《The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress》


 Chapter 1 Hera Avery

    The fast food restaurant always had a shortage of staff, but instead of hiring additional regr employees, they relied on part-timers to work a full shift with a part-timer''s pay. From the boss''s perspective, this allowed them to earn more while paying less.

    But what could Hera do? She''s just a part-timer who needed money to pay for her tuition fees and other expenses.

    "I had to." Hera replied.

    "I''m sorry to say this, but your boyfriend is taking advantage of you financially. You deserve better, please consider your situation carefully."

    "Please, Athena, stop. Haven''t I been doing fine?" Hera''s voice sounded almost pleading so that Athena would not nag her.

    "Fine! You''ve been always doing the opposite of my advice. But if anything happens, don''t forget to ask me for help."

    Hera felt warmth envelop her heart, she and Athena had been a decade-long best friend.

    They met at her parents'' funeral when she was 8 years old, Athena was the one who extended her hands to her, stood by her when she was lonely, and continued to stay by her side while she was working outside to support herself.

    She and Athena are like the Sun and the Moon. One was blindingly bright while the other guided through the darkness that gave hope.

    The two of them were inseparable and treated each other as sisters born from different parents.

    Hera''s only living rtive is her grandfather. Unfortunately, her grandmother passed away after giving birth to Hera''s father. Despite this tragedy, her grandfather did not remarry and instead raised his son on his own. He provided him with the love and care of a father, although Hera''s father always longed for the love and care of a mother. Nevertheless, he understood that his father did everything he could to raise him right and showered him with love in ce of his mother.

    Her father was known for his kind and gentle nature. Despite being admired by many women, he fell in love with a remarkable woman - her mother. She was not just beautiful and intelligent, but also a fiercely independent woman who made bold moves that shook the business world. In every sense, she was like a lioness.

    Despite his kind nature, her father was a worldwide business mogul known as the smiling tiger. If you let your guard down, he will silently devour you whole. He was considered a genius in business, surpassing his father''s talent.

    Her parents had previous business encounters. Her father fell in love at first sight, while her mother fell in love with his dependable nature which made her feel safe. And that''s how their love story began. Their rtionship was the envy of many, and their dream-like marriage made them the talk of the town.

    Their wedding alone was a grandeur. the wedding dress was designed and handmade by the world''s number-one wedding dress designer Sasha, Athena''s mother. Everything in the reception was the finest and the attendees were all powerful magnates from every part of the world.

    Who wouldn''t want to be a powerful couple? Despite being admired, they are often the targets of envy and jealousy, leading to malice.

    When Hera was born, her parents went to great lengths to conceal her identity and shield her from the public eye. They did not want her to be the center of attention and the subject of envy. Their intention was to allow Hera to live a normal life in privacy, away from the spotlight.

    Hera''s ancestors always lived among normal people, learning about their lifestyles and struggles. They had to experience how it feels to be normal, without the influence of money and power. Because they want their children to understand that conceitedness and snobbishness will not lead them to opulence but to a false belief of being higher than others.

    They had a dictum in their family which says. The world is big, the sky is up high and there''s always a bigger mountain than the one you grew up with.

    Every child from Avery experiences hunger and homelessness, and some even experience the life of a farmer.

    I know that you already know who Hera Avery is, that''s right. She''s the sole heiress of the Avery Consortium. But she goes by the name Hera Ainsley, following her mother''s maiden name while she lives outside.

    But what sets her different from her ancestors is she remains outside even after she turns 18. The Avery will raise their children in small residential apartments, cook them food bought from the market, and learn how to clean after themselves and do what other normal kids do. This is done to teach them from a young age how to appreciate things and not to take everything for granted.

    The only thing that will be different is, that they will always be sent to expensive schools.

    The Avery did not want to neglect the children''s education and would only send them to the best of the best of school.

    When the children turn 18, they will learn their true heritage and undergo training to take over their family business.

    However, Hera already turned 18st year but she refused to go back. Why you ask? Because her current boyfriend knew that she was a poor orphan, she was worried that he would get angry with her for lying about her background.

    On their third anniversary tomorrow which also happens to be his birthday, she has decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with him. During the conversation, she will reveal her true identity, even though it may be hard for him to believe. Because Hera Avery was known to everyone as someone who went abroad toplete her master''s degree at Princeton.

    Her grandfather would allow the media to capture photos of the stand-in just to make it seem like she was really abroad.

    But who would have imagined that Avery''s heiress was working as a waitress in a fast-food restaurant? No one.

 Chapter 2 A Gift

    This is the first luxury item that Hera bought with her own money, and she was happy to gift it to her boyfriend.

    The shop assistant saw her happy and couldn''t help asking. "Is this a gift for your boyfriend?"

    Hera nodded and beamed at the shop assistant. The assistant was taken by surprise by Hera''s gorgeous face and innocent smile. "Who wouldn''t want a beautiful and sensible girlfriend like her?" She thought.

    Hera asked the shop assistant to wrap the gift in an elegant ck gift wrap with a gold ribbon then she swiped her card to pay.

    When she got out of the store, her stomach grumbled and she only remembered then that she hadn''t had her lunch and dinner yet.

    But she only has 50 dors in her ount and 20 dors in cash. She had no choice but to go home to their apartment and hope that they still have some ingredients left so she could cook a simple meal.

    When she arrived home, the apartment was still dark and the garbage can was full of rotting vegetable skins and other trash. The unpleasant smell made her nose scrunch up, so she quickly went to the kitchen to dispose of the garbage.

    After disposing of the garbage, she cleaned up the spacious apartment, wiped the tables, and did theundry for both her and her boyfriend.

    She and her boyfriend are tmates, living under the same roof, but they sleep in separate bedrooms. The apartment was located in the well-known luxury apartmentplex housing heirs and heiresses.

    The monthly rent alone is tens of thousands of dors. This is why it was necessary for Hera to work multiple jobs while also bncing her studies and love life.

    She''s been paying the rent, electricity, and water bills since they started living togetherst year to save up. He is a rising celebrity, he told her that he''ll save up for their marriage and property in the future once they are married but for now, Hera has to pay for everything else since her boyfriend has to buy most things like expensive clothes, shoes and other things to show in his social media ount to garner more fans.

    You might have wondered why Hera was allowing this to happen. But it''s not always that one-sided, from time to time, he would gift her with luxury bags, essories, and clothes.

    Hera just can''t bear to wear them for daily use. This is because she spends most of her time working part-time and attending sses at the university. She''s afraid she might misce these items, so she keeps them safe in her room.

    On the following day, she made up her mind to put on the clothes and essories tomemorate their anniversary.

    After cleaning up the apartment, she quickly cooked an omelet and a simple soup and ate it with relish. When she was done, she cleaned up and went to bed so she''d have enough energy tomorrow to work.

    The next day, Hera went to her next part-time job in a pizza store to deliver the order. She would receive tips from her delivery which makes her happy, she carefully ced the tips she got from the half-day delivery and changed her clothes to the white chiffon maxi dress that she brought with her.

    She paired her dress with a white stiletto and a white Chanel Quilted Lambskin hobo bag. These were all gifts from her boyfriend, the shoes was from their first anniversary, the dress were from their second and the bag was just fromst month.

    She returned to the apartment happily, with a spring in her step and a radiant glow.

    As she entered the lobby of the apartment building, she noticed a group of private bodyguards in suits standing in the corner. However, she quickly nced at them and didn''t pay much attention as it was amon sight for high-profile individuals to be apanied by multiple bodyguards. She assumed it was just another day for them.

    There are bodyguards standing around the elevator door on the fifth floor where her apartment is, which surprises her after she gets out of the elevator.

    On each floor of the building, there are only two apartments. The penthouse is upied by a single tenant. She has never met their neighbor. She assumed that the next-door tenant was a high-profile individual, but either way, she didn''t want to get involved in their affairs.

    While entering the apartment code, the bodyguards were eyeing her differently, but she tried not to overthink it, despite feeling ufortable.

    She let out a sigh of relief after she entered her apartment and patted her chest after feeling nervous just now. As her head is currently lowered, she notices a woman''s red stiletto in the doorway.

    She felt her breath stuck in her throat, her chest pounding so hard that it hurt. She feels her eyes and nose sting with a thought swirling in her head.

    As she approached the living room, her heart pounded harder in her chest. A clutter of men''s and women''s clothesy on the floor, leading to her boyfriend''s bedroom.

    It doesn''t require intelligence toprehend the situation as the sounds of a woman''s flirtatious moans echoed from the room. She could also hear her boyfriend''s satisfied groans and their suggestive whispers.

    Although she already saw thising, it still hurts. She believed that changing herself would lead to a better life and better treatment from others. But she was wrong, how others treated her was never her problem. Only now did she realize it.

    Her trembling knees momentarily lost their strength and she plopped to the floor. This loud sound surprised the people inside and they immediately stopped what they were doing to check what happened.

    Her boyfriend came out half-naked. Surprised, he stared at the beautiful woman who was silently shedding tears in front of him. He silently scanned her face down to her outfit. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and this was the first time she dressed beautifully.

    He felt greed taking over his being, he wanted to possess his girlfriend but not only was she a poor orphan but she did not allow him to sleep with her. He felt vexed.

    Their silence was interrupted by the woman who came out of his room wearing his oversized shirt. She circled her arms around his, leaned on him flirtatiously, and sized up the woman on the floor.

    She frowned and felt displeasure. "Is she your sister? The one you mentioned before?"

    The man''s body stiffened and look at the woman beside him.

    She pointed at Hera who was looking at them pitifully. "Didn''t you say that you''re going to gift the channel bag I don''t like to your sister? She''s using the bag, so she''s your sister right?"

    Hera was stunned and she looked up questioningly.

    <i>Sister? What does she mean?</i>

 Chapter 3 Sister

    She giggled after thinking about it.

    It was Hera''s good fortune to take care of her man, as her status made it unimaginable for her to be acquainted with Minerva or Alexi.

    Hera felt a lump in her throat and choked up. She was bitter about the oue. She knew that Athena was right all along, but she was being stubborn, thinking that if she tried harder or maybe if she changed. Things will go differently.

    However, Alexi still ended up cheating on her, despite all her hard work towards building their future together. Although she felt sad at first, she quickly realized that there was no use dwelling on what had happened and decided to move forward instead. After all, there was no point in crying over spilled milk.

    At this point, she didn''t feel like she had a choice. She didn''t want to force the person to stay with her, so she had to respect herself and preserve her remaining dignity.

    But before that, she wanted to ask him this question. She looked Alexi in the eye, her eyes still misty, and asked. "Have you ever loved me?"

    Alexi''s body twitched slightly, but he tried to conceal his emotions and pretended that nothing was wrong. However, Minerva noticed the movement of his muscles and became angry. She was serious about her rtionship with Alexi and was even nning to marry him once his career took off. That''s why she''s doing everything in her power to support him.

    This is a p in her face, knowing that he was affected by an unknown woman.

    Minerva bit her lower lips as she red daggers at Hera. Seeing Hera''s beautiful face only added to her anger. " Bitch! You''re even trying to seduce my man in front of my face?!" She put all her strength in her right hand and pped Hera.

    Hera lost her bnce and fell, her face swelling from the loud p that resounded in the quiet apartment. Even Alexi was stunned and unprepared.

    His free hand subconsciously reached out to help Hera up and because of it, Minerva''s anger intensified.

    Hera perceives Alexi''s actions as adding fuel to the already burning house. She ignored his extended hand, stood up on her own, and looked back at Minerva.

    Is it bad to know if the person she was in a three-year rtionship with has feelings for her? She just wanted to know, to pacify her hard work. Or that''s what she wanted to believe.

    She was curious to know why he didn''t break up with her if he was already with Minerva. Why did he have to give her false promises and make her work towards a dream that would nevere true? Was he that self-centered?

    Hera was still busy reasoning out with herself when Minerva''s resentful voice rang in her ear. "Alexi, babe. Why don''t you answer her question?" Minerva''s face was scrunched up.

    Her meaning is very obvious, she is threatening Alexi that if he does not choose correctly, he will lose everything he currently has. His career and the lifestyle she gave him.

    As if those are the only things he''ll lose or suffer if he answers wrongly. He knew Minerva''s temper, she was arrogant and wouldn''t ept no for an answer. She is the kind of woman who will not allow others to be happy if she is not happy.

    His legs might even be broken if she willed it. The moment he caught her attention, he had nowhere to run and no option to choose but to follow Minerva.

    Alexi answered through gritted teeth. "I''m sorry Hera for using you. Having you around was convenient." He paused and continued after he adjusted his breathing and emotions. "Let''s just break up."

    Minerva shot Hera a smug smirk and put her other hand on her hips.

    Hera refused to let the cheating couple trample on her any further. Despite the ache in her heart, she closed her eyes to steady her emotions and held back her tears. She was determined to stand up for herself and show them that she would not be a victim of their deceitfulness.

    She wonders where they get the courage to behave so shamelessly. She''s expected to be the one throwing a tantrum after being treated poorly, yet this woman has such thick skin. She lost the will to make a scene, it is beyond her to lower herself to their standard.

    Isn''t Minerva only doing her good deed by taking her trash? Real men can''t be taken.

    She calmed herself down aftering to terms with her inner turmoil

    However, Alexi and Minerva share the same opinion about Hera''s silence. They believe that Hera was unable to bear the emotional impact and didn''t want to end the rtionship with Alexi. This makes Alexi feel pleased as he sees Hera struggling to leave him.

    Alexi cared for his career because he dreamed of being the number one best actor in the future and being able to enjoy a life of wealth, it was indeed an ident that he caught the attention of the young miss of the Briley Corporation but after weighing his pros and cons, he decided to go with the flow while he keeps Hera with him.

    He really does like Hera but her status brings nothing to the table and he could only hope that Hera, as his obedient and kind girlfriend would support him in his choices because he is doing it for their future. He expected Hera to understand where he wasing from and to understand his decision.

    They just need for Minerva to get tired of him and let him go and he is sure that once that time arrives, he has already made something of himself. He didn''t have an ounce of thought of letting Hera go, this is only temporary.

    Alexi''s expression softened as he looked at Hera and said almost pleadingly. "Hera, this is better for our future." This is his double-meaning message to Hera, hoping she gets what he meant. He wanted Hera to continue to work hard so that she''d be more presentable in the future.

    But Hera did not care about his message and instead, Minerva understood his meaning. Due to her uncontroble anger, she called her bodyguards stationed outside.

    Once they got inside, Minerva roared. "Throw her out! Now!"

    Everyone was taken aback, but nobody said a word. They followed Minerva''s orders and started to pull Hera out of the unit.

    "I can walk on my own! Don''t touch me!" Hera tried to pull her arms, but no one listened to her.

    Amid the tumultuous scene, the paper bag enclosing the gift that was meant for her now ex-boyfriend suffered a tear along one side. Subsequently, the gift tumbled out of the bag, descended to the floor, getting knocked around by the bodyguards, and eventually it ended up beneath the shoe cab adjacent to the doorway. And nobody noticed it due to the chaos.

    She was unceremoniously escorted from the premises, her dress in tatters, looking all pitiful. But that wasn''t the end of it. It appeared insufficient; the bodyguards were cognizant that she was the love rival of their young mistress, so they decided to add insult to injury. They intentionally ripped her clothes even more and gave her a rough shove onto the pavement outside, just to make her day a bit worse.</subtxt>

 Chapter 4 Evicted

    She surmised that Athena must have been the one to bring her to the hospital upon arriving. Scanning the room for any sign of her friend, Hera found it empty, with no trace of Athena to be found.

    "If you''re searching for thedy who brought you in, she stepped out to make a call. But let''s focus on your well-being for now. Shall we continue with my questions?"

    Hera nodded and offered her apologies for not responding earlier. "I''m sorry, doctor. I don''t feel any difort, but I do feel quite weak."

    The doctor nodded understandingly. "It''s understandable. You''ve pushed yourself physically and emotionally, especially on an empty stomach." He paused, his gaze shifting to her face. "You''re young, and it''s crucial to prioritize your health. Fortunately, it seems you''re dealing with gastritis, but neglecting your well-being could lead to ulcers or even worseplications down the line."

    Despite his stern demeanor, he remained a caring and dedicated doctor at heart. Hera smiled warmly at him and nodded in agreement. "I''ll heed your advice, Doc. Thank you!"

    "Hmmm." He hummed in agreement and continued. "No need for thanks, it''s all part of the job. I''ll pass your prescription to the nurse, and you can pick it up at their station. Just make sure to follow the instructions and take your medicine on schedule. I''ll be off now."

    "Thank you again, Doctor!"

    Hera''s carefree smile seemed to soften the doctor''s stern expression, causing the corners of his lips to twitch upward slightly before he exited the roompletely.

    After a brief wait, Athena returned, her eyes lighting up with relief as she saw Hera awake. "Oh my goodness! You scared me there!" Approaching the bed, Athena took a seat beside Hera and inquired, "How are you feeling?"

    "Feeling better now. The doctor said it was just gastritis," Hera replied with a weak smile.

    "Are you hungry?"

    Hera nodded.

    "Great! I brought chicken porridge and some fruits for you," Athena eximed as she wheeled the food table to Hera''sp and arranged the meal. "Want me to y the part of the caring nurse and feed you?" she asked yfully.

    Hera couldn''t help but chuckle at Athena''s yfulness, feeling a wave offort wash over her. She realized that having a loyal friend like Athena was far moreforting than any romantic rtionship could ever be.

    "I''m perfectly capable of feeding myself, you know. My hands aren''t disabled," Hera remarked with a smile, gently urging Athena to take a seat in the nearby chair.

    Athena chuckled lightly and allowed Hera to eat her food, taking out her phone to browse the inte to pass the time. However, her amusement quickly turned to frustration as she stumbled upon a trending topic online, causing her to let out an exasperated yelp. "The audacity!" she eximed, her anger palpable.

    Hera paused mid-bite and nced over at Athena. "What''s wrong?" she asked, noticing her friend''s sudden change in demeanor.

    Athena''s frustration bubbled over, and she couldn''t contain it any longer. She handed her phone to Hera, urging her to see for herself what had sparked her anger.

    [#Trending: An extreme fan breaches the apartment of Rising Star Alexi!!!]

    [#Trending: An extreme fan tried to seduce the Rising star, Alexi!!!]

    The post includes Hera''s photo, leaving her fully exposed without any blurring or concealment, making her easily recognizable to everyone. The attached photo captures the moment she was forcefully pushed outside.

    Hera read through thements.

    [alexiismyhusband: She is beautiful, no wonder she is confident to seduce my brother Alexi...]

    [IampasserbyGod: There are people like her everywhere... It is really disgusting!!!]

    Thesements are a little better but there are those who threw curses and death threats too.

    [Aleximybrother: A vermin like her needs to be drowned, it''s my good deed for our brother Alexi. I hope he will not be traumatized by this incident]

    [Hornydog: LOL, if I have that kind of beauty throwing herself at me, I''d be totally happy. XOXOXO]

    [Alexi_is_my_husband: When I see this bitch, I''ll throw sulfuric acid on her face so she''ll have no chance to seduce anyone.]

    [Auntienextdoor: Women nowadays would do anything for money and fame. In our days.... TSK! TSK!]

    The more Hera read thements, the colder her heart grew. It''s hard to believe that Minerva and Alexi weren''t aware of this situation. It seems very likely that Minerva is the mastermind behind this trending topic.

    Then, another trending topic began to gain traction in online searches. It was a post by Minerva, featuring a picture of her and Alexi enjoying dinner at a five-star hotel, with Alexi presenting her with a bouquet of red roses. The caption read, "I''m so happy to have such a sweet boyfriend. Happy 1st Anniversary, my love."

    The same post was liked and shared by Alexi''s official social media ount which garnered thousands of likes and almost half a millionments.

    [Alexiforlife: OMG! They are a match made in heaven!!!]

    [Alexifandom: I''M IN LOVE with this couple!]

    [Alexifandom1: So they''ve been dating for a year now, or maybe more! OMG]

    [alexiismyhusband: I believed in love again.]

    [Alexi_is_my_husband: I ept my defeat. I''m d that Ms. Briley seemed to be unaffected by the extreme fan incident.]

    There was a lot of support for their rtionship deration and the fan''s hatred towards Hera intensified, they searched for her on social media and flooded her ount with insults and curses.

    This solidified Minerva''s status as Alexi''s girlfriend, while Hera was relegated to the role of just an obsessed fan. Hera and Athena seethed with anger at the injustice of it all.

    "We can''t let this go, Hera. We need to clear your name."

    "I know... And I will." Hera''s voice turned a degree colder.

    "What''s your n?" Athena asked worriedly.

    Before Hera could respond, the door swung open, catching her off guard. To her surprise, her grandfather entered the room, his expression stern yet caring. "Would you like me to handle this, my dear?" he asked, his tone gentle yet authoritative.

    "Grandpa!" Hera''s voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes. The sight of her grandfather filled her with a mixture of relief and anguish, prompting her to release all the pent-up frustration and injustice she had endured. With choked sobs, she looked utterly pitiful, and her grandfather couldn''t bear to see his granddaughter in such distress, feeling his heart ache for her.

    Despite being in his 60s, the old man still possessed a robust and sturdy frame; if not for his white hair, he could easily pass for a man in his 50s. However, his stern demeanor softened into flustered concern upon seeing his granddaughter in tears. Despite his initial intentions, he found himself unable to scold her for her actions, knowing he couldn''t bear to see her in such distress over a man like Alexi.

    He took long strides and stood before his granddaughter, doing his utmost tofort her and coax her tears to cease. However, no matter how hard he tried, Hera''s cries only grew more intense with each attempt.

    After shedding enough tears, her eyes were swollen, and she finally responded to her grandfather''s earlier statement. "Grandpa, I''ll handle this situation," she dered, wiping away her tears before continuing, "I''m ready to return and take on the responsibility and inherit the consortium."

 Chapter 5 Return to inherit the Consotium

    Her grandfather tenderly stroked her hair, his eyes filled with visible heartache. "My dear child, you''ve endured so much," he said with deep empathy.

    Hera''s smile was tender as she sweetly leaned into her grandfather''s embrace, yfully clinging to his arm. "Grandpa, with you by my side, there''s nothing to worry about. Hehehe," she chirped, her eyes forming crescents of contentment.

    "Silly child." The old man felt happy seeing his grandchild like this.

    Athena was also happy for the two of them and decided to fully support her best friend.

    "Grandpa, Athena called you here, didn''t she?!" Hera used, her lips forming a yful pout as she nced teasingly at Athena.

    "Good child, don''t me Athena. She was worried that you would be bullied to death by your ex."

    "I don''t me her. I''m already grateful to have her as a friend. Plus, I was just about to call you myself, begging you to take me back," Hera said with a grin, shing her teeth in a yful manner.

    "Riiight!!!! I was just running errands for you," Athena replied with equal yfulness, matching Hera''s tone.

    The two locked eyes and burst intoughter, their bond palpable in the air. In that moment, Hera felt her pain dissolve, reced by the unwavering loyalty of Athena and the boundless love of her grandfather.

    "Since you''ve made the decision to return, I''ll lend you Alfonse for the time being and arrange for your own personal assistant. Anything you need, just let him handle it for you," Grandpa dered with a firm tone.

    "Furthermore, I''ll arrange for someone to train you, so you''ll be well-prepared when you eventually take over the consortium. I''m still able to manage for a few more years, allowing you the freedom to explore and enjoy yourself while you undergo training," Grandpa added, his voice filled with determination and care. After a pause, he continued. "Just remember, don''t let anyone bully you anymore," Grandpa emphasized, his tone carrying a mixture of authority and concern.

    Hera nodded eagerly, resembling a chick pecking at its feed. "I won''t let anyone bully me, not now, not ever. You can count on it, Grandpa!" she affirmed with determination in her voice.

    Her grandfather chuckled heartily before departing, his bodyguards trailing behind him. Alfonse remained standing, awaiting Hera''s instructions with a respectful demeanor.

    Hera was still thinking of her next action when she received a bank notification on her phone.

    [You received a $100,000,000,000 money transfer to your ount ending in #### ]

    [Note: My dear granddaughter, use this pocket money to treat yourself to anything you desire. Don''t be frugal, and if you spend it all, don''t hesitate to ask me for more.]

    Hera''s eyes widened in disbelief as she repeatedly counted the zeros, double and triple-checking to ensure she had the number correct.

    "Oh my!" Her mouth hung open in astonishment.

    Curious, Athena stepped closer and discreetly peeked at Hera''s phone to see what had her so excited. But after seeing it for herself, she was shaken to the core. She had never witnessed such a vast sum before. Even though her mother is a world-renowned wedding dress designer, and theirpany thrives within the fashion industry, achieving remarkable sess and acim their family''s assets only amounted to hundreds of millions. Hera''s family wealth was on another level entirely.

    She secretly gave Old Master Avery a thumbs up in her heart. For the Avery n, the sky is the limit, indeed and her imagination is limited.

    The idea that Minerva Briley would dare to bully the heiress of Avery seemed not only foolish but also amusing to Athena. She couldn''t help but anticipate the entertaining spectacle that was sure to unfold.

    "Young miss, Master has requested your presence at the main house in two days'' time to meet your instructor," Alfonse respectfully informed Hera.

    Hera nodded, but then the realization dawned on her that she no longer had a home. She turned to Alfonse and requested, "Uncle Alfonse, could you please assist me in finding a suitable ce to live?"

    "Right, there''s that problem! In the meantime, you can stay with me," Athena offered generously.

    Grateful, Hera nodded at Athena''s offer. Despite having the means to spendvishly, she couldn''t bring herself to do so at the moment. Truth be told, she was deeply affected by what had transpired between her and Alexi. Admitting to herself that she was hurt by his betrayal, Hera realized that she needed time to process her emotions ande to terms with the reality before she could move forward with her life.

    It was only natural for her to feel down; after all, she had invested her time, effort, and sincere affection to Alexi. She acknowledged the validity of her emotions and understood that denying them would only hinder her ability to heal and move on. Hera was determined to sever all ties with Alexi and Minerva, recognizing that holding onto resentment would only prolong her pain and hinder her progress.

    Upon being discharged from the hospital, Hera found herself surrounded by well-trained bodyguards, providing a protective shield against any potential threats from Alexi''s fans. Silently, they escorted her home to Athena''s condo.

    After entering the door, Hera wearily removed her shoes and slipped into a pair of indoor slippers from the shoe cab, moving with familiarity as she headed straight to the living room to take a seat.

    Meanwhile, Athena made her way to the kitchen to fetch Hera a ss of water. Handing the warm water to Hera, she inquired, "When do you n to address the trending topics?"

    After taking a sip from the ss, Hera ced it on the coffee table before responding, "No rush. Minerva will likely keep them circting for as long as possible to make my life miserable." Leaning back against the soft cushion, she continued, "Let them simmer for a while. It''ll only make her fall from her high horse even more satisfyingly when we counter it." Hera shed a devilish smirk.

    Athena couldn''t help but giggle; this was the Hera she knew well��the true lioness. She had always seen Hera as the offspring of a lioness and a tiger, fierce and determined. Just like her mother and father.

    She only concealed her true nature because she didn''t want to meet the same fate as the Hera in the book.

    That''s right, Hera was just a character in a book, a mere cannon fodder. She discovered that she was destined to meet a miserable end, serving as Minerva''s stepping stone to elevate her own seamless love life with Alexi.

 Chapter 6 Hera’s past

    Observing Hera''s doll-like appearance, Athena, a small figure herself, marveled at the sight, realizing that real people could indeed resemble dolls.

    "Would you like some candy?" Athena offered, her innocence radiating.

    Though Hera knew that mere sweets couldn''t dispel her sorrow, she appreciated Athena''s kindness. epting the candy, Hera sat beside Athena in silence, finding sce in each other''s silentpanionship.

    "What''s your name?" Athena inquired, eager to forge a connection with the captivating girl beside her.

    "Hera" came the melodious reply, echoing in Athena''s ears.

    Upon hearing her name, Athena''s astonishment was palpable. Unintentionally, her mouth fell open, causing her lollipop to tumble to the ground. "You said, Hera? Hera Avery?The sole heiress to the Avery Consortium?" Athena sought confirmation.

    In response, Hera nodded, her expression a mix of confusion and surprise. She had yet to grasp the significance of Athena''s mention of the consortium.

    "Woah! You are really pretty."

    "T-thank you"

    "So, your parents..." Athena began to say, but she halted mid-sentence. She recognized that mentioning them would only exacerbate Hera''s pain.

    Hera''s head drooped even further upon the mention of her parents, tears threatening to spill. Witnessing her distress, Athena felt a mixture of surprise and sympathy.

    "I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have brought it up," Athena apologized softly.

    Hera shook her head slightly. "It''s alright," she murmured.

    With heartfelt sincerity, Athena extended an offer, "Would you like to be my friend, Hera?"

    Meeting Athena''s gaze, Hera lifted her head and nodded, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

    "Then, Hera, as my friend, would you believe me if I told you that I''m a transmigrator?" Athena ventured, her tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

    Puzzled, Hera''s head tilted to the side. "What''s a transmigrator?" she inquired.

    "It means I came from a different world; I''m not originally from this one," Athena exined, her voice carrying a childlike innocence that might lead others to dismiss her words as mere imagination.

    Intrigued, Hera momentarily set aside her sorrow. "Then, what world did youe from?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

    With a sense of pride, Athena dered, "I came from Earth."

    Hera''s confusion deepened. "But isn''t this Earth we''re living on?"

    Athena paused, considering how to articte her exnation. "Ah, right, it is. What I mean is, that I came from the real Earth. The world we''re currently inhabiting is merely a fragment of imagination��a world confined within the pages of a book," she rified.

    Perplexed, Hera sought further rification. "What do you mean, a world inside a book?"

    "I mean precisely that. In my world, this world is nothing more than a romance novel that people read. I encountered your story once, which is how I knew about Hera Avery," Athena elucidated.

    Now that Athena had brought it up, Hera reflected on their initial encounter. She recalled how she had been veiled, shielding her face from view, ensuring her identity remained hidden while attending the funeral and faced with the attendees, and only now did she take off the veil. Despite this precaution, Athena had managed to recognize her nheless.

    "Then, what kind of character am I in the book?" Hera inquired with hopeful anticipation.

    Athena hesitated, uncertain how to broach the subject delicately in front of Hera. "Um..."

    "Am I the princess? Did... did my parentse back to life?" Hera''s eyes shimmered with expectation.

    Athena nervously scratched the back of her head before responding, "They did not. Although you are indeed the princess of the Avery family, you''re portrayed as a mere ''cannon fodder'' in the story."

    "What''s a cannon fodder?" Hera inquired, her voice tinged with confusion.

    "It means... it''s a term used for a character who''s often sacrificed or meets an unfortunate end to further the development of the main character''s storyline," Athena exined, her tone cautious.

    Hera''s eyes welled up with tears. She couldn''tprehend why her life seemed to be so fraught with hardship. Despite always trying to do what was right, obeying her parents, and striving to be good, she couldn''t understand why leading a decent life felt so challenging.

    At just eight years old, Hera was already burdened with worries about her future.

    "Don''t worry, remember I told you I''m a transmigrator, right? I''ve read the book and know what''s going to happen. I''ll help you," Athena reassured, gently patting her chest to convey trustworthiness.

    Athena was genuinely eager to assist Hera, feeling a pang of sympathy for her plight.

    Losing her parents at such a tender age and with her grandfather upied, Hera will spend thest decade navigating a life of solitude and hardship, concealed among themon folk, not only did she have to follow their family practice but also to evade their family''s enemies.

    As Hera matured, she would unwittingly be entangled in the romantic affairs of the story''s secondary female lead, ultimately meeting a tragic demise. Hera''s existence barely warranted a mention, her life fleeting and insignificant, barely filling a page in the narrative.

    "Will you really help me?" Hera''s voice trembled, tears staining her cheeks.

    With unwavering determination, Athena nodded. She couldn''t bear the thought of letting someone as strikingly beautiful as Hera meet a senseless demise. To her, it felt like squandering a divine gift. Why hadn''t the book mentioned Hera''s breathtaking beauty? Even in her youth, her radiance was undeniable. Athena envisioned Hera blossoming into an even more enchanting figure as she matured. Having pursued beauty in all its forms in her original world, her passion and talent for fashion design led her to be the chief editor of Vogue.

    The idea of Hera''s life being snuffed out prematurely felt like an affront to Athena''s core beliefs, fueling her resolve to intervene.

    Athena harbored a desire to make Hera her muse, and thus, their brief encounter blossomed into a decade-long friendship. Through countless conversations, Athena fervently shared details about the book she had mentioned, inadvertently causing Hera tomit its contents to memory.

 Chapter 7 I’m no longer Hera Ainsley

    Despite Hera''s impoverished and orphaned background, Alexi''s unwavering pursuit demonstrated his genuine affection for her. After two years of persistent courtship, Hera finally relented and agreed to enter into a rtionship with him. Following their high school graduation, they began sharing an apartment funded by Hera''s resources, while Alexi diligently saved most of his ie for their future home.

    Hera''s belief in the possibility of altering her fate grew as she witnessed Alexi''s unexpected deviation from the storyline. Despite Athena''s reservations, she lent Hera her support, though not without asional reminders to stay vignt against the plot armor of the second female lead.

    However, despite her hopes for a different oue, Hera found herself abruptly dumped by Alexi, leaving her to be Minerva''s target.

    With no way out, she resolved not to remain passive any longer. Instead, she decided to take an active role that would bring her satisfaction. She chose to confront them directly if they came after her or the people important to her.

    She refuses to wait around to be a victim. With Athena by her side, she knows she has unwavering support, even when things get tough.

    But of course, for starters, she has to sleep first and sleep some more! If possible, she would like to sleep for a few days.

    During her days of relentless work, she never had the luxury of sleeping in, every second was precious, and now she regrets it. On her first day staying with Athena, she slept throughout, only waking up when Athena would forcefully drag her out of bed to make her eat.

    "Babe, I understand breakups suck. But don''t forget to take care of yourself," Athena urged worriedly, her hands on her hips as she stood in front of Hera.

    "Just so you know, I''m not sulking. I''ve juste to appreciate the bliss of sleep, something I couldn''t fully enjoy before, due to the endless work I had to undertake just to survive and provide for my cheating ex." Hera murmured drowsily as she fed herself.

    Athena reflected on how relentlessly busy her best friend used to be, akin to a spinning top with no pause. She silently agreed, realizing that this was a rare opportunity for her friend to finally give her body and mind the rest they deserved. The transition in her life was monumental, and now she had the means to live carefreely and abundantly to savor life''s simple pleasures, such as sleep and shopping.

    As Athena contemted their past, she realized they had never gone shopping together. Determined to treat her best friend, Athena nned avish shopping spree once everything settled down. Hera had never indulged in spending on herself for clothing or self-care.

    Since childhood, Hera had been frugal, never afforded the opportunity to splurge on expensive attire or shoes. Athena, too, had chosen to endure the same hardships as her best friend, ensuring Hera felt supported. While it was no inconvenience for Athena, having experienced poverty before her transmigration, her mother felt sorry for her baby daughter''s situation and this also touched Hera deeply, instilling a sense of gratitude for their bond.

    Unbeknownst to Athena, Hera had meticulously nned a surprise outing to pamper her friend. Every detail was meticulously thought out, and Athena was in for a delightful surprise.

    Athena would likely give her younger self a resounding thumbs-up, affirming that befriending Hera was the best and most significant decision she ever made.

    Before Hera could crawl back to her bed, her phone rang, and upon answering, Alfonse''s respectful voice resonated from the other end of the line. "Young miss, I''ve found a suitable ce for you. Would you like to visit it?"

    "Hmmm," Hera mumbled in agreement initially, but as Alfonse''s words registered in her mind, her drowsiness evaporated, and she promptly made up her mind to meet him.

    "I''ll be there in 30-45 minutes. Just send me the address," she replied decisively.

    Within moments, Hera received the address from Alfonse, prompting her to leap out of bed for a quick shower.

    Since she hadn''t bought any new clothes yet, she relied on the spare clothes Athena had prepared for her.

    While Athena had chosen to live a life akin to Hera''s, there was one aspect she refused topromise on and that was wearing cheap clothes that had rough texture. She preferred clothing with the finest textures, with only the highest quality but is only known by people of wealth and unknown tomoners, so most people would think that it was just cheap clothes with no brands. These clothes are actually manufactured by her family''spany so she could have an endless supply of clothes.

    Hera opted for a simple white t-shirt, blue ripped jeans, and white Louis Vuitton shoes that have no visible logo, not unless you examine them up close.

    She then excitedly went to the living room to look for Athena so they could check the new ce together. But Athena wasn''t there, she tried to look for her around the condo but she was out.

    Hera quickly called Athena. "Girl, where are you?"

    After a minute, Athena replied. "Mom called for a pampering session and wanted me toe with her. Why?"

    "Alfonse found me a new ce. I''m heading there now."

    "Already?! You only requested it yesterday! I thought it would take at least 3-4 days. Wait for me, I''ll get dressed now."

    "What are you doing anyway?" Hera asked curiously.

    "Whole body massage and I don''t know what my mom added in the package. She''s over the moon about you returning to the Avery, which means I''m going back too so she dragged me along for the ride." She paused, and Hera could hear a rustle on the other side. "Actually, Mom wanted you to join us, but I declined on your behalf. I figured you could use some more rest. I assured her that we''ll have plenty of time for our girls'' date in the future."

    Hera chuckled, she could imagine Athena''s mother, who was full of energy despite nearing her 50s. "Alright."

    Then, as if she remembered something, she said, "You don''t have to hurry home. I''ll go with Alfonse for now to check the ce. You can apany Auntie for the day."

    "I''ming with you!" Athena insisted.

    Hera raised her eyebrows. "Why are you so insistent oning? Don''t tell me you just want to ditch Auntie and use me as your excuse?" She chuckled.

    As if caught red-handed, Athena sighed. "Not really. I just wanted to make sure you''re not going to choose something cheaper to save money."

    "Why would I?" Hera questioned, looking confused. "I have plenty of money at my disposal, and I''m starting anew, aren''t I?"

    Athena let out a sigh of relief. "I was worried you''d stick to your old habits."

    "Before, I lived as Hera Ainsley, needing to be frugal. But now, I''m Hera Avery, the sole heiress of the Avery Family."

    Athena''s face lit up. "Alright! I will being to your housewarming instead and I am looking forward to a high-end house!"

    "Then look forward to it" Hera smirked.

 Chapter 8 Green Dragon Manor

    The driver graciously understood Hera''s oversight and offered her a warm smile. Hera paid her bill through the QR code that was pasted at the back of the driver and passenger seats and made sure to leave a generous $500 tip, mindful of striking the right bnce. She knew that excessivelyrge tips could sometimes make drivers ufortable, potentially leading them to refuse the extra gratuity.

    She was well aware of this dynamic because she had also worked as a driver for affluent individuals as part of her part-time job.

    The driver checked the bnce transfer to his ount but was surprised that the amount exceeded the expected taxi fair, he instantly looked back. "Miss this....." But Hera already hop off the cab and is now walking to the front gate.

    Upon receiving the generous tip from Hera, the driver''s eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Little did Hera know, he was struggling to afford his wife''s much-needed medication. To him, Hera seemed like an angel sent from above to aid him in his time of need. He felt an overwhelming sense of appreciation toward her.

    Unbeknownst to Hera, her simple act of generosity in tipping was perceived as a profound act of kindness by the driver. Unfortunately, she had already departed and was unaware of the impact her gesture had made on the driver''s life.

    As Hera strode toward the guardhouse situated beside the towering gate, she was promptly intercepted by the vignt guard stationed there, preventing her from proceeding any farther.

    "Miss, I apologize, but only owners are permitted beyond this point," the guard informed Hera with a polite yet firm tone.

    Feeling torn about her next move, Hera decided to call Alfonse. Her call was immediately answered after the first ring. "Uncle Alfonse, I''m outside the gate. How can I get inside, and where exactly do I need to go?"

    "I apologize for any inconvenience, young miss. I''ll make my way over immediately," Alfonse responded with urgency.

    "Oh, please don''t worry. You can simply direct me, and I''ll head straight there to save you the trouble of back and forth."

    "No, no, it''s no trouble at all. I''ll hop on a golf cart, ensuring a swift arrival."

    "Ah, would it be possible for me to utilize a golf cart at your location and meet you there instead?"

    Recognizing that it was the most practical option, Alfonse nodded. "Very well, young miss. I''ll contact the general manager to make the arrangements for you."

    "Thank you, Uncle Alfonse. Please, don''t trouble yourself too much on my behalf," Hera said with a shy smile. She still felt a bit uneasy about depending heavily on others. Independence had been her way for as long as she could recall, and the sudden shift felt unfamiliar and ufortable.

    However, she understood the importance of learning to trust her subordinates more. It was essential for her to ovee this difort, ensuring smoother handling ofpany matters in the future with her trusted aides.

    Within moments, the guards stationed in the guard house that was standing in front of Hera received a radio call instructing them to escort her to the Dragon Jade Building, widely regarded as the most prestigious structure within the Green Dragon Manor. The news left them visibly astonished, just remembering the significance of the said building, that was located in the innermost region and the most expensive.

    "Who is this girl?" one of the guards whispered incredulously. "We almost overlooked her and risked angering her." Thankfully, they heeded the wisdom of the oldest guard, who cautioned against judging individuals solely by their appearance. They luckily maintained a respectful and courteous demeanor whilemunicating with her earlier.

    Without hesitation, they swiftly guided Hera to the nearest golf cart, conveniently located just beyond the small gate behind them.

    They drove for more or less 20 minutes and reached the Dragon Jade Building. The guard who sent her respectfully gestured for Hera to head inside the building.

    Hera nodded at the guard, her smile gentle as she gracefully made her way toward the lobby. The space boasted a captivating fusion of Eastern and modern design, beckoning her with its intriguing blend of styles.

    Near the entrance, Chinese bamboo nked both sides while wall-mounted waterfalls adorned each corner, casting a serene ambiance upon the space. Warm lighting enveloped the entire lobby, enhancing the fusion of Eastern and modern aesthetics. As one stepped inside, the atmosphere exuded an enchanting blend of tradition and innovation. Further ahead, a front desk greeted visitors, manned by two female receptionists ready to assist.

    In their early to mid-twenties, the two female receptionists wore warm makeup, enhancing their cheerful and weing demeanor. Their youthful appearanceplemented their friendly disposition as they attended to a man d in an extravagant suit, boasting hues of orange and red.

    Just one look and you''d know that his attire is screaming rich on its own, he was holding a big bouquet of red roses. The two female front desk receptionists appeared to be struggling to amodate him, while Hera patiently waited her turn behind him.

    The man''s voice sounded hoarse but in a forceful way and said. "I''ve already told you, I''m the boyfriend of your general manager, and I''vee to see her!"

    "Sir, we''re unable to grant you entry without prior approval from our general manager, especially considering her current engagement with a prominent individual. We hope you understand," the girl exined, her tone tinged with a hint of pleading.

    Upon hearing her words, the man''s eagerness to see the general manager intensified.

    The man started to hurl insults at the front desk when they were not showing any signs of backing down whichter turned into curses.

    There are other people sitting on the couch near the wall-mounted falls, they are drinking coffee while conversing with each other. The suddenmotion at the front desk drew their attention, prompting them to nce curiously in that direction.

    One of the front desk receptionists swiftly reached for the phone to summon security, while the other bravely stepped out from behind her desk to physically assist the man. Despite their reddened eyes and the struggle to hold back tears, the two women persevered through the ordeal with determination and professionalism.

    Fueled by extreme dissatisfaction and anger, the manshed out, striking the front desk attendant with the bouquet he held. His unbridled force caused the red petals to scatter across the vicinity, their delicate thorns leaving small cuts on the girl''s face. Her once neatlybed hair now hung disheveled around her shoulders, a testament to the severity of the encounter.

    Tears streamed down the girl''s face as she clutched her bleeding cheek, it looked horrifying. But the man didn''t seem to have enough venting out his anger; he extended his hand, poised to deliver another blow, this time a p.

    Having witnessed enough from the sidelines, Hera couldn''t stand idly by any longer. Having worked in customer service herself, she understood the challenges of dealing with unreasonable customers who resorted to violence. Aware of the one-sided nature of the situation, where employees were prohibited from fighting back or speaking up, Hera recognized the girl''s vulnerability and decided to step forward to protect her.

    With a swift sidestep, Hera seized the man''s extended hand and cor, effortlessly hurling him over her shoulder in a surprising disy of strength. The sudden turn of events left everyone in the vicinity stunned, unsure of what had just transpired. However, one individual observed Hera''s actions with a keen interest, their gaze lingering on her with curiosity.

 Chapter 9 What a Douchebag Deserves

    Every man present winced in sympathetic pain as if they could feel the agony radiating from the man''s crotch themselves. Even the front desk receptionist, who had been crying, momentarily ceased her tears, struck by the visceral impact of the scene unfolding before her.

    <i>''Did she just end his bloodline right there and then? No descendants anymore?''</i> She nced incredulously at her colleague who made the call to the security, both of them staring at Hera with wide eyes. In a moment of shock, her colleague dropped the phone she was holding. <i>''That was a bit too much,''</i> her face was tinged with disbelief.

    The man who had been poised to assist Hera abruptly halted in his tracks. His expression flickered with uncertainty, his emotions difficult to discern. He couldn''t help his lips twitching.

    Hera nervously touched her nose, pondering, "Perhaps I went too far?"

    Before she could utter a word, an older man in histe fifties who had just entered burst intoughter, his jovial chuckle filling the quiet lobby. "I was anticipating the youngdy to demonstrate some self-defense technique, but I must say, this was quite the unexpected turn of events!" he eximed betweenughs.

    He didn''t spare a nce at the man sprawled on the floor; there was no trace of sympathy in his eyes. Instead, he regarded him with a look that seemed to say, <i>''You got what you deserved.''</i> Once hisughter subsided, he continued, his tone now tinged with contempt. "I suppose that''s the most efficient way to deal with scumbags who resort to violence against women." As he finished speaking, a sneer crept across his face.

    Some men in the room had been on the brink of chastising Hera for her actions, but after the older man spoke, a palpable silence fell over the gathering. Not a single sound escaped, not even a whisper or a fart.

    Only then did the security arrive, bewildered by the scene before them. They, too, were at a loss, unsure of what had transpired. The man they were meant to escort outy unconscious on the floor, leaving them perplexed.

    Shortly after, the general manager, Cindy, emerged hurriedly from the elevator. Taking in the scene before her, she wasted no time in rushing forward to check on the person lying on the floor. Instructing the guards to arrange for his transport to the hospital, she then turned her attention to the front desk receptionist, who was in a bloody mess.

    Frowning, Cindy approached the front desk receptionist and inquired about what had transpired. Before the girl could utter a word, Cindy halted her and motioned for the other guards toe closer. She then instructed them to take the receptionist with them.

    The girl burst into tears, fearing the loss of her job. Her position at the Green Dragon Manor offered a high sry along with valuable benefits, including health insurance coverage. "Miss Cindy, please don''t fire me," she pleaded desperately.

    She couldn''t afford to lose her well-paying job.

    Cindy sighed and reassured her, saying, "I''m not firing you. However, you need to go to the hospital to tend to your wounds; otherwise, they may leave a scar. I''ll ask your colleague to cover for you in the meantime."

    The girl''s cries immediately ceased upon hearing Cindy''s exnation, finding sce in her words. Cindy gently tapped her back and said, "Take today off and rest at home afterward." The girl nodded and obediently followed the guards out.

    Cindy turned to address everyone in the lobby. "Gentlemen, we apologize for the disturbance today. Please feel free to continue with your activities," she said, offering a reassuring smile imbued with professionalism.

    She then turned her attention to the remaining front desk receptionist and swiftly received a briefing on the situation. After understanding the details, Cindy approached Hera with gratitude. "Miss, I want to sincerely thank you for standing up for my employees," she said earnestly. "However, I must warn you that the man and his family may hold a grudge against you for this."

    Hera smiled. In the past, she might have been troubled by such threats, but now she felt confident that she could navigate this situation unscathed, as long as it remained within the bounds of thew. Even without the support of the Avery family, she would still stand by her actions and harbor no regrets.

    "It''s alright," Hera replied, pausing briefly to recall that the front desk receptionists had referred to her as the General Manager. "But it seems he''s looking for you. Do you think you''ll be in trouble because of me, given that this incident urred in your workce?"

    Cindy smiled sincerely at Hera''s genuine concern, shaking her head gently before responding. "First of all, he''s not in any way rted to me, and certainly not my boyfriend," she rified. "Secondly, it''s likely he wanted to use me towork with the upper echelons of society for personal gain."

    Seeing Hera''s puzzled expression, Cindy continued to exin. "You see, the Dragon Ruby Building is situated in the outer region, which is the least prestigious area within the Green Dragon Manor. However, even residents there hold significant influence, capable of shaping national affairs with a single decision. That guy happens to have an uncle residing in the Dragon Ruby Building, and he''s essentially just a second-generation rich kid who''s opportunistic." Sensing Hera''s lingering confusion regarding why someone unknown would im to be her boyfriend, Cindy rified further. "It was my mother''s fault for arranging such a bizarre blind date once."

    Cindy coughed, uncertain why she felt the need to exin it to Hera. However, Hera''s expression made it clear that ignoring the matter would be difficult.

    Hera disyed a teasing expression that seemed to say, <i>"I knew it,"</i> effortlessly.

    Then, the old man from earlier approached Hera and Cindy after exchanging greetings with the other people in the lounge.

    "Hello there, little missy. You''ve got guts, I like that," the old man remarked, observing the surprise mixed with amusement on Hera''s face. With a smile, he added, "I detest douchebags the most."

    The old man appeared carefree yet exuded authority. Hera sensed a familiarity but couldn''t quite recall his name, though it lingered on the tip of her tongue. The old man noticed Hera''s wincing expression, which looked slightly constipated in a humorous way. "You must be new here. Are you from overseas?" he inquired.

    Hera initially shook her head, then hesitated before nodding in affirmation.

    "Hmmm?"

    "I mean, I am indeed new to this particr ce, but I''ve lived in the same city, just under different circumstances in recent years," Hera exined, opting not to delve into specifics. She assumed that the people around might be tenants of the building, that might be the reason why they are around.

    "And what about your name?" The old man appeared intrigued by Hera but in a friendly manner. He seemed to see a shadow of his own granddaughter in her��a granddaughter with an explosive temper, unafraid to take action like Hera, without concern for others'' opinions or the consequences.

    "Hera Ainsley," she replied, opting not to disclose her full identity just yet. Her grandfather had yet to introduce her as the heiress, and she was still testing the waters in the upper circles, so she decided to y it safe for the time being. She figured they would find out eventually anyway.

    The old man was momentarily surprised, a figure shed in his mind, ovepping with Hera, and he chuckled heartily. His eyes softened as he looked at her. "What a coincidence, Hera. My name is Victor Ainsley."

 Chapter 10 Penthouse Viewing

    It was only at that moment that Cindy recalled her original reason foring down - not to handle the situation with the scoundrel, but to wee someone important. She nced at Hera, remembering that she had introduced herself as Hera, the individual she was supposed to escort upstairs. She overlooked the small detail because Hera used ''Hera Ainsley'' instead of ''Hera Avery''.

    She pped her forehead in realization, surprising both Hera and Victor with her sudden movement. "Right! Why don''t we head to the penthouse then?" she suggested, eager to return to the original purpose of their meeting.

    Victor didn''t seem surprised and waved his hand as Cindy bid farewell to Hera. "Invite me to your housewarming then!" he eximed with a warm smile.

    He then strolled back to the man who had been observing Hera''s every move with keen interest. Of course, he had overheard their brief conversation, so he was aware that Hera would soon be a resident in their building.

    Cindy gestured for Hera to enter the elevator first, maintaining a respectful and professional demeanor. After Hera shed Victor a sweet smile same as the one she would give her own grandfather, she stepped into the elevator. Cindy then pressed the button for the 12th floor, where the penthouse was located.

    Alfonse stood anxiously in front of the penthouse elevator, eagerly awaiting Cindy and Hera''s arrival. However, more than 20 minutes had passed since Cindy went downstairs to escort Hera up, and they had yet to return. Concern gnawed at him as he feared something might have happened to Hera on her way to the building.

    <i>''I shouldn''t have let her go alone. She''s still not familiar with this ce,''</i> Alfonse reproached himself as he continued to wait, his worry growing with each passing moment.

    In a minute, the elevator doors parted, revealing Hera standing inside. Alfonse''s eyes immediately scanned her, ensuring she was unharmed before he released a sigh of relief.

    Cindy spoke up first. "Apologies for the dy. We encountered a situation downstairs, which caused the dy."

    Alfonse was about to inquire about the dy, but Hera spoke first. "Let''s head in and see my new home," she said with a sweet smile. Instantly, Alfonse forgot his question and nodded eagerly, ready to show her around.

    As Hera stepped onto the wide corridor with its marbled white floor, she was greeted by an extravagant dark green carpet adorned with intricate royal designs in gold thread. Expensive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling at regr intervals, casting a luxurious glow. Roman pirs nked the corridor, with the sturdy wall on the right contrasting with the floor-to-ceiling ss window on the left, the ss window offering a breathtaking view of an English garden below,plete with a stunning fountain centerpiece.

    Hera hadn''t even reached the penthouse door, yet she was already captivated by the intricate details outside, eagerly anticipating whaty within. Alfonse couldn''t help but smile at her excitement, d to see her so thrilled.

    After a brief walk, Hera found herself standing before a set of mahogany double doors with a sleek, modern English design in ck. The traditional door knobs had been reced by wide metal handles. Cindy then produced a ck card from her breast pocket and ced it atop the blinking smart lock on the metal door.

    After two beeps, the door unlocked, and Cindy pushed it open with both hands, gesturing for Hera to step inside first.

    As Hera stepped inside, she noticed a white shoe cab to her right adorned with white and pink roses in a crystal vase, alongside an elegant painting. Beyond that, the spacious room unfolded, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with natural light. Adjacent to the living area stood an ivory grand piano, beneath a magnificent crystal chandelier that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.

    A few feet away to the right stood the living room, featuring arge white sofa adorned with gold and cream cushions, facing a wall-mounted 50-60 inch t-screen TV. On the left side, a curved staircase led to the second floor, while further left revealed a majestic ivory dining table with seating for twelve. Adjacent to the dining area, a spacious kitchen awaited, fully equipped with high-end appliances including a double-door refrigerator reminiscent of those found in 5-star hotels, a sizable pantry, and every culinary gadget imaginable for those who delight in cooking.

    Further inside, there was a guest roomplete with an attached bathroom, a separate area designated forundry facilities, and various other utility spaces.

    Cindy guided Hera to the second floor, where she showcased three additional spacious guest rooms, each boasting its own bathroom and ample wardrobe space. These rooms were situated on the right side of the building, while the master bedroom upied the left side. The master bedroom itself was akin to the size of two guest rooms, featuring a generously sized bathroomplete with a jacuzzi, a vast wardrobe area equivalent to another room, and a spacious bedroom section with its own seating area. Additionally, there was an entertainment room situated on the second floor for leisure and rxation.

    The interior design throughout the entire space exuded a Modern Roman English aesthetic, exquisitely blending elegance, purity, and warmth.

    Hera was thoroughly impressed with the entire residence, and Cindy''s meticulous exnations��from the inspiration behind the interior design to the use of the finest quality materials and state-of-the-art equipment��only enhanced her admiration for the ce.

    Cindy asked nervously, "Did you like the ce?"

    Hera nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! I do have a few ideas for some simple changes though. Since there is already a beautiful palette of white, gold, and cream, I''d like to introduce touches of ck and grey to enhance the elegance further. And for the entertainment room, I''d love to have aplete gaming setup��top-of-the-line gaming PC, PS5, Nintendo, and all the essentials." She nced between Cindy and Alfonse, awaiting their response.

    Then, Hera had a change of heart. "Actually, scratch that. Let''s just focus on transforming the entertainment room into a gaming paradise. I''d like to personally select the rest of the items myself."

    <i>''Where''s the fun if I don''t buy it myself?''</i>

    Cindy made a mental note of all Hera''s requests and nodded in agreement. With Hera''s rtively modest change requests, Cindy estimated the time needed for the renovations. "It looks like we''ll need about 14 days to repaint, rece any faulty lights, perform maintenance on the equipment, and thoroughly test everything to ensure it''s in perfect condition."

    "Fourteen days? Can''t you speed it up?" Hera questioned, knowing that Cindy was likely providing a conservative estimate.

    "Ten days, that''s the fastest we can manage if we hire more workers and I pull all the strings for the materials. We''ll only use the finest quality, nothing harmful to health. With organic paint, there won''t be any need to air out the ce before moving in. How does that sound?" Cindy proposed, negotiating the timeline.

    "Ten days it is," Hera nodded in satisfaction. "Now, let''s talk about the rent. How will it work?"

    Cindy looked at Alfonse in confusion. "The Green Dragon Manor is one of Avery''s properties. Why are you paying?"

    Just as Hera took out her phone, she abruptly stopped after hearing Cindy. "This is part of the Avery''s Consortium?!"

    Cindy nodded in affirmation. Hera looked wide-eyed at Alfonse, waiting for him to answer. Alfonse could only smile and nod.

    For a moment, Hera''sposure was thrown out of the window. "Well, since it''s still part of the Avery''s properties, it is only right for me to set a good example and pay for what I use. Either way, it will stille back to me. By doing this, the people managing the ounts will not have a hard time," Hera exined, clearing her throat.

    Cindy looked to Alfonse for guidance, unsure of how to respond. Alfonse simply nodded in agreement with Hera. He understood Hera''s stubbornness once she set her mind to something, and he saw the logic in her decision. After all, there was nothing inherently wrong with her reasoning.

 Chapter 11 New Home Acquired

    Her brain seemed to malfunction for a moment before she thought, "And I have to manage this kind of wealth? I don''t even know where to begin and where it ends."

    No wonder a lot of people wanted to seize their wealth, this is such a hot potato. <i>''Tsk Tsk!''</i>

    Hera nodded in affirmation of the information shared by Alfonse. "I understand Uncle Alfonse." Even though she''s still overwhelmed by all the wealth thrown at her face, knowing beforehand from Athena that she was in fact a wealthy heiress prepared her for this day.

    So she was able to easily adapt to her life''s changes after she came back.

    Alfonse interrupted Hera''s thoughts, his voice breaking her reverie. "Young miss, the Old Master wishes for you to visit him at the mansion after the house viewing. He''d like to share dinner with you."

    Hera''s smile widened, her enthusiasm evident in her agreement. It had been some time since shest shared a meal with her grandfather, given her busy schedule with her part-time job. She was genuinely excited for the opportunity.

    Moreover, Hera pondered how she would depart from this exclusive location, given the unlikelihood of finding a taxi waiting outside and the challenge of arranging one in such a secluded area.

    Cindy, disying her efficiency, swiftly produced the contract within a mere 10 minutes and presented it to Hera. "Miss Avery, please take a moment to review the contract. If everything appears satisfactory, you may proceed to sign your name below."

    Hera was amazed at her speed at doing things. "That was fast! That was impressive."

    Cindy, neither boasting nor diminishing the achievement, responded, "We have a team of dedicated elitewyers on standby here at Green Dragon Manor. This ensures that we can swiftly address any legal matters and safeguard the Manor from any potential issues."

    Hera nodded approvingly as she listened to Cindy''s sinct report. Cindy''s precise and concise delivery demonstrated her respect for her superior without seeking personal recognition or gain from the situation.

    Hera admired Cindy''s work ethic and felt drawn to her. She sensed that Cindy could be a trustworthy ally, someone she could count on in the future. So she decided to keep Cindy close to her.

    Hera wasted no time and swiftlypleted the procedure, signing her signature on the contract without dy. Once finished, Cindy handed Hera the ck card she had used to open the door earlier.

    "This is the master key to the penthouse," Cindy exined as she handed Hera the ck card. "After you move in, I''ll assist you in registering your fingerprint on the system. That way, you won''t be locked out even if you forget the card or give it to someone else."

    Hera epted the card and carefully stowed it away in her pocket. "Thank you," she said simply.

    "You have exclusive ess to the parking lot, specifically lot A on the ground floor," Cindy exined. "In fact, the entire lot A is designated for your use."

    Hera nodded with a smile. <i>''I''ll really need to get myself a car then.''</i>

    After briefing Hera on all the essential details, Cindy sent them off to the ground-floor garage, returning only after ensuring their departure.

    After more than an hour-and-a-half drive, the silver Rolls Royce Cullinan pulled up to a gate more extravagant than the Green Dragon Manor itself, situated on the outskirts. Hera was puzzled, as she could see the opulence of the gate but couldn''t discern any infrastructure beyond it, only an endless expanse of tall metal fencing. It resembled a natural barricade, imposing and imprable.

    Beyond the gatey a dense wall of pine trees, concealing whatevery beyond from view.

    After a few moments, they emerged from the pine forest, and Hera was taken aback. nking the wide road were hedges sculpted into a maze, each reaching the height of an adult''s waist. The meticulously shapedbyrinth surrounded a vibrant and enchanting flower garden at its center.

    The sprawling maze spanned the size of a football field, its verdant foliage stretching as far as the eye could see. Hera took a deep breath, her face awash with wonder. The picturesque sight evoked images of fairy-tale castles and royal gardens, filling her with delight.

    "Young miss, do you recall when you were quite young, you loved watching ''Beauty and the Beast''?"

    Hera''s attention was immediately caught, and she turned to Alfonse with a nod. She remembered vividly that when she was very young, she adored watching Disney princess movies. She often expressed her dream of bing a princess and having a grand castle and a magnificent garden, much like the one depicted in "Beauty and the Beast."

    Her eyes widened. "No way!"

    Seeing Hera understand what he meant, Alfonse chuckled warmly as he continued, his face glowing with memories of happier times. "When you mentioned the exquisite rose garden in that cartoon, the young master and young madam sketched together and brought this vision to life. They meticulously selected and imported a diverse array of roses and other flowers to create this enchanting space."

    Hera listened attentively to Alfonse''s story about her parents, a narrative she had never heard before. It stirred a mixture of emotions within her��mncholy yet deeply cherished. Realizing the extent of effort her parents had invested in her happiness, her eyes welled up with tears.

    "After your adulthood banquet, they nned to unveil this surprise to you, but unfortunately..." Alfonse continued, recounting the story. "The Old Master carried on their wishes, seeking out diverse varieties of exquisite flowers from around the world and meticulously tending to this garden."

    "I still recall the joy and excitement they exuded while shaping this sanctuary," Alfonse added, his voice tinged with emotion as tears welled at the corners of his eyes.

    "Thank you, Uncle Alfonse, for sharing this with me. I''ll make sure to spend more time with Grandpa, and I''m looking forward to exploring this beautiful garden," Hera expressed gratefully.

    "If only the ancestral mansion weren''t so far from my college and workce, I''d love to live here with Grandpa," Hera mused wistfully.

    Shortly after, the car came to a halt in front of a magnificent two-story building that exuded a Roman castle vibe. The mansion sprawled as wide as the front garden, leaving Hera in utter shock. ''Does Grandpa really live here all by himself? It''s enormous!''

    The opulence of this mansion is on an entirely different level.

    Alfonse gestured for Hera to enter, and she followed absentmindedly,pletely overwhelmed by the magnificence of the surroundings.

    Soon after she entered, she was literally greeted by maids standing in a line on both sides. "Wee back young miss!" They are full of respectful smiles.

    At the very end awaits the Old Master Avery, holding back tears as he sees his only remaining kin standing before him, returning to where she truly belongs. "Wee back, my princess," he says, his smile filled with affection.

    Only then did Herae back to her senses, responding with a sweet smile. "I''m back, Grandpa."

    Old Master Avery felt a surge of vigor coursing through his body. After weing Hera and dismissing the servants to continue with the dinner preparations, he led her to his office.

    Hera obediently linked her arm with her grandfather''s as they strolled to the study. Though silence enveloped them, their faces radiated with warm smiles.

 Chapter 12 Mansion Tour

    It took Hera a while to calm her nerves. The list sprawled across several pages, and she had only managed a cursory nce. She knew she''d have to study it carefullyter to fully grasp the extent of the holdings. With so manypanies listed, memorizing them all seemed like a daunting task.

    "I understand, Grandpa. I''ll take my time to go through it before I rest tonight," she said, offering her grandfather a reassuring smile.

    He happily nodded, and Alfonse passed him a ck leather briefcase. After it was opened, he turned the briefcase to face Hera. Inside were a ck card and a customized ck iPhone that had a cool gold dragon printed on the case.

    "Is this for me Grandpa?"

    He again nodded. "Indeed." He pointed at the ck card. "This card will function as a membership card for all establishments under our banner and luxury brands, and it will receive all ie from thepanies under Avery Consortium. The funds inside have umted since your parents'' passing. You can use them however you like."

    The ck card also features the same gold dragon printed on the front alongside her name.

    He then pointed at the phone. "This device was customized to ensure it''s hack-proof, and in case of emergencies, our team can still locate you. It boasts high-end specifications and is pretty durablepared to the one you see in the market. Both items are exclusively tailored for you."

    Hera''s brain was buzzing. <i>''Was this the privilege of being wealthy? Absolutely! It felt pretty cool!''</i>

    With just one card, she could ess all the exclusive establishments and even use it for payments. And the sleek design of the phone was a cherry on top.

    Unable to contain her excitement, Hera let out a silly smile in front of her grandfather, prompting the two old men to share a chuckle.

    "Now then, young miss, why don''t we take a little stroll?" Alfonse suggested, gesturing for Hera to follow him out.

    Hera nced at her grandfather hesitantly, but he gave her a reassuring nod. With a sigh, she decided to follow Alfonse.

    They headed to an elevator, and Alfonse pressed the button for the underground level. Hera waspletely clueless about their destination, so she assumed that Alfonse would give her a tour of the entire mansion, starting from the basement. However, considering the immense size of the mansion, she realized that touring the entire ce would likely take more than just half a day.

    When the doors opened, Alfonse stepped out, leaving Hera momentarily dazed. As she emerged from the elevator, she was greeted by a dazzling array of luxury cars. From sleek sports cars to SUVs and even limited editions, the underground space resembled a high-end car dealership.

    Seeing the impressive disy of luxury cars, Hera''s initial surprise had worn off. The revtion of her family''s wealth had been unfolding gradually, and by now, her sense of astonishment had fully subsided or maybe expired.

    Though not a car aficionado, Hera couldn''t help but feel delighted at the sight of the sports cars and limited editions. While she might not possess an extensive knowledge of automobiles, she appreciated the allure of these sleek machines. Having experienced the stark contrast between driving a regr car and a luxury one, she knew the difference was truly transformative, elevating the driving experience to something truly exhrating.

    "Young miss, the Old Master mentioned that you can choose up to 5 cars to use. While all of these are indeed yours, your parking space might be limited, so he suggests starting with at least 5." Alfonse exined patiently.

    "W-why 5?" Hera''s surprise was evident. <i>''Do I have to use one a day?''</i>

    As she pondered, Hera observed the array of cars before her. It dawned on her: Were these vehicles actually in use, or were they merely part of a collection? A significant portion appeared to be limited editions from various car manufacturers.

    Hera let out a sigh, ''Well it''s better to utilize one car each day than let them collect dust in the garage. It was a beneficial arrangement for me anyway.''

    "If I''m going to choose, I might as well pick the best," Hera mused. "So, Uncle Alfonse, why don''t you show me the cream of the crop in this collection?" She shed a grin, eager to explore the finest automobiles avable.

    Alfonse chuckled. "Very well then, follow me." He led Hera to the innermost part of the garage, where the favorites of the collection were parked. With a sweeping gesture, he indicated the array of vehicles. "You can take your pick from here to there."

    Hera carefully observed the cars as Alfonse enthusiastically exined their specifications. While he delved into the technical details, Hera''s eyes were drawn to the sleek designs. She pointed to the one that most appealed to her aesthetic sensibilities. At that moment, she cared less about the specifications and more about the visual appeal. After all, sometimes girls just want something that looks good and she''s no different from those girls when ites to cars.

    In the end, she opted for the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, Bugatti La Voiture Noire, Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail, Pagani Codalunga, and Bugatti Mistral.

    Alfonse nodded in agreement with Hera''s choice, silently acknowledging her keen eye for aesthetics. "Would you like to customize the color or change the interior to suit your preferences?" he inquired, offering her the opportunity to further personalize her selection.

    "Hmmm," she pondered, cing a finger on her chin. "I adore the amethyst color of the Rolls-Royce, so let''s keep it as is. As for the Pagani, its ssic design calls for a matte mint pink. The Bugatti Mistral should gleam in a sparkly navy blue, while the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster demands a ming red. And finally, matte ck suits the Bugatti La Voiture Noire perfectly."

    "I''d also like the interior to be plush andfortable, with LED ambiance pink lights entuating the car''s contours for that extra cool factor," Hera grinned like a child in a candy store.

    "Got it, young miss. I''ll send your selections to the shop first thing tomorrow morning for both interior and exterior customization," Alfonse confirmed.

    Hera nodded in satisfaction, her excitement palpable as she anticipated driving her customized cars.

    She relished driving, particrly at high speeds.

    After their tour, Hera and Alfonse headed directly to the dining room where Old Master Avery awaited them at the head of the table.

    Taking her ce beside him, Hera noticed an array of dishesid out, featuring her favorite seafood and vegetables. She understood this to be her grandfather''s way of doting on her.

    With a sweet smile, she began to serve her grandfather, carefully selecting dishes and cing them on his te. "Grandpa, you should have this. It''s good for your health, and the soup will help with blood cirction," she said as shedled some soup into his bowl.

    For the first time in years, the once quiet dining room echoed with the sound of joyousughter. The scene brought tears to Alfonse''s eyes as memories of the days when the young master and young madam graced these halls flooded his mind. Seeing his master now, smiling from ear to ear, filled him with overwhelming happiness.

 Chapter 13 The Inside Information

    Some individuals had even gone so far as to expose Hera''s personal information, including details about her university. Unsure whether this was orchestrated by Minerva or simply the result of online sleuthing, Hera realized the potential for trouble this could cause for ordinary individuals.

    <i>''But am I a normal person?''</i> Hera smirked as she scrolled down on thements. <i>''TSK! TSK! Indeed so ruthless.''</i>

    As Hera scrolled down, she stumbled upon a thread containing purported "inside information" about the events that transpired in Alexi''s apartment that day. To her dismay, the post had amassed nearly half a million likes and millions ofments.

    <strong>[Sweet_Dumplings:</strong><i>"Hello everyone, I want to address something before any assumptions are made about my intentions in joining the conversation about the alleged Alexi''s extreme fan incident. I assure you, that''s not my purpose here. My brother happens to live next door to Alexi''s apartment, and as such, I''ve been a frequent visitor.</i>

    <i>I just happen to read through the thread when I notice the girl''s familiar face which I often see lingering in the hallway outside Alexi''s door. Initially, I assumed she was a maid hired by our neighbor, so no one paid much attention.</i>

    <i>Only now did we find out that Alexi is being stalked by this crazy fan. She''s always here waiting for brother Alexi and most time doesn''t leave untilte at night.</i>

    <i>We never received anyints from our neighbor, so we assumed it was just a misunderstanding and that she was indeed a maid. Why did I assume she was a maid? Quite simply, our area is known for its affluent residents, and this girl often appeared wearing inexpensive clothes, likely purchased from a market stall. It seemed highly unlikely she belonged in our upscale neighborhood.</i>

    <i>Please, I hope you won''t judge me harshly; I''m simply describing what I''ve observed as objectively and logically as I can. I frequently notice Minerva Briley visiting her boyfriend in his apartment, so I never suspected he was being harassed by a fan. But this girl, she''s truly creepy and seems quite unhinged.</i>

    <i>That day, I was returning from my grocery shopping when I heard amotion next door. Minerva''s terrified scream pierced the air, followed by the swift arrival of her bodyguards who escorted away a girl hysterically hurling curses and threats at Minerva.</i>

    <i>Minerva appeared shaken, but thankfully, the fan was swiftly apprehended and removed. Legal action is already underway against this disturbed individual.</i>

    <i>P.S. For more updates, please check my social media ount, and don''t forget to like and follow."</i><strong>]</strong>

    This girl was aiming to garner a good reputation by presenting the whole fiasco in the best light possible leaning in Minerva''s favor, portraying it as "truthful" based on her information, which was riddled with gaps and likely orchestrated to further implicate Hera.

    Just as Hera finished reading the lengthy message pinned at the top of the thread, her phone rang. ncing at the caller ID, Athena''s name shed on the screen.

    She answered it in a beat, she knew why her friend was calling her. So her mood turned better and she smiled. "Are you not nning to sleep?" She asked.

    "Sleep?! You still have time to sleep huh?! When are you nning to make a move?!" Athena whined as if she was the one being bullied online.

    In fact, she had just engaged in a heated trash talk exchange online before calling. However, she was thoroughly defeated by a barrage ofments attacking her for supporting Hera. She was so inundated that she felt as though she might cough up blood from anger.

    Her nostrils red like a bull''s, her eyes turning red with frustration. She was beyond livid at this point. Even after hiring a keyboard warrior and attempting to divert the online topic, Minerva''s supporters had effectively cornered them.

    She simply stated, "It''s essentially a ''she said, he said'' situation without concrete evidence. Witnesses can be fabricated." However, with just thatment, the tide turned against her. People used her of being another extreme fan or a spy sent by Hera. The onlinemunity showed ack of manners, even resorting to attacking her family, with derogatoryments aimed at her mother for supposedly giving birth to a failure like her.

    After Athena poured out her grievances to Hera, thetter''s demeanor shifted dramatically to one of cold anger. Athena''s mother, much like Hera''s own, was kind-hearted. <i>''Who were these people to hurl such hurtfulments at her?''</i>

    Hera took a deep breath to reorganize her thoughts and said. "I''m sorry Athena, I even dragged you."

    "Babe! What are you talking about?! This is not on you, it was that cheating couple whose shamelessness knows no bounds!" She sighed with heartache. "Babe, you really need to serve yourself justice."

    "Don''t worry, I''m not letting them off the hook so easily," Hera assured Athena, her tone seething with indignation. "They could have simply parted ways with me, and I didn''t even want my ex back or want to take revenge on how I was treated back then. But they refuse to leave me be. I might have been willing to forgive them after the initial incident, as it was partly my fault, but their actions have crossed a line."

    "What do you mean, ''partly your fault''? It wasn''t at all!" Athena countered sharply, her tone reflecting her frustration and disbelief like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

    Hera chuckled self-deprecatingly. "It was. You warned me numerous times, but I was stubborn, believing that he was different from the Alexi you knew from the novel. I directly jumped into the pit they dug for me, so I just suffered the consequences. But that doesn''t mean I''ll let them pull my loved ones into the pit with me."

    Athena''s shoulders rxed, and she yfully responded, "It''s good that you know your priorities."

    Hera''s chuckle this time was more rxed and yful. "Who else would dare to bully you aside from me?!"

    Athena snorted. "You wished brat!"

    Heraughed teasingly for a moment before continuing. "Don''t do anything for now. I already have a n in mind. I''ll take care of them after tomorrow. You just have to sit back and enjoy a good show."

    After hearing her friend''s confident deration, Athena''s worries dissolved, and a wave of sleepiness began to wash over her. "When are youing back to my ce?"

    "I''ll be staying with Grandpa for now, I might not have a chance to go back while it is chaotic outside."

    Athena nodded slowly. "Hmmmm. Okay. Take care then," she murmured, her voice gradually fading as drowsiness overtook her.

    Hera smiled, relieved to sense her friend''s anxiety easing.

    She had just settled in for the night, her mind mapping out the trajectory of the unfolding drama, when her phone buzzed once more. Assuming it was Athena with another wave ofte-night worries, she reached for her device. However, a glimpse at the caller ID revealed it was Alexi. Despite her initial irritation, Hera hesitated briefly before ultimately deciding to answer the call, curious about what he might want.

 Chapter 14 A Phone Call from Alexi

    <i>''Didn''t he already give me closure by breaking up with me? What closure do I seek?! This is just me being stubborn and stupid.''</i>

    Hera shook her head, a silent gesture to dispel the turmoil within her, refocusing on the present moment and the task at hand��dealing with Alexi.

    As Alexi began his rehearsed speech, Hera listened with a stoic expression. "Hera, I knew I messed up but could you give me some time? We could go back to how we used to be. Once my career takes off, I can leave her and be with you again, we''ve been in a long rtionship since our second year in high school. Can you really be heartless enough to forget about what we''ve been through together as a couple?"

    Though his words stirred memories of their shared history. The notion of returning to the past tugged at her heartstrings, reminding her of the years they spent together since their high school days. Yet, beneath the surface, a storm of hurt and betrayal raged, a testament to the pain she endured. She knew that entertaining the idea of reconciliation would only prolong the agony.

    Hera found herself rendered speechless by Alexi''s shameless and self-centered behavior. The depth of her disappointment was palpable as she sighed, realizing that her expectations of him had been far too generous.

    This was the same person in the novel who, after exploiting her for her wealth, callously took the life of her and her grandfather without a second thought.

    That''s right, she really made a sound decision to fight against them. Luckily, she already knew that the inevitable would still happen one way or another. And the remaining feelings she had for Alexi just vanished in thin air after what he said.

    "Alexi, there''s nothing for us to talk about. Just leave me alone."

    Alexi felt a surge of outrage as he noticed her apparentck of emotional response after he had poured his heart out, baring his soul to her and expressing the depth of his feelings for their rtionship. "Is that all you have to say?" he demanded, his voice tinged with hurt and frustration. "Do you even care about me?"

    <i>''Wow! Just wow!''</i> Now the me falls on her? Is it suddenly her responsibility?

    "Alexi, it appears you''ve conveniently forgotten, but didn''t you recently cheat with Minerva? Wasn''t the public humiliation I endured on every social media tform sufficient for you? Wasn''t it enough that you betrayed me and our years-long rtionship by opting for her to soar higher?"

    "What, do you expect me to y the role of your hidden mistress while she parades around as if I''m the one at fault? Ha! There are lots of fishes in the sea and my world will not revolve or stop just for you!" Her voice dripped with fury and condemnation.

    "Hera! Don''t let your selfishness get over you!" His voice thundered, feeling as though she could peer into his very thoughts, his sense of masculinity under threat. "Don''t let your insecurity get over your head, I''m doing this for us, for our future!"

    "Don''t romanticize it; your actions are driven by self-interest. Don''t anticipate receiving everything you desire, especially if it means trampling over others."

    "Don''t be too much!"

    "Too much? Was it excessive of me to prioritize my own well-being and walk away from a rtionship where I''m unwanted?"

    "I want you and I''ll only want you."

    "That''s not the impression I get when you''re on top of her." Hera sneered.

    Alexi chuckled. "Ah, so you''re jealous! I understand. Perhaps you''re worried because we haven''t been intimate yet. Consider it practice, so I can satisfy you in the future." He said proudly.

    Hera:...

    Hera was speechless, she did not know how the gears in his head worked.

    "Baby, pleasee back to me okay? I''ll do something about the trending topic once everything settles down. I love you and you know it, right? We''ll still get married and live with our happy family in the future, right? Don''t give up on us."

    Hera choked up, unable to respond immediately. She couldn''t fathom why he believed everything was still fine between them.

    "No, Alexi. It''s over between us." She didn''t linger for his response, ending the call abruptly. As the conversation unfolded, she discovered that the pain wasn''t as severe as she had anticipated.

    Maybe because deep inside she already knew what the oue would be so she already gave up or it''s probably because she knew she gave her all and has no regrets over the oue and she has no guilt.

    She felt like a huge burden was lifted from her shoulders.

    Although it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth it was not a bitter pill that she could not swallow.

    Before she could second-guess herself, she took decisive action, blocking his phone number, unfriending him on all her social media ounts, and then blocking him too. With a contented smile, she drifted off to sleep, feeling proud of her strength and self-respect.

    The following morning, Hera rose at 6:30 AM and embarked on a leisurely hour-long run around the vast expanse of the mansion grounds. As she jogged, she marveled at the sheer size of the estate, which resembled a sprawling park in its own right.

    Following her run, Hera made her way to the dining room to grab some breakfast. However, en route, she caught sight of her grandfather engaged in stretches and exercises, a heartening sight that filled her with warmth and admiration. <i>''No wonder why Grandpa still looks young and sturdy at his age.''</i>

    "Good morning Grandpa!" She jogged to him with a sweet smile on her face.

    Old Master Avery looked back at her and let out a hearty chuckle. "Good morning, my little princess."

    "Shall we eat breakfast together?" She offered.

    "Why don''t we eat in the rose garden?" He suggested.

    Hera''s face lit up with excitement as she responded. "That''s a great idea, Grandpa! I''d totally love to!"

    Without being told to, Alfonse headed straight inside to instruct the servants to prepare their Master''s breakfast and send it to the Gazebo in the garden.

    Hera looped her arm through her grandfather''s, savoring their leisurely stroll through the maze-like rose hedges on their way to the enchanting flower garden located at the center.

    "How was your sleep, did you have a hard time adjusting to the environment?" Old Master Avery inquired with concern etched in his voice.

    "Last night''s sleep was the best I''ve had in ages. The bed is incredibly soft andfortable. Everything feels so nice." Hera eximed with a contented smile.

    As they made their way to the Gazebo, the grandfather and granddaughter duo engaged in yet another delightful conversation.

    They savored a delicious meal of sd and egg benedict paired with freshly squeezed orange juice, adding to the enjoyment of their time together.

 Chapter 15 The Plan

    "I thought she was going to be my instructor for today," Heramented, slightly surprised by the turn of events.

    "Oh, I see. Your instructor will arrive this afternoon. In the meantime, take some time to acquaint yourself with Cindy. She��ll be your right-hand woman and you��ll be spending most of your time together," Old Master Avery exined.

    Hera nodded and after confirming that her grandfather had no further instruction for her, she left with Cindy in tow and headed to the greenhouse for a chat over tea and snacks.

    As they foundfortable spots in the greenhouse, Hera spoke up. "I didn��t anticipate meeting you so soon." She couldn��t hide her happiness; she already had a favorable impression of Cindy. Knowing they would be working closely together in the future saved her the trouble of finding her own personal assistant.

    She felt immensely grateful for her grandfather��s thoughtfulness; he had taken care of every detail for her. It seemed as if he would go to any lengths, even chewing her food for her before allowing her to swallow it, if he could.

    This only fueled her eagerness to excel even more, determined not to disappoint her grandfather in any way. Rather than feeling burdened, she felt a sense of excitement at the prospect of meeting and exceeding his expectations.

    "Throughout history, our family has faithfully served the ancestors of the Young Miss��s family as loyal butlers. Our lineage traces back to refugees from the north, devastated by the ravages of El Ni?o. They endured immense hardship, with crops and livestock perishing due to drought-induced famine. Fortunately, your ancestors, esteemed advisors to the empire, provided crucial aid to those affected. Despite these efforts, survival remained precarious, prompting some to reluctantly sell themselves into very, a practice ouwed at the time. It was your ancestor, the Duke, who intervened, offering them refuge in his mansion as valued servants. Over time, they were not just treated as staff, but as cherished members of the household. Through generations, our family has embraced this sacred duty as our life��s mission."

    Hera was taken aback by this revtion, her thoughts momentarily scattered. "I��m deeply grateful for your unwavering dedication and loyalty to our family," she expressed sincerely, acknowledging their years of devoted service.

    Cindy chuckled softly. "Our family��smitment to yours stems from the countless opportunities your family has given us to live independently. Yet, it��s the way you and your family have embraced us as part of your own that fuels our unwavering dedication. We feel truly blessed to serve with all our hearts."

    Hera felt a wave of emotion wash over her as she listened. She felt profound gratitude towards her ancestors and her grandfather for instilling such strong values in their descendants, enabling them to forge enduring alliances that would weather any storm.

    She nodded at Cindy, her smile warm and sincere. "Please bear with me and continue to guide me as we journey together through the years," she expressed with genuine feelings.

    Cindy chuckled softly. "Miss, why does that sound more like a confession than a request?"

    Hera reyed her words in her mind, and as the realization sunk in, she couldn��t help but burst intoughter. Soon, they were bothughing together, sharing the lightness of the moment.

    "I��m sorry, but I��m straight," Cindy replied, albeit a bit btedly.

    "Me too."

    After theirughter died down. Hera told Cindy her first order. "You��ve arrived just in time. I have a task for you."

    Cindy��s jovial expression shifted swiftly to seriousness. "Please tell."

    "I presume that you are aware of the trending topic on the inte that��s going out of hand. Correct?"

    Cindy nodded.

    "Excellent! So,st night, as I was reviewing the list ofpanies within the Avery Consortium, one in particr caught my attention." She paused to take a sip of her tea.

    "Is it Universal Entertainment?"

    Hera��s smile widened, her satisfaction evident. "It��s truly refreshing to converse with intelligent individuals," she remarked with a chuckle.

    "Would you like me to have the current CEO handle this with the PR department? Or perhaps we could consider releasing significant evidence exposing their cheating to shift the bnce in our favor?"

    "The answer is yes and no."

    Cindy tilted her head to the side, trying toprehend what Hera was trying to do.

    "I��d like to arrange a meeting with the CEO of Universal Entertainment(UE). Given that my background as a poor orphan is already widely known, any sudden favor from the CEO could easily be misconstrued. It would only invite further trouble, with people assuming I��m merely a kept mistress to him, wouldn��t it?"

    "Then what do you n?"

    "You��ll know once we are talking." Hera smiled mysteriously.

    Intrigued, Cindy wasted no time and dialed the UE��s CEO immediately. Upon hearing that the supposed sole heiress of the Avery wanted to meet him, he readily agreed and offered them a selection of avable times. Without hesitation, Hera arranged for him toe to the Avery mansion for their discussion.

    Hera was amazed at how quickly he arrived; it took him only 45 minutes to reach the mansion from wherever he hade from. Now, he sat before her in the greenhouse, perspiring from the rush of his journey.

    Hera��s gaze briefly swept over him, noting his slightly chubby build and prominent beer belly. It was understandable, she reasoned, given his profession likely involved frequent drinking and dining with clients. Despite his appearance, he exuded an air of honesty. Her research the previous night had revealed no scandals since he assumed the role of CEO of UE.

    So she was pleased but she was notcent.

    "Miss Avery, please let me know your instructions," he said nervously.

    Hera smiled gently. "I trust you��re aware of the current trending topics?"

    He nodded, taking a moment to steady his breath before continuing. "I��ve also looked into it, and it seems that the Star Ocean��s PR department is responsible for fueling the fire," he added.

    "Figured." Hera took another sip of her tea.

    "Do you have any specific instructions, Miss Avery?" he inquired eagerly, his gaze fixed on Hera, clearly eager to perform well.

    "Hmm," Hera pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking. "I want you to arrange an interview for me. Let��s stage it as if you��ve cornered me into reluctantly epting, and then spread the word," she instructed with a shrewd smile.

    Cindy and the CEO are both waiting for her to spill the beans.

    Hera found their expressions somewhat cute, so she took a moment to exin further. "I possess crucial evidence, but if I were to simply release it through your connections, it might be perceived as using my body for assistance from influential figures. And it��s highly likely that their camp will vigorously pursue this angle once they discover I��ve received assistance. On the other hand, if I were to reveal my identity now, it might be misconstrued as impersonating the Avery Heiress, given that they��re only familiar with my stand-in and she��s currently known studying in Princeton. Therefore, our best course of action is to stage an interview. From there, we can gradually unveil our cards to the public."

    Hera felt her throat dry after talking for a bit and took another sip of tea.

    "And then?" The two simultaneously asked.

    "What��s the fun if spill everything?" Hera smirked.

    Extremely frustrated with the cliffhanger, the two immediately sprang into action so they could get the answer they wanted.

    The CEO promptly contacted the producer and gossip interviewer to rearrange tomorrow night��s schedule, ensuring that Hera would be the featured guest instead.

    Upon hearing the arrangement, both the producer and interviewer were thrilled. They understood that the inte was currently divided into three camps, all eagerly anticipating Hera��s appearance since she had yet toment on the recent events. Some believed she was guilty of stalking Alexi, while others suspected there was more to the story than what circted online. Meanwhile, many simply wanted to catch a glimpse of her beautiful face on TV. This opportunity promised to be highly advantageous for their TV station.

 Chapter 16 Initial Step

    <strong><i>And the new guest is, the one everyone is very intrigued about. She��s allegedly been dubbed as Alexi��s extreme fan.</i></strong>

    <strong><i>If you are thinking of Hera Ainsley. You guessed it right! She is the stunning sister who��s been allegedly stalking Alexi all this time.</i></strong>

    <strong><i>Apparently, her whereabouts were discovered by her new neighbor, who then tipped off thete-night gossip show ��Was it True or Not, I Dare You to Prove It��. They threatened Hera, promising to expose her location on the inte if she didn��t agree to the interview.</i></strong>

    <strong><i>So, there you have it! </i></strong>

    <strong><i>I was actually pretty shaken to hear this news and I thought of sharing it with all of you as soon as I caught wind of it. It��s still very hot!!!</i></strong>

    <strong><i>PS: If you don��t believe me, you can wait and see for yourself. If you lose, don��t forget to tip me for my hard work and send it to me via QR code that was attached to my page. Thank you in advance!</i>]</strong>

    Within minutes, the post was inundated with a barrage of surprise questions, causing chaos and effectively paralyzing the entire tform.

    [OneOfYou!: Is this for real?!]

    [XOxo: +1]

    [Miki: +1]

    [asiaisthebest: No way!!! Wasn��t she hiding like a convict these days because she is guilty?]

    [iluvmygf: The one upstairs, you just said it. She was hiding like a convict and was feeling guilty so of course she would rather show up in the interview and answer all questions rather than her address being exposed. Wasn��t she afraid of being harrassed by Alexi��s fans?!]

    [justpassing_by: I don��t care about anything, all I know is I��m drooling over her face. I��m licking my screen for the whole day...]

    [alexinumber1: The one upstairs, you��re so annoying! Just because she��s beautiful doesn��t mean it is right for her to harass our Alexi!]

    [justpassing_by: Auntie, leave me alone! I don��t have an appetite for old aunties like you! I only like Hera!]

    [JUST_HAVINGfun: LOL! Auntie, I stand with the guy upstairs! ording to thew, no one��s a criminal until proven guilty. Don��t be bitter just because you��re jealous of our Miss Hera. XOXOXO]

    [alexinumber1: What did you say you motherfucker?! Who are you calling Auntie? I��m only 17!!!]

    [XOxo: LOL LOL! 17 my ass! You looked older than me who��s 25 Hahaha.]

    [IamaDaoist: Auntie, your fake face is full of cake powder and cracking up, don��t spit fire on us. We��re just riding in on the fun.]

    [Myalexinumber1: Onlywless guys like you, will like a stalker like Hera! So Disgusting!]

    [Mymanaisunlimited: All of Alexi��s fans are so brainless that they can��t even see how fake their idol is TSK! You looked ugly and blind.]

    Because of the continuous trolling of the guys simping for Hera, Alexi��s fans went ballistic and they started a battle on the inte which continuously paralyzed the server the moment it went back on.

    The Network administrators working on the server problem had no choice but to forcefully turn off thements, they tried to delete the post overall but they were denied by the high-ups so they could only choose the second-best option.

    Although thement section has been turned off, there are still some people who immediately started a thread on their own to rant about Hera and her increasing support mostlyposed of teenage boys to men in their early 30s.

    Hera��s social media tform skyrocketed to a million followers, with half of themprising her haters relentlessly reporting her ount and criticizing her alleged break-in at Alexi��s apartment. Another quarter were there for entertainment, while the remaining quarter worshipped her, scrolling through all her previous posts and hailing her as their Goddess.

    Meanwhile, Hera remained oblivious to the inte frenzy as she was fully engrossed in her first lesson with her instructor, who was diligently imparting knowledge about business and finance.

    She had a solid understanding of finance, as it was her major at university and she was currently in her second year. However, her knowledge of business was limited, so she devoted all her attention to the lesson, whichsted for two hours.

    Her dedication paid off, as her instructor was thoroughly impressed by her intelligence. She absorbed everything he taught like a sponge and even contributed some ingenious ideas and out-of-the-box thinking of her own.

    Feeling relieved, he initially worried about having a challenging time teaching her, especially after hearing about her busy schedule with part-time work and limited time for studying, along with her focus solely on finance and minimal knowledge of business administration. He assumed she only scratched the surface of the subject matter. However, witnessing her capabilities firsthand, he entrusted her with numerous assignments and tasks, confident in her ability toplete them independently.

    He found that he only needed to provide her with guidance and direction, and she would be able to navigate on her own. Delighted by his discovery, he happily reported his findings to Old Master Avery, who was clearly beaming from ear to ear upon hearing that his precious granddaughter possessed the same talent as her parents.

    After bidding her instructor farewell and returning to her study, which was attached to her room, she delved back into the assignments left for her toplete. Completely engrossed in the new knowledge that had been imparted to her, she lost track of time.

    And soon, it was already dark. Cindy had to remind her to go to the dining room to eat her dinner with her grandfather.

    As she made her way downstairs, Athena��s voice came through the phone the moment she answered it. "Hey, babe! Is it true you��re doing an interview tomorrow?"

    "Well, I have to clear my name somehow." Hera responded nonchntly.

    "Then why not just post the evidence online? Wouldn��t that be easier?" Athena asked, soundingpletely baffled.

    "It sure is. But we have to add a little drama to make everything more believable. After all, don��t people enjoy conspiracy theories? It��ll be more engaging if it��s not just a one-way show. Let��s invite the audience to join in the fun so that over time, the evidence bes indispensable."

    "Huhuhu! I like the sounds of it."

    "Of course! Because we��re petty!" Hera yfully smirked. "We��ll see how are they going to wiggle their way out of their own mess."

    "Where will the stage be? I need to be there!"

    "Oh, you��re right. Thanks for reminding me," Hera said to Cindy, instructing her to change the interview venue to the Dragon Jade Building��s garden. Turning to Athena, she added, "You��ll have to help me with my appearance tomorrow."

    Even without seeing each other��s faces, they both knew what the other was thinking and they shared mischievous grins.

    Despite being extremely intrigued, her grandfather refrained from asking for any details about her ns for tomorrow, and they enjoyed their dinner peacefully. They engaged in conversation about variouspanies and the challenges her grandfather encountered during his workday, discussing how he handled them. He shared his experiences with her in the hope that she would glean important lessons on her own.

    Hera didn��t disappoint her grandfather; she showedplete interest in the topics discussed and actively contributed her thoughts without hesitation. She wasn��t afraid to be corrected or to make mistakes due to her inexperience, but rather weed her grandfather��s helpful insights and constructive criticism with open arms.

 Chapter 17 The Interview

    "Babe, do we head straight to the venue after breakfast?"

    "Excited, aren��t we?" Hera chuckled knowingly. She understood that her best friend relished the opportunity to get back at those who wronged her, and she certainly enjoyed witnessing their misery.

    "What?! I��ve been waiting ages for this opportunity! I can��t wait to get back at those online bullies! I��ve screenshot their usernames andments," Athena eximed eagerly.

    "Okay, okay... How was Auntie?" Hera asked nervously, hoping that whatever the inte had said about her hadn��t spoiled her mood.

    "Mom? Well, she��s just as eager as me to see you get justice. She was the one who woke me up faster than a rooster early this morning," Athena replied with a grin.

    "It��s good to know that she��s not letting thements get to her," Hera said, releasing a sigh of relief.

    "I��ll tell you what. Mom created an alter ount and joined in the online trash-talking," Athena giggled, whispering to reveal her mom��s little secret.

    Hera chuckled and yfully pinched her friend��s palm as a form of scolding for snooping around in people��s secrets. But curiosity got the better of her, so she asked, "How did you find out?"

    Athena gave her a side nce,ughing as she recounted, "She got sneaky when I ranted to her about the derogatoryments aimed at you. She soon excused herself, andter that night, she forgot to log off her ount on her officeputer. I just happened to stumble upon it while looking for the fashion magazine she had ced on her desk. Before I knew it, I had already scrolled down and read everything."

    "And let me tell you, she can be really mean when she wants to be. I burst outughing at the poor souls she went after; they practically choked on their own rage and spat venom," Athena eximed, still amused.

    Just by observing Athena��s facial expression, Hera could already imagine how amusing it must have been to witness her mother��s sharp-tonguedments. She felt a twinge of regret for missing out on the spectacle.

    Athena nced at Hera and sensed what she was thinking. Fortunately, she had saved a screenshot of her mother��sments and sent it to herself. She then forwarded it to Hera to share in her mother��s ��heroic act.��

    When Hera heard the ��DING�� sound from her phone, she immediately checked the message, only to find Athena had sent her screenshot after screenshot, totaling about 30 in all.

    Hera chuckled as she saw that her friend hadn��t forgotten to save some evidence to share with her. "Don��t tell me you��re nning to use this against Auntie during your next disagreement?"

    Feeling that she��s been seen through, Athena became a little flustered. "Not really! I just want to use it as bargaining chips so mom won��t force me to go on blind dates anymore."

    "Perhaps she just wants you to enjoy some youthful experiences, like going out with cute boys," Hera suggested with a teasing grin.

    "Haha! Tell me about it! They don��t fit my aesthetic at all. Seeing your face every day has made me immune to good looks. When I see them, they look like squids inparison," Athena said with a pout. "I think you��ve ruined my beauty gauge. I can��t be satisfied by just looking at a few good-looking boys anymore! You have to take responsibility for me!"

    Hera burst outughing, acknowledging that her best friend was indeed so fixated on good looks that it sometimes became a qualification for friendship. "Okay, okay, I��ll do my best to find you a boyfriend who meets your exact standards."

    "Hmph! You better!" Athena grinned, feeling satisfied with the agreement.

    After enjoying a hearty breakfast, Old Master Avery excused himself, stating that he was heading out to y golf with his good friends, leaving Hera and Athena to spend time at home.

    Hera guided Athena for a leisurely stroll through the maze garden, where they enjoyed their snacks in the gazebo. Later, they spent time ying in the greenhouse��s pool, passing the time until 6 PM.

    At 6 PM, Athena encouraged Hera to change into a white off-shoulder dress that gracefully fell below her knees. The dress entuated Hera��s toned corbone, exuding a blend of allure and elegance but at the same time, delicate.

    She then released Hera��s long, curly hair, allowing them to cascade down her back, with some stray strands gently framing her shoulders.

    Athena paid the most attention to Hera��s light makeup. She didn��t apply much; instead, she focused on giving Hera a slightly aggrieved look, as if she had just finished crying all night long.

    Their aim was to evoke pity from anyone whoid eyes on her.

    After ensuring Hera was fully prepared, they boarded a ck van arranged by Cindy and were driven to the Green Dragon Manor, where the TV show��s host awaited their arrival.

    As per Hera��s request, the show was being broadcast live. The entire crew had set up a small stage near the fountain at the center of the garden in the Dragon Jade Building. Given the discreet location, only residents of the building were aware of the event. Nheless, Cindy took extra precautions by stationing additional guards around the building to ensure Hera��s safety and prevent any potential attacks.

    Before long, the van carrying Hera pulled up near the garden entrance, where the first camera crew awaited her arrival. As the door slid open, a female crew member stepped forward to assist Hera as she disembarked. Hera appeared distressed and visibly apprehensive about the unfolding events.

    As soon as Hera appeared on camera with stunning resolution,izens erupted into a frenzy online. Screenshots of her were quickly taken and shared across various social media tforms, apanied by captions like <i>��The birth of a Goddess on Earth.��</i> Within minutes, the show began trending, drawing significant attention and viewership, much to the delight of the closely-watching producer.

    As Athena closely monitored the show from inside the van, she eagerly sent a barrage of supportivements to Hera as the interview progressed.

    [Athena_Lowry: Oh my! She looks pitiful, she must have been bullied really bad.]

    Athena took the lead among theizens, framing Hera��s appearance as pitiful and aiming to portray the situation as a mere misunderstanding. Soon, others followed suit, chiming in with their own sentiments. It��s a well-known fact that humans, particrly men, are visual creatures, easily swayed by the sight of a beautiful woman appearing powerless and pitiable. This visual trigger often ignites their natural instinct to protect.

    Hera intensified her performance, portraying herself as scared and fidgety as she made her way toward the fountain where the entire crew awaited her. Even during this brief walk, men on social media were already going wild, captivated by her performance.

    No one had suspected that she was merely acting.

    [Iam_superman: Baby, don��t cry! She must have been crying all this while because of the bullies going after her without giving her a chance to exin.]

    [Freddie: Dude upstairs, you bet! She was maliciously wronged by jealous women who painted her ck without proof. I bet that Sweet Dumpling user is just trying to ride in the trending poprity without actual proof. She never showed any proof anyway, not even a picture of the said apartment where her supposed brother lived.]

    [NotMybusiness: +1]

    [youAreyou: +1]

    [Allofme: Now that I see what her state is, I feel bad for berating her on her social media yesterday. I��ll try to find myment and delete it. I hope I can still make it up for our poor Goddess Hera.]

    [MetoYou: Bro upstairs. I agree +1]

    [IlovemyKitty: +1]

    [Auntienextdoor: +30]

    Now that the tide of public opinion was slightly shifting, Hera approached the host and obediently took her seat, facing the camera. Her hands fidgeted nervously in herp, a forced smile gracing her lips while her eyes betrayed a hint of redness as if she were holding back tears.

    Athena who��s sitting inside the van could only give her best friend a thumbs up for her seamless acting.

 Chapter 18 The Interview 2

    [Auntinextdoor: Hey! I am in a good mood today! Don��t spoil my mood, I��m only 20 years old!!!!]

    [Xoxo: LOL LOL, your username calls for it.]

    The atmosphere in the live broadcast began to liven up, with someizens still hurling curses and doubting Hera. However, their negativity was soon drowned out by Hera��s emerging supporters, particrly women who had experienced simr cyberbullying and were unjustly painted as viins by other women for the sake of a man.

    The host, continuing with a reassuring tone, said, "Miss Hera, you can call me Anna. Please feel free to let me know if you��re feeling ufortable with any of my questions. We can always move on to the next topic if you prefer. Yourfort is our priority."

    Only then did Hera grace them with a sweet smile, which quickly sparked another lively discussion among the viewers tuning into the live broadcast.

    [Xoxo: OMG!!! Fortunately, my fingers are quick! I managed to capture a screenshot of her smile. I��ll save it as my screensaverter. I hereby dere that Hera is my Goddess!]

    [Auntinextdoor: Hey give me a copy! I would love to have a younger sister like Hera. I would be her older sister fan then!!! ]

    [Nanaismyname: +1]

    [Amazingbeauty: +1]

    Soon Hera��s sweet smile dominated the trending topic that garnered more viewers for the show, the producer was grinning from ear to ear. He did not even have to lift a finger to advertise their show as Hera already did everything on her own.

    The producer discreetly signals to the host to proceed with the interview, recognizing that they have already garnered a significant amount of viewership and engagement.

    "Miss Hera, over the past few days, you��ve been thrust into the limelight for reasons that aren��t entirely positive. How are you coping with this newfound attention? And, if I may ask, is there any truth to the allegations that have been circting?" the host inquired, her expression reflecting empathy and understanding.

    With a trembling voice, Hera responded, "Even if I dere my innocence, would anyone believe me?" Her words were barely audible, barely rising above a whisper.

    The host seized on a juicy tidbit of gossip and perked up. "Why would anyone doubt you?" She subtly suggested to the audience that there might be more to the story than meets the eye.

    As if a dam had burst, Hera��s tears flowed uncontrobly as she spoke. "I don��t even understand why theybeled me an extreme fan. I was simply returning home after a long day��s work, but instead, I found myself kicked out of my own apartment." Her words were barely audible amid her choked voice and relentless sobs.

    The host��s brows furrowed as she repeated, "So you��re saying that after work, you went home and instead found yourself kicked out of your own apartment? Could you please borate further so we can understand?" She then passed Hera a packet of tissues.

    Hera made an effort to regain herposure, focusing on regting her breathing. Despite her performance, the emotions bubbling inside her were authentic. She felt genuine indignation towards Minerva for her heartless actions. If Hera had truly been poor, she might have perished outside without ever understanding why. The thought alone stoked a fire of anger within her, causing tears to stream down her cheeks.

    "I apologize for allowing my emotions to overwhelm me." Hera said as she wiped her tears, the host did not push Hera to answer right away and waited for her to adjust her Emotions while theizens watching were all silent too.

    They could see how sad and distressed Hera was, they could not imagine the social burden she��s been carrying with her when this issue exploded and they could see how much affected she was.

    Hera continued after she sorted her emotions and rearranged her thoughts. "You see, most of theizens probably already knew that I��ve been working multiple jobs to keep myself afloat, most would probably think that it was for my college tuition. It was both right and wrong."

    "I do attend Empire College, but I��m fortunate to have earned the highest schrship avable after acing the college entrance exam. As a result, I only have to cover a quarter of my tuition fees."

    "So the money I earned mostly goes to the apartment I��m renting, utility bills, and food." Hera exined patiently.

    But this exnation only left the host and viewers more puzzled. So, the host probed further, "If that��s the case, does that mean you have more savings or is there a family in need of financial support thatpels you to work so diligently?"

    Hera wanted tough, knowing that her chance to attack had arrived.

    "Hmmm. You see, unlike what the female vlogger said, what��s her name again? Dumpling something." Hera acted as if she was in deep thought.

    "Sweet Dumpling? Are you talking about her?" The host inquired.

    Hera nodded fervently. "Yes! That��s correct! Contrary to what was imed, I never loitered outside anyone��s apartment door. I always head straight to my own apartment. Not unless I have to take out trash. And as for your question, I only have my grandfather as a rtive but he��s as healthy as a bull and lived outskirts."

    Anna, along with the crew and viewers, shared a chuckle as Hera mentioned her grandfather. Her words and expressions were as genuine as they could be.

    "Are you saying that you also lived in that apartment building?"

    Hera again nodded. "Yes. Although what she said about me wearing cheap clothes is true. I often work part-time outside, I��m afraid that if I wear expensive clothes they will just get dirty and ruined. I was frugal and I am not ashamed of it."

    "Is it true that you are an orphan who is facing financial difficulties?" The host shot her next question.

    "It��s true. My parent are no longer in this world, I only have my Grandpa."

    "If that��s the case, why did you decide to rent in an affluent residential apartment instead of renting a less expensive one?" The host is not being aggressive with her question and is just inly asking.

    "Why not? Am I not as free as everyone to choose where I want to live?" Hera shot back.

    Everyone was taken aback. Hera��s question was innocent enough, highlighting that she shouldn��t be restricted to renting a cheaper apartment if she desires a better living space. Ultimately, it��s her choice.

    After thinking, the host also nodded. "It��s true, we have our own freedom to be where we want to be. Unfortunately, this was perceived by others as you stalking Alexi who lives in the same apartment building."

    Hera��s gaze fell to her hands. "I don��t understand why people keep saying I stalked him. I lived in room A on the fifth floor." she blurted out.

    "Do you live on your own? I heard that the apartment in that building was huge with 2-3 rooms good for family."

    "I live with my boyfriend," Hera blurted out, then quickly corrected herself. "I mean ex-boyfriend," she added, pping her hand over her mouth in embarrassment.

 Chapter 19 The Interview 3

    [Xoxo: Hey! Wasn��t it mentioned that Alexi��s birthday was the same day this whole issue started? And wasn��t Sweet Dumpling, the one who said that it was Minerva��s bodyguards, who threw her out?]

    [ImissMyBed: XOXOXO!!! It��s blowing out of proportion!!!]

    [Auntienextdoor: Don��t tell me, it��s the same as the metaphor ��the kettle calling the pot ck��? They painted Hera as an extreme fan while Alexi cheats with Minerva? O_O]

    [Lland: Oh my! Oh my! But she hasn��t shown any evidence, if she has real evidence I��ll believe her.]

    As if to answer their curiosity, Hera spoke. "Of course, I do have evidence."

    Hera retrieved her phone from her mini bag and tapped on something. "I could give it to you if you��d like." She looked extremely harmless.

    This sparked another discussion online, with many leaning towards believing Hera after her confident assertion of having evidence to back her ims. However, this presented a challenge for Minerva��s side.

    By now, Minerva, watching the interview from her own room, was throwing things left and right, cursing Hera for having the audacity to stand up against her.

    She called her brother to ask him to fix the issue she started. Despite being reprimanded, he still went ahead and contacted the producer of the show to immediately stop the program. Additionally, he instructed his own PR team to deploy a water army to divert attention elsewhere andunch an attack on Hera instead.

    No matter how many times he rang the producer��s phone, he was consistently ignored. The producer knew who was calling, and under different circumstances, he might have eagerly epted the call. However, with the show enjoying high viewer ratings and considering it was a personal mission from his CEO friend at UE, he felt emboldened to defy the CEO of SOE.

    On the other side, Alexi was engrossed in shooting, he also delegated the task of buying a gift for Hera to his assistant. Consequently, he remained blissfully unaware of the unfolding events online.

    Struggling toe to terms with Hera blocking him, he decided to take action. Purchasing a new spare phone with a different number, he hoped that Hera had calmed down enough to hear him out.

    After seizing a moment to catch his breath, he swiftly retrieved his phone and dialed Hera��s number, the digits ingrained in his memory even when his eyes were closed.

    An unknown number shed on Hera��s phone while she was tapping away for the evidence so she declined it, then it called again and again.

    Observing Hera declining the unknown number, Anna interjected, "Why not answer the call? I��m sure even our viewers are curious about who��s persistently trying to reach you at such a critical moment."

    Hera looked hesitantly at the camera but deep inside, she had an idea of who was calling her repeatedly. So when she answered the call, she made sure to put the call on speaker.

    "Hello?" Her sweet voice resonated through the phone, instantly flooding Alexi��s mind with memories of their early days together. The sound of her voice stirred a longing within him, intensifying the ache of her absence over the past few days.

    "Babe, it��s me. Can you please unblock my number already?" His voice carried a note of pleading, tinged with a hint of desperation.

    This single sentence sent shockwaves through everyone watching, igniting a storm of reactions. While many were convinced by the sincerity in Alexi��s voice, there were still skeptics who doubted, specting that it might be a voice actor or a pre-recorded message.

    "Sorry, I can��t talk right now." Hera��s voice sounded flustered.

    "I only have a few minutes to talk since I��m still in the studio recording for my new drama. Please, just hear me out," he coaxed, his tone pleading.

    "Didn��t I make it clear that we have nothing left to discuss? We��re over," Hera hissed softly.

    "Hera, please don��t leave me, okay?" Alexi��s voice choked up. "I really do love you. You know my hands are currently tied, right?"

    "You made your choice and I made mine." Hera exhaled deeply. "Besides, do you know that I��m in an interview right now?"

    "So what?! I just want you to give me time to talk." His voice raised.

    By now, everyone had already discerned the identity of the familiar voice emanating from the phone��s speaker, prompting even Minerva to furiously break things in her room as she attempted to dial Alexi��s number, only to find it in do-not-disturb mode, diverting her calls directly to his voicemail.

    Hera��s heart raced with excitement, tempted to break into a victory dance right then and there. It was as if fate had intervened, sparing her the need to present the evidence she had painstakingly prepared for the interview. Instead, assistance had unexpectedlye from the very person at the center of it all.

    Hera continued. "It was being aired live right now."

    Silence hung heavy on both ends of the line, creating an eerie stillness that permeated the ce and echoed in the chatments. It seemed that Alexi had now absorbed Hera��s words and was stunned in silence, before abruptly ending the call. The faint sound of a disconnection tone echoed from Hera��s phone speaker, confirming to everyone that he had indeed ended the call without a word.

    [AlexiIsmyHubby: HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!! I have been Alexi��s fan since his debut, so I can recognize his voice even when he turns into dust!!!! That��s my Alexi!!!! I��m very fucking sure!!!! What��s going on?!]

    [Auntienextdoor: It seems that Hera didn��t need to present any further evidence, as the individuals involved inadvertently incriminated themselves. It��s a ssic case of actions speaking louder than words. Indeed, justice prevails, and cheaters receive theireuppance. Nyahahaha!!!]

    [AuntieIamYouDaughter: FUCK!!! I hate cheaters but not as much as mistresses!!! BURN IN HELL! I remembered my cheating ex who chose a sexy older woman! Bohoohoo T_T]

    [IampasserbyGod: Auntie upstairs. It��s better for you but look at our Hera, only blind people will cheat on her. She��s already a Goddess!]

    [Iam_superman: Bro upstairs, our Hera is really a Goddess but she can��t beat money. She already worked like a donkey to keep a man like Alexi but was still stolen by a rich heiress like Minerva, what can she do? Not unless she miraculously turned out to be a secret heiress of some kind, if such a miracle happened. I will SHIT myselfughing at Alexi��s stupidity. LOL LOL]

    [Nanaismyname: Big bro upstairs, I can��t imagine what you said but Hera is indeed my Goddess little sister. I feel bad for her.]

 Chapter 20 The Evidence

    The host shot her a knowing smile and said. "Was that your ex? Why does he sound familiar?"

    Hera shot her an awkward smile. "He is. I hear that a lot about his voice."

    The host gave Hera a warm smile. "What evidence are you presenting?"

    Hera tapped a few times on her phone and then gave it to the crew to show the camera the content.

    "You see, my boyfriend and I had moved to that apartmentst year and the receipt of the rent and bills are all in my name. But I guess this alone will not prove anything so I took the recording from our camera connected to the living room and I asked for a copy of the surveince camera of our hallway."

    The crew eagerly connected Hera��s phone to theptop they had brought, preparing to y the recordings. To ensure that both the host and Hera remained visible to the viewers, they set up a split-screen disy to y the recordings alongside the ongoing conversation.

    Upon hearing that Hera would y a recording, Minerva was jolted from her frenzy and began to feel deeply anxious. She has always been screwing Alexi in their shared apartment because she felt superior to Hera knowing that her boyfriend is feeling good in her embrace while she worked tirelessly to provide for him. Now, the prospect of her deception being revealed left her trembling with apprehension.

    In a state of agitation and despair, Minerva tearfully called her brother, her voice choked with emotion. "Big Brother," she sobbed, struggling to articte her distress. "Please, if you have to, drag her from the interview. My reputation will be destroyed..." Her sobs grew louder, drowning out her words. "I don��t know how I��ll face my friends if she tarnishes my name. Huhuhu..."

    Rafael found himself at a loss for how to handle his unruly sister. A surge of headache pounded against his temples, prompting him to massage them as he listened to her on the phone. "Tell me," he said, frustration evident in his voice. "Why did you go to such lengths to destroy her when you��re the one who stole her boyfriend?"

    Minerva choked on the lump in her throat, unsure of how to respond to her brother��s questioning. She sensed his restrained anger through the phone line. "I��m sorry, big brother," she stammered, her voice wavering. "I was just afraid she��d ckmail me and ruin my reputation. I was scared, please help me, okay? I really love Alexi."

    "Hmph! Love? He��s clearly using your sorry ass to climb up thedder. Didn��t you hear what he said on the livestream?"

    "Big brother, how could you talk to me that way?!" Minerva shouted.

    "What?! I can��t even lecture my immature sister? Then handle this problem on your own!"

    "I��m sorry big brother, please help me?"

    "I��ll try, but you better prepare yourself after this."

    Just the tone of Rafael��s anger was enough to send a chill down her spine. She wasn��t afraid of her parents, but her brother was a different story. Hot-headed and easily triggered, once he was angry, he was like a lion whose tail had been stepped on.

    Rafael left his office and instructed his assistant to find out Hera��s location and phone number.

    As the secondrgest entertainmentpany in the country, Rafael wielded considerable power and had extensive connections.

    Usually, a single call would yield the information he needed within 5 minutes. However, it had been 30 minutes, and he was still waiting. Rafael sat in his car, watching Hera on the livestream, well aware of what the recording on the screen was showing.

    So far, the recording only depicted Hera��s routine entries and exits from the room. Even when her boyfriend appeared on camera, his face was blurred, leaving Rafael with a favorable impression of Hera.

    Her intention was solely to clear her name without implicating anyone else. Rafael��s frustration with his sister intensified due to the trouble she was causing for the family.

    Before long, the recording progressed to the day of the incident.

    "Sir, we��ve received information from the TV station indicating that the crew was invited to the Dragon Jade Building for the interview."

    Rafael raised his eyes to meet his assistant��s gaze, surprise evident on his face. With a newfound understanding of why they struggled to locate Hera, a grin yed at the corners of his lips, betraying a medley of emotions.

    "Let��s go there and see for ourselves then"

    The driver maintained a steady speed on the road, sensing the urgency of the situation without needing explicit instructions from his boss. He understood that this was a matter concerning their family��s reputation, and he navigated the vehicle with precision and focus.

    On the live stream, the scene unfolding showed Hera��s arrival on the fifth floor, where she was met with the watchful eyes of the bodyguards. The tension in the air was palpable as she hurriedly made her way into her apartment, clearly feeling uneasy under their scrutinizing gaze.

    The scene transitioned to Hera��s arrival inside her apartment, where her eyes fell upon the cluttered clothes strewn across the floor. A wave of disbelief washed over her as she pitifully sank to the ground, only to be confronted by the sight of her boyfriend emerging from his room, half-naked, followed closely by a woman wearing a man��s shirt.

    [Asiaisthebest: Woah! To think that she��s housing a snake and taking care of him like a king yet he is still acting like that!!!! I feel ashamed as a man!]

    [Xoxo: I��ve been a regr on Hera��s ount by now, and I say. She��s a wife material, she deserves far better than someone who would betray her trust. In my opinion, parting ways with such a person is a blessing in disguise..]

    [Auntienextdoor: I am literally crying for her!!! I feel so bad for my younger sister Hera.]

    [Athena_Lowry: When did she be your sister? She��s mine hmp! Anyway, it��s a good riddance of trash that they broke up, Hera deserves better.]

    The atmosphere grew tense as viewers witnessed the shocking turn of events. Silence enveloped the room as the mistress��s p reverberated through the screen, followed by the unsettling sight of Hera being forcibly removed. Contrary to Sweet Dumpling��s portrayal, Minerva��s smirk revealed a different side to the story. Despite Hera��s feeble attempts to resist, she was subjected to rough treatment, her clothes torn and her dignity trampled upon.

 Chapter 21 The Evidence 2

    "May I ask why did you not want to reveal the faces of the people who hurt you, did they threaten you?"

    Hera shook her head. <i>��As if they can threaten me.��</i> she forced herself not tough. "No. I just thought that I shouldn��t make a mountain out of a molehill. I just wanted to clear my name if I was given a chance. And thanks to the program, I was able to do just that."

    The host and other crew members were profoundly touched by Hera��s words. While it was simply another day at work for them, they suddenly found joy in their work after realizing the impact their program had in providing support to those in need like Hera. As if they found a new reason to work hard and their passion was ignited.

    The program concluded on a positive note after a bit more discussion with the host. Meanwhile, viewers mored for Hera to take decisive action against her cheating ex and his mistress.

    Some viewers took it upon themselves to investigate the individuals captured in the footage, leveraging their expertise in the field. Despite Hera��s attempt to conceal their identities (fake attempt), her intentional slip-ups hinted that it was only a matter of time before the truth came to light without her needing to intervene.

    When the show ended and Hera retreated to the side, everyone was all smiles and treating her well while she acted obedient and grateful.

    On the inte, not only were they fervently investigating the identity of Hera��s cheating ex, but they were also moring for her to step into the entertainment industry. Their motivation wasn��t just to spare her from the grind of multiple jobs, but also a genuine desire to see her grace the screen more often. Overnight, she amassed a million steadfast supporters, showcasing the overwhelming solidarity of her newfound fanbase.

    There were also those who began connecting the dots between Alexi and Minerva. Some crafted their own theories, delving into the truth and behind-the-scenes narratives. These discussions inundated the inte, sparking widespread spection and analysis across various tforms.

    Observing everything unfold on the inte like a speeding train, Athena began to grasp what her friend was aiming for, even though Hera hadn��t explicitly articted it. However, Athena remained uncertain about Hera��s underlying purpose, prompting her to approach Hera directly for rification.

    "So, this has been your purpose all along?" Athena tore her eyes from her phone and walked over to Hera.

    Hera chuckled softly before responding, "Not exactly. I��ve been wrestling with how to handle this situation internally for some time. When I mentioned having a n, it was more of a broad outline of what I hoped to achieve, and I was still working out the finer details." She paused, delicately tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then continued, her tone thoughtful. "The unfolding events during the interview werergely spontaneous reactions to the unfolding circumstances."

    ncing briefly at the passing crew members with a polite smile, Hera resumed her exnation. "I had to carefully assess the audience��s responses and adjust my approach ordingly, which ultimately led to the oue we see now. Alexi��s unexpected call inadvertently yed into my hands, making it easier for me to achieve my objectives."

    "Why didn��t you just directly post their video without blurring their faces?" Athena asked, seeking confirmation of her assumptions.

    "It��s not that I don��t want to, it��s just... I can��t," Hera sighed.

    "What do you mean?" Athena asked, puzzled.

    "I haven��t yet solidified my position in the upper circle. If I go after Minerva and Alexi now, I��ll only be hitting my head against a concrete wall," Hera exined.

    Athena struggled to grasp her friend��s reasoning. "Babe, forgive me if I��m a bit slow on the uptake, but I��m not following."

    "Have you forgotten who Minerva��s brother is?" Hera sighed in frustration.

    Athena pondered deeply for a moment before realization dawned on her. "You mean Rafael Briley?!"

    Hera nodded pensively. "If my memory serves me right, wasn��t he going to y a huge role in my family��s downfall? Besides, he��s the female lead��s main backer when she��s just starting in the entertainment industry." Hera��s frustration was palpable as she sighed.

    <i>��I had hoped to nip future troubles in the bud, but as it stands, my position as heiress remains precarious. Others could easily band together to undermine me. I need to gather strong supporters on my side to guard against my enemies before I can ascend to my throne.��</i>

    "I can��t confront him head-on at the moment; we need to strategize for future opportunities," Hera exined.

    "Why does it have to be soplicated?" Athena asked with a pout.

    "It��s not that I��m making itplicated. My situation is inherentlyplex, and I can��t afford to act impulsively. Keep in mind, my grandfather currently oversees Avery��s affairs and must shoulder the responsibility for my actions." Hera rified.

    "Then what��s our next move?" Athena asked, attempting to simplify her thoughts amid theplexity of Hera��s ns.

    "What else?" Hera shrugged. "We eat. My treat," she said with a grin.

    During Hera��s financial struggles, Athena often treated her to meals to ensure she ate properly.

    Athena��s mood brightened instantly. "Then I��m going for the most expensive option!" she dered, hands on her hips.

    Hera chuckled and nodded, handing her phone to Athena to choose and book a ce for them. Alfonse had exined that Hera��s phone had a unique signature, enabling their system to recognize her and prioritize her requests. This system was interconnected with allpanies under the Avery banner.

    "I want to dine at the Golden Dragon Pavilion!" Athena eximed, but then her enthusiasm faltered. "But I heard they��re fully booked for the next six months. I can��t wait that long, can I?" She looked disheartenedly at Hera.

    Hera smiled reassuringly. "Why don��t you try booking a room first? Let��s see how long the waitlist is."

    "Forget it, let��s just grab something on the way. I��ve eaten at stalls plenty of times," Athena said, her excitement dampened.

    Observing her friend��s disappointment, Hera gently took her phone from Athena��s hand and began searching for avability. Soon, her face lit up. "Oh! They have an opening!"

    Athena��s head whipped around to see if Hera was joking, but Hera was focused on checking the time. Curious, Athena leaned in to take a look and was surprised to see several avable time slots. "It��s true!!!" she eximed excitedly, grabbing the phone from Hera��s hands.

    She selected a time slot just 30 minutes away, and Athena attempted to input some reservation details like their names and seating preferences. However, she found that the input fields were greyed out, and Hera��s details were already filled in. Additionally, the reservation was automatically set for Pavilion 1.

    "This is strange," Athena remarked, tilting her head in confusion.

    "What��s strange?" Hera inquired, ncing at the phone screen.

    Athena pointed to the screen, but Hera didn��t appear puzzled. Instead, she had an epiphany. ��Oh! So Golden Dragon Pavilion is also under the Avery.�� However, she chose not to mention it to Athena, wanting to spare her from another surprise. "Let��s just let her enjoy the moment," Hera thought to herself, smiling at Athena.

 Chapter 22 Golden Dragon Pavilion

    Upon hearing Hera��s reasoning, Cindy reluctantly agreed, and shortly after, they arrived at the grand Golden Dragon Pavilion.

    At the entrance, a line of luxury cars awaited the valet��s service, their sleek designs gleaming under the ambient light. Athena, who had been away from her family for quite some time, found this scene amusing as she observed the lineup of expensive vehicles.

    Hera chuckled at Athena��s amusing reaction. "You seem to be enjoying the view out there."

    "Absolutely! It��s a sight to behold." She grinned widely and continued. "I can finally give my beaten Honda Civic a well-deserved break after years of faithful service."

    "Didn��t you have a soft spot for that car?"

    "I did. It��s been my trustypanion during my adventures outside. So, I��ll give it a cozy spot in my garage," Athena replied with a touch of drama.

    "I recall you buying that car from a second-hand shop with your hard-earned savings from your fashion magazine job. What��s next in line after bidding farewell to your baby?"

    "My dad already ordered a Bugatti Chiron in mint green for me," Athena eximed, grinning from ear to ear.

    "Then, take me for a ride around the city in your new baby when it arrives," Hera replied with a smile.

    "I sure will!" Athena��s expression then shifted as she turned to Hera. "Don��t y coy with me. My dad mentioned that your dad and grandpa are both car enthusiasts who collect all kinds of supercars," Athena said, snorting. "You must have received a dozen from those collections!"

    Hera did not answer and just quickly hopped out of the van when it was their turn, it was to run away from Athena��s questioning.

    "I knew it! I must see those babies! You hear me?!"

    "Alright, alright, stop fussing about it. I��ll let you drive them once the customization is done."

    "I knew it! You brat!" Excitedly eximed.

    Their yful banter continued until an attendant arrived to assist them.

    "Good evening, wee to Golden Dragon Pavilion. My name is Mary. May I know whose name the reservation is under?" The assistant respectfully greeted them with a practiced smile.

    Hera returned the smile and replied, "For Hera..."

    "Oh, look who��s here!" Condescending giggles reverberated from behind them, prompting Hera and the others to turn around.

    The moment Athenaid eyes on the source of the voice, she bared her teeth like a Doberman ready to pounce on the enemy. She was visibly irritated.

    "The road is indeed narrow for enemies to meet," Athenamented tersely, standing firmly beside Hera.

    The girl in the lead snorted derisively. "What? nning to be a server in this ce? Your credentials aren��t nearly enough. This ce only epts the best of the best, not trash like you."

    Her words were met withughter from the other girls standing behind her, who then gave Athena and Hera condescending side-eyes.

    "Well, what can you expect from people like them, ire? Didn��t they get into our international school just because they��re schrs with good grades? Bottom feeders will remain as bottom feeders their entire life!" Laugher soon followed their disdainful wordsced with poison.

    "At least we��re not daddy��s girls who only have money but no brains," Athena retorted fearlessly.

    The girl who had spoken felt her eyebrow twitching with anger. <i>��This girl has the gall to talk about me?��</i> She gritted her teeth in frustration.

    "What? Cat got your tongue? Or is it because I hit the nail on the head?"

    ire intervened, trying to diffuse the tension. "Athena, it��s been a year since west saw each other and you��re still..." She paused, giving Athena a once-over. "As crude as ever."

    ire tapped her long, pink-polished nails adorned with diamond and ribbon designs on her crossed arms, attempting to exude an air of refinement and sophistication to intimidate Hera and Athena.

    "I would rather be crude than bitchy like you." Athena retorted with a challenging smile, sessfully getting under their skin.

    Ignoring their banter, ire turned to the attendant who was speaking with Hera. "Excuse me, as you can see, these girls have sharp tongues and are unsuitable to work in your establishment. epting them would only risk losing VIP customers like us."

    ire��s words dripped with false concern, her tone belied by her true intentions of using her influence to intimidate the attendant into expelling Hera and Athena.

    It��s important to note that Golden Dragon Pavilion is an exclusive, members-only establishment with stringent criteria for membership invitations.

    No amount of wealth can secure entry into the Golden Dragon Pavilion; only the elite top 100panies or individuals in the country are deemed eligible. Moreover, within this selected circle, VIP status is tiered��bronze, silver, gold, and tinum��reflecting varying levels of prestige and benefits. ire��s father currently holds the esteemed status of a gold member.

    Membership entails an annual subscription fee of $100 million, credited to the member��s card for use within the establishment. Should this sum be exhausted before the membership term ends, it can be replenished with a new deposit. To advance their membership tier, individuals must ensure that their real-life status has also progressed, as the two are intricately linked.

    The attendant��s smile wavered slightly as she addressed Hera, bowing respectfully. "Miss, I regret to inform you that I am unable to continue attending to your group. Miss White and herpanions are esteemed regrs of our establishment, and her influence carries weight in such matters."

    "Why should we leave? We��re not here to seek employment; we��re customers just like them," Athena retorted, her tone edged with defiance.

    "Customers? Ha! As if your meager sry could even afford bottled water here," one of the girls sneered.

    "Athena, we know you have a tendency to be delusional and spout nonsense. Just leave and spare yourself further embarrassment," another girl chimed in.

    "Ha! Are you suggesting you��re the only ones allowed to eat here?" Athena questioned sarcastically.

    ire smirked. "Athena, we��re not trying to demean you or your friend, but perhaps you��re unaware that this ce is an exclusive, members-only restaurant. It��s not open to just anyone."

    ire and her gang, Hera, and Athena had a long history in school. ire and her friends looked down on those they deemed less privileged, literally, the type to worship the strong and hate the weak. However, they mostly kept to themselves, until the high school heartthrob ire was infatuated with took an interest in Hera. Despite ire��s efforts, and seduction, she still failed, he only had eyes for Hera. <i>��Who else was it but Alexi? Hera��s long-time boyfriend. Almost every girl in their school sees him as their prince charming.�� </i>

    It��s cliche, yes, but that��s the male lead halo for you.

    Even after learning that Alexi and Hera had broken up, ire remained bitter. She couldn��tprehend why Alexi chose Hera over her��a pauper over a princess. While she didn��t feel particrly upset about Alexi being with Minerva, as she believed Minerva was a suitable match for him, the fact that someone she perceived as beneath her had won him over stung.

    ire cast a satisfied smirk in Hera��s direction. "Hera, I heard Alexi finally left you," she taunted, unable to resist rubbing Hera��s supposed heartbreak in her face. The idea of Hera grimacing in pain over losing her lover brought a twisted sense of satisfaction to ire.

    But to her surprise, Hera appearedpletely unaffected, merely ncing around as if ire��s words were nothing more than idle gossip she enjoyed overhearing.

    She gritted her teeth, frustrated that her attempt to provoke a reaction from Hera had failed. Determined to humiliate her and her friend in some other way, she continued with a condescending tone, "I see you��re still nursing that broken heart from being cheated on. But honestly, this ce isn��t for the likes of you. Why not head to McDonald��s or KFC? It��s more suited to your budget, isn��t it?"

    Her gang burst intoughter upon hearing ire trash Hera.

 Chapter 23 Dinner at Golden Dragon Pavilion

    Acknowledging Hera and her friends��posed demeanor and genuine inquiry, the attendant responded respectfully.

    "Miss, to address your question, non-members can indeed view our website, but to book a room, our system requires members to log in to their ounts. Membership information is registered upon issuance of their membership cards, granting exclusive ess to room reservations."

    Hera��s smile widened, perplexing the attendant while ire��s expression soured.

    "What��s so amusing?" ire inquired sharply. "Are you already getting so delusional, knowing you��ll be humiliated once you��re thrown out?"

    Ignoring ire��s taunt, Hera focused on her phone, tapping into her reservation information.

    "Why are you kicking out my guests?!" A hoarse voice reverberated from the entrance. The figure strode forward in long, purposeful strides,manding attention. Hera��s gaze met Rafael��s, his eyes gleaming in the soft glow of the lights. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and his thin, pink lips pressed tightly together, adding to his aura of authority. His jawline, sharp and defined, exuded masculinity, entuated by the slight triangr shape.

    Athena��s sudden, audible gasp jolted Hera back to reality, drawing her attention away from Rafael.

    "Isn��t he just delicious?!" Athena��s yful sidement elicited a restrained chuckle from Hera, who, mindful of the circumstance, suppressed a smile and gently nudged Athena, signaling for restraint.

    Before long, Rafael��s imposing stature loomed before Hera, his focus entirely on her as if ire were invisible. "My apologies for the dy. I was tied up in a crucial meeting, causing you to wait," he stated, his gaze fixed on Hera, silently urging her to follow his lead.

    Hera quickly discerned Rafael��s intentions and responded with a warm smile, subtly catching him off guard, though he swiftly regained hisposure. "I was just about to inform you of our arrival, but you arrived just in time," she added, smoothly continuing the conversation.

    "Apologies for the inconvenience my oversight has caused," Rafael apologized earnestly, turning towards the attendant.

    In reality, before Rafael intervened, he had instructed his assistant to secure a room immediately. However, it took some time as all rooms were booked. Fortunately, a slot became avable through an acquaintance, though it required personal negotiations and favor. This was an exceptional situation, as Rafael rarely sought favors. Only after securing the room did he step in to assist Hera.

    "It��s all good." She looked at ire and smirked. "Are we good to go now?"

    ire was clearly stunned, she knew the person standing in front of her and was aware of their family��s esteemed status, leaving her with little ground to dispute their authority.

    She wanted to throw a snide remark at Hera for seducing a man of Rafael��s caliber, but the fear of provoking his notorious temper held her back. Knowing well the consequences, she opted to bite her tongue and instead shot Hera a venomous re filled with resentment.

    Both Rafael and Hera seemed oblivious to her presence as Rafael advanced to address the attendant. "Is my private room, number 4, prepared?" he inquired.

    The attendant was momentarily taken aback by the rapid session of events, making it difficult for her to react immediately. Nevertheless, maintaining her professionalism, she mustered a smile while swiftly reorganizing her thoughts. Retrieving the reservation details on her tablet for private room 4, she proceeded to confirm the reservation information.

    Before proceeding with any other tasks, she offered Hera a profuse apology for her earlier attempt to kick her out. She understood that failing to do so would risk invoking Rafael��s wrath for disrespecting his guest��a situation no one desired to experience. The magnitude of Rafael��s influence in the industry surpassed even that of his father, making it clear that appeasing him took precedence over any potential sh with ire.

    Hera promptly epted the apology, recognizing that the attendant was likely acting out of necessity as an employeepelled to safeguard her own job. In the hospitality industry, encountering unreasonable customers is all toomon, and without intervention from management or the bystander, frontline staff often find themselves in difficult situations.

    Observing Hera��s amiable demeanor, the attendant breathed a sigh of relief. Casting a cautious nce at Rafael, who showed no inclination to pursue the issue further, she swiftly gestured for them to follow her inside.

    At that moment, their general manager emerged from the outside, perspiring heavily and visibly agitated.

    The manager was actually rushing to wee their sole VVIP member, having been dyed because his assistant had only just noticed the system notification 20 minutes after Hera hadpleted the reservation process. He hurriedly made his way from a gathering with his friends to attend the VVIP member.

    "Were they the ones who reserved Pavilion 1?" he inquired, addressing the attendant who had stepped forward to assist ire and her group.

    Upon hearing this question, everyone, including Hera and herpanions who were walking ahead, halted in their tracks and turned around. The regr patrons of the Golden Dragon Pavilion were well aware that Pavilion 1 had never been utilized and had only heard through the grapevine that it was exclusively reserved for the VVIP member.

    However, such information had never been disclosed to the public. Spections ranged from it being the Avery��s Pavilion to rumors suggesting it might belong to the country��s president, but no reliable sources had confirmed the truth thus far.

    Without waiting for a response or further investigation, the general manager swiftly intervened, assuming control to assist ire and her entourage. His excitement got the better of him, causing him to forget to instruct his assistant to verify the reservation details.

    Meanwhile, ire relished the attention drawn to her by this turn of events and made no effort to correct the assumption. Eager to witness Pavilion 1 firsthand, she saw an opportunity to enhance her social standing by boasting about the experience to her circle of friends, perhaps even leveraging it to further advance her status.

    You might wonder how ire could leverage this situation to her advantage. Well, in the Gold Dragon Pavilion, everyone understands the hierarchical status system, where only the apex figure holds the privilege of owning Pavilion 1 and so on, that��s why there are tiers to their memberships.

    It��smon knowledge among them, it drives everyone to seek acquaintance with this said individual. Thus, if ire manages to dine in Pavilion 1, it implies she possesses information about this elusive figure, potentially granting them leverage in social circles.

    Athena nudged Hera yfully, and they exchanged a knowing nce, sharing a smile. Cindy trailed behind them, her gaze fixed downward. Despite her eagerness to take the lead earlier, Hera had discreetly held her back and gestured for her to stay behind. The reason for Hera��s actions remained a mystery to Cindy as well.

    She could have put those girls into ce if she stepped up but Hera refrained her from doing so.

    Rafael disyed disinterest in the unfolding events,cking the motivation to delve into ire��s affairs even if it meant knowing a great connection. Following Mary, they proceeded to private room 4. After settling in, Hera took a moment to cancel her reservation for Pavilion 1. She made sure to include a note exining the reason for the cancetion.

    [Note: Lost my appetite after ire White disrespected me. Will not be returning.]

    Athena giggled mischievously as she read the note.

    They eagerly anticipated witnessing ire��s embarrassment when the general manager discovered his mistake in serving the wrong person.

 Chapter 24 Dinner at Golden Dragon Pavilion 2

    Even if they were aware, they would be powerless to halt her course of action.

    "So, why have you sought me out? Are you intending to negotiate on behalf of your beloved sister?" Hera quipped sarcastically, undaunted by his imposing demeanor.

    Rafael��s lips curled into a sinister grin. "Hmm, I must admit, you��re not as foolish as you appear. After all, you managed to sway the masses with your little performance."

    By now, Athena had already understood what was happening and she felt her palms sweating in nervousness. This is the second male lead they are talking about, notorious for his fiery temper, and only the female lead had the ability to calm him and bend him to her will.

    Nevertheless, he was known for his merciless demeanor, especially towards those who dared to fight with his sister. Athena could only ce her trust in her best friend, hoping that Hera had a strategy to navigate this precarious situation.

    "Thank you for yourpliment, Mr. Briley." Hera smiled, not showing any signs of fear.

    Athena couldn��t help but elbow her friend and shoot her a warning nce. <i>��What on earth was Hera thinking? Was she trying to get us killed faster?!��</i> But despite Athena��s persistent nudges, Hera seemed unfazed, as if she couldn��t feel a thing. Internally, Athena was screaming, <i>��I��m going to die! I just got back to my luxurious lifestyle, and now I have to say goodbye already?! Hera, please stop!��</i>

    She desperately wanted to pull Hera away and apologize to Rafael, but Hera remained as unmoving as a mountain.

    While Hera was indeed the heiress to Avery��s wealth and held considerable power, in the eyes of many, she was still regarded as a novice, especially considering her aging grandfather. This made her appear vulnerable. In contrast, Rafael had spent years navigating the intricacies of the upper circle, mastering various underhanded tactics along the way. Athena feared that Hera would easily sumb to Rafael��s cunning strategies if they really did fight.

    However, Athena had underestimated her best friend, a fact Hera was keenly aware of. This was precisely why Hera had refrained from fully revealing her hand during the interview. She had meticulously stored away information about the male leads, the female lead, and even the secondary characters, knowing that every detail could be crucial.

    Rafael��s eyebrows lifted in slight surprise. It was a familiar scenario; typically, when he initiated intimidation tactics, his adversaries would falter, granting him the upper hand in negotiations. After all, his reputation preceded him. "I suppose ignorance truly is bliss," he mused to himself.

    Hera settledfortably into her chair, her hands resting serenely on the table. Sensing Rafael would not speak first, she decided to break the silence. "Since you��ve sought me out, I assume you��re already acquainted with the details of the situation, correct?"

    Without waiting for Rafael��s response, Hera pressed on. "However, I trust you��ll also consider my perspective. I��m not one to seek trouble, as you can see, I held back my punches against your sister but I��m also hoping that she stoppeding after me." She paused to take a sip of the tea served upon their arrival.

    Once her throat was sufficiently wet, she continued, her tone thoughtful. "After all, she was the one who came between me and my ex. I��ve stepped back and relinquished him to her, but I can��t help but wonder what she hopes to achieve by obstructing my life now?"

    She locked eyes with Rafael, her gaze mirroring his, transparent and emotionless. Neither of them could discern the thoughts swirling in the other��s mind.

    "So, what is it that you want me to do?" Rafael��s voice carried a tinge of irritation. <i>��Is she really dictating how I should manage my sister or handle these affairs?��</i>

    The notion didn��t sit well with Rafael, stirring a mixture of anger and impatience within him.

    Hera chuckled softly. "How could I ever presume to advise one of the most aplished young men in our country? I trust that you are well-versed in handling such matters, given your sess, talent, and undeniable charm. Your wealth of experience in your esteemed position is undeniable, and I haveplete faith in your abilities. I merely hoped that you might lend an ear to someone as insignificant as myself. They do say that magnanimous individuals like yourself will reap good karma and lead lives filled with happiness, don��t they?"

    Hera resorted to a barrage of ttery as she noticed Rafael��s dwindling patience, recognizing thatpliments and positive affirmations could help diffuse tension in such situations.

    Athena was taken aback by her best friend��s sudden stream of praise, especially knowing Rafael��s temperament. <i>��Is everything okay with her? Is she sleep-talking?��</i> she wondered incredulously.

    Rafael couldn��t help but smirk upon hearing Hera��spliment. "So, she��s not as ignorant as she seems," he thought to himself.

    Having grown up in an affluent family, Rafael had be ustomed to receiving all kinds of ttery. He had grown weary of the empty praise from people seeking to benefit from their association with him. However, Hera��s words resonated with him in a way that felt genuine and different from the usual sycophantic remarks.

    "Perhaps it��s because her eyes are as clear as a deer��s, devoid of malice or greed," Rafael mused to himself, trying to understand why Hera��s words felt genuine.

    However, unbeknownst to him, Hera had simply uttered whatever came to mind without any ulterior motive or desire to get to know him. Therefore, there was no way for her to genuinely feel the sentiments Rafael was attributing to her.

    Observing Rafael��s softened demeanor, Athena shot her best friend an admiring side nce. <i>��Did it really work?!��</i>

    "So, what exactly do you expect from me?" Rafael asked in a lighthearted tone.

    "How could I possibly have any expectations of you, Mr. Briley?"

    "Weren��t we here to negotiate?"

    "I��m not sure if Minerva would heed your advice. After all, you��re her doting brother who indulges her every whim. It might just backfire instead," Hera stated matter-of-factly, each word pronounced with rity.

    "How is it possible that I don��t recall engaging in any behavior that would warrant such concern?" Rafael quipped, his tone seemingly light-hearted but his arrogance still evident, making it difficult to discern if he was truly joking.

    Hera chuckled once more, her tone innocent as she inquired, "But didn��t you authorize the use of yourpany��s PR team to manipte public perception, implying that I was harassing Alexi?"

    Rafael��s reaction was imperceptible to the others, a subtle twitch revealing his surprise. However, he maintained aposed demeanor, betraying no hint of his inner turmoil.

    "How about we set aside that issue and focus on the future? I��ll ensure my sister behaves herself. In return, I trust you won��t release any further evidence. How does that sound?" Rafael fixed his gaze on Hera, awaiting her response. Both his hands intertwined under his chin as he leaned on the table.

    "You appear quite amiable, Mr. Briley, so I��ll be direct. As long as Minerva sticks to her own affairs and refrains from actions that directly impact me, I have no intention of causing harm to your sister. I��m not one to seek trouble, but I won��t hesitate to defend myself if provoked." Hera smiled at Rafael, her words sincere and devoid of intimidation, yet carrying a significant weight.

    Athena��s head snapped to look at Hera. <i>��Amiable?! In what sense, girl?! Can��t you feel the tension radiating from him since earlier?! He wants blood!!!��</i>

    Meanwhile, Rafael found Hera��s words refreshing. It was the first time someone had mentioned finding him easy to get along with, not even his sister said so. So, he generously smiled at Hera.

 Chapter 25 Dinner at Golden Dragon Pavilion 3

    "No, I��ll address my sister��s actions. But considering the ordeal you endured, shouldn��t you seekpensation for the mental and reputational damage?"

    "Oh, that." Hera paused, contemting. "I don��t requirepensation as long as Minerva doesn��t trouble me again."

    "Are you certain? I heard you lost your job. How about employment instead?"

    Hera shook her head once more. "No need. I no longer require an expensive apartment, so there��s no need for me to work tirelessly."

    Hera��s words were sincere, only disclosing partial truths, allowing her to maintain a clear conscience.

    "Very well, I��ll have mywyer draft a contractter. If my sister causes trouble for you again, I��llpensate you with $100 million. However, if it��s discovered that you provoked her to extort money from me, you��ll be liable to pay double the amount stated in the use." Rafael��s smirk intensified as he fixed his gaze on Hera.

    "No problem, I always prefer to have agreements in writing rather than relying on verbal assurances," Hera replied, returning Rafael��s smile.

    "Let��s see how long you can keep your sister from causing trouble for me. If you manage to persuade her to cease targeting me, we can all look forward to a harmonious future. But if she persists, all hell would break loose. I just hope this agreement will afford me some breathing room to prepare," Hera thought to herself, steeling her resolve.

    "Alright, now that negotiations are settled, let��s dine," Rafael dered, pressing the button under the table to summon the server and request the menu.

    In a matter of seconds, the server arrived, presenting the menu to the four of them.

    With the tension eased, Hera took a moment to appreciate the intricate designs of the private room. They were seated at arge round table intended for twelve people, surrounded by an ambiance adorned with ancient Chinese carvings and ceramics showcased in wooden cabs against the walls. Additionally, old Chinese paintings adorned the room, adding to its traditional charm.

    Near the window, several bonsai trees provided a refreshing touch to the room, their verdant foliage adding a sense of tranquility. The expansive window offered a breathtaking view of the outside scenery, with a plum blossom tree standing proudly near arge pond that resembled more of ake. Lotus flowers adorned the serene waters, lending an ethereal charm to the surroundings. It felt as if the diners were transported back to ancient times, immersed in the beauty of nature and history.

    The fusion of ancient aesthetics with modern design elements created a harmonious ambiance, captivating diners with its ingenious blend. Hera took a moment to absorb the picturesque scenery, while Athena and Cindy finished selecting their dishes from the menu.

    "Miss Ainsley, why don��t you indulge yourself and order whatever you want? Don��t hold back; tonight, it��s my treat," Rafael generously offered, his attention still focused on the menu before him.

    "Oh! It��s his treat? I should order more," Athena whispered as she nced back at the menu.

    "Thank you, Mr. Briley," Hera acknowledged before nudging Athena. "Don��t be greedy. If you can��t finish the food, there��s no need to add more just to spite him," she whispered back.

    "What?! You didn��t even ept anypensation from him. Why are you stopping me?" Athena retorted.

    "Okay then, if we can��t eat it all, let��s take it out and give it to the homeless," Hera suggested with a sigh.

    "Good idea!" Athena eagerly turned her attention back to the menu.

    When Hera opened the menu, she was taken aback to see that the cheapest item was $10,000 for just one dish. ncing at Athena, who was enthusiastically selecting more food, Hera realized she had already pointed at no less than seven additional items. <i>��Doesn��t that mean it will be no less than $100k for just a single meal?��</i>

    She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. <i>��Once again, I find myself thinking with the same mindset I used to have. It seems Athena, unlike me, has effortlessly assimted back into her status and is doing better.��</i>

    Little did Hera know, Athena hadn��t even looked at the prices, choosing instead based on the visual appeal of the dishes.

    After calming down, Hera selected two dishes that looked appetizing to her, ones that Athena hadn��t yet chosen.

    In total, a dozen dishes were served to them after half an hour. The table was full of three types of soup and an array of dishes ranging from seafood and vegetables to pork, beef, and chicken. Athena had truly spared no expense in ordering whatever caught her eye.

    Hera could only offer Rafael an apologetic smile, but he didn��t seem to mind the abundance of dishes before him and began eating withoutment.

    Meanwhile, Athena smirked triumphantly, as if she had won a battle, and cast a smug nce at Hera before serving her some soup that she knew Hera would enjoy.

    They all ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. It wasn��t until then that Rafael noticed the other girl seated with Hera and her friend. It came as a surprise to him because Cindy was just as famous as him in the upper circle, owing to her connection to the Avery family. In their circle, it wasmon knowledge that Cindy was being groomed to serve the Avery heiress, much like her father had served the Old Master.

    It wasmon knowledge that she only dined out with her older brother and was rarely seen with friends others even said that she had no friends.

    Discovering Hera��s connection to Cindy came as a surprise to Rafael, akin to finding a treasure trove in a junkyard. His mind immediately began to strategize how to leverage Hera��s connection to get closer to Cindy. Despite their arrival, Cindy hadn��t uttered a single word, leading Rafael to specte that she might have invited Hera and her friend to the Golden Dragon Pavilion and had a close rtionship, <i>��maybe friends.��</i> That could very well have been the reason why Hera and her friend were in the establishment. After all, Rafael couldn��t fathom any other reason for them to dine there, given that they were just average college students with part-time jobs.

    Then Rafael remembered that the interview Hera took part in was filmed in the Green Dragon Manor where Cindy was currently stationed. <i>"So that must be it,"</i> he spected. "They must have crossed paths there, and she��s probably just entertaining Hera and her friend for whatever reason that��s known only to them." Rafael dismissed the notion that they were closely rted to each other because, for him, that seemed entirely impossible.

    He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the others, and directed an apologetic smile toward Cindy. "I��m sorry, Miss Brent if I neglected to greet you earlier. Please forgive my oversight."

    Cindy maintained a poker face and nced at Hera before responding. "It��s okay. I was just here to eat out..." Before she could continue, Hera nudged her foot while keeping a nk expression and kept on eating her food, signaling for her to stop talking.

    Undeterred, Cindy attempted to speak again. "I was just out eating with..." Once more, Hera nudged her foot, prompting Cindy to clear her throat and take a sip of water. "I��m sorry, my throat feels a little itchy."

 Chapter 26 Would you like to be a Celebrity?

    Rafael��s expression shifted into a blend of frustration and humiliation, unmistakably showing that Cindy held him in low regard. While he recognized Cindy��s courteous demeanor towards Hera as part of her role as a gracious host, the disparity in treatment was like a sharp blow to his pride, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

    Hera and Athena exchanged a subtle nce, struggling to contain their amusement as they observed the shifting expressions on Rafael��s face. It was undeniably entertaining to witness his reaction.

    Cindy, however, remained focused on attending to her young miss��s food preferences and habits, aiming to deepen her understanding of Hera. She even took note of any potential dietary restrictions to prevent any future mishaps.

    However, finding none, she decided to inquire directly. "Miss Ainsley, do you have any dietary restrictions?"

    Athena interjected jokingly on Hera��s behalf. "Miss Brent, there��s no need to worry. Hera here can eat anything, as long as it��s delicious. So, no need for concern."

    With a yful pout, Hera countered, "Are you suggesting I��m a glutton?" Her expression was endearing, inviting Athena to continue the yful banter.

    "Are you not?" Athena teased with a snort.

    Cindy savored the closeness between the two friends and indulged in their banter as if the entire room belonged solely to them. Meanwhile, Rafael��s growing irritation at being ignored became palpable.

    However, he couldn��t help but notice the exceptional level of attention Cindy was giving Hera, surpassing mere hospitality. Yet, he struggled toprehend why Cindy would be so invested in an ordinary college student. Intrigued, he found himself studying Hera more closely, searching for what might warrant such special treatment.

    <i>��Perhaps it��s her beauty?��</i> Rafael mused internally. <i>��She could easily grace the silver screen as a goddess or a peerless beauty.��</i> The longer he observed her, the more her features appealed to his aesthetic sensibilities, stirring his capitalist instincts once again.

    As his curiosity grew, he couldn��t resist asking, "Miss Ainsley, have you ever considered bing a celebrity?"

    The sudden question interrupted the yful banter between Athena and Hera, drawing their attention to Rafael. They both turned to him simultaneously, curiosity etched on their faces.

    Athena jumped in before Hera could respond, letting out a theatrical sigh. "Oh, please, do tell! I��ve been trying to convince my dear friend here to grace the silver screen for ages. s, she��s just too shy." Athena shrugged dramatically, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

    Hera shook her head with a resigned smile, ustomed to her friend��s ir for the dramatic. She couldn��t help but find amusement in Athena��s antics, even in serious moments.

    "Howe I��ve never seen that shyness in the interview earlier? She acted so well that it appeared so natural," Rafael sneered, his tone dripping with skepticism.

    Athena��s dramatic act came to an abrupt halt, and she fell silent.

    Hera met Rafael��s gaze squarely, her smile unwavering. "Oh, sir, you��re overestimating my capabilities. Those were genuine feelings I experienced during that interview. Although I don��t expect you to understand the feeling of being dumped, I do hope you can rte to being maliciously targeted, given your own experiences throughout your career." Her words were delivered with a calm resolve, devoid of any hint of backing down.

