Thankfully, Zhane had pulled up her clothes earlier, sparing them from being stained by his release. Still, the sight of Hera, her skin marked by his release, ignited something in him.


    Maybe it was because she looked irresistibly sexy, or perhaps it was the fact that she was now a canvas to his handiwork that made the moment even more captivating.


    The mere thought of it made his arousal surge, harder than before. Zhane cleared his throat, trying to regain control, and quickened his pace as he helped Hera clean up, his hands moving with a newfound urgency.


    Hera noticed his frantic state but didn’t dwell on it, as her own embarrassment hit her like a ton of bricks. Flustered, she watched Zhane help her clean up, fully aware that her stomach and breasts were still exposed while they stood outside.


    Her heart pounded in her throat, each passing moment making her face burn brighter, redder than a tomato. Neither noticed the other’s flustered state, too consumed with calming their own racing thoughts.


    She hadn’t realized how intensely intimate it would feel to be outdoors; the experience was a blend of embarrassment and exhration that left her heart feeling as though it was hanging by a thread.


    When Zhane finished helping Hera clean up, she quickly fixed herself, neither of them breaking the tense silence, as if silently agreeing to avoid discussing what had happened until they’d bothposed themselves.


    They headed toward Zhane’s car, Hera’s skin felt icy from the night air. Sensing her chill, Zhane immediately turned on the car heater once they settled in, allowing Hera to rest and collect herself in the warmth.


    Hera closed her eyes, exhaustion evident after the evening’s events. As she dozed off the moment she sat down, Zhane nced at her serene face. His thoughts remained unreadable for a moment, but after a heavy sigh, he smiled softly to himself.


    He didn’t regret what happened; if anything, his only regret was the location. He wished he could have chosen a morefortable ce for her. He hadn’t anticipated things unfolding this way, but he epted it as part of their shared experience.


    Acknowledging that he couldn’t undo what had already transpired, Zhane took a deep breath to steady his thoughts. As he drove off into the night, he was mindful of how long they had been out and how tired Hera must be.


    Zhane drove as smoothly and quietly as possible, mindful not to disturb Hera’s sleep. He checked on her periodically, ensuring she remainedfortable in her seat. After nearly three hours of uninterrupted driving, Zhane arrived at Green Dragon Manor.


    The guards, aware of his destination at the Jade Dragon Building, greeted him with polite nods and did not hinder his entry.


    Given that everyone was now aware of their boss’s rtionships with these men, they understood the importance of being courteous to each one to avoid crossing any lines or falling out of favor.


    As the car came to a stop, Hera stirred from her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open as she stretched her arms and nced around, trying to gauge her surroundings.


    Upon recognizing the familiar lobby through the window, she struggled to suppress a yawn that was threatening to stretch her mouth wide.


    She heard a soft chuckle from the driver’s seat and turned her head slowly to meet Zhane’s gentle gaze. He watched her with a tender smile as she stretched and tried to stifle a yawn, looking like a contented cat. "Did you have a good rest?" he asked softly.


    Hera nodded, though she still felt tired despite having slept through the entire car ride. Zhane noticed her weary expression, and it tugged at his heartstrings. He gently reached out to pat her head. "You should head up and get some rest. Take a hot bath, drink some warm milk before bed, and keep cold medicine by your bedside."


    "You were exposed to the night wind, and I’d hate for you to catch a cold." His concern was evident, and his reminders were as nurturing as a devoted partner’s, showing just how much he cared.


    Hera couldn’t help but chuckle softly. They both fell silent for a moment beforeughing in unison, feeling more in sync and connected than before. Though they both felt a twinge of embarrassment earlier, since they were adults, they were now back to their usual selves. The only thing that had changed was the depth of their feelings for each other.


    Zhane felt a deeper connection with Hera, his emotions growing more intense than before. For the first time in his life, he truly understood what it meant to be interested in a woman.


    As he smiled at Hera, his smile took on a deeper significance, his eyes reflecting a hint of love. His voice, too, carried the weight of his raw, heartfelt feelings.


    He couldn’t help but worry about her, constantly nagging to ensure she wouldn’t get sick, since he couldn’t be by her side all the time. Hera smiled warmly at Zhane and nodded to show she understood. She then unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to step out.


    "Wait, Hera," Zhane said. As Hera nced back at him, she saw that Zhane had already unbuckled his seatbelt and was leaning closer. Before she could process what was happening, Zhane’s warm hand cupped the side of her face, followed by a tender, passionate kiss.


    Zhane didn’t take long to pull away, but his warm hands remained gently cradling Hera’s face, his thumb softly rubbing her cheeks. His eyes locked onto hers, twinkling with unspoken emotion. "Good night and have a good rest," he murmured, his voice husky, as if there were words he wished he could express but couldn’t quite find.