Hera, however, appeared calm and collected, as if she had already grown ustomed to such opulence.


    In the past, everyone had been screaming in awe, their eyes wide with disbelief as they took in the luxurious decor of his home.


    The space was adorned with exquisite ceramic vases, masterpieces from renowned painters, and stunning sculptures, each piece a testament to wealth and artistry.


    However, seeing Hera remain soposed—her eyes fixed ahead and her expression calm, as if to say, "Meh"—made Dave chuckle to himself.


    He hadn’t anticipated this reaction, and it only deepened his fondness for her.


    At that moment, he realized that Hera wasn’t drawn to him for his wealth or influence; she was genuinely different.


    Having seen the world from a young age, Dave knew that some people were exceptional at pretending.


    He had already learned his lesson the hard way, having been fooled once in the past. If it happened again, the shame would be on him.


    It all started with an elementary school ssmate who pretended to be his friend, only to use him for his money and connections.


    The so-called friend took advantage of Dave’s name to grant his father’s business certain government favors, like avoiding taxes.


    This eventually led to a sessful case of tax evasion, all because they falsely imed ties to the Carsons.


    The incident nearly tarnished his family’s reputation and gave their enemies ammunition, sparking a political battle thatsted for years.


    Now that he thought about it, his so-called friend was far too young to devise such a scheme on his own.


    It was clear that the real mastermind was his friend’s father, who had used their supposed friendship to manipte events and things behind the scenes.


    His so-called friend wasn’t entirely innocent either. Someone overheard him badmouthing Dave, expressing clear resentment.


    He believed Dave didn’t deserve to have a better family standing or to excel beyond him in any way.


    The kid was obviously pampered, arrogant, and narcissistic—likely a result of his parents feeding him the idea that he was superior to everyone else.


    Dave had believed in his friend—until he simply couldn’t anymore. That experience taught him a hard lesson.


    It’s why he now projects a carefree demeanor while shrewdly watching everyone’s moves like a hawk.


    Trust issues became a part of him, and he only lets a select few into his inner circle—those he’s certain would never betray him.


    Since then, Dave has honed his ability to read people. No matter how well they pretended, he could always catch a glimpse of whaty behind their facade, especially through their eyes.


    Right now, he could tell that Hera truly didn’t care about hervish surroundings. In fact, he even noticed her subtlyparing one of the paintings to something in her mind, which made him chuckle to himself.


    It seemed she had seen something even more impressive than what he had in his home.


    <i>’Oh God, I’m done for! I’ve fallen hard this time, and there’s no turning back,’</i> Dave thought to himself, shaking his head slightly in surrender. Yet, despite the defeat he felt, his heart swelled with happiness


    In truth, Dave had brought Hera there not just to treat her to a romantic candlelit dinner and showcase the luxury he could provide, but also to gain a deeper understanding of her.


    Even if he suspected that Hera might be after his wealth, he would willingly offer it to her.


    After all, he had more than enough to share, believing that she could never possibly spend it all in a lifetime.


    Moreover, he preferred the idea of her being interested in his wealth. Beyond that, he struggled to identify what else he could offer her.


    If she appreciated his money, at least it meant there was something about him that she valued.


    As the saying goes, a trulypetent man need not fret over gold diggers; instead, he should focus on nurturing his partner’s heart to ensure it remains devoted to him alone.


    If a woman is motivated by wealth, it can actually simplify things—after all, satisfying her desires bes a matter of simply providing her with what she wants.


    For a man with abundant resources, showering her with gifts would be an effortless task.


    However, observing Hera now, he realized she wasn’t the kind of woman who was swayed by material possessions.


    She had demonstrated her authenticity time and again, drawing him closer and deepening his affection for her.


    Yet, this also sparked a worry within him: what did she truly desire? He wanted to give her the world—everything he had—but if material wealth held no appeal for her, what could he possibly offer that would fulfill her needs or he could use to capture her heart?


    Despite grappling with the crisis of his life, he maintained a carefree demeanor as he guided Hera along the path to the gazebo outside the chateau, where his surprise awaited her.


    While he was consumed by worries of all kinds, Hera, havinge to terms with many aspects of her life, had learned to navigate the relentless interference of the storyline in her decisions and actions.


    She epted that events would unfold regardless, and in her quest to break free from the narrative’s control, she had embraced a sense of eptance about the things that were beyond her influence.


    Including the possibilities that might unfold in this chateau with Dave.


    Instead, she took a moment to admire the luxurious surroundings, a testament to their generational wealth.


    While Dave’s family might not be as rich as the Avery, their chateau was spectacr from every angle, prompting her to mentally whistle in appreciation as Dave led her through a stunning flower garden.


    Beyond the vibrant bloomsy a grand gazebo that looked fit for a castle, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.