    Then she continued, "If you��re genuinely curious about whether I n on bing a celebrity, well, I couldn��t see myself bing one before. As I mentioned earlier, I was busy making ends meet. Though I��ve now freed myself from working as if my life depended on it, I still have other considerations and obligations to contend with." With a formal smile, she concluded her response.

    "I appreciate the offer, Mr. Briley, but I don��t have any ns to pursue a career in the entertainment industry," Hera respectfully declined with a smile.

    "Then consider it an open invitation. Feel free to reach out if you change your mind," Rafael persisted.

    "I��m afraid I won��t be changing my mind," Hera replied firmly.

    Rafael sighed in frustration, feeling like he was missing out on a lucrative opportunity. "Very well, let��s exchange numbers so I can provide you with the contract details and where you can get itter."

    Observing Hera��s momentarily confused expression, Rafael began to feel a twinge of irritation, sensing she might be misunderstanding him. "Just to rify, I��m referring to the contract pertaining to our earlier agreement regarding my sister."

    Hera��s puzzled expression quickly transformed into a lighthearted realization. "Oh, I see!" she eximed, lightly tapping her nose in a gesture of self-deprecation.

    With a few swift taps on his phone, Rafael navigated to his contacts and handed the device to Hera to input her number. Hera didn��t hesitate, swiftly entering her contact details. Despite her initial misunderstanding, she couldn��t help feeling a touch awkward for jumping to conclusions.

    However, Rafael had ulterior motives for securing Hera��s contact information. While she might not be interested in celebrity status now, he harbored the intention of capitalizing on any future financial difficulties she might face, luring her into a contractual agreement for his benefit. A sly smirk yed across his lips at the prospect of manipting the situation to his advantage. "Sooner orter, you��ll find yourself in my grasp, Hera Ainsley," he mused silently.

    After Hera finished inputting her number into Rafael��s phone, she handed it back to him. Rafael took a moment to ring her phone, ensuring the connection was established correctly. Satisfied when her phone rang, he returned his device to the inner pocket of his suit and offered Hera a smile. "Thank you for your time,dies. I hope I haven��t taken up too much of your evening, and I trust you enjoyed the dishes." He paused momentarily before discreetly pressing the button under the table to summon the server, ensuring the threedies had finished their meal before concluding their meeting.

    When the server arrived, Rafael gestured to him that he would be paying the bill. Shortly after, three additional servers appeared to clear the table. The server who had taken the check returned promptly with the receipt and a card reader, ready for payment.

    Athena remembered to request that the server pack up the remaining food for takeout. "Could you please pack these into clean containers for takeout? Thank you!" she said with a big smile. Although the servers seemed surprised, as it was umon for customers to request leftovers to be packed up, theyplied and sent the food to the kitchen to be packed.

    Even Rafael took a second look at Athena and offered, "If you��d like, you can just ce a new order for takeout. Don��t worry about the bill." His eyebrows raised in surprise as if he were witnessing a new continent appear before him.

    "Nah... I prefer the leftovers," Athena replied casually.

    Rafael shot Athena an odd look, which was hard to describe. Hera notices his expression and finds it amusing. She quickly interjected to save her friend��s image. "Mr. Briley, please don��t misunderstand. As regr college students who live paycheck to paycheck, we live frugally and don��t like to waste leftovers when we eat out. We usually pack them to take home and eat the next day. I suppose you could consider it a normal practice for people like us."

    Instead of his expression easing up, it only became even more odd.

    <i>��Then, did she just intentionally order a lot of food to take out so she can save up some food to store in her fridge?��</i> He thought and looked at Athena in disdain. He is not being petty and he does notck that bit of money but he feels used and now thinks badly of Athena.

    His contemtions remained hidden from Hera and Athena. Even if they were privy to his thoughts, they likely wouldn��t be fazed; perhaps they would simplyugh it off, as their prioritiesy elsewhere.

 Chapter 27 Being Kicked Out

    "Damn it! I just embarrassed myself, didn��t I?" She nced at Hera with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

    Hera chuckled softly as she observed Athena��s reaction. "Don��t worry about it. It��s actually advantageous if our enemies underestimate us. Imagine the surprise on their faces when they realize what we��re capable of. Plus, your family is just as affluent as his, so his opinion doesn��t hold much weight."

    "That makes sense." Athena agreed, letting go of her earlier concerns.

    After a brief wait for their takeout, they prepared to leave.

    "Would you like assistance taking the packed food to your car,dies?" offered the waiter.

    Hera smiled appreciatively. "That would be much appreciated."

    With Rafael gone, Cindy reverted to her respectful demeanor towards Hera. "Young miss, I��ll head out first to secure the food in our van."

    Hera nodded. "Thank you, Cindy. Athena and I will follow shortly."

    Cindy respectfully bowed to Hera. By now, the employees of the Golden Dragon Pavilion were well aware of Hera��s status. Initially, their respect stemmed from Cindy��s presence and their roles as guests of the establishment. However, as time passed, they came to understand Hera��s identity independently.

    Every business under the Avery banner knew the key figures: the venerable Old Master, Alfonse, Cindy, and her brother. It was customary for employees to be well-versed in the identities of their superiors and their immediate assistants. They understood that Cindy reserved her utmost respect for the Old Master while acknowledging the significant status of the sole heiress to the Avery empire.

    Who else could the young Miss, Cindy be serving aside from the Avery heiress? Instead of feeling intimidated by her status, they were filled with excitement at the prospect of encountering the real heiress for the first time. They made sure to memorize her facial features, eager to serve her better in the future.

    The remaining two servers respectfully trailed behind them in a single line, poised to offer assistance if Hera required it before departure. They also wanted to send her off.

    Engrossed in conversation about the earlier interview, Hera and Athena strolled toward the restaurant��s lobby. It wasn��t until they arrived that they noticed themotion unfolding there.

    "What do you mean by kicking us out?" A woman��s shrill voice reverberated through the lobby, drawing the attention of nearby guests. Curious, Hera and Athena, like the others, edged closer to observe the unfolding drama.

    Indeed, Hera and Athena were drawn to the spectacle like moths to a me. It would be a lie to im they weren��t interested in the free gossip, especially in a venue like the Golden Dragon Pavilion, frequented by influential figures. Such juicy tidbits were undeniably entertaining to them.

    While many maintained theirposure and observed discreetly, Hera and Athena were less restrained, openly drawn to the scene unfolding before them. Others, despite their curiosity, retained a sense of decorum and refrained from getting too close, perhaps out of residual pride or a desire to uphold their upbringing. However, there were exceptions like Hera and Athena, who couldn��t resist the allure of the drama and approached to get a better view.

    And because of them, more people came forward to watch openly prompting a growing crowd.

    "Miss, you know very well why I am kicking you out." the General Manager seethed, his anger palpable.

    "How was I supposed to know?! I came here with my friends to dine, and I��ve been a loyal customer for years. Is this how you treat your regrs?" ire��s voice carried frustration, her teeth clenched.

    "Hah! Loyalty as a customer ismendable, and I take responsibility for mistaking you for another esteemed guest. However, upon realizing that we had seated the wrong party in Pavilion 1, you should have cooperated and relocated to your original reservation. Instead, you chose to masquerade as the rightful person who reserved of Pavilion 1!" The General Manager��s retort was sharp, his tone filled with usation.

    "Why can��t you just let us finish our meal since we��re already seated there? It��s your mistake, so it��s only fair that we continue dining there aspensation. Why throw us out?" ire��s voice trembled as tears welled in her eyes. She scanned the room, hoping to garner sympathy from the other patrons. "Look, everyone, this is how Golden Dragon Pavilion treats its customers! We pay hundreds of millions a year for what? To be treated like rags?"

    Hera observed ire��s theatrical performance with a hint of amusement. However, when their eyes met, Hera didn��t give it much thought. For ire, though, seeing Hera there added fuel to her indignation. The humiliation was gnawing at her pride. <i>��How dare a pauper like Hera stand there and watch me get humiliated, reveling in my misery?!��</i> she seethed inwardly.

    ire gritted her teeth so hard that the taste of iron began to spread in her mouth. "You��ve openly admitted that it was your oversight that led us here. Instead of finding ways topensate, you��re kicking us out? On what grounds? Just because we refused to vacate Pavilion 1? We weren��t even informed of anyone else needing it. Was there even someone else scheduled to use it? And if not, why force us out and not allow us to continue using it?"

    Onlookers caught in the drama found themselves nodding in agreement with ire��spelling argument, sensing there was indeed no fault on her part.

    "I admit it was my mistake to assume you were the one who reserved Pavilion 1. However, I did confirm with you three times if you indeed had a reservation there, and you affirmed each time. There��s no denying this fact, as it��s captured clearly on our 360 security cameras with audio. Secondly, upon realizing the error, I made efforts to relocate you to your correct room and even offered top your meal aspensation. Yet, you persisted in remaining seated and proceeded to livestream your dining experience." The General Manager exined with professionalism as he kept reining in his anger.

    "I don��t need yourpensation! I can afford to pay for the food I ate, and I can pay for Pavilion 1 too!" She reached into her bag and produced her membership card. "I don��t need your charity!" With a swift motion, she flung the card towards the General Manager.

    "TSK! TSK! I can��t keep silent any longer..." A man in his mid-40s emerged from the crowd and positioned himself in front of ire, his eyes filled with disdain as he nced at ire��s entourage. "Youngdy, I��m not interested in who your father might be, and frankly, I couldn��t care less. But your utterck of social awareness is truly astonishing."

    Another wave of humiliation washed over ire as she was reprimanded in front of the crowd. She desperately wanted to salvage whatever pride she had left by paying for her meal and insisting on dining in that Pavilion.

    "Sir, I don��t know who you are, and I don��t recall offending you, so please refrain from interjecting in our conversation. I am already prepared to step back and settle the matter by paying them. Isn��t that sufficient?" ire��s words came through gritted teeth, her face flushed red with anger and humiliation.

 Chapter 28 Gerald Troy

    It only served to highlight the fact that she was nothing more than an ignorant youngdy from a mid-tier wealthy family.

    Only those who frequented the exclusive banquets of the inner echelons of high society truly recognized the General Manager��s significance. Despite his youthful appearance, he was revered as a formidable presence among the affluent, akin to a tiger navigating the densely popted forest of their social hierarchy. In a realm abundant with wealth and potential, his recruitment from one of the Avery family��s most esteemed vassal families underscored his unwavering trustworthiness and deep-rooted connections.

    Gerald Troy also shares a close childhood bond with Cindy��s elder brother, he oversees both the "Golden Dragon Pavilion" and "The Dragon Pce," the world��s only recognized 7-star hotel.

    Most of the Avery��s business dates back to their time serving as advisors to the country��s monarch. Consequently, many of their enterprises feature names like "Dragons" and "Pces," reflecting their historical origins. Despite the potential for modernization, they choose to retain these names as they carry significant familial and historical significance.

    Despite Gerald��s typically easygoing nature, he was growing increasingly irked by ire��s incessant chatter. Her lies and insults, not to mention the offense she had caused to an heiress he hadn��t even met, were getting under his skin. While he felt a strong urge to kick her out, he knew he couldn��t risk tarnishing the establishment��s reputation further by acting rashly. His initial excitement at the prospect of meeting their future boss had now turned into regret. If only he had remainedposed and cautious from the start.

    <i>��I really wanted to punch myself senseless for making this mistake!��</i> Gerald internally roasted himself.

    The middle-aged man who had spoken earlier burst intoughter at ire��s expense. "Ah, the bliss of youth and ignorance," he chuckled before turning serious and directing his gaze at her.

    Without waiting for her response, he continued his tone stern. "How dare you! A nobody dares to address Mr. Gerald Troy in such a manner? Even your dog of a father would likely have to plead for forgiveness if he heard the disrespect in your words."

    "How dare you speak about my father like that?!" ire shouted indignantly.

    "Why shouldn��t I? Who do you think you are?"

    The girls apanying ire began to cower behind her, hoping to avoid recognition, fearing the repercussions that would ensue if their families learned of their involvement in such an altercation.

    "Who do you think you are?! I��m a gold member of this restaurant!" ire retorted with an even louder voice than the man.

    "Ah, but being a gold-tiered member hardly makes you significant. Do you realize the extent of your entitlement simply because of a membership level? I, on the other hand, am a tinum-tier member, yet I exercise restraint and decorum. And here you are, behaving as if you��re entitled to the world like a child still clinging to their mother��s apron strings."

    ire��s face visibly turned as red as a tomato upon being directly called out, prompting a stifledugh from Athena. "This is quite the spectacle, isn��t it?" she whispered to Hera, who nudged her to keep quiet. Despite warning her friend, Hera herself couldn��t hide her amused grin, her shoulders shaking slightly as she struggled to contain herughter.

    But their subtle amusement inadvertently drew ire��s attention back to them.

    "If my status doesn��t warrant any respect from you, then why does this establishment allowmoners to dine here? Isn��t your sense of statuspletely skewed? Why should I be kicked out for the mistake made by the General Manager and not those two who are clearly social climbing?" ire pointed usingly at Hera and Athena, who were still enjoying the spectacle.

    Surprised, they both jolted, their eyes widening as they turned to face ire. "Why are you dragging us into your mess?" Hera eximed almost instantly.

    Everyone then turned to look at Hera and Athena in unison.

    "Why can��t I? Didn��t they just imply that this ce is only for those with status, even I don��t have a say, can��t you see?" ire sneered, dragging Hera into the matter. <i>��I won��t be going down on my own. I��ll drag you with me!!!��</i> She smiled evilly at Hera.

    Hera could feel ire��s malicious intentions for calling her out now, causing her brows to furrow tightly in disbelief. "I shouldn��t have joined in the fun," she thought to herself. "I��m regretting it now. I should have just gone straight home instead."

    But she refused to be dragged down by someone like ire. While she hadn��t fought back before when they attempted to bully her in high school, it wasn��t due to ack of will. Financial constraints had prevented her from retaliating then. But now, with no reservations or other concerns holding her back, she felt a surge of determination. The voice of her inner viiness screamed, "It��s time to get back at these entitled brats, don��t you think?!"

    Although she wasn��t subjected to severe bullying, Hera often found herself on the brink of idents caused by seemingly harmless pranks and their instigations that ended up in her almost getting molested on multiple asions. Despite her distress, the school was unable to intervene due to ack of evidence. Faced with the challenge of ensuring her own safety, Hera took matters into her own hands by working at a mixed martial arts studio to learn self-defense techniques. This decision empowered her to effectively protect herself from the threats posed by them.

    "ording to what you said, this ce values hierarchical status but that doesn��t mean that they will blindly throw someone who did not do anything wrong, especially since we were invited by one of the members to dine here for business."

    Hera unflinchingly met ire��s eyes. "What?! Do you view yourself higher than anyone standing in this room and so, you only value what you think? Besides, it��s not as if we were the ones who lied to get in a ce not meant for the public, and clearly, you did just that to warrant this kind of reaction from these people."

    Athena couldn��t resist but chime in. "This is the issue with ignorant brats. They fail to grasp reasoning. Even my dog is more intelligent; at least heprehends when I say ��No�� and heplies." Her condescending tone rang out clearly, elicitingughter from everyone in the room.

    "How dare you use me?! And how dare you topare me to a fucking Dog?!!!" ire shouted hysterically.

    "usation is different from facts. Get your head checked." Hera shot her down almost instantly.

 Chapter 29 Pay for my Meal?

    She wasn��t entirely foolish; she understood the significance of connections, which their family relied on for prosperity and avish lifestyle. Despite her earlier hastiness, she was now beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation. Aware of the mess she had created, she recognized the severity of the circumstances unfolding before her.

    "Are you seriously posing that question?" Hera quipped mockingly.

    "Just give me a straight answer!"

    "Let me simplify it for you. When you host a banquet, do you charge your guests for the food they consume, or do you ensure they are entertained until they leave satisfied with your hospitality?" Hera asked, her gaze subtly scanning the room. With her straightforward analogy, Hera effortlessly garnered support from those present.

    As Hera��s words sank in, heads around the room began to nod in agreement.

    "I can��t believe I��ll meet someone with this level of shamelessness, I thought, they only existed in dramas, but I guess I overestimated this kind of person."

    A hushed whisper rippled through the crowd, though it carried far enough to reach the ears of those nearby, including Hera.

    Athena couldn��t stifle a chuckle upon hearing it, further stoking ire��s growing hostility toward them. Undeterred, Athena refused to yield, engaging in a tense stare-down with ire and her entourage, even when they looked like they were about to eat her up alive.

    With a smirk, Athena interjected, her tone pointed. "Don��t attempt to deflect me by dragging us into the chaos you��ve caused. If you had simply heeded the earlier request to leave, you wouldn��t be facing this problem and it wouldn��t escte to what it is now." She scanned the room much like Hera had moments before, her gaze unwavering as she resumed speaking. "This ce is full of dragons and phoenixes but they still kept a certain level of decorum, yet, you, akin to a mere chihuahua, strut about with false bravado." Crossing her arms, Athena held her chin high, exuding confidence and defiance.

    <i>��Who didn��t know how to use public opinion to their advantage? You might think you are powerful but you��ll still drown in spit if a thousand people talk you down your high horse.��</i> Athena thought silently.

    Everyone in the lobby felt good being called dragons and phoenixes which made them choose Hera��s side right away, who wouldn��t like beingplimented rather than being slighted.

    The man seized another opportunity to interject. "Miss, you mentioned paying for your meal at Pavilion 1?" His chuckle dripped with mockery. "But did you realize that Pavilion 1 serves dishes crafted from the finest ingredients sourced worldwide? That��s why they omit prices from the menu. Even our country��s president has dined there only once, and it��s rumored to exhaust the bnce on your membership card in one sitting, which means, it cost no less than $100M." He narrated the tale with a sense of personal touch, his voiceced with longing and admiration as if he himself had experienced the grandeur firsthand.

    ire��s friends paled at the revtion, realizing the gravity of the situation. They were aware of ire��s scheme to dine at Pavilion 1 incognito, intending to boast about it within their circle and on social media. However, they hadn��t anticipated the situation escting to such extremes.

    "Mister, don��t fabricate stories just to draw attention to yourself," ire retorted, her anger evident. The notion of paying such an exorbitant amount seemed absurd to her. Even if she were to sell every branded item in her wardrobe, she doubted she coulde close to covering such a sum.

    After a prolonged silence, Gerald finally found a chance to speak. "Those were not fabrications; they��re indisputable facts. Pavilion 1 exclusively caters to our VVIP guests (The Avery members) and esteemed guests of the Avery family. We curate the finest ingredients sourced globally, crafted by world-renowned chefs. Only our VVIP guests have the means to indulge in such opulence," he dered with unmistakable pride.

    He pressed on, frustration evident in his tone. "We transport our ingredients using our private express nes daily," he emphasized. "You may consider it a trivial matter, but can you truly afford the ingredients you��ve consumed? Yet, that��s not even the gravest error you��ve made. By offending the sole heiress of the Avery family, you��ve not onlymitted a serious offense, but you��ve also potentially instigated conflict with the entire Avery itself." he concluded firmly.

    Gasps echoed throughout the entire lobby.

    "I swear I didn��t!" Even ire felt a cold sweat break out, her body tingling with fear. She couldn��t recall any altercation with the Avery heiress. "I didn��t even see the heiress anywhere here. I haven��t provoked anyone since arriving." She conveniently omitted any memory of quarreling with Hera, never suspecting her to be the heiress.

    Upon hearing this, Gerald retrieved his phone from his pocket, pulled up the reservation details for Pavilion 1, and read the cancetion note aloud. "Is that so? Then how did our heiress know it was you? It��s clearly stated here in the note: ��Lost my appetite after ire White disrespected me. Will not be returning.��"

    "How can this be?" ire��s friends exchanged concerned nces behind her. It dawned on them that they hadn��t engaged in any altercations besides the one with Hera. Their eyes collectively shifted towards Hera, their hands nervously tugging at the hem of ire��s dress.

    ire arrived at the same conclusion, yet the familiarity with Hera gave her pause. They had delved into Hera��s background and were aware of her humble upbringing, even during her parents�� lifetime. Although theycked detailed knowledge about her grandfather, but they knew he asionally visited Hera in a beaten-down Toyota he had driven for decades.

    As they contemted the situation, their minds drifted back to when ire had falsely imed to book Pavilion 1. Unbeknownst to them, it was actually the Avery heiress who had arranged the reservation. Could the heiress have taken offense upon realizing what they did? It seemed to be the only logical exnation.

    Their eyes met once more, both bearing the weight of a shared realization. Without hesitation, they aligned in a unified usation, "The Avery Heiress likely overheard ire falsely iming to have reserved Pavilion 1. And upon discovering that her room had been taken over, she left in anger." With meticulous detail, they ryed their theory to Gerald, leaving no aspect unexined.

    ire��s eyes widened like saucers as she heard her friends promptly shift the me onto her. "You!" she eximed, her eyes brimming with tears. Unable to deny their usations, she knew they were justified because she had indeed taken advantage of the situation when she was mistakenly believed to be the one who booked it.

    "Oh! And you have the audacity to call us social climbers?" Athena retorted, her toneced with disdain. "Who��s the one attempting to deceive others here? Youck the social status to warrant such treatment, yet you shamelessly sneaked in," she remarked, disdain evident as she pretended to blow a speck of non-existent dust from her nails with a dismissive "TSK TSK!"

    Athena enjoyed seeing the ever-so-arrogant ire suffering the consequences of her actions, she is usually uncontroble and loves to find trouble with her and Hera. "Oh! The satisfaction of seeing justice served is simply exquisite," Athena whispered to Hera, a yful gleam in her eyes. "I fear I might be addicted to this feeling."

    ire scanned the room, noting the disapproving gazes fixed upon her. <i>��How did ite to this?��</i> she wondered, perplexed by the turn of events.

 Chapter 30 An Hour Ago

    Once everything was meticulously prepared, Gerald took charge, leading the servers as they presented the dishes to ire and her friends. As he listened to their satisfiedpliments, a sigh of relief escaped him, reassured by their contentment with the meal.

    It took ire and her friends approximately 20 minutes to capture stunning photographs of each dish served to them, meticulously highlighting the specials crafted with exquisite and costly ingredients.

    With their photography sessionplete, they settled into their seats, ready to indulge in their meal. Sharing a knowing look apanied by triumphant smiles, they prepared to begin their dining experience.

    Meanwhile, Gerald discreetly excused himself from the room, allowing ire and her friends the privacy to savor their meal and engage in conversation. He ensured his phone remained in do-not-disturb mode, prioritizing his undivided attention to serving their esteemed VVIP guests without any distractions from calls or messages.

    Realizing Gerald was unreachable, his assistant resorted to calling the restaurant��s main line and urgently requested the front desk to deliver the phone to the General Manager. Upon receiving the urgent message, the front desk hurriedly made her way to Gerald and handed him the cordless telephone, panting from the rush.

    Confusion clouded Gerald��s thoughts as he epted the phone. Why would his assistant make such an urgent call knowing he was upied attending to their VVIP guest?

    "What��s the matter?" Gerald inquired.

    "Sir, I believe you��re still waiting for our VVIP guest. But I just received..." His assistant began.

    Gerald interrupted, a furrow forming on his brow with confusion. "Wait, what? Our guest is currently seated in Pavilion 1, enjoying their meal."

    "Huh?!" His assistant��s surprise was evident as he nced back at the monitor screen. "But I just received a notification stating the guest canceled their reservation."

    "What?!" Gerald��s voice rose several decibels in shock.

    "I��ve been attempting to reach you since earlier, but it appears your phone is in do not disturb mode. I had to resort to calling the restaurant��s line to ry the message so you wouldn��t wait nervously," his assistant exined urgently.

    His assistant continued, "I also discovered that the reservation was made by our future boss. The name listed is Hera Avery, gged in the system as the highest level of security and importance."

    "Ah!" Gerald nearly shouted in a mix of shock and frustration as the realization dawned on him. He began to rey the scene from when he arrived at the restaurant and his previous conversation with ire.

    While Gerald was lost in thought, his assistant dropped another bombshell. "She also left a note stating that someone offended her, which is why she left. I��ll send you the details."

    Upon hearing this, Gerald barged into the room and immediately began questioning ire about her name and reservation information. Despite providing her full name, ire remained tight-lipped about her reservation details, offering only a smile in response.

    "Aren��t we enjoying our meal now? What��s the matter, General Manager?" ire said calmly, her voice poised.

    They had only taken a few bites of the exquisite fare, savoring both the culinary experience and the delectable spread before them, when the General Manager unexpectedly barged in.

    "Please, Miss ire, could you confirm whether you��re the one who reserved Pavilion 1?" Gerald asked, though his smile appeared somewhat strained.

    "If not, why else would we be seated here? I kindly request some privacy to enjoy our meal undisturbed. It��s starting to get cold, you know," ire responded diplomatically.

    "I simply need to rify the reservation," he maintained his practiced smile, though tension crept into his expression. Despite his efforts to appearposed, the bulging nerve in his hands and the clenching of his jaw betrayed his inner turmoil. At that moment, he keenly realized the magnitude of the mistake he had made, driven by his own excitement.

    "What��s there to verify when we��re already seated here, enjoying our meal? I��m a regr patron of this restaurant, so even if you��re not familiar with me, your employees certainly are," ire retorted, her tone edged with frustration.

    "Then, for thest time, did you or did you not make this reservation?" Gerald pressed, his patience wearing thin.

    "Why are you so fixated on such a trivial matter?" ire��s voice rose with frustration.

    Having received the answers he sought, Gerald leaned in to whisper to the front desk attendant who remained nearby, clutching the cordless telephone. "Call the guards."

    The front desk girl gasped in surprise, her gaze darting between ire and Gerald, before ultimately deciding to heed Gerald��s instructions.

    After instructing the front desk attendant, Gerald turned back to face ire. "I apologize for the misunderstanding," he said, his tone softening slightly.

    Hearing his words, ire felt a wave of relief, thinking that the coast had finally cleared up and they were no longer under suspicion. However, she was caught off guard by his next statement.

    "However, I must ask you to relocate to your originally reserved private room. As you may be aware, this area is off-limits to the public, and my misconception has caused this confusion. Nheless, I willp your meal," he stated through gritted teeth. It was indeed his misunderstanding that led to the situation, but despite that, ire could have corrected him. Instead, she epted it without protest and even attempted to deceive him.

    Had his assistant not gone out of his way to call him directly through the restaurant��s line to inform him, allowing him to assess the situation with the avable information, he would have indeed happily provided aplimentary meal without realizing that their boss had been offended in some manner.

    Despite his frustration, he maintained his professionalism as a general manager. He pulled out his phone, essed the message sent by his assistant, and clicked on the included link, directing him to the reservation page for Pavilion 1. As he read the note left there, his anger intensified, but he realized there was little he could do. He had already delivered his verdict before learning of this additional information.

    Unlike his employees, Gerald had only encountered and personally served the Avery Family and their closest associates. Therefore, he feltpelled to confirm whether the individual mentioned in the note was indeed the same person dining in Pavilion 1. He promptly essed the restaurant��s database to verify this information.

    Lo and behold! It was indeed the same person. Gerald felt a surge of frustration as he realized he was serving the individual who had offended their boss, future boss to be exact.

    He felt a pang of regret, wishing he could p himself for this grave error. This was the first major mistake of his career, and he struggled to envision how he would exin himself. Hoping their boss wasn��t too vindictive, Gerald braced himself for the repercussions.

    Despite Gerald��s attempts to relocate ire��s entourage to their originally reserved private room, they adamantly refused to move and continued live streaming their dining experience, even as they observed his growing vexation. Gerald made several more civil attempts to resolve the situation, but they remained obstinate.

    Eventually, upon the arrival of the security guards, Gerald refrained from furthermunication and simply instructed the guards to escort them to the lobby. The security teamplied, and ire��s entourage was forcibly removed from Pavilion 1.

 Chapter 31 Punishment

    But ire, seemingly eager to assert herself once more, chose that moment to make her presence known. In a pleading tone, she said, "Please forgive me this once. Consider my loyalty to this establishment. I��ve been a regr customer here for a very long time. Besides, didn��t the Avery heiress cancel her reservation anyway?" With a selective memory, she conveniently overlooked her own involvement in the cancetion and downyed the entire thing to suite her situation. She also conveniently forgotten how she disrespected Gerald multiple times.

    "I��m d you mentioned that," Gerald said, his expression unreadable. "This establishment has a set of rules that members must properly follow if they wish to remain part of our membership. Unfortunately for you, you have been disqualified from membership qualification and will be cklisted for a lifetime." Gerald dropped the bomb without batting an eyelid.

    "What?!" ire��s voice raised several pitches higher upon hearing the news. The card she had been using belonged to her father. "No! Please! Anything but that! I promise to follow the rules properly from now on," she pleaded with a trembling voice.

    She can��t get their membership taken from them, her father has relied on forging connections with individuals who have a higher social standing than them. Coming to Golden Dragon Pavilion is also another way to connect with wealthier individuals with richer resources, loosing their membership here will surely cripple theirpany one way or another.

    Her father had gone to great lengths to climb thedder of social status and obtain a membership card. While it might seem insignificant to those in higher circles, for their family, which relied heavily on connections and socializing, it was a significant achievement and a heavy loss.

    There will be a huge opportunity that they will miss without their membership. And Gerald is well aware of that, their Golden Dragon Pavilion is also considered as awork and information hub. That��s why they have difficult social qualifications to be a member.

    The Avery family wouldn��t have reached their current status without a reliable source of intelligence. Recognizing this, their ancestors established the Golden Dragon Pavilion. Originally, it served as an inn for travelers during their time as advisors to the monarch. They understood the importance of gathering useful information to devise effective solutions to challenges. Today, the family leverages thiswork as a cornerstone of their business empire.

    The members of the Golden Dragon Pavilion will have ess to valuable information once they meet specific requirements. Some individuals would go to great lengths, even resorting to extreme measures, to secure a slot in this exclusive circle. Such memberships are highly coveted due to the invaluable benefits they offer. However, gaining entry is not guaranteed, and once an opportunity is lost, there��s no certainty of another chance in the future.

    This exclusive option is reserved for members who have met specific requirements, a privilege known only to those who receive the service. It remains a mystery how ire��s father became aware of this offering, but it aligns with his longstanding ambition to join the coveted 1% of members. Thus, he has spared no effort in pursuing this goal.

    Gerald understood that revoking ire��s membership was the most fitting punishment for her stepping out of line. As ire beeing cklisted from the Golden Dragon Pavilion unfolded before the eyes of those present, there was little sympathy for her plight. In fact, many onlookers viewed it as just retribution for her actions. Some even found a silver lining in ire��s downfall, anticipating the opportunity for someone else to im her vacated spot, particrly the coveted gold membership.

    "This ban will take immediate effect," he announced firmly. Then, casting a nce at the front desk attendant who had been quietly observing, he instructed, "Spread the word that there will be one opening for a gold-tier membership at the Golden Dragon Pavilion."

    The front desk attendant nodded and left to do her work.

    Upon hearing the news, ire burst into tears, and a loud thud echoed through the lobby as she dropped to her knees, clinging to Gerald. "Sir, please have mercy! My father will surely kill me if he finds out about this!" she pleaded desperately.

    "Miss White, I��m afraid it��s toote for that now. I provided you ample opportunities earlier toe clean, yet you persisted in deceiving me, even causing offense to Miss Avery," hemented, shaking his head with regret (his fake regret that is only for show).

    Only their people knew that the Avery owns the Golden Dragon Pavilion, to the outside world, the Avery only holds a share but nothing more.

    Blocking their path to sess due to tonight��s altercation might seem petty, but he cared little about that. His priority was ensuring that such incidents didn��t ur with their boss while she stayed in his territory.

    Just like Cindy��s family, his family also has a long history with the Avery and they vowed to be the protector of the Avery from the shadows while Cindy��s family remains as the vanguard standing with the head. He can��t me anyone for not knowing who the heiress to the Avery is because her information was locked with the highest security there is in their system. This is to protect her from information leakage while she lives outside, but now that she came back, he hopes that this information will be avable to their people.

    He is sure that his best friend will be happy to know that the leader they��ve been waiting for a long time has finally showed up.

    Each generation in their families undergoes rigorous training to be the perfect subordinate to the heir, much like their predecessors. They are akin to emperors with their trusted aides. He and his best friend went through this, and there are countless others scattered across the globe, ready to serve their designated roles with unwavering loyalty and dedication.

    "No! No! I refuse to ept this!!!" ire shrieked hysterically as the security escorted her out.

    "I��m afraid the decision is not yours to make, Miss White," Gerald replied calmly, gesturing for the security to proceed with removing them from the premises.

    "Why are you treating me like this?!" ire eximed, she saw the snickering Athena on the side, she mustered all her strength and ran to Hera to drag her by the hair with her. She can��t ept being humiliated while Hera was having the time of her life.

    Hera��s reflexes were faster than ire��s. She seized ire��s hand and squeezed it with all her strength, leaving bruising marks. "You can continue to make a spectacle of yourself, but I will not dance to your tune," Hera smirked, then pushed ire forcefully, causing her to lose her bnce and fall onto her butt.

    ire struggled against the security, feeling unfairly judged and cornered with no way out. But before she could say anything.

    Gerald��s furious outburst snapped ire out of her malicious thoughts. "Make one more move," he growled, his jaw clenched tightly and a visible vein throbbing in his temple, "and I��ll ensure your entire family will go begging on the streets tonight!"

    Even the other guests were taken aback by his sudden outburst. Just moments ago, he was cordial and still avoiding conflict, but now his demeanor had shifted to clear hostility.

    Hera nced at him with raised eyebrows, and ire instantly stopped struggling, her face pale with realization. She didn��t know what to make of the unfolding scenario. Blinded by panic, she had med everyone around her, never considering that it all stemmed from her actions. Now, she cried, consumed by worry over how to exin it all to her father.

 Chapter 32 Going Home At Last!

    After confirming Cindy��s presence alongside Hera, and witnessing her respectful treatment of Hera, Gerald��s belief that Hera was indeed the Avery heiress was reinforced. With humility, he offered a deep bow to Hera, expressing his sincere apology for the unfortunate events involving ire and her friends in the lobby.

    "Young miss," Gerald straightened his posture, addressing Hera with the formality akin to addressing amander. "My name is Gerald Troy. I am the one responsible for the Golden Dragon Pavilion and The Dragon Pce. Please allow me the honor of serving you." Though he felt his words were somewhat awkward and cringy, but Gerald had long desired to express these words.

    Cindy��s lips twitched violently with a cringe, prompting her to take a step back, gently pulling Hera along and ignored Gerald. "Young miss, everything has been arranged. Let��s return," she said, her smile appearing somewhat forced. "The Old Master has been eagerly awaiting your return home."

    Gerald��s smile broadened as he look at their heiress standing before him. In that moment, he felt a profound sense of fulfillment, as if all the hard work and dedication he had poured into his role over the years had finally borne fruit. This, he realized, was the purpose that had been guiding their lives all along. <i>��Maybe this is how uncle Alfonse felt while serving the Old Master all these years? Only now did I understand that there really is joy in serving a deserving master.��</i>

    To serve this very person, to ascend to greater heights, and to achieve excellence. Upon recognizing her true identity, he reyed the events in the lobby and found even greater joy in realizing that their heiress remainedposed and dignified throughout. Her demeanor was befitting of her position and earned their utmost respect. She neither flinched in the face of adversity nor unted her status arrogantly, unlike the woman earlier. <i>��She embodies the traits of her predecessor: humble and kind, yet possessing unwavering determination in the face of challenges.��</i>

    Just contemting it fueled his admiration for her, spurring him to excel further in his duties. Hera, oblivious to his thoughts, simply wished not to be ire��s meatshield for no apparent reason.

    Facing Gerald, who wore a somewhat foolish smile, she inquired, "Is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

    Gerald was jolted from his reverie and alertly answered Hera. "No ma��am! I was just here to show my respect to the sole heiress of the Avery and nothing more!"

    Hera��s eyebrows lifted as she chuckled, finding Gerald��s demeanor amusing. Unlike Cindy, who was reserved and tended to keep to herself, Gerald was outgoing and straightforward. While he usually went with the flow, he was serious when it came to work, always mindful of avoiding any trouble for the Avery family or causing them any disadvantages.

    "Alright then, I am d to meet you, General Manager Troy," Hera said warmly as she extended her hand for a handshake.

    Gerald��s demeanor was akin to meeting his idol in real life for the first time. He eagerly shook Hera��s hand without reservation. "Young miss, I��ve been eagerly anticipating this moment for a long time. Your other aides share the same excitement as me. It was a pleasant surprise to find you here; we didn��t even know you had returned. I��m looking forward to seeing the smug face of your stand-in wash over with surprise," Gerald chirped enthusiastically, resembling an excited squirrel discovering a nut after a long drought.

    Cindy couldn��t hold back any longer and stepped in between them. "Gerald, please mind your actions and words. Young miss has just returned and is still adjusting to everything, so please try to be more considerate," she said gently, casting a protective nce at Hera.

    "Oh! Right! I��m sorry young miss for my inappropriate actions." His demeanor changed like to a wilting nt.

    Hera chuckled once more, pleasantly surprised by their eagerness to meet her and their perception of her. She felt a sense of belonging and warmth in his reception. Her demeanor softened further, and she smiled as she replied, "Thank you, Gerald. I��m grateful for your warm wee. We��ll have plenty of opportunities in the future to get to know each other better and work effectively."

    Hearing her response, Gerald nodded eagerly, his smile widening like a child receiving a treat.

    "Would it be alright, young miss, if I add you to our group chat? It��ll give others a chance to know you��re back," Gerald asked eagerly.

    Hera nodded with a smile before Cindy guided her towards the waiting van.

    <i>��Wait, did she just... use my first name?��</i> Gerald realized with a surge of happiness and excitement, feeling as if he��d won a prize.

    Once Hera and the others were seated inside the van, Athena began to piece things together. "So, Golden Dragon Pavilion is also one of your properties?" she asked incredulously, looking at Hera, who just smiled in response without confirming or denying.

    "You knew, didn��t you?!" Athena eximed, realizing Hera��s knowledge of the situation.

    Letting out a heavy sigh, Athena continued, "If I had known, I wouldn��t have held back. I would��ve made sure to put ire in her ce."

    "You��ll have plenty of chances in the future," Hera reassured Athena, sensing her frustration over the earlier events. "How about we go shopping tomorrow?"

    "Ooooh! Is the heiress learning how to indulge in luxury now? Shopping extravagantly?" Athena teased Hera.

    Hera chuckled. "Why not? After all, don��t I owe you for turning down almost all your invitations to hang out together?"

    Athena sneered yfully. "Hmp! I��m d you��re not feigning innocence and forgetting that you owe me a date or two." Then she remembered something and added, "Why don��t youe with me to pick up my new baby tomorrow?" She grinned mischievously.

    "Alright then." Like typical girls their age, they engaged in conversations about almost everything, not stopping until they reached the Avery mansion. Cindy sat in the passenger seat, silently listening and chuckling when they said something funny. Athena decided to stay and sleep in the mansion, making it easier for them to go shopping the next day.

 Chapter 33 Stolen Picture

    Hera remained doubtful but still took the clothes from Athena��s arms and proceeded to change. While she was changing, Athena also selected a pair of white stilettos with gold-ted heels and a pastel pink limited edition Birkin bag toplement her outfit.

    Once Hera was fully dressed, Athena admired Hera��s reflection in the mirror, cing both hands on her hips with a big grin on her lips. "Beautiful!" she eximed.

    "Indeed, no wonder you were the Vogue��s chief editor in your past life!" Hera echoed, offering her friend apliment. Hera was truly surprised to see herself looking different after dressing up. "I look like a wealthydy," she joked.

    Athena yfully knocked on Hera��s head. "Because you are!"

    "And so are you!" Hera giggled, taking a twirl in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror inside her wardrobe.

    After the two had their fill of fooling around and admiring themselves in the mirror, they descended to have breakfast with the Old Master. As Hera made her way down the stairs, the servants bustling about halted, casting admiring nces her way.

    "Oh my! My princess has finally worn the clothes I bought!" The Old Master��s smile stretched from ear to ear at the sight of his granddaughter dressed so elegantly. "Are you both going out?" he inquired.

    "Yes, Grandpa! I��ll go with Athena to pick up her new car, and we��ll go shopping afterward," Hera replied, her steps light as she moved to cling to her grandfather��s arm.

    "Good, good! You indeed have to enjoy yourself. Your sses will start again in a few days. You have to get out more," the Old Master advised, patting his granddaughter��s hand affectionately.

    Hera nodded in agreement and assisted her grandfather to the dining table, Athena following closely behind. As they settled in, Athena couldn��t resist sharing a picture of Hera she had secretly taken earlier while she was admiring herself in the mirror.

    [Athena_Lowry: Look at what I found. XOXO. Isn��t our Hera beautiful and elegant?]

    No editing was done to the picture, capturing Hera��s natural beauty. Her bare face glowed with a subtle tint of pink on her cheeks, and her lips boasted a natural plump redness. Cascading down her waist, her long wavy hair framed her youthful features as she poised to twirl before the mirror. With a hint of sweet cuteness and an air of elegance, Hera appeared radiant in the photo.

    Just a minute passed after she posted the picture, and her post was already flooded with likes andments. The recent interview fromst night still lingered in people��s minds, andizens were actively discussing it online, despite Rafael��s team attempting to scrub any information that could tarnish Minerva��s reputation.

    The fans Hera recently gained were particrly delighted to see the picture.

    [Annalise: Oh my goodness!!! Sister looks absolutely stunning! Her beauty just brightened up my entire day! Who needs coffee when you have her to admire? (hearteye_emoji)]

    [HeraismyGoddess: I went from being a Hera hater to a full-on fan overnight, and I��m already in for a treat?!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Good morning, my dear little sister Hera!! This picture is going straight to my screensaver. Thank you, poster! <3]

    [PasserbyGod: Oh, is our beloved Goddess off on a date today?! (smirking_emoji)]

    [AllOfMe: Noooo! I��ve just discovered my Goddess, and now she��s already off on a date? Who��s the bastard? I��ll hunt them down! (knife_emoji)]

    Hera noticed Athena snickering on her phone with a secretive demeanor, but she decided not to dwell on it. She had grown ustomed to Athena��s mischievous antics over time. Unbeknownst to her, Athena was capturing another sneaky photo of her, which she promptly posted right after the first one. This quickly caught the attention of those who were already admiring her previous post.

    [HeraismyGoddess: OMG, poster! Are you Hera��s rtive, friend, or just a dedicated fan/stalker?!!!]

    [PasserbyGod1: Bro from above, the poster might be all of those, but let��s admit it, we��re the real stalker squad here. KEKEKE!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: I��d proudly be Hera��s online stalker any day! Look at her, isn��t she just the epitome of elegance and cuteness while dining?! I��m feeling ecstatic right now! Poster, keep up the good work!]

    [MamaLin: +1]

    [TraveleronTheRoad: Is she a rising celebrity? She��s stunning! And that outfit, is it from a legit Haute Couture collection?!]

    The seemingly innocent question from onementer grabbed the attention of otherizens, prompting them to check Hera��s attire in the previous picture. This sparked a new wave of buzz on the inte as they delved into identifying what Hera was wearing and its price.

    But Athena, the instigator, remained unaware of how things were unfolding on the inte because she had already set her phone aside and begun eating. She felt a sense of pride for being able to share Hera��s beautiful attire, akin to a parent witnessing their toddler��s first steps or hearing their first words, and proudly sharing their child��s milestone with others.

    Athena even entertained the idea of starting a Hera blog, where she could ndestinely capture Hera��s candid moments and share them online. She believed it could easily amass a fanbase rivaling those of other renowned celebrities. <i>��Isn��t it like having a money tree right beside me?��</i> she mused, casting a nce at Hera, who was engrossed in conversation with her grandfather while enjoying her meal.

    Hera shivered as a cold sensation ran down her spine. <i>��Who could be plotting against me?��</i> she wondered, feeling a twinge of unease.

 Chapter 34 I can’t do it

    Upon hearing Hera��s words, Athena��s rm was evident as she swiftly seized Hera��s arm just as she reached for her phone in her bag. Drawing her close, Athena initiated a conversation to divert Hera��s attention from the topic at hand. "You know, now that we have a moment to reflect and talk about it, wasn��t Rafael quite the catch?" Athena remarked, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

    "You��re fangirling again," Hera chuckled.

    "Oh,e on, don��t try to deny it. I caught you ogling at him when he arrivedst night," Athena teased with a knowing smile.

    "Ogling?!" Hera��s voice rose a few octaves. "I absolutely was not!"

    "Don��t even try to deny it! I saw you," Athena insisted, her grin yful.

    "What?! Are your eyes splitting in two different directions to see my expression? You were the one clearly captivated the moment he stepped in. You even forgot to breathe," Hera chuckled, remembering Athena��s reaction from the previous night.

    "Haha! Unlike you, I won��t deny it. I openly ogle at someone��s face and body!" Athena teased, unabashed.

    "You were so eager to meet the male leads you��ve been moring about from the novel. Aren��t you thrilled to see one now?" Hera whispered yfully to Athena.

    "Absolutely! He matched the description from the book perfectly. Handsome doesn��t even begin to cover it. Now I��m even more eager to see what the charming first male lead looks like. If Rafael was the bad guy version, then the first male lead must be theplete opposite, like the sun and the moon," Athena gushed, pausing briefly before adding, "I couldn��t help but envy the female lead for having her own buffet of vors to choose from every day among her five leading men."

    "Why don��t you get a man then?" Hera said with a yful smirk. "Maybe I could ask Auntie to find you one now?"

    Athena gasped dramatically and pouted. "You wouldn��t dare!"

    "Why wouldn��t I? Weren��t you just looking forward to having your own selection of vors?" Hera teased.

    "No! That��s just a figure of speech!" Athena protested.

    "How about six, then you��ll have more than the female lead?" Hera teased, chuckling.

    "No way! Do I look like I can handle more than one with my body?! I��d be shredded and skewered to death," Athena repliedically.

    Hera couldn��t contain herughter at the mental image of Athena��s petite frame surrounded by tall, muscr men. It was almost tooical to bear, she wouldn��tst long in such a scenario.

    "Stopughing!" Athena yfully tapped Hera��s head.

    "Sorry, I can��t help it. I just keep picturing you in that scenario. With Rafael��s athletic build and towering height of 185 cm, you��d be like a child among giants. And if even more of those body masses crowded around you... Hahaha. I can��t handle it, God!" Hera chuckled between breaths.

    "Shut up! I didn��t even say I wanted to be like the female lead. I was merely pondering how she manages to handle all five of them and the endurance she must possess tost all night with such a crowd. It��s entertaining to read about, but the thought of experiencing it is downright terrifying," Athena stated, crossing her arms defensively as a shiver ran down her spine.

    Hera ceased teasing Athena and inquired, "But why is your reaction different from what I anticipated?"

    "What did you expect, exactly?" Athena queried, arching her eyebrows in curiosity.

    "Well, I was half-expecting you to be swooning over him throughout the entire dinnerst night," Hera confessed.

    "Oh, that?" Athena chuckled. "I suppose I��ve grown immune to good looks after being subjected to your face almost every day. You could say you��ve be my new benchmark of beauty."

    "Then I suppose no one would meet your impable beauty standards anymore," Hera quipped, anticipating Athena��s yful retort. However, to her surprise, Athena simply nodded in agreement, momentarily catching Hera off guard. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Hera fell silent, chastising herself for her unintended boast. The once light-hearted banter now felt ufortably egotistical to continue, causing Hera to withdraw, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

    Athena knew this well, so she wore a smug smile on her face after ensuring Hera stopped making fun of her.

    With a defeated sigh, Hera couldn��t help but inquire, "What��s on your mind?"

    "If only their intentions weren��t solely focused on your family��s wealth, we might have considered befriending them," Athenamented. "The character in the book was described as diligent, virtuous, the epitome of an exemry female protagonist. Readersuded her for herpassion and generosity."

    Hera chuckled softly, herughter tinged with an unspoken undertone. She refrained from vocalizing her thoughts, cautious not to prematurely assume anything. Yet, she also recognized the importance of not growingcent or needlessly fretting about whaty ahead. Instead, she resolved to take proactive steps, ensuring she was adequately prepared and maintaining a watchful eye on the future.

    Their conversation dwindled as they reached the entrance of the car dealership, where Athena confidently guided them inside. Stepping into the upscale establishment, they were met with warm greetings and a level of respect that stood in stark contrast to their usual encounters. Hera couldn��t help but ponder the situation. ��<i>Appearances truly hold sway,��</i> she mused silently. Witnessing the significant disparity in treatment based on outward appearance left her torn between finding it somewhat amusing and feeling deeply frustrated.

    "Wee to A&D Car Dealership Co. My name is Jess; please let me know what you��re in the market for, and I��ll be happy to assist you," the man at the entrance introduced himself.

    "Hello, I wasn��t nning on browsing today; I��m actually here to pick up a pre-ordered car," Hera exined.

    "Ah, I see. Please provide me with the details of your order, and I��ll check on it for you," Jess responded courteously, ready to help.

    "Hurry up, Babe! I heard the customized mint green Bugatti Chiron has just arrived," a woman��s voice interrupted, demanding Jess��s immediate assistance.

 Chapter 35 Car Dealership

    Minerva snorted at the thought of Hera resorting to selling herself for a better life. <i>��What? Is she deliberately unting herself in front of Alexi, that��s why she stalked him here?! Ha! Is this her new way to get his attention? But she��s already damaged goods!��</i>

    Minerva stepped forward and openly gave Hera a once-over before sarcastically remarking, "Seems you found yourself a thick leg to cling on."

    Alexi understood what Minerva was implying and was instantly incensed. <i>��He hasn��t even touched her, and she��s already given herself to someone else?��</i>

    "Hera, we just broke up for a few days, and you��re already going around sleeping with men? Were all these the gifts they have given you?" He sneered self-depreciatingly as if Hera had wronged him. "Was all this worth it?"

    His disappointment was palpable, tinged with a simmering anger he hadn��t anticipated. He never imagined Hera would resort to such depths to retaliate against him. He had hoped she would show some patience, some faith in their bond. Despite not being born into the opulence Minerva enjoyed, he still possessed an acute awareness of luxury, making Hera��s extravagant attire all the more puzzling. How could she exin it, he wondered, <i>��other than by securing herself a wealthy sugar daddy?��</i>

    Hera and Athena exchanged incredulous nces, silently verifying they had both heard the same usation. Hera found it almostical that Alexi and Minerva would throw such an usation, especially considering his own questionable actions involving cheating for money.

    What led Minerva to believe Hera would stoop so low as to trade her dignity for money, especially when she hadn��t even engaged in intimacy with Alexi during their shared affectionate years?

    She fought the urge tough, opting instead for a stoic silence. Yet, a faint smile graced her lips, camouging the inner turmoil beneath a veneer of nonchnce. To im that his words hadn��t affected her would be untrue. After all, they had shared years of bond, and the official end to their rtionship had transpired only a few days ago

    <i>��Is this how he��s always seen me? What gave him the idea I��dpromise my integrity for money?��</i>

    "Hmph! People with dirty minds always see the world through a distorted lens. It��s no surprise that��s all you coulde up with, unable to stand seeing others seed beyond your petty schemes," Athena quipped, her sarcasm aimed at the deceitful pair.

    Athena��s words jolted Hera out of her reverie, their sincerity soothing her inner turmoil instantly. <i>��She truly is my best friend,��</i> she thought, a radiant smile gracing her face as she turned towards the couple, who had been hypocritically pointing fingers despite their own questionable actions and moral shorings.

    "This is thest thing I expected to hear from someone who delights in stealing another��s boyfriend and someone who prioritizes career over love," Hera retorted sharply before turning away, flicking her hair dismissively. Inadvertently, Hera��s hair brushed against Minerva��s eyes, causing her to tear up and blink incessantly.

    Jess, silently observing from the sidelines, felt a headacheing on. It wasn��t umon for him to witness the subtle power struggles within the upper echelons. Over the years, he had learned the importance of not judging a book by its cover and not blindly epting rumors without firsthand evidence. He knew all too well that such missteps could lead to one��s downfall.

    Having learned the lesson the hard way, he had grown increasingly discerning over time. As he watched the fight unfold before him, he knew better than to underestimate any of the individuals involved, particrly considering his own position. Therefore, he made a great effort to minimize his presence, determined not to be drawn into their squabble.

    Yet, despite his efforts to remain aloof, Jess found himself unexpectedly pulled into Minerva��s orbit, forced to make a decision he had hoped to avoid.

    "Jess, you��re aware that my family has been loyal customers of this shop. You should be assisting me instead of allowing this woman to cause trouble here! Kick them out!"

    Jess��s mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no sound escaped. He resembled a fish gasping for air, his breathsbored and his head spinning with dizziness. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he found himself engulfed in the tempest raging around him. With the realization that one misstep could spell his doom, he uttered a desperate plea. "Oh God! Please help me!" In a moment of desperation, he reached out to a power he hadn��t called in a long time, believing that only a miracle could save him from this dire predicament.

    "For someone who enjoys meddling, you certainly live up to expectations," Athena remarked mockingly to Minerva, her wordsden with insinuation, hinting at Minerva��s alleged fondness for intervening in the affairs of others, including potentially engaging in morally questionable actions like being a mistress or pilfering from others.

    While it was true that Minerva had indeed pursued Hera��s boyfriend, she detested beingbeled as a mistress or a boyfriend-stealer. Unable to contain her rising anger, she erupted in a shout. "Shut up! Stop calling me that, or I��ll make you regret it!" After her outburst, she managed to rein in her anger slightly, but the fury still simmered beneath the surface. "Just wait and see. Let��s see if you��ll be able to speak again after I��m through with you."

    Hera couldn��t help but stifle a smile; Athena seemed to possess a remarkable talent for provoking intense anger in others. She had a knack for pinpointing exactly when and how to strike to ignite a whirlwind of rage within them, enough to make them cough out blood from anger.

 Chapter 36 A Witch Indeed

    Hera encourages Athena to expedite the pickup process so they can depart from the premises swiftly. Fortunately, Minerva refrains from engaging them in a confrontation for Jess��s assistance and instead heads directly to the store��s office. Whatever she��s up to in there remains a mystery to the two of them, but their agenda isn��t contingent upon Minerva��s actions.

    After Athena provided the necessary information to Jess, he promptly headed to the indoor garage housing the pre-ordered cars and those avable for test drives. After 10 minutes psed without his return, they spected he might be encountering difficulties locating the car or arranging logistics. However, as an additional 20 minutes passed without any sign of Jess, concerns arose that something unforeseen might have urred. Consequently, Hera and Athena decided to take matters into their own hands and check the situation firsthand.

    Athena had previously visited the store with her father to inspect the cars in the showroom and ce their order, so she was already familiar with the location of the inner garage. Confident in her knowledge, she led Hera there without hesitation.

    Even before they reached the entrance to the inner garage, they could hear Jess��s voice, filled with distress and almost pleading. Sensing that something serious had urred, they exchanged a meaningful nce before quickly dashing to get a closer look at what was happening inside.

    As they entered, they found Jess with outstretched arms, guarding the Bugatti Chiron and preventing anyone from approaching it, while earnestly pleading with the three individuals in front of him.

    "Manager, you understand this car was pre-ordered. We can��t allow others to touch it, much less do a test drive." Jess reasoned with his manager, who was already holding the car keys.

    As he reached the inner garage, Jess found the store manager already showcasing the car to Minerva and Alexi. Minerva was visibly thrilled, squealing in excitement as she circled the car she desired. Nodding enthusiastically to herself, she seemed fully satisfied with the color and design, deeming it perfect for her taste.

    Had Jess arrived a momentter, the store manager might have already handed the car over to Minerva. How could he let such a breach ur? It was a direct order from the general manager to safeguard the cars in garage A and prohibit any test drives, as they were reserved for influential clients. Jess couldn��t ascertain whether the store manager had overlooked the notice or if he was simply trying to curry favor with yet another affluent customer, as was his habit. Regardless of the rationale behind his actions, it was bound to spell trouble for them.

    He couldn��t help but wonder how the client had learned about the specific car, considering it had been sent directly to their shop via express courier from the manufacturer. Typically, such arrangements would be made through their partnering car shipping service.

    He no longer wished to dwell on the situation. Since his arrival, he had been attempting to reason with his manager, but he couldn��t even gauge how much time had passed. His main concern was the owner growing impatient and potentially filing aint against him. He felt utterly trapped, caught between a rock and a hard ce.

    "Why are you so concerned? We��ll simply file for another order and inform the original purchaser that there was a dy in shipment, prolonging the delivery," the store manager remarked smugly, disying no hint of concern. He continued confidently, "Plus, the owner hasn��t arrived yet. Miss Briley here was prepared to purchase this car for double the amount. Wouldn��t it benefit thepany to earn more?"

    Hera and Athena listened in disbelief, while Jess was stunned to hear the wordsing from his manager��s mouth. <i>��Has he been doing this for a long time?��</i> Jess wondered. Suddenly, a realization struck him. They had been inundated withints at this branch about dyed pre-orders, far more than at other branches. Despite speaking with their shipping partner, who assured them they followed protocols and the contract meticulously, the root of the problem remained unknown.

    Jess had only be aware of this situation because the store manager was frequently absent. When he was present, Jess was often either on his day off or out in the field inspecting the delivered cars to ensure they met quality standards. While it was typically the store manager��s responsibility to conduct these checks, he often delegated the most crucial tasks and sensitive matters to Jess. If Jess declined, there was no one else to assume responsibility. Moreover, whenever issues arose, the store manager was quick to shift the me onto Jess. Feeling trapped in this dynamic, Jess found himself effectively enved to his superior��s whims.

    Jess couldn��t believe that the store manager��s wrongdoing extended to attempting to profit by reselling cars at inted prices. "I think I��m going to lose my mind!" he muttered to himself in frustration. Although he had considered reporting his manager��szy management, he hesitated due to the store manager��s connections with one of thepany directors. Being just a regr assistant manager, Jess felt fortunate to have climbed as far as he had at his age. However, he also realized hecked a powerful backer. Any misstep could easily lead to his dismissal.

    "Store manager, Miss Briley could simply ce an order for the same model if she truly admires it," Jess suggested, attempting to offer a resolution.

    "Why should I wait indefinitely? Who knows how long it will take? I��m prepared to pay double the amount, yet you still refuse? Isn��t this just business?" Minerva retorted angrily.

    "Miss Briley, we adhere to a firste, first-served protocol, not an auction where the highest bidder prevails. Please understand," Jess calmly exined.

    "Shut up, Jess! Just move out of my way!" the store manager snapped, forcefully pushing Jess aside.

    "Wow! What an enlightening disy!" Athena remarked with heavy sarcasm as they approached, her voice dripping with irony as she sarcastically pped her hands in slow motion.

 Chapter 37 You Want My Car?

    As he noticed the call was indeed from his beloved niece, Sebastian gestured to the person giving the report on the screen to pause momentarily. With a quick press of the answer button, he was met with his niece��s voice, filled with evident distress, as if she were holding back tears.

    "What��s wrong, baby girl?" He frowned, his concern evident in his voice.

    "Uncle Seby, boo-hoo! Someone��s trying to steal my car!!!" Athena said, her voice filled with distress. "If the one who��s assisting me didn��t try to stop the store manager and the person who��s trying to steal my car, she would have driven the car home." Athena continued to cry out on the phone.

    Sebastian seethed with anger upon receiving the news. He had meticulously arranged the car as a surprise for his niece��s arrival, investing time and care to tailor it precisely to her preferences. The visit to the store with her father was a mere facade to keep Athena unaware, while Sebastian orchestrated the customization in secret. His frustration intensified as he learned of the store manager��s intentions, despite his explicit direct order to leave certain cars untouched.

    However, someone with an audacity akin to that of an elephant dared to defy him. Across the webcam, the general managers anxiously witnessed his palpable anger. Thoughts raced among them, specting on which branch had messed up. Meanwhile, the general manager of the branch where Athena visited felt a sense of impending doom, growing increasingly nervous and somewhat fearful of the repercussions heading his way.

    Trying to rein his anger, he softened his voice in a coaxing manner and said. "Sorry baby girl, it��s my fault."

    The silently observing general managers were utterly taken aback as their typically grumpy CEO attempted to coax and apologize, his demeanor softened with uncharacteristic expressions of repentance. Despite theirposed poker faces, a surge of excitement rippled through them, evidenced by a covert capture of screenshots and short videos for sharing in their group chat. Amidst the scene, a group of colleagues, perhaps indulging in some light gossip, eagerly discussed this juicy piece of news through their group chats.

    "Please pass the phone to the person assisting you. I have some questions." Sebastian instructed Athena.

    On Athena��s side, she delicately brushed away imaginary tears at the corner of her eyes before approaching Jess to pass him her phone. Meanwhile, Minerva and Alexi watched with disdain as Athena enacted her charade, Minerva was eager to leave sooner. However, Minerva was adamant about not leaving without the car prompting her to discreetly text her brother for assistance. With a smug expression, she eagerly anticipated receiving favorable news from her brother, mockingly observing the unfolding drama.

    "Jess, my uncle would like to speak with you," Athena announced.

    "Me, Miss?" Jess replied nervously, unsure of the nature of the call. <i>��Was he about to face bribery or threats?��</i>

    "Trying to pressure him into following your bluff, are you?" Minerva interjected, snorting with disdain.

    "What��s the hurry? You��ll find out soon enough. Just be patient, alright?" Athena retorted with a smug grin.

    Internally amused, Hera chuckled, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle her best friend had orchestrated.

    After steadying his nerves, Jess answered the call. "Hello? This is Jess, assistant manager of branch 4 of A&D Car Dealership Co. How can I assist you, sir?" His voice faltered slightly in the midst of his anxiety.

    "Hmm, so you��re the assistant manager. Are you overseeing my niece��s car��s release procedure?" the voice on the other end inquired.

    "Yes, sir," Jess replied promptly, feeling the weight of the caller��s authority and sensing a hint of familiarity in their tone.

    "Good. Now, tell me what happened," Sebastianmanded.

    Jess recounted the events that transpired in the inner garage, noting the store manager��sck of concern, which seemed more focused on orchestrating Jess��s removal from the branch than addressing the situation. Sensing that this might mark his final moments at the store, Jess spared no detail, speaking candidly and without reservation. While he couldn��t identify the caller, he sensed their authority, trusting his gut instinct in the matter.

    Sebastian��s eerieughter echoed through the phone, sending shivers down Jess��s spine. Then, the caller spoke, "Excellent job safeguarding my niece��s car. In recognition of your diligence, you��ll assume the role of store manager starting tomorrow. Your confirmation wille directly from your general manager shortly."

    Sebastian concluded the call and swiftly addressed the issue with the general manager of Branch 4. Having overheard most of the CEO��s directives, the general manager wasted no time and immediately took action.

    Shortly thereafter, the store manager��s phone rang, signaling a call from the general manager. Despite the shift from smugness to confusion, the store manager promptly answered the call.

    "Hello, general manager?" he asked meekly.

    "What amendable job you��ve done," the general manager replied through clenched teeth. The store manager��s delight quickly turned to shock at the next words. "You��re fired!"

    "Wait, what?! What��s the meaning of this, general manager? Weren��t you just praising my work moments ago?" the store manager stammered, thoroughly flustered.

    "Ha! Yeah! You did a ster job at infuriating our CEO!" the general manager reiterated with a hint of sarcasm.

    "What? How?!" Panic surged through him as he contemted the years of mischief he��d engaged in, reselling pre-ordered cars at inted prices. Dread crept in as he realized the punishment he might face.

 Chapter 38 A Sudden Promotion

    The General Manager seemed to empathize with Jess��s overwhelmed state and chuckled warmly before speaking. "You��ve performed admirably. The CEO ns to send you additional rewards for your actions. Tomorrow, make sure to show your gratitude to the CEO by excelling even further in your duties," he advised, then added, "Also, ensure that the bastard responsible for the incident is escorted out of the store, as he��s already terminated. Since I��ve conveyed everything, I��ll conclude the call. I��ll send your promotion contract to your email for your review and electronic signature, ensuring your pay increase." With those final instructions, the General Manager ended the call.

    Observing from the sidelines, Minerva sensed a shift in the atmosphere, recognizing that something had gone awry and it wasn��t in their favor. While unaware of the specifics of the call, a knot formed in her stomach, prompting her to swiftly text her brother, urging him to take immediate action.

    Rafael felt a surge of headacheing on, prompting him to pinch the bridge of his nose before dialing the number of the car dealership��s general manager. His call was promptly answered after the second ring.

    "Hello, Young Master Briley! How can I assist you today?" The General Manager��s enthusiastic voice resonated through the phone.

    "Hello. My sister is currently at the store and appears to be experiencing some trouble. I��m reaching out to seek assistance. It seems that the car she was interested in has been taken forcibly by someone else," Rafael exined.

    "Oh! I apologize for the oversight, Young Master Briley. I��ll rectify this mistake immediately. Could you please provide me with details regarding the car she��s referring to?" The General Manager responded humbly.

    "She mentioned it��s a Bugatti Chiron in mint green. She was ready to drive it out when someone intervened," Rafael ryed. Despite his seemingly humble words, his voice and tone carried authority. He wasn��t merely requesting assistance; he wasmanding it.

    Taken aback, the General Manager wiped the sweat forming on his forehead. ��So, it seems Young Master Briley��s sister is the one attempting to acquire the CEO��s niece��s car. What an unexpected turn of events!��

    After regaining hisposure, he responded respectfully to Rafael. "I apologize once again, Young Master Briley, but there��s currently a situation that prevents me from assisting you with this matter."

    Rafael��s brows furrowed. "Go on," he said, his voice taking on a colder tone.

    "The reality is, that car was intended as a gift from our CEO to his niece. While we can certainly assist with cing an order, that specific car was meticulously prepared by our CEO himself. I trust you understand the situation," the General Manager exined.

    "Niece? I can��t say I��ve ever met CEO Jackson��s niece," Rafael remarked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

    "That��s understandable, Young Master Briley. She��s recently returned after exploring life outside, and the car was intended as a weing gesture from our CEO." The General Manager respectfully exined, hoping Rafael wouldprehend and acquiesce.

    "Understood. I��ll handle my sister," Rafael dered before ending the call. The General Manager felt as though he had aged several years due to the day��s events.

    After piecing together the entirety of the situation, considering everything he had heard, and revisiting the messages from Minerva, he couldn��t help but feel a surge of anger. His sister was evidently stirring up yet another problem outside, all while the recent one remained unresolved.

    Rafael then sent a text to his sister. "Do not covet what does not belong to you. It seems you still haven��t learned your lessons. Hmm?!"

    When Minerva��s phone buzzed, she eagerly checked the text from her brother, anticipating the usual "Done" message he typically sent when handling her affairs. However, she was taken aback to find herself being reprimanded instead. Her eyes red with anger as she shot a nce over to Hera. <i>��It must be because of her again!��</i> she seethed inwardly.

    Her deduction seemed even more credible now; Hera must have truly seduced her brother. She couldn��tprehend how he had discovered Hera��s involvement and her friend. Indignant, she grabbed Alexi��s arm, determined to leave and confront her brother about the matter. However, consumed with thoughts of Athena and the others, she failed to notice that Alexi��s gaze remained fixed on Hera��s face, his eyes still lingering on her with the gaze of a smitten fool.

    Minerva was infuriated witnessing her boyfriend��s lingering attachment to his ex. Her anger surged to a boiling point, and she directed all her hatred towards the silent Hera, despite herck of involvement in the situation. Minerva��s animosity towards Hera had escted to a level of deep-seated hostility, with no sign of abating.

    <i>��Very well, Hera! You truly are great!��</i> Minerva seethed inwardly. She now believed that coexisting with Hera was impossible��either she or Hera had to be eliminated, and Minerva was adamant that it should be Hera. With one final disdainful nce at Hera, Minerva stormed out, forcefully dragging Alexi along with her.

 Chapter 39 Zhane Everett

    Athena replied casually, her excitement for her new car overriding any concerns. "What��s the point?"

    "What if it��s a marriage certificate and you��ve just signed it without realizing it? You could be married in seconds," Hera joked. However, her jest carried a serious undertone, cautioning Athena against signing any document without knowing its contents.

    "It��s not possible, right?" Athena��s head snapped towards Hera, trying to discern if it was all just a jest.

    "Of course, that one was just a standard release procedure, and nobody here would dare deceive you into signing something," Hera reassured, her tone carrying a mix of seriousness and jest. "But what if, in the future, you identally sell yourself without realizing it? Wouldn��t that be dreadful? Or perhaps Auntie might sneakily make you sign a contract to agree to marry someone." Her words danced between half-truths and jest, aiming to tease and rm Athena simultaneously.

    "Luckily, my mom isn��t as clever as you," Athena quipped.

    "That��s what you��re worried about?!" Hera eximed incredulously.

    "Why not?! I still want to enjoy my freedom, you know. I have no desire to marry early. But since my brother seemed to despise women, my mom has pinned her hopes on me to provide her with a grandchild. It��s be her life mission to see me married off early," Athena sighed. "As for you, your grandfather would probably do everything in his power to keep you away from those wolves."

    Heraughed. "I doubt Auntie would want you to marry early either. You��re the family��s darling, after all. She probably just wants you to experience your first love," she reassured Athena. Beneath her reassurance, Hera harbored a concern that Athena might eventually lose interest in men, which could be a headache for her family in the future.

    "Ha! What haven��t I experienced in my previous life? Tell me. Even things you haven��t experienced, I��ve gone through countless times," Athena sneered.

    "What haven��t I experienced?" Hera asked, a puzzled expression on her face.

    "Yep! You haven��t experienced being intimate. I have. I��ve been with someone before. I��m usually the one who takes the initiative," Athena boasted.

    Hera choked on her own saliva, unsure of how to respond. While Athena��s statement may have been true, was it really something to boast about? She cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject. "Let��s head to the mall already! We��ve spent enough time here," she said, choosing to avoid further discussion on the matter.

    Feeling victorious, Athena felt energized as she drove them to the most luxurious mall in the city, renowned for its array of high-end items.

    In just a short 20 minutes, they arrived at the mall, conveniently located near the car dealership.

    "Babe, I��ll drop you off at the entrance and then park the car over there," Athena said, gesturing towards the nearby parking lot.

    "I��ll just walk with you from there," Hera replied.

    "Nah, I��ll drop you here. Save your energy," Athena smirked, waiting for Hera to step out of the car.

    Hearing Athena��s words, Hera felt nervous. She knew that Athena was a shopaholic, and that was where she couldn��t match Athena��s energy.

    Reluctantly, sheplied, stepping out of the car and waiting at the entrance. Hera followed Athena��s car with her eyes as she attempted to park, but unfortunately, before Athena could secure the space, someone else swiftly maneuvered in and took it. With no other choice, Athena had to find an alternative parking spot and drove off.

    Left standing there, Hera sighed and texted Athena, informing her that she would go inside to find a caf�� first and order some drinks for the two of them while waiting.

    Athena responded with an ��OK�� sign, so Hera walked inside. It didn��t take her long to locate a caf�� within the mall. The caf����s interior was inviting, adorned with numerous indoor nts hanging from the ceiling, climbing up the walls, and nestled in the corners. The ambiance exuded a charming Italian vibe.

    She selected a window seat, ensuring that Athena could easily spot her from outside. After sending Athena a text indicating her location, she called for the waiter.

    As she was texting, she sensed a shadow looming over her. With a gentle tone, she said, "Please get me a ss of orange juice and a hot mochatte. Thank you."

    After finishing her text, she realized that the shadow was still present. She looked up to find a man standing beside her.

    "It really was you," the man said.

    Hera tilted her head to the side, feeling a bit confused, as she gazed at the strikingly handsome man standing before her. She took in his appearance, from his chestnut-colored hair to his attire. His facial features were delicate, and though his green eyes were concealed behind golden sses, his stern demeanor contrasted with his refined appearance.

    Then the gears in her head clicked, and she remembered who he was. "Doctor! It��s you!"

    A subtle smile yed on his lips. "Took you a while to remember, huh," he teased lightly. "Judging by yourplexion, you seem to be doing better thanst time."

    Hera chuckled. <i>��Even outside of his shift, he still carried himself like a concerned doctor.��</i> "Yes, I��m doing much better now. Thank you for your carest time."

    "Merely fulfilling my duties," he stated, his tone indifferent.

    "Out shopping, Doc?" Hera questioned.

    "I��m meeting my mother and just happened to see you when I entered. And refrain from calling me ��Doc,�� especially in public. I prefer to remain inconspicuous," he retorted, the furrow on his brow intense enough to crush a fly.

    "I apologize, I wasn��t sure what else to address you as," Hera admitted, a hint of embarrassment in her tone.

    "No apologies necessary. You can simply refer to me as Zhane Everett, or Zhane for short," he emphasized, enunciating his name clearly.

    "I understand, Zhane..." Hera smiled, a faint pink hue tinting her cheeks as she almost slipped up calling him "Doctor" again. Fortunately, Athena arrived just in time.

    "Hera, sorry for the dy..." Athena began, then her gaze shifted to Zhane, standing beside Hera, and she was momentarily captivated by him. She stood rooted to the spot, staring.

    "Oh! Zhane, my friend is here. If you��d like, you can join us," Hera offered graciously, adjusting her expression.

    "No need. I��m actually on my way to meet my mother. I just dropped in to say hello and ensure my former patient is doing well," he exined, a subtle upward tilt at the corner of his lips. With a brief excuse, he left without casting a nce back.

 Chapter 40 Shopping

    The cashier��s face lit up upon seeing Hera, nearly squealing with delight. "Aren��t you Hera Ainsley?!" she eximed excitedly.

    Hera was surprised by the cashier��s enthusiasm, unsure of what was happening, but she still nodded in confirmation.

    "I knew it! You��re wearing the same clothes as in the picture, and you��ve been trending for days now. Only someone living in the deep mountains wouldn��t recognize you," the girl eximed excitedly. "Can I please have a picture with you?"

    Hera was baffled, unable to find the right words. "I... I��m sorry, but I��m not a celebrity. I think you might be mistaking me for someone else or something?" she stammered, feeling bewildered by the sudden attention.

    The girl giggled at Hera��s bewildered expression. "I guess you��re not aware of how popr you��ve be. Look at this," she said, showing Hera a picture taken that very morning. Hera was taken aback as she saw hundreds of thousands of likes and over a millionments on just a single photo of herself.

    She gasped for air as she saw the photo, realizing instantly that it was Athena who had taken it and posted it online. <i>��So that��s the picture she mentioned in the car this morning?! No wonder she didn��t want me to see it,��</i> Hera thought to herself, feeling a mix of surprise and frustration.

    The cashier girl found Hera��s expressions endearing, and in person, she resembled a Goddess who had descended into the mortal realm. Her presence seemed to emit a radiant glow; her skin was porcin white, supple, and exuded a healthy radiance. Her cheeks disyed a natural rosy hue, and her lips were moist, plump, and crimson like ripe cherries. Her amber eyes sparkled with rity and purity, while her long, wavy hair cascaded softly with a lustrous shine. <i>��Oh my God! She��s truly a Goddess! She��s even more stunning in person than on screen or in pictures!��</i> the cashier girl marveled silently.

    "What do I do, I think I��m turning gay for you?!!!" the girl eximed, swooning.

    Hera chuckled, taking the girl��s words as a yfulment, reminiscent of Athena��s tendency to act like a fangirl around beautiful people.

    The moment the girl saw Hera smile, she reacted as if she��d been struck in the chest, stars practically shimmering in her eyes. Hera couldn��t help but feel awkward; she wasn��t ustomed to receiving so much attention and praise directly to her face. Feeling shy and unsure of how to respond, she shifted ufortably.

    However, the girl seemed utterly entranced, causing Hera to clear her throat awkwardly. As if snapped out of a trance, the girl abruptly remembered she was still on duty. She attempted to regain herposure, but her eyes remained fixed on Hera. "Orange juice and mochatte, correct? Anything else, Goddess?" she asked, her tone attempting to mask her previous fervor.

    "Ah... No, that��s all. Thank you," Hera replied with a slight smile.

    "Thank you so much, Goddess, for gracing our cafe with your presence!" the cashier eximed once more.

    The chatter from the cashier had drawn attention to them, and soon the other customers were ncing their way. Even after Hera returned to her seat, she could feel the lingering stares. While Hera felt shy about the attention, Athena remained oblivious, absorbed in her phone. She hadn��t forgotten to take a picture of her car earlier, making it her new profile picture.

    And now, Athena had been replying to thements on her profile and the pictures she had taken of Hera that morning.

    Hera flicked Athena��s forehead suddenly, catching her off guard. Athena winced in pain and instinctively held her forehead. "What��s wrong with you?" she eximed.

    "Hah! Then tell me about the stolen picture," Hera sneered.

    "Picture? What picture?" Athena feigned ignorance.

    "Don��t y dumb. I��ve already seen the picture you took this morning. Don��t tell me it was it, Grandpa or Alfonse?" Hera retorted sarcastically.

    Realizing that feigning ignorance wasn��t working, Athena switched tactics and adopted a cute demeanor. "What?! I just want to share the beauty I appreciate, is that so wrong, hmm?" she pouted, fluttering her eyshes intentionally.

    Hera had noticed Athena taking candid photos of her from time to time to share on social media. Initially, she hadn��t minded much since they both had few friends and followers. However, now she grew concerned; if this continued, it could potentiallypromise her privacy.

    "Babe, don��t worry. Even if you became famous, your lifestyle wouldn��t change that much. Celebrities still do regr things like shopping or hanging out in public ces," Athena reassured, attempting to downy the situation. She knew that if she didn��t, Hera might retreat and foil her ns.

    Hera pondered the reassurance and acknowledged that many celebrities did indeed continue to live rtively normal lives, enjoying public outings without much hassle. However, she wasn��t particrly well-versed in entertainment gossip or news to discern the difference between established celebrities and neers, So she wasn��t aware that lesser-known celebrities lead rtively normal lives, unlike famous celebrities. Pushing these thoughts to the back of her mind, she decided to focus on enjoying their time together. After finishing their drinks, they set off to start their shopping excursion.

    They first headed to the Dior store. Athena eagerly browsed through the disys, her eyes lighting up at each item. However, despite finding something she liked, she didn��t put it in her cart; instead, she simply admired it before moving on to the next disy.

    Hera, feeling puzzled, approached Athena. "Why are you just checking them out without putting anything in your cart?" she inquired.

    Athena sighed in frustration. "I��m trying to save up more money," she exined. "I��ve got my paycheck, and my parents and brothers gave me some weing pocket money when I returned, but I just don��t feel like spending it right now." Working in the fashion industry and designing clothes for theirpany to sell, she had a deep understanding of fashion and the value of savings.

    However, Hera interpreted Athena��s exnation differently. "Well, why don��t you pick out anything you like?" she suggested, pulling out the ck card her grandfather had given her. "I have this, so you don��t have to worry about money, and there are still a few thousand million in my own bank," she added with a smirk. This was Hera��s opportunity to treat her best friend to a shopping spree, and she didn��t want Athena to miss out on getting something she truly desired.

    Athena��s eyes widened at the sight of the ck card in Hera��s hands. Even the shop assistant trailing them was taken aback to see the exclusive ck card from the Dragon Empire Bank under the Avery. With only 10 cards released worldwide, the rarity of the card was striking, and the fact that one was now right before her added an extrayer of wonder.

 Chapter 41 Shopping 2

    Realizing the catwalk was nearing its conclusion, the manager swiftly made her way to her office to retrieve the specialized card reader designed specifically for ck cards from any bank.

    Uponpleting their purchase, Hera and Athena provided their addresses to the manager for entry into the store��s database, ensuring seamless future transactions without the need for address confirmation. Thanks to their substantial purchase, delivery wasplimentary. The manager was overjoyed as their sales quota for the month was easily surpassed, guaranteeing bonuses for all staff in the store.

    Hera was satisfied with the service they received and took note of the manager��s attention to detail and took a mental note to visit the store again in the future.

    After Hera and Athena departed, the staff cheerfully organized the items they had used, feeling reassured about their sales as Hera��s purchase alone surpassed four months�� worth of their sales quota. The prospect of receiving a substantial bonus buoyed their spirits. Observing the bustling activity, gossipy shop assistants from neighboring stores grew curious and approached to inquire. The Dior shop assistant beamed as she shared the news, nodding subtly towards Hera��s departing figure.

    The shop assistant who had gone to snoop came rushing back to their respective stores to share the news. Soon, all the international brand stores were eager for Hera and her friend to grace their establishments, as they were all concerned about meeting their monthly quotas.

    Shortly after, Athena pulled Hera to the Chanel store, where they were met with enthusiastic shop assistants eagerly awaiting their arrival. Both Hera and Athena were perplexed by the unusually warm reception, especially considering the indifferent treatment given to other customers. Unbeknownst to them, rumors of their presence had already spread before their arrival. <i>��Gossip indeed had wings, traveling faster than they did.��</i>

    Simr to their experience at the previous store, Hera and Athena were escorted to a VVIP room where they were greeted with champagne and avish charcuterie board. Once again, models were arranged to showcase thetest collections, allowing Hera and Athena to enjoy their time selecting another round of dresses, bags, shoes, and essories.

    This pattern continued as they ventured into other renowned stores such as Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Gi, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Herm��s, Versace, and Fendi.

    They nearly traversed the entirety of the mall, and Hera was on the verge of bursting from all the eating and drinking. Each store they visited offered the samevish reception and treatment, which was initially amusing. However, after the fourth time, Hera began to grow suspicious that information might have been shared amongst the stores. Despite her suspicions, she had no way to confirm it, and she was feeling utterly exhausted.

    Hera felt as though her legs no longer belonged to her, especially considering she was wearing 5-inch high heels. Despite her fatigue, Athena seemed to be full of energy, eager to drag her to the next store with cute clothes on disy.

    Unable to resist her curiosity, Hera couldn��t help but ask Athena a question. "Howe you don��t show the same endurance when we��re exercising? You always im you��re not the athletic type and more of a homebody who gets tired easily, hmm?" Hera teased.

    "What? Haven��t you heard that people have different stomachs for dessert? Well, in my case, I have a separate stamina for shopping, so let��s go!!!!" Athena retorted, her excitement undiminished.

    Hera wasn��t sure whether tough or cry at Athena��s boundless enthusiasm, but thankfully, Athena seemed to sense that Hera was reaching her limit. Instead of pushing her further, Athena decided to divert their attention to a Chinese cuisine restaurant located on the fourth floor.

    "Hmm. Miss Ainsley?" A hoarse voice grabbed her attention.

 Chapter 42 Did You Not See Me?

    Hera wasn��t intentionally ignoring Rafael or trying to be disrespectful; she was genuinely exhausted, causing her brain��s processing to slow down and her reactions to be dyed. Feeling drained and not wanting to exert her brain further, she decided to inquire about their connection instead.

    "So, you two are friends?"

    Sensing Rafael��s rising temper, Zhane stepped in and took control of the conversation. "Yes, we are friends," he confirmed. "Rafael is the one I mentioned I��m meeting for a meal, along with the others who are already inside."

    A sudden spark of recognition ignited within her mind, apanied by the bted realization she had missed. <i>��Ah, that��s it! Zhane Everett��s name rings a bell��he��s the third male lead in the novel. The signs were all there: his position as a senior doctor at Providence Everett Medical Center and his inclusion in Rafael��s inner circle. It��s clear now; the entire squadprises the main male leads.��</i>

    It��s not that she��s beingcent; rather, she didn��t anticipate encountering the male leads one after the other. They aren��t asmon as everyday items you��d find on the roadside. She didn��t expect to encounter them because they typically operate covertly, and they weren��t even the ones targeting her. While she was aware of their physical descriptions, Athena also mentioned that they were seldom seen and elusive unless they deliberately chose to reveal themselves. So she never thought of meeting them.

    She considered Rafael to be the exception due to her actions against his sister, prompting him to step forward. However, she couldn��t understand how she also encountered Zhane without realizing it earlier, especially since the chances of meeting him were incredibly slim �C akin to a 1% chance amidst a hundred. If it were a lottery, she might have been thrilled, but in this case, she was far from delighted.

    Now, she couldn��t help but wonder why she kept running into them even in the most mundane of ces! It didn��t seem to fit the pattern of a butterfly effect, especially since she had encountered Zhane even before the interview, long before she had taken any significant action.

    "Argh! I can��t think anymore. My head feels like it��s floating, and I��m too exhausted to process anything," Hera muttered inwardly, maintaining a smile on her face despite the storm of questions raging inside her mind. The struggle was palpable; she even questioned why she hadn��t seen or heard from Athena since earlier. Desperate to escape the situation in front of her, she longed for reprieve.

    She could only attempt to maneuver her way out, drawing on her years of experience in customer service. "I apologize, Mr. Briley if it seemed like I was ignoring you. That wasn��t my intention at all," she began. "You see, my friend and I have been in this mall since before lunch, and we��ve been wondering nonstop. I��m just physically exhausted, and my brain��s a bit slow on the uptake. If I may say, you are quite... big. Really BIG!"

    Then Hera abruptly halted in her words. <i>��Why does that sound suggestive?��</i> She nced at the two men standing before her and blinked a few times.

    Despite her innocent expression, the two men interpreted herst words in a suggestive manner, albeit unintentionally. Hera��s sudden pause caused their thoughts to align with hers.

    Rafael��s earlier rising temper dissipated, reced by a suggestive smirk. <i>��Is this her way of flirting with me?��</i> he pondered, finding Hera��s shocked expression endearing. A blush tinted her face as her plump lips opened and closed, attempting to salvage the situation with words. However, her brain seemed to malfunction, instantly ceasing to function altogether.

    Even the typically cold Doctor Zhane couldn��t help but smile, his eyes forming into crescents as he silently observed Hera��s adorable array of expressions.

    "Gosh! I want to bury myself in a hole!" Hera internallymented.

    "Babe! Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Athena��s voice broke through the tension, and suddenly, Hera felt the stifling air in her throat begin to move once more. Now, Athena��s voice sounded like sweet salvation to her ears. Hera gazed at Athena with a pleading expression, her blush extending all the way to her ears.

    Hera appeared on the verge of tears from embarrassment, but from Athena��s perspective, it seemed as though Hera was being bullied by the two men. With determined steps, Athena hurried towards Hera, pulling her protectively behind her as she red at the two men. It was only then that she recognized them as Rafael and Zhane from earlier. Confused by the situation, Athena nced back at Hera, who was now blushing furiously from ear to ear.

    <i>��She couldn��t just ask Hera directly what��s the matter, could she?��</i> So instead, she inquired, "Are you hungry? Sorry, I took a call just now and forgot to mention it to you," Athena exined.

    Hera managed only a nod and tugged at Athena��s sleeve, silently urging her to enter. Athena understood her friend��s intentions and guided Hera towards the entrance, only to be intercepted by Rafael.

    "Are there only the two of you?" Rafael inquired.

    "Why, are you treating us again to a meal, Mr. Briley?" Athena retorted sarcastically.

    "Of course, it��s only right for a gentleman to invite thedies to a meal, shouldn��t we?" Rafael replied, ncing at Zhane for support, who offered a subtle nod.

    Hera tugged at Athena��s sleeve once more, prompting Athena to respond, "I was just kidding, Mr. Briley. You see, my friend and I are having a girls�� date, so we came to enjoy each other��spany." She exined with a strained smile.

    "Ohhh?" Rafael��s brows raised as he grinned yfully, casting a nce between the two. "But I insist."

 Chapter 43 Gatling Gun

    Fortunately, Zhane, who had been silently observing from the sidelines, noticed Hera��s difort and intervened to decline Rafael��s invitation directly, without hesitation. Zhane understood that Rafael��s intentions weren��t meant to be forceful, but his own preupation with his feelings led him to overlook Hera��s difort.

    While Rafael is ustomed to mingling with individuals of simr social status, Zhane has interacted with people from diverse backgrounds so he could see what Rafael failed to see. Rafael may be used to others ttering him to gain favor, but Hera isn��t motivated by personal gain. She has a range of options and doesn��t feelpelled to engage in behavior she finds insincere or maniptive just to appease others.

    Zhane finds Hera��s strength of character admirable. It��s not easy for anyone to stand their ground when someone of considerable influence extends an invitation, let alone express their determination to maintain their boundaries. Resisting such temptations is a rare quality.

    Previously, Zhane had a positive impression of Hera, but now it had only grown stronger. He feltpelled to assist her by removing Rafael from the situation and ensuring she could enjoy her meal in peace. Despite these thoughts racing through his mind, Zhane��s expression remained as cold and stoic as ever.

    "I also agree that you girls might not enjoy listening to us talk about politics, work, and extreme sports while you��re out for some fun," Zhane remarked, offering Hera a graceful exit. Without waiting for Rafael to respond, he swiftly draped an arm around Rafael��s shoulder and guided him away, effectively cutting off any potential objections.

    Hera could only gaze gratefully at Zhane��s retreating back, exhaling a sigh of relief as the tension dissipated.

    Rafael bristled, his temper ring, but Zhane beat him to the punch. "If you��re aiming to be hated, then feel free to return and pester them."

    "What do you mean ��pester��? I��m merely asking politely!" Rafael shot back defensively.

    "Perhaps you failed to notice how ufortable she appeared while trying to decline your invitation because you were preupied with your own desires to win your ego back," Zhane remarked, his pace steady as he continued walking.

    Rafael felt the urge to argue back, but Zhane��s words struck a chord of reason within him. Truth be told, his ego had taken a hit, but he recognized the importance of respecting someone��s boundaries. It went against his nature to pressure others into ufortable situations if it meant for personal reasons and not for business. It was inherent for people like them to ce significant emphasis on their image and pride; but for him, he put more emphasis on his pride rather than his image, he wouldn��t be known for being merciless if he valued his image. Rafael couldn��t fathompromising his principles, even in the face of adversity.

    After Rafael took a moment topose himself and reflect on the situation, he too acknowledged the validity of Zhane��s observation. He proceeded to follow along in a moreposed manner.

    "You seemed preupied earlier. Did your sister cause another trouble?" Zhane inquired, keeping his gaze forward.

    "She did. She even tried to stir up trouble for CEO Jackson��s niece this morning," Rafael sighed, his frustration evident in his tone as he recounted the incident.

    "No wonder you seemed uncharacteristically agitated earlier. The frustration must have been building up, leading you to vent it in a different manner. It��s amon response to stress," Zhane remarked.

    Rafael chuckled in response. "Having a doctor in the circle certainlyes in handy."

    Zhane maintained his serious demeanor. "I��m just stating observations from the sidelines." With that, he proceeded towards their private room.

    Rafael took a deep breath, trying to reorganize his thoughts. This wasn��t the first time his sister had caused trouble, leaving him frustrated. <i>��But she was family; he couldn��t simply abandon her, could he?��</i>

    He decided to put aside his concerns and simply rx for the rest of the day, focusing on destressing.

    Once Hera and Athena had settled into their private room and ced their orders, Athena wasted no time in asking Hera about what had transpired before she returned. Hera blushed, feeling embarrassed at the memory of her suggestivement made in front of two men she didn��t know personally.

    As Hera recounted the events to Athena, her friend burst intoughter before Hera could even finish her sentence, leaving Hera feeling a bit embarrassed. Despite trying topose herself, Hera��s face remained as red as a tomato.

    Afterughing heartily, Athena patted Hera��s shoulder. But instead of consoling her, Athena remarked, "It��s okay. Even I think it��s really big based on the description in the book," before bursting intoughter again. Feeling the cringe, Hera��s eyebrows twitched, and she could no longer bear it. She pped Athena��s arm to make her stop.

    When Athena settled down, Hera inquired, "What were you doing earlier that you suddenly disappeared?"

    "Oh, right!" Athena regted her breathing before continuing. "I received a call from our senior ss monitor. She��s inviting us for a ss reunion," Athena said solemnly.

    "Why the serious face then? It��s just a ss reunion," Hera asked in confusion.

    Athena��s expression turned incredulous as she answered, "Have you forgotten that Alexi will be there? Not just Alexi, but he would definitely bring Minerva and I think ire will being too. What if they band together to go against you?"

    Hera chuckled. "What��s there to worry about? You��ll be there. No matter how many ires and Minervas show up, I have the transmigrator on my side, and besides, your mouth is like a Gatling gunpared to theirs."

 Chapter 44 Plans for the Reunion

    "Quite likely. They wouldn��t suddenly warm up to us after a year of neglect, would they?" Hera responded, her tone unwavering despite the suspicion. "Did you happen to inquire about the venue for the reunion?" she added.

    "Yes, they mentioned it��ll be at the Dragon Pce Hotel," Athena confirmed.

    Hera chuckled softly before remarking, "Then why fret? Remember, they��ll be stepping into our territory."

    It was only then that Athena grasped Hera��s implication. "Don��t tell me..." Her eyes widened with excitement, her curiosity piqued.

    Hera nodded knowingly. She had meticulously reviewed the list ofpanies under their jurisdiction the previous night, ensuring she could identify her own associates while out and about. The task was daunting, the list seemingly endless, but Hera was determined to familiarize herself with each entity, one step at a time.

    Athena could barely contain her excitement. "We��ll definitely be there. I��ll inform them right away," she eximed, her grin stretching from ear to ear.

    "Good n. I��ll also have Gerald keep a watchful eye tomorrow, just to ensure we��re prepared for whatever they��re up to," Hera dered with a smirk. She was determined to maintain herposure; after all, she knew better than to provoke unnecessary conflict.<i> ��As the saying goes, even cornered rabbits will bite �C and a sleeping lioness even more so.��</i>

    Hera wasted no time and promptly texted Gerald her instructions. True to his duties, Gerald didn��t disappoint; he swiftly replied with his agreement and immediately sprang into action. It was evident that he was eager to prove himself with this initial task.

    The previous night, after adding their boss to the group chat and exchanging greetings, everyone expressed their enthusiasm. They were allmitted topleting their respective tasks, regardless of their location around the globe, in order to meet with their boss in person.

    As they chatted over tea, the time waiting for their ordered dishes seemed to slip away effortlessly. To cleanse their ptes after indulging in heavily seasoned spicy seafood and beef dishes, they opted for a refreshing vegetable soup. The dinner proved to be truly delightful, and they continued eating until they could manage no more.

    "Babe, there��s something I��ve been meaning to ask you," Athena began, savoring the lingering vors of their meal as she sipped her tea.

    "Hmm? What��s on your mind?" Hera replied, ncing at Athena before taking a sip and settling backfortably.

    "I��ve noticed we��ve been eating quite a bittely, yet I haven��t seen you gain any weight, whereas I��ve gained a few pounds," Athena remarked, studying Hera thoughtfully. Then, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she added, "Maybe all that food you��ve been consuming has decided to settle in your... um, assets?"

    Hera erupted intoughter before responding, "Girl, you��re lucky you transmigrated as a woman; otherwise, you��d be facing charges of sexual harassment."

    "If I were a guy, I could easily snag a girlfriend and tease her endlessly, and she��d adore it. You catch my drift," Athena quipped with a mischievous grin. "But on a serious note, my waistline seems to be expanding rapidly, whereas your curves are just perfection. I��m green with envy."

    "Why envy me? With your figure, you could rock any outfit effortlessly, whereas I��d be second-guessing every time I wear something revealing, fearing judgment," Heramented.

    "You make a valid point. A woman��s body is iparable; it��s all about confidence and finding someone who truly values them," Athena remarked thoughtfully.

    "Is this wisdom from your days of piging in another world?" Hera teased, a yful glint in her eye.

    "Whatever..." Athena responded, rolling her eyes good-naturedly.

    After their enjoyable conversation and a leisurely stroll around the mall to aid digestion, they decided to head home to prepare for tomorrow��s reunion. Athena dropped Hera off at the Avery mansion before continuing on to her own home.

    On the other side of the city...

    Upon arriving home from a night out with his friends, Rafael was immediately greeted with a confrontation from his own sister. She sat on the sofa, her expression livid, as though she were ready to devour someone with her anger.

    Having just managed to unwind from work and other concerns, Rafael found himself thrust into trouble the moment he stepped through the door. Attempting to ignore his sister and head upstairs, she intercepted him, blocking his path to the stairs.

    "What is it now?" he asked, rubbing his temple in an attempt to keep hisposure and refrain fromshing out at his sister.

    "Why did you help her?" Minerva asked through gritted teeth, her frustration palpable.

    "Help who? What are you talking about?" Rafael��s confusion deepened at his sister��s usations.

    "Don��t y dumb! You scolded me this morning for standing up against Hera��s friend!" Minerva��s voice rose usingly.

    "Hera? Her friend? I didn��t do anything of the sort," Rafael countered, his frustration evident in his furrowed brow and simmering temper. Seeing his agitation, Minerva felt a pang of fear and retreated slightly, attempting to cut to the chase.

    "You were upset with me this morning because I was trying to buy Hera��s friend��s car!" Minerva��s voice trembled as she fought back tears. She couldn��t shake the feeling that her brother had chosen an outsider over his own sister, and it hurt deeply.

    "Hera? Her friend? I never said a word about that," Rafael insisted, hoping to put an end to his sister��s unfounded usations.

    "Didn��t you send me this text after I had an altercation with her friend?!" She confronted him, disying the message on her phone as evidence.

    As Rafael pieced together Minerva��s usations with the recent call he had with the general manager from A&D Car Dealership Co., mentioning their CEO��s niece returning from experiencing life outside, he realized she was referring to Hera. With this connection made, he gently approached Minerva, who was now shedding silent tears of frustration, attempting to calm her before seeking rification.

    Once Minerva hadposed herself somewhat, Rafael gently inquired, "So, just to confirm, you��re saying that Hera��s friend owns the car? Are you certain?"

    Minerva nodded, still bewildered. "Yes. Hera was even there with Athena."

    "Ah, you��re referring to the petite girl who never seems to stop talking?" Rafael sought further confirmation.

    Minerva could only manage a nod, recalling Athena��s annoyingly loud nature.

    Rafael sank into deep contemtion, reflecting on the luxurious attire and upscale dining choices of Hera and her friend. If Hera��s friend truly was CEO Jackson��s niece, it would exin their presence in such an opulent ce. Rafael couldn��t help but specte that perhaps Hera��s friend had provided her with thevish clothing and essories. However, even as he pieced together these details, Rafael couldn��t shake the nagging concern that his sister��s actions may have unwittingly ced them in a precarious situation.

    As the head of their family, CEO Jackson wielded significant power, backed by the formidable support of his sister��s inws, the influential Lowry family. This alliance posed a formidable threat, particrly if Hera��s friend turned out to be the sole daughter of the Lowrys. Given their family��sparable standing to the Jacksons, Rafael couldn��t ignore the potential implications of his sister��s conflict with Hera��s friend.

    He red at his sister. "Were you aware of the identity of that girl with Hera?" He asked, his voiceced with deep anger.

    Minerva trembled in fear as she noticed her brother��s tone shift, bing noticeably colder. "N-no," she stammered, shaking her head vigorously. Despite her fear, she attempted to defend herself, even though she was unsure of what had triggered her brother��s anger. "I heard she��s just a regr college student, working at a fashion magazine and driving her modest Honda Civic to work and school. She��s never been one to spend extravagantly, but earlier she seemed to be behaving differently," she exined, a flicker of realization crossing her mind. "It might have something to do with Hera and her sugar daddy," she concluded with a hint of certainty.

    Rafael was utterly taken aback to learn of Hera��s alleged sugar daddy, a revtion that could potentially exin her extravagant lifestyle. He couldn��t help but feel a twinge of disappointment upon hearing that about her.

    With a heavy tone, he added, "Despite my warnings, you��ve chosen to involve yourself in her affairs. Starting tomorrow, consider yourself grounded. Should you attempt to leave this house against my orders, don��t bother returning. You��ll be cut off from the family."

    Determined to instill a lesson and rectify his sister��s misbehavior, Rafael inadvertently stoked her animosity toward Hera.

    Unable to dwell on the situation for long, Rafael retreated to his study, where he promptly instructed his assistant tounch an investigation into both Hera and Athena. Recognizing the danger of blindly trusting his sister��s usations, especially given her previous misjudgment of Athena��s background, Rafael felt a profound sense of confusion. He hoped to mitigate any potential harm his sister��s actions may have caused, striving to protect their family from the fallout.

    Despite his attempt to unwind, Rafael found himself already overwhelmed with stress. With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly returned to his work.

 Chapter 45 Choosing my Outfit

    The man on the other end of the line cleared his throat before speaking. "My apologies for disturbing you so early in the morning. I just wanted to inform you that you can pick up the contract at my office this morning," he exined politely.

    Still groggy from just waking up, Hera��s thoughts were still scattered, making it difficult for her to fullyprehend what the man was saying. "I��m sorry, I think you have the wrong number," she replied, ready to end the call.

    But before she could hang up, the man��s voice came through again. "Miss Ainsley, please don��t end the call," he said, causing Hera��s hand to freeze over the screen. <i>��How did he know she was about to hang up? Did he have eyes through her phone somehow?��</i>

    Sensing Hera��s confusion and realizing she might not have saved his number, the man continued, "Miss Ainsley, this is Rafael Briley. I was referring to the contract we discussed regarding my sister."

    As Hera realized who she was speaking to, all she could manage was a soft, "Ooooh..."

    Rafael couldn��t help but chuckle at Hera��s response. It was a far cry from theposed, intelligent woman he had observed at the dining table just days before �C a woman who exuded confidence and knew how to navigate any situation with ease. In the short time he had known her, Rafael had already witnessed several facets of Hera��s personality. Despite his usual impatience when met with dys, he found himself unable to lose his temper as Hera took her time to gather her thoughts and respond.

    Instead, Rafael observed her with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, intrigued by theplexities of this woman whom he unexpectedly met through a not-so-good reason.

    Hera��s eyes widened in realization as she recognized Rafael��s voice, recalling their agreement for her to collect the contract from his office. Clearing her throat, she responded, "Thank you, Mr. Briley, for informing me. I��ll be sure to contact you once I��m at your office to pick up the contract."

    Rafael��s lips curled into a subtle smile, his tone softening as he replied, "Of course, let me know when you arrive, and I��ll have my assistant escort you."

    "Mr. Briley, no need for such formalities. Just ask the front desk to slot me into your schedule for today, and I��ll swing by. I��ll send you a message once I��ve sorted out my day��s agenda to confirm the time. No need to trouble your assistant; I��m sure they��ve got plenty on their te already." Hera��s tone was light as she spoke.

    "Are you sure?" Rafael asked, trying to button his cufflinks with one hand while his earphones were in ce in his ears as hemunicated with Hera.

    "Don��t worry, I can find my way to your office just fine," Hera quipped, injecting a touch of humor to lighten the mood.

    "Thank you for your time, Miss Ainsley. Looking forward to seeing you soon," Rafael said, concluding the call. Hera tilted her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought after just waking up.

    After gathering her bearings, she freshened up and made her way downstairs for breakfast. While waiting for her meal, she took a moment to check her messages for any urgent matters.

    Among them, she found Athena��s message detailing the dress code and reunion time.

    Hera scoffed as she perused the dress codes, remarking, "Seems like they��re intent on making things difficult for us."

    It was evident to her that the organizers were setting the bar high with the requirement of a ck evening gown. They likely anticipated Hera and Athena arriving in rented or budget-friendly options. Hera couldn��t help but chuckle at the thought, pondering whether to opt for the most luxurious gown in her collection or to keep it modest.

    Ultimately, the decision was clear. She had no intention of attending to unt wealth; rather, she was there to observe and understand their motives. So, she settled on a simple ck satin silk evening gown with delicate straps and an open back. Though it might border on being too revealing, she nned to let her hair down to provide some coverage. Minimalism would be her choice for the asion.

    It was all about projecting a subtle form of affluence.

    Hera informed Athena of her clothing choice to ensure they avoided overdressing. Initially, Athena had nned to make a bold entrance with extravagant attire, but after hearing Hera��s perspective, she reconsidered. Opting for a simple tube-style evening dress with a subtle left-side slit and minimal essories, Athena decided to align her outfit with Hera��s understated elegance.

    They arranged to meet in front of the hotel before entering together, both opting for a more refined approach to their attire.

    After finalizing their n, Hera enjoyed her breakfast and took a brief stroll around the garden to aid digestion, all the while exchanging texts with her grandfather to ensure his well-being. She also made sure to notify Rafael of her intended visit at 2 in the afternoon. Returning to her study after an hour, Hera delved into reviewing thepany list once more,mitting to memory thepany rules and perusing reports from the past decade to gauge their market position.

    Fully engrossed in her reading, Hera was oblivious to Cindy��s attempts to gain her attention, prompting Cindy to call her name multiple times before she finally responded.

    "Sorry, Cindy, is there something you need?" Hera inquired, tearing her gaze away from the file she was studying to focus on Cindy, who stood before her with hands sped in front of her abdomen, maintaining a poised stance.

    "I apologize for interrupting your time, Miss Hera. I wanted to let you know that your customized cars have arrived in the garage, and lunch has been served," Cindy said respectfully.

    Hera��s eyes lit up at the news of her car��s arrival. Who wouldn��t be thrilled about new cars? Her excitement was palpable. "Oh, that��s fantastic news! I can��t wait to take one for a spinter," she eximed joyfully, her smile stretching from ear to ear as she eagerly made her way to the dining room.

    Cindy couldn��t suppress a smile at Hera��s infectious excitement as she trailed behind her.

    Following her enjoyable lunch, Hera returned to her room and indulged in a quick shower. She followed it up with a simple three-minute skincare routine, applying some lotion before heading to her walk-in closet. With anticipation gleaming in her eyes, she retrieved the dress they had purchased from Dior.

    Heraplemented the dress with Yves Saint Laurent Opyum pumps, crafted in sleek ck patent leather with heels adorned with the iconic YSL logo in gold. Enhancing the ensemble, she selected ruby teardrop earrings and a ne from Celine.

    Her eyes then caught sight of the Audemars Piguet Sapphire Orbe watch. Its design, resembling a bracelet adorned with miniature gemstones, captivated her. At its centery an orb encrusted with dazzling blue sapphires, its design reminiscent of gentle waves. While undeniably elegant, it exuded a tasteful refinement rather than overt opulence, unlike the other watches on the disy shelf boastingrger gemstones that screamed wealth. Hera appreciated how the watch��s smaller gemstones formed an abstract masterpiece, adding a touch of sophistication to her attire.

    Before departing, Hera retrieved a Beige Caviar Chanel Double p from the shelf to hold her essentials, including her phone. She opted not to style her hair or apply makeup, as her skin boasted a natural healthy glow and a hint of blush, while her lips remained naturally red and moist. Instead, she simply ran ab through her hair, letting it cascade freely. This surely left a subtle yet alluring impression, she spritzed on a floral-scented perfume from Creed Les Royales Exclusives Jardin d��Amalfi Fragrance, a rmendation from their recent shopping excursion. She found the fragrance delightful and versatile, although she had also selected other perfumes for different asions.

    Hera cast a final nce in the floor-to-ceiling mirror before making her way to the garage, where Cindy awaited with a leather suitcase. Upon her arrival, Cindy opened the suitcase, revealing five keys aligned neatly inside. In front of her were the five cars she had recently selected for customization.

    Toplement her outfit, Hera selected the matte ck Bugatti La Voiture Noire and retrieved the corresponding key from the suitcase. With a grateful nod to Cindy, she expressed her appreciation. "Thank you, Cindy. Please take some rest after this. I��ll be dining out with Athena today." Her words were apanied by a sweet smile directed at Cindy.

    As Hera settled into the driver��s seat, she couldn��t help but sigh. "I had intended to opt for a modest choice, but I got carried away with the selection process," she mused, shaking her head in frustration. However, she acknowledged that every woman enjoyed pampering themselves and looking their best, not for anyone else but for their own pleasure. With a shrug, she let go of her momentary frustration and drove out of the garage.

 Chapter 46 Visit to Star Ocean Entertainment

    "Hera Ainsley," Hera responded softly.

    "Very well. Let me just check the schedule," the receptionist said, typing away at herputer. After a moment, she looked up. "Your meeting has been confirmed. You can proceed directly to the top floor. Someone will be waiting there to escort you to the CEO��s office." She then informed the top floor of Hera��s imminent arrival before bidding her farewell.

    "Thank you," Hera said with a gentle smile as she stepped onto the elevator. Her gaze remained fixed ahead, her mind focused solely on the task at hand��getting everything over with and reaching her intended destination.

    "Hera?" A voice called out uncertainly. "Is that really you, Hera?" The disbelief was evident in the familiar tone.

    Turning slightly, Hera spotted Alexi standing behind her. He must have emerged from the underground parking. Beside him stood his assistant, someone Hera had glimpsed a few times while she still shared an apartment with Alexi.

    As Hera nced back, she noticed the assistant��s awe at her appearance. Though subtle, the changes in her seemed enough to render them breathless.

    Hera remained silent, her finger pressing firmly on the button for the top floor. Alexi observed her actions, a bitter taste creeping into his thoughts as he realized he was being disregarded. It was a sensation he was unustomed to; Hera had always been there for him, nurturing and attentive. In his mind, her world had orbited around him, and he had convinced himself that he was her everything. Now, however, as she moved forward without acknowledging him, he couldn��t help but feel the sting of her indifference. She didn��t even spare him a nce or a greeting, a stark reminder of how easily she had moved on from their shared past.

    "What are you doing in mypany?" he inquired, his voiceced with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. Yet, met with only silence, he pressed on, his words carrying a weight of usation. "Are you here to trade your talents as an artist just to prolong our time together?" The usation slipped from his lips, already convinced of its truth, a pang of bitterness quelled within him. "Hera, you don��t need to resort to this. You know I still harbor feelings for you, don��t you?"

    Taken aback by what he heard, Alexi��s assistant discreetly nudged him, a flicker of fear passing across his face. His gaze darted nervously towards the elevator��s CCTV camera, his mind racing with the potential consequences if their conversation were to be overheard. The mere thought of Minerva discovering their exchange sent a shiver down his spine. With no recourse but to silently emphasize his concern, he continued to urge Alexi to tread cautiously.

    From his vantage point behind her, Alexi couldn��t help but notice Hera��s captivating attire. Each detail seemed meticulously chosen, enhancing her allure to a tantalizing degree. The delicate curve of her fair shoulder, the subtle glimpse of her enticing corbone, and the asional reveal of her back through cascading locks of hair��all conspired to captivate his senses. Her satin silk evening dress draped over her figure with an almost maic allure, entuating every curve and contour. As he stood in the confined space of the elevator, he felt his heart quicken and his breath caught in his throat, consumed by undeniable arousal ignited by her presence.

    His attention became solely fixated on Hera, oblivious to anyone else in the vicinity. The details of her attire faded into insignificance as his gaze lingered hungrily on her curves and the tantalizing expanse of exposed skin.

    Despite his intimate encounters with Minerva in the past, Alexi found himself more aroused than ever before. Even the sight of Minerva��s naked form paled inparison to the sheer allure emanating from Hera as she stood silently in the corner, draped in a seductive evening dress. Rationality was eclipsed by his overwhelming desire, as his mind stubbornly clung to the belief that Hera��s presence was a deliberate attempt to seduce him back into her grasp.

    A wave of jealousy washed over him as he thought of her walking around with that dress, an overwhelming desire to shield her from the prying eyes of others and keep her beauty exclusively for himself. The mere thought of other men ogling her sent a surge of anger coursing through him, igniting an irrational impulse to protectively shield her from their gaze. The intensity of his emotions bordered on primal as if he were ready to unleash his fury upon anyone who dared to look upon her with anything but reverence.

    Before Alexi could even begin to process his tumultuous feelings, his assistant forcefully extracted him from the elevator upon reaching their destination, leaving Hera behind as the doors slid shut. Alexi��s gaze remained transfixed on Hera as she disappeared from view, his agitation intensifying. Unable to shake the captivating image from his mind, he felt an overwhelming reluctance to let her go wherever she intended.

    It was in that moment of separation that Alexi fully realized the extent of Hera��s allure. Not only was her shoulder exposed, but her frontal view revealed an even more enticing disy, with her cleavage on full disy,manding attention with undeniable allure. Her overall visual impact was impossible to ignore, leaving Alexi caught in a whirlwind of desire and fascination.

    He stood motionless in front of the elevator door, his gaze fixated on the ascending floor number disyed on the indicator above. An intense desire to uncover Hera��s destination or the identity of her meeting consumed him. His jaw clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms in a futile attempt to suppress the overwhelming agitation coursing through him. Nowhere to vent his swirling emotions, he remained trapped in a state of internal turmoil.

    Despite the distance that now separated them, vivid memories of Hera��s appearance and the sweet floral scent that enveloped her lingered in his mind. With each inhale, his throat grew parched, and a wave of heat surged through his body, a visceral reminder of the maic pull she exerted over him.

    Desperate to track her down, Alexi felt the urge to bolt up the fire exit until his assistant intervened, whispering urgently, "Alexi, we��re in thepany. If Minerva finds out, we��re both done for." His plea was almost desperate, grasping for any words that might convince Alexi to restrain himself while within the confines of their workce. "Remember your ns for the ss reunionter?" he continued in a hushed tone, "She might be attending too. You��ll have your chance to talk then."

    Recalling this vital detail, Alexi��s frantic energy subsided slightly, though he still cast a longing nce towards the elevator, reluctant to leave Hera unattended.

 Chapter 47 Visit to Star Ocean Entertainment 2

    Moments after the knock, a deep voice echoed from within,manding, "Come in."

    The assistant, with a respectful demeanor, opened the door with both hands and motioned for Hera to enter. Rafael remained engrossed in the documents scattered across his desk, diligently flipping through the pages. Hera offered a nod of gratitude to the assistant before stepping into the room. Its design was minimalist and modern, with a central sofa for guests upholstered in sleek ck leather adorned with ck and gray cushions.

    The coffee table boasted metal frames and ss covers, adorned with an ashtray and an essential oil reed diffuser. The diffuser resembled an elegant ss bottle with sticks protruding from it, adding a touch of sophistication to the room. The scent of sandalwood permeated the air, enveloping the space in a refreshing and calming ambiance. Its fragrance was neither overpowering nor subtle, striking a perfect bnce that enhanced the atmosphere of the room.

    Hera approached the sofa with measured steps, refraining from sitting until invited to do so by the host, adhering to basic etiquette. She patiently waited for him to conclude his reading of the folder before gently reminding him of her presence.

    As Rafael finished reading the file, he nced up and was met with the sight of a stunning woman standing before him, her gaze prating and unwavering. Momentarily stunned, it felt as if the circuits in his mind had momentarily short-circuited, overwhelmed by her presence.

    However, outwardly, he wore a frown, his brows knitted in seriousness, leading Hera to anticipate a business discussion. Patiently, she awaited his lead, but minutes passed with no dialogue. Growing impatient, she finally addressed him. "Mr. Briley?"

    Her voice snapped Rafael back to reality, leaving him momentarily choked up. Sensing the constriction in his throat, he discreetly adjusted his necktie, granting his Adam��s apple some relief. With a subtle throat-clearing, heposed himself, ready to engage in conversation.

    "I apologize for the dy. Please, take a seat," Rafael said, gesturing toward the sofa. As Hera seated herself, he reached for a ck leather folder from one of the side drawers on his desk. Carrying it over to the sofa, he settled himself opposite Hera, ready to begin their discussion.

    With closer proximity, Rafael could examine Hera��s appearance in greater detail. Despite the distraction, he couldn��t help but notice her modest yet undoubtedly expensive outfit. What caught his attention most was the watch adorning her wrist��a timepiece that stood out even among luxury brands. The Audemars Piguet Sapphire Orbe, a timepiece from 2015, held an estimated value of $904,000, leaving Rafael impressed by Hera��s taste.

    His temple twitched as he nced back at Hera, confirming that she was indeed the vision of peerless beauty he had imagined. However, his mind was clouded by a deep contemtion sparked by his sister��s words from the previous night about Hera having a sugar daddy.

    Despite the diligent efforts of his team to investigate, they unearthed only the same old information about Hera and Athena. Rafael couldn��t shake the feeling that Jackson and Lowry had purposefully concealed Athena��s information to safeguard her while she roamed freely outside. As for Hera, the only usible exnation seemed to align with what his sister had suggested.

    He felt a twinge of irritation <i>��Hera seemed more inclined to be someone��s ything rather than epting my offer to work in mypany.��</i> Although she might not have the means to afford such luxuries outright, she possessed the capability to indulge in branded goods if she so desired if she became a celebrity.

    He felt deeply disappointed, having held Hera in high regard initially, only to be caught off guard. This revtion left him torn, as he typically remained disinterested in matters unrted to him. However, he couldn��t help but recognize his ulterior motive of securing a valuable asset for himself. With this realization, he nodded to himself, acknowledging his underlying intentions. His determination to recruit Hera as his artist intensified even further. <i>��It��s far better for her to be my artist than to be someone��s sugar baby,��</i> he mused internally. <i>��I could provide her with thevish lifestyle she desires; she doesn��t need anyone else.��</i>

 Chapter 48 Contract Signing

    Hera responded with a simple smile, allowing Rafael to form his own conclusions. If she were to discover Rafael��s various spections about her, she would undoubtedly find them amusing.

    With Hera��s silence, Rafael chose to cease his inquiries and redirect his attention to the matter at hand. He realized he had be deeply intrigued by Hera��s affairs, a fascination driven by his business acumen to sign artists with the potential to be prominent figures. In today��s mediandscape, many celebrities cultivaterge followings based on their appearance alone, regardless of gender.

    Furthermore, Rafael acknowledged that he was still grappling with the stress caused by his sister��s recent troubles. Despite his efforts to alleviate CEO Jackson��s anger, it still remained and he also tried to quell the online spection surrounding Hera��s alleged cheating boyfriend, the rumors continued to gain traction following her interview. Despite Rafael��s attempts to erase evidence and mitigate the situation, most of the spections continued to circle back to his sister.

    Unbeknownst to Rafael, it was Hera who was strategically leaking evidence bit by bit. Despite Rafael��s relentless efforts to delete traces of information, small pieces of evidence continued to resurface shortly afterward.

    He took on the task of tracing the ounts behind the information leaks, deploying his team of expert hackers for the job. Despite their formidable skills, however, his adversaries proved as elusive as an eel, leading to disappointing results from their efforts.

    He knew that this conspicuous pattern of suppression would undoubtedly draw attention, fueling the public��s curiosity andpelling them to seek out the truth. Rafael, with his extensive industry experience, understood this dynamic well. It was precisely why he was so eager to sign Hera��recognizing her potential to generate significant buzz and intrigue.

    His objective was to leverage Hera��s influence to quell the conflict with Alexi and demonstrate to the public that they harbored no ill will towards each other, as evidenced by their willingness to work together in the samepany. Rafael strategized to engineer opportunities for them to appear alongside each other in a Variety Shows or dramas, aiming to bury the issue down the drain. Additionally, he aimed to preemptively dispel any spection of a feud between Hera and his sister over a man.

    He disapproved of Alexi��s exploitation of his sister for career advancement. However, ording to his investigation, it was his sister who initiated everything. She was well aware of Alexi��s pre-existing long-term rtionship, yet she chose to insert herself into the situation regardless.

    Despite expressing his disapproval of his sister��s choices, she resorted to emotional maniption, threatening suicide if anyone intervened in her rtionship with Alexi. Despite their family��s objections, they prioritized his sister��s well-being over everything else, sumbing to her demands and allowing her to continue her involvement with Alexi.

    Hera looked up after thoroughly reading the contract, only to find Rafael visibly distracted, his brows tightly knitted in an unreadable expression. She cleared her throat to draw his attention back. "Mr. Briley, I��ve reviewed the contract and I��m in agreement. I��m ready to sign."

    Hearing Hera��s captivating voice snapped him back to reality. There was a soothing quality to her tone, perhaps due to herposed and reliable demeanor. In an instant, his racing thoughts came to a halt, allowing him to fully concentrate on the matter at hand.

    He nodded at Hera as she signed the agreement, then handed her one of the copies neatly enclosed in a leather folder. He carefully stowed away the other copy in a secure location.

    Abruptly, he posed a question. "Have you given any thought to my offer of joining mypany as an artist?"

    Hera responded politely, "I��m sorry, Mr. Briley, but I don��t see myself pursuing celebrity status. I value the privacy of my current lifestyle." After a brief pause, she added, "However, I do appreciate the offer." She offered him a warm smile.

    Rafael nodded in acknowledgment. "I understand," he said. He then positioned himself near the exit and motioned for Hera to follow him.

    Hera sat still, her brow furrowed in confusion. Rafael noticed her puzzlement and took the initiative to rify. "Remember mentioning attending a reunion? I��ll send you there." he dered, his tone carrying an authoritative edge rather than a mere suggestion.

    Hera maintained herposure, meeting Rafael��s gaze steadily. "I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Briley, but I already have transportation arranged waiting outside," she replied politely.

    He presumed Hera had arrived by taxi and extended the offer to send her to her destination, aiming to build rapport. Despite acknowledging her response, his business instincts remained sharp; he couldn��t resist seizing opportunities. Aware of Hera��s mary value, he harbored concerns thatpetitors might be catching up on her potential, and view her as a lucrative asset to be wooed away.

    However, he refrained from further insistence upon Hera��s firm rejection. Instead, he simply offered to escort her out. Despite Hera��s persistent denials, Rafael��s unwavering expression conveyed his determination not to relent, ensuring she had a ride waiting downstairs, a gesture of his concern for her safety and well-being.

    Rafael��s patience wore thin with each rejection from Hera, evident in the growing irritation etched across his face. Sensing his frustration, Hera relented, allowing him to follow her as she boarded the elevator. Every person they passed cast wide-eyed nces their way, unustomed to witnessing the CEO personally escorting a guest out of his office; typically, such duties were delegated to his assistant.

    But their surprise didn��t end there; initially assuming he was merely escorting the female guest to the elevator, onlookers were further taken aback when they witnessed Rafael stepping onto the elevator as well.

    They initiated a thread on thepany group chat, sharing a photo of Hera and Rafael entering the elevator.

    [AnnaB: OMG! Did you all catch this? Is she our CEO��s girlfriend?! My Adonis has been snatched away!!!! Argh!]

    [MarisL: Seriously?! Is this for real?!]

    [AbbyN: I witnessed it firsthand! He got into the lift with that gorgeous woman and was even sweet to her! Feeling a tad bitter myself now!!!]

    [JorgeC: Whoa! Isn��t she my Goddess Hera, the one who��s been trendingtely?!!! Oh, and did any of you catch sight of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire parked outside? It was absolutely SICK!!!]

    [AaronD: No kidding, dude!!! I��ve only ever seen it in magazines as one of the most expensive hypercars out there!!!]

    Thepany group chat erupted with discussions on three hot topics: Rafael��s rumored girlfriend, Hera��s signing as an artist within thepany, and the jaw-dropping supercar parked in front of their building. The buzz quickly spread beyond thepany, making its way onto the inte and igniting a wildfire of spection.

 Chapter 49 Class Reunion

    As soon as she reached her best friend, Athena inquired, "Babe, what��s taking you so long?" She then turned to Rafael and greeted him with a polite nod. "Good afternoon, Mr. Briley. We��ll be setting off now."

    Upon seeing Athena��s car, Rafael finally understood why his sister was so insistent on acquiring it��it truly was an impressive ride.

    He assumed Athena was there to pick up Hera, so he nodded at them both before saying, "Thank you for your time, Miss Ainsley. Safe travels."

    Hera nodded back at him before walking off with Athena. When they were a considerable distance from Rafael, Athena couldn��t resist a teasing remark, "I see you��re really going for the humble and modest look today." She nced at her watch and added, "So humble that even your watch costs a million dors."

    "Don��t exaggerate things; I know I got carried away with dressing up," Hera replied defensively.

    "Well, yeah, maybe not a million, but close enough, right?" Athena retorted with a teasing smile stered on her face.

    "You��re not one to talk; that ne you��re wearing looks equally expensive," Hera shot back.

    "Alright, we both got carried away. I simply found it stunning and it matched my dress perfectly," Athena said briskly, making a quick exit to her car, eager to avoid Hera��s rebuttals.

    As Athena��s car was parked beside the Bugatti La Voiture Noire, Rafael initially assumed Hera would join her in the passenger seat of the Bugatti Chiron. However, he was surprised to see Hera enter the even more expensive matte ck Bugatti.

    Momentarily stunned, Rafael watched as both cars drove off in tandem, following each other��s lead. He mused that Athena likely wasn��t aware of the true value of the cars, allowing her best friend to freely pick one from their garage. Hera, by chance, selected one of the most expensive and rare models. Nodding at this realization, he returned to his office on the top floor.

    The two Bugattis roared through the streets, turning heads as they sped towards the Dragon Pce Hotel. Fortunately, the roads were clear, granting them the freedom to relish in the thrill of driving their new cars.

    At the hotel, attendees of the ss reunion gathered at the entrance, eagerly anticipating the arrival of each guest in their high-end sports cars. Dressed to impress, they showcased their finest attire, paired with the most extravagant cars from their garages. It seemed less like a ss reunion and more like an opportunity to unt their possessions.

    Most importantly, they awaited the arrival of the worst of the bunch. Over the past year, as they witnessed each other��s progress in their respective universities, achieving milestones and sesses, few genuinely celebrated each other��s aplishments. That��s precisely why they decided to include Hera and Athena in the gathering, ensuring no one would feel like the least aplished among them. They understood that having someone perceived as doing worse would alleviate their own insecurities.

    As they eagerly awaited everyone��s arrival, anticipation grew for Hera and Athena��s expected arrival in a taxi, dressed in less extravagant attire.

    Growing weary from waiting for the final three individuals, one of them couldn��t help but whistle as a car approached. Should I say cars?

    At the forefront was the stunning Mint Green Bugatti Chiron, leisurely making its way towards the hotel entrance. A valet hastened over to assist the driver and ensure the car was properly parked to make way for the next arrival.

    As the driver��s side door slowly opened, all eyes turned expectantly toward Athena��s emerging figure. Those outside were filled with anticipation, wondering whether the person stepping out was one of their peers or simply a hotel guest. Regardless, their attention was captivated by the sleek hypercar before them, particrly the men among the group.

    However, as Athena drew nearer, the atmosphere shifted. The expressions of anticipation turned to disbelief as they took in her appearance. It was not what they had anticipated. Smiles faded as they scrutinized her from head to toe. She wore a simple ck dress, yet the ne adorning her neck gleamed conspicuously. Moreover, the car she had just emerged from far surpassed the luxury their families typically afforded.

    Athena couldn��t help but notice each of their reactions and found herself inwardly amused. With a content smile, she greeted them, "It��s been a while, everyone." Her smile widened as she continued, "Hera��s just ahead." With that, she turned her gaze toward the car behind hers.

    Meanwhile, the valet skillfully maneuvered the Bugatti Chiron out of the entrance, making room for the matte ck Bugatti La Voiture Noire. As it approached with a subtle rev of the engine, it came to a smooth halt,manding attention with its presence.

    Athena��s words seemed to go over everyone��s heads as they anticipated a taxi pulling up behind her. Instead, their attention was entirely captured by the sleek hypercar before them, momentarily forgetting about Hera��s impending arrival.

    Meanwhile, Hera was stunned to see everyone huddled outside. She hadn��t expected everyone to be waiting outside, assuming they would gather in the reserved room. If she had known, she might have opted for a less conspicuous car from her fleet of hypercars��but then she remembered that there was no such thing among her collection.

    She sighed, resigning herself to the situation. <i>��What did it matter if they knew?��</i>

    Pushing her concerns aside, she resolved to address whatever challenges came her way. With a determined mindset, she opened the car door and stepped out slowly, offering a polite smile to the valet who stood ready to assist her with parking.

    After ascending a few steps, she headed straight for Athena, linking their arms in support as they made their way inside. It was only then that their former ssmates seemed to snap out of their daze, eager to ask questions but unsure where to begin. They trailed behind Hera and Athena as they entered,pletely forgetting about the absence of one person.

    Meanwhile, Hera and Athena were oblivious to the missing individual amidst the crowd, assuming everyone was present in the bustling gathering.

    Hera didn��t bother putting on a facade with her former ssmates; she was well aware of their judgmental attitudes towards her and Athena. Instead, she allowed the ss monitor to take the lead, guiding them to the private room reserved for gatherings.

 Chapter 50 Class Reunion 2

    Athena��s smirk widened as she defiantly stared him down, her arms crossed as she leaned back in her chair. "Feel free to try. Let��s see who hits the ground first."

    Another male ssmate intervened, restraining the angry man and forcing him back into his seat. With a scoff, he dismissed Athena��s challenge. "You? Just because you found someone totch onto, you think you��re superior to us all now? Ha!" He sneered, letting out a disdainfulugh. "Do you honestly believe that your sugar daddy or whoever you��re with would dare go up against our families? They��d discard you in a heartbeat."

    Athena shrugged casually. "Well, you won��t know unless you try," she retorted.

    Hera couldn��t suppress a chuckle at Athena��s nonchnt demeanor, though she recognized it was hardly the appropriate time given the tense atmosphere in the room. Despite being outnumbered 17 to 2, they remained unfazed. Athena knew they were in a secure environment; if things escted, they could always call security to intervene. Besides, Athena was more than capable of holding her own in a verbal sparring match against any of them, collectively or individually.

    Annoyed by Hera��s chuckle amid the room��s tension, a female ssmate spoke up in a condescending tone. "Hera, we all know you probably settled for being a kept mistress after Alexi dumped you for the princess of the Briley. So what, just because you gained some poprity on social media, you think you��re superior to us?"

    Hera refused to back down, fully aware of their attempt to emotionally wound her by bringing up Alexi and his infidelity. "I never imed to be better than any of you. But sometimes, actions speak louder than words," she responded calmly, her charming smile momentarily captivating the attention of the male ssmates, causing them to momentarily forget their anger.

    The girl who spoke caught Hera��s implication and erupted in anger. "What are you insinuating?! Are you suggesting we��re uneducated?!"

    "I never said that, but if the shoe fits..." Hera shrugged, adopting Athena��s nonchnt attitude, which only seemed to irk them further. The enraged woman��s eyes welled up with tears, prompting the other females to console her. They attempted to unite against Hera and Athena, but their words seemed to fall on deaf ears. The two remained unaffected by their verbal assault, leaving their detractors growing increasingly frustrated.

    Amidst the palpable tension, Alexi was ushered into the room by one of the staff, offering a momentary respite from the heavy atmosphere. As he stepped inside, his gaze immediately found Hera, seated serenely amidst the tumultuous environment. He couldn��t help but notice how the eyes of the other men in the room lingered on her face and body with unmistakable desire.

    He was instantly incensed at the sight of someone eyeing his woman. Marching straight to Hera��s table, he took a seat beside her, determined to assert his presence. The scent of her floral perfume enveloped him as he settled into the empty seat, causing a lump to form in his throat. He adjusted his posture, trying to maintain hisposure amidst the unexpected surge of emotions.

    He attempted to diffuse the tension by steering the conversation towards their achievements, drawing upon his ability to read the room and navigate social dynamics, honed from his interactions in the entertainment industry. His adeptness allowed him to seamlessly integrate with the others at the table. Whenever someone aimed a snide remark at Hera, he swiftly intercepted, deflecting it and shielding her from any potential harm. Observing this, the rest of the table found his behavior peculiar, considering the well-known history of Alexi and Hera��s breakup and theplexities that entailed.

    The men at the table understood Alexi��s reluctance to let go of Hera, and many silently supported his decision. After all, who among their peers didn��t have a secret lover or two? They envisioned a future where they, too, would choose to hold onto someone like Hera��a wildflower, both beautiful and strong. Now that Hera was free from Alexi��s grasp, they saw an opportunity to test their luck.

    Reflecting on their high school days, they couldn��t deny the allure of Hera. Her beauty was unmatched, and she had been the object of admiration for many throughout their school years. This fact had only be more apparent with time.

 Chapter 51 Sailing in Two Boats

    Amidst the chaos of spection, Alexi��s anger surged to new heights. Clenching Hera��s arm tightly, he gazed at her with a mixture of hurt and frustration, yearning for answers. The mere thought of Hera being in someone else��s arms besides his own ignited a fierce wave of jealousy within him.

    Through gritted teeth, Alexi demanded, "Hera, care to exin what��s going on?"

    Hera met Alexi��s gaze with a contemptuous snort. "There��s nothing for me to exin to you," she retorted, her toneced with disdain. Turning her attention to ire, whose triumphant expression irked her, Hera couldn��t help but feel exasperated by the woman��s relentless need to nder others for a false sense of superiority.

    It was evident that ire was likely seething with jealousy, especially as she observed Alexi��s attempts to please Hera and the lingering gazes of the other men in the room. Despite their attempts to be discreet, their admiration for Hera was transparent to everyone present.

    Hera remained keenly aware of the dynamics unfolding around her, silently observing each individual��s actions. She couldn��t shake the suspicion that they had been invited to serve as entertainment, allowing others to feel better about themselves at her expense.

    However, Hera had no intention of allowing anyone to nder her, especially considering the repercussions not only for herself but also for her loved ones and her family. With a firm resolve, she pressed the issue, her tone devoid of gentleness and imbued withmanding authority. "Would you care to reveal the identities of these supposed individuals you��re referring to?" she demanded, her voice calm yet weighted with gravity.

    ire remained steadfast, refusing to yield. In her mind, why should she worry about ndering Hera? After all, there was no evidence to substantiate any ims against her. Besides, ire could always turn the tables, ming Hera for spreading rumors and tarnishing the reputations of those men she had named. This way, they wouldn��t direct their anger at ire, but instead at Hera, leaving her to bear the brunt of their fury.

    It seemed like the perfect n to ire. With Heracking influential connections, ire believed she could easily get away with her scheme. Meanwhile, Hera would suffer the consequences, branded as a woman without dignity, a kept woman whose reputation would be irreparably tarnished. Once the rumors reached her fans, admiration would turn to disdain, leaving Hera feeling like nothing more than a fallen idol.

    ire boldly asserted, "Wasn��t it Mr. Gerald Troy of the Golden Dragon Pavilion and Mr. Rafael Briley? I even spotted you dining with Mr. Briley just the other day at the Golden Dragon Pavilion." She shot Hera a knowing look before pressing on, "Mr. Troy and Mr. Briley crossed paths there. Did they have any inkling that you were with both of them at the same time?"

    Athena struggled to suppress herughter, her amusement evident as she listened to ire��s absurd usations. The idea of Hera being portrayed as an insatiable seductress seemed utterly ridiculous to Athena. The notion became so ludicrous to her that she almost found itical. She couldn��t help but imagine herself breaking into a celebratory dance if Hera were to suddenly find herself in the midst of a reverse harem scenario.

    Hera��s smile widened into a knowing grin as ire mentioned Gerald. It appeared ire still hadn��t learn her lesson about fabricating stories. With aposed demeanor, Hera gently extricated herself from Alexi��s grip, which had tightened in response to ire��s usations.

    "ire," Hera began, her tone carrying a hint of disappointment, "it appears that being cklisted from the Golden Dragon Pavilion wasn��t sufficient to deter you from spreading baseless rumors. It��s truly disheartening to witness such behavior." She shook her head in mild exasperation. "TSK!" she concluded, emphasizing her disapproval with a subtle click of her tongue.

    The room fell into a collective gasp, eyes widening in astonishment as they turned toward ire, who had once proudly unted her gold membership card at the Golden Dragon Pavilion but now found herself cklisted from the establishment.

    The revtion that ire had offended Gerald Troy only added to the shock, leaving many feeling a sense of pity for her apparentck of judgment and stupidity.

    "Don��t attempt to divert attention when it was your actions that led to my cklisting," ire used, her voiceced with bitterness. "Wasn��t it because you were seeing him behind Mr. Briley��s back that you didn��t want me there because I found out?" Her usations left Hera and Athena bewildered, unsure of the origin of ire��s sudden outburst and the hysteria that apanied it. It was evident that ire had faced severe consequences from her father for losing the membership card he had worked so diligently to obtain.

    "Hera! Are you attempting to retaliate against me by dating Minerva��s older brother?!" Alexi��s voice thundered with fury, his teeth gritted as he struggled to contain his anger. Both of his hands clenched into fists, his veins pulsating prominently on his forehead and arms. It was the first time Hera had witnessed Alexi lose control of his emotions to such an extent, and she couldn��t help but feel a mixture of shock and fear. Despite his loss ofposure, Alexi still carried the aura of a male lead, albeit slightly less prominent than the real male leads.

    Hera remained silent as Alexi pulled her closer, his grip tightening on her wrist to the point of leaving a bruise. A sharp wince escaped Hera��s lips, betraying the pain she felt, while Athena attempted to intervene to aid her friend, only to be met with a menacing re from Alexi.

    "Don��t you dare interrupt us, Athena! This is between Hera and me!" Alexi��s voice boomed with authority as he asserted his dominance.

    "You��re mistaken, Alexi. This is no longer your concern. You are no longer my boyfriend," Hera calmly stated, attempting to extricate herself from Alexi��s vice-like grip. However, he refused to release her, leaving Hera feeling increasingly frustrated. Desperately seeking support, she cast a nce at ire, who seemed to be reveling in Hera��s distress, enjoying the spectacle unfolding before her.

    Hera fired back, her voice cutting through the tension. "If your usations hold any truth, then why don��t we involve all parties concerned?" she challenged.

    ire��s demeanor shifted noticeably at Hera��s suggestion, and she quickly offered an excuse. "Aren��t they preupied with their own lives? Besides, aren��t you merely a ything to the wealthy? Would they truly spare much attention for you?"

    Hera chuckled lightly and replied, "Well, I suppose we��ll only find out if we give it a try, won��t we?" She cast a meaningful nce at Athena, silently signaling for her to summon the staff to locate Gerald. With their long-standing friendship, Athena immediately grasped Hera��s intention and swiftly exited the room in search of assistance.

    ire observed the exchange between Hera and Athena, her apprehension mounting as a sense of unease began to gnaw at her stomach.

 Chapter 52 His Anger

    A sudden realization struck her: had the sweet and affectionate side of him she had experienced been genuine, or merely a facade designed to ensure her affection? Could it be that the Hera depicted in the novel, head over heels in love with him, had fallen for the same carefully constructed image? Were all his actions merely a performance crafted to fulfill his own agenda?

    Hera��s heart hammered fiercely in her chest as these intrusive thoughts besieged her mind, demanding answers. With each passing moment, she found herself retreating further from Alexi, consumed by the depth of her contemtions. At this juncture, one mightbel her as paranoid, but the fear of having been manipted loomedrge. Was it Alexi who had orchestrated her every move, or was it the doing of the plot itself that had ensnared her unwittingly?

    Or perhaps it was all merely a product of her own overactive imagination, fueled by the abrupt shift in circumstances. Could she be reading too deeply into the situation, her mind in a state of hyperawareness due to the constant fear of being drawn back into the plot once more?

    She made a conscious effort to sidestep any direct confrontation with the second male lead, Rafael, owing to his connection with his sister. Their previous encounter had concluded amicably, but the sight of Alexi��s enraged countenance now evoked memories of a scene from the novel recounted by Athena. It was a harrowing incident involving Minerva, nearly subjected to a dreadful gang rape, where Alexi��s fury had been unleashed in a manner unseen before. He had swiftly dealt with the assants, their features left unrecognizable in the aftermath. At that moment, he appeared akin to a ferocious beast, instilling fear even in Minerva herself. Yet, paradoxically, this episode only served to strengthen their bond, as Minerva came to understand the depth of Alexi��s feelings for her, transcending mere material wealth.

    Yet, Hera couldn��t shake the uncanny resemnce between Alexi��s current demeanor and the troubling description from the novel. <i>��Was she hastily jumping to conclusions?��</i> Despite her mounting worries and inner turmoil, Hera maintained aposed facade as everyone awaited the impending confrontation. ire, ever confident, wore a smug countenance, convinced that Hera would fail to prove herself innocent. As their high school ssmates departed, ire anticipated the news spreading like wildfire,pleting her revenge without having to lift a finger against Hera.

    Hera��s focus remained fixed on Alexi, his unblinking stare causing his eyes to redden, veins straining visibly. She couldn��t help but notice the tension in his jaw, the muscles clenched tightly. A lump formed in Hera��s throat as she observed blood dripping from Alexi��s hands. Her heart, already pounding fiercely, seemed to beat even faster at the sight.

    Hera��s tense body jolted from the sudden touch on her shoulder, causing her to jump up and swiftly turn to see who it was. She was relieved to find Zhane in the venue, though he appeared slightly out of breath.

    Before Hera could respond, Zhane asked in a worried tone, "Are you alright, Hera?" His gaze traveled down her body until it settled on her bruised wrist. His stern expression turned colder. "What happened to your wrist?" he inquired.

    "Miss Ainley, is everything alright?" asked another person as they entered the private room. Athena was still nowhere to be found, but the neers were all breathless. Hera could only surmise that they had all rushed here at top speed, leaving Athena behind with the staff, or perhaps she was still making her way back, navigating the halls in her high heels.

    Zhane immediately shielded Hera behind him upon noticing the bruise on her wrist. His mind raced, considering the possibility of a physical altercation with a man, given the severity of the bruising and its size. He scanned the room and locked eyes with Alexi, the only one clearly too agitated and on the verge of going berserk.

    Before, Alexi had never really entertained the thought that Hera could easily move on from him and be with someone else. Even when Minerva insinuated that Hera had a sugar daddy, it was dismissed as spection. Despite his anger, he could discern if it was true or not, and he merely acted disappointed in front of Minerva to dissuade her jealousy and to prove that he had nothing to do with Hera anymore. But now, hearing someone else testify that they saw Hera with someone else, he felt a surge of jealousy threatening to consume him.

    But in the end, he was still consumed by jealousy and anger to the point where he was seeing red, consumed with the desire to exact revenge on the person who supposedly took Hera away from him.

    "Gerald, someone is spreading nder about us, iming that I��ve been involved with two men, and you��re one of them. They even suggest that I tried to conceal it by asking you to cklist her from the Golden Dragon Pavilion. That��s what she��s using us," Hera said nonchntly, her tone belying the gravity of the usation.

    Gerald seethed with anger as he scanned the entire room and found the woman he had recently expelled from the Golden Dragon Pavilion. It appeared that banning her from one establishment wasn��t sufficient to make her reconsider her behavior.

    Meanwhile, Zhane was taken aback by the usation. He didn��t personally know Hera, but she had left a strong impression on him as someone who wouldn��t engage in such behavior. "Who��s the other party involved?" he echoed incredulously.

    Hera emerged from behind Zhane with a chuckle. "It��s rather amusing, considering she imed the other party was Mr. Briley."

    Even Zhane couldn��t suppress a cold snort. "Indeed. Let��s hear it from the other party involved. Luckily, I happen to be acquainted with him, making it easier to refute this baseless nder."

    At this point, ire was visibly trembling with fear. Having Gerald present was intimidating enough, but now someone else was iming to know Rafael and intending to contact him. Did this mean she was about to be their enemy? She hadn��t anticipated this oue at all.

    Zhane, dressed in a dashing grey three-piece suit, reached for his phone tucked in his inner pocket. But before his fingers could grasp it, he was suddenly tackled in the stomach.

    Hera, nearly stumbling, was forcefully shoved aside by Zhane to prevent her from being caught in the tackle. As Hera gathered her bearings, she saw Zhane already on the ground with Alexi straddling him, attempting tond blows on his face. To her surprise, Zhane managed to seize both of Alexi��s arms, and they were now locked in a fierce struggle, with Alexi striving to free himself and resume his assault.

 Chapter 53 Alexi going Berserk

    It didn��t take Hera long to reach Alexi. Zhane��s grip on Alexi was weakening, his palms slippery with sweat. With determination, Hera took one final step and knelt beside them. Zhane��s reaction was a mixture of shock and anger at Hera��s risky move, but his surprise only deepened as Hera gently wrapped her arms around Alexi��s shoulders and whispered, "It��s okay, everything is fine now. I��m still here."

    Hera repeated her soothing words several times until she felt the tension drain from Alexi��s muscles, his body going limp in her arms. She caught him just before he copsed to the floor. The onlookers could only gasp in shock as they witnessed the unfolding events before them.

    Despite his surprise, Gerald didn��t hesitate to assist Hera with Alexi, swiftly taking him from her arms. Hera then instructed, "Gerald, please take Alexi to an avable room and contact his assistant to arrange for his pickup. Make sure to inform them of the situation so they can handle it appropriately, ensuring there are no further conflicts with the hotel and on their end."

    As Hera attempted to rise, the tension leaving her body caused her knees to weaken, and she struggled to maintain her bnce. Fortunately, Zhane swiftly moved to catch her, steadying her before she could stumble.

    Meanwhile, the onlookers were stunned by Hera��s authoritative tone in instructing Gerald, almost as if he were her subordinate, and by Gerald��s immediatepliance. Hera remained oblivious to this reaction, her mind preupied with other matters, while Gerald saw no issue with following her directives, as he indeed served as her subordinate.

    As Alexi was being escorted out by security while still unconscious, Athena arrived, gracefully tip-toeing with her high heels in hand. Observing the distraught atmosphere, she couldn��t help but feel confused. She had assumed that the issue with ire��s nder had been resolved, yet upon entering, she found ire standing unharmed amidst the crowd.

    Turning her gaze to Hera, Athena discovered her best friend lost in thought, with Zhane providing support by holding onto her waist. Confusion etched across Athena��s face as she watched the scene unfold, her head tilted to the side in bewilderment.

    Although Hera still needed time to sort out her thoughts, she feltpelled to address the immediate issue at hand. "Now that the other matter has been resolved," she began, "I hope we can move forward with addressing the nder. It not only tarnishes my reputation but also unfairly implicates two innocent gentlemen in this ordeal."

    Gerald stood at attention, nodding at Zhane as a signal to continue contacting Rafael regarding the matter. Meanwhile, ire remained silent, hoping themotion would divert attention away from her and the issue she had raised. However, her fear escted when Hera returned to the matter at hand, casting a re that seemed to pierce through her, leaving ire trembling with apprehension.

    This time, Hera��s anger was palpable. The fact that Zhane almost got hurt in her own domain due to a baseless nder hurled by ire infuriated her. It appeared that Hera would need to take a firm stance against ire to ensure she learned her lesson. If Zhane had been harmed, it could have sparked a feud between the Everetts and the Averys, as Zhane was the sole heir of their esteemed n. Justice would be demanded, and Hera couldn��t allow such a scenario to unfold and affect her Grandfather.

    Hera took a moment to collect herself, steadying her wild breathing as she reorganized her thoughts. Once she regained herposure, she turned her attention to Zhane, who remained as poised and dashing as ever, though his disheveled suit betrayed the ordeal he had just endured.

    With genuine concern, Hera inquired, "Are you alright?"

    Zhane��s stern expression softened into a slight smile as he reassured Hera. Then, without hesitation, he retrieved his phone and dialed Rafael��s number, which was promptly answered. As he activated the speakerphone, a hoarse and irritated voice emanated from the other end of the line.

    "What��s the matter, Zhane?"

    Hera could envision Rafael furrowing his brow in his office, engrossed in his tasks. Despite the tension, a small chuckle escaped Hera��s lips, offering a momentary relief from the whirlwind of thoughts consuming her mind.

    Rafael detected her softughter and inquired, "Zhane, is Miss Ainsley with you?"

    Hera took the lead and addressed Rafael directly. "Mr. Briley, there��s been an incident at my ss reunion. Someone has been spreading rumors about us being involved romantically, even suggesting I��m involved with both you and Gerald Troy." A hint of mischief sparked in her eyes as she continued, her inner determination to confront ire evident. "It��s unclear if she��s attempting to tarnish my reputation or yours, but either way, it��s a troublesome situation."

    "Who is responsible?!" Rafael��s furious voice reverberated, its malice sending shivers down everyone��s spine except Zhane, ustomed to such intensity, and Hera, who knew what she wanted to do.

    Hera pressed on. "Gerald will be following your decisions, Mr. Briley." The silence in the room was deafening.

    "Understood. I trust this will set a clear example for those considering following such a person��s leads. Now, tell me who it was," Rafaelmanded, his tone firm and unwavering.

    However, Hera didn��t take it to heart; instead, she felt a sense of relief knowing that Rafael would willingly handle the situation for her. "It was ire White, daughter of the Whites," she disclosed. "I was concerned about any impact on your reputation, so I aimed to resolve the matter swiftly. Thankfully, Gerald and Zhane provided their support."

    Hera wasn��t one to shy away from retaliation against those who sought to harm her, especially if they persisted in their efforts. She was not a saint to keep forgiving those who wanted her harm. She remembered the "White Flower" tactic Athena had taught her years ago. While Hera initially believed she wouldn��t resort to such deceitful methods, she realized that being straightforward had its limitations. As she informed Rafael of ire��s involvement, a wicked smile crept across Hera��s face, hinting at the brewing storm of consequences.

 Chapter 54 Exit

    Having witnessed repeated disappointments in individuals who failed to change despite being given chances, Hera had grown weary of offering opportunities to those undeserving. She preferred to reserve such chances for those who truly merited them. Thus, she voiced her support for Rafael��s decision. "We stand behind your decision, Mr. Briley," Hera affirmed. "ire��s actions have crossed a line this time. She not only offended Miss Avery previously but now you as well. If we let this slide, who knows who��ll be her next target?"

    Hera deliberately highlighted ire��s offense against the Avery heiress to underscore the severity of ire��s actions. While some might perceive Hera��s action as vindictive, her decision stemmed from years of witnessing ire��s repeated transgressions. Hera understood that ire wouldn��t grasp the gravity of her behavior until faced with a significant consequence.

    Sure, Hera experienced a twinge of guilt, but she couldn��t ignore the implications of what she had uncovered about their world and the influence of the storyline. Did this mean she needed to elevate her efforts to avoid sumbing to the fate outlined for her in the novel?

    Gerald, grasping her sentiment, chimed in. "You have my full support, Mr. Briley. I��ve been lenient in the past, but sometimes good intentions reach their limit."

    ire crumbled where she stood, muttering incoherently, unable to plead her case as she was escorted out of the venue. The rest of the attendees remained frozen in ce, rooted to the spot, unsure of how to react.

    With a gracious smile, Hera addressed the group. "Thank you for the invitation today, but it seems such asions aren��t my cup of tea. Nheless, rest assured that the expenses for the food and venue have been taken care of. Please, feel free to stay and enjoy the remainder of the day." With that, she confidently strode out of the private room, Athena trailing behind her. With that, Hera confidently strode out of the private room, Athena following closely behind.

    Unbeknownst to Hera, Zhane remained at her side, providing subtle support by gently holding her waist. His presence was so natural and his touch so seamless that Hera didn��t even notice until Athena brought it to her attention.

    "Babe, how long do you n on clinging to Mr. Everett?" she quipped yfully, bringing a moment of humor to the tense atmosphere.

    Initially puzzled, Hera��s confusion dissolved as she felt Zhane��s gentle support around her waist. A faint blush tinted her cheeks as she turned to Zhane with gratitude. "Thank you for your assistance, Zhane," she said, her voice slightly hesitant. "I believe I can manage to walk on my own now. But I appreciate your kindness."

    "It was certainly a dangerous situation," Gerald remarked as he guided them to the penthouse to attend to Hera��s now reddened wrist.

    "Thank you for this, Mr. Troy," Zhane expressed his gratitude to Gerald for allowing them ess to the penthouse, despite it being reserved for the private use of the Avery Heiress, he thought that Gerald took them into consideration since themotion happened in his territory and made an exemption.

    He guided Hera to the couch while Athena retrieved the first aid kit from the bathroom cab. Upon her return, Athena inquired, "What happened while I was away?"

    As Zhane tended to Hera��s wrist, she recounted the events that unfolded after Athena had left to seek assistance.

    As Hera recounted the events, Athena couldn��t help but feel a sense of apprehension. Hera tactfully dropped hints to convey her concerns to Athena without revealing too much in front of Zhane. Though Athena didn��t fully grasp the details, she understood the underlying message Hera was trying to convey. They both acknowledged the need to discuss the matter further in private, away from Zhane��s presence.

    However, it was enough for Athena to sense the tension Hera had endured firsthand. She offeredfort to her best friend and gently checked for any additional bruises, thankfully finding only the one on her wrist. After tending to Hera��s injury, Zhane tidied up the items he had used and returned them to the box.

    Hera, seizing the opportunity, posed a question to Zhane. "By the way, Zhane, what brought you here with Gerald earlier?"

    Once Zhane finished tidying up, he met Hera��s gaze and responded, "I was returning to the private room for my meeting..." He paused, the realization dawning on him that he had abandoned his business meeting upon noticing Athena��s frantic dash. Curiosity piqued by Athena��s urgent demeanor, he inadvertently overheard her informing Gerald about Hera��s predicament, prompting him to offer assistance.

    Before he realized it, Zhane found himself sprinting faster than Gerald toward the private room. Reflecting on it now, he believed it was the best decision he could��ve made, as he dreaded to think what might have urred if he hadn��t arrived in time, especially for Hera.

    Yet, dwelling on such thoughts was unsettling. Zhane pushed them aside, focusing instead on the meeting he still had to return to. Hoping his colleagues were still waiting, he excused himself after ensuring Hera was in good condition.

    As Hera bid Zhane farewell at the elevator door, her sweet smile and sincere gratitude warmed his heart. Seeing her smile caused an unconscious smile to spread across his face, leaving Hera momentarily stunned before sheposed herself.

