Or maybe believed that it would only take a little more time before Dave noticed her since she’d been with him for a long time, just like the story of the other maid who was once a maid that turned into the mistress of the house or the other woman who has be the main wife after the husband divorces the wife to give way to their mistresses.


    Yet, Hera couldn’t shake the thought of Alice. She realized she couldn’t recall anything about Dave’s Chateau being mentioned by Athena.


    Such an oversight seemed significant, especially since Athena typically addressed all conflicts rted to the male leads and antagonists in the book.


    She even included details about supporting characters like Lucas.


    <i>’Does that mean Dave never brought Alice to his Chateau? But I’m certain he took her to their old mansion where his parents and grandparents reside.’</i>


    Hera felt her heart thump violently at the thought.


    As she pondered this, Dave guided her inside the Chateau, wrapping his arm around her waist to steady her and ensuring she wouldn’t stumble on the pebbles in the garden or the stairs.


    He sensed she was deep in thought and chose not to interrupt, assuming she was still reflecting on the earlier incident, which only made him purse his lips in concern.


    <i>"Thank goodness the crazy maid only pulled these minor antics and didn’t try to seduce me while Hera was here; that would surely create a huge misunderstanding!"</i> The thought sent a shiver down Dave’s spine.


    He winced at the mere idea of Hera witnessing him pinned down in apromising position with someone else.


    A cold sweat trickled down his back, and his fingers trembled at the thought.


    He felt fortunate that the maid instead resorted to intimidation tactics against Hera; otherwise, his future with her could be irrevocably tarnished.


    Unable to shake the unease, he tightened his grip around Hera’s waist, pulling her closer as if to shield her from any potential threats.


    "Sweetheart, I’m so sorry for what happened. I promise it won’t happen again," Dave reassured her, his voice steady but filled with sincerity.


    <i>’To hell with letting that happen a second time! With my friends also vying for her attention, she could easily choose someone else if I allow that nonsense to continue.</i>’ The thought ignited a fire within him.


    Now more determined than ever, Dave resolved not to let anyone else get close to him or Hera.


    As Dave walked Hera to his room, he took the opportunity to give her a tour of the Chateau.


    They passed by a mini museum on the first floor, showcasing an impressive array of items—from dinosaur fossils and exquisite paintings to rare gems and artifacts.


    Adjacent to the guest living room was his showroom, a ss-enclosed space disying his cherished collection of rare cars.


    As they ascended the curved staircase, Hera couldn’t help but admire the stunning collection, which felt like a centerpiece of the Chateau itself.


    He had a stunning collection that included ssic cars reminiscent of those seen in historical films set in Ennd, alongside customized armored vehicles.


    Hera hadn’t anticipated that Dave would possess such a collection; she had always associated car enthusiasm with Rafael, who was known for his love of automobiles. The idea that Dave also shared this passion surprised her.


    As if he could read her thoughts, Dave chuckled at Hera’s amazed expression, which was tinged with confusion, and said,


    "While I may have this collection, the vintage cars were passed down from my grandfather and histe father. They might not match Rafael’s collection of supercars in sheer shiness, but when ites to value, mine is definitely superior." He shed Hera a boyish grin, a blend of boastfulness and charm.


    "Is there anything here that catches your eye? I’d be happy to gift it to you." Dave paused, scanning the array of cars below before adding,


    "You know what? Why not gift you the entire collection?" He nodded to himself with a satisfied smile, as if he had juste up with the most brilliant idea, patting himself on the back for good measure.


    Hera gasped in surprise. Just gazing at the automobiles in the showroom, she realized that the oldest models could easily fetch hundreds of millions at a museum due to their historical significance—and they were impably maintained.


    But Dave offered them to her as casually as if he were gifting a pebble from the road. Hera immediately shook her head.


    As far as she could recall, her grandfather had an extensive collection of cars in his garage—so vast that she had lost track of their release years or how he managed to maintain them all.


    When Dave noticed Hera vigorously shaking her head, he pouted. "Don’t you want to ept a gift from me?!"


    "That’s not it, Dave. It’s the thought that counts. This collection is like a family heirloom, passed down from your great-grandfather to you. I can only imagine how much it means to you and how it might one day be gifted to your future children."


    "Then I’ll save it for our future children," Dave said with a cheerful grin, his enthusiasm rekindled.


    Hera felt a lump in her throat at his seemingly sillyment, but as she looked into his eyes, she saw a depth of seriousness and determination that made her believe he was genuinely sincere.


    <i>’Did I just dig my own grave and leap right into it?’</i> Hera thought, gulping as an awkwardugh bubbled up in her mind. She had merely intended to decline his extravagant gift, but he had spun it into an even more outrageous proposition.