manager’s silence indicated his agreement with Hera’s concerns.
"No, please don’t misunderstand me," Gael stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t think that way at all. It’s just that my mother needs urgent medical attention. I’ve heard that the Avery family has established a renownedboratory dedicated to finding cures for many incurable diseases and assisting with difficult cases. I was hoping that by offering a lower profit margin, I might be able to request a favor and have my mother treated at that facility."
His face grew red as he really did feel so weak and has little to offer to even ask for this kind of favor from the Avery family, he knew that in their circle, what matters most was benefit and what the other person could offer, especially when ites to making friends, what’s important is not the genuine feelings but the status and standing of the said friend. It was a toxic tradition but yet, it was widely practiced by many socialites.
He understood all too well that in their world, falling from grace meant losing friends who were merely fair-weatherpanions. Despite being the true heir of the Harrison family, Gael had been dismissed as a mere clown in their social circle, while his illegitimate half-brothers were treated with far more respect. It was as though he were the real illegitimate one, a reflection of the old saying that the mistresses are often the unloved ones.
Feeling the weight of Hera and the manager’s gaze, Gael felt utterly small and wished he could vanish into a hole. Then he heard Hera’s soft chuckle, a sound like the delicate chime of bells on a summer breeze, which only deepened his embarrassment. It was painful to realize that not only had she witnessed his previous helplessness, but even now, he felt as if nothing had changed, leaving him feeling more insignificant than ever.
"Gael, it seems there’s been a misunderstanding about the Avery family," Hera said, her tone a mix of amusement and reassurance. She found Gael’s reaction refreshing, especially in a social circle full of opportunistic predators eager to exploit any sign of weakness. "Even if you had asked for a 30% profit distribution, we would still extend our help to your mother. We value our business partners and aremitted to supporting those in need through our charity work and even ourboratory was built with the same ideology. Why would we demand anything in return for helping your mother? Do you think my ancestors would rise from their graves to reprimand me?" Hera’s voice trailed off into augh as she wiped away a tear, finding humor in the situation.
"Sister, what do you mean by ’your ancestors’? Are you also an Avery?" Bry’s innocent question jolted Hera back to reality. She instantly bit her lip, her eyes widening in realization. She had made an unintentional slip of the tongue, and even the manager looked taken aback. From Hera’s earlier actions, he had suspected she was concealing her identity, and Cindy’s remarks had suggested as much. But now, Hera’s inadvertent admission had made it clear.
Hera’s eyes widened as she nced between the manager, Bry, his father, and the stunned Gael. Her mouth opened and closed, but she was at a loss for words.