    "The male lead halo is truly dangerous," Hera mused silently as the elevator doors closed. Zhane��s simple smile had sent her heart racing, leaving her feeling as if she were floating to the moon and back. She even felt literally seeing a halo shining brightly behind his head.

    She decided to set the matter aside and returned to Athena, who was waiting inside the penthouse. Gerald departed to attend to the aftermath of the incident. Left alone together, Hera began sharing her assumptions and spections with Athena, although they remained somewhat unclear and fragmented. Nevertheless, it was enough to spark a conversation between them. Athena patiently listened as Hera articted her thoughts before offering her own insights and exploring various possibilities together.

    She didn��t overlook the wealth of knowledge gleaned from novels in her previous world. Even though Athena��s life wasn��t directly impacted by Hera��s experiences, they embarked on a brainstorming session that extended into the night. Eventually, Gerald brought them food to make sure they wouldn��t get hungry while they continuing their discussion.

 Chapter 55 Testing it Out

    Athena couldn��t contain herughter upon hearing Hera��s concern. "Wouldn��t that be fantastic? It means your family wouldn��t have to face ruin, as the male leads would support you, and you��d reign like a queen."

    "That��s not what I meant!" Hera protested with a pout.

    "You mean, you��re worried about being swept off your feet or you��re scared of not being able to walk anymore?" Athena quipped, bursting intoughter after stating her double-meaning words.

    Hera blushed but found herself unable to offer aeback. With a sigh, she conceded, "Let��s leave it at that. I��ll tackle it when the timees. But for now, let��s refocus on the matter at hand." She speared a piece of meat from Athena��s te, quickly popping it into her mouth, and shed a mischievous smile akin to a cat who had just snatched a fish. "Venturing into the entertainment industry is feasible, but it also means stepping into the battlefield."

    "It��s not like you can dodge getting caught up in the fray anyway," Athena remarked.

    They exchanged nces and simultaneously dered, "So, it��s wiser to take the initiative, set traps, and catch them off-guard, sweeping them away when they least expect it." Theirughter rang out in unison.

    "When are you starting?" Athena inquired, hastily devouring the freshly cut meat, wary that Hera might snatch it away again.

    Hera immersed herself in deep contemtion about the entire ordeal, exploring her emotions as reflecting on her feelings about attempting to alter someone else��s fate. Despite theplexity of it all, she found herself surprisingly calm. Herck of empathy for the female lead stemmed from a fundamental disbelief in Athena��s portrayal of her as a kind andpassionate character, as depicted in the novel.

    Hera reasoned that if the female lead truly possessed such virtues, she wouldn��t have coborated with Minerva from the outset to orchestrate Hera��s family��s downfall. Furthermore, she wouldn��t have turned a blind eye to the maniptive actions of Minerva and Alexi, particrly towards the lovestruck Hera in the novel. Hera viewed this acquiescence as tacit approval of their malevolent deeds, which only deepened her skepticism towards the character��s supposed kindness andpassion.

    "The sooner, the better, I suppose," Hera replied with a pout, eagerly awaiting the next slice.

    "Hey! Why not enjoy what��s already on your te?" Athena teased, yfully pulling her te out of Hera��s reach.

    "Didn��t you always say food tastes better when you steal it from someone else?" Hera retorted, pointing her fork at Athena��s te while licking her lips. "It truly does like the taste of victory," she added with a grin.

    As time passed, Athena couldn��t help but feel a twinge of regret for introducing Hera to all sorts of oddities during their formative years. While Hera typically maintained a reserved demeanor around others, her mischievous side emerged whenever she was in the presence of Athena and her grandfather. Like a yful cat, Hera delighted in jests and antics, yet Athena couldn��t bring herself to resent it; she found Hera��s yful nature utterly charming. To Athena, Hera was akin to a beloved little sister, eagerly seeking affection and pampering.

    "Returning to our discussion, when do you intend to begin testing this theory?" Athena pressed.

    "Given that Minerva is still preupied with the online spection about her and Alexi, I think it��s best to start now," Hera suggested.

    "Solid n, especially considering you��ve been trending more than the hottest celebritiestely. It��s ample clout to kickstart your celebrity endeavor," Athena acknowledged.

    "I have someone in mind who��s well-versed in this domain and would excel in orchestrating a celebrity debut," Hera added, retrieving her phone from her bag and dialing Cindy��s number.

    As soon as Cindy picked up the phone, Hera chimed in eagerly, "Hi, Cindy!"

    "Hello Young Miss. How��s your reunion going?" Cindy inquired warmly.

    "It didn��t end well, but I suppose it was still beneficial for me," Hera replied candidly, without holding back.

    Cindy paused, taken aback by Hera��s unexpected response, and more so by her nonchnt demeanor. Nevertheless, she continued, concern evident in her voice, "Are you alright, Young Miss?"

    Gerald hadn��t shared the details of what happened with the group chat yet. However, once he finished handling the aftermath and dealing with ire, he intended to update everyone. It was crucial for everyone to be informed and vignt about Hera��s safety, ensuring they were all on the same page.

    Hera greeted Cindy with a smile evident in her voice. "Yes, I��m alright. But, the reason for my call is because I need you to inform the UE��s CEO about my intentions to venture into the entertainment industry temporarily. I��m hoping for his assistance in getting things set up for me." Despite Hera��s seemingly casual words, her tone conveyed utmost seriousness and determination.

    Cindy, taken aback by the sudden change in Hera��s ns, sought rification. "Young Miss, are you feeling pressured into this, or is this something you genuinely want to pursue?"

    Hera chuckled at Cindy��s concern. "No, Cindy, I��m not being forced into anything. I simply want to give it a try since I was involved in the drama club back in high school. Didn��t Grandpa always say I should have some fun before diving into the responsibilities of inheriting his position?" Hera joked lightly. Yet, there was truth in her words; she had always been intrigued by the idea of embodying different characters and exploring diverse lives through acting.

    However, she hadn��t had the opportunity to explore this path earlier. Uncertain about how long she would need to continue juggling multiple part-time jobs to cover her expenses, she feared that returning to her grandfather��s ce would immediately thrust her into the role of inheriting the Consortium. In such a scenario, she worried she wouldn��t have the chance to pursue anything other than assuming the responsibility of leadership and guiding her people.

    But now, she had more time to pursue her interests, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to do so. It was akin to hitting two birds with one stone. Reflecting on her previous response to Rafael��s inquiry about herck of desire to be a celebrity, she realized it was a way to avoid being drawn closer to the female lead. After all, the realm of the entertainment industry was the home ground and main battlefield where much of the story plot revolved around.

    She had initially distanced herself from any involvement with the main or side characters. However, now that she had formted the theory, she realized the necessity of testing it out. In a way, she could view this as a moment of eating her own words.

    She could also argue that she had now discovered a reason to enter the industry, which made her feel less embarrassed to potentially face Rafael in the future. However, she harbored a hope that this newfound paths wouldn��t lead to enmity between them.

    Yet, her previous conversation with Rafael held the truth as well. She did cherish her privacy, but she also relished the opportunity to portray different characters. Otherwise, she wouldn��t have joined the drama club in high school and wouldn��t have crossed paths with Alexi.

    It��s undeniable that she was overwhelmingly busy at that time, never even entertaining the idea of bing a celebrity. She was wary of Rafaeltching onto a false promise, especially knowing she wouldn��t have the time to follow through on it. However, the current situation was vastly different; her family��s very lives were at stake. If her theory proved correct, there might be a chance to shift the bnce and safeguard her grandfather��s safety.

 Chapter 56 Relaxation

    As Hera settled into her seat and savored a sip of the freshly squeezed orange juice, Cindy delivered the news that the CEO of UE would be arriving at 9 a.m. to discuss Hera��s request from the previous evening. With a nod of acknowledgment, Hera indulged in a bite of the ky croissant. Her attention was drawn to the array of butter options before her, and she followed Cindy��s rmendation, opting for the "Ridiculous No.55" spread

    At first, she thought that the name was indeed ridiculous and somewhat funny but then, when she put a small piece of croissant with this butter spread in her mouth, she was surprised by the rich vor that she was not prepared. She did not know that butter could have that kind of rich vor in them that could be said �� expensive��.

    This was Hera��s very first taste of the said butter, and it immediately earned a coveted spot on her list of favorites. However, she hesitated to inquire about its price from Cindy, fearing the potential shock to her wallet and her heart bleeding from the price. Hera��s love for food knew no bounds; she prioritized satisfying her appetite above all else. Despite her tendency to be thrifty with clothing and other expenses, hunger was one area where she refused topromise. Her culinary adventures were a source of joy, and she made sure to document and share her most delightful dining experiences on social media for all to enjoy.

    Following her thoughtful gesture, Hera snapped a quick photo of the table adorned with delectable breads and an array of butter, still in its packaging. This would serve as a visual reminder for Cindy to remember Hera��s favorite choice, facilitating future stocks and storage improvements, and they could put it in a more elegant container while on the table. The lush garden provided a stunning picturesque backdrop for the photo, enhanced by the unexpected presence of a Palos Verdes blue butterfly delicately perched on the rim of her orange juice ss, adding a touch of natural beauty to the scene.

    After capturing the moment, Hera did not do any editing on the photo and simply captioned it "What a beautiful morning!" before promptly sharing it on her wall for all to see. Onlyter did she find a moment to check her own ount, and to her surprise, she discovered that she had gained over 2 million followers. Many had already engaged with hertest post, leavingments and likes, while others had scrolled back through her previous content to do the same.

    Only then did Hera fully grasp what Athena meant by being "trending" and more famous than other celebrities. She hadpletely forgotten that her ount was set to public, meaning that anything she posted was visible to everyone. Within moments of sharing the picture, her post was inundated with a flood ofments and likes.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Wow, Hera, you��re up bright and early! Your hearty appetite is contagious; now I��m craving a big breakfast too! <3<3<3]

    [Stepphylove: Oh my goodness, that butterfly is absolutely stunning! Where is this park located? It looks breathtaking!]

    [ArtisanMakerOfficial: Hold on, is that the legendary Ridiculous No. 55 butter I see?!! (surprised_emoji)]

    [AnnaM: Excuse me, Mister or Madam @ArtisanMakerOfficial, what��s with the surprise?]

    [ArtisanMakerOfficial: Allow me to exin, @AnnaM. Ridiculous No. 55 is hailed as the most exquisite butter globally, having earned a prestigious three-star rating among its peers. Crafted with luxurious ingredients, it��s renowned as the world��s priciest butter, boasting a staggering price tag of $857 per pound.]

    [AnnaM: You must be jesting?!]

    [ArtisanMakerOfficial: Visit our website at artisanmakerofficial to see for yourself.]

    [PasserbyGod: Holy shit! It��s real!!! Wow, this is unbelievable! I had no idea such butter existed!]

    [ArtisanMakerOfficial: In fact, the butter disyed on Hera��s table are all globally recognized as the pinnacle of butter excellence, each having earned prestigious awards. It��s surprising to see Hera casually indulging in these rare finds, as they��re typically challenging to acquire due to their premium ingredients.]

    Several individuals hurried to visit the website provided by one of thementers and were surprised to find that it belonged to the renowned food association responsible for bestowing awards on a wide array of culinary delights. Simr to the Michelin star system, this association evaluated and recognized various artisan products and food and beverage items from around the world, including butter, ham, wines, and more.

    The more refined their creation process, the higher the des they receive. Some of these products even boast family-owned recipes that have been passed down for generations, contributing to their longstanding global recognition. However, it��s worth noting that many of these esteemed businessese with a hefty price tag due to their exceptional quality and reputation.

    This sparked yet another trending topic on the inte, with Hera finding herself once again at the center of attention. She was bing quite the trending queen.

    Hera, who was quietly enjoying her meal, suddenly found her phone buzzing incessantly with notifications. She had enabled social media notifications, a decision she now regretted as her phone continued to vibrate with each new alert.

    After finishing her breakfast, Hera lingered for a moment and decided to investigate the cause of her phone��s incessant buzzing. It was only then that she realized the uproar on social media was due to the picture she had posted. Furthermore, she discovered that the butter she had casually enjoyed was priced at a staggering $857 per pound. Unconsciously, her hands began to tremble at the realization.

    <i>Ding...</i>

    Her phone buzzed once again, and Hera nced at the screen to see a message from Athena.

    [Athena: Babe, it��s barely morning and you��re already causing a stir. Looks like you were born for the spotlight. LOL]

    Hera could practically envision the mischievous grin on Athena��s face as she typed the message.

    She replied promptly.

    [Hera: I had no idea it was such an expensive butter, I just knew it tasted incredible.]

    [Athena: You better save some for me. XD]

    [Hera: Don��t worry, I��ll ask Cindy to send some to your house.]

    Hera then turned to Cindy. "Cindy, do we still have stock of the Ridiculous No.55 Butter in the kitchen?"

    Without hesitation, Cindy responded, "Miss, we have a dozenrge boxes, each containing several dozen."

    Hera��s stomach churned at the news. She had only intended to request one or two blocks for her best friend, but discovering they had such a surplus left her feeling overwhelmed.

    "Could you please send a box to Athena��s house?" Hera managed a smile, concealing her inner turmoil.

    "Of course, Miss. Consider it done," Cindy replied confidently.

    With some time to spare before the arrival of the UE��s CEO, Cindy excused herself to fulfill Hera��s request to send something to her best friend��s house. Left alone, Hera found herself engrossed in her phone, seated amidst the serene ambiance of the greenhouse garden.

 Chapter 57 Contract

    Hera admired the gold-ted Red Rose Ceramic Vintage Tea set, its beauty matched only by its apparent expense. As she ran her fingers over the delicate surface, she couldn��t help but appreciate its exquisite craftsmanship. Taking a sip of her tea, she began, "Once again, I wanted to express my gratitude for giving me the opportunity to discuss what I needed."

    "Please, Young Miss, don��t be too formal with me. We are just hired workers here to cater to your every need. I genuinely enjoy what I do," he said with a warm smile directed at Hera.

    "I��m d to hear that you enjoy your work, but I don��t see you as just a worker. To us, you and the others are part of our family," Hera replied, her smile reflecting her sincerity.

    His heart swelled at Hera��s words. It would be dishonest to say he wasn��t touched by her sentiment. At Avery, they were treated with care and respect, unlike at otherpanies where only numbers and results mattered. The emphasis on their happiness and mental well-being made him appreciate working for the Avery even more.

    With a smile still lighting up her face after the ttery and heartfelt appreciation, Hera spoke up. "As you��ve heard, I��m eager to dip my toes into the entertainment industry, and I hope you can assist me with that. While I��m looking forward to having some fun, I don��t want to overshadow our other artists or receive special treatment. I prefer to be treated like any other artist in thepany to avoid any jealousy."

    "May I ask, Young Miss, what motivated this desire to enter the entertainment industry?" he inquired.

    "Well, I��ve always had a passion for acting, even back in high school, and now feels like the perfect time to explore it further before fully assuming my responsibilities from my grandfather. Additionally, there are certain matters I need to attend to while I��m there. Although I can��t reveal all the details, I can assure you it��s for the future of the Avery family."

    "No, Young Miss. I��m already grateful that you trust me enough to confide in me. You could simply give me orders without needing to exin yourself, but, like the previous members of the Avery family, your kindness and generosity shine through. It brings me joy to know that I have your trust..."

    Hera blushed a little after beingplimented by the CEO of UE all of a sudden so she could only smile at him.

    He pulled up a folder from his briefcase and set it on the table facing Hera. "Young Miss, please review the contract, although this is only for formalities, everything in the contract was an A lister��s and we can change it ording to your liking."

    Hera smiled and nced at the contract but refrained from picking it up. The CEO noticed her hesitation and spoke up. "I understand your desire to be treated equally, and I anticipated your response. However, please allow me to share my perspective. While fairness is an ideal we all strive for, the reality is that life often isn��t fair."

    Pausing, he calmly took a sip of his tea, approaching the conversation as if it were a routine business negotiation. "Some are born into privilege while others are not. Yet, those who are privileged aren��t obligated to sacrifice their opportunities to level the ying field. It��s simply the way of life. If you choose not to utilize your privilege, others may exploit it. Jealousy and envy persist regardless of whether you embrace your advantages. People will always find reasons to covet what they don��t have. I hope my point is clear..."

    He offered an awkward smile, acknowledging the length of his message, a reflection of his years in the industry.

    As Hera contemted the CEO��s perspective, she realized that her initial reluctance was rooted in a desire to avoidplications. However, it got her thinking that what she might think is best for thepany might not be really the best for it. His words prompted her to reconsider, recognizing that her actions could potentially benefit thepany in significant ways.

    Noticing Hera��s lingering hesitation, the CEO persisted. "Consider this: your influence transcends mere poprity. Your presence in the industrymands attention, making you an invaluable asset. Otherpanies are undoubtedly eager to secure you to be a part of their ownpany, recognizing the substantial clout you wield. Embracing this opportunity not only advances your career but also serves thepany��s interests."

    With unwavering conviction, he continued, "If there are any objections to this contract, it would likely stem from envy, but that��s not important. You��ve earned this recognition, and it��s only right that we acknowledge your value." His confident demeanor conveyed his steadfast support.

    The CEO��s expression elicited a chuckle from Hera, indicating her amusement at his actions and words. She extended her hand to retrieve the contract from the table, her demeanor shifting to one of focused concentration as she carefully scanned its contents. With a methodical approach, shemitted each detail to memory, ensuring she grasped every aspect before proceeding. Finally, satisfied with what she read, she confidently grasped the pen and signed her signature to the document.

    A bright smile spread across the CEO��s face as he observed Hera��s decisive action, his expression reflecting genuine satisfaction at hermitment and understanding of his perspective.

    As Hera ced the contract back on the table, the CEO swiftly retrieved it and stowed it inside his briefcase, a hint of urgency in his movements. Preventing any potential change of heart from Hera, he bid his farewell with a quick yet earnest message. "I��ve already reached out to our top manager, who will be contacting you today. Please be prepared." With that, he made a hasty departure, mindful of the rumors surrounding Rafael Briley��s attempts to secure Hera��s attention. Despite Rafael��s charming appeal, the CEO harbored concerns that Hera might regret her decision in favor of the handsome Rafael.

 Chapter 58 Foodie

    Guided by Cindy, the tutor entered the room, followed by a servant carrying another set of snacks and drinks. Meanwhile, Cindy collected the empty tes and pitcher.

    "Good day, Mr. Fletcher!" Hera greeted her tutor as she rose from her seat.

    He smiled warmly in response. "I see that you��re doing well."

    "I am, and I entrust myself to your guidance once more," Hera replied respectfully.

    After settling his briefcase, Mr. Fletcher approached Hera at the table. "Have youpleted your assignment?"

    Hera fidgeted slightly but affirmed, "Yes, sir!" She then turned the screen toward the tutor, disying her PowerPoint presentation, and handed him the printed report.

    Their discussion ensued, with Mr. Fletcher providing pointers and offering different perspectives as Hera progressed through her slides. This dialogue continued for an hour and a half before delving into a new topic for another hour. Mr. Fletcher allowed Hera time to absorb the information before moving on to the next assignment.

    He handed Hera a printed copy of the assignment he had prepared beforehand before asking, "Is there anything else you��d like to rify? Or perhaps anything you��d like to share?"

    Hera shook her head with a contented smile. "Nothing, sir. I believe you��ve exined the points thoroughly, and I don��t have any further questions."

    He smiled, his eyes gleaming with pride as he tutored Hera, who effortlessly grasped everything he taught, absorbing information like a sponge. He considered it one of the best decisions he had ever made. Choosing to ept a favor from his friend to teach his granddaughter, instead of spending his time at the university where students mored for his attention. It was challenging to find someone as receptive as Hera to impart his knowledge to.

    Every professor��s dream is to discover a diamond among the rough, someone who not only meets but exceeds their expectations, absorbing 100% of the knowledge they impart. It��s an unparalleled joy to find such a student.

    Noticing the time and his untouched snacks, Hera made sure to offer Mr. Fletcher the lunch invitation. "Mr. Fletcher, would you care to join me for ate lunch?"

    He graciously declined with a smile. "Thank you, but I have a lecture right after lunch."

    Cindy swiftly interjected, reassuring Hera. "No worries, Young Miss. I��ve already arranged for a lunch that Professor Fletcher can enjoy on the go."

    "Fantastic! Well done, Cindy!" Hera praised with a thumbs up and a yful wink, earning a chuckle from Cindy and a smile from Mr. Fletcher.

    After ensuring that Hera received the assignment, he bid his farewells and returned to his car. Cindy escorted him to the front door where he boarded his vehicle. Before driving off, he sent a text message to his friend, Old Master Avery, detailing his impressions of his granddaughter��s talents in business and finance. He even expressed a touch of envy, noting how effortlessly Old Master Avery��s granddaughter seemed poised to seed him, while his own granddaughter remained rebellious.

    Hera tidied her table and neatly stacked the new assignment she��d received before joining Cindy in the dining room, where lunch awaited.

    "Wow, this looks incredible!" Hera eximed upon seeing the spread of food being arranged on the table by the chef.

    Returning her enthusiasm with a smile, the chef introduced the meal. "Greetings, Young Miss. Since I heard you had a long tutoring session with the professor, I��ve prepared a sumptuous Japanese Cuisine, featuring an Unagi Meal set just for you."

    He gestured to the square wooden container, which was asrge as Hera��s face. "Here we have the Eel (Unagi) on rice, grilled over charcoal and generously coated in a special sauce." Gesturing towards the soup, he continued, "This is Ichigoni, a luxurious local soup from Japan featuring sea urchin and abalone." Pointing to an egg roll (Tamagoyaki) and an A5 wagyu beef, the A5 expertly grilled, he added, "I also prepared these for you." Reflecting on the sushi option, he remarked, "I considered making sushi, but I wasn��t sure if you enjoy raw fish, so I chose this selection instead." Then, with a smile, he introduced the starters, "Lastly, your starters��kani sd made with Red King Crab and snow crab meat."

    Everything looked appetizing, almost too beautiful to eat, and Hera couldn��t bring herself to take the first bite. Instead, she captured the spread before her in a photo, posting it with the caption, "Can��t bear to eat this amazing art."

    However, despite her initial reluctance, Hera soon found herself diving into the food. The Kani sd offered a refreshingbination of vors, with the sweetness of yellow mango and the crispness of thinly sliced cucumber. The creamy texture of the mayonnaise was elevated by a special sauce that added a subtle citrusy tang. The soft crab meat added a meaty richness that bnced the dish perfectly, making it a delicious and satisfying choice to whet her appetite.

    The unagi was delightfully chewy and sweet, perfectlyplemented by a warm sake that bnced out the vors.

    The Ichigoni was delicate, devoid of any fishy aroma or vor. Its lightness tantalized the taste buds, while the freshness of the sea urchin and abalone enhanced the soup��s deliciousness. The Tamagoyaki had a subtle sweetness, contrasting with the slightly salty, melt-in-your-mouth A5 wagyu beef. Hera found herself fully immersed in tasting every dish on the table until she had finished everyst bite.

    The chef beamed with delight upon hearing Hera��s appreciation for his culinary creations. Eagerly, he began envisioning the evening��s meal, determined to continue impressing the Young Miss with his culinary prowess.

    After her delightful lunch, Hera sank back into her chair as the servants efficiently cleared the table before her. She then indulged in checking her social media, having noticed her phone buzzing incessantly during her meal��a clear sign that others found the food as captivating as she did.

    As Hera expected, the picture had already garnered a millionments, around eight hundred thousand likes, and hundreds of thousands of shares.

    [Amorefoodhub: Sister, where can I find this restaurant? Everything looks absolutely delectable!!! I��d love to feature it on my food blog... (heart eyes_emoji)]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Hera, my dear sister... Just looking at those dishes has me craving Japanese cuisine...]

    [PasserbyGod: Oh my Goddess!!! Could you please share the location? It all looks incredibly appetizing...]

    [FoodGod: Dear Goddess Hera, watching you enjoy those dishes in a video would have been divine. Perhaps you should consider starting a food blog��It would be great to watch as I eat my own food... <3<3<3]

    [TheFoodie: I��ve noticed that you often share food on your wall. Have you considered bing a food blogger? I��d love to watch people enjoying delicious food��it always makes me hungry!]

    [IeatAll: I agree with @TheFoodie! It would be amazing to watch you eat, Goddess. And please do rmend the restaurant you visited. Pretty please!!! (heart eyes_emoji)]

    Seeing all thements asking for the restaurant��s location, Hera didn��t want them to misunderstand and search for a non-existent restaurant. She replied:

    [Hera_A: Hi everyone, thank you for your interest! I appreciate your enthusiasm. However, I want to rify that this meal was not from a restaurant. It was prepared by a family chef...]

    Hera made sure to pin her reply at the top so everyone could see it and avoid asking the same question again. However, her response seemed to confuse everyone. Given that Hera came from a humble background, they couldn��tprehend her mention of a <i>"family chef."</i> Was it a friend��s family chef, or something else entirely?

    But their confusion was not answered and it only left them hanging.

 Chapter 59 Her Manager

    Betty reminisces of the previous talents she��s been handling and none of them came so close to what Hera achieved even before stepping into the entertainment industry. "You��ve made my work so easy." She teased a little.

    Hera felt a little bashful about beingplimented all of a sudden. "Thank you, Miss Dwane. I guess, the stalker issue was a blessing in disguise that helped me propel to the industry."

    Betty��s voice was gentle yet decisive as she inquired, "Do you have a specific image you��d like to cultivate or any preferences for your role? Are you interested in singing, dancing, or acting?"

    Hera sensed that Betty was a strong, independent woman capable of holding her own in any professional setting, which only added to her excitement for the new journey ahead. However, while Hera and Athena had initially discussed this move as a way for Hera to test out a theory, the reality of the situation left her both thrilled and apprehensive. She was excited at the prospect of finally pursuing something she truly enjoyed, yet nervous about the potential repercussions and how it might negatively alter the course of her life and the lives of those around her.

    Having grounded her running thoughts, Hera responded, "I��m particrly drawn to roles that are dynamic and diverse, though I must confess, my talents in singing and dancing are rather average." Her response was straightforward and honest, without any attempt to mask her weaknesses. She disyed amendableck of shame about her areas of lesser proficiency.

    Betty��s melodious chuckle rang and was followed by her lighthearted reply. "I am d to hear an honest response."

    Truthfully, Betty was not expecting much from Hera. Sure, she saw the interview and had seen Hera��s ethereal kind of beauty that everyone was moring about. But she was expecting to hear an arrogant woman who��s used to ttery from the people around her and someone who likes to keep a false image in front of everyone.

    Certainly, Hera was not your typical individual. In the entertainment industry, where stunning faces are abundant, it��s easy to be just another face in the crowd. However, Hera possessed more than mere beauty; she exuded a maic charisma that drew people in. Yet, what set her apart even further was her honesty and humility, qualities increasingly rare in a world where narcissism often reigns supreme.

    While narcissism prevails, there��s a flip side to the coin��a realm popted by those who suffer under its weight, constantly questioning their own value and seeking validation from others. Betty felt that Hera��s entrance into the industry was bound to have a profound impact on both ends of this spectrum.

    Betty formted her thoughts based on Hera��s demeanor thus far, hoping her assessment was urate. While Hera expressed a reluctance to construct a specific image or persona for the entertainment industry, Betty recognized the necessity of establishing a distinct presence. Beauty may diminish with time, but it��s one��s character and demeanor that leave asting impression. Betty��s goal is to ensure that Hera is remembered not just for her beauty, but for her grace and authenticity.

    She had already devised a strategy to cultivate Hera��s authentic persona, diverging from other celebrities who meticulously craft personas to perfection for fan adoration while harboring less-than-ideal traits behind closed doors.

    Soon, Hera and Betty��s brief discussion of Hera��s career n came to an end, and they reached an agreement to follow Betty��s arrangements, given her experience and expertise in the field. Betty was pleased that Hera cedplete trust in her and obediently listened to her advice without any hint of reluctance or anger.

    This further improved Betty��s initial evaluation of Hera. She eagerly dove into her work, paying even closer attention to Hera��s requests.

    Hera was pleased with Betty��s arrangements, recognizing them as well-thought-out ns designed to nurture her growth and prepare her for arger stage. Despite this, they agreed that Hera would benefit from attending an acting ss to refresh her knowledge and ensure she could convincingly portray a variety of characters with natural emotions. Betty aimed to assess Hera��s potential before assigning her first role.

    They opted for Hera��s debut to be on the variety show "The Quest." This show specializes in sending its guests to remote locations to experience life as locals do. The previous episode had been set in a quaint fishing vige by the sea. As for the uing episode, the exact nature of the experience awaited Hera remained shrouded in mystery.

    But this prospect didn��t faze Hera; in fact, she found herself rather excited at the prospect of venturing out and immersing herself in the experience. She had watched the previous episode, where guests were tasked with sailing on a fishing boat, castings into the open sea, and selling their catch in the local market.

    Fishing had been a cherished pastime for Hera and her grandfather ever since she was young. As she grew older, it became their cherished bonding activity whenever they could steal a moment away. Hera treasured the thrill of fishing, especially when they reeled in sizable catches. Afterwards, they would start a fire and savor the taste of their freshly caught fish in the wild��a vor that always surpassed that of the domesticated variety.

    The mere thought of it excited Hera deeply. While she wasn��t particrly drawn to extreme sports, she had a strong penchant for exploring the world, whether in the heart of nature or in other locales. However, her decision to join the Variety Show wasn��t solely driven by the thrill of the experience; there was a deeper purpose behind it, one thatpelled her to take part.

    Yes, Hera was the one who requested to join the Variety show. Why? It��s quite simple, really. Since she decided to test her theory, she needed to get closer to the novel��s male leads. So far, she had only met two of them: Rafael and Zhane. She had to meet the other three before the female lead had a chance to.

    In the show ��The Quest�� awaits the fifth male lead who she needed to meet. The Variety show should have already theplete roster of guests but there would be an opening soon because of an unexpected ident that will happen to one of the guests who will then need to back out. For Hera and the female lead, however, it will not be an <i>��unexpected event��</i> because they are both expecting it now and is waiting for the chance patiently.

    Since the CEO of UE encouraged her to use her identity and privilege as leverage, this marked the first asion where she would put it into action. She instructed Betty to ensure her inclusion in the show by any means necessary, even if it required some assertiveness. While it might not sound ideal, the female lead had employed simr tactics to secure her spot on the show. So, why couldn��t Hera do the same?

    __________________________

    PS: I apologize for the recentck of updates and dys. It was my birthday month, and I had variousmitments keeping me upied. I appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. I��ll do my best to catch up on the updates soon. Your ongoing support means a lot to me and motivates me to keep writing. Thank you all so much for your understanding and encouragement!

 Chapter 60 Charity Auction

    Athena chuckled warmly. "In three hours, babe," she proudly confirmed.

    Hera felt her frustration bubbling up, although she wasn��t one to easily lose her temper. Her brows furrowed slightly, a sign of her growing irritation. She massaged her temples in an attempt to calm herself as she responded, "Why are you telling me this just now?" She pressed her lips together.

    Athena chuckled nonchntly. "Oops, slipped my mind. Teehee!" Before Hera could respond with frustration, Athena quickly added, "On the bright side, I��ve already sent my mom��s most trusted stylist to your mansion. They should be arriving any moment now."

    "What?!" Hera��s voice interrupted Athena, a headache surging through her head. But in the end, she simply let out a resigned sigh. <i>��Forget it, I��ve gotten used to Athena��s spontaneity. Luckily, I don��t have any ns now.��</i>

    Athena had a tendency to be spontaneous in her ns and often forgot details until thest minute. It was a familiar trait, and Hera knew there was little point in dwelling on it now that arrangements were already in motion. She might as well sit back and rx while others handled the preparations, enjoying her tea in the meantime.

    She decided to let the matter with Athena slide, knowing that arguing about it wouldn��t change anything. Just as she came to terms with her feelings, Cindy entered the mansion followed by a throng of people pushing racks of formal evening gowns andrge suitcases. As the group entered, their eyes lit up upon seeing Hera standing in the living room with her phone in hand.

    They were captivated by Hera��s ethereal beauty and wlessplexion, their imaginations racing as they envisioned her in the array of gowns they had brought. Without pausing to let Hera catch her breath, they eagerly ushered her back to her room, guided by Cindy with a cheerful demeanor. Once there, they gently seated her at her spacious dressing table, their excitement palpable as they prepared to transform her for the event.

    After seating Hera in front of the dressing table, they huddled together, likely to discuss the desired look and gown for her. Surprisingly, their decision was unanimous and swift, as they began their work within just five minutes of discussion.

    They pulled out therge suitcases and unzipped them, revealing an array of makeup and brushes inside. The apparent leader stepped forward and began assessing Hera��s skin, inquiring about any issues or allergies she might have before proceeding with a simple skin cleansing and prep routine in preparation for her makeup.

    While waiting for Hera��s skin to dry after the skin prep, the leader introduced herself, sensing Hera��s concern in her eyes due to the fast-paced nature of their work. "Hello, Young Miss Avery. I am Britney Styles, the chief stylist of Closet Luxe," she said, extending her hand and sping Hera��s before shaking it firmly without waiting for a response.

    Hera was taken aback; not only was Britney the Chief Stylist of one of the most renowned Haute Couture clothingpanies, which happened to be under the Lowry family led by Athena��s mother, Sasha, but Britney herself was a behemoth in the industry, seldom seen at events unless she chose to attend, and exclusively catering to Sasha and her requests.

    With a wink, she reassured Hera, "Don��t worry, we��ve been informed by our young miss that you prefer to keep your identity low-key for now, so our lips are sealed once our job isplete."

    She then proceeded to apply a simple makeup for Hera, entuating her facial features while primarily focusing on styling her hair toplement the gown they had selected.

    Having received word from Athena about Hera��s imminent entry into the entertainment industry, they collectively opted to dress her in an ethereal evening gown, reminiscent of the enchanting attire often seen in fantasy movies��resembling a beautiful elf or fairy. This choice had been prepared in advance after Athena provided guidance on what image suited Hera.

    However, Athena had made this decision without informing Hera, leaving her pleasantly surprised to find herself adorned in the ombre blue flowing off-shoulder gown, she was taken aback by its beauty. The dress featured a cape-like attachment at the back, adding a touch of elegance and a whimsical touch to its flowing silhouette. The off-shoulder design boasted a seven-inch ruffle that slightly covered half of her arms, crafted from the same translucent sheer fabric as the cape. The color gradient transitioned seamlessly from dark blue to light blue, creating a mesmerizing effect.

    The bodice of the gown elegantly hugged Hera��s curves, reminiscent of a mermaid��s silhouette, while gradually ring out as it descended. With each step, the material gracefully cascaded to the floor, evoking a blossoming flower effect. The intricate embroidery of hydrangeas and blue tulips adorned the hem of the gown, which elegantly concealed Hera��s feet. When she spread her arms at shoulder level, Hera resembled a stunning blue butterfly, poised to take flight at any moment.

    The room erupted in excited gasps as Hera stood before the mirror, turning slightly to inspect her appearance. A content smile graced her lips as her eyes twinkled, forming crescents of joy. Her hair, half braided like a delicate headband, was adorned with a dark turquoise ribbon intricately woven into the braid. White flower decorations adorned her hair, evoking the image of a fairy, yet she exuded a celestial aura, akin to a goddess descended from the heavens.

    Theypleted the ensemble by adorning her feet with 5-inch navy blue Scarpin heels from Saint Laurent, without the iconic logo on the heels, adding a touch of elegance to her ethereal appearance.

    "Oh my! This is perfection at its fullest!" Britney eximed, her excitement palpable as she admired Hera from head to toe. cing her right hand on her chin in contemtion, she seemed to gain inspiration in a sh, her eyes lighting up before hurrying off home, leaving everyone else in their ces. The sudden departure caught them off guard, and when they finally gathered their bearings, they awkwardly turned to face Hera, offering her smiles of apologies.

    Fortunately, they hadpleted their work after two hours of helping Hera perfect her look. They packed up their belongings and excused themselves. Cindy escorted Hera downstairs and instructed their driver to take Hera to the auction venue in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

    Once Hera departed from home, she promptly texted Athena to inform her of her departure towards the venue. Athena replied almost instantly, assuring Hera that she would be waiting for her arrival at the entrance.

    At the time, Hera didn��t pay much attention to Athena��s reply. However, she soon regretted not asking for more details about the venue and the scale of the gathering. She assumed it would be like any other discreet charity event, without much hype.

    <i>��Oh boy, she was so wrong in assuming that.��</i> Her assumption couldn��t be further from the truth.

 Chapter 61 Charity Auction 2

    Hera��s heart softened upon hearing Athena��s exnation. She felt grateful for Athena��s sacrifices, akin to those of a real sister. However, she couldn��t shake the feeling that there was more to the story than Athena had let on. Despite her appreciation, Hera couldn��t resist her curiosity, pressing Athena for further details, determined not to be easily swayed.

    Athena had no choice but to spill the beans. "Well," she began, nervously touching her nose before continuing, "I just wanted you to walk the red carpet wearing the dress I designed." Athena��s confession came with a hint of apprehension, unsure of Hera��s reaction.

    Hera��s brows raised, her expression remaining mostly unchanged. But as Athena��s words sank in, she trembled in surprise. She knew Athena had talent in fashion design and was following in her mother��s footsteps, but she hadn��t realized Athena had designed the dress she was wearing. "This dress was designed by you?" she confirmed, her voice betraying a mix of shock and curiosity.

    "Didn��t I ask you to be my muse?" Athena regained her usual proud attitude and continued. "I created this dress with you in mind, as my constant inspiration. In fact, all the dresses they brought over to your ce were made by me," she boasted with a smug smile stered on her face, unable to refrain from seeking her friend��s praise, eagerly awaiting Hera��s reaction.

    Observing Athena��s eager and proud expression, Hera couldn��t help but let out a hearty chuckle, which was caught on the live broadcast, arousing curiosity among viewers about the duo��s whispered conversation as they strolled down the red carpet. Although the audience had no way of finding out the details, the host of the broadcast began to notice a significant increase in traffic as Hera and Athena continued their walk.

    Excitement filled the air as everyone eagerly anticipated Hera��s appearance on the screen once more.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Oh my! My little sister Hera is on the screen again, and she looks absolutely stunning! She��s taken my breath away!]

    [HeraIsMySister: I��m turning gay for you sister Hera!!!! Please be my wife!!!]

    [ImAHero: Oooooh! Who��s that breathtaking Goddess?! Is she a new celebrity???!!!!]

    [MeMyselfAndI: Bro upstairs, she��s Hera Ainsley and she is not a celebrity but I was hoping she bes one so I can often see her on the screen... My phone screen has already grown callous after I lick and kiss Hera��s photos every second. Heheheh. (side_eye_grinning_emoji)]

    [AlexiIsMyHusband: What��s so good about her?!!! She was just a stalker anyway!!!]

    [PasserbyGod: Hey, sissy upstairs. It was already proven that she was not your idol��s stalker and had never harassed him. Besides, our Hera was too good for your idol...]

    [AlexiIsMyHusband: What did you say?! Are you looking down on my husband?!]

    [PasserbyGod: "Husband," my foot! You��re just simping for him, and he doesn��t even know you... Gross! Like idol, like fans...]

    [AlexiIsMyHusband: Look man, I��m gonna find you and smash your head!!! (smirk_emoji)]

    [PasserbyGod: You can try, I have taken a screenshot of yourment including your profile��s info, so if anything happened to me. I��ll pin the me onto you. (evil_grin_emoji)]

    After that, the Alexi fan fell silent, and no one dared to verbally attack Hera again. Each time someone attempted, they were swiftly shut down by Hera��s growing legion of fans, who had be increasingly savage in their verbal rebuttals.

    [AnnaL: Why isn��t anyone mentioning Hera��s stunning gown?! It was absolutely dreamy, and she looked like a goddess in it!!!!]

    [BeautyMe: Absolutely! I was holding my breath from the moment she stepped out of her car!!!! It was breathtakingly beautiful! And was it just me, or did she seem to have a glowing halo over her head?!]

    [CarEnthusiastMe: Not only that, I actually didn��t know about Hera before, but after typing her name in the search bar, I found multiple searches about her, and she seemed to be from a poor background. But howe she��s riding a Rolls-Royce Cullinan that costs half a million dors?!!! I��m so confused! If riding such an expensive car is considered poor, then I��d rather be a poor homeless guy too, rather than a white-cor worker. (crying_emoji)]

    [Hardlife: Dude, I was thinking the same thing!!! And have you seen this too?! (url//link)]

    Thestmenter left a link in his message that led to a trending topic from the other day. It showed a picture of a matte ck Bugatti La Voiture Noire. Next to it was another picture of the same car, but this time with the person who got in and out of the car on two separate asions.

    Another heated discussion ensued as Hera and Athena continued walking the red carpet toward the entrance of the banquet hall at the Lakeside Pavilion Auction House, an international auction house.

    Hera and Athena strolled leisurely through the entrance, devoid of any nerves or stage fright. Athena was ustomed to attending parties from her previous life, while Hera wouldn��t have pursued an acting career if she harbored any fear of the spotlight. They maintained theirposed demeanor, radiating a gracious elegance that resonated with their individual personalities.

    Athena exuded a proud and mischievous aura, while Hera carried herself with a refreshing and gracious elegance. Whenever someone approached them to greet them, Hera remained humble, responding with nothing but a graceful smile and a straightforward answer.

    Charity auctions often attract affluent individuals who see it as a battleground to disy their wealth and phnthropic spirit. While thepetition is fierce, participants engage in bidding wars to secure top items, subtly showcasing the depth of their power and pockets without resorting to hical tactics.

    This way, they will gain the title of phnthropist and will gain a good image that will be good for their own businesses. How many of them are truly sincere in doing some help to those unfortunate souls who have lost their homes in sh floods, how many of them truly pity those who have lost their families in tsunamis?

    Only a fraction of these individuals genuinely care, viewing such events as mere opportunities to boost their public image and forge connections with other influential figures who are sincerelymitted to helping. For many, it��s all part of the business game, a chance to promote themselves as the face of theirpany.

    They serve as the living embodiment of theirpany��s ethos, understanding that maintaining the moral high ground reflects positively on their brand. Eager to leverage every opportunity for visibility, they enthusiastically participate in events like the Charity Auction, seeking to secure live broadcast coverage if possible. Athena saw this as a chance to demonstrate to her best friend the lengths to which the affluent will push their business strategies to achieve greater sess. It was a valuable lesson she wished to impart to her best friend as they both prepared to enter the business world.

 Chapter 62 What is this Situation?

    Hera hadn��t fully grasped the situation yet, but Athena was inwardly chuckling with mischief. While she weed the idea of Hera mingling with the male leads, she also relished the opportunity to showcase her friend to potential love interests beyond the male lead circle. ying the role of a discerning mother eyeing fish in an aquarium, she sought to select the finest and most promising match for her dear friend.

    Athena had long desired to y this role in Hera��s life, so she enthusiastically introduced Hera to the interested madams. Despite Athena��s good intentions, Hera couldn��t shake off the feeling of embarrassment. She felt like a wild animal on disy, being auctioned off for all the mothers to scrutinize.

    She excused herself and made her way to thedies�� room, seeking respite from the enthusiastic bunch of madams eager to match their sons with her. With a sigh, she traversed the silent hallway. <i>��I guess I can hide in thedies�� room for a while before the auction starts,��</i> she thought to herself.

    A fewdies of Hera��s age dashed around the hallway in a state of panic, seemingly eager to find someone. "Have you seen him?" They asked each other after they regrouped near thedies�� room.

    Hera paid no mind to the franticdies and proceeded directly to thedies�� room. She gently pushed the door open, taking a moment to lift the hem of her dress. As she stepped inside and raised her head, her eyes fell upon a handsome man seated on the floor, his back against the wall. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his breathing wasbored and irregr.

    She didn��t dwell too much on why he was in thedies restroom, as it was evident he wasn��t in a good state and was hiding.

    Hera remained calm and approached the man cautiously to assess his condition. Drawing nearer, she gently extended her hand to touch his forehead, feeling for any signs of fever, as hisplexion appeared flushed and his breathing was erratic.

    As Hera��s hand made contact with his face, she felt the intense heat radiating from his skin, causing her to flinch slightly. Concerned, she couldn��t discern the cause of his condition or determine whether he was suffering from a high fever.

    As Hera��s cold hand made contact with his cheek, the man felt a coolness spread through him, prompting a sigh of relief. He struggled to open his eyes, gradually meeting her amber gaze with his own blue orbs.

    With a frown and a scowl, the man scanned Hera��s face for a moment, his eyes struggling to focus. It took him a while to finally discern the image of the person in front of him. Once he identified Hera, his expression softened considerably.

    They held each other��s gaze for a moment until the man grunted in difort. "Please, don��t get too close. I can��t guarantee that I won��t do anything harmful to you right now," he managed to say, his voice strained with effort.

    Veins bulged on his temples, betraying the effort he put into keeping himself upright against the wall.

    "Hey, are you okay?" Hera asked with concern, noticing his struggle to maintainposure.

    "I am not," he responded, his gaze dark and somewhat misty. He regarded Hera as if she were his prey, poised to pounce at any moment. Hera��s heart pounded fiercely as she observed him, a sudden realization dawning on her in conjunction with themotion of thedies searching for someone outside.

    She swiftly pulled him to his feet with all the strength she could muster. He attempted to push her away, clearly concerned he might inadvertently harm her, but Hera firmly interjected, "If you wish to be caught by them, then continue struggling."

    He instantly stopped and did his best to drag himself to where she wanted to bring him.

    In a swift motion, Hera guided him into the inner cubicle of the restroom, seating him on the closed lid of the toilet seat. Retrieving her handkerchief from her bag, she dampened it with cold water before returning to his side. With a firm twist, she locked the cubicle door, ensuring no unwee interruptions from the girls outside.

    With gentle persistence, Hera pressed the dampened handkerchief against his face, coaxing him to hold it despite his struggles to lift his arms. Then, she retrieved the medicine she always carried and offered it to him. Initially resistant, he hesitated to open his mouth, his eyes still red and wary as he nced at Hera.

    He appeared strikingly handsome, his disheveled hair adding to his allure. Whenever his unfocused gaze met Hera��s, her heart raced and her stomach fluttered uncontrobly. She attempted to avert her eyes from the obvious bulge below his navel, but despite her efforts, her gaze asionally strayed in that direction.

    <i>��Why is it so big?!��</i> she eximed as her heart beat violently.

    Unbeknownst to her, the man��s eyes remained fixated on her face, allowing him to notice her asional nces. A devilish smile yed on his lips as his eyes turned dangerously hungry, his thoughts veiled in mystery. Even with his unfocused gaze, he could still discern Hera��s face and expressions. Despite hispromised state, he remained conscious and rational, relying solely on his sheer willpower to maintain hisposure.

    Observing his reluctance to take the medicine, Hera offered reassurance. "I understand your caution after what you��ve been through, but this is an anaphrodisiac. It will counteract the effects of the aphrodisiac you��ve ingested."

    That��s right, he had been drugged by the aphrodisiac, likely linked to the women searching outside. As for why Hera carried an anaphrodisiac, Athena often warned her about such schemes from the novels she read before transmigrating. It wasmon for women to resort to such underhanded tactics to capture the powerful men they desired.

    Therefore, she made it a habit to carry one with her at every party for her own safety. She had instructed Cindy to find an antidote effective against any type of aphrodisiac, and Cindy had diligently ensured that Hera always had a supply of tablets on hand, just in case.

    It was fortunate if she never needed to use it, but having it on hand meant she was prepared for any unfavorable situation that might arise. Little did she anticipate that she would actually need it this time.

    He still refused to take the antidote, so Hera attempted to pry his jaw open. In a sudden move, he pulled her onto hisp, catching her off guard. Hera found herself sitting on hisp, her legs on either side. She couldn��t ignore the hardness pressing against her, and he groaned again. Resting his head on her neck, he inhaled her scent deeply.

    Hera felt a shiver run down her spine as his hot breath grazed her skin. <i>��What did I get myself into?!��</i> she thought, beginning to scrutinize herself as she attempted to pull away from him.

    He scowled slightly and said, "Don��t move. Let��s stay like this for a while. Or else, don��t me me for not being able to control myself and taking you here and now," he threatened.

    Hera froze, her entire body stiffening at his threat. <i>��What a hooligan!��</i> She couldn��t employ any of the self-defense techniques she��d learned because he had her in close proximity, his strong arms around her, making her feel trapped.

    By now, Hera regretted ever helping the ungrateful bastard. Before she could make another move, thedies�� room��s door swung open, and thedies from earlier barged in, pushing every cubicle door as they entered.

    They seemed frantic, as if worried someone might snatch away the prize they had meticulously prepared for themselves. Their urgent search suggested they were determined to secure him for their own before anyone else couldy im.

 Chapter 63 The Beauty in Distress

    Hera could immediately sense her intentions, so she responded, "As much as I��d like to, I can��t right now. I��m afraid my dress will be stained with blood." She pretended to be in a difficult situation, contemting a solution while attempting to push away the man who was still taking advantage of her. "How about you give me some sanitary pads first, and I��lle out right away?"

    Hera was taking a gamble, hoping that they would scurry away once they confirmed the validity of her words and realized that the man they were looking for wasn��t with her in the cubicle.

    <i>Ding...</i>

    One of them received a message, and after reading it, they hurriedly left the restroom, giving Hera a moment to catch her breath and attempt to push the man away again. "Let me go! If you don��t, I��ll cut off your... manhood and ensure you��ll be childless for the rest of your life!" Hera said through gritted teeth, her tone firm and resolute as she threatened the man.

    She knew he was drugged and not in his right mind, but she still hoped that there was a shred of rationality left in him.

    After hearing her threat, his grip on her loosened, and Hera breathed a sigh of relief. The man slowly met her gaze, even though his eyes remained unfocused. Upon closer inspection, Hera noticed tears silently streaming down his face as he bit his lip as if feeling wronged by Hera��s words.

    He appeared deeply troubled, and Hera felt a wave of sympathy and guilt wash over her for having threatened him. She recognized his innocence and realized that he was not responsible for his actions, as he was clearly struggling to restrain himself from acting impulsively under the influence of the aphrodisiac. She admired his efforts to maintain control, knowing that few others could demonstrate such restraint in his situation.

    She feltpelled tofort him, seeing him in such a vulnerable state, resembling a distressed beauty that tugged at Hera��s heartstrings. Despite the earlier ordeal, her sympathy overrode any lingering difort. Without hesitation, she gently urged him to take the antidote, assuring him that it would alleviate his suffering.

    Her heart wavered between sympathy and frustration as he clung to her, distress visible on his face. Yet, any semnce of pity was shattered by the unsettling sensation of his hand creeping up her skirt, igniting a surge of conflicting emotions within Hera. Despite her inner turmoil, she grappled with the urge to reprimand him and the understanding of hispromised state.

    Thwart any attempts to spit it out. Employing all her strength, she pinned him firmly to the toilet seat, determined to ensure he consumed the antidote despite his skepticism or caution. Though he struggled against her, Hera remained resolute, unwilling to relent until he had ingested the remedy that could quell the effects of the drug.

    After confirming that he had swallowed the antidote, Hera breathed a sigh of relief. "This antidote works on most aphrodisiacs, so you should start feeling better in about half an hour to an hour. Just stay here quietly," she instructed her tone firm yet reassuring.

    As she tried to lift her hand from his strong chest and stand up, he tightened his grip on her once more, resting his head against her chest.

    Hera was on the verge of losing her temper, but the man spoke first. "Miss Angel, I��m sorry for scaring you. I��m feeling really ufortable. Can you please stay a little longer? I feel safe in your arms," he said, his tone turned gentle and any semnce of his fierceness earlier was nowhere to be found.

    Hera began to specte that the man might be experiencing some mental distress, which could exin his erratic behavior. Perhaps he had acted on instinct earlier and now simply wanted to alleviate his difort but was apprehensive about the women who were pursuing him. She tried to reason it out in her head, trying to make sense of the situation.

    Despite Hera��s desire to leave as quickly as possible, the man refused to let her go. She contemted resorting to another threat, but it seemed as though the man sensed her intentions and lifted his head to gaze at her. With puppy eyes and a pouty expression, he spoke softly, addressing Hera as "Miss Angel."

    "Thank you for helping me," he began, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "Those bad women tried to touch me." He sniffed, his tone usatory, reminiscent of a child recounting being wronged. "Since I was young, my Grandpa always told me that bad women would try to get under my pants, so I have to run if it happened. I was careless this time, but it was thanks to you. I owe you big time."

    Hera��s eyes darkened with indignation. <i>��They would even resort to such tactics to get a man?��</i> She shifted her gaze to the strikingly handsome man before her. His deep blue eyes were beautiful and captivating, drawing her in with their intensity. His lips, soft and pinkish, held a certain allure, and his jawline, though not overly pronounced, was perfectly sculpted. It was as if he had been crafted by the Gods themselves, every feature perfectly proportioned. He was like a delectable feast, tempting and irresistible in every way.

    As Hera noticed her thoughts veering in an undesirable direction, she quickly cleared her mind and regained herposure. Unbeknownst to her, the man before her was observing her closely, his keen gaze capturing every subtle expression that crossed her face.

    <i>��It��s no wonder they��d resort to such underhanded tactics, but that doesn��t make it right,��</i> Hera thought to herself, her indignation simmering beneath the surface.

    Hera��s expression softened as she forgot her ufortable position and leaned slightly forward. "May I know your name? Who are you with? I��ll help you look for them," she suggested, her voice gentle andpassionate. While a part of her still harbored doubts about the man��s authenticity.

    So, she set aside her suspicions and considered the possibility that he might truly be having a hard time right now. Hearing Hera��s soft voice, the man leaned in on her neck once more, silently inhaling her scent as his breathing gradually calmed. Hera gently rubbed his head to offerfort, understanding that he was likely feeling uneasy and potentially overwhelmed by the situation.

    Feeling Hera��s gentle care, Leo didn��t dwell too much on the situation, finding genuinefort in her embrace. As his foggy mind began to clear, he responded to her earlier inquiry. "My name is Leo, Leo Hendrix, and I came here with my Grandpa," he answered, his voice still hoarse yet oddly alluring.

 Chapter 64 Leo Hendrix

    Hera gritted her teeth. "Don��t try to take advantage of me!"

    "Don��t worry, I��m not," Leo responded almost instantly. His breathing became regr, and the bulge beneath Hera began to ease with each passing minute.

    Hera was left speechless, unsure whether tough or cry. Leo��s unexpected calmness around her felt like a blow to her pride. While she wasn��t seeking to be pinned down and ravaged by him, realizing that her usual feminine charm seemed ineffective made her feel strangely invisible. It was a disconcerting revtion she hadn��t anticipated.

    Desperate to leave the situation behind, she struggled to break free from his grasp, but his strength far exceeded hers, rendering her efforts futile. He remained as immovable as a boulder, refusing to release her. She ceased her attempts to squirm free, fearing it might provoke another unexpected response.

    As he rested his head on her neck, she allowed him to stay there, remaining still while maintaining her caution about what might transpire next. Although prepared to defend herself if necessary, she decided to take a moment to rest. Her body had been tense since their encounter began, and the constant vignce around Leo had drained her energy, leaving her feeling utterly exhausted.

    As Hera��s tense muscles gradually rxed within his embrace, Leo couldn��t help but emit a soft, melodic chuckle. Inhaling deeply, he took in Hera��s intoxicating scent, feeling the fog in his mind begin to dissipate. While his desires had initially surged within him, he now found them gradually subsiding. It wasn��t that he was immune to Hera��s allure or the temptation to sumb to his impulses, but the thought of his fianc��e��s potential disdain lingered heavily in his mind.

    That��s right, Leo was Hera��s fianc��, a union arranged by their grandparents long before Hera was born. The intention was to solidify their families�� bond, aiming for a rtionship deeper than mere friendship, aspiring for the creation of a true family through their future grandchildren.

    In their era, arranged marriages weremonce, yet there was a mutual agreement between their families. If Leo and Hera didn��t fall in love with each other, their elders pledged not to impose the marriage upon them against their wishes.

    Leo had long awaited this moment, anticipating the meeting with his fiancee. However, the fact that he had left such an unfavorable first impression on his future wife was causing him considerable distress.

    He could still vividly recall the day his grandfather took him to the Avery Mansion when he was just four years old, and Hera was a newborn baby. In his mind��s eye, he could see Hera��s tiny hands grasping his index finger, her gummy smile as he gently poked her cheeks.

    He pledged to protect her as they grew older, amitment he upheld by discreetly watching over her as she matured. However, following his college graduation, his grandfather sent him abroad to broaden his horizons. Leo��s demanding schedule made it difficult for him to stay updated on Hera��s life, and he was heartbroken to discover she had entered a rtionship with Alexi.

    Leo felt betrayed, prompting him to sever ties with their country and channel all his energy into his work abroad. Despite his sess and growingwork, thoughts of Hera lingered persistently. His grandfather observed Leo��s inner turmoil, witnessing his struggle to move on. Leo couldn��t entertain the idea of being with anyone else; his heart remained steadfastly tethered to Hera, his mind consumed by thoughts of her.

    The burden of his unrequited love weighed heavily on Leo, evoking sympathy from his grandfather for arranging his marriage before he had matured.

    The Hendrix men were ingrained with the values of loyalty and fidelity, taught to cherish and love only one woman. Divorce and infidelity were grounds for emunication from the family.

    Despite this, Leo remained steadfast in his devotion to Hera, viewing her as his future wife from the moment heid eyes on her. His thoughts and conversations often revolved around her, consumed by her presence even in her absence.

    Upon learning from his friend, Old Master Avery, that Hera had broken up with her boyfriend, Old Master Hendrix wasted no time. Almost immediately after the call with his friend ended, he dialed his grandson��s number, eager to share the news and potentially give Leo a chance to fight back and try to woo Hera.

    The news from his grandfather left Leo utterly dumbfounded for a good half an hour. He struggled to grasp the reality of the situation, unable to believe that Hera was once again avable. But as the news slowly sank in, Leo abandoned all his important arrangements for the day and hastily made his way back home.

    Returning home, Leo was filled with a mix of emotions. However, his excitement was quickly overshadowed by fury when he was drugged by an aphrodisiac in an attempt to get to his pants, putting Hera in potential danger. This revtion left him seething with anger, as their interference hadpletely disrupted the romantic first meeting he had painstakingly prepared for Hera.

    Fortunately, Leo��s feelings for Hera were genuine and untainted. Instead of sumbing to base desires during this torturous moment, he felt a profound sense of calmness, realizing that the person he had yearned for was now in his embrace. At that moment, an overwhelming sense of happiness washed over him, filling him with indescribable joy.

    Certainly, Leo decided not to disclose their supposed rtionship to Hera at the moment, especially since she had recently ended her previous rtionship. He didn��t want her to perceive his actions as taking advantage of her vulnerability.

    He desired Hera to be acquainted with him before revealing their supposed marriage alliance, granting her the opportunity to make her own choice. Despite his strong feelings for her, Leo believed it wasn��t sufficient grounds to impose his emotions upon her.

    He cleared his throat and reluctantly released Hera from his embrace, expressing his gratitude. "Thank you for helping me. I truly appreciate it," he said, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance. Pausing briefly, he pondered before adding, "Is there anything I can do for you?" His voice remained alluringly captivating, with a masculine undertone. His intense blue eyes locked onto Hera��s, reflecting a whirlwind of emotions that was difficult to ignore, even for her.

 Chapter 65 Going back Inside

    <i>��What? Does he expect me to assist him and walk side by side?��</i> Hera felt her lips violently twitching as she forcefully pushed that thought aside.

    But unfortunately for her, he did ask just that. "I apologize for being a burden, but due to the drug, my knees are so weak that I can��t seem to walk on my own," he confessed, his head dropping in shame. "I won��t me you if you decide to leave and they happen toe back and see me so vulnerable like this."

    Hera did not know if she saw him pouting or if she saw it wrongly, but it kind of gave her a shiver seeing a grown-ass man act that way and that didn��t go along with his image. <i>��But then again, he��s probably not in his right mind after the drug and is still a little foggy. Right?��</i>

    Completely forgetting how he acted like a wronged child just earlier after she threatened to cut his manhood. Even going as far as shedding tears and saying what his grandfather had told him years ago when he was just 7 years old about women wanting to get to his pants.

    But despite the contrasting image ovepping, he still somehow looked so fine!

    Talking about guilt-tripping her, but she couldn��t call him out on it because it was indeed true, and his visual impact alone was a formidable weapon that managed to reach her soft side with just that vulnerable look.

    She sighed and reluctantly agreed to his request, realizing she had to see it through. If they found him while he was still in his vulnerable state, her earlier efforts would be for naught, leaving him exposed to further danger and giving their way to continue with their n.

    Hera moved closer, gently guiding his right arm around her shoulder to support his weight as they made their way to the Auction Hall. With most of the guests likely already inside and the auction underway, they could blend in seamlessly, providing cover for their discreet arrival..

    But instead, Leo slid his arms around Hera��s waist, he only leaned lightly on her. Before Hera could voice any concern, he preempted her with a statement. "Others might suspect something is wrong with me if we enter like that. Trust me, it could lead to bigger issues."

    He then resumed his usual demeanor, domineering and sharp. Hera wasn��t surprised, but she kept a close eye on him. She sensed his adeptness at masking his vulnerability, noting his skill in controlling his emotions and facial expressions.

    Unbeknownst to Hera, Leo possessed a unique resilience against toxins and drugs, rendering themrgely ineffective. Even though he had been drugged, the impact was minimal due to his body��s natural antibodies. This immunity extended to most medications as well. Thus, whoever had drugged him likely utilized a potent aphrodisiac to elicit such a reaction, though Leo retained control over his primal instincts despite the influence.

    When Leo initially suspected he might be hallucinating due to the sudden surge in his sexual drive, he was taken aback. However, the revtion that Hera was indeed standing right before him filled him with joy and disbelief. This realization rified why he found it so difficult to control his body��s response when they were in close proximity.

    While his actions might appear as taking advantage of the situation to draw closer to Hera, Leo acknowledged that it was no justification for his behavior. Yet, every moment spent near her felt invaluable to him. He found himself yearning for her presence to the point where he wished he could fuse her to his body, ensuring she wouldn��t stray from his side.

    They maintained a steady pace as they neared the auction hall, fortunate not to encounter anyone along the way. As they approached the massive double doors leading to the auction, the two guards stationed at the entrance visibly flinched, promptly swinging the doors open to allow them entry.

    Hera barely had a moment to register the guards�� fearful reaction, her focus consumed by Leo��s tight grip on her waist. So preupied was she with this, that she scarcely noticed their surroundings until they were right upon their seat.

    Leo escorted her to the front row of the auction, their presence drawing the attention of every attendees in the room. The auctioneer fell silent, his gaze fixed on them as they made their way to their seats. A hushed silence enveloped the hall as all eyes followed their movements with intense curiosity.

    Hera��s attention was pulled away by a persistent tapping on her shoulder. Startled, she realized she was now seated in the front row, with Athena just behind her.

    Athena whispered mischievously as she cast a yful side nce at Leo. "I was wondering where you ran off to, but it seems you found yourself a date. Hmmm... My worries were for naught."

    Athena��s teasing did not go unnoticed by Leo. Despite the Lowry family��s status as organizers of the Charity Auction, it didn��t grant them the privilege of sitting in the front row, reserved solely for the most influential figures in the world, those who could attend any auction without invitation.

    The Auction House strictly enforces regtions preventing uninvited guests from participating, regardless of their financial resources, except the selected few. This policy is in ce to uphold the establishment��s exclusivity and ensure a superior experience for attendees with verified worth. By adhering to these rules, the Auction House eliminates concerns about guests being unable to afford their purchases, even if they had no intention of buying in the first ce.

    The Auction House conductsprehensive background and-worth checks on participants to determine their suitability. They prioritize wealthy individuals, as the establishment specializes in offering exclusive items not avable elsewhere. By ensuring that only the most affluent clientele are admitted, the Auction House maintains its reputation for excellence and secures high-quality offerings for its auctions.

    Hera remained silent in response to Athena��s teasing, conscious of the numerous eyes fixed on them. Scanning the room, she noticed Rafael��s scrutinizing and irritated gaze directed at her. Ufortable under his judgmental stare, she resisted the urge to justify herself; after all, she owed him no exnation. Beside Rafael was Zhane and several other unknown gentlemen, all equally striking. However, Hera��s attention was quickly diverted as she felt Leo tapping her arm rested on the armrest, signaling her attention.

    Acknowledging Rafael and Zhane with a quick nod, Hera attempted a polite greeting. However, Zhane��s response was frosty, his eyes stern, while Rafael merely snorted coldly before turning his attention back to the Auctioneer.

    Hera didn��t dwell on their reactions, turning her focus back to Leo. He offered, "If you find anything you like here, just let me know."

 Chapter 66 Bidding Starts

    Hera couldn��t discern if the two were rivals or genuinely desired the item. Intrigued, she meticulously examined the exquisite design once more. As she gazed at the item, an image shed into her mind, prompting her to raise her number te swiftly and dere. " $60 million."

    She soon regretted her impulsive deration, but she just felt a sudden surge of excitement in her blood as she remembered that Old Master Avery has a fondness for collecting pocket watches, and he��s developed a habit of checking the time from his pocket watch. Despite wearing a wristwatch, it has merely be an essory to his attire.

    So it is safe to say that her grandfather loves collecting pocket watches, and his birthday is in a few weeks. She hadn��t prepared anything for him yet, making this auction find a perfect birthday present idea.

    The regret she initially felt was swiftly reced by excitement at the thought of presenting such a meaningful gift to her grandfather. This would mark the first time she would offer him such an expensive present, intensifying her anticipation even further.

    She anticipated the two gentlemen to continue bidding alongside her, but as soon as she dered her offer, they halted. The room fell silent until the auctioneer��s voice broke it, stating, "$60 million, going once...."

    Hera turned to Leo, locking eyes with him. His blue gaze was as deep as the ocean, drawing her in. He smiled at her, a mixture of affection and warmth evident in his expression. She couldn��t shake the feeling of being captivated, wondering if it was just an illusion.

    She quickly dismissed the notion, reminding herself that she had only recently met Leo, making it unlikely for him to convey such depth of feeling. She shifted her gaze away, directing her attention towards the man seated in the second row to her right, who was bidding against Leo. He offered her a smile and a nod, drawing her focus momentarily.

    She pushed aside those unrealistic thoughts and returned her focus to the auctioneer, who scanned the room to see if anyone else wanted to make a bid before dering, "$60 million, going twice... SOLD!"

    In the tight-knit upper circle, it was rare for someone to go unnoticed. Promising youths from respectable families were often befriended as potential future sons- or daughters-inw, making Hera��s presence all the more conspicuous.

    Despite the obvious stares, Hera did her best to ignore them. She had endured rumors and criticisms during her time at a prestigious school growing up, never quite getting used to it. Attempts to rify the rumors often backfired, only giving rise to even more exaggerated tales.

    Before long, a woman in a sleek ck dress approached Hera, holding a card reader. She offered a slight bow, extending her hands while waiting for Hera to tap her card on the device toplete the payment for her purchase. Amidst the gaze of onlookers, Hera felt uneasy as she retrieved her ck card from her purse.

    Rafael and Zhane were closely observing Hera��s every move, assuming that she would ask the man seated beside her to make the payment, given his earlier offer to her. Their eyes narrowed as they waited intently, anticipating her next action.

    But to their surprise, Hera retrieved a ck card from her purse toplete the payment. "Did he give it to her?" Rafael and Zhane exchanged puzzled nces, unable to conceal their curiosity.

    Hera wasted no time in finalizing the transaction, and upon receiving confirmation of the sessful payment, thedy in ck discreetly retreated to her corner once more.

    But nobody lingered on the matter for long, as they had witnessed countless second-generation wealthy individuals squander their wealth in a bid to unt their status to the world. It was as if they were afraid that their riches would go unnoticed unless they were constantly on disy. Or those akin to them, genuinely affluent individuals who could effortlessly spend hundreds of millions on a whim. Thus, they spected that Hera fell into one of these categories and quickly shifted their focus back to the auction.

    Rafael��s eyes narrowed dangerously as he observed Hera, his arms crossed over his chest in a disy of evident irritation. He quickly deduced that Athena wouldn��t have provided Hera with the ck card, especially considering he had witnessed Athena purchasing a diamond ne earlier using only a tinum card. The idea of Athena lending her best friend the ck card while using a lesser one herself seemed utterly illogical to him.

    The auction progressed with a plethora of top-notch jewelry, antiques, and timepieces from around the globe. Attendees spared no time and quicklypleted the bidding for the items disyed until they reached the final item, the most anticipated piece of the auction: Leonardo da Vinci��s Salvator Mundi painting.

    As the painting was unveiled on the tform, anticipation filled the room as attendees eagerly grasped their number tes, ready for the bidding tomence. The auctioneer deliberately prolonged the moment, heightening the anticipation among the attendees and encouraging them to make impulsive, higher bids.

    "For the final piece of today��s auction, we have what everyone has been eagerly awaiting: Leonardo da Vinci��s Salvator Mundi painting. Bidding will begin at $50 million, with increments of no less than $10,000." The auctioneer paused, surveying the room before dering, "Let the biddingmence."

    "$51 million..."

    "$55 million..."

    "$58 million."

    The room buzzed with excitement as bidders eagerly shouted out their offers, each determined not to be outdone. In just 20 minutes, the price of the painting soared to $250 million. However, Hera observed that some attendees had yet to participate in the bidding; they seemed either disinterested or strategic, waiting for the fervor to wane before making their move.

    If it��s thetter scenario, it simply indicates that they��re industry giants opting for higher bids and prefer not to engage in bidding wars with lowerpetitors.

    She silently observed as the bid climbed from $250 million to $300 million, with no signs of slowing down. However, once it surpassed $350 million, some bidders began to withdraw, prompting others who had been quietly observing to raise their number tes and enter the fray, each offering bids with increments of no less than $3 million.

    Leo and the gentleman from earlier also entered the bidding fray. As the bid swiftly climbed to $400 million, Hera found herself utterly puzzled by how a painting couldmand such an astronomical price. While she possessed painting skills, her familiarity with the art world was limited. She could appreciate the intricate details and emotional depth infused into the artwork, yet assigning such a hefty price tag was beyond herprehension. She hadn��t realized that paintings could surpass the value of even the most precious jewels.

    Once more, she was confronted with the realization of how narrow her perspective of the world had been. Silently, she vowed to imprint these scenes into her mind, determined to gradually immerse herself in the world where she truly belonged. Earlier, she had believed she had already been wasteful with money, yet now she recognized that what people were currently doing could indeed be deemed as squandering.

    Her lips twitched with the thought, but soon a broad smile spread across her face as understanding began to dawn in her mind.

 Chapter 67 Confrontation

    "Hey! What��s the meaning of this?!" Mr. Smith roared angrily, his outburst swiftly tempered by the auctioneer, who reminded them that conflicts were strictly prohibited during the auction. Such exchanges were typically discouraged as they disrupted the bidding process. However, given that this auction was hosted by the Lowry family, and the auction house was merely assisting with the proceedings, they permitted the exchange. The auction house would still receive amission of 15% based on the final hammer price.

    Mr. Smith, along with the other seasoned participants, was well aware of this protocol. That��s precisely why he attempted to coerce hispetitors into withdrawing using verbal tactics. He knew he couldn��t afford to continue bidding if the price escted any further.

    While such a move might displease the auction house, they wouldn��t intervene if the bidders sought to negotiate differently on this asion, considering that the painting��s price had already surpassed the expected threshold of $450.3 million.

    However, to everyone��s surprise, there was an ignorant individual (called Leo) among them who seemed oblivious to societal norms and rules, much to the irritation of the others. Or should we say <i>��irritation of Mr. Smith and his n.��</i>

    Leo remained silent in response to the man��s outburst, leaving the other gentleman to speak instead. "We apologize if we��ve dashed your hopes," he replied calmly, maintaining a charming smile. "Yet, I��m afraid there was never any agreement on our part." With a touch of mockery in his tone, he added as he raised his number te, "I offer $520 million."

    Hera couldn��t stifle a soft chuckle, catching the attention of those nearby who were closely observing her.

    Mr. Smith felt his face flush with embarrassment at the realization that the young men, whom he couldn��t even recognize, weren��t taking him seriously. He was seething with anger. "Ha! You insolent brat! Don��t toy with me! How can we be certain that you actually have the funds to back up your bids, and that you��re not just inting the price?"

    He insinuated that they were nts sent by the auction house to artificially inte the bidding, a tacticmonly associated with smaller or mid-tier auction houses��but not the Lakeside Pavilion- Auction house. The auctioneer took offense at Mr. Smith��s usation and, in response, made the decision to cklist him from attending future auctions. <i>��Mr. Smith only learned of this the following day, sparking his outrage upon receiving the notice.��</i>

    Leo��s patience wore thin with the older man��s incessant chatter, prompting him to intervene. "We��re not here to negotiate prices because this is not a marketce; this is an auction house. As the rules clearly state, the highest bidder takes the prize home..." He cast a sneaky nce at the amused Hera beside him before continuing, "So, no need to throw a tantrum if you can��t afford the lollipop."

    He openly ridiculed the man for his apparent inability to afford the item yet still desired to possess it. Leo��s response was sharp and clever, prompting Hera to chuckle uncontrobly. She didn��t mean any disrespect, but she found the situation rather absurd. To her, it seemed likemon sense not to engage in bidding wars for something beyond one��s means, rather than resorting to clever wordy.

    Enraged by Leo��s provocation, he eximed, "$550 million," his chest heaving with anger. He was offering all the money in his hands, confident that these brats wouldn��t be able to match his bid.

    Seeing Leo and the other gentleman fall silent, he breathed a sigh of relief and shed a smug smile at Leo. He was prepared to exhaust all his funds, believing that the painting��s disy in his gallery would generate significant returns in the years toe.

    As the silence persisted, the auctioneer proceeded. "$550 million going once."

    "Going twice..."

    "$560 million..." Leo��s calm deration aimed to give the old man a false sense of victory, heightening his devastation when his prize was ultimately taken from him.

    Following suit, the other gentleman chimed in, "$570 million..."

    Mr. Smith stood in stunned silence, so taken aback that he momentarily forgot to respond, allowing the bid to soar to $700 million in Leo��s favor. Hera nced at Leo with a raised eyebrow, curious if he also had a gallery to exhibit the art. She then shifted her gaze to the other gentleman, who sensed her gaze and met her eyes, offering her a gentle smile in return.

    He ceased bidding against Leo, effectively bringing the auction to a close. Shortly after, the same woman who had approached Hera earlier for payment assistance stepped forward once again, this time to facilitate the transaction with Leo.

    Rafael anticipated Leo��s next move, wondering if he would receive the ck card from Hera. Instead, Leo reached into the inside pocket of his suit, retrieving a simr ck card to the one Hera had used earlier. He tapped it to the card reader, eliciting a confirmation tone indicating sessful payment.

    And with that, the charity auction drew to a close, attendees dispersing one by one, leaving Mr. Smith rooted to his spot. Hera nodded at Leo, satisfied that he was now doing well. However, in the rush of the moment, she momentarily forgot their n to meet with his grandfather, instead heading directly to fetch Athena.

    Watching Hera depart, Leo felt a pang of reluctance, wishing he could spend more time with her. However, he couldn��t find a valid excuse to dy her departure until he remembered their agreement to find Leo��s grandfather and ensure she could assist him until then.

    His body moved faster than his thoughts, and before he knew it, Leo had grabbed Hera��s arm, halting her in her tracks. Surprised by the sudden tug, Hera nearly lost her bnce, but Leo quickly steadied her. She turned to look into his eyes, silently questioning his intentions.

    Leo felt embarrassed and could only rub the tip of his nose with a straight face as he attempted to exin himself. Before he could, however, another hand seized his arm, causing both Hera and Leo to turn their attention to the third person.

    "It��s not gentlemanly to suddenly grab a woman," Rafael scolded Leo with a scowl.

    Sparks seemed to fly as their gazes locked. Zhane approached Hera and inquired, "Are you okay?" His tone implied concern, suggesting that Leo might have been harassing her.

    Leo��s head snapped in Zhane��s direction, his gaze frosty butposed. "We have arrangements to find my grandfather," he stated, subtly reminding Hera, who seemed to have forgotten.

    Just like a lightbulb, Hera��s eyes suddenly lit up as she recalled the conversation they had in the cubicle.

    Rafael interjected once more. "You��re already a grown-up, yet you still need someone else to help you find your grandfather?" His smile was taunting, revealing his teeth.

 Chapter 68 Luke Greyson

    Hera��s exnation halted Rafael��s negative thoughts about the aphrodisiac, and Zhane gestured for them to follow him to the auction house��s infirmary for further examination.

    Leo felt increasingly irritated; his anticipated time alone with Hera had been abruptly hijacked by unfamiliar men who were evidently too nosy for his liking.

    The infirmary was bustling with tall, strikingly handsome men who could easily pass for runway models. Zhane had effortlessly secured the use of the space from the attending doctor, almost as if it had been handed to him on a golden tter. <i>��In the medical industry, who didn��t know Zhane?��</i> Renowned as a global genius, he was not only highly respected but also exceptionally good-looking, attracting admirers from both genders.

    His status and credentials resembled the typical male lead in any story,plete with an aura of intrigue and charm. Now, this third male lead found himself locked in a stare-downpetition with Leo, while Hera observed silently, trying to decipher the tension between the men.

    Meanwhile, the gentleman from earlier had also joined in the fun, they attracted the attention of the nurses and infirmary doctor, who stood eagerly outside the room, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the juicy gossip or to ogle at these juicy pieces of meat.

    After Zhane remained motionless for several minutes, engaged in a stare-off with Leo, Rafael��s patience wore thin. He crossed his arms over his chest in an intimidating manner, standing upright beside Hera and casting a disdainful nce down at Leo. Leo couldn��t help but feel irritated; Rafael��s stance resembled that of a wolf marking its territory in front of an intruder.

    Leo couldn��t help but furrow his brow at Rafael��s obvious provocation. It was evident to him that there were bees and butterflies fluttering around his woman. He had barely had a chance to get close to his fianc��e after the previous stray dog, and now, more flies are flying around.

    He could only clench his jaw, trying to rein in his anger to avoid rming Hera. However, Rafael��s provocative words shattered his inner meditation. "Zhane, how long will it take for you to check him? You better finish quickly so he can no longer bother Miss Ainsley."

    It appeared that neither Rafael nor Zhane were aware of their current behavior, which resembled that of territorial beasts. They seemed to be swept up in the emotions of the moment, perhaps not having had the opportunity to process what was truly going on inside them.

    Hera was far from oblivious to the dynamics unfolding around her, noticing how Rafael and Zhane were treating Leo because of her presence. Nothing escaped her observation as she keenly observed their interactions. While Rafael was known for his hot-headedness, he wasn��t the type to act like a rabid dog, aggressively seeking out conflict with others without cause.

    Rafael consistently maintains a certain level of decorum and professionalism, which is why Hera couldn��t help but take note of his increasingly overt attacks on Leo. She found herself wondering whether these actions were influenced by the unfolding story plot. Were they being subtly guided to follow the narrative��s stream? Hera questioned whether her theory was correct and actively ying out before her eyes.

    As Hera quietly observed the interaction unfolding between the three men before her, another figure watching her intently. His golden eyes shimmered with a captivating allure as he fixed his gaze upon her. Intrigued by her serious expression and curious about the thoughts racing through her mind as she watched his friends, he couldn��t help but wonder what was going on inside her head.

    As Hera felt the weight of someone��s gaze upon her, she couldn��t resist the urge to scan the room, searching for the source. Inevitably, her eyes locked with the most captivating golden orbs she had ever encountered. They seemed to bore into her own as if longing to peer into the depths of her mind.

    However, the gaze didn��t feel intimate; instead, it resembled that of a predator fixating its sights on its prey. Hera��s heart skipped a beat, and a lump lodged in her throat. While she sensed no overt hostility, the encounter still left her feeling nervous.

    As his smile graced his lips once more, he approached Hera silently, while Rafael and the others were embroiled in their own conflict. He keenly observed Hera��s expression, noting every crease that formed on her brow as he took a step forward, the subtle tension in the muscles of her neck, and the controlled rhythm of her breath, as if she had momentarily forgotten to exhale.

    He couldn��t help but be amused by her nervousness in his presence. It was as if the woman he had seen before, courageously tossing a man over her shoulder despite her small frame, was merely a figment of his imagination. Had he not witnessed that scene firsthand, he might have mistaken the woman standing before him for someone timid.

    He recognized the sharpness in her eyes, which observed silently, unlike the emotional impulsiveness often associated with many women. The woman before him appeared to be someone who wouldn��t be outmatched by any man.

    He had encountered women who excelled in their respective fields and were aspetent as any man. They typically exhibited logic over emotion and carried themselves with a distinct aura shaped by their experiences. However, Hera stood out in a unique way. She emanated a sense of calmness, akin to still waters, which some might misinterpret as timidity orck of confidence.

    However, for him, she��s like a sleeping lioness.

    Their eye contact remained unbroken until he stood directly before her. She looked up at him with herrge, clean, and serene amber eyes, while her moist, plump lips parted slightly. It was undeniably inviting.

    "This will be our official meeting..." He stated, as if implying a familiarity between them.

    Hera flinched slightly at his words, unable to recall ever meeting this man before. If they had crossed paths, she was certain she wouldn��t have forgotten a face as strikingly handsome as his. <i>��Ugh! It seems Athena��s obsession with beautiful faces has rubbed off on me,��</i> she thought to herself.

    Seeming to grasp her thoughts, he continued, "You probably don��t know me; I��ve only had the privilege of witnessing one of your heroic acts." He smiled teasingly.

    At this point, Leo and the others�� attention was piqued, and they began to wonder if the two knew each other, until they heard his next statement.

    The mention of "Heroic Act" seemed to spark a realization in Rafael��s mind as he interjected, "Is she the woman you mentioned seeing at the Dragon Jade Building?" His tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

    Ignoring Rafael��s question, Luke Greyson instead introduced himself, saying, "I apologize for the dyed introduction. I��m Luke Greyson." He extended his right hand in a gesture of handshake, his friendly smile radiating warmth and refreshing energy.

    "Oh! So he is Luke Greyson, one of Rafael��s friends. No wonder they seem to have some resemnce in introducing their names," Hera mused inwardly.

    However...

    Her mind seemed to malfunction afterward, and she found herself simply staring at the man in front of her.

 Chapter 69 They had Come Together

    "A week ago?" Hera��s mind raced to recall what he described. "Oh! That?!" Hera��s mouth formed a big ��O�� as the realization dawned on her, which Luke found cute.

    He nodded in confirmation. "Yes, that."

    He was indeed there. Initially, he didn��t notice Hera when she was just standing behind the man causing a scene in the receptionist area of the Dragon Jade Building. However, when the situation escted and the man turned physical with the receptionist, Hera stood firm to help the girl. Luke found her actions admirable.

    She did exude a heroic presence, almost warrior-like, during that moment. However, he couldn��t shake off the fear that she might be harmed, especially when the man became increasingly agitated after being humiliated in public. At that moment, he felt a wave of nervousness wash over him, a sensation he hadn��t experienced since his youth.

    That��s why he started making a run to her side hoping that she could somehow avoid being hit before he reached her, but to think that she would instead go after the balls. Even Luke unconsciously flinched seeing that.

    But that scene also piqued his interest in Hera. He and his friends don��t like mingling with women because they are rather aplicated creature that are beyond their business and political schemes. It was fascinating for him to find an odd one.

    She was an odd one not because she was the most valiant woman, nor was she the most beautiful in the world. But there was something in her that pulled him to her, that��s the veil of mystery that��s continuously poking his interest like an inkling itch.

    He had been wondering when he would get another chance to meet the woman, and surprisingly, it came sooner than expected. He felt ted for having decided to apany his friends to the Charity Auction, despite initially being wary of the superficial social interactions with other wealthy individuals who often used charity events for their own agendas.

    He felt a wave of nausea wash over him, craving a moment of peace where he wouldn��t have to tread so cautiously. The constant vignce, always watching his back against unfamiliar faces and their potential schemes, was draining.

    Despite grappling with these unsettling thoughts, he maintained a warm and friendly smile on his face. However, while he was preupied with his own contemtions, Hera found herself pondering the sudden appearance of such significant figures from the novel in her life. It felt akin to encountering lost treasures on her doorstep as if she were the custodian of a lost and found booth for missing souls.

    Is she now wearing the female lead halo? Since when? For how long?

    She didn��t have much time to dwell on these thoughts as she found herself face to face with the three male leads from the novel ��Thin Line Between Love and Lust��. Standing before her was the biggest supporter of the female lead in all her adversities, a character straight out of the pages of fiction now embodied in flesh and blood.

    The financial mogul who spared no expense, investing billions after billions to ensure the female lead received top-notch treatment and the best possible oues in every film she chose to be a part of.

    The man who would condone all her misbehavior, shield her from harm, and appear whenever she needed him, the one who bedded her the most like a rabbit in heat, now smiling like the sun in front of Hera.

    <i>��If I did not know better, I would also fall for this harmless smile of yours. TSK!��</i>

    The main male lead truly stands out from the others, literally shining like a star with an almost visible halo above his head. Just by looking at him, he exudes the aura of a Greek God that descended to the mortal realm.

    Hera made an effort to gather her thoughts and prioritize the current situation, prompting Zhane to examine Leo��s condition. Despite Leo��s initial resistance, he eventually relented and stepped back to allow Zhane to conduct his examination.

    Since Leo had taken the antidote from Hera some time ago, his condition had improved significantly, and he no longer felt any lingering effects of the aphrodisiac that is rted to his sex drive. Consequently, Zhane only needed a few minutes to assess his condition. Zhane even offered generous praise to Hera for her timely intervention and decisive action.

    The question lingered in everyone��s mind: Why did Hera have an antidote for an aphrodisiac? Was it due to vignce or past experience? All four pairs of eyes turned to Hera, their gazes reflecting a mix ofplex emotions, already jumping to negative conclusions.

    This conclusion was far from the truth. However, it prompted a shift in the atmosphere among the gentlemen present. Whether this shift was positive or negative remained to be determined.

    "Leo��s condition seems stable now; he just needs some rest to recover from the fatigue caused by the side effects of the aphrodisiac," Zhane concluded his examination. Leo, however, appeared unfazed by Zhane��s words, as if they weren��t talking about him.

    "Since he��s already fine, he can go and leave on his own," Rafael remarked with a mocking tone, taking a jab at Leo. However, Leo remained unfazed, showing no signs of being affected by Rafael��sment.

    In a scenario akin to a good cop, bad cop dynamic, Luke tactfully interjected, saying, "Rafael, let��s ease off a bit. Leo seems to be in a vulnerable spot and could really use Ms. Ainsley��s assistance." While his words appeared concerned, the undertone suggested Luke��s belief that Leo was simply a feeble man, easily schemed against by a woman, and now reliant on another woman��s aid to extricate himself from his earlier predicament.

    Hera found herself in a state of uncertainty, pondering whether there might be lingering animosity between the men engaged in this discreet exchange. Her reticence wasn��t born out of ack ofprehension regarding the subtleties of their words; rather, it stemmed from her realization that shecked insight into their shared history. Thus, she remained a silent observer, acutely aware of the dynamics unfolding before her, yet unable to fully grasp their intricacies due to her unfamiliarity with their past.

    So, it seems they either share a bad history or the male leads are influenced by the storyline, exhibiting possessive behavior towards the individual they views as the female lead.

    As Zhane maintained his usual stern demeanor, Leo quietly adjusted his clothing.

    Engrossed in his own thoughts, no one could tell what was going on in his head. Luke also started to silently gauge Leo knowing that he didn��t look like a normal wealthy youngd with a handsome face.

    However, his interest quickly waned, and he turned his attention back to Hera. Despite being surrounded by attractive men, she appeared lost in her own thoughts, unruffled by their presence. He couldn��t help but wonder what upied her mind behind her serene facade.

    "Miss Ainsley, your assistance has been invaluable... I would be honored to express my gratitude by inviting you to dinner if you would be so kind?" Leo gracefully bypassed Rafael and Luke, making a beeline for Hera, who had just redirected her attention to him after being lost in thought.

    Breaking his silence, Zhane interjected, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness beneath the veneer of a question. "Shouldn��t I be included in your dinner invitation as well? After all, I did go out of my way to assist you just the same." His words held an expectation, leaving little room for refusal.

    Luke��s eyes crinkled into crescents as he chimed in, "Why don��t we make it a group dinner? It could be a chance for us to forge new friendships, don��t you agree?" His warm smile was aimed at Hera, as he yfully added, "It seems like fate has brought us together."

 Chapter 70 Pettiness Strikes again

    Unbeknownst to Leo, his actions have inadvertently tarnished his image in the eyes of his fianc��e, who now perceives him as a hooligan and untrustworthy.

    <i>��I even offered himfort earlier. Ugh, the irony!��</i>

    Hera cleared her throat, drawing their attention back to her so she could express herself. "I apologize, Mr. Hendrix, but I have a prior engagement today. However, you don��t need to feel obligated to repay me. It was something I feltpelled to do." She maintained aposed expression as she delivered her message.

    Leo observed how Hera addressed him by hisst name with formal honorifics, sensing a certain distance in her tone. He couldn��t shake the feeling that he had somehow done something wrong, yet he struggled to pinpoint the cause. His mind had been preupied with thoughts of her long before they ever crossed paths, but he could not remember how he offended her, well aside from when they finally met in a not-so-favorable situation.

    Well, he does remember doing some shady stuff to her...

    However, before he could even inquire, Hera offered a smile and gracefully interjected, "Thank you for your time, everyone." Then, turning her attention to Zhane, she added, "And Zhane, thank you. I��ll make sure to express my gratitude for this, as well as for your assistance thest time. I must take my leave now."

    Without waiting for any further conversation, Hera swiftly departed.

    Leo seethed with frustration as he noted Hera��s refusal to address him by name while freely doing so with Zhane. Perplexed, he couldn��t recall any transgressions that might have provoked her ire, or he was probably scared to even remember.

    Even Rafael cast a slow, questioning nce at Zhane, silently probing for rification on Hera��s reference to the <i>st time.��</i> It dawned on him that he hadn��t even inquired about how Zhane came to know Hera in the first ce.

    After leaving the four of them in the infirmary, Hera did not forget to thank the doctor and nurses for lending the room to them and hastily made her way to the lobby while texting her best friend, Athena.

    [Hera: Girl, where are you?]

    [Athena: Babe, I was just helping out with the finalization of the earnings that will be sent to the charity foundations.]

    [Hera: Will it take a long time?]

    [Athena: Yes, why?]

    [Hera: I��ll be leaving first then.]

    [Hera: You have some exining to do. (angry_face_emoji)]

    [Athena: Are you talking about the male leads? Aren��t they delicious to the bone?!!! (drooling_emoji)]

    [Hera: So, you really know huh?!]

    [Athena: ...]

    [Athena: I��m sorry babe, this time, it really slipped my mind... PROMISED!!! It wasn��t intentional.]

    [Hera: (-_-)]

    [Athena: Babe, I wasn��t trying to surprise you with them. You know how much I have been surrounded by the madams earlier, all I could think about at that time was how to manage at the time being and their attendance was kicked at the back of my mind. And when I finally saw theming one by one, I couldn��t see you anywhere.]

    [Athena: When I finally saw youing with another divine being, I forgot again because....]

    [Hera: Because your gossipy soul had been caught and totally forgot everything else... (-_-)]

    [Athena:....]

    [Athena: But I saw you left with the three male leads and the other divine being with you. Care to exin what happened?]

    ...

    ...

    [Athena: Hello babe? You there?! Yoohoo!!!]

    [Athena: You��re ignoring me huh?!]

    [Athena: Babe!!! (T_T)]

    [Athena: This is how you��ll punish me huh?! So petty of you!!!! (T_T)]

    Hera smirked as she nced at the barrage of text messages flooding in from Athena while seated in her car on the way home. She couldn��t help but find it rather petty of herself to leave her best friend hanging, especially regarding the events involving the four men, particrly Leo.

    Just the thought of him was enough to stir up a mix of frustration and embarrassment within her. She pushed it to the back of her mind, allowing herself to rx into the seat and release the tension from her body. The 45-minute drive to the mansion provided her with an opportunity to close her eyes and rest.

    As Hera arrived at the mansion, she found Cindy already waiting for her at the front door.

    Hera greeted Cindy with a smile tinged with defeat. "Cindy, you really don��t need to wait for me. I know how busy you are managing everything, including the Green Dragon Manor. You shouldn��t have to be my shadow on top of everything else." Hera couldn��t help but feel guilty for burdening Cindy with the role of her personal assistant while knowing she had her own responsibilities to attend to.

    Cindy chuckled warmly upon noticing her Young Miss��s visible concern for her well-being. "Miss, taking care of you is my duty and pleasure. Plus, I��ve already passed on my responsibilities at the Green Dragon Manor to capable hands. You can count on me to be by your side whenever you need me."

    "Really?!"

    "Yes. Actually, you��ve already met the new General Manager," Cindy replied, her tone carrying a hint of mystery.

    "Who?!"

    "The girl you defended during your visit for the viewing."

    Realization dawned on Hera as she recalled the girl who had been struck in the face by the bouquet of roses. "That girl?!" she eximed, her memory clicking into ce.

    Cindy smiled as she confirmed, "Yes, that��s the one... I��ve been grooming her to step into my role for quite some time now, so she��s well-prepared to take on the responsibilities whenever necessary. Additionally, the Old Master rewarded her generously for her dedication to upholding proper etiquette in guest interactions and for her unwaveringmitment."

    A broad smile spread across Hera��s lips. "That��s wonderful news! How is she doing now? And how is her injury?"

    "The wound was only to the surface of the skin, and the doctor provided her with scar cream to prevent any scarring on her face. In fact, just yesterday, she sent me a picture of her glowing skin," Cindy replied with a hint of jest in her tone.

    "That��s fantastic!" Hera eximed with a skip in her step as she made her way back to her room.

    She wasted no time, heading straight for a hot bath to soothe her muscles before dinner. After thirty minutes of soaking and changing intofortable home attire, Hera descended to the dining room for dinner.

    As promised, the chef showcased his culinary prowess once again, presenting a mouth-watering dish that graced the table. Without hesitation, Hera took her seat, anticipating the Mediterranean cuisine that awaited her.

    The chef began to introduce the dinner,mencing with the starters. "For the appetizers, we have Lamb Sliders with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce. They��re apanied by roasted pine nuts and an assortment of herbs, all topped off with our family��s signature tahini sauce," he announced with pride evident in his voice. Moving on to the next course, he continued, "As for the soup, I present the Greek Fish Stew, featuring a medley of fresh shellfish and Mahi-Mahi, sourced directly from Greece and air-shipped to ensure the utmost freshness."

    "For the main course, I��ve prepared Thin Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Kmata Olives, Feta, and Mint. As for the sides, we have Supper Spanakopita and Whipped Feta with Cucumbers, andst but not the least, Vinsanto" the chef announced, detailing the delectable offerings for the evening.

 Chapter 71 Moving Out

    Hera struggled to catch her breath as her phone suddenly illuminated with an iing call.

    "Hello, Miss Dwane?"

    "I��m relieved you picked up because this is urgent..."

    "What��s going on?" Hera asked as she rose from her seat, intending to take a stroll around the rose garden to aid her digestion before retiring for the night.

    "Just as you mentioned, we��ve secured a spot on the Variety Show ��The Quest,�� and Producer Ryan just contacted me to confirm it. I��ve already agreed to send you, and I��ve also reviewed the contract��it��s all in order," Betty reported to Hera with evident excitement.

    But then, another thought crossed her mind, prompting her to inquire further. "Did you have any involvement in the female artist��s fall?"

    "Fall? What do you mean? What happened?"

    Betty couldn��t discern if Hera was feigning ignorance or genuinely unaware of the incident involving the female artist who had fallen down the stairs and fractured her leg. Thus, with a hint of skepticism, she ryed what she had heard from Ryan.

    Hera was floored to hear that information from Betty, because, as far as she could remember from what Athena said. The female lead would have an opportunity because one of the artists caught a flu, it was not specified if it was a male or female.

    Was it the female lead? Or was it someone else? Or perhaps she��s just reading too much about this incident since there was no proof that it was intentional.

    However, Heraprehended Betty��s skepticism, considering she had been the one to inform her of the uing slot opening. It was understandable for Betty to suspect Hera��s involvement in the female artist��s fall. Nevertheless, Hera found herself unable to provide any evidence to refute such suspicions.

    Hera released a defeated sigh, realizing she hadn��t anticipated this turn of events. Nheless, she rified to her manager that she had been unaware of the incident until Betty informed her.

    Despite Betty��s initial skepticism, she could only choose to believe her own artist, understanding that shecked evidence to prove Hera��s involvement in the incident. Perhaps Hera��s confident assertion about securing the slot was simply a disy of optimism rather than connivance.

    Resolving to set the issue aside for the time being, Betty informed Hera to prepare her luggage as the show wouldmence in two days.

    After spending an hour walking in the garden, Hera returned to her room and began packing her suitcase. In the midst of it, she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she called out without turning around.

    "Are you moving into your new ce, Young Miss?" Cindy inquired, bncing a tray of warm milk.

    Hera tilted her head in confusion at Cindy��s question before rifying, "I��m actually preparing my luggage for ��The Quest,�� the Variety Show that��s going to be live-broadcasted in 2 days."

    "Oh! Then wouldn��t it be better for you to actually move into the penthouse so it��ll be easier for you to get to the meeting ce?" Cindy suggested.

    Hera turned around with excitement. "Is the penthouse renovationplete?"

    Cindy nodded, setting the warm milk on the bedside table. "Yes, I��ve just been informed that it��s all set and ready for upancy," she confirmed, casting a quick nce around Hera��s room. "Would you like me to summon the servants to assist you with packing?"

    Hera surveyed her room, realizing there were too many items to pack and transport to the penthouse on her own. Recognizing the need for assistance, she nodded in agreement with Cindy��s suggestion.

    Cindy left Hera alone for a while to enjoy her milk while she called for the servants to assist their Young Miss with packing her belongings.

    Upon learning that their Young Miss would be moving out of the mansion, the servants and the chef were all crestfallen. They had grown ustomed to Hera��s presence and enjoyed the liveliness she brought to the mansion. With her departure, they knew things would return to their usual quiet routine.

    Hera could only reassure them, promising to visit on weekends and during her free time. She exined that it was simply more convenient for her to travel to school and now to work from her new residence, which was closer to the bustling city center,pared to the mansion located a bit farther away.

    Reluctantly, everyone agreed, but they eagerly assisted Hera in packing her things. With their help, everything became much easier for her. In fact, Hera found herself with little to do as the servants insisted she simply sit back and let them handle the work.

    Truly, it was more efficient for the servants to handle the packing without Hera��s assistance.

    Left with little to do, Hera upied herself by scrolling through her phone. Soon enough, she received a text message from Betty.

    [Betty Dawne: Hera, I��ll need your address so I can send your assistant to support you during your packing and get you acquainted with anything you are not familiar with. We��ll also need it for the pickup in 2 days.]

    Hera swiftly replied to Betty, providing her penthouse address without much deliberation.

    "Young Miss, I��ll also be moving into the same building as you, just a few floors below. That way, I can be there whenever you need me," Cindy informed Hera. She continued, "I��ll also arrange for a servant and a chef to apany us, considering your busy schedule with school and work."

    Hera found herself puzzled as to why she would need to bring along a servant and a chef when she was perfectly capable of managing everything herself. However, upon seeing the servant��s hopeful expression and sensing their eagerness to apany their Young Miss, Hera decided to hold back her initial inclination to refuse the suggestion.

 Chapter 72 Moving In

    Luke did not break his eye contact with Hera as he answered Voctor��s question. "She was also at the Charity Auctionst night. We had the opportunity to converse and get acquainted."

    "Oh!!!" Victor��s voice wasced with disappointment because he chose not to attend the Auction to stay home. "I should have attended as well," Victor remarked, expressing a hint of regret.

    His initial disappointment quickly gave way to enthusiasm as he inquired, "Are you moving in?"

    After being caught red-handed for openly admiring Luke, Hera quickly averted her gaze from him to respond to Victor��s question with aposed expression, as if she hadn��t been affected. "Yes, I am moving in," she replied, maintaining her smile.

    "That��s great! When will you have your housewarming?" Victor eagerly inquired.

    "I don��t think I��ll have one because I��ll be away for some time," Hera replied.

    "Where are you going?!" Victor asked, before realizing he may have been asking too many questions and quickly stopped, concerned that Hera might feel ufortable.

    "I��ll be joining a Variety Show tomorrow, and it willst for a week, so I won��t be able to throw a housewarming party," Hera exined openly to Victor. She noticed the elderly gentleman��s shy demeanor, reminiscent of her own grandfather, and felt no need to keep it a secret from him. Besides, her participation in the broadcast meant her whereabouts wouldn��t be a secret at all.

    "You��re a celebrity?" Luke inquired, diverting Hera��s attention back to him.

    Hera nodded. "Yes, I just got signed," she confirmed.

    "Under whatpany?" Luke further inquired, unaware that Rafael had already signed Hera He hadn��t heard about it from Rafael, who had only grumbled about not being able to persuade her to sign with hispany.

    "Universal Entertainment," Hera answered honestly.

    Luke��s eyebrow arched in surprise, realizing that UE was SOE��s rivalpany. He had assumed Rafael and Hera were closer than that, but evidently, he was mistaken. A dangerously beautiful smile graced his lips upon hearing her answer.

    He felt a pang of sympathy for his friend, realizing Rafael had lost out on a lucrative opportunity. However, he couldn��t help but feel ted knowing that Rafael would now have a difficult time approaching Hera, while he himself would have more opportunities. A genuine smile spread across his face, perhaps for the first time in a while.

    Hera couldn��t help but feel puzzled by Luke��s sudden happiness. She briefly entertained the thought that he might be nning something against her, but then she remembered that she hadn��t offended him in any way, so she felt safe.

    Fortunately, Cindy arrived at just the right moment. "Young Miss, we��re done unloading the luggage upstairs. They��re just arranging your things in ce," she informed Hera.

    This made a perfect gateway for Hera to exit the conversation with Luke.

    Luke��s eyes watched Hera��s interaction with Cindy intently, like a hawk. He had encountered Cindy a few times before and, like everyone else, he understood her significance to the Avery Family. Luke��s golden eyes shimmered with an array of emotions, mirroring the swirling thoughts in his mind, which remained unknown.

    As Hera and Cindy entered the penthouse, they found the space abuzz with activity as everyone worked diligently to create afortable and inviting atmosphere.

    Amidst the bustle, a female chef, slightly older than Hera, cheerfully whistled as she moved some boxes into the kitchen, aided by a male servant tackling the heavier items.

    Cindy followed Hera��s line of sight and exined, "She��s the daughter of the chef who��s been preparing your meals at the mansion. She��s earned numerous international awards bypeting in various contests and has mastered a wide range of international cuisines, following in her father��s footsteps. She aspires to emte his culinary prowess." Cindy paused briefly before adding, "You��re sure to enjoy her cooking."

    Hera smiled. "I can��t wait to give her dishes a taste."

    <i>��I guess having a chef at home isn��t such a bad idea...��</i>

    Truth be told, Hera��s cooking skills are decent, but they can��t quite match up to those of a professional chef. As a dedicated foodie, she couldn��t resist the idea of having delicious meals prepared for her every day.

    <i>Ding...</i>

    Hera checked her phone after receiving a text message.

    [Athena: Babe, I heard you��re moving out. I was actually nning to take you out.]

    [Hera: Is this your way of apologizing? Hmm? (side_eye_grin_emoji)]

    [Athena: Hihihi, well... Let��s eat out? (cute_face_emoji)]

    [Hera: Why don��t youe over to my ce instead? I was just about to indulge in some of my chef��s culinary skills... (drooling_emoji)]

    Hera then shared her location with Athena before settling onto the couch. With nothing pressing to attend to, she watched as the servants arranged the indoor nts, brought from the greenhouse, near the floor-to-ceiling window beside the couch and ivory piano.

    They also brought in some vibrant flowers, which Hera often enjoyed seeing in the garden during her walks. Inspired by the fresh blooms and the lively atmosphere they brought to the room, she suddenly felt the urge to y the piano, and so she did.

    She slowly approached the beautiful ivory piano, running her fingers over its smooth body before taking a seat in the center. The servants momentarily paused their work, expectantly awaiting the Young Miss��s performance. They were excited, as they had yet to hear her y any instrument.

    Hera let her mood guide her fingers as she began to y <i>��River Flows In You by Yiruma.��</i> The soothing melody filled every corner of the penthouse, reaching even the rooms with open doors.

    As Hera��s music filled the room, a tranquil atmosphere settled over everyone, easing their tasks as they listened to her y. When it seemed like the melody wasing to an end, Hera seamlessly transitioned into <i>��Canon in D by Pachelbel,��</i> captivating her listeners with the timeless piece.

    The serene atmosphere shifted gears as her melody seamlessly transitioned to <i>��Liszt �C La Campane��.</i> The servants found themselves involuntarily nodding along at the beginning of the tune, but as the piece escted in speed, their breath caught in their throats, captivated by Hera��s performance.

    As the piece neared its apparent conclusion, they anticipated Hera��s end of performance. Yet, to their surprise, her melody seamlessly transitioned again, this time to <i>��Chopin �C ��tude Op. 10 No. 4��.</i> It began with a rapid tempo and continued the same tempo all throughout. Entranced, everyone halted their tasks to admire Hera��s performance, illuminated by the sunlight streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

    The reflection from the ivory piano and Hera��s face created an etherealbination. One of the servants, captivated by the moment, couldn��t resist capturing a video of her performance. She had started recording during the middle of <i>��River Flows In You��,</i> enchanted by Hera��s performance and eager to preserve it for future listening. Surprisingly, no one intervened to stop her; they too were engrossed in the music, unable to tear themselves away from the enchanting melody.

 Chapter 73 Nothing To Do

    Athena and Hera quickly nced at their social media ounts before setting their phones aside. By now, Hera had grown ustomed to the flood ofments and likes, so she simply turned off notifications altogether to silence the incessant buzzing.

    Hera genuinely enjoyed using social media to share her experiences, not to boast, but because she had a passion for sharing with others. Whether it was exploring new ces or trying new foods, she found joy in giving others a glimpse into her world, particrly those who hadn��t experienced certain ces or cuisines. In a way, her social media activity resembled a personal blog, albeit one that had started long before she had any significant following. In those early days, it was only a handful of people who would asionally like orment on her posts.

    Now that Hera was gaining recognition, she wasn��t overly concerned about her personal information beingpromised. Her social media profiles were carefully curated, with little more than her school mentioned publicly. asionally, she��d be tagged by ssmates in various activities or events, but beyond that, her online presence remained rtively private.

    As Hera ate, she told Athena the events ofst night with Leo but chose to withhold certain details, knowing Athena would relish using them as ammunition for teasing. She glossed over moments like finding herself seated in hisp and other intimate encounters. However, she couldn��t shake the consuming thoughts that were beginning to spiral out of control, particrly concerning the incident at the infirmary.

    "Babe, don��t stress yourself... Just let it naturally flow and don��t dwell on it too much. You��re just going to be consumed and for what? Hmm?"

    So Hera decided to clear her mind of those intrusive thoughts and let things unfold naturally. However, she still sought a second opinion, knowing that overthinking might lead to paranoia and rigid thinking patterns. She understood the danger of bing consumed by her thoughts if she ventured too far down that path.

    To unwind, Hera and Athena headed straight to the gaming room, expecting to find gaming consoles. However, upon entering, Hera realized she hadn��t purchased any yet. Despite this, the room was impressively set up with LED lights adorning the walls, arge TV screen facing a spacious circr couch, and ssic arcade machines like TEKKEN and Resident Evil shooting game. There were also racing car arcade machines and more. Yet, conspicuously absent were modern gaming consoles like Nintendo, PSP5, or Xbox.

    Hera and Athena were in the mood to y Call of Duty Warzone, so they decided to head out to buy a PC and other consoles. As they made their way to the entrance, they encountered Cindy, who had just returned from her outing.

    "Are you heading out with Miss Lowry, Young Miss?" Cindy inquired.

    "Yes, we��re just going to buy a PC and other gaming consoles," Hera replied.

    "In that case, would it be alright for me to prepare the PC andptop for you?" Cindy offered.

    "Hmm, why? We��re going out anyway so we��ll buy in too."

    "I actually forgot to mention that we usually customize the PCs andptops we provide to the masters. We ensure that the specs are top of the line and include our own software as an additionalyer of protection against hackers," Cindy exined, realizing she had overlooked this during Hera��s visit for the viewing.

    Cindy didn��t borate on the fact that they also utilize the Avery-created chips to ensure that all iing data is fully encrypted. This prevents anyone from stealing important information. If someone attempts to forcefully extract information and decode the encryptions without the Avery��s assistance, they would only trigger a virus that steals their own data instead and will shut down their whole operation.

    She continued. "Don��t worry, we already have a unit prepared in the inventory for you. I��ll just order it to be installed wherever you need it to."

    "Ooooh..."

    Hera and Athena exchanged a knowing nce before nodding in agreement. They opted to stay in and wait for the instation.

    "And Young Miss, I actually met the assistant that Ms. Dwane has sent you downstairs," Cindy continued, recalling the timid girl who had been trailing her.

    She observed a distressed girl at the front desk, on the verge of tears. Clearly, she hadn��t been briefed on the exclusive nature of the building��s address. Oblivious to this, she had driven directly to the location.

    She underwent a rigorous check by the guards at the gate and another thorough screening at the front desk. These stringent measures were implemented following the recent incident involving the man who targeted their staff with physical violence. Unfortunately, Betty had not anticipated this, as she was unaware of Hera��s residence in an exclusive residential area. As they were about to contact Hera toe down, Cindy arrived and observed the situation.

    "Um... Hello... Miss Ainsley... I-I��m here... I mean, I was sent by... Miss Dwane to assist." The girl stuttered nervously, her hands fidgeting as she cautiously navigated the room, wary of knocking over anything expensive. She feared that her sry wouldn��t even cover the value of the items around her.

    "Don��t be nervous. Have you eaten? What��s your name?" Hera��s smile was warm and reassuring as she gently took the girl��s hand, leading her to the dining table. Meanwhile, Athena headed to the kitchen to request some food for the assistant. Despite her nerves, Hera managed to calm her, the girl seemed to be around their age, if not younger, so Hera and Athena made every effort to be as weing as possible.

    "Daisy... My name is Daisy Evans..." Her face flushed with shyness as she felt overwhelmed by Hera��s kindness. "I will help with your packing for the Variety Show."

    Hera couldn��t help but chuckle as Daisy seemed as timid as a rabbit in front of a wolf. She found her demeanor endearing.

    "It��s okay, Daisy... Eat first. We won��t be able to do anything if you��re hungry, right?" Hera reassured her, except, they really have nothing to do. Hera simply smiled warmly at Daisy and watched her enjoy the delicious food served in front of her.

 Chapter 74 Variety Show

    The live streaming began as the crew departed from the studio to pick up all the participants.

    "Yes, I just confirmed it with the assistant," the crew affirmed.

    Betty made sure not to share this information with Hera, as she wanted to capture Hera��s genuine reaction when the crew arrived at her doorstep. This authenticity was crucial for creating Hera��s persona for her career.

    Last night, the show made ate-night announcement regarding its airing time. Daisy��s primary task was to ensure that Hera stayed off social media to prevent her from seeing the announcement. Daisy kept Betty informed about Hera��s activities throughout the night.

    "The assistant said she��ll be waiting for us at the entrance of the Dragon Jade Building..."

    "Isn��t that the most expensive building around here?!" eximed one of the crew, loud enough for viewers to hear.

    [Delulu: What?! I woke up early in the morning to watch my Goddess wake up, but it seems like I��m still inside a dream....]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Wasn��t my little sister Hera poor???]

    [Bigbird: Don��t tell me, she��s nning to create a rich persona?]

    [SmallBird: It can��t be right?!]

    When the van arrived at the building entrance, Daisy was indeed waiting there for them. She hadn��t checked on Hera yet; it was only 5:30 in the morning, and she was confident that Hera was still asleep.

    To avoid crowding the elevator, the cameraman and one crew member went up with Daisy, while the others waited for the second elevator to arrive and checked the floor their colleagues had ascended to.

    The live stream erupted with excitement as viewers caught a glimpse of the lobby of the building. It was evident from the opulent surroundings that this was an upscale residentialplex. Initially, they had missed seeing the grand gate as the cameraman hadn��t been in the passenger seat, so they had relied solely on the information mentioned by the crew.

    [AuntieNextDoor: She��s probably working in this ce??? Maybe???]

    [PasserbyGod: I think so too...]

    [AlexiismyLife: Or she probably hooked up with an old wealthy man.... (eveil_grin_emoji)]

    [HeraismyWife: Wasn��t that Alexi��s favorite move? Hooking up with a wealthy heiress?]

    [AlexiismyLife: What did you say?! Don��t nder Alexi!!!]

    [HeraismyWife: You started it, besides, it wasn��t nder but the truth, ain��t it? (challenging_smirk_emoji)]

    It was early morning, yet the tension between the two sides was palpable as soon as Alexi and Hera were mentioned in the same sentence, igniting the usual heated arguments.

    Upon arriving at the penthouse, the crew waspletely floored by the exquisite decor adorning the hallway. The cameraman made sure to capture the stunning view of the garden during their stroll to the main door.

    [PasserbyGoy: That garden looks familiar but I��m sure that I never got to go near that ce.... (thinking_emoji)]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Wasn��t that the garden where Hera had her interview? I remember the fountain...]

    [HeraismyWife: Then, is she working here as a maid perhaps? But it��s too early for her to work, why did her assistant bring the crew here???]

    The crew and the live audience watched intently as Daisy retrieved a ck key card from her pocket, deftly using it to unlock the double doors. In a state of slight bewilderment, the crew followed Daisy inside, still processing the unexpected turn of events. Their arrival coincided perfectly with the second batch of crew members entering the penthouse��s hallway.

    "Miss Evans, you have arrived..." The servant inquired, ncing at Daisy and the crew trailing behind her. "The Young Miss is still asleep in her room..."

    [OLA: Young Miss, who is she talking about??? Aren��t we here for Hera though?]

    [OA: No fucking clue....]

    [ILoveAdventure: I just went out the live stream to check if this is really Hera��s stream but it really is, but why are we in a wealthy neighborhood??? I��m fucking confused!!!!]

    [HeraNo1: Dude above. +1]

    [IamAGod: +1]

    After hearing that, Daisy nodded and introduced the crew to the servant, who smiled and nodded back as she led them to the living room.

    As they slowly entered the penthouse, everyone��s mouths hung open in astonishment. Every detail screamed ��wealthy��. Not a single member of the crew dared to sit on the couch, fearing they might stain it with something irreparable; they knew they couldn��t afford to cover the cost if anything went wrong. Their reaction mirrored Daisy��s from just the day before, so she felt it was perfectly understandable.

    She then led the cameraman to the master bedroom as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb Hera��s sleep. Just like that, they entered Hera��s personal space without her knowledge, while the entire audience bombarded the chatroom with questions and anticipation. Some even began specting on their own.

 Chapter 75 Live Broadcast

    She touched the corner of her lips, instinctively checking for any signs of drooling, but she remained momentarily stunned in ce.

    The audience watching the livestream couldn��t help butugh at Hera��s bewildered expression as she checked for any drool, her messy hair adding to her adorable disarray. Despite her foggy eyes, her charm still shone through.

    "What��s going on?" Hera finally asked, her voice still hoarse. The servant from earlier entered the room, offering Hera a ss of cold water.

    "Young Miss, breakfast is served," the servant announced. Hera nodded absent-mindedly, waiting for someone to answer her question.

    With a guilty expression, Daisy responded, "Um, Sister Hera, there have been some minor changes to the show. Instead of going directly to the meeting ce, the crew will be picking up the participants from their homes to film their sleeping faces. It��s part of giving the audience a sneak peek into their idols�� lives."

    As Daisy awkwardly exined, the crew nodded in agreement with her exnation.

    Hera couldn��t help but massage her temples to ward off the impending headache. This was something she hadn��t anticipated. She thought the Variety Show would stick to the usual filming routine, where they��d simply meet the participants at the designated location.

    So, there��s yet another subtle change in the storyline...

    She had nned toy low just yet, but this sudden change threw a wrench into her ns, making her feel like a sore thumb sticking out. She understood that this must have been Betty��s idea, deliberately keeping her in the dark about the filming changes.

    <i>��Could she ask the director to cut her part from the show?��</i>

    She sighed in defeat, letting out a yawn as she stretched her limbs, as if unfazed by the crowd in her room. <i>��They��ve already seen her sleep, so what else could she hide from them?��</i>

    The crew and audience were delighted to see Hera appearing unbothered by their sudden visit, yet little did she know that everything was being broadcasted live.

    As Hera rose to retrieve some clothes from her boutique-like walk-in closet, the cameraman inadvertently captured its luxurious interior. Alongside his movement, the camera panned to Hera as she selected a set of gray sweatpants and a hoodie from among the array of designer clothes. Additionally, she opted for a pair of Nike Air Jordan Sneakers Ultra tformed boots in ck.

    After Hera finished selecting her attire, she proceeded to therge bathroom through the connecting door to change and freshen up. Meanwhile, the cameraman, forgetting to request permission, ventured into the humongous walk-in closet to capture a better view of the assortment ofvish clothes and essories adorning its shelves.

    Stepping into Hera��s closet felt akin to entering a globally renowned luxury boutique. Nearly every prestigious brand had its designated cab, showcasing an array of meticulously arranged garments and essories. Bags were neatly disyed within ss cabs, while the center of the room boasted a ss showcase for an impressive collection of watches, bracelets, nes, and other essories.

    [Passerby1: This is not Hera��s, right?!!! Right?!!!!]

    [Passerby2: Bro upstairs, don��t ask us, we also wanna know...]

    [StylistPrincess: OMG!!! Is that the Graff Hallucination watch that is worth $55 million? You��re jesting me right?!!!!]

    [Passerby1: @StylistPrincess you��re probably mistaken???]

    [StylistPrincess: @Passerby1 I could never!!!! You can search for it on the inte if you want...]

    [AuntieNextDoor: OH OH!!! Isn��t that the dress my little sister Hera wore at the Charity Auction the other day?!!!]

    In the center of the room stood the exquisite blue dress Hera had worn at the Charity Auction, elegantly disyed on a mannequin. Hera, realizing she hadn��t yet discussed the dress��s fate with Athena, opted to leave it on disy for the time being, captivated by its beauty and significance.

    With each item discovered in Hera��s closet, it became increasingly evident that this was indeed her ce. Whether it was a piece of clothing she had worn in a photo or a video shared online by others, each find added to the confirmation. Exploring her closet felt akin to a scavenger hunt, as they pieced together the puzzle of Hera��s life through the treasures hidden within.

    But nothing made sense to them, other��s tried to snoop around but found nothing rted to Hera aside from what they already knew. This new information created yet another trending topic in the inte. Creating three sides, one side believed that Hera found herself a wealthy sugar daddy, Another side spected that Hera was a hidden wealthy heiress while the other side said that that penthouse was someone else��s living space but Hera was taking advantage of the absence of the real owner, using her things without permission.

    Amidst the ongoing debate, Hera��s staunch supporters remained unwavering in their faith in her character, steadfastly defending her against the onught of usations. Meanwhile, the subject of all this spection emerged from the bathroom, dragging arge suitcase from a cab and making her way downstairs, seemingly oblivious to the online storm swirling around her.

    Hera made a beeline for the dining table, anticipating a lengthy journey ahead. Sensing the need for sustenance, she called out to the other crew members, suggesting they grab a quick breakfast before departing for the meeting location. "Shall we all fuel up before we hit the road?" she proposed with a friendly smile.

    Hannah, the chef,id out a spread fit for royalty: freshly pan-fried French toast, fluffy pancakes, and perfectly folded omelet eggs apanied by Hera��s beloved Ridiculous No. 55 butter. Completing the feast was a steaming bowl of seafood congee, brimming with plump ms and sulent shrimp.

    Indulging in such avish breakfast was irresistible, especially for the crew who had only managed a meager piece of bread to stave off their hunger. Their mouths watered at the sight of the decadent spread, enticing them to take a seat at the dining table one by one. Amy, the attentive servant, inquired about their beverage preferences, ensuring each guest��sfort. As always, she promptly prepared Hera��s favorite freshly squeezed juice, a familiar touch of home.

    The cameraman, before taking a seat, made sure to find a suitable ce to ce his camera while the live stream was still on.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Is that the same table as the one in my little sister Hera��s picture during lunch and dinner?]

    [ArtisanMakerOfficial: Ridiculous No. 55 is still on the table... These crew members are such lucky dogs... Argh!!! They could have a taste of such expensive butter, while I couldn��t even get a teaspoon of it... (crying_emoji)]

    [GoddessHera: Say... Is Goddess Hera really a hidden Heiress???]

    [Doggy: Hahaha!!! If that really is the case, I��d see someone SHIT himself and use a few rolls of tissue... After all, someone cheated on Hera and probably got a fish eye after throwing a treasure... LOL LOL]

 Chapter 76 Hera’s Target

    After retrieving the key, Cindy led Daisy to Hera��s exclusive garage. Hera stood quietly at the entrance, leaving everyone to assume she was making arrangements for a taxi or attending to other matters. Then, to their surprise, a sleek matte mint pink Pagani Codalunga glided in, elegantly parking in front of the entrance.

    As the neighborhood was renowned for its upscale residents, everyone watched in silence, curious to see who owned the impressive beast. The distinctive matte mint pink color hinted that the owner might not be a typical driver, sparking spection among the onlookers that the owner could very well be a woman.

    [CarEnthusiast: Woah woah!!!! There are only four more of such beast in the entire world!!!!!!]

    [JustReading: I am just passing by but I got stuck in this livestream because everything I see is something I don��t see in my everyday life.... So SICK!!!]

    [ImTheBeast: What a BEAST!!!]

    Within just over an hour, Hera had already imed yet another trending topic for herself, outshining the efforts of the other participant��s PR team for the Variety Show. Despite their attempts to create trending topics by utilizing paid promotion and a water army, Hera��s natural appeal continued to dominate the online conversations, leaving them in her shadow.

    As Hera approached the car, Daisy emerged from the driver��s seat, holding out the key to Hera. She seemed prepared to return to the entrance to see Hera off.

    However, Hera pivoted and addressed her with a gentle request, "Daisy, would you mind apanying me to the meeting location and driving the car back to the garage?" Her voice carried a soft politeness, reflecting her considerate nature.

    Upon hearing her first task from Hera, Daisy eagerly nodded. "Should I drive, or would you prefer to?"

    "Since you��ll be driving back, I��ll take the wheel to the location to ensure you won��t be burned out," Hera decided firmly.

    While the viewers might not have caught Daisy��s response, Hera��s words rang clear through thevalier microphone attached to the front of her hoodie, ensuring they didn��t miss a beat.

    As a brief pause settled over Hera��s livestream, new viewers continued to flood in, drawn like bees to flowers. The Director couldn��t have asked for a better boost in viewer ratings, all thanks to Hera��s singr influence.

    He couldn��t confirm the rumors suggesting that Hera paid off the other servants in the penthouse to stage a scenario for more viewers while the actual owner was absent. However, the fact that it significantly boosted his show��s visibility without requiring additional promotion or marketing was reason enough for him to appreciate her tactics.

    Just like that, Hera��s team departed for the meeting location. The show has yet to let them know the location of this Variety Show or what kind of life they are going to live for the next seven days, some are already restless for the unknown and dreaded that they might get the worst living conditions for this time��s recording.

    However, Hera paid little mind to these concerns. What did worry her was the fallout from the exposure to her newfound lifestyle. She could already envision the judgments and assumptions others would make about her situation, and the mere thought of it triggered a surging headache. She was well aware that this information could be weaponized against her in various ways.

    She regted her breathing and cleared her head, recalling Athena��s advice that overthinking wouldn��t necessarily help. With no foolproof n in sight, she understood that all she could do was prepare and strategize for potential counterattacks.

    As she trailed behind the van ahead of her, Hera��s mind churned with a lot of things but no one could discern what she was thinking or nning in that pretty head of hers.

    After two hours of driving, Hera and the crew came to a halt at a muddy road that wound its way into the mountainous terrain. The muck was so deep that the tracks left by the truck��s tires measured three to four inches in depth

    The other crews and participants had already gathered at the location, patiently waiting for Hera��s arrival. She was thest to reach the spot, having enjoyed a leisure breakfast at her penthouse.

    As the group clustered near the entrance of the road, they couldn��t resist turning around to catch a glimpse of the new arrival. Among them were some unexpected familiar faces that Hera hadn��t anticipated seeing.

    With a questioning arch of her eyebrows, Hera stepped out of the driver��s seat of her car. As the car door smoothly lifted upward, a sense of anticipation filled the air, particrly among the participants. The female artists, in particr, couldn��t help but feel a surge of excitement, recognizing the rarity and unmistakable luxury of the vehicle that had just arrived.

    Their minds raced, contemting how to approach the neer and make a favorable impression. Each participant strategized, eager to establish a connection. However, amidst the bustling activity, one individual stood apart, seemingly unconcerned with themotion. Leaning against a nearby tree, he remained silent, his demeanor inscrutable. It was unclear whether he rested with eyes closed or slumbered while standing.

    His snow-white hair, reminiscent of white rabbit��s fur, shimmered under the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaf of the tree. Despite the chatter and bustle around him, his countenance remained tranquil, unaffected by the ceaseless activity.

    His slightly tousled hair added a touch of effortless charm to his overall appearance, which exuded an undeniable sense of style. d in a simple yet sleek ensemble consisting of a ck long-sleeve gym hoodie, paired with ck gym shortsyered over ck leggings, andplemented by ck Adidas dropset trainer shoes, he emanated an aura of understated sophistication.

    His ensemble served as a perfect backdrop to entuate the contrast of his snow-white hair and fairplexion.

    Almost everyone followed Hera��s line of sight and there, Xavier Montague, dozing off while standing. He bore the prestigious crown of the best actor, reigning both domestically and internationally.

    Xavier Montague��the fifth male lead in the novel that is currently Hera��s target��was now within her sights.

 Chapter 77 Autumnvale

    "If you refuse to adhere to my rules, you��re wee to leave. However, keep in mind that doing so will incur the contract being terminated and you are liable for the termination fee," he stated firmly, his demeanor leaving no room for further debate.

    The person who initiated the disturbance was restrained by their assistant, who whispered into their ear. Reluctantly, everyone surrendered their devices to the staff. Hera, unfazed, proceeded to Daisy after handing over her device.

    "Daisy, thank you for apanying me here. Make sure to take care on your way back and get some rest before hitting the road."

    Daisy nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, Sister Hera. I��m d I could be here for you. Do your best!" She balled her fist in front of her chest, giving Hera an encouraging look that elicited a soft chuckle from her.

    Hera felt the sting of burning gazes directed at her back, whether friendly or not was something she currently didn��t care about; she just wanted to mind her own business. She watched as Daisy drove off with her car, the other assistants leaving one after the other.

    "Alright! Since no one is leaving, we��ll start our first task." He paused, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "As everyone knows, ��The Quest�� is a Variety Show where we let our guests experience what locals of certain areas experience on a daily basis. You will live a normal life..."

    "Which also means, starting at this point... You��ll all need to act, do, and experience how the people of our target vige live," he announced, gesturing towards the road behind him. He maintained the suspense by not revealing everything at once or being too direct.

    "This road leads to the vige, and... There��s no taxi or other mode of transportation aside from household tractors, trucks, water buffalo, or horses if you��re lucky," he exined. "But since we areing from the outside, you all need to travel this road and reach the vige on your own."

    Dumbfounded, most participants stared nkly at him, but he didn��t seem to mind. He hopped back into the OB van, and they drove off down the bumpy road without looking back. Only the cameramen assigned to certain celebrities remained, keeping their live streams going.

    Their luggagey by the side of the dirty road, abandoned for the moment.

    The first to make a move was the silent Xavier. Carrying nothing but arge ck tactical backpack, he strode down the muddy path, following the Director��s van.

    Naturally, after a moment of shock, the other guests were furious upon hearing the task ahead. They couldn��t even see the vige from where they stood, yet the Director expected them to walk there with just a brief introduction.

    Anger was an understatement; most of the participants were respected actors and actresses eager to promote theirtest films, and idols seeking to expand their fan base through the Variety Show. They expect hardships but not from the very beginning of the Show, where their body has yet to adjust.

    Most of the female guests were d in fashionable sandals and boots, ill-suited for trudging through the mud. One woman, in particr, made the stupid choice of wearing heels and lugging tworge suitcases along.

    The staff had failed to specify any luggage limits, leading everyone to assume they could bring items for theirfort. However, only the smart ones like Xavier had the foresight to pack efficiently, opting for essentials and prioritizing practicality over excess baggage, prepared for any location they might encounter.

    Hera made a strategic choice in selecting a fabric suitcase equipped with retractable backpack straps and wheels, offering versatility for various terrains. With this adaptable luggage in tow, she followed closely behind Xavier as they walked on the muddy road.

    Hera wasted no time and set a steady pace, mindful of the rising sun and the potential heat of the afternoon. With uncertainties about the distance to the vige and the challenges ahead, she aimed to make progress while the weather remained tolerable.

    She consciously limited her conversation to stave off thirst, carefully preserving the 2-liter cold water Amy had packed in an aqua sk. As they walked, she remained observant, scanning her surroundings in search of wild berries or other edible fruits to supplement their journey.

    Regrettably, she found no bushes of wild berries along the road, only towering trees enclosing them. With the monotonous scenery stretching ahead and the ceaselessints from those behind her, boredom began to set in as she walked.

    ncing ahead, she noticed that Xavier had maintained his pace for the past 30 minutes without breaking a sweat or pausing for a drink or rest, while the others were already falling behind.

    After an hour of relentless walking, Hera finally arrived at the entrance of the vige, <i>��Autumnvale��</i>. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her legs that they were trembling like a newborn calf, and she had already consumed half of the water from her sk.

    Had she not mustered the determination to push herself all the way to the vige entrance, she might have ended up like the other participants, now seated in the middle of the muddy road, their impractical clothing a hindrance. Despite Hera��s asional nces back, they were nowhere to be seen.

    Now, only she and Xavier remained standing at the vige entrance. Xavier stood tall, his forehead barely glistening with sweat, and he showed no signs of heavy breathing, as though his journey had been a leisure stroll through a park for sightseeing.

    As they pressed onward into the vige in search of the Show��s crew, Hera observed children assisting a shepherd dog in herding the sheep. The diligent dog ensured the flock stayed organized, preventing them from wandering off on their own.

    The adults bustled about, loading sizable milk containers onto the truck, presumably destined for delivery. Alongside, smaller 500g ss containers of milk hinted at their purpose for local market sales.

    Simply by ncing around, Hera discerned that they would be living a ranch farm life for the next seven days. Despite asional wafts of the unmistakable stench of animal poop carried on the breeze, the air overall felt refreshingly clean. She was already enamored with the entire atmosphere.

    "Now!" The Director��s booming voice snapped Hera back to attention, causing her to halt in her tracks and turn to face him.

    "We have our first two participants who have reached the vige. Take this opportunity to select your reward," the Director announced, the specifics of the rewards still undisclosed, but generously offered nheless.

    Hera couldn��t help but tilt her head to the side, puzzled by the Director��s mention of a reward when there was nothing visible in front of them except for the crew and a few vigers.

    _________

    PS: I��d like to offer an advance apology, as I anticipate potentially falling behind in the update process once more. Unexpectedly, my other novel has just been signed, requiring me to double my efforts to keep both books updated daily. Nevertheless, I��ll do my utmost to stay on track! Here��s to me��cheers! ?(?�@?�A)?* ????

 Chapter 78 Going to the Mountain

    Upon opening the envelope, the Director briefly scanned its contents before turning it to disy its contents to the camera and others. "You��ve received vegetables," he announced.

    Xavier remained silent, his expression unreadable, though it was evident he awaited further exnation regarding the nature of the supposed reward he had received.

    "So... Allow me to provide a brief exnation. You will all be residing and working in this vige for the entire week. However, nothinges without a cost. You��ll need to procure your daily necessities and food through yourbor. Alternatively, you may venture into the mountains at the rear to scavenge for ingredients if you run out of points..." The Director paused, shifting his gaze between Hera and Xavier. "Now, consider this reward as your initial support since you��ve just arrived. Think of it as assistance from us until tomorrow, when you can begin earning points through your work to purchase what you need."

    He signaled to the crew to temporarily confiscate Hera and Xavier��s belongings, instructing them to search for any food or snacks and remove them. They were allowed to keep only their clothes, essential hygiene items, and other non-food items.

    Anticipating this scenario, Hera had deliberately refrained from packing any food or snacks. Consequently, the crew found nothing to confiscate from her luggage, only discovering items typical of someone preparing for a camping trip.

    [AuntieNextDoor: What a savvy girl scout! Haha!]

    [PasserbyGod: Did you see the staff��s faces while rummaging through her belongings? Priceless! They looked utterly disappointed! ?? They were probably hoping to find a treasure trove of snacks, but it seems they wasted their time! Haha...]

    [UwU: I��m a loyal viewer of ��The Quest,�� and I must say, I find it hrious when the celebrities nearly break down over their confiscated snacks. Throughout the show, they hold a grudge against the confiscation because they��re starving all day! ??]

    [ckismyColor: I was waiting to see her cry... But I guess, not today?]

    After ensuring his crew hadpleted their inspection, the Director pressed on. "As you��ve been awarded vegetables, we��ll supply you with a basket containing an assortment of them. How you choose to utilize them until noon tomorrow is entirely up to you."

    Apanied by his bag, they also handed him a basket filled with assorted vegetables. As Hera stepped forward to roll the roulette, she couldn��t help but wonder, <i>��No matter how unlucky I am, it surely can��t be that bad, can it?��</i> Suppressing further thoughts, she stood tall and exerted a bit more strength to spin the roulette, watching intently as it gradually slowed and finally came to a stop.

    She stepped back, patiently waiting for the Director to take hold of the envelope retrieved by the crew. As before, he gave it only a cursory nce before flipping it around for the audience to see.

    "Your reward is an egg," he dered. Then, shifting his gaze to the ten vigers who had stepped forward earlier, he added, "Now that we��ve sorted out your reward, it��s time to select your guide. Choose someone from among these vigers who will show you the ropes around the vige and lead you to your amodations."

    Immediately after finishing his statement, he made his way back to the OB Van to oversee the other participants, granting Hera and Xavier the freedom to explore the vige.

    The crew handed Hera the basket of eggs, and as she took hold of it, a sense of relief washed over her knowing she hadn��t received something entirely useless.

    Xavier selected the eldest among the group, a man in his 50s exuding both amiability and strength. With a smile exchanged between them, the man didn��t say much but guided Xavier directly to a big building.

    Meanwhile, Hera observed the vigers before her, each wearing a gentle smile. However, her attention was captured by a young boy who appeared nervous and out of ce. She pondered why he had stepped forward to help despite his evident shyness in front of the camera.

    Without hesitation, Hera selected the boy to apany her. As she stood before him, the boy��s head remained lowered, only catching a glimpse of the ck boots in front of him. When he finally looked up, he was taken aback to find Hera standing so close, smiling warmly at him.

    "Y-you��re... picking... me?" he stuttered, surprised.

    "Yep," Hera replied with a smile.

    Upon hearing her eptance, the boy��s eyes brightened with excitement, and he eagerly beckoned Hera to follow him in the same direction Xavier had gone.

    Hera was led to a spacious, two-story cabin nestled near the base of the mountain. While it was a considerable distance from both the ranch and the vegetable farm, it proved to be a charming abode. Its picturesque surroundings resembled Switzend, albeit surrounded by towering trees.

    "Sister, would you like to take a stroll around the vige or visit the animals first?" the boy eagerly inquired of Hera.

    "Bry, why don��t you give our guests some time to rx and prepare their lunch? How about that?" the man apanying Xavier interjected, suggesting a moment of respite before any further activities.

    Hera turned around and spotted Xavier descending from the second floor, having just settled his belongings.

    Bry scratched his head thoughtfully, prompting a chuckle from Hera. "How about joining me for lunch?" she proposed.

    "Really?" Bry asked, sounding hopeful.

    "Of course," Hera replied warmly.

    "But you only have eggs for food. I��m worried it won��t be enough tost until tomorrow," Bry expressed concern.

    "Do you know where I can find mushrooms or a good fishing spot?" Hera inquired.

    "Oh oh! I know just the ce!" Bry eximed eagerly.

    "In that case, we��ll have fish for lunch. I can save my eggs for tomorrow," Hera assured Bry confidently, puffing out her chest with determination.

    Upon hearing Hera��s words, Bry��s eyes lit up with excitement as he eagerly awaited her to settle her luggage in her room. Hera made sure to bring the basket of eggs along and also retrieved a bulky tactical belt bag that could be strapped to her waist, securing it around one of her legs.

    After ensuring everything was in order, Hera emerged from her room only to notice a sticker affixed to her door reading ��Room Taken��. It was likely the crew��s doing, ensuring that other participants wouldn��t select a room that had already been imed by someone else.

    It was another perk of being the first to arrive.

    As Hera and Bry ventured out of the cabin, a cameraman trailed behind them into the depths of the forest, navigating a steep uphill path. Struggling to keep pace with Hera and Bry, the cameraman��s difficulties forced Hera to slow their pace to amodate him, a detail not lost on the viewers.

    It was only then that Hera noticed Xavier was also tagging along.

 Chapter 79 Catching Fish

    Hera nced back at Xavier��s group. If it were truly dangerous, she reasoned, Xavier��s older guide wouldn��t have permitted them toe here. Seeing them nearby only reinforced her belief that it was safe to venture this far.

    Putting her previous concerns aside, Hera scanned the area for a usable stick. As she pulled up her sweatpants to her knees and removed her shoes, she focused on the task at hand.

    "Bry, do you think there are edible mushrooms nearby?" Hera inquired.

    Bry nodded eagerly, gesturing towards the southern part of the forest. "Yes, they��re just nearby, around that area."

    Hera tapped her chin thoughtfully as she considered her options. "Bry, could you gather some dry twigs? But make sure to stay within sight," she requested.

    Upon hearing Hera��s instruction, Bry eagerlyplied, scanning the ground for twigs. Aware of where Hera was nning to use them, he also included some dry leaves in the mix to ensure an easier time starting a fire.

    He gathered the twigs in a dry spot near Hera. As she silently observed him, Hera couldn��t help but smile, admiring Bry��s quick-wittedness and intelligence.

    However, she didn��t waste any time on her own task. Spotting a yard-long stick, she quickly sharpened its tip using her tactical knife. The cameraman couldn��t help but whistle in admiration at how effortlessly Hera carried out her task.

    Shortly after, she began spearfishing in the shallow part of the river, where the fish congregated.

    With silent precision, she approached the school of fish, taking one careful step at a time to avoid creating too much disturbance in the water, which could startle the fish.

    Ensuring she was at an appropriate distance, she swiftly pierced through the water with her makeshift spear, aiming precisely and striking quickly.

    "Woah! You caught one! What a big fish!" Bry eximed, unable to contain his surprise and admiration as Hera lifted her spear triumphantly, showcasing the huge fish she had caught.

    Hearing Bry��s genuine praise, Hera couldn��t help but beam at him, her smile reflecting the warmth she felt from his sincere admiration and the excitement of the moment. It felt as if she were back in the wild with her grandfather once again.

    [AutieNextDoor: I got a screenshot of her smile!!!! (? ? ? )]

    [HeraismyGoddess: Woah!!! Not only is she beautiful, she��s also talented!!!! I am lucky that I simp for the right person. Huhuhu!]

    [HeraismySister: @AuntieNextDoor Please give me a copy of the screenshot!!! I was so taken by the moment that I only stared at the screen and forgot to SS!!!! ��(�� �� ��lll]

    [HeraLoyalFan: @AuntieNextDoor +1]

    [Girlpower: @AuntieNextDoor +1]

    Hera stepped out of the water onto the shore, securing her spear between stones before cutting somerge leaves to use as a makeshift te for the fish. She cut ten leaves, eachrger than her face.

    However, when she went to retrieve her spear, it was nowhere to be found. ncing around, she spotted Xavier taking the fish off the spear. Hera narrowed her eyes as she watched him.

    Xavier seemed to sense her intense gaze and met her eyes directly, showing no signs of shyness. Instead, he calmly stated, "I��ll catch fish, you can gut them."

    Hera was momentarily taken aback by his assertiveness. <i>��Is he delegating tasks?��</i> Xavier then approached Hera, handing her the fish before diving into the water himself.

    Hera did not move for a while as she looked at Xavier, he was a little clumsy as he moved around and tried to pierce through the water but the stick would sometimes swerve after getting in contact with the water��s surface which would then slightly alter the course of the spear��s trajectory.

    It took him three tries before he seemed to get the hang of it.

    <i>��Is this his first time, perhaps?��</i> Hera wondered. Judging from his initial attempts, it appeared to be so. However, when he first jumped into the water, he disyed a level of confidence as if he had done it countless times before. Hera realized that he must have been observing her movements closely and was now trying to replicate them, albeit with a few misses. If only he hadn��t missed a few times, Hera wouldn��t have guessed that he had only observed her actions once before applying them and seeding.

    After sessfully catching a fish, his previouslyid-back demeanor transformed into a radiant smile, radiating joy that seemed to overshadow the beauty of the surroundings. Hera and the viewers from both their streams were momentarily stunned by his sudden change. Clearly exhrated by his sess, he happily approached Hera, pulling the fish from the spear and handing it to her.

    [MyKing: Ahhhhh! My heart!!! I��m going to get a heart attack!!! Has anyone got an SS just now?!!!]

    [Xavierforever: Arg!!! I even forgot to breathe just now, how can I even take an SS?!!! DAMN!!!]

    [Xavierforlife: He finally smiled!!!! My Xavier does not smile out of the silver screen... Huhuhu... I��m liking this Hera girl now.]

    [Xavierhubby: Yeah!!! It��s thanks to her that I had an eye feast just now... ]

    [XavierNo1: ( ??o?)(�� _��?) +1]

    Xavier��s poprity brought a surge of new followers to Hera��s social media ounts. These followers not only started following her but also began leaving morements and likes on her posts. It became evident that many of them genuinely appreciated her content.

    Betty initially harbored concerns about Hera possibly encountering trouble or feeling awkward in front of the camera, which is why she had been tuning in to the live stream from the beginning. However, her worries dissipated as she observed Hera��s natural demeanor, and it was evident that everyone was thoroughly enjoying her presence.

    Despite asional troublemakers in Hera��s livestream chat room, Betty found reassurance in Hera��s dedicated fans who swiftly dealt with any disruptive behavior. With their vignce, Betty could rx and enjoy the livestream while working, finding entertainment and satisfaction in watching Hera, her newfound artist, excel and thrive.

    In another CEO��s office. "Sir, have you seen this?"

    Rafael��s brow furrowed at the sudden interruption, sensing an air of urgency from his assistant. "What��s the matter?" he asked, a note of irritation evident in his voice.

    "I thought this might catch your interest," he said, approaching his boss and showing him his phone screen, which disyed Hera��s interaction with Xavier by the riverside.

    "Are you giving me this fish?" Hera asked, her senses returning as she processed the situation.

 Chapter 80 Eating in the Wild

    Recognizing that the leaves she had brought along were insufficient to amodate her entire foraged haul, and finding the load too cumbersome to manage with just her hands, Hera scanned her surroundings. She soon spotted some long, sturdy leaves nearby, perfect for fashioning into a makeshift basket.

    It didn��t need to be overly sturdy since Hera only required the basket to hold all the items together while she carried them in her arms, ensuring that nothing would spill out.

    She did not waste time and immediately sprang into action after forming a n in her head.

    [JustPassingBy: What?! Don��t tell me, she already knew about the Variety Shows location and prepared beforehand? Or is she Tarzan who knew her way in the forest like the back of her head?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Hey dude. Don��t spout nonsense here, no one would know anything about the location in advance just like the previous guest of the show... Learning survival skills in the wild is entirely feasible; there��s already abundant material avable for self-education on the subject... (;�V�ߩV)]

    [PasserbyGod: Indeed, let��s avoid jumping to conclusions. While Hera appearsfortable in the forest, it��s premature to assume it��s her first time here. We should keep an open mind and gather more information before making any judgments.]

    In less than five minutes, Hera deftly crafted a makeshift medium-sized basket from the sturdy leaves she found. Testing its durability, she ensured it could hold all her foraged items securely. Satisfied with her creation, she carefully arranged the items inside before heading back to where the others were waiting.

    Upon her return, Hera noticed Xavier still in the water, fully engrossed in spearfishing. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself, having already caught more than ten fish, in addition to the one they had earlier.

    Bry continued to search for twigs, while Xavier��s guide assisted him in gathering dry branches to ensure they had enough firewood. Hera set down her foraged items and began gutting the fish by only making a small incision enough to remove the insides without removing the scales, ensuring they wouldn��t overcook when ced over the fire.

    After gutting and cleaning 12 fishes meticulously, Hera nced at Xavier, who was still spearfishing tirelessly. They now had 4 sizable fish surplus to their needs.

    "Brother Xavier, you can stop now," she called out, her words slipping out a bit too casually. Hera immediately realized her slip of the tongue, feeling a hint of embarrassment, but it was toote to retract.

    Hera remembered Athena saying that among the male leads, Xavier was the one who hated being too close to women the most because of the schemes always happening in the entertainment industry behind closed doors. Moreover, Xavier was known to dislike being addressed too familiarly.

    She nervously nced at Xavier, fearing she may have overstepped, but he appeared oblivious, engrossed in his spearfishing. Hera breathed a sigh of relief.

    "Mr. Montague, you can stop catching fish now. We have plenty to go around."

    Xavier reluctantly ceased his spearfishing, his demeanor suggesting he could have continued all day. He sullenly joined Bry, who was busy arranging the bonfire. Hera couldn��t help but find Xavier��s sulking demeanor a bit endearing, eliciting a soft chuckle from her lips.

    "Why don��t you lend me a hand sharpening some sticks for the fish?" Hera suggested, extending a Swiss knife from her tactical bag towards Xavier. She then passed him the freshly washed sticks, which appeared suitable for cooking the fish.

    The older guide approached Hera, observing her as she pulled out spices from her belt bag. He smiled knowingly, recognizing her preparedness, and asked the question that had been on everyone��s mind since earlier. "You seem to be quite ustomed to this, don��t you?"

    Hera, without looking up as she massaged rock salt onto the fish, responded, "I used to venture into the wilderness with my grandpa or go on fishing trips."

    The old man couldn��t help but let out a heartyugh. How many girls would go on fishing trips with their grandfathers, let alone into the wilderness? This gave him a favorable impression of Hera.

    So he offered her some help, but Hera only gave him a rechargeable sma beam lighter with a long nose to make starting a fire easier. She also asked him to build a stand for the soup. He appeared confused, wondering how Hera nned to make soup when they hadn��t brought along a pot.

    He was surprised to see Hera pull out a circr silicon te from her belt bag, almost as big as her face. Then, with a simple pull, it transformed into a pot.

    Hera had brought along a foldable, heat-resistant silicon pot suitable for camping. The old man couldn��t help butugh again, impressed by the resourcefulness of the young woman.

    [JustReading: What is she, Doraemon?!!! Howe she has everything in her belt bag?!]

    [JustAMan: Haha, bro, you just echoed my thoughts exactly! ????]

    [NatureisLove: Dude, you got meughing there... It did not cross my mind until I read yourment. She really does fit the bill of being Doraemon��s real-life version ??????]

    [AuntieNextDoor: I didn��t know about all these things. I��ll search for everything she��s using so that I��m well-prepared for camping trips in the future.]

    [HeraismySister: @AuntieNextDoor Yeah, I did not know of these things too... We usually bring many portable things but it was still a little bulky and heavy to carry when we go camping... It was an eye-opener for me...]

    While Hera was preparing the fish, the cameraman received a radio message from their Director regarding the viewer��s request for information about Hera��s belongings inside her bulky belt bag.

    Approaching Hera, the cameraman began his inquiry.

    "Ms. Ainsley, it seems that the crews are curious about the contents of your belt bag, such as the lighter and portable pot. Could you please share what these items are and where you acquired them?" The cameraman, intrigued by Hera��s tools, found himself personally interested, knowing they could be invaluable during his outdoor shoots, where cooking might be necessary. He couldn��t also disclose the fact that they are livestreaming so he used the other crew as a shield.

    After hearing the cameraman��s inquiry, Hera briefly nced up from her task but continued working as she responded, "The lighter our guide is using is a rechargeable sma beam lighter. I bought it online; it��s affordable and quite durable." She then gestured towards the pot. "As for this, it��s a foldable heat-resistant silicon pot thates with three foldable silicon cups. Also affordable and durable." Hera pointed at the Swiss knife in Xavier��s hand, providing further exnation as she seemed to almost pull out everything from her belt bag.

    She appeared like an adorable child enthusiastically sharing about her cherished hobby and treasured possessions. Unbeknownst to her, everyone, including the usually silent Xavier, was attentively listening to her every word.

 Chapter 81 Eating in the Wild 2

    [PasserbyGod: It makes sense though. ( ???)�Щ���]

    [JushReading: I��m wondering how the Director will react to this Hahaha!!!]

    [ArtisanMakerOfficial: I wonder how many boxes of that butter she has. It seems like she has an endless supply. Do you think I can buy one from her? (, ?_?,)]

    Since the cameraman had no rebuttal to Hera��s statement, and knowing he would also be partaking in the meal, he simply fell silent and resumed his duties.

    Shortly after, the mushroom soup reached a boil, and Hera began to distribute the cooked fish, each piece carefully ced on a fresh leaf for each person. She then poured the fragrant mushroom soup into the three portable cups she had. One cup was shared by Bry and the old guide, another was shared by the two cameramen. However, as Hera poured the mushroom soup into thest cup, she suddenly realized that the remaining cup could only be shared between her and Xavier.

    Uncertain of how to approach the situation, Hera decided to simply ce the cup between them. If Xavier wanted the soup, he could have it; if not, she would dly enjoy it herself. <i>��Sounds like a good n��</i>, so she nodded in agreement with her own decision.

    She then refocused her attention on the hot fish in her hand. The cooked scales were almost falling off from the skin, so Hera used a clean twig to scrape them off. With the steam rising invitingly, she took a satisfying bite of the freshly cooked fish.

    Feeling the heat, Hera couldn��t resist taking a bigger bite of the hot fish, but it was still steaming and she ended up burning her tongue. With a quick blow to cool it down, she tried to soothe the burn without losing the delicious bite of fish in her mouth.

    "Hmmm! Sister!!! This is delicious!!!!" Bry eximed, eagerly savoring the fish while deftly avoiding the smaller fishbones.

    "Indeed, the fish is fresh and cooked to perfection, the seasoning is spot on," one of the cameramen chimed in, echoing Bry��s sentiment.

    "I��m d that you like it, Bry. Just be careful as you eat, there��s still more here," Hera said with a smile, pleased to see them enjoying the food as much as she did.

    She noticed Xavier meticulously extracting the meat from the fishbone, his intense focus giving him an unexpectedly innocent aura. Hera couldn��t resist a soft chuckle at the sight. When Xavier looked up in response to herughter, Hera already turned her attention back to eating.

    Noticing Xavier��sck of interest in the mushroom soup, Hera dly took a sip from the cup herself. Her eyes closed in contentment as the warm soup flowed down her throat, its vors dancing on her taste buds. The addition of butter elevated the soup to new heights, leaving Hera and even Bry and the old guide feeling irresistibly drawn to its addictive taste.

    She savored a few more sips until she had consumed half of the soup, then subconsciously ced the cup down, nearly in the same spot between her and Xavier, albeit slightly closer to her this time. With her focus back on the fish in her other hand, she continued to enjoy the meal, asionally stealing nces at the serene surroundings.

    The atmosphere quickly became lively as they engaged in a spirited conversation, sharing their own outdoor experiences. Xavier, though mostly silent, listened attentively to their stories as he deftly deboned his second fish before resuming his meal.

    Hera��s attention was suddenly drawn by an insistent nudge on her arm, leading her to believe that Xavier had something to say to her. And indeed, he did. "Give me more soup."

    "Huh?" Hera��s head snapped to the side as she tried toprehend his request. <i>��Surely he didn��t just ask for more?��</i>

    "More soup," he repeated, passing her the now-empty cup that had been sitting between them.

    Certainly, Hera desired to grow closer to Xavier as part of her strategy, but she was mindful of her boundaries. She had heard that Xavier was particr about not sharing personal items, especially used utensils like spoons and cups. His condition is almost close to Mysophobia.

    Hera stole a quick nce at the cup, confirming its emptiness. Meanwhile, viewers on Xavier��s livestream shared in Hera��s confusion. Many had been loyal fans since Xavier��s early days as an aspiring actor, and they were well aware of his aversion to sharing personal items.

    That��s why they couldn��t understand why Xavier didn��t object to using the same cup as Hera.

