Zhane was the only one who couldn’t join them. He had to stay behind. Leo had just woken up, and though his eyes were open, he hadn’t moved or spoken. He only cried silently. He needed a full assessment, and Zhane couldn’t leave him in that condition.


    Now that they had heard what Hera truly wanted, the three of them froze. Rafael ryed her words quietly, and the weight of her decision settled heavily between them. They exchanged nces, concern still etched in their eyes, but none of them moved to continue toward the ne.


    Though their hearts urged them to go to her, they knew Hera too well; if she asked them to stay, it wasn’t out of pride or stubbornness. It was because it mattered. She didn’t want to burden them or disrupt what they were doing, because she believed in them and in the work they were carrying out.


    It struck them all how resolute she sounded, even while injured. She wasn’t just trying to reassure them. She was protecting something bigger. And somewhere deep in their chests, they all felt it: Hera knew something they didn’t.


    And so, after ending the call, Rafael, Luke, and Dave quietly turned around and walked away from the gate. The airline attendants standing near the gate’s door exchanged nervous nces, sensing the sudden change in mood. One of them stepped forward hesitantly and said, "Sirs, the ne will be departing shortly..."


    Luke offered a polite smile and said gently, "No need. We’re not going anymore. You can let the ne leave without us."


    Their seats were first-ss and non-refundable, and were now going to be wasted, and the flight attendant couldn’t help but feel it was a shame. Still, rules were rules, and this presented an opportunity to upgrade three lucky frequent travelers based on merit. So, she simply smiled and nodded as the men walked away.


    As they stepped aside from the gate, all three of them pulled out their phones to finally watch the video they hadn’t seen earlier, the footage of Hera’s crash. Their steps slowed until they came to a full stop, eyes glued to the screen.


    The moment they saw Xavier finding Hera wedged between the crash cushions, a wave of relief washed over them. She had survived. Not only that, she had been smart enough, in the midst of chaos, to angle her fall into the safety cushion, minimizing the damage.


    That presence of mind in the face of death broke them.


    Because they knew not everyone could have done what she did. Most people would freeze. Most wouldn’t think. Their instincts would fail. But Hera... Hera had calcted, acted, and survived. And that level ofposure made them wonder:


    Just how much had she endured to be this resilient?


    The thought twisted painfully in their chests. And when they heard she still ended up with multiple broken bones, their expressions darkened. Anger simmered beneath their heartbreak, rage not at her, but at the world for forcing her to face something like this alone.


    "We need to make the mastermind behind this pay," Dave growled through gritted teeth.


    Luke and Rafael didn’t argue because deep down, they agreed.


    They didn’t need the investigation report to tell them what they already suspected: someone had sabotaged Hera’s car. Someone had wanted her dead.


    And how could they be so sure?


    They had all visited Hera’s garage back in Barcelona. They had seen firsthand the level of precision her team operated with. The mechanics were thorough, obsessive even, especially the lead technician, someone renowned in the industry.


    Every part of her vehicle had been tested, double-checked, and documented. The team was so meticulous that they wouldn’t even green-light the car if a single screw felt out of ce.


    But the brakes? That wasn’t a small detail. That was life or death. It was the <i>first</i> thing they’d check before every race.


    For something that vital to fail... it wasn’t negligence.


    It was sabotage.


    And the three of them knew this wasn’t just a racing incident. It was an attempted murder.


    So, without wasting time, they contacted Danny Coleman and demanded a full report on the ongoing investigation. They needed to know the truth, and fast. They also began coordinating their own moves from afar, hoping that the local authorities in Paris wouldn’t be bribed or pressured into covering up the incident.


    Fortunately, luck was on their side, because Alexandre had seen and heard everything. And he wasn’t staying silent.


    He stepped in publicly, openly aligning himself with the investigation. Working alongside the local authorities and his own connections, he made it clear that no one would bury this case with fake testimonies or nted evidence. He put his name and his family’s influence on the line to ensure Hera got the justice she deserved.


    This was his country. His people. And someone had dared to harm the woman he cared about.


    He personally called the chief of police, senior officials, and even the mayor. And when word of his actions reached his father, the old man called immediately.


    "Kid! What the hell are you doing?" his father barked over the line. "Why are you suddenly pulling favors, using our family name like this? That’s not like you. What happened? Tell me, and let <i>me</i> handle it. Don’t draw attention to yourself. You’ll just feed the vultures. They’ll have a field day saying you’re calling in favors <i>for a woman.</i>"


    Though his tone seemed understanding on the surface, there was an undercurrent of warning, as if to tell him, <i>’Don’t risk everything for her,</i>’ as if he were telling Alexandre to back off, to let the machine run its course. As if Hera wasn’t worth risking their political capital... or a future limb, Alexandre didn’t yet know he was sacrificing.


    "No, Dad. I <i>will</i> take care of this," Alexandre said firmly. "That woman—Hera—she’s the one I’m pursuing. My future girlfriend. And someone had the audacity to target her here, on <i>our</i> turf. That’s not just an attack on her, it’s a direct challenge to me, to our name, to our power."


    His voice tightened. "They’re making a fool out of me. Tell me, what do you think people will say when they find out Alexandre Arnault couldn’t even protect the woman he’s courting, in his own city? It’s not just disgraceful, it’s humiliating. It tells everyone it’s open season on us. That they can cross us and get away with it."


    Alexandre deliberately twisted the knife with calcted logic, knowing exactly how to y on his father’s pride and instincts for family reputation.