Aside from Rafael, nearly everyone in the room shared the same thoughts, and they couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy toward Xavier for getting to spend so much time with Hera.


    Their careers aligned perfectly, allowing Xavier more opportunities to be around her.


    Xavier, fully aware of the unspoken thoughts swirling around the room—especially Dave’s—couldn’t help but wear a smug smile.


    He casually enjoyed his food, savoring the moment, and felt an added enthusiasm to head to the audition location.


    After lunch and some much-needed rest, everyone went their separate ways to attend to their respective tasks, returning to their offices to handle paperwork and other responsibilities.


    Since Xavier and Hera had arrived at the hospital in Luke’s car, Luke would be the one to drive them to the audition location this time.


    Before they left, however, Hera made a brief stop by Minerva’s room. By then, Minerva was being assisted by a nurse, carefully settling into her wheelchair.


    <i>Knock... Knock...</i>


    "Come in..." Minerva’s weary voice called from inside. Only after hearing the confirmation did Hera open the door and step in. She carefully handed the thermal sk to Minerva.


    "As promised, this is your lunch, but I can’t stay long. I have somewhere I need to be. Once you’re done eating, just send the sk to your brother’s room, and we’ll pick it up when I get back."


    Hera made sure to remind Minerva of the details, and Minerva eagerly nodded with a smile, clutching the sk tightly as if afraid it might spill. The sight made Hera smile involuntarily.


    Afterward, she turned to leave. Dave followed behind them, while Leo and Luke nked Hera on either side. Xavier walked next to Dave, and Zhane had already gone back to his office to resume his work.


    "Luke, you need to drop me off at my office," Dave said, strolling behind them with his hands casuallyced behind his head, movingzily as usual.


    "You could always take a taxi," Luke replied without even blinking.


    "When have you ever seen a Minister take a taxi without a bodyguard?!" Dave shot back.


    "I’ve seen worse," Luke retorted nonchntly. "I once saw a Minister messing around in someone else’s office, ying on his phone and cursing at someone for ying like a noob..."


    Dave choked on his own spit at the unexpected response.


    "Come on, dude, don’t you love me anymore?" Dave asked, feigning hurt.


    "I never even loved you. You’re gross..." Luke replied tly.


    "Is this how you treat your friend?" Dave turned to Hera with a dramatically pitiful expression. "Sweetheart, look at this heartless jerk."


    Hera giggled at their yful back-and-forth. Their banter felt so lighthearted and funny, easing her tension and allowing her to rx. She didn’t even think about the audition for a moment, letting go of any pressure and putting her mind at ease.


    Although she wasn’t feeling any pressure and was actually quite excited, their yful banter hadpletely distracted her. As she listened to them go back and forth, even her excitement faded into the background.


    "Well, if that’s how it’s going to be, you can always hitch a ride with Leo," Luke added with a shrug.


    "Why are you sending me your unwanted baggage?" Leo shot back, leaving Dave on the verge of tears—though no tears came.


    He wanted toin to Hera, but he knew the jerks around him would just gang up on him and turn him into the butt of their jokes, making him seem like nothing more than a whiny sissy.


    "Hmph! If Luke’s not dropping me off, then you should, Leo. And don’t forget, you still owe me for the gas money after hijacking and piloting my helicopter without permission," Dave said with a smug grin, even though Leo’s back was to him. The tone of his voice, though, made his intentions clear.


    "I didn’t realize you were so broke that you’re still holding a grudge over a small gas bill," Leo shot back, shutting Dave up in an instant.


    <i>’I fucking knew it! These guys are really ganging up on me!’</i> Dave thought, his eyes ring at each of the men around him.


    Though Xavier stayed silent, his eyes were practicallyughing on their own, clearly enjoying Dave’s difort.


    Not once did he offer a helping hand, which only fueled Dave’s growing resentment.


    But there was nothing he could do about it—he could only stew in his frustration, silently nursing the resentment that churned in his gut.


    "I feel like the unwanted middle child of the family," he muttered, pouting as he tried to make his resentment known.


    He didn’t want to make a scene, though, knowing the three devils around him would just turn it into another joke at his expense.


    He longed to get back at them, but nothing came to mind—he couldn’t think of a way to outmaneuver the trio.


    Even Leo and Luke seemed to be perfectly in sync, effortlessly working together to shut him down at every turn.


    "Don’t always pick on Dave; isn’t it a good thing he’s finally focusing on his duties?" Hera chimed in.


    Her initial words gave Dave a sense offort, making him feel understood and cared for.


    But as soon as she finished, his world seemed to crumble.


    Thetter part of Hera’s statement hit him hard, and he realized that she had found out about him cking off of his duty.


    Embarrassment washed over him, and he quickly sent a message to his assistant, asking to be picked up at the hospital.


    He was determined to change how Hera saw him, to rise above his shorings, and to be better than he had been.


    At least, no more cking off until his work was done. Dave pouted, his yful grumble tinged with a touch of exaggeration as he feigned a pained expression. "Even you, sweetheart?"


    He shot Hera his best puppy-dog eyes, sticking out his lower lip in a dramatic pout.