    [XaviermyHubby: Did Xavier really see her drink from that cup?]

    [Xavierno1: I doubt it!]

    [Xavierfan: Seems unlikely. If he did, he��d probably toss the cup aside.]

    [Xavierbaby: Agreed, it��s probably just an honest mistake.]

    Then another question arose after that topic was set aside by his fans.

    [XaviermyHubby: So, does that mean... it��s an indirect kiss?]

    [Xavierno1: Ahhh!!!! No!!!!!! That��s Xavier��s first!!!]

    [Xaviermylife: Argh!!! This doesn��t count, does it?]

    [Xavy: Noooooo!!!! My Xavy was vited!!!]

    Although Hera was worried that Xavier would get angry at her, she still filled the cup with soup and passed it back to Xavier. She also considered that he might not have realized that she had drunk from the cup, or else, he wouldn��t even touch it.

    After considering this possibility, she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders and smiled again as if nothing had happened. If he didn��t know, she didn��t have to say anything.

    "Don��t you want to drink anymore?" Xavier��s question caught Hera off guard, causing her to choke on the fish meat she was about to swallow.

 Chapter 82 VIPs

    "I saw you drink, but I don��t think you��ve had quite enough," he remarked.

    Hera was in a moment of shock. ��He saw, yet said nothing? Where��s the revulsion? Or perhaps, was my information incorrect?�� Despite the turmoil churning within her, she maintained a smiling facade, choosing to remain silent. Xavier interpreted her silence as consent to indulge in the soup without hesitation.

    [XaviermyHubby: He saw and said nothing?!]

    [Xavierislife: Wasn��t he grossed out by sharing a cup with someone? Can someone please exin what��s happening? Is this some kind of joke?!]

    [Xavierno1: I had no fucking idea either!!!!]

    [XaviermyLove: Is he even the same Xavier I know?! Could he have been reced?!]

    Xavier��s fans were thrown into a frenzy, each experiencing their own panic, a testament to the severity of Xavier��s typical reaction to anyone attempting to share a drink with him or feed him using their used utensils.

    [Xavierforlife: Perhaps that��s Xavier��s way of expressing his aversion to pretentious women who try to get too close to him or create scandals involving him?! I can��t say for certain, but that��s my take, especially considering his interactions with Hera thus far... He hasn��t disyed the usual difort or genuine disgust he typically does with the opposite sex...]

    Upon reading a logicalment from one of the fans, the others began to lean back and tried thinking along the same logic, and the longer they thought, the more it made sense to them, it��s just that, they��ve never seen Xavier sofortable with anyone that they never thought of that possibility before.

    They had all assumed that Xavier was simply mysophobic and averse to people in general. However, that perception was rapidly shifting. Now, those women who had attempted various schemes to get closer to Xavier felt a sharp sting of reality as they witnessed this revtion gaining traction on social media.

    No one could refute this and so, they started to pay more attention to Hera, to see what was different about her that Xavier would let his guard down around her. <i>��Or was it possible that he didn��t treat her as a person? Xavier likes cats so they could only think that he��s probably thinking of Hera as a sort of pet. Maybe?��</i>

    A ring golden VIP popped up on the screen that caught everyone��s attention. Shows a continuous worldwide notification of Spaceship gifts but that��s not what��s surprising since a spaceship costs $1,000, they sometimes would see some dedicated fans send it to their idols, especially in Xavier��s live stream.

    However, the shock came when the Spaceship gift was sent to Hera��s livestream. What was most astounding was that each notification disyed a 999 Spaceship gift, and the notifications kept ringing repeatedly before eventually ceasing. No one could keep track of how many times it shed across their screens. Remarkably, each time it appeared, it was the same 999 Spaceship gift notification.

    [NorthernDuke: It��s quite understandable why Xavier wouldn��t harbor any aversion towards Hera. After all, she wasn��t attempting to get close to him. It was he who trailed her up the mountain, partook of her food, and if he still found it distasteful to share a cup with her, then perhaps he should prepare his meals solo!!!]

    It was evident from the VIP��sment that he was insinuating that it was Xavier��s problem all and all, he was even openly showing his disdain over Xavier��s action of trying to share a cup with Hera.

    Before long, this remarkable incident spread across social media, apanied by a short video clip that ignited widespread spection about the identity of the user named NorthernDuke. It was evident that this individual, a person of considerable wealth, held a significant interest in Hera, evident from his overt disdain towards Xavier.

    But the story didn��t end there; it seemed as though it was just the beginning. Another golden VIP icon appeared on the screen, apanied by the same worldwide notification of 999 Spaceships, lingering for a considerable time. It almost felt like a challenge to the previous individual, as they left ament to apany their grand gesture.

    [EntertainmentKing: I do agree that it��s Xavier��s problem and it��s not his ce to show disgust over something that he could have avoided. If he could, he could drink directly from the pot for all I care....]

    If you think that it would end there, of course, it did not, another VIP sent the same amount of gift before leaving yet anotherment.

    [GoldenLight: I was just passing by but all I could say is, not to jump to conclusions or specte anything just based on what you see because it might affect the artist��s image in a bad way. Anyways, Xavier could eat a pig feed if he can��t cook, he won��t die from it anyway...]

    Before anyone could fully grasp what was unfolding, another VIP graced the screen, adding to the growing spectacle. It seemed to vie for attention alongside the other VIPs, leaving ament simr to the previous few.

    [FatherOfCaduceus: He should just eat some leaves...]

    The viewers were dumbstruck by the VIPments that flooded one after the other. Someone was able to save a video clip of this and posted it online which garnered hate from Xavier��s fans and admiration for the wealthy individuals who gathered in a single livestream that clearly showed their clear dislike of Xavier getting close to Hera.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Does little sister Hera have older brothers?!!]

    [PasserbyGod: That can��t be right. She never said that she had brothers and even if she did, would they be this rich?!! Besides, as a man myself, it��s evident to me that these individuals are unmistakably staking their im... if indeed they are men. I can��t imagine any woman disying such overt disdain towards Xavier over such trivial matters.]

 Chapter 83 You Cook

    On the flip side, Hera swiftly overcame her initial shock regarding Xavier and swiftly moved on, relegating it to the recesses of her mind. She reasoned that there must have been a misunderstanding with the information provided by Athena and decided to let it go, particrly since Xavier showed no signs of disdain towards her.

    After packing up the remaining fresh fish and foraged goods, Hera and the others descended the mountain. Meanwhile, Bry had only managed to finish one whole fish and asked Hera if he could take the remaining one home, a request she dly granted.

    Hera and the others had only been away from the vige for two hours, yet it was sufficient time for all the other participants to arrive. Their descent coincided with the arrival of the others at the cabin, where they caught sight of the items Hera had brought down from the mountain.

    Naturally, each participant received their own reward based on their time of arrival. While some were fortunate to receive substantial rewards, others were left wondering how they would manage to make do with their meager provisions, like in bread, and survive until the following day.

    Those who received less favorable "rewards" eyed Hera��s supplies like hungry wolves, yet they refrained from baring their fangs in broad daylight. Instead, they quietly schemed, devising ns to acquire her provisions by any means necessary.

    "Hi!!! You must be one of the few who arrived first?" A beautiful melodic voice of a woman echoed as a beautiful woman with ming red hair cascading around her waist ran to Hera with excitement, her aquamarine eyes glistened with purity and enthusiasm.

    She was a true beauty who would stand out in all sorts of ways. Her melodious chuckle rings like a bell in the summer wind, rxing and beautiful. "My name is Alice, Alice Quinn. Nice meeting you!!!"

    Hera��s body tensed, and she felt a jolt of shock race through her. It was as if she had been struck by lightning. She hadn��t noticed Alice earlier amidst the crowd of guests, and her petite stature of only 160 cm made it easy for her to be overlooked among taller individuals.

    Alice did not wait for Hera to reply and she craned her neck to Hera��s side and saw Xavier walking closer to them. Alice jumped to the side, in front of Xavier, and also introduced herself to him with much enthusiasm.

    Xavier��s movements halted abruptly, his muscles tensing as Alice suddenly appeared in his line of sight. His brows furrowed visibly, a sign of his surprise. Alice, noticing his reaction, instinctively took a step back. "I��m sorry, did I startle you?" she inquired gently.

    Xavier sidestepped Alice and ignored her, proceeding straight into the cabin without a backward nce. It came as no surprise to everyone witnessing the scene; Xavier was known for his dislike when someone took up his personal space, and Alice had done just that.

    Alice sensed the shift in the atmosphere and nced around with herrge, round eyes, on the brink of tears. Despite her evident distress, she seemed to be struggling to hold them back, refusing to let them spill from her eyes.

    Another male guest couldn��t help but offer some kind words to Alice, advising her not to repeat her actions as Xavier would only grow to dislike her more if she did. Taking in everyone��s exnations, Alice wiped her eyes and offered a grateful smile to everyone for imparting such valuable information.

    She approached Hera, who had regained herposure, with an apologetic tone. "I��m sorry if I startled you. This is my first show after being signed. I hope I��m not being rude?" She cast Hera a slightly pitiful nce as if expecting to be scolded.

    "No, it��s not a problem. Don��t think too much about it..." Hera gave a reassuring smile and continued. "I��m Hera Ainsley. Nice meeting you too." Her smile and beauty did not lose out from Alice, in fact, despite her simple getuppared to Alice��s feminine dress. Hera still outshone Alice by a few notches.

    Naturally, there was no reason for anyone to openlypare Hera and Alice. Both women appeared friendly, endearing themselves to everyone around them.

    Before bidding farewell to the older guide and Bry, Hera made sure to express her gratitude by offering them some of her foraged items. Bry, in turn, promised to return in an hour to show her around the vige, a gesture to which Hera readily agreed.

    Returning to her room to stow away her belongings, Hera noticed that she still had the remaining four fish wrapped in leaves. Deciding to find Xavier, she stepped back out into the corridor. To her surprise, she spotted Xavier just emerging from his room, conveniently located across from hers.

    Hera and Xavier locked eyes for a moment before Hera broke the silence. "Mr. Montague, you still haven��t taken the other fish from me. I believe you��ve forgotten."

    Xavier wordlessly retreated into his room, leaving the door ajar. A short whileter, he returned with a basket, handing it to Hera without a word.

    "What��s this?" Hera peered inside and spotted the vegetables he had received as a reward.

    "Let��s team up. You cook," Xavier suggested.

    Hera was taken aback. <i>��Is this what they mean by winning a man over with cooking?��</i> she mused, feeling incredulous.

 Chapter 84 Village Tour

    [Dave_Carson: So, this is what you��re annoyed about?! ( ???_?? )?.?oO]

    The other viewers ceased spamming the chatbox of Hera��s livestream as soon as they noticed the first golden VIP username sending ament. It became apparent that they were still watching the livestream, and their annoyance seemed to stem from Xavier��s growing proximity to Hera, which didn��t make sense to them.

    Adding to the mystery was the revtion that the young minister of their country was also tuning in and appeared to be closely affiliated with the other VIP members. His ount, like theirs, was a golden VIP and verified by the tform, as they had observed earlier.

    Watching the show was not only enjoyable, but viewers also found entertainment in observing the VIP chat and expressing their frustrations in thement section, it felt very novel to them.

    The viewers felt like they were swimming among the whales, as none of them wanted to leave Hera��s livestream. In fact, the atmosphere only grew livelier as word spread across social media.

    The Director was equally surprised by this phenomenon. He couldn��tprehend what it was about Hera that drew such intense attention from wealthy individuals, including the country��s minister, sparking widespread interest and curiosity.

    Uncertain whether the current developments were positive or negative, he didn��t feel inclined to celebrate just yet.

    Meanwhile, Hera, unwittingly at the center of attention, remained oblivious to the thoughts and opinions of others. She was fully engrossed in organizing her and Xavier��s supplies, strategizing on how to make the ingredientsst until the next day, paying particr attention to the fish.

    She couldn��t recall seeing a refrigerator in the kitchen earlier, or perhaps she simply hadn��t noticed it. Regardless, she made a mental note to double-checkter.

    Later on, she descended to meet up with Bry as they had arranged earlier. Before leaving, she requested ice and a cooler from the crew. Once she obtained them, she carefully ced the fish wrapped in leaves inside and sprinkled rock salt over the ice to slow down its melting process.

    She made sure to keep everything in her room, because, even if she did not say anything, she noticed how the other participants looked at the things she carried earlier and had already figured out what they were nning.

    Xavier��s decision to give her his supplies instead of storing them in the kitchen indicated that they were on the same page. While Hera was currently being calctive, it didn��t mean she wouldn��t assist someone in need, as long as that individual had genuine intentions.

    As the saying goes, <i>��Everything is fair in love and war.��</i>

    When Hera and Bry stepped in front of the cabin, they found the other eight participants gathered there, chatting happily. They encircled the bonfire, toasting marshmallows. Hera nced around and spotted Alice, cheerfully distributing bags of marshmallows to the others.

    Alice also did not forget to extend an invitation to Hera, urging her to join the group for a bonding session. "Hera, why don��t you join us? It��s a great opportunity for all of us to get to know each other better since we��ll be living together for the entire week," she said with the most beautiful smile she could muster.

    Hera shook her head slightly in response. "I��m sorry, I actually already promised Bry that we��d tour the vige together."

    Another male guest said. "You can always do the touring tomorrow if you like. You��re wee to bring your guide along to join in on us." He did not forget to smile at Hera as he directly stared at her face.

    "Thank you, I really appreciate your kind offer," Hera responded graciously. "But I really enjoy the atmosphere here in this vige that I can��t help but be giddy to explore." Despite her refusal, Hera maintained her polite and gentle demeanor.

    A man rose from his seat and approached Hera with a friendly smile. "Come on, I��ll apany you. I��m actually a city boy and have never been on a farm before. I was also hoping to explore the area, but I was torn because I wanted to spend time with everyone else," he exined. Gesturing for Hera to lead the way, he adopted a chivalrous demeanor. "Hearing someone appreciate this kind of atmosphere makes me feel like I��ve found a kindred spirit in you," he added with a charmingugh as they moved away from the group.

    "Wait, Hera. Where��s Xavier?" Alice caught up to them after a few quick steps and gently tugged on Hera��s sleeve, her tone slightly anxious.

    "He��s resting," Hera replied almost instantly.

    "Could you call him down?" Alice asked.

    "You can also call him down. Don��t worry, he won��t bite," Hera reassured her with a smile. Gesturing for Alice to return to the others, she walked towards the vige with Bry and the other guy.

    Apanied by a cameraman, Hera resumed her vige tour. As they ventured farther from the group, the sounds ofughter fading into the distance, the guy remarked, "What do you mean he doesn��t bite? He��s been known to chomp people, you know." His chuckle attempted to mask thement as a joke, but the seriousness in his eyes betrayed a different message to Hera.

    "He��s well-behaved, though..." Hera responded, a hint of confusion in her voice. She pondered whether the guy apanying her also fell victim to the misinformation circting online, as she had initially. However, her firsthand experiences had proven otherwise.

    "You probably didn��t know because you��re new to the industry, but it��s alright," he exined. "His fans and most people are aware anyway."

    "Really? But earlier, he seemed perfectly fine," Hera remarked, tilting her head slightly in confusion as she tried to piece things together. The guy couldn��t help but find her expression endearing, but his impulse to pat her head caught both of them by surprise. Hera stiffened at the sudden touch.

    Awkwardly withdrawing his hand, the guy rubbed the tip of his nose nervously. "By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. I��m Zen, a newbie actor from UE."

    After recovering from the initial surprise, Hera smiled as if nothing had happened and replied, "Nice to meet you, Zen. I��m Hera, also from the samepany."

    Realizing they were colleagues from the samepany, Hera and Zen felt a sense of camaraderie that made their conversation flow more easily. Bry guided them to the cattle barn, where they observed the calves and learned about their care. Bry also shared useful tips and reminders for looking after the cattle during their tour.

    Following their visit to the cattle barn, Bry led Hera and Zen to the area where the sheep were kept. There, he demonstrated the process of shearing wool from the sheep��s bodies and exined how it was processed before being sold. Throughout the tour, Bry consistently shared interesting trivia about the animals they cared for, enriching their experience.

    Gradually, they explored all the livestock on the farm, with Bry ensuring they didn��t miss a thing. He even made a point to show Hera the horse stable.

    "Wow! They��re stunning!" Hera eximed, captivated by the beauty of the horses.

    "Right?!!! I love horses too!" Bry��s eyes lit up with excitement as he spoke, but then his mood dampened. "But, I can��t ride one yet since I��m still small, and the adults are all busy. They can��t apany me for horseback riding, and they��re afraid that idents might happen if I go on my own."

    Observing Bry��s disappointment, Hera felt a tug at her heartstrings, and before she could even think, the words spilled from her lips. "I can apany you on a horseback ride..." Her offer seemed to instantly lift Bry��s spirits, and although she hadn��t nned on it, she couldn��t bring herself to retract her words seeing his excitement.

    "Really?!!!" Bry��s eyes widened with excitement.

    "Do you know how to ride a horse?" Zen chimed in, his eyes reflecting amazement.

    Hera nodded bashfully in response.

 Chapter 85 Horseback Riding

    "Huh?!"

    "..."

    The brothers exchanged wide-eyed nces, then turned back to Hera, silently questioning her if it was true.

    "Maybe we can try to see if Diamond will allow me to ride it," Hera suggested. She observed that the horse hadn��t made much noise since earlier, and it was calmly chewing the food she had given, not showing any signs of aggression.

    Hera could feel that the horse would not hurt her, that��s why she could suggest that. To be precise, she��s had a great affinity with nature and animals since she was young and that��s the primary reason why she enjoys going on a trip with her grandfather in the wild.

    "But sister, it��s dangerous!!! What��s if Diamond throws you to the ground?! You��ll get hurt..." Bry��s voice trembled, his eyes welling up with tears as if recalling a painful memory he wished to forget.

    Hera sensed Bry��s apprehension, recognizing that his fear wasn��t for the horse but for her safety. His eyes betrayed a deep-seated anxiety, hinting at a troubling memory. Hera lowered her gaze slightly and offered Bry a gentle smile, seeking tofort him. "Don��t worry, Bry. Diamond won��t hurt me."

    Instead of finding sce in her words, Bry burst into tears. "My uncle said the same thing once, but... Huhuhu... He... He..."

    Even Bry��s brother seemed distressed, his eyes reddening as he nced at his younger sibling. He could only try tofort him, coaxing him to stop crying. "I apologize for my brother��s outburst, miss... Our uncle, our father��s younger brother, was actually thrown off by Diamond in an equestrian race justst year, and now he��s paralyzed from the waist down."

    "Bry admired our uncle greatly and aspired to train and breed horses like him for equestrian races. However, the ident left an emotional scar on my brother. Despite this, he can��t abandon his love for horseback riding..." Complex emotions swirled in his eyes as he recalled the details.

    [AuntieNextDoor: I feel sad for Bry and his uncle... (T_T) Huhuhu]

    [PasserbyGod: Indeed, it must be traumatic for the child...]

    [JustPassingBy: I just came here to watch but I did not know that there is also drama here. �c(�䧥` ;)? I hate crying but now I am crying!!! Huhuhuh!!!]

    Hera empathized with both Bry and his uncle, understanding the trauma the ident had caused. She sensed Bry��s fear of approaching Diamond, even if he didn��t openly admit it. Diamond seemed to sense this fear as well.

    Hera was not sure of theplete details of what happened and why Diamond went berserk and led to that ident, but Diamond must not have had the chance to run around much anymore after what happened to their uncle. If the only two adults whom Diamond trusted weren��t able to take him on a ride, it would lead to depression.

    Hera��s heart weighed heavy withpassion for the distressing circumstances. Once Bry began to regain hisposure, wiping away his tears, Hera approached Diamond. As she gently stroked the horse��s head, Diamond instinctively lowered its own, making it easier for Hera to reach. It even nudged her a few times. Which instantly stopped Bry��s tears.

    "Would you like to go for a run?" Hera whispered to the horse, though she knew Diamond wouldn��tprehend her words, she feltpelled to speak to it. As the words left her lips, Diamond��s ears perked up, and it snorted softly, nodding its head as if in agreement.

    "Where��s the saddle?" Hera asked as she turned to the teenager.

    "But..."

    "It��s okay... I��m not bragging, but I��m really good with animals, especially horses..." Hera beamed at them, offering the reassurance they needed.

    [HeraismySister: Ugh!!! Sister Hera, you��re so manly!!!]

    [NorthernDuke: I have better horses in my stable... ??(?��?)??]

    [GoldenLight: I have a racetrack.]

    [EntertainmentKing: I have horses too...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I can check the horse��s health and make sure it will not get sick...]

    [Dave_Carson: You��re a doctor, not a vet though... (�R���Q)]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Start doing your work and stop hiding in someone else��s office.]

    [Dave_Carson: ....]

    Before long, the saddle was reluctantly passed to Hera, while Bry still tugged at the back of her sweatshirt. Hera gently rubbed his head a few times before finishing saddling up Diamond. Even Zen started to feel nervous after hearing Bry and his brother��s words.

    But Hera looked so determined that he was stumped about what to say at this moment, which is why he kept silent all this time. Everything was moving at a fast pace, leaving them little time to adapt, and Hera climbed onto the horse the moment she finished her preparations.

    Bry couldn��t help but hold his breath as he looked up nervously at Hera.

    "Where��s the race track? Or would it be an open space?" Hera asked as she held the reins.

    "We have the racetrack just a few meters away from here," the teenager absentmindedly answered, his gaze fixed on the docile Diamond. He felt a whirlwind of emotions��excitement, nervousness, and uncertainty��swirling within him, unsure whether tough or cry at the unfolding situation.

    "Please lead the way." Hera requested.

    The teenager nodded as he hurriedly walked ahead to the racetrack while Hera followed slowly. Diamond has yet to show any impatience and aggressiveness which was a good sign for Hera and the teenager, he could only watch with open eyes to make sure that nothing untoward happened to their guest.

    "Si-Sister!!! Are you really gonna be okay?" Bry asked, his voice trembling as he kept a distance from Diamond but still followed them.

    Hera didn��t answer, she just smiled at him. When the gate to the racetrack was open, Hera didn��t wait for a second. She let Diamond run to its heart��s content.

    "Giddyup!" Hera eximed, tightening her grip on the reins and securing her legs on the saddle as Diamond bolted from their position onto the open track. The rush was so intense that everything around them became a blur. Instead of feeling nervous, Hera was filled with happiness and excitement. <i>��The exhrating feeling of freedom.��</i>

 Chapter 86 My Fault?

    In contrast to the deserted stream in the cabin, Hera��s stream attracted viewers who had abandoned the other livestream room. They flocked to hers upon discovering her engaging tour. Initially, they anticipated Hera��s livestream to be dull, assuming she would only wander around the vige. However, they were pleasantly surprised to find it akin to watching a captivating travel blog.

    Hera consistently engaged with the animals on the farm, evoking varied reactions each time. Hertest endeavor involved horseback riding with remarkable skill. Additionally, her livestream room attracted VIPs, who asionally sent gifts as a token of appreciation for her captivating content.

    Who wouldn��t want to join in the fun then?

    "Whoa! Whoa! Easy, Diamond," Hera eximed as the horse came to a halt near the fence, its hooves clopping on the ground. The horse strutted closer to the fence, letting out a satisfied snort, its excitement palpable after a few nonstopps around the track.

    "Would you like to ride with me?" Hera asked Bry, whose initial fear seemed to have been reced by excitement as he watched her race around the track like a professional. His eyes brightened with eagerness as he nodded eagerly.

    As Bry climbed up the fence, Hera leaned closer to Diamond��s body to reach him. Once she got hold of his arms, she used her strength to pull him up onto the horse��s back.

    Diamond instantly became uneasy, which also made Bry nervous. He remembered that he was about to ride the same horse that had thrown off his uncle.

    Hera seated Bry in front of her, but Bry was visibly trembling, his initial excitement giving way to fear. Hera gently patted his shoulder, trying to calm him. "Rx, Bry. Diamond can feel your emotions," she reassured him, her voice steady and soothing. Holding the reins tighter, she tried to pacify Diamond with her gentle touch. "Just hold on tight and look straight ahead. You��ll be fine."

    Bry nodded, but his trembling persisted, and his eyes remained half-closed. Sensing his unease, Hera wrapped her arm around his waist for added security while keeping a firm grip on the reins with her other hand. She ensured their position was secure before gently coaxing Diamond into a slow walk, which gradually picked up pace into a brisk stride.

    As Hera sensed Bry loosening up, she eximed, "Giddyup!" Diamond responded by breaking into a run, not as fast as before but still moving swiftly. Initially, Bry let out a high-pitched scream, but as he began to feel the rush of wind against his face and witnessed the sunset on the horizon while they raced around the track, his fear transformed into exhration.

    As Bry felt the rush of adrenaline, he surrendered to the moment, letting go of thoughts about the ident or his fear. Hera couldn��t contain her joy, a soft smile gracing her lips, perfectly captured by the cameraman as they swept past his position.

    [AuntiNextDoor: I had a feeling that I��d need my tool. Haha!!! I was not wrong!!! I got another SS of my little sister!!!]

    [HeraismySister: Damn!!! she looked so beautiful back there!!!! I even had an illusion that she was Prince Charming!!! Urg!!! I��m turning gay for my sister, MY GOD!!!!]

    [NorthernDuke: I don��t care if you turned gay, but don��t target someone else��s wife... (�p �� ? ��)??]

    [HeraismySister: ....]

    [GoldenLight: It��s okay if you turned delusional @NorthernDuke but she��s no one else��s wife...]

    [EntertainmentKing: FUCKING DELUSIONAL!!!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Delusional...]

    [Dave_Carson: Kids, stop fighting...]

    [EntertainmentKing: Shut up and start working!]

    [Dave_Carson: �t(?��?)��-]�T������ @EntertainmentKing]

    After a few rounds of exhrating runs on the track, Hera carefully helped Bry down from Diamond and then began leading the horse back to the stable. However, Diamond seemed reluctant to call it a day.

    "Don��t worry, big guy, we��ll have another run soon," Hera reassured as she stroked its neck. Though Diamond huffed in dissatisfaction, it ultimately acquiesced to Hera��s gentle urging and made its way back to the stable.

    After ensuring that Diamond was safely back in its stall, Hera checked to see if the horse had eaten the food she had left out. Satisfied that Diamond was settled and fed, she then sent Bry and his brother back on their way home before returning to the main cabin with Zen.

    Hera and Zen strolled back to the cabin, engrossed in conversation about Hera��s experience of horseback riding and her feelings during the exhrating ride. Their dialogue flowed easily, and they both seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

    "It was your fault, Hera!!!" Hera and Zen were startled by the sudden shout as they approached the cabin. They couldn��t help but look back to see who the owner of the voice was.

    "It��s your fault!!!" She repeated, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and usation.

    "What��s my fault now?" Hera asked, raising her eyebrows in confusion.

    Hera surveyed the scene in front of the cabin, noting the somber expressions on everyone��s faces as they huddled together.

    "You��re the one who encouraged Alice to look for Xavier. And now, Alice is in tears because Xavier got angry at her... She��s such a good girl, but she was humiliated because of you!"

    "Minerva, stop!" Minerva was pulled back, but she struggled fiercely against the hold.

    "Don��t stop me, Alexi! She did it on purpose, I��m telling you!!!"

    Indeed, Alexi and Minerva were unexpected additions to the show, a fact Hera had discovered only that morning. Seeing them was thest thing she wanted, and engaging with them was even less appealing. What didn��t make sense was that there should have been only one vacancy after a guest withdrew due to the ident.

    However, now there were two additional individuals who weren��t supposed to be part of the show. They hadn��t taken any actions against her since their arrival, prompting Hera to turn a blind eye to their presence. But it seemed they were the ones seeking conflict.

    However, what added to the confusion was the presence of the original female lead from the novel. It didn��t make sense. Did this mean that Hera��s spections and theories werepletely off the mark?

    Since her arrival that morning, Hera had been grappling with this question, tirelessly seeking answers. However, the more events unfolded, the moreplicated and bewildering everything became. She found herself lost in a maze of confusion, unsure of where to even begin searching for rity.

 Chapter 87 Slander?

    "If you consider it nder when it��s the truth, what about the baseless usations you��ve made against me? Are you all looks and no substance?" Hera tilted her head to the side and couldn��t help but sneer at Minerva, which sessfully struck a nerve.

    While Hera maintained a demeanor of gentleness and kindness, Athena��s influence from a young age equipped her with the ability to confront vicious individuals with her own brand of verbal prowess. Unyielding when necessary, Hera refused to back down from confrontation and could exhibit a surprising level of pettiness when pushed.

    Only a select few individuals had the ability to provoke Hera to such a degree, and Minerva happened to be one of them.

    "Hera, could you please refrain from quarreling with Minerva, for my sake?" Alexi pleaded, casting a hopeful nce at Hera. Despite everything, he clung to the memory of Hera��s words at the ss reunion, believing that she still harbored some concern for him.

    He understood that Hera was annoyed by his actions, yet he sensed that she still harbored feelings for him. Despite this, he struggled to find the right moment to talk to her, hindered by Minerva��s persistent presence by his side. A sickening feeling gnawed at his stomach as he felt his freedom slipping away.

    He clung to this belief like glue, enduring each day with a longing gaze directed at Hera while concealing his true feelings. Every moment without her felt like torture, a constant ache in his heart.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Wait!!!! Does that mean?!!!]

    [PasserbyGod: So it was true!!!! Hera and Alexi was really an item?!!!! And Minerva was.....

    [HeraismySister: I know sister Hera was not that kind of person... It��s just the typical Pot calling the Kettle ck... Minerva just looks like a shrew

    (�s���n��)�s]

    [NorthernDuke: And who is this insect? Hmm?! Can anyone care to exin?!]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing, why did you suddenly went silent hmmm?!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @EntertainmentKing You only burry yourself in your work and failed in disciplining (-_-)]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @NorthernDuke Sir, there was a controversy before alleging that Hera was Alexi��s stalker and an extreme fan attempting to sabotage his rtionship with Minerva. However, Hera denied these ims in a live interview before too. Numerous theories and evidence suggested that Hera was actually Alexi��s girlfriend, with Minerva being portrayed as the third party, but such discussions were promptly deleted.]

    Certainly, NorthernDuke��s question was a calcted move to reignite the controversy and fuel spection once more. He was fully cognizant of Alexi��s significance in the situation. Had it not been for Alexi��s presence, NorthernDuke might have Hera all to himself by now. The mere thought of Hera being romantically involved with someone else left him feeling utterly heartbroken, even going as far as doing a drastic measure like severing ties with everyone in the country just to distance himself from her.

    He seized every chance to emphasize Alexi��s character ws and assert his own ownership over Hera.

    Indeed, behind the username "NorthernDuke" lurked none other than Leo Hendrix himself.

    [NorthernDuke: Doesn��t that mean that he chose money over love? Or what? Does he want to keep both?! (???)]

    [EntertainmentKing: @NorthernDuke Don��t spread false rumors, it will be detrimental to the celebrities and might even lead to legal battles if you go too far.]

    And of course, this guy was Rafael, he was intimidating Leo and insinuating that he would go after him if he went too far with his taunting. Even if Leo was talking about Alexi, it would still drag his sister down the drain if it was truly proven that everything was true.

    [NorthernDuke: @EntertainmentKing, I don��t understand why are you trying to intimidate me with legal battles. This is the sole reason why there are scumbags and shrews walking this earth, it��s because there are people who enabled their behavior and tolerated them. Right @EntertainmentKing?]

    [EntertainmentKing: ....]

    "Mr. Ford, instead of asking me to stop. Why don��t you ask your girlfriend not to go around bitting people... Hmm?" Hera shrugged her shoulders and kept a nonchnt demeanor which only made Minerva even more livid.

    Hera had a knack for finding and pressing the exact buttons of those she disliked, refusing to silently endure any disparagement directed at her.

    A pitiful, almost angelic voice echoed from where the other participants were huddled. "Please, stop fighting. It was no one else��s fault..." She huped and continued, "I know Minerva was only worried for my sake, and emotions got the better of her. Please, Hera, don��t make trouble for her."

    Alice��s words were gentle, infused with concern for the person showing her concern. They radiated kindness, highlighting Alice��s magnanimity and her selfless consideration for others�� well-being, even amidst her own grievances.

    Others�� evaluation of her only soared to new heights, painting her as an angel. But to Hera, her words sounded contrived. "Making trouble?" Hera sneered inwardly. "How clever is this female lead for pulling off this stunt?!"

    In Hera��s eyes, Alice appeared insincere, as if her words concealed a hidden de ready to strike at any moment if Hera let her guard down.

    "I hope, Alice, you��re not implying that I��m the one causing trouble with Minerva, right? Because I was the first to be attacked by usations. I apologize for bringing our past disagreement to the table; it��s my fault. But I also hope you understand that I can be emotional too, and I��m just defending myself the best way I know how, especially since there��s no one else here to do it for me."

    Hera��s voice quivered with a trembling tone, as if on the verge of tears after being reprimand. She appeared equally pitiful as Alice as if everyone was ganging up on her. Her eyes misted over with unshed tears, her long eyshes quivering as she slowly closed her eyes.

    Hera wasn��t naive; she understood that if she persisted stubbornly, they would use it against her and paint her as unreasonable. So, she decided to retreat for now, knowing she could advanceter. Besides, Alice wasn��t the only one who knew how to wield words and manipte people as weapons.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Oh no, Hera, please don��t cry... It wasn��t your fault at all. From the moment you arrived, you were unfairly attacked with usations and ndered. Maybe in the heat of the moment, you brought up past issues to defend yourself since everyone else seemed to be shielding Alice. What could you do when it felt like everyone was against you? I feel so sorry for my little sister Hera.]

    [PasserbyGod: What Alice said sounded nice and magnanimous but for me, it sounded like an attack on Hera... Hera wasn��t the one making trouble, it was Minerva... Get your facts right Alice.]

    [Dubo123: Wasn��t Hera just being unreasonable?! She ndered Minerva and now, you��re attacking Alice?]

    [HeraismySister: @Dubo123 you��re probably a water army!!! Do you have selective hearing or are you intentionally ndering sister Hera? It was Minerva who jumped in with nder first!!!]

 Chapter 88 Teaming Up

    Instead, Xavier disregarded Alice and turned his attention directly to Hera. "Tell me what happened."

    Hera��s expression turned crestfallen, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. The other male participants shifted ufortably, witnessing Hera��s tears. They felt a shared responsibility for her distress, knowing they had remained silent while Minerva provoked her.

    "It��s nothing," Hera managed to whisper, biting her lip to stifle further tears.

    However, Zen couldn��t stay silent any longer. Stepping forward, he recounted the events to Xavier, filling him in on what had urred while he was asleep. Once Zen finished, Xavier nodded in acknowledgment, silently conveying his understanding. His gaze shifted between Hera and Minerva, his expression stern and betraying a simmering anger.

    "Given your familiarity with my temperament, why didn��t you intervene when she was troubling me?" Xavier��s voice retained its calm demeanor, devoid of overt anger, yet it bore a weighty implication directed towards Minerva. She appeared visibly surprised by Xavier��s reproach.

    While it��s true that Minerva is familiar with Xavier��s temperament through her older brother, Rafael, their rtionship has never involved Xavier showing her any form of respect or consideration. In fact, Xavier has typically been indifferent towards her. Yet, at this moment, he is reprimanding her for her actions.

    "You, yourself, didn��t bother to intervene, yet you were quick to goad Hera for something you can��t even do yourself?" Xavier��s gaze shifted to Alice. "And you? Why are you even involved in this? Did I raise my voice at you? Your reaction seems disproportionate when all I stated was a desire not to be disturbed."

    Hera momentarily forgot to cry as she watched Xavier roasting the female and second female lead, he had not said many words since their arrival in the vige but now that he did, it was supposed to roast someone. It was kind of amusing but Hera did not see thising.

    <i>��Was he supposedly conserving his words for these kinds of moments?��</i> Hera could not help but think. He was not cursing or saying anything bad, but his every word was a p to the face.

    [XavierHubby: Right! We��ve all seen it. Xavier only said he was sleepy before going back to sleep but did not even raise his voice. This Alice was too much. She��s the one causing trouble here!!!]

    [XavierisLife: Right!!! She��s causing trouble... What if Hera stopped cooking for Xavier because of this?]

    [XavierismyLove: I don��t like this Minerva, she��s like a shrew, and that Alice is two-faced!!!]

    [NorthernDuke: The irony, they ganged up on Hera and said that she��s the one causing trouble when in reality, the other one was just overreacting while the other one was just inly looking for an excuse to cause trouble... If anyone out there will say that I��m ndering their younger sister, you can directly send yourwyer...]

    Leo did not mention a name but it was as clear as day that he was taunting Rafael who��s been always shielding his sister but just now, his own sister was the one pulling the rope. The worst part, his own friend reprimanded his sister in front of the masses.

    Leo could only sneer at Rafael��s sister��s apparentck of upbringing and be happy that Hera was not letting herself be bullied when he couldn��t go there to help her. So instead, he sent a rain of gifts just like previously.

    But his happiness was soon dampened when he saw on hisputer screen that Hera was being dragged by Xavier inside the cabin.

    "Where are we going?" Hera asked, her voice muffled as she wiped her face with her sleeves. She allowed Xavier to lead her away from the crowd, sharing his desire to distance herself from the tense situation. Zen followed behind, his expression growing increasingly exasperated with each person he passed by.

    Xavier didn��t offer a response, instead leading Hera to the kitchen. Once there, he took a seat on the ind counter, his gaze fixed on Hera, leaving even Zen perplexed.

    "What��s going on?" Hera inquired, puzzled by their presence in the kitchen.

    Noting Hera��s confusion, Xavier finally spoke up. "I��m hungry," he replied simply.

    Hera��s face brightened with realization. "Oh!" she eximed, understanding his intent.

    Upon hearing Xavier��s request for food from Hera, Zen��s anger red. Witnessing Hera being bullied moments before, he couldn��t bear the thought of someone taking advantage of her generosity. "Xavier, if you��re only helping Hera to get a share of her supplies, then you should have a shred of decency!" Zen��s words dripped with fury as he spoke through clenched teeth.

    Being a neer in the acting scene didn��t deter him from standing his ground against those with established reputations in the entertainment industry. With a solid background of his own, he was unafraid to voice his opinions, both positive and negative.

    However, Xavier remained silent, not even acknowledging Zen��s presence as he loungedzily at the ind counter, awaiting Hera to cook.

    Seeing that Zen has misunderstood, Hera rified. "Zen, don��t misunderstand, we came to the mountains earlier to get more food supplies, and Xavier and I are teaming up so we can have more food. Besides, he doesn��t know how to cook..." Hera��s smile was slightly awkward as she exined.

    "Oh!" Zen wrinkled his nose in relief. "He��s not intimidating you, is he?"

    Hera shook her head, then suggested, "Why don��t you join our team instead? Since we��re from the samepany, it��s only natural to watch out for each other."

    "Are you sure?"

    "Of course!"

    "Okay, I��ll bring down the reward I got."

    "Okay, I��ll also get our other supplies from my room."

    After a few moments, they returned downstairs, each carrying the baskets they had stashed in their room. Hera couldn��t help but smile, realizing that Zen shared the same idea as her and Xavier about keeping their rewards hidden.

    "I got a b of sirloin beef," Zen announced, removing the white cloth covering his basket.

    "Woah! That��s nice!" Hera eximed. "I got eggs, and Xavier got vegetables." However, Hera quickly felt that her statement might sound unfair to Zen, so she added, "But we also went fishing earlier, so we caught four fish and foraged some mushrooms."

 Chapter 89 Says Who?

    Due to Hera��s reaction, Xavier couldn��t help but emit a soft chuckle, a sound that was picked up not only by Hera but also by everyone tuning into their livestream room. Even without checking the content of the chatroom, it was evident that certain individuals were bombarding it with angryments. At times, the chatroom fell intoplete silence, reflecting the heavy atmosphere starkly contrasting with Hera��s lively demeanor in the scene.

    As Xavier tended to the vegetables, Hera expertly sliced the meat into evenly sized portions for the three of them, ensuring uniform cooking on the pan. She then prepared the wild shallots and garlic, adding a touch of vor to the dish. Not finding any fresh rosemary, she improvised by using the dried herbs she had tucked away in her tactical belt bag.

    Once she had gathered all the necessary ingredients, Hera began heating the pan while seasoning the meat to perfection. Once the pan was adequately hot, she carefully ced the meat onto it and added her favorite butter and other condiments to enhance the vor.

    She repeated the same process for each of the three pieces of meat, ensuring they were cooked to perfection. Once done, she allowed them to rest briefly before turning her attention to chopping the vegetables. Once everything was prepared and the meat had cooled slightly, she transferred it to a separate container and ced it in the oven, while she cooked the vegetables in oyster sauce on the stove.

    However, as the aroma of her cooking filled the air, the other participants began to gather near the kitchen, casting curious nces in their direction. Despite this, Hera and the others pretended not to notice, focusing intently on their culinary tasks.

    However, not everyone seemed to grasp the subtle message Hera and the others were trying to convey, as some individuals boldly approached them. "Is there anything I can help with?" Alice asked eagerly, standing beside Hera.

    Hera smiled and responded, "No, I��m almost finished. I just need to wait for the meat to cook." After ensuring that the vegetables were halfway done, Hera turned off the heat and set the dish aside. She then proceeded to wash the used utensils.

    "I can help you wash the dishes," Alice offered.

    "Thank you for your kindness, Alice, but it��s gettingte. If you don��t prepare your dinner, you��ll end up staying upte," Hera replied gratefully.

    Alice lowered her head, her distress evident as her quivering eyes betrayed the onset of tears. Zen felt a surge of anger building within him. He couldn��t bear Alice��s tendency to cry at the slightest provocation or disagreement.

    But Hera gave him a look after she noticed that Zen was about to re up, Hera just sidestepped Alice as if she did not see anything and took three tes from the cupboard and set the vegetables equally then she quickly washed the used pan again.

    Hera ced the tes in front of Xavier and Zen, setting another one on the empty table in front of her where she intended to sit. Passing them each a fork and knife, she then fetched the steak from the oven. The steak hadn��t been in the oven for long, as Hera preferred it with a slightly crispy texture on the outside while remaining medium rare on the inside.

    She then ted all three meats, adding a touch more butter to each as they sizzled hot. With everything ready, Hera dered, "You can dig in now, quit staring." Yet, she didn��t immediately join them, instead opting to clean the remaining utensils. This ensured that when others came to cookter, they wouldn��t find any bones to pick.

    But immediately after Hera��s statement, Alice took a seat at the empty ce setting, grasping the fork and knife in her hand. This unexpected move caused Hera, Zen, and Xavier to turn their heads almost instantly. They hadn��t anticipated Alice assuming she would be served food without an invitation.

    "What do you think you��re doing?" Xavier��s voice reverberated through the room, not raised but nheless intimidating.

    Alice��s body instantly stiffened, her eyes darting around nervously. "E-eating?" she stammered.

    "Why?" Xavier pressed his tone firm.

    Zen��s expression twisted as he tried to make sense of Alice��s actions, while Hera paused her tasks to focus on Alice.

    "Didn��t she say we could eat, and isn��t this for me?" Alice��s voice softened as she continued to respond.

    "Says who?" Xavier pressed again, his tone unwavering.

    Alice appeared to be oblivious to Xavier��s implications. "Hera?" she said, ncing at Hera for rification.

    "Did she call your name?" Zen interjected, drawing Xavier��s attention momentarily. Xavier��s expression remained unfathomable as he turned back to Alice.

    "No."

    "Did you contribute any supplies to be cooked?" Xavier added, his tone firm.

    "N-no..." Alice stammered, already setting the utensils down.

    "Then why do you think you��re allowed to eat Hera��s food?" Zen added, as if he and Xavier were taking turns interrogating Alice.

    "I-I..." Alice��s eyes began to water again, and her knight in shining armor arrived.

    One of the most well-known actors interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Xavier, Zen, I think this is just a misunderstanding. Perhaps she��s just hungry. Let��s give her a break."

    "If she��s hungry, she can cook her own meal," Xavier retorted, giving the actor a fleeting nce as Hera continued washing the pan.

    The actor turned to Hera, drawing her into the conversation. "Hera, it��s alright, isn��t it? It��s just food."

    Hera didn��t raise her eyes but responded firmly. "It��s not okay. It��s my food."

    "Exactly, didn��t we each receive our own food supply? She should eat from hers," Zen added.

    Another participant chimed in, gesturing towards the basket set aside. "And don��t you have more supplies over there?"

    By now, Hera had finished washing and was drying her hands with a towel. "It��s true, we have more," she acknowledged. Then, she walked around the ind counter and stood in front of Alice, giving her a meaningful look, and silently urging her to vacate her seat. "But we worked hard for it," she asserted firmly.

    However, when Alice remained seated and bowed her head, despite knowing Hera was standing beside her, waiting for her to stand up, Hera took the te off the table. She walked over to Xavier��s side and took a seat. Zen passed her a new pair of fork and knife.

    "Some of us only got a few loaves of bread, but Alice only got a few bags of marshmallows," the actor added, casting a sympathetic nce at Alice.

 Chapter 90 Sorry?

    This caused another rift among the viewers. Some sympathized with Alice, criticizing Xavier for being harsh in what they perceived as a mere misunderstanding. Others believed Alice was simply trying to secure a meal since all her supplies were gone. Most viewers felt that the situation could have been handled better.

    Zen faced harsh criticism for roasting Alice more than necessary. However, the most significant bacsh was directed towards Hera. Many believed she could have defused the situation better by meeting in the middle and sharing a little with Alice.

    But Hera and the others refused topromise. They could criticize Hera all they wanted, but they couldn��t dictate her choices. Hera was willing to share some of her supplies and even cook for Alice if she asked properly, without trying to pass off her actions as a mere misunderstanding.

    She was too proud to ask directly, instead resorting to maniption to get what she wanted. This behavior made Hera doubt whether the female lead was truly the person Athena had described since they were young.

    After experiencing it firsthand and witnessing it with her own eyes, Hera was confident in her assessment of Alice. However, who did she think Hera was? Hera had undergone countless training sessions under Athena on how to act as a ��white lotus.�� She was capable of portraying herself as pitiful and misunderstood at any time. If she didn��t employ this tactic, she would feel embarrassed to face her best friend who had trained her. "Haha! Don��t mess with me," she thought to herself.

    Xavier and Zen remained unfazed, genuinely unaffected by the situation, while the other participants were all on edge.

    Xavier remained indifferent, thoroughly enjoying his meal, and he noticed Hera beside him. Observing her unruffled demeanor despite themotion, the corners of his eyes crinkled ever so slightly. Nevertheless, he offered herfort. "Don��t dwell on what they said," he reassured her then continued eating his meal.

    Hera smiled as she nodded, continuing to munch on her food. "I��m not bothered. This is our food, our supply, and no one is entitled to it but us," she remarked nonchntly.

    Xavier��s lips curved into a small smile, but he remained silent, focusing on his meal. After they finished eating, Zen offered to do the dishes.

    "Let me do the dishes. You guys can sit around or take a walk to digest the food we ate," Zen offered, immediately moving to the sink and beginning to wash away the sauces and oil from the tes with water before scrubbing them clean with dishwashing liquid. Observing hispetence, Hera rxedzily in her seat.

    In no time, Zen finished washing the dishes. "Why don��t we sit on the porch and stargaze? I��ve heard that stargazing in the mountains and secluded viges like this is exceptional because there��s less pollution, making the sky clearer," Zen suggested excitedly.

    "That��s a wonderful idea. I��ve missed stargazing too," Hera agreed enthusiastically.

    The two of them returned the remaining ingredients to Hera��s room before making their way to the front porch where the others had gathered earlier. Unnoticed, Xavier silently followed them from behind.

    Once the trio left the kitchen, the other participants crowded into the space, hoping to find some leftover dishes or ingredients. Unfortunately for them, Hera had already stowed away everything that remained. Undeterred, the other participants began preparing their own dinner using the ingredients they had.

    However, not everyone was adept at cooking, and their attempts resulted in the ingredients being spoiled. Chaos ensued in the kitchen, highlighting the fact that many of them were not ustomed to culinary tasks and rarely ventured into the kitchen for chores.

    Their disorganized and clumsy attempts at making dinner elicitedughter from the viewers, who even created memes about the chaos. However, for the participants, this was preferable to being hated. Their primary concern was now figuring out how to eat the food they had managed to prepare. Some participants teamed up, simr to Xavier and Hera, which alleviated their worries since there were at least a few who knew how to make simple dishes.

    However, the stark contrast in cooking skills left many feeling dissatisfied. Theymented that Hera hadn��t even attempted to offer a helping hand in cooking or inquire if they wanted to join their team.

    They were now too embarrassed to ask her, especially Xavier, because of the drama that happened outside and the most recent one.

    The most dissatisfied one was none other than Minerva. She was ustomed to eating only the best of everything and had never stepped foot in the kitchen to even peel an apple. She refused to eat the food prepared for her by one of the female artists because the porridge was watery and tasteless.

    Alexi proved to be equally useless in the kitchen, only capable of assisting with the washing. Having lived with his family previously, his mother never assigned him any household chores. Upon moving in with Hera, she took great care of him, particrly with meals. Alexi couldn��t help but grumble inwardly about the perceived unfairness of Hera only preparing a meal for the two men.

    The more he dwelled on it, the more Alexi��s anger and dissatisfaction grew. He couldn��t shake the feeling of being overlooked by Hera, treated as if he were invisible. "Hera should belong to me and me alone," he seethed, consumed by possessiveness and jealousy.

    He believed he had concealed his thoughts well, burying them deep within, but Minerva saw right through him. She noticed every subtle change in his demeanor, from the shift in his expressions to the focus of his gaze, and even the aura he exuded did not escape her keen observation.

    She understood exactly what Alexi was contemting at that moment, and it filled her with rage. An evil glint shed in her eyes as she continued to fixate on him, signaling her sinister intentions. It was clear that she was plotting something malevolent, and it didn��t bode well for anyone else involved.

    Her desire for Alexi was morphing into something twisted and malevolent, fueled by possessiveness that was evolving into obsession. This transformation was unfolding unnoticed by everyone, even Hera, who couldn��t have predicted it would escte to this degree. At this point, Minerva��s warped emotions were still in their nascent stage, but the danger they posed was unmistakable.

    Amidst the bustling activity, Minerva sat silently on the sidelines, her demeanor somewhat eerie, yet unnoticed by the others engrossed in their own tasks.

 Chapter 91 First Day in the Ranch

    Hera nced down, noticing she was indeed carrying her slippers, and then slowly bent down to slip them on.

    This series of actions elicited a soft chuckle from Xavier who was just walking behind them, preparing to go back inside to wash up. "Your feet are already dirty."

    Realizing that her feet were already dirty, <i>��Right, my feet are already dirty, so what��s the use of wearing my slipper at this point?��</i> Hera scratched the back of her head, a wry smile forming on her lips. It dawned on her that her rxed lifestyle back at the mansion had perhaps made her a bit too carefree. The urgency of their current situation served as a stark reminder of the hustle and bustle she was ustomed to every morning.

    Hera, Zen, and Xavier took their time washing up while the other participants busied themselves with cooking a simple breakfast in the kitchen. After 20 minutes, Hera and the others descended with their ingredients. As expected, by then everyone else had finished preparing their breakfast and was now eating at the dining table.

    Some made do with a loaf of bread, while others settled for porridge.

    "What are you cooking?" Xavier asked, standing next to Hera as he surveyed the ingredients on the counter.

    Hera considered for a moment, then suggested, "How about we make an Egg Drop soup with fish balls, pan-seared fish, and an omelet with mushroom?"

    Xavier nodded slightly at her suggestion but remained silent.

    "What do I do?" Zen asked as he rolled up his sleeves and walked over to join them.

    "How about you crack 10 eggs into the bowl, and separate 2 eggs into a smaller one?" Hera suggested.

    "Got it."

    While Zen began cracking eggs, Hera started cleaning and scaling the fish, with Xavier observing her closely, quietly taking in every move she made.

    Shortly thereafter, Herapleted cleaning the fish, while Zen finished cracking the eggs and proceeded to scramble them. Hera then focused on deboning three fishes for the pan-seared dish. However, when she began mincing the fish meat, Xavier stepped in and took over, allowing Hera to focus on the cooking process.

    She began by boiling water and added the fish heads, allowing them to simmer. While waiting for it to reach a boil, she swiftly chopped the mushrooms and seasoned the fish, then heated the pan. Zen assisted by ensuring Hera had all the ingredients she needed, and washing them as required. Their seamless coordination, marked by minimalmunication, streamlined the cooking process. In less than 15 minutes, the meal was ready, leaving them with ample time to enjoy their food together.

    The meal they prepared, while modest, outshone the fare of the others by a significant margin. Each mouthful elicited envy from the other participant who were eating at the dining table, who could only watch with longing as they sampled their own meager rations. Hera and herpanions ate with swift efficiency, promptly tidying up the used dishes. Surprisingly, they finished well ahead of the one-hour deadline set by the Director, settlingfortably on the front porch as they awaited their guides to arrive.

    Shortly thereafter, their guides arrived one by one, each leading them to their respective work sites. Given that they had different guides, they were directed to different locations ordingly.

    Xavier was directed to a spacious chicken coop, tasked with collecting eggs and tending to the chickens. Meanwhile, Zen found himself in the sheep barn, where his duty was to assist in herding the sheep to the shearing area. As for Hera, Bry led her to the cattle barn, where she received instruction on how to milk cows.

    In most modern dairy operations, machines handle the milking process efficiently. However, in the vige setting, manual milking is still the norm, requiring human hands for the task. As Hera entered the barn, she observed several vigers seated in designated spots, diligently milking cows. Bucket by bucket, they filled containers with milk,ter transferring them torger vessels for transport to the awaiting truck.

    An older man positioned near the barn entrance took it upon himself to demonstrate the milking process to Hera, allowing her to follow along and try her hand at the task. However, there was skepticism among the others, doubting Hera��s ability to fill even a single bucket. They anticipatedints about the task��s difficulty or unpleasantness.

    Despite sensing theck of expectations from those around her, Hera remained unfazed. She focused intently on the demonstration provided by the older man, absorbing his tips and guidance with determination. Practicing under his watchful eye, she made several attempts to grasp the technique before Bry eventually assigned her to an empty position, offering assistance as she tackled her task. Though others may have doubted her abilities, Hera was determined to prove herself capable.

    Initially, Hera struggled to find the right bnce of pressure needed to extract milk from the cow��s udder. She grappled with the challenge of applying just enough force to effectively squeeze out the milk without causing difort or agitation to the cow. Too much pressure risked injury and provoked the animal to kick or resist, while too little resulted in minimal milk yield that is almost close to none.

    As Hera became morefortable with the task, she began to enjoy it, engaging in conversations with Bry to pass the time while her hands deftly worked. Observing her dedication andck of disdain toward the job, the other vigers began to open up to her as well, sharing additional insights, tips, and anecdotes about their experiences with the cows. This interaction fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among them.

    Hera was so engrossed in her task that she didn��t realize how quickly she had bonded with the vigers. Women began inviting her to their houses for lunch and dinner, impressed by her humble yet determined attitude. They admired her seriousness andck of judgment toward any profession, finding her approach refreshing and respectful.

    They also enjoyed conversing with her because they sensed she could empathize with their hardships and had likely experienced simr challenges in her own life.

    As a result, Bry began enthusiastically recounting his horseback riding adventures with Hera to everyone, albeit with a touch of exaggeration, given his childlike perspective. Despite the embellishments, his tales captivated the audience, who were astonished considering how much Bry used to tremble whenever his father rode Diamond because of what happened to his unclest year.

    It was quite astonishing to hear him narrate the tale of how Hera ��tamed�� the ��ck beast.�� This unexpected ount earned Hera admiration for her courage and for aiding Bry in breaking out of his shell.

 Chapter 92 Lunch

    Hera couldn��t contain her delight, giggling like a child who just received a lollipop. "Alright, I��ll bring my friends along during lunchtime, and we��ll eat at your ce. But in return, I insist on helping you cook and clean up."

    "I don��t need you to do anything; you��re my guest," the older woman insisted, crossing her arms and regarding Hera with the warmth reserved for a cherished daughter.

    "Why not? I��d feel uneasy to eat and run," Hera replied sincerely.

    "Are you showing favoritism, Hera? Why are you only going to her house and not mine?" the other older woman interjected, cing her hands on her hips in mock anger.

    "I can��t eat lunch twice though," Hera quipped, lightening the mood with a yful retort.

    "Then, how about we have a little pic? Hmm?" the old man suggested.

    Initially, the vigers were camera-shy, doing their best to avoid it. However, as they grew morefortable with Hera��s presence, they gradually forgot about its existence altogether. Engrossed in conversation with Hera, they discussed almost everything under the sun, drawn by her genuine interest and active participation in their discussions. To them, she seemed like a longtime resident of the vige, blending seamlessly into theirmunity.

    In the span of just one morning, Hera formed such a strong connection with the elders in the vige, particrly those engaged in milking the cows in the barn, that they wouldn��t allow her to work hungry. It was as if she had immediately be the beloved daughter of the vige, embraced warmly and treated as their favorite.

    When Bry came running to find Xavier and Zen, they were surprised to see Hera sofortably engaged with the vigers. They had easily secured lunch without the need to venture up the mountains. Initially, Xavier and Zen had thought they might go without lunch, having already eaten their provisions earlier to prevent spoge. They were prepared to forage in the mountains if necessary.

    Who would have thought that Hera would effortlessly secure food for the three of them? Xavier and Zen suddenly felt validated in their decision to team up with her. Not only would they avoid hunger, but they were also warmly weed and treated with kindness by the vigers.

    When Xavier and Zen arrived, Hera was already helping out cooking food while talking happily with the vigers, they decided to do an open barbeque under the shade of a big tree while four to five families joined in and brought some of their own specialties which immediately filled the table.

    Observing the cheerful atmosphere, Zen promptly joined in to assist with the preparations, seamlessly blending in with the vigers. Simrly, Xavier, though not very talkative, conveyed his willingness to help through his actions, earning the respect and appreciation of the men from the vige.

    "Are they your only teammates?" the older woman asked kindly. "By the way, just call me Aunt Sabby."

    Hera nodded with a smile, appreciating the warmth of the invitation. "Of course, Aunt Sabby. Yes, Xavier is the quieter one," she gestured towards him, "and Zen is the one with the wide smile," she added, pointing to Zen. Her casual introduction carried across to most of the vigers seated nearby.

    As the sun beat down, someone handed Hera a refreshing mix of grated melon, milk, and ice. Taking a generous sip, Hera was pleasantly surprised by the delicious blend of vors. She found it so refreshing and delightful that she couldn��t help but finish the entire cup.

    "So, which one is your boyfriend?" Aunt Sabby asked, her tone casual and open, causingughter to ripple through the group. Caught off guard by the question, Hera choked on the refreshment, feeling a pulp of melon stuck in her throat as she coughed uncontrobly.

    Aunt Sabby worriedly rubbed Hera��s back as she coughed violently, her lungs protesting from the pain. Concerned, Zen and Xavier quickly approached to check on her, but she raised her hand to stop them. "I��m alright," she managed to gasp between coughs, her voice strained but reassuring.

    "Are you sure?" Zen asked, his brows furrowed with concern as he looked at Hera. He hadn��t noticed what had transpired earlier as he was engrossed in conversation until Hera began coughing.

    "Yeah, I think the pulp went down the wrong pipe," Hera managed between coughs, epting Auntie Sabby��s offered water gratefully.

    Once assured of her well-being, Zen and Xavier resumed their tasks. However, Aunt Sabby couldn��t resist giving Hera a teasing smile, one that was hard to miss and carried a knowing look about it. Hera couldn��t help but shake her head in defeat.

    Once all the food had been prepared and the entire family of those who joined the pic arrived, they began eating and engaging in conversation. Previously, they had almost believed the stereotype that celebrities and actors were snobbish and disliked mingling with ordinary folks, especially those from the countryside. However, they were pleasantly surprised to find that the three sitting with them were incredibly humble and easy to get along with.

    Their sincere interest shines through as they eagerly listen to tales of life on the ranch, funny interesting stories about the animals, and amusing stories shared by vigers. From theedic mishaps of falling into ditches during hide and seek to the unexpected encounters with yful goats resulting inical scenarios likending headfirst into a pile of manure, Zen and Xavier��s captivation with these stories is evident.

    The vigers were keen on ensuring thefort of the three guests, generously offering them specialties from various families and presenting intriguing culinarybinations. It was surprising to note that Xavier is not being obvious with his picky eating habits, perhaps to avoid causing offense, yet he clearly showed a preference for the dishes personally cooked by Hera.

    Hence, the aunties and uncles exchanged knowing nces, wearing smiles that hinted at their understanding. They ceased offering Xavier other dishes, instead cing Hera��s cooking within closer reach for him, acknowledging his clear preference.

    As Heraughed and bantered with everyone, she graciously epted the food offered to her.

    "Hera, you have to try this," Aunt Sabby insisted, adding another barbecue to Hera��s te.

    "Aunt Sabby, I can��t. I think I��m about to burst from all the food you��ve given me," Hera chuckled, yfully patting her bulging stomach like a satisfied child signaling they��ve had enough to eat.

    Aunt Sabby burst intoughter at Hera��s yful antics, which reminded her of her own children. Then, she switched to a more maternal tone, teasing Hera like a true aunt.

    "Child, you need to eat more. Look at you, so thin! How do you expect to have lots of babies like this? You won��t even survive a night of passion with your man," Aunt Sabby joked, her teasing unfiltered. Such banter wasmon among adults like them, with no room for reservations.

    Upon hearing Aunt Sabby��s teasing words, Hera��s face flushed crimson, resembling a ripe apple. "Aunt Sabby, I don��t have a man," she admitted, her gesture apanied by an adorable blush and a pout. Aunt Sabby couldn��t resist but affectionately ruffle Hera��s hair in response to her innocence.

    "Then, how about considering my second son?" Aunt Sabby suggested with a mischievous glint in her eyes, her toneced with yful humor. "He��s hardworking and has good stamina. I��m sure he��ll serve you well if you catch my drift," she added, chuckling teasingly.

 Chapter 93 Back to Work

    Another auntie quickly interjected, yfully pping the arm of the auntie who had just asked. "Come on now, we��re surrounded by the older folks here. Let��s not y games like those young adults. Just say it straight so everyone can understand," she remarked with a touch of frustration.

    "Alright, don��t beat me. You��re such an impatient old woman," She yfully retorted.

    "What?!" The auntie raised her hand again, but it was all in good-natured banter among friends.

    "My daughter says it stands for ��No Boyfriend Since Birth��," The aunt exined.

    "Are you kidding me? Look at how beautiful our Hera is! Do you really think she��s ��NBSB��?" the aunties eximed incredulously.

    "Well, that does make sense," another auntie chimed in, nodding thoughtfully.

    Hera pouted and responded. "I had a boyfriend before..."

    "Before?" The auntie pushed Hera to say more, they wanted to gossip like a young girl but little did they know that there were even more people listening to them, like the viewers who were tuned in to Hera��s livestream and there was also Xavier who was silently eating but his attention was on what Hera and the others are talking about.

    If one observed him, they might assume he was deeply engrossed in his meal, yet his ears remained attentively perked up.

    "Come now, dear, spill the beans! How many boyfriends have you had?" Aunt Sabby inquired excitedly. "Was it ten, fifteen, or were you simply toying with young men��s hearts? Hmm?"

    "Aunt Sabby, what kind of girl do you think I am?" Hera retorted, pouting with an irritated expression before continuing. "I��ve only had one boyfriend since my sophomore year of high school, and we just broke upst week." As Hera spoke, she was aware that the production team would likely use these shots to stir up drama once the recording was released. However, she also realized she felt indifferent about the topic now.

    No pain, no bitterness, just nothing. She was indifferent about it.

    "No way! Who would believe that? Even my daughter has had three boyfriends already!" Aunt Sabby eximed incredulously, leaning in closer to Hera to press for more information. She was inclined to believe her daughter��s assertion that city girls changed boyfriends as frequently as they changed clothes, so she wasn��t too concerned about her daughter��s rtionship history anymore because it often led to fights. She reasoned that times had changed, and attitudes towards dating had likely shifted as well.

    Hera couldn��t help but chuckle at Aunt Sabby��s expression. "It��s true, believe it or not," she confirmed, before delving into an exnation of how busy she had been, juggling her studies and part-time jobs since she started working. While she omitted certain details that might obviously lead to Alexi, but she subtly dropped hints that attentive viewers might pick up on.

    "Isn��t that the most foolish excuse a man could use? Don��t tell me he was cheating? He must be blind," Aunt Sabby eximed, her frustration evident. She couldn��t decide whether she was more exasperated by Hera��s ex��s apparent foolishness or by the possibility that he was blinded by greed of wanting to have more women by his side.

    Hera avoided answering the questions after giving her own ount of the story, this was already enough for the viewers as ammunition to clear her name and to avoid any trouble in the future concerning Minerva and Alexi. She just couldn��t pass any opportunity to make sure that her proof and evidence alongside her side of the story to be known by most people without mentioning anyone��s name.

    This will give her a better standing in people��s hearts as the victim who magnanimously shielded the people who harmed her. Hera couldn��t help but be gleeful after her inner viiness strikes without giving much of her intentions.

    Her every action appeared subtle and innocent, yet in truth, it was meticulously calcted.

    Once they finished their lunch and small talk, Hera and the others returned to their work. With the milk and other produce already delivered to the market and production warehouses, Hera was directed to where the cows were fed.

    She receivedprehensive training on cow care, learning the proper feeding regimen and how to inspect for wounds to prevent infections. Regr checkups were conducted to ensure the livestock remained healthy andpliant with health protocols.

    As she thought the training session had concluded, Hera was surprised to be instructed to don a protective suit and boots. Though puzzled, sheplied, and even the cameraman was outfitted in simr gear. Their confusion dissipated when they were led to clear the cow manure from the barn, where the cows spent much of their time alongside the open grazing area and the milking parlor.

    The overpowering stench of manure filled the air as they entered the barn, causing the cameraman��s lips to twitch incessantly. Aunt Sabby and the others cast worried nces at Hera, aware that city dwellers were unustomed to such odors and might struggle with them. Even the cameraman couldn��t help but scrunch his nose in distaste after stepping inside.

    Hera remained unfazed as she surveyed the spacious barn. Its size exined why a dozen people were needed to clean it up. The vigers were surprised to see Hera disying no signs of difort. It was natural for them to assume she would struggle, considering herck of experience in animal care. However, Hera was proving herself more than capable.

    "You��re not feeling ufortable with the smell of the manure?" Aunt Sabby inquired, inching closer to Hera. She suspected Hera might be putting on a brave front to avoid offending anyone, but Aunt Sabby wanted to assure her that it was perfectly eptable to express any difort she felt. She wanted Hera to know that they wouldn��t judge her for it.

    Hera shook her head before responding, "Well, poop is supposed to be smelly." Her remark caused Aunt Sabby to cackle back and forth as they walked inside together, each holding a floor wiper.

    Upon hearing Hera��s response, the other vigers ceased worrying about her and joined in theughter with Aunt Sabby.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Hahaha. Her delivery was priceless! Innocent and confused, yet hrious. I can��t stopughing!]

    [PasserbyGod: Absolutely! I nearly fell off my chairughing. But seriously, that smell can knock you off your feet, especially for first-timers. Kudos to Hera for handling it so well.]

    [HeraismySister: That��s one of the things I admire about her. She��s genuine and down-to-earth. Her reaction was priceless!]

    [JustPassingBy: I remember visiting my grandparents in the countryside, where they had cows too. The size of the manure piles was bigger than my face, and the smell was unbearable. I gagged a few times; it was so ufortable.]

    As a result, viewers tuning in to Hera��s livestream found amon topic to discuss, sharing their own experiences and praising Hera��s adept handling of the situation. They also began discussing Hera��s interactions with the vigers thus far. This marked the most amicable interaction witnessed on the Variety Show ��The Quest�� to date.

    Because it was evident that the vigers visited by the Variety Show were somewhat aloof from the show��s participants and often held judgmental views of city folks.

 Chapter 94 You Stink

    In record time, theypleted their day��s work. After removing their protective gear and cing it in the washer for cleaning and sterilization, they all walked back to their usual break spot, exchangingughter and conversation along the way.

    As they walked along the road, the other participants still toiling away at their tasks noticed Hera strolling leisurely with the vigers. Some assumed she was merely lounging and socializing with the locals to evade her own duties.

    Especially Minerva, who was tasked with pulling weeds in the fields, found herselfboring over acres ofnd for a meagerpensation barely enough to afford a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread. She couldn��t help but overhear the vigers gossiping about Hera and her team enjoyingvish meals together during lunch, a rumor that soon spread to the other participants as well.

    The other vigers firmly believe that theirmunity resonates with Hera and her team due to their down-to-earth demeanor and effortless rapport. They��re eagerly anticipating the moment when Hera will be assigned to their plot, eager to see if the rumors about their interactions hold true.

    In a close-knit vige where everyone knows each other and time moves slowly, gossip bes amon pastime, and rumors spread like wildfire. It��s only natural that in such a setting, every little detail bes a topic of discussion among the vigers.

    Bry rushed to Hera��s side after lending a hand with the manure transportation. Afterpleting his task, he briefly returned home for a shower, only to swiftly rejoin Hera. Despite having fulfilled his duties as a guide, Bry chose to stay with Hera, finding herpany exciting and enjoyable.

    Hera frequently praised him for doing a great job, inadvertently igniting his determination to exceed expectations. Although Hera didn��t intend to burden him with additional tasks, Bry��s enthusiasm led him to go above and beyond. Hera could only chuckle affectionately as she watched Bry embrace his youthful energy with enthusiasm.

    "Sister, should we go see Diamond? Father mentioned he��s been restless this morning, probably missing you," Bry said, strolling alongside Hera with his hands casually resting behind his head.

    The uncles and aunties all turned their heads toward Bry, surprised to hear him suggest visiting the "ck beast." Usually, he would be the first to make excuses to avoid Diamond at all costs, having a history of avoiding the horse like the gue. But now, it seemed as though he hadpletely forgotten his past trauma regarding the horse.

    This is the remarkable aspect of children; they can be deeply traumatized by events, yet once they ovee it and heal properly, they often forgive and forget almost instantly. However, if the damage inflicted is severe, the healing process may take much longer and leave asting scar that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

    Even Hera was uncertain about what she had done to earn Bry��s trust to such an extent. Nheless, she felt gratified that she had yed a role in helping Bry ovee his fear of Diamond. "How about we bring Zen and Xavier with us?" Hera suggested to Bry, who readily agreed.

    Due to the overwhelming stench of manure that clung to Hera��s hair and skin after spending two hours in the barn cleaning, she decided it was imperative to take a thorough shower first. She seized the opportunity while everyone else was still busy in their tasks. She instructed Bry to invite Xavier and Zen, along with his older brother, while she cleansed herself.

    In truth, Hera��s sense of smell had been numbed by the overpowering stench, and she didn��t want Xavier and the others to endure difort because of her odor. As she entered the cabin, she swiftly grabbed a fresh set of clothes and headed straight for the bathroom. However, she noticed Xavier nearby, his hair still damp and a towel draped around his neck.

    He nced at her briefly before resuming the task of drying his hair. Hera suddenly felt a surge of insecurity, wondering if she still smelled of the manure. Unable to detect her own scent, she hurried toward the bathroom. However, just as she reached for the doorknob, Zen emerged from the bathroom, catching her off guard. Instinctively, she took a step back, creating a bit of distance between them.

    "Whoa! Did you fall into a manhole or something?" Zen blurted out, taken aback by the sudden assault on his nose as he stepped out of the bathroom.

    Hera��s brows furrowed, and she pouted at Zen, feeling offended by his remark. Despite wanting tough, Zen couldn��t bring himself to do so, as the smell was genuinely unpleasant. He instinctively stepped aside, giving Hera space to enter the bathroom.

    "Don��t pretend that you didn��t smell as bad earlier." Xavier interjected, attempting to offer Hera some dignity. However, his words inadvertently underscored just how strong Hera��s current odor was.

    "Hmph! What do you know?! Just hope that you two won��t end up in my shoes, or else, you��ll understand the full extent of the smell," Hera retorted, sticking her tongue out yfully before disappearing into the bathroom but then she stuck her head out again. Surprised by her unexpected action, Zen braced himself, half-expecting Hera to retaliate by hitting him or some kind. However, she instead rolled her eyes and added, "I��ll be going horseback riding with Bry after this. You can tag along if you want."

 Chapter 95 Ship?

    "Oh! You��re not missing..." Bry managed to say between his hups.

    "Missing? Is that why you are crying?" Hera asked, a little taken aback.

    Bry nodded as he wiped his tears and snot.

    "I thought you were crying because I forgot to tell you that they are already here."

    The two exchanged a look, silently conveying, "Are you serious?"

    With equally baffled expressions the two stood there for a while, because of this Zen and Xavier couldn��t help but burst outughing. Xavier chuckled more softly, while Zen was less reserved, even pointing at the two while holding his stomach after he understood what was going on. "You guys should have seen how distorted and funny your faces were."

    Hera yfully clicked her tongue on Zen who was finding amusement in their distress. "Bry, how about I give you Zen��s food for tonight? Hmm." She couldn��t resist the opportunity to get back at Zen for his teasing, resorting to food as her form of retaliation. With a mischievous smile, she nced teasingly at Zen, who had stoppedughing and was now silently scratching his nose.

    Even Xavier, who had been silent and appeared serious, seemed as though he hadn��t been finding it amusing with Zen moments ago.

    "Let��s go," Xavier announced abruptly, standing up and exiting the cabin. He didn��t have a particr destination in mind, but he figured it was better to walk ahead than risk getting on Hera��s bad side.

    With a triumphant smile, Hera sped Bry��s hand and followed Xavier, with Zen trailing eagerly behind them. Their yful antics drewughter from the viewers, particrly from Xavier��s fans, who were amused by his typically aloof demeanor and preference for sleep over other activities but now, he was willing to go out with his team to do some normal activities.

    They felt like they owed Hera some brownies for coaxing Xavier into behaving like a normal person once in a while, even though they understood why Xavier always preferred sleep over other activities.

    He was an internationally acimed actor, renowned for his exceptional acting performances, particrly in action roles, which garnered him numerous offers both domestically and abroad. Constantly jetting from one location to another for work, his hectic schedule often left him sleep-deprived, resulting in him catching up on sleep whenever he found the time.

    Despite sleep being a luxury for Xavier, hisplexion remained impable, earning him admiration and even securing him an ambassadorship with a prestigious skincare brand, further enhancing his professional portfolio.

    They even specte that Xavier joining the Variety Show is a form of rest for him. Aside from the daily tasks, he will have more time for himself and sleep, which he has been deprived of due to his hectic schedule. Consequently, his fans are delighted to watch him catch some sleep from time to time.

    Hera��s ability to pull Xavier away from his usual routines and engage in activities with them endeared her even more to Xavier��s fans. They began to see her as a positive influence on him and were less critical of her as they got to know her.

    Many of their fans even began to ship them, finding that they looked good together when standing side by side. Their contrasting personalities added to the appeal, as fans believed their differences made thempatible.

    [AuntieNextDoor: I��d love to see them together more often. They��re both beautiful and since Hera is single, I��m totally on board... I SHIP THEM!!!]

    [XavierismyHusband: Even though Xavier is my hubby, I��ll ship him with Hera because they look amazing together... (�� ? �� )]

    [NorthernDuke: What does "ship" mean?]

    [AuntieNextDoor:: @NorthernDuke it means we are pairing them as a couple. my heart?]

    [NorthernDuke: NO!!! Why would I let my wife be paired up with another man? (�p �� ? ��)??]

    [PasserbyGod: @NorthernDuke we understand how you feel as a fan, but we can only watch from afar and cheer for Hera to find her happiness. Many fans also regard their idols as their wife and husbands... We understand (???)]

    [NorthernDuke: No I don��t!!!]

    Leo��s frustration was palpable, and the atmosphere around him seemed to chill. Despite being in the midst of their quarterlypany report meeting, he was silently engrossed in watching the livestream. Surprisingly, the other shareholders and directors paid no heed to Leo��s distraction, even though it was quite unusual for him to be so preupied with his phone during such a crucial meeting.

    They couldn��t help but notice Leo��s increased fixation on his phely, sparking curiosity among the shareholders and directors. However, nobody dared to pry into his affairs out of respect for his privacy and fear. Yet, as the temperature in the conference room seemingly plummeted to an ufortable low, concern rippled through the group. The abrupt change in atmosphere prompted everyone to wonder what had triggered Leo��s irritation or agitation.

    Leo��s brows furrowed deeply as his eyes remained fixed on the screen, scanning thetestment that suggested he should simply suck it up and let Xavier and Hera be together. The suggestion struck a nerve, and Leo found himself seething with anger.

    The mere thought of Xavier and Hera being together ignited a fire within him. He couldn��t shake off the image of Xavier, not only having Hera cook for him but also entertaining the idea of being paired with her. To make matters worse, Leo felt insulted by being referred to as a mere ��fan��.

    No one believed him when he referred to her as his wife, which was understandable, but beingbeled just a fan left him feeling gloomy.

    [GoldenLight: I doubt Hera would fancy an aloof, boring, snoring panda as her partner. She��d surely prefer someone more interesting... like me ???]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I believe Hera would like someone who can care for her and ensure she stays healthy... Perhaps a doctor would be a good match. (???)]

    [EntertainmentKing: There are many good doctors out there that she can hire, what Hera truly requires is someone who can offer support in her career endeavors and share the weight of her responsibilities.]

    [Dave_Carson: In that case, wouldn��t it be even more advantageous for her career if she were to partner with Xavier on screen, given your emphasis on her needing career assistance, @EntertainmentKing? ( ?��)]

    [EntertainmentKing: SHUT THE FUCK UP and start working!! The country will not run itself.]

    [Dave_Carson: (?`�١�)?�j�j�T�� @EntertainmentKing]

 Chapter 96 Let’s Race

    Hera didn��t wait much longer before starting to saddle Diamond. Once she finished, she turned back to Zen and Xavier. "Are you guys interested in horseback riding? I can help you saddle up a horse if you��d like," she offered, patting Diamond on the neck.

    However, Hera then recalled that the stable didn��t belong to them, so she nced at Bry awkwardly. Bry let out a small giggle and nodded. "I already got permission from my father to use the other horses besides Diamond, especially since we have Brother Zen and Brother Xavier with us," he exined.

    Hera smiled proudly at Bry��s foresight and readiness, gently stroking his head. "Smart."

    "Then, why don��t you let me help you all choose a good horse?" An older man��s rugged voice echoed from the stable entrance.

    "Dad!!!" Bry eximed excitedly, rushing up to the man and pulling him closer to Hera and the others.

    "You must be Bry��s dad? Thank you for letting us borrow Diamond and y around on the horse track," Hera said, her smile genuine as she gave him a small nod of acknowledgment.

    The man happily epted Hera��s gratitude, nodding in return as he ruffled his son��s head. He nced around, awaiting Hera and her friend��s response to his earlier question.

    Xavier was the first to nod. "Thank you for the hospitality."

    Zen also chimed in. "I may not be knowledgeable about horse breeds, but I can handle riding a horse too."

    Bry��s dad nodded happily and went to choose two more horses next to Diamond. He first selected a dark brown Andalusian Horse, which looked majestic. Unlike the Friesian��s muscr build resembling a warhorse, the Andalusian Horse had leaner legs and a sleeker physique, making it ideal formercials due to its majestic appearance.

    Then he also selected an Akhal-Teke horse with a metallic white fur coat. Its build was a little sleeker than the other two, resembling a Prince Charming��s horse. He handed the Akhal-Teke horse to Xavier and the Andalusian Horse to Zen.

    "Please hold their reins for me for a moment; I��ll saddle them up for you," he said before heading off to retrieve one saddle at a time. He began with the Andalusian Horse that Zen was holding.

    Xavier nodded as he gently patted the horse on the head. The horse he had seemed a bit more reserved than the other two, standing calmly as it waited its turn to be saddled. Meanwhile, the Andalusian Horse trotted its front hooves eagerly, seemingly excited to start running as soon as possible.

    Sensing that her assistance wasn��t required in the stable, Hera led Diamond outside with Bry grasping her other hand eagerly.

    Once they reached the track, Hera wasted no time in mounting Diamond. Bry, eager to join the fun, gestured excitedly from the fence, prompting Hera to help him up onto Diamond��s back, all the while sharing a chuckle at his enthusiasm.

    Bry��s earlier trepidation towards Diamond seemed to have dissipatedpletely, reced by sheer excitement and eagerness to ride once more. Hera couldn��t help but specte that Diamond must have been his favorite horse all along that��s why what happened to his uncle hits him harder.

    Once Hera felt everything was settled, she allowed Diamond to set the pace, starting with a gentle trot before gradually increasing speed. She ensured it was just enough to ensure Bry wouldn��t feel ufortable from any sudden jolts in the saddle.

    After their firstp, Xavier and Zen entered the track riding their respective horses. Hera was momentarily taken aback by how regal Xavier appeared atop his horse. He resembled a real-life version of Prince Charming.

    His handsome face seemed to emit a radiant glow, almost as if a halo were forming above his head, while his horse gleamed with a shining sheen. And his hair was also the same shade of white as his horse. She couldn��t suppress a gasp as her eyes met Xavier��s, who was gazing at her intently. A teasing glint danced in his eyes, apanied by a subtle smirk ying on his lips.

    Hera averted her gaze, allowing Diamond to approach the two. Bry��s excited voice drew her attention. "Ah! That��s my brother and... Uncle.." At the end, his voice died down. He pointed towards a tree just outside the track, where his teenage brother stood behind a lean man sitting in a wheelchair, a nket draped over hisp. The man wore a gentle smile as he waved at Bry.

    Instead of waving back, Bry lowered his head, feeling as though he had betrayed his uncle by riding Diamond, the source of his uncle��s condition. He felt a pang of guilt, and Hera quickly noticed the sudden change in his mood. "What��s wrong?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

    "Sister, could you please put me down?" By now, Hera had caught on to Bry��s thought process and understood why he suddenly felt down.

    Ruffling his hair gently, she reassured him, "You shouldn��t feel bad about being with Diamond. I��m sure your uncle is happy that you don��t fear Diamond anymore." She then nced back at Bry��s uncle and continued, "See? He��s smiling at you happily. He probably doesn��t want you to stop doing what you love because of the ident."

    Bry nodded, but he still felt down, and Hera could only sympathize as she slowly helped him down near the fence.

    "How about we have a race?" Just as Hera put Bry down, Xavier and Zen approached her with a challenge.

    Hera raised her eyebrows, looking at them. "Sure, why not?" She paused for a moment and then continued, "But why don��t we make it interesting and add a wager?"

    Zen was smirking evilly while Xavier was waiting for Hera to continue her proposal.

    "What about this: the loser grants the winner three wishes?" Hera suggested yfully, like a child. She knew it was a clich�� idea, but she wanted to try it at least once. Besides, it wasn��t as if she��d lose anything significant or they would ask for something exaggerated.

    Xavier smirked meaningfully, a gesture Hera didn��t quite understand. "Let��s do it!" he urged.

 Chapter 97 Betting

    [PasserbyGod: What are you talking about @HeraismySister? The tables have turned! Have you not seen thetest betting odds for Hera? ?�R?�Q��? Haha]

    When they checked the betting corner, it was clear that Hera��s side was winning by andslide in terms of the amount bet on her name.

    [NorthernDuke: Bet $5 million on Hera]

    [GoldenLight: Bet $5 million on Hera]

    [EntertainmentKing: Bet $5 million on Hera]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Bet $5 million on Hera]

    [Dave_Carson: Bet $1,000 on Xavier]

    ...

    The Director found himself speechless. While he initiated the betting corner and set a random maximum bet amount, he never anticipated that these wealthy individuals would wager millions on this unofficial event. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he worried about potential repercussions, fearing being called out or investigated for facilitating illegal gambling. To his dismay, even the country��s minister joined in the fun, cing a bet on Xavier.

    What began as a lighthearted diversion had quickly escted into something beyond his control. Despite his best intentions, the situation had spiraled out of hand, exacerbated by his own actions in sending a social media post. Now, with everything seemingly spinning out of control, he felt powerless to rectify the chaos that had ensued.

    He found himself uncertain whether the minister��s involvement was a deliberate psychological game or simply fooling around like the others.

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson Oh, I didn��t realize you were struggling financially... (�V_�V)]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing

    (? 3?)�q�ɨr]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing @GoldenLight @FatherOfCaduceus are you not going to support your friend? (???)]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    Fortunately, the Director had connections in the government. He exined the situation and assured them he was willing toply with any necessary requirements for immediate one-time clearance. Despite receiving an earful and a few curse words, his friend eventuallyposed himself and beganmunicating with the relevant department to expedite the clearance process. They realized they couldn��t ignore the situation, especially since the country��s minister had participated in the betting. If they didn��t grant at least a one-time clearance, it would create even moreplications.

    Their minister faced the threat of being embroiled in a scandal, which could be exploited by his political opponents. Meanwhile, in the chatroom, the said minister found himself in a heated exchange with Rafael and others who were criticizing him for his seemingly insignificant wager.

    He joined in solely to back his friend, fully aware of the risks to his position. Yet, he believed he could justify his involvement since his bet fell within reasonable bounds, unlike his more audacious friends who seemed unconcerned and did not give a shit with the potential consequences.

    Unaware of the online buzz, Hera, Xavier, and Zen lined up at the starting point, exchanging sidelong nces. Zen sported a smug smirk, brazenly unting it, adding an air of challenge to the atmosphere.

    Hera leaned forward, drawing closer to Diamond��s body to ensure she wouldn��t be dislodged as they surged onto the racetrack. Xavier and Zen mirrored her posture, granted only a brief window to establish a connection with their horses. In this respect, Hera held the advantage; having spent the previous day bonding with Diamond, she was more attuned to her horse��s movements.

    Zen and Xavier remainedposed, not making a fuss about the situation. Instead, they dedicated themselves to understanding their respective horses before the racemenced. Despite the presence of onlookers, none of the threepetitors felt overwhelmed; they remained focused as if entering a zone of their own.

    When they heard the fire signal, they all dashed forward and were only looking forward, as Diamond who has a good track record came into the forefront of the other two, followed by Xavier and then Zen but there was not that much of a distance between the three. It was almost a neck-to-neck race.

    The vigers who are closely watching were all silently sucking a mouthful of breath as they clutch the piece of paper containing their bets.

    "Giddyup!" Hera urged Diamond to pick up the pace. She sensed that Diamond had more speed to give, urging it to push further. Diamond obediently followed hermands, their movements synchronizing seamlessly as if they were one on the racetrack. Before long, they had opened up a considerable distance between themselves and Xavier.

    Xavier, however, revealed a few tricks of his own, swiftly increasing his speed to match Hera��s pace, effectively keeping up with her and leaving Zen trailing a few feet behind.

    Rather than feeling nervous, Hera was exhrated by the challenge presented by Xavier. She sensed Diamond��s eagerness to push the pace further and she didn��t hesitate to oblige, urging the horse to elerate once more.

    As soon as she picked up the pace, Xavier would mirror her movements, maintaining close proximity. Hera couldn��t shake the feeling that Xavier was intentionally taunting her, perhaps hoping to goad her into impatience and pushing her horse beyond its limits, risking exhaustion.

    But Hera��s attention was solely fixed on Xavier; they didn��t notice that Zen had caught up to them and was now leading the race. As theypleted the firstp, with only twops left, the remaining rounds would be the deciding factor.

    Hera had overlooked the fact that Zen��s Andalusian horse was traditionally used as a warhorse, making it naturally strong and resilient. Gritting her teeth, she realized her mistake, having solely focused on Xavier.

    Now, she and Xavier trailed a few feet behind Zen. Looking at it from a different perspective, Hera realized she was at a disadvantage. Xavier��s Akhal-Teke horse boasted both speed and endurance, likely waiting for Diamond to exhaust itself before making a move. Meanwhile, Zen��s horse was more than capable of keeping up with Xavier.

    <i>��SHIT! I became careless!��</i>

    Hera leaned in closer to Diamond once more, feeling its breathing and muscles with her hand, trying to determine Diamond��s condition so she��d know what to do next.

 Chapter 98 Who’s the Winner?

    Afterpleting the secondp, Hera and Xavier elerated once more. Their horses began to exhale heavily, steam billowing from their nostrils, yet they continued to run side by side. Both riders hunkered down in the saddle, their bodies pressed closer to their mounts.

    They poured every ounce of effort into the final sprint, pushing their horses to the limit until they crossed the finish line. A hush fell over the crowd as Hera and Xavier reached the finish line simultaneously. Confusion hung in the air as spectators tried toprehend the oue. Slowly, Hera and Xavier brought their horses to a halt at the side of the track, the tension palpable in the silent aftermath.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Who��s the Winner?]

    [PasserbyGod: I don��t know too...]

    [HeraismySister: +1]

    [JustReading: +1]

    Hera��s legs felt numb as she dismounted from Diamond, causing her to stumble and nearly fall to the ground. Thankfully, Xavier was there to catch her, his strong arms circled her small waist supporting her as she regained her bnce.

    "Are you alright?" He asked, concern evident in his voice as he helped her stand upright. Though he too felt the strain in his legs after the intense ride, he remained steadypared to Hera��s unsteadiness.

    Hera nodded with a smile. "Yeah, thanks." She couldn��t resist giving Diamond a pat on its sweaty neck, acknowledging its efforts in the race as it breathed heavily from exhaustion.

    Shortly after, Zen joined them. "You two are so fast!" hemented, admiration evident in his voice.

    "We are not the ones running, it was the horse," Xavier stated matter-of-factly, his gaze fixed ahead.

    Hera couldn��t help butugh at his statement. It was undeniably true, but the deadpan delivery from Xavier,bined with his poker face, made it amusing.

    Their banter brought everyone back to attention, and the Director seized the moment, reying the recording of the finish line live a few more times. The cameraman stationed there had captured the moment perfectly.

    Realizing the need to inform everyone that they had to review the footage before announcing the winner, he quickly exited the OB van and hurried to the race track.

    "Xavier! You were amazing out there!" Alice��s sweet voice interrupted Hera��s lighthearted conversation with Xavier and Zen. Though Hera maintained a neutral expression, she couldn��t help but observe Alice��s every gesture.

    Alice sprinted directly in front of Xavier, positioning herself right where Hera stood, effectively blocking Hera��s view. Her long red hair flowed down her waist, and her aquamarine eyes sparkled with admiration for Xavier, as if he were the sole focus of her attention, oblivious to anyone else��s presence.

    Hera didn��t dwell on it and simply left after spotting Bry and his father heading their way. She walked over to them, leading Diamond by the reins.

    "Sister! You were amazing!!!" Bry eximed, leaping in front of Hera with wide-eyed admiration as if he had discovered a new idol to emte. Bry��s teenage brother joined them, pushing his uncle sitting in the wheelchair closer to where Hera and his father were.

    "It truly was a remarkable race," Bry��s uncle remarked with a smile directed at Hera. There was something poignant in his gaze, a mixture of fondness and mncholy that Hera couldn��t ignore. She felt a pang of empathy knowing how much he must have cherished horseback riding and racing.

    The way he looked at Diamond was filled with longing, a silent yearning for the exhration of riding, a joy now beyond his reach due to his condition. Despite his physical limitations, his enjoyment of watching the race was unmistakable, his eyes reflecting the thrill of thepetition.

    "It was all thanks to Diamond��s superb speed and endurance that we were able to reach that far," Hera replied, subtly acknowledging their meticulous training methods and the dedication they put into nurturing Diamond��s abilities. She didn��t want to im all the credit when their sess was the result of their collective efforts in raising and training the horse.

    Bry��s father��sughter thundered, and he said lightheartedly, "Don��t be too modest. I��ve been so busytely that I��ve neglected the horse��s training. It��s thanks to you that Diamond could run to its heart��s content since yesterday."

    "That��s true, I��ve heard a lot about you from the kids, especially how you managed to tame Diamond. That alone is already admirable," Bry��s unclemented with a gentle smile.

    Hera suddenly felt her face growing warm, but she managed to smile and ept thepliment graciously.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?"

    The Director positioned himself near the entrance of the racetrack, addressing the crowd with earnestness. "I understand the anticipation surrounding the announcement of the race winner. However, as you are aware, the close finish has made determining the victor a challenging task. Rest assured, my team and I aremitted to thoroughly reviewing the footage to ensure uracy before dering the winner. In the spirit of transparency, we will present a slow-motion version of the footage for all to see, enabling you to collect your winnings with confidence. Thank you for your patience and understanding."

    Upon hearing the Director��s announcement, the vigers, who had been anxiously awaiting news of their winnings, erupted into joyful celebration. With renewed hope, they eagerly awaited thepletion of the show crew��s review, anticipating a fair and urate oue.

    "I��m hungry," Xavier whispered in Hera��s ear from behind, causing her to jump in surprise. Despite her racing heart, she fought to maintain herposure, forcing a smile. However, Xavier seemed to sense her unease, a mischievous grin spreading across his lips as if he had seen right through her facade.

    "We haven��t collected our points for today��s work yet, so we don��t have anything to cook," Hera stated matter-of-factly.

    Xavier��s smile broke, concern evident in his voice as he asked, "No food at all?"

 Chapter 99 The Outcome

    "He just teased me, didn��t he?" Hera mused to herself.

    "We still don��t know who won. It might be me, so you better prepare for my three wishes," Hera countered, meeting Xavier��s gaze with determination.

    Xavier locked eyes with her, a sly smirk gracing his lips, but he said nothing.

    "Xavier!" Alice��s voice broke the moment, providing Hera with a chance to escape. Seizing the opportunity, Hera quickly made her exit, intent on finding Zen instead.

    Hera couldn��t shake the feeling that she had be Xavier��s prey when she had set out to be the hunter��intending to pursue the male leads one by one and enlist them as her allies or her own male leads before the female lead could im them first. But something had gone terribly wrong, and she couldn��t quite put her finger on it.

    A little vexed, she made her way to Zen, unaware of the slight pout on her lips and the puffiness of her cheeks, making her resemble a puffer fish. When Zen noticed her expression, he couldn��t help but chuckle and ruffle Hera��s hair affectionately.

    He couldn��t quite grasp what had urred, but Hera seemed to be scheming like a child about to report misbehavior to her parents, seeking retribution. It was undeniably charming.

    "What��s going on with you?" Zen inquired, curious about Hera��s unusual demeanor.

    "I... I..." Hera hesitated, grappling with whether to disclose what had just urred. Could she really confide in him about Xavier��s teasing? With a sigh, she opted to keep it to herself, shaking her head instead. They fell into silence, both eagerly awaiting the Director��s review of the footage, Hera��s mind already nning her retaliation against Xavier for his teasing.

    The wait was excruciating, with tension mounting in the air, stomachs churning with a mix of anxiety and excitement. Unbeknownst to Hera, Xavier had been standing behind her for an unknown duration, silently observing her reactions as though savoring every moment.

    "Ahem! My sincere apologies for the dy,dies and gentlemen!" The Director��s gaze swept across the audience, heightening the anticipation to a fever pitch. "After a thorough review, I��m delighted to share the results with you. But why simply tell you when we can show you? Let��s watch together and unveil the winner!"

    The director gestured for the crew to quickly set up the screen and projector in ce, and after a while, they started ying the footage simultaneously in the live stream and in front of the vigers.

    The crew reyed the final 15 seconds of the footage in slow motion, building suspense among the audience. As the scene approached the finish line, they paused it at precisely the right moment, capturing the intense rivalry as the horses�� hooves appeared to reach the finish line simultaneously, separated by mere millimeters.

    "Ah!"

    "I told you, I won..." Xavier��s warm breath teased Hera��s ear as he yfully echoed what they witnessed on the screen.

    Hera��s eyes widened into saucers as she witnessed Xavier��s horse��s right hoof barely edging past the finish line before hers. It was so close that it could easily have been called a tie. Hera��s head snapped to the side to meet Xavier, who was still leaning in close to her ear. Their proximity was startling; their lips almost touched, and the tips of their noses brushed against each other.

    Xavier remained unfazed, but Hera was taken aback, instinctively stepping back, her eyes narrowing. <i>��Did he orchestrate this?��</i>

    Xavier couldn��t have predicted Hera��s sudden suggestion to add a wager to their race after he proposed the idea. Yet, an unsettling feeling crept over her��Xavier seemed like a wolf in sheep��s clothing.

    "How were you so sure you won, even before it was announced?" Hera couldn��t resist asking.

    Xavier��s eyes formed crescents, a subtle smile on his lips. He didn��t respond directly to Hera��s question, but his confident demeanor seemed to provide an answer of its own.

    Somehow, Hera felt even more conflicted. She wasn��t sure whether to be happy about having more opportunities to get closer to Xavier as she��d nned or if it was a mistake. After all, ording to Athena, Xavier was aloof and always seemedzy, traits he��d exhibited from the beginning. But Athena had also mentioned that Xavier could be an extreme tease when it came to intimate matters in bed.

    But they were far from engaging in anything indecent, so Hera found it perplexing why Xavier was already beginning to tease her on just their second day together!

    Hera felt a growing sense of unease as she struggled to maintain control over the unfolding events. The appearance of Alice and Minerva on the show added anotheryer of confusion. Despite Hera supposedly taking Alice��s ce, there they were, participating as if everything was normal. This unexpected turn of events left Hera feeling unsettled and uncertain about what was truly happening in the story plot.

    [HeraismySister: AH!!!!! I lost my monthly allowance!!!!]

    [JustReadng: Sorry for your loss @HeraismySister. ( ?�i?�i)(??? ?)]

    [Dave_Carson: Nyahahaha (�R���Q?) @FatherOfCaduceus @EntertainmentKing @GoldenLight @NorthernDuke THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!!! (�R���Q?)]

    [Dave_Carson: Don��t say that I did not remind you Hahahaha (( ( (��?��)�ߵ���]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    [NorthernDuke: ...]

    [EntertainmentKing: Fuck you @Dave_Carson!!! �q�ɨr (���q�r��,)]

    The impromptu racing event sparked waves across the inte, swiftly elevating it to a top trending topic for a myriad of reasons.

    Among those who had ced their bets on Xavier, the oue was nothing short of extraordinary. Thousands upon thousands of dors poured into their pockets, as a result of the substantial winnings. Many had initially wagered for amusement, simply aligning themselves with their favorite contestants on a whim.

    But who would have thought that they would actually win ten times the amount they bet because of the VIPs who made the bet under Hera��s and that money was added to their winnings?

    They could onlyugh even in their sleep and go on a vacation for the whole week without worries.

    [XavierismyHusband: I finally get the saying ughing in one��s sleep." Haha! I��ve struck gold. Unbelievable! DAMN!!!]

    [NorthernDuke: @Dave_Carson, It made me happy to see that the charity I sent reached you. It appears you��re in dire need, given your reluctance to spend a penny. ( ��^��)]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I��m d you��re happy, I��m sorry that you��re so poor.]

    [GoldenLight: It��s my charity to you.]

    [EntertainmentKing: POOR BASTARD!

    (;������)]

    [Dave_Carson: ...]

 Chapter 100 What?

    Alice watched Hera disappear from sight with narrowed eyes, her thoughts unreadable. Almost instantly, her serious expression transformed back into its sweet and jovial smile, as if nothing had happened. Her smile seemed to drip with honey.

    "You guys have arrived!" Bry��s uncle greeted them warmly from the front porch, a gentle smile on his lips. "I thought we wouldn��t be able to snatch you from Aunt Sabby this time."

    "Of course, I snatched Sister from Aunt Sabby, and we ran here as fast as we could so she wouldn��t have time to react," Bry proudly dered, puffing out his chest. But then, his expression shifted as he remembered his guilt for riding Diamond and getting caught by his uncle. He quickly fell silent and ushered Hera inside their house.

    "Thank you for inviting us over," Hera smiled warmly at Bry��s uncle as she was being pulled inside the house. Zen stepped forward to assist Bry��s uncle, pushing his wheelchair into the house so they could continue their conversation indoors.

    "Oh, you��ve arrived! Please, have a seat in the living room while we prepare dinner," Bry��s mother greeted warmly, holding tworge ducks in both hands, blood still dripping from their necks, indicating they had just been killed for the guests.

    Realizing she was still holding the dead duck, Bry��s mom rushed back to the kitchen in a panic, fearing she might scare their beautiful guest.

    "I want to eat your food," Xavier sneakily whispered in Hera��s ear. If Hera hadn��t seen the sincerity in his eyes, she might have misunderstood his words.

    Hera forgot to respond, so Xavier continued, "I won��t be able to eat properly if it��s not your food anymore. You should take responsibility."

    Hera choked on her own saliva. <i>��Is he doing it on purpose?! Why does it sound soscivious?!��</i>

    Xavier was earnestly waiting for her to join Bry��s mom in the kitchen. Hera stared at Xavier for a moment, their interaction not escaping the notice of the cameraman, who had been focusing on the three heroes of the earlier event.

    This small interaction elicited a squeal from the fans who were beginning to ship them together and drew a scowl from a group of men who were unhappy with what they were seeing.

    "Don��t tell me I just found myself a shortcut?" Hera mused, perplexed by Xavier��s behavior. <i>��Did I really win him over with food? Is it true what they say, that ��the way to a man��s heart is through his stomach��?��</i>

    Despite her skepticism, Hera still went to the kitchen to help. Seeing that Bry��s mother was alone in the kitchen, Hera feltpelled to assist, even without Xavier��s suggestion.

    However, the situation now felt a bit awkward for Hera, her face flushing red. "Out of sight, out of mind," she told herself, redirecting her thoughts to the task at hand. Hera focused intently on cooking, determined not to burn anything or make any mistakes that might inconvenience Bry��s mom.

    After an hour of cooking, they had prepared a sumptuous meal for everyone, including the cameraman, who had a share in the feast. Bry��s dad had also returned home by then.

    "Auntie, everything looks delicious!" Zen praised Bry��s mom, expressing his gratitude for hosting their dinner.

    "Oh, you��re such a sweet child. It was all possible thanks to Hera��s help!" Bry��s mom gestured for Hera to sit beside her at the table, and then Xavier took the seat beside Hera on her left.

    By then, Hera had already forgotten about Xavier and the earlier antics, so she didn��t protest when he sat beside her.

    "It��s been a while since we had such a sumptuous meal," Bry��s dad remarked happily, urging everyone to start eating.

    The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was lighthearted. Everyone ate to their heart��s content, apanied by some delicious beer.

    Laughter filled the air until Bry��s dad dropped a bombshell. "Would you guys represent us in the uing National Equestrian Race?"

    The entire dining table fell silent, heads swiveling to face Bry��s dad. Hera and Zen were the most surprised, caught off guard by the unexpected proposal. Meanwhile, Xavier remained unfazed, his attention fixed on his meal, seemingly indifferent to the sudden turn of events.

    The scene unfolded with such incredulity that even the normallyposed cameraman stood frozen, his mouth agape wide enough to house a whole duck egg. Bry��s reaction was equally stunned; his fork ttered to the ground as he stared in disbelief at his father.

    "Are you referring to us?" Zen��s voice shattered the momentary silence, his finger pointing squarely at himself as he addressed Bry��s dad.

    "To be precise, it was you, Hera, and Xavier," Bry��s dad rified.

    "When exactly?" Hera inquired once she regained herposure.

    "It will be thising Saturday."

    "Today is Monday, so that��s in five days�� time, correct? But won��t we still be recording the Variety Show then? And what about our training?" Zen unleashed a barrage of questions.

    Bry��s dad chuckled warmly before responding. "I actually made this decision with my younger brother after witnessing your performance earlier. We discussed it while awaiting the results, and immediately after, I approached the Show��s Director to see if it was feasible. Luckily, he agreed without hesitation." Finishing his exnation, his grin stretched from ear to ear.

    "As for the training, the Director mentioned that you can fit it in afterpleting your daily tasks. Meanwhile, I��ll continue overseeing the conditioning of the horses; we��ve been vignt about their health, not just focusing on their daily runs. With your dedication, I��m confident we can achieve a good standing in the Nationals."

    Hera could only muster a smile, though beneath the surface, her mind churned with a whirlwind of thoughts. <i>��Why is today so eventful? What��s the significance behind all these urrences?��</i>

    __________

    PS: I��m absolutely thrilled that we��ve reached the 100th Chapter! First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support. I couldn��t have made it this far without your encouragement andpanionship on this journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here with me every step of the way!

 Chapter 101 Unfair?

    He and his brother were ted to have found suitable riders out of the blue. He could only thank their lucky stars, especially Bry, for bringing Hera into the stable and developing a bond with Diamond that ultimately led to them running together on the track.

    After ensuring that everyone was on the same page and discussing their ns, Hera and the rest headed back to the cabin, while the cameraman retired for the day.

    However, when the three returned to the cabin, they were met with an unusual silence. Yet, that wasn��t the concern; what caught their attention was the sight of the other participants sitting in the living room, their expressions grave as they watched them enter.

    Hera and the others intended to head upstairs for a shower, but they were stopped by the serious demeanor of the other participants.

    "We need to talk."

    Hera came to a sudden halt, her eyebrows raised inquisitively as she turned to face them. Zen and Xavier maintained indifferent expressions, yet they too paused in their tracks.

    Observing Hera and the others stop, one of the participants spoke up. "Isn��t it unfair? We��re all striving to earn points to purchase our supplies, yet it seems like all you do is eat at other people��s houses without any consideration. Don��t you feel embarrassed about it?"

    Despite their generalization, their usatory stares were solely directed at Hera, making her their clear target. It seemed easier for them to focus on her, given that they were familiar with Xavier��s capabilities and Zen��s influential backer. This left Hera, who had joined without any notable support, as the most vulnerable target for their criticism.

    Hera��s team remained silent, leading the other participants to interpret their silence as a sign of guilt, further fueling their boldness and animosity.

    Despite it being only a day, hunger had already be a pressing issue for them. Theirck of familiarity with the work resulted in minimal contributions, coupled with their avoidance of dirty tasks, leading to deductions in points. A meager meal of bread and milk failed to satisfy their hunger.

    And yet, not once did they consider venturing into the wilderness to forage or search for ingredients.

    "Why do you feel entitled to roam from house to house, indulging in full meals and disregarding the show��s regtions, while we, who diligently adhere to the rules, sit here hungry? This is a reality show, where rewards are earned through hard work, yet you shamelessly exploit the vigers for your own benefit."

    Alice rushed to intervene, guiding the emotional man to a seat. "Please, let��s discuss this calmly. I��m sure Hera didn��t intend to be unfair to any of us."

    However, Alice��s efforts to defuse the situation only seemed to fuel their anger further.

    Witnessing the confrontation, the Director became attentive, focusing on the unfolding drama in the living room. He quickly seized the opportunity, posting about the incident on their official social media ount to generate publicity.

    All viewers love seeing confrontation among other celebrities and the fact that he didn��t have to do anything to create tension among the participants made him happy. He knew that this would make his show even more popr.

    As expected, viewers flocked to the live stream, many of whom had been winding down for the day, not expecting anyte-night excitement. However, they were in for a surprise as another unexpected event unfolded before their eyes.

    "Hera, how could you stoop so low as to exploit the vigers�� kindness? Taking advantage of their generosity without a thought for the show��s rules? Do you honestly believe you��re above everyone?" Alice��s gentle voice echoed in the living room,den with concern that hinted at the verge of tears after delivering her heartfelt words.

    None would mistake her intentions for seeking a fight; she genuinely appeared concerned for the vigers and her fellow participants in the show. She resembled an angel advocating for peace and fairness.

    Zen moved forward, clearly wanting to voice his thoughts, while Xavier��s demeanor shifted to a cold one, his brows furrowing.

    However, Hera restrained Zen and spoke on behalf of their group. "Unfair? In what way?" Her voice remainedposed, her gaze sweeping across each person in the room as she stood resolute before them all.

    "Haven��t we said it already?" Minerva��s voice erupted in annoyance. For the first time in her life, hunger gnawed at her, fueling her irritation. She couldn��t understand why everyone seemed to favor Hera and celebrate her performance when she hadn��t even won anything.

    She felt indignant and resented Hera for even joining the show.

    "Hmmm. I don��t know. All I see and hear are jealous people who are only finding faults," Hera stated with a sneer.

    She was already exhausted from the day��s work and the race had taken its toll on her body. All she wanted was to wash up and rest, but here she was, being questioned by everyone because they didn��t receive the same treatment in the vige.

    Her temper red, and she was in no mood to entertain anyone trying to provoke her at that moment.

    Alice sobbed as she responded to Hera��s words. "Hera, please don��t misunderstand us. All we want is fairness because we��re all working until we��re exhausted. Personally, I don��t want to see the vigers being taken advantage of."

    [PasserbyGod: I find this amusing. None of the rules explicitly state that mingling with the vigers is prohibited. In fact, I believe that��s the main objective of the show �C to allow celebrities to experience vige life, including bonding and dining with the locals. Moreover, the director provided the option to forage in the mountains, but aside from Hera and Xavier, none of them took advantage of it. Now that they��re feeling hungry, they��re seeking someone to me because they didn��t receive the same treatment. I find it ratherical.]

    [XoXo: Now that you mention it, bro, I also find your logic quite sound. The director or the crew never intervened when Hera and the others were invited by the vigers to dine at their homes. In fact, Hera and the others simply showcase how enjoyable life is in the countryside and how weing the vigers are. I believe this is the true essence and purpose of the variety show "The Quest."]

    [JustReading: Have any of you noticed that the redhead is just finding fault with Hera? I believe she��s also the one who told everyone else about Hera being invited to dinner after the race.]

    [AmyLive: I noticed it too. I often jump from one live stream room to another to find something interesting, and I saw that Alice did indeed tell everyone else. I find it rather disturbing that she��s acting like an angel now. I can��t shake off the feeling that she��s targeting Hera for some reason.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Sis above +1]

    [HeraismySister: +1]

 Chapter 102 Exchanging Points

    Just seeing her smile, Zen and Xavier could already understand her intentions.

    "Oh, I see," Zen said, a smile spreading across his lips too.

    "This is why I like talking to smart people," Hera teased, striding back to her room to prepare for a shower before turning in for the night.

    But little did Hera know, that this small conversation she had with Xavier and Zen was watched and followed by many people and was spread online. Now, many believe that she really is an angel spawn on earth. They believed that even though Hera sounded harsh, she could still act magnanimously and chose to be the bigger person by not quarreling with anyone even after she knew that she was being targeted.

    This incident only bolstered Hera��s fan base, while portraying the other participants as narrow-minded and Alice as a two-faced woman. None of them foresaw this bacsh, and theirpany��s PR department is struggling to contain the spreading issue on the inte.

    Little did they know that UE (Universal Entertainment) was fueling the fire in all directions to support Hera and advocate for justice against the bullying she faced on the show. Who told them that Hera doesn��t have a backer? Even all the employees working in the Avery Consortium were in full-blown attack mode, spreading the narrative of Hera��s magnanimity and contradicting the portrayal made by the other participants.

    Essentially, the actions of the participants that night backfired, resulting in the loss of many fans and facing heavy repercussions, particrly Alice, who initiated the conflict.

    The following day, after waking up to the morning call, Hera, Zen, and Xavier exchanged their points with the director in front of the other participants, who watched Hera like a vulture.

    "Director, since we haven��t exchanged our points yet, my team and I would like to exchange them for some ingredients," Hera announced in front of everyone after the director delivered the same speech as yesterday morning.

    "Alright, let me announce your points first," the Director said, motioning for the crew to retrieve the list containing their points. Clearing his throat, he began, "For starters, Zen received 150 points forpleting his task yesterday, Xavier received 150 points forpleting his task, and Hera received 200 points forpleting her tasks."

    Hera tilted her head to the side, a hint of confusion crossing her face at the Director��s words. Sensing her puzzlement, the Director rified, "You did a great jobpleting the task of milking the cows with the vigers, and in the afternoon, you also joined them in cleaning the barn, a task the other participants did not undertake. Although Zen and Xavier alsopleted their allocated tasks, yours yesterday was deemed more challenging, hence the double points."

    "Director, don��t you think this is too much? Are you showing favoritism because Hera is beautiful?" Minerva said with gritted teeth, she was angry because she barely received 50 points after working in the field all morning and Hera received 200 points which only fueled her hatred and anger.

    With her words, she insinuated that the director showed favoritism towards Hera which also states that he took a fancy to her, suggesting that Hera received preferential treatment and better points.

    The Director caught on to her implications, which visibly angered him, causing his brows to furrow. "Miss Briley, if you failed to listen to the exnations earlier, I will repeat them for yourprehension," he stated curtly, his tone hinting at frustration with Minerva��s apparent stupidity.

    "First and foremost, each of you was assigned tasks based on your guides, leading to a variety of activities performed simultaneously. Some of you worked in the fields, and collected eggs in the chicken coop, among other tasks. However, these were not your sole responsibilities."

    He fixed Minerva with a sharp gaze, sending a shiver down her spine. "If I recall correctly, Miss Briley, your assigned task was in the field. You only assisted with weeding the plots but declined to participate in plowing and fertilizing with manure, citing concerns about dirtiness and potential damage to your hands and newly done manicure."

    The Director sneered mockingly in front of everyone, aiming not only at Minerva but also at anyone else withints. "Giving you 50 points is already generous, considering you didn��t contribute much in the field. Meanwhile, Hera not only learned to milk the cow but also didn��t hesitate to help the vigers clean the barn, which was full of COW SHIT. Now, tell me, where did I show favoritism?" He put emphasis on hisst sentence with visible anger.

    Anyone who wasining shut their mouth because they could clearly see that the Director was angry and would not think twice to call them out as he did with Minerva.

    Minerva was angry for being called out and embarrassed at the same time, she directed her gaze at Hera who was standing not so far away from her. "So, she earned all those points by getting her hands dirty with cow Shit and being covered in it? Seems fitting for a peasant��s task," she spat out with clear disdain and mockery in her voice.

    However, they were not the only ones present; nearby vigers overheard Minerva��s disdainful and offensive words. They felt deeply offended by her disrespectful remarks.

    Hera couldn��t tolerate Minerva��s insulting words, not for herself, but for the dignity of the work and the hardworking people behind it. "Miss Briley, don��t belittle a respectable job without understanding its importance in our daily lives. It only reveals your ignorance and perhaps there��s nothing smellier than your mouth, filled with nothing but trash and filth. So, unless you want to further embarrass yourself, I suggest you keep it shut," Hera retorted sharply, unfiltered.

    Zen couldn��t stifle a chuckle at Hera��s retort, further embarrassing Minerva, whose face turned crimson with anger. The Director openlyughed at her, impressed by Hera��s quick wit, while the vigers, who had been listening in, couldn��t help but join in, their admiration for Hera only growing, which had been already quite high to begin with.

    But Minerva can��t me anyone else but herself because she brought it upon herself and even Alexi couldn��t bring himself tofort her but Alice did, Aliceforted Minerva and coaxed her to not say anything anymore or else, Hera would find a way to embarrass her again. But this only amplified Minerva��s anger towards Hera.

    "Since we have already given the points to all of you, you are free to use them however you want, and should you wish to exchange them, our staff is avable to assist you in selecting your desired ingredients," The Director broke the tension and proceeded with what was needed to do.

    Hera, Zen, and Xavier wasted no time and promptly approached the nearest crew member to exchange their points, eager to begin preparing their breakfast.

 Chapter 103 Exchanging Point 2

    [XavierisLife: Are we witnessing a miracle? Xavier, eating without anyints? Without being picky with food and such? ��(��O��)��:]

    [XavierNo1: Oooh! Now that you mentioned it!!! I also noticed that he has yet to act up during the Variety Show!!! This is a miracle!!!!]

    [HeraismySister: Haven��t you guys figured it out yet?! Of course, it��s my sister Hera��s magical hands that made it possible!!! ?��(???)��(????)��?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: I woke upte, what happened?!]

    [HeraismySister: We are just Shipping early in the morning! (???)]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Oh! I��m in!!!]

    Not long after, Hera��s requested ingredients arrived, and Zen and Xavier promptly took them to the kitchen. Hera followed, her hands empty, but she shrugged it off, appreciating their gentlemanly gesture.

    Zen began by washing the meat, passing it to Hera for preparation while he turned his attention to cleaning the vegetables.

    Instead of Hera, Xavier took on the task, asking her for guidance on what to do with the meat and how to prepare it. Hera instructed Xavier to start by cutting the meat into small pieces, making it easier to mince the pork for the wontons.

    Hera ced the whole chicken into the pot along with onion, garlic, bay leaves, leeks, and whole pepper to simmer and tenderize. As the chicken cooked, she turned her attention to preparing the noodles.

    Zen nced back briefly to check for any other vegetables needing washing, but instead, he caught sight of Hera expertly handling the noodles. Unable to contain his admiration, he couldn��t help but let out a low whistle.

    Once she noticed that Xavier had finished mincing the meat, Hera set aside the finished noodles and waited for the water to boil so she could cook them. In the meantime, she seasoned the minced meat and mixed it thoroughly. Afterward, Hera began wrapping the seasoned meat into the dim sum wrappers, with Xavier standing close, observing her every move. Soon enough, he joined in and started wrapping meat alongside her.

    As Zen joined in, they found the activity amusing and a means to strengthen their bond. Their hands moved swiftly as they engaged in light-hearted conversation, seizing the opportunity to deepen their connection.

    The tantalizing aroma of the chicken stock wafted through the kitchen, permeating into the living room where the other participants were settling for cereal and in bread. Their gazes instinctively lifted toward the kitchen, their mouths involuntarily watering in response. Compared to the mouthwatering scent wafting from Hera and the others�� culinary creations, their own breakfasts suddenly seemed nd, like wax inparison.

    After half an hour of diligent effort, Hera and the others proudly unveiled their creation: Chicken Wanton Noodles adorned with generous servings of bok choy, fresh green onions, sulent shredded chicken, and plump wontons. The sight of each oversized bowl was nothing short of inviting, exuding an aura of indulgence and culinary finesse. It was evident that they spared no expense in treating themselves to a truly satisfying meal.

    Before eating, Hera set aside a pot of wonton soup and let it cool for a bit, then she sat on the ind counter with the two as they enjoyed their feast. Alice also came over to wash her bowl and spoon after she was done with her cereal. Noticing the untouched pot of soup, she couldn��t resist sneaking a peek. A sparkle danced in her eyes upon discovering the abundance of wontons still submerged in the pot, surrounded by a tantalizing broth that covered nearly half of the container.

    "Are you done with this? Shall I clean the pot for you?" Alice eagerly offered, grasping the pot��s handles.

    "We��ll be keeping that," Hera replied, blowing on the steam rising from the noodles.

    "But..."

    "Put it down," Xavier said sternly. He wasn��t oblivious to Alice��s intentions, and it stirred anger within him.

    Even Zen felt disgusted by Alice��s behavior, which had been apparent since yesterday. It was clear she wanted to take advantage of them, yet shecked the courage to openly admit it, always resorting to sneaky tactics.

    "Oh! I��m sorry, I just thought I could help you clean up," Alice apologized, her voice tinged with regret, tears welling in her eyes.

    "It��s alright, we��ll hold onto the soup for lunch. We need to be frugal of our points," Hera responded once she had swallowed her mouthful.

    <i>��Frugal? How does that seem frugal?��</i> The group exchanged puzzled looks, questioning Hera��s choice of words in response to Alice. They somehow felt offended because aside from Hera��s team, none of them had even eaten a hot meal sincest night.

    However, they found themselves at a loss for words, unable to counter her seemingly innocent remark. Hera and the others were preupied with their own concerns at the moment, paying little heed to their thoughts. Hera, Zen, and Xavier hastened their meal this time, quickly packing the soup, shredded chicken, and bok choy into a sealed container borrowed from the crew.

    They were meticulous in their efforts to leave nothing behind in the kitchen, ensuring they washed all used utensils before waiting on the porch for their guides. Their efficiency left no opportunity for the other participants to engage them in conversation, as theypleted their tasks swiftly and silently.

    Many participants were eager to join their team, especially upon learning of their abundance of points. However, Hera and the others didn��t gave them the opportunity to approach or speak with them.

    [XoXo: Has anyone else noticed how the other participants seem eager to approach Hera and the others but haven��t had the chance? Can someone confirm that it wasn��t intentional for Hera��s team to ignore them?]

    [PasserbyGod: Whether intentional or not, I wouldn��t be inclined to talk with them. If all they��ve done since arriving is target others, I��d avoid them like the gue.]

    [XavierisLove: Absolutely! It��s evident they��ve been eyeing Xavier and his team��s food since they started cooking!]

    After a few minutes of waiting, Bry and the other guides arrived at the front porch to collect the three. Hera brought their lunch with her to her task and intended for Bry to keep an eye on it while she worked.

 Chapter 104 Retaliation

    "Because it wouldn��t be fair to the other participants if only we were invited to the vigers�� homes while they��re left with nothing but bread and other cold food. That goes against the rules," Hera exined patiently, her voice steady despite holding back tears.

    "But the Director never mentioned anything about it, and even the vigers enjoyed spending time with you, Brother Xavier, and Brother Zen..." Bry hupped as frustration brought tears to his eyes. "Did the Director scold you?" His concern was palpable, worried that Hera and the others might be in trouble for spending time with the vigers.

    Hera��s voice was weak as she replied, "No, he never said anything."

    "Ha! So, it was those other participants, right?!!" Bry��s anger erupted as he connected the dots. "Why would we even invite them to eat with us when they clearly look down on us and belittle us?!!!" Despite his youth, Bry disyed remarkable wit, quickly deducing who was causing trouble for Hera.

    "No, that��s not true. They just wanted us to be treated fairly," Hera rified, attempting to dispel Bry��s misconception about the other participants.

    "Then, was it them who raised the concern?!" Bry asked, looking up at Hera with a piercing gaze, seeking answers.

    Hera averted her gaze, focusing instead on adjusting her grip on the soup container with her other arm. "N-no..." Her voice sounded unconvincing.

    "So it was them," Bry said, his brows knitted together in a visible disy of anger. Despite only spending a couple of days with Hera and the others, he had grown close to them. Bry viewed Hera as a smart, hardworking individual who exuded humility and kindness.

    His trust in her was unwavering, making him even more indignant about the other participants. Despite the sour atmosphere, they continued on their way to their destination.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Aw! Bry is clearly upset for Hera because of how the other participants throw their weight around...]

    [HeraismySister: Completely agreed. Hera, Xavier, and Zen don��t even have to entertain the other participants as long as they are following the rules. And it��s clear the Director doesn��t see an issue with Hera mingling with the vigers, or he would have addressed it already and informed her it was against the rules.]

    [Just Reading: Precisely. I think those people just don��t want to see someone doing better than them and would pull anyone down so they wouldn��t feel bad for their ipetency.]

    [Dummy123: Aren��t you being too harsh and judgemental? Wasn��t it really unfair for the other participants?]

    [Bleep245: Right! Hera was just putting on an act to garner sympathy, why are you targeting the other participants when they are only saying facts?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Clearly, @Dummy123 and @Bleep245, you are just water army hired to sway the masses and protect your employer. We��ve seen enough water army to know one.]

    [Bleep245: @AuntieNextDoor You must be the water army that Hera��s agency hired to paint her as a good person.]

    This sparked another conflict between the two factions, with the side opposing Hera ultimately losing ground. Xavier and Zen��s fans rallied to Hera��s defense, considering it a matter of their idols�� reputation as well, given their on the same side.

    But they are correct in one aspect: Hera is indeed seeking sympathy for herself and causing trouble for the participants who voiced their concerns.

    In reality, Hera intended to use this tactic with anyone who invited them to eat, not just herself��Xavier and Zen were doing the same. They consistently presented themselves as being in a difficult position,pelled topromise due to alleged opposition from other participants.

    They also orchestrated the situation with subtlety, ensuring viewers couldn��t catch on to their intentions. To outsiders, it appeared as if they were politely declining offers to dine with the vigers, yet they cleverly conveyed a sense of genuine desire to participate whilementing their supposed inability to do so. This strategy fueled the vigers�� gossipy nature, eventually leading to the three sumbing to pressure and revealing the true reasons behind their apparent denial of mingling.

    In the end, the vigers�� resentment towards the other participants, fueled by their perceived condescension, including Minerva��s disparaging remarks that morning, had already be widespread. Therefore, when Hera, Zen, and Xavier mention their inability to spend time with the vigers any longer, it is the final straw that broke the camel��s back.

    They became increasingly dissatisfied with the other participants, which eventually led them to iste themselves and ceasemunication with the others altogether.

    This was the retaliation Hera had contemted the previous night. She avoided engaging in verbal conflicts because she knew it would be unproductive and futile. Instead, she chose to channel her energy into actions rather than wasting time arguing with those unwilling to listen.

    So instead, she devised a n to teach them a lesson in a different manner. Embracing her inner viiness, she couldn��t help but feel petty after bing a target herself. She refused to be seen as an easy target, yet it seemed as though her back had be arge bullseye, inviting anyone who nced her way to take a shot.

    Left with no other recourse, she found herselfpelled to retaliate.

    Who said only they could y dirty? Hera knew the game just as well, and she was prepared to reciprocate what she received.

 Chapter 105 Can You Do it?

    Hera wasn��t surprised by the old man��s assumption that she mightin, akin to Minerva��s attitude.

    Instead, she followed behind the old man. "Sir, I don��t n to ck you know. How can I feed myself if I don��t work?" She even dramatizes herst sentence to appeal to the old man for a smile.

    Sure enough, the old man turned around, looking at her up and down to see if she was trying to pull his leg or was seriously considering working in the field. "It��s not easy to work in the field, you��ll need to plow thend to loosen the soil, weed, and even fertilize using the dried manure of the animals. What��s more, you��ll be under the sun for a long time and I��m afraid that your skin will darken."

    Hera couldn��t help but chuckle but before she was misunderstood by the old man, she added. "Sir, I��m not afraid of hardship. I��m more afraid to be hungry though." She said yfully.

    The grumpy old manughed out loud. "Don��t regret what you say!" He led Hera to thend with the most weeds.

    "Of course not!" she replied, running after him. Bry and the cameraman followed, thetter already sweating on his forehead.

    After stopping in front of the field with the most weeds, the old man pointed to each plot and instructed, "You can begin weeding and plowing thend from this plot. Once you havepleted the task, please inform me so I can assign your next task."

    After saying his piece, he left and went on his own task on the other side of the field. And Hera did not dawdle as well, she held the hoe tightly in her hands.

    "Sister, why don��t we start by weeding? I��ll help you so don��t worry." Bry puffed up his chest as he stood straight while patting his chest.

    Hera let out a chuckle, her voiceced with amusement. "That certainly makes me feel empowered," she remarked. Casting a sweeping nce around her, she ced her other hand on her hips, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. "Instead of simply wedding, why not consider multitasking?" she suggested, her tone brimming with determination.

    Before Bry could even pose the question, Hera was already in motion, deftly maneuvering the soil around the nts. With meticulous care, she ensured not to disturb the delicate bnce, her movements calcted to avoid any idental harm to the roots.

    Bry stood to the side, mouth agape in astonishment. He had assumed Hera might be uncertain about tasks in the field, which is why he suggested starting with the least demanding job. However, her immediate leap into plowing caught him off guard.

    Initially, Hera��s movements were awkward, her control over her strength faltering, nearly endangering the delicate roots. Overexertion strained her back muscles, hindering her progress. It took several attempts before she finally found her rhythm and mastered the task at hand.

    <i>��I have a feeling I��ll be soreter,��</i> Hera muttered to herself, anticipating the difort. Despite this knowledge, she persisted, determined not to halt her efforts. Thankfully, the crew provided her with thick Nitrile-coated gloves, the breathable fabric offeredfort while the palm coating ensured a superior grip on the farming tools.

    The gloves also served to prevent blisters from forming as she wielded the hoe, thereby reducing potential difort. Within just half an hour, beads of sweat dotted Hera��s forehead, trailing down her face to her chin before dripping onto the ground below.

    After not wearing a hat to shield her face from the direct sun, Hera��splexion had turned a rosy hue from the relentless assault of UV rays. However, far from appearing pitiful, she exuded an energetic and endearing aura, her smile unwavering as she persisted in her work.

    As if she had stumbled upon something enjoyable, the elderly man who had approached with the expectation of finding Hera begrudgingly pulling weeds was taken aback. Instead, he found her wholeheartedly engrossed in plowing the soil and meticulously separating the weeds after loosening the earth. Her unexpected dedication and skill surprised him.

    Being someone who valued giving credit where it was due, he found himself unable to resistmending Hera for her efficient and effective work. In a mere half-hour, she had managed to cover nearly half of the expansive plot, a testament to her diligence and effectiveness.

    While not thergest plot in their field, this particr area boasted an abundance of weeds, presenting a significant challenge. Bry, on the other hand, aided Hera by swiftly gathering the weeds she tossed aside, stacking them neatly to prevent any chance of their roots reiming the soil.

    "Child, you��re doing splendidly, aren��t you?" The old man ambled around, inspecting Hera��s work with the intention of identifying any potential issues. However, no matter where he looked, he couldn��t find a single fault.

    Unbeknownst to him, while Hera diligently toiled in the field, Bry had been offering her insightful tips that illuminated the nuances of farm work. Despite possessing theoretical knowledge and a basic understanding, Heracked practical experience, leaving her reliant solely on what she already knew.

    Indeed, with her ancestry rooted in a farming family, Hera harbored a deep fascination for agricultural practices. This innate connection spurred her keen interest in farming. Consequently, during discussions with Bry about nting and farming, she listened attentively, recognizing his wealth of knowledge gained from growing up around the farm and animals.

    Once Herapleted the plowing and weeding tasks, she transitioned seamlessly to harvesting the mature vegetables. Basket after basket was filled with the fruits of theirbor. While most of the vigers had been upied with harvesting while Hera focused on plowing earlier, now that she had finished her task, she eagerly joined the others in the collective effort.

    Observing Hera��s genuine enthusiasm and eagerness to learn about farming, the vigers developed a fondness for her. They warmly embraced her presence and generously shared the wealth of knowledge they had umted over the years, nurturing her curiosity and passion for agricultural practices.

 Chapter 106 What to Eat

    While the vigers initially overlooked the subtle attacks from the other participants, they gradually became aware of their malicious intent, providing further justification for their growing disdain.

    Meanwhile, Hera and her team had convened by the river near the vige, apanied by some teenagers, to catch fish for lunch. Despite being excluded from joining the other vigers for a meal, they found alternative ways to enjoy a hearty lunch together.

    Just like before, since Xavier already knew how to spearfish in the river, he borrowed Hera��s tactical knife after finding a suitable stick to be made into a spear and he sharpened its end to the way he remembered.

    Once prepared, Xavier rolled up his trousers to his knees and proceeded silently and deliberately toward the school of fish. The teenagers observed in silent fascination, intrigued by his unique approach to fishing, finding it both cool and captivating.

    As Xavier focused on spearfishing in the river, Hera took charge of preparing the dim sum soup over the fire that Zena and Bry had started. As the soup simmered, Hera��s attention wandered, her gaze drifting absentmindedly across her surroundings.

    As Hera scanned her surroundings, she noticed a pheasant on the opposite side of the river, methodically tending to the soil, gently pecking and scratching at it. Her attention then shifted to a group of teenagers nearby, skillfully aiming a slingshot at the birds perched in the trees above them.

    It seems like they have yet to spot the pheasant, since Hera doesn��t have anything to do while waiting for the soup to simmer she decides toe forward to the kids. "Hello, could I borrow your slingshot for a bit?" Hera said while her eyes showed genuine interest in the slingshot that the teenager was holding.

    "What would I get in return?" the teenager asked smugly, casting a skeptical nce at Hera��s seemingly frail arms, doubting her ability to handle the slingshot properly.

    "Hmm... How about I catch one of those birds you��ve been trying to hit all this time?" Hera suggested, scratching her chin thoughtfully.

    "That��s no easy feat. If it were, we��d have a dozen of those birds by now," the teenager replied, skepticism still evident in their tone.

    "If I can��t manage to catch even a single bird, then I��ll offer you an entire fish instead. How does that sound?" Hera bargained with the kid in front of her, adopting a businesslike demeanor. The cameraman and others present, as well as the viewers, found the exchange intriguing, akin to witnessing two children negotiating over a coveted toy.

    The teenager pondered the offer for a few moments, weighing the pros and cons before ultimately agreeing. However, his underlying motivation was to witness Hera fail. He held onto the belief that girls couldn��tpete with boys in such endeavors.

    Once Hera took hold of the slingshot, she assessed its rubber��s flexibility and uracy. She conducted a practice shot at branches far from their targets to avoid startling them.

    As Hera drew back the slingshot for her first shot, the teenager eagerly anticipated her release, holding his breath in anticipation. However, when Hera finally let go, her aim missed the mark by a wide margin. The teenager burst intoughter, ncing triumphantly at his friends as if to say, <i>��See, I told you so.��</i>

    Undeterred by her initial miss, Hera remainedposed, carefully selecting a sharp pebble from the ground for her second attempt. As she released the slingshot once more, her aim still missed, albeit by a slightly narrower margin this time,ing only an inch closer to the branch than before.

    Despite Hera��s enthusiasm and improved uracy, the children around her continued to snigger. Though her eyes sparkled with determination, they couldn��t help but find amusement in her missed shots, regardless of their proximity to the target.

    Hera opted not to attempt another shot immediately. Instead, she looked down and carefully gathered a few more sharp-edged pebbles from the ground, cing them in herp before taking aim once more.

    This time, she adjusted her focus, aiming in a different direction altogether.

    Swoosh-

    Thud-

    "Ah!" The teenager attempted to speak, but his mouth hung open in astonishment as Hera sessfully shot down a bird from the tree. "It must have been a fluke, right?" He nudged his friend standing beside him, their eyes fixed on the bird iling on the ground, its broken wings twitching.

    Swoosh-

    Thud-

    The kid stopped talking after seeing another bird falling from the tree nearby, this time, the bird only iled a little before stopped moving. Hera had managed to shoot it directly in the head, giving it a quick and less painful death than the first one.

    Now confident in her aim, Hera silently focused on the unsuspecting peasant across the river, still absorbed in pecking at the ground behind the sparse bush.

    Only then did everyone see Hera��s target, everyone held their breath, excitement, and anticipation were visible in everyone��s faces.

    Swoosh-

    Thud-

    "AH!" Bry eximed before he jumped up and down from where he stood after he saw the pheasant jump after being hit and pped around its wings erratically until it stopped. Only then did they know that it died. And everyone else looked at Hera with distinct reverie, even Xavier had the chance to witness what had transpired on the shore.

    "Sister, you��re incredible!" Bry eximed, his praise for Hera unrestrained as he eagerly made his way across the river with some other teenagers who were still in disbelief over the precision headshot on a moving target.

 Chapter 107 Who Taught him that?

    This banter has now be another attraction for other viewers. They��ve grown ustomed to seeing those shining gold usernames throwing bombs at each other at every turn, all because of Hera. Initially, viewers were afraid to even breathe, fearing they might offend these big bosses. But over time, they find it amusing to see these influential figures bantering like kids over the most mundane things.

    They would sometimes even join in the fun, teasing the big bosses and elevating the atmosphere in the live-stream chatroom. Some viewers even came in just to watch this spectacle every day, and they never seemed to tire of it. Instead, their curiosity about the people behind those ounts only grew. Most viewers also wanted to know more about these individuals.

    After Bry retrieved the pheasant from the other side, half of his body was soaking wet from wading through the deeper part of the river. Despite this, he was still happily beaming as he held the pheasant by the neck.

    "Sister!! Look how fat this pheasant is!!! It must have eaten a lot of worms!" Bry ran to Hera after reaching the shore and handed over the dead pheasant.

    "You really shot it dead!" Zen eximed as he examined the motionless pheasant up close.

    Satisfied with her new ingredient, Hera cheerfully returned the slingshot to the teenager, who was still trying to grasp what had just happened. However, a shift had urred among them. Some now regarded Hera differently, as if she were a goddess in human form, descending to grace them with her excellence.

    But these thoughts were not only limited to them; they also resonated with the viewers who witnessed how things had drastically shifted from a yful pic to a more challenging adventure in the wild.

    Hera didn��t immediately tend to the pheasant; instead, she and Xavier prioritized gutting the fish he caught. Following their routine from the previous day, they seasoned the fish with just salt before skewering it on sticks prepared by Zen.

    Bry, having prior experience, hade prepared with his own small bowl, as did the cameraman apanying them. Xavier and Zen��s guide returned home for lunch since they didn��t need to venture far and required no further guidance.

    This time, Hera and Xavier didn��t need to share a cup for the soup. Anticipating an outdoor lunch, Hera brought along extra spoons for the soup, ensuring it would be easier to scoop out the wontons.

    In no time, the fish cooked evenly, its natural oils dripping from the skewers onto the ground. Hera distributed the cooked fish among the five of them, ensuring everyone got their share, while the soup was equally divided among each of them.

    As Hera passed the hot soup to Xavier, he didn��t grasp the silicone cup properly, and it ended up falling to the ground, overturned, with its rim now covered in dirt. Xavier quickly picked it up and hurried to the side of the river to wash it off.

    Hera assumed he would reuse it after a thorough wash, so she began sipping her wanton soup from her cup while waiting for Xavier to return, intending to pour another cup for him.

    Shortly after, Xavier returned with the clean cup, but instead of giving it to Hera, he set it aside on his left. Assuming he had lost interest in the soup, Hera continued enjoying her fish and relishing its freshness.

    To Hera��s surprise, Xavier reached for her cup and swiftly brought it to his lips, already sipping the soup before she could react. By the time she realized what was happening, Xavier had already consumed half the soup, even using the same spoon she had left in the cup to scoop up some submerged wantons.

    Not only was Hera shocked, but even Zen who happened to lift his head witnessed the scene. He subconsciously nced at Hera, his eyes questioning her about what was happening. However, Hera had no answer to his inquiry because she was just as puzzled herself.

    By now, Hera had noticed that Xavier indeed disliked sharing anything he used or currently is using with anyone. Yet, at this moment, he wasfortably using her used cup and spoon without anyints.

    He drank and ate what remained in the cup before moving on to meticulously removing the scales and deboning his fish. Once sure there were no fish bones left, he elegantly took a small bite of fish meat into his mouth using the fork he had asked Hera to bring along.

    Observing that the cup had yet to be refilled, Xavier looked up at Hera with an expectant gaze, akin to a cat demanding more food. His eyes fixed on her, and when he noticed she wasn��t moving, he picked up the cup and passed it back to her. "More soup," he requested.

    Hera blinked a few times, returning to her senses, and scooped some broth and wanton into the cup before promptly passing it back to Xavier. However, he didn��t take it immediately. Instead, he remarked, "You can leave me some like earlier," before refocusing on the fish before him.

    Hera and Zen exchanged incredulous, wide-eyed nces before it dawned on them what Xavier meant. However, neither of them wanted to directly inquire about it. Bry and the cameraman were preupied with their own business, so they didn��t have the time to meddle, but the viewers were now in a state of total meltdown.

    [NorthernDuke: What��s going on here?!! You think you can just take advantage of my wife like that!!!!

    (?�� ?��)��ǨTһ (?��?��!)/]

    [Dave_Carson: Aww, looks like my little bro��s all grown up and learning how to pick up girls, huh?! �d(��R?�Q)??]

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson Shut the fuck up if you have nothing nice to say!]

    [Dave_Carson: What��s wrong with supporting my little bro? You��re just mean! Keep it up, and you��ll end up a bachelor for life! No woman will want you!!!]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Who��s been teaching him these bad habits?]

    [GoldenLight: @FatherOfCaduceus, you better ask @Dave_Carson. I��d never teach @SilverEmperor anything like that.]

    [Dave_Carson: Why��s everyone being so mean to me?! I��m innocent, I tell you!]

    [NorthernDuke: So, you��re the one behind all this? Maybe you need more work to keep you busy.]

    [Dave_Carson: Why��s everyone picking on me?!]

    After some thought, Hera decided to push this issue to the back of her mind. Sharing a cup or spoon wasn��t a big deal to her; she wasn��t germophobic or afraid of contracting a disease from Xavier because that��s in impossible. In fact, she saw it as an opportunity to get closer to Xavier, which could make her mission easier in the long run.

    With a better understanding of the situation and less inclination to overthink, Hera resumed her meal with relish, sharing the cup and spoon with Xavier without guilt. However, little did she know that this action would anger a few individuals, especially Leo, who had been contemting flying out to their location via helicopter. He didn��t realize that a moment of inattentiveness on his part would provide an opportunity for a sneaky brat to exploit.

    He was fuming mad, but contrary to his anger, Xavier was sneakily smiling cheekily as he buried his head in his food, happily taking a sip of soup from time to time. He had noticed that Hera��s aversion to sharing a cup with him had disappeared into thin air.

    However, Zen had yet to wrap his head around it and couldn��t stop his curiosity, so he asked, "Xavier, are you sure it��s okay to share a cup with a woman?"

    Xavier looked up with a serious expression, as if he found nothing wrong with it, enough to throw Zen for a loop. Nevertheless, he too answered, "What��s wrong with sharing a cup with a woman?" and nced at Zen as if he were weird.

    Zen caught the meaning of his nce, which infuriated him to the core.

 Chapter 108 More

    It just so happened that personal items like utensils and cups were part of what he considered his personal space, sacred and not to be used or invaded by others. But now, he was actively sharing these very items with Hera, akin to a cat bringing its most treasured toys to be shared, a subtle but significant shift in his behavior.

    [Dummy123: Hey, do you think Hera slipped a love potion into Xavier��s food, causing his recent out-of-character behavior? Perhaps she��s been trying to seduce Xavier all along and joined the show just for him.]

    [Xoxo: More like she won him over with her love through food. My grandmother used to tell me that the way to a man��s heart is through his stomach, and that��s how she won over my grandfather.]

    [Bleep245: That��s bullshit! If that were true, then Xavier would have fallen in love with countless Michelin chefs around the world, since they also cook food with love. I think Hera must have used a love potion or other underhanded tactics to achieve this result.]

    [NorthernDuke: Ha! It was him who followed her everywhere, proposed to be her teammate, and sneakily wanted to share this cup or whatever, but you��re trashing my wife? Who do you think you are?!]

    [GoldenLight: Although I don��t like @NorthernDuke because he��s delusional and always thinks that Hera is his wife, I agree with what he said. Your argument is stupid, and if it were true, everyone who has eaten her cooking should have fallen in love with her.]

    [EntertainmentKing: This is the most stupid argument I��ve heard in my entire life. @Bleep245 and @Dummy123, why don��t you get a life and stop being keyboard warriors? No matter what group you work for, just wait for my attorney��s letter for a defamationwsuit.]

    The conversation had escted to new heights, with the five VIPs actively defending Hera. It marked the first time all five of them hade together in agreement since the livestream began.

    Despite the heated arguments online, Hera and the others were having a pleasant time during their lunch. She decided to let go of her worries and go with the flow, which made everyone happy.

    After finishing their lunch, they cleaned their used utensils in the river, while boiling water to clean the pheasant��s feathers.

    Zen took charge of cleaning the dishes while Xavier and Hera scouted for ingredients, hoping to find more pheasants or simr creatures. As Hera ventured farther, she heard rustling leaves nearby. Realizing she was unarmed, she nced around and grabbed a few rocks, moving closer to the bush with slow, deliberate steps, trying to minimize any noise.

    Even before she got close to the bush, a pheasant flew out of it which took Hera by surprise but her muscle reflex automatically threw a rock at the moving target with precision and with a little more strength.

    The rock hit the pheasant in the head but it was not enough to kill it, it iled around on the ground violently and stopped for a moment and it gave Hera a chance to get closer to the pheasant.

    She secured both of its wings to prevent it from striking her as she prepared to return to the others. However, before leaving, she opted to investigate the bush to ascertain why the pheasant had been there. Yet, she remained vignt, mindful of the potential presence of a snake concealed within the foliage.

    She grabbed a stick and cautiously used it to gently part the bushes. As soon as sheid eyes on whaty within, her expression shifted to one of delight. Eggs!

    Eight of themy nestled within the confines of the bush, offering a promising addition to their meal ns. With her mind already racing with culinary ideas, Hera��s gaze shifted to crescents as she considered the delicious dishes she could craft with the ingredients they currently possessed for dinner.

    Ensuring the coast was clear within the bushes, she lifted her clothes around her stomach to create a makeshift pouch for the eggs, as shecked any other means to carry them. Once she had collected all the eggs, she gingerly wrapped them in her clothes before proceeding to make her way back to the others.

    As Hera returned, everyone stood frozen in ce, their eyes widening as they noticed Hera��s clothes lifted slightly, revealing her midriff and the outline of something concealed within. Rather than finding it humorous, they were struck by the sight, which lent her an air of allure and mystery as she approached.

    Noticing everyone��s gaze fixed on Hera��s midriff, Xavier, who had also just returned, rushed over and shielded her with his body. With a yful grin, he mirrored Hera��s action, lifting his own shirt to reveal his stomach, before deftly taking the eggs from her.

    So, the baton was passed to him. Hera had no problem with it; she was struggling to carry everything on her own, and Xavier had just saved her some effort. But now, Xavier was the one unting his toned abdominal muscles, with his V-line peeking out.

    The change only heightened the chaos among the viewers, as they felt their faces grow hotter.

    Xavier��s abs rippled as he walked closer, Hera following behind him with the pheasant in hand. Xavier didn��t even have to flex his abdominal muscles; they were naturally pronounced, showcasing his lean, athletic physique.

    His small waist and fair skin were already enough to make everyone squeal in delight like a walking eye candy. However, Hera remained preupied with her own thoughts, unaware of the stir Xavier��s appearance was causing.

    [XavierisLove: OMG!!! Daddy Xavier!!!!]

    [XavierismyHusband: Daddy Xavier, this is not fair!!! Why are you suddenly attacking us with your sexiness?!]

    Leo, now that the attention had shifted to Xavier, felt a slight sense of relief. He didn��t want others to fantasize about his fianc��e, and truth be told, he was taken aback by the unexpected sight of Hera��s exposed stomach. The visual impact was overwhelming, and he couldn��t help but feel angry that others had the chance to see it.

    While he wasn��t thrilled about Xavier getting close to his fianc��e, Leo couldn��t help but feel thankful. After all, Xavier had inadvertently protected Hera by drawing attention to himself.

 Chapter 109 Fat One

    So she smiles and matches up Zen��s energy and jokes around with them.

    "No, you��re not qualified," Xavier brushed off Zen��sment with a yful smirk, sidling up next to Hera. His smile, though rare, carried a hint of seduction, almost as if he was subtly making a point to Zen.

    [NorthernDuke: NO!!! You��re also not qualified!!!]

    [GoldenLight: I��d happily be her sugar daddy, but I wouldn��t mind some pampering from Hera too! (.��?��).]

    [EntertainmentKing: You��re too young to think about that @SilverEmperor]

    [Dave_Carson: Nice one, buddy! You��re bing quite the charmer, huh?

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @SilverEmperor don��t take it seriously, Miss Ainsley is just joking...]

    [XavierisLife: @EntertainmentKing brother Xavier is now 24, he��s not that young though.]

    [XavierismyHusband: I would dly be your sugar mommy Xavier!!!!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Do you think, Xavier is being serious?]

    [Xoxo: @AuntieNextDoor, I��m not entirely convinced. Didn��t some other celebrities mention that Variety Shows still stick to scripts sometimes? Maybe this was just scripted for more viewer engagement.]

    [HeraismySister: @Xoxo, I disagree. Sister Hera is beautiful and capable, so it��s understandable if an equally capable man likes her. It��s cute, though, and I��d wish it were true because I really ship them. They look good together.]

    [NorthernDuke: You haven��t seen enough of the world...]

    Zen felt like choking from his own saliva because of Xavier��sment, and he only made a point by standing beside Hera, almost telling his face that he has to be as handsome as Xavier to be considered which is close to impossible.

    Xavier has an army of fans that no other celebrities worldwide have because of not only of his acting skills but primarily because of how handsome he looked, girls would be frugal in everything but not him. He believed that no one could be as equally as handsome as Xavier much less be better than him.

    He somehow felt down and felt like a squidpared to Xavier. But honestly, he also felt attacked personally. Pouting in response to Xavier��s remarks, he cast a pleading nce at Hera, silently hoping for her support. However, herughter indicated that she saw it all as harmless banter, leaving him feeling even more isted.

    Xavier couldn��t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at not being taken seriously, but he quickly brushed it aside, shing a smirk in Zen��s direction.

    "Why do I feel like he��s angry at me?" Zen wondered silently, scrutinizing Xavier��s expression for any hint of irritation. Unable to discern any, he dismissed the thought, assuming it was just his imagination.

    After noticing that the water was boiling, Hera brought the hot water near the river and started pouring it over the dead pheasant, making it easier to remove its feathers.

    "What do we do with that one?" Xavier asked, pointing toward the barely breathing pheasant that Hera had brought just moments ago.

    Hera paused for a moment, contemting what to do with the pheasant. She came to terms with the idea that it would be best to end its suffering swiftly rather than let it linger only to meet the same fateter.

    "Do you think you can help me with..." Hera began, gesturing toward the task of slicing the bird��s neck to Xavier. However, her gesture came off more as cute than serious.

    After letting out a soft chuckle, Xavier nodded and borrowed Hera��s tactical knife. He then moved a bit farther behind a tree, intending to handle the pheasant away from Hera and the camera to spare them from witnessing the bloody scene.

    Hera appreciated the gesture. Despite her ability to hunt wild game, she found it difficult to personally slit an animal��s throat with her own hands. So, she preferred to avoid such tasks whenever possible.

    It only took Xavier a few minutes to take care of the pheasant, and then he came back with a headless pheasant and gave it to Hera so she could also pull off its feathers along the one she held.

    Hera raised her eyebrows at Xavier��s gesture upon seeing the headless pheasant. Sensing her concern, he offered an exnation, "You wouldn��t feel bad if you don��t look in its eyes." cing the bird gently in the grass beside Hera, he then rejoined the group.

    Hera let out a soft chuckle as she watched Xavier move around. She understood that he might have misunderstood her request to handle the pheasant. Nheless, she found this part innocent and earnestly cute and endearing.

    In just a few seconds, he was back, crouching beside Hera as he observed how she handled the pheasant��s feathers.

    After seeing how she did it, Xavier also started pouring the now less hot water into the pheasant��s body that he just killed before he started pulling its feathers. At first, he was a little clumsy and every time he pulled, he wasn��t able to pull to its roots, leaving some broken end of the feathers because he used too much strength or he would pull the skin along with the feathers.

    With practice, Xavier��s movements grew more fluid, and he quickly mastered the task. Surprisingly, he even outpaced Hera in processing the pheasant. Rather than passing it to her for gutting, he requested Hera��s guidance on removing the innards and where to make the necessary cuts.

    Hera dly instructed Xavier on where to make the incisions, how to extract the guts, and how to thoroughly clean the pheasant��s insides, all while she continued to pluck the feathers of the pheasant she held.

    After understanding how to do it, Xavier quickly jumped into action without hesitation, and soon, he also finished his task and the pheasant was now clean, he even did not forget to remove the remaining ends of the feather roots that were stuck under the skin of the pheasant before giving it back to Hera.

 Chapter 110 Little Madam

    [PasserbyGod: They look great together. I wouldn��t be surprised if they be an onscreen love team or even a real-life couple. ??�ܩd(^ ? ^ )�d(���?���)?]

    Leo was sitting in for another video call conference meeting with his international team when he noticed this scene on his cellphone screen. Instantly, he was furious, resembling a bull with steam billowing from his nostrils with each exhale.

    His cold aura seemed to drop another ten degrees, and his expression darkened visibly on the camera. Each representative in the conference call took in a sharp breath, unsure of what they had done wrong. They dared not make a sound, fearing they would bear the brunt of his anger once he turned his attention to them.

    The representatives did their best to blend into the background, barely daring to move a muscle.

    Leo repeatedly jabbed at the inte button, his agitation evident. His patience wore thin, he pressed it several times, almost like ringing a doorbell. His assistant scrambled to his office, startled by the urgency of Leo��s summons, as he had never seen Leo behave like this before.

    Leo seethed with anger, his vision tinged with red. <i>��That brat is seducing my wife right in front of my eyes!��</i> He had been simmering with rage ever since he saw Xavier getting too close to Hera. Leo understood every subtle action Xavier had taken to gain her attention, and each one fueled his fury further.

    He had previously overlooked such incidents and kept his emotions in check, acknowledging that they were part of Hera��s job if she wanted to pursue acting as a career. However, thistest provocation was challenging his patience and raising concerns for him.

    "Sir, what do you need me to do?" His assistant stood in front of his table, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He felt the weight of Leo��s intense presence and could sense the tension in the air. It was evident that Leo was in a foul mood, so he treaded carefully, feeling as if he were walking on eggshells.

    "Prepare the helicopter, we��re heading to Autumvale!" Leo said through gritted teeth.

    The assistant, along with the international representatives, were all taken aback, gasping in surprise. The meeting they were currently in was of utmost importance, involving ns to expand their territory to a different state. They were in the midst of crafting a contingency n while discussing the market distribution of Leo��s branches internationally.

