"I’m happy that you liked it," he murmured before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. In that moment, all the effort he had put into acquiring the form from the old doctor and all thete nights spent perfecting it felt entirely worth it—just to see her smile.


    But then, the mischievous side of Zhane couldn’t resist making an appearance. Leaning in even closer, he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "But I think the after-sex glow looks even better than any skincare routine."


    His bright smile and teasing gleam in his eyes sent a rush of heat to Hera’s cheeks, making her blush furiously.


    Dave, who wasn’t too far away, felt his jealousy antenna twitch. His instincts red, and he instantly turned his gaze toward Zhane and Hera, his eyes filled with silent inquiry.


    Hera bit her bottom lip, trying to keep her expression neutral. But as she reflected, she realized something—ever since she started bing intimate with the male leads and Leo, it had been happening so frequently that even she couldn’t ignore the effects on her body. The difference was too obvious to miss.


    Those who were always around her—Daisy, Hannah, and Amy—were the first to notice the change. They often pointed out how radiant and beautiful she looked, and as much as Hera tried to brush it off, she couldn’t deny it.


    No wonder people always said that mature women carried a unique charm and allure. It wasn’t just about their aura—it was the undeniable glow that came from within.


    Zhane, noticing Dave’s reaction, simply ignored him. His hands wandered from Hera’s hair down to her waist, his touch lingering. He wasn’t the type to express affection through sweet words—he preferred actions.


    And right now, as he gazed at Hera,pletely captivated, he couldn’t help but recall that she had spent the previous night with Rafael and Luke. A possessive desire stirred within him. It had been a while since their first time, and he hadn’t made another move since.


    But just as he was about to, Hera’s phone buzzed.


    Flustered, Hera quickly reached for it, already suspecting where things were headed if she didn’t. When she saw the message from Betty, she straightened up.


    <strong>[Betty: Hera, we’re ready on our side. The traffic online is perfect at this time. Do you want to start our counterattack?]</strong>


    Zhane nced at the message as well, his eyebrow arching. In an instant, his previous intentions faded, reced by intrigue. He was curious to see what Hera was nning.


    After all, she was still in the middle of an inte firestorm, with her name dominating trending topics. And while he appeared calm on the surface, he was just as livid as the others about the harassment and insults being thrown at her. If a counterattack was in motion, then that took priority.


    His moment with Hera could wait.


    Zhane withdrew his hand from Hera’s waist, and she met his gaze with an appreciative smile. He nodded in understanding, but before she could react, he effortlessly lifted her from the chair and carried her over to the bed, ensuring she had a morefortable position to sit and watch as the situation unfolded.


    The others, noticing the subtle exchange between Hera and Zhane, grew curious. As Zhane settled beside her on the bed, they instinctively gravitated toward them, lounging around and surrounding Hera. Luke took a spot beside her, with Rafael next to him, while Dave positioned himself beside Zhane.


    Hera remained focused on her phone, her fingers typing swiftly. Zhane watched with interest, and the rest, sensing the importance of the moment, instinctively checked their own phones. Those closest to Hera managed to catch a glimpse of the thread she was reading and instantly smirked. Without hesitation, they all pulled out their phones, eager to follow along.


    Dave, who was a little farther away and struggling to get a clear view, tried to push against Zhane to get closer. However, instead of making room, Zhane smoothly scooped Hera into hisp. This way, not only did Dave no longer need to push him, but Zhane also got to hold Hera and keep her close—an undeniable win-win in his eyes.


    With a triumphant smirk, Zhane shot Dave a bright, almost smug smile. Dave, on the other hand, could only fume silently. He wanted to argue, to push back somehow, but no words came to mind. He just felt—once again—like he’d lost.


    But their little antics wentpletely unnoticed by Hera, who was now fully focused on sending out orders to Betty and Sasha.


    <strong>[Hera: Alright, start sending the notices to the trolls. I’ll post something on my wall with a brief exnation—nothing too dramatic. You just need to share it using ourpany’s official ount. Then, we’ll let the trolls light the fire and stir the pot from there. No need for grand exnations or unnecessary theatrics. Netizens aren’t stupid enough to always believe the ones who cry the loudest.]</strong>


    <strong>[Hera: (^ ～ ^)]</strong>


    <strong>[Betty: Got it. We’re all set and ready to go.]</strong>