Hera sighed as her eyes met Zhane’s gentle gaze. He gave her a small nod, silently encouraging her to do what she needed to do. Then, with a soft but firm voice, he said, "Go. You have to win that championship. I’ll turn on the TV in Leo’s room—if he happens to wake up during the race, he’ll see how incredible you are."


    The sincerity in his voice made Hera’s heart skip a beat.


    <i>’Oh God. Humans only have one heart, but mine keeps beating for multiple men. Am I an octopus or something?’</i> Hera joked to herself as she nced at Zhane.


    His mature understanding and quiet gentleness were making her fall for him all over again. Caught in the moment, she absentmindedly responded to the call, "I’ll participate..."


    Before she even realized it, the words were out.


    On the other end, Danny Coleman didn’t linger. The moment Hera agreed, he quickly excused himself, mumbling about arranging the car shipment via cargo ne and coordinating the team’s travel to France. He hung up so fast it was almostical—like he was terrified she might change her mind if he gave her the chance, so he escaped before she could take it back.


    Hera stared nkly at her phone, her brain stillgging behind the conversation. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words came out. The call had already ended, and all that remained was the call log on the screen.


    It was true—she’d answered on impulse. She hadn’t fully processed what she was agreeing to, and for a moment, she even considered taking it back. But with Danny already rushing off to start the preparations, there was no turning back now.


    Besides, she suddenly remembered—the IGI Expressions Competition Finale was also being held in France, in Paris, just a few days from now. The timing and location aligned perfectly.


    In a way, she’d be killing two birds with one stone. With that in mind, Hera realized... she didn’t really have a reason to say no after all.


    If she managed to win both championships, she’d be returning to her country with back-to-back titles—a feat that would significantly boost her fame and reputation.


    Many car and racing enthusiasts came from the upper ss or were second-generation heirs, and this would be the perfect opportunity to pitch her business ns, expand herwork, and increase her influence.


    Logically speaking, there was everything to gain from this arrangement. All she needed to do was focus on her goals. After a moment of dazed reflection, Hera quickly pulled herself together. She didn’t have the luxury to stay lost in thought or brood—there was too much at stake.


    Zhane was right. With him here, Leo would surely be in good hands. Staying by Leo’s side would only drag her into a spiral of worry and pessimism, which wouldn’t help either of them.


    Instead, she needed to trust Zhane to do his part and focus on doing hers. She wasn’t just responsible for herself—she carried the weight of the people working under the Avery, her aides, and even her grandfather.


    If she stalled now, Alice would rise, and her future would be at risk. What Zhane offered wasn’t justfort—it was a reminder of her purpose. And if Leo regained consciousness and saw her win the championship, would he be proud? Happy? Thrilled? Or... would he think she left him behind in pursuit of her dream?


    In truth, that was Hera’s greatest fear—Leo waking up, seeing her on the screen, and thinking she had abandoned him in pursuit of her own dreams.


    Hera let out another sigh, and Zhane gently ced his hand over hers, which was resting on the table. He offered her a reassuring smile.


    The truth was, Hera staying by Leo’s side wasn’t helping anyone. Right now, Leo was in aa, unaware of who was with him. He didn’t need Hera’s presence forfort—he needed medical care, and the nurses were more qualified to tend to him.


    Leo’s injuries were too severe for anyone but medical professionals to manage, and they were familiar with how to handle his condition. Hera, on the other hand, had little knowledge of medicine and couldn’t risk disturbing Leo’s healing process with her inexperience, especially given his broken bones and ribs.


    At most, she’d only be in France for a week or so. If Leo happened to wake up during that time, Hera would have the option to return home immediately to be by his side.


    Now that she had cleared her mind and assessed the situation more rationally, Hera understood that staying beside Leo really wouldn’t change anything.


    Zhane, on the other hand, had already thought through the situation with rity ever since Hera received Liz’s call earlier. As a doctor, although he had been flustered and anxious in the heat of the moment earlier, he knew how crucial it was to remain calm and focused.


    In emergency situations like that, doctors needed to keep their heads clear, to diagnose urately and manage the pressure of time. The fear that Leo might kick the bucket then had shaken him, but Zhane never lost his sense of purpose.


    His professionalism guided him through, and he had already weighed the pros and cons for Hera, recognizing that she was too emotionally overwhelmed to think clearly on her own.


    That’s why Zhane felt confident in encouraging Hera to pursue what she needed to do while he focused on his work.