    But Leo wanted to leave and head where? They all stared at Leo with wide eyes.

    "What are you waiting for?! Move!!!" Leo roared at his assistant, veins bulging on his forehead.

    His assistant gulped hard, having secretly nced at Leo��s screen from time to time whenever reporting something or passing an important document for approval. Each time, he noticed Leo watching the live stream of the same show.

    Intrigued, he began watching the show out of curiosity, and there, he noticed a familiar username��the same one he had seen on Leo��sputer screen when registering an ount a few days prior. Initially skeptical that it belonged to his boss, he became increasingly curious, paying closer attention to both the NorthernDuke username and his boss as he watched the show.

    He even saw the 999 spaceship gifts sent by NorthernDuke during the livestream and noted how actively engaged he was in banter with other VIPs. It was puzzling to see his usually domineering boss behaving so differently in the chatroom, using emojis he wouldn��t typically use.

    Leo typicallymunicated with precision, sending concise messages that conveyed his orders efficiently, as if he considered texting and messaging to be time-wasting activities. However, in the live stream chatroom, while discussing Hera, he disyed a remarkably lively demeanor, engaging in the banter and using emojis he might typically consider frivolous and childish.

    He could only deduce that his boss was finally showing genuine interest in a woman, and that woman happened to be the one who effortlessly set trending topics in the inte. Moreover, Leo had consistently referred to Hera as his wife, indicating his firm intention to make her his life partner.

    "Why are you just standing there? Do you want me to pilot the helicopter myself?" If res could maim, Leo��s sharp gaze would have done the job a dozen times over.

    Taking in all these critical points, his assistant summoned every ounce of courage. "Sir, if I may be so bold, I��d like to assist you in winning over Little Madam," his back drenched in cold sweat.

    Leo��s brows twitched upon hearing his assistant address someone as "Little Madam." He looked up, meeting his assistant��s gaze without altering his expression or the overwhelming aura seeping from him.

    Observing Leo��s silent reaction, the assistant understood that Leo awaited an exnation. "I��ve been following the live stream of ��The Quest�� Variety Show and noticed Miss Ainsley��s presence," he rified, gathering confidence as he spoke. "It��s evident she wouldn��t take kindly to an unexpected intrusion on their filming location. From what I��ve seen, she��s not one to appreciate strangers pressuring her into actions she��s notfortable with."

    Observing Leo��s furrowed brow, the assistant sensed his displeasure at being referred to as a "stranger." Quickly rephrasing his words, he continued, "I mean, Little Madam might not consider you a stranger, but if we were to go there, what would we say? It would certainly put Little Madam in a tough spot."

    Leo was acutely aware of his impulsiveness at that moment. He couldn��t tolerate the smug look on Xavier��s face any longer. He yearned to wipe that smile off Xavier��s face, but he hesitated. Leo didn��t want Hera to perceive him as violent or ruthless, fearing it might potentially make her hate him.

    He red at his cellphone screen with eyes burning red. On it, Hera was still wiping off Xavier��s sweat while smiling and engaging in conversation with him.

    He felt a surge of jealousy, wishing he were in Xavier��s ce. For the first time in their long tenure under Leo, his assistant and the representatives saw him looking aggrieved, almost like a child. Their parental instincts kicked in, and they began offering words of advice. Judging from Leo and his assistant��s small talk, they could already discern the situation, so they offered some of their own useful love advice.

    Initially as apprehensive as Leo��s assistant, once they noticed Leo��s silent demeanor, they grew excited and continued offering advice. They even offered to send him soft copies of notes on how they won over their wives and shared their own experiences and strategies.

    This incident left them with a new impression of Leo. They became even more eager to work under him, seeing him not only as a good andpetitive leader but also as a man willing to go to great lengths to win over his love, demonstrating a willingness to adapt and change course when necessary.

 Chapter 111 Fertilization Process

    As the elderly man leading the vigers in the field mentioned the task at hand, all eyes turned sympathetically toward Hera. They understood that she hailed from the city and likely wasn��t ustomed to the rigorousbor of rural life, particrly tasks like these.

    It wasmendable to see Hera persisting through the morning task, and now, here she stood among them, without seeking any special treatment despite her unfamiliarity with the rural lifestyle.

    Even if Hera decided not to join in the fertilization of thend, no one would judge her. They all recognized her dedication to the morning task alone. However, what they overlooked was that Hera had also assisted in cleaning the cattle barn the previous day, exposing herself to a fair share of less-than-pleasant tasks.

    There was little reason for Hera to abstain from participating in this task, especially considering that dried cow dung was more tolerable than the fresh ones. Hera offered a polite smile to those looking at her and reassured them, saying, "Please don��t worry about me; I��m not that delicate." She couldn��t help but giggle as she finished her sentence, feeling grateful for the kind treatment she received.

    "Alright, enough chit-chatting, let��s get to work! Time waits for no one!" The grumpy old man barked, scanning the group before his gaze settled briefly on Hera. "You can take your time adjusting," he added, before pivoting on his heels and striding off to issue instructions to the other vigers.

    Hera chuckled softly as she trailed behind the group. She recognized that the old man��s gruffness was his way of caring for her, and she couldn��t help but find it cute.

    The male vigers, with stronger bodies, headed to the location where the cow dung had been sun-dried. Meanwhile, the female vigers gathered at the rear of the field near a stack of vegetable waste. They began shoveling it into a wheelbarrow. Once the wheelbarrow was filled, someone took charge of wheeling it to the fertilizer site.

    As Hera and the others arrived at the site, they found the other vigers diligently shoveling and mixing the sun-dried cow dung until its exterior and inner parts were thoroughly blended, with a slight hint of moisture still present. The pungent odor was noticeable even from a few feet away, but Hera managed to bear it with a smile, a testament to her growing limatizationpared to the previous day.

    The female vigers proceeded to dump the vegetable waste into the center of the manual mixing area where the cow dung was being worked. Once this was done, those who had been shoveling resumed mixing, ensuring that the cow dung and vegetable waste were thoroughlybined. They meticulously integrated any hay stuck to the dung into the mixture as well.

    Hera observed with keen interest as the vigers not only dumped vegetable waste but also added wood dust, dead leaves, and other materials into the mix. She was surprised by the variety of ingredients beingbined. It seemed her understanding of the process was somewhat limited; she had assumed the cow dung would be used as is, but now realized there was much more to the vigers�� method.

    Eagerly, Hera watched and joined in, assisting with dumping additional items into the mix to enhance theposition and fermentation of the fertilizer. In contrast topanies that utilizepost turner machines for easier mixing, the vigers still relied on manualbor. This method proved exhausting, especially considering therge quantity of cow dung piled up at the site awaiting mixing.

    "Child, I see you��re doing a great job. Don��t overexert yourself," the old man said kindly as he approached Hera, his eyes smiling with warmth.

    Hera chuckled while continuing to assist the others in dumping more materials. "I��m actually enjoying myself. I��m learning so much!" Her face beamed with enthusiasm, despite the sweat glistening on her forehead and trickling down her face. A few strands of hair stuck to the side of her face and forehead, evidence of her hard work.

    But Hera paid no mind to the exhaustion, seemingly forgetting it as she continued to work alongside the other vigers. They tirelessly went back and forth, gathering more vegetable waste and dried leaves to bring to the mixing site, where everything would bebined into the fertilizer mixture.

    It took them an hour toplete one batch of fertilizer. After mixing, they began transferring the mixture intorger wheelbarrows. Hera expected them to head straight to the fields to begin fertilizing, but instead, those pushing the wheelbarrows headed behind the site.

    Hera tilted her head in puzzlement, curious about their destination. She decided to follow the first person pushing the wheelbarrow, and soon they arrived at arge metal container, surrounded by several simr containers nearby.

    "Are we not going to use this mixed fertilizer to fertilize thend?" Hera inquired, her face disying visible puzzlement as she scanned the area once more.

    The person apanying her chuckled at Hera��s genuine curiosity, impressed by her sincerity. It was evident she wasn��t just feigning interest in the camera. He then addressed her question, exining, "The mixture we��ve just finished still needs to undergoposting to enrich it with nutrients for the soil. To achieve this, we��ll transfer it intopost bins and let it mature over time until it��s ready to use." Patiently, he borated, noticing Hera��s eyes sparkling with newfound knowledge.

    He continued, "Unfortunately, without a grinding machine to turn the other waste into granules, we must keep the mixed fertilizer here and continue mixing it until it transforms intopost. Only then can we use it to fertilize thend."

    Baffled, Hera asked, "Can��t we use it right away since it will also turn intopost once mixed into the soil?"

    "We can��t use it right away," he rified. "Fresh cow dung may still contain harmful bacteria and possibly grass seeds from their feed, which could hinder nt growth. To ensure the safety and nutritional value of the nts, we need to fullypost it. This process eliminates any unnecessary elements."

    "Oh, that makes sense!" Hera nodded in understanding. The person exining chuckled lightly, amused by her genuine interest. He found it refreshing, considering even his own daughter doesn��t want to engage in his work; she often viewed the job as exhausting and dirty.

 Chapter 112 Giving Back

    Athena��s heart swelled with a mixture of happiness and sorrow. She couldn��t shake the memory of Hera��s tragic fate in the story, and the heartbreak of her grandfather��s ultimate sacrifice. Yet, amidst the sadness, Athena held onto hope. She prayed that this newfound change would mark a turning point for Hera, a chance for her to shine in the spotlight she truly deserved. Athena firmly believed that Hera��s radiant smile and innate kindness were meant to be shared with the world.

    Realizing her own limitations in being able to assist her best friend against potential future dangers, Athena chose to follow in her mother��s footsteps and step into the fashion industry��s limelight even before she graduated. She did so with the intention of solidifying her position in the industry, all the while nning ways to support Hera. Inviting Hera to the auction wearing one of her own designs was just one of many gestures she had prepared for her beloved friend.

    Whether she admitted it or not, when she first realized she had transmigrated into the body of a child living in a novel, she didn��t initially see everyone else as real humans. Instead, she focused on enjoying the life and fortune at her disposal, treating wealth as if it were water.

    However, soon she grew weary of this lifestyle and found herself feeling alone and isted in a foreign world. She often questioned whether her life was real or if she was merely another character in the story. These thoughts swirled endlessly in her mind, leaving her with a multitude of unanswered questions about how she ended up there. As a result, she began to iste herself from others.

    She never truly desired to integrate herself into the world she perceived as unreal, even though she was already living in it. She found it difficult to shift her mindset until she encountered Hera. Hera seemed like a living doll, as soft and sweet as cotton candy. Hera was the first person with whom she felt a genuine connection, a real individual with emotions that could shatter with a single touch.

    In a sense, Hera became her redemption and the source of her light. That��s why she was determined to do everything in her power to alter Hera��s life trajectory as much as possible.

    "A penny for your thoughts?" a gentle woman��s voice echoed above Athena��s head.

    "Mom... I was just watching Hera��s livestream," Athena replied, watching her mother set a cup of tea for the two of them. Her mother sat closely beside her, eyes fixed on the tablet��s screen.

    "She really knows how to enjoy herself wherever she goes, huh?!" Her mother chuckled affectionately, taking a sip of tea from her cup.

    "If she can sleep beside a trashcan, what else can��t she do?" Athena teased with a snort, her eyes shining affectionately as she gazed at Hera��s face on the screen.

    The two of them shared a chuckle as they continued watching.

    "Child, you should take a rest. Us old folks can handle all this," the old man said, stretching his limbs as they had be stiff from bending forward almost the whole day.

    "Grandpa, even you do more than I do. Am I such a weakling in your eyes?" Hera yfully responded. Over time, she had grown closer to this initially grumpy old man and began calling him "grandpa." At first, he would snort and mumble every time she called him that, but as time passed, he started to warm up to her, offering better instructions on what to do and how to do it more effectively.

    Before they knew it, they hadpleted their task for the day. Hera stayed and worked alongside everyone until the task was deemedpleted. As a result, she grew closer to the vigers, who appreciated her hard work and dedication. They even extended invitations for her to visit their homes again for a meal, which she politely declined.

    In the countryside, people often express their generosity and warmth by inviting others into their homes for a meal, treating them like family. Hera was well aware of this tradition, and she always appreciated such invitations, happily joining everyone whenever possible. However, to avoid unnecessary drama with the other participants, she found it necessary to politely decline these invitations.

    But of course, she made sure to exin her reasons. Hera had observed that they changed stations every day, a setup designed to give all participants experience and understanding of the vige��s lifestyle. It also served to showcase to the audience how their idols adapted to and worked various jobs.

    So, by doing what she did, she was effectively setting up Alice and the other participants to be on the vigers�� bad side, ensuring they wouldn��t have an enjoyable time while working. Hera recognized the cunningness behind her n, acknowledging its somewhat sinister nature. However, she felt it was necessary for Alice to experience a taste of her own medicine.

    Alice wants all the other participants to turn against her, then she will turn the whole vige against Alice.

    Her grandpa always told her to always give back. <i>��So isn��t this just giving back what she received?</i> (???)��

 Chapter 113 What she Looked Like

    Then a thought crossed his mind. <i>��I don��t think I��d appreciate being called stinky either.��</i> With a wry smile, he nced at Hera.

    Hera sensed that Zen had realized his mistake, but in her petty moment, she decided to leave them behind and briskly walked towards the cabin. The feeling of being covered in a thickyer of sweat and dirt made her skin itch. Whether Zen had called her "stinky" or not, she was determined to retreat to the cabin to wash up. As a small punishment, she would let him believe she was upset with him.

    She walked back, sniggering, while Zen, flustered, started to run after her. However, Xavier proved much faster; with his long legs, he had already caught up to Hera. Sensing Xavier walking closely behind her, Hera felt insecure about her smell, so she quickened her pace. But as she increased her speed, Xavier matched it step for step.

    In the end, Hera went back to the cabin half sprinting and Xavier was still closely walking with her. When she came back to her room, she was already panting and her face was flushed, she did not know if her face was flushed due to brisk walking or was from embarrassment because Xavier was close to her during that time even when she was supposed to be smelling really bad.

    [Iam_Superman: Does anyone else see Hera��s expression like that of an angry rabbit kicking its hind leg in frustration?! It��s cute though. FYI, I have a rabbit that does that...]

    [HeraismySister: I feel bad for sister Hera, but I find her expression cute too. @Iam_Superman, now that you mentioned it, I��m starting to imagine it too, and OMG, the cuteness is killing me.

    [AuntieNextDoor: +1]

    [NorthernDuke: Doesn��t she look more like a cute hamster that��s always eating? ?(????)]

    [Xoxo: Ah! It��s true, @NorthernDuke! Hera seems to love eating, so when youpare her to a hamster, it just fits perfectly.]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @NorthernDuke I beg to differ. I think she��s more like a cuddly white Samoyed dog. Loyal and friendly.]

    [EntertainmentKing: @NorthernDuke and @FatherOfCaduceus, it��s obvious that you guys don��t know her well. She��s like a white fox, cunning but sometimes silly.]

    [GoldenLight: @NorthernDuke, @FatherOfCaduceus, and @EntertainmentKing, quit pretending like you know her. She��s obviously more like a temperamental white cat��feisty yet cuddly at the same time.]

    [Dave_Carson: @NorthernDuke, @FatherOfCaduceus, @EntertainmentKing, and @GoldenLight, wasn��t the topic about her expression of frustration? Why did it suddenly turn into an episode of Animal?]

    [NorthernDuke: ...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson Shut up, no one will think that you��re mute if you don��t talk.]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing I��m not talking but typing though. (????-)?]

    [EntertainmentKing: (��-_-)��ǨTһ @Dave_Carson]

    After being reminded about Hera��s frustration, four of the VIPs in Hera��s livestream immediately contacted the Director of ��The Quest��. When the Director first saw their shing gold username and thevish gifts they sent to the livestream, he first thought that they were just second-generation heirs who did not know much of the world and were just wasting their parents�� hard-earned money without second thoughts and was just trying to impress Hera with money. But now that he is seeing his phone screen lighting up.

    He felt like his whole body was submerged in an ice bath because the caller IDs that were shing in his phone were the well-known industry behemoths in their country. The four of them even called simultaneously. Their simultaneous calls sent a shiver down his spine, a premonition stirring within him that these men were reaching out for the same purpose.

    Hera��s livestream stood out uniquely among other participants, boasting VIPs who openly supported her. Unlike the others who might have their own benefactors, those rtionships often remained ndestine due to their questionable morality. Therefore, none of the financial backers for the other participants would openly dere their interest in their respective "sugar babies" as Hera��s VIPs did.

    But Hera was different, since day one of the show, the VIPs were already showing clear interest in her and he himself have seen all theirments, that��s why he thought that they are just hot-blooded young men who were looking for fresh flowers to pick.

    Now, realizing his misjudgment, the Director found himself in a predicament. What initially appeared as mere coincidence now seemed to harbor deeper implications. With Hera��s recent consecutive tasks under scrutiny, he found himself without a clear exnation to offer.

    As the calls persisted, their names shing on his screen like contestants in a race, as ifpeting to see whose call would be answered first. The Director grew more flustered and hesitant. Cursing his luck, he eventually gave in, randomly selecting a call to answer, his mind racing with uncertainty about how to handle the impending conversation.

    Sure enough, they grilled him for assigning Hera the most challenging tasks in the vige. His suspicions were confirmed; those VIPs were indeed the country��s behemoths and were concerned about her wellbeing.

    Hera was not aware of the male lead��s banter online but even if she knew, she wouldn��t care because she was already busy cleaning herself up in the bathroom.

 Chapter 114 Bet Again?

    Hera could only see a big ck dog, disguised as a horse in front of her now. Sheughed as she shook her head while heading in to get the saddle for Diamond. But before she could reach the saddle, a big hand reached for it first, and a vani scent hit her nose. It smelled so good that she momentarily closed her eyes to savor the scent.

    When she opened her eyes, she met the most beautiful ruby eyes that sparkled in the dimly lit corner of the stable. They were like two precious gems, gleaming with warmth and curiosity. Looking straight at her amber orbs, the owner of the beautiful eyes noticed her moment of reverie. His eyes crinkled slightly in delight as he continued to lock eyes with her, sharing a silent connection in the quiet of the stable.

    After she realized that she was openly ogling at Xavier, she awkwardly cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she tried to retrieve the saddle from him.

    "I��ll help you with it," he offered, his gaze lingering on her flushed face, a gentle warmth in his eyes.

    This was the first time she had looked directly into Xavier��s eyes and studied them closely. She realized for the first time that they were a stunning shade of ruby, as he was often either closing his eyes for a quick nap or his hair shadowed them, making them appear darker from certain angles.

    "But Diamond might not like it..." Hera exined, voicing her concern that Diamond might make a fuss, as Bry had described.

    "You can calm Diamond down while I saddle him up," Xavier suggested, not waiting for her response as he approached Diamond from the side.

    Afraid that something wrong might happen to Xavier, Hera dashed forward to Diamond and started to caress its neck while she made Diamond look at her only. Diamond felt a presenceing closer from the side and immediately tried to wiggle from Hera again and again.

    "Diamond, be good. We��ll runter, okay?" Hera could only try to talk to Diamond, even though she knew that the horse might not understand her, but it was still a better distraction than nothing.

    Her gentle words seemed to soothe Diamond��s nerves slightly. Hera cocked her head in confusion, exchanging a nce with Xavier, who returned her gaze. "See? I told you," he said, offering her a reassuring smile before returning to his task.

    Shortly after, they emerged from the stable, Hera leading Diamond by the reins. As they approached the track, Zen was already circling around on his horse,pletely absorbed in his activity, oblivious to Hera and Xavier��s arrival.

    "Another race?" Xavier suggested as he mounted his horse.

    Hera��s eyebrow arched in subconscious inquiry, triggering a sudden recollection of Xavier��s initial wish to her upon winning their bet. Unbeknownst to her, this was precisely why he had swiftly proposed another race; Hera had yet to fulfill the wish by addressing him as "Brother Xavier" or simply "Vier."

    After this realization dawned on Hera, she averted her gaze, feigning forgetfulness. As if sensing her thoughts, Xavier strategically positioned his horse directly in front of Diamond, effectively blocking Hera��s potential escape route, should she attempt to use the excuse of training or any other pretext.

    "It appears you��ve forgotten our wager," Xavier gently reminded, a seductive smile dancing on his lips as his gaze traced her features.

    Hera attempted to feign ignorance, but Xavier refused to relent, holding his ground without retreat. If she took a step back, he countered with a step forward. Hera pouted, meeting his gaze. "Brother Xavier..." She said a little softly.

    "Can��t hear." Xavier teased lightly.

    "Brother Xavier," Hera dered a little more confidently, her inner monologue providing a steady reassurance: <i>��It��s simply a matter of addressing him differently. What harm could it do? I can��t be a sore loser...��</i> With resolve strengthening her stance, she met his gaze once more, this time exuding a genuine smile of confidence.

    After shing him a smirk, she gracefully mounted Diamond and deftly maneuvered backward before urging her horse into a spirited sprint, gradually leaving Xavier behind. Sensing her determination, Xavier opted not to pursue the matter further, content in having achieved his desired oue. Instead, he fell into step with them, joining in their training without further ado.

    After two hours of rigorous training, alternating between running, resting, and familiarizing themselves with their horses, they finally returned their steeds to the stable. Tenderly caring for their equinepanions, they provided them with nourishment and water before sending them off to their respective corners for well-deserved rest.

    As Hera stepped out of the stable, she found Aunt Sabby waiting just outside the door. Upon spotting Hera, Aunt Sabby��s eyes lit up, and she rushed over, sping Hera��s arm warmly. "Hera, you��ve just finished your training, haven��t you? You must be exhausted. Come over to my house and rx with your team," Aunt Sabby urged, momentarily forgetting Hera��s earlier deration about not being able to join them for meals anymore.

    "Aunt Sabby, it��s alright. We��ve already prepared something," Hera reassured, giving Aunt Sabby��s hands a gentle pat as they rested on her arm.

    "Don��t try to deceive me, dear. You��ve all been toiling away tirelessly all day, and then training on top of that. I��ve heard how challenging it is to earn points for food. If you don��t eat well, where will you find the energy for tomorrow��s work?" Aunt Sabby voiced her concern earnestly like a mother hen.

    Hera couldn��t suppress a chuckle as she inquired, "And did the participant assigned to milk the cow say that?"

    Aunt Sabby nodded absentmindedly, not delving too deeply into the implications of Hera��s words.

    "Was it someone under your watch this time?" Hera teased yfully, injecting a hint of gossip that the vige women always enjoyed.

    "It was the redhead. But there��s something off about her," Aunt Sabby remarked, her tone betraying a sense of unease.

    "Hmm," Hera took a second look at Aunt Sabby, realizing only then that Aunt Sabby might possess a keen intuition. "Then, did she help clean the barn off of shit?" Hera said, not even being shy talking a little crudely like the vigers.

    "She didn��t. She mentioned her stomach wasn��t feeling right, iming she was too hungry to work," Aunt Sabby disclosed, sparing no detail.

    Hera couldn��t suppress a chuckle. "Did anyone think to offer her some food?"

    "Well, you see... None of us were exactly in a state to offer food, considering we were all covered in shit and reeked of it. Plus, she��s so delicate-looking that we hesitated to invite her into our homes. If something were to happen to her, we��d be med for it," Aunt Sabby exined with a sigh, voicing the shared concern of the vigers.

    Hera couldn��t help but burst intoughter, oblivious to her surroundings. This was by far the best news she��d heard yet. The thought of Alice��s crestfallen expression and the likely disappointment she must have felt when her scheme failed, only to backfire on her, was enough to have Heraughing uncontrobly.

 Chapter 115 I’m Petty, Alright!

    Hera nodded confidently. "Indeed, we��ve umted a sufficient number of points. We haven��t exhausted our reserves, and we��ll also receive additional points for today��sbor. Furthermore, we managed to secure two pheasants during lunch, along with eight pheasant eggs," Hera dered without a trace of embarrassment. In fact, a hint of pride resonated in her voice. This served not only to reassure Aunt Sabby of their well-being but also to convey Hera��s confidence in her team��s reliability.

    Hearing all this from Hera, Aunt Sabby��s tensed shoulder started to rx and was now beaming from ear to ear. "You really are an amazing girl." She repeatedly tapped Hera��s arm affectionately like her real mother.

    Hera embraced Aunt Sabby��spliment with confidence, puffing out her chest proudly. "Absolutely, Aunt Sabby. I aim to earn your recognition," she affirmed, shing a warm smile. Aunt Sabby��sughter echoed as they strolled along the dimming vige road, now empty as vigers had retreated to their homes to cook dinner. "I��m grateful for your assurance, Hera," Aunt Sabby remarked warmly. Hera giggled in response. "No need to worry, Aunt Sabby. We won��t go hungry tonight or tomorrow. I��ll make sure of it," she reassured with a yful grin.

    "Alright, with your reassuring words and having reliable Xavier by your side, I��ll reluctantly concede," Aunt Sabby dered. She gently parted Hera��s arms once again before releasing her grip and heading home.

    "Wait, what about me? Am I not reliable enough?" Zen protested, pointing to himself. But Aunt Sabby was already on her way, perhaps eager to share the gossip she��d just heard from Hera with the other vige women.

    This was precisely why Hera took the time to exin the rules and intricacies of the show to Aunt Sabby. Aware of Aunt Sabby��s penchant for gossiping among the other vige women, Hera knew that whatever Aunt Sabby knew would quickly spread throughout the vige.

    "I may be petty, but I revel in it," she mused to herself with a smirk, striding confidently towards the cabin. Herughter echoed softly, reminiscent of a cunning fox ensnaring its prey in its own trap. If they didn��t want Hera and her team visiting the vigers for meals, then so be it. But that also meant denying the other participants the chance to enjoy such hospitality, leveling the ying field. "Hurhur," she chuckled, satisfied with the turn of events.

    A glint of fondness flickered in Xavier��s eyes as he grasped Hera��s intention. Silently, he trailed behind her, understanding her n. Meanwhile, Zen struggled to shake off the sting of not being recognized as reliable, a blow to his pride and masculine ego. Despite this, he remained silent as they walked along the road.

    After a brief journey, they reached the cabin, where the other participants appeared somber as they busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing their meals. A few were already seated at the dining table, eating in silence. Hera and her team didn��t linger on the scene, merely casting a brief nce around before heading upstairs to their room. Xavier held the cooler containing the pheasant, drawing everyone��s attention as they passed.

    "You really didn��t eat out in other people��s houses, but you had a takeout instead," Minerva sarcastically sneered, her hunger intensifying her irritation. None of the food in front of her seemed appetizing, and her patience was wearing thin. She resembled a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment due to her growing frustration from hunger.

    This was an entirely new experience for her. She had taken a bold step by participating in the Variety Show, all in an effort to publicly promote her rtionship with Alexi and elevate it to an onscreen couple status. Her primary goal was to ensure that Alexi never entertained the thought of escaping from her.

    She had assumed that her familial connection��her brother being the CEO of SOE��would grant her special treatment on the show. However, reality was far from her expectations. She now realized the folly of her assumptions and was beginning to regret her decision to join the Variety Show. Perhaps she should have opted for drama filming or a different variety show that specifically promoted couples instead.

    She grew increasingly impatient witnessing Hera��s sess on her own. Fearing that if she didn��t intervene, Alexi might be drawn back to his ex, she felt her grip on him slipping away. This drove her to join the Variety Show, fully aware that Alexi was among the invited participants. Desperate measures were taken, including resorting to threats against one of the original participants, just to secure her spot in the show.

    Her bold move left her hungry and feeling enved in the show, with no gains to show for it. Despite her efforts, she hadn��t even had the chance to seduce Alexi. Instead, she found his gaze constantly drawn to Hera, which only fueled her frustration and resentment.

 Chapter 116 You’re not as Useful as Me

    Ticked off of how Xavier looked at him, Zen shot back. "Why can��t it be you?"

    "Because I��m more useful than you," Xavier said, then spun on his heels and descended the stairs, unwilling to entertain Zen��s retorts.

    Hera chuckled at their banter, while Zen found himself breathing heavily with frustration, his mind racing. "Wouldn��t this only reinforce the idea that I��m less useful than Xavier?" he pondered. Despite his internal conflict, Zen couldn��t conjure up a retort, so he begrudgingly trudged to his room to retrieve spare clothes before heading to the bathroom.

    Hera descended the stairs to follow Xavier, who stood near the staircase, seemingly indifferent to the curious gazes of those around him. When he caught sight of Hera descending, he turned his attention to her, as if waiting for her next instruction.

    "Let��s head outside and get the fire started," Hera said to Xavier, leading the way back to the spot where the other participants had gathered for their marshmallow party around a bonfire. Nearby, a neatly stacked pile of firewood awaited, ready to be used.

    Their task was made easier with the neatly stacked firewood. Xavier began piling it up, preparing to ignite the fire. Hera nced over to see him crouched down, only to find that he was already in the process of starting the fire.

    She quickly called out to him. "Wait, Brother Xavier!"

    Xavier��s hands paused in midair as soon as he heard Hera address him with the term ��Brother Xavier.�� He looked up at her as she stood by the clean table, busily seasoning the pheasant.

    "Before we start the fire, could you help me gather some mud?" Hera asked, exining the process. "We need to cover the pheasant with mud and bury it under the fire." It became apparent to Hera that Xavier was unfamiliar with the cooking method for beggar chicken and assumed they would simply cook it directly over the fire.

    Realizing that he almost made a mistake, Xavier pursed his lips in thought. With a determined nod, he carefully ced the lighter back down and swiftly set off to find a suitable container for gathering the mud Hera required.

    Observing Xavier��s expression, Hera felt the urge to console him, to reassure him that he hadn��t made any mistakes. However, her hands were currently coated with spices, and she hesitated to risk transferring any to Xavier��s pristine white hair. Reluctantly, she returned her focus to her own tasks, noting that Xavier had already ventured off in search of the perfect mud for their beggar chicken.

    Hera proceeded to finely chop additional ingredients, carefully stuffing them inside the pheasant to enhance its juiciness and vor. Afterward, she meticulously coated the outside of the pheasant with spices. To prevent any mud from seeping into the crevices of the leaves or any natural oils from the pheasant from leaking out, she wrapped the entire pheasant tightly in tworge lotus leaves.

    Afterpleting the preparation of the second pheasant, Hera set it aside and noticed that Xavier still hadn��t returned with the mud. Uncertain of his whereabouts or how far he had gone to find it, she found herself with idle hands. Deciding to make good use of her time, Hera began digging a holerge enough to amodate both beggar chickens. She ensured there was ample space so that the two pheasants wouldn��t be crowded, preventing uneven cooking on some sides.

    As Hera began to scrape the surface of the ground, she heard a rustle behind her,ing from a dense cluster of bushes. Turning around, she spotted Xavier emerging from behind the foliage, a pail in his right hand. Some leaves clung to his otherwise pristine white hair, and he appeared slightly disheveled, with dirt staining his hands from handling the mud.

    The usually clean Xavier is now looking so different that Hera couldn��t help but chuckle as he looked so out of character. Despite the disarray, there was an endearing quality to his appearance. As Xavier approached, he ced the brimming pail beside the table and wordlessly joined Hera��s side. Without hesitation, he crouched down beside her, took the small shovel from her hand, and began digging for the hole. Hera had already started scraping the surface, leaving behind an outline indicating the desired size of the hole. Now, Xavier only needed to determine the depth required.

    Sensing Xavier��s intent, Hera chuckled once more and ryed to him the depth she desired for the hole. She then nced at the pail of mud, noting its well-mixed consistency��neither too watery nor too thick. With a quick nce at Xavier, she offered a wordless expression of appreciation, her smile widening across her lips.

    She proceeded to coat the outside of the beggar chicken with mud using her hands, ensuring theyer was neither too thick nor too thin. If the mud were too thick, the inside of the pheasant might not cook properly, while if it were too thin, the meat could be overcooked. Given the variability of the fire��s intensity, Hera had to carefully consider all possibilities as she coated both beggar chickens.

    Silently engrossed in their respective tasks, Hera and Xavier worked in unison, their actions guided by an unspoken understanding. Their synchronized efforts gave the impression of a couple who had spent considerable time together, developing an intuitive understanding that transcended the need for verbalmunication.

    Viewers couldn��t help but notice the seamless coordination between Xavier and Hera, prompting them to squeal with excitement as they fervently shipped the pair, eagerly observing every unfolding moment.

 Chapter 117 Rose Petal Bath Bomb

    So, she pressed on with her way, but someone seemed eager to engage in confrontation. Minerva intercepted Hera, positioning herself squarely in front of her with arms crossed and a condescending expression on her face as if Hera were beneath her notice.

    Hera��s brows furrowed in discontent; she recognized Minerva��s intent to stir up trouble and considered herself an easy target. Meanwhile, Alice stood beside her, attempting to pull Minerva away. Alice appeared guilty and timid, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, there was even a tear stain on her cheeks that showed that Alice might have just finished crying.

    Alice averted her gaze from Hera��s, focusing on pulling Minerva away to prevent a confrontation. She felt powerless to prevent Minerva from causing trouble and pouted in frustration, though it only made her appear even more endearingly distressed. This sight triggered a surge of protective instincts among the male guests, intensifying their desire to intervene.

    Minerva seized the opportunity to provoke Hera under the guise of seeking justice for Alice, who she imed had been falsely used earlier.

    While Hera and Xavier were upied outside, and Zen was in the shower, Alice suddenly burst into tears. She confessed that she couldn��t stop crying after being used of trying to garner sympathy from the vigers for a free meal. Admitting that she knew Hera was referring to her because she was the only participant feeling unwell, she had mentioned her condition to everyone who saw her.

    As a result, many male participants shared their points with her so she could afford to buy something to warm her stomach, while they themselves made do with bread and porridge. However, they never anticipated that Hera would use this opportunity to attack Alice instead, further reinforcing their negative opinions of Hera.

    With Hera back inside and her team absent, they seized the opportunity to confront her for her harsh treatment of Alice. Their anger intensified upon witnessing Alice��s efforts to de-escte the situation and prevent them from causing trouble for Hera.

    However, Alice struggled to contain her emotions and began to sob, pulling on Minerva��s sleeves in an attempt to halt her aggression.

    "Alice, your kindness is what makes you an easy target for this woman!!!" Minerva shouted through clenched teeth.

    "Minerva, let��s just forget about all of this. I��m certain Hera didn��t mean it like that," Alice interjected timidly, stealing a fearful nce at Hera before attempting to hide behind Minerva, a gesture that didn��t escape anyone��s notice.

    At this point, Hera remained silent, observing the unfolding drama with a hint of amusement in her eyes. If she didn��t know better, she might have believed she hadmitted some egregious offense to warrant such treatment and interrogation in front of everyone.

    As everyone waited for Hera��s expected outburst or flustered exnation, they were met with surprise. Instead of anger or defensive emotions, Hera seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation, as if she wasn��t the one being questioned. Her apparent nonchnce only served to irk them further, fueling their frustration at her seemingly unaffected demeanor.

    "Is this some kind of joke to you?! Do you only find it funny, huh?!" one of the male participants burst out, his voice tinged with frustration.

 Chapter 118 Practice What You Preach

    <i>��So, why not throw them off their horse so they can at least get shaken a little and think for themselves?��</i>

    "Hera, I��m not sure how I offended you or why you think so poorly of me. But that��s not what I meant, or what I wanted to say," Alice said softly, her voice as gentle as a cat��s purr. Tears that had threatened to fall earlier now cascaded freely down her cheeks to her chin. She appeared both pitiful and beautiful in that moment, eliciting sympathy from anyone who beheld her.

    Hera, often painted as the viiness, responded with a gentle smile, radiating a serene demeanor akin to a benevolent saintess untouched by offense. "Alice, I��m not sure where you��ve gathered the notion that I think poorly of you. I know you��re a kind-hearted girl, prone to tears over the slightest thing, so I never took any offense. I also understand that you��re still young and may not always see things through a mature lens. If I came across as harsh, I apologize. Just as you cry out of frustration, I speak my mind when I��m simrly vexed. Let��s put this behind us," she said, extending an olive branch in hopes of reconciliation.

    Hera subtly implied that Alice used her tears as a shield, not genuinely expressing her emotions or what she truly thinks, and subtly insinuated that Alice was trying to manipte others into believing Hera was at fault. Hera recounted the events that had unfolded, aiming to highlight Alice��s behavior. Behind her smile, Hera wished to convey that she found Alice immature and foolish even when they were supposed to be the same age.

    Hera fought the urge to burst outughing, maintaining herposed expression despite feeling amused. She pretended to be genuinely upset as if bearing the brunt of all the me.

    Hera couldn��t understand why Alice persisted in using the same tactic repeatedly, especially targeting her when she was simply going about her own business.

    Hera wondered if it was the story��s plot thatpelled them to assume the roles of the female lead and the cannon fodder. However, if that were the case, Alice wasn��t doing a convincing job as the female lead. Hera couldn��t fathom why Alice was even considered for such a role. Apart from her physical beauty, she seemed only slightly above average in other aspects.

    Was everything solely based on her beauty and stamina, allowing her to take on all five male leads? Did her role revolve around intimate encounters with them? If so, was she making a wise decision in attempting to usurp the female lead role from Alice? From what Hera recalled, all four of the male leads she had encountered thus far possessed fit bodies and impressive stamina, ording to Athena.

    Then, wouldn��t she be digging her own grave and leaping into it? Somehow, she��s starting to second guess her decision, they are not talking about a single man whose sex drive could bepared to a rabbit in heat or like an Akhal Teke horse that boasts great stamina, they are talking about five men with equal qualifications. And the novel ��Thin Line Between Love and Lust�� is just like how the title describes, the whole scenario revolves around the R18 scenes, where Alice is always portrayed as always sore and waking upte at noon because of the whole night till dawn exercises they made.

    Just the thought made Hera��s brows twitch, almost breaking herposed facade. She pushed aside all distracting thoughts and refocused on the matter at hand.

    "What��s this?!" An aloof voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone��s attention.

 Chapter 119 Brother Xavier

    In that fleeting moment, Xavier couldn��t help but find the situation amusing. A whirlwind of emotions swept through him, more intense than anything he had experienced even during his years as an actor. Hera had somehow managed to evoke a myriad of feelings within him in just a split second.

    Xavier��s gaze softened with affection as he approached Hera, his eyes reflecting a tender devotion. Before Hera could fully grasp the situation, Xavier��s strong arm enveloped her waist, drawing her close to his chest in a protective embrace.

    Without a moment��s hesitation, he gently guided her face to rest against his chest, silently offering her sce and reassurance. In that tender gesture, Hera felt a surge offort, as if Xavier were silently promising to stand by her side and protect her against any challenge the world might throw their way.

    Though she hadn��t felt particrly under attack, the moment Xavier drew her closer, Hera couldn��t help but feel an overwhelming vulnerability wash over her. In his embrace, she found herself silently sumbing to tears, her shoulders trembling as she clung to the fabric of his clothes near his chest, seeking sce in hisforting presence.

    As Xavier felt the dampness seep into his clothes from Hera��s tears, his gaze darkened, sweeping over the faces of the people surrounding her. A surge of anger welled up within him, bordering on fury. He was ustomed to seeing Hera radiate with cheerfulness and vitality, but now, witnessing her inability to cry openly under such oppressive circumstances, he was filled with an overwhelming sense of indignation.

    With anger zing in his eyes, Xavier��s gaze locked onto Alice, who was also in tears. However, instead of feeling sympathy, he was consumed by intense anger. Alice had been a constant source of trouble for Hera since their arrival, and seeing her in tears only fueled Xavier��s resentment further.

    With years of experience in the entertainment industry, Xavier was far from naive. He had witnessed numerous instances of infighting among fellow artists, giving him a keen understanding of the dynamics at y. While he could discern Alice��s motives, having witnessed simr tactics before, he also recognized Hera��s tricks and efforts to defend herself. Viewing Hera��s actions as a natural response to being backed into a corner, Xavier found himself more tolerant of her behaviorpared to Alice��s calcted maneuvers.

    Xavier��s patience wore thin when it came to Alice, the instigator of the trouble. The intensity of his anger was suffocating, causing Alice��s breath to catch in her throat as fear gripped her. Her hands trembled as she clutched onto Minerva��s arm for support, instinctively seeking refuge behind her. This sudden shift in position transferred the tension to Minerva, who had yed a role in rallying against Hera. Xavier��s dark gaze then turned to Minerva, silently conveying his disapproval of her involvement in causing Hera��s distress.

    Minerva froze, feeling the weight of Xavier��s anger bearing down on her. She couldn��t recall ever seeing Xavier so protective of someone before. Among her brother��s friends, Xavier stood out as the most aloof and reserved. He seldom engaged in conversation, even more so than the stern Dr. Zhane.

    In her brother��s group, everyone seemed to have a higher tolerance for Xavier��s demeanor, understanding the hard work he put in his work and how tired he is, so, they never took offense on his actions. As the youngest among them, Xavier received a level of protection and support akin to that of a younger brother, which further fostered a sense of camaraderie among them.

    Her brother, Rafael, disyed an even greater level of tolerance towards Xavier, particrly considering Xavier��s lucrative contract with SOE, which made him a significant source of ie. Rafael frequently cautioned her against provoking Xavier and urged her never to cross his boundaries. Aware of Xavier��s importance to her brother, she understood that as long as she avoided actions that displeased Xavier, she could avoid inciting Rafael��s anger.

    Despite her efforts to tread carefully around Xavier, she found herself unexpectedly embroiled in this situation. Frustration simmered in her eyes as she nced toward Hera, who remained quietly sobbing in Xavier��s embrace.

    "Who do you think you��re looking at like that?!" Xavier��s voice thundered with anger, echoing through the room and jolting Minerva from her thoughts. She flinched, startled by the intensity of his tone, causing her to jump in surprise.

    Even Hera felt Xavier��s strong chest vibrated with force as he spoke. His hands, which had been rxed on her waist, tightened slightly, while his other hand traveled to the back of her head, gently caressing her. It was as if he was silently reassuring her that everything would be alright.

 Chapter 120 Xavier being Protective

    Not only did Hera be even more beautiful and cheerful after their breakup, but her charisma seemed to double, attracting attention from every direction. Initially, he could remain patient, waiting for her to return to his side and understand his reasons for his actions. However, the longer he waited, the more he felt like he was losing control of her, of everything. It seemed as though he would lose everything and be left with nothing.

    He began to feel restless. He thought that if Minerva continued causing trouble for Hera, she mighte to understand that she couldn��t stand on her own in the entertainment industry without a supporter. Initially, he contemted offering her the role of his lover, knowing that in return, he could protect her with everything he had.

    He couldn��t understand why, instead of seeking his help, she turned to Xavier. He was furious. He couldn��t bear the thought of Xavier stealing her away. He wasn��t naive; he could see Xavier��s interest in Hera. He refused to stand idly by and watch Hera be interested in another man.

    He was determined to win her back, just like he did in high school. He nned to coax her into listening to him, and if necessary, he wouldy out his entire n for her. He wanted her to know that she was the only woman he ever wanted to marry in this lifetime.

    Alexi believed that such a heartfelt confession would win any woman��s heart, earning him additional brownie points. His confidence soared as he approached Hera, paying no mind to Xavier in the slightest.

    "Why don��t youe here, Hera? Let��s talk about this, okay?" While others assumed Alexi referred to the issue between Hera and Alice causing the tension, his intent was entirely different. Only Minerva, who had grown increasingly paranoid, grasped his underlying message. Hera, who now nced slightly in Alexi��s direction, recognized his approach. This was how he always coaxed her during disagreements and minor disputes.

    <i>��How delusional can this man be? Does he really think he can coax me the same way he did before after everything that��s happened?��</i> Hera��s breath grew heavier with her mounting anger, but Alexi misinterpreted this as excitement, causing his eyes to light up and his smile to be even more affectionate.

    Instead of giving a response, Xavier gently guided the back of Hera��s head back against his chest, shielding her from Alexi��s gaze. This action prompted Alexi to redirect his burning, angry re toward Xavier. Meeting Alexi��s gaze with icy coldness, Xavier��s stare sent a chill down Alexi��s spine, filling him with an unsettling sense of danger.

    "No need. I��ll take care of her," Xavier stated icily. With that, he guided Hera upstairs, assigning Zen to watch the fire outside. Drawing Hera closer, his arm encircled her waist protectively. The room fell silent, the unresolved tension between Hera and Alice left hanging in the air, unaddressed.

    The whole fiasco ended abruptly, leaving Hera feeling a bit bewildered. She couldn��t help but scratch the back of her head, unsure of what to make of the sudden resolution.

    But she was thankful that Xavier helped her out and protected her from everyone else, although, her mood was dampened because of Alexi. She felt like vomiting after remembering how Alexi looked at her earlier, she did not know that he could stoop so low and even thought that she would want to get back with him after everything he did.

    "Brother Xavier, thank you," Hera softly said as they reached her room��s door. Xavier remained silent, his gaze fixed on her. His cold thumb grazed her soft cheeks, prompting her to close her eyes at the chilly touch. As Xavier continued to rub his thumb along the edge of her eyes, it felt as if he were coaxing her not to cry anymore.

    Hera found his gesture unexpectedly endearing, which elicited a sweet smile from her. Xavier, momentarily taken aback, felt his hands stiffen before he resumed his actions, returning a charming smile to Hera. He then urged her to go inside her room to fetch her clothes so she could take a shower too.

 Chapter 121 Rafael Being Scolded

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing, I��ve been telling you that your family has been coddling your sister like a child. Look at what happened now. �r(�s3�t)�q]

    [@EntertainmentKing: ...]

    [NortherDuke: I hate to see that Xavier was being too close to my wife but I��m not blind to not appreciate him for protecting her when it mattered. I just wish I could��ve been the one to do it.

    (�i�n�i)]

    After observing the VIPs�� chat and the one-sided scolding directed at EntertainmentKing, coupled with mentions of his sister, they had an epiphany. They realized that they were probably referring to Minerva. Given her penchant for unting her identity as the sole heiress of the Briley, they were well aware of her background and the fact that she had an older brother.

    The brother in question was none other than Rafael Briley, the mastermind behind SOE��s emergence as one of the foremost entertainmentpanies nationwide. With his strategic brilliance, he propelled thepany topete fiercely against the entrenched giant, UE. Rafael��s exceptional leadership had not only elevated SOE��s status domestically but also positioned it prominently on the global stage.

    While Rafael was recognized by name, his appearance remained rtively unknown. Interviews and public engagements were typically managed by his vice president, this maintained a more elusive presence for him in the industry. This was in stark contrast to Minerva��s approach, as she consistently sought the spotlight and relished being in the public eye.

    While Rafael didn��t always condone his sister��s misbehavior, his parents often indulged her, sometimes at the expense of others. This dynamic made Rafael the sole voice of reason in their family. However, he tended to overlook his sister��s actions unless they directly impacted him. Instead, he asionally offered gentle reminders to steer her back on track.

    Rafael found himself unexpectedly subjected to public criticism from his friends due to his sister��s actions. Feeling embarrassed, he found it difficult to retaliate against NorthernDuke��s taunts, knowing deep down that they held some truth. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that all three individuals causing trouble for Hera were indeed affiliated with hispany.

    At first, he did not know about Alice��s affiliation to hispany because he wasn��t the one who scouted her nor even heard of her name before, but after the first instance that he noticed Alice acting against Hera, he asked his assistant to look into Alice��s background and only then did he found out that she was actually working in hispany as a newly signed artist and this was supposed to be her first appearance on TV.

    Despite his frustration that Hera hadn��t signed with hispany, Rafael prioritized ensuring she faced no industry issues caused by his people. Keeping his sister grounded was challenging enough, especially with parental backing and her current boyfriend, Alexi, who still harbored feelings for Hera. This situation only heightened Rafael��s anger, prompting him to contact the manager who had signed Alice to hispany.

    Like Xavier, Rafael was well-versed in the schemes and tactics artists employed behind closed doors for their advantage. He could discern Alice��s intentions clearly. If her target had been someone else, he might have acknowledged her cunning and sharp mind, even offeringpliments. However, given that her target was the person he had been seeking to draw closer to snatch her away from UE, his perception of Alice��s actions fas drastically reached the bottom.

    Now he realized that this situation was making it even more challenging for him to approach Hera. His sister was constantly causing her trouble, and his own artists were harassing her relentlessly. He felt a throbbing headache forming at his temples, a precursor to an iing migraine.

    "Sir, the manager is here," his assistant interjected, pulling him from his thoughts. A woman in her mid-30s entered the office, dressed in a pastel blue midi skirt with a coat draped over a white shirt. Her demeanor exuded decisiveness, and her aura radiated strength. She was Betty��s rival from UE, the very manager who had overseen Xavier��s early career in the industry, guiding him through numerous auditions and training sessions.

    Having ascended to the rank of an A-list manager, she had moved beyond directly overseeing Xavier��s career. While Xavier technically remained under her care, hergely operated independently, apanied only by his assistant and road manager for travel arrangements. Xavier��s career had reached a level where opportunities flowed toward him effortlessly, relieving her of the need to actively manage his work pursuits.

    As her focus shifted, she found herself with additional time to seek out and cultivate fresh talent, aspiring to discover individuals who could potentially mirror Xavier��s sess in the entertainment world. Through vignt monitoring of Betty��s activities, she became privy to Betty��s recent signing of a promising new female artist. Inspired by this move, she embarked on a simr quest, ultimately stumbling upon Alice almost <i>��by chance��.</i>

    Upon encountering Alice��s striking visage and witnessing her passable acting skills during a performance at the academy-affiliated theater, she discerned the potential for Alice��s acting career to flourish with proper guidance and development over time. Moreover, she astutely observed that beneath Alice��s outward appearance of looking fragile and timidy a sharp intellect, adept at seizing opportunities to her advantage.

    However, she was taken aback by Alice��s penchant for causing trouble on the show. This behavior came as a surprise, as she had perceived Alice to be as diligent and hardworking as she appeared. Witnessing Alice��s actions filled her with disappointment and frustration, especially upon realizing that Betty��s newly signed artist seemed to outshine her own.

    She felt scammed and frustrated.

    "I hope you already know why I called for you here?" Rafael��s infuriated voice echoed in the room which brought her back to her senses from thinking about her next action because even after she let the PR department lead the discussion in some other way, Xavier and Hera��s fans are stubbornly causing trouble, coupled with the VIPs that are adding fuel to the fire.

    Alice��s reputation is nearly ruined by now, and if she can��t find a way to prevent Alice from causing trouble, then Alice��s career wille to a sudden halt before it even begins.

    "I apologize, sir, for my shorings in managing my own artist." Without needing an exnation for Rafael��s summons, she had pieced it together. She had been monitoring the livestream��s chatroom and observing the VIPs in Hera��s chatroom, which had attracted significant attention. It was only now that she realized Rafael was the EntertainmentKing, as he was being called out by other VIPs due to Minerva��s actions.

    "I don��t need your apologies; I want an action n. And why did you even sign someone with such a questionable personality? Are you nning to drag the entirepany into a mess?" Rafael��s tone conveyed his attempt to rein in his temper, which had been tested repeatedly. Despite working overtime in his office, he continued to monitor the livestream.

    Like his other friends, Rafael was a workaholic, rarely going home and treating the workce as his second home. However, it was only recently that he took time to watch a particr show while working. Lately, it had be a habit for him to keep the livestream on while he worked, asionally even sending messages in the chatroom.

 Chapter 122 Fire

    Xavier realized that his senses weren��t the only things responding to her enchanting scent. As he met Hera��s gaze, her watery eyes, and flushed cheeks after the bath stirred something deep within him. His emotions surged, and he felt a heat spreading from his throat down to his navel, a physical reaction to Hera that he couldn��t deny.

    His eyes darkened, but he attempted to maintain hisposure. "I��ll escort you upstairs," he said, his voice husky with desire. His ruby-like gaze bore into Hera��s, filled with hunger and a myriad of emotions that stirred her deeply. Butterflies danced wildly in her stomach, and she instinctively took in a breath, her eyshes fluttering as she struggled to gather her thoughts.

    As they ascended the stairs, Hera sensed Xavier��s intense gaze following her every move like a hawk. Even after she entered her room, she felt his lingering gaze trailing behind her, causing her entire body to tense up and her face to flush with warmth.

    As she blow-dried her hair, Hera kept her head slightly lowered, ensuring that even the viewers tuning into the livestream wouldn��t notice any hint of her inner turmoil. While they perceived Xavier��s actions as gentlemanly and kind, they were unaware of the intense gaze he cast upon Hera and how deeply it affected her emotions.

    Only a few viewers watched Xavier and Hera��s interaction with keen eyes, and they weren��t particrly pleased with the unfolding dynamic. If their assistants hadn��t intervened to talk sense into them, they might have impulsively flown to Autumvale to whisk Hera away with them.

    We are not talking about a singr person who wanted to take action, there are several people who wanted to, especially those who were close to Xavier and knew how uncharacteristically it was for him to stare at someone the way he did.

    They might not know what Xavier is thinking but as a man, they knew what might be happening to him right now. Some started to feel worried about this development while others became impatient.

    As Hera emerged from her room, she appearedposed, behaving as though she hadn��t noticed anything unusual with Xavier. However, Xavier remained aloof and silent, his demeanor unchanged. Yet, his eyes betrayed a hunger simr to when Hera emerged from her bath. Perhaps the intensity had been subdued by Xavier��s efforts to collect himself, but a lingering intensity remained in his gaze.

    Xavier escorted Hera outside, ensuring that Zen would keep a close eye on her before returning inside to fetch a set of clothes and head downstairs for a bath. As he finally settled under the hot shower, he couldn��t help but notice the undeniable hardness between his legs.

    Xavier stared down at his erect member, frustration evident in his furrowed brows. With a frustrated groan, he turned the shower to its coldest setting, hoping to snap out of the thoughts of Hera��s appearance and scent that were reying in his mind. Despite his efforts, his arousal showed no sign of subsiding. Determined not to give in to the temptation, he resisted the urge to address it then and there, knowing it didn��t feel right.

    So instead, he remained under the cold shower, letting the icy water cascade over him in an attempt to extinguish the fire burning within. He almost forgot to wash himself as he struggled to rearrange his thoughts, only snapping out of it when he realized how much time had passed. It took him a full 30 minutes just to regain control of his arousal and finish his shower in the next few minutes.

    When he emerged from the cabin, nearly an hour had passed, and the beggar chicken was already ted into three separate dishes, ready for all of them to enjoy.

    "What took you so long? Were you taking a long dump?" Zen teased Xavier with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Xavier opted not to respond, preferring to let them believe he had simply taken a long time shitting in the bathroom rather than entertain the awkward thought that he might have been fantasizing about Hera.

 Chapter 123 Don’t Care

    After their hearty dinner, Hera, Xavier, and Zen abandoned any pretense of superficial courtesy toward the other participants. They headed straight to their respective rooms without bothering to talk or even nce at the other participants, indifferent to how their actions might be perceived by the others or by the viewers. Unconcerned with appearing petty or small-minded, the trio were resolute in their boundaries and preferences. They tacitly agreed not to tolerate any further antics from the others that could potentially lead to the kind of issues they had faced the previous night.

    Their actions ignited another trending topic, prompting a range of opinions from viewers and bystanders alike. These opinions were divided into three main groups:

    Those who advocated for Hera and the others to take the high road, urging them to let go of the conflict and rise above it.

    The second group supported Hera and herpanions�� response to Alice and her entourage, noting the ongoing targeting Hera had endured.

    Thest group ced the me solely on Hera, arguing that as the one that caused all this shinanegans, she should be the one to take responsibility and extend respect to the other participants, especially considering her status as a neer.

    Despite the various opinions circting, those directly involved in the situation held a different perspective. Unlike the fans who closely followed the live stream and were privy to the behind-the-scenes details, they remained skeptical of the inte��s narrative. Recognizing the influence of public rtions maneuvers aimed at protecting their own artistses, they understood that much of the online discourse had be intertwined with theplexities of the actual events.

    Xavier��s fans coborated with Hera��s ever-expanding fanbase to ensure a bnced representation and support for their respective idols. This joint effort aimed to prevent any bias that might unfavorably sway opinions against their favored artists. Surprisingly, Zen also boasted a substantial fanbase, stemming from his presence on social media long before his entry into the entertainment industry.

    With a solid background and a penchant for sharing his extravagant lifestyle and love for extreme sports on social media, Zen attracted fans from various age groups. His dedicated fanbase rallied alongside Hera and Xavier��s supporters tobat any unwarranted attacks or underhanded tactics employed by rivalpanies attempting to manipte public opinion.

    As the trending topic shifted throughout the night, their loyal fans remained vignt, engaging in online battles against keyboard warriors. Recognizing that Hera��s fanbase was still in its infancy andcked organization, a dedicated individual stepped forward to take charge. This leader rallied the fans, urging them to unite and stand together to defend Hera against any threats or attacks.

    Contrary to expectations, this person wasn��t Athena; they had acted swiftly, establishing a unified group overnight to spearhead for Hera��s cause. By the time Athena discovered the group and joined, this individual had already taken charge, effectively directing everyone to fulfill their designated roles.

    Athena was taken aback by the situation; instead of chaos, she found a well-organized structure in ce, functioning like apany with a clear hierarchy. The level of organization was impressive and somewhat amusing to her.

    [Athena_Lowry: Hey everyone! I��m new here. What should I be doing?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Hi @Athena_Lowry, wee aboard! Could you please let us know your area of expertise or interest? We��ll assign you a role ordingly.]

    [Athena_Lowry: @AuntieNextDoor, are you in charge here? Just curious.]

    [HeraismySister: @Athena_Lowry, hehe, no, @AuntieNextDoor manages the roles, and I oversee the information flow. Our amazing leader is @NorthernDuke (??????). Surprised?!!!]

    As Leo observed the PR teams of variouspanies scrambling to contain the fallout and mitigate the damage to their artists caused by the trending topic, <strong><i>"#Trending: The Quest Participants Bullying,"</i></strong> he knew the situation was escting.

    He swiftly took action, anticipating that UE��s PR team would be countering the trending topic while other entities sought to tarnish Hera��s reputation. To shield Hera from any repercussions, he directed his assistant to assemble Hera��s genuine supporters into a cohesive group. Their objective: to form a structured defense against unwarranted attacks and swiftly counter any false allegations with the collective support of Hera��s genuine fans.

    This could have been managed solely by UE��s adept PR team, renowned for their prowess. However, Leo feltpelled to support Hera in his unique way. His assistance proved invaluable, swiftly resolving the issue within the night. By discreetly disseminating the gathered information to the group, and subsequently to the inte via the fans, they conveyed it organically, bypassing the need to employ water armies or keyboard warriors. Leo not only economized resources but also ensured the information��s safety within the monitored confines of the group.

    And by doing this, others could only think of him as just a normal fan with a little bit of money, in this case, it will not tarnish Hera��s reputation by putting her together with a sugar daddy issue again.

    Actually, EntertainmentKing, GoldenLight, and FatherOfCaduceus even wanted to join the group but Leo blocked them

    [GoldenLight: Hey, @NorthernDuke, I know that you started a fan group for Hera, I want to join too...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I want to support too. (?_?)?]

    [Dave_Carson: Don��t forget about me, I wanna join in the fun too. (��???��+)]

    [EntertainmentKing: Me too...]

    [NorthernDuke: You even want to infiltrate your enemy to gain valuable information? Do you think I will let you? (�p ��? ��)....]

    [GoldenLight: @NorthernDuke, I only want to support Hera. Suspect @EntertainmentKing but not me...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @NorthernDuke, you can ignore @EntertainmentKing...]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    [Dave_Carson: You know @SilverEmperor is my little bro, so I want to help him too.]

    [NorthernDuke: @Dave_Carson then go to his fan group, you��re in the wrong ce...]

    [Dave_Carson: (?_?)����ߩ���...]

 Chapter 124 Who? (Edited)

    "Good morning, everyone. I know most of you are tired from yesterday��s work and the events," he began, casting a meaningful smirk around before continuing, "But today, we��re going to switch things up a bit. By now, you should all be familiar with the vige and its surroundings. So, my team and I have prepared a little game for you all. It seems some of you have been struggling to earn points," he added with a hint of sarcasm, his gaze lingering momentarily on Alice, who quickly averted her eyes.

    "So, this will be a chance for all of you to gather more ingredients that you can use throughout the day or even up to tomorrow, depending on your strategy," he exined, his words fueling the anticipation in the group. "Today��s game will be a scavenger hunt with a twist��there will be Easter eggs hidden throughout the vige, and our team will provide you with a list to search for. However, there��s a catch: if the items listed in your list belong to the vigers, you can��t simply take them without their permission. Doing so will invalidate your find," he concluded, his expression smug as he observed the reactions of everyone in the group.

    "So, as usual, you all have an hour to eat, prepare, and return here for the event," he announced. "Participation is optional, but those who choose not to join won��t receive any points or supplies for today, aside from what they��ve already gathered in previous days. Meeting adjourned, and good luck to everyone."

    The tension in the air was palpable as everyone sensed the Director��s intention to make it hard for them. Exchanging nces filled with a mix of frustration and determination, they realized there was no outlet for their vexation. Each participant dispersed to prepare for the morning, silently gearing up for the uing challenge.

    Hera and Xavier were actually sharing a mischievous smile as they walk back to the cabin after exchanging points for a loaf of bread, butter, and pancake ingredients with maple syrup. They then immediately went their way to make their breakfast ahead of everyone else this time.

    After Zen washed up, he joined the two in the kitchen and pitched in wherever he could. Although they worked in silence, there was a seamless coordination among them as they prepared the food. Their breakfast was soon ready, eliciting envious looks from the others due to its appetizing and delicious appearance.

    As Hera and the rest worked on their breakfast, they didn��t spare the others a nce. Any remaining sense of cordiality they had for the other participants had vanished, and now they treated them as if they were invisible.

    But no one dared to voice their discontent; they could only purse their lips together. They acknowledged that they had gone too far in targeting Hera without fully understanding the situation. They recognized their own faults in the matter and epted how Hera��s team treated them. However, Minerva, Alexi, and Alice remained indignant about the treatment they received, feeling the unfairness of Hera��s team enjoying vorful meals while they were stuck with tasteless and unappetizing food.

    This time, no one paid them any attention, and everyone went about their own business. Nobody even bothered to help the three with their meals anymore, wary of being dragged into another situation that could be detrimental to them. Even without seeing or knowing what was happening on the inte, they could sense the Director��s or the crew��s treatment and nces when they went out to exchange their points for ingredients.

    They realized that things weren��t looking good for them, and they acknowledged their mistakes. However, there was no use crying over spilled milk at this point. All they could do was proceed with the rest of the recording responsibly, ensuring that they didn��t further exacerbate the situation. Perhaps they even had a chance to salvage their reputation to some extent.

    Zen couldn��t contain his delight as he observed everyone giving the troublesome trio a wide berth. "Hera, Xavier, it seems the others have finallye to their senses. Or did they miraculously regain their sight after bumping their heads?" His sarcasm dripped from his words, delivered loud enough for all to hear.

    Zen��s words reverberated, causing a ripple of unease among the participants. Some felt a pang of embarrassment as they realized how quickly they had judged Hera based on Alice��s words and that, they had rallied around Hera just these past three days. It dawned on them that they had been misled, and they now saw Hera in a different light. The fog of bias lifted, allowing them to perceive the situation with rity and without prejudice.

 Chapter 125 Male Vixens

    [GoldenLight: I share your sentiments @NorthernDuke.]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Xavier is really developing bad habits. (???)]

    [EntertainmentKing: Tsk! I lost my appetite so early in the morning.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @NorthernDuke president, why are you so grumpy so early in the morning??]

    [NorthernDuke: Who wouldn��t be grumpy seeing their wife being seduced by a brat?!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: (???��???)]

    [HeraismySister: Hey, President @NorthernDuke, why not join the entertainment industry too? Then you can keep a closer eye on Sister Hera! Hehehe (? �Ro�Q)?����]

    [NorthernDuke: That��s a great suggestion. I��ll reward you with red packets. Keep up the good work! (???)]

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    [HeraismySister: HOLY SHIT!!! 1....1.... $1 million, are you serious? ?(������)�r]

    [NorthernDuke: Was it too little?]

    [HeraismySister: President, I was just joking with my suggestion though (o��o)]

    [NorthernDuke: Keep it, that is your reward.]

    [HeraismySister: HOLY FUCK!!! Am I still dreaming? Did I just be a young millionaire in a few seconds?]

    [PasserbyGod: Stop joking around @HeraismySister LOL.]

    [HeraismySister: <video attached> Then see for yourself, man.]

    [PasserbyGod: @HeraismySister...HOLY FUCKING MACKAREL!!!]

    [HornyDog: @NorthernDuke Do you ept male sugar baby?! I can do anything you desire... ( = (???) ??]

    [HornyDog: [???? = (???) ??]

    [HornyDog: ??_????_?? = (???) ??]

    [*HornyDog has been blocked from the tform for indecency.]

    [Xoxo: @NorthernDuke I don��t mean to discourage you, but are you nning to have a face-to-face battle with Xavier for Hera��s favor? But Xavier is undeniably handsome. Even as a man, I can openly admit that Xavier is the most handsome man I��ve seen so far.]

    [NorthernDuke: @Xoxo, then you haven��t seen the world.]

    [GoldenLight: +1]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: +1]

    [EntertainmentKing: +1]

    [NorthernDuke: See? Even this male vixens agrees with me.]

    [GoldenLight: @NorthernDuke I only agreed with the part that he has yet to see the world and clearly, Xavier is not the only handsome man in the world but I don��t agree that you are more handsome than me.����ԣࣩ]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I��m not equally bad.]

    [EntertainmentKing: I could say the same with me.]

    [Dave_Carson: I could also say that I��m not bad either.]

    [EntertainmentKing: Shut up, and attend your meeting silently... @Dave_Carson]

    [Dave_Carson: Why are you being so mean so early in the morning @EntertainmentKing? No wonder, your sister has an equally bad temper as you. TSK!]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    This chat discussion caused another wave of trending topics online. NorthernDuke��s casual giveaway of a million dors and his im to be as handsome as Xavier, along with his interest in joining the entertainment industry, shocked his assistant. Fortunately, neither anyone from theirpany nor his grandfather knew his username or paid attention to the entertainment industry, or else they would have been shocked to learn about it.

    Leo brushed off the wave of mockery directed his way, ignoringments about his money not being able to buy him a handsome face like Xavier��s. <i>��Who said I��d need to buy a face?��</i> he sneered inwardly.

    After Hera gathered her thoughts, she sweetly smiled at Xavier, prompting him to return the gesture with a doting smile. Hera flinched slightly upon seeing it, confirming to herself that she wasn��t imagining things��Xavier was genuinely smiling at her after helping tuck her hair. <i>��Was he always this attentive and caring with his friends?��</i> she wondered.

    "Eat slowly," Xavier said with a gentle voice.

    "Hm." Hera nodded as she pulled her thoughts back and started eating her pancake.

    After breakfast, they retreated to the porch to rx, anticipating the director��s return. True to his words, within minutes, the director appeared, right on schedule, apanied by crew members carrying empty backpacks.

    "Alright! Everyone gather around!" The directormanded through the megaphone he had in his hands while pointing it in front of the cabin to call out the people inside.

    Shortly thereafter, the other participants emerged from the cabin and gathered around, awaiting the director��s next instructions. The director couldn��t help but inwardly scoff at the sudden disy of obedience from the participants.

    "My team and I will provide each of you with a backpack to store the items you gather from the list," the director stated firmly, his expressionposed but his tone conveying an unmistakable resolve. "This measure is to prevent any doubts about our team��s integrity or usations of favoritism. Furthermore, your scavenger hunt lists have been randomized, and you will draw them yourselves." While his demeanor remained steady, his words left no room for ambiguity: he wasmitted to upholding fairness and would not tolerate any behavior akin to Alice��s past antics, even if it meant subjecting himself to scrutiny.

    He��s a director of unwavering integrity and firm principles, but the relentless scolding and threats from the industry behemoths for two consecutive nights have undoubtedly left him frustrated. <i>��He��s certainly vexed alright.��</i>

    Frustrated by the pressure from industry behemoths, he couldn��t help but direct some of that frustration towards those responsible. He noticed Alice keeping to herself in a corner, looking distressed, but at this moment, he couldn��t spare much sympathy. His own show was on the brink of closing due to the relentless pressure, and even his Producer seemed unable to offer much help. Thankfully, UE��s shows support for the show, due to their two artists�� involvement, provided a lifeline. Despite Hera being the source of his stress, she also held the key to his solution.

 Chapter 126 One More Bet

    ...

    Just scanning half of the list made Hera��s lips twitch involuntarily, and she peeked a nce at the Director, who maintained a stoic expression since his arrival. <i>��Who offended this person?��</i>

    Although she knew thatpleting the list would be very challenging, she also knew that she was capable of doing so.

    Before they could make a move, the Director added, "One more thing: you��ll be ranked based on yourpletion time, and your reward will be determined ordingly. The event willst until just before lunch, so if you haven��tpleted the list by then, consider it a failure. So, you better hurry." He didn��t forget to add a taunting smirk at the end of his sentence.

    By then, it was evident that he was genuinely offended and was meting out his punishment to the participants in his own way, though he didn��t show much emotion on the outside.

    After the Director��s words, none of the participants made a move just yet. They all took a moment to analyze their list, perhaps gauging which tasks were the easiest toplete or considering which route to take first to minimize time spent. Some might have even believed they had ample time to finish the entire list and didn��t take the Director��s warning seriously.

    Regardless, Hera didn��t concern herself with the hesitation of the others. She had already decided which task to tackle first.

    Catch 3 fresh fish from the River.

    "Do you want me to help?" Xavier��s voice came from behind her, catching Hera off guard. She hadn��t even noticed when he arrived, so she jumped slightly at the sound of his voice.

    "Brother Xavier!" She eximed, surprised.

    "Do you want me to help?" Xavier repeated his question, his gaze fixed on her.

    Hera tilted her head to the side as if considering the proposition for a brief moment. Then, she looked up at Xavier with a mischievous smile and narrowed eyes. "How about another bet?"

    Xavier couldn��t help but chuckle softly at her yful demeanor. "What reward do I get if I win?"

    "Hmp! How confident of you, huh?!" She said, pouting slightly. Then, she turned to ponder the winner��s reward.

    "How about another 3 wishes?" However, Xavier beat her to it.

    "You haven��t even used up your 3 wishes though," Hera protested, suddenly feeling a bit apprehensive. She worried that Xavier might have some oundish requests stored up, making her regret suggesting another bet. She couldn��t help but feel like she never learned her lesson.

    "People could neverin about having too much money, so why would Iin about having many wishes stored up?" Xavier said, maintaining a smile on his face.

    This was one of the very few moments Xavier said a lot of words in one sentence, but Hera felt like she was losing to him already. Then she remembered how Xavier looked when they had a bet at the horse race andpared it to his current expression, the two images ovepping in her mind.

    She felt a shiver run down her spine, realizing she��d dug her own grave. Biting her lip with indignation, she resolved not to lose to him this time.

    "Why don��t you guys count me in?" Zen��s voice cut through the lightning shes between Hera��s and Xavier��s gazes.

    "Fine!" Hera said, pouting. It��s not as if she could take back her words since she was the one who proposed having another bet. So, she could just let Zen join in with the bet. At least, there would be more individuals against Xavier who could possibly win the bet.

    "Sweet!!" Zen said.

    Then the three went their separate ways to startpleting their lists on their own. Hera headed to the river near the vige, where she had caught the pheasant yesterday, to catch the three fish on her list.

    On her way to the river, she gathered some weeds and skillfully fashioned them into ropes, sturdy enough to hold the three fish by their mouths, along with some extra lengths. Though she referred to them as ropes, they were more akin to sturdy strings in reality.

    Some astute viewers grasped Hera��s strategy, but many were left puzzled as they couldn��t see "string" on Hera��s list. To add ayer of entertainment for both the participants and the viewers, the Director disyed the participants�� lists on the side of the screen like a checklist, allowing viewers to stay updated on the progress of each participant��s tasks.

    Shortly after, Hera reached the riverbank only to find that the stick Xavier had used for spearfishing yesterday was missing. She quickly searched for another suitable stick nearby, sharpened its end, and rolled up her sweatpants to her knees, kicking off her shoes in preparation.

    She also rolled up her sleeves to keep them dry, ensuring she was fully prepared before she began spearfishing in the river. She moved cautiously into the water, careful not to startle the fish. When she was close enough to a sizable catch, she swiftly lunged with her spear.

    Ssh-

    Hera��s smile beamed as she hoisted her spear triumphantly. Impaled on it was a hefty 2-foot-long fish, its vigorous wriggling a testament to its vitality. Rather than exiting the water immediately, Hera gingerly threw the fish amidst the dense grass near the cameraman��s feet, ensuring its delicate flesh remained unscathed.

    She continued spearfishing diligently, and within half an hour, she had already snagged ten fish, including the one from earlier.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Why is little sister Hera catching so many fish? Is little sister Hera nning a feast with all those fish?]

    [HeraismySister: Sister Hera��sgging behind the others, especially Xavier, who��s leading the pack inpleting his list. Sister Hera��s got some catching up to do! ��(���ը�)��]

    [PasserbyGod: There��s only one thing I can say, you gotta trust her. Hera doesn��t strike me as someone ready to lose to Xavier; she��s probably got something up her sleeve.]

    [NorthernDuke: I trust my wife. (�� ���գ�)��]

    After double-checking the number of fish she caught, she got out of the water, drying her feet before slipping her shoes back on and readjusting her sweatpants. Although it took her nearly an hour toplete the first task, she remained unfazed, even whistling a tune as she finished tying her shoece.

    Her carefree demeanor contrasted with the growing impatience and concern of those watching her.

 Chapter 127 Who’s getting Lucky

    [HeraismySister: Why do I find her action cute? She��s like a squirrel who��s storing food in her stash]

    [AuntieNextDoor: My little sister Hera is indeed lucky. (��o?o��)?]

    [PasserbyGod: But she has onlypleted one item on the list though.]

    [HeraismySister: @PasserbyGod, where��s the trust that you mentioned earlier?]

    [PasserbyGod: Ehem! I still have my trust in my Goddess, I��m just being impatient, don��t mind me.]

    After tidying up, Hera made her way directly to the sheep barn with the task of acquiring freshly shorn sheep��s wool. Uncertain if there were any specific conditions for obtaining the wool, she decided to proceed and test the waters.

    She pushed open the wooden gate and greeted the very first figure she saw inside. "Hello, Uncle. I��m not sure if you��ve heard, but we��re tasked with gathering specific items, and freshly shorn wool is on my list. Would it be possible to obtain some from you?" She addressed him with enthusiasm.

    "Little girl, you��re the third person toe here with the same request today," the uncle chuckled. "I can give you what you need, but how about lending a hand around the sheep barn for a bit? After all, you��re not expecting me to give it to you for free, are you?" He seemed to relish his part in the exchange, hisughter filling the barn.

    Sure enough, there��s always a catch in this events and game. Not only did the Director gave them a specific items, he even made the vigers give them task. Hera couldn��t help but think that this event is simr to how a quest in games works and she felt fun just going aroundpleting this task but that also means that she��ll take forever doing one task and it is not possible toplete everything in the list if she were to do one task to obtain each item.

    Hera pouted and appeared to be deep in thought. Instead of agreeing with the uncle right away, she asked, "Uncle, how much do you usually charge for a small amount of wool?"

    "Well, it depends on the quality and quantity," the uncle replied honestly, knowing it wouldn��t affect his role in the game.

    "Instead of working toplete the task you provided, do you think I could exchange my fish for a fraction of your freshly shorn wool from the sheep?" Hera raised her arm, disying the fresh fishes dangling on a rope. "I caught them just now. How about I give you the biggest catch I have?" Hera attempted to bargain.

    The uncle regarded Hera with interest, his eyes scanning over the sizable fish she held. Each one seemed substantial enough to feed his entire family. Taking a moment to consider, he didn��t immediately agree with Hera��s proposal. After all, the rules didn��t expressly forbid exchanges for items.

    Hera and the uncle assumed the roles of shrewd negotiators, both keen on striking a favorable deal. Hera, well-versed in the rules, had meticulously reviewed her list beforehand. There was no stiption regarding the quantity of wool she needed, as long as it was freshly shorn. Therefore, she could secure a portion of wool in exchange for a fish without investing additional time. She was confident that her offer was not only fair but also advantageous for both parties.

    Hera recognized that mere assurance might not sway the uncle. "Uncle, isn��t this deal mutually beneficial? I��m inexperienced in shearing wool and could inadvertently harm the sheep or disrupt your workflow, potentially damaging your tools. Considering I only require a small amount of wool, freshly shorn, wouldn��t it be prudent to assist me?" Hera maintained aposed demeanor, bncing assertiveness with humility. "Moreover, I��m offering you my finest catch." With a confident yet measured gesture, Hera presented the impressive 2-foot-long fish she had captured earlier.

    As the uncle contemted, Hera��s words seemed to sway his decision. Without a word, he disappeared into the barn, leaving both Hera and the viewers in suspense. Some viewers grew nervous, fearing the worst, while others chuckled, perceiving Hera��s negotiation attempt as a clever ploy to expedite her task but miserably failed.

    After a few tense moments, the uncle reappeared holding a palm-sized piece of wool. "Little girl," he said, "I��ve just shorn this myself to meet the conditions on the list. Hand over my fish now." He extended his hand, offering the wool to Hera.

    Hera��s eyes lit up at the sight of the wool, and she eagerly stepped forward to im it. However, with her hands full, she struggled to grasp it. Setting down her belongings in a nearby spot, she carefully took the wool from the uncle, securing it safely in her backpack. Finally, she handed over the promised fish with a grateful smile.

    As the uncle reached for the fish, Hera��s grip tightened, signaling her reluctance to part with it. Despite her smile, she remained steadfast. Sensing her determination, the uncle paused, meeting her gaze in a silent standoff. It was clear Hera wasn��t willing to concede defeat easily. After a brief moment, the uncle relented, taking a step back and offering apromise.

    He thought he could take advantage of Hera since she��s the one offering the deal and iszy on not taking the task herself, but who would have thought that she��s not ready to made someone profit over her. "Alright, How about I exchange 3 more Duck��s egg. Hmm?"

    "Five duck eggs, fresh from the duck house," Hera countered firmly, her voice unwavering.

    The uncle��s confusion was evident as he tilted his head, casting an incredulous nce at Hera.

    Hera maintained her pleasant demeanor as she reiterated her terms. "Five duck eggs, freshly collected from the duck house, and we have a deal." Her smile remained sweet, though the uncle could sense her firmness. He felt a surge of frustration, realizing Hera was now the one taking advantage of the situation to her advantage, yet her cheerful disposition made it difficult for him to get upset. After all, wasn��t it said, "No p in the Face to Those Who are Smiling?"

    The uncle let out a sigh of defeat, reluctantly agreeing to Hera��s terms. He couldn��t help but feel a sense of resentment toward whoever had taught the young girl such shrewd negotiation skills. Meanwhile, at the university, Mister Fletcher, Hera��s tutor, sittingfortably in his recliner chair, suddenly let out two consecutive sneezes. "Who��s talking behind my back?" His nose twitched as he reached for a tissue.

    The uncle snatched the fish almost instantly when Hera finally let go, fearing she might retract her offer. He then led her to the duck house where his wife at and gestured for her to give him 5 duck eggs. His wife looked at the fish he had in his hands and shook her head in defeat as she went inside the fence to gather the duck egg from the nest.

    After carefully gathering the required number, she covered them with hay and arranged them in a woven basket before presenting them to Hera.

 Chapter 128 2 Glasses of 500g of Milk

    They are even more excited, they are already well aware of the event and had even made it hard for the other participant to finish their task to get the item for their scavenger hunt, and this is probably the ce where they spent more time, learning how to milk a cow and draw a bucket of milk before they are given their reward item.

    It was a rather petty tactic, aimed at making things difficult for the participants and expressing their dissatisfaction. However, the vigers were known for their straightforwardness; they didn��t concern themselves much with etiquette or decorum. If they wanted to defy someone, they did so openly��just as they did with the participants, except for Xavier and Zen, who managed to navigate the situation smoothly and obtain the milk they needed.

    "What took you so long? We��ve been waiting forever for you to show up," Aunt Sabby eximed, her hands nted firmly on her hips in a disy of mock dissatisfaction. However, her eyes betrayed her true feelings, gleaming with a doting glow that she couldn��t conceal.

    Hera bounded to Aunt Sabby��s side andtched onto her arm, nearly forgetting she held a few fish as she yfully pouted, putting on a cute act. "Aunt Sabby, it took me a bit to get my first item, but I know you guys always treat me the best," she chirped, grinning and revealing her gleaming white pearls.

    Aunt Sabby let out a snort. "I��m d you��re aware," she remarked with a smile before guiding Hera inside. "So, what��s the item on your list from here?" she inquired, leading Hera into the barn.

    "Aunt Sabby, I just need 2 sses of 500g milk. What��s the process to get them?" Hera responded, already familiar with the game��s rules. She had been nning to exchange the fish for the milk but was preempted by Aunt Sabby.

    "Then go draw a ss of milk over there," Aunt Sabby instructed, gesturing towards the corner where a cow stood patiently beside an empty bucket. It seemed the setup was designed for participants to sit and milk the cow upon arrival, facilitating the process of obtaining what they needed in this location.

    Hera tilted her head, her expression turning quizzical as she nced back at Aunt Sabby. "That��s it?" She appeared skeptical, as a single ss of milk wouldn��t cover what she intended to exchange for.

    "What, are you dissatisfied?" Aunt Sabby��s tone took on a hint of mock anger as she exined, "We��ve been at this since early this morning, with participantsing and going. We��ve had to teach and guide them through every step just so they can get what they need. It��s slowed us down considerably. Do you want to add to our difficulties?"

    Aunt Sabby wasted no time in portraying herself as the one facing difficulties, despite her and the others thoroughly enjoying making it tough for the other participants toplete their tasks. They relished in assigning challenging missions and prolonging their guests�� stay. For instance, they would have them draw a bucket of milk just to exchange for a single ss of 500g of milk. However, Aunt Sabby��s demeanor shifted now that Hera was involved. She knew Hera would be willing to put in the work if necessary, but Aunt Sabby didn��t want to inconvenience her. They could even consider gifting it to her free of charge.

    Observing the frustration evident on Aunt Sabby��s face, Hera swiftly set aside her belongings in a tidy spot before settling onto the stool andmencing the milking process. With her prior experience, she efficiently drew a ss of milk from the cow in no time.

    Rising from her seat, Hera obediently presented the ss to Aunt Sabby, who now wore a contented smile and held the two sses of 500g of milk in her hands. "These have been sterilized and packed. You may take them since you��vepleted the task we assigned to you," Aunt Sabby dered, briefly ncing at the camera to demonstrate her efficiency in carrying out her responsibilities.

    However, were this scene witnessed by the other participants and their fans, it would undoubtedly elicit frustration to the point of vomiting blood. The stark contrast in treatment, aplete 180 degrees from how others were handled, tantly exposed favoritism and targeting. Even if confronted and questioned about their actions, Aunt Sabby and the others would remain indifferent to criticism.

    The others also smiled at Hera and nodded in approval. With gratitude, Hera epted the two sses and stowed them away in her backpack alongside the other items she had gathered.

    "What��s next on your list? I might be able to help," Aunt Sabby offered, her gaze filled with a maternal warmth, reminiscent of a mother caring for her child.

    Hera looked up, a sudden realization lighting up her eyes, causing them to crinkle into crescents. "Actually... There is something I need from you, Aunt Sabby," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.

    Without hesitation, Aunt Sabby immediately inquired about Hera��s needs, skipping the details. Upon learning what Hera required, she reached out and took Hera��s hands, assisting her in donning her backpack and carrying the few fishes she had caught.

    Aunt Sabby treated Hera with such motherly care that the others in the barn couldn��t help but chuckle at the sight. Then, Aunt Sabby took a brief break from her duties to apany Hera home, eager to retrieve the pot listed on Hera��s scavenger hunt.

    En route, they passed the chicken coop, prompting Hera to request a brief stop so she could collect three chicken eggs.

    Upon hearing Hera��s request, Aunt Sabby called out to the person standing at the entrance to negotiate. Hera observed the individual exchange a side nce with Aunt Sabby before slipping into deep thought, ultimately nodding in agreement.

 Chapter 129 A Petty Revenge

    "I had no idea you had a knack for pissing off roosters," Aunt Sabby quipped, grinning at Hera��s disheveled appearance.

    "You seem to be having a grand time, Aunt Sabby," Hera remarked, feeling a bit dejected.

    After their yful banter, Aunt Sabby guided Hera back to her house, where they securely stowed Hera��s items in her backpack. With Aunt Sabby��s assistance, Hera also obtained the pot she needed from Aunt Sabby��s house. Hera expressed her gratitude profusely before heading to the field to continue her scavenger hunt.

    Familiar with theyout of the field and eager to save time, Hera opted for a shortcut directly from the field to the spot where people usually took their breaks, where Grandpa was often found.

    However, she was vignt to avoid identally trampling the crops. This careful attention paid unexpected rewards when she noticed another Easter egg nestled beside the crops. Its vibrant shell immediately caught her eye, prompting her to pick it up with a wide smile.

    The crew went to great lengths to conceal the Easter eggs in the vige��s most obscure and unexpected locations. Had Hera not inadvertently knocked the nk on the road, she might never have discovered the hidden egg beneath it. Simrly, had she not opted for the shortcut, this particr egg would have remained undiscovered. Feeling fortunate and ted by her finds, she swiftly stashed it in her bag before resuming her journey.

    Spotting the familiar figure of the elderly man seated beneath the tree by the field, Hera eagerly called out, "Grandpa!" while vigorously waving her hands to catch his attention.

    Sipping water from his tumbler, the old man slowly lifted his gaze, offering no immediate reply to Hera��s greeting. Yet, a gentle smile curved his lips, hinting at a silent acknowledgment of her presence.

    "Child, what took you so long to get here? Don��t tell me you haven��t finished much from your list?" the old man inquired as Hera approached.

    "Grandpa, don��t you know how hardworking I am?" Hera replied yfully, her grin widening as she drew nearer to the old man. Observing her carefree demeanor, the old man sensed her sess and nodded in acknowledgment before rising to his feet.

    "Then, what do you need from the field?" the old man said, adopting a business-like tone, his demeanor shifting slightly. However, this was merely a fa?ade for the cameras to capture his role, ensuring fairness and impartiality. In reality, he continued to disy favor towards Hera, much like a doting grandfather.

    "Grandpa, I��ll need to exchange 5 carrots and 1 cabbage from your field," Hera said, halting in front of the old man, her expression echoing his own.

    Perplexed by her request, he echoed, "Exchange?"

    "Yes, Grandpa. I��m here to trade," she rified, presenting herrgest catch to him. "See, Grandpa? I caught this fish by the river, and I even managed to reel in the biggest one and I��m giving it to you."

    [Xoxo: Pfft! Didn��t she say the same thing to the man in the sheep pen? ��I will give you the biggest fish...�� This cunning girl (????)]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Aren��t my little sister Hera the cutest? (?>?<)]

    [NorthernDuke: As expected of my wife ?(? ?~? ?��?)?(???o)?]

    [GoldenLight: For the nth time, she��s not your wife. But she��s really smart...

    ( ��^o^)��]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I agree that she��s smart and beautiful.]

    [EntertainmentKing: +1]

    [Dave_Carson: Hehehe (???)???]

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson, stop being creepy.]

    [Dave_Carson: ...]

    Delighted that Hera had reserved thergest catch for him, the old man��s face softened into a smile as he swiftly consented to the trade. He began to stride towards the field, but Hera trailed behind him, prompting him to nce back with a gruff tone, "Why are you following me?"

    "To pull the carrots and get the cabbage?" she replied, uncertain.

    "This is an exchange. It means this isn��t your task to do. I��ll fetch the items myself," he exined before turning on his heel and heading to the field, leaving Hera standing beneath the tree.

    As the old man had instructed, Hera stayed put, a smile lighting up her face as her eyes sparkled with anticipation. Soon enough, the old man returned, his armsden with carrots and a cabbage nearly asrge as Hera��s head. It seemed he had carefully selected thergest vegetables from his field to give to Hera.

    After carefully arranging the items in her backpack, Hera ensured that the eggs were ced on top to prevent any idental breakage. Satisfied with her organization, she then proudly presented her biggest catch to the old man, who responded with a contented smile.

    Gratefully epting the fish, the old man rubbed his chin in contemtion before eximing, "Not bad!" With a cheerfulugh, he walked away, clutching the fish tightly. Observing his satisfaction, Hera couldn��t help butugh herself. The old man��s demeanor reminded her of her own grandfather in some peculiar way.

 Chapter 130 Climb the Ranking

    While everyone else was moring in the chatroom, Hera made her way to the stable, where she found Bry standing guard at the door.

    "Sister! You��re finally here!!! I��ve been waiting for you for so long!" Bry pouted as he looked frustrated. "Many have already gone here to get the items on their list, howe you��re arriving only now?"

    Hera noticed familiar faces like Bry, Aunt Sabby, and Grandpa from the field, all seemingly waiting for her. Their attitude filled her with warmth, and she smiled brightly at Bry before exining, "It took me a while to get my first item."

    "What?! Then, you must hurry up or else, you��ll be at the bottom of the ranking!" Bry eximed, ushering Hera into the stable. "What item do you need? I��ll fetch it for you!"

    As Hera entered the stable, she heard Diamond snort excitedly from his corner. Walking straight to him, she carried the remaining few fishes in one hand and gently stroked Diamond��s neck.

    "I��ll need to trouble you to lend me 4 horseshoes and a horsewhip," Hera said as she pet Diamond.

    Bry nodded enthusiastically and ran out to get what Hera needed. He had already prepared everything that Hera might borrow or need in their stable, so he was well-prepared. Just like Aunt Sabby, Bry also made it hard for the other participants.

    He made them bathe the horse, and brush their fur, and he even made Minerva and Alexi braid the horse��s mane just to prolong their time spent in the stable, all for the sake of borrowing a single item.

    A single task from him would take no less than half an hour toplete, and he had an endless list of tasks prepared for the other participants. Although he didn��t make it hard for Xavier and Zen, they also received specific tasks that took no less than 30 minutes toplete.

    This is Bry��s way of showing support to Hera after finding out that the event will be ranked and thest in the ranking will receive fewer supplies while the winner will be able to eat and enjoy their reward for the night.

    He had already heard from his friends in the vige about how the other participants talked about Hera, especially Minerva. Knowing that Minerva always wanted to pick on Hera, he vented his dissatisfaction this way to avenge Hera.

    This is the sole reason why he stepped forward and presented himself to be the one guarding the stable while his father and older brother tended to the other horses and did the training or took care of the pregnant horses.

    Bry did not make Hera wait long and he already brought what she needed. "Since you made Diamond happy for today, here��s your reward," Bry said as he showed the items to Hera.

    Hera chuckled warmly as she epted the items from Bry. After stowing them securely in her backpack, she reached for one of therger fish she had caught earlier. "Here, Bry," she said, offering it to him. "For your help and for always looking out for me."

    "Sister, you don��t need to do that. I agreed to lend you our things, and that��s enough," Bry said. Despite his youth, he was quite quick-witted and understood the essence of the game��s rules. He deliberately made it hard for others to borrow items from the stable while readily lending them to Hera. Such double standards might infuriate anyone, especially Minerva, but he didn��t care and still smiled smugly at Hera.

    "Just take it and give it to your mother to cookter," Hera insisted, pushing the fish into Bry��s hand. He pouted, reluctant to ept the gift, and Hera noticed his hesitation. "I still have to rely on you for the remaining four days I��m staying in your vige. So consider this my bribe to you," she said yfully, hoping to persuade Bry to ept her offer.

    Bry paused for a moment, then nodded enthusiastically with a bright smile. "Leave it to me, sister!" he eximed, patting his chest to show his confidence in fulfilling her request. He reached out to ept the fish.

    After a brief check on Hera��s progress, Bry didn��t want to detain her in the stable for too long, almost shooing her away to prevent her from falling to the bottom of the ranking list. He wished he could apany Hera around the vige to assist her inpleting her list, but s, his duty was to guard the stable. Somehow, he began to regret not being able to apany her and offer his help.

    As Hera proceeded to her next destination, she encountered Xavier, his backpack bulging with various items almost spilling out from the opening. Xavier spared Hera��s backpack a quick nce before their eyes met, and a broad smile lit up his face.

    He maintained his silence, refraining from any attempt to remind her of their bet. Yet, Hera couldn��t shake the feeling that Xavier already assumed victory. This silent confidence irked her, fueling a flicker of frustration within her.

 Chapter 131 Clean the Pig Pen

    "If the task of cleaning feces disgusts you, I��m afraid I can��t assist you with the items," the uncle said, his voice mellow butced with sarcasm. "Perhaps you can try your luck elsewhere." His tone hinted at a disdain for city dwellers. The way the uncle said it was as if there really were other ces Hera could go to if she really couldn��t do the task,

    Hera sensed his underlying meaning and disapproval, yet she remained undeterred. "Uncle, it��s not that I��m unwilling, but I just don��t think that I have enough time to go over all the tasks before lunch. If possible, it would be ideal for an exchange instead?"

    The uncle��s tone turned slightly mocking. "Youngdy, I understand the need to maintain an image for the camera, but there��s no need to force yourself." His words dripped with disdain as he couldn��t stand the pretentiousness often exhibited by city folk. He was all too familiar with how they would feign understanding of his profession��s hardships while secretly looking down on him.

    Despite Hera��s amiable expression, the uncle couldn��t shake the feeling that she, like many celebrities, was adept at controlling her emotions and facial expressions, likely honed from her aspirations to act in big-screen productions. This only served to deepen his opinion of them, especially considering the behavior of previous participants who hade to the pig pen to perform simr tasks.

    "Uncle, I think you misunderstood me. Cleaning feces or cow dung isn��t a problem for me." As if remembering something she added. "If you have doubts, you can ask Aunt Sabby to testify for me. Because I helped clean the cattle barn with Aunt Sabby and the others the other day, so I��m certainly not afraid of the smell of pig feces. However, time is of the essence if I want to climb the rankings. I hope you understand." Hera��s eyes reflected her determination as she spoke.

    As if recalling a memory, the uncle��s demeanor shifted, his tone bing more curious as he asked, "Are you the girl who was assigned to the cattle barn on the first day of the show��s recording?" He seemed to recollect something, perhaps Aunt Sabby��s praise for a certain girl who showed kindness and humility while fearlessly tackling the task of cleaning cow dung. Simr words echoed in the field as they transformed the dung into fertilizer.

    He had been privy to his wife��s ongoing chatter about the celebrities temporarily residing in their vige for the week, catching wind of thetest gossip and happenings. With his wife being friends with Aunt Sabby, it seemed that whatever one knew would inevitably be shared with the other vigers.

    Initially skeptical, he dismissed it as possibly as an exaggeration created to hype the viewers or some others.

    However, his curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn��t resist asking, "By any chance, do you happen to know the name of the girl who assisted with the fertilizer mixing in the field yesterday?"

    "It was me too, Uncle. Why do you ask?" Hera tilted her head, showing her puzzlement at his quick change in demeanor, but she soon realized why. So, she tried to push further. "Uncle, how about this: I��ll sign an agreement to help you clean the pig pen another day in exchange for the items I needed if you don��t want my fish." Hera pouted as she said these words. She really didn��t want to lose to Xavier this time. She also did not know how big the pig pen was, so she would surely take a long timepleting the task. Xavier might evenplete his long list before she��s done.

    The uncle sank into contemtion, his finger resting on his chin while the other arm was snugly tucked beneath. Eventually, he waved a dismissive hand in front of Hera and spoke, his voice measured. "No need for agreements. If your words hold true, I��ll wait until you��re ced to work in the pig pen to verify. For now, I��ll ept your fish and prepare it for my lunch."

    "You made a great choice uncle!!! The fish I caught are the biggest I saw in the river! I can assure you that the fish will taste good because it was freshly caught!" Hera��s smile then transformed into a businesswoman��s smile who��s sweet-talking the buyer.

    The uncle found Hera intriguing after noticing the few fishes she��s been holding since earlier, he only paid closer attention now that they were done with the discussion, he only now noticed that the fishes had distinct holes in their body that might have been because of a spear or same kind. He was pleasantly surprised to discover her skill in fishing, particrly spearfishing, evident from the big catch she presented. This revtion sparked a shift in his perception of her. While it may not have entirely altered his perspective on city folks, his opinion of Hera had undeniably improved.

 Chapter 132 Who Would Win?

    But little did he anticipate that Hera would be the one to adeptly decipher the rules and utilize them to her advantage, effortlessly navigating through the challenges. Initially, he had assumed Xavier held the greatest potential to swiftlyplete the event.

    The Director found himself with conflicting emotions about the oue. On one hand, he felt a sense of relief that Hera had sessfullypleted the event, sparing him from potentialints from those influential figures. This sess also dispelled any suspicions of favoritism toward Hera. However, on the other hand, he couldn��t shake the feeling that Hera��s victory relied heavily on luck and cleverness, leaving him somewhat uneasy about her methods that might be used by the other participants against her again.

    With a heavy heart, he excused himself and retreated to his OB van, watching with somber emotions as the other participants continued to struggle with their tasks. With just a couple of hours remaining before the event concluded, it was painful to see that most participants had only managed toplete nearly half of their lists.

    "I didn��t realize you could fill up your backpack that quickly." Xavier��szy and aloof voice echoed from behind Hera, startling her and causing her to snap her head back to where he was.

    It was only then that Hera noticed Xavier sitting leisurely not far away, calmly sipping a cold lemonade without a care in the world. Yet, the way he gazed at her held a subtle hint of smugness and challenge.

    <i>��Then, was I not the first to finish the event?��</i> Hera couldn��t help but question herself, feeling a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Her pursed lips betrayed her inner turmoil as she struggled to find the right words. Uncertain if their bet had already reached its conclusion, she found herself at a loss.

    <i>��Does that mean I lost again?��</i> Hera pondered deeply. If indeed Xavier had won once more, he would have a total of five wishes, having already used one. Yet, if he proved to be reasonable, perhaps those wishes wouldn��t pose any issue, and they could simply view it as a lighthearted game.

    Following her interaction with Xavier, Hera sensed that he wasn��t the type to be unreasonable. This realization brought her a sense of relief. Despite feeling disheartened about losing to Xavier once again, even after giving her all, she resolved to ept her defeat with grace.

    As she collected her thoughts, Hera turned back to Xavier with a smile.

    Seemingly sensing her thoughts, Xavier offered Hera a reassuring smile, his eyes twinkling with delight as they crinkled at the corners. His expression resembled that of a contented cat being petted. Though Hera couldn��t quite grasp the reason behind his happiness at that moment, she tucked the curiosity away in her mind. Returning his smile, she settled her tired body, patiently awaiting the arrival of the other participants, one by one.

    Hera and Xavierpsed into a peaceful silence, aforting tranquility settling between them. Hera found herself gradually rxing, her body sinking into the chair as she waited for the others. She even began to drift off to sleep, until she felt a gentle hand supporting her head and a soft pillow ced beneath it, easing her into a morefortable position.

    Lacking the energy to open her eyes, Hera sumbed to the exhaustion that had umted from wandering around the vige and the recent events that had taken a toll on her body. It seemed as though her tiredness was lulling her into sleep, aided by the tranquil atmosphere surrounding her.

    Despite the sweltering heat outside, the asional breeze carried a soothing quality, akin to a gentle luby. Hera found herself gradually drifting off to sleep, oblivious to her surroundings. The shade provided by the nearby tree enveloped them, and the rustling of the leaves in response to each passing breeze only added to Hera��s sense offort, coaxing her into a restful slumber.

 Chapter 133 Why so Smug?

    As the crews inspected the bags, a collective gasp rippled through the group, prompting Hera to lift her head and nce over. There, she witnessed a crew member holding up a colorful egg, clearly belonging to Alice.

    Alice wore a demure and humble smile, but beneath it, Hera could detect a hint of smugness in her eyes. Alice��s gaze swept through the crowd until it met Hera��s, where she offered a subtle smirk before shifting her attention elsewhere, not even waiting for Hera��s reaction. Her eyes roamed for a while until they settled on Xavier, who was standing behind the crew and the cameraman assigned to him. They had been blocking her view, exining why she hadn��t noticed Xavier��s presence earlier, despite him standing so close to Hera.

    Alice waited eagerly for Xavier to nce in her direction, her hopeful expression not escaping the notice of those around her, including the viewers. In her anticipation, she conveniently overlooked the events of the previous night and the damage it had done to her reputation, not just in Xavier��s eyes but across the inte. However, Xavier��s gaze never strayed towards her; instead, it remained fixed on Hera��s face.

    He, too, awaited the conclusion of the inspection, eager for the ranking deration so he could finally rx. Originally, he anticipated seeing nervousness in Hera��s expression, but as he observed her calm demeanor, doubts began to creep into his mind.

    "So it seems, Alice has found an Easter egg," the Director dered. Alice��s initial gloominess from being ignored by Xavier dissipated as she heard the cheers from everyone. Not one to miss an opportunity, she even managed to give Hera a subtle, taunting smirk amidst themotion.

    Hera couldn��t help but find it amusing to see Alice act so proud. After all, finding an Easter egg was indeed an achievement to be proud of, especially considering the limited number scattered around the vige. Hera herself had spent considerable time scouring the entire vige in search of Easter eggs, which exined why she waster than she had anticipated.

    The moment Hera experienced the joy of finding two Easter eggs, she became addicted to reveling in her luck. Aware that such opportunities were rare, she eagerly sought to test the limits of her good fortune. And to her surprise, she found herself luckier than even the original female lead, Alice.

    As Hera observed Alice��s triumphant smile while unting her Easter egg, she struggled to contain her amusement. Suppressing herughter, her eyes turned into crescents, tears of mirth welling up. However, Alice misinterpreted Hera��s expression as tears of defeat.

    Xavier, however, was keenly aware that Hera had something up her sleeve. He could clearly see the mischievous glint in her eyes as she nced at Alice. Shaking his head in resignation, he couldn��t help but chuckle.

    As the crew on Hera��s side proceeded with checking the items in her bag, he was stunned to see four Easter eggs nestled on top of the wool, while nked by duck and chicken eggs on both sides covered in hay.

    Momentarily flustered, the crew momentarily forgot what to do next. However, when he finally regained his senses and was about to announce the discovery, Hera tapped his shoulder. She then ced her index finger to her lips in a gesture signaling to keep it a secret for now, all the while grinning yfully.

    "Ah! An Easter egg!" Zen eximed loudly, seemingly unaware of Hera��s subtle gestures. But in truth, he had seen Hera��s actions, he became curious about what she was trying to conceal from with crew. To his surprise, he discovered that Hera had more Easter eggs hidden in her bag.

    Alice��s joy was abruptly extinguished, her smile fading into a frown as the others turned their attention to the suddenmotion.

    This was precisely Zen��s intention when he shouted so loudly. Witnessing Alice��s subtle provocation aimed at Hera simply because she found an Easter egg, Zen was determined to wash her smugness out of her face, even though he was aware that Hera might have her own strategy. In this instance, his mouth was faster than his brain.

    And when he came to the realization, it was already toote. His impulsive deration about Hera��s Easter eggs had already been made, drawing everyone��s attention to the four conspicuous eggs now in the crew��s hands. Despite the awkwardness stemming from their conflicts the previous night and their evident biases, most participants offered Hera their congrattions. This time, their reactions seemed different��whether it was a genuine desire to mend bridges and be closer to Hera or simply an act for the cameras remained uncertain.

    After the briefmotion over the Easter eggs, they resumed the checking process, and soon after, the rankings were announced. Xavier imed the top spot, followed by Hera, Zen, and two male actors. Alice and two female artists, Alexi and Minerva, rounded out the rankings.

    After the rankings were announced, Xavier eagerly approached Hera for their bet.

    "Since the rankings are in, let��s see what rewards are inside the Easter eggs," the Director dered, causing Xavier to pause mid-movement because another twist in the event unfolded and Xavier wasn��t sure if this will work against his rank or not.

 Chapter 134 Suspicious

    In her previous life, while she was at the peak of her career, Alice��s sess was abruptly cut short when she was tragically murdered and dumped into the sea by a rival within the industry. While she acknowledged that her acting skills weren��t necessarily the best, Alice attributed much of her sess to her extraordinary luck, which consistentlynded her coveted roles and opportunities that others could only fantasize about.

    Also, in her previous life, Alice had been granted opportunities to forge connections with remarkable men like Xavier and Rafael. Had she not met her untimely demise, she might have even pursued romantic rtionships with them. Determined not to repeat past regrets, Alice resolved in her current life to pursue Xavier and Rafael proactively, seeking to amend missed opportunities before it was toote.

    Observing Hera��s increasing proximity to her desired partner stirred a potent mix of anger and frustration within Alice. Witnessing Hera excel in the Variety show only intensified these feelings, fueling Alice��s determination to target her rival.

    "Isn��t that a bit suspicious?" Alice began, her voiceced with a hint of usation. "Considering how challenging it is to find even one Easter egg, discovering four seems rather... improbable, don��t you think?" Her gaze shifted timidly towards Hera, the implication hanging heavily in the air. Even the Director felt his blood pressure rising at the audacity of the insinuation.

    Despite having taken every precaution to avoid any usations of favoritism or collusion, Alice��s insinuations implied otherwise. It was as if she was suggesting that he and his crew had provided Hera with undue assistance, divulging the locations of all the Easter eggs hidden throughout the vige.

    The Director struggled to contain his anger, his lips tightly pressed together as his body trembled. He couldn��t discern whether Alice��s actions were deliberate attempts to sabotage his show or if she simply relished the idea of stirring up trouble, potentially subjecting him to the wrath of the influential figures scrutinizing his every move and ready to lodgeints at the slightest misstep.

    "That��s right! Not only her ranking was suspicious but howe she also had 4 easter eggs? Don��t you think this is a tant show of favor? Or was the show tailored only for her to debut?" Minerva added her voice to the fray, her words dripping with usation as she fanned the mes of suspicion. With a satisfied smirk, she seized the chance to cast Hera in a negative light, insinuating that her sess was not only suspect but possibly a product of undue favoritism or preferential treatment.

    As the tension simmered, the participants found themselves divided in their perceptions. Many opted to remain neutral, hesitant to be drawn into the fray or to be pawns in someone else��s game. Sensing Alice��s impendingment, one participant discreetly stepped back, determined to shield himself from her influence and the potential entanglement in her agenda, including that nagging feeling that clouded his judgment the other time.

    Many of them were skeptics when it came to the supernatural, yet the sensation was so inexplicable, so uncanny, that he couldn��t shake it off. Fearful of beingbeled as crazy or paranoid, he opted to keep his experience to himself, avoiding any discussion of it to err on the side of caution.

    However, there were others who were swayed by Alice and Minerva��s words, particrly the women, who were naturally more emotional. They found the usations usible, especially considering Hera��s arrival in a luxurious car at the meeting ce, a vehicle clearly worth more than seven digits and a limited edition at that.

    Minerva��s insinuation that Hera might have a sugar daddy resurfaced in their minds, leading some to specte that this could exin why Hera seemed to be doing so well on the Variety Show from the very beginning.

    Their judgmental eyes traveled from Hera��s face to her body before the girls let out a sneer. Although they didn��t say anything, their attitude spoke volumes.

    Xavier��s gaze turned razor-sharp, so intense that it seemed capable of slicing through anyone who met it. They couldn��t help but feel a shiver run down their spine as they instinctively avoided his gaze. Despite knowing Xavier��s closeness with Hera these past few days, their opinion of her remained unchanged.

 Chapter 135 Cheating?

    Since Alice already has experience in the entertainment industry, she knew that Directors of Reality and Variety Shows loved to have drama and strong topics to talk about in their shows, because this would bring more clout and viewers to their show. She��s been using this since the beginning but far from her expectations, instead of being the center of attention, she became the butt of the joke not only in front of the show��s crews but also in front of the whole inte.

    Alice cast an apologetic nce at Hera, hoping to convey through her eyes that her intentions weren��t to single her out. However, it was undeniably challenging to overlook the discrepancy��Hera not only secured the second rank in the scavenger hunt but also amassed an improbable number of Easter eggs. In such circumstances, it seemed natural for doubts to arise, and Alice feltpelled to voice the suspicions shared by others.

    Indeed, the sentiments echoed by the majority of participants and viewers were quite evident. They observed firsthand the arduous efforts exerted by others to obtain even a single item. This sentiment was shared widely, especially among those who didn��t exclusively follow Hera��s livestream. Many viewers who frequented Hera��s livestream attempted to contextualize the situation in the main chatroom, where viewers from various livestreams gathered.

    Their exnations fell on deaf ears, dismissed as mere attempts to salvage Hera��s reputation. Zen couldn��t shake the feeling of responsibility; he realized that Hera��s current predicament was, in part, a consequence of his own brashness. After all, it was his decision to broadcast the discovery of the Easter eggs, a move aimed at provoking Alice, that had contributed to the unfolding drama.

    Little did anyone anticipate that the Easter egg revtion would backfire on Hera instead. The Director found himself in a frustrating predicament, unable to mitigate the situation despite his best efforts to avoid this oue.

    Zen casts a cautious nce at Hera��s face, he is brimming with self-reproach. He yearned to offer her words offort but feared inadvertently exacerbating her distress. Sidling up beside her, he sought to express unwavering support. However, Xavier beat him to it, swiftly positioning himself behind Hera, just two seconds ahead of Zen.

    Hera, in contrast, maintained a serene and collected demeanor as she observed the unfolding drama between Alice and Minerva. She found herself mildly entertained by their antics, noting with a sense of amusement their apparent inability to discern when to cease their provocations and heed the lessons of their past interactions. They both looked foolish who��s all barked with no bite.

    Minerva interpreted Hera��s silence as an admission of guilt, convinced that she had resorted to cheating to gain an advantage over the others. "Hera, if you��re hesitant to confess, it��s understandable. Everyone makes mistakes, and there are still those who might sympathize with your situation and ws. But deceit is another matter entirely. If you apologize now, we might consider it, although your results will still be nullified," Minerva stated, her words tinged with a hint of sympathy masking her underlying satisfaction. Having learned from her past experiences, Minerva recognized the futility of directly confronting Hera. However, she couldn��t resist asionally sumbing to impulses, albeit with a subtler approach inspired by Alice��s tactics.

    Alexi fixed his gaze on Hera, torn between his belief in her character and the doubts sown by Alice and Minerva��s usations. While he wanted to trust Hera��s integrity, the points raised by the others seemed logical, especially considering Hera��s recent disy of wealth. It seemed imusible for Hera to acquire such expensive items out of the blue, given her known background because it��s not as if she��s a hidden heiress or something.

    "Hera, perhaps it��s best if you offer an apology," Alexi suggested softly at first. But then, as the mention of sugar daddies by Minerva and Alice resurfaced, images of Hera being pinned under by an unknown man flooded Alexi��s mind, fueling a deep-seated rage within him. His once gentle expression contorted into one of pure fury, his struggle to contain himself palpable.

    He gritted his teeth, his gaze burning into Hera as if she had betrayed him personally. In that moment, he awaited her exnation as though she had cheated on him. If not for the presence of the camera, he might have whisked Hera away to demand an exnation in private.

    Minerva saw this and nothing could made her happier than to know that Alexi is slowly seeing Hera for who she truly is.

 Chapter 136 The Audacity

    However, Hera��s sandwich approach wasn��t aimed at Minerva and Alice but rather at the Director and the Crew. She showered the crew withpliments and staunchly defended them, all while subtly criticizing Minerva and Alice for their hasty judgments and thoughtless remarks. Naturally, the crew and the Director would rally to her side, not only to vindicate themselves but also to assertively put Minerva and Alice in their rightful ce.

    Without allowing Minerva and Alice a chance to interject, Hera observed their mouths opening and closing before she continued speaking. "As you��re well aware, the entire cabin��aside from the bathroom��is under constant surveince with high-resolution cameras. These cameras in selected parts only deactivate in the dead of night. And if you��re insinuating that there was an opportunity for someone to pass me a message, then consider this: all cameras surrounding the cabins, aside from those in the participant��s rooms, remain active and functional even after midnight. So, feel free to review the footage at your leisure. You��ll find no evidence of any staff seeking me out in the wee hours or of any ndestine excursions on my part."

    Hera��s discovery about this was purely coincidental. One night, while she ventured to the kitchen for water, she noticed the telltale red light of a camera still blinking well past midnight. This observation led her to realize that, apart from the participant��s bedrooms, the other surveince cameras remained fully operational.

    Hera paused, taking a moment to steady her breath after speaking at length before continuing. "And if you��re suggesting that the Director or the crew might have conveyed a message to me outside, rest assured that cameramen apany us everywhere, ensuring constant surveince. I��ve never attempted to evade any camera or engage in suspicious activity, as you��ve insinuated." She punctuated her statement with a thoughtful hum.

    Hera rested her fingers on her chin, adopting a pensive pose before speaking again. "If you��re insinuating that the show was orchestrated for my debut, then I could just as easily make the same im about you, Minerva, and Alice. Minerva has a supportive brother who��s ready to facilitate her debut, and as for you, Alice, well, I could suggest that you have a sugar daddy backing your endeavors." Hera��s tone dripped with mock disdain as she sneered at them.

    "I do not!!!" Alice eximed almost instantly upon hearing Hera��s implication about her having a sugar daddy. Her eyes darted to Xavier��s face, hoping for reassurance, but found none. Her heart clenched painfully at his indifference, yet she refused to back down from Hera��s usation. "Please, Hera, exercise caution with your usations; they could unjustly tarnish others�� reputations," Alice��s voice rang with indignation, though it remained soft and tinged with a hint of pleading.

    "So, you knew?!" Hera met Alice��s gaze with a contemptuous snort. "You were fully aware of the potential damage to an artist��s reputation, and yet, you spoke as if it were fact. You had no evidence to support your im, yet you uttered it without considering the consequences for my reputation?" Hera��s words were direct and unsparing, leaving no room for ambiguity.

    Alice��s face drained of color as her lips quivered, her mind struggling to process Hera��s direct confrontation. She hadn��t anticipated such a bold challenge, especially not in front of the cameras. Her eyes welled with tears as she hung her head, feeling unjustly used. "I��m sorry, Hera. That wasn��t my intention. I apologize for my thoughtlessness," she murmured, fidgeting nervously with her fingers.

    The tremble in her voice and the look in her eyes, as she apologized, were enough to elicit pity from everyone present. It was clear she had recognized her mistake, and no one wanted to make things harder for her as a result.

    However, with more fence-sitters among them, no one spoke up in Alice��s defense. They remained passive, awaiting the oue. Hera scoffed at the sight of their indifference and pressed on, refusing to acknowledge Alice��s apologies or give her another nce. "For those simply curious about my sess in the scavenger hunt and finding four Easter eggs, it��s quite simple to exin," she dered, diverting the conversation away from Alice.

    Hera��sughter rang out melodiously before she proceeded with her exnation. "In truth, I simply utilized an exchange system with the vigers to acquire the necessary items, allowing me toplete the scavenger hunt in just under two hours. However, it took me longer to return as I scoured every nook and cranny of the vige in search of the remaining two Easter eggs. The discovery of the final two was purely fortuitous��a stroke of luck, if you will, and perhaps even a blessing in disguise."

 Chapter 137 The Lion Protecting his Lioness

    Hera had little patience for allowing wounds to fester, potentially leading to infection. She preferred to address issues decisively and promptly. Athena had imparted this wisdom to her, citing numerous novels from Athena��s past life where prolonged misunderstandings often led to unnecessarily dragging storylines with little resolution.

    Athena further noted that in the novel "Thin Line Between Love and Lust," a simr dynamic unfolded. However, instead of causing irreparable damage, the conflicts deepened the bond between Alice and the five male leads, ultimately paving the way for her sess in both her career and love life. This journey culminated in Alice attaining power, wealth, status, and enduring love.

    Such unresolved conflicts only served to frustrate readers, and Hera had no desire to invite such turmoil into her life. Her existence was already fraught with enough excitement and troubles, and she had no intention of adding further headaches. Well, perhaps with the exception of addressing her identity issues for the time being. However, she knew there would be a suitable stage and time for that. For now, her priority lies in resolving the immediate situation before her.

    Hera turned to the Director with a faint smile and posed her question. "So, Director, have I vited any rules of the game? Or would my actions be deemed cheating?" With the spotlight now on the Director, he felt as though he was holding onto a hot potato, the pressure mounting. Despite his frustration, he couldn��t direct his anger at Hera for redirecting the trouble back to him.

    The Director cleared his throat, his imposing figure straightening as he nced around the ce before responding. "Ahem! As Miss Ainsley mentioned, I did specify that as long as the vigers agreed to provide or lend the items, they would be considered valid. However, I didn��t outline a specific method for obtaining these items. The vigers unanimously opted for a task-based system, offering the items as rewards forpleting assigned tasks. Essentially, participants would work for the vigers, with their ��sry�� in the form of the items needed toplete their lists. In Miss Ainsley��s case, she utilized trade to acquire what she needed, which did not vite any rules. The vigers agreed to this arrangement prior to the trade, thereby validating all the items she obtained."

    The Director��s voice remained neutral yet authoritative as he carefully articted his thoughts, he tried to express himself without raising his voice or saying anything out of line. "In essence, Miss Ainsley simply exploited a loophole in the rules and demonstrated innovative thinking to enhance her efficiency," he exined. "As you��re all aware, this event aims to showcase not only your diligence but also your ability to think creatively and push your boundaries. Therefore, deviation from the norm is eptable as long as it remains within the parameters of the game��s rules."

    "I do understand that many of you think badly of me and my crew, which I don��t know where came from but with my little bit of credibility, I say, that I and my crew, watch from the OB van how Miss Ainsley gathered her four Easter eggs for more than 2 hours." The Director stated, his words tinged with a hint of sarcasm and underlying anger at the implication of dishonesty. He has been keeping his integrity and principles clean for a decade. And everyone knew how much he valued it, so he never epted bribery or under-the-table deals.

    Now, facing a challenge to his integrity and principles within his own show, the Director found himself increasingly agitated. He couldn��t help but regret including Alice and Minerva in the show��s roster. Initially, their presence brought an element of entertainment and drama, which he found amusing. However, as the drama began to cast doubt on his own reputation in an unfavorable light, he began to resent it.

    Interpreting the Director��s implication in his final statement, the other participants felt a wave of embarrassment wash over them. They realized their failure to speak up in defense of the Director and his crew against the usations, and their unwarranted support for Minerva, left them feeling equally guilty.

    Despite Minerva and Alice��s persistence in their ims, they found themselves at an impasse. With the Director��s definitive statement and evidence readily avable to refute any further arguments, they had no avenue left to pursue. Adding to their dilemma, Xavier appeared poised to intervene should they continue to target Hera.

    The usations came to a halt, but the Director, adamant about protecting his reputation, took action. He uploaded reys of Hera��s vige excursion, showcasing her gamey in detail. Additionally, he shared fast-forwarded snippets of her recent activities, particrly during the nighttime. Ultimately, he provided two versions of her activities��the sped-up and the normal��allowing viewers to make their own judgments about any potential foul y.

    This incident served as another milestone for Hera to attract a fresh wave of supporters who admired her not just for her beauty and intellect, but also for her character and integrity. She emerged as a breath of fresh air among her celebrity peers, earning even greater admiration from others. Her calm andposed demeanor, unfazed even in the face of scrutiny and opposition, further solidified her reputation as a poised and resilient figure despite looking gentle and kind.

 Chapter 138 Rewards (Edited)

    The crew and the Director extended their congrattions to Alice for her reward before smoothly transitioning to Hera��s easter egg after a brief acknowledgment. It seemed they were eager to move on from Alice��s moment in the spotlight.

    One egg.

    [Emperor Feast]

    Second egg.

    [A Korean Samgyupsal Feast]

    Third egg.

    [Italian Feast]

    With each Easter egg opened, Hera��s smile widened, radiating satisfaction and contentment. A chuckle escaped Xavier behind her, indicating their shared amusement and satisfaction with her rewards. It was clear that Hera felt her efforts had been well rewarded.

    As Hera watched the eggs being cracked open before the camera, she couldn��t help but feel pampered by the thoughtful rewards. "The Director really knows how to treat us," she thought, grateful for the effort put into making the rewards special.

    Fourth egg.

    [50 points increase]

    Gasps filled the room as the crew revealed the contents of the paper nestled inside the egg. Each time they retrieved a piece of paper, it was promptly disyed to the camera without interruption. Positioned amidst the crowd, the crew member handling the egg openings ensured transparency, leaving no room for suspicion of tampering.

    As Heraid eyes on the bold text of the paper, triumph radiated from her crinkled eyes. She nced at Xavier, and without a word, they shared an understanding. Xavier couldn��t help but smile affectionately, his gesture speaking volumes. "Congrattions on clinching first ce," he said, gently ruffling Hera��s hair, his own happiness evident as if he had won the prize himself.

    Hera was momentarily captivated by Xavier��s radiant smile and tender gesture, but she quicklyposed herself, returning his smile sweetly. After all, she had just won three wishes, treasures she could keep for moments of need in the future. Inside, Hera danced with joy at the prospect.

    She was happy that all the luck she had never experienced growing up was now showing its head before her and gave her one good thing after another today. Hera reveled in the newfound luck that seemed to follow her, offering one good thing after another.

    As the camera turned toward them, capturing Hera��s reaction to her victories, it didn��t miss her interaction with Xavier. Despite the envious gazes from other participants, Hera��s joy shone through, shared in the silent exchange between her and Xavier.

    The cameraman unexpectedly captured a picturesque image of Xavier and Hera, making it seem as if they were isted from the rest of the crowd, bathed in a radiant light. And as if they only have each other in their eyes.

    [HeraismySister: OMG!!! Earlier, sister Hera looked so manly and handsome in my eyes but now, she and Xavier looked like an immortal couple!]

    [Dummy123: Oh please!!! Don��t use Xavier��s poprity and ride his coattail so Hera could gain more attention.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Oh,e on! We don��t even need to resort to such tactics. Plus, even Xavier��s fandom hasn��t said anything, and you��re already making a fuss? You��re probably just an old bachelor, bitter and single (???)]

    [HeraismySister: sister @AuntieNextDoor, that��s a good one. Hahaha! (?�R?�Q)]

    [NorthernDuke: That brat has been trying to seduce my wife from the very beginning! (�p ���n��)]

    [GoldenLight: I think so too. And correction, she��s not your wife.]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Hmmm.]

    [EntertainmentKing: (�p ��?��)����ߩ���]

    [Dave_Carson: Chill @NortherDuke, @GoldenLight, @FatherOfCaduceus and @EntertainmentKing (?????)]

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson you wouldn��t understand...]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing what do you even mean by that? �c(�R?�Q)?]

    These rewards were actually sponsored by Leo, who hoped to alleviate Hera��s burden of tirelessly working in the barn and on the farm just to earn enough points to eat her fill. While he admired her work ethic, Leo couldn��t help but feel saddened seeing her toil like a donkey. However, whenever he witnessed her radiant smile filled with satisfaction and pride, his feelings wavered. Eventually, he resolved to provide these rewards, knowing Hera��s penchant for enjoying food as evidenced by her posts.

    He initially intended to persuade the Director to concoct excuses for awarding her, but little did he anticipate Hera��s ability to earn the recognition on her own merit. Witnessing her joyful smile on screen brought him happiness, despite the irritation caused by Xavier��s persistent presence by her side.

    After a moment of silence, Zen ran to Hera and Xavier to congratte Hera for winning all those rewards and it was obvious enough that no one could say anything against them now after the fiasco that had just transpired. The Director and his crew were already dissatisfied enough, if they made a fuss about the rewards Hera received, then, they would be just shooting themselves in the foot if they thought that everyone else would have it.

    "Hera, you rock! Not only did you turn the tables on Xavier, but you even snagged so many rewards!" Zen eximed enthusiastically. He��d savoredvish Michelin-starred dishes worldwide, so these rewards were almost trivial to him. Lately, though, he found himself enjoying the simpler pleasures of food, a change he credited to hanging out with Hera and Xavier. And he didn��t mind it one bit. In fact, he was enjoying himself more than ever.

    "I believe there��s plenty for the three of us to enjoy for a while, allowing us to umte points for avish meal before our departure," Hera suggested, pausing briefly to consider. "What do you think about treating the vigers to a meal we prepare before we leave? It��s a gesture of gratitude for their hospitality towards us earlier," she proposed to Xavier and Zen, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she looked at them expectantly.

    Zen didn��t hesitate and readily agreed, grateful for the nourishing meals Hera had been providing himtely. He couldn��t help but acknowledge his reliance on her for care and things she cooked, feeling akin to a fledgling under her care. Yet, far from feeling emascted, he foundfort and contentment in her nurturing presence. "I��ll go along with your decision," he affirmed with a smile.

    Xavier quickly chimed in, showing his trust in Hera��s judgment. "Um. I��ll listen to you," he assured, demonstrating his unwavering confidence in her decision-making.

    Upon receiving the event��s oue and unveiling the Easter egg, the rewards for the rankings were distributed. As Hera had predicted, she was delighted to find herself presented with a bountiful assortment: a sack brimming with various vegetables, several kilograms of assorted meats, a generous portion of rice, and a basket overflowing with an array of fresh fruits and many more.

    With strategic nning, Hera realized she could ensure they wouldn��t go hungry until their departure on Sunday afternoon, thanks to the abundance of ingredients in their rewards. Xavier and Zen mirrored her enthusiasm after receiving a huge amount of ingredients that were only a little less than what Hera had received, their smiles reflecting the immense quantity of provisions they had received. However, amidst the joyous atmosphere, Alice couldn��t conceal her frustration. Despite receiving a reward, she couldn��t shake the feeling of being shortchanged, as if the easter egg she found was undervalued.

    She couldn��t shake the feeling that her reward paled inparison to Hera��svish feast, leaving her with a sense of dissatisfaction. However, she realized she had already made herself the subject of ridicule during the Variety Show, so she resigned herself toying low and avoiding furtherints. Deep down, she harbored the unsettling notion that instead of basking in the spotlight herself, her efforts had inadvertently propelled Hera to stardom, overshadowing her own light and magnificence.

    After some introspection, Alice resolved to blend into the crowd for the time being. She couldn��t shake the disappointment of not achieving her goals, and to make matters worse, she had left a poor impression on Xavier, a far cry from their initial meeting in her previous life.

    She could still vividly recall the moment she first encountered Xavier in her previous life. She was merely a fledgling artist, vulnerable to the whims of others due to herck of influential connections and her innocent nature. Because of the great opportunitiesing her way, envy festered among her peers, leading to underhanded tactics aimed at undermining her. However, amidst the challenges, there was a defining moment when Xavier stumbled upon her, shivering and soaked, locked in a locker room. Without hesitation, he offered his coat to shield her from the cold and escorted her to his well-decorated dressing room. There, he went above and beyond, arranging for her to be outfitted in designer attire, ensuring herfort and dignity.

    In those days, Xavier maintained a distant and reserved demeanor toward others, yet he extended genuine kindness toward her. As they grew closer, she noticed his demeanor towards her gradually resembled the warmth he now showed Hera. It was this realization that made it difficult for Alice to conceal her frustration, watching Xavier��s affectionate smile directed towards Hera.

    She forced herself to suppress the dissatisfaction swelling within her. However, she couldn��t ignore the stark contrast in Xavier��s treatment between Hera and herself. In the past, there had always been a subtle barrier in his interactions with her, but now, she observed Xavier openly and sincerely caring for Hera. The realization left Alice with a mix of emotions, her eyes and nose reddening as she struggled with feelings of bitterness and resentment.

    <li>Hi everyone, I apologize for the mistake I made. I mistakenly added almost half of the previous Chapter because I was in a hurry but I only noticed it when I sat down to re-read the Chapter as a reader.

    Please forgive me with this blunder, I tried to delete it but there was a limit to how many words I could delete and the system would not go through anymore T_T</li>

 Chapter 139 Tournament Starting

    "Sister, are you nervous?" Bry inquired, his gaze sweeping across the bustling venue, where people hurried about in anticipation. Hera felt his icy hand gripping hers, while his pallidplexion betrayed his anxiety. "Don��t worry, sister, you��ll be fine," he reassured, though his own nerves seemed palpable. Hera couldn��t help but chuckle at Bry��s obvious apprehension, unsure if he was trying tofort her or himself with those words.

    "Don��t you trust us?" Zen chimed in suddenly from behind, yfully tousling Bry��s hair into a bird��s nest. Bry scrunched his nose in irritation and shot Zen an angry re as he attempted to fix his hair once more. At that moment, his earlier nervousness seemed to have vanishedpletely.

    "Brother Zen, why did you mess up my hair? It took me a full 30 minutes to tame it, and now look at what you��ve done!" Bry eximed, clearly aggrieved by Zen��s actions. He then turned to Hera, silently conveying his frustration with Zen. Despite the yful banter, their interactions seemed so harmonious and lighthearted that they appeared more like spectators enjoying the event rather thanpetitors preparing topete.

    "Alright, alright, no need to be angry," Zen said, cating Bry with a tap on the shoulder before continuing. "I��ll let you in on my secret for keeping hair as soft as mine." With a mischievous grin, Zen pulled out his secret weapon from his pocket, using it as a bribe to ease Bry��s frustration.

    Hera watched with amusement as they goofed around together, chuckling at their antics. However, herughter faded as she remembered that Xavier had been in the restroom for quite some time. "Zen, do you think you should go check on Brother Xavier? What if he needs something?" she said, her tone tinged with concern.

    "Hera, don��t worry. Xavier is a responsible adult, perhaps even more so than me," Zen reassured Hera.

    "I��m d you��re aware." Xavier��s voice echoed yfully behind Zen who came from the opposite side of the restroom.

    "Ah!" Zen eximed, leaping to the side as Xavier seemingly appeared out of thin air behind him. "You nearly scared me to death! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Zen eximed, clutching his chest dramatically with his right hand, as if genuinely startled.

    Xavier ignored Zen��s dramatic antics and walked straight to Hera, "They are looking for us, they said we should go back and prepare."

    "It��s that time already?" Hera straightened up, her smile poised and sincere as she addressed the camera. "Hello, everyone. We��re truly grateful for your presence here today. Thank you for joining us, and please continue to show your support." With a graceful turn on her heels, she departed alongside the others.

    When they departed from the vige, the Director informed them that theirpetition would be streamed live, making it the highlight of the Variety Show. He exined that this was the sole reason he had agreed to Bry��s family��s request to include the three of them in the tournament.

    With thepetition underway, the Director made the decision to bring all the participants to the venue to show support for Hera and the others taking part. However, due to the abundance of cameras already present, he opted to bring only two cameramen. One would be stationed at the finish line, while the other would capture footage of the remaining participants seated on the benches.

 Chapter 140 Big Bald Wolf

    Upon witnessing Bry��s reaction, Hera��s gaze returned to the man. Coincidentally, he seemed to sense their intense stare, causing him to momentarily pause his actions and nce in their direction. As his eyes met Hera��s, they gleamed brightly, as though he had stumbled upon a treasure amidst a pile of cobblestones.

    He immediately disregarded Bry��s uncle and marched straight toward Hera, seemingly uninterested in acknowledging anyone else in the vicinity. Hera could immediately sense his snobbish and selfishly arrogant demeanor. He reminded her of the trust fund babies she had encountered while working as a waitress in a high-end restaurant��mostly arrogant and only concerned with their own desires, with little regard for others.

    Hera maintained herposure, steadfast in her stance as the man approached. Sensing Bry��s apprehension, she gently squeezed his hand, offering silent reassurance that they were together, and there was no need to fear the big bald wolf.

    Hera made a concerted effort to ignore the man��s balding and receding hairline, though it gleamed conspicuously like a polished mirror atop his forehead. Suppressing the urge to burst intoughter, she maintained a calm demeanor and averted her gaze. In doing so, she happened to lock eyes with Zen, whose amusement was evident, his eyes narrowing into crescents without any attempt to conceal his amusement.

    Zen��s shoulders quivered as he struggled to avert his gaze from the man, whose pompous demeanor resembled that of a peacock. However, his efforts were in vain as he inadvertently locked eyes with Hera, whose mischievous glint only exacerbated his difficulty in containing hisughter.

    Observing Hera��s expression and her attempt to avoid eye contact, the man misinterpreted her reaction as shyness in his presence. This misunderstanding only served to boost his confidence, akin to a peacock unting its vibrant fan-like tail feathers.

    "It must be my luckiest day to encounter such a beautiful woman in a ce like this," the man remarked, extending a hand as if to kiss Hera��s. His pretentious disy of chivalry sent shivers down Hera��s spine, feeling as though bugs were crawling beneath her skin. However, she maintained herposure, though her difort was palpable.

    Fortunately, after spending a week together, Hera, Xavier, and Zen had developed an unspoken understanding. Zen instinctively moved closer to Hera, draping his arm around her shoulders in a protective gesture, resembling an older brother. "My apologies, sir. My brother-inw tends to get a bit jealous when someone gets too close to my little sister," Zen exined with a contrite smile, shooting a discreet nce in Xavier��s direction.

    Taking his cue, Xavier approached Hera, his arms enveloping her slim waist with ease before drawing her into a warm embrace. With practiced nonchnce, he acted as though he had just arrived, nting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Sorry for making you wait."

    Hera felt the gentle touch of Xavier��s lips against her skin, sending a wave of electricity through her entire body. Subconsciously, her eyes closed, her longshes fluttering delicately, lending her a shy and demure air at that moment.

    Observing Hera��s reaction, the man felt a tumultuous churn in his stomach, unable to tear his gaze away from her. However, when he shifted his attention to Xavier and noticed his striking appearance, a pang of irritation washed over him, feeling as though his ego had been slighted. Ignoring Xavier, he redirected his focus to Hera. "A pleasure to meet you. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"

    "Sister, it��s time to go. Father said you need to get ready," Bry interjected at the opportune moment, noticing the man��s attempts to engage Hera.

    Without sparing the man a second nce, Xavier guided Hera away, leading her to where Bry��s father and uncle awaited. The man felt a surge of irritation at Xavier��s apparent dismissal, his gaze following them until they reached Bry��s father and uncle.

    Upon realizing Hera��s connection to the two, a mischievously sinister smile yed on the man��s lips. Having conducted a background check on Bry��s uncle a year and a half ago, he was aware of their humble background as poor farmers. Now, hearing Bry refer to Hera as his sister, the man assumed Hera was merely the daughter of a poor farmer, making her an easy target for his predatory intentions, even despite her engagement.

    He watched her for a bit before leaving in a good mood.

    Hera shivered as a cold sensation ran down her spine. <i>��Who could be plotting against me?��</i> she wondered, feeling a twinge of unease. She looked around her surroundings but found no suspicious people roaming around them.

    "Are you alright?" Xavier��szy voice whispered so close to her ear, the warmth of his breath tickling her skin.

    ______________________

    PS: Hello again, everyone! I want to start by apologizing for the error in Chapter 138. I attempted to remove a panel from the previous Chapter that was mistakenly included, but due to word count limitations for deletion, I couldn��t rectify it. Unfortunately, I realized this toote as I was in a rush.

    To make up for this oversight, I n to do a mass release in these two days instead. Please forgive me, okay? (���n��?)

 Chapter 141 Who Benifitted?

    Xavier remained silent, but his nod indicated his agreement with Zen. None of the three paid much heed to the man. However, what mattered most to Hera was Bry��s feelings. It seemed unlikely that his reaction was merely born out of simple hatred.

    "Bry, would you mind helping me inspect Diamond for a bit?" Hera suggested, gently patting Bry��s shoulder to regain his attention.

    It took a few taps before Bry responded with a wordless nod, then he headed straight to Diamond��s cubicle.

    Hera followed behind Bry with a pensive expression. She observed him inspecting all the items she would use on Diamond, and if possible, he even wanted to check on Diamond itself to ensure there was nothing wrong. Hera found this behavior very unusual. While Bry had started to admire Diamond as before, he would never take the first step to get closer to Diamond due to a deep-seated fear that lingered in his body. Although not as obvious as before, it still remained, akin to muscle memory.

    Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, her mouth acted on its own ord. "Do you despise that man?" Hera��s voice was neither loud nor soft, but her tone betrayed her growing curiosity. Despite being a few steps apart, Bry heard her question. He turned his head to face Hera, his lips pursed and a deep frown etched on his smooth forehead.

    "I loathe him," Bry answered through gritted teeth, his narrowed eyes betraying a vivid imagination of impaling the man with numerous swords.

    Hera couldn��t help but notice Bry��s expressions under her careful observation. Unconsciously, a frown creased her brow. Such intense hatred was highly unusual for an 11-year-old boy, especially considering Bry��s typically bubbly demeanor.

    Drawing closer to Bry, Hera left only a few steps between them before she squatted down in front of him. "Could you tell me why?" Her voice dripped with concern.

    Hearing her words filled with concern, Bry pursed his lips even more, not out of hatred this time, but because he was holding back tears. He tried to avoid Hera��s gaze, which was filled with sincerity and genuineness.

    "I... I... I believe he��s the reason for my uncle��s ident," Bry confessed, his voice choked with emotion as tears of frustration streamed down his face. "But no one believed me. They said it was just an ident." Bry felt powerless, unable to take action even though he harbored suspicions. Adults dismissed his concerns, attributing them to an overactive imagination fueled by fictional dramas. Bry��s father insisted that wealthy individuals like the man in question wouldn��t bother with them, but Bry thought otherwise.

    "Can you tell me more?" Hera��s concern deepened as she sensed the fluctuation of his emotions. She was not only worried about his bottled-up emotions but also because his suspicions seemed usible. She understood that many wealthy people didn��t takemoners seriously, confident in their ability to handle situations without consequence, relying on their background for support to resolve any issues.

    "Do you believe me?" Bry��s eyes widened, his mouth agape, as he searched Hera��s face for any sign that she was merely being kind to him, acting as if she believed him. Yet, he could sense her genuine curiosity and concern, unmistakable in her expression.

    "Wouldn��t it be reassuring to confirm if your suspicions were right all along?" Hera suggested, offering him a reassuring smile. Just seeing her smile filled Bry with confidence, affirming the validity of his thoughts and feelings.

    Bry nodded, frustration evident in his voice as he spoke. "But sister, I don��t have any evidence. All I have is my gut feeling. Besides, he was the only one who benefited from my uncle��s ident at the time, and he won the championship," Bry said, his words tinged with regret and anger.

 Chapter 142 Investigation

    "Brother, why are you spacing out?" Bry��s uncle asked because his older brother stopped midway through what he was saying after Bry came into the picture.

    Coming back to his senses, he looked at his younger brother��s bewildered expression and felt guilty. "Oh, I forgot what I was about to say. I was trying to remember, but itpletely slipped out of my mind."

    "Sister! I got it!" Bry eximed as he came running to Hera��s side, drawing the attention of other contestants who nced over at them, breaking the silence.

    "Sssh!" Hera ced her index finger on her lips, gesturing for Bry to lower his voice. "Why are you broadcasting it to everyone? What if the Director finds out I��m using a phone? We��ll both be in trouble, you know." Hera said defeated.

    "Ah!" Bry��s face flushed with embarrassment as he realized his mistake,pletely forgetting about the potential consequences. "Sorry sister. I got so excited."

    Hera chuckled at Bry��s enthusiasm, finding his actions endearing. They hadn��t even started the investigation, yet he was already behaving as if they had a lead. Hera shook her head in amusement and resignation as she dialed the number she had memorized for emergencies.

    The phone on the other end only rang twice before it was promptly answered. "Hello, Young Miss? What can I do for you?"

    Hera tilted her head to the side, briefly checking the number disyed on the screen before bringing the phone back to her ear. "How did you know it was me?" she asked, baffled.

    The person on the other end chuckled mirthfully before responding. "Young Miss, only a select few know my phone number, and currently, you��re the only one not permitted to use your phone. So, if there��s an emergency or you need to give out instructions, I assume you��d try to contact me using someone else��s phone."

    Hera chuckled as she yfully said. "That��s true. I thought I was being monitored by you 24/7."

    "Young Miss, As much as I wanted to, I can��t breach your privacy." The person on the other side answered seriously as if they were really thinking of doing it to make sure that she��s always safe and sound.

    Hera��s chuckle abruptly ceased as a shiver ran down her spine at the thought, prompting her to abandon any further joking and get straight to the point. "Cindy, I have something for you to do," she said, her tone now serious and focused.

    "Anything for you, Young Miss," Cindy responded, her tone attentive as she listened to Hera��s instructions.

    Bry observed Hera��s yful expression turn serious as she spoke on the phone. She exuded confidence and reliability, instilling in Bry a sense of hope that his uncle��s case would indeed be solved and justice would be served if Hera led them to the forefront.

 Chapter 143 Prince Charming

    "Use your words, not your body, to thank someone," Xavier said sternly, his voice carrying a reprimanding tone.

    Hera thought that Xavier only thinks of her best interest by saying that and wouldn��t want Bry to give her a hard time. "It��s okay Brother Xavier. It does not bother me." Hera said as she smiled sweetly at Xavier.

    Xavier was momentarily speechless, his lips pressed into a thin line as he pondered. Meanwhile, Bry slipped out of his grip and darted behind Hera, mischievously sticking his tongue out while clutching onto Hera��s arm like a yful child.

    Hera felt gratified to see Bry returning to his yful, bubbly self, confirming to her that she had made the right decision.

    Amidst their yful banter, the balding man returned, this time apanied by an entourage of professionals��a veterinarian, his own stable boy, and several others. Surrounded by five men, he strode purposefully toward his horse, which happened to be stationed right beside Hera��s.

    As he passed by, he cast Hera a flirtatious nce,plete with what he likely thought was the most dashing wink and a pouty expression.

    "Is he trying to pull off the Prince Charming act?" Zen muttered to Hera, his face twisted in disgust as if the sight was making him queasy. "Ugh! My eyes!"

    "Right... Prince Charming of Shrek," Hera said with a deadpanned expression. The mental image struck Zen��s funny bone, and he burst intoughter, clutching his stomach. Hera��s delivery of the insult only made himugh harder. Bry, still clinging to Hera, overheard her remark and joined Zen inughing like there was no tomorrow.

    "Sister, you��re savage!" Bry gasped between breaths, struggling to contain hisughter. The mental image of the balding Prince Charming from Shrek was hrious, and both Bry and Zen found it uproariously funny. If Zen was not forced by his sister to watch Shrek before, he wouldn��t have known what the character looked like.

    Hera wasn��t intending to mock the man��s appearance; she merely mentioned what he reminded her of. It wasn��t meant to be a snarkyment, but now she refrained from correcting the two because she didn��t want to draw more attention to the situation and she didn��t want to look too guilty.

    As if he felt that they wereughing at him, the man shot them a sidelong nce with narrowed brows. However, when his gaze met Hera��s, he shed her another suggestive smile, which triggered Xavier��s irritation. Xavier pulled Hera closer to his chest, adopting an intimate stance as if to assert his role as her fianc��.

    Heraprehended Xavier��s intentions, so she didn��t resist. Instead, she yed along, embodying the role of a loving fianc��e relishing her partner��s affectionate gestures. She��s trying to show a mixture of shyness and a desire for more, although in truth, she was repulsed whenever the balding man cast his suggestive gaze her way, as if mentally undressing her. The sensation was nauseating to the extreme.

    She drew closer to Xavier, wrapping her arms around his slender waist, her voice dripping with sweetness and affection as she whispered in his ear, "Vier, I miss you!" Ending with the sweetest smile she could muster, she conveyed a sense of genuine longing and tenderness.

 Chapter 144 Being Fed Dog Food

    Observing the man��s furious reaction, Xavier��s triumphant smile widened. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, sending aforting vibration through his chest that Hera, almost pressed against him in the embrace, could feel. Her face nestled close to his chest, enveloped in hisforting vani scent, momentarily distracting her from her thoughts and actions.

    Zen��s pointed throat clearing brought Hera back to the present moment, disrupting her reverie in Xavier��s embrace. She realized she had be a little toofortable nestled against him, enjoying his warmth perhaps a bit too much. "Ehem!" Zen interjected teasingly, his side-eye suggesting he��d caught on to their momentarypse. "The man vanished ages ago," he quipped before sauntering off to tend to his own horse, leaving Hera slightly flustered.

    Feeling a bit awkward after Zen��s departure, Bry sought an excuse to slip away from the intimate atmosphere between Hera and Xavier. "I think I��ll go check on my father and uncle," he announced, looking for an escape route from the situation.

    After Xavier and Hera separated, Hera awkwardly touched the tip of her nose, feeling a bit bemused. She wondered if Athena��s fondness for good looks had subconsciously influenced her. She couldn��t help but ponder who was taking advantage of whom in their little charade. <i>��No wonder the female lead couldn��t choose between the five male leads. They all have their own merits and allure,��</i> she mused, finding a humorous parallel between her situation and Alice��s situation in the novel that Athena mentioned.

    Xavier��s gaze retained its honeyed intensity as he locked eyes with Hera. "I��ll go back and check on my horse too. Don��t let that guy get too close to you," he advised Hera in a tone that was both protective and alluring, reminiscent of an overly protective fianc��. His voice carried a warmth that seemed to draw Hera in, like a sailor lured by the call of a siren. Feeling the temptation mounting, Hera quickly agreed, realizing that if they continued to y at being lovers any longer, she might lose herself in the charade entirely.

    Xavier cast a final nce at Hera before striding back to his station to check all his equipment, meticulously inspecting the horse and its hooves. Hera mirrored his actions, methodically examining the hooves, saddle, horsewhips, and every item that woulde into contact with Diamond��s body. She also made sure to inspect the food set aside for the horses and ensure that the water was clean and fresh.

    Hera��s mantra was "Better safe than sorry." She refused to becent, opting instead for an abundance of caution rather than risking overlooking any potential danger, especially with a suspect for causing intentional injury among the contestants. She resolved not to leave Diamond unattended with her equipment until thest minute, ensuring that nothing would escape her notice.

    Since she hadn��t returned the cellphone borrowed from Bry��s father, Hera received the message about the investigation findings after only a few minutes. She was shocked by the speed of the action, which took just over half an hour. Opening the message, she found an attached file containing a deluge of documents. As she sifted through them, she was inundated with information gathered from the investigation.

    "Such efficiency could put the FBI��s intelligence department to shame," Hera mused, momentarily taken aback by the swift response. However, she wasted no time and delved into the documents. With each file she perused, her brow furrowed deeper, a testament to the gravity of the information she was uncovering.

    Each file she opened revealed a newyer of depravity. The man had leveraged his family connections and wealth tomit a myriad of crimes. From rape to arson to trafficking, it seemed he had dipped his toes into every conceivable form of wrongdoing. Inparison, intentional injury appeared to be just one minor offense among a sea of atrocities. The weight of his actions could potentially earn him a death sentence. <i>��No, not just potentially, he would be put on the death sentence row after this file was sent to the authorities.��</i>

    However, the final page revealed the reason behind his audacity: he had an uncle working as a judge in the court, wielding considerable influence. This familial connection enabled him to evade consequences for his actions time and time again while cleaning his trace.

 Chapter 145 Will Not Feel Guilty

    Despite Hera��s clear difort and attempts to create distance, the man persisted, approaching her to strike up a conversation. His gaze lingered from her face down to her chest and further, making her feel even more uneasy.

    "Hi, I��ve never seen you join thepetition before. Is this your first time?" His voice grated on Hera��s ears, pretentious and annoying like a fork scratching the back of a pot. She winced involuntarily at the sound, realizing how far it was from the natural hoarse and raspy voices of the male leads. The only person she��d heard with a simr quality of voice was Leo. In retrospect, Leo seemed to embody the essence of the male leads in every aspect��from his looks to his voice, and perhaps even his family background.

    If they were talking about voices, his was the kind Athena once described as capable of impregnating your ears with its seductive allure.

    Hera couldn��t help but recall the encounter with Leo in the women��sfort room��the vulnerability in his state at that time contrasted sharply with the determination and coldness in his eyes. He was the true epitome of a man.

    The man��s forced hoarse voice sounded again, forcefully pulling Hera away from her thoughts as he repeated his question. "Hi, I��ve never seen you join thepetition before. Is this your first time?" Thinking that Hera must not have heard his question the first time, so he turned his voice a little louder this time.

    After hearing his grating voice, Hera unconsciously frowned and released a deep, annoyed exhale. However, the man misinterpreted her reaction as admiration for his voice, assuming she was trying not to appear embarrassed in front of him. If Hera could have read his thoughts, she might have felt a wave of revulsion and gag right there and then. His evident narcissism and inted self-image were unmistakable.

    Hera recalibrated her emotions and replied curtly, "Yes, it��s my first time participating." Her tonecked warmth or enthusiasm, and her demeanor resembled that of an ice queen. She didn��t want to engage in a conversation with him, but she also didn��t want to reveal her disinterest openly just yet. Until her n was fully executed, she preferred to keep her distance and not alert her enemy, ensuring they wouldn��t foresee their demise or identify who to seek vengeance against.

    Despite her impatience, Hera maintained aposed facade, revealing nothing on her face beyond the minimum politeness necessary to engage in a conversation with someone. And, as if sensing her thoughts, Xavier intervened just in time. "Have you finished your preparations?" His voice exuded effortless allure as he leisurely made his way toward her his hands tucked in his pockets.

    Observing Xavier��s approach, the irksome man clicked his tongue in annoyance, contemting whether to depart or oust Xavier from the scene. However, he restrained himself, recognizing his outsider status and the limitations it imposed. His recent warning from his uncle echoed in his mind, cautioning against stirring up trouble, especially considering his uncle��s political ambitions.

 Chapter 146 Who has the Final Laugh

    Her immediate focus shifted to the uing race, determined not to let her and Diamond��s recent efforts go to waste. Hera cleared her mind of distractions, honing her observation skills to ensure she was fully prepared for the challenge ahead or any sudden changes that may arise at any moment.

    As Hera stepped into herne at the race track, she resembled a queen prepared for battle. Her aura exuded confidence and undeniable charm, capturing even more attention. With her naturally striking features already turning heads, hermanding presence made her and Xavier the focal point of the scene.

    They both appeared more suited for a fashion photo shoot than apetition, drawing the focus of numerous cameras. Their presence dominated the scene, earning them the majority of the airtimepared to the other participants.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Ooooh! Hera looked regal,manding attention like a true queen! Bow down, subjects! My Queen!!!]

    [HeraismySister: Did anyone else notice how Hera seemed different today? It��s like she��s transformed into someone even more captivating!]

    [PasserbyGod: @HeraismySister, You��re spot on! Her usual vibrant self has blossomed into a captivating confidence fit for royalty. ��d(^?^)]

    [JustPassingBy: Can we have another betting in this channel? I wanna win likest time LOL]

    [Xoxo: The Director probably wanted to avoid doing that again because as far as I��m aware, he almost messed upst time because of the big bets the VIPs made which almost caused an issue and became an illegal betting...]

    [JustPassingBy: @Xoxo how did you even know that? Bet, you are just making stuff LOL]

    [Xoxo: @JustPassingBy not really, I have a friend working in the government assigned in that department and just happened to tell me that story when we had a drink the other night because we happened to talk about how much I won in that betting corner in the live stream. Hahahah!]

    ...

    ...

    [GoldenLight: I agreed, this aura suited her best!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Undeniably!]

    [EntertainmentKing: I really have a good eye for people.]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing Yeah, right! Say that when you fixed your sister��s character. (????-)?]

    [EntertainmentKing: (?��_��)--��j�h�� @Dave_Carson!!!]

    [GoldenLight: Ho!!! It��s a miracle that @NorthernDuke wasn��t making a noise these past few hours... ( ?? ?? )?]

    [Dave_Carson: @GoldenLight Do you miss him already?]

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    As the participants settled into position, they leaned in close to their horses, anticipation hanging thick in the air, each one poised for the moment the starting pistol would pierce the silence, signaling the thunderous race to the finish line and the pursuit of the championship.

    Hera and Xavier stood firm, their focus unwavering as they kept their eyes fixed on the goal ahead. Despite the energy pulsating around them and the presence of otherpetitors, they maintained theirposure, their gaze steadfastly forward, determined not to let distractions veer them off course. Their vignce was keen, ensuring they steered clear of any potential idents that could derail their pursuit of victory.

 Chapter 147 The Final Burst

    It was only then that the bald man sensed something was amiss, and he began to feel flustered. He urged his horse harder, spurring it to increase its speed, but he didn��t stop there. Frantically, he continued to hit its rear, hoping to outpace Hera and the others.

    However, his horse had expended much of its energy maintaining its speed from the start until it reached the three-quarter-mile mark. Now, it was running on fumes, its energy steadily depleting with each stride.

    Observing herpetitor��s horse, Hera smirked knowingly. She spurred Diamond to increase its pace, tapping into the fastest speed they had achieved during their training sessions just a few days prior. With only a few meters remaining until the finish line, the bald man began tog behind. His horse��s nose now barely reached Diamond��s belly, while Hera remained neck and neck with Xavier and Zen.

    With just a 2-inch lead, Hera was in front. Sensing his decline, the bald man��s expression turned malicious as he made a desperate decision. Swinging his horsewhip to the other side, heshed out at Diamond��s rear, his actions betraying his desperation.

