Liz guided her through the process, exining how the sketches would evolve into a digital version, with more dimensions and intricate details added for precision.
By converting the sketches into a 3D model, Hera would not only have a clearer visualization of the final piece, but also provide the jewelry makers with a detailed blueprint that would be easier for them to follow.
Liz walked her through each step, from the conceptualization to the final design process, ensuring Hera understood the workflow and the meticulous steps the design would undergo once it was handed over to the jewelers.
Though Hera appeared calm andid-back, she was actually keeping a close watch on every movement, expression, and instruction from Liz.
After Liz finished scanning the sketches, Hera noticed that she carefully tucked them away to the side of her desk, securing them as if they were her own prized designs—protecting them as if she feared someone might steal them.
The sight was almost amusing to Hera; it was as though Liz wanted to lock the sketches in a vault. Hera couldn’t help but stifle augh.
What struck her even more was Liz’s genuine dedication to teaching her everything she knew.
Hera raised an eyebrow, realizing the sincerity behind Liz’s actions.
Liz wasn’t just teaching her out of obligation; there was a deep, earnest desire to help her seed. Recognizing this, Hera stopped testing Liz and allowed herself to trust the process.
Before they knew it, two hours had passed, and they were now ten minutes past the deadline.
Knock, knock...
"Young Miss, the lunch boxes are ready!" Amy announced, knocking lightly before peeking her head through the door to inform Hera.
Hera gave a nod and turned to Liz. "I need to head out for a bit, but I really appreciate your time tutoring me. Please, give me your ount number so I can transfer the tuition fee."
Liz quickly waved her hand in the air. "Oh, no need for that!" she said with a smile.
"Didn’t I tell you? This is an investment on my part. You’ll be entering apetition and coborating with me, so this is already a win-win situation for me. I don’t need the money."
"Even brothers have to settle ounts," Hera said with a smile.
"I can’t let you teach me for free—your time is valuable too. We can finalize the details through the coboration contract when we get to that point. For now, let’s focus on something else."
Liz immediately pouted, her lips sticking out in exaggerated fashion as she blinked her eyes and acted all pitiful. "No, no. What, do you not think of me as a friend? You’re trying to keep things so formal between us?"
Hera chuckled softly, propping her chin on her palm as she gazed at Liz with those enigmatic eyes.
Liz found herself momentarily lost in the depth of Hera’s gaze, her thoughts momentarily scattered.
"Even if you try to be all cute and charming," Liz said, her voice steady as she locked eyes with Hera, "I’m not changing my mind."
Despite their rocky start, Hera realized that Liz wasn’t a bad person at all. She was simply straightforward and didn’t always know when to hold her tongue, much like Athena.
In fact, the simrities between the two were striking, and perhaps that was why Hera found herself warming to Liz more than she expected.
Hera chuckled softly, a yful glint in her eyes.
"Alright then, in exchange, I’ll invite you to dinner at my ce. Even though I have to leave soon, you can stay and enjoy the meal here. I promise the food is excellent. Consider it my way of thanking you for all the help with my tutoring."
"That, I can ept," Liz replied with a nod. Before Hera could insist on the tuition fee again, Liz quickly ran out of the study and bumped into Amy in the hallway.
"Auntie, I’m hungry too," she said, shing a wide grin that made her feelpletely at home in Hera’s ce.
Amy blinked in surprise for a moment, then her face softened into a warm, weing smile, as if Liz were her own family.
After Liz had hurried off, Hera took a moment to carefully review the sketches on the table. Every single sheet was ounted for—nothing was missing.
While she genuinely liked Liz’s personality and had decided to stop testing her, Hera knew she still had to remain vignt.
Despite the growing closeness between them, their bond wasrgely driven by mutual profit, and the business world was full of pitfalls, where betrayal could strike at any moment. She needed to protect herself and her interests.
She couldn’t afford to make mistakes that would drag her grandfather or their entire consortium down with her.
Though her cautious nature might stem from overthinking, she knew it wasn’t necessarily a w.
Once Liz proved trustworthy, Hera would apologize and wee her into her circle—only then would the suspicion beid to rest.
With a nod, Hera casually dusted her palms as if shaking off invisible particles before she closed herputer and headed out.
At the dining table, the lunch boxes were neatly arranged in thermal bags, and Liz was already eating with great enthusiasm, clearly enjoying her meal.
"Hera! Oh my god! Can you adopt me?!" Liz eximed between bites, her voice full of excitement.
"The food here is like something out of a seven-star hotel!" She continued eating, so rxed andfortable in her seat that she hadpletely forgotten her dining etiquette.
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PS: Another month has passed, and I’m genuinely grateful to see so many of you continuing to support and engage with the story. Your ongoing enthusiasm and encouragement mean a lot to me. As a token of my appreciation, please ept this redeem code: <ABDHYEVJLHSWED3QA>. You can redeem it for 10 Fast Passes at the Redeem Center located in your Profile section, just below your Purchase History. The code is valid for 10 users on a firste, first-served basis. I hope this small gesture brings a smile to your face and encourages you to keep supporting me. Thank you again for being part of this journey!