    Swoosh-

    Fortunately for Hera, her vignce paid off. From the moment she took the lead, she kept a keen eye on her opponent, anticipating any potential moves. As she noticed the subtle shift in his posture and the glimmer in his eye while he moved his horsewhip to the other side, she instantly recognized his intentions. Reacting swiftly, she readied her own horsewhip in response.

    As the bald manshed out with his horsewhip, Hera swiftly intercepted it with her own, catching him off guard. His gaze snapped towards Hera, who met his stare with a cold, unwavering gaze. Meanwhile, her horsewhip shielded Diamond��s rear, thwarting the attack that had been rigged with small needles.

    They held their ground in a tense standoff for a few seconds. Then, without warning, Hera pushed his horsewhip forcefully, catching him off guard. With a startled yelp, he lost his grip on the whip, watching helplessly as it tumbled onto the race track. Seizing the opportunity, Hera urged Diamond into a final burst of speed, widening her lead from the rest by a mere 8-9 inches, but it proved to be enough to clinch victory as they crossed the finish line first.

    Hera crossed the finish line with a narrow lead over Xavier, followed closely by Zen. However, the bald man, having pushed his horse too aggressively, fell behind, eventually being overtaken by the previous 2nd and 3rd ce contenders, relegating him to 6th ce in the race.

    The MC��s voice resounded across the tranquil racetrack, proiming the victor of the race, as a hush descended over the spectators, gripped by the intensity of thepetition that had pitted the four contenders against each other in a high-speed battle.

    The MC��s announcement rings out even as Hera and the others are still catching their breath. "Diamond, the two-time consecutive champion, returns to im its third championship title on the national stage! This young steed hasn��t lost an ounce of its momentum despite a year��s failure due to an ident from racing! Congrattions to the winner!"

    Only then did the spectators seated along the track rise up in a fervent uproar.

 Chapter 148 Claiming The Top Spots

    He marched directly towards Hera, forcefully pushing through the crowd, heedless of those he jostled and nearly causing some to stumble to the ground in his single-minded determination to reach her. Fueled by indignation over thepetition��s oue andpounded by Hera��s evasion of his underhanded tactics, his fury was palpable.

    He now harbored a suspicion that Hera had been privy to something, which exined her guarded demeanor and her sessful interception of his sneak attack. As it turned out, his assumptions weren��t entirely unfounded.

    He shifted all the me onto Hera and her friends for his failure to clinch the championship this time. Fuming with indignation, he felt robbed of the spotlight, having meticulously arranged interviews on esteemed shows to elevate his own poprity. Little did he foresee his humiliating defeat.

    He couldn��t bring himself to ept it, refusing outright to acknowledge the reality before him. Frustrated and unwilling to face defeat, he resorted to throwing his weight around.

    But before he could reach Hera, Zen and Xavier swiftly stepped forward, forming a protective barrier around her. They sensed his palpable hostility towards Hera, fueled by his bitter defeat. Perhaps he saw Hera as an easy target because of her gender, but Xavier and Zen were resolute in their defense, unwilling to let himy a finger on her.

    "Fuck off!!!" The man��s voice thundered, his eyes aze with fury as heunched himself towards Xavier,pletely unhinged. "You damn cheater! You��re not worthy of any des or acknowledgment!"

    The entire crowd watched in disbelief as the man made a spectacle of himself, his punches easily dodged by Xavier, who skillfully tripped him, causing him to crash to the ground, his chin taking the brunt of the impact.

    Amidst themotion, Hera found a moment to mock the man, herughter echoing through the chaos. "Maybe you��re projecting yourself," she taunted, her eyebrows raised in amusement as she stood over him with her arms crossed. Xavier and Zen nked her like vignt sentinels, ready to protect her at any moment.

    The man lifted his head from the ground, fixing a menacing re directly on Hera. Though his shouting ceased, the intensity in his eyes suggested he was mentally willing to harm her. "Be mindful of who you cross," he warned, his voice dripping with menace. "Or you may find yourself meeting an unexpected end. You better confess your cheating, otherwise..." His threat hung in the air, the unspoken implications clear to all who witnessed the confrontation. Anger rippled through the crowd at his audacious threat, as if he regarded no one with any value.

    But Hera remained unfazed. "Otherwise, what?" she challenged, punctuating her words with a rhythmic tap of her index finger against her arm. "Actually, there is something I need to confess," she admitted, allowing her words to linger momentarily in the air.

    Thinking that Hera had sumbed to his threat, he smirked triumphantly as he attempted to rise. But Hera��s next words stopped him in his tracks. "Earlier, as I approached the finish line, he attempted to attack my horse with a whip rigged with needles," she exined with a hint of sadness, her shoulders slumping. It became evident that her earlier bravado had been a facade, now shattered by the reality of his threat, which had instilled genuine fear in her.

 Chapter 149 Seeds of Doubt

    With undisguised malice in his gaze, he fixated on Hera, already plotting his next move. Despite his simmering rage, witnessing Hera��s vulnerable state gave him a moment of pause. It was a stark reminder of the power of desire overriding fury. Truly, the saying <i>��a man��s lower half doing the talking and thinking��</i> encapsted this individual perfectly.

    From the outset, Hera had captured his attention and even slighted him, fueling his desire to ensure her disappearance from the world��s gaze and keep her for himself, akin to a caged bird. His intentions were to possess her entirely, shielding her from any potential love rival while making sure that she regrets offending him and he was not nning on taking it easy on her. Additionally, he harbored ns to take care of Xavier once the dust had settled, resolving any obstacles to his desires.

    With his mind racing at lightning speed, his eyes shed with malice as he straightened his posture, exuding an air of confidence. "If youck evidence, don��t attempt to besmirch my reputation in front of everyone simply to absolve yourself of cheating usations," he dered, his words dripping with unwavering certainty as if his assertions were undeniable truth.

    "Sir, I fail to understand why you persist in using me of cheating. Do you possess any evidence to support your ims? It seems rather illogical to make such baseless usations, especially when it��s evident that you failed to meet your own expectations," Hera retorted, her voice trembling slightly as she sought refuge in Xavier��s embrace. Despite her outward disy of bravery even when she was visibly scared, Hera couldn��t help but smirk inwardly, knowing she was getting under the bald man��s skin.

    "Sir, are you suggesting I cheated simply because you couldn��t secure victory?" Hera��s tone was innocent and feigned fear, yet her words struck directly at the heart of the matter. She seized the opportunity to taunt the man, hoping to provoke further disys of his unfavorable behavior, particrly in front of the cameras and spectators.

    "Enough with your lies! If you can��t keep your mouth shut, I��ll ensure you never speak again for the rest of your miserable life!" His roar echoed with fury, veins bulging on his forehead as his face contorted in rage.

    "You dare?!" Another roar, this time from a man��s voice nearby, echoed with a chilling dominance that instilled fear in all who heard it.

    The bald man tensed instantly upon hearing the voice, though he couldn��t identify its owner. Nheless, fear gripped him as themanding tone carried an undeniable sense of authority and power.

    Before long, a man d in a navy blue three-piece suit emerged from the midst of the crowd, trailed by several others simrly in suits. Yet, it was hismanding aura and striking features that distinguished him from the rest. The palpable weight of authority surrounding him sent a shiver down the spine of the bald man, who suddenly found himself overwhelmed in the presence of such power.

    Before the bald man could react, the arrival of the police at the venue seized everyone��s attention. Even the neers in suits were taken aback, along with the rest of the crowd. Only Hera, nestled in Xavier��s embrace, remained unfazed. She had orchestrated themotion as a mere distraction, buying time for the police to arrive and ensure proper procedures were followed, thusying the groundwork for awful arrest.

    She couldn��t contain her grin, her face hidden from the crowd as her shoulders shook. Xavier mistook it for fear, but Hera knew better. She was struggling to stifle herughter, holding back the urge to burst out. "Adios, asshole," she whispered triumphantly under her breath.

    _______________

    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: <ABDHYK98UU8BR85QB>. 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!

 Chapter 150 Decisive Action

    In Hera��s philosophy, if evidence doesn��t exist, create it, and if opportunities don��t present themselves, make them. However, she drew a firm line atpromising her safety or that of others. The risks taken during the race were already pushing the limits, and she refused to gamble with her life. She cherished her one and only life and had no intention of ying the daredevil. The thought of her grandfather��s potential reaction filled her with uncertainty��she dreaded the idea of causing him pain or disappointment.

    He might even recall the anguish he experienced when he lost his son and daughter-inw. Hera wasn��t foolish enough to reopen such a deep wound by causing him unnecessary worry.

    Gerald and Cindy remained conspicuously absent from the venue, opting to operate discreetly from the shadows to ensure the fiasco remained disconnected from Hera or Bry��s family just to make sure that Hera��s n was foolproof and wouldn��t be traced back to her. The rapid sequence of events left everyone stunned and immobile, struggling toprehend the unfolding story��especially those present who were unaware of the inte chatter surrounding the incident.

    Initially, many assumed the police arrested him solely for the failed attack during the race. After discussing this theory, everyone seemed to agree, nodding in understanding. With that settled, they resumed the festivities, celebrating Hera��s victory with newfound fervor. The consensus was that the bald man had indeed attempted to y dirty, only to be caught in the act byw enforcement, thus bing an embarrassment to the tournament.

    After the tumultuous events were resolved, the tournament organizers swiftly dispatched their representatives to coordinate with the authorities, ensuring that the incident wouldn��t tarnish the entire tournament or implicate others. With the situation under control, they proceeded with the award distribution and attended to any remaining logistical needs and acknowledgments.

    "Hera, are you alright?" The man in the suit approached Hera directly. Throughout the ordeal, Hera had been hiding her face in Xavier��s chest, unable to discern who had arrived until she heard a familiar voice. However, she was too overwhelmed to process the situation fully.

    With the situation resolved and the wait for the recognition underway, the spectators gradually returned to their seats in the bleachers. Xavier, however, remained steadfast in his support of Hera, refusing to let go of her. He insisted that she was still shaken and in need offort, and no one objected, allowing him to provide the reassurance she sought.

    As the ceremony unfolded, the people already forgot the shenanigans that happened as if it was a story that happened centuries ago, the neer stood beside them, locked in a silent standoff with Xavier. It was evident to both of them that they shared the same concern. "Why are you holding onto her so tightly?" the man questioned Xavier, his tone carrying a sharp edge and sourness.

    Xavier remained silent, gently holding Hera��s head in ce to prevent her from turning towards the neer. His lips tightened in tension. With the arrival of the neer, the Director��s camera had been fixated on them, capturing every moment. The neer, akin to a Greek god descended to the mortal realm, drew the attention of viewers away from the arrest entirely. The audience couldn��t stop buzzing about the trio of eye-catching individuals standing so close together.

    As the Variety Show draws to a close, Hera and herpanions bask in the glory of their race��s victory, which has only added to the show��s poprity. This surge in attention is further amplified by the unexpected turn of events and the sudden appearance of a high-profile celebrity like the CEO.

    With the arrival of the CEO and Best Actor, everyone��s attention shifts to the unfolding drama, deeming it far juicier than the earlier events involving the balding man and his arrest. The audience conveniently erases that memory, eager to focus on the uing face-off between these prominent figures for the spotlight.

    Even the Director held his breath as they watched Xavier engage in a tense staredown with the man. Despite the man��s attempt to pull Hera towards him, he hesitated, fearing he might harm her, given Xavier��s firm grip.

    [HeraismySister: OMG!!! He��s like a Greek God in suits!!!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: I��m having a hard time choosing who to choose to ship with my little sister Hera!!!! Argh!]

    [JustReading: Can anyone tell me who this eye candy is?]

    [Xoxo: @JustReading no idea too. I was still too busy processing what happened with the man who was trying to attack Goddess Hera when the atmosphere suddenly shifted and another immortal descended from the heavens.]

    [GoldenLight: Why��s he there?! ???(��_��)]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I should have joined them. Doctors would have been more useful than him.]

    [EntertainmentKing: Tsk!]

    [Dave_Carson: Oh! Who is he? Do you guys know him? ���� ��(? 0? ;)/��]

    "Ah! Leo!" Upon hearing the familiar voice she had been contemting moments earlier, she found it strikingly recognizable. His voice was even better than she remembered from her memory.

    Hearing his name on her lips, Leo��s smile widened with genuine happiness. His gaze locked onto Hera, though Xavier��s hand obstructed his view. Leo��s eyes shifted from Xavier��s hand to his face, and he responded with a taunting smile as if to say, "Even if you try to blindfold her, she recognizes me." Then, Leo��s eyes crinkled with warmth as he took a step closer, gently grasping Hera��s arm. "I��m d you still remember me," he said softly.

 Chapter 151 Love Rivals Meeting Each Other

    He wasn��t simply "nearby"; in fact, he had traveled from a city quite distant from the event��s location, all because of a crucial meeting. However, Leo was determined to witness Hera��s equestrianpetition in person. So, he arranged for a helicopter to transport him from and to the event, eager to seize an opportunity to get closer to Hera. In fact, he even went as far as sponsoring the event to ensure it was impably organized, providing everything necessary for everyone��sfort, particrly Hera��s.

    Who would have anticipated someone audacious enough to scheme under his watchful eye? Leo found himself grimly observing the CCTV footage from the security room, witnessing Xavier��s relentless attempts to flirt with Hera, his future wife, as if oblivious to boundaries. Leo��s gaze bore into Xavier through the camera feed, his frustration palpable. Only the intervention of his assistant prevented him from impulsively rushing to the stables to pull Xavier away from Hera.

    Had Leo��s assistant not skillfully intervened, coaxing Leo with the reminder that his intentions would be instantly revealed if he rushed to Hera and Xavier, potentially jeopardizing his carefullyid ns for their ��chance encounter��, Leo might have impulsively dashed off to confront Xavier long before.

    This also indicates that Leo was fully aware of Hera��s ns from the start. The stable cameras not only providedprehensive 360-degree coverage but also boasted 4K resolution and excellent audio capabilities. While Leo hadn��t intended to eavesdrop on Hera��s scheming, the close proximity of one camera to Hera��s cubicle inadvertently exposed her ns to him.

    Unaware that his own assistant had orchestrated the surveince setup, Leo��s tension eased upon discovering Hera��s n to not confront the bald man head-on, and not nning to risk her own safety. After realizing she wasn��t seeking to be a hero but rather meticulously nned her actions using her own resources from the dark, Leo refrained from impulsively intervening, allowing Hera to handle the situation on her own terms.

    Leo emerged from the security room just as Hera was gearing up topete. Opting for a seat in the bleachers closer to the race track but distanced from the bustling crowd, he ensured an undisturbed view of Hera��s race.

    He took proactive measures, instructing his team to assist Hera��s associates in gathering evidence while maintaining vignt surveince to prevent any foul y such as drugging Hera��s horse. However, Leo was taken aback by the audacity of the bald man, who brazenly attempted to make advances on Hera in broad daylight and amidst a crowd.

    Leo seethed with rage as he witnessed the man��s intentions unfold, causing his breath to catch in his throat. Thankfully, Hera remained vignt and avoided harm. But had she been endangered, Leo��s fury would have known no bounds. He swore to obliterate the man��s entire lineage from the face of the earth while condemning the bald man to a fate worse than hell, and he would be the one wishing he had never been born.

    "That��s fantastic news! My friend and I just finished our round as well!" Hera��s infectious enthusiasm snapped Leo back to reality. His gaze locked onto her radiant amber eyes, gleaming like the sun. It was evident she was thrilled with how thepetition had unfolded.

    Leo joined her in smiling, his expression mirroring her joy as he offered heartfelt congrattions. The moment, captured by the camera, radiated warmth and harmony. Hera, observing Leo��s genuine reaction and wholehearted support, felt a surge of happiness and excitement after days of tireless effort. It seemed as though all her hard work had finally paid off.

    Xavier, in contrast, couldn��t conceal his discontent as he felt overshadowed by Leo��s presence. Unable to find an opportunity to interject in their conversation, he could only tighten his lips in frustration. Clearly, at a disadvantage, Xavier found himselfckingpared to Leo��s effortless conversational prowess, meaning, being talkative.

    Xavier��s notion of "talkative" seemed to imply using more words than himself, which was actually just one or two words more. However, in reality, Leo wasn��t particrly talkative, especiallypared to his chattiness in the livestream chatroom. Leo was more inclined towards action rather than words, sharing a simr disposition with Xavier in this regard.

 Chapter 152 Rival

    Hence, every child of the Hendrix family was groomed to rule andmand like emperors, destined to lead their people to unparalleled sess. Had it not been for the concerted efforts of numerous families, who sought to suppress the Hendrixes since Leo��s great-great-grandfather��s era, the Hendrix family would have undoubtedly reigned as the foremost powerhouse in their country. Their prosperity became the very reason for their targeting, leading to their eventual decline.

    Thanks to the unwavering support of the Avery family during their times of need, the Hendrix family weathered the storms of adversity. This alliance forged a renewed bond between the two families, reminiscent of the close ties their ancestors shared during their reign as monarchs and advisors, guiding their country toward brighter days.

    Had their sessive generations not predominantly produced sons, a marriage alliance between the two families might have been established much earlier. However, it was only in Hera��s generation that the Avery family weed a daughter. Seizing this opportunity, both families used it as a means to solidify their bond and truly be one unified family atst.

    However, no one anticipated that a pest would dare to encroach upon their beloved Hera, inadvertently breaking Leo��s heart. Yet, now that Hera had rid herself of this individual, Leo returned immediately, determined to fight for the person he had yearned for. He vowed to actively engineer opportunities for them to meet and spend more time together if fate did not provide such chances on its own.

    His grandfather, finding himself with ample free time as Leo took over the family business, grew bored. Meanwhile, Hera��s grandfather was preupied with work. To remedy his boredom, Leo��s grandfather decided to join Hera��s grandfather, his best friend, seeking to alleviate his restlessness by teasing and pestering him no matter where he went.

    Leo couldn��t help but facepalm at the memory of his grandfather, whose penchant for more childish behavior seemed to increase with age. Growing up in the Hendrix family meant enduring immense pressure to excel from as early as five years old, with strict guidance on life goals. This upbringing often left them emotionally distant and cold. However, his grandfather��s passing the baton to him relieves his grandfather of the burdens and responsibilities that had defined his life. Finally freed from the weight of familial obligations, he could now pursue what had eluded him throughout his youth and that is being free and experiencing many things.

    While the Avery family, with their wealth of life experiences, aged into wise individuals akin to hermits seeking tranquility in retirement, the Hendrix family followed a vastly different path. The two families, each embodying contrasting dynamics, found themselves drawn to one another due to the intriguing intery between their differing philosophies and lifestyles.

    As Leo took the stage, Hera��s realization dawned: he was a member of the esteemed Hendrix Consortium, a household name widely known much like her own family. Her eyes widened in surprise as she locked gazes with Leo, who met her stare with a yful twinkle in his eyes. Meanwhile, Xavier, observing from the sidelines, misinterpreted Hera��s reaction as a sign of infatuation towards Leo. Sourness crept into his expression as he watched her intently, lips pursed in difort.

    Meeting Leo triggered rm bells in Xavier��s mind, prompting him to finally recognize and understand his growing attraction to Hera. Initially, he dismissed his feelings as mere convenience, attributing them to their partnership to make it more convenient for both of them while on the Variety Show. However, as time passed and he grew closer to Hera, he found himself unknowingly changing his behavior and feelings towards her.

    The discovery of a love rival hit Xavier like a tidal wave, leaving him feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the situation. Deep inside, he grappled with a sense of unease, recognizing Leo��s unmistakable interest in Hera. Moreover, Xavier couldn��t shake the feeling that Leo��s appearance was far from coincidental, adding to his growing apprehension.

    Xavier clung to a glimmer of hope, noting that Hera didn��t seem particrly close to Leo. This realization bolstered his belief in his chances, even though he remained clueless about how Leo and Hera had crossed paths. However, Xavier knew he could uncover that detailter. What mattered most at the moment was how he could win Hera��s affections. ncing at Leo, a thought crossed Xavier��s mind: "He seems like a male vixen." The very notion left Xavier frowning in dissatisfaction.

    Once Leo concluded his speech, the host proceeded to announce the winners of the equestrian race, starting from the third runner-up, Zen, followed by Xavier. However, when it came time to announce Hera��s cement, the host paused, exchanging a significant nce with Leo.

    Leo called Hera��s name, his voice dripping with honeyed tones and a hint of seduction. As his words reached Hera��s ears, her eyes fluttered involuntarily, feeling a sensation akin to butterflies in her stomach, followed by a tingling sensation that seemed to ripple through her entire being.

 Chapter 153 A Chance Meeting

    Leo stepped forward just as Hera approached the ranking podium where Xavier and Zen stood. With a gesture of gentlemanly grace, he extended his hand, offering support for her ascent to the top of the rankingdder, which stood slightly higher than knee height.

    Leo��s gesture seemed calcted, perhaps to preempt any chance of Xavier leaving his podium to support Hera. Hera, having cleared her mind, didn��t resist Leo��s offered assistance. cing her hand atop his extended one, they walked together gracefully, their movements conveying a sense of familiarity and ease as if they were a couple who had spent years in each other��spany.

    Their synergy wasn��t just superficial; there was a palpable harmony between them, an unspoken connection that resonated like a well-tuned melody. Each step they took together seemed to paint a picture of an ideal couple, perfectly in sync andplementing each other��s presence.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Oh my!!! Don��t they look good together walking hand in hand like that?!]

    [HeraismySister: So true! Now, I��m having a hard time choosing between Xavier and this gentleman who��s good for my sister Hera. ?(?0?)]

    [JustPassingBy: I guess I��ve been living under a rock. It��s surprising to see there are other guys out there who can rival Xavier��s charm and good looks.]

    [PasserbyGod: They looked like a seasoned couple to me.]

    [GoldenLight: Oh please, @PasserbyGod, it is clear that Leo guy is openly seducing Hera.]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: He really does.]

    [EntertainmentKing: He��s too obvious.]

    [Dave_Carson: Why do I smell sour lemons from miles away?! ���V�٩V��]

    [EntertainmentKing: Shut the fuck up @Dave_Carson, weren��t you attending the inauguration of the new president of Country Y? What are you even doing in the live stream chatroom and watching the live stream?!]

    [Dave_Carson: ?��(��,�� )]

    "Congrattions on your victory," Leo whispered to Hera, his eyes softening as he looked down at her face while escorting her. There was a glimmer of pride in his eyes, not just for her sess, but for the culmination of her hard work. It was as though her triumph in the championship carried a personal significance for him, akin to his own aplishment.

    "I didn��t expect to see you presenting the award for our race," Hera whispered with a discreet giggle, meant only for Leo��s ears and eyes.

    Leo��s tone was less cold and dominant as he spoke. His eyes show distinct affection and gentleness. "What can I do? I was sent here to represent the Hendrix as the sponsor of the event. Showing respect to the participants and organizers was necessary." He paused for a bit before continuing. "Meeting you here, well, that was an unexpected bonus." His words conveyed a sense of authority, suggesting that his presence was more than just coincidence. Beneath the surface of his words, there was a clear implication that he was not directly associated with the higher-ups of Hendrix Consortium and their decision-making, a message was delivered without needing to be explicitly stated.

    If Leo��s assistant could hear his words, he would surely roll his eyes at Leo��s attempt to distance himself from the decision he made. Leo was trying to present their meeting as a mere twist of fate, conveniently ignoring his deliberate actions to orchestrate it. Such maniption came as a surprise, even to those close to him.

    In a surprising twist, the typically domineering and cold Leo found himself ying the role of matchmaker for himself. If his grandfather were to catch wind of this, he��d surely be amused. Leo smoothly guided Hera towards the ranking podium, his actions betraying a rare tenderness. With a firm grip on her small waist, he effortlessly lifted her up, sparing her the effort of climbing��a gesture not extended to the other champions.

    After helping her up, Leo reluctantly let go of her soft waist and then went back to his position where the host gave him the award to be presented to Hera. Leo walked forward in front of Hera, Hera slightly bent her body forward to make it easier for Leo to ce the medal on her neck.

    After ceremoniously draping the medal around her neck, the host passed the trophy to Leo, who then tenderly presented it to Hera, his gaze locked solely on her. "Congrattions!" he eximed, a genuine smile gracing his features. Hera returned the gesture with a sweet smile of her own. This fleeting moment was captured in a photograph, capturing their exchange. Finally, they all gathered together with the winners for onest snapshot, destined for the front page of the equestrianpetition.

    Xavier silently observed the exchange from the sidelines, resisting the urge to intervene and pull Hera to his side. He found sce in the thought that Leo��s time with Hera would be limited, unlike his own potential opportunities to deepen their rtionshipter or tomorrow. Besides, he reminded himself, he still had two wishes left.

    He reminded himself not to rush things, realizing that impatience could jeopardize the progress they��ve made in their rtionship, which was currently on good terms. Moreover, he reasoned, there would be ample opportunities not just tomorrow, given their shared professional path. With Hera as his junior in the same industry, he could fulfill the role of a supportive and guiding senior without putting her in any difficult positions.

    After quelling the storm within him, Xavier��s mood lifted, and he paid little mind to Leo��s proximity to Hera. Leo��sck of introduction regarding his position within the Hendrix Consortium led Xavier, along with nearly everyone else, to assume that he was likely from the branch family of the Hendrix, perhaps holding a managerial or even directorial role if he provedpetent. With this spection in mind, Xavier no longer viewed Leo as directpetition.

    Unbeknownst to Leo, his love rivals were contemting simr thoughts, no longer viewing him as a significant threat. Nheless, he continued to happily pose for pictures beside Hera, subtly inching closer with each shot until their faces were mere inches apart. Even if he were aware of his rivals�� thoughts, Leo wouldn��t have cared. Hera��s opinion was paramount to him, and he would likely just sneer at his rivals, knowing they held no sway over her feelings.

 Chapter 154 Selling Diamond?

    Even after deducting taxes and fees from their winnings, they would still pocket a clean $150,000. However, despite his annoyance, Bry��s father remainedposed, masking his frustration. He was ustomed to encountering opportunistic individuals eager to profit without being prepared to make amensurate investment.

    The man making the offer grew annoyed at Bry��s father��sck of excitement and happiness. To him, the sum he was offering wasn��t insignificant. Despite Bry��s father��s current winnings, there was no guarantee that his champion��s reign would continue in the following years.

    Sensing the tension mounting around Bry��s father, Hera smoothly intervened. "Uncle, what��s the dy? Everyone��s waiting to celebrate." She acted as if she hadn��t noticed the tension and gently guided Bry��s father away, aiming to diffuse the situation. This move was partly to save face for Bry��s father, who seemed on the brink of exploding at any moment as well as the other man so he wouldn��t need to be embarrassed.

    Although Bry��s father is good-natured man, he is without temper and he can be annoying and scary when someone manages to flip his switches the wrong way. And even though Hera was not aware of this, she still did not want Bry��s father��s mood to be dampened by some random person when it was supposed to be a good asion.

    "Hey! You, you��re the one riding that Friesian horse, right? I��ll give you an offer higher than they did. Be my rider instead," he said, shing Hera a knowing smile. His words suggested a double-meaning word not only a proposition for her to be a horse rider but also hinted at a more intimate rtionship, implying that she could "ride" him too.

    Hera, who had tried to be courteous and provide him an exit earlier, was now also irritated. Not only did the man fail to appreciate her intervention, preventing him from embarrassing himself, but he also went ahead and provoked her. Hera��s brows furrowed as she struggled to rein in her anger.

    However, it appeared that someone had lost control of their anger before she did. "Drag him away and bar him from ever setting foot near the Equestrian Competition again!" boomed amanding voice from the depths of the crowd.

    "Leo? Didn��t you just leave?" Hera spun around in surprise upon hearing the familiar voice once more, a distinct smile dancing on her lips.

    Leo, contemting possible exnations, maintained silence as he approached Hera. Upon reaching her, he gently pulled her to his side, his gaze locking with the man who had sessfully provoked him. Ensuring Hera was secure in his embrace, he spoke softly, "I��ve learned that the investigation into the actions of the other participant who made a move earlier is underway. Considering his family��s influence, I returned to ensure your safety."

    Hera was moved by Leo��s concern, appreciating his kindness even though they were essentially strangers. If Leo��s assistant knew her thoughts, he might burst intoughter. "Leo, kind? That��s a good one," he might say, considering Leo more like an Asura in the eyes of others.

    "Are you alright?" Leo asked, blowing the situation out of proportion, and making Hera feel a bit embarrassed. He seemed to be acting like an overly concerned wife. To her surprise, Xavier also stepped forward, wearing a worried expression. Theirbined reaction was so exaggerated that Hera found herself forgetting her initial anger sparked by the man��s shameless words. Now, she was left feeling confused and didn��t even know what she was feeling anymore.

    "I��m alright," Hera assured Leo, gently tapping his hand that supported her waist as if she couldn��t stand on her own. The man who initiated the fiasco was swiftly dragged away before he could even protest. Hera found herself speechless as the man was hauled off unceremoniously, resembling a sack of potatoes being carried away from the scene.

    She found the situation both concerning and amusing, but she kept herposure intact. "Thank you, Leo, but there��s no need for you toe back. I understand you��re busy with work. It��s the thought that counts, and that means a lot to me," Hera said softly, attempting to dismiss Leo because she knew his time was valuable, and keeping herpany might not be in his best interest. She didn��t want him to risk getting reprimanded by his boss for cking off.

    Leo shook his head, a gentle smile ying on his lips. "I��m not busy at all. I don��t hold a significant position in thepany, so even if I disappeared for the whole day, no one would even notice."

    The assistant��s head snapped to the side, eyes widening at his boss��s words. <i>��Not important? Not holding a significant position? Who does he think he��s fooling?��</i> He opened his mouth, then closed it again, repeating the action several times. He struggled to find words, torn between speaking out and risking his boss��s wrath, knowing he would face severe consequences if he said something foolish. Besides, his boss was known for never cking off, so if he wanted to take a day off, they could simply consider it his first one.

    <i>��Let��s just let it go.��</i>

    Leo��s assistant sent a message to the secretarial department informing them that they could go home early today because Leo didn��t look like he was about to go back anytime soon in thepany.

    So, he just then decided to help his boss win the beauty. "Manager, since they��re about to celebrate, why don��t we join them? Didn��t you mention wanting to buy a horse as a gift for your father? Why don��t you talk with mister over here?" Leo��s assistant impulsively suggested, seizing the moment and not wanting to let the opportunity slip away.

    Upon hearing his assistant��s suggestion, Leo felt a surge of appreciation towards him, finding him more agreeable than ever before. He nodded in satisfaction and turned to face Hera, his eyes filled with anticipation, and his typically imposing expression softened into something endearing. This unexpected change tugged at Hera��s heartstrings, leaving her deeply moved.

 Chapter 155 Want to Join Us?

    Despite not receiving the response he hoped for after a few moments, Leo remained undeterred. With a gentle tone, he turned to Hera and asked, "Do you think I can reallye?" His gaze dropped slightly as he posed the question, already bracing himself for a potential rejection. He resembled a disappointed dog denied a treat by its beloved owner. Before Hera could respond, Leo continued in a softer voice, "I don��t know anyone out there except for you. If you don��t agree, I don��t think I��ll fit in with anyone else. But everyone in the vige seems so weing and nice that I feel like..." Leo trailed off, his words ended with a sigh.

    Even without finishing his sentence, it was clear what he was trying to express, and his struggle to articte his feelings was palpable. He appeared torn between his desire to join and his expectation of rejection, and Hera couldn��t help but feel sympathy for him.

    Hera perceived him as both intimidating and unapproachable, leading her to specte that he might not have many friends and could be introverted. It seemed natural for him to act reserved, perhaps harboring curiosity but feeling too shy to reach out to others. Despite his striking appearance, the energy he exuded didn��t seem particrly inviting, making it challenging for others to approach him.

    Hera felt a sense of responsibility to help Leo break out of his shell and connect with new people. She saw his good looks and natural charisma as qualities that shouldn��t be hidden away. "I was actually just about to ask you to join us. Would you like to?" she inquired, observing Leo��s face light up like a bulb. A wide smile gradually spread across his lips, and he beamed brightly at Hera, momentarily catching her off guard with the radiant visual attack he sent her way.

    Leo nodded eagerly at Hera, instantly agreeing with her offer, and apanied it with a gentle smile. Only then did the usually silent Xavier speak up, his lips pursed thoughtfully. "Hera, aren��t we supposed to cook for the vigers tomorrow?" Xavier paused, casting a nce at Leo. "Perhaps we could hold the celebration tomorrow instead. That way, we can treat it as both a celebration and a thank-you party for the vigers. Today, we could all use some rest afterpleting the race."

    To be honest, Xavier was content to stick to their nned itinerary for the day. He wasn��t particrly tired, and they could still celebrate today while cooking for the vigers tomorrow, as originally nned. However, he couldn��t shake the feeling that if he gave Leo an inch to get closer to Hera, he would definitely take a mile.

    He feltpelled to prevent that from happening, a nagging feeling stirring inside him that this wasn��t how things were meant to be. It was as if something or someone was urging him to view Leo as an adversary rather than a potential love rival, and the unease grew within him.

    He found himself in a dilemma; he didn��t want to control Hera��s choices or her interactions with others, yet he couldn��t help but intervene in Leo��s attempts to get closer to the woman he admired. <i>��Is this jealousy?��</i> Xavier wondered as he tried to decipher the unfamiliar feeling. Having never experienced jealousy or envy before, he wasn��t entirely certain.

    Upon hearing Xavier��s suggestion, Hera found it logical and efficient, without suspecting any ulterior motives. She genuinely considered the proposal and weighed their options. However, she had already extended the invitation to Leo, and she hesitated to rescind it or abruptly alter their ns, mindful that Leo might not be avableter.

    Leo interjected with his own idea, addressing Hera��s concerns. "As I mentioned earlier, I have some free time on my hands since I wasn��t that crucial in mypany. Would it be alright for me to join you guys in the vige?" He asked, with a hint of apprehension, as if unsure of their response. "Perhaps I could also take some time to explore the beauty of the vige," he added, stealing a shy nce at Hera. "Maybe you could show me around?"

    By now, Xavier was certain of one thing: Leo was a formidable rival who could employ any means to capture the attention of the person he liked, even if it meant acting coy or disying shyness. Xavier felt like he had already lost to Leo in this regard, unable to envision himself behaving shyly or appearing vulnerable in front of Hera.

    Xavier nervously nced at Hera��s face, trying to gauge her reaction to Leo��s obvious acting. Hera, too, noticed Leo��s act, and her earlier concern evaporated. However, she chose not to call Leo out, as his behavior seemed harmless. Perhaps he genuinely wanted to visit the vige but was too shy to ask directly, resulting in his roundabout inquiry.

 Chapter 156 Stay Next To Her

    Observing the Director��s reaction, Leo��s assistant rephrased his words. "The young master intends to stay in the vige until tomorrow. I hope you already know what you are supposed to do?" He paused briefly before adding, "Also, please remember that the young master is currently incognito as a mere manager in thepany. Keep that in mind."

    After a few moments of processing Leo��s assistant��s words, the gears in the Director��s head finally started turning, connecting the dots. He eagerly nodded, realizing that as long as he avoided offending any of the powerful individuals who seemed to be constantly pestering him, he would simplyply with their requests. If he didn��t, he felt like he��d aged ten years every time his phone rang.

    Their persistence and difficult nature made them incredibly challenging to handle. Even though he wasn��t afraid of them, the stress they caused him was immense.

    After the agreement between the two was reached, Leo��s assistant began his exnation. "Director, you see, ourpany��s manager wanted to visit Autumnvale Vige to explore its beauty and perhaps purchase a horse or two as a gesture of goodwill." He paused, ncing back at Leo, then resumed, "He��s also been invited by the horse owner and Miss Ainsley to join in the celebration. However, we understand that those whopeted may be tired and in need of rest, and they also decided to postpone the celebration until tomorrow."

    "You see, my manager is free these days and also wants to unwind a bit. Is it possible for him to join you all and spend the night in the cabin?" By now, everything he had said had been heard by everyone, and it was clear he had been beating around the bush for a moment before getting to his point.

    By making his words public, they could preempt any further inquiries. As long as they handled it tactfully, they wouldn��t provoke unnecessary questions about Leo��s position or create obstacles that might interfere with his time with Hera while maintaining confidentiality. This disy wasn��t for the benefit of those present but rather for those who had been causing trouble for Hera, and might potentially use this issue to criticize her decision-making or question her consideration for others�� perspectives and so on.

    The Director astutely caught onto the subtle cue from Leo��s assistant and adeptly yed along. Given that they were leaving the vige tomorrow, they could simply treat Leo as an additional guest. Besides, the Director wasn��t one to ept a losing deal easily. His quick agreement wasn��t solely due to Leo��s potential pestering him but also because he and his team had witnessed the significant boost in viewership Leo��s appearance had brought to their show in just one afternoon.

    He saw Leo as a walking advertisement, an opportunity he couldn��t pass up to generate onest stir on the inte. By pairing Leo with Hera, he aimed to make this season of "The Quest" the highest-rated yet, boosting both viewership and retention rates to unprecedented levels.

    Upon noticing Xavier��s sour expression as he closely monitored Hera and Leo, another scheme sparked in the Director��s mind. He swiftly instructed his crew to concentrate their cameras on the trio: Hera, Leo, and Xavier. His n was to generate more buzz on their official social media page by teasing a love triangle between the three, sure to ignite debates among viewers about which pairing they favored.

    In ast-minute twist, he decided to incorporate a poll to determine which pairing among the three would emerge victorious. Demonstrating remarkable speed and efficiency, the Director and his crew swiftly set up the poll from their OB van before even reaching the vige, showcasing their dedication to capturing every detail of the unfolding drama.

    After the clickbait was posted and the poll went live, it immediately sparked a trending topic. Remarkably, the Director didn��t need to rely on their marketing team or any artificial boosting tactics to keep the momentum going; the buzz naturally took off on its own.

 Chapter 157 Shipping Battle

    Leo harbored no anger; instead, he felt a sense of contentment knowing that his assistant possessed a high emotional intelligence andprehended his mission without explicit instruction. Leo even considered boosting his assistant��s year-end bonus as a token of appreciation for his astuteness.

    "Are you tired?" Leo asked with concern but his eyes also had a hint of longingness as if he really wanted her to stay but was torn because he did not want her to be too tired. He wasn��t even able to masked his expression in front of Hera.

    Hera��sughter softened her gaze into crescents as she replied, "No, would you care to take a stroll around the vige before dinner?" Already moving forward, she gestured for Leo to join her, setting off with a graceful step.

    Leo eagerly trailed behind Hera, his eyes crinkling with delight as his smile stretched from ear to ear. The viewers witnessed a scene reminiscent of arge ck wolf��initially appearing intimidating, yet now happily wagging its tail with its tongue lolling out as it followed its master, hopping in delight.

    [AuntieNextDoor: Isn��t he just adorable?!]

    [HeraismySister: Absolutely! I��m already smitten with their chemistry!]

    [XavierisLife: Hey, sister upstairs, weren��t you all about shipping Hera and Xavier just a moment ago? Why the sudden change of heart?!!]

    [HeraismySister: @XavierisLife Sister, don��t be upset, okay?! I simply couldn��t decide between them for Hera! But if they��re willing to share her, I won��tin anymore.]

    As if sparked by that singlement, a sudden silence fell over the chatroom, each person pausing to seriously contemte the scene before them. There was Hera, seated elegantly in the center, holding the neckties of each man in her hands, exuding an air of regal authority amidst a circle of handsome men. It was as if she were a queen, surrounded by her loyal courtiers.

    Rather than continuing to argue amongst themselves, Hera��s fans redirected their attention toward the Director and the staff, making a collective request for another option in the poll: shipping Hera with both men. The Director felt as if he had swallowed a fly upon seeing the influx of requests, realizing this wasn��t just a solitary user��s suggestion��more and more users were echoing the same sentiment, unable to decide between the two options presented.

    For them, this was nothing more than a fun game, as long as they got to feast their eyes on the beauty of all three individuals.

    Reluctantly, the Director added the choice to the poll, and as soon as it was posted, the numbers skyrocketed, showing no signs of slowing down. This decision sparked yet another trending topic on the inte. Some users began crafting coges of images from Hera and Xavier��s time in the vige, seamlessly inserting Leo��s pictures sourced from thepetition.

    This coge quickly circted across the inte, amassing millions of likes. The seamless integration of images resulted in a visually stunningposition that captivated viewers and provided a soothing aesthetic experience for the eyes.

    While the people involved in this were leisurely strolling around the vige, led by Hera. Xavier also did not give the two a chance to be alone and followed behind them, so when Hera looked back, she saw Xavier like an abandoned child following from a distance, his expression tugging at her heartstrings. And she somehow felt bad seeing him making that expression that she had to stop in the middle of the road as she looked at him, Xavier also came to a stop, pausing a few feet away from them.

    "Was he keeping his distance because I didn��t invite him to join us on the walk around the vige?" Hera pondered, gently rubbing the tip of her nose. After a moment��s reflection, she turned to Xavier and asked, "Brother Xavier, would you like toe along?" She offered a guilty smile, feeling as though she had been caught cheating on her boyfriend. That��s how his gaze on her and Leo made her feel at that moment.

    Upon hearing Hera��s words, Xavier��s expression brightened, and without a word, he nodded enthusiastically while smiling at her. Fearful that her offer might be retracted, he hastened his pace, quickly joining Hera��s side. Not forgetting to send Leo a sly side nce, hinting at a taunt.

    Surprisingly, Leo showed no signs of anger. Why would he? What mattered most to him was Hera��s thoughts and feelings. Having experienced the heartbreak of relinquishing his feelings for her to another man, Leo harbored no concerns about seeing another individual wandering around his fianc��e. He was determined not to repeat past mistakes and was prepared to go to any lengths to win the heart of his future wife.

    To achieve his goal, Leo couldn��t afford to appear petty or narrow-minded in front of Hera. Why should he let any random man wandering around his wife bother him, especially when he is certain that the other man is already intimidated by Leo��s presence? A smirk yed across Leo��s lips as he continued to shadow Hera closely around the vige.

    He would ask Hera questions about the vige, delving into her thoughts on its culture and atmosphere. Surprisingly, these inquiries never failed to ignite Hera��s enthusiasm. She would respond with vigor, eagerly exining her impressions of the vige, its people, and the natural beauty surrounding them. Hera spoke of the vige��s charm, describing it as a haven where she could escape the stresses of city life and reconnect with nature.

    Thesements also resonated deeply with viewers who were contemting taking a break from city life to unwind and relieve their stress. Many found themselves rting to the busyness and mental exhaustion of their daily urban existence. Hera��s words sparked a desire in them to reconnect with nature, prompting thoughts of venturing into the wilderness. The idea of spending time immersed in nature seemed to promise not only physical rejuvenation but also mental restoration.

    As Hera and Leo chatted away during their stroll, Xavier couldn��t shake the feeling that Leo was intentionally sidelining him. Vexed, Xavier struggled to find a topic to engage Hera with. It seemed Leo knew Hera so well, effortlessly steering the conversation towards topics he knew she enjoyed discussing and responses she��d appreciate.

 Chapter 158 Xavier Competing for Attention

    "No, I don��t feel bored listening to your voice," Xavier asserted, offering Hera a charming smile akin to a mermaid luring a sailor with its beauty, a subtle act of defiance directed at Leo.

    The cameraman felt a flutter of anticipation as if pink bubbles were floating in the air. He discreetly stepped back a few feet, careful not to disturb the delicate bnce of the unfolding scene. Positioned in the shadows, he remained close enough to capture their conversation while ensuring he didn��t disrupt the intriguing dynamics of the emerging love triangle.

    [XavierismyHubby: Woah! Were those words really from Xavier?!]

    [XavierisLove: Why do I find Xavier��s action as if he waspeting for Hera��s attention?! Please correct me if I was wrong!!!! ( ? ? ? )]

    [XavierisLife: Umu! I smell a sweet and sour lemon in the air!!! Why does Xavier act like a white flower?!]

    [HeraismySister: I do feel like two women are fighting for the attention of the emperor, it��s just that, the one fighting was two men over sister Hera!!! Kya!!! I never expect to see a real-life drama!!!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Nyahahaha!!! Little sister Hera��s charisma rock!]

    [PasserbyGod: I have a feeling that Hera��s love life would be very chaotic (.��?��).]

    [GoldenLight: When did Xavier learn to act coy? Where did he learn this?!

    (��`����)?]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Definitely not me... (�s����㣩�s�� �ߩ���]

    [EntertainmentKing: It��s definitely @Dave_Carson��s influence because he always teaches him so many bad things... (�৥��)�g]

    [Dave_Carson: Why always me?

    (��š�)����ߩ���]

    As the others engaged in a lively conversation in the chatroom, Leo sensed his facade of indifference beginning to crack. Watching Xavier yfully vie for Hera��s attention stirred something within him. He realized that if he allowed Xavier to monopolize Hera��s attention that night, he might not be able to regain it easily.

    Xavier would undoubtedly have numerous opportunities for interactions with Hera due to their shared industry, and their paths were bound to cross eventually. While Leo could also engage with her as an investor, but he understood the importance of respecting boundaries. Crossing those lines might inadvertently create trouble for Hera, potentially tarnishing her reputation unjustly.

    Leo realized that rumors were like stains, challenging to erase, and he didn��t want Hera to endure any unjust consequences. At that moment, he changed his perspective, realizing that he couldn��t afford to be indifferent to who stood beside Hera or the rumors swirling around her. He couldn��t risk a repeat of the past mistakes, a realization that dawned on him only then.

    Perhaps Leo didn��t view Xavier or anyone else aspetition at the moment, but he couldn��t guarantee the same sentiment for the future. After all, it was Hera who would ultimately decide. Remembering his grandfather��s advice, Leo knew he needed to be proactive in his approach.

    With a gentle touch, Leo reached for Hera��s hand as if it were fragile, expressing his admiration for her voice. "I agree with Mr. Montague and your voice is truly beautiful and captivating," he began softly, "I found myself lost in our conversation, wishing it would never end." Leo��s eyes shimmered with affection, but sensing Hera��s potential difort, he moderated his tone. Smiling warmly at her, he continued, turning his attention to Xavier, who had been vying for Hera��s attention. "I realize I��ve monopolized your time, Hera. I apologize for that," he said sincerely. "I value our connection, but I understand if you��d like to spend some time with Mr. Montague. I apologize for any inconvenience, Hera."

    [PasserbyGod: Am I the only one feeling like the roles have been reversed?! Did Hera, Leo, and Xavier somehow swap scripts? Now Hera��s taking the male lead role, while Leo and Xavier are vying for attention like delicate flowers in front of the male lead, trying reverse psychology?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Now that you mentioned it, I think you��re right?!]

    [HeraismySister: Hahaha! I��m cracking right now!!!]

    [Xoxo: This is something new to me but I��m finding it interesting!]

    Now that Leo has admitted his mistake like a magnanimous and understanding man, Xavier can��t continue to act like he was wronged. Doing so would only make Hera feel like she��s taking care of a spoiled child throwing a tantrum. Xavier understood what Leo was doing. Although Leo was apologizing, he was also positioning himself as the one who took the short end of the stick. Xavier could see the potential for Leo to use this as ammunition against him, employing reverse psychology to appear more pitiful than Xavier if Hera were to choose Xavier��s side, leaving Leo to look abandoned.

    Xavier��s initial satisfaction could be short-lived, as Leo��s apparent concession might be a strategic retreat, setting the stage for ater advance and Hera would feel morepelled to give in to Leoter on because she would feel guilty because she was the one who invited Leo and was the one responsible for touring him around the vige, yet she abandoned him.

 Chapter 159 Men Acting Like Children?

    This was also Zen��s first time seeing Xavier act that way; usually aloof andzy, now he seemed afraid to let go of Hera as if fearing Leo might take advantage of his absence.

    As a man, he could tell what was going on with Xavier and Leo��s minds and his grandfather always says that when a man falls in love with someone or is trying to get someone��s attention, they instinctively turn into a big child to rouse the motherly instinct of a woman and so to find them endearing, he never believed what his grandfather told him not until he saw the two big children clinging to Hera.

    He couldn��t stifle hisughter as he watched the three make their way to the kitchen, where others�� eyes were also fixed on them. Zen then subconsciously thought of his intimidating grandfather, whom he had been afraid of since childhood because of his stern and imposing demeanor. However, after witnessing Leo and Xavier��s behavior and recalling his grandfather��s words, he couldn��t help but imagine his own grandfather acting simrly towards his grandmother.

    He burst intoughter,pletely transforming his perception of his grandfather. The once intimidating image in his mind was now reced with a more endearing one, making him see his grandfather as less scary and more adorable.

    "Zen, you seemed to be in a good mood?" Hera approached Zen in the kitchen aisle, noticing his cheerful demeanor. Xavier and Leo graciously released her hand to give her the freedom to move around. Xavier, out of habit, followed Hera into the kitchen to assist with preparations. However, when he nced back, he was surprised to find Leo already rolling up his sleeves and neatly cing his suit jacket on a stool, eagerly joining Hera in vegetable peeling. Xavier couldn��t help but marvel at Leo��s efficiency, realizing he had beaten him to the task.

    However, unwilling to be outdone by Leo, he eagerly took on another task to assist Hera. The four of them seamlessly coordinated in the kitchen, with Zen asionally cracking jokes that elicited chuckles andughter. Meanwhile, Leo attentively ced peeled vegetables next to Hera, asionally helping her dab away sweat or gently tuck loose strands of hair behind her ear��a gesture he had longed to emte after observing Xavier do the same on screen.

    His jealousy began to dissipate as he realized he could engage in these gestures with Hera without seeming overly obvious��or so he believed. Yet, his actions felt so effortless and genuine that Hera didn��t perceive anything amiss. She found herself at ease in Leo��s presence, even more so than when Xavier had performed simr actions.

    Indeed, Leo��s actions sparked butterflies in her stomach, but beyond that, she felt an undeniable closeness to him. At times, it seemed as though they were old friends, sharing a profound understanding of each other, yet they were simultaneously navigating the early stages of getting to know each other.

    The atmosphere felt almost magical to her, a refreshing change. Witnessing the seamless harmony between Leo and Hera, Xavier smoothly assumed Zen��s ce beside her, directing Zen to the sink so he could remain by Hera��s side as well. Although Xavier and Leo engaged in a silentpetition toplete tasks, they refrained from overt disys of affection toward Hera, mindful not to make her feel uneasy or provoke any irritation.

    This scene ignited fury in some onlookers, as the actions of the group became ringly obvious. Alexi, in particr, seethed with jealousy upon witnessing Hera being surrounded by men, noticing her apparentck of effort to distance herself and instead, seemingly reveling in their overt attention. He couldn��t shake the feeling that Hera was intentionally trying to stoke his jealousy.

    However, Alexi��s perception wasn��t entirely unfounded. Hera was indeed relishing the unfolding situation, havinge to the show with the intention of seducing Xavier and drawing him away from Alice. Thus, her behavior felt natural to her. What she hadn��t anticipated was forming a connection with Leo as well. The fact that she didn��t feel repelled by him prompted her to reflect deeply on her actions.

 Chapter 160 Hera’s Thoughts

    Zen found the situation both amusing and intriguing. As a man, he struggled to envision himself being as magnanimous as to allow other men to be close to his partner. He couldn��t help but wonder what motivated Leo and Xavier to tolerate each other��s presence in such close proximity to Hera.

    Unbeknownst to Zen, Xavier was already fated to share a woman with numerous others, which made it rtively easier for him and the other male leads to ept the situation. Theplicationy not in sharing a woman, but in the fact that they were bound to share her with each other, akin to brothers. While their bond was strong and could amodate such arrangements, the true challenge would arise if an outsider, unknown to them, entered the picture.

    Which happened to be Leo, and they somehow felt hostile to him. It wasn��t solely because he hailed from outside their tight-knit circle, but also because it seemed as if the world��s consciousness or some other unseen force was hindering Leo��s inclusion and sending the others a signal to be hostile to him. However, Hera had yet to delve into this possibility, as she was still in the process of testing the waters and unraveling the intricacies of how the world might function with a change in the female lead, and what consequences might follow.

    Alice, who had been maintaining a low profile, noticed a shift in Xavier��s behavior, and it ignited a wave of anger within her. She was bewildered by the unfolding events that deviated from her past experiences. Feeling flustered and hostile toward Hera, she couldn��t shake the suspicion that her own altered actions were triggering a butterfly effect, leading Xavier to behave differently in response.

    She never entertained the notion that Hera might have undergone reincarnation, assuming instead that her own altered demeanor had worked against her in this lifetime. This belief prompted her to adopt a low profile. However, despite her efforts, she found herself unable to gain closer proximity to Xavier. Fearful of overstepping boundaries, she hesitated to push further. The unsettling changes she observed left her perplexed, unable to pinpoint what had shifted apart from her own actions.

    Unable to change what had already transpired, she began formting a new n in her mind, her gaze filled with hostility as she observed Hera. Beside her, Minerva simmered with anger, her eyes locked on Alexi, who remained fixated on Hera��s movements in the kitchen. The three of them silently schemed, each intent on improving their own circumstances, but all their animosity was directed squarely at Hera. Sensing their piercing stares, Hera opted not to meet their gaze, knowing that Alice would likely feel a surge of apprehension as Hera grew closer to Xavier, who was supposed to be Alice��s male lead. She anticipated that Alice would soon step up her game.

    Though Hera was cognizant of Minerva��s animosity, stemming from their ongoing feud fueled by Alexi and the world��s intricate design, she remained unaware of Alexi��s inner turmoil. Originally, he was meant to be deeply enamored with Minerva at this point in the storyline, with Hera merely serving as a stepping stone within their narrative arc.

    However, with Hera altering her course, other elements that should have aligned with her fate began to shift, including Alexi and his mindset. This unexpected change made it challenging for Hera toprehend. Consequently, she chose to set aside her concerns regarding Alexi and focus solely on her own tasks, particrly those rted to the male leads.

    There remained one male lead whom Hera had not yet encountered,pelling her to strategize a means to establish a connection with him, or at the very least, meet him, before Alice had the chance. Hera understood the importance of making a favorable impression on the male leads, which would be significantly more challenging if Alice had already forged rtionships with them. She couldn��t be certain if the world would intervene to favor Alice and guide the male leads back to their original counterpart. However, Hera found some reassurance in observing Xavier��s interactions with Alice thus far. Yet, she hesitated to dismiss her concerns entirely, wary of potential unexpected repercussions from either the original female lead or the world��s consciousness itself if there is.

 Chapter 161 The Day Before they go Home

    So, Alice resolved to revert to her former sensible and understanding self, the qualities Xavier had once appreciated. However, she couldn��t entirely disregard what had transpired involving Hera, but she acknowledged it wasn��t the appropriate moment to take action.

    Following the Director��s escort of Leo upstairs, he made sure to express gratitude to Hera. "Hera, thank you for assuming the responsibility of looking after our guest, Mr. Hendrix," he said, offering her a broad smile.

    Hera turned towards the Director, a gentle smile adorning her lips. "It��s no trouble, Director. I enjoyed our tour of the vige as well," she replied warmly. Casting a nce at Leo��s way, she offered him another gentle smile before addressing Xavier too. "Good night, Leo. Good night, Brother Xavier," she bid them farewell with a sweet smile before retreating into her room.

    Once inside, she readied herself for bed, intending to take a shower first beforepletely turning in for the night. However, since she had to go outside again to take a shower, she opted to wait until themotion outside her room had subsided, not wanting to tread amidst any lingering tension between Leo and Xavier.

    Even after they ceased their earlierpetition, there were still moments when Leo and Xavier��s subconscious hostility toward each other would manifest, their auras shing like des at each other��s throats. Hera, ever perceptive, would swiftly intervene, stepping between them to defuse the tension very subtly. Only then would they consciously rein in the auras emanating from their bodies.

    Their behavior seemed to suggest an innate rivalry, as though they were destined to be each other��s antagonists. Hera found this abnormal and puzzling. As far as she knew, Leo wasn��t a character in the novel "Thin Line Between Love and Lust," so he shouldn��t have any connection to the male leads. ording to what she has observed with Athena, characters like Leo should operate independently, unaffected by the emotions of the main characters. They were meant to be like Athena, existing as nk tes in the world where they are free to do whatever they desire without being affected by the invisible thread called fate. So, there shouldn��t be any emotions that would dictate inside of them to be drawn or be weary of someone.

    Even if she has to say that they are acting hostile to each other because of her and they are being territorial somehow because of their interest in her, their reaction is still a little bit off, just like how the other three male leads acted in the infirmary on the Auction house.

    Contemting further, Hera began to harbor suspicions about Leo��s true identity, sensing that there might be more to him than he had revealed. Whether this revtion would benefit her survival or pose a threat remained uncertain. However, she feltpelled to uncover the truth, as Leo appeared to have some connection to the novel��s narrative.

    As Hera grappled with unraveling the intricacies of the storyline and the rules governing the world she inhabited, a memory resurfaced: her initial encounter with Alexi. At that moment, a persistent feeling and voice tugged at her, suggesting that Alexi was the love of her life and more. Initially attributing these thoughts to her own consciousness, Hera now pondered whether they might instead be echoed from the storyline itself, subtly influencing her perceptions and emotions to align with the narrative��s expectations.

    Hera shook her head, determined to dispel the swirling thoughts threatening to drown her in overanalysis. Realizing that seeking immediate answers would likely yield no results, she resolved to stay the course with her n of wooing the male leads. Only through action would she uncover whether her suspicions held any truth. If diverting their attention altered the narrative��s progression or if she ascended to the role of the female lead, the truth would inevitably reveal itself in due time.

    So for now, she cleared her thoughts and calmed her nerves. What she needed to do was to enjoy her life and spend however she wanted. She��s not the Hera in the story and would never be.

 Chapter 162 The Cute Xavier

    So instead of retrieving his own toiletries, the clean-freak Xavier decided to forgo a shower and simply changed his clothes. He opted to quickly brush his teeth and wash his face at the kitchen sink to save time.

    So, no matter how fast Leo was, when he emerged from the bathroom, Xavier had also just finished his preparations. So in the end, Leo didn��t manage to get ahead of Xavier. By the time Hera emerged from her room, both Leo and Xavier were already waiting in the corridor.

    "Are you heading out for a run too?" Leo stepped forward, feigning as if he had just left his room, though he had been there for a few extra minutes, engaging in a silent standoff with Xavier while waiting for Hera toe out of her room.

    Hera nodded eagerly in response. "Absolutely! There��s nothing quite like the morning air in the countryside to invigorate the senses and lift the spirits. Care to join me?"

    Leo��s demeanor softened into a gentle smile as he looked at Hera. "What a coincidence. My assistant mentioned how the fresh air in the countryside can do wonders for both health and mental rity." With a gant gesture, he took Hera��s hand and wanted to lead her downstairs.

    Xavier was taken aback by Leo��s smooth move to steal Hera��s attention, leaving him without a chance to shine. But he wasn��t about to give up. Following behind Hera, he reached out and took her other hand. "I��ming too."

    Upon hearing Xavier��s voice, Hera turned to see his endearing appearance. Despite brushing his teeth and washing his face, he seemed to have forgotten tob his hair, likely due to his preupation with not being outdone by Leo. It was evident that he hadn��t checked himself in the mirror afterward. Leo, of course, wouldn��t bother to mention that Xavier��s hair resembled a bird��s nest.

    Leo couldn��t help but suppress a sneakyugh at Xavier��s current disheveled appearance, contrasting with his own impable look and fragrance.

    Upon witnessing Xavier��s innocent expression alongside his unkempt appearance, Hera burst into heartyughter, momentarily forgetting all her recent worries. Herughter resonated through the corridor. In the midst of this jovial moment, Zen emerged from his room, joining the trio.

    He found himself surprised by Hera��s unusually cheerful demeanor so early in the morning. Following her line of sight, he noticed Xavier, typically known for his cleanliness and neatness, appearing disheveled yet wearing an innocent expression as he gazed at Hera with a puzzled look.

    Observing Xavier in such a disheveled state, Hera momentarily overlooked his usual charismatic allure as one of the male leads. In this moment, he appeared simply human, dispelling her concerns. Zen couldn��t resist joining in theughter, his gaze fixed on Xavier, while Leo sported a satisfied smile.

    Asughter filled the corridor, Xavier graduallyprehended that it was directed at him. His hand instinctively rose to his face, finding nothing amiss, before ascending to his hair. It was then he realized the state of his unkempt bed hair, prompting a sheepish grin to grace his features.

 Chapter 163 Aunt Sabby

    Aunt Sabby had previously observed Xavier��s budding interest in Hera, though, at that time, Xavier himself had yet to fully recognize his feelings. As a result, he hadn��t been overtly obvious about it. However, now, as Aunt Sabby mentioned the term "boyfriend," Xavier couldn��t help but appear fidgety, betraying his newfound awareness of his feelings for Hera.

    "Good morning, Aunty. You must be the kind-hearted auntie who��s been looking after Hera around here," Leo greeted Aunt Sabby warmly. Without hesitation, Leo introduced himself to Aunt Sabby, not hesitating to assume the role of the presumed boyfriend. Earlier that morning, Aunt Sabby had already received a visual treat from three good-looking individuals, bringing a smile to her face as Leo approached her.

    "What a charming young man you are! Will you be joining our celebration as well?" Aunt Sabby��s tone was light-hearted, but her words carried a hint of seriousness. "You��d better keep a close eye on Hera. She��s not only beautiful but also kind-hearted. Only a fool would let her slip away, and I know there��ll be plenty of guys interested in her. So, you might want to secure her affections sooner rather thanter," she advised, trailing her words with augh, leaving everyone uncertain whether she was jesting or offering genuine advice.

    Hera brushed off Aunt Sabby��sment as a harmless jest, knowing her tendency to speak freely. However, what caught her off guard was not Aunt Sabby��s teasing, but Leo��s response. "If I had my way, I��d do more than just put a fence around her��I��d slip a ring on her finger. Then, no one could ever steal her away from me. Right?" Leo��s words took Hera by surprise, leaving her momentarily speechless.

    Hera��s jaw dropped as she listened to the banter between Aunt Sabby and Leo, and she couldn��t help but feel a flutter of surprise at Leo��s response. As Leo responded to Aunt Sabby��s teasing with a gentle nce, Hera felt a warmth spread through her.

    "That��s cheating!" Xavier interjected abruptly, reacting to Leo��s remark. "Why put a ring on her finger before even courting her?" His question hung in the air, echoing the thoughts racing through Hera��s mind.

    As Xavier and Leo engaged in their banter, Hera couldn��t help but roll her eyes inwardly. "Brother Xavier, you��re missing the point entirely," she thought, trying to suppress a smile at their antics. Meanwhile, Aunt Sabby watched with amusement from the sidelines, clearly enjoying the yful exchange she had sparked between the two men. If given the chance, Hera imagined Aunt Sabby would be watching with popcorn and a coke in hand, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle.

    "Of course, to secure that she��d be forever mine and I could court her every day of our lives after, it was only to secure that no other men could put themselves in between. Afterall, there are many male vixens lurking in the dark." Leo��s words trail off in hisst sentence as he looked at Xavier and he even remembered those other men who have been eyeing Hera. He secretly gritted his teeth just remembering them.

    Hera dismissed the yful banter between Xavier and Leo, turning her attention directly to Aunt Sabby. "Aunt Sabby, where will the celebration be heldter? My team and I would like to express our gratitude to the vigers for their hospitality during our stay by preparing a meal for everyone."

    Aunt Sabby��s eyes lit up with delight as Hera expressed her consideration for the vigers. "We have a dedicated hall for big celebrations in the vige. How about we host it there, and I��ll rally all my friends to assist you," Aunt Sabby proposed eagerly. Pausing for a moment, a hint of sadness flickered across her face as she recalled something. "Weren��t you all nning to leave at noon? Perhaps we could hold the celebration during lunchtime," she suggested, her gaze lingering on Hera with a sense of longing. She knew that after today, they might not see Hera again, and she felt a deepening bond with her during her time in the vige so it was also hard for her, like a mother sending her child away to work in the city.

 Chapter 164 Victory Celebration

    Hera found herself momentarily captivated by Leo��s movements. As she watched his knife slice through the onions with precision, she couldn��t help but notice the subtle flexing of muscles beneath his skin, entuated by the blue veins that traced his hands. His confident and skillful handling of the ingredients added to his allure, making him appear irresistibly attractive at that moment. If not for the stinging sensation of the onions in her eyes, Hera wouldn��t have been able to tear her gaze away from him.

    As Hera pondered why Leo seemed unfazed by the onions, she nced up at his face and stifled augh. Leo wore a thin film of stic over his eyes, aically funny sight that bordered on adorable. Despite the amusing appearance, Leo remainedpletely focused and dedicated to his task, his serious demeanor only adding to the humor of the situation.

    It was clever of Leo to utilize the stic film readily avable around the kitchen that was being used for the ingredients. Impressed by his resourcefulness and sense of humor, Hera decided to follow suit. However, as she attempted to affix the stic film to the side of her face, she struggled to make it stay in ce before managing to wrap it around her face in a single round.

    After a few attempts, Hera finally seeded in wrapping the stic around her entire head. Leo, noticing her efforts, met her gaze and they shared a moment of mutual understanding before bursting intoughter. As theyughed together, Leo took the stic film from her hand and helped her position it over her eyes like sses, shielding them from the stinging onions.

    As the others observed Leo and Hera��s antics,ughter filled the air. The sight of Leo, usually domineering and cold, and Hera, typicallyposed and elegant, both wearing stic film over their eyes, was undeniably hrious. Their transformed appearance, so different from their usual demeanor, made them resemble aedy duo ready to entertain.

    Despite their amusing appearance, Leo and Hera demonstrated that their improvised solution significantly eased the task of cutting onions. With theirbined efforts, they swiftly finished the task at hand. Theughter continued when Xavier, seeing Leo and Hera enjoying themselves, decided to join in the fun. After a moment��s hesitation, he too donned the stic film over his eyes. Hera readily assisted Xavier, just as Leo had helped her earlier, ensuring that they all participated in the lighthearted moment together.

    Standing side by side, Leo, Hera, and Xavier continued to cut onions, their antics captured by the camera and transformed into a viral meme on the inte. Despite the humor of the situation, they still managed to maintain their good looks, much to the frustration of others. Inspired by their example, some individuals attempted to replicate the look by wearing stic film over their eyes, only to end up with stretched faces and distorted noses. The resulting images sparked even moreughter, with some individuals struggling to keep their noses from bing stuck under the film.

    The hrious trend sparked by Leo, Hera, and Xavier��s antics quickly gained momentum among viewers, with countless individuals joining in on the fun. As more and more people shared their own photos wearing stic film over their eyes, the humor escted to new heights. However, whenparing their own appearances to the original trio, some couldn��t help but question whether tough or cry at the absurdity of it all.

    As the inte trend continued to gain momentum, the triopleted their task. Hera and Aunt Sabby each focused on their specialties, enlisting the help of others to prepare the dishes. Hera, apanied by her two assistants, confidently prepared her signature dishes, offering the vigers a taste of city cuisine. Meanwhile, Leo and Xavier ensured that everything Hera needed was readily avable, whether it was utensils or ingredients. Acting as both sous chefs and helpers, they supported Hera in every aspect of the cooking process.

    Hera felt a noticeable lightening of her workload, despite having to prepare dozens of different dishes, each equivalent to arge pot��s worth. Surprisingly, Leo and Xavier didn��t engage in any confrontations. Perhaps they were too preupied with their tasks or simply didn��t want to disrupt the harmony. Hera deeply appreciated their efforts and hard work. To show her gratitude, she periodically offered them water and wiped away their sweat, acknowledging their contributions to the celebration.

 Chapter 165 Victory Celebration 2

    He shut his eyes, attempting to steady his breathing andpose his scattered thoughts. Meanwhile, Xavier couldn��t help but sense the thickening tension between them, not in a negative sense, but rather in a suggestive, almost lustful manner. Feelingpelled to intervene, he decisively grabbed Leo��s arm and pulled him away, breaking the spell that had begun to envelop them.

    "Let��s go, we��ve got plenty to carry over there," Xavier interjected firmly, his tone and actions betraying a hint of irritation as he swiftly ushered Leo away without waiting for a response.

    Hera snapped out of her trance as she watched Xavier pull Leo away, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She was startled by the risqu�� thoughts that had crossed her mind, a revtion that caught her off guard.

    <i>��What was I supposed to do? He was just so... irresistible,��</i> Hera mentally eximed, her heart still racing as embarrassment flooded her. Not only had Leo caught her ogling his physique, but he had also teased her about it, leaving her feeling utterly mortified. <i>��That was beyond embarrassing.��</i>

    <i>��But I can��t deny, he��s certainly a sight to behold,��</i> Hera admitted to herself, unable to shake off the allure of Leo��s physique and his beauty. "No wonder Athena has an eye for good-looking individuals." She cleared her throat, feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks as she realized her thoughts were drifting into indecent territory. Nervously, she rubbed the tip of her nose, attempting to calm her racing nerves.

    As soon as Leo and Xavier left, Hera found herself surrounded by the gossip-hungry aunties, bombarding her with questions. Their keen eyes hadn��t missed the subtle intery between Hera and Leo, and now they watched in silent anticipation, holding their breath so as not to disrupt the unfolding drama before their very eyes.

    They found the scene more exhrating than anything they��d witnessed on television dramas. The palpable chemistry between Leo and Hera had them on the edge of their seats, itching to squeal like excited teenagers as the two engaged in their suggestive yful antics earlier.

    "Girl, you should��ve pounced on him. Back in my day, I never let a good opportunity slip by. In the kitchen, at the dining table��you name it!" Aunt Sabby nudged Hera��s shoulder, a yful reminder that she missed a chance to snag a boyfriend, especially now that she was single and ready to mingle.

    Hera was beyond speechless because most elders would even tell her off and teach her how to act demure and have more self-respect if she even looked at a man a little seductively, but Aunt Sabby was teaching her the opposite and was not even holding back in front of the camera. She felt her face grow even hotter, especially when her mind almost instantly imagined what Aunt Sabby was describing, she imagined herself doing that to Leo.

    The olderdies couldn��t help but notice Hera��s crimson cheeks and the subtle yet not-so-subtle reactions ying out on her face. Theirughter erupted, amused by her innocent yet not-so-innocent reactions. What struck them was herck of denial or attempts to appear demure. Instead, she openly showed her embarrassment, her expression unwittingly confirming where her thoughts had wandered.

    The olderdies cackled among themselves, relishing the opportunity to tease Hera. When Leo and Xavier returned to the kitchen, bearing the game that Zen and the others had cleaned outside, Hera found herself unable to meet Leo��s gaze, too embarrassed by the recent exchange to look him in the eye.

    As Hera focused on her cooking, Leo couldn��t help but notice her flustered state, and it brought a delighted twinkle to his eyes. Seeing her react in such a way was a clear indication that he wasn��t a lost cause and that Hera held some level of attraction toward him. With this realization fueling his determination, Leo resolved to put in even more effort to win her affection. The feeling was akin to savoring sweet honey, and he couldn��t help but feel that staying in the vige had been the best decision he��d ever made. With a radiant smile, he beamed from ear to ear, filled with hope and anticipation for what the future might hold for him.

    Xavier��s lips tightened further into a thin line as he observed Leo��s radiant smile. Like Aunt Sabby and the others, he had witnessed the subtle exchange between Leo and Hera just before he intervened. It dawned on him that he had been slow to recognize Hera��s attraction to Leo, inadvertently affording Leo the opportunity to draw closer to her. The realization settled heavily on him, leaving him feeling as slow as a turtle and as dense as a pig for not grasping the situation sooner.

 Chapter 166 Victory Celebration 3

    Zen, who had also been ousted from the hall, joined Hera and Xavier in the back kitchen. Observing Hera��s reluctance to leave, he couldn��t help butment, "Since you��ll be hosting the Victory Celebration, shouldn��t you look presentable? Look at you now, we could even fry a dumpling on your face."

    Hera who felt attacked, instantly looked back at Zen who was walking ahead. Hera pouted her lips in annoyance and a furrow formed on her brow. She looked displeased, to say the least, but Zen, Leo, and Xavier onlyughed altogether when they looked back at Hera��s glistening face due to the sweat. Her face was glistening under the sun like a thin foil, her hair was also damp and some stray strands were clinging to her skin, especially some hair on the back of her neck.

    Despite theirughter, there was a tender gleam in their eyes. Zen teased Hera like an older brother, while Leo and Xavier acted as if they were doting boyfriends. Walking just behind them, the cameraman felt a pang of loneliness. He, too, was sweaty and exhausted from filming Hera and the others in the hot kitchen. It seemed everyone had forgotten about him��no one wiped his sweat or offered him cold water like Hera did for Leo and Xavier. A bitter, sour feeling settled within him as he continued to follow along. <i>��Being single sucks.��</i>

    As they needed to rest before showering, the four strolled along the vige road at a leisurely pace. They savored the vige��s beauty onest time, despite the unusual heat. Walking beneath the trees lining the road, they weed the asional breeze that brushed past them, offering a refreshing feeling.

    No words were exchanged, yet a harmonious atmosphere enveloped them. Each wore a smile as they relished the serene moment, hoping it would linger a bit longer. However, without their notice, they had already arrived at the cabin. As they entered, the cameraman discreetly departed, returning to his own lodging for some much-needed rest.

    When they entered the cabin, it was already rowdy because everyone was busy packing their own luggage as some prepared theirst meal in the cabin. When they noticed Hera and the others entered, there was a moment of silence as they shared a nce, as if thinking how they would greet Hera and the rest.

    "Hera! Wee back, was your preparation for the celebration done?" Alice��s sweet voice broke through the tension, drawing everyone��s attention as she approached Hera and the group. Despite Alice��s greeting, Leo and Xavier maintained their grip on Hera��s hands, prompting curious nces from those around them before attention returned to Hera��s glistening face.

    Hera didn��t respond to Alice��s question, her attention focused solely on her reaction. Hera kept on holding onto Xavier and Leo��s hands, she watched closely, indifferent to any potential judgments. In truth, she wanted to see how Alice would react.

    As expected, a subtle shift appeared in Alice��s demeanor. Though fleeting, it betrayed a hint of unease beneath her usual sweetness as her eyes glinted in anger.

    Hera saw it all, and a sweet smile yed on her lips as she responded to Alice��s earlier question. "Yes, we��re almost done. We would also dly wee all of you to the celebration as it would be ourst time spending time together in the vige. I also hope that we could all forget about all our differences and disagreements because I believed that it would only be natural to have this disagreement since we all don��t know each other��s character." But well, her inner viiness did not forget to make use of the opportunity to show her magnanimity and block Alice��s route.

    She knew that Alice was also aiming for that route so she would rather take the road first so Alice would be left with none, besides, it would be much more believable for everyone for her to act magnanimous since she was the victim of their targeting. Hera wouldn��t want to pass the chance, especially not to Alice at this point.

    She already knew that Alice wasn��t as pure and kind as the novel depicted, so giving her a chance to shine would only spell Hera��s near downfall. That��s why, Hera would do everything to block Alice��s path, including her way to the male lead��s heart.

    As Hera noticed Alice��s flustered reaction, her smile widened, satisfaction sparkling in her eyes. However, to those witnessing the exchange, Hera��s demeanor appeared genuinely kind and forgiving. Despite bing the perceived enemy of the group due to misunderstandings, Hera��s willingness to let bygones be bygones portrayed her as magnanimous and benevolent in their eyes.

    Now, with this new perspective, they saw Hera in a different light and felt remorseful for their previous stance against her. It became clear to them that Hera hadn��t acted unjustly; rather, she had merely sought to protect herself in the face of the pointing fingers, without resorting to undue aggression. This realization led them to acknowledge Hera��s innocence in the disagreements that had unfolded throughout their stay.

 Chapter 167 Victory Celebration 4

    After half an hour, Hera emerged from the bathroom, her face still flushed from the hot shower, but she looked remarkably refreshed and contented. Leo observed her every expression from the sidelines. Sensing someone��s gaze on her, Hera nced around, only to meet Leo��s intense blue eyes fixed on her. She instinctively averted her gaze and said, "You can take a shower now," Before she dashed back to her room.

    She didn��t understand why she was running away; she just felt like a deer caught in headlights whenever Leo looked at her. It wasn��t a bad feeling, but rather a fluttering in her stomach, stirring sensations that left her both intrigued and a little flustered.

    Once Hera, Leo, Xavier,, and Zen finished packing and freshening up, they made their way back to the hall, knowing that lunchtime was approaching and the vigers would be waiting for them. As they descended the stairs, they found the cabin empty, assuming that the other participants had already made their way there.

    They didn��t take long to reach the hall. Upon entering, they were greeted by confetti crackers lining both sides of the grand door, and the room erupted with loud apuse and cheers, celebrating their victory in the race. Smiles stretched across everyone��s faces, and at the center of it all stood Bry and his family, their eyes brimming with gratitude. The prize money they had won would go towards Bry��s uncle��s leg operation, a fact that filled the room with warmth and appreciation. Despite initial protests, Hera, Xavier, and Zen insisted that Bry��s family keep the prize, knowing that they needed it most. It took some convincing, but eventually, Bry��s family relented, moved by their generosity.

    Aunt Sabby��s son took the initiative to present Hera with a bouquet of wildflowers he had gathered from around the vige, adorned with the most beautiful ribbon his mother could find. Overwhelmed by the gesture of affection from everyone, Hera��s eyes sparkled with happiness, and her nose turned slightly red as her lips curved into a sweet smile. The young man couldn��t help but blush at the sight of Hera��s radiant expression, feeling a sense of pride that his efforts had brought her joy.

    However, standing beside Hera were two jealous men who found the wildflowers to be an eyesore, itching to snatch them from her arms and toss them aside. They even viewed Aunt Sabby��s son with disdain, but seeing Hera��s genuine happiness, they begrudgingly held their tongues. All they could do was purse their lips in silence, unable to disrupt Hera��s joyous moment.

    As the celebrationmenced, Bry��s father and several other vigers proudly unveiled their prized liquor, which they had been saving for this very asion. Without hesitation, they invited the stars of the celebration, along with Leo and the Director, to join them in a toast. The room erupted in cheers as everyone raised their sses. Meanwhile, the aroma of delicious food filled the air, andughter echoed throughout the hall as people savored the festivities. Even the other participants found themselves pleasantly surprised, realizing for the first time the warmth and hospitality of the vigers. Reflecting on their past condescension, they now regretted their earlier arrogance and embraced the spirit of the celebration with newfound appreciation.

    This was what the majority of the participants were thinking, but not the wealthy and arrogant Minerva who still held onto her disdainful views, and not the absentminded Alice who was now racking her brain on what to do next after seeing Xavier being so close to Hera.

    Alice��s initial n was to approach Hera in Xavier��s presence, intending to apologize and showcase her purported kindness, hoping to salvage her image, particrly in Xavier��s eyes. Yet, to her surprise, Hera took the magnanimous route, effortlessly winning over everyone��s hearts in the process.

    Alice��s somber demeanor did not escape notice, but amidst the joyous festivities, no one seemed inclined to address her. Instead, they all immersed themselves in the cheerful atmosphere, relishing the delectable food to their heart��s content. And even though the liquor was not up to par with what most of them drink in the city but they feel like it was the warmest and most delicious right now.

    Hera��s te overflowed with an array of dishes as people continuously added more to it, their hands moving quicker than her mouth could keep up with. Xavier and Leo took particr delight in feeding Hera, eagerly offering her one dish after another without waiting for her to finish what was already on her te. Meanwhile, Zen and the rest, also eager to pamper Hera, found themselves pushed to the sidelines by the two men��s enthusiastic attentiveness.

    When Hera reached the point of feeling like she might burst from eating, that��s when she reacted. She pouted her still-greasy lips andined, "Stop! I��m not a pig, you know!" Despite her annoyance, a yful glint lingered in her eyes.</subtxt>

 Chapter 168 Going Back to the City

    The Director��s throat clearingmanded everyone��s attention, drawing them back to him so they could fully grasp the significance of his impending announcement. Surveying the faces of the participants with a stern expression, he couldn��t help but feel a mix of emotions. This batch had been the most challenging and demanding he had ever worked with since ��The Quest�� began airing. Despite the difficulties, he felt a sense of pride and aplishment. This group had achieved unprecedented sess, reaching record-breaking viewer and retention rates, setting a new standard in the history of variety shows in their country.

    He recognized that the unprecedented sess of this season would elevate his profile even further, attracting more sponsors and renowned celebrities to participate in future editions of his Variety Show. However, this newfound fame came with its own set of challenges. The influx of calls from industry giants kept him on edge every night, and to make matters worse, one of them even showed up at his recordings. The constant stream of "what ifs" weighed heavily on his mind, especially the prospect of Leo sustaining an injury during the show, which could potentially lead to him being held responsible for the oue.

    Now, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that he wouldn��t have to deal with the challenges of managing the hot potato any longer. He looked forward to a well-deserved rest. However, before he could fully unwind, he had to address the assignment Leo had given him. "First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for enduring the week-long rural experience and showcasing your talents to the world. You��ve all demonstrated resilience and determination, proving to the world what you��re capable of and what you��re made of."

    The Director paused briefly before continuing, his voice carrying a weight of appreciation. "Everyone, including myself and our viewers, found your performances captivating and entertaining. It��s thanks to your dedication, and talent that we were able to achieve record-breaking viewership and retention rates in the history of our Variety Show. And all of this was possible because all of you showed your true selves in front of the masses." His gaze lingered on Hera for a moment before he shifted his attention to the other participants.

    Most participants had already sensed the direction the Director��s words were taking, and a sense of unease began to settle among them. They anticipated what he was about to reveal next, and some even harbored a foreboding feeling. However, before they could mentally prepare themselves, the Director dropped the bombshell without reserves. "Our sess isrgely attributed to the livestreamingponent, which propelled our Variety Show to unprecedented heights. I want to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you for your contributions."

    As the Director��s words sank in, they were momentarily stunned, struggling to grasp the magnitude of what he had just said. Onceprehension dawned on them, it felt like a bolt of lightning had struck, leaving them momentarily speechless. Some even felt the urge to feign ignorance, if only to momentarily evade the weight of reality.

    Uncertainty gnawed at them as they grappled with the Director��s words. They couldn��t discern whether his gratitude was genuine orced with mockery, especially given the tumultuous events that had unfolded throughout the week. The realization of what awaited them upon their managers�� arrival washed over them like a tidal wave, leaving them feeling utterly defeated. It seemed as though the weight of the world was pressing down on their shoulders, intensifying their sense of dread and despair.

    For those who had been embroiled in the drama from the outset, the Director��s announcement elicited a visceral reaction. Their faces drained of color, contorting with a mixture of anger and frustration.

    One actor voiced the collective sentiment, unable to contain their incredulity. "Why were we kept in the dark about this?"

    The Director responded promptly, his tone earnest as he sought to rify the situation. "Let me assure you, there was no breach of contract on our part. The contract stipted that the show reserves the right to adjust recording arrangements as deemed necessary by Party A. Unexpectedly, one of our sponsors requestedst-minute alterations, which prompted this change."

    And who would be more acquainted with this sponsor than Leo himself? His intentions were singr: to witness Hera in real time. Conveniently, hispany happened to be one of the sponsors for this Variety show. Recognizing the program��s consistently high ratings since its inception, they couldn��t pass up the opportunity to sponsor it to earn.

    But who would have guessed that Leo would actually have the chance to see Hera there, also the Director only found out earlier that day about Leo��spany being the sponsor because Leo��spany was acting all mysterious from the beginning and only cared that they would earn after this. And the Director also thinks that it was a great idea to do a live streaming this time and it only proved to be the best decision he ever made in his life.

 Chapter 169 Going Back to the City 2

    Hera��s heart swelled with emotion, almost bringing tears to her eyes. The vigers�� kindness reminded her of her real grandfather��s affection, and it touched her deeply. Despite her gratitude, she felt overwhelmed by their generosity, her smile widening to the point her eyes and nose reddened. "Thank you all for your incredible hospitality and kindness," she began, her voice filled with emotion. "Your warm thoughts alone mean the world to me, so please, you really don��t have to go through all this trouble." Hera attempted to gently decline their offerings while trying not wanting to hurt their feelings.

    Aunt Sabby feigned disappointment, attempting to elicit sympathy with faux tears, but her efforts fell short, leaving her resorting to a pout in an attempt to appear pitiful. "Don��t you want to ept our friendship and love?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of yful reproach.

    Hera sighed in defeat, epting their gifts one by one with heartfelt gratitude. Xavier and Zen followed suit, expressing their appreciation for the vigers�� thoughtfulness. Before long, they found themselves surrounded by sacks of produce and even live chickens and ducks. If the vigers could send live pigs and cows, they probably would have. The scene was heartwarming, yet amusing, as the vigers jostled for a chance to talk to the three of them.

    As they settled in and surveyed their surroundings, it dawned on them just how many gifts they had received from the vigers. It was a heartwarming gesture, but there was no way they could bring everything back to the city. The crew who contacted their people likely hadn��t anticipated this level of generosity either. Even their RV vans or nanny vans would struggle to amodate all the gifts for the journey back.

    As the three fretted over how to transport all the gifts back, a truck pulled up right in front of them. "How about I send it to the city?" Bry��s father leaned out of the window, sporting a confident smirk. Hera suddenly realized that the entire vige must have been in on this, exining why they were so generous without hesitation. They knew Bry��s father would assist in transporting everything back to the city.

    Hera chuckled, but sensing her hesitation, Bry��s father persisted. "Besides, I��ll be heading to the city with my younger brother and Bry for my brother��s leg check and possible operation," he exined, his smile beaming brightly. "It��s the perfect chance for us to lend a hand with your luggage, especially if it won��t all fit in your cars."

    With Bry��s father having said his piece, Hera found it hard to refuse his goodwill, so she simply nodded obediently. "Thank you, Uncle!"

    They didn��t have to wait long for their rides to arrive, but by then, most of the participants had already left with their managers. The grim expressions on their faces made it obvious that they were headed for a long and painful conversation upon their return to the city. Even Alice, Minerva, and Alexi were picked up together in a single nanny van since they belong to the samepany.

    Xavier was the exception, as he had his own road manager and nanny van, separate from the others. Interestingly, Minerva didn��t necessarily need to sit with them either, but she opted not to make a fuss at the moment. She had already received a dressing down from her brother the moment she got hold of her phone, and a few days ago, he��d made a secret call, urging her to be on her best behavior. He made it clear that even if she attempted to be discreet and cause trouble for anyone on the show, he��d find out.

    The secret phone call served as a stark reminder for Minerva. It wasn��t solely the fear of her brother��s wrath that kept her in line with Hera; it was the realization that her actions could potentially harm Alexi��s career. She understood that if she angered her brother, it might result in Alexi being banned from the entertainment industry altogether.

    Right, Rafael did not let her know that they are being aired live because he wanted to see if his sister would really listen to his words, and as a punishment for her previous actions, he did not give her a special treatment and let her be picked up with the other artist.

    As Minerva and Alexi were about to approach the van, their attention was drawn to a striking, sparkling navy blue Bugatti Mistral pulling up nearby. They paused, intrigued to see who the owner might be. Both assumed it belonged to Xavier, as he was the only participant capable of owning such a luxurious car, valued at $5 million.

    Hera tilted her head in confusion. Recalling the muddy and bumpy road leading to the vige, she found it impossible for hypercars like hers to navigate such terrain unscathed. Yet, her Bugatti Mistral remained sparkling clean, devoid of even a speck of dirt.

    Momentster, Hera��s assistant Daisy emerged from the car and hurried over, her head bowed and tears welling in her eyes. "Sister Hera..." She choked out, her voice trembling with emotion, catching Hera off guard. Before Hera could even inquire about what had happened, Daisy burst into tears.

    "Are you alright?" Hera asked with concern, reaching out tofort her assistant.

    Daisy shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I��m sorry, Sister Hera. I scratched your car," she managed to say between sobs, clutching Hera��s hand tightly. "The car behind me rear-ended me, and..." She trailed off, unable to continue.

    "Daisy, take a deep breath," Hera said soothingly, demonstrating with her own breaths. "Focus on calming down. Are you hurt? That��s what matters most. As for the car, it can be fixed, so don��t worry about that now."

    Daisy nodded, trying topose herself. "I��m fine, Sister Hera," she replied, her voice still shaky.

 Chapter 170 Accident?

    She finds herselfpelled to speak up. "I was merely borrowing it from my closest friend; her uncle owns a car dealership," she exins. Hera can only attempt to feign confidence for now. It��s crucial to address the situation, particrly in the public eye, to prevent being unjustlybeled as an escort or a kept woman. Such assumptions could tarnish her reputation, a risk she cannot afford. "Besides," she adds, "she recently weed a new baby, so she left her other cars for me to use.

    <i>��I��m sorry Athena, I��ll use you are my shield for now. Let me just treat you somewhere after this.��</i> Hera silently pledges to herself to indulge Athena with another shopping spree or a day of doing whatever she pleases.

    However, Zen appears to have a different agenda, showing no inclination to veer from the topic as he presses on. "There are only a handful of car dealerships in the country that have ess to such limited editions worldwide. Who is your best friend��s uncle?"

    Hera couldn��t fathom what was wrong with Zen; she had been subtly signaling him to drop the subject from the start, yet he seemed oblivious to her cues this time. His usual quick wit appeared to becking. Nevertheless, Hera responded, "I believe he��s the CEO of A&D Car Dealership." Despite the turmoil brewing within her, Hera maintained herposure outwardly, her demeanor poised and collected.

    "Oh, CEO Jackson! That exins it. He��s renowned for his ability to procure such exceptional cars, boasting an extensive collection of rarities." Zen nodded repeatedly, his gaze fixed on the Bugatti Mistral with profound admiration, his arms crossed. "Were you aware that he was quite the aplished racer in his youth? My grandfather mentioned that he kickstarted his business with the winnings from his races."

    As Zen skillfully redirected the conversation away from them, Hera finally grasped his intention. A warmth spread through her heart, causing her lips to purse slightly as she tried to maintain herposure, ensuring her expression remained steadfast, especially since they were still essentially in the presence of the camera.

    It appears Zen shares Hera��s goal, recognizing that her initial exnation alone might not suffice to dispel the suspicion surrounding her, whether as a kept mistress or a sugar baby. Thus, Zen interjects with additional probing questions, aiming to elicit a moreprehensive response. By doing so, he intends to provide viewers with a clearer understanding of the situation and help Hera better rify her circumstances.

    So, even if someone attempted to sow discordter on and exploit this issue to tarnish Hera��s reputation, there was already a prepared exnation ready to be utilized. However, as quick-witted as he was, Zen also recognized that acquiring the Pagani Codalunga was no easy feat, akin to obtaining a vintage car from a dedicated collector. Despite CEO Jackson��s influence, securing such a rare vehicle and permitting his niece��s friend to drive it around would pose significant challenges and is close to impossible.

    He understood that while the Jacksons and the Lowerys may be affluent, their connections were limited, and A&D Car Dealershipcked the established wealth and influence needed for such a grand gesture. Despite sensing Hera��s attempt to conceal something, he remainedmitted to assisting her in restoring her reputation. Having spent a week with her, he hade to understand Hera��s character and refused to entertain the notion that she could be a kept mistress.

    Even the spouses of high-ranking executives wouldn��t typically have the privilege of driving such an exotic car. What��s more telling is that upon hearing about the car being rear-ended, she disyed no visible signs of distress. Even if she were thick-skinned, the news would likely cause some degree of nervousness or agitation. Most people, upon hearing such news, might forget to inquire about the well-being of the person involved and would likely react with immediate anger, focusing solely on the damage to the car.

    Zen wasn��t the sole observer of this anomaly; even Xavier and those well-versed in cars caught on. However, these perceptive individuals could be counted on one hand, so the situation remained manageable. Meanwhile, Leo, watching from the sidelines, contemted aiding Hera in quietly restoring her reputation while they were still on the show, aiming to prevent the issue from escting and bing distorted. The true dangery in the story being twisted and manipted as it spread.

    But it seems he does not need to step in anymore since Zen already did the part.

 Chapter 171 Departure from the Village

    He wanted Hera to see that he did not have a messy love life unlike other men who have numerous female contacts in their phones but instead of thinking that, Hera thought how unfriendly Leo was that he didn��t seem to have many friends. So she felt like she really couldn��t decline his request this time.

    In Hera��s eyes, Leo appeared as a somewhat pitiable figure with few friends. However, Leo had no way of knowing Hera��s thoughts. He was simply ted to have a means of contacting her. Quickly seizing his phone, he dialed Hera��s number. Upon witnessing her phone light up in response, he ended the call with a beaming smile before politely excusing himself to return to the city where he was originally scheduled to be.

    "Please be sure to save my number, alright?" With a wave and an affectionate smile, Leo stepped into his car before it drove off. His eyes remained on the rearview mirror as he watched Hera��s figure slowly disappear from his sight.

    Just as Leo departed, Xavier tugged at Hera��s sleeve with a serious expression. "Let��s exchange numbers too," he said, disying his phone. With a resigned smile, Hera exchanged numbers with Xavier. However, as Xavier beamed from ear to ear, he noticed Hera also exchanging numbers with Zen. Suddenly, his joy diminished.

    With no outlet for his dissatisfaction, Xavier remained silent. Once everything was arranged and all the gifts from the vigers were loaded onto the truck, the convoy set off. Hera led the way in her Bugatti Mistral, followed by Xavier��s nanny van, and then Zen��s Aston Martin. Bringing up the rear was Bry��s father��s truck.

    As Hera��s Bugatti Mistral didn��t have a roof, her and Daisy��s hair flowed freely in the wind, with the sun shining directly on them. To shield her eyes, Hera wore the oversized sunsses Daisy had brought along. The sses covered half of her face, but they only entuated her beauty, making her plump lips more prominent.

    As they drove along, Hera noticed the once muddy and uneven road was now smooth and cemented. It was no wonder her Bugatti could pass through without getting dirty. Whoever led the construction was efficient and meticulous. Despitepleting the project in a short week, they didn��tpromise on the quality of materials used.

    Little did she know, it was all thanks to Leo��s initiative. Witnessing Hera��s struggle to reach the vige due to the rough road, he promptly contacted the constructionpany under their banner and directed them to build the road and to expedite the project.

    Leo was truly putting in maximum effort to win Hera��s affection. However, a significant hurdle remained: his tendency to keep his sacrifices and efforts hidden from others. As a result, Hera remained unaware of his status as her fianc��. Yet, the recent ident at the auction house presented Leo with an opportunity to assert himself in Hera��s presence. If it weren��t for Xavier��s growing proximity to Hera, Leo might not have felt the urgency to return to the city swiftly, eager to carve out more time with Hera and assert his presence in her life.

    Leo had an epiphany about the futility of being a silent hero when the recipient of his efforts remained unaware. Such silent sacrifices could easily be exploited by others for their own gain, leaving him with mere breadcrumbs. As he departed, Leo was already formting his next move, plotting how to orchestrate another ��idental�� encounter with Hera.

    With the convoy in tow, Hera maintained a steady speed, ensuring the truck could easily keep up. While her mind was upied with swirling thoughts, the picturesque scenery passing by filled her with a sense of contentment. Hera couldn��t help but feel a profound sense of growth and maturity after spending a week in the countryside and experiencing going head-to-head with the female lead while one of the male leads was by her side was really something else.

    Just exactly 2 hours after, they reached the entrance to the city and before departing earlier they all unanimously decided to send Hera first, so that all the men could help bring her things to her ce, that��s why she��s the one leading the convoy. But in truth, Xavier and Zen only wanted to know where Hera lives because they would want to drop by from time to time or just the thought own knowing where she lives makes them happy already.

    But they did not even expect that Hera would lead them to the Green Dragon Manor, at first they thought that they would be led to the Ruby Dragon Building, the cheapest among all the buildings inside the Green Dragon Manor but they were even more surprised as they went farther and farther until they stop at the most extravagant building inside, The Jade Dragon Building.

    Hera smoothly directed them to her designated parking spot, leading them past the entrance of the Jade Dragon Building. In passing, she caught sight of some familiar figures, though the encounter was fleeting, leaving her unable to discern their identities.

    After effortlessly parking her car next to her Bugatti La Voiture Noire, Hera stepped out and observed Xavier��s nanny van parking a respectful distance away. Perhaps Xavier��s road manager was scared about parking too close to a $5 million car, so they left a space between them. Zen��s car then pulled up next to the nanny van, and Zen eagerly hopped out, darting around to admire the luxurious vehicles beside Hera.

    "So, these are the cars your assistant mentioned?" Zen��s eyes lit up like crescents as he admired each of the expensive cars in Hera��s garage. As soon as the truck parked on the other side of the parking space, Bry darted out to join Zen in admiring the cars. In just a little more than a minute, Bry��s father and uncle descended from the truck, with Bry��s father pushing his younger brother��s wheelchair toward Hera and the rest.

    "Is it all right for me to park on the other side?" Bry��s father asked nervously, clearly apprehensive about parking next to all the expensive cars. He chose to park on the other side where there were no cars, but he wasn��t sure if those spots were already imed.

    "It��s alright, Uncle. That��s still part of my parking space," Hera reassured him, understanding his concerns and putting him at ease.

 Chapter 172 Dave Carson

    "Oh! Hera! What a pleasant surprise!" A refreshing, gentle voice greeted them from the elevator entrance, prompting Hera to look up from her conversation with the enthusiastic Bry.

    A refined gentleman with a warm demeanor greeted Hera with a refreshing smile. "Mr. Greyson?!" Hera��s voice trailed off as she noticed Rafael and Zhane standing behind Luke, all of them fixing their gaze on her.

    "I��m thrilled to see you again!" Luke eximed, casting a swift nce over the people on the elevator. His eyes met Xavier��s surprised gaze as Xavier looked back and forth between Hera, Luke, and the rest of the group. Xavier hadn��t realized that his friends were acquainted with Hera.

    "Oh! You must be Hera! You��re certainly even lovelier in person than on the screen!" Another voice chimed in, apanied by the appearance of a head peeking out from behind Rafael. The voice carried both liveliness and a subtle hint of allure and authority. Stepping out from behind Rafael was an equally tall man, just as strikingly handsome as the rest of them. He sported burgundy, slightly wavy hair that had a long hair tail at the back, and captivating amethyst eyes that twinkled like stars. His demeanor exuded mischief, and he seemed to approach everything with a yful air of nonchnce.

    But Hera was immediately struck by a sense of familiarity upon seeing him. She recognized him from numerous televised diplomatic meetings with other countries.

    He hails from a lineage of politicians. At just 24 years old, he demonstrated exceptional capability by resolving a longstanding conflict with a hostile nation, achieving a remarkable feat of diplomacy without any casualties. His decisive action earned him widespread acim, garnering support from other nations. In recognition of his achievement, he received a rare exception to run for the position of the country��s minister, a role typically reserved for individuals aged 30 and above.

    He was none other than Dave Carson, the remaining male lead Hera had yet to meet, and the fourth male lead in the novel ��Thin Line Between Love and Lust��. Known by the country as a serious and charismatic leader, Dave had a reputation for being adept at his work. Despite his striking appearance, resembling that of a male idol, his aplishments spoke for themselves. He consistently achieved remarkable results, propelling the country to greater heights on the world stage, with noints about his methods.

    His family had a close rtionship with the military, a tradition that ensured the Carsons�� presence in both politics and the army, maintaining a harmonious bnce of power. However, this alignment also made him a target in politics, as his influence posed a threat to rival families. They feared the Carson��s power could overshadow their own, potentially leading to their decline over time.

    "Nice meeting you too?" Hera managed to reply, pulled from her reverie by Bry tugging at her sleeve. <i>��No wonder Athena described Dave Carson as an alluring but cunning red fox,��</i> she thought, noting the seductive charm in his demeanor. ��Well, they all seem to have that allure.��

    Hera cleared her throat as they made way for the rest of them. However, before anyone else could speak, Luke once again took the lead, not even giving Zhane and Rafael a chance to greet Hera. "Are you having a housewarming party in your new ce since you��re back?"

    In truth, Luke, Rafael, and Zhane all hurried here to see Hera after they saw in the livestream that she was about to arrive home. However, they didn��t expect to run into each other in the Jade Dragon Building��s lobby. Dave, on the other hand, simply tagged along with Rafael. At the time, he was goofing off in Rafael��s office to avoid his assistant��s incessant nagging about unnecessary tasks. When he noticed Rafael leaving, he decided to join him.

    He didn��t anticipate finding the busy Zhane there as well, although Luke��s presence wasn��t surprising given that he also resided there. Dave found the situation amusing, curious to see how things would unfold with all his friends vying for Hera��s attention. He suspected Luke was merely looking for reasons or excuses to invite himself up to Hera��s ce when he asked about the housewarming party.

    Hera initially shook her head, but then a thought struck her. "Well, it��s not exactly a housewarming party. More like an impromptu meal since I haven��t had the chance to prepare anything borate. But if you��re up for it, you��re wee to join." She had considered making an excuse to avoid them, particrly Rafael due to his sister. However, she also recalled her personal mission to connect with the male leads, presenting this as an opportune moment.

 Chapter 173 Let me Come too

    His grandfather was about to ask further, but then he remembered that he had to scan his key card in the sensor. "Please excuse me," he gestured, motioning for Luke and the others to give him some space to squeeze into the control panel of the elevator.

    When Luke and the others stepped back, the older man noticed Hera, who was hidden near the elevator buttons. "Oh! Little girl, you��re back?"

    When she heard the familiar voice directed at her, Hera looked up and met the deep set of eyes that bore the marks of time but also brimmed with wisdom. "Grandpa Victor, it��s nice to see you again!" Hera smiled warmly, meeting the gaze of the old man, who possessed the strength of a bull and the aura of a mafia boss.

    "You guys knew each other?!" Zen interjected the two with evident surprise in his voice as he pushed aside Luke to the side to get closer to Hera and his grandfather who was also standing closer. Luke was clearly displeased and his eyebrows creased ever so slightly but he did not say a thing and just smiled to greet Victor with an amiable smile.

    "Grandpa Victor, you��vee back at just the right time to meet Miss Ainsley as she��s just returned," Luke said in a jovial tone. His melodious voice, full of gentleness and warmth, would surely charm anyone who heard it. He was the perfect picture of a prince charming on a white horse, ideal and dreamy.

    Victor noticed Luke��s presence in the elevator earlier but had almost forgotten about him in the excitement of seeing Hera. Turning his attention back to his grandson, he asked, "Is she the first person you mentioned you��d be helping?" Then, he gestured toward Hera. Since no one had pressed the button for Victor��s floor yet, the elevator remained stuck on the first floor.

    Zen simply nodded, and Victor couldn��t help but notice the change in his grandson��s demeanor. Typically, Zen would be respectfully hesitant, avoiding direct eye contact with him. But now, Zen met his gaze withposure. Victor��s brows instinctively rose as he observed the transformation in Zen, sensing a positive shift. "I thought you were out recording some show?" Victor inquired again, curious about Zen��s sudden appearance.

    "It just ended earlier, and she was with me during the recording. We both received bulky gifts, so she needs help bringing them up," Zen exined in one breath.

    Victor was surprised to hear that they had already spent some time together. "The show you mentioned, where you said you��d have to spend a few days, was this brat also part of it?" Victor asked Hera with an incredulous expression tinged with a hint of envy towards Zen, his voice rising slightly as he spoke.

    "Yes, Grandpa Victor. Zen was my teammate and this gentleman here," Hera said, making sure to gesture towards Xavier, who stood behind her, incessantly pulling at her sleeves even more than Bry did.

    "Oh! So you also know that brat from the Montague family, huh?" Victor mused, cing his fingers on his chin as he pondered for a moment before adding, "Let me help too. The more helpers there are, the faster the work will bepleted." His words carried amanding tone, but he waited for Hera��s response, showing no inclination to push further if she did not agree.

    "What?! Grandpa, you��re too old for this. Just rest in your ce," Zen interjected, his tone filled with concern. He didn��t want his grandfather to join them; with already so many extras present, adding his grandfather to the mix would only make the atmosphere awkward, especially for Bry and his family.

 Chapter 174 Inviting Them All In

    But Luke was a little perplexed because he did not expect to see his good brothers here and they were not there to see him but to see the same person he wanted to see. His thoughts shifted to Hera, he had a good impression of her from when she helped the staff of the building with her heroic act, it was his first time seeing a woman be so gant but elegant. Hera embodied both strength and grace, yet beneath these traits, she exuded a gentle and kind nature. Luke couldn��t help but perceive her as the epitome of purity, not because she had remained untouched by the world, but because she had steadfastly shielded herself from its influences.

    For Luke, purity typically connoted being untainted and morally upright. However, observing Hera, he realized her purity wasn��t of the saintly variety. Instead, it was a resilience that allowed her to remainposed amidst life��s chaos. This quality deeply resonated with him. He found himself drawn to her, perhaps because he was weary of encountering women who constantly schemed for attention and ttered men for what they could offer. Hera��s authenticity stood out amidst a sea of pretense, captivating Luke in a way he hadn��t experienced before.

    Observing his friends, Luke couldn��t help but notice their attraction to Hera. Whether it was for the same qualities that had drawn him to her or others that he hadn��t yet recognized, their interest was unmistakable. From their engagement in the live stream chatroom to their current focus on her, it was clear they were all captivated by her presence. Luke was keenly aware of his good brother��s interest in Hera, as well as the surprising attention she had garnered from the reserve and stern Zhane, who was typically dedicated to his hospital duties. Zhane��s willingness to prioritize meeting Hera upon her return from shooting underscored the sincerity of his interest, indicating a disparity from his usual demeanor.

    It was evident that all three of them had already solidified their intentions or reached some form of understanding. However, Luke couldn��t quite discern Dave��s motives for joining them. Perhaps he was simply curious to witness his friend��s sudden interest in the same woman. Alternatively, Dave might have felt the need to be the voice of reason, ready to intervene if their infatuation spiraled out of control to the point of potential conflict. His presence could serve as a safeguard against any extreme actions driven by overwhelming emotions.

    Luke found himself caught up in spection about the motivations of his friends, oblivious to what Dave might truly be thinking. Dave��s unpredictable nature made it difficult to gauge his intentions urately. In reality, Dave had simply joined them out of sheer boredom, preferring to avoid returning to work where he would inevitably be subjected to his assistant��s nagging.

    As the elevator doors opened onto the penthouse, Hera gracefully stepped onto the marbled floor, guiding everyone towards the main entrance. Despite herposed demeanor, her mind was in turmoil. She hadn��t anticipated hosting all the male leads in her own ce, and the prospect left her feeling unprepared and anxious.

    Unaware of the depth of her connections with each of them, Hera could only recall meeting them a handful of times and engaging in casual conversation. She hadn��t considered them close enough to invite into her home, except for Xavier. However, unbeknownst to her, during her time on the show, the male leads, including Leo, had been observing her closely. They were drawn to her authenticity and found themselves growing fond of her. Despite her belief that their interactions were superficial, her genuine nature had left asting impression on each of them.

    Their curiosity and interest in Hera had grown exponentially, leading them to feel as though they had known her for much longer than they actually had. Unbeknownst to them, they were gradually drawn closer to her, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to learn more about her.

    To expedite the process, Hera used her fingerprint to unlock the double doors of her home��s main entrance, ensuring a seamless entry without keeping everyone waiting.

 Chapter 175 Her Guests

    The male leads gathered closely, exchanging cautious nces, while Xavier silently scrutinized them, curious about their intentions. Meanwhile, Bry��s uncle wandered around the nts near the piano, quietly admiring each one. Bry, on the other hand, moved about with eager energy, as if he were exploring an amusement park.

    Zen and his grandfather stood a bit apart from the others, engaged in a serious conversation that they preferred to keep private from the rest of the group.

    Observing his younger brother and son enjoying themselves, Bry��s father breathed a sigh of relief. He cast a grateful nce at Hera, intending to express his gratitude, but before he could utter a word, Hera spoke up.

    "Uncle, since Bry and your family were such a tremendous help to me during my time in the vige, why don��t you allow me to arrange for some experts to examine second uncle��s leg for a consultation?" Her offer was sincere, devoid of any sense of superiority. Instead, she seemed genuinely concerned for Bry��s uncle��s well-being and eager to lend a helping hand.

    Bry��s father��s lips formed a restrained smile, overwhelmed with gratitude. He appreciated Hera and the others for their decision to forego their im to the prize money from the equestrian race; it was already a considerable help. With that, he felt confident enough to consider allowing his younger brother to undergo the consultation and potentially the operation. However, his intention was to seek assistance from a public hospital, trusting that the doctors there would be capable of helping his younger brother walk again.

    Yet, it would be a lie to im he possessed unwavering confidence in the likelihood of his younger brother��s recovery. Despite a year having passed, he had yet to find a doctor who could offer even a 50% sess rate for the operation.

    So, his trust in the doctors was more of a self-assurance tactic than a genuine belief in their capabilities. Thest consultation revealed that his younger brother��s lumbar spine was affected, along with some adjacent nerves, posing a significant challenge for surgical treatment.

    He hesitated to burden Hera, who had generously offered her assistance. Admitting that he was not tempted would be a lie, but before he could decline, someone interjected, "Why don��t you let me take a look?" Zhane, who had been monitoring Hera since she stepped in, identally overheard their conversation.

    He recognized that eavesdropping wasn��t gentlemanly behavior, but upon realizing the conversation pertained to medical matters, he feltpelled to intervene. While he typically refrained from involving himself in others�� affairs due to his busy schedule at the hospital and he was just not a busybody, the prospect of assisting Hera spurred him into action. He believed he was the most qualified candidate for the task and felt a sense of duty to offer his expertise, knowing that Hera needed assistance.

    Bry��s father tilted his head in confusion. "You are?"

    "I am Zhane Everett, a doctor," came the reply.

    Only then did Hera recall that the brilliant Dr. Zhane Everett was also present. She had been discussing arranging medical assistance for Bry��s uncle��s leg, she could just pray that Zhane doesn��t view this differently.

    "Is he the one you were talking about?" Bry��s father inquired, but Hera couldn��t bring herself to meet his gaze. Her guilty eyes spoke volumes, conveying her inadvertent oversight of Zhane. Helplessly, Zhane could only shake his head in resignation.

 Chapter 176 Helping Out a Patient

    Zhane realized that he would be the one losing out if he stepped back for his friend Xavier to pursue the woman he fancied. His mother was well aware of his circle of friends and cherished each of them as if they were her own children. However, she staunchly believed that her son should not miss out on the opportunity to be with a good woman simply because of his friends.

    Unlike the rest of the group, Zhane was wholly dedicated to his passion for medicine. While he only maintained close ties with his circle of friends, he couldn��t bebeled as introverted. He did socialize with other doctors, yet his primary focus remained on his profession. He chose to prioritize his time towards research and patient care, believing he could achieve greater sess and make a more significant impact within his field.

    Given his limited friend group, Zhane found himself at a loss for conversation topics with Hera. Theycked amon ground to engage in meaningful discussion, leaving him feeling apprehensive. He watched as his other friends, particrly Dave, questioned Xavier, further heightening his concern.

    Now that he had discovered amon ground to converse with Hera, he seized the first opportunity that presented itself. Despite his initial hesitation, Zhane felt confident that his father would not disapprove of his decision.

    "Is it really true, Dr. Everett?" Bry��s father��s voice trembled with emotion as he asked the question that had been weighing heavily on his heart. The prospect of his younger brother being included in this opportunity was already the best oue he could hope for. Knowing that doctors with extensive expertise and experience would conduct the research gave him renewed hope that his brother might walk again. His chest swelled with a tumult of emotions, especially those he had long concealed: hope mingled with the pain of witnessing his younger brother��s suffering for so long.

    As tears of hope welled in Bry��s father��s eyes, Zhane couldn��t shake a twinge of guilt. He realized he had leveraged a patient��s condition to spark a conversation with Hera and make a favorable impression. Quickly readjusting his thoughts, he reverted to his usual demeanor as a stern doctor.

    "Yes, I will be leading this surgery, so if there��s anything you need to rify, feel free to ask me directly." Zhane��s voice betrayed no hint of emotion; he appeared stoic and detached. In his line of work, Zhane had learned topartmentalize his emotions. Being burdened by feelings could prove overwhelming, especially considering the unpredictable nature of his profession. With the constant possibility of losing a patient and the uncertainty of oues, allowing emotions to reign would only add unnecessary strain to their mentality andposure which would be detrimental to their work and may lead to idents or more stress.

    "Thank you, Doctor!" Bry��s father��s gratitude was palpable, almost prompting him to kneel before Zhane with overwhelming happiness. Zhane quickly halted the gesture, and Hera offered her support by steadying his arm from the side. She empathized with his immense joy and shared in the sentiment. With Zhane leading the surgery, she couldn��t have asked for a better oue.

 Chapter 177 Dr. Everett

    As they reached an agreement, Hera��s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Since we��ve settled on a n, let��s take a break and enjoy dinner together. What do you think?" Her gaze swept around the room before settling on Zhane��s emerald eyes.

    "Sounds like a n," Luke interjected, interrupting the growing rapport between Hera and Zhane.

    Hera��s smile was gracious as she spoke, her tone warm and inviting. "Well, then, please everyone, make yourselvesfortable and take a seat. If any of you are interested in some entertainment while we wait for the food, Amy can show you to the game room and entertainment area. You can y some games, perhaps indulge in a game of pool, or even grab a drink or two." Hera��s suggestion was met with another friendly smile before she gracefully turned on her heel and headed to the kitchen. There, she intended to lend a hand to Hannah, whether in cooking or preparing the ingredients, as they had a meal to prepare for ten people.

    Zen and Xavier, acting on their habitual routine from spending the week together, subconsciously trailed Hera into the kitchen to offer their assistance.

    Luke seized the opportunity without hesitation and decided to join them. He recognized that if he allowed Xavier to be alone with Hera, their bond would only strengthen further. Additionally, he saw this as his chance to grow closer to Hera. "I��lle too," he dered, swiftly striding towards Hera without waiting for his other friends to react.

    With Hera now in the kitchen, she couldn��t help but feel that her spacious kitchen suddenly seemed overcrowded. Luke, Rafael, Zhane, Xavier, Zen, and even Victor and Dave followed them inside. Meanwhile, Bry headed to the game room under Amy��s guidance, leaving his father and uncle engaged in lively conversation in the living room, eagerly discussing the uing consultation.

    She had hoped to lend Hannah a hand in the kitchen, using it as an excuse to steal a moment away from the male leads so she could gather her thoughts and n her next steps. However, they thwarted her attempts for solitude by trailing after her. Even Victor joined them, rendering the kitchen ufortably silent in his presence. Despite the tension, none seemed inclined to depart, leaving Hannah feeling overwhelmed by the weight of their collective presence in her sanctuary.

    "Um, would any of you like to y pool or grab a drink upstairs?" Hera offered awkwardly, hoping to disperse the crowd in the kitchen.

    "What are you talking about? We men should help youdies in the kitchen. Your delicate arms won��t be able to handle preparing a meal for ten people," Victor��s energetic voice resounded in the kitchen as he stood tall near the counter, attempting to fold his shirt. All the men in the kitchen were d in three-piece suits, except for Xavier and Zen, who had just returned from the shooting.

    They all resembled curious children, crowding the kitchen and seemingly ready to fool around. Hera felt a surge of headache assaulting her head as she noticed Hannah growing increasingly awkward and ufortable.

    Deciding to take charge, Hera suggested, "How about I mix some drinks for you gentlemen upstairs?"

 Chapter 178 Playing Bartender

    She slipped on a pair of ck gloves before carefully lifting the ice block. Standing tall behind the counter, she faced Victor, with Luke, Dave, and Rafael now gathered around the bar, watching her every move. Hera deftly shaved the ice into a diamond shape using an ice shaver, disying a surprising skill. Once finished, she ced the ice into an elegant ss and gave it a gentle spin before elegantly pouring the Isabe��s Iy whiskey into the ss.

    The aroma wafted up to Hera��s nostrils, intriguing her senses. Unlike the overpowering scent of typical whiskey, this one was lighter, yet fragrant. Even from the smell alone, she could discern its potential for a smoother, lighter vor profile��a mellowness close to delicate. However, she knew its alcohol content remained as robust as any other whiskey, if not stronger.

    As Victor swirled the ss and took in the fragrance, a small smile graced his lips, followed by a sip that elicited merryughter. "This is truly exceptional! Absolutely worth the price!"

    Hera returned the smile, pleased to see Victor enjoying the drink. "I��m delighted that my first customer appreciated my choice." With practiced poise, she began to tidy her station, maintaining her role as the bartender.

    Luke joined in their y, addressing Hera with a yful tone. "Miss Manager, could I trouble you for a ster rmendation of a red wine?" His gaze swept over the impressive wine collection, each bottle seemingly worth a small fortune. Luke, a wine enthusiast himself, couldn��t help but marvel at the array before him. Despite his own wine collection and custom-built cer, it paled inparison to Hera��s selection. His curiosity piqued, he attempted to gauge Hera��s reaction but found her expression inscrutable.

    Hera gracefully stepped away from the bar, her gaze scanning the exquisite wine racks adorning the room��s side. Her keen eye sought out the bottle that exuded the aura of age and refinement, a testament to the adage that older wines often held superior vor. With a gentle touch, she selected the Screaming Eagle Cabe 1992, cradling it with utmost care. Because now that she knew that one whiskey in her bar was about $6.2 million, it only meant that everything in this room was expensive and she was not going to be foolish enough to be as clumsy as letting one break in front of her or she might even vomit blood from heartache.

    Luke observed Hera��s cautious demeanor as she returned with the bottle of wine, her movements delicate and deliberate. It seemed as though she held a priceless artifact in her hands, her caution palpable in every step she took. When she finally ced the red wine before him, Luke��s throat tightened, a surge of understanding flooding over him as he realized the significance of her earlier actions.

    For years, Luke had pursued a bottle of the same wine, but it remained an elusive prize. Despite offering substantial sums, he found himself thwarted by the limited supply and ferventpetition among collectors. The Screaming Eagle Cabe 1992manded a base price of half a million, but in the hands of collectors like Luke, its value soared into the millions. He vividly recalled a recent auction where a single bottle from the same year fetched a staggering $12 million. As he observed Hera deftly uncorking the bottle, a tantalizing thought crossed his mind. ��Was this the bottle that was sold that time?��

    Luke shook his head, dismissing the thought as mere spection, and refocused his attention on Hera. With practiced elegance, she retrieved a wine ss from the cab and poured a generous measure before presenting it to him. Luke acknowledged her with a smile and a word of thanks, then proceeded to assess the wine. Swirling the ss, he inhaled deeply, allowing theplex bouquet to envelop his senses. The wine��s intricateyers of fermentation imparted a rich yet subtle aroma that lingered tantalizingly in the air. Savoring the moment, Luke took a sip, relishing the velvety texture and nuanced vors like a seasoned sommelier. As he savored the lingering taste on his pte, a contented smile graced his lips, and as he sighed he could still taste the wine through his breath. He met Hera��s gaze with a meaningful expression, brimming with satisfaction and appreciation.

 Chapter 179 Let’s Talk

    "Let��s continue this conversation elsewhere," Rafael asserted, his tone inadvertently revealing his struggle to maintain humility. Frustration shed across his face as he realized he had let his emotions take control once more. Despite his inner turmoil, he had no means to retract his words or alter his tone. Now caught in a bind, he faced the possibility of Hera refusing to engage with him and even potentially dismissing him. However, he understood that reacting with anger would not resolve anything or achieve the purpose of his visit.

    Observing Rafael almost on the brink of agitation, Hera offered a helpless smile to Luke and Victor. "Gentlemen, would you mind giving us a moment to talk?"

    "Wait, what about my wine?" Dave, who had been sidelined from the beginning, interjected with a hint of panic in his voice as he eyed the wine bottle in Hera��s hand. He too desired a taste of the wine, priced at a staggering $12 million. While his grandfather may have received extravagant gifts, Dave knew they were never meant to be shared. This was his chance to indulge and perhaps tease his grandfather about itter.

    An awkward silence settled among them as Dave��s question echoed in the air, seemingly oblivious to the significance of Rafael and Hera��s conversation. His attention fixated on the wine bottle, he appeared oblivious to the discourse around him, eagerly awaiting his turn to indulge in the alluring wine. However, when he caught wind of the phrase "give us a moment," he panicked, blurting out his thoughts without fullyprehending the situation.

    Hera couldn��t help but chuckle at Dave��s antics. Seeing him now, so carefree and focused on the wine, he seemed worlds apart from the serious and distinguished young minister often featured in diplomatic news. That version of him was instrumental in leading their country towards development and fostering peace treaties with other nations.

    Observing Dave in person after seeing him on the news, Hera begins to understand the truth in Athena��s earlier remarks about him. She initially thought Athena was exaggerating, but now she saw Dave��s yful exterior hiding a cunning and inscrutable nature. If Rafael embodied the archetype of the Tsundere Prince, then Dave was undoubtedly the Cunning Fox. It came as no surprise that he could outmaneuver older diplomats from other countries, gaining more leeway in negotiations, and leaving them powerless to counter his tactics.

    Whenever Hera saw Dave on the news, she could hardly imagine him as the yful mascot of their group. But witnessing his lighthearted demeanor now, it became clear that he truly embodied that role, brightening the atmosphere and keeping their spirits high.

    Without Dave in their group, it would seem as though a bunch of old men were simply hanging out together. The other four members, especially when all of them are taciturn,cked Dave��s effervescent energy. Even though Luke had a warm and refreshing demeanor, he still couldn��t quite replicate the vibrant atmosphere that Dave effortlessly brought to their gatherings.

    As part of their everyday routine, yful banter with Dave was a staple, often initiated by Dave himself.

    Observing Dave��s genuine excitement for the wine, Hera poured him a ss, which he epted with both hands, conveying his gratitude. Hera couldn��t help but feel a wave of amusement at Dave��s enthusiasm. As Dave and Luke prepared to make themselvesfortable on the couch by the billiards, Hera surprised them by offering them the entire bottle of red wine to enjoy. Both Dave and Luke were taken aback by Hera��s unexpected generosity, not anticipating her to simply give away such an expensive bottle of wine.

    Neither of them declined her offer, expressing their gratitude before settling onto the couch and ced the bottle on the coffee table in front of them. Amy had also sent over a charcuterie board, perfectlyplementing their drinks. Victor joined them on the couch, sparking a conversation about their shared interests. Meanwhile, Zen, Xavier, and Zhane were engrossed in a game of billiards, but both Xavier, Luke, Zen, and Zhane couldn��t help but sneak nces at Hera from time to time.

 Chapter 180 Apologize?

    Although Hera spoke with apparent concern, she subtly implied that it was fortunate Minerva hadn��t offended any unscrupulous individuals who might seek revenge in unpredictable ways. She emphasized that if Minerva didn��t change her attitude, such a situation wasn��t far off. Hera carefully used the word "we," indicating that she considered herself aligned with Rafael, showing that her advice was intended to help Minerva and save Rafael from future trouble.

    She also subtly implied that the only way to avoid such dangers was through strict discipline, ensuring Minerva learned that not everyone would bend to her will. There were still ruthless individuals who wouldn��t care about her brother��s status and might deal with her in unimaginable ways. Worse, she might disappear without a trace.

    After hearing his words, Rafael��s brows furrowed, and Hera��s heartbeat caught in her throat. <i>��Did he notice?��</i> she wondered, remembering how he had seen through her during the interview about the stalker and seducing Alexi allegations.

    Every second of Rafael��s silence felt like hours to Hera. Now, she could understand how Rafael had felt while waiting for her response. However, she knew there was nothing she could do about it. In business deals, the one who speaks first or shows nervousness often loses. That��s why she didn��t want to appear too eager to agree with him or react just because he apologized.

    Rafael was also business-minded and would surely scrutinize everything that had been said, calcting if it would truly benefit him. Hera understood this, and her only concern was that he might see through her subtle implications. Even if he did, she hoped he wouldn��t think badly of her intentions.

    Her only worry now was that all the male leads might turn against her, even though the chances of that happening were only about 5%. Despite the low probability, she couldn��t ignore the danger, no matter how small, because there was still a possibility that things could go awry.

    But amidst her worries, Rafael��s attention shifted to something entirely different. The moment he heard Hera say "we," his mind went nk, and the word echoed in his thoughts. His earlier annoyance disappeared, and after a while, he smiled and nodded at Hera.

    "Miss Ainsley, you are right. We shouldn��t let that happen. Thanks to your reminder, I now see a different perspective that I hadn��t considered before, despite our family��s status and wealth."

    ��Why did this guy suddenly be sensible?�� Hera thought to herself. She stared at Rafael for a moment, noting that he was too preupied to notice her slightly awkward gaze. She hadn��t expected Rafael to agree with her; to be honest, she had anticipated seeing Rafael frowning and threatening her for the sake of his sister.

    Not even Alice had been able to tame Rafael��s hot temper this quickly. Now, she wondered if he truly believed that what she said made sense.

    "You think so?" Hera asked Rafael with a hint of skepticism.

    Rafael took another sip of his wine before looking up at Hera. He noticed the subtle frown in her brows and the skepticism in her eyes. He began to question himself��was he really that unreliable, or had he perhaps done something to disappoint Hera before? But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn��t recall doing anything, especially since they had only met in person three times aside from today.

 Chapter 181 The Contract

    She didn��t even consider his words now. While $100 million might not cripple hispany or drain his personal finances, it was still a significant sum that hispany had to work hard to earn from big clients. So, the loss was considerable, and as a businessman, he felt the sting of it deeply. It was a blow unlike any other he had experienced, even in his early days. This loss hit hard, and he couldn��t help but direct his disappointment and anger inward, toward himself and his family, especially his sister.

    He never even considered directing his anger toward Hera; she was, after all, a victim in this matter as well. Besides, she had been kind enough to remind him of the possible repercussions if his sister continued acting this way. The real source of his frustration was his sister��s actions. If she could already cause such significant losses now, what would happen in the future? Then he remembered Alexi. His sister had also been behind that situation, essentially using his power and money to support that man but he usually thinks of him as a gigolo.

    Rafael harbored no respect for Alexi; he scorned him for his reliance on a woman for sess. Learning of Alexi��s intentions to exploit his sister to advance while scheming to monopolize Hera only fueled Rafael��s fury. Yet, amid his rage, Rafael found himself growing to appreciate Hera even more.

    Rafael collected himself and nodded at Hera with a heavy sigh. "I understand what must be done. Please provide me with your banking details, and I��ll instruct my assistant to transfer the amount without dy." Though he spoke with a tone still tinged with arrogance, Rafael��s resolve was evident.

    Content with her aplishment and the additional earnings, Hera offered a gentle smile, carefully concealing her enthusiasm to avoid giving Rafael the wrong impression. "No need to rush, Mr. Briley. I��m in no hurry, so please take your time to make the arrangements." Despite her disy of patience and understanding, Hera remained firm in her resolve; she wouldn��t let the matter be forgotten.

    Despite her financial stability, this matter extended beyond marypensation for Hera. She hoped Rafael would address the root issues and rein in his sister��s disruptive behavior, particrly for Hera��s safety. Aware that Rafael likely witnessed their confrontations during the live stream while she was in the vige, Hera noted that Minerva consistently failed to prevail against her in those confrontations. Instead, Minerva tarnished her own reputation through her futile attempts.

    Given Rafael��s egotistical and arrogant nature, Hera knew that confronting him directly or questioning his family��s values would likely result in resistance rather than cooperation. Instead, she opted for a more indirect approach, hoping Rafael would interpret her concern as genuine. By using the word "we," she aimed to subtly align herself with him, implying a shared interest in resolving the issue. Surprised by its effectiveness, Hera found herself in a remarkably good mood, pleased with the oue of their conversation.

    "Mr. Briley, please make yourself at home and help yourself to anything you��d like," Hera said generously, pleased with Rafael��s response thus far. It seemed to be the best reaction she could expect given his personality.

    "Rafael..." His frown deepened, and his voice carried a hint of irritation.

    "Huh?" Hera was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor and instinctively questioned him further.

    "You want me to feel at home in your ce, so call me Rafael," Rafael stated, his tonemanding and implying that he wouldn��t ept any argument. He had noticed Hera referring to Xavier as ��Brother Xavier��; why then was he only addressed as Mr. Briley? The repeated use of the title grated on him, he felt like his ears would fall off hearing her calling him Mr. Briley here, Mr. Briley there. and he felt a growing irritation with each instance.

 Chapter 182 Call me by my Name

    Alice��s rtionship with all five of them didn��t simply stem from Rafael and Xavier sharing a social circle and developing an interest in her. It was far moreplex. The remaining three male leads were unwittingly ensnared in a plot, drugged by an aphrodisiac, which led to intimate encounters with Alice before they even realized her connection to Rafael and Xavier. By the time they discovered the truth, Alice had already formed deep bonds with most of them. Despite initial tensions and rivalries over her affection, they ultimately reached a consensus to share her affections. Their decision was driven not only by their friendship but also by the realization that Alice faced formidable adversaries, necessitating their collective protection against a powerful antagonist targeting her.

    Hera��s intention in orchestrating this was to caution the male leads against falling into simr traps in the future, essentially aiming to prevent their chance encounters with Alice. While they may harbor neutral feelings toward Alice presently, Hera fears the possibility of history repeating itself, as depicted in the novel. Uncertain of her next steps, she contemtes the extent to which she can modify her n to ensure events diverge from the novel��s narrative. She grapples with the challenge of tweaking her strategy sufficiently to safeguard against a reurrence of the novel��s events.

    Moreover, Hera harbors no inclination whatsoever to substitute herself for Alice and shield the male leads from potential harm by using her own body. Instead, recognizing the impending recurrence of such circumstances, she opts for a more practical approach: sending them a poignant reminder. Hera acknowledges the impracticality of constantly shadowing them like a stalker to ensure they avoid encounters with Alice, especially considering the natural progression of events unfolding simultaneously with the story.

    Her only recourse now was to prepare in advance, though she was well aware that there existed no wless or foolproof n. Thus, she harbored no illusions that this subtle reminder would suffice to deter thempletely from following the storyline. Nevertheless, Hera remained hopeful that it would serve as a persistent reminder in the corner of their minds, nudging them away from the inevitable course of events.

    Before long, each of the men found themselves holding a unique cocktail, carefully crafted by Hera to allow them the freedom to choose ording to their preferences, thus adding an extrayer of excitement to her Russian roulette. As the drinks flowed and the atmosphere grew livelier, Hera maintained herposure, seamlessly ying her part. Then, Dave, drawn to the colorful concoction of mixed berries and yogurt, eagerly consumed it with the fervor of someone drinking water, enchanted by its taste and offering repeated praise. However, the potency of the cocktail soon began to take effect, leaving Dave pleasantly intoxicated.

    "I��m thoroughly enjoying this cocktail! The sweetness mixed with a hint of sour from the berries, and the smooth taste from the yogurt drink, are allplemented by the refreshing touch of mint��it��s like sipping on a refreshing juice. I��m sure this would be a hit with thedies. What��s the name of this delightful concoction?" Dave eagerly bombarded Hera with his questions as he relished the drink, downing it like water.

    "It��s called ��Night of Passion,��" Hera replied with a smile, pleased by Dave��spliment on the drink she had crafted herself. She personally disliked the overpowering taste of strong liquor, which led her to include sweet and sour elements to bnce out the cocktail��s vor, making it more enjoyable for women. However, she cautioned that despite its inviting taste, it packed quite a punch, advising that one ss should suffice even for seasoned drinkers.

    They noticed a flicker of pride on Hera��s face as she mentioned the drink��s name, realizing that she must have been the creator, generously sharing her creation with them. Witnessing this, Victor couldn��t help but chuckle once more. "Why don��t you whip one up for me as well?" he quipped.

    Hera smiled warmly but gently shook her head. "Grandpa Victor, I believe you��ve had your fair share of strong drinks tonight. This one, in particr, packs quite a punch��it��s the strongest I have in stock. You might find it difficult to appreciate Hannah��s delicious foodter on if you indulge too much." She ended with a yful pout, mirroring the concern of a real granddaughter looking out for her grandfather��s well-being, urging him to take care of himself.

 Chapter 183 The Guilty Grandson

    Now, a profound realization dawned upon Zen, and he stole a nce at his grandfather, consumed by guilt. If his newfound understanding held true, then he had unknowingly caused his grandfather sorrow for an extended period��not just him, but also his sister. Both of them had actively avoided their grandfather due to the same apprehensions.

    Zen��s gaze then shifted to Hera, pondering, "If it weren��t for them visiting her ce, would I have ever realized this crucial insight?" He couldn��t help but acknowledge the positive influence Hera had brought into his life since they first met on the show. Recalling his grandfather��s words about Hera, Zen��s gaze softened with a sense of gratitude. When Hera noticed his gaze, she returned a sweet smile, reminiscent of a younger sister seeking approval from her elder brother. Zen couldn��t resist offering his praise, his voice tender and admiring with a hint of dotingness, "You truly are amazing, Hera."

    Upon hearing Zen��s affectionate tone, Hera couldn��t help but giggle like a delighted child, herughter bubbling forth unexpectedly in front of everyone, momentarily forgetting the presence of the male leads. Her giggle was as refreshing and light as a summer breeze, weaving its way into their hearts, captivating them all as they watched her with fondness.

    Sensing that all eyes were now fixed on her, Hera��s giggle caught in her throat like a deer caught in headlights. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she took on an endearingly shy and adorable demeanor, captivating those around her. So mesmerized were some of them that they found themselves unconsciously holding their breath, enraptured by her presence.

    Feeling awkward, Hera was relieved when Amy arrived with impable timing, just in the nick of time to rescue her from her ufortable situation.

    "Young Miss, the food is ready," Amy announced casually. Hera��s breath caught in her throat as she realized her oversight��she had forgotten to instruct Amy and Hannah not to address her as "young miss" in front of the visitors. Revealing her true identity prematurely could pose a problem, especially since she hadn��t yet established a close rtionship with the male leads.

    She was too busy nning for the future, Hera realized she had overlooked the present moment and berated herself for her oversight. If her identity were exposed prematurely, before her grandfather��s introduction, she��d be a vulnerable target for those with nefarious intentions towards the Avery family. Despite their vast wealth, she understood that power transcended mere money��shecked the influence to wield their considerable resources effectively. In such a scenario, she��d be akin to a plump piece of meat dangled before a ravenous wolf, leaving their family vulnerable to exploitation and harm.

    If the male leads were to discover Hera��s true identity before she had earned their trust, they might turn against her even quicker than they did in the novel. Their actions in siding with Alice against the Avery family weren��t solely driven by affection for her; as businessmen, they were adept at calcting risks and rewards. Aligning themselves with the Avery family wasn��t as lucrative as gaining control over them, which is why they didn��t hesitate to oppose a conglomerate family such as the Avery Consortium. Moreover, they possessed the ideal weapon��the lovestruck Hera ��to wield against the Avery family at the opportune moment.

    As quick-witted as Amy, who had served in the Avery mansion for over a decade, Hera��s reaction struck her as unusual. Sensing Hera��s difort, Amy decided to provide an exnation. "Young Miss Athena called to check up on you and wanted me to inform you that she��ll be back tomorrow."

    Upon hearing Amy��s additional words, Hera released a silent sigh of relief inside her head. Her heart felt lodged in her throat as she raced to formte a n to address the situation with everyone. However, she found herself spared the need to speak as Amy��s words subtly implied that, since Hera was living with Athena, it was appropriate to address her as "young miss" out of respect for Athena.

 Chapter 184 Dave is Drunk

    "Could you please lead me to the guest room?" Zhane asked Hera directly while supporting Dave. When Dave protested, Zhane firmly dragged him along, waiting for Hera to show the way. Without wasting any time, Hera led them to the farthest guest room on the second floor.

    After reaching the guest room, Zhane said, "You can leave him to me. I��ll join you downstairs once I��ve got him settled in bed."

    Hera didn��t ask any more questions and led her other guests to the dining table. However, she noticed that the remaining three male leads seemed uneasy after seeing Dave in that state. Hera felt like she was missing something about Dave. She knew he was sarcastic and cunning, but she hadn��t heard much more from Athena about him, aside from being considered the group��s mascot.

    The way the other four reacted gave her a sense of foreboding. There was something unsettling about how Dave had looked at her earlier, something she couldn��t quite grasp. It felt like the answer was just on the tip of her tongue, only to slip away whenever she tried to focus on it. Deciding to stop overthinking, she told herself her unease was likely due to Dave��s drunken behavior, which was understandable given his condition.

    After clearing her mind of unnecessary worries, they arrived at the dining table where all the food had already been served. Amy emerged with seven cups of hangover soup, distributing them to each gentleman who hade from the entertainment room. Hera shot Amy an appreciative nce before encouraging everyone to drink up. She then directed Amy to head to the furthest guest room and leave a cup of hangover soup for Dave there as well.

    As everyone finished their hangover soup, they settled into their seats. Hera graciously took her ce on the side and offered the head chair to Victor, honoring his seniority. Xavier positioned himself to Hera��s right, with Luke on her left. Rafael, appearing a bit sullen because he was slightly dyed in his movements, imed a seat opposite Hera. Zhane, also slower still due to assisting Dave, missed the chance to sit beside Hera. However, he remainedposed and unruffled, taking his seat beside Rafael with a refined air befitting his status as a young master.

    The spread prepared by Hannah featured a delightful fusion of Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, centered around seafood. Recognizing Hera��s fondness for seafood, Hannah curated the menu ordingly. However, she also ensured variety by preparing additional dishes to amodate differing preferences and potential seafood allergies among the guests.

    The table overflowed with a mouthwatering array of dishes. There was Seafood Pae adorned with plump scallops, tiger prawns, and mussels, each ingredient infused with rich vors. A Catana de marisco, cooked in a m-shaped copper pot, offered a tantalizing blend of shrimp, ms, and other seafood, slow-cooked to perfection with white wine, vegetables, and herbs. Grilled Lapas, or limpets, provided a unique seafood experience, served with a zesty garlic and butter sauce alongside slices of fresh lemon. Other offerings included Leit?o assado, a sulent suckling pig, hearty Prego steak sandwiches, and Patatas bravas��cubed potatoes smothered in spicy mayonnaise sauce. For those craving traditional vors, there were Albondigas��savory meatballs in a tangy tomato sauce��and Baco, a delicately prepared salted cod infused with olive oil, garlic, and the fish��s own juices.

    Hannah made sure to include a selection of white wine, the Domaine Leive Montrachet Grand Cru 2017, toplement the dishes on the table. While the spread appeared simple, its appetizing aroma captivated the senses, stirring Hera��s hunger. For the moment, she set aside her concerns about the male leads and eagerly focused on the delicious food before her. However, out of respect for Victor, Hera waited for him to begin eating before serving herself. Seeing Hera��s gesture, Victor appreciated the courtesy and promptly helped himself to some food. Hera also made sure to offer him dishes that were further away from his reach, further demonstrating her respect for him.

 Chapter 185 Dining with the Male Leads

    asionally, some of the male leads would also share simr experiences, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding among everyone present. This contributed to the lighthearted atmosphere that enveloped the gathering.

    At this moment, Hera momentarily forgot that the male leads were supposed to be her enemies, alongside Minerva and Alice. However, even as such thoughts crossed her mind, she remained keenly aware of her boundaries. Nheless, she couldn��t help but feel genuinely content, knowing she had sessfully cultivated a positive rtionship with Zen and Bry��s family.

    Previously, Hera devoted herself to bncing her part-time jobs while also cultivating a connection with Alexi��s family. She held a sincere belief that her efforts could reshape the trajectory of her future, particrly due to the distinct way Alexi treated her. Hera believed that through her genuine dedication, they would perceive her sincerity. However, she remained unaware that these sentiments were influenced by the storyline itself. It��s only now that she grasps the profound impact of the narrative influence. These emotions, once believed to be her own, were in fact shaped by the storyline��s direction. This realization prompts Hera to reflect on the potent effect of the storyline, a revtion that had previously eluded her, as she never delved deeply into these underlying feelings and thoughts.

    In parallel to the Hera depicted in the novel, she encountered criticism from Alexi��s family due to her impoverished and orphaned background. Despite her efforts, they harbored disdain towards her, often using her of holding Alexi back. However, during those moments, Hera found sce in Alexi��s unwavering support. His defense of her bolstered her spirits, leading her to believe that with time, she could ovee these challenges. She envisioned a future where, if she distanced herself from the main characters and their love story, she could carve out afortable existence, free from the hardships imposed by the storyline.

    Hence, she kept her true identity hidden from Alexi until she was certain that the timing was right. Her intention was to ensure that when she eventually revealed the truth, she could embrace life to the fullest alongside her grandfather, fulfilling her duties as the heiress of the Avery family without causing them any harm.

    As Hera witnessed Alexi with Minerva, she realized the inescapable grip of the storyline��s influence. At that moment, it felt as though the weight of the world was crushing her spirit. Her dedication and hope seemed futile, shattered by the realization that she was merely a cannon fodder in a narrative not of her own making.

    So, she resolved that if the world desired her and her loved ones to perish like flies, she would defy it alongside its favored child, Alice. All she sought was a life liberated from the world��s constraints, with the power to shape her own destiny. Yet, she couldn��t grasp why the storyline insisted on dragging her and her family down to hell just to ensure thefort and happiness of the female lead and her male leads.

    That��s why she resolved to target the male leads. After all, who could contend with the female lead other than the chosen male counterparts destined for her? If the female lead possessed a halo to shield and elevate her position, it stood to reason that the male leads had their own protective halos, elevating them to higher status so they could stand by the female lead, shielding and supporting her from whateveres her way.

    As Hera pondered her grievances, she maintained aposed and gentle smile on her face. She recognized that her current demeanor was more akin to that of a story��s viiness rather than a mere cannon fodder. However, feeling trapped by the world��s influence, she resolved to embrace this role. Refusing to surrender without a fight, she vowed to wield the very sword the world had forged against itself and its chosen child, prepared to lead them to their downfall.

    Hera made a conscious effort to halt her overthinking, recognizing its impact on her mood and ability to be present in the moment. She immersed herself in the enjoyment of the meal alongside everyone else. Afterward, they took a brief rest before Bry��s father and the other guests returned to the parking lot to help transport the gifts Hera had received from the vigers, including the live chickens and ducks.

 Chapter 186 Helping a Friend

    Bry��s father��s initial reluctance dissolved, understanding that Hera was seeking a favor for her friend, which conveniently benefited them as well. With a nod, he affirmed, "Then, we��ll cover your friend��s rent for the duration of our stay." He added, cementing their agreement.

    Anticipating his response, Hera came prepared with a solution. "Actually, Uncle, she��s willing to hire you as temporary caretakers for a while. Instead of paying rent, she proposed that she wouldn��tpensate you with a sry for cleaning and maintaining her ce. This way, you can stay in her apartment without any financial burden. Additionally, she mentioned her superstition about unupied houses attracting lost souls. That��s why she��s keen to have caretakers present, especially since her original caretaker is unavable."

    Hera adopted a yful pout, resembling a cute child, before continuing, "Uncle, my friend is a bit of a scaredy-cat and hates her house being empty, even for a day. Could you do this for me? I��ve already assured her that I have reliable people who can take care of everything for her..." Her voice trailed off slightly as she awaited Bry��s father��s response.

    She meticulouslyid out every detail, even carefully orchestrating the scenario and briefing Cindy on what to do to enhance its credibility. Besides, Hera knew that even if she revealed that the property belonged to her and offered it to them, along with asking for rent, Bry��s father would undoubtedly decline. He was the type to avoid inconveniencing Hera and would never entertain the thought of taking advantage of her kindness.

    Hera understood the rural mindset well��people from the countryside valued self-reliance and were wary of burdening others. If everything was simply handed to them, they would feel ufortable epting the favor, unless they were confident they could repay it somehow. They wouldn��t hesitate to work tirelessly, even as a maid, just to settle the debt. Above all, they were fiercely independent and stubborn, unwilling to be indebted to anyone for long.

    Hera felt a strong desire to reciprocate their hospitality, especially given her fondness for Bry and the bond she had forged with their family. To her, they were more than just acquaintances��they were like family friends. As she saw it, the city was her domain, and she felt a responsibility to look after them during their stay.

    Moreover, Hera reasoned that the situation made sense, considering the property was currently vacant. Having someone upy the space to prevent any sense of abandonment seemed like a sensible arrangement. With her conscience clear, Hera wore a genuine smile, showing no signs of deceit as she looked expectantly at Bry��s father. Witnessing Hera��s sincerity softened Bry��s father��s heart, prompting him to nod in agreement without hesitation.

    Upon securing Bry��s father��s agreement, Hera provided Cindy��s phone number. "Uncle, this is the number of her neighbor. The caretaker left the keys with her before she left, so you can retrieve them from this person after seeing Xavier and Zen off to their destinations." Hera��s exnation was delivered with sweetness and a touch of excitement.

    Bry��s father shook his head in resignation, but his gaze towards Hera was one of fondness, akin to how he would look at his own mischievous daughter. After expressing a few more words of concern to Hera, much like a caring mother, he departed with his son and younger brother. Hera could only apany her guests to the elevator, as they insisted she stay put since darkness had begun to fall, and she deserved a well-earned rest after the long day they had.

    Hera refrained from pressing further and simply saw them off as they boarded the elevator. Yet, as she watched them depart, a nagging feeling lingered, hinting that something was off. Try as she might, she couldn��t quite grasp the elusive thought, and eventually, she relinquished her attempt to make sense of it. With her mind feeling like a tangled mess, she decided to let go of the puzzling notion and allow herself to unwind.

    After lingering by the elevator for a few more moments once it descended, Hera retraced her steps back to her penthouse. Weary from the day��s events, she decided to indulge in a hot bath before retiring for the night. Feeling exhausted, she opted to keep the bedroom dimly lit, with only a single bedside tablemp providing a gentle glow. She left the curtains open, knowing they would automatically close before dawn, ensuring an undisturbed night��s sleep. This way, Hera could gaze at the stars from her window while finding sce in the tranquility of the night.

    Heading straight to the bathroom, Hera wasted no time in drawing a warm bath,plete with a luxurious rose petal bath bomb. Immersing herself in the soothing water, she aimed to ease the weariness from her body, ensuring a restful night��s sleep ahead. Emerging from her bath after half an hour, Hera then lit a calmingvender-scented candle. This aromatic touch was her secret weapon to ward off any potential interruptions to her sleep, such as lingering body aches or restlessness.

 Chapter 187 Dream?

    "Mr. Minister, are you still drunk? This is my room!" Hera said through gritted teeth, struggling to rein in her bubbling anger.

    "Hmph! Weren��t you the one who conspired to get me so drunk?" Dave sneered, disgust evident in his eyes. "Don��t even pretend it was just a yful prank! I know what you��re ying at!" He used, his gaze never wavering from Hera��s.

    "Oh yeah? If you knew, howe you still fell for it?" Hera fired back, her tone equally sarcastic. She was not only startled and frightened by his sudden appearance in her bedroom but also outraged by his usation. How could she continue to let him speak to her this way in her own home, her own safe space?

    Hera wasn��t without a temper, and she wasn��t usually grumpy upon waking up, but Dave��s relentless prodding was getting under her skin. "If you keep letting your guard down, you might get drugged sooner orter. Hmp!" Hera snapped, crossing her arms and pointedly ignoring him.

    "Oh, now you��re even threatening to drug me?" Dave��s tone dripped with anger and malice.

    "Huh?! If I wanted to sleep with someone, do I still need to drug them?" Hera retorted confidently, raising her eyebrows and looking at Dave as if he were some mentally challenged person who couldn��t see the obvious.

    Dave choked on his own saliva, realizing how ridiculous his usations sounded. If Hera really wanted to sleep with someone, a mere flick of her finger or a hint of seduction would be enough to sway any man. Not to mention, his four friends had already shown varying degrees of interest in her. If she were after status and wealth, she could easily choose from them instead of targeting him specifically.

    Feeling like a clown for everything he said, Dave rubbed the tip of his nose. Having just woken up beside Hera, he didn��t remember much after falling asleep in the guest room and still believed he was there. He only also realized that his friends had left without him, leaving him to sulk in deep thought.

    He massaged the bridge of his nose and traced his eyebrows to his temple before letting out a loud sigh. His thoughts were scattered, and he had instinctively spewed venom the moment he woke up, thinking Hera was trying to crawl into his bed. As he looked around the room, he realized, even through the haze of his spinning vision before he lost consciousness, this was not the guest room he had been sent to.

    A flicker of realization hit him, and he felt too embarrassed to look at Hera. By this time, Hera had already turned on the bedsidemp and noticed the tint of red in his ears as he looked down at his hands, deep in thought.

    But Hera didn��t give him time to reflect and started rubbing salt in his wounds. "What, have you realized it was you who crawled into my bed to seduce me?" she taunted.

    Dave was naturally suspicious, a trait honed by his career as a politician. Hera knew that defending herself too vigorously would only reinforce his belief that she had tried to seduce him. Instead, she employed reverse psychology, matching his sarcasm with her own. This must have been the first time someone responded to him with such biting remarks,pletely throwing him off bnce. Now, he wasn��t just in disbelief; he was utterly taken aback by her unexpected retort.

    He found himself at a loss for where to begin his apologies. He had simplye along with his friends to enjoy themselves, unaware of the unexpected turn events would take. Now, caught in an embarrassing situation, he feared the consequences if his friends were to discover he had ended up in Hera��s bed uninvited. The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine.

 Chapter 188 One Pill Is Enough

    As he processed Hera��s words and her habit of carrying an anaphrodisiac, Dave felt a surge of empathy. He understood the fear of being targeted at parties, whether for one��s beauty or wealth. With a sympathetic look, he nodded in understanding and approval, acknowledging Hera��s vignce in protecting herself from potential threats, or maybe, she had already gone through it.

    <i>��Yeah, she��s too beautiful to pass up. No wonder so many men would want to try their luck,��</i> Dave thought, looking at Hera with a knowing expression. Hera raised her eyebrows in question, unsure of what he was thinking. The sympathetic way he stared at her indicated he had misunderstood something, but Hera had no intention of correcting his misconception.

    "Since you are finally awake, Mr. Minister. You can show yourself out." Hera said coldly as she gestured for him to go out of her room.

    "Are you kicking me out?" Dave asked incredulously. He had never been thrown out of someone else��s room before; he was always the one doing the throwing. Numerous women had been ejected from his room for their schemes or ns, but never had he been on the receiving end. His face flushed red with embarrassment as he stared at Hera, his eyes filled with indignation but unable to find the right words to say.

    "Would you like me to coddle you here in my room and sing you a luby?" Hera said sarcastically. She could clearly see the disbelief on Dave��s face as he opened and closed his mouth, struggling to find words. Typically, aside from his friends who were always rude to him, Dave was the one dishing out sarcastic remarks. No one had ever dared to reproach him or fire back with such audacity.

    By now, Hera was already enjoying taunting Dave too much to stop. He had disturbed her beauty sleep, so she said whatever she liked. Besides, she wouldn��t have even known he was still in her penthouse if he hadn��t crawled into her bed, acting as if she had harassed him.

    "You... you��re really kicking me out?" Dave looked at Hera with a pitiful expression, resembling a bullied concubine.

    "Yup." Hera remained unfazed by his obvious attempt at sympathy. She knew it was more about his ego than anything else; being kicked out by a woman would definitely bruise his pride.

    "In the middle of the night?" Dave asked, trying to use his seductive charm that usually made women fall head over heels for him.

    "Would you like me to get someone to send you back?" Hera replied, not taking him seriously at all. This made Dave��s face twitch involuntarily.

    A knock interrupted their bickering, bringing Hera back to her senses. She now understood why the other male leads liked to bully Dave��it was quite amusing. "What is it?" Hera asked, her head slightly tilted to the side, half-facing the door while still keeping an eye on Dave.

    "Um... Young Miss, Mr. Greyson came back because they realized they forgot about Mr. Carson..." Amy hesitated. She had gone straight to the guest room where she remembered Dave was supposed to be, only to find it empty. She assumed he had already gone home without anyone noticing. But it was only after Luke returned in his pajamas that they discovered Dave was still missing.

    Luke had called the others, realizing in the middle of the night that he hadn��t seen Dave leave with them. About to go to bed, he checked with the others, and only then did they realize that none of them remembered seeing Dave.

    When Luke realized that Dave was still at Hera��s ce, he found himself already heading up to the penthouse. He knew Dave wasn��t interested in Hera, which was a relief, but leaving Dave unsupervised felt unsettling. What if Dave was Hera��s type, especially with his incubus-like charm? Luke felt a bit nervous, sensing that Hera had been a quite bit distant from them. Even without her saying it, he could feel the wall she had built around herself, a barrier directed specifically at him and his friends.

 Chapter 189 The Aggrieved Dave

    Dave couldn��t fathom what was going through Luke��s mind. The typically gentle smile and refreshing aura Luke exuded had vanished, reced by a predatory presence, like that of a hunter eyeing its quarry. Dave��s throat constricted with a twinge of guilt, fearing that Luke might discern something awry.

    Ring-

    Ring-

    Ring-

    The sudden ring of Luke��s phone shattered the quiet of the hallway, causing Dave to release a breath he hadn��t realized he��d been holding. It felt like a lifeline had been thrown to him, saving him from a tense moment with Luke.

    "Hello?" Luke��s deep voice resonated through the phone, sending a shiver down the caller��s spine. Something in his tone hinted at an underlying tension, leaving the person on the other end with a sense of unease.

    "Have you found Dave?" Rafael��s voice carried a clear edge of irritation as he spoke from the other end of the line.

    "Hmm," Luke nced at Dave, who stood before him, hands casually tucked in his pockets, exuding an air of calmness and drowsiness. "I��ll bring him back to my ce for now." With that, Luke headed straight for the elevator without waiting for Dave. Dave knew Luke awaited an exnation for what happened in Hera��s ce while they were all in their own homes, but Luke intended to ensure Dave wouldn��t slip away before he had his chance to interrogate him. Dave had only five minutes to strategize his escape n before Luke went into full interrogation mode or maybe a n on how to exin things.

    As expected, within five minutes, they arrived at Luke��s apartment, conveniently located just two floors below Hera��s. As soon as the door closed behind them, Luke headed straight for the couch, arms folded across his chest, one leg crossed over the other, his expression stern and expectant. It was clear he was waiting for Dave to start exining if anything had happened while they were all away.

    Dave calmly walked over, hands still tucked into his pockets. But instead ofunching into an exnation, he shifted into full-on aggrieved mode, adopting a pitiful demeanor reminiscent of a neglected child. "You guys are too much!" he eximed, his tone animated, like a child throwing a tantrum. "You knew I was drunk, and as my best buddies, I expected you to at least send me home! But when I woke up, not only was I in an unfamiliar ce, but I couldn��t even find you guys! You have no idea how surprised I was for a moment there."</subtxt>

 Chapter 191 Going to Uni

    Ding...

    Ding...

    Ding...

    Meanwhile, after the brief interludest night, Hera quickly fell back asleep and returned to her dreams. The continuous buzzing of her phone woke her up, and she groggily opened her eyes, reluctantly reaching for it. Just as she did, an iing call appeared on the screen. Sighing, Hera settled back into bed as she answered the call.

    "Hello?" Hera��s voice was still raspy and low.

    "Damn! I��m pregnant!!!" Athena��s excited voice echoed from the other end. As Athena��s words registered, Hera sat up so quickly that she felt a little dizzy and was momentarily in a daze.

    "You��re pregnant? Since when? How did it happen?" Hera frantically asked Athena, her earlier grogginess vanishing without a trace. But instead of an answer, Hera heard Athena hystericallyughing on the other end, leaving her baffled. <i>��Was being pregnant what she wanted? Did she actually have a boyfriend without me knowing?��</i> Hera pondered to herself as she waited for Athena to calm down.

    "Babe, haha, no. What I meant was, haha, your voice impregnated me the moment you answered the phone," Athena said, wiping away tears ofughter as she settled down.

    Hera��s worry instantly cooled down as she slowly understood what Athena meant. It was the same joke about sexy voices that Athena always made, iming they could impregnate the listener. <i>��But wasn��t that supposed to be for men?��</i> she thought. "You��re teasing me this early in the morning?" Hera asked a hint of amusement in her voice.

    "Babe, it��s not early anymore. You must still be innd because your body clock has failed you. It��s already 9 in the morning, and I��m waiting for you here in front of your university."

    "Huh?! What are you doing in front of my university?" Hera asked, puzzled.

    "What? You��ve forgotten? Today is Monday, and it��s your registration day for this semester," Athena said, her voice trailing off uncertainly. There was a moment of silence before she spoke again. "You��ve forgotten, haven��t you?" she teased, a smirk spreading across her face.

    Hera looked suspiciously at her phone before swiping it to check the date and time on the screen. She felt the air in her lungs get stuck in her windpipe before hearing another teasing remark from Athena. "What would you do if I weren��t here? You almost missed your registration," Athena teased.

    "Thank you, Athena! I��ll get ready right away and drive there ASAP!" Hera said urgently, tossing her phone onto the bed before dashing to the bathroom.

    Hera didn��t spend too much time washing up. Since she no longer had her usual clothes left in her shared apartment with Alexi, she didn��t feel inclined to dress casually. Instead, she opted for the Gi white silk pleated dress that fell halfway down her thigh.

    The dress boasted cape-like sleeves that mirrored its pleated design, while an elegant M-tube style neckline covered Hera��s ample chest, adorned with a delicateyer of silk extending to her corbones. This uniquebination created a sophisticated yet alluring appeal, enhancing Hera��s ethereal aura and beauty. Completing her ensemble, Hera paired the dress with white Jimmy Choo Aurelie heels featuring a stunning diamond and pearl design, further elevating her sophisticated look.

    She deliberated between the Yves Saint Laurent simple white shoes, boasting the iconic logo, but their height posed a concern for navigating the vast university campusfortably. Ultimately, she chose the white Jimmy Choo heels, standing at a modest 3 inches, which not onlyplemented her ensemble but also ensured practicality for traversing the campus grounds.

    With minimal belongings aside from her essentials like her phone, car keys, ID, and ck card, Hera decided on the Chanel Small ssic Double p White Caviar with Light Gold Hardware. She essorized with simple pearl earrings and added a pop of color to her outfit with the GRAFF HALLUCINATION watch, adorned with an array of light-colored diamonds of varying sizes and shapes.

    Once she finished dressing up, Hera twirled in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror to assess her outfit. After the twirl, a satisfied smile graced her lips, and she confidently walked out of her room.

 Chapter 192 To the Cafeteria

    "Alright, babe, I��ll order the usual. Are you okay with that?" Athena chuckled, teasing Hera a bit.

    "More than okay!" Hera eagerly replied, her excitement evident in her voice.

    After finalizing their rendezvous point, they ended the call so Hera could focus on driving, while Athena made her way straight to the cafeteria to order their usualbo meal. Hera��s university was sprawling, boasting numerous courses and holding the status of being the most prestigious school in their country. This reputation attracted students from various backgrounds: the wealthy,moners, and the middle ss. To amodate the diverse student body, especially those pressed for time who don��t have time to go outside to eat, the university established different cafeterias with varying price ranges, ensuring essibility and convenience for all.

    The cafeteria Athena and Hera frequented catered primarily to schr students, offering the most affordable options on campus. Their go-to meal was thebo meal, the cheapest offering avable. However, the downside was itsck of variety; thebo meal remained the same throughout the year, making it monotonous to eat every day. Fortunately, there were a few otherbo meal options to provide students with some variety and prevent them from growing tired of the food avable.

    While the cafeteria catering to the middle ss offered slightly better quality at a marginally higher price, many students frommoner and middle-ss backgrounds still opted for the most affordable option to economize on their expenses. Given the high cost of education, students spared no effort in seeking out the most budget-friendly choices avable.

    In contrast, the final cafeteria resembled a confluence of Michelin-starred restaurants, providing students with a diverse array of culinary options. Here, students could handpick their preferred dishes, each prepared in order to ensure freshness and exceptional taste.

    While Hera and Athena could easily afford to dine at the upscale cafeteria in the university, they preferred to frequent their usual spot. For them, it wasn��t just about the affordability; it was about thefort and familiarity of their chosen cafeteria. It held sentimental value, reminding them of the journey they��d shared as best friends over the years. Their decision was driven more by emotional attachment to the ce rather than any financial considerations.

    As Hera arrived at the entrance of the university, she noticed students bustling to enter the premises for registration. When they caught sight of her car, many paused, casting envious nces, while others gazed in astonishment, their eyes filled with ambition. Perhaps they envisioned themselves enjoying such luxury after graduating and securing promising opportunities through hard work and ingenuity. However, Hera didn��t dwell on their thoughts. She drove straight to the parking lot designated for luxury cars, focusing on her own tasks for the day.

    Yes, the university had a designated parking lot for luxury cars, a measure aimed at preventing potential conflicts between students from different backgrounds. By segregating parking areas, the university aimed to minimize the likelihood of idents involving vehicles of varying values.

    In the event of such incidents, having luxury cars parked together allowed for easier resolution among individuals within the same socioeconomic circle, ensuring smootherpensation for any damages incurred. Integrating luxury cars with regr vehicles posed challenges, particrly regarding how students from middle-ss backgrounds could adequatelypensate for damage to luxury vehicles.

    Given that the university couldn��t prohibit students from affluent backgrounds from driving luxury cars, this solution aimed to satisfy all parties involved, promoting harmony and fairness within the campusmunity.

    Hera spotted Athena��s Bugatti Chiron parked in the designated area and noticed an open spot adjacent to it. With practiced ease, she maneuvered her car into the avable space beside Athena��s vehicle, effortlesslypleting the parking without breaking a sweat.

    After shutting off the engine, Hera stepped out of her car with finesse. Several students lingered in the parking lot, attending to their own vehicles. Pausing momentarily, they engaged in the customaryparison of cars nearby. As Hera��s car came into view beside the another hypercar, their attention shifted, prompting them to pause and observe. Their collective curiosity reached a peak as they watched a stunning woman emerge from the vehicle with effortless elegance.

 Chapter 193 Have Him

    Hera couldn��tprehend the source of Minerva��s hostility, puzzled by the intense animosity directed her way. In reality, it was Minerva who had upheaved Hera��s life, leaving it in disarray. Normally, Hera would have every reason tosh out and make a scene, considering Minerva had stolen her now ex-boyfriend. However, Hera refused to stoop to such levels. She refused to dignify the situation with a public disy of anger, especially over a man who had proven so easily swayed.

    Minerva��s gaze shifted sideways, a gleam of excitement dancing in her eyes as she persisted in needling Hera. "What��s the matter, speechless?" she jeered, a smug grin ying on her lips. It was as if she had already emerged victorious in her bid to tarnish Hera��s reputation, eagerly anticipating the moment when her gossip would spread throughout the university, ensuring Hera��s days would be harsh with gossip flying around.

    Rather than sumbing to anger, Hera let out a chuckle, catching Minerva off guard. Hera��s response defied Minerva��s expectations yet again. Instead of erupting in fury or resorting to theatrics, Hera regarded Minerva with an amused glint in her eyes. It was as though she found the entire spectacle akin to watching a clown perform in a circus��a bemused detachment that only served to confound Minerva further.

    "Would you rather see me weeping over an ex-boyfriend snatched away by a promiscuous woman who can��t seem to keep her legs shut?" Hera shot back, her grin wide yet imbued with a fierce innocence. Her demeanor was reminiscent of a yful cat, mischievous yet undeniably charming.

    Upon hearing Hera��s unfiltered retort, Minerva��s features contorted into a grotesque expression. Hera��s unabashed usation struck a nerve, as she made no attempt to soften her words, directly branding Minerva as a whore. Faced with the choice of responding in anger and essentially confirming Hera��s insult, Minerva��splexion fluctuated rapidly from deep red to pallid, before flushing a furious shade of purple as rage consumed her.

    Hera refused to let Minerva off the hook, recognizing that Minerva had initiated the conflict and brought the turmoil into her own domain. "You can have him," Hera persisted, her tone tinged with determination. "After all, a real man is not easily swayed by mere flings. Besides..." Hera��s gaze flicked over Minerva before she continued in a teasing manner, "The woman he chose over me hardlypares in beauty." The words carried a sense of d��j�� vu for Hera, reminiscent of Athena��s recounting of Minerva��s previous taunts directed at a different version of Hera��a Hera depicted as disheveled and desperate, shedding tears over Alexi and resorting to extreme measures, even sacrificing her inheritance to prove her love.

    Hera��s eyes shimmered with a tinge of sorrow as she reflected, ��How the tables have turned!�� Observing Minerva��s expression stiffen in response to her words, Hera made a mental note to remember this moment vividly��the embarrassment etched on Minerva��s face, her inner turmoilid bare. It was a striking parallel to the portrayal of Hera in the novel, a stark reminder of how swiftly fortunes could reverse.

    "What did you say?!" A thunderous voice reverberated from the back of the gathering crowd surrounding Minerva and Hera. The crowd instinctively parted, revealing Alexi striding towards them. Minerva��s eyes sparkled with hope as she spotted him, a sense of triumph evident in her gaze as she cast a smug nce at Hera. Alexi��s demeanor resembled that of a raging bull, poised to charge at his target. Minerva assumed he was incensed by Hera��s public humiliation, her thoughts racing with the belief that Alexi was prepared to defend her honor against Hera��s usations of promiscuity and ugliness.

 Chapter 195 Ask Your Brother

    "Babe, why are you even wasting time on her?" Minerva sneered, stepping out from behind Alexi to give Hera a disdainful smile. "She��s nothing but a kept woman. Do you really believe Athena has that much money to give her, even if she��s the sole heiress of the Lowery and Jackson families? Even Athena can only afford a Bugatti Chiron, and that��s already an exotic car. Hera, on the other hand, drives two cars that are even better." Minerva��s voice dripped with venom as she continued her nder, caring little for the truth. All that mattered was ruining Hera��s image in front of Alexi. "You might fool the general masses, but you can��t fool people like us who know our stuff."

    Hera nonchntly waited for Minerva to finish her rant, then nced at Alexi, who was now turning purple with a mix of emotions. His face shifted through different shades��from anger to embarrassment and back to anger again. Whatever was going through his mind was a mystery to everyone, but Hera didn��t care.

    Instead, Hera let out a melodious chuckle before speaking. "I guess I have to thank your brother for it." She turned to face Minerva with a taunting smile. Minerva��s words reminded her of the $100 million transfer she had received from Rafael that morning. Hera decided to use it to provoke Minerva further. While what Minerva said was only partially true, $100 million was indeed enough to purchase the cars in her garage. The real challenge lies in the connections needed to acquire such vehicles. Hera could easily im that she used Athena��s family connections for the purchases. After all, those cars weren��t just bought with money; they required abination of status, wealth, and connections, something even Minerva��s family couldn��t attain.

    As Hera anticipated, Minerva was visibly provoked and seething with anger at the mention of her brother. However, it was Alexi who voiced the question. "What do you mean? Why are you bringing up Minerva��s brother?" Despite his inquiry, Alexi��s expression betrayed a growing frustration and anger. His grip on Hera��s arm tightened, causing her to wince in pain. She attempted to free herself, but his hold was too strong. Their proximity made it difficult for Hera to maneuver and break free from Alexi��s grasp.

    But Hera did not back down and she made it easier for everyone to misinterpret her words and insinuation that everyone thought that Rafael was the rumored boyfriend or sugar daddy Minerva was talking about but then again, most of them knew almost all the people in their circle so they knew who Minerva is and who her brother is, and they all know that Rafael was a car enthusiast. So it was not a surprise to know that he had those two exotic cars that were limited edition and if he had given it to her, it only meant that he really favored Hera and it only made sense why she could afford the car. All the spection about Hera and how she became so wealthy in just a short week has now be even more difficult to understand but no one wants to question her anymore because she is connected to Rafael and everyone knows of his temper and how ruthless he is and no one wanted to offend such person.

    "No! Why would my brother get involved with you?!" Minerva��s voice rose to a hysterical pitch as she directed her usation at Hera.

    "Why don��t you ask him? I wouldn��t know the answer if you asked me." Hera chuckled, relishing the irony of the situation. Dealing with two individuals who enjoyed manipting others�� emotions, she felt a sense of poetic justice in turning the tables. However, she grew weary of the game and longed to depart. Athena had been awaiting her for some time, and Hera��s patience wore thin.

    As if on cue, Hera felt her other arm gently seized, pulling her from Alexi��s grasp. She stumbled, only to find herself against a sturdy chest, as solid as a wall yet strangelyforting. The scent of mint enveloped her, triggering a wave of familiarity. "Leo?" she blurted without hesitation, her voice betraying a sense of recognition before she even nced up. A sweet smile adorned her lips as she slowly lifted her gaze.

    "I didn��t expect to see you again so soon after just a day being apart," Leo replied, mirroring Hera��s smile. His gaze, gentle as ever, swept from her face to her other arm, which had been seized by Alexi. Noticing Hera��s reddened skin, Leo��s eyes shed with cold fury. It was evident that Alexi hadn��t held back his strength when gripping Hera��s arm. Leo��s demeanor shifted, his gaze now brimming with menace. He was seething with anger beyond measure.

    -----------------

    PS: I apologize, everyone, but I can only update one Chapter for now. I��ve had to send my fur babies to the clinic because they��re sick. I��ll do my best to provide more updates tomorrow as a token of my appreciation. Thank you for understanding!

 Chapter 196 She’s like a Shrew

    "Believe it or not, I could make you disappear with a snap of my fingers!" By now, Minerva looked even more like a shrew, so different from how the story had described her. She was supposed to be a woman of beauty, defiant and mischievous but not like this. Though she was known for her sharp tongue and straightforwardness, she was not supposed to act like a shrew, especially not in front of others and certainly not losing her temper like this.

    How could she possibly act as Alice��s protector from the inner circle if she couldn��t even defend herself logically? Hera hadn��t even taken any drastic steps to fight back against her nder, yet Minerva was already losing her cool. Hera raised her eyebrows, initially tempted to provoke Minerva further. However, she changed her mind, unable to see any semnce of the Minerva from the novel in the woman standing before her.

    "Don��t worry, I��ll make sure to inform your brother of your threats. That way, he can at least have your back if you mess up again," Hera said with a chuckle. Minerva��s face turned bright red, and she became aughingstock in front of everyone. Her behavior resembled that of a pampered child, and those from prominent families surrounding them found her actions unappealing for someone from a well-known family with a good background.

    They regarded Minerva with disdain, echoing Leo��s sentiments. They all knew that the heiress of the Briley family was not the person standing before them; she looked and sounded different from what they remembered. The Briley couple had always treated Minerva like a princess, and she had been pampered by everyone in her family. She had never experienced being looked down upon or treated in such a manner before. Minerva��s chest heaved up and down, a sign of her inner turmoil.

    To Hera, the character closest to Minerva in the novel was none other than Athena. Athena embodied mischief and supportiveness as a friend, known for her straightforwardness and sharp tongue...

    Before Minerva could retort, Leo stepped in, shielding Hera and guiding her away. Hera casually flipped her hair to the side and smiled at Minerva before allowing Leo to lead her away. "Are you okay? You shouldn��t pay attention to what she��s saying," Leo said, trying tofort Hera and make her feel understood.

    With his right hand, Leo held her hand while his other hand rested on the small of her back. Leo felt a twinge of nervousness, half expecting Hera to pull away. Meanwhile, Hera��s mind was preupied with thoughts of the possibility that Minerva and Athena had swapped roles in the storyline. ��Did Athena and Minerva��s positions as the secondary female leads change too?�� Hera pondered this seriously. If true, she could potentially assume Alice��s role as the female lead. But then, who would be the antagonist and the viiness in her ce? Would the original viins remain unchanged, or would there be alterations?

    Her thoughts were abruptly drawn back to reality as Leo tightened his grip on her hand and the small of her back, his expression fraught with concern. He couldn��t discern whether Hera was upset by Minerva��s words or if her distress was directed at him. Leo was on edge, uncertain of how to proceed.

 Chapter 197 Leo Saving the Damsel

    She guided Leo to the meeting spot she shared with Athena. Leo was thrilled at the prospect of dining with Hera, regardless of the location. As they walked together, their interaction drew the attention of the surrounding students. Envious gazes followed them, as they appeared to be the epitome of a perfect couple. Everyone watched them dreamily, captivated by their chemistry.

    Unbeknownst to Hera and Leo, Alexi and Minerva were following closely behind. Alexi trailed their every move with a seething re, consumed by hatred. He despised seeing Hera show attention to other men, the attention she had been withholding from himtely.

    Hera pulled Leo along to the cafeteria, unaware of the discreet individuals following them. These observers snapped pictures and captured short videos, promptly sharing them on social media and the university forum. The posts quickly attracted attention from admirers of beauty, particrly since Hera��s poprity soared after her appearance on "The Quest" variety show.

    The photo and short videos of Hera and Leo quickly circted among her fans.

    [HeraismySister: Is sister Hera dating Leo now?!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: They make such a lovely couple!!!!]

    [SilverEmperor: What��s going on with Hera and that guy?! (?_?)]

    [EntertainmentKing: Is he some kind of stalker?! How does he always know where Miss Ainsley is?]

    [GoldenLight: Seriously, what��s his deal? (�p?_?)]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Is he really stalking her? ��(?�ա�;?)?]

    [Dave_Carson: I have no words.... (��š�)����ߩ���]

    As Hera and Leo strolled into the cafeteria, all eyes, even Athena��s, were drawn to them. They exuded an aura of timelessness, appearing as though they belonged in a mythic tale. Their undeniable chemistry and effortless grace captivated everyone around them, perhaps stemming from their innate qualities as natural leaders. Their harmonious presence radiated throughout the room, making it clear that they were meant to be together. No one dared to disrupt their perfect bnce, lest they risk disturbing the serenity they brought with them.

 Chapter 198 Eating in Cafeteria

    Just as Athena anticipated, Hera��s eyes widened slightly in acknowledgment��she had indeed forgotten about that. She chuckled, deciding to let the matter drop. Hera then gave Athena a rundown of what had happened in the parking lot, whispering her thoughts about the possibility of Athena taking on the role of the second female lead.

    "Maybe the second female lead isn��t predetermined like the main female lead and male leads," Athena spected, a hint of bewilderment in her voice. "Maybe it automatically goes to the best friend of the one with the female lead halo? Or maybe you��ve met some requirements for being the female lead?" She didn��t sound entirely convinced by her own words.

    "It could be," Hera said thoughtfully. "Maybe it��s because I��m getting closer to the male leads and have managed to meet all of them while preventing Alice from making a good impression, especially with Xavier. And it��s not just Xavier��most of the male leads must have seen what happened on the show."

    "A big possibility," Athena agreed. "But we won��t be able to piece everything together with so little information." She then sat upright, giving Hera a knowing look that she caught right away.

    "I apologize for taking so long," Leo said, stopping beside Hera with two trays of food in his hands and drinks bnced in his arms. Despite the load he was carrying, he still looked dashingly handsome and confident. Hera immediately helped him with the trays, setting them on the table. Leo appreciated the gesture and smiled at her like a boy in love.

    Leo had ordered two differentbo meals, distinct from what Athena had chosen. Eachbo included a meat dish, a vegetable dish, a sd, soup, rice, and a donut for dessert. While the basicponents of the meals were the same, the preparation and cooking styles varied.

    After sitting down, Leo handed the strawberry yogurt drinks to Athena and Hera. He even helped Hera put the straw in her drink before giving it to her. Athena, having had enough of watching them act like a couple, started eating. Though she felt a twinge of bitterness, she decided to focus on her food. At the same time, she couldn��t deny the pleasure of seeing such a beautiful couple; it was therapeutic for the eyes.

    Leo, much like during the vige victory celebration, took the initiative to serve Hera some food. He even went the extra mile to separate the green beans from the vegetable dish before serving it to her. Leo had observed that Hera wasn��t fond of green beans and had set them aside on her te during their meal yesterday. He made mental notes of her food preferences and aversions, ensuring her dining experience was enjoyable unless she had no choice but to eat something she disliked.

    Athena and Hera couldn��t help but notice Leo��s attentiveness, which left them impressed. Beyond being attentive, he exuded a gentle demeanor. If they hadn��t paid close attention to the small details, they might not have realized that Leo was akin to a silent hero. He went about ensuring Hera��s happiness andfort quietly, without boasting about his actions.

 Chapter 199 Registering

    [HeraismySister: Count me in! I happen to have some free time right now. Can��t wait to see the couple I��ve been shipping together, being all lovey-dovey.]

    [EntertainmentKing: What��s so great about that guy?]

    [AuntiNextDoor: @EntertainmentKing Only those with poor eyesight wouldn��t appreciate his striking appearance. Not only does he have a handsome face, but he also has a well-built body like Adonis in the flesh. If they��re not blind, then they must be jealous of his looks. (???)]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    After their simple meal, Leo insisted on apanying Hera, citing that he was conducting a monthly inspection of the university grounds. Given his family��s significant shareholding in the board, it wasn��t unusual for him to be seen touring and assessing the facilities to ensure they met the standards. Both the Avery and Hendrix families had invested in the university, sponsoring promising students. Their aim was not only to support education but also to secure talented graduates for their respective consortiums, ensuring they wouldn��t be poached by rivalpanies upon graduation.

    Hera guided Leo and Athena to the Finance building, where her sses were held and where they needed to register for the semester. The building was bustling with students eager toplete their registration, so they joined the queue like everyone else. Hera was determined not to jump the line or use any special privileges to expedite her registration, preferring to wait her turn like the rest of the students.

    She patiently waited in line alongside Athena and Leo, engaging in a lively conversation about finance, the fashion industry, and various other topics. Athena even initiated some girl talk, which Leo seamlessly joined in on, much to Athena��s surprise. She couldn��t fathom how Leo had be so adept at understanding the intricacies of "girl talk."

    Both Athena and Hera were taken aback, unable to suppress theirughter at Leo��s unexpectedly endearing side. If they didn��t know better, they might have mistaken Leo for someonepletely different. He was chatting with them like a gossipy girl, all the while maintaining his manly demeanor, creating a humorous contrast. Leo��s ability to carry himself in such a unique way around them tickled Hera and Athena��s funny bones, finding him both intriguingly funny and gentle.

    After Athena��s observation of Leo, much like Hera, she found herself unable to find fault in him and even found herself immediately wishing for Leo to be her best friend��s boyfriend. Unbeknownst to her, she had unwittingly fallen into Leo��s intricate trap. They say that in order to capture a woman��s heart, a man must first win over her family, as they��ll help create opportunities and offer encouraging words. The same principle applies to winning over a woman��s best friend. Leo made sure to leave a good impression on Hera��s closest confidante, knowing that Athena��s words could sway Hera��s feelings even further when they spoke privately.

 Chapter 200 Dave Taking an Action

    Now that they thought about it, they suspect something happenedst night before Luke arrived to fetch Dave, which led to Dave acting clingy and needy in front of Hera. They all knew how cunning and thick-skinned Dave was, and he wouldn��t let go of any opportunity. If he weren��t like that, he wouldn��t have been able to lead their country to be a new powerhouse, winning numerous opportunities and resources from other nations through his diplomatic ventures.

    Now, each of the other male leads feels threatened and wants to up their game. They didn��t even realize when they began to pay attention to Hera and how their feelings blossomed. However, since Dave took the first step, they all soon followed. Yet, it seems the universe has other ns, as emergencies keep them tied up. For instance, Zhane has an emergency surgery for an old veteran, causing his consultation with Bry��s uncle to be postponed until the afternoon. He just needs to wait until then to meet Hera, but he feels anxious knowing that even his own friends are vying for her attention.

    Rafael was dealing with a crisis at hispany involving an A-list celebrity caught in a scandal that was making waves on the inte. If it weren��t for the private photos of Hera from the university circting online, giving him a brief respite, he would still be overwhelmed by the scandal threatening hispany��s reputation. Meanwhile, Luke was stuck in an emergency meeting, and Xavier had just arrived in country D for an endorsement deal. When he saw the photos of Hera with Leo, he wanted to return immediately, but thepany that hired him had already intercepted him before he could make a move.

    So, they could only grit their teeth and watch the developments between Dave, Leo, and Hera unfold. Athena, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying the drama, the only thing missing was popcorn and a Coke for her to fully enjoy the show.

    Just a few days ago, Leo believed that Dave was unaware of who Hera was and was merely teasing his friends for fun. Now, Leo feels like he��s missed something crucial and doesn��t know when Dave got close to Hera. He knows that Dave can be as sly as a fox and worries that Hera might be deceived by him if she stays in hispany.

    Leo fretted over Hera��s gentle disposition, fearing she might fall prey to Dave��s cunning charm and even willingly assist him in his schemes. "You seem rather rxed. Should I ring your assistant and inform them of your leisurely rendezvous at the university looking for ady?" Leo��s tone carried a subtle threat. He was keenly aware of Dave��s habit of shirking his responsibilities, leaving his assistants to manage neglected tasks while he pursued leisure activities, much to the concern of his confidants.

    "Oh! I have some important matters to discuss with her, you know," Dave remarked with a mysterious smile, subtly taunting Leo, hoping to stir confusion.

    "What could that possibly be?" Leo inquired with forced calmness, despite grasping Dave��s implied meaning, he chose to feign ignorance and disregard it.

    "Are you sure you wanted to hear our rendevous in her ce?" Dave��s words echoed hauntingly as a smug smirk danced on his lips, deliberately striking a nerve with Leo. Jealousy surged through Leo, his grip on Hera��s hand tightening involuntarily. Despite his attempt to feign ignorance of Dave��s insinuation, Leo couldn��t shake the unsettling feeling in his chest. He understood Dave��s reputation for cunning, yet he also recognized Dave don��t lie about important matters. ncing at Hera, Leo silently sought reassurance, hoping to find sce in her expression.

 Chapter 201 I’m Coming Too

    "Then promise to have lunch and dinner with me," Dave said, pushing his luck to the next level. He was determined not to leave empty-handed. Growing up in an affluent family, he was ustomed to receiving all sorts of courtship from women and getting his way. He had never been turned down before��women usually went wild at his invitations. The only time he experienced a harsh rejection wasst night, with Hera. Now, he was determined to get her to agree and simultaneously crush Leo��s hope.

    But who was Leo? Having experienced defeat once, he had no intention of epting another. "Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Carson, but Hera has already agreed to go out with me," he lied effortlessly, showing no fear as he stood up to the young minister of the country. Leo��s eyes remained steady, unwavering in his resolve.

    Athena, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle and even considered stoking the fire. However, when she caught Hera��s warning look, recognizing her intentions from a mere smile, she abandoned the idea and simply continued to relish the scene.

    Dave looked at Hera with a wounded expression, hoping she would confirm that Leo was lying. But Hera looked away, unwilling to call Leo out and embarrass him in front of everyone, even though she knew he was lying. Seeing Hera��s reaction, Leo felt a surge of relief and happiness. He then turned to Dave with a smug look, a wide grin spreading across his face.

    Even Athena could see Hera��s favoritism towards Leo. She was certain that Hera had a good impression of Leo and wasn��t keeping him at arm��s length. Although Hera wasn��t openly fighting for Leo, she was more lenient towards him and even supported him. Athena gave Hera a knowing look and then smiled teasingly. Hera, feeling cornered, looked away again, unsure of where to direct her gaze. She couldn��t possibly turn her back on everyone, could she?

    When Leo thought Dave would leave with his tail between his legs, Dave disyed his thick skin once again. "Then I��lle with you both! I��ll dly be the third wheel if necessary!" he said through gritted teeth. He had already swallowed his pride and was determined not to let Leo have thestugh.

    He couldn��t ept defeat from Leo or bear to see his smug, victorious look. He felt hisst threads of reason snapping for some inexplicable reason.

    Both Hera and Leo were stumped, unsure of what to say. They realized that no matter what they said, Dave wouldn��t give up easily and might even show up uninvited. Seeing their silence as eptance, Dave calmed down a bit and shot Leo a taunting smirk before turning his seductive smile back to Hera.

    "My Dear, don��t worry, I��ll serve you well." The way he delivered his words was easily misunderstood by everyone else and they all looked at Hera with an envious look while Hera was having a headache. Even Leo felt like Dave was an eyesore and acting like a male vixen, trying to steal someone else��s woman right under his nose.

 Chapter 202 Where to Eat?

    "But Dave doesn��t want to be sidelined," he said. "Don��t you just want to promote your family��s restaurant? Why should we go there when we can grab lunch in the city center? The Avery is just as well known as the Hendrix, and those two establishments I mentioned are the best options there are." Dave attempted to throw off Leo, expecting him to feel offended because he had just criticized Leo��s family��s establishment. However, much to his surprise, Leo only disyed a satisfied smile. He could see Hera��s lips twitching as she tried her best not to break into a smile after hearing apliment for her grandfather��s hard work. She felt as though thosepliments also extended to her.

    Leo understood why Hera was pleased, so he chose not to argue with Dave��s remarks and simply chuckled. Dave, on the other hand, felt as if he had attacked a harmless cotton ball, inflicting no real damage on Leo. He was the only one feeling frustrated, almost to the point of wanting to spit blood over his self-inflicted wounds.

    "Next!" Dave, who wanted to continue speaking, was cut off by the voice calling for the next person in line��Hera. As she approached, she found herself sandwiched between the two men, their grip on her hands refusing to release. Unable to reach her belongings in her bag, she shot them a side eye, hoping they would take the hint. Leo promptly let go, allowing Hera to tend to her affairs, while Dave, wearing a triumphant smile, stubbornly held onto her hand, relishing the moment of being thest one standing.

    Only to hear Leo mutter, "Childish..." Dave��s core felt grated upon, prompting him to immediately release Hera��s hand. Hera responded with a sweet smile towards Leo, grateful for his intervention in removing Dave��s overly clingy and mischievous hands.

    The onlookers, attempting to maintain discretion, found themselves amused by the scene unfolding before them. Some of them even contemted taking another picture, but hesitated, mindful of the young minister��s presence and unwilling to intrude upon his privacy, which could lead toplications. As Hera finished her registration and prepared to depart with the big shots, the onlookers collectively breathed a sigh of relief, d to see the tension dissipate with the departure of the men apanying Hera.

    Athena silently followed behind them, seamlessly blending into the background as she savored the spectacle created by her best friend. Despite only one male lead and an unknown man being present, the tension was palpable, already reaching its peak. Athena couldn��t help but anticipate what would ur if all the male leads were present��how much more intense would it be? Unbeknownst to Athena, Hera had forgotten to mention that all the male leads had visited her penthouse the previous night due to her busy schedule. If Athena had known, she would have been rolling on the ground with happiness, wishing she had been there to witness it firsthand.

    When they reached outside of the finance building, Hera contemted putting an end to the ordeal. However, Dave interrupted her thoughts by asking, "Which car are we taking?" He then gestured towards himself, subtly suggesting that Hera should take his car, with him behind the wheel.

    "I drove here," Hera cut his daydreaming short.

    "Ah?!" Dave��s mouth hung agape in astonishment. Without another word, he simply followed Hera and the others to the parking lot. To his surprise, Hera headed straight for a ming red Lamborghini Veneno Roadster and slid into the driver��s seat. Before Dave could react, Leo had already positioned himself in the passenger seat as swiftly as a ghost, shooting Dave a smug look.

 Chapter 203 To Dragon Palace Hotel

    Hera didn��t try to coax Dave and instead said, "Alright, just follow us in your car. We��re heading to the Dragon Pce Hotel." As she spoke, she shed her phone, showing the confirmation of her reservation for a private room in the hotel��s revolving restaurant on the top floor. With her phone��s imprints already saved, she didn��t need to enter additional details; she simply selected the time and secured the all-year-round reserved private room 1. Leo, aware of this, sat silently in his seat, waiting for her and handing her some water.

    When Dave saw the screen, he didn��t catch the reservation details, only the confirmation. As Hera started the engine, he hurriedly ran to his car. Before leaving, he red daggers at Leo, but Leo remained unruffled. What mattered to Leo was that he was with Hera at that moment, and she wasn��t pushing him away.

    After Dave left, Hera noticed her phone vibrating. When she checked to see who was calling, she saw it was Athena.

    "Hello? What��s up?" Hera asked, her expression puzzled. Athena��s car had been right beside hers��why didn��t she just roll down the window to talk? Hera nced sideways, expecting to see the Bugatti Chiron, but the space next to her was empty. She hadn��t even noticed when Athena had slipped away. The only exnation was that Athena had left before Hera reached the parking lot. Distracted by Leo and Dave, she hadn��t noticed Athena��s departure. "Where are you?" she asked.

    "Babe, I��m sorry I had to ditch you with the two firecrackers," Athena began with a defeated sigh. "I wanted to watch the whole thing unfold, but, you see... my mom set me up on a blind date. I ignored it to be with you, hoping she��d drop it. But who would��ve thought she��de back to the country just to drag me back? I��m afraid she��ll haul me away like a lost kitten, so I have to meet the guy."

    Athena��s frustration was clear, her voice echoing through the phone. Meanwhile, Leo, sitting quietly in the car, couldn��t hear the conversation due to the running engine. Understanding the serious tone between Hera and her best friend, he tried to blend into the background, not wanting to remind Hera of his presence and risk being turned away.

    "Where will you be meeting?" Hera asked, her brows furrowed in concern. She didn��t want to ruin the blind date set up by Athena��s mother, understanding that her intentions were rooted in worry. Athena had never shown any interest in dating and was always hanging around Hera, which led her parents to suspect she might be into girls. Despite Athena��s reassurances that she simply wasn��t interested in a rtionship at the moment, her parents remained flustered and believed she was either hiding something or confused.

    "In the Dragon Pce Hotel��s revolving restaurant," Athena replied, her grip on the steering wheel tightening. She felt a nagging sense of having forgotten something important but couldn��t pinpoint what it was. Now, with her mother pressuring her to show up for the blind date, Athena worried that Sasha might show up herself to drag her there.

    "Sweet, we��ll also be there. If you need anything, just knock on the door of Private Room 1," Hera said. She then remembered something and added, "If you need to make a quick escape, just message me, and we��ll pull you out right away. We can even use Dave for intimidation." Hera didn��t shy away from letting Leo hear her n. Leo felt amused and a bit sorry for Dave, realizing he was only remembered as a backup. Still, Leo also wished to be useful to Hera, even in a small way, to ensure he wouldn��t be overshadowed by anyone else.

    As if reading his thoughts, Hera added, "We also have Leo here. The two of them coulde in to show support if you need it." She turned to Leo with a smile, and he nodded without hesitation. Leo didn��t need to think twice about offering his support; Hera��s friends were his friends, and Hera��s business was his business.

 Chapter 207 Who’s Playing Favorites?

    "Darling, are you ying favorites now? Why does he get more grub than I do?" Dave asked in a theatrical tone, puckering his lips as his eyes darted back and forth between Leo��s te and his own as if conducting a critical examination of the food distribution.

    The way he spoke was quite deceptive, causing Hera to feel the weight of everyone��s attention on her. Silence fell like a pin drop in the room. Leo, however, reacted with a snort. "Childish," he muttered, clearly unimpressed. Yet, he didn��t stop there. With a tone that dripped with disdain, he continued to grill Dave. "You not only hijacked our lunch but now you want special treatment? Are you a child?" Leo��s words highlighted Dave��s presumptuous behavior, particrly considering he was an uninvited guest tagging along.

    "I��m childish, what can you do to me?" Dave retorted, his tone defensive. Then, he approached Hera with a sheepish smile. "Dear, could you feed me?" He held up his dirty hands. "See, my hands are dirty. Would you?"

    Leo��s lips twitched violently as if he were on the verge of a rampage. Dave shamelessly sought to be pampered by Hera, right before Leo��s eyes, and Leo felt an urge to choke him.

    "Oh?! Would you like me to feed you instead?" Leo said through gritted teeth, eyeing Dave with a murderous re. He seethed with anger, having nned to spend some time deepening his bond with Hera, only for Dave toe along and ruin his ns. Not content with just ruining their date, Dave hadpletely hijacked it, making Leo feel like a servant while another man flirted shamelessly with his fianc��e.

    "Yuck! What am I gonna do with a man?" Dave said, looking disgustedly at Leo for even suggesting such a thing. After all, why would he want another man to feed him when the woman he liked was right in front of him?

    Sensing the tension escting, Hera flicked Dave��s forehead and said, "Go back to your seat and eat properly." However, her gesture seemed intimate, causing even Leo to feel a pang of jealousy. He started to sulk, feeling as though Dave had won Hera��s affection right in front of him, leaving him powerless. Despite trying to follow his grandfather��s advice onposure, Leo couldn��t help but feel inadequatepared to Dave��s seemingly effortless charm.

    Hera noticed Leo sulking quietly to the side, his hands continuing to shell the shrimps but his demeanor indicated clear sadness. Puzzled, she wondered what had caused his dissatisfaction even after she had sent Dave back to his seat. ncing back at Dave, she saw him grinning triumphantly, his eyes asionally darting towards Leo with a taunting expression.

    Hera fell into deep contemtion and only then did she realize that the action she did to send Dave away looked intimate and close to him that it was as if she was coaxing him not to be naughty in front of other people, and so, he was taunting Leo who has clearly lost the silent battle for her affection. No matter how dense she was or how stupid she acted that she did not understand what they were doing, she couldn��t be as stupid to act indifferent when she clearly hurt Leo��s feelings.

    Andpared to the male leads like Dave, Hera was really more in favor of Leo, because not only was he good to her but he was not one of the male leads who wronged her and her family in the novel and would probably still follow the plot if she did not act fast and seize the opportunity like what she did.

    As Hera realized why Leo was sulking, she skewered one of the shrimp he had shelled and popped it into her mouth. The burst of vors and the shrimp��s freshness brought a smile to her face. Skewering another shrimp, Hera��s actions seemed ordinary to Dave and Leo, but then she extended the fork toward Leo��s lips.

    _______________

    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: <ABDHYG2LCZUAEG3XA>. 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!

 Chapter 208 Are you Alright?

    Feeling his throat dry, he instinctively took another sip of his wine, only to realize it was a mistake; alcohol would only intensify his current sensations. Unbeknownst to him, his face, down to his neck, had flushed red like a tomato, and his breathing had be erratic. Hera, seated beside him, couldn��t help but notice that something seemed off about him.

    Observing his flushed face and erratic breathing, Hera extended her hand to touch Leo��s forehead. The cool sensation of her palm sent a shiver through Leo��s body, prompting him to instinctively close his eyes to savor the feeling. However, instead of findingfort, he felt his body grow even hotter. When he reopened his eyes, his misty gaze locked onto Hera��s, causing her to flinch at the intensity. She felt her heart flutter with delight and her entire body tremble slightly in response.

    Leo��s gaze seemed oddly familiar, and it held a captivating allure that stirred Hera��s desires as a woman. His vulnerability was strangely enticing, igniting a fire within her. Hera shook her head, banishing the lewd thoughts that had intruded upon her mind, before meeting Leo��s gaze once more.

    "Are you alright?" she inquired, her concern evident in her voice.

    Instead of responding verbally, Leo reached out for Hera��s hand, which rested against his face, and tenderly caressed it. A contented sigh escaped his lips, yet the desire still raged within him. He longed to press his lips against her hand, feeling theforting warmth it offered. Despite his efforts to resist, his body and mind seemed to conspire against him, and before he knew it, he found himself kissing Hera��s palm, his gaze locked with hers in an open disy of seduction.

    Dave, witnessing the scene, abruptly rose from his seat and strode directly toward where Leo was seated. His intention was clear: to grab Leo by the cor and drag him to the restroom to cool off under a stream of cold water. However, he was just a step toote.

    Leo called out Hera��s name in a raspy, alluring voice. "Hera..." His words trailed off, and he bit his lip slightly as if trying to restrain himself. His demeanor exuded an irresistible allure, igniting a fire within Hera that she struggled to extinguish. Her long eyshes fluttered, and a soft sigh escaped her lips, her stomach churning with a delicious turmoil.

    Leo��s body grew increasingly heated as time passed, and the maic pull between them intensified. He tentatively stuck his tongue out, grazing Hera��s palm with a slow lick, his gaze never wavering from hers. Hera sensed a surge of electricity coursing through her body from the point of contact, igniting a searing heat within her. She struggled to find the right word to describe her overwhelming arousal��horny, yes, that was it. Leo��s brazen seduction had stirred an undeniable desire within her.

    Their surroundings faded into silence, as though it were just the two of them existing in their own universe. Hera could sense the hunger burning in Leo��s eyes, a desire so intense it felt palpable. It seemed as if he wanted to eat her at that moment, but Hera found herself unable to summon the will to stop him, even if he tried.

    "Hera..." Leo murmured, pressing another gentle kiss to her palm before nuzzling against it with closed eyes. Hera felt a flutter in her heart and a tingle in her stomach at the sight of Leo��s vulnerability.

 Chapter 209 Are you Drugged?

    Hera couldn��t fathom how Leo could be drugged in her own hotel, her own turf. Sensing her evident anger, Dave offered to help. "Let me lead the investigation. This doesn��t seem like an easy issue." He wasn��t particrly concerned about Leo��s well-being, but seeing Hera so distressedpelled him to act. He suspected her distress was tied to a bad memory rted to the drugging incident and instinctively reached for the pill she had given him in his pocket.

    Reluctantly, Dave pulled the pill from his pocket, intending to give it to Hera so she could use it on Leo and stop worrying while he conducted his investigation. But seeing his action, Hera shook her head and pulled out another pill bottle from her bag. "No need, keep that with you, just in case this happens to you. I have a spare with me."

    Seeing that Hera didn��t need his pill made Dave smile with relief, knowing he wouldn��t have to give her gift to another guy. However, he also felt a pang of jealousy because he wanted to be cared for by Hera just as she was taking care of Leo.

    "Please work with the hotel management to investigate this matter. I��ll join you shortly after I give Leo the anaphrodisiac," she said, pausing for a moment. "He��s been through this before, and I know he won��t hurt me. You should go now; time is crucial. If the culprit notices we��re taking action, they might escape." Her tone was serious and resolute.

    Dave nodded and was about to leave, but her words echoed in his mind, causing him to pause. "He��s been through this before, and I know he won��t hurt me." His whole body stiffened as he turned back to look at Hera, thoughts racing through his mind. ��Do they have a history? How could she trust him so much?�� he wondered, a mix of confusion and curiosity in his eyes.

    A bitter taste filled Dave��s mouth as the thought settled in his mind, but instead of giving up, he became even more determined to win Hera over as quickly as possible. He feared that if he hesitated, the other men surrounding her would swoop in like hawks and im her for themselves.

    He quickened his pace to expedite the investigation, hoping to earn brownie points from Hera. At the same time, he was worried that Leo might lose control and do something to her. Dave knew his own limits; if he were in Leo��s position, especially with Hera involved, he doubted his ability to maintain self-control and feared he might seize any chance to get closer to her.

    As soon as Hera heard the door close behind her, she saw Leo still doing his best to control himself with closed eyes while holding her hand. She quickly took out her phone with her free hand and typed a message: "Cindy, I have a problem here at the hotel. Send some people to secure the entrances and exits, and make sure no one leaves until Dave is done with his investigation. Fully cooperate with him."

    She was about to put her phone back in her bag when she remembered one more thing. Quickly, she sent another message: "Also, send some people to guard the door of my private room. Don��t let anyone enter until I say so." With that, she tucked her phone away and reached for the bottle of pills she had with her.

 Chapter 210 The Target

    Hera hadn��t heard what Leo said earlier because she was lost in her own thoughts. Leo, misinterpreting her silence, proceeded cautiously with his advances. He tenderly kissed Hera��s palm, his eyes veiled with desire, fixated on her. Each kiss was apanied by a gentle rub of his nose against her skin before he gradually moved higher.

    Leo��s gaze remained fixed on Hera, oblivious to the bottle of pills in her hands. Every ounce of his attention was directed towards her, his entire being consumed by an overwhelming desire. "Hera, I can��t take it anymore..." he confessed, his voice trembling with urgency as he struggled to contain his emotions. A tingling sensation coursed through him, apanied by a rush of heat to his lower half.

    Hit by a tidal wave of desire, Leo felt his primal instincts overpowering his rationality. The inner struggle was decidedly one-sided; his mind struggled to keep pace with his body��s urgent demands. Unlike his mind, his body remained brutally honest, driven solely by instinct. Yet amidst the turmoil, one thing remained clear: if he had been drugged and the person before him wasn��t Hera, he might have retained a shred of control, resorting to self-harm to thwart any unwanted advances��a desperate attempt to avoid betraying the woman he loved. But now, faced with the object of his deepest desires and love, his resistance faltered, his struggle against his longing all but extinguished.

    Perhaps deep down, he yearned to possess herpletely, to shelter her from the world��s grasp and safeguard her from any who might seek to steal her away. Yet, simultaneously, he revered her as his soon-to-be wife, his equal in every sense. It was his profound respect for her that kept him tethered, but even this thread was perilously close to unraveling. Hera��sck of resistance only stoked the mes of desire within him, propelling him higher and higher, as if soaring amidst the clouds.

    The drug��s potency far exceeded that of the air-base aphrodisiac perfume he had encountered previously. Now coursing through his digestive system and infiltrating his bloodstream, its effects were intensified, rendering him powerless to control his own mind. His body seemed to operate independently, betraying his will and engaging in actions he vehemently opposed.

    He felt akin to a ravenous dog, long deprived of sustenance, finally faced with the very meal he had yearned for. It was as if he had spent years merely gazing upon the food, unable to taste or indulge in its richness, a poignant reminder of his solitude and longing. Now, with it tantalizingly close, he found himself unable to contain his excitement. Every suppressed emotion, meticulously leashed over the years, is now strained against its restraints, threatening to burst forth in an unrestrained flood.

    Leo��s fervent kisses enveloped Hera, rendering her mind a whirlwind of sensation, her thoughts dissipating in the heat of the moment. Each kiss conveyed Leo��s overwhelming desire, igniting a fire within Hera that zed uncontrobly. With gentle bites, Leo teased her lips, coaxing forth a primal longing. His fervor intensified, each kiss an impassioned plea for deeper connection as if Leo sought to meld their very souls through their entwined lips.

    As Leo��s kisses assaulted Hera��s senses, her mind became a void, starved of oxygen, unable to process the whirlwind of sensations. In the haze of the moment, Hera found herself unable to grasp how they had reached this point. Yet, buried deep within, she harbored no desire to resist Leo��s advances. His fiery kisses had ignited a passion within her that zed uncontrobly.

    In response to Leo��s passionate advances, Hera reciprocated, her surrender fueling Leo��s tion. Drawing her closer, he deepened their kiss, his hand that had previously held Hera��s hand now gently guiding her closer to his embrace. With an irresistible force, he enveloped her in his arms, effortlessly lifting her to settle upon hisp.

 Chapter 211 Fiery Kiss

    Hera��s admiration for Leo��s self-control during their encounter at the auction was now fully justified.

    As Leo��s kisses kindled a fiery desire within her, she found herself consumed by the heat of the moment, her body responding eagerly to his advances. Their kisses evolved into something akin to a parched wanderer stumbling upon an oasis, unable to resist the allure of relief and satisfaction Leo offered.

    After gently lowering Hera onto the couch, Leo pressed her gently against it, his weight distributed so as not to overwhelm her. He tenderly shifted her left leg away from his waist, his hand tracing the contours of her smooth, porcin-like skin. Each touch sent a surge of anticipation through Hera, her body trembling with desire. Her pleated skirt, with its delicate, almost ethereal texture, shifted as Leo held her, revealing her slender, jade-like white legs while discreetly concealing her panties from view.

    Leo��s lips traced along Hera��s neck, leaving a trail of tender kisses in their wake, while his right hand explored her legs, gliding down to her inner thigh. The touch of his fingers against the silky fabric of her panties sent a shiver coursing through Hera��s body, eliciting a gasp and a subtle squirm beneath him. Each delicate movement from Hera only fueled Leo��s desire further, igniting a passionate fire within him. With Hera now resembling a seductive siren in his arms, Leo wasted no time in resuming their fervent kiss. His hand continued to trace the contours of her panties teasingly, as Hera��s body squirmed and arched with anticipation, yearning for more of his touch.

    When Leo could no longer resist the temptation, he began to rub Hera��s core, delicately tracing the soft lips a few times before his fingers found her swollen clitoris, pulsating with arousal. Hera couldn��t suppress a sexy moan as his touch sent waves of pleasure through her body, her gaze locked with his, drowning in his hungry and intense stare.

    Leo��s rubbing increased in intensity, causing Hera to feel like her scalp was ringing, her whole body trembling with pleasure. Her moans intensified, her toes curling as a surge of pleasure radiated from her navel. She felt her gums tingling like little worms were wriggling around inside them.

    Leo continued his exploration, slowly pulling Hera��s panties to the side. With his thumb, he caressed her clitoris, while his middle finger gently entered her core. Hera gasped at the sensation of being filled, but the overwhelming pleasure Leo was providing quickly overshadowed any difort. Leo��s finger moved in and out of Hera��s core with a steady rhythm. Initially, he searched for her sweet spot, observing Hera��s reactions to each stroke until he found the perfect angle that made her tighten and arch her back in response. As Leo grew more confident, he increased the pace and added another finger.

    "Hmm, Leo!" Hera managed to gasp out amidst her pleasure.

    "Are you cumming? Hmm?!" Leo asked, though he already knew Hera was close. He couldn��t be happier than to bring her to climax again and again. He resumed kissing her neck, trailing down to her corbone, leaving little red marks on her fair skin that were too enticing to resist.

 Chapter 212 I Want You

    But she didn��t want to take advantage of Leo while he was driven by the drug, fearing it would strain their rtionship. Leo might even me himself, since he was, at his core, a gentleman. If Leo��s assistant heard Hera��s thoughts about Leo being a gentleman, he mightugh his ass off, because Leo was never gentle to anyone but Hera.

    Hera��s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Leo��s beast-like groan, followed by another deep kiss that shattered her train of thought. Leo��s suit was now draped over the coffee table, his tie discarded on the floor. His white shirt hung open, tucked into his trousers, revealing his strong chest and abdominal muscles. The sight was so sexy that Hera momentarily forgot her guilt and felt an overwhelming urge to jump on Leo herself.

    Leo seized Hera��s hand, still holding the pill bottle, and lifted it above her head while guiding her other hand to his chest. He tightened his grip, feeling her warm touch on his burning skin. Slowly, he guided her hand down to his abdominal muscles. Hera��s mind was already short-circuiting, fast-forwarding to what was about to happen. Her heart tightened, butterflies churning in the pit of her stomach. Her throat felt as dry as the desert, and she could see Leo was equally affected. His eyes were bing hazy, and his kisses were growing heavier and more forceful. The gentle nibbles on her lips turned into bites as if he wanted to mark her all over her body.

    Leo pressed his knees between Hera��s thighs, drawing himself closer to her. He then guided Hera��s hand onto his twitching cock, emitting an animalistic groan at her soft touch. Hera, however, felt a pang of apprehension. The moment she wrapped her fingers around his hardened shaft and felt its size, she hesitated. She knew she would be overwhelmed, especially with him being drugged. She wasn��t naive enough to believe he could be gentle when he was already losing control.

    The prospect of ending up in the hospital after sleeping with Leo at this point was a real concern for Hera. As Leo began using her hand to pleasure himself, she attempted to free her other arm in an effort to create some distance between them. This wasn��t how she imagined being intimate with Leo. The situation felt fraught with the potential for harm, both physically and emotionally. Hera refused to act recklessly, but Leo��s grip on her was unyielding, making her feel as though she were trapped beneath an immovable rock.

    The undeniable difference in physical strength between men and women led Hera to choose a different approach. Instead of attempting to push Leo away, she decided to capture his attention by taking a more proactive stance. Wrapping her legs around his waist as she had done earlier, she gently ground her hips against him, finding a certain enjoyment in teasing him. At that moment, she almost forgot her earlier decision as she became swept up in the heat of the moment.

    Leo released Hera��s hand, which he had been guiding to touch and rub his cock, and instead, he firmly cupped and fondled her left breast, causing Hera to gasp in surprise. With only a sliver of restraint left, Leo��s dry throat bobbed as he struggled to articte his desire. "Hera, I can��t hold back any longer. I want you..." His hot breath cascaded over Hera��s skin, sending shivers of anticipation down her spine.

    "Wife, what do I do?! I don��t want to hurt you, but I also want you?" Leo��s voice trembled with concern as he voiced his inner turmoil induced by the potent drug. Despite his verbal distress, he still tried to struggle to prop himself away from her, a glimmer of rationality surfacing as he feared inadvertently causing her harm. Hera��s heart fluttered with mixed emotions. Even in the midst of their escting intimacy, Leo remained considerate of her well-being.

 Chapter 213 First Kiss

    But then again, she remembered Leo��s self-restraint in the auction, the aphrodisiac he inhaled back then was also a potent kind of perfume aphrodisiac that was much like incense and such but he still managed to not make a move. But this time, he was clearly struggling too much, so she could only surmise that the potency was ten times the one he experienced before, if he got drugged again in the future, it would affect his health and just thinking about it made Hera��s eyes narrowed dangerously.

    The room echoed with three consecutive bangs against the door before falling into silence, its sturdy frame showing no signs of yielding to the assault. Eventually, the attackers relented, conceding to the door��s resilience. However, Hera��s attention quickly shifted as Leo, before her, began to regain his rationality with the effects of the anaphrodisiac. He ceased the intimate contact, yet difort lingered within him, his arousal unyielding.

    He sat up, his gaze meeting Hera��s with a self-deprecating smile tinged with a hint of pitifulness as if he felt unjustly treated. Yet what truly astonished Hera was hisck of excuses; instead, he epted responsibility for what had urred and even offered to shoulder the consequences.

    Leo locked eyes with Hera, sincerity evident in his gaze, his arms enveloping her waist as she remained atop him. "Hera, I��m truly sorry," he began, his voice carrying a weight of remorse. "I can��t solely attribute what urred to the influence of the drug. As an adult, it was my responsibility to remain vignt and safeguard myself and those around me. I..."

    "That was my first kiss and the first time anyone has touched me like that," she blurted out, her words tumbling forth unexpectedly. She couldn��t quite pinpoint the reason for her confession��perhaps it was to avoid being perceived as someone who easily engaged in intimate encounters with any man, or maybe she wanted to ensure Leo didn��t misunderstand her intentions. It could have been her own sense of pride, as a woman not in a rtionship with Leo yet finding herself in such intimate proximity.

    Upon hearing her confession, Leo��s face lit up like a child unwrapping a stocking full of candy on Christmas morning. His smile stretched from ear to ear as he spoke, "I understood that I took your first kiss, and aspensation for my mistake, all I can offer is my body and the chance to share other firsts with you..." The pitiful expression melted away, reced by a mischievous and joyous demeanor, as if he had unearthed a treasure he was unwilling to relinquish.

    "Other first?" Hera tilted her head, momentarily forgetting their intimate embrace as she gazed at Leo with a puzzled expression. <i>��Surely, he��s not suggesting that it was his first kiss too, and the other things?��</i> she thought, her confusion evident in her furrowed brow.

    "That was my first kiss too, and the first time I��ve been intimate with a woman," Leo revealed, almost as if he were responding to Hera��s unspoken thoughts. He offered her a proud smile, seemingly anticipating acknowledgment orpliment for his perceived virtue in maintaining his purity.

    But upon hearing Leo��s revtion, instead of offering apliment, Hera��s eyebrows arched with a subtle hint of skepticism. <i>��Surely not his first time,��</i> she mused internally, recalling his skillful kissing technique and the dexterity of his fingers. Sensing her mind wandering into dangerous territory, she quickly pulled herself back from the brink, unwilling to delve further into those thoughts as the heat of the moment rekindled something within her once more.

    Seeing Hera��s disbelief, Leo��s expression shifted to one of panic, and he gazed at her with a mix of urgency and frustration as he hurriedly attempted to rify. "It��s true, you can investigate if you��d like. Years ago, I was sent abroad to work for our overseaspany. It was such a hectic time that I was constantly immersed in work, often sleeping in the office. My assistant was male, as were all my secretaries. I practically surrounded myself with men..." Leo��s earnest attempt to exin made him look endearingly vulnerable. "I truly had no prior experience with women. I simply followed my instincts, perhaps influenced by your reactions," he added with a shy smile.

 Chapter 214 His Worst Fear

    "You!!!" Dave felt humiliated in front of Hera, and his anger only intensified. Reason left him, and all he wanted was to bash Leo��s face until he felt satisfied. Seeing Dave on the verge of losing his rationality from anger, Hera nced at the door. Sure enough, the bodyguards sent by Cindy to guard the entrance were all looking down at the floor with pursed lips. They had failed to stop Dave from entering because they were torn between conflicting orders: they were told not to let anyone into the private room without Hera��s permission, but at the same time, they were instructed to fully cooperate with Dave, who was conducting the investigation.

    Dave and his people encountered guards stationed at the door of private room 1, preventing entry. Dave immediately suspected Leo of cing them there to iste Hera and prevent her from seeking help. So, Dave and his men attempted to barge into the room multiple times, but despite their efforts and a fierce struggle with the guards, the door remained steadfastly closed. They fought relentlessly, hoping to create an opportunity to force it open, only to find that the door was exceptionally sturdy and resistant to their efforts.

    Faced with the impregnable door and unable to breach it physically, Dave resorted to utilizing the hotel��s management to enforce his authority. They had provided a verbal agreement to fully cooperate with Dave��s investigation, granting him ess to all areas within the hotel��s vicinity. This included Private Room 1, where the incident had urred.

    As Dave walked in, his worst fears seemed to be confirmed: Leo appeared to be taking advantage of Hera while she was preupied with administering the antidote. A wave of self-me washed over him for not ensuring Leo had taken the antidote and Hera remained safe before leaving. That��s how Dave interpreted the situation upon entering the room.

    When Hera noticed Dave rising to his feet once more, still intent on confronting Leo, she instinctively stepped forward to shield Leo from Dave��s wrath. Fortunately, Dave hadn��t yet made another move to attack Leo. Sensing the escting tension, Leo quickly reached out and took hold of Hera��s arm, intending to pull her behind him to ensure her safety, realizing Dave��s anger was intensifying and he might not be able to distinguish friend from foe in his rage.

    Seeing Hera shield Leo triggered a surge of frustration in Dave akin to swallowing a fly. His chest heaved with anger, but he found himself speechless, his attempts to articte his thoughts stifled by the overwhelming fury coursing through him. He was utterly incensed.

    Before he could unleash his fury, Hera intervened. "Please, just calm down a bit," she implored, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. "I got drugged too."

    Dave��s rage evaporated, reced by concern, as he assessed Hera��s well-being. His gaze swept over her, searching for any signs of distress or harm. Before he could voice his worries, Hera redirected her attention to the door. "Take all the utensils, tes, and sses from my seat and Leo��s seat," she instructed the guards who had been stationed at the door earlier, her tone authoritative. "Send them to thebs for identification to determine if they were the source of the drug." Hermand was swift and decisive.

    The woman who had been serving them earlier stood nearby, ready to assist. Hera didn��t need to specify which seats belonged to her and Leo; the woman guided the guards ordingly. Meanwhile, Hera instructed a waiter to fetch somerge zip-lock bags suitable for storing each utensil. With precision, the guards donned white gloves concealed within their suits, as if they were prepared for a crime scene at any moment.

    After sealing all the items in ziplock bags, the guards and the woman departed with Dave��s entourage to supervise them, leaving Hera and the two gentlemen to resolve their matters among themselves.

    Hera felt a twinge of nervousness as she observed Dave��s tumultuous emotions. He appeared devastated, angry, sad, and deeply concerned. Waiting for Hera to exin the situation, Dave��s expression reflected a mix of emotions, with a hint of resentment towards Leo for his actions. In Dave��s mind, the worst-case scenario loomedrge.

 Chapter 215 Liquid Base

    Hera��s words had a noticeable effect on Dave, causing him to cease his intense re at Leo. However, inwardly, he still harbored resentment. His mind raced with spective thoughts about what might have transpired between Hera and Leo in that enclosed room. Despite recognizing that he had no rightful im to Hera and that she was not yet his, a possessive instinct stirred within him, already considering her as his own.

    He couldn��t reconcile the feeling that someone else had imed what he perceived as his own. However, this didn��t trante into a rational willingness to concede to Leo. On the contrary, his determination to win Hera��s affection only grew stronger, fueling his animosity towards Leo even more.

    He felt tempted to spread the incident among his friends, hoping to garner more support against Leo. Yet, a sense of responsibility prevailed. He realized that such actions would tarnish Hera��s reputation and reflect poorly on himself, portraying him as someone willing to manipte situations for personal gain. Understanding that Hera wouldn��t approve, he chose to refrain, aware that it would onlypound his disadvantages.

    Under different circumstances, he might have pursued that course of action without hesitation. However, the gravity of potentially losing Hera��s trust gave him pause. He recognized that regaining her trust, once lost, would be an arduous task. Thus, he opted for caution, emting Leo��s careful approach. Despite his disdain for Leo, he begrudgingly admired his integrity��a man who wouldn��t evade responsibility or deflect me. Deep down, he understood Leo��s perspective as a man, yet his animosity clouded his judgment, overshadowing any empathy he might have felt.

    In a mere two hours, theb results arrived and were promptly delivered to Hera��s private room, where she and the others awaited anxiously. The messenger was the same woman who had facilitated the collection of samples earlier. Throughout the hotel, a lockdown was enforced, restricting the movement of both guests and staff. Remarkably, the staff willinglyplied, fully aware that their heiress had been targeted. Motivated by a collective sense of outrage and loyalty, they conducted their own investigations in solidarity to help out Hera.

    "Youn... Miss, we have collected samples from both your utensils, te, and ss, along with Mrs. Hendrix��s. It appears that Mr. Hendrix��s ss was positively tainted with a potent aphrodisiac, banned long ago." She paused, handing the report to Hera before continuing. "ording to our findings, the rim of the ss was coated with a liquid-based aphrodisiac. Our team is currently tracking the individual who obtained this substance and reviewing CCTV footage from the kitchen and the route taken by our staff carrying your food and utensils before reaching the room."

    Hera nodded with a furrowed brow, her mind spinning with all the possibilities of why this happened. Now, she also understood how she had been drugged. She could still vividly recall the moment Leo took a sip of wine from his ss. Not long after, his behavior began to shift, prompting her to ask if he was feeling alright.

    It became apparent that she had been drugged after Leo kissed her. The drug lingering on his lips had unknowingly transferred to hers, and she had remained oblivious to it. Consequently, she found herself under its influence, sumbing to the desires it stirred within her. Reflecting on this, Hera realized the potency of the aphrodisiac. The trace she had tasted through Leo��s kiss had been potent enough to cloud her judgment entirely. She couldn��t even begin to imagine the strength of will it must have taken for Leo to retain control of his own body.

    Learning about the potency of the drug only deepened Hera��s favorable opinion of Leo, but it also stirred a sense of anger within her. Realizing its strength meant understanding its potentialsting effects on Leo. Hera��s guilt weighed heavy; this had happened in her supposed territory. "Call for a doctor immediately," she instructed, her concern for Leo evident in her tone. "We need to get him tested right away!"

 Chapter 216 Going to the Hospital

    Dave hurriedly exined, "I didn��t do anything, but she was drugged. I need you to check on her."

    Hera, sitting in the back with Leo, was speechless. Dave seemed to havepletely forgotten that Leo was the one who had been heavily drugged. Unlike him, she had only consumed a small amount, which merely heightened her sexual arousal and slightly clouded her judgment. Other than that, she was fine.

    Thanks to the release she experienced with Leo��s help, she was fine now. However, Leo, on the other hand, had not experienced any release. The anaphrodisiac she gave him only alleviated some of the effects. She wanted to give him another pill but was unsure what might happen if he overdosed on the medication��it could potentially do more harm than good.

    Although Leo was acting like everything was fine now and wasposed in front of Hera, maybe he was doing this to reassure Hera that he was fine or maybe because he was still feeling guilty because of what had happened between him and Hera and pulling Hera with him so he was refraining from making a fuss. But Hera could still feel the heating from his body, it might not be as burningly hot as earlier but it was still hot enough to mistake him running a fever.

    Upon hearing Dave��s words, Zhane��s anger surged, but he maintained hisposure as he directed his team to prepare theb. He then instructed the nurse to apany him to the designated parking lot of the hospital to meet with an important individual. "Alright! Hurry up!!! I��ll be waiting at the designated parking lot," he ordered, not bothering to wait for Dave��s response and hang up the call before diving into his tasks. Zhane meticulously ensured that everything was in order before joining the nurse at the parking lot.

    Shortly thereafter, the hotel��s car pulled into the designated parking lot, where Zhane, along with nurses and several doctors, awaited their arrival. Zhane��s impatience was palpable as he rushed towards the car, eager to greet Hera. Without waiting for the car toe to aplete stop, he attempted to open the rear door. Dave swiftly unlocked it, granting Zhane immediate ess to Hera.

    Without hesitation, Zhane swept Hera out of her seat, startling her into instinctively clinging to his neck, her face pressed against his chest. Amidst the chaos, Hera could hear Zhane��s heart pounding wildly, a testament to his nervousness and fear. Yet, in that moment, Hera realized she wasn��t the one in immediate need of medical attention; Leo was. Gathering her resolve, she called out to Zhane in a loud voice, "Zhane, wait!!!"

    Upon hearing Hera��s flustered yet unmistakably clear voice, Zhane nced down at the woman in his arms. A small sigh of relief escaped him, reassured by her ability tomunicate effectively. If Hera could still speak clearly, it indicated that she wasn��t in dire straits.

    "Zhane, would you mind putting me down?" Hera��s voice carried a mix of concern and frustration as she pouted, attempting to peer over Zhane��s shoulder to catch a glimpse of Leo still inside the car.

    Zhane couldn��t help but notice Hera��s adorable pout, but he remained resolute in his decision to ensure her safety by personally escorting her for examination. "No, be good, we��ll go inside for the examination, once we are sure that you��re fine, only then will I let you go." Zhane insisted firmly, unwilling to ept any objections when Hera��s well-being was at stake.

    "But I��m not the one who needs your attention!" Hera eximed, her tone tinged with frustration. With each passing moment of dy, Leo��s condition could worsen, heightening her concern for him. She gestured urgently over Zhane��s shoulder towards the car behind him. Zhane instinctively followed her gaze, his eyes falling upon the man still seated inside the car. His cold demeanor mirrored by his icy stare sent a chill down Zhane��s spine.

    Unwavering, Zhane maintained hisposure, refusing to falter in the silent exchange of gazes. Meeting Leo��s piercing stare head-on, Zhane disyed no hint of hesitation or intimidation.

 Chapter 217 Tell me What Happened

    Shortly after, Zhane entered a private room and carefully ced Hera on the bed. A nurse was already waiting for them, the IV drip and necessary equipment set up and ready. As the nurse approached Hera with the needle for the IV drip, Zhane raised his hand to halt her, silently gesturing toward the door. Understanding his signal, the nurse quietly exited the room, ensuring to close the door behind her. However, she remained nearby, positioned by the door, ready to assist Zhane with his call.

    Taking control, Zhane retrieved the needle, his touch delicate as he rubbed Hera��s arm with alcohol to sterilize the area. With practiced precision and gentle finesse, he inserted the needle, causing Hera minimal difort. Swiftly, Zhane adjusted the IV drip beside her. But he didn��t stop there; meticulously, he prepared another site on Hera��s arm. Securing her arm with a band, he carefully located a vein before selecting an empty syringe from the stainless-steel table wheeled in by the nurse. With steady hands, Zhane collected a sample of Hera��s blood before setting aside the syringe.

    Zhane meticulously checked Hera��s vital signs, including her temperature, eyes, and heartbeat, ensuring her well-being matched her ims. Meanwhile, Leo likely underwent a more intensive examination, beyond a simple IV drip, given the circumstances. However, Zhane��s attention remained focused on Hera. As a doctor, he possessed a keen eye for detail, which led him to notice hickeys on Hera��s neck and corbone, along with her swollen lips. His brows furrowed in concern and displeasure, his thoughts a mystery even to Dave.

    Clearly displeased by Hera��s condition, Zhane��s expression tightened with concern. He recognized the telltale signs and suspected the culprit responsible for her current state. "What happened? You can tell me. I might be able to help," he offered, his voice firm yet imbued with a reassuring confidence that exuded a sense of trust andfort.

    Hera nodded timidly, acutely aware that both Zhane and Dave had likely noticed the marks on her body, evidence of her intimate encounter with Leo. Feeling a flush of embarrassment akin to being caught red-handed and in apromising situation, she suppressed these thoughts and began recounting the events that had led to her current state to Zhane.

    "As we were having lunch at the Dragon Pce Hotel, everything seemed fine initially," Hera recounted. "But then Leo began acting strangely midway through the meal, prompting Dave to suspect he had been drugged, again. Since I always carry an anaphrodisiac with me, I asked Dave to investigate while I prepared to administer the antidote to Leo, simr to what we��ve done before. However, we were taken aback by the intensity of the aphrodisiac��s effects this time, far stronger than what Leo had experienced at the auction," she exined.

    "And then?" Zhane inquired, his eyebrows raised in anticipation. Though he had an inkling of what might have transpired next, he grappled with mixed emotions. As a doctor, he understood the inevitability of such situations, yet beneath his professional facade simmered a profound anger towards whoever orchestrated the events leading up to Hera��s distress.

    As Zhane pressed for further details, Hera felt her cheeks flush with heat. "We discovered that the aphrodisiac was liquid-based and had been smeared on the rim of Leo��s ss. Its potency was such that the moment Leo took a sip of wine, he experienced almost immediate difort," she exined.

    Seeing that Zhane was still waiting for her to continue and Dave was also paying close attention to what Hera was saying because what transpired next was when he was absent, he was eager to know but at the same time, afraid to hear what Hera would say.

    Feeling the weight of the moment, Hera gathered her resolve. "And then... Leo kissed me," she admitted, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. Hera knew it was crucial to convey her thoughts and the truth clearly, ensuring that not all me fell solely on Leo. After all, their actions were at least partially consensual under the influence of the aphrodisiac. "Initially, I was stunned," she continued, "but as time passed, I found myself reciprocating the kiss. The heat gradually consumed me."

 Chapter 218 Her Prejudice

    After Hera finished speaking, she lifted her gaze to meet Zhane��s inquisitive stare head-on. Zhane and Dave��s expressions visibly softened upon hearing Hera��s ount, yet they couldn��t shake off the realization that if Hera��s version was urate, then Leo demonstrated remarkable self-control or profound respect for Hera by resisting the effects of the drug for so long. Their intense animosity toward him waned slightly in light of this revtion. Dave recalled the image of Hera atop Leo, clutching the bottle of pills, while Leo clung to her, but by then, Leo appeared significantly improved, having regained some of hisposure.

    Initially, Dave feared the worst upon witnessing their disheveled state, but now, a wave of relief washed over him as Hera exined what transpired. As he reflected on the scene, he realized he hadn��t detected any signs or smell of male discharge near the couch, only a lingering sweet scent enveloping Leo and Hera when he drew closer. He dismissed it as Hera��s perfume, a detail that added to his reassurance.

    Recalling these small details, Dave found himself fully believing Hera��s ount. Apart from Leo appearing disheveled, Hera��s attire remained fully intact, save for the hickeys adorning her neck and corbone. Otherwise, she seemed unharmed, which further solidified Dave��s trust in her version of events.

    "I��m d you��re okay. I know this has been traumatizing, but don��t worry. Once I get theb results, I��ll send someone to track down who��s responsible for this. I��ll make sure justice is served," Zhane assured Hera, gentlyying her down on the bed and covering her with a nket. "For now, just rest and leave everything to us."

    Hera nodded gratefully but couldn��t forget to ask about Leo. "What about Leo? Will you let me know how he��s doing?" she asked, biting her lower lip as she waited for Zhane��s answer. Seeing her anxiety, Zhane felt a pang of bitterness. Unlike Dave, who openly disyed his frustration and jealousy, Zhane maintained hisposure. He gently rubbed Hera��s head, trying tofort her as if she were a little girl about to get a shot.

    Hera choked up in her own saliva, she didn��t want to be coaxed, she needed an answer, but she wanted to know about Leo��s well-being, if something happened to him, any longsting side effects, it would be her fault because he chose to make her feel good first before settling his own body��s needs.

    That��s why she was extremely worried but at the same time, she genuinely cared about Leo. Zhane and Dave, however, did not fully understand her concern. Hera couldn��t exin to them why she needed to know about Leo��s well-being or what he meant to her. Their expressions silently demanded answers, even from the usually reserved Zhane. Leo and the male leads were different, and Hera��s connection to Leo was something she found hard to articte.

    She could feel that Leo��s feelings for her were genuine, but she wasn��t sure if the male leads�� attraction was due to their own interest or the influence of the storyline and the female lead��s halo, which she was trying to steal from Alice. She still harbored some prejudice against the male leads since they were partly responsible for her family��s downfall. Although they hadn��t directly killed her as portrayed in the novel, they had enabled Minerva, especially Rafael, who was the cause of all this.

    So, in terms of feelings, although she currently had a good impression of the male leads, Leo still held a higher ce in her heart. She admitted to herself that it might indeed be favoritism. But what could she do? She couldn��t erase her prejudice against them in a matter of seconds or even days.

    Seeing Hera stubbornly awaiting his answer, Zhane gave in and nodded. "Alright, I��ll let you know about his condition and the necessary steps to help him recover." He then ced his hand on her uninjured one, the one without the IV needle. Though his expression remained indifferent and stern, his voice and gaze softened as he continued, "But you have to promise me that you��ll follow my instructions while you��re in the hospital. Deal?"

 Chapter 219 The Sinister Dave

    Dave also quieted down. As long as Zhane didn��t chase him away, he would remain silent. He spent the time pondering the incident and all the possibilities. He had already considered all the people who might wish him harm, and he was simply waiting for Zhane��s investigation to conclude, hoping for answers before he took action.

    After some time, a knock echoed from the door, stealing Zhane and Dave��s attention. They both turned their gaze toward the entrance as a man in a smart suit, but with a brawny physique entered. He began his report, "Young Master��"

    But before he could continue, Zhane interrupted him with a stern look that felt like a de slicing through his flesh, causing the man to choke up on the words he was about to say.

    "Lower your voice, Hera is still sleeping," Zhane instructed, his tone authoritative yet considerate of Hera��s need for rest. He felt torn between addressing the matter at hand and remaining by Hera��s side. Though he didn��t voice it, Zhane��s hesitation was palpable, and Dave could sense his internal conflict. Dave opened his mouth to speak but then hesitated, unsure of what to say or how to alleviate Zhane��s dilemma.

    Acknowledging his own role in the situation, Dave realized that he hadn��t acted promptly or effectively to prevent what had urred. However, dwelling on the past wouldn��t change anything, and Zhane understood this. Sensing Dave��s remorse, Zhane chose not to exacerbate the situation by dwelling on what could have been done differently.

    After Zhane instructed the man to lower his voice, he approached the bed and began his report in a gentle tone. "Young Master, after determining the type of drug present in the Young Madam��s and the other gentleman��s blood, we traced its origin to the ck market in Russia. The aphrodisiac was sourced from an illegal drug farm in India. Our team has already taken action to apprehend the dealer responsible for selling the drug, and they are currently undergoing interrogation."

    Zhane chose not to correct his subordinate when Hera was mistakenly referred to as ��Young Madam,�� despite theirck of any official rtionship. His stern and indifferent expression shifted to one of cold indifference, emitting an icy chill. "Ensure that the man starts talking as soon as possible. I want results before Hera wakes up," Zhane stated calmly but with an unmistakable air of anger. Though he didn��t raise his voice, his subordinates understood that Zhane was deeply displeased and indirectly conveyed his expectation for them to intensify the interrogation even if it meant to torture the man to extract information swiftly.

    Dave��s mischievous smile widened as he continued, "Since he��s from Russia, he��s likely trained to withstand interrogation and won��t easily spill secrets, even under torture. These kinds of individuals are notoriously difficult to crack." His words hung in the air, drawing the attention of both Zhane and his subordinate. While Dave himself avoided involvement in illegal activities and murky dealings, he remained well-informed about such matters, including the workings of the ck market. However, when it came to underworld connections and drug trafficking, his knowledge paled inparison to Zhane��s and his family��s extensivework. Dave��s family maintained a pristine reputation, unwilling to tarnish their standing or provide ammunition to enemies who might seek to undermine his career.

    Dave��s sinister smile sent shivers down Zhane��s subordinate��s spine as he suggested, "If conventional methods fail, why not resort to something more... inventive? Ever heard of the rat torture?"

    Of course, they heard of it, it was the most cruel and gruesome torture that was recorded in history where the torturer would use big rats or even small dozen rats and trap them in a metal pail or bucket before cing them in a person��s stomach and then the torturer would heat the metal while the rats are inside, out of survival instinct, the rat will try its best to find an exit and if there��s none, they would make it, and how could they make one? By digging, they would dig into a person��s stomach with their long nails, no matter how tough a person��s skin and muscles are, it would still be a painful process and it was enough to kill them, either from the rat��s urine and feces in their stomach wounds which would cause an infection that would lead to death or from their innards being stirred and dug while they are still alive.

    Zhane��s subordinate took a step back with a loud gulp that formed in his throat, his mind recoiled at the gruesome details��the chilling image of rats trapped in metal containers, driven by desperation to w their way out of a human abdomen. The torturous method, infamous throughout history, stirred a profound sense of dread within him and he was sure that the man would break from the torture.

 Chapter 220 Everett Family Meeting

    The current head of the Everett family, Zhane��s grandfather, and the reigning Patriarch sat at the head of the ancestral hall. The room was filled with heated discussions about Zhane��s potential marriage partner, but the Patriarch brought the chaos to an abrupt halt by mming his cane on the ground. "Silence!" hemanded. Despite nearing 80 years old, his voice still carried immense authority and power, enough to silence the entire crowd gathered before him.

    Zhane��s father, seated beside the Patriarch, calmly took a sip of his tea before speaking. "Dad, please go ahead." Although it was his wife who initiated the investigation into Hera��s background, the gathered information was shared with both the Patriarch and Zhane��s father beforehand. Thus, they were already aware of the details before she could say anything. Zhane��s father remainedposed and unworried.

    Zhane��s mother, however, was anxious. There had already been discussions of a marriage alliance between the Everett and Lennon families, and she was the one negotiating with the other family��s matriarch.

    Yet, she had seen Hera once before at the mall with her son. She noticed Zhane initiating a conversation with Hera, which was unusual for him. Normally indifferent and stern, her son would rarely engage in conversation with anyone in public, even his patients, unless they approached him first��and even then, his responses would be curt and brief.

    This encounter made her realize there might be more to Hera than she initially thought.

    That��s why Hera left asting impression on her. She saw Hera again on a variety show and grew to admire her character: straightforward, and kind, yet firm enough not to let anyone bully or take advantage of her. This increased her fondness for Hera.

    However, the talks with the Lennon family had been ongoing for years and couldn��t be easily dissolved. The Lennons were a prominent medical family with significant influence in the country just a few notches lower than their own family.

    Seeing that the Patriarch and his immediate family were silent, a branch family rtive decided to speak up. He had a square face, nted eyes, a slightly straight nose, and thin lips.

    "Patriarch, we can��t allow the only heir of the Everett family to get too close to any Tom, Dick, and Harry out there," he said, his voiceced with disdain. "Many of these women are just gold diggers. Take that woman, for example. Isn��t she the one rumored to have many sugar daddies? A filthy woman like her is not suitable for Zhane at all."

    His words dripped with contempt and disgust for Hera, though it was unclear whether it stemmed from her alleged poverty or the usations of gold-digging.

    The Patriarch rebuked the man calmly. "You��re old enough to know better than to believe every rumor you hear," he said, taking a sip of his tea. He pondered his options before continuing. "Besides, Zhane is more than capable of making his own choices. As the sole heir of the Everett family and a medical genius respected worldwide, he has formed his own opinions. If I tried to force him into something, he might very well rebel against the entire family. I��m not willing to take that risk."

    The Patriarch��s words highlighted his trust in Zhane��s maturity and independence. Even as a young boy, Zhane had always been wise beyond his years and detested others making decisions for him.

    "Patriarch! That��s irresponsible! What about the engagement with the Lennon family?" the man with the square face eximed, rallying the other branch members. "The alliance has been an ongoing discussion for years. If they find out that we are letting our only heir, their supposed son-inw, associate with a wild girl, they will surely fight us. Think about our reputation too!"

    He appealed to their sense of advantage, emphasizing the potential fallout. "If we be estranged from the Lennons, who excel in traditional medicine and are thergest procurers of medicinal herbs in the country, we would lose a great ally."

 Chapter 221 The Patriarch’s Only Wish

    His voice wasced with deep affection and regret. He wanted to watch the children grow up into adults, just as he had watched his grandson transform into a magnificent man.

    Mr. Everett sighed deeply as he gently held his wife��s hand, which rested on his shoulder. They both regretted not meeting sooner and having more children. However, Zhane��s mother was frail, and another childbirth would have been too dangerous for her. They married in their 30s, and she needed a long time to nurse her body after giving birth to Zhane. Both Mr. Everett and his father were workaholics, often holed up in theb or hospital performing surgeries, much like Zhane. This was why they marriedte. However, Mr. Everett was older when he settled downpared to his father, who had married and fathered Mr. Everett at a younger age.

    Now, Mrs. Everett felt a twinge of heartbreak because this issue had always been her deep regret. Her frail body couldn��t handle anotherte pregnancy as it might cost her life. Everyone was against her getting pregnant again, so Mr. Everett had a vasectomy to ensure it wouldn��t happen.

    So, no one dared to question the Patriarch anymore. Little did they know that their beloved Zhane was destined to share a woman with his close buddies and would bring his wife home to meet his family. However, what they didn��t expect was that Zhane��s other "co-husbands" would follow behind, carrying gifts for the visit. To make matters moreplicated, Zhane��s supposed wife was pregnant, and it was uncertain who the father of the child was. The Patriarch nearly had a heart attack at the revtion and started to regret his decision of allowing Zhane to determine his own life.

    But that tale was reserved for the future. For now, the Everett family resumed their lives as if nothing had disrupted their tranquility. However, outside the core family circle, within the confines of one of the branch family��s vis, other rtives gathered for their own ndestine meeting, deep in discussion about the unfolding situation.

    "What��s our next move? We��ve already assured Ms. Lennon that Zhane would undoubtedly be her future husband, and the entire Everett n has backed this union. Isn��t it evident that the Lennon family is unting this alliance, making it look like there was courtship in this marriage talk, to enhance their daughter��s desirability in high society? They want to showcase that the Everett heir is smitten with their daughter, that the Everetts have pursued them for years," remarked one rtive, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

    "Isn��t that precisely why we��ve been dancing to the Lennon��s tune all along? But if this alliance falls apart now, we might be asked to cough up everything we��ve been enjoying," someone said nervously, driving home his point and reminding everyone of the bribes they��d received for this endeavor.

    The man with the square face grinned evilly. "Don��t worry. Let the Everett main family and the Lennons fight it out amongst themselves. We��ll simply watch from the sidelines and pick off the remains once they��ve torn each other apart," his smile carried a chilling depth, harboring ulterior motives. This individual had long harbored envy towards the Everett main family and coveted their power, yetcked the means or capability to seize it himself, biding his time for an opportunity to present itself on a silver tter.

    The Everett family, a lineage of divine healers spanning generations, was revered for their ability to even revive the dead, a feat that earned them titles and vastnds, solidifying their ce as one of the oldest and most esteemed families in history. However, unlike the prosperous Hendrix and Avery ns, the Everetts�� wealthy primarily in their medical knowledge, inherited and refined over the ages. While their ancestors traveled to aid the poor andbat epidemics, their family��s prominence was rtively recent, bestowed by the new reformed government after the monarchy, so their family was not as old as the Avery and the Hendrix.

    Due to their long history, the Everett family adopted many orphaned children into their fold. However, despite being part of the branch families under the main Everett line, these adopted children did not have the right to inherit the family��s position or teachings. This privilege was reserved exclusively for those directly descended from the Everett lineage, in ordance with the wishes of the family��s first ancestor, renowned as the first divine doctor in their line.

 Chapter 222 Hera Waking Up

    Dave silently watched Hera process the events, noticing how she gradually calmed down but remained oblivious to his presence in the room, too focused on her thoughts. Deciding to make his presence known, he spoke up, startling Hera and causing her to jump from her bed. She nearly fell off the side, but Zhane managed to catch her just in time, preventing a tumble.

    Dave and Zhane silently watched Hera, studying her expression to see if her surprise was rooted in fear. To their delight, they saw that while Hera was indeed startled, her gaze quickly turned calm and resolute, like the little warrior she was. Both men unconsciously let out relieved smiles upon realizing that her mentality remained unaffected. Aside from feeling embarrassed and shy about what had happened, she seemed to be doing fine.

    Zhane turned to Dave, while he was still holding Hera in his embrace, and reprimanded Dave for startling Hera. "What were you thinking, Dave? What if she had fallen off the bed?" Zhane��s tone was stern, chastising Dave for his yful behavior at an inappropriate time. He then helped Hera settle back onto the bed, casting another stern nce at Dave before doing so.

    Dave acknowledged his mistake in startling Hera, his expression falling into a pout as he attempted to avoid Zhane��s intimidating gaze, which seemed more imposing than that of his own father. He moved closer to Hera in an attempt to offerfort, but Zhane quickly intervened, recognizing that Dave was encroaching on Hera��s personal space and could potentially make her ufortable. Understanding his error andck of sensitivity, Dave took a step back and silently offered Hera a reassuring smile.

    "Feeling better?" Dave asked cheerfully as he poured Hera a cup of warm water to soothe her throat. Hera appreciated his gesture and epted the water, taking a sip. Sensing her difort, she felt her throat dry and burning, prompting her to quickly finish the cup in a few gulps, eliciting a light chuckle from Dave.

    "Have you uncovered what happened? And Leo, is he okay? How long have I been sleeping?" Just as she began to feel thefort returning to her throat, Hera��s mind raced with questions, prompting her to inquire about the crucial details.

    "Whoa there, easy now, dear. Take a moment to rest. We��ll fill you in shortly, alright?" Dave��s soothing tone apanied his gesture, urging Hera to rx. His hands were raised in a cating manner, attempting to calm her down. However, Zhane��s stern re caught him off guard, leaving him puzzled as to what he might have done to warrant such a chilling stare. Feeling the weight of Zhane��s gaze, Dave fell silent, waiting for the topic to be opened further.

    After a moment of quiet reflection, Dave realized why Zhane had red at him. His eyebrow twitched unconsciously as he thought, <i>��He must have assumed I was flirting with Hera because of that "We��ll fill you in shortly"ment. Tsk.��</i> However, Zhane��s thoughts were far from what Dave imagined. Zhane was also focused on sharing information with Hera, but what bothered him was Dave acting so familiar with her and even calling her "Dear" when he was thest one to get to know her.

    No one could really rival Dave��s thick skin, but Zhane decided not to dwell on it. He was about to update Hera with the information they had gathered so far when a knock at the door drew their attention.

    "Come in," Zhane said sternly, his expression remaining indifferent though his brows furrowed slightly.

 Chapter 223 Who Did It?

    Hera felt as if she had been struck by lightning upon hearing thest few sentences. She remembered Athena mentioning that she had to go on a blind date arranged by her family, which was to take ce in a private room at the Dragon Pce Hotel. Everything Zhane��s subordinate said matched perfectly with Athena��s situation. It dawned on Hera that Tyler Lennon had likely intended to drug Athena, to molest her, or, worse, sleep with her while she was under the influence of the aphrodisiac. Having experienced the potency of the aphrodisiac herself, Hera shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if it had been Athena who consumed it instead.

    She was convinced that Athena wouldn��t be able to restrain herself and might fall into a trap that could be exploited against her. The possibility of Athena being recorded inpromising circumstances and that footage being used as ckmail against her and her family was deeply troubling. Hera dreaded the idea of her best friend losing both her reputation and her innocence, fearing the devastating consequences that would surely follow.

    Hera gritted her teeth in fury as she felt herself seeing red. Even if Tyler Lennon hadn��t intended to use the aphrodisiac on Athena, the fact that he had it implied sinister motives. Why it ended up in their room remained a mystery. However, one thing was clear: she now harbored a deep distrust of the Lennon family. A family capable of producing such a despicable individual must either be corrupt themselves or grossly ipetent.

    "Leave this to me," Hera dered, her eyes as calm as a stillke yet harboring depths of emotion impossible to fathom. While her thoughts remained inscrutable, her anger was palpable. It was evident to all present that Athena was her friend, and Hera had something nned.

    "We can��t," Dave replied urgently. "Though the Lennon family isn��t as powerful as mine or Zhane��s, they��re still wealthy enough to pose a threat. The only saving grace is that if the Lowerys and Jacksons unite, the Lennons won��t stand a chance. But you, Hera, you��re different. Tyler Lennon wouldn��t hesitate to target you, and worst of all, he has a reputation as a notorious troublemaker and womanizer. I fear that instead of targeting your friend, he��d view you as a new target, and that��s far worse." Dave��s voice carried a sense of urgency; he couldn��t bear the thought of Hera being in harm��s way.

    "Besides, leave this matter to me and Zhane. We��ll find a solution and ensure that Tyler Lennon faces the consequences," Dave reassured Hera, patting his chest to emphasize his confidence in handling the situation without putting her in harm��s way. He understood Hera��s momentary emotional reaction, her anger clouding her judgment. Yet, he believed that once she calmed down, she would see that his offer provided the best solution.

    Hera��s anger began to dissipate as she observed Dave��s genuine concern for her well-being. Her lips curved into a confident, reassuring smile��a smile that Dave found both beautiful and gant. In that moment, she resembled a heroine from a fantasy novel, radiating strength and determination. Without realizing it, Dave found himself nodding at Hera, his response mirroring that of a loyal dog, as he returned her smile.

    "Don��t worry," Hera began, her voice calm but determined. "I have a n that won��t require you to directly leverage your family��s influence or power against the Lennons. Doing so could strain your rtionship with their family, potentially affecting your business dealings and even tarnishing your reputation by appearing to bully the weaker party." She nced at Zhane and Dave in turn, noting the surprise on their faces. They hadn��t expected her to understand their family dynamics so well or to consider their family��s well-being. They had underestimated her grasp of the intricacies of the upper circle. Hera understood that despite their families�� power, openly antagonizing the Lennons could lead to significant losses, particrly for the Everett family, which had close dealings with the Lennons due to their production of medicinal herbs.

    Despite Hera being away from home for an extended period and only recently beginning her training as an heiress, she hadn��t neglected her responsibilities to familiarize herself with the upper echelons of society and the influential families therein. She diligently studied which families had close rtions with the Averys, those who opposed them, and others who held significant sway in society. This included the families of the five male leads, along with many others who contributed valuable resources to society. While Hera might not have been aware of the specific connection between the Everetts and the Lennons, she was familiar with the Lennons�� business endeavors and their impact on society.

 Chapter 224 Let Her Do It

    "Alright, if things go south, I can always leverage my position and connections to sort this out. After all, it��s Tyler��s mess to clean up." Then, with a hint of suspicion, he added, "Unless, of course, he��s doing all this for your fianc��e?" Dave couldn��t resist throwing some shade Zhane��s way, knowing Hera held Zhane in high regard while his own reputation was less than ster. He wanted to level the ying field, ensuring Zhane had to work twice as hard to catch up to Hera, while he was already hot on her heels.

    Despite Zhane��s typically calm demeanor and refined upbringing, Dave��sment made him want to throttle him then and there. He couldn��t help but feel a surge of frustration at Dave��s audacity to say such things in front of Hera. Zhane had barely had the chance to interact with her, unlike Xavier and Leo, who had spent numerous days showcasing their abilities to her. He felt like he was constantlygging behind them, which is why he took the initiative to check on Bry��s uncle��hoping to make a favorable impression on Hera as a gesture of goodwill.

    Zhane felt a surge of betrayal from his friend��s unexpected attempt to undermine him. Despite this, he managed to maintain hisposure, his face a mask of indifference. "Dave, please refrain from speaking as if you have no fianc��e yourself. We all know that the woman you��re referring to as my possible match was merely a prospect chosen by my family for strategic alliances. However, if her brother��s conduct is any indication of bad upbringing, it��s doubtful my family would pursue such a union." Zhane��s exnation flowed effortlessly, though inwardly he was tense, unable to meet Hera��s gaze directly. Instead, he busied himself adjusting Hera��s nket, a subtle distraction from his difort.

    Dave��s throat tightened, and he felt a surge of anger so potent it threatened to choke him. He hadn��t anticipated Zhane��s deft reversal, let alone the mention of a fianc��e that existed only in the fabrications of family politics. Amongst their circle, Dave was renowned for his wild and untamed nature, hardly the type to acquiesce to any arranged match. If the situation demanded it, he��d conjure a hundred reasons to resist, or worse, concoct schemes to drive the poor woman away.

    Before the banter between the two men could escte, amotion outside the door interrupted them.

    "Let me in, I want to see her," Leo��s voice, though weak and hoarse, echoed from outside. Hera felt a mix of happiness and worry upon hearing him. She wasn��t sure how to face Leo at this moment. What had transpired was unexpected and embarrassing. She hadn��t fully processed it yet, solely focused on punishing the culprit to find some peace of mind.

    "Sir, I apologize, but the patient in this room is still resting, and I don��t think it would be good to disturb her," the nurse at the door exined. Meanwhile, Zhane��s subordinate moved to assist the nurse in ushering Leo away, ensuring that Zhane could spend time with his future wife without interruption. Though he wanted to also remove Dave from the room, hecked the authority to do so, thus he focused on managing Leo, who was waiting outside.

    "Move aside," Leo��s voice grew colder, devoid of the gentleness she had heard earlier in the private room. Hera could tell that Leo was bing irritated. Since the room had a small window attached to the door, Leo must have seen Hera awake and with Dave and Zhane. His desire toe inside and check on her was evident, but being denied entry indicated that either Zhane or Dave had given this instruction. Leo couldn��t believe that Hera didn��t want to see him unless she explicitly said so. The thought of Hera not wanting to see him also sent a jolt of pain through his heart.

    Hearing Leo��s softened, almost pleading voice, just to see her, melted Hera��s heart. She couldn��t bear to make Leo sad just because she felt undecided. So, she let go of her embarrassment and other emotions holding her back from meeting Leo and said, "Please, let him in."

    Hearing Hera��s willingness to meet Leo made Dave nervous. He could sense that Leo held a better position in Hera��s heart than any of them, and that thought was nerve-wracking.

 Chapter 225 The Rightful Wife and The Mistress

    Dave and Zhane remained silent but stayed in the room as Leo and Hera exchanged nces. Initially feeling awkward, Hera��s demeanor softened as she observed Leo sitting beside her, appearing frightened and weak. A surge of protectiveness welled up within her, recognizing Leo as much a victim of the situation as she was. She acknowledged that Leo had made efforts to restrain himself and had even sought her consent before proceeding, his fear of harming her evident. This realization both lightened her spirits and stoked her anger. If Leo had been subjected to harm, and if another woman had been in the room with him instead of her, wouldn��t that suggest Leo had been manipted into a dangerous situation and gifting himself to someone else?

    Just the thought of someone exploiting Leo ignited a fierce anger within Hera, fueling a desire to dismantle Tyler into countless pieces. Gently running her fingers through Leo��s soft ck hair, she reassured him, "Don��t worry, I��m not angry with you, and I hope you��re not angry with me either, hmm?" Tipping her head to the side, she met Leo��s gaze with sincerity shining in her eyes and a warm smile gracing her lips.

    Her genuine concern for Leo��s well-being was evident, as was her determination to protect him from any disadvantage or exploitation. Simultaneously, her disdain for Tyler��s ill intentions towards her best friend fueled her resolve to teach him a lesson he wouldn��t soon forget.

    As Hera directed her attention back to Leo, his timid gaze met her warm smile and caring eyes. Dave couldn��t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the sight. He had just found himself in hot water with Zhane before Leo��s arrival, and now, witnessing Hera��s forgiving demeanor towards Leo, he couldn��t shake the feeling that Leo��s position might be stronger than theirs. Dread crept over him as he continued to observe the scene. Meanwhile, Zhane remainedposed, ensuring both Hera and Leo werefortable. His actions mirrored that of a devoted partner, offering support to Hera while extending kindness to Leo. It was a subtle assertion of his role as the rightful husband in the face of a home wrecker attempting to elicit sympathy through a fa?ade of vulnerability.

    Zhane remainedposed, his gaze fixed on Leo and Hera with an indifferent demeanor. He observed Leo closely, like a hawk scrutinizing its prey. With Hera��s forgiveness, Leo visibly rxed, but he couldn��t shake the tension in the air. As he became more aware of his surroundings, he sensed Dave��s intense re and noticed Zhane��s subtle yet assertive demeanor, as if staking his im on Hera without uttering a word.

    Feeling the need to assert his position as Hera��s rightful partner, Leo was determined not to allow others to perceive him as easily bullied or his position as up for grabs.

    Leo gently took Hera��s hands in his, his eyes expressing both pain and sympathy as he observed the IV needle. "Does it hurt?" His voice, soothingly gentle but with a hint of seduction, held a hint of concern as he met Hera��s gaze with his deep blue eyes. Slowly, he pressed his lips to her hand, right where the needle was inserted. "Let me ease the pain, okay?" His feather-light kiss caused Hera��s cheeks to flush crimson. Unintentionally, she recalled Leo��s more passionate side in the private room, and her reaction only added to his happiness, though he tried to maintain a calm demeanor, masking his teasing nature with genuine worry for her well-being.

    "Um, I don��t really feel the pain," Hera stuttered, trying to keep her voice steady despite the rush of excitement at the memory of something both cringy and exhrating.

    Leo kept his gaze fixed on Hera. "And do you remember what I said when we were still in the private room?" he asked, his tone soft yet firm.

    "What did you say?" Hera��s voice wavered, her mind racing through the plethora of wild words Leo had spoken, her face reddening at the memory of something decidedly unholy. This unexpected reaction caught the attention of both Dave and Zhane, who had been maintainingposed facades until then.

 Chapter 226 Her Choice

    The words sounded like a confession, causing Hera��s heart to leap with a mix of joy and nervous anticipation. Yet, underlying the surge of emotions was a trace of bitterness. It seemed as though Leo��s eptance of responsibility was solely prompted by the situation, leaving Hera with a pang of guilt, as if she were a burden that dragged him into this mess. Her suspicions about the incident being connected to arger plot of the storyline only intensified this feeling, casting a shadow over the moment.

    And one thing that worries her is that, Dave and Zhane are still in the room and are witnessing what is happening, she knows of their hostility toward Leo, and at the same time, she is afraid that this would affect her mission if the male leads back away once she epted Leo. She knew that there was no such thing as happiness in both worlds and she knew that having to steal five men was bad enough and adding one was too much and she don��t have the heart to drag Leo in her mess and make his life miserable with her, she felt that Leo deserve so much better than sharing a woman with many others.

    Unlike the male leads destined to share one woman, Leo wasn��t bound by such a fate. Hera couldn��t help but feel a twinge of guilt for disrupting Leo��s life, even though she believed Alice and Minerva deserved the suffering Hera had in store for them if they continued to make things hard for Hera and her people. After all, the male leads would still fulfill their destinies, albeit with different women. As for Leo, he wasn��t constrained by the confines of the novel��s plot, offering him a wide array of possibilities in life.

    She contemted rejecting Leo, not solely due to the presence of the two male leads, but because she realized she couldn��t provide him with the happiness he truly deserved. Currently, she saw only two paths forward: defying her predetermined fate by leveraging her family��s influence or seizing Alice��s luck in an attempt to alter their destinies. She understood that thetter option seemed harder, as it involvedpeting with the original female lead for her position. However, Hera anticipated a fierce battle with Alice, who wouldn��t yield easily and would likely rally support from the world��s consciousness, making the challenge even more daunting.

    Unlike Hera, whocked such advantages, she couldn��t guarantee her safety if she chose the first option. She faced uncertainty about whether she would still meet her demise alongside her people. Thus, she resolved to grit her teeth and engage in a tug-of-war with Alice instead, acknowledging the risks but determined to forge her own path.

    If Leo ends up with her, even with the potential eptance of the male leads, she fears he would be just another victim caught in the ongoing struggle. Hera envisions Leo bearing the brunt of the relentless conflict, a situation that could even endanger his life. She can��t shake the concern that his involvement would only add to the mounting casualties of their tumultuous circumstances.

    Unlike the male leads, who benefit from the protective aura of their respective male lead halos, Leocks such safeguarding. As an unfamiliar figure in the novel, he possesses the freedom to carve his own path. While he could potentially seize the destiny of one of the male leads, Hera believes such a drastic measure isn��t essential for him. Leo has the opportunity to shape his destiny independently, unbound by the constraints of predetermined roles.

    As if sensing her internal turmoil, Leo retreated a step. "Please, don��t fret. I won��t pressure you into anything you��re notfortable with. Your decision will be respected," he assured, his gaze pleading. "But I do hope you��ll consider giving me a fair chance. I��m prepared to vie for your affection alongside everyone else," he added, his eyes betraying a sense of vulnerability.

 Chapter 227 Her Choice 2

    Upon learning of this in the future, Dave would be consumed by anger and frustration directed inward. He berated himself for extending a helping hand to Leo instead of pushing him away as he should have.

    Zhane, who had observed the unfolding events in silence, seemed to grasp Hera��s intentions. He sensed her attraction to Leo but also her efforts to maintain a distance from him, for reasons unknown. Whether this was advantageous or detrimental to their group remained uncertain to him. However, upon hearing Dave��s words, Zhane felt an urge to kick him for the first time in years, frustrated by the unintended consequences of Dave��s actions.

    He understood Dave��s intentions but foresaw the potential for it to backfire in the future. Despite this, since Dave had already spoken and he noticed Hera��s surprise tinged with a hint of happiness, Zhane suppressed his disapproval and maintained his silence. He couldn��t fathom why Hera was adamant about keeping Leo at arm��s length, but he recognized that by ying fair and square to win her over, they might unravel the truth in due time.

    Zhane nodded in agreement with Dave��s statement. "That��s right, Hera. You probably already know this, but I��m very interested in you and want to court you. My friend Dave feels the same way, and we can both tell that our other friends share these feelings too. Rather than fighting among ourselves for your affection, we n topete for you fair and square. Adding another man into the mix doesn��t change anything. So, I hope you won��t run away from us after hearing this," Zhane stated inly.

    This was the first time Hera had heard such a straightforward deration, and it left her feeling embarrassed. Even in the novel, thepetition for Alice��s affection is never so openly acknowledged. In the story, the male leads silently vied for Alice��s attention, gradually bing ustomed to each other��s presence. They developed a tacit understanding, allowing one another to protect and keep Alicepany when one was busy. Though they initially experienced misunderstandings and conflicts in their pursuit of Alice, everything ultimately turned out fine.

    But now, they were openly dering their intentions to her? Seriously? Hera was beyond speechless. She didn��t know whether tough or cry at what Dave and Zhane had agreed to do and how things hade to this point. She had been ready to turn down Leo, hoping he could start a new life away from her and avoid the drama and dangers that seemed to follow her, like the incident at the hotel. Yet, Dave had taken matters into his own hands and even invited his rival topete fairly.

    Hera opened and closed her mouth several times, trying to find the right words but ultimately failing, utterly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. Just a moment ago, Dave and Zhane had been ring at Leo with hostility, viewing him as a rival. Now, Dave was inviting Leo topete fairly for her affection. What would they do next? Agree to take turns sleeping with her, or perhaps organize schedules and share day-to-day chores? The absurdity of the situation left her speechless and bewildered.

    Hera couldn��t think straight, feeling as if her brain was about to explode. It seemed like her life had just taken a dramatic turn, yet she hadn��t even had the chance to voice her opinion.

    "Alright then, I hope that none of us resorts to underhanded tactics or treats this as a mere game," Leo said, his tone carrying an unmistakable hint of menace. It was clear he meant that thispetition for Hera��s affection was not a frivolous contest to see who could win and then discard her like a trophy. He continued, "If that timees, don��t me me if I turn against you all when you hurt her." Though he didn��t raise his voice, the authority andtent threat in his words made Zhane and Dave perk up, their brows furrowing in response.

 Chapter 228 Mission Accomplished?

    Dave, who had been stubborn just moments before, suddenly grasped Leo and Zhane��s intention to give Hera and her best friend some privacy. Feeling a rush of panic, he darted towards the door, only to return with a nervous smile. Without thinking, he nted a quick peck on Hera��s cheek, catching both her and Athena off guard. Meanwhile, Leo and Zhane, still lingering near the door, witnessed the gesture, their expressions shifting to one of disapproval as they exchanged nces, silently questioning Dave��s impulsive move.

    Dave, observing Zhane and Leo��s jealous reactions and their simmering anger, couldn��t resist a teasing remark. "What��s the matter? Can��t keep up with the pace? Should I have moved slower for you two turtles?" With a mischievous grin, he sauntered out of the room, whistling a merry tune as he went about his task, leaving Zhane and Leo seething in his wake.

    Leo and Zhane shared a brief nce before they walked back inside the room and mirrored Dave��s gesture, each giving Hera a peck on the cheek before taking their leave. They made sure to extend the same courtesy to Athena, offering her warm smiles before departing from the room.

    Hera and Athena were both taken aback, their reactions dyed by the unexpected disy of affection. They exchanged bewildered nces, their mouths hanging open in surprise. As the others departed, leaving them alone in the room, silence settled in like a heavy nket. For five whole minutes, they simply stared at each other, as if attempting tomunicate silently, their minds racing to process the sudden turn of events.

    Athena��s excitement bubbled over as she broke the silence. "What on earth just happened? Have you already hooked up with the third and fourth male leads? And Leo?" Her original purpose for being there slipped from her mind as she became engrossed in the potential gossip with Hera.

    Hera couldn��t help but notice the clear excitement in Athena��s eyes, reminiscent of someone engrossed in a soap opera. And in a way, she was witnessing a real-life drama unfold��a story straight from the pages of the novel from her world. It was no wonder Athena was thrilled; these happenings must have been the highlight of her day.

    Hera sighed in defeat. "Honestly, I��m not even sure where all this is headed anymore. It��s like everything went off track somewhere along the line." She cast a weary nce at her best friend, hoping for some reassurance. Seeing Hera so defeated and uncertain, Athena��s excitement waned, and she fell silent, searching for the right words tofort her friend.

    Hera cut in before Athena could respond. "Did you know your blind date tried to drug you?" Hera��s words tumbled out as she recalled the earlier report. She pushed aside the recent events at the backburner for the moment, focusing instead on the urgent matter at hand��her anger simmering anew at Tyler Lennon after remembering what he tried to pull with her best friend.

    Athena��s eyes widened in shock. "What?!" She eximed, taken aback. She had just returned from the blind date and had sensed something amiss with herpanion. He had persistently tried to prevent her from leaving at first, making flimsy excuses. Then, when something happened, and the entire hotel was sealed off, forbidding guests from departing, she noticed her blind date��s growing anxiety. Not that she had any fondness for him��in fact, she couldn��t stand being near him.

    If Athena hadn��t known that the hotel belonged to the Averys and upon discovering Hera��s hospitalization, she immediately called on her connection with Hera to the hotel��s staff so they would let her go without a second thought. The nurse had been tight-lipped about her condition, prompting Athena��s swift action. So consumed by worry, she hadn��t realized that it was Gerald��s right-hand man overseeing the hotel who had send her to the hospital.

 Chapter 229 Athena and Hera’s Anger

    Hearing Athenaunch into another round of plot analysis, her gossipy nature fully ignited, and Hera decided to divert her attention. She pulled out her phone and dialed Gerald��s number. It barely rang once before he picked up. "Yes, hello, Young Miss?!" His voice, brimming with excitement, echoed through the line.

    Hera didn��t have time for small talk. With the arrival of Leo and the others imminent, she got straight to the point. "Gerald, could you confirm for me if Alice Quinn was on the guest list for the hotel��s restaurant today and at what time she arrived?"

    After sending her instructions, Gerald immediately set to work. Once Hera ended the call, Athena was already looking at her with a knowing expression. "Are you suspecting that this was actually part of the storyline? But Dave wasn��t the one drugged, nor was he with his assistant and a dignitary from Japan," Athena reasoned, though she was still trying to understand Hera��s train of thought.

    "Then tell me, how many people were there in the private room with Dave when he was drugged ording to the story in the novel?" Hera asked nonchntly.

    "There were only three of them because the dignitary��s entourage was dining outside in the general dining room..." Athena��s words trailed off as if she was starting to understand where Hera��s thoughts were going.

    "Then, how was Dave drugged and who was responsible?" Hera then added, as if they were ying a question-and-answer game.

    "Dave was drugged by a potent drug that was smeared..." Athena��s eyes grew wider as she remembered the information from the report Hera had shared. "What the fuck?! Babe! Are you telling me that I was actually part of the storyline without even knowing? Was I supposed to be the naive young sole heiress from the novel who was only mentioned once because of Dave��s drugging incident? I wasn��t even introduced or given a family name!" Athena looked seriously aggrieved. Her attention had shifted from the drugging incident to the revtion of her unwitting involvement in the storyline.

    Yes, even Hera hadn��t paid too much attention to this part because, like Athena, she focused closely on the novel��s descriptions. However, since experiencing deviations from the novel from the beginning, she thought many events wouldn��t follow the original flow. She believed there would still be some inevitable events, like Alexi choosing Minerva. In essence, the major events were still happening and following the storyline. So, she thought that when Dave was drugged, it should at least involve him being in the same ce and meeting the same people.

    And since she didn��t know exactly when that would happen, she had given him a gentle reminder at her house and a bottle of antidote to counteract the effects of the aphrodisiac. Only now did she realize how potent the aphrodisiac truly was.

    The novel didn��t provide all the crucial details about the drug used or the exact timing, so it made sense why Athena thought they could rely on hearing about the dignitaries to gauge if that event was happening. Although Dave was not the one who was drugged and many things were different, Hera felt there was a strong possibility that this was still the storyline unfolding.

    And just as she could steal the female lead��s luck and life, the events and developments of the storyline might also shift depending on the characters involved. In essence, the world��s consciousness was likely adhering to the general framework of the story, substituting characters who fit the descriptions from the novel to fulfill the scenarios. If that were the case, it might be easier for her to seize someone else��s fate.

    This also applies to the people around them. However, she believed that altering or stealing the fate of the female lead and male leads would be significantly more challenging.

 Chapter 230 Three Little Kids

    After Hera sent her instructions and set her phone down, Athena approached with a smile stretching from ear to ear. "Using your family��s influence and power to bully someone, huh?" Her tone carried a yful reprimand, teasing Hera about leveraging her authority, though in truth, she was basking in thefort of Hera��s protection. This wasn��t the first time Athena had witnessed Hera��smanding presence; she understood that Hera was meant to embody strength and regality, much like her parents, who were akin to the emperor and empress of their country��a formidable force to be reckoned with.

    But unfortunately, she did not grow up with them because they died when she was too young to understand anything. As a result, her true strength had not yet blossomed and was overshadowed by worries and the intricacies of the storyline.

    Thanks to Athena��s nurturing, Hera��s upbringing diverged from the version depicted in the novel. She now had more freedom and was closer to her authentic self than the Hera portrayed in the story.

    Afterward, the atmosphere in the room lightened, and the two girls began chatting about various random topics as usual. They always found plenty to discuss and never seemed to run out of topics. Lost in the conversation, they didn��t realize how quickly time had passed until Leo and the others returned, each carrying items they had personally purchased outside, which exined their prolonged absence.

    As the three men returned simultaneously, they engaged in a yful race to reach the door first, prompting Athena to openly chuckle at their antics. Herughter brought a halt to their childishpetition, and they entered the room together.

    Hera��s attention was immediately drawn to Leo as he entered the room looking visibly exhausted, still tethered to his IV drip which seemed to have been recently reced. He carried a basket of fruits and a thermos, likely containing medicinal or chicken soup. Hisplexion had noticeably paled since his departure, indicating the hardship he endured outside. Beside him, his bodyguard stood with a serious expression, asionally casting nces towards Hera as if he harbored thoughts or concerns, possibly feeling protective towards his employer and possibly wanting to give Hera a piece of his mind.

    Rather than feeling embarrassed from receiving that kind of gaze from Leo��s subordinate, Hera felt a sense of happiness. Since the moment she met Leo, he had consistently shown his dedication to protecting and respecting her. His efforts and genuine care did not go unnoticed. Hera recognized his sincerity and appreciated how he always tried his best for her, treating her with kindness. These qualities drew her closer to him, just as she had first noticed him among the other equally striking men around her.

    Actually, the harder he tried, the more Hera found him handsome and endearing. Leo didn��t disy his exhaustion; instead, he approached Hera with a bright smile, carrying items he thought she would appreciate. He had personally selected each fruit in the basket and had waited for the soup to be prepared and delivered to the hospital. Leo even made it a point to wait outside the hospital to personally receive the soup once it arrived.

    While waiting, Leo pondered whether Hera would appreciate his choices of fruit and soup. Meanwhile, Zhane drove to the finest Chinese medicinal cuisine spot he knew in the city. There, he personally selected dishes he believed would match Hera��s pte and offer health benefits. But unlike Zhane, Leo was still in his IV drip which would look like he put more effort and care into his choices, while Zhane remained in good health and both men were vying to cater to Hera��s needs and tastes.

    Dave made a deliberate choice to diverge from Leo and Zhane��s focus on health-conscious items, knowing they would likely prioritize Hera��s well-being. Instead, he drove himself to the city��s premier dessert shop. However, upon arrival, he encountered a long queue. Despite being the country��s young minister, he opted to disguise himself with sunsses and a facial mask to keep his identity hidden and due to the intense sun, which caused him to perspire heavily. Eventually, he abandoned his three-piece suit, carrying it in his arms as he stood in line with just his shirt on.

    Just like any other customer, he stood patiently in line, waiting for his turn. Knowing that Hera might appreciate a change from the healthy foods Leo and Zhane were likely buying, Dave considered her potential craving for desserts. He had heard that girls often had a separate stomach for sweets, so he decided that a delicious dessert might be just the thing to satisfy Hera��s pte after the nutritious meals Leo and Zhane were bringing.

    Once it was his turn, Dave made sure to purchase the crowd��s favorites and added a few extra items that he thought Hera would enjoy. With a yful thought, he couldn��t resist adding a few extra boxes, thinking, <i>��Maybe Hera will take pity on me and offer to share and feed me.��</i> He happily made his way back, amused by the idea. Of course, who among the three of them didn��t have simr thoughts? All three men returned with boxes upon boxes of food, while Leo also brought arge basket of fruits.

    No matter how you looked at it, the amount of food they brought was overwhelming for Hera. So, Hera, Leo, Dave, Zhane, and Athena all gathered in Hera��s private room to share the feast. The three men momentarily forgot their rivalry as they watched Hera happily enjoying the food they had thoughtfully brought. Her eyes would asionally turn into crescents as she thanked them, showing her sincere appreciation.

 Chapter 231 I’ll Feed You

    Before they could ask anything, Hera berated Leo. "Leo, how could you not take care of yourself properly? Look at your hand��it��s already suffered greatly and is almost ck in color. I��m afraid it��ll end up looking like a pig��s foot." Hera pouted, feeling sorry for his once beautiful hands that looked like sculpted ivory��clean and beautiful. Now, they appeared scary, with ovepping shades of purple and ck. Although she couldn��t see the needle hole anymore, it still wasn��t pleasant to look at. "Your hands are so pretty, and look at what happened," she said, gently scooping up his hand and studying it while biting her lip.

    Hera then turned her attention to his right hand, which he was now refraining from using because the needle was loose. Leo didn��t respond to her scolding; instead, he beamed at her happily, thinking she cared about him and felt sad seeing him look so pitiful. Initially, Leo hadn��t even noticed the condition of his hands. He had been so happy to see Hera and to feed her properly that he didn��t feel the pain. But when Hera pointed it out, he decided to act pitifully and use it to his advantage against the other two in the room.

    "I��m sorry, I was a bit agitated earlier during the injection, and the nurse had to try multiple times, poking me all over. It took a male doctor with good precision to finish it quickly," he exined, smiling weakly as if repentant for not taking care of himself and causing Hera worry. "But I can��t move my right hand now because the needle might dislodge, and I��d need another injection." Leo nced at his right hand with a wry smile, silently indicating why he��d been eating only fruits��he couldn��t use utensils with his left hand without dropping food.

    As he had anticipated, Leo found that merely sounding pitiful, without needing to appear so, was enough to catch Hera��s attention and concern. While he didn��t intend to manipte the situation, he couldn��t deny enjoying the feeling of Hera worrying about him. He savored this sensation as he watched Hera quietlydle soup into a bowl and extend her hand to feed him. Zhane and Dave exchanged narrowed nces, their eyes shifting between Leo and Hera.

    Leo��s eyes formed crescents as he leaned closer, opening his mouth for Hera to feed him. Alongside the soup he brought, Hera also served him portions of the medicinal cuisine Zhane had purchased, feeding Leo one after another.

    Dave cringed inwardly, feeling as if he had just eaten something unpleasant while watching Hera feed Leo. His eyebrows twitched violently as he observed, and by the third spoonful of food passing from Hera to Leo, he couldn��t resist snatching the spoon from her hand. His hand moved faster than his thoughts this time.

    With gritted teeth, Dave spoke up. "I��ll take over. Hera, you��re a patient too; you need to take care of yourself. What��s the point of us being here if we can��t even assist properly?" Despite his forced smile, Dave��s demeanor hinted at impatience, almost as if he might choke Leo instead of feeding him. "Let me handle this," he offered.

    Zhane joined Dave after discerning his intentions. He gently guided Hera to lean back on her pillow and settlefortably before attending to her with more food. He even offered to feed her himself, but Hera felt too embarrassed to ept at the moment. Meanwhile, Leo and Dave were locked in another staring match. Despite these seemingly strained interactions, the atmosphere around them remained surprisingly harmonious, unnoticed by the group itself. Athena, seated apart from them, found herself in the role of a bystander watching a live drama unfold. Her appetite improved as she ate and observed the dynamic among the four.

    She couldn��t contain herughter when Dave, clearly jealous, took the spoon. However, since Leo sought care from Hera, he no longer felt the need to act pitiful and looked disdainfully at Dave, who seemed to relish his new role feeding Leo, determined to fill Leo��s mouth with plenty of food.

 Chapter 232 Who Won in the End?

    Zhane was equally astonished to witness Leo��s adept control over his facial expressions, akin to Xavier��s acting skills. Meanwhile, Dave found himself in hot water with Hera��s stern gaze fixed on him. Gripping the spoon and bowl tightly, he felt his hands grow mmy with nervousness.

    "Dear, I... I..." Dave struggled to exin himself, but each attempt was thwarted by Leo��s infuriatingly smug expression behind Hera. Frustrated, Dave couldn��t manage to finish his sentence. Sensing the tension, Hera extended her hand, silently requesting the spoon and bowl from Dave so she could take over feeding Leo herself.

    Observing the situation, Dave raised the spoon and bowl out of Hera��s reach. "No, dear, I was momentarily distracted while feeding Leo earlier. But you need care too right now; let me take over. I can do a better job," Dave said, acknowledging his mistake but determined not to let Hera feed Leo again, he��d rather die than see her feeding him again.

    Fortunately for Dave, Zhane intervened. He gently guided Hera back to her earlier position and reassured her, "Don��t worry, they are no longer kids and they are capable of handling it themselves." Zhane��s tone was stern, suggesting he was disinterested in the Leo-Dave situation. Implicitly, he conveyed that if Leo continued to act like a victim, he would appear immature in Hera��s eyes. Simrly, Dave risked looking immature and incapable if he couldn��t manage a simple task.

    Leo and Dave felt like they had been admonished by Zhane��s words. Leo hadn��t expected Zhane to speak so firmly. The two were at a loss for words, exchanging nces and realizing that continuing their argument would only y into Zhane��s hands. Dave abandoned his mischievous behavior and focused on earnestly feeding Leo. Despite feeling ufortable being fed by Dave and wanting to escape, Leo remained still under Hera��s watchful gaze, ensuring he ate properly.

    Hera smiled sweetly at both Leo and Dave, and they returned her smile with equal warmth, feeling as if their hearts were filled with honey, forgetting their earlier disagreement. As she silently observed them, Hera fought to suppressughter bubbling inside her. She was well aware of Leo��s impressive acting abilities, having been fooled by him once during the auction. Recognizing Leo��s subtle taunting of Dave, she also understood Dave��s cunning and mischievous nature, realizing they were engaged in a silent showdown.

    Leo had effectively dragged her into their battlefield to aggravate Dave endlessly, and she yed along to bring an end to their conflict. However, she hadn��t anticipated Zhane lending her a helping hand in the situation.

    Having been fooled by Leo��s acting skills once was enough; she knew he had full control over his expressions. Under normal circumstances, Leo wouldn��t appear aggrieved and pitiful. Knowing his temperament, she was certain he wasn��t that kind of person, leading her to conclude that he must be acting. Initially, when she heard him coughing, genuine concern washed over her, and her heartstrings were tugged when she saw his pitiful expression��not because she truly believed it, but because he looked irresistibly handsome, triggering a fleeting memory of the earlier incident.

    Fool her once, that was her learning a lesson, fool her twice, shame on her for being stupid and easily swayed. Just like the saying fooled once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me for being so easily swayed.

    In the end, it was Zhane who ended up feeding Hera her food, using his authority as a doctor and insisting she needed proper rest, leaving everything to them. Dave nced over at Zhane with envy. "Why does he get to y both sides to win over the beauty while I��m stuck feeding the brute?" Dave thought bitterly, consumed by jealousy. No matter how cunning he was, Dave always seemed to be outsmarted by his friends. The only sce he found was knowing Leo was equally struggling.

    Athena, watching from the sidelines, secretly sniggered as she enjoyed the spectacle. She couldn��t help but recall Hera��s adamant deration about never having more than one lover, simr to how the original female lead had multiple lovers in the novel they now lived in. Hera had once passionately argued that such situations were unimaginable and impossible for her.

    They often used the novel to poke fun at their own situation and discuss its storyline. Previously, Hera would im she didn��t believe the portrayal of the female lead in the novel truly reflected her. Athena, however, now found herself reconsidering that stance; Hera seemed to embody the female lead more closely than Alice did. The only noticeable difference was that the Alice in the novel fit the ��Mary Sue�� archetype��excessively kind and overly protected by the male leads to showcase their affection.

 Chapter 233 What a Mother Should Have

    She came to understand that Hera��s decision was the most prudent. In their world, there was really no one innocent there aside from the original Hera depicted in the novel who was just a cannon fodder meant to elevate someone��s position or life, a stepping stone.

    She knew Hera had a kind heart, but she had taught her well about the White Lotus and Green Tea Bitches�� way of life and their tactics. With Hera��s quick wit, she not only grasped these tactics but also used them effectively against their enemies. Athena couldn��t help butugh, thinking to herself, "That��s my girl!"

    Athena watched Hera with the three men openly showing interest in her, her eyes glinting with mirth. In a way, she felt more like Hera��s mother than just her best friend. She had nurtured Hera, taught her what a mother should, and protected her like a father would. That��s why she felt so attached to Hera and didn��t hesitate to follow her out to live independently of their family��s protection. They became each other��s sturdy walls, shielding one another from life��s storms and providing shade from the harshness of the world.

    She felt as though her childless past life had found fulfillment with Hera by her side, alongside the gift of a second chance at life. Thispanionship was the greatest gift she had ever received, forging a connection with Hera deeper than any other in the world.

    Athena silently left the room to give the people inside some space to enjoy themselves and headed straight home. Her eyes narrowed with clear intense fury raging within it. Even though Hera said that she would take care of the drugging incident that was aimed at her, Athena still didn��t feel reconciled with it because Hera was the one who was affected by it. When she got to park her car on the front porch, she didn��t even look at the maids who came out to greet her, they could feel Athena��s anger radiating from her body. Inside the living room, Sasha and her husband savored their afternoon tea, coincidentally, Athena��s uncle was also there. They all turned toward the door upon hearing Athena��s car pull up, anticipating her return after a sessful blind date.

    Sasha was particrly delighted this time. Unlike Athena��s usual five-minute interactions with the blind dates she arranged, Athena had spent the entire lunch with the young man Sasha selected. Observing this, Sasha concluded that Athena must have taken a liking to him. She had also conducted a thorough background check on him, uncovering nothing worrisome; in fact, his profile was filled withmendable traits, which prompted Sasha to select him for Athena without hesitation.

    Instead of a look of happiness and love, Sasha could only see Athena��s seething anger as she entered the door, as though she were prepared to set the ce aze. Athena��s nostrils red with every heavy step she took inside. When their eyes met, Sasha felt a shiver run down her spine, instantly sensing that something had gone terribly wrong.

    The living room fell into an eerie silence, each person hesitant to break it first, fully aware that the one who spoke up would bear the brunt of what was toe.

 Chapter 234 I Want Him Punished

    He strode over to the couch and plopped down heavily, his anger evident in every movement. The force of his seating caused the person next to him, his father, to feel the seat wobble up and down, nearly lifting him off his feet.

    Now, with everyone gathered in the living room, Athena��s gaze swept from one family member to the next. Gradually, her anger gave way to deep sorrow, and she began to pout and cry softly.

    "Dad, Mom, Uncle, Older Brother," she sniffled. "That asshole tried to drug me, but he ended up hurting Hera instead. She and her friend ended up in the hospital. I can��t bear to think what might have happened."

    Athena was keenly aware of how her family cherished and protected her, like a delicate flower in a greenhouse. Had she not insisted on venturing out with Hera, they might never have let her out of their sight. But now, she knew that the most effective way to rouse their anger was to shed tears and convey her distress.

    She continued, recounting everything she had learned from Hera and the findings of Zhane��s investigation. Her family listened in silence, their expressions grim. Her older brother appeared to be brewing some vengeful scheme against Tyler Lennon, which secretly pleased Athena. She wanted her family united, fighting alongside her. If only the Lowerys took action, it might not be enough��Tyler Lennon��s power overshadowed theirs. But together, the Lowerys and Jacksons could apply significant pressure. Despite their different business interests, a united front would surely give the Lennon a headache.

    Even an elephant would falter if a colony of ants worked together to bring it down, let alone Tyler Lennon, who had now offended not just the Lowerys and Jacksons, but also the Averys. If Zhane was truly starting to take an interest in Hera, even the Everetts might retaliate against them. No matter how small the retaliation from the Everetts might be, it could still prove significant when added to the rest.

    Athena made sure to convey Hera��s final instructions she gave to Gerald to her family. "Hera suspected that this might not be the first time Tyler Lennon has done something like this. There could be more victims out there, and he may be using his family��s influence to cover up his misdeeds."

    Sasha��s frown deepened further. "So all the effort I put into checking his family background amounted to nothing. He was well-prepared and covered everything up immediately afterward to maintain a clean record. Despite his reputation and the gossip, I dismissed it as merely rumors spread by his ex because they parted in a bad term, believing my background check was thorough. Turns out, the information was too good to be true��aplete scam," she huffed in anger, feeling manipted and used like a pawn.

    Mr. Lowery broke the silence. "Do you think his actions were aimed not just at ckmailing Athena into marrying him, but also at gaining leverage over us? Perhaps he saw Athena as a means to control our family businesses," he pondered aloud, his thoughts deep and contemtive. He couldn��t believe Tyler Lennon would risk offending two prominent families simultaneously, especially when meeting Athena under the guise of a blind date with the Lowerys.

    He might even cleaned his record solely for this purpose. This is the only exnation he could think of because no matter how stupid Tyler Lennon might be, he wouldn��t be as stupid as to think that this would go unnoticed and solely rely on that Athena would not breathe a word about this.

 Chapter 235 They are Present

    Luke intervened with hisposed demeanor and soothing voice that resonated throughout the room. "Alright, everyone, we��re all concerned for Hera��s well-being, but crowding her like this could make her ufortable." His gaze then shifted to Rafael, Dave, and Xavier, who appeared particrly eager to approach Hera, especially Rafael, who seemed poised to interrogate her in hopes of uncovering what had happened.

    "It��s good that you all understand restraint, but you��re making the patient ufortable," Zhane interjected sternly. His expression suggested he was tempted to eject everyone from the room, not only because it was overcrowded and affecting the air quality, but also because it could overwhelm Hera. Whether this was a genuine concern or a pretext to use his privilege as a doctor to stay by Hera��s side while kicking everyone else remained unclear. If others knew his true intentions, they might challenge him on it.

    "We were just fine earlier until you guys barged in and ruined the atmosphere," Dave said, pouting slightly as he contemted how to politely remove everyone from the room. Then, he added, "Actually, my mistake. We weren��t fine earlier. There was a grumpy old man and a brute who were also ruining the atmosphere." Dave shrugged, openly disying his frustration at having to share his time with Hera.

    "Who are you calling a grumpy old man?" Zhane shot Dave a sharp, stern gaze. Dave immediately averted his eyes and started whistling a tune nervously.

    "Who are you calling a brute?" Leo questioned Dave in a calm tone, as he carefully ted the apple he had peeled and shaped into an animal, cing it on Hera��sp with a toothpick. It was only then that the three neers noticed Leo��s presence, their collective frowns indicating their confusion over why Leo was even there.

    <i>��Why is he even calling Leo a brute? He��s such a gentleman,��</i> Hera thought, keeping her expression neutral.

    "You took advantage of Hera and stole a kiss from her! If that��s not brutish behavior, then what is?!" Dave blurted out angrily, feeling jealousy gnawing at his chest at the thought of Hera kissing someone else. He had been in Hera��s bedst night but never got the chance to kiss her, yet Leo had managed it. Dave suspected it might have been more than just a kiss, and Hera was keeping it a secret from them. The bitterness and resentment swirled within him.

    Hera suddenly felt a lump in her throat, resisting the urge to scold Dave for blurting out sensitive information that could have been better handled privately, knowing it might provoke different reactions from the others.

    "What?!"

    "What?!"

    "What?!"

    Three exmations reverberated through the room, and before the noise had even died down, Rafael was already advancing towards Leo. Seeing this, Hera��s heart leaped with nervousness. Leo was still hooked up to an IV drip, and she knew he was still weak. She hadn��t even inquired about his examination results or his health status yet.

    "Stop!!!" Hera shouted, her cheeks puffed up in anger like a furious chipmunk.

 Chapter 236 Help

    Xavier stepped forward. Being the youngest in the group, he wasn��t as restrained as the others. He approached Hera��s side and gently brushed her hair with his hand. "Are you alright? Can you share what happened?" His genuine worry and hurt were evident, making it difficult for Hera to push him away.

    With Xavier bravely asking the question everyone else had been eager to pose despite Dave��s antics, six pairs of eyes turned to look at Hera.

    "Do you want to tell them?" Zhane offered, gently rubbing the back of Hera��s hand. "If not, no one will force you. But if you want, I can exin the general gist to ease your difort."

    "We might be able to help too," Luke said, his calming voice dispelling the awkwardness in the air. He offered his hands, ready to assist with any issue. Luke, Rafael, and Xavier sensed that something serious had happened, given the guarded but understanding expressions on Zhane and Dave��s faces. It was clear that whatever had transpired wasn��t Leo��s fault and that there was more to the story than they were letting on.

    Hera thought long and hard about whether she truly wanted their help. While she pondered, no one interrupted her. The room remained silent, each person understanding that Hera had much to consider and respecting her need for quiet reflection.

    After a few minutes of silence, Hera spoke up. "I appreciate that you��re all willing to help," she began, her voice steady. "But I don��t want to drag you into this. I know that one way or another, you and your families are connected to the Lennons, whether socially or in business. I don��t want to put you in a difficult position. I��ve got this. Your support means the world to me." She finished with aposed and determined smile.

    Yes, she had the Avery family backing her and Athena had support from both families, but if her suspicions were correct and Tyler Lennon was targeting powerful families through their heiresses, the situation was moreplex. The Avery Consortium was indeed a major conglomerate with many allies, but they also had many rivals eager to take them down. Despite their significant influence, if numerous families united against them, it could result in a prolonged economic tug-of-war, with one side inevitably losing.

    In the novel, this was precisely how the male leads dealt with the Avery family. They banded together, leveraging their connections and power to turn others against the Avery. Simrly, others attempted to do the same when her parents died, knowing that the Avery family was weakened without their two strong swords and shields, the generals who had been paving the path.

    This was why her grandfather was too busy to even look after her; they wanted to wear him down. While Lennon��s motives might differ, aiming primarily to elevate his own position, everyone was striving for the same goal: growing their power by expanding their alliances. Although Lennon��s methods were unorthodox and underhanded, the oue would ultimately be the same.

    If she used the Avery��s influence to suppress the Lennons and teach them a lesson, she was certain they wouldn��t back down. They would likely fight back even if she provided solid evidence. Hera believed the Lennons were arrogant and bold, and their willingness to pull this trick in the Avery��s territory suggested they weren��t afraid of the repercussions.

    Turning down the male leads�� help was actually a reverse psychology tactic. Zhane had just dered his interest in her and even spoke for the rest, indicating that she had sessfully garnered their attention. Even without love, their possessiveness and protectiveness over what they considered theirs would surely drive them to take action. By refusing their assistance and expressing concern about bringing trouble to them, she was confident it would only make them more eager to help her.

 Chapter 237 Bry’s Uncle’s Check Up

    "Are you sure you want to go?" Leo asked gently as he supported her, with Dave already handling her discharge procedure.

    "Yes, I promised Bry that I would be there. They might be nervous," Hera said, smiling sweetly at Leo, feeling more connected to him than before.

    "But you should stay here until the examination is over. I��ll visit youter, okay?" Hera didn��t realize she sounded like a concerned girlfriend, though it came off a bit nagging. Leo smiled broadly, happy with the feeling. Meanwhile, Zhane and the others watched with somber expressions, jealousy swirling in their chests.

    They all felt as though Hera was slipping away right before their eyes, helpless to intervene. The reason for their frustration was that Zhane hadn��t informed them about his request for Hera to give each of them an equal opportunity to court her. With no opportunity to disclose this information, they remained unaware. If they had known, their reactions might have been quite different.

    "Alright, I��ll listen to you. I��ll wait in my room," Leo said with a smile that remained constant. He continued to escort Hera, whose smaller stature made it difficult for passersby to catch a glimpse of her amidst the towering men acting as her protective barrier.

    Despite this, passersby couldn��t help but nce in their direction. The men surrounding Hera looked dashingly handsome, and even catching just a glimpse of her silhouette, she appeared ethereally beautiful,plementing the group. Onlookers spected that they were witnessing a film shoot in the hospital, with Hera and her entourage resembling actors performing a scene.

    "I��lle with you to support Bry and his family," Xavier spoke up from behind Hera, gently twirling her long hair. He, too, wanted to support Hera like Leo did, but Zhane stood so close to the other side of her that no one could rece him. Perhaps if he weren��t at work, he might have held Hera��s hand and supported her just like Leo did.

    Xavier sighed in resignation, feeling he couldn��t keep up with the others.

    "Alright, let��s go together," Hera replied with a slight nce back, offering Xavier a smile.

    Seeing her smile and agree with him, Xavier��s gloomy mood was reced by a smile. Soon after, they arrived in front of Zhane��s office where Bry and his family stood, apanied by a nurse waiting for Zhane to arrive.

    Seeing Hera and other familiar faces, Bry��s face lit up, and he hurried closer to greet her. "Sister, you��re here!!!" he eximed excitedly, reaching out as if to hold Hera��s hand, but finding himself surrounded by tall men who blocked his ess. Looking up at their impassive faces, he realized none would yield to a child and could only nod in understanding.

    Hera was also a little stumped because no one really wanted to yield their position, so she awkwardly asked. "How was your stay here in the city?"

    Hearing her question, Bry��s face lit up, forgetting everything else as his lips stretched into a wide grin, his eyes crinkling with joy. "Your friend��s ce was amazing, sister! It was so big and cozy, and I slept like a log," he eximed animatedly. "Early this morning, Father gave us a tour around the city, and we ate delicious food and yed some great games beforeing here!" His hands waved in the air as he recounted the story, his excitement evident in his voice and actions, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

 Chapter 238 Bry’s Uncle’s Check Up 2

    Zhaneprehended the intricate nature of the case, and his reputation as a genius in his field was well-deserved. Despite his youth, he had sessfully navigated numerousplex and nearly impossible surgeries, which had contributed to his current standing. His role as one of the male leads also granted him certain privileges, including insights and opportunities that others might not have had.

    That��s why Hera was confident that Zhane would sessfully treat Bry��s uncle��s legs, potentially adding another remarkable achievement to his profile. This surgery could be a significant case study for the medicalmunity.

    "I understand your concerns. I��ve reviewed all the relevant documents, including the treatments your brother has been undergoing these past few months. It��s promising that he maintains healthy eating habits and continues muscle treatments, which improves our chances of sess," Zhane assured, flipping through the documents in his hand. His words brought a slight smile to Bry and his family, who had only learned about Zhane the previous night, making him their best option.

    "I won��t make promises, but I��ll do my best. I��ll examine your brother��s legter and we can discuss the next steps and the type of surgery we might consider," Zhane added.

    While Zhane made no promises, his confident demeanor spoke volumes. Remaining professional, he avoided appearing overconfident, understanding life��s penchant for unpredictability. Even as a respected professional, he recognized the inherent uncertainty in medical oues. Yet, his assurance stemmed from his extensive experience and expertise.

    After their discussion, Zhane moved around his desk and knelt in front of Bry��s uncle. He gently removed the nket covering his legs and carefully rolled up his trousers to examine his leg muscles for a full ten minutes. Ensuring thoroughness, he meticulously noted his findings in the patient��s records, possibly areas overlooked by previous doctors. Afterwards, he guided Bry��s uncle to a nearby bed adjacent to his office, where Zhane often rested during overtime shifts.

    Typically, he wouldn��t allow anyone to handle his belongings, much like Xavier, who shared his dislike for such actions. Perhaps it was amon characteristic among male protagonists in stories, a trait Hera found amusing. However, this time Zhane didn��t dwell on that issue and generously allowed Bry��s uncle to lie on the bed. With Bry��s father��s help, he guided his younger brother to the bed and Zhane instructed him to lie on his stomach so Zhane could examine his back.

    Unbeknownst to herself, Hera found herself captivated by Zhane��s seriousness and professionalism. As the saying goes, a man immersed in his work appears more attractive; Zhane exuded a striking handsomeness with his dedication to his profession and an air of confidence that enhanced his charm, drawing others to him effortlessly.

    She had always held a deep admiration for doctors and healthcare professionals. They chose their careers to save lives and ensure that many could continue living��a calling she herself once aspired to pursue after losing her parents. If she hadn��t been the sole heiress of her family��s business, she might have pursued a career in medicine. Her dream was to help children like herself who had parents dying, and some battling difficult illnesses, she hoped to prevent more children from losing their parents and facing the challenges of orphanhood.

    Since she couldn��t achieve her dream of bing a doctor, she sought other ways to make a difference through charity. When she turned 18 and chose not to return home, she asked her grandfather to support this cause. He funded research facilities dedicated to finding cures for cancer and other difficult illnesses. The Avery family also ventured into medicine, dealing with medicinal herbs and medicine production. Instead of merely funding existing projects, her grandfather built aboratory for her to manage. However, this business was based overseas, so she had to rely on her grandfather to oversee it for now.

    In reality, theboratory and medicine-rted business were managed by one of Hera��s aides, who was second only to Zhane in terms of achievements. Slightly older than Zhane, this aide had been hailed as a genius before Zhane��s arrival.

    That��s why Hera was so willing to help Bry and his uncle. She wasn��t solely relying on Zhane; if worse came to worst and she couldn��t get Zhane to assist, she would have sent Bry��s uncle to herboratory, where her aide could take over. However, she didn��t expect that even before she could ask Zhane for a favor, he would volunteer and do the job for free even.

    Having Zhane take over the job was ideal because he had the "male lead��s halo" supporting him, making failure nearly impossible. His spotless record and reputation for sess in any case he handled were well-described in the novel; he was depicted as the world��s best.

    Much like Luke, who could dominate the market with his precise investments and discerning eye for trends and potential, he also has the "male lead��s halo" supporting him. Luke��s uncanny ability to invest at the perfect time and identify the most promisingpanies earned him much admiration.

    Rafael excelled in managing the entertainment industry, rapidly elevating hispany to rival the long-established Avery. His keen eye for talent and ability to nurture artists to their full potential were key to his sess.

    Xavier possessed amanding stage presence and exceptional acting talent, which quickly propelled him to the world stage. His sess wasn��t solely due to his strong backing but also his innate abilities.

    Dave has gained a reputation for reigning supreme over presidents and leaders of other countries due to his cunning approach. He consistently capitalizes on even the smallest openings in negotiations, ensuring nothing slips past him.

    And all of this was possible because each of them embodies their own ��Male Lead Halo��, perfectly suited to their characters.

 Chapter 239 Cook For You

    "Not yet," Leo��s voice turned lukewarm, clearly upset. He seemed to be in internal turmoil, battling his own thoughts. He wanted to do something but felt he couldn��t. Perhaps he wanted to question Hera about why she was with Xavier when she had promised to see him, only to find her followed by one of his love rivals.

    Hera clearly picked up on the change in his emotions, especially in his voice. He was upset and doing his best to hide it, though not very sessfully. Instead of getting upset herself, she felt nervous, as if she had done something wrong. Trying to coax him, she said, "Right, I asked Hannah to cook dinner, and Amy will be sending the food here. Do you have any requests?"

    Seeing Hera flustered because he was upset made him happy inside. He hadn��t realized he had this much impact on her. Her efforts to coax him softened his resolve instantly; he couldn��t stay angry with her. "Alright, I��ll listen to you. Do you have any rmendations?"

    Seeing his mood improve, Hera brightened up and smiled sweetly at Leo. "Hannah is great at almost everything. How about some light food since you��re hospitalized? Maybe chicken mushroom soup or medicinal chicken soup, and some seafood porridge? Or would you prefer chicken porridge?" Hera offered excitedly. She wasn��t sure if her excitement came from showcasing her chef��s amazing cooking skills or simply because Leo was back to his usual self.

    "It would be great if I could eat your cooking instead," Leo said, casting his eyes downward and smiling a little wryly. He wondered if it might be possible to enjoy her cooking every day in the future. Just thinking about it made him smile, but Hera couldn��t see it since it was fleeting and he was looking slightly down.

    Instead, she thought he was feeling sad, so she quickly changed her offer, needing to cater to the will of the patient. She nced around the spacious private room, which resembled a hotel suite more than a hospital. It had its own kitchen with an ind counter, a huge fridge, a four-seater round dining table, and afortable cream-colored couch near the entrance on the left. On the right was arge bathroom with a bathtub and a shower, designed so that immobile patients could be carried to the tub for a bath or shower on their own.

    The entire room was designed with elegant touches and a cozy atmosphere, ensuring the patient��s family had everything they might need. The utensils were well sterilized, allowing patients to use them without any hesitation about hygiene. This also meant families didn��t need to bring anything from outside. Hera couldn��t help but admire Zhane��s meticulous approach to running the hospital. Not many hospitals paid this level of attention to detail, making it feel more like a high-end hotel than a medical facility.

    Even Leo��s bed was a queen-size, providing exceptionalfort. If not for the IV drip attached to his hand, he would appear to be simply resting in a luxurious suite. Despite the cozy setting, his paleplexion and pitifully weak appearance served as stark reminders of his condition.

    Seeing that she had everything she needed, Hera felt a sense of obligation to prepare a meal for Leo. "Alright, let��s see if there are any ingredients in the fridge. If not, I��ll buy some so I can cook for you."

    After saying that, Hera noticed Leo��s eyes lighting up as a slow smile spread across his lips. He felt Hera was pampering him, and despite the circumstances, he weed the attention. He decided to make the most of being a patient so Hera could continue to pamper him.

    "I am hungry too," Xavier chimed in. Leo��s brief moment of happiness was cut short by Xavier��s reminder that he wasn��t alone with Hera, and there was an uninvited guest present.

 Chapter 240 Cook For You 2

    This was the first time he had been hospitalized like this, and he was excited about the idea of ying the role of a loving couple with Hera when she mentioned visiting him. He had already imagined many scenarios in his head, only to have them disrupted by Xavier. Fortunately, Leo was determined to proceed with his n despite the interruption.

    Oh, how he wished he could send Xavier away so he could happily spend time with his future wife, free from any distractions or annoyances.

    He ignored Xavier, who sat beside him staring nkly at Hera, lost perhaps in memories from their time on the Variety Show, a faint smile ying on his lips. Eventually, Xavier stood up and went directly to Hera, assisting her with the ingredients as he always did.

    Oh, he was seething with frustration. He wanted nothing more than to join them in the kitchen, acting affectionate with Hera, just like they had done during the celebratory feast in the vige.

    However, he realized that joining them might not be helpful and could actually annoy Hera, especially since he was supposed to be resting and ying the role of the pitiful patient. Leo regretted ying that role now; all he wanted was to be in the kitchen with her, cooking together. His mind raced with these thoughts, and seeing Xavier standing so close to Hera only fueled his frustration. He grabbed the magazine beside him, trying to distract himself from the situation.

    Then, as if a light bulb had lit up in his head, Leo smirked mischievously as he reached for his phone and sent a text message.

    [Leo: Come up with a n to send Xavier to ambassadorial duties promoting our international jewelry collection. Keep him engaged in that role for as long as you can manage.]

    Who said he couldn��t use his power to mess with his love rivals? With that thought in mind, Leo cleared his head of distractions and patiently awaited his assistant to work their magic.

    [Terry: Sir, when should I send him away?]

    [Leo: ASAP!]

    [Terry: On it sir.]

    Leo took onest nce at the kitchen counter, a mischievous smirk ying on his lips. He then contentedly turned the page of the magazine, settling in to wait.

    As expected, Xavier��s phone began to ring repeatedly, but he continued to ignore it, eventually silencing the calls altogether. Leo was confident that Hera wouldn��t tolerate Xavier ignoring what appeared to be an urgent matter just to assist her. He waited patiently on the sidelines, anticipating Hera would soon send Xavier away.

    Sure enough, when Hera heard Xavier��s phone ring for the third time and saw him silence it before returning to washing the ingredients in the sink, she turned to him. "Brother Xavier, please go and attend to your work. I can manage this on my own."

    Xavier��s body stiffened as he turned to face Hera, sensing her determination to send him away to attend to his duties. He pursed his lips, trying toe up with an excuse to linger, reluctant to leave Leo and Hera alone together. He felt uneasy knowing Leo had already found a ce in Hera��s heart and worried about what might transpire if he left them unsupervised.

    "It��s alright, I can handle things here, you really should go." Hera then started pushing Xavier out of the kitchen and shot him a stern re showing that she would get angry if he kept on being stubborn.

    Xavier stood beside the dining table, Hera��s firm stance leaving him no room to return to the kitchen. ncing up, he caught Leo��s gaze fixed on the kitchen counter, feigning interest in a magazine. Their eyes met, and Xavier noticed Leo��s sly smirk directed at him, a clear indication that Leo had something nned.

    Xavier stepped out to answer the call, but Leo remained unsatisfied and wanted to ensure that every possibility was covered. He proceeded to send a series of messages to his assistant to secure his n.

    [Leo: Wasn��t there a Korean dignitary visiting our country? Have him pester Dave to arrange a meeting for thend conservation discussion regarding the heritage sites. If Dave avoids the Korean dignitary, send them Dave��s location.]

    [Leo: Ensure we secure the bidding for investment partnership with the rising gamingpany from the Greysons. Let that girl continue to press Luke for a marriage alliance. If Luke ignores her, send her his location too.]

    [Leo: Also, ensure more scandals are released for Star Ocean Entertainment��s top artist. If you can��t find any, dig deeper until you uncover something substantial, then publish it and make it as big as possible. This will also put pressure on Xavier to follow hispany��s arrangements, especially since he��s currently with Rafael��spany.]

 Chapter 241 When Men Being Petty

    While Hera was busy in the kitchen, Leo found himself scheming against the male leads, ensuring they remained upied and couldn��t get close to her. If Hera found out Leo��s n she��d be torn betweenughter and exasperation. And it would surely remind her of the domineering CEOs Athena often discussed��possessive and overbearing.

    Leo��s actions significantly thwarted Hera��s ns. How could she possibly get close to the male leads if Leo kept sending them away?

    Despite deciding to stop resenting them for something that hadn��t yet happened and letting things y out, she still needed to beat Alice to them. How could she do that if there were no opportunities at all?

    Despite not receiving any assistance, Hera managed to whip up a chicken truffle soup and a stir-fry tofu and vegetable dish, both delicately seasoned. She even prepared an extra portion for Zhane, intending to deliver it to his officeter. Remembering her promise to send him food, she opted to cook herself since she was already cooking instead of asking Hannah to prepare it.

    She then ted a portion for Leo and left some in the pot to packter for Zhane before leaving the hospital. As she served the food to Leo, she noticed the eager expression on his face, his eyes bright with anticipation. Seeing how this simple gesture seemed to bring him joy, Hera couldn��t help but smile broadly herself.

    Hera noticed that Leo��s IV drip had been adjusted and was no longer as loose as before. However, she also observed that the back of his hand was turning a purplish ck, a stark contrast against his fair, jade-like skin, making the blemish all the more noticeable.

    Not wanting to see him suffer any longer, she took it upon herself to feed him. This gesture made Leo even happier than before. He had been devising a n to appear more pitiful in hopes that Hera would take care of him, but her doing it willingly gave him hope that there was a chance for them.

    Leo beamed from ear to ear as Hera slowly helped feed him. He didn��t feel embarrassed at all; instead, he loved being pampered by her. His grandfather had been right: winning over your future wife required meticulous nning and, above all, a thick skin.

    He felt like all the pain he had suffered earlier was worth it. Even the ident now seemed like a blessing in disguise, bringing him closer to Hera. Any worries he had before were now gone. Leo��s appetite improved, and he ate with gusto, asking for seconds and then thirds. He also urged Hera to eat with him. As she cared for Leo, Hera didn��t realize they were now sharing the same utensil. At Leo��s urging, after she fed him a bite, he would insist she take one too.

    Seeing Hera eat using the same utensils made them look like a loving couple. His eyes narrowed happily, boosting his appetite even more. Even when he was full, he continued eating, knowing she nned to send some to Zhane. He didn��t want to share his happiness with those male vixens.

    Despite his good upbringing, he could still be petty, and men being petty can be even more childishly infuriating. However, he wasn��t embarrassed by it; in fact, he was a little proud of his work, if it meant to protect his future wife.

    Leo��s subordinate, who was silently standing by the side, tried to blend into the background as he held his breath. He was experiencing the shock of his life. In the past half hour, Leo had smiled andughed more than he had in his entire life. His young master, usually meticulous about cleanliness and hygiene, was sharing a spoon with a woman. A woman! The same gender he had always avoided as if he were allergic to them. Now, he was acting like a couple with one��and he even seemed to be enjoying it.

    Without realizing it, he had already captured a short video of this astonishing scene on his mobile phone. He only became aware of it when Leo shot him a warning re as Hera stepped out into the kitchen to get more food for him.

    He silently cleared his throat and excused himself, giving his Young Master and future young madam some private time together. Realizing he was being a third wheel, he left the room without a word and stood guard outside the door.

    [Guard#1: Madam! Great news!!! You��d soon have a grandson!!!]

    Excited to share the news, he sent a message to Leo��s mother, who was hosting a tea party at their mansion. When she saw the message from Leo��s subordinate, she was greatly shocked and puzzled. Her son had always avoided women, so this sudden development left her bewildered. Nervousness gripped her as she messaged back,pletely misunderstanding the situation.

    [Mrs. Hendrix: Did my sone out of the closet?!]

    Instead of answering, he sent the short video he sneakily took to Leo��s mother.

    [Mrs. Hendrix: She��s indeed very beautiful, but have you checked her origin? Is she from Thand?]

    Mrs. Hendrix was incredulously suspicious of her son suddenly showing interest in a woman when he had never shown such closeness to women before, or even the slightest bit of interest. She began to wonder if he was into men, and if Hera might be...

    [Guard#1: ???]

    [Guard#1: I��m sorry, madam, I don��t understand.]

    [Mrs. Hendrix: I was just asking if she wasn��t a man before who��s gone under the knife.]

    [Guard#1: !!! No, madam, she was born a woman.]

    She was bing increasingly skeptical now. It was only natural, considering she wasn��t very privy to her own son��s love life, knowing Leo��s aversion to being pushed into things. Although she was aware that her father-inw had arranged a fianc��e for him, she had never seen or heard Leo mention anything about it.

    [Guard#1: Madam, Young Master wasn��t interested in anyone before because he had already set his eyes on someone.]

    [Mrs. Hendrix: Really?]

    [Guard#1: Absolutely!]

    He wasn��t entirely sure, but sensing that their Young Master��s sexual orientation and capabilities were being questioned, he feared he might be the first to face consequences for revealing his young master��s personal affairs to his mother that led to this misunderstanding.

    After receiving reassurance and learning that she would soon have a stunning daughter-inw, Mrs. Hendrix was overjoyed. The news came at the perfect moment as she was hosting a tea party with her friends, giving her the opportunity to proudly introduce her future daughter-inw to them.

 Chapter 242 Athena’s Lesson

    Reading Athena��s message sent Hera��s mind back to the steamy moment with Leo. She subconsciously nced at Leo, who was peacefully sleeping in his bed and felt her face heat up.

    [Athena: What��s with the silence? Are you weighing who gave you the most orgasms?]

    [Hera: Athena! Get your mind out of the gutter, will you?]

    [Athena: Babe, no matter how innocent you are, I��m sure none of those men could hold back when they saw you drugged and alluringly waiting for some action.]

    Athena was teasing Hera to the max, eagerly awaiting her response. It was impossible for Hera not to pick up any lewd thoughts, surrounded by godly specimens, especially when drugged. After all, she had spent many years with Athena, who never minced her words and was always into these kinds of talks, constantly acting like a horny bitch but never getting a boyfriend to scratch her itch. Athena loved seeing Hera get nervous and teasing her, but this time, something had indeed happened. Athena could easily sense it from Hera��s reaction, even through text messages.

    [Hera: ...]

    [Athena: Oh?! Don��t you want to tell this auntie how it goes? I��m sure that I can offer you some good advice and maybe some good technique that would keep them reeling, with that, I��m sure that they wouldn��t easily leave you.]

    Hera recognized that Athena was teasing her and trying to extract juicy gossip, so she set aside her phone and ignored Athena��s ongoing messages. Despite silencing her phone to find peace of mind, Athena��s persistent texts continued to upy her thoughts, prompting Hera to wonder if she should indeed consider learning some techniques.

    However, she soon realized that her best friend was trying to sway her once more. Hera shook her head to dismiss Athena��s words and refocused on the task at hand. Afterpleting her task, she returned to Leo��s bedside to check on him.

    He slept peacefully, though his brows furrowed asionally, prompting her to gently smooth out the lines on his forehead. Even in slumber, he appeared remarkably handsome. Hera lingered a moment longer by his bedside before quietly leaving the room. As she softly closed the door behind her, she noticed Leo��s subordinate standing watch outside.

    "Hello, sir. I��m heading home now. Leo��s in your care," Hera said respectfully, nodding briefly before striding away. Her mind felt surprisingly clear this time, free from the usual overthinking that gued her.

    In the serene confines of the private room, the man who was supposed to be resting peacefully stirred awake. His eyes, typically cool and distant, now shimmered with a glint of delight as he gently traced his forehead where Hera had touched him. A warmth spread through his chest, a sensation that brought him unexpectedfort. He couldn��t deny the appeal of this feeling; it was soothing, and he found himself drawn to it, as though it could easily be addictive.

    This time, he drifted back to sleep, enveloped in the lingering scent of Hera that seemed to surround him. It felt as if she were still there, and he found himself reluctant to leave the room just yet. With her presence lingering in his senses, he slipped into sleep almost immediately.

    When Hera arrived home, she didn��t have the chance to do anything else; instead, she headed straight for a warm bath to rx for half an hour before going to bed. The day had been long and eventful, leaving her feeling thoroughly exhausted, both physically and mentally. She quickly fell into a deep sleep,pletely exhausted from the day��s events.

    When she woke up the next day, the first thing Hera did was check her phone for news from Gerald��s investigation. Surprisingly, there were no updates from Gerald, but there was a message from Leo sent as early as 5 am.

    [Leo: Good morning, Hera! I��m feeling much better now and have returned home. The examination went smoothly, and thankfully, there were noplications or long-term effects, all thanks to your antidote and...]

    Leo wasn��t trying to insinuate anything; he genuinely felt fine and grateful toward his future wife. Yet, he still wanted to continue the conversation with her and was pondering other topics to include in the text message. Little did he know that his closing words would be misinterpreted by Hera, who thought he was reminding her about the promise of taking responsibility and more.

    <i>��So early in the morning, and my mind is already in the gutter.��</i> Hera patted her cheeks awake before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. Afterward, she dressed in ck leggings, a snug white tank top that entuated her curves, and running shoes. Despite the simplicity of her outfit, it emphasized her curvaceous figure, including her ample bust and perky rear.

    Before heading out for her morning run, Hera texted Leo.

    [Hera: I��m really d to hear that you��re finally feeling better.]

    However, she felt her first message might have seemed a bit distant, so she sent another text.

    [Hera: Don��t forget to have a nutritious breakfast before heading to work.]

    Leo found the second message amusing and it brought a smile to his face for the entire day.

    Content with her text to Leo, she tucked her phone into her belt bag and set off for her morning jog.

    The morning dew and crisp air were refreshing, clearing her mind as she ranps around the expansive garden, taking in the serene surroundings.

 Chapter 243 The Wild Luke?

    She was well aware that Luke was the quickest among the male leads to be aroused, always ready for intimate encounters anywhere and anytime. In the novel, Luke had the most passionate moments with the female lead outdoors, their interactions mirroring those of a newlywed couple whenever they exchanged nces.

    Now, Hera could only cry in her thoughts because Athena kept on grumbling about this information and now, she couldn��t keep clean thoughts to herself whenever she sees the male leads. Their presence constantly challenged her acting ability to pretend like she was not disturbed or was thinking about something indecent while around them.

    Hera pretended not to notice anything, and they continued jogging together in silence, the atmosphere between them harmonious. If Leo were to witness this scene, he would likely overturn the table in anger. Leo had deliberately piled Luke��s te with work to keep him upied in his office, hoping to rattle him. However, despite Leo��s efforts to burden him, Luke��s natural charisma and leadership qualities coupled with his ��male lead halo�� enabled him to resolve the issues Leo threw at him in a single sleepless night.

    He was about to go to sleep, but after recalling what Dave had mentioned the day before, Luke altered his ns and decided to go for a run, hoping to ��coincidentally�� encounter Hera and spend more time with her.

    Luke was decisive about his preferences. If he enjoyed something, he acted promptly to seize opportunities before others could intervene. He detested wasting time that could be spent pursuing his passions rather than fretting over trivial matters. Like many male leads, he was determined and possessive, willing to go to great lengths to achieve his desires.

    He was fiercelypetitive yet adept at leveraging his strengths, with a deep understanding of himself. Luke was clear about his likes and dislikes. The moment he first saw Hera in the lounge of the Jade Dragon Building, he felt a slight interest in her. As he watched her on the Variety Show and observed how she interacted with others, his admiration grew. She captivated him with her demeanor, prompting him to actively participate in the chat section and watch the Variety Show attentively from start to finish.

    While Rafael struggled with seeing Hera as merely a financial opportunity and suppressed any romantic interest, and Zhane remained uncertain, viewing Hera solely as a former patient, Luke was distinct. He recognized his feelings for Hera from the very beginning.

    He was keenly aware of the burgeoning passion he felt for her and made every effort to conceal this side of himself, fearing it might intimidate her. Yes, he had entertained the idea of making her his wife, acknowledging the potential forpetition among his friends who also showed interest in her. He had thought through these scenarios carefully.

    In the novel, he is initially portrayed as thest to engage romantically with the female lead, not showing interest until they spend a week stranded on an ind together. During this time alone, they became intimately entangled, and he came to admire her resilience and admirable character, ultimately leading him to ept her.

    At this moment, his admiration, which was supposedly directed towards Alice, had shifted towards Hera. However, Hera had not yet grasped this crucial shift. Despite the male leads showing interest in her, she remained uncertain about how long she could maintain their attention and prevent them from turning their focus back to Alice, possibly reenacting events from the novel and jeopardizing her family��s stability.

    That��s why, aside from Leo, she could be kinder to the male leads and not treat them as her enemy since the tragedy has yet to happen but she can��t bring herself to open up to thempletely at this point because of the uncertainty, and Luke could also feel that Hera has build a solid wall around her heart that wouldn��t be easy to prate if he really wanted to make her him woman.

 Chapter 244 Breakfast Date with Luke

    Hera mulled over these thoughts as she showered and got ready. She then changed into white elephant cks paired with a cream turtleneck long-sleeve top, a ck slim belt, and a light brown trench coat. Without the coat, her outfit highlighted her figure in all the right ces, making her look sexy yet elegant. The attire hugged her curves, showcasing her perky ass and ample chest without being overly sensual.

    She also wore pearl earrings paired with a matching pearl ne, which she doubled with a simple gold ne to add a touch of fashionable elegance. She tied up her hair to give her features a clean and fresh look, suitable for the college girl she was. Toplete her outfit, she wore cream-colored 4-inch sling shoes from Dior��stest collection and carried a Chanel Diamond Forever bag, which featured real diamonds. Her light-colored attire made the bag stand out slightly due to its heavier color. The overall look was understatedly rich; aside from her bag, none of her clothes had visible logos that could reveal their designer origins.

    Unless someone had a discerning eye, her attire would appear understated, yet it was clear that her clothes were for the wealthy who don��t need logos to prove their status. Hera feltfortable and confident in her outfit. After all, which girl doesn��t love wearing beautiful clothes that match her mood? Hera enjoyed dressing up, not to impress others, but to feel good about herself.

    After she was done, she went down the stairs.

    "Young Miss, breakfast is ready," Amy said with a smile, openly admiring Hera��s beauty as she descended the stairs.

    Hera suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to mention she��d be eating breakfast out. "Amy, I��m so sorry! I forgot to tell you, a friend invited me for breakfast. Please enjoy the meal with Hannah. I might bete again tonight, so don��t wait up for me, okay?" Her sweet smile remained unchanged as she made her way out, leaving Amy curious about the friend who had made Hera look so happy.

    Hera made her way down to Luke��s floor and rang the inte at his door. She didn��t have to wait long before the door opened. Expecting to see a maid, she was surprised to find Luke himself weing her. He wore a ck apron, with the sleeves of his sweater rolled up to his elbows, a sight that made her smile.

    He looked homely, almost like a housewife, yet his masculinity remained undeniably prominent. His strong forearms were on disy, and his sweater subtly highlighted his corbone and long neck, giving him an effortlessly sexy appearance.

    When he saw her at the entrance, he gave her an admiring once-over before breaking into a wide smile. "You look stunning," he effortlesslyplimented before inviting her inside. Leading her to the dining table, he insisted she stay out of the kitchen while he returned to cooking. His whole ce exuded minimalistic simplicity, adorned with dark wood, gold ents, and touches of white and grey. Unlike her penthouse, Luke��s apartment spanned a single floor but boasted three guest rooms, a master bedroom, an entertainment room, and a living area that extended into a spacious dining zone, albeit not as vast as hers.

    But his apartment was spotless and organized, devoid of any signs of another upant, exhibiting a meticulous symmetry that hinted at a touch of OCD. Luke moved effortlessly in the open kitchen, visible to Hera as she watched him. His hair was slightly tousled, suggesting he hadn��t bothered tob it before diving into cooking. Despite this, he appeared rxed and unexpectedly appetizing, more so than the food he was preparing.

    <i>��So early in the morning! My goodness, brain, can you give me a break?��</i> she muttered inwardly, her thoughts veering into less-than-holy territory.

    He unexpectedly nced up and met Hera��s gaze before a smug smirk curled his lips, clearly pleased with himself. Hera felt her face flush with embarrassment at being caught openly staring at him. Before she could look away, Luke ran his finger along the edge of the bowl he was whisking, then sensually sucked the mixture off his fingertip, his eyes locked provocatively with hers.

    He was openly seducing her. Hera felt her neck tense as she saw Luke��s predatory eyes locked on her. After he sensually pulled his index finger from his mouth, he licked it again, sending her a devilishly handsome grin that caused Hera��s core to tighten. Luckily, she managed to maintain a nk expression, but Luke seemed unfazed by herck of reaction to his tant seduction and continued cooking as if nothing had happened.

 Chapter 245 Slander

    Below was a series of pictures: one showing her stepping out of a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster with Leo in the passenger seat, another in a hotel lobby with Dave (Leo absent from the shot, making it appear separate), one where Zhane carried her inside a hospital, and the final one with all six of them surrounding her as she headed to meet Bry, his father, and uncle for a consultation.

    Hera��s brows twitched as she scrolled down, reading the nderous article under the trending topic intended to tarnish her reputation. Despite the negativity, she couldn��t help but be somewhat amused; after all, some parts of it were true. It was also an opportunity for the public to get ustomed to seeing her photographed with the male leads.

    She read through thements below, filled with vulgar and harsh words that were clearly from keyboard warriors and likely a hired water army meant to fuel the controversy.

    [Dummy123: She��s truly living the life of a loose woman, or perhaps this is her actual profession��being an escort, letting anyone with money sleep with her. I have money too. How much do you charge? I wouldn��t mind trying this forbidden fruit. Kekekeke.]

    [PasserbyGod: Hey, buddy upstairs, use your real ount before you talk. Seems like you��re getting paid by the hour to smear someone. How can you even afford a regr escort?

    [HeraismySister: Someone seems jealous of my sister��s beauty and her handsome suitors. Look at those male gods who��ve descended to the mortal realm!!!! Aren��t they just absolute eye candy? It��s only natural that such outstanding men would be drawn to my sister��after all, she��s not just beautiful but incredibly talented too.]

    [AuntieMe: So, in short, she��s just a woman who jumps from one man to another. Don��t try to dress it up as something virtuous and beautiful, girl above.]

    [Iambeautiful: What talent did she even have? Seducing men with her vixen face?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Ooh, I smell sour lemons from afar! Some bitches are clearly jealous of Hera because she��s beautiful and well-liked. It��s obvious someone wants to nder her. So what if she has many suitors? These jealous people wish they had suitors like Hera��s, but with their ugly faces and ugly hearts, they can��t even attract a man half as outstanding. Die from envy, you bitches!! Nyahahahah! (?? ?��??) �� (????? )]

    She wasn��t in a hurry to address it immediately. Instead, she sent a message to Gerald to investigate who was behind the trending topic. After messaging him, she returned to the same page and scrolled down, where she noticed the second trending topic. Moreover, her rapidly growing fanbase had already begun to defend her, bing as formidable as Xavier��s fan base.

    She couldn��t help but chuckle as she read through thements where her dedicated fans were roasting the keyboard warriors. Despite their serious defense of her, they managed to inject yfulness and mischief into their responses, which amused her greatly.

    Little did she know that Leo was spearheading the effort, leading her fans in a counterattack against the water armies and keyboard warriors. Most of her supporters were reporting the offensive and nderous ounts, while Leo mobilized his own legal team to send cease-and-desist letters to those responsible for spreading nderousments.

    He also meticulously took screenshots of thements as evidence against those individuals, along with their IP addresses and actual addresses obtained through tracking their ounts. Only after gathering this information did he authorize Hera��s fan base to report and take action against those ounts.

    The silver lining in this situation is that Xavier, who was also captured in thest photo, managed to avoid any bacsh from his fans. Fortunately, they believe in Xavier��s character and his discerning nature when ites to forming rtionships, especially with women. Given his sharp wit and venomous tongue, they are confident he would swiftly dismiss anyone with ulterior motives attempting to get close to him. Consequently, Xavier��s fans understand that Hera is not responsible for stirring up this scandal, recognizing that someone else has targeted both her and Xavier. They feel indignant because this individual has also involved Xavier in the controversy.

    Xavier had maintained a pristine record without any prior involvement in scandals, serving as a role model for all actors, his fans were particrly enraged. The individual who initiated this controversy unwittingly stirred up a ho��s nest, unaware that Xavier was also captured in the picture.

    Even without seeing Xavier��s full face in the picture��only a glimpse of his ck trench coat and his distinctive hand essories��his dedicated fans immediately recognized him. They possess an uncanny ability to identify Xavier from among numerous individuals based on small details like his essories, clothing, and other subtle indicators, much like obsessive fans often do.

    So, just like before, Hera��s and Xavier��s fans united in thement section to push back against the attacks. They exchanged harsh words with the keyboard warriors and hired trolls, who felt personally targeted. The discussion veered off-topic quickly, devolving into a flurry of personal insults that had little relevance to Hera or Xavier anymore.

    This drew more bystanders to watch themotion, significantly boosting Hera��s poprity. Thanks to Leo��s exceptional management and leadership, what started as a controversy turned into a promotional opportunity for Hera herself.

    Betty doesn��t even need to do anything when she has already prepared their PR team to handle the matter but Leo was faster than her and was amazed at how things turned out. She now saw Hera as her most promising talent, a fortunate individual destined to be a lucrative asset.

    [#2 Daily Trending Topic Alexi and Minerva��s love story.]

    Seeing the second trending topic was a clear giveaway that Minerva was using her again as a stepping stone to portray her love story with Alexi as purepared to Hera��s involvement with multiple men. It seemed like a stunt to elevate their own standing, leveraging Hera��s greater fame. Besides, wasn��t Minerva with Alice yesterday in the hotel?

    So Hera deduced that Minerva must have already been in the hotel lobby, snapping a picture of her with Dave and Leo with the intention to nder her thereafter. It appeared that the lessons she imparted to Minerva weren��t sufficient to deter these attacks. <i>��If only it were that simple to make them stop,��</i> Hera mused to herself. <i>��My family wouldn��t have suffered their downfall, and I wouldn��t have met my demise, would I?��</i> She chided herself for entertaining such naive thoughts once again.

 Chapter 246 Luke Taking action

    Ding!

    The moment she posted it, Luke��s phone buzzed with a notification. Curious, he checked it and saw Hera��s social media post from early in the morning. He smiled as he admired the clean, marble-like gray ceramic bowls and te in the picture. What made him even happier was spotting his own hand resting on the table in the frame.

    Hera seemed to have overlooked it, her attention solely on the empty te on the table. The setting appeared different from her penthouse dining area, sparking curiosity among her followers. Many spected that the elegant hand visible in the photo belonged to a man, possibly one of the suitors or rumored sugar daddies shown in a picture circting earlier that morning.

    [IamGod: Is that a man��s hand? It looks so sculpted and beautiful, like a piece of art.]

    [Heraismysister: If I could have such handsome and caring sugar daddies, sign me up! Forget modesty and virtue!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Hey, sister above. Hold your horses! You might mislead everyone into thinking that my sister Hera is really that kind of person with many men. But I have to agree with you. Who among us hasn��t dreamed of being surrounded by such handsome specimens? ��( �਌ ��)��]

    [PasserbyGod: Oh Daddy!! I��m turning gay too! )]

    [JustReading: She must be eating at his house. Was this a breakfast date? And who cooked? ???]

    [GoldenLight: Please, don��t exaggerate it, I only cooked a simple meal for a friend.]

    Luke replied to thements, pretending it was nothing, though inside he was floating with pride. He knew once the other five saw it, they would turn green with envy. ��Serves them right for being so slow,�� he smirked to himself, setting his phone aside. Hera had stood up to put away the dishes, and Luke didn��t stop her. This way, she could feel more at home, and they could act like a couple sharing equal responsibilities, happily coexisting.

    He could only be pleased with this development for now. He had heard about Dave��s thoughtless actions these past few days, or perhaps they made him confess on his own before things turned ugly.

    Dave had no choice but to confess, and his recorded admission was sent to their group chat as evidence. Everyone heard how he had stayed and climbed into Hera��s bed, how he acted during their lunch at the hotel with Leo, and how he behaved in front of Hera at the hospital. They chided Dave for acting so childish and impatient, especially since he was thest one to know her.

    The one who chided and roasted Dave the most was Xavier who has been doing his best to slightly get closer to Hera little by little without trying to be so annoying, yet Dave acted so immature and so possessive right off the bat. Everyone wanted to have a piece of his meat at that time after finding out.

    Dave admitted to his actions, exining that being thest to know Hera made him impatient. He feared being left behind by his capable friends and only "eating their dust," as he put it.

 Chapter 247 Help me

    But instead of crouching, Lukey down on the couch, resting his head on Hera��sp. His hands were folded over his stomach, and his eyes were closed. A subtle smile yed on his lips as he waited for Hera to start applying the cream.

    "This..." Hera began to protest but realized she couldn��t think of a better way to apply the cream.

    "If I crouched in front of you, we��d end up in a somewhat suggestive position. I can��t have you climbing on a chair to reach me, so I figured this would be the most innocent option, don��t you think?" His words made sense, but his tone was anything but innocent, sounding rather suggestive.

    Hera decided not to dwell on it any longer, eager to get it over with. <i>��It was my decision to steal the male leads away from Alice. No pain, no gain,��</i> she reminded herself. If she truly wanted to steal the male leads, she had to ept that they were all sensual creatures who wouldn��t back down. The only way out would be to step back and give the position back to Alice.

    She scooped a small amount of the cream with her index finger and began applying it under his eyes. "You smell nice. I never knew a flowery scent could be this rxing and enticing at the same time," Luke said, his eyes slowly opening. Hera froze midway, meeting his gaze up close. His golden orbs glinted with amusement. "Tell me, what perfume are you wearing? Hmm?" he asked, reaching out to touch some locks of her hair resting on her shoulders.

    "Why, are you nning to use it too?" Hera asked, her eyebrows raised in clear amusement.

    Luke chuckled softly, his deep, maic chuckle reverberating in the room. His Adam��s apple bobbed slightly, his eyes glowing with a hint of amusement.

    "No," he said, twirling Hera��s strand of hair gently. "But I��ll buy the entire brand so you can be the only one who uses it. This perfume seems like it was made for you," he added sincerely.

    Hera chuckled softly. "What if there is more than one perfume that suits me? Would you still do the same?" Her tone was yful, not expecting Luke to smile and nod in response.

    "Why not? I have the means to make it happen. It would bother me to smell the same perfume on another woman, knowing it wouldn��t be as perfect as it is on you. It would feel a bit offensive," Luke replied with a smile.

    "Why would that be offensive? It��s just a perfume." Hera absentmindedly flicked Luke��s forehead, momentarily forgetting that he was one of the male leads. It was a habit she picked up from Athena whenever she spoke in such a manner, and her hand moved quicker than her thoughts, catching Luke off guard.

    But Luke like this kind of intimacy with Hera, his gaze shifted a little more intensely at her. Hera has gotten a little familiar with that kind of gaze that was simr to how Leo looked at her when he was drugged, it was a little lighter than Leo, but it was still full of hunger and amusement.

    But Luke resisted acting on it and soon regained hisposure, returning to his usual gentle and calm demeanor. Hera inwardly sighed with relief as she gathered her things to head to her campus.

 Chapter 248 First Day of School

    She hadn��t realized there could be such a disgusting man in the world. Though she only summarized the information for Hera, what she heard from Gerald had been more detailed and vivid, leaving her skin still crawling with fear and disgust.

    Hera frowned. If Tyler was targeting heiresses from families with only female sessors, why Athena? She had a brother. Was it because she had the support of two powerful families, and the benefits she could offer were substantial enough for him to overlook her brother��s existence?

    "Alright, keep up the good work," Hera said calmly andposedly, though inwardly she felt a turmoil of emotions.

    Thanks to her preparedness and Cindy��s timely reminder, Hera arrived at her campus without any issues and managed to evade the paparazzi��s attention. However, due to the ongoing trending topic, news about her had spread among the university students, making her more widely known. This newfound attention had made her increasingly popr in various ways, but public opinion of her remained divided among both citizens and the university students on campus.

    As Hera stepped out of her car, she noticed students whispering and talking animatedly around her. Pretending not to be affected would be a lie, but she understood that entering the entertainment world meant facing such attention and the possibility of scandals.

    Her rapid rise in poprity among the citizens made her a perceived threat, and jealousy brewed among those who learned about the caliber of suitors she attracted. Her priority now was safeguarding her image to ensure it wouldn��t hinder her as she prepared to step out and be introduced to the masses as the rightful heiress of the Avery Consortium.

    Hera didn��t linger in the parking area and headed straight to therge event center in the heart of the university. Typically used by the theater arts department for their monthly performances, the venue was repurposed for events like the freshman weing ceremony or guest speakers, relegating the theater arts students to a smaller theater during such times.

    Although it was the first day of school, the only events aside from the weing ceremony were club recruitment activities. Hera was there primarily to mark her attendance, gather any instructions from professors, and see if there was anything she needed to prepare before sses began. Additionally, she wanted to get to know her new and old ssmates.

    "Excuse me, miss! Could you tell me where the event center is?" someone asked, tapping Hera on the shoulder.

    "Are you a freshman?" Hera inquired with an amiable smile. The freshman smiled back, but he was so tall that Hera had to look up to meet his eyes, which were hidden behind thick sses and bangs. His ck hair was unkempt like a bird��s nest, and he wore ck jeans and a ck hooded jacket while clutching his backpack.

    He had the typical look of a nerd, but his voice was cool and clear.

    "You can follow me; I��m headed that way too," Hera said, gesturing for the tall freshman to follow her. To her surprise, other freshmen who had been watching nearby also began to follow her like ducklings trailing their mother. It was understandable��the campus was sorge that it would take a whole day to walk around every department, and it was difficult for freshmen to navigate without guidance.

    They had all been meaning to ask for directions, but everyone they encountered was too busy to stop and help. Fortunately, one brave soul among them gathered the courage to ask��and even approached the most beautiful girl he saw, which they found quite bold. If they didn��t know better, they might have thought the nerdy student was trying to hit on their senior. Luckily, Hera didn��t take offense. Instead, she happily guided them to the event center like a tour guide, pointing out various ces and exining which departments they belonged to along the way.

 Chapter 249 Logan Walker

    If there were a male siren, it would sound just like him��cool, clear, and with a soothing effect. Logan��s voice had a calming quality akin to Luke��s, albeit subtly different. Perhaps it was because Logan possessed the vocal cords of a singer, whereas Luke was a male lead gifted not only in looks but in almost every aspect.

    "D-Do you really think so, senior?" Logan stuttered, clearly unused topliments. He started to feel shy after Hera praised him.

    "I don��t lie. If you have any recorded songs, I��d genuinely listen to them," Hera replied, sincerely considering it. With a voice as clear as his, she couldn��t imagine his singing being anything but pleasant to the ear��unless he was tone-deaf.

    "Um... Actually, senior, I do have a recording of my singing. I was nning to pass it to some agencies to see if it makes the cut. I can give you one too," Logan shyly offered, pulling out a in-looking CD from his backpack. Hera noticed there were more than a dozen CDs inside his bag.

    Hera epted the CD from him. As she took it, she recalled something Athena had mentioned before about a talented singerposer who had crafted numerous award-winning songs and supported Alice in her pursuits. She quickly dismissed the thought��encountering such talented individuals wasn��t as easy as picking up cabbages off the street.

    Smiling warmly at Logan, she ced the CD in her bag. Wanting to stay in touch, she exchanged numbers with him. He was still her junior, and helping him out a bit wouldn��t hurt. Since she would be meeting Bettyter, she figured she could introduce her to this promising talent as well.

    Universal Entertainment falls under the Avery banner, so finding new talent for theirpany would definitely benefit Hera. Otherwise, Rafael might swoop in and steal the opportunity.

    "Since you mentioned sending copies to agencies, are you considering sending some to UE as well?" Hera asked as they strolled inside the event center. She couldn��t help but be curious. Despite pushing aside the idea that Logan might be the genius singerposer mentioned in the novel, part of her still hoped it could be true.

    She couldn��t quite recall if Athena had mentioned the name of that character. He wasn��t featured prominently in the novel but yed a crucial role in helping Alice.

    Logan awkwardly chuckled as he scratched his nose shyly. "Senior, I don��t think I��m good enough to even dream of auditioning for UE or other majorpanies. I was just nning to test my luck with smaller agencies."

    "How about this: after this, I��ll go to UE and we can give it a shot. Sound good?" Hera didn��t want to miss this opportunity. Perhaps she was already enchanted by his voice, like a siren calling to a sailor. Just the thought of hearing him sing with that voice was enticing. Even if he wasn��t the genius singerposer from the novel, discovering new talent was always worthwhile.

    Observing Logan��s contemtion, Hera sensed his hesitation. Perhaps he was concerned about potential embarrassment or dampening his enthusiasm if UE were to turn him down. She understood his uncertainty and fears.

    Hera added, "You don��t have to say a thing. Juste with me and let me do the talking. We��ll have my manager listen to your recording, and they can decide from there. There��s no harm in trying, right?" She winked at Logan, hoping to ease his worries. "Besides, as aposer, I��m sure you��d love to see UE��sposition room. It��s got everything you could dream of��top-notch equipment, the best of the best," Hera said teasingly.

    Only after Hera said thest part did Logan��s ears perk up. He hadn��t reacted to anything Hera had said earlier, and now she thought to herself, <i>��Bribing someone really is the best course of action, huh?��</i>

    <i>��I should also ask Betty for a referral fee for bringing in talent,��</i> she thought, seeing Logan finally nod his head in agreement.

    "Let��s meet up here again once the ceremony is over, and we can explore together afterward. I can give you a tour of the campus since you��re still a freshman and may not be familiar with the surroundings." Hera noticed his embarrassed expression as if he didn��t want to trouble her.

    "Don��t worry," she added with a teasing smile, "think of it as me looking out for my juniors. Just treat me to a meal once you��re doing better."

    To Hera, Logan seemed like a well-behaved younger brother��sensible and a bit sensitive, easily embarrassed. She couldn��t help but admire the courage it must have taken for him to approach her earlier for directions. Tilting her head slightly, shepared the Logan in front of her now with the Logan from earlier, and it all made sense to her.

    It��s not that he has thin skin or is overly shy; he behaves like any normal person would. However, when ites to his talents and crafts, he doesn��t seem very confident in himself. It��s as if he always anticipates criticism rather thanpliments, expecting the worst when ites to his talent. Despite this, he refuses to give up on his passion.

 Chapter 250 The Dejected Logan

    She hadn��t intended to pay attention to the gossip at that moment, but seeing the perpetrators nearby ignited her fury. However, she still awaited the investigation report from Gerald and hadn��t decided on her retaliation strategy yet. So, she chose to let her anger subside first and avoided looking their way. But just as she tried to divert her gaze, her eyes met Alexi��s. In his gaze, she saw a mixture of anger and obsession that Hera couldn��tprehend��or perhaps didn��t want to.

    She had long since stopped caring about Alexi��s opinions, so when he shed his most charming smile at her, she simply ignored it and turned her attention back to the stage. Fortunately, the ceremony was drawing to a close, and she wouldn��t have to linger there any longer.

    On the other side, she spotted Logan with a handsome young man who was quite the opposite of him. The young man beside Logan was flirting with the girls behind him, disying a boy-next-door vibe simr to Alexi��s. However, this young man was a bit more pompouspared to Alexi��s more restrained demeanor.

    The young man noticed Hera��s gaze and gave her a wink and a charming smile. Hera was a little taken aback. <i>��Does everyone have eyes in the back of their heads?��</i> she thought, quickly averting her gaze. Determined to avoid any more strange encounters, she kept her eyes fixed on the stage.

    As soon as the ceremony ended, Hera quickly made her way to the exit, hoping to avoid Minerva and her group to prevent any potential drama. However, since she needed to wait for Logan, she hid behind a pir near the event center signboard, peeking out asionally to check for him.

    A couple of minutes after she exited, Hera spotted Minerva��s group surrounded by other studentsing out of the event center. They all looked approachable, smiling and chatting with the students around them. Alice and Minerva were both engaged in conversation with some female students, while Alexi stood apart, scanning the exit area. He responded to others with brief nods and monosybic answers, clearly preupied with his search.

    After a while, the crowd began to disperse, and Hera saw Logan��s tall figure emerging from the event center. The young man with him ran to catch up with Alexi and his group, leaving Logan behind with a quick tap on the shoulder. Logan didn��t react much, keeping his head down as he continued on his way out.

    Logan looked dejected as he walked out of the event center, his head hanging low. Hera sensed that something was wrong, but she couldn��t quite pinpoint what it was. Stepping out from behind the signboard, she grabbed Logan��s arm and gently but firmly led him toward the parking lot.

    But Logan was unmovable. "Senior, I don��t think I cane with you," he said, his voice full of hesitation.

    "Why is that?" Hera asked, tilting her head to the side. She could sense his fluctuating mood.

    Logan stayed silent, pursing his lips as if struggling to turn his thoughts into words, only to be thwarted by his own uncertainty.

    "Did something happen? Did anything spoil your mood?" Hera asked gently, like an older sister concerned for her younger brother.

    "Logan!"

    Hera was surprised and looked behind her, only to see the young man who had been with Logan earlier returning, his expression annoyed. Alexi and the others were also watching from a distance. Hera had thought they had already left, and now she was even more puzzled by the young man��s return.

 Chapter 251 A Bystander’s Point Of View (Edited)

    Hera looked at Logan, towering like amppost yet quiet as a mouse. She couldn��t understand why he wasn��t standing up for himself, but she also knew that she couldn��t force help upon someone who didn��t seek it. Despite feeling resigned to inaction, she struggled with the urge to do something.

    Hera smiled at Logan��s friend. "No need. I was just treating him to the cafeteria since I had some extra. Maybe you could join those other freshmen you��re with��they seem well-off. Perhaps they��d be up for treating some new friends." She gestured subtly towards Minerva, who she knew came from a wealthy background. While Minerva didn��t catch Hera��s words, she sensed Hera nudging the guys in their direction.

    After hearing Hera��s suggestion, the young man hesitated visibly, his expression betraying deep thought. "Then, senior, how about treating me to a meal too after this?" he finally asked, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

    Hearing his bold request to be treated to a meal by a girl he had just met once took Hera by surprise, momentarily shocking her. Fortunately, due to her suggestion, the young man excused himself and returned to Minerva��s group. He didn��t leave until he red at Logan, but his manner conveyed a clear message for him to go home and not apany Hera.

    Hera found their interaction overly controlling. "Are they a couple?" she wondered silently. She nced up at Logan, observing his reactions closely. When he caught her knowing gaze, he seemed to interpret it as judgmental and felt he was unfairly wronged.

    Hera observed that he didn��t appear romantically involved with his friend; instead, he seemed insecure andcked self-confidence.

    Meeting Logan��s friend under those circumstances rified Hera��s understanding of Logan��s demeanor. While she couldn��t fathom the reasons behind his friend��s actions, one thing was certain: that guy wasn��t Logan��s friend.

    After hearing everything he said to Logan, his subtle way of belittling Logan while elevating himself suggested that this was a regr urrence. He systematically undermined Logan��s self-confidence under the guise of caring for him, effectively shattering his self-confidence and self-worth while isting him.

    If that was the case, how long had he been doing that to Logan? A year, two years, or perhaps even longer? Hera nced at Logan standing quietly beside her, appearing a bit hurt but choosing not to speak up, almost as if he silently agreed with his friend��s disparaging remarks. He gripped his backpack tightly, clearly ready to leave without Hera.

    Minerva and her cronies also departed, casting a mocking sneer on Hera��s way. Logan��s friend must have informed them about her suggestion to treat Logan to the cafeteria, which was likely why Minerva left with a satisfied spring in her step.

    But Hera refused to give up; she wanted to trust her instincts that Logan possessed a hidden talent, and she felt she was uncovering a gem. Observing his friend��s actions only strengthened her belief that he might be undermining Logan out of envy for his talent. With this new perspective, Hera was increasingly convinced that this jealousy was a significant factor driving his behavior towards Logan.

    So, she became even more determined to bring him back with her to thepany. When she saw Logan walking briskly away from her, seemingly heading home, Hera clung to his arm like a child, her eyes starting to well up with red-rimmed tears.

 Chapter 252 You Can’t Ditch Me(Edited)

    Hearing his sincere promise, Hera wasted no time. She grabbed his hand and led him briskly to the parking spot. It took them almost half an hour to reach her car. As soon as she spotted it in the parking lot, she unlocked it with her keys from a distance, surprising the other students gathered around. Hera paid them no mind and focused on getting Logan settled into the car.

    She paid little attention to the students lingering around her car, oblivious to the fact that among them were those who had been with Minerva earlier and Logan��s friend. Before anyone could react, they witnessed Hera practically stuffing Logan into her car like a big teddy bear, as if she feared he might flee. With swift determination, she dashed to the driver��s side, entered the car in a heartbeat, and drove off abruptly, leaving everyone around bewildered and exchanging puzzled nces.

    As they were all about to react, Hera��s car had already zoomed away, leaving no trace behind. Logan��s friend appeared flustered and fuming as he watched Logan hanging out with Hera, disregarding his earlier advice to just go home.

    He immediately dialed Logan��s number, hoping that when Logan heard his angry voice, he would turn around and ask Hera to drop him off at the curb. Unaware of Hera��s wealth, he assumed she was like any other student. Despite her beauty, he believed she came from an okay, perhaps well-to-do family that enabled her education at their institution, rather than being exceptionally wealthy like Minerva.

    To say that he wasn��t attracted to Hera would be a lie. However, upon learning that Minerva and her friends came from affluent backgrounds, he saw an opportunity to establish connections during his college years that could potentially benefit his future career.

    He was reluctant to let Logan spend time with Hera because he himself harbored feelings for her and desired to be her boyfriend. This was why he had even asked her out for a meal, even if it was just in the cafeteria. Now, seeing Hera drive a hypercar worth tens of millions made him intensely jealous. Even Minerva didn��t drive such an expensive car.

    He had overheard other students discussing Hera��s car, rumored to be a limited edition. In his mind, he could already picture himself behind the wheel, envisioning a future where he and their attractive senior were together. He saw it as a dream within reach, especially since he considered himself more talented than Logan, or so he believed.

    When Logan��s phone rang inside the car, Hera nced over and noticed him hesitating, fidgety about answering. She deduced it must be his supposed best friend calling, though she couldn��t fathom why at this moment. Hera pulled over to the side of the road, gently took Logan��s phone from his hand, and answered the call herself.

    "Hello?" Her melodious voice rang through the phone. The person on the other end fell silent, the words he had intended to berate Logan with catching in his throat upon hearing Hera��s alluring voice. He found himself unable to muster anger towards her, yet at the same time, he was puzzled by why she had answered Logan��s phone.

    "Hi, I��m sorry for taking Logan��s call, but he��s unconscious right now. I��m rushing him to the hospital," Hera said quickly, her voice tinged with concern. Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call and switched off Logan��s phone. Logan was left stunned by her words and the abruptness of her actions.

    He didn��t understand what had transpired or why Hera feltpelled to lie on his behalf. "S-senior?" he stammered, seeking rification.

    Before he could finish his words, Hera resumed driving and interjected, "You promised toe with me to meet my manager. I think it was your friend who called just now. If you answered, he might have asked you to go home again, so I had to lie." Her tone carried a hint of frustration as she exined to Logan. Seeing her pout, Logan couldn��t help but softly chuckle.

    He couldn��t quite grasp why his senior was behaving unusually, but her actions didn��t seem malicious. He foundfort in her presence and in her clear intention to protect him, which he could sense. Despite her smaller stature, her subtle gestures indicated her effort to shield him. However, he understood that breaking free from long-standing control wasn��t as simple as letting a crooked tree grow straight on its own.</subtxt>

 Chapter 253 Manager Meet My Friend

    He found Hera stunning at that moment, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. Despite feeling unworthy, he couldn��t help but admire the woman before him. She radiated confidence and strength, qualities he felt werecking in himself. A fire ignited within him, awakening his dormant determination. He resolved to match her strength and brilliance, aspiring to be as resilient and inspiring as she was.

    But he also knew that changing how he grew up wouldn��t be easy. Despite the challenges, he was determined to try. He now saw Hera as his role model, perhaps because she was his senior at the university who had noticed his struggles early on and offered him a helping hand that made it easier for him to ept her kind gesture.

    He didn��t even know how things had ended up like this. Truth be told, Hera herself wasn��t entirely sure why she felt sympathetic toward Logan. Perhaps it was a pity, or maybe she sensed his determination despite his self-doubt and contradictions. Her motives weren��t particrly noble, and she didn��t want anyone to mistake her actions for that of a savior or anything simr.

    She simply couldn��t bear the thought of a gem being left buried in the ground for no reason. Hera had convinced herself that she had indeed found a gem in Logan, and she was determined to help him shine brighter than ever.

    This conviction guided Hera in all her decisions; she had a strong instinct that she was doing the right thing.

    Soon after, they arrived at the parking garage of UE. Hera guided Logan into the elevator, and they ascended to the 12th floor where Betty��s office was located. Hera was well-known on that floor, and she greeted familiar faces warmly as they passed. She made no effort to act pretentious, smiling genuinely at everyone they encountered.

    When Hera and Logan reached Betty��s assistant��s desk, the assistant was already waiting for them. She promptly led them into Betty��s office.

    "Ma��am, they are here."

    Betty looked up from the pile of papers in front of her and immediately smiled upon seeing Hera. "You��ve arrived! Please, have a seat. What would you like to drink?" She began tidying her desk, setting the stack of papers aside, before standing up to greet them properly.

    "Tea would be fine for me," Hera answered, her smile blooming like a flower.

    "M-Me too!" Logan replied nervously. He realized Betty was the A-list manager of UE, a big fish indeed, and he hadn��t expected that the manager Hera mentioned was Betty.

    "Hmm? This must be the friend you mentioned?" Betty said, her head tilted in curiosity. She knew Hera was kind but didn��t act without reason, especially in business matters. Bringing someone along meant they were involved somehow, so she surmised this friend was a pleasant surprise with potential.

    "Junior, why don��t you introduce yourself?" Hera said yfully.

    Logan immediately stood up straight, feeling nervous. His arms were stiffly at his sides before he did a 90-degree bow in front of Betty. "H-Hello! My name is Logan Walker! Nice to meet you!"

    Betty couldn��t help but chuckle at how endearingly nervous Logan was. "Hello to you too, Logan. I��m Hera��s manager. It��s nice to meet you."

    She gestured for them to take a seat on the couch. Hera and Logan sat down, with Betty in a chair beside Hera. Betty looked curiously at both of them, raising an eyebrow before her gaze settled on Hera alone. Logan kept his head low, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. If he could, he would have blended into the background entirely.

    "Where should we start?" Betty asked Hera knowingly.

    Understanding Betty��s implication, Hera chuckled softly before replying, "Let��s begin with why you called me here."

    Betty smiled in response just as her assistant entered the room, setting out tea for each of them. Once finished, the assistant discreetly exited the office, closing the door behind her to ensure their privacy for the business discussion.

    Only then did Betty open her mouth to speak. "I called you here to discuss the direction of your career, more as a confirmation so that we��re aligned," she said, blowing gently on her tea before taking a small sip.

    "Betty, I believed in your insight and knew that you have already prepared things for me, as long as it would not require me to do something under the table, I would follow your arrangements and I would also require your assistance in acquiring some information about the roles I would want for myself, I hope this isn��t too much to ask." Hera smiled warmly, aware that her requests, especially regarding roles she might need to wrest from Alice, could pose challenges. Nevertheless, securing these roles was essential to protecting her position and thwarting Alice��s advancement.

 Chapter 254 Manager Meet My Friend 2

    Hera paused to take a sip of tea before continuing, "I believe allowing this topic to fester for a day or two won��t cause much harm. Instead, it could increase my visibility, and my fans are doing an excellent job redirecting the masses to watch the video of me on the Variety Show. This is also boosting the post-production royalties of the show. Interestingly, Xavier��s fans have joined in, amplifying the efforts of my supporters to clear my name. However, I understand this alone won��t be enough, as it could still cause permanent damage to my reputation."

    She ced her cup on the saucer, crossed her legs, and rested her hands on herp. "But what I have prepared in retaliation won��t just catch one fish��it will the big ones who keep bothering me," Hera said with a mysterious smile.

    Betty felt a surge of excitement. Initially, she had only wanted Hera to outline her n, not expecting her to have already devised a counterattack in just one morning.

    "So, you already have a suspect in mind who��s trying to undermine you?" Betty asked, seeking confirmation.

    "Yes, and I want to use this opportunity to retaliate against another enemy who wronged me and my people," Hera said matter-of-factly, as if unbothered. She knew her reputation, closely tied to the Avery family as their sole heiress, couldn��t afford to be tarnished. Her enemies, eager to drag her through the mud, wouldn��t hesitate to use any means necessary. If she only worried about her reputation and didn��t retaliate, the attacks would escte. Moreover, she couldn��t avoid being involved with more than just one person; there were five male leads to contend with, potentially including Leo in the future.

    This kind of scandal was inevitable. What she needed to do was gradually introduce her involvement with the six gentlemen to the public, just as Alice had done.

    She believed that the male leads were far from ideal as lifelong partners. If she had a choice, she would pick Leo without hesitation. However, many lives depended on her, and she valued too many people to think solely of her own happiness.

    "Alright, it seems like you have a clear n. Just inform our PR department of your course of action, and we��ll work with you," Betty said with full confidence. She felt reassured that her faith in Hera was well-ced; Hera wasn��t someone who could be easily bullied, and putting all her eggs in one basket with Hera had been the perfect decision.

    "And now, what about this young man?" Betty asked, shifting her attention to Logan, who had been sitting silently throughout their discussion.

    Logan, who had been quietly eating his egg tart, was caught off guard when Betty directed her attention to him. He inhaled sharply, with the egg tart still in his mouth, causing him to cough hard. Struggling to clear the itch in his throat without spitting out the egg tart, he found himself in a rather awkward predicament.

    He ended up tearing up from the effort, prompting Hera to gently rub his back and hand him his teacup. Hera sighed in defeat. Logan was a big man with the courage of a mouse, and she wasn��t sure whether tough or cry at the sight. It felt like she was looking after a timid younger brother, despite his intimidating height.

    "Alright, don��t be too nervous," Hera said with a sigh. She turned her attention back to Betty after Logan had finally cleared his windpipe with a gulp of tea.

    "I brought a friend to see if his songs meet your standards," Hera said casually.

    "Oh? Is he a singer?" Betty asked, her interest piqued, amusement evident in her eyes.

    "He��s a singer andposer," Hera corrected.

    Betty��s face lit up with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling. She had been concerned because while theirpany boasted many great actors, theycked aspiring singer-artists orposers. The demand was high, and they needed fresh talent to invigorate their ranks.

    ncing at her wristwatch and noting it was still a little early, she stood up from her seat. "Do you have a CD sample with you? If not, we can just put him in front of a microphone," Betty suggested.

    Hera chuckled softly at Betty��s excitement, feeling her own anticipation rise. This was the moment of truth��if she had been mistaken or merely dreaming with her eyes wide open, she risked embarrassing herself in front of Betty and dampening Betty��s enthusiasm. Moreover, she worried about potentially hurting Logan more than helping him. Now, her excitement was tinged with apprehension and nervousness.

 Chapter 255 The Toad in the Well

    "Senior, my artist has discovered a talented singer and we��re here to submit his work for screening," Betty lied without batting an eyelid as if she already made herself believed that what she was telling was the truth, Hera could onlyugh in her mind as she saw her collected manager act like a servile puppy in front of the director who was like a dragon spitting fire everywhere.

    The Director nced behind Betty and saw only one man standing there beside her artist, indicating he was the singer she referred to. He snorted dismissively, showing reluctance to give in, leaning back in his chair while fixing his gaze on the trio.

    "Senior, why not give it a try? You��ve been busy listening all this time, and one more wouldn��t hurt, right?" Betty suggested, but the Director remained unmoved.

    Seeing her manager struggle to convince the Director, Hera decided to step in. Since they were already there, she couldn��t pass up the opportunity to let Logan audition. "How about this, Director?" she suggested casually. "If we lose and you really don��t like how my friend sings, I��ll personally allocate a hundred million funds for the music department."

    Only then did the Director take a long look at Hera, young and beautiful, a true gem. He smirked. "Little girl, we��re not talking about y money here. Besides, are you openly bribing me? Me?!" He pointed at himself incredulously, emphasizing that he had never epted a bribe before and had a clear conscience.

    "Director, this isn��t meant as a bribe. We understand everyone��s tired, and we��re just asking you to consider going a bit further. The money would simply bepensation if we end up wasting your time. It would only be bribery if we asked you to ept our submission without scrutiny," Hera exined with an innocent look, genuinely believing her perspective.

    Hearing Hera offer such arge sum made Logan clutch onto her sleeve. He didn��t believe he could make the cut and feared putting Hera in an awkward position. He wanted to stop now and go home, feeling he was pushing his luck by dreaming he could achieve something significant. Back where he lived, no one had everplimented him, and he often felt like a toad stuck in the bottom of the well.

    He began to entertain the thought that maybe they were right; perhaps he was just a dreamer wanting to leave the well and explore beyond its limits with his own abilities. Reality now seemed to p him in the face, and he worried he was dragging Hera and her manager into his futile aspirations. The Director��s piercing gaze only intensified his sense of intimidation.

    Hera could feel Logan��s hesitation and fear in the way he grasped her sleeves, and it pained her to see such a big guy disying the timidity of a mouse. Clearly, he had been suppressed for a long time.

    Hera��s exnation seemed to amuse the Director despite his grumpy and annoyed demeanor since their arrival. He had been trying to intimidate them into leaving him alone, but here was this young girl boldly making bets with him, and over such arge sum at that. He knew that heirs and heiresses often dabbled in the entertainment industry for fun and fame, spendingvishly as they pleased. However, it was the first time someone had offered such a substantial amount without treating it as a bribe, but rather as casually as if it were money for snacks.

    The Director smirked amusedly and swiftly snatched the CD from Betty��s outstretched hand, which seemed weary from repeatedly offering it to him.

    "Then, young girl, to make this a little more entertaining, how about you starring in one of the music videos I��ll release for an artist if I don��t find this submission good enough? Hmm?" The Director��s question sounded more like amand than a request.

 Chapter 256 The Moment of Truth

    The singer��s voice expertly conveyed the lyrics, effortlessly reaching higher notes with a blend of power, coolness, and sensuality. The Director could already envision the potential��a versatile vocalist capable of singing anything he desired, unbound by genre or vocal limitations. It was a performance that showcased the singer��splete mastery and range.

    Not only that, but he also performed his own originalposition, which he had bothposed and written himself. The Director and everyone else were left with goosebumps, deeply immersed in the performance. They remained in a trance-like state, emotionally moved by the song long after it had ended.

    Some, like Betty, were moved to tears by the music, their hearts trembling with indescribable emotions. The song resonated deeply with them, offering a perspective that was both familiar and refreshing, evoking new insights and emotions among the listeners.

    After hearing the song, Hera��s eyes widened in astonishment. She experienced the same powerful emotions as everyone else, feeling a tingling sensation on her scalp. Logan��s performance exceeded her expectations; she had always appreciated his voice, but now she realized its exceptional quality. Hera felt a pang of regret for not fully recognizing his talent earlier. Yet, she was perplexed by hisck of confidence despite possessing such remarkable ability. Was it solely due to his best friend��s criticism had overshadowed his belief in himself? Logan��s undeniable talent was now unmistakably apparent to everyone present.

    As soon as the Director regained hisposure, he rose abruptly from his seat and strode directly towards Logan. Logan nced at Hera with uncertainty, unsure of what was toe next. Hera nodded reassuringly at him, confident that the Director had already made his decision in favor of Logan. Even without their wager, she believed the Director would spare no effort in nurturing Logan��s talent, knowing he had the potential to reach the international stage solely through his talent.

    "He wouldn��t even need anyone to help him, he was a true genius..." Hera pondered this thought, reflecting on Logan��s remarkable talent. As thoughts of genius lingered in her mind, she recalled a simr reference in the novel, where a genius was meant to assist Alice. Could it be Logan? She resolved to inquire with Athenater, realizing she didn��t know the name of the genius singerposer from the novel.

    The Director then ushered Logan into the recording room. "Everyone, get ready. Let��s have this young man perform an acape version of the song," he announced. The team enthusiastically prepared for the live broadcast of Logan singing acape. Their goal was to confirm the authenticity of his performance, but as professionals, they could discern genuine talent from any reliance on auto-tuning technology.

    So, even before this acape performance, they all knew that what they heard was genuine talent. But Logan who was shoved inside the recording room was now scared, he didn��t even know what was happening yet, he still believed that everyone was angry and wanted to find some issue with his performance so they could make it hard for Hera and her manager.

    Observing Logan��s evident fear and unease, Hera couldn��t help but reflect on hisck of self-confidence. She sensed he might be imagining the worst possible oues at that moment. Determined to support him, she followed the Director into the room, when the Director sees her his expression betrayed surprise at her presence. His raised eyebrow this time seemed to acknowledge her more seriously than before when he had simply seen her as a young girl.

    "What are you doing here?" the Director asked abruptly.

    "I think he was nervous and scared," Hera replied straightforwardly.

    The Director was taken aback. "What is there to be scared of? Not unless this song was..." he mused, hinting that perhaps the singer wasn��t who he seemed or that there was more to the song��s origins than they knew.

    Hera also followed his train of thought and did not dismiss it because it was always possible, she conceded, mindful that they hadn��t yet heard him sing. But she pressed on with what she knew. "I believe hecks confidence in his talent. Whatever he��s been through has made him doubt himself." She paused, pondering their next move. "Perhaps I should calm him down first and encourage him to sing. What do you think?" Hera suggested, aware that allowing Logan to leave without performing could adversely affect his career prospects.

 Chapter 257 The True Diamond in the Rough

    Hera saw his genuine happiness and hesitation, so she nodded and stayed by his side inside the room, watching him closely.

    After confirming Hera was still inside the recording room, Logan took a deep breath and collected his thoughts. Once ready, his demeanor transformedpletely. He seemed like an entirely different person��charismatic and cool. His tall stature added to hismanding presence as he stood confidently in the middle of the room, like a towering pine tree.

    Logan signaled to the team outside that he was ready. Since it was his original song, he didn��t need any guidance from the tune; he could hear the melody perfectly in his mind as he began to sing.

    When Logan sang the first line, everyone felt goosebumps. His live voice was even more powerful and captivating. There was a certain sensuality in his singing that left them breathless. His overpowering stage presence, even without moving, was mesmerizing. Just standing and singing, he effortlessly captured the attention of everyone watching.

    At that moment, he proved to be a true diamond in the rough.

    The raw power of his voice prompted them to specte whether he had used low-quality recording equipment, which might have diminished the voice��s quality in the CD. Now, hearing him live confirmed their suspicions��the contrast was stark. What they had heard on the CD seemed limitedpared to the depth and richness of his live performance. This experience shifted their perspective profoundly, casting the other singers in a less impressive light byparison.

    Logan has remarkable control over his voice, instinctively knowing how to utilize it to its fullest potential. His natural talent is so refined that he excels without needing formal singing lessons. If anything were to change, it might simply be a matter of his own maturation, which could naturally refine and possibly slightly alter his voice over time.

    As Logan matures, his voice could potentially gain an even more sensual quality than it already possesses. Hera couldn��t help but imagine the impact this would have on his future fans. Currently, he had already captivated the Director, who looked at him with shining eyes that seemed to say, "I��ve found my star." Logan was destined to shake up the music scene.

    Logan instinctively knew where to look and when to send an enigmatic smile through the crowd, further captivating them. After finishing his song, his audience remained spellbound, still immersed in the world he had woven through his singing, taking a while to return to reality. Meanwhile, Logan was visibly catching his breath, with a slight sheen of sweat from the intensity of his performance.

    He gave his all with undeniable confidence, practically shining as he performed. It seemed he had shed all inhibitions and followed his instincts. Hera couldn��t detect a trace of his former timid self; he was now effortlessly cool and charismatic. With his versatile voice, he could effortlessly navigate bads, pop, country, and any genre he pleased. That��s how Hera saw it, and likely the Director too.

    When the director and the others came around, they started cheering. There was no longer any need to worry about the music awards��they had the perfect weapon in Logan. Their confidence soared, certain that with Logan, they would secure the award this year.

    Everyone was buzzing with excitement, and the Director even dashed into the recording room to personally embrace Logan. Logan, now returned to his usual self, was stunned by the Director��s evident joy.

    "When can we sign the contract?" The Director asked excitedly, unwilling to let go of Logan, who was visibly surprised and starting to feel ufortable. The Director continued to hold onto Logan��s waist tightly, which made Hera uneasy as she watched.

    "Director, please let go of Logan. You��re making him ufortable," Hera urged, pulling Logan protectively behind her like a mother hen.

    hat?! I just don��t want my star to run away and be stolen by otherpanies. Let��s hurry up and sign the contract!!!" He nervously urged Logan and Betty toplete the contract so he could breathe a sigh of relief once it was over, feeling like his heart was stuck in his throat.

    After processing the Director��s words, Logan found himself torn between profound joy and uncertainty. Instinctively, he looked to Hera for guidance, his trust in her unwavering, prompting both the Director and Betty to also turn to Hera for direction.

    Hera was taken aback by the sudden attention. "What��s going on?"

    "It seems this little chick behind you will go along with whatever you decide," the Director remarked bluntly, gesturing towards Logan.

    Hera followed the direction of the Director��s finger, finding Logan nodding earnestly, clearly willing to defer to her judgment. It was almost as if she had gained a loyal follower. The irony of calling Logan "little" in this context, given his size, struck her as amusing.

    "Why don��t we sign the contract? What do you say?" Hera directed her question to Logan, who didn��t miss a beat. He nodded enthusiastically, a wide grin spreading across his lips upon hearing that he would be signed as an artist, all on his first try. He recognized that this opportunity was only possible because of Hera��s bold move in bringing him there and giving him the chance. Otherwise, he wasn��t sure if anyone would have given him this opportunity at all.

    He now regarded Hera as his guiding light, willing to follow her lead like a dedicated follower indeed. He considered this his luckiest day, having asked the right person for direction and ending up receiving help from her to take his first step towards achieving his dream.

    The Director wasted no time. Upon seeing Logan nod in agreement, he promptly ushered Hera and Logan to his office, with Betty following closely behind. He signaled to Betty to begin preparing the necessary arrangements, which she swiftly carried out.

    He now saw Hera as his greatest benefactor for introducing a hidden gem to him. As they arrived in his office and Betty presented the prepared contract, he ensured that everything moved quickly, even arranging refreshments for his newfound star.

 Chapter 258 Contract Signing

    The Director and Betty watched Logan intently, holding their breath until Logan sessfully signed his name on the contract. After he finished signing, the Director took the contract and scrutinized it for a moment, ensuring Logan��s name and signature were clearly written. Satisfied, he instructed Betty to secure the contract safely after giving Logan a copy, as if he feared Logan might have a change of heart and try to retract his signature��though once signed, Logan couldn��t legally back out anyway.

    People who discover treasure are often more prone to paranoia than others; the Director feared someone might try to steal his newfound treasure if he didn��t secure it properly.

    "Little girl, I had no idea you could be as adept as awyer when ites to exining a contract, huh?" Once the Director rxed, he struck up conversations with everyone, particrly focusing on Hera. He was growing fond of her for her discerning eyes and intelligence. Despite his decades of experience in the industry, he had failed to notice the rare gem standing before him, yet Hera had spotted it so easily.

    "Director, I��ve only learned a few things in school, nothingpared to a true professional," Hera replied humbly.

    "Oh? What course are you taking? Performing Arts?" the Director asked with curiosity.

    "I��m majoring in finance and recently with an additional major in business administration," Hera exined with aposed smile.

    "Oh? A beauty and brains indeed. Then why are you in the entertainment industry?" the Director asked as he sipped his tea, prompting even Logan to look at Hera with clear confusion and interest.

    "I like acting, and my grandfather gave me some time to explore before I had to return home and help him with his responsibilities," Hera answered honestly. She knew that with that simple answer, they wouldn��t realize she was the Avery heiress; at most, they might assume she was from afortably well-off family.

    The director chuckled at Hera��s straightforward response, appreciating herck of pretense. "Alright! I��m d for your assistance; it��s alleviated my burden. And since you��ve won the bet��or even without that, considering Logan��s talent, he��s bound for the international stage. You��ve done me a great favor. In return, how about I offer you a few slots to appear in music videos with our top artists?" His offer was generous and sincere.

    Hera was pleasantly surprised by the Director��s offer, and she sweetly smiled at him. "I��ll leave it in your hands, Director. Thank you for your generosity and for looking out for me."

    "And Director, if I may, I have a request to make," Hera began.

    "What is it, little girl? As long as it��s within my control, I��ll dly help. And if it��s not, I��ll still do my best to assist," the Director replied warmly.

    "That��s great! Actually, I need..." Hera began, listing down what she needed from the Director. The conversation stretched on for an hour as they rified details and ensured everyone was on the same page, ensuring she conveyed her thoughts thoroughly without missing a thing.

    As one of the toppanies in the country, UE acted swiftly. After signing the contract, they had already prepared everything Logan might need: an artist dormitory, apany car for transportation, new sets of clothes, and other promised items outlined in the contract.

    And most importantly, they needed to change Logan��s image. He appeared nerdy and timid, so Betty and Hera took him to a well-known salon frequented by top artists and socialites in the city for a makeover.

    "Ah, look who��s here!" A gratingly familiar voice reached Hera��s ears just as she and the others were led to their seats by the receptionist, waiting for Logan��s stylist to arrive.

    The world truly is small, Hera thought, to encounter such people unexpectedly. It seemed enemies always found a way to cross paths, making Hera roll her eyes and ignore Minerva and Alice, who stood nearby. Thankfully, Alexi wasn��t with them this time, sparing her from another potential problem.

    Seeing this, Betty could tell that Hera wasn��t on good terms with a woman who was eyeing her with hostility. The second woman, though, appeared gentle and kind, attempting to prevent Minerva from causing a scene.

    When Hera noticed Betty��s hesitation to leave, she reassured her, "Don��t worry about me and Logan. I��ll take care of him. He��s not just my junior at school but also in thepany now. You can take your time and attend to what you need to do. We��ll be fine here." Hera practically ushered Betty out, knowing that as Logan��s manager especially now that Logan don��t have an assistant yet, Betty had other responsibilities, including finalizing his amodation and transportation, which were already prepared but still needed registration in his name.

 Chapter 259 Logan’s Transformation

    Especially since some of them knew the people in the picture. Although they were dying of envy, they knew better than to get on those people��s bad side, and they didn��t know Hera��s real connection to them.

    But there were also some who were annoyed, believing Hera acted high and mighty just because she had many backers, thinking she was promiscuous and skilled at maniption.

    Not long after, a stylist came running excitedly from who knows where. Spotting Hera, she squealed, "Hera, baby!" She eximed upon seeing Hera quietly seated with arge man beside her.

    Hera lifted her head to look at the person who called her name. She was unfamiliar with the voice, and her brow subconsciously furrowed. As she met the person��s eyes, gears began to turn in her head, and like a light bulb switching on, she seemed to remember the person before her.

    "Hey! That hurts, you know," she said with a yful hurt expression. "To think that you forgot one of the people who dolled you up for the Charity Auction 2 weeks ago!" Despite her ying hurt, she strode over to Hera without a hint of offense.

    All eyes turned to the loud person whose voice boomed with vigor and enthusiasm, almost a pain in their ears. But when they saw her, they were stunned.

    "What is the owner doing here?" one of the top artists whispered to the person next to her.

    "Isn��t that one of Britney Styles�� disciples? The owner of this ce?" another murmured.

    Listening to their whispers, Hera realized that the people who had styled her were all significant figures, yet they remained humble and friendly. She recalled Athena mentioning that Britney Styles, her mother Sasha��s chief stylist at ��Closet Luxe,�� was internationally acimed. If the person before her was one of her disciples, they too likely enjoyed international recognition.

    Hera maintained herposure and smiled at the person before her. "Sorry, I haven��t thanked you for the great job you did that day. You all bolted pretty fast," she chuckled, recalling how quickly they had all left, especially Britney.

    "Don��t mention it, my dear. We all thoroughly enjoyed the work and were immensely satisfied with the oue," she replied warmly. Her excitement grew as she recalled the day when her mentor and fellow disciples were struck with inspiration, rushing home to interpret their ideas into new styles. They even designed a few additional dresses thatplemented the hair and makeup styles perfectly.

    "Anyway, I haven��t had the chance to introduce myself properly to you, my muse. My name is Sandra Stan, Britney Styles�� first disciple��I��ve been with her since I was about 15 or 16 years old," she said with a smile, reflecting briefly on her memories.

    "Hello again, Sandra. I didn��t realize this was your store. My manager booked an appointment here for my new junior for styling," Hera said, briefly recognizing Sandra before getting to the point.

    "I know. When I found out Betty was your manager, I immediately epted the appointment."

    "You mean?" Hera asked, raising an eyebrow.

    Sandra pointed at herself, nodding with a wide grin. "I��m your stylist for today. Me, myself, and I."

    "Oh!" Hera paused for a moment, then broke into a sweet smile in front of Sandra. Behind Sandra stood Minerva and Alice, their faces flushed with anger. When Hera noticed them, she couldn��t help but smile even sweeter, which only seemed to taunt Minerva and Alice further.

    "Senior! I��m done!" A man��s voice snapped Minerva and Alice back to attention. They turned to see him standing outside the styling room, apanied by a stylist who appeared pleased with her work.

    "Your junior was naturally handsome to begin with, so I only had to tweak a few minor details," the stylist said, cing her hands on the young man��s shoulders and giving them a proud tap. Her joy dimmed slightly upon noticing their usually busy owner standing nearby, engaged in conversation with someone else.

    "Owner! You came?" Her voice was uncertain as she approached Sandra and the people with her. "These are...?"

    "Oh, there you are! These are my special guests," Sandra eximed, pulling Hera close and resting a hand on her shoulder. "And this right here is my muse!" She said proudly.

    "Oh, the girl who inspired you?" The stylist��s eyes widened with awe and a touch of reverence. "To think I��d see the goddess who inspired your work in the flesh!" She studied Hera from head to toe with admiration, nodding to herself in understanding. She nowprehended why their owner had been so inspired after styling Hera that time��everything seemed toplement her effortlessly. Hera exuded an aura that set her apart from ordinary people.

 Chapter 260 Logan’s Transformation 2

    She couldn��t ignore the condescending nces Minerva aimed at Hera. While Hera hadn��t openly revealed her connection with the Averys beyond Sasha��s brief introduction, Sandra and her mentor knew to respect Hera��s discretion. This only deepened Sandra��s admiration for Hera��s down-to-earth humility, especially considering her immense wealth. In contrast, Minerva appeared small-minded and petty next to Hera��s dignified presence.

    Sandra exhaled topose herself. "Hello. I��m sorry, I have an appointment today." She briefly dismissed Minerva and led Hera upstairs to her personal styling room, with Logan quietly following behind. As he followed behind, the young man with Minerva and Alice recognized Logan, noticing he hadn��t changed his clothes since leaving campus earlier.

    "Logan?! What are you doing here?" He asked usatorily, eyeing Logan and then Hera.

    Hera, Sandra, and Logan all stopped in their track when they just stamped into the stairs to ascend. Logan remained silent, nervously pursing his lips and shrinking slightly behind Hera like a scared mouse. Hera noticed his demeanor change and raised an eyebrow as she addressed the young man before her.

    "Are you Logan��s friend?"

    "Yes, I��m Lucas Freed, Logan��s best friend, senior!" Lucas shed Hera his most charming smile, his eyes simultaneously dreamy and calcting as he awaited her response.

    "Nice to meet you. We didn��t get a chance to talk earlier. Are you with them?" Hera inquired, subtly probing Lucas for information.

    "Yes, they��ve just be my seniors!" Lucas boasted cheerfully, giving Logan a sidelong nce.

    "Seniors? Weren��t they also freshmen at the same university? Or am I mistaken?" Hera asked, a hint of confusion coloring her tone.

    "No, Miss Briley just signed me up as their new artist singer in her brother��spany, and they came with me for the styling," Lucas said proudly, directing his boasting towards Logan, who appeared visibly upset for some reason. It wasn��t that Logan was unhappy about Lucas��s sess, but there seemed to be another cause for his distress.

    "Congrattions! That��s wonderful news," Hera said warmly, genuinely pleased for Lucas. Her curiosity piqued, she wondered if Lucas��s talents surpassed Logan��s, given Logan��s already impressive skills. Recalling the musical genius who assisted Alice in the novel, she asked, "Are you also intoposing?"

    "Yes, senior. My best buddy can testify to how good my work is!" Lucas said confidently, shooting Logan a smug smile before continuing. "Did you hire Logan as an assistant?"

    "Hmm," Hera responded nomittally. She didn��t feel inclined to continue the conversation with Lucas any further. He seemed too much like Minerva in many ways, and it was no surprise they got along. Hera now realized that the genius singerposer mentioned in the novel had ended up in theirpany��s hands just like what it was mentioned in the novel.

    If Lucas was the genius singerposer in the novel, was Logan his supposed rival, driven by a fierce desire to outshine Lucas and win music awards? Did Logan resort to giarizing one of Lucas��s songs, a scandal that ultimately ruined his career and relegated him to obscurity despite his talent?

    If that��s the situation, Hera resolved to prevent Logan from facing such a downfall and making mistakes that could ruin his career. His talent deserved recognition and sess, not to be forgotten in the annals of music history.

    Hera chose not to borate further or dwell on their assumptions about Logan. The thought had dampened her mood considerably, prompting her to move on without offering any rifications.

    Hera, Sandra, and Logan ascended the stairs, leaving Minerva and Alice simmering with frustration at being sidelined. Meanwhile, Lucas watched Hera with intense, inscrutable eyes, his emotions hidden from view. As Logan walked away, Lucas cast him a final nce that betrayed no friendship but rather hinted at a deeper animosity. To an observer, it would seem they were bitter enemies, judging by Lucas��s gaze fixed on Logan��s retreating figure.

    When the three reached Sandra��s personal styling room, Hera refrained from pressuring Logan to exin further. Instead, she directed him to join Sandra, not wanting to add to his evident stress.

    She also didn��t want to burden herself with overthinking, particrly since Alice had secured a character from the novel who yed a significant supportive role. While Logan and Sandra were upied inside the room, she texted Athena for confirmation.

    [Hera: Athena, do you remember the name of the singerposer Alice recruited in the novel, who also supported her in the entertainment industry and became one of her admirers?]

    [Athena: Hmmmm...]

    [Athena: Let me think. There are so many characters that my memory is bing jumbled.]

    [Athena: But I remember his name starts with L.]

    [Hera: Lucas Freed?]

    [Athena: Yes! That��s right!!]

    [Hera: Then, was his rival named Logan Walker?]

    [Athena:!!!]

    [Athena: Don��t tell me you��ve already met them? Did you secure Lucas, at least?!]

    [Hera: (???��???)]

    [Hera: I didn��t, he sounded like a jerk though.]

    [Athena: That doesn��t quite fit. Lucas Freed was supposed to be a cool, charming man who exuded sensuality along with his charm.]

    [Athena: Perhaps it��s because his rise to fame was supposed to happen a few yearster, after he had already won several awards and be a world-renowned singer, helping Alice in the entertainment industry afterward.]

 Chapter 261 Logan’s Transformation 3

    [Hera: Betty, once the styling is done, I��ll purchase some clothes for Logan that match his new style. You and the Director can focus on your tasks toplete the process and registrations. What do you think?]

    [Betty: That sounds like a good n. Make sure to use thepany credit card for the purchase, as it��s part of his resources ording to the contract. Also, while we��re on the topic, don��t forget to get yourself some clothes too. You should take advantage of the benefits thepany provides.]

    [Hera: Oh?! I thought you were on thepany��s side? Wouldn��t me spending thepany��s money mean saving money for thepany and ultimately benefiting the management?]

    [Betty: I��m always on the side of my artist, of course. ]

    [Hera: ��(^ o ^)��]

    [Hera: Alright, I��ll treat myself and Logan to shopping using thepany card this afternoon. Don��te crying to me if I spend too much. (�� ?��) ��]

    [Hera: Do we have a spending limit?]

    [Betty: My ancestor, be merciful to your subject. m( _ _ )m]

    [Betty: ording to your contracts, both you and Logan can spend $1 million each, with an additional $500,000 avable for you. If you achieve a certain goal within six months of signing, thepany will consider providing you with the same or arger spending limit for the following year.]

    [Hera: Alright, I��ll exin this to Logan so he won��t feel overwhelmed or scared for nothing]

    [Hera: While we��re on the topic, I also suggest registering all of Logan��s songs under his name as soon as possible and arranging for him to move into the dormitory ASAP.]

    [Betty: What��s with the rush?]

    [Betty: We have plenty of time doing it before the music awards.]

    [Hera: I just feel like we should. It��s for his protection and any piracy issue]

    [Betty: What, you suspect that someone would pirate his songs?]

    [Hera: Not really, but I just wanted to make sure that my junior would not be wrong in any way.]

    [Betty: (????) (?�㨌��?)]

    [Betty: Alright! I��ll listen to you.]

    [Betty: I��ll talk about this with the Music Director, he was more familiar with the process and could finish it soon.]

    [Hera: Also...]

    [Betty: What? There��s more?]

    [Betty: I feel like you just became the new CEO of UE with how you handle things. (???)]

    [Hera: Well, better to be prepared than cry after, wouldn��t you agree?]

    [Betty: Alright, then shoot.]

    [Hera: We should start recording his songs soon, even if they��re a bit amateurish, and timestamp them.]

    [Betty: Tell me honestly, are we dealing with a piracy issue here?]

    [Betty: Who copied who?]

    [Hera: No, I��m not really thinking about it, but we should establish this process as a habit to protect our artists. Even if there��s no issue now, what about in the future? Shouldn��t we be proactive about finding solutions before problems arise?]

    [Betty: ....]

    [Betty: That makes sense. Don��t worry, the Director is excellent at his job and likely already has ns in motion for this. I��ll still bring it up with him to ensure we haven��t overlooked anything.]

    [Betty: Thank you for the reminder.]

    [Hera: No worries]

    "Oh!"

    A surprised gasp made Hera look up from her phone. She had been texting for quite some time and hadn��t paid attention to her surroundings, especially since the three of them were the only people there.

    When she looked up, Hera saw Sandra gazing at a tall man with the excitement of a young girl who had just found a new doll to y with; her eyes were literally sparkling. Hera followed Sandra��s gaze to Logan, who sported a new hairstyle with bangs cut short into a stylish, slightly wavy "M" shape in the middle of his forehead.

    His smooth hair was also permed to have a slight wave to give it more volume and add some liveliness and allure.

    Sandra��s instincts were spot on; after removing Logan��s eyesses, he looked so handsome that he could easily rival Xavier in looks.

    His jade-like pale skin was healthy and glowing, devoid of any blemishes or facial hair. It looked as soft as a baby��s skin, and his eyes had a siren-like allure��seductive and charming. What truly captivated attention was the heterochromia: one eye gleamed golden like Luke��s, while the other was a striking ruby, just like Xavier��s.

    His eyes exuded a soulful and captivating charm, and his facial structure was delicate, reminiscent of Zhane��s, giving him a slightly feminine allure. Hera approached Logan to get a closer look at his handsome face. He surpassed Lucas in appearance; his refined features and striking gaze seemed more fitting for the character who won numerous awards in the novel for his exceptional talents and looks. The Lucas Freed of the future.

    Only if not for Logan��s Heterochromia, she would really think that there was some mistaken identity here.

    "My goodness, Logan, you look amazing!" Hera eximed as she examined Logan from head to toe. He appeared visibly shy, asionally attempting to cover his eyes as he felt ufortable without his sses.

    His face flushed red, which Hera noticed immediately. "Are you feeling shy because of your eyes?" she asked softly, a little concerned.

    Logan hesitated for a moment before nodding.

    "What?!" Hera and Sandra eximed simultaneously.

    "You can��t be serious, right?!" Sandra eximed. Logan looked at her with a hurt expression on his face.

    "Logan, do you dislike your eyes?" Hera asked gently, tilting her head slightly in confusion.

    Logan nodded again, this time more emphatically.

    "Why? They look absolutely beautiful!" Hera eximed, with Sandra nodding in agreement beside her as she gazed at Logan again.

    Logan looked stunned after hearing Hera��s words. Growing up, he often heard other kids making fun of him because of his eyes, calling him a monster or demon spawn due to his red eye. He was frequently excluded from events and gatherings because people were afraid of him. No one had ever called him good-looking; instead, theybeled him as scary or monstrous.

    So, he always believed that he really was one. He long tried to cover his eyes by wearing contact lenses, but they often irritated his eyes, causing intense pain the next day. As a result, he switched to wearing thick sses instead.

    "Senior, you��re too kind," he said, finding it hard to believe Hera��s words, thinking she was merely beingpassionate and didn��t want to hurt his feelings further.

    Hera looked at him with wide eyes. "You don��t believe me, do you?"

    Logan remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together. He didn��t want to disappoint Hera, yet he struggled to ept that she might genuinely mean what she said, and was just trying tofort him.

    Hera sighed and proposed, "How about this, we��ll go buy some clothes after this, how about not wearing your ss this time and see how others would react? If you do not do what I say, I will not talk to you anymore and if I was really wrong, I will stop bothering you and let you do what you arefortable with."

    Hearing Hera suggest that she might stop talking to him, Logan instantly felt flustered and agreed without hesitation. He decided it was better to endure a little difort now than to risk losing Hera��s kindness, as she was the only person who had shown him such warmth.

    Hera, on the other hand, believed that a gentle push might be necessary to help Logan break free from the negative perceptions he had grown up with. She felt that approaching him with kindness might only be met with skepticism, so she opted to gently threaten him instead. It seemed her approach had worked effectively in this instance.

    "I��ll being with you too!!!" Sandra happily joined in, her enthusiasm evident. She loved helping people discover their best styles, aiming to enhance their looks in the process. For her, seeing two attractive individuals walking together would be a feast for the eyes.</subtxt>

 Chapter 262 Logan’s Transformation 4

    "Hera! A promiscuous woman indeed! Are you not satisfied with all your sugar daddies surrounding you? And now you��ve even brought a little gigolo with you?! Hmph, you sure are insatiable!" Minerva shouted as soon as she saw Hera outside the salon. There were plenty of peopleing and going, many of whom witnessed and heard Minerva��s outburst. Some even stopped to listen, finding entertainment in the gossip. For others, it was a way to vent their own dissatisfaction with their lives, using the scandal as an outlet for their frustrations.

    And what better outlet to make themselves feel better than mocking someone who seemingly has an even messier life than they do?

    "Oh my! She must be having a good time with different men each night."

    "With her looks, she could easily attract many sugar daddies. Look at the man with her; he really looks like a gigolo. Well-fed and well-cared-for," remarked an olddy standing nearby, pointing at Logan.

    "Right! Going out with a gigolo in broad daylight. She must be using her old sugar daddies�� money to keep a younger one around."

    "People like this are really dragging our society down and degrading women with their actions. Women like her should be punished!"

    "She still looks so young herself. Maybe she��s just an escort?" someone remarked with clear disdain in their tone.

    Most of the bystanders were creating their own stories in their heads as they continued to murmur. What they hated most were homewreckers andscivious women, always fearing that their own husbands or boyfriends might fall for such women. They watched their men like hawks or a thief would steal their men.

    When Minerva saw how many people began to throw usatory nces and words at Hera, she felt smug.

    Logan, on the other hand, was taken aback. His dainty index finger still pointed at himself absentmindedly. He was shocked to his core at being called a gigolo because, to his understanding, a gigolo required good looks to entice women of any age.

    But as someone who believed himself to be hideous, with monster-like eyes, he was shocked to be called a gigolo and a kept man while out in public without his sses, and with his face fully exposed and his long bangs no longer hiding his features.

    What did that imply? Despite his timidity, he wasn��t stupid, and he could at least recognize that others saw him as handsome. <i>��Handsome!!! Me? Handsome?��</i> These thoughts kept ringing inside his head.

    He didn��t know whether to feel happy or lost and angry for believing himself to be ugly all his life. He nced at the person he used to call his best friend, who never helped him when he was bullied or reassured him about his appearance. Instead, the friend looked at him as if he truly was ugly, and he felt like the only one who could be friends with him despite being hated by everyone.

    Hera, on the other hand, felt amused hearing them say she had old sugar daddies. Well, they were certainly a few years older than her, and if sugar daddies were always as handsome as them, there would be a long line of women fighting her to be their sugar baby. Just thinking of that made it hard for her to control her trembling shoulders; she really wanted to burst outughing, though the situation was a bit serious.

    Now that she had her amusement, she wanted to leave so Sandra wouldn��t have to wait long in front of the mall. But as she moved to pull Logan towards the car, she noticed him lost in thought, looking gloomy��as if he had been enlightened about something he had blindly believed since he was young and now looked devastated to have that belief shattered.

    Hera could empathize with him. While she didn��t fully understand what he had been through, she could grasp some of it from what she had seen. She gently tapped Logan��s shoulder to offerfort and said teasingly, "Now that you��re being called a gigolo, do you finally believe me that you��re good-looking?" Her attempt was to lighten his mood.

    Logan lifted his eyes slightly from the ground and smiled wryly. "I never thought I��d be seen as a gigolo just standing beside you."

    "See? You had to be called a gigolo to finally believe you��re good-looking. And you know what?" Hera paused, pointing at his eyes. "Your best feature is your eyes. They��re like two stars shining brightly in your eye sockets." She giggled softly. "You don��t have to rush. Take your time to process everything." Her expression then turned serious as she nced over at Minerva and her entourage.

    Hera stared at Minerva first, causing Minerva to feel uneasy. However, being a secondary female lead gave Minerva a blind courage that emboldened her to confront anything or anyone she disagreed with. Now, with bystanders on her side, she felt even more empowered.

    "What are you staring at? Brave enough to act, but scared of gossip?" Minerva sneered. Alice stood beside Minerva, gently pulling on her sleeve to calm her down and ease her visible agitation.

 Chapter 263 Logan’s Transformation 5

    Hera��s words not only cleared her name but also suggested that the sole heiress of the prestigious Briley family was using her influence to target a vulnerable, lesser-known artist. Now, the tables had turned, and Minerva found herself at the center of the storm she had created and everything she said had backfired at her. Alice stood silently beside her, her thoughts concealed as she kept her head lowered.

    She also dispelled suspicions about Logan��s sudden change in appearance. Considering that significant transformations don��t happen overnight with cosmetic surgery, mentioning Sandra Stan reinforced the belief that her styling talent could enhance Logan��s already good frame with minimal effort, transforming him subtly rather than miraculously.

    Her straightforward and honest exnation, which countered Lucas��s statement effectively, made it clear that they were being targeted by Minerva��s entourage.

    Ultimately, Hera learned that when dealing with unreasonable people, sometimes you have to counter them with even greater unpredictability, if they used the crowd to garner sympathy then you could only try to be more pitiful than the other party and with Hera��s situation, she just has to look reasonable and kind, a total white flower, Alice��s ultimate weapon.

    When Lucas heard Hera announce that Logan had been signed as an artist, his face instantly paled with horror. He red at Logan as if waiting for an exnation. Unfortunately for him, his earlier maliciousment had burned his bridge with Logan. Hera wouldn��t allow him to treat Logan poorly and still expect to be close to him.

    Even if Logan allowed it, she wouldn��t. Hera was now in full protective stance, like a hen guarding its chicks.

    With effortless grace, she excused herself, exuding the demeanor of a well-breddy from a wealthy family, a contrast to Minerva that set them distinctly apart. Some bystanders even began to doubt if Minerva truly embodied the grace of the Briley family��s princess, especially after her earlier disy of hostility.

    Hera also didn��t wait for them to retort back since she already said her piece and before heading to her car with Logan, she turned in one direction and then she smiled slightly, with the crowd��s collective gasp and astonishment, she and Logan got in the car and slowly drove in front of the crowd who was admiring her car. Her Lamborgini��s engine revved loudly a few times as if to taunt Minerva even more before she drove away in satisfaction.

    Inside the car, Hera noticed Logan was even quieter than before. "From now on, you shouldn��t underestimate yourself or let others openly bully you," she began earnestly. "While we shouldn��t bully others, we mustn��t allow ourselves to be bullied either. As my junior, your name is not just tied to me, but to every artist in ourpany. If we are disgraced, it will tarnish thepany��s image as well." Hera��s tone was serious; she feltpelled to instill in Logan the importance of standing up for himself and protecting his reputation.

    If she merely acted understanding and kind towards him, he might dismiss it as merefort and remain as timid as a mouse��something not conducive in the cutthroat entertainment industry. Hera resolved to instruct Betty to assign a fiery assistant to Logan; someone who could toughen him up and impart essential lessons for navigating the industry.

    _____________

    PS: Hello everyone! I��m delighted that we��vee this far as June draws to a close and we wee a new month. To show my appreciation, I��ve decided to offer discounted privilege pricing for the uing month. Thank you to all who have supported me from the beginning until now. Our journey isn��t over yet, and I hope you��ll continue reading and showing your support.

    Please don��t forget to leave a review, share your thoughts, and vote (Power Stone and Golden Ticket). Your feedback means a lot to me. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the supportive readers who have gifted and motivated me along the way. Your support is truly appreciated. Thank you all so much for your love and encouragement!

 Chapter 264 Logan’s Transformation 6

    Logan��s head spun as he eyed the array of clothes he had never considered wearing before. Doubts crept in��he wasn��t sure if he could pull off these styles, and the price tags made him nervous. He nervously clutched his pants, hesitating to even take a sip of the champagne or snack in front of him.

    Logan felt a lump in his throat as Hera casually referred to spending thousands of dors on clothes as something ��small��. He couldn��t help but question himself, "Am I just too poor, or is she just too ustomed to this?"

    Even Hera herself didn��t realize that her words were out of character for her. In that moment, she exuded the air of a true heiress from a wealthy family, spending money without a second thought and without any worries about her expenses.

    Even Sandra felt confident in choosing whatever clothes she thought would fit her vision for Logan��s new style, without worrying about the price tag. Soon, they had a dozen suits from this season��s collection. Just when Logan thought they were done shopping, he was in for a surprise. With two enthusiastic women leading the way, he found himself swept up in a shopping spree, moving from one store to another. In the end, he had a full wardrobe of suitable clothing for all asions��casual, formal, outdoor, and indoor��that perfectly matched his new image.

    Hera, astonished by how good Logan looked in all the clothes Sandra had chosen, felt even morepelled to buy him more outfits. She was also reminded of the six other men who looked just as good, if not better and felt inspired to ensure Logan matched their level of style.

    While Sandra was busy as a bee, Hera��s thoughts drifted to each and every one of them. Although Rafael was hot-tempered and often acted like a jerk, he was actually warm inside. ording to the novel, he was the type who would jump into fire to save the person he loved. Hera wondered how true that was.

    She had yet to move on to the next person among the six when the very person she was thinking about appeared. As Hera, Sandra, and Logan continued their shopping spree around the mall, Rafael approached them.

    "Hera. Can we talk?" Rafael��s voice was solemn and restrained, his eyes reflecting deep thoughts and a sense of unease.

    He silently nced at Sandra and nodded at her, but when his eyes shifted to Logan, he couldn��t bring himself to nod. His lips pursed unintentionally, yet he remained silent. Rafael��s presence, however, made Logan step back, nearly stumbling. Fortunately, they weren��t carrying anything since all their purchases were being sent to Hera��s penthouse. Since Logan hadn��t moved into his new dorm yet.

    "Is it important? I��m still shopping with them," Hera said, gesturing towards Logan and Sandra. To be honest, she held a prejudice against Rafael. His sister was the first to make her life miserable and continued targeting her. In Hera��s mind, they were lumped together as one��they were family, after all.

    _____________

    PS: Hello everyone! I��m delighted that we��vee this far as June draws to a close and we wee a new month. To show my appreciation, I��ve decided to offer discounted privilege pricing for the uing month. Thank you to all who have supported me from the beginning until now. Our journey isn��t over yet, and I hope you��ll continue reading and showing your support.

    Please don��t forget to leave a review, share your thoughts, and vote (Power Stone and Golden Ticket). Your feedback means a lot to me. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the supportive readers who have gifted and motivated me along the way. Your support is truly appreciated. Thank you all so much for your love and encouragement!

 Chapter 265 The Mule Carrier

    Hera noticed Rafael��s absentmindedness and the myriad expressions flitting across his face in the span of a minute, and she felt amused. Although she enjoyed seeing him suffer a bit, she knew her limits. She intended to punish him just enough for what he was worth, no more, no less. This was simply her petty streak surfacing, especially since his sister hade by earlier to annoy her.

    But this didn��t mean she would forget to punish Minerva just because her brother came to her. In fact, she was now even more curious about why Rafael had sought her out at this exact time. Was he going to try to strike another deal to save his sister? If so, she wasn��t about to turn down the opportunity to earn some easy money.

    When Hera and her group arrived at the entrance of the Gi store, the shop assistants lined up at the door to greet them. "Wee back, miss, and to your friends!" they chimed in unison. The other customers inside the store were taken aback by the enthusiastic reception, a level of warmth and attention they had never experienced before. While the shop assistants always treated all customers with respect, the wee given to Hera was notably more exuberant.

    As Hera and her group were being led to the VVIP room, even Rafael was surprised by the level of attention and care they were receiving. Meanwhile, a curiousdy approached one of the shop assistants left on the floor to assist other customers. "Say, why do you all seem so happy to receive them? Is it because of Mr. Briley?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She wasn��t even sure if the man she saw, whose face was almostpletely obscured by the boxes he was carrying, was really Rafael Briley.

    The shop assistant who loved gossiping giggled at thedy��s insinuation. She hadn��t even noticed Rafael with the group, as they were all focused on their generous patron. "Ma��am, I��or maybe all of my colleagues��didn��t even notice who came along with our special guest. But if you noticed the beautiful girl leading the group, she��s the one we��ve been waiting for since earlier."

    "That girl? Why? What makes her a special guest while everyone else is treated the same?" Thedy asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly unable to understand the shop assistant��s implication and not recognizing Hera at all.

    The gossipy shop assistant leaned in closer, her voice lowered to share the insider knowledge. "Ma��am, you know that only the wealthiest customers with our member cards can use our VVIP showroom, right? Well, thatdy over there just spent $5 million, which happens to be our monthly sales target for the entire store."

    The woman��s eyes widened. Even though she was wealthy, she couldn��t justify spending her husband��s hard-earned money so extravagantly, even if it was to show off to her friends; it was nowhere near that amount.

    Seeing the incredulous look on the woman��s face, the shop assistant added, "That��s not all. The $5 million was just here in our shop. I heard she spent $4.5 million at Chanel and $6 million at Dior, and those were just a few of the stores she visited on her shopping spree." The shop assistant relished the shock on the woman��s face, now able to share the awe she had felt herself the first time.

    This gossip didn��t just stay in one store; nearly every store Hera and her group passed by had customers who overheard the same story. It quickly spread through higher social circles, sparking spection about the mysterious woman with deep pockets. When people found her picture on social media and heard about the scandal, richdies who had seen Rafael trailing behind her like a pack mule refused to believe the news. Instead, they began specting that Hera was a sugar mommy and that the men in the pictures were all her sugar babies. Some even guessed she might be the daughter of a foreign tycoon, visiting their country for leisure.

    And the spection quickly spread like wildfire, gaining traction as the most believable story among the rumors. It soon became exaggerated, with the men nowbeled as gigolos in the gossip. If the six men heard this, they might have died of anger for being called gigolos.

 Chapter 266 Rafael the Servant

    Logan was also reluctant to leave Hera with a man who seemed so brutish. Despite Rafael��s good looks, his actions revealed that he was ustomed to being treated like a king wherever he went. Logan feared that once they left, Rafael might take the opportunity to teach Hera a lesson.

    Sandra, skilled at reading a room, and the shop assistant both quietly left. Sandra had to exert considerable effort to drag the reluctant Logan out, who was unwilling to leave Hera alone with Rafael. Despite Logan��s resistance, he couldn��t win against Sandra and the shop assistant, who each took one of his arms and led him out.

    Before Hera realized it, she and Rafael were alone in the room. She was too absorbed in the blissful sensation of Rafael��s massages to notice. When Rafael found a particrly good spot, Hera let out an unconscious, suggestive moan, her eyes closing as she gripped the armrest. The sound drew Rafael��s attention away from her feet, and he looked up at her, his eyes darkening as he struggled to contain the beast within him.

    He pressed a few more acupoints on Hera��s sole, making her gasp and moan as the tension and exhaustion melted away from her body. Little did she know, her reactions were having a different effect on Rafael. Now, he deliberately targeted the spots he knew would elicit the most intense responses, watching her writhe like a snake on the couch. He licked his dry lips, his Adam��s apple bobbing as his eyes glistened with lust.

    He never imagined that a simple action like this could arouse him so intensely that he could feel his shaft tenting in his pants, as excitedly as a younger him would. His throat went dry and his body temperature rose, but the warmth of his hands only added to Hera��sfort, like a heated stone used in a spa.

    He slowly let his hands move up a little higher, squeezing her tired legs from their long walk. Hera, unsuspecting, continued to enjoy theforting massage Rafael was offering, unaware that his hands were gradually moving higher and higher, reaching her thigh. Fortunately for Hera, she was wearing cks, not a skirt; otherwise, Rafael��s hands might have ventured much further already.

    When Hera snapped back to reality, she realized Rafael��s hands had already reached the upper part of her thigh, dangerously close to her sensitive areas. As she opened her eyes, she met Rafael��s intense gaze, hungry and focused, like a wolf starved for days without food or water.

    She held her breath, staring back at Rafael in disbelief. She couldn��t fathom what hade over her, allowing him to massage her. Perhaps her exhaustion had clouded her judgment, that she momentarily forgot that the male leads never wasted a good opportunity to be intimate with the female lead, and since she was trying to steal the female lead��s position, that also meant, she would be receiving such attention from the male leads.

    This realization made her bite her lower lip unconsciously. But for Rafael, this only fueled his desire to skyrocket. He felt his whole body heat up as ifva was flowing through his veins, making him ufortably warm. Yet, his expression remained unchanged, his gaze fixed on Hera. His hands continued their gentle work, never ceasing their magic.

    Inadvertently, Hera let out another soft moan as Rafael pressed a sensitive acupoint in her thigh, sending a tingling sensation to her sensitive areas. She felt it throbbing with a lingering sensation that traveled through her body, from her thighs up to her scalp.

    __________

    WARNING!!!

    A little [MATURE CONTENT] in the next Chapter!!!

 Chapter 267 Rafael Taking Action

    Now, Rafael��s face hovered close to Hera��s pussy, his intense gaze fixed on her like a hawk eyeing its prey. His nose brushed against her clitoris through her cks, momentarily causing Hera��s mind to go nk for a second as she felt a fizzle in her brain. A surge of pleasure rippled through her body at the contact.

    Rafael then audibly sniffed as he buried his face between her thighs, using his teeth to gently graze Hera��s clitoris and folds. "Ah!" Her rationality flickered once more, caught in a struggle between body and mind.

    Rafael tightly gripped her left leg resting on his shoulder as he buried his face in her groin. His left hand began to fumble with her cks, but it was when Rafael��s impatient fingers reached for the button that Hera��s rationality flickered once more. Instantly, she reached out and locked eyes with him. Her breathing was ragged, and her face flushed with arousal.

    "Rafael, what do you want?" she asked between pants.

    "You," he answered, his face still partially buried, sending vibrations to Hera��s sensitive spot. The intense sensation almost made her moan again; she gritted her teeth and clenched her jaw tightly to stifle it.

    "You did this intentionally, didn��t you?" Hera used, anger bubbling inside her.

    "No," Rafael answered, his gaze still hungry for her.

    "Don��t lie!" Hera said through gritted teeth as she struggled to prop herself up.

    "I��m not lying. I genuinely wanted to help massage your feet because I saw how tired you were," Rafael replied honestly, unmoving from his position.

    Hera felt her face flush with embarrassment, acutely aware of their awkward position as they conversed. Rafael, however, seemed unconcerned, eager to resume his exploration between her thighs. As he leaned down again, Hera hastily reached out to stop him, but her awkward seating prevented her from doing so effectively. Instead, she grabbed his hair and inadvertently pulled him closer, urging him to bury his face once more. She heard him chuckle softly, and he did another sniff, his sniff resembling that of a yful dog.

    Hera felt her face burning with embarrassment, her cheeks turning crimson from her ears to her neck. "Are you a dog?!" she snapped angrily, her body trembling slightly as she tried to ignore the sensation.

    "You smell amazing, like sweet vani," Rafael replied, his eyes barely visible between her thighs, but crinkling with delight.

    Hera hit him in the head. "Didn��t you say that you have something to say? Say it!" Hera almost shouted while she buckled her thighs to prevent Rafael from moving, since he didn��t want to get away, she would rather squeeze his brain out while he was inches away from her groin.

    "Are you angry?" Rafael asked.

    "What do you think?" Hera snapped, feeling her own arousal which only added to her embarrassment, especially when she caught Rafael��s meaningful gaze directed at her, his smirk ying at his lips as he nced at her sensitive spot through her cks. He didn��t press his luck any further and relented.

    "Alright, I��ll let go. You can release me now, or my cock won��t stop trying to escape my pants if we stay like this," he joked lightly, though his eyes held a serious intensity.

    Hearing his words and the meaning behind them, Hera immediately let him go and tried to sit up straight. Rafael also slowly stood up from his position, dusted his knees, and adjusted his pants. Hera could see his cock bulging from his pants showing its contours, he slightly turned around and tried to fix it in a morefortable position but it was still making him feel ufortable, Hera only smirked on the side since it was his own doing that he was feeling ufortable.

    But judging by what she could discern from the contours, his size seemedparable to Leo��s. Realizing where her thoughts were drifting, Hera hung her head low, her face turning as red as a tomato. She pinched her thigh to snap herself out of her own imagination.

    She wrestled with her emotions and tried to gather her thoughts. When she nced back at him, she appearedposed again, but Rafael��s bulge in his pants persisted, indicating he hadn��t subdued his desire. Despite this, his expression remained serious.

    Rafael took a couple of deep breaths before turning to Hera with a serious expression. "Firstly, I want to apologize to you," he began sincerely. "Before you misunderstand my intentions, let me rify. I��ve thought deeply about everything you said and had an epiphany. You were right to feel angry and to think what you did. I failed in my duty as an older brother to guide my sister and correct her mistake. I hope it��s not toote for me to make amends."

 Chapter 268 What Do You Want Me To Do?

    "No matter what it is, as long as you give me a chance to stay by your side," Rafael said with solemn eagerness. He gingerly reached out for Hera��s soft hands, holding them so gently as if they might crumble under too much pressure. Hera didn��t pull away, waiting for him to continue.

    She knew that asking him to die was out of the question since he wanted to stay beside her. It was a silent condition that he would do everything except sacrifice his life.

    She decided to test him and asked nonchntly, "Then, what if I asked you to hand over Star Ocean Entertainment?" Rafael��s entertainmentpany was his blood, sweat, and tears, the business he built from scratch. Asking for it was like asking him to die in the rubble, and Hera expected him to lose his temper and shed his gentleness in an instant for targeting the one thing he cared about.

    To her surprise, Rafael sighed and gave a defeated smile, nodding tenderly. "Whatever I have is yours, and whatever you desire, I shall get for you," he said. Hera felt a tremor inside her as her nerves surged, her brain exploded with the realization that these were the same words he should have said to Alice during his proposal.

    Hera��s eyes widened in panic, and her words caught in her throat. It took her a couple of minutes to calm her wildly beating heart and her brain, which suddenly felt like it had stalled with just a single long beep sounding in her head. Despite this, her face remained calm andposed, betraying none of her inner turmoil.

    But once she hadposed herself, she asked again, "Are you sure about this? Will you not regret your decision? What if you fall in love with someone else?" Hera probed, knowing that giving him a chance didn��t guarantee he wouldn��t pursue Alice in the future.

    Hera knew she might seem fixated on the storyline, but she had learned from past mistakes. She once believed changing her actions could alter her fate and lead to a better life with Alexi, who did improve how he treated and valued her. However, fate remained inevitable. She couldn��t expect Rafael or the other male leads to behave differently. Despite this, Hera was prepared to engage in a long battle against Alice��s destiny. Even if she couldn��tpletely change her own fate, she was determined to seize every opportunity to alter it as much as possible.

    This also meant seizing opportunities with the male leads, much like she had nned, and Rafael had just taken the first step by offering himself to her. Hera couldn��t help but smile triumphantly in her mind.

    Rafael shook his head resolutely. "I have only one heart, and it��s not big enough to give to another person. I��m not generous enough to share my heart," he said, making it sound like a solemn promise.

    Hera audibly exhaled. "I don��t need grand promises. All I want is this: when the timees and your sister crosses the line again, I hope you won��t interfere or aid her. If you can promise me that, I��ll give you a chance. And I hope you��ll choose my side, no matter what," she said. She knew her request was asking a lot, especially thest part. Asking him to abandon his sister and side with her would be a profound betrayal to his family, not just to his sister.

    But this is crucial because removing Rafael��s involvement and support from Minerva would significantly weaken her. In the novel, Minerva cornered Hera and offered her no way out after Hera had already given half of her inheritance to Alexi. This led Minerva to discover that Hera was the sole heiress of the Avery conglomerate, a realization that pitted her against a formidable opponent. Minerva took the initiative to corner Hera first, making her life miserable enough that Hera feltpelled to take her own life before the Averys could retaliate against Minerva.

 Chapter 269 Settling Score

    Even if it was the storyline pushing for this to happen or it was Minerva��s desire to eliminate her means little to her now because it only means her or Minerva��s death but if she really led Minerva to take her fate and die on her behalf, that would surely backfire on her and she would still need to face Rafael��s wrath and probably the other male leads banding together against her and Alice could take that chance to seized back her own fate which would then put Hera back to where she belonged.

    Hera stillcked a concrete n for dealing with Minerva and Alice. This matter was delicate and couldn��t be approached randomly or hastily. She needed to carefully monitor the characters involved in the novel and conduct some strategic experimentation before taking decisive action, so, she��ll just have to take whateveres her way head-on.

    As Hera pondered the storyline��s scenarios, Rafael��s husky voice, usuallymanding, softened slightly as he responded with resolve. "I understand. I will honor your wishes." Hera was taken aback; she hadn��t expected him to agree so readily. After all, Minerva was his sister, whom he had always protected and treated like a princess.

    Rafael noticed the change in her expression and shyly rubbed the tip of his nose, guilt evident in his gaze as he looked at her. "I��m not just being a heartless brother willing to discard my family, especially my sister, to pursue my love. But I��vee to realize this is what��s best for her too. As you said, even before I came to see you, I��d already seen how my parents�� coddling led to her bing unruly, oblivious to the consequences of her actions. Your words were a wake-up call for me, and it felt like the right course of action."

    He paused, searching for the right words. "I realized that letting her face the consequences of her actions might help her mature and understand the gravity of her choices," Rafael confessed. "Agreeing to your request was something I had already decided on. It feels like I��m not just doing you a favor, but also doing what��s best for my family and myself."

    Hera studied Rafael intently, her brow raised. She found no deception in his words or in the sincerity of his gaze. "In that case, I��ll do my best not to let my prejudices cloud my judgment," she replied evenly. "But I must be clear: I believe in giving one chance. If you betray my trust or act against me, I won��t give you another opportunity to be close to me."

    Hera took a step back, creating the impression that she was doing him a favor while giving him an ultimatum. How he used this chance was entirely up to him.

    Rafael fell silent for a moment, deep in contemtion. Hera didn��t interrupt his concentration. If she wanted to make use of the male leads and their respective ��Male Lead Halo,�� she needed to earn their trust and protection. This way, even if Alice had the world protecting her, Hera might not suffer as much. Probably.

    Rafael, however, was ted by the chance Hera had given him. At the same time, he began reflecting on how he had wronged her in the past and the actions he must take to prevent it from happening again. He also considered his path forward. Right now, he was at the very end of the line, unlike Leo, Xavier, Luke, and Zhane, who had made good impressions on Hera. He pondered what he should do, knowing he didn��t have the same starting point as the others. He didn��t even count Dave in the mix.

    "Now that we��ve finished our talk, shall we calcte how you��ll repay me for touching me without my permission and even before you��ve started courting me?" Hera��s eyes narrowed as she stared at Rafael, who suddenly felt as if he had been doused with cold water and started to get nervous.

    He was used to being the dragon in hispany, always breathing fire. But now, on the receiving end, he felt a conflicting mix of emotions. To make matters worse, this was another mark against him. Nervousness numbed his tongue, and sweat formed on his forehead. "I-I... I��m sorry." He lowered his head in embarrassment, his lips pursed and brows tightly knitted. He had no excuse for his actions and didn��t n to make any. In fact, even if given another chance, he knew he��d do it again.

    "Sorry, huh? Do you think that��s enough to absolve you for your actions?" Hera asked, an evil smirk ying on her lips. Now that Rafael was in her hands, she didn��t n to make things easy for him. She intended to be subtle enough not to arouse his suspicion that she was taking revenge on him. She wanted to ensure that even if she sold him out, he would still happily help her count the money.

 Chapter 270 Settling Score 2

    Hearing Hera��s words made Rafael gently pull Hera��s hands closer and slowly gave them a kiss as gentle as a feather. "No, please don��t get me wrong. I don��t want to wrong you nor make you feel that I��m doing it on purpose. I also don��t want to push it under the rugs, I will definitely take responsibility. I only asked what you want forpensation because aside from my heart and body, I only have money and a little bit of power." Rafael said humbly, his eyes zed over like a pitiful doberman.

    Hera felt her brows twitch upon hearing him mention his limited power. If she didn��t know better, she might have thought he was trying to impress her. ��<i>And what��s with the heart and body? Is he taking a page from Leo��s book?��</i> Hera wondered. Remembering Leo��s words, she realized she might not be able to escape Leo either.

    She sighed inwardly as she watched Rafael. "Please, tell me what you want me to do," he said, his voice almost pleading in its huskiness.

    "Then how about this: give me the ambassadorial contract for the ��Love Potion�� perfume making its debut in the country next week?" Hera had long coveted this opportunity, pondering how to wrest the contract from Rafael��s grasp. He had secured it through Xavier, who was the male ambassador for the perfume brand. Thepany intended to reward Xavier��s favor by offering the female ambassador position to hispany. Hera knew Alice also coveted this chance, which Athena had mentioned would be Alice��s gateway to industry recognition and a closer rtionship with Xavier following a serious ident.

    As a reincarnator, Alice understood the value of seizing the best opportunities. Unfortunately, Athena, her best friend, and a transmigrator, was already privy to Alice��s ambitions and ns. This meant that Athena knew not only what Alice was pursuing but also had advanced knowledge of developments Alice hadn��t even discovered yet. They believed they were a step ahead of Alice in nning and execution.

    So, in order to prevent Alice from gaining power over her destiny, Hera needed to secure this opportunity for herself.

    "Alright, I��ll give it to you," Rafael answered without hesitation. "Will that makeup for my impulsiveness?" he asked, his tone tentative.

    "Hmph! You think it��s that easy? You better carry all our shopping bags until the end and don��t even think aboutining," Hera retorted with a slight smirk. She wanted to give him some credit for being a great help and getting her closer to changing her fate. This was also to present herself to Rafael as good-natured and reasonable.

    If Athena were here and heard her thoughts about being ��good-natured and reasonable,�� she might burst intoughter. How could extorting Rafael and turning him into her pack mule be considered ��good-natured and reasonable��? Right now, she felt more like a viiness, a bitch��calcting and unreasonable.

    After everything was said and done, Hera couldn��t help but feel embarrassed about herself. She cleared her throat and tried to refocus her thoughts. Feeling she had gone too far, she murmured, "No, I��ll just ask them to deliver our shopping bags to my ce." She couldn��t bring herself to look Rafael in the eyes after reconsidering her actions.

    Rafael chuckled softly as he watched Hera struggle with her thoughts, clearly troubled. Seeing her like this brought him a sense of happiness and a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, he still had a chance to worm himself into her heart.

    After clearing her mind of unnecessary thoughts, Hera calmed her racing heart with a few deep breaths. "Alright, while I��ve asked for the ��Love Potion�� perfume ambassadorial contract, I also want to propose something of equal value," she said, retrieving her phone.

    "You don��t need to." Rafael asserted himself, that it was something he wanted to give not just because she asked him, although it would give Xavier a chance to get closer to Hera but that was something he had earned for thepany anyway, so he did not have any qualms about it.

 Chapter 271 The Little Minx

    [Hera: Betty, I want to exchange some contract of equal value to the Love Potion Perfume��s ambassadorial contract, do we have any?]

    [Betty: Hera, the issue isn��t whether we have simr contracts, but that particr contract for the Love Potion Perfume ambassadorial contract is out of our reach. Even with numerous international contracts, it��s exclusive and solely at the discretion of the owner of the brand or Xavier, who earned it on his own merit.]

    [Hera: That��s alright. Could you please send me copies of those international contracts? I��ll select one myself to send to Mr. Briley in exchange.]

    Betty didn��t argue further with Hera, realizing Hera was determined and wouldn��t listen to her unless faced with rejection firsthand. So, she searched for the necessary contracts,piled them, and sent them to Hera.

    Hera understood that Rafael needed to bolster hispany��s international presence to level the ying field. Therefore, she intended to provide him with the best options avable in exchange for the contract she sought. However, she couldn��t ignore the risk that Alice might exploit this opportunity to her advantage as well.

    But Hera knew there was little she could do about it. If the world��s consciousness and the storyline were truly intent on helping Alice, they had countless ways to do so, even invading her mind. What else could they not aplish?

    For now, she decided to focus on winning over the male leads. By doing so, she hoped to gain their protection through their ��male lead halo�� and continue pursuing Alice��s fate with full force afterwards.

    But she would still work to hinder Alice��s ascent as much as possible while pursuing her own goals.

    Not long after, Hera received Betty��s message with theption of contracts. Hera meticulously read through the attached files. Among them, she found the contract Rafael had been pursuing for a long time, which had ended up with Universal Entertainment. She also found another contract that she thought would be very beneficial for Xavier.

    She now wondered if giving Rafael the contract he truly desired in exchange for the one she wanted was the right move. It would undoubtedly propel hispany into the top 50 worldwide, significantly bolstering his standing. However, it would also make him an even more tempting target, and Alice would be more inclined to exploit the opportunity to win over him.

    What would happen if Alice sessfully won Rafael over to her side? Wouldn��t that mean Hera had just handed Alice a knife to stab her with? Hera sucked in a mouthful of air. Instead of giving Rafael the contract he wanted, she offered him a different international ambassadorial contract from a major luxury brand that closely coborated with herpany. This way, she could still maintain a hold over Rafael and hispany if her fears materialized.

    Along with the contract she chose, Hera also included the contract that would benefit Xavier. Since the ambassadorial contract she requested from Rafael was all thanks to Xavier��s merit, she felt it was necessary to prepare a gift for him as an apology.

    Now that Hera was reflecting on the topic, she felt her head buzz as another realization struck her. <i>��Maybe those intrusive thoughts and feelings earlier weren��t just the world��s consciousness or the storyline pushing me into a corner to be a viiness. What if they actually reflect the real thought process of the female lead? Since I��m attempting to usurp her fate, it could be that I��m inadvertently adopting her mindset and the storyline is molding me to think and act like her.��</i>

    This thought was much more scarier for Hera because, if that was the case, then, Alice wasn��t really that easy to deal with and needed to be more cautious against her.

    Hera shook her head to dispel the thought that was beginning to consume her again. Her tendency to overthink wouldn��t relent until she addressed every angle. Pushing aside thoughts about the storyline and Alice, she relegated them to the back of her mind to prevent unnecessary distractions and refocused on the task at hand.

    Once Hera extracted the two contracts she had chosen from the file Betty sent her, she searched for Rafael��s phone number, which he had used to call her previously. Because she hadn��t properly saved his number, she had to check her call history log, carefully noting the dates and times of the unknown number that had called her.

    Seeing Hera fumble through her call history from the corner of his eye, Rafael felt his smile twitch. He knew Hera didn��t hold him in the same regard as Xavier and the others, which made seeing her search for his unsaved number a bit painful.

    After finding the unknown number in her call history that matched the date and time she remembered Rafael calling, Hera dialed the number. Rafael felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and slowly pulled it out, waving the screen in front of Hera.

    Hera saw his screen light up but felt a lump in her throat when she noticed the name saved on the screen: "Little Minx."

 Chapter 272 I Could Be Even Sweeter

    It��s no exaggeration; Xavier truly excels at bringing characters to life across various genres. His talent is matched by his striking appearance, setting him apart in the entertainment industry. Numerous male celebrities have attempted to emte him, hoping to be a lesser version of Xavier, but it often backfires. They simply can��t match his charisma, good looks, and acting prowess.

    And that��s how it greatly benefited Alice. Originally, this opportunity was meant for Alice, thanks to Minerva��s persistence, and Rafael didn��t object. He had noticed Minerva��s positive changes, prompting him to actively support Alice��s career. Xavier also saw potential in her after this ambassadorial contract and admired her character, leading him to asionally look out for her when the opportunity arose.

    Well, Alice was also driven to pursue this contract because of Xavier. That��s what the novel says. However, Hera now sees Alice differently; she believes Alice pursued the contract not just to get closer to Xavier, but also for the opportunities it could bring her.

    She exhaled deeply, trying to push thoughts of Alice and the storyline out of her mind to avoid overthinking. Instead, she looked up at Rafael, who was visibly pleased with the contracts she had meticulously selected. He even tenderly rubbed the top of her head, his eyes filled with a warm, honeyed gaze.

    Hera��s heart trembled at the sight of Rafael like that. The typically rough and imposing Rafael, who often resembled a mafia boss, looked remarkably handsome when he smiled like that. It made Hera��s breath catch in her throat and sent butterflies dancing in her stomach.

    The situation was overwhelming for her, and she felt her heart constantly stirred and pulled by the attention of so many men around her. It made her admire Alice even more for having such a big heart to amodate all these men and manage her feelings and time among them. Hera couldn��t believe she had the generosity to share her emotions and time with so many; she wondered if she would have anything left for herself in the end.

    She didn��t believe in blind devotion or blind love. Hera believed that the human heart wasplex and inherently prone to greed, whether it be for power, money, or love.

    She believed that while she might have such greed within her, she was raised as a kind-hearted woman. It was true; she was empathetic, and her heart always went out to the weak. Despite being a good person, she acknowledged that she was not without sin or other emotions. She epted all her ws, which set her apart from characters like Alice and other female leads depicted in novels who are often portrayed as excessively kind and forgiving.

    She believes that forgiveness is earned and not given.

    So while she was thinking of these silly little things, Rafael had already moved closer to her and gave her a tender peck on the cheek. "Thank you, my little minx." he teased, his eyes crinkling with a mixture of yfulness and tenderness, as if his emotions were on the verge of overflowing.

    "I didn��t know that you have sweetness in your body that you could even say thank you in the most charming way." Hera absentmindedly blurted because Rafael had still gotten her attention and she didn��t even notice that she blurted out her thoughts just in front of his face.

    Rafael��s smile widened, his eyes narrowing to slits that almost hid his gaze. "I can be even sweeter, you know. Maybe I could show you a different kind of sweetness," he teased, hinting at a more intimate possibility with Hera in bed. He felt more rxed around her, noticing her change in attitude and perspective of him. Whether it was due to the contract he had given her or another reason, he was d that for once, Hera didn��t see him as her enemy.

    Rafael watched as the fragile thread of affection he had woven in Hera��s heart unraveled at his remark. He saw her nose crinkle and her re intensified. Reminded of what happened between them on that same sofa. At that moment, Rafael finally understood the impact of his words �� he had inadvertently sabotaged the atmosphere and felt a pang of regret for his carelessment.

    Flustered, Rafael found himself at a loss, unsure where to ce his hands or how to meet Hera��s gaze as she frowned and avoided him. He bit his lip in frustration, berating himself for his thoughtless words. "I-I��m sorry," he mumbled quietly, feeling regret for ruining the good mood he had worked so hard to create.

    "You should be," Hera snorted, rolling her eyes.

    Rafael found her reaction adorable; she looked like an angry little fox. Wanting to make amends, he considered offering to buy her something to appease her, but quickly realized how insincere that would seem, especially since Hera wasn��t materialistic like his sister Minerva.

    Not knowing how else to calm the angry lioness, Rafael leaned in closer before her and rested his head on herp, looking up at her with wide, pitiful eyes. He had seen Leo use this tactic before and was now trying his luck to see if it would work. Rafael remained there, hoping Hera would notice and forgive him.

    Feeling a weight on herp, Hera initially bristled, ready to snap at Rafael for his persistence, and thought that he was trying to pull the same thing as he did earlier. However, when she turned her head to re at him, she found both of his arms on herp, his chin resting on the back of his hands, and his eyes wide and pitiful, resembling a lost puppy.

    But his physique and expression didn��t quite match up; he was tall and muscr, which made the whole scene lookical. Hera couldn��t help but burst outughing, her head leaning back at the unexpected sight. Rafael��s attempt to appear pitiful had backfired spectacrly, yet it managed to diffuse Hera��s angerpletely. Despite its unintended effect, Rafael��s gesture still managed to work in his favor, albeit in a rather unconventional way.

 Chapter 273 The Schemer

    Now seeing Hera��s excitement, Rafael��s enthusiasm grew as he led the group inside. At the entrance, they were greeted by a reception area with a rosewood desk, elegantly designed to exude sophistication without being ostentatious.

    They were fortunate to arrive early and secure immediate seating in the rtively uncrowded restaurant. The ambiance was pristine, offering a refreshing and sophisticated atmosphere where patrons could unwind to the soothing melodies yed by a pianist in the corner.

    "I know you��re all probably tired from shopping and walking around. Feel free to order whatever you like," Rafael generously offered with a confident grin, shooting Hera a smile. Hera shrugged and looked at the menu, not about to pass up on a free meal.

    "Oh?! Why don��t you treat me too?! I��m starving!!!" A sensually raspy voice echoed behind them, drawing closer. The four of them whipped their heads around simultaneously to see Dave approaching. He looked haggard and disheveled as if he��d been on the run or something, not caring about his appearance at the moment.

    When he saw Hera among them, his eyes sparkled, and he strode over to sit beside her, his pale face finally gaining some color. He wanted tounch intoining about the grievances he had suffered that day, but when he met Rafael��s gaze, he swallowed his words and remained silent for a moment. Eventually, he joined in, yfully fawning over Rafael to treat him to the meal as well.

    "I didn��t know the Country��s Minister was so broke that he would resort to treats," Rafael scoffed, tossing the menu over to Dave.

    "Tell me about it! I was on the run all day��I didn��t even manage to bring my phone, let alone my wallet!" Dave replied through gritted teeth. From the moment he left home to head to his office, he was being tracked by the Korean dignitary he��d been avoiding for who knows how long, all while feigning illness.

    It wouldn��t have been a problem if they were just discussing business rted to the relic sites for tourism. However, the fact that he was also trying to push his daughter onto Dave and even went so far as to unreasonably pressure him into dating her, made Dave want to run and hide from that person.

    It wouldn��t have been a problem if the woman being pushed on him was just a part of their upper circle and he could simply ignore them. However, that dignitary held such immense influence in his country that mishandling the situation could lead to an international dispute. Today, he went on the run to devise a solution while his assistant covered for him. Unfortunately, his location was leaked the moment he relocated, trapping him in a situation where he could barely leave due to the dignitary and his bodyguards surrounding him.

    <i>��If I find out who��s responsible for this, I��ll skin them alive,��</i> he thought menacingly, his jaw clenched in anger. He was certain someone was aiding the Korean dignitary, possibly even pushing them, which only made him more determined to uncover the truth.

    He had never been schemed against so fiercely before; he felt like a cornered animal, running with his tail tucked between his legs, and it was not a ttering sight.

    At that moment, Leo, who was in the midst of signing some crucial contracts, sneezed forcefully. His assistant, rmed, feared he might being down with a cold and promptly administered medicine. It was the third time Leo had sneezed unexpectedly, unaware that certain individuals had been cursing him since the previous night.

 Chapter 274 Another Trouble

    "Ehem!" A throat cleared behind the bodyguards, prompting them to step aside for an older man. He stood tall, his hair greying with age, and his sharp eyes conveyed a shrewd and calcting demeanor. He scanned Hera��s group before his gaze settled on the annoyed Dave. With repeated nods, he regarded Dave before letting out a satisfied chuckle. "Mr. Carson, I didn��t expect to see you here!"

    Hera blinked, sensing the insincerity in the man��s words, clearly intended to corner Dave. Uncertain of the situation and why this man was targeting Dave, she could only watch silently from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Dave clenched his teeth in frustration, veins throbbing on his forehead as he struggled to contain his anger.

    Observing Dave��s restrained reaction, Hera spected that the man before them might be a politician or someone not from their country, judging by his slight ent and demeanor that didn��t quite match the locals.

    "It��s quite a surprise to see you for the sixth time today!" Dave quipped, his voice tinged with sarcasm. His demeanor almost made Hera burst outughing; Dave��s mischievous nature was evident, prompting her to wonder why he chose politics given his nonchnt and yful attitude. She had always imagined politicians as serious figures exuding an air ofmand and respect, yet Dave was quite the opposite.

    The old man appeared unfazed by Dave��s obvious annoyance, responding with a hearty chuckle. "Indeed, why don��t we have dinner together to discuss the joint tourism project for our countries�� heritage sites? Coincidentally, my granddaughter is also here with me; she starts studying at University B this week. It would be wonderful if you could give her a tour, as this is her first time away from home. Afterward, I��ll need to return to my country once our tourism project is finalized."

    With a sudden realization, Hera understood the man��s intentions. She looked at Dave with a raised eyebrow and a faint smile, but Dave misinterpreted her expression, thinking she believed he might want to end things with her because someone else was showing interest in him.

    "Sir, please choose your words carefully," he began, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Otherwise, my girlfriend might misunderstand and think I��m pursuing someone else while in a rtionship." He spoke without consulting Hera, consumed with irritation from being pursued all day without having eaten lunch or dinner, feeling increasingly agitated and fearing he might do something irreparable.

    Most importantly, he didn��t want Hera to misunderstand him, so he nned to exin the matter to herter after the shrewd man left. For now, all he could do was hope that Hera would y along with him.

    Hera and Rafael exchanged incredulous nces at Dave as if he had suddenly grown another head. Meanwhile, the old man��s gaze swept across the others at the table, focusing on two women seated there. His eyes locked on the youngest one, who possessed a striking beauty and an ethereal aura. She appeared serene andposed, yet her eyes conveyed a wisdom far beyond her years. It was evident she had been assessing him from the moment he entered, maintaining her calm demeanor amidst the surroundings without a trace of nervousness.

    Hera met the old man��s gaze squarely, maintaining herposure without batting an eye. Sensing his appraisal, she offered a warm smile. "Hello, sir. Thank you for looking after Dave and for your patience. I��m also a student at University B. Why don��t I show your granddaughter around and help her settle in?" Hera��s generous offer omitted any explicit mention of her rtionship with Dave, leaving their connection open to interpretation.

    Rafael understood that Hera was trying to assist Dave, so he refrained from mentioning their rtionship. Meanwhile, Sandra and Logan appeared visibly perplexed, particrly Logan, who had not anticipated finding himself seated at the same table as the Young Minister of their country.

    Seeing Hera not ostracizing him for using her as a shield, Dave��s lips bloomed into a smile and he shot Hera a grateful look before turning to the old man with confidence. "Old man, as you can see, my girlfriend is so considerate that she wants to tour your granddaughter around."

 Chapter 275 Do You Need Help?

    Little did he know, Hera wasn��t particrly concerned about any repercussions from the dignitary. If she had been genuinely worried, she wouldn��t have taken such a direct approach. Coincidentally, the Korean chief officer responsible for the heritage site, which was a key aspect of Korean rtions with their country, happened to be closely associated with Hera��s aid, who was now managing their branch in that country.

    Hera learned about this from casual conversations in their group chat, where her aide subtly hinted at their achievements without actually telling her what they had aplished so far. It was Gerald��s report that reminded her of the Korean dignitary staying at her hotel, and listening to what the old man had said helped her piece together the situation.

    Without that aid, Hera wouldn��t have attempted to intervene. She only confronted the dignitary to impress Dave and demonstrate her loyalty to him, hoping he would value her actions and develop deeper feelings for her.

    Dave was cunning and shrewd, but his emotional intelligence (EQ) wascking. He approached situations logically and politically, always calcting the potential benefits. His attraction to Hera grew because of her higher EQ, whichplemented his own deficiencies in that area.

    "Hey Dave, why are you letting that dignitary push you around? That��s not like you," Rafael teased lightly. Despite his concern for Hera, he was confident that Dave wouldn��t let anyone, especially not in his territory, make a move on her.

    "Tell me more about it! If he hadn��t brought his granddaughter around, hoping to hook her up with me while my mom is here, I wouldn��t be in this position with my hands tied, unable to make a move. I��ve been racking my brains for solutions ever since I found out I was being hunted by that old fox," Dave sighed in exasperation.

    "You know my mom has always been concerned about my marriage, and since someone presented herself to me, she��s been over the moon. I even suspected she might have leaked my location to them, but when I confronted her, she denied it. Instead, I filled her in on what was happening, and that��s when I identally left my phone and wallet at home while I was on the run after she invited the dignitary��s granddaughter into my house," Dave said, looking aggrieved and annoyed.

    If he hadn��t confronted his mom, she wouldn��t have known about the dignitary��s granddaughter, and she wouldn��t have gotten involved in this issue, backing up that woman and preventing him from taking action. Only after he had no other options left did he run away, fortunately with Rafael and Hera, and Hera even helped him out.

    Now, he became even more determined to pursue a rtionship with Hera. In doing so, everyone would benefit: his mother would stop pestering him about marriage and blind dates, while other women would hesitate topete with someone who��s not only beautiful but also talented and smart.

    Just thinking of that future made his heart swell with pride and lifted his mood. After the brief interruption in their dinner, they all resumed ordering their food. Rafael didn��t mind treating Dave to a meal; despite being rivals in love, they were friends first. Rafael also couldn��t resist teasing Dave, which lightened the atmosphere and helped them all get along well.

    Although Dave and Rafael were not as attentive as Leo in serving Hera, they still made sure to offer her food. While eating, Dave couldn��t help but ask, "Hera, do you need help dealing with the scandal targeting you on the inte?" He then ced a te of escargot meat, separated from its shells, in front of Hera for her to take some if she wished.

    Rafael took Hera��s te of steak and reced it with his own, which he had already cut into bite-sized pieces. This gesture allowed her to focus on eating without having to handle the food herself. After swapping the tes, he observed Hera��s face, slightly flushed with gratitude for being treated so well��like a queen��where everything she needed and wanted was being attentively provided by either Rafael or Dave.

 Chapter 276 Just Like A Sims Dating Game

    After gaining a clearer understanding of how the storyline unfolds, she responded to Dave with the polished tone of her customer service skills. "Don��t worry about it; mypany��s management is already addressing the matter effectively. I can see you��re dealing with your own challenges, and I didn��t want to add to your burdens with my issues. Your thoughts mean a lot to me though." She then shed him with a bashful smile.

    Some parts of what she said were genuinely meant, especially when she expressed how much his thoughts meant to her. She hoped that the current feelings of the male leads were as sincere as their interactions with Alice in the novel, assuming the storyline truly operated like a dating sim. The only difference now was that the female lead was changing.

    Now that she had gained a clearer understanding, her mind also cleared, as if the fog that had clouded her thoughts was dissipating, revealing a clearer path ahead that she needed to follow.

    Noticing the subtle shift in her expression, Dave and Rafael exchanged a brief nce before turning back to her with a concealed sense of relief in their eyes. Despite their attempts to downy it earlier, they all sensed that Hera had initially been distant and had formed a negative impression of them even before they met.

    No one discussed it openly, but they sensed it in her subtle actions and glimpsed emotions that shed across her eyes fleetingly. They all chose to feign ignorance, believing that, apart from Rafael, none of them had wronged her, and attributing her behavior to their association with him. They reasoned that ��birds of a feather flock together,�� after all.

    And none of them harbored any resentment towards her. This is also why Zhane requested Hera for equal opportunity without favoritism.

    Now, they truly believe she will give them a fair chance to demonstrate their capabilities and sincerity without any preconceived biases. Rafael and Dave became even more enthusiastic about serving Hera the food they believed she would appreciate.

    Hera didn��t stop them either, feeling as though the boulder that had weighed on her chest for as long as she could remember had vanished. She felt a sense of relief and liberation as if the world around her had suddenly be more vibrant and beautiful. Perhaps it was because the fear that had consumed her mind had dissipated, leaving her with a clear goal in mind instead of mere spection.

    Now she felt like she was finally making progress.

    With renewed hope, she began serving Dave and Rafael as well, cing food on their tes. Logan and Sandra watched from the sidelines, almost forgotten in the pink bubble that enveloped Hera, Rafael, and Dave. They sensed it wasn��t the right moment to intervene.

    And at that moment, Hera received the report she had been anxiously awaiting from Gerald��whether it was about the scandal or regarding the Lennons, either would suffice. It was crucial for her to begin executing her n, as dys had persisted since the previous night, and she was certain the perpetrator behind this would persist in their attacks against her.

    [Gerald: Young Miss, I received news that the person who sent the picture to one of the tabloids was well prepared, they used a VPN and fake IP address to avoid being tracked after sending and even erasing their traces but my people also said that Minerva tried to use SOE��s PR department to fan the me again but her brother has given a clear order not to allow Minerva to used the PR department again without his knowledge or he��ll be firing the entire department which scared them and firmly refused but because of it, she hired trolls and water army to fan the me.]

    [Gerald: But this only means that Minerva wasn��t the one who spread the news to the tabloids because the one who did it seems experienced while Minerva was acting like usual and a little idiotic for that meticulousness.]

    _______

    PS: Hello everyone once again!!! Another month hase, and someone introduced a game to me that I��m really eager to try, just some additional motivation so please humor me a little.

    For five inspiration capsules, I��ll release an extra Chapter! (�R���Q) (?������)?

    Please ADD <THE RETURN OF THE CANNON FODDER TRILLION HEIRESS> to your LIBRARY to be notified when the update is posted. Thank you!!!

    Please don��t forget to cheer me up by voting with Powerstone and Golden Ticket!

    Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

    You may also like <MY 100TH REBIRTH A DAY BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE>

 Chapter 277 Online Banter

    [Hera: It��s okay, I still have a way to deal with this issue. What about the investigation for Tyler Lennon?]

    [Gerald: Young Miss, that bastard was a little slippery as a loach but luckily, my people have always been watching the movements of each big family around us. We are gathering quite a substantial information but we still need some time to give you theplete report.]

    [Hera: Alright, I understand. Keep me updated.]

    Hera then set down her phone to continue eating, Dave and Rafael both pretended that they did not see her on her phone but were sneakily stealing nces since she held her phone, thinking if she was texting with their other friends or maybe with Leo.

    Meanwhile.

    Leo felt conflicted upon seeing his face in the pictures from Hera��s scandal. On one hand, he was d that it publicly affirmed Hera��s rtionship with him. Yet, he couldn��t shake off his frustration at being in the same frame alongside others.

    He was glued to thement section, thankful for managing Hera��s fanbase and spearheading their counterattack against the trolls and water army intent on tarnishing Hera��s reputation. Once they quelled the paid trolls, he strategically promoted his special rtionship with Hera online to ensure it gained recognition.

    Only to find that the others were also doing the same. Their reactions only fueled the fans, who now created multiple groups shipping all of them as Hera��s suitors.

    [NorthernDuke: Please, stop shipping unrted men with my wife. Flies shouldn��t pretend to be butterflies.]

    [GoldenLight: Oh,e on. Didn��t we agree to y fair and square?]

    [NorthernDuke: (��`����)? @GoldenLight]

    [HeraismySister: OMG!!! @GoldenLight, are you dering that you all are reallypeting for my sister Hera��s heart?!!!! Kyaaaa!!!! This is a real-life romance drama!!!!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Ah!!!! I��m shipping the president with my little sister Hera. But Mr. President, which one are you among those men in the picture, or are you just a silent admirer who watches her from afar? @NorthernDuke...]

    [NorthernDuke: @AuntieNextDoor (?_?)����ߩ���]

    [NorthernDuke: Aren��t I the closest one to her in the picture, being chauffeured by her in the red Lamborghini Veneno Roadster? (#��?`#)...]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @NorthernDuke YOU, SNEAKY MAN!!!! So, all this time, you��re Leo Hendrix, the one who��s been watching her Variety Show but pretended to have only met her at the Horse Race Competition? Were you hoping to meet her there?!

    [FatherOfCaduceus: He��s definitely ying dirty. (�p?��?)]

    [GoldenLight: Oh! Looks like your cover��s been blown. (???) @NorthernDuke.]

    [NorthernDuke: @GoldenLight, what do you mean? The Hendrix family sponsored the Horse Race and I was invited to present the awards. (-??)]

    [SilverEmperor: @NorthernDuke You y dirty! For all I know, you might have had a hand in sending me abroad using the Hendrix name. (�p? �� ?)]

    [NorthernDuke: @SilverEmperor Weren��t you taught in school not to make baseless usations? Tsk!]

    [GoldenLight: @SilverEmperor and @NorthernDuke, it seems I��m not the only victim, huh? The Hendrixes also stole my important contract at thest minute.]

    [NorthernDuke: @GoldenLight I��m not sure what you��re referring to.

    [Dave_Carson: @NorthernDuke, @GoldenLight, @FatherOfCaduceus, and @SilverEmperor, fight all you want. @EntertainmentKing and I will enjoy our dinner date with our beloved

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson, shut the heck up! We could have had a quiet date with her if you hadn��t announced it!]

    [Dave_Carson: Oops! (��š�)]

    [Dave_Carson: (???)....]

    [NorthernDuke: @Dave_Carson and @EntertainmentKing (?��?����?)???...]

    [NorthernDuke: I��m actively supporting my wife in handling this nder, while you��re sitting idle?!!! Come out here!!! @Dave_Carson """? ? ? ? ?��?��????��=(??��)=��/????/? ? ? ? ?��"" @EntertainmentKing.]

    [Dave_Carson: (��???�F)...]

    [EntertainmentKing: We can only thank you for leading the charge in cleaning this up, but your time wille. I hope ?( ��ţ� )]

    [GoldenLight: (???^??)? �ߩߩ���]

    [GoldenLight: I��ve been holding back just to benefit you all? (��?��?)����ߩ���]

    [PasserbyGod: HAHAHAHAHA. This has turned into an onlineedy!!! Where��s the blood? You guys are love rivals but not fighting a gruesome battle to win the girl?]

    [XavierismyHubby: Wait!!!! It took me by surprise that I was stunned for the most part, did @SilverEmperor, our Xavier really a part of this?!!!]

    [XavierismyHusband: Right!!!! Was our Xavier really part of this? I knew it! I wasn��t mistaken when I saw a part of his clothes in the picture! It really was Xavier, my GOD!!!]

    [XavierisLife: No!!!!!! But I can��t evenin because they look good together, and it only fuels my desire to see them act on screen together!!! Xavier <3 Hera forever!!!]

    [Dummy123: Are you guys brain dead? Why support a harem? Doesn��t that just show how promiscuous Hera is? She��d let multiple dicks be shoved in her. Kekekeke, so why not let me join too?]

    [NorthernDuke: Sounds like you��ve had enough of life? @Dummy123...]

    [GoldenLight: It certainly appears that way.]

    [SilverEmperor: I will not stand for this!!!]

    [Dave_Carson: Oh, someone clearly doesn��t know me yet!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: A mouth like yours should be sewn up!!!]

    [EntertainmentKing: Get ready to receive awyer��s letter from mypany, @Dummy123...]

    [Dummy123: What can you guys even do to me? Just because you have money doesn��t mean you control the police and thew. ���ޡ���;��]

    [NorthernDuke: @Dummy123 At least you��re not naive enough to think thew doesn��t apply. nder like what you just said can tarnish someone��s reputation, which is punishable. Expect a letter from mywyer representing the Hendrix��spany. You might need bail if you can��t defend yourself.]

    [Dummy123: (��_��!)...]

    [Dave_Carson: Expect my police at your doorsteps with the warrant.]

    [GoldenLight: Expect a legal notice from mypany��swyer.]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: You should expect awyer��s letter from my hospital too.]

    [SilverEmperor: And you can expect my retaliation too.]

    [Dummy123: Isn��t this oppressing the weak?!!!!]

    [EntertainmentKing: Weak my ass!!! @Dummy123]

    [NorthernDuke: What you said is also a form of oppression, by ruining someone��s reputation, you are pressing them using public opinion and so, we are just retaliating in kind! You could only me yourself for this!!!! ]

    [Dummy123: Wait! What the hell!!! Did you guys teleport your goons here to scare me? Someone��s banging at my door!!!]

    [HeraismySister: You��re shitting bricks right now, probably hiding under your bed and still chatting here?! Hahaha! That��s rich, but I don��t feel sorry for you.]

    [Dummy123: Wait, how did you know I was under the bed?]

    [Dummy123: They��re inside!!! Please, gentlemen @NorthernDuke, @FatherOfCaduceus, @GoldenLight, @EntertainmentKing, @Dave_Carson, @SilverEmperor, have mercy on me. I��ve learned my lesson. I was only paid to nder Hera. Huhuhuh... Please.]

    [Dummy123: hgfjshagfjf]

    [PasserbyGod: Is he still typing while being dragged?? That��s kind of hrious but also scary.]

    [IamMe: Do you really believe that? Sounds so fake to me... Who can stay calm and type in thements while in that situation? Kekekeke, it��s clearly for clout.]

    [Dummy123: open jpeg_image.]

    [Dummy123: hgfjshagfjf]

    [Windbreaker: Seems like a clout stunt to boost Hera��s publicity, if you ask me. In all this chaos, Hera stands to benefit the most. Sure, she��s beautiful, but who believes multiple men would fight over a woman who isn��t wealthy or powerful?]

    [ExesdoReturn: Exactly! Would powerful men really stoop so low for one woman��s attention when they can have anyone they want? Total clout chasers.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @ExesdoReturn, sounds like you��re just bitter because life hasn��t been kind to you?! (^ �� ^)]

    _______

    PS: Hello everyone once again!!! Another month hase, and someone introduced a game to me that I��m really eager to try, just some additional motivation so please humor me a little.

    For five inspiration capsules, I��ll release an extra Chapter! (�R���Q) (?������)?

    Please ADD <THE RETURN OF THE CANNON FODDER TRILLION HEIRESS> to your LIBRARY to be notified when the update is posted. Thank you!!!

    Please don��t forget to cheer me up by voting with Powerstone and Golden Ticket!

    Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

    You may also like <MY 100TH REBIRTH A DAY BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE>

 Chapter 278 Online Saga with the Six Men

    [SilverEmperor: Don��t you think this is unfair? You guys sent me out of the country just to sideline me?! I��ll tell on you!]

    [Dave_Carson: Oh! The baby��s crying!!! ��(�� _ _)��]

    [EntertainmentKing: @SilverEmperor Yeah, tell all you want. I was swamped with work at mypany too. Let��s see who��s been plotting against us to get alone time with my girl. So much for fighting fair and square, right?]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: So much for being busy but still finding time to eat out with her?! Meanwhile, I��ve been dealing with patients non-stop since yesterday. They��reing in every 3-5 hours, not even giving me or my other doctors a chance to rest. If I find out who��s responsible for this, don��t me me for being unkind!!! ?( `?�� )? ]

    [GoldenLight: Someone also sabotaged my investment dealings, making me sleepless dealing with all this. ��(���`��)�� ]

    [Dave_Carson: It��s not me, just in case you suspect me. ��(�� _ _)�� ]

    [Dave_Carson: I was running all day after being chased by a rabid dog and just happened to meet @EntertainmentKing dining with my sweetheart. She even had to help me chase away the dog that was after me. (?��??) ]

    [EntertainmentKing: Fuck You!!! @Dave_Carson! Don��t pretend. I know what you��re trying to do. Don��t think I��ll let you frame me for all this! My artist just got into a serious scandal, and I��ve been dealing with it sincest night. I only went out for a breather! (��?<i>?)��"(��</i><.) ]

    [SilverEmperor: As I mentioned earlier, I was sent on an ambassadorial assignment outside the country yesterday, just when all of you left. I didn��t even manage to eat dinner...]

    [SilverEmperor: I suspect it was @NorthernDuke. He seems to be the only one unaffected by all of this.]

    [GoldenLight: Doesn��t seem very fair, @NorthernDuke. I��m starting to think it was him too, silently watching us fight it out among ourselves.]

    [NorthernDuke: I��m busy with business; don��t pin this on me without evidence...]

    [GoldenLight: Really?! It just so happens that the one who stole my contracts was associated with the Hendrixes...]

    [SilverEmperor: And the owner of thepany that called me out happens to be linked to the Hendrixes too.]

    [EntertainmentKing: I have even more reason to suspect that @NorthernDuke was behind the plot against my artist!]

    [Dave_Carson: Oh! Now that I think about it, it��s possible you were the one leaking my location, isn��t it @NorthernDuke?]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: So! It��s possible you��re the one sending patients to my hospital, huh?! Don��t think you can feign innocence, @NorthernDuke...]

    [NorthernDuke: Aren��t you guys just bullying me? As a mere managerpared to all of you, what can I even do? I can��t even hurt an ant. (�i�n�i)]

    The otherizens, who had been busymenting, fell silent once the prominent figures began venting about the injustices they had suffered. With popcorn in hand, everyone watched eagerly as the six men battled it out in thement section. It was far more entertaining than slogging through the endless nder and repetitive dirty remarks aimed at Hera.

    More and more passersby joined in to watch the gossip, each picking their side and supporting one of the six, flooding their chosenments with likes. As the surge of people and likes overloaded the tform, moderators had no choice but to delete the entire trending post to restore order.

    And the scandal surrounding Hera evolved into an even more thrilling saga, spawning another trending topic. It��s clear thatizens enjoy online drama as a pastime, and with no shortage of celebrity scandals online, the intrigue surrounding the six big names became a hotly discussed subject. It offered a unique glimpse into the lives of influential figures, captivating the audience with its drama and intrigue.

    Even after the scandal involving Hera and thements from the six were deleted, someone who had managed to screenshot their online feud reposted it, creating another trending topic. This repost effectively overshadowed the initial scandal involving Hera, causing her poprity to skyrocket even further.

    And because of that online drama, moreizens were curious to uncover the identities of the big figures who were fighting over Hera. Some quick-wittedizens searched through business news to discover whichpany had lost an investment bidding against the Hendrixes, leading them to Luke. Others in the medical field inadvertently disclosed Zhane��s name while discussing hisments, revealing his identity. This is how the remaining individuals involved were identified by theizens.

    Many had already deduced the true identity behind the EntertainmentKing username, piecing together hints from previous chat sections of the Variety Show along with his recentments in thement section. Meanwhile, the identities behind SilverEmperor and Dave_Carson usernames were already well-known to everyone.

    Everyone was eager to understand what it was about Hera that had captivated these handsome, wealthy men.

    Unbeknownst to Hera, the negative attention directed at her had shifted, transforming her into a real-life "Mary Sue". Some envied her newfound poprity, others despised her, but most admired her. As a result, her poprity soared even higher. She began receiving more endorsement and drama contracts, much to Betty��s surprise; neither of them had anticipated such a turn of events.

    Meanwhile...

    [Six Musketeers�� Groupchat]

    [Dave: I didn��t expect it to be that smooth and easy. ��(?��????) ]

    [Rafael: See, I told you to trust my experience in this industry. I��ve been around long enough to know the ropes. (��^ ��) ]

    [Luke: True, even with our identities revealed, it was definitely worth the effort.]

    [Dave: Luke,e on man, admit it. Did you leak it on purpose just to avoid beingpared to us negatively for hiding your face? What a show off!!!]

    [Zhane: Mine wasn��t intentional. But my rant was real, otherwise, I wouldn��t have known where to start with this staged fight.]

    [Leo: Why did you me everything on me if we��re just staging this?!]

    [Luke: You can��t deny your involvement either!!! You might face karma sooner than you think.]

    [Xavier: And I��m really angry for being sent outside of the country! So much for fighting fair and square (�s�㧥�㣩�s ��/(.�� . )... ]

    [Dave: Ooh!! Our baby boy grew up and learned how to use emoticons (�R���Q) ]

 Chapter 279 The Six Getting Along

    As a result of this online saga and withizens knowing what each of them looked like, they began officially creating groups among the six men and shipping them with Hera. Many started investing time to follow the developments in their love rivalry, finding this live romance drama more captivating than a movie because it involved real-life CEOs and well-known personalities. The excitement made their adrenaline rush.

    However, due to this online saga, they realized they had all faced difficulty, with suspicion mainly directed at Leo. Yet, it didn��t quite add up. As a mere manager from Hendrix��s branch family, Leo shouldn��t have wielded significant influence over Hendrix��s decisions impacting theirpany. Moreover, it seemed unlikely that the sole heir of the Hendrix family would be interested in Hera, especially given rumors of his engagement to the heiress of the Avery family.

    While they suspected Leo��s involvement, as Leo himself pointed out, theycked concrete evidence. They refrained from retaliating randomly, concerned that Leo might speak negatively about them to Hera, potentially worsening their already shaky first impression.

    So the five men decided to let it rest, allowing Leo to escape unscathed from his mischievous antics against them, who were coveting his wife. Leo, however, was determined to keep Hera unaware of his actions, fearing she might perceive him negatively if she discovered his schemes. He continued to present himself as weak and endearing in her presence, knowing that exposing his true intentions in undermining the other men could reveal his real character.

    Even after resolving the scandal and steering it in the desired direction, they continued to linger in the group chat, enjoying casual conversations. Surprisingly, they discoveredmon interests and simr experiences with Leo. Unbeknownst to the five male leads, they gradually began to include Leo in their discussions, almost weing him into their circle.

    After Hera finished with her phone, Dave and Rafael smoothly put theirs away as if nothing had transpired. Dave discreetly logged out of his ount and returned Logan��s phone from under the table. They all resumed their dinner happily, continuing as if nothing had never urred.

    After finishing their meal, Hera apanied Logan to his new ce while Rafael and Dave went their separate ways from Hera, with Rafael dropping Dave off at his ce. Sandra also headed off on her own after the evening concluded.

    Initially, Rafael and Dave considered apanying Hera to ensure she reached home safely. However, upon Hera��s reassurance that she would manage fine and they should head home to rest, they relented, mindful not to appear overly insistent or intrusive.

    Of course, Hera had no reason to worry about her safety; Cindy had secretly assigned bodyguards to discreetly follow her. They performed their duties so well that even Dave and Rafael were unaware of their presence. If any trouble were to arise, these vignt bodyguards, concealed in the shadows, would emerge swiftly to ensure Hera��s protection.

    With this reassurance, Hera could travel without worry. Before she drove Logan to the address provided by Betty for his new ce to stay. They passed through a run-down residential area where they unexpectedly encountered Lucas sitting on the steps of the main entrance.

    As Hera slowed her car to a stop, Lucas appeared by the driver��s side window, already knocking. Anticipating his approach, Hera rolled down the window before the car fully halted. She gestured to Logan to quickly gather his belongings so they could depart.

    "Senior, where did you take Logan?" Lucas inquired, hisposed smile masking a hint of panic.

    "I simply took him out for a meal. Why, am I not allowed to treat my junior to a friendly dinner?" Hera replied sarcastically, her sweet smile leaving Lucas at a loss for words.

 Chapter 280 The Unwanted Child

    "That��s when our rtionship started to take a turn. But he was still my responsibility, as well as my parents because we all believed that his parents were still alive out there and might return for him someday, hoping he woulde back to his senses. Right now, Logan tends to use whatever leverage he can to deceive others, and I feared you might be a victim too, Senior. I care about you and only want what��s best for you," Lucas said, his face flushing red as he avoided Hera��s gaze.

    "Y-you care for me, really?" Hera looked surprised, her face turning red too.

    "Yes," Lucas answered softly.

    Hera hesitated, looking embarrassed. "Then, do you... like me?" She quickly withdrew the question. "Never mind, forget I asked." Avoiding his gaze, she turned away.

    Lucas��s eyes sparkled with Hera��s reaction. "Yes, I do. I always have."

    His answer left Hera baffled; after all, she was only a sophomore and Lucas was a freshman, so his response seemed unlikely. Her confusion was evident on her face. Lucas rubbed the tip of his nose before answering, "Actually, senior, I��ve noticed you for quite some time now."

    "You worked at a fast food restaurant that my friend and I used to visit often," Lucas exined, jogging Hera��s memory about her recent part-time job.

    "You did?" Hera asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

    "Yes, I��ve seen you working there. In fact, I used to suggest to my friend that we eat there so I could see you," Lucas confessed, his words tinged with a hint of hesitancy.

    "But then, you suddenly stoppeding to work, and I thought I wouldn��t see you ever again. But here we are, meeting again at the university," Lucas added with a faint smile.

    "But aren��t you interested in Minerva or Alice? The girls who were with you just a moment ago?" Hera asked, her eyes scanning Lucas. He hadn��t changed his clothes, and these clothes must have been bought by Minerva since she had signed him to her brother��s entertainmentpany.

    She didn��t know how long have they been talking about business and their n to sign him in, but she knew that he was with them and he is Alice��s admirer if there is something, Alice might have put him into this, besides, with Minerva, it wouldn��t be hard to know where she worked before since Minerva was the one who cklisted her from thosepanies.

    Lucas waved his hand, flustered and a bit aggrieved. "Senior! Miss Briley only approached me earlier, but I��ve been scouted by her brother��spany for a week now. I sent them a recording of my work, hoping to get signed by anypany. Theirs happened to be the first to contact me, and we discussed all the details before school started," he exined, looking a little embarrassed.

    "Today was actually the first time I met Miss Briley and Miss Quinn. When they found out I was signed to SOE, they invited me out, but I only did it out of courtesy," Lucas exined, looking a little flustered as if he was genuinely concerned Hera might misunderstand.

    "Oh, I��m happy for you," Hera replied with a sweet smile. Lucas held his breath for a moment, struck by Hera��s charm. She was well aware of her appearance, having grown up with Athena, who taught her when and how to use her beauty to her advantage, though Hera herself remained humble about it.

    She didn��t usually resort to these tactics, but with Minerva and Alice working together, she couldn��t let her guard down. "I thought you liked one of them," Hera replied a hint of hesitancy in her voice, subtly implying her own interest in Lucas. She knew he must be aware of the ongoing scandal linking her to multiple men on the inte, and his approach meant something.

    Regardless of whether it was his own initiative or not, Hera suspected Lucas had something nned. She didn��t entirely believe his concern about Logan was genuine, and even if it was, she would reserve judgment until she saw it with her own eyes.

    But luck wasn��t on Hera��s side; she didn��t realize that Logan had been standing nearby the entire time, overhearing Lucas narrate the story to her and seeing her expression, which seemed to indicate she believed everything Lucas had said.

    Logan didn��t have much with him��just a few changes of clothes and some gadgets that had been with him for years. When he was about to leave the ce he��d grown up in, no one even bothered to ask where he was going; the only thing they asked was if he had seen Lucas.

    They seemed so happy with Lucas�� sess that they didn��t even notice Logan had found sess on his own, without anyone��s help, unlike Lucas, who had received much support, advantages, and help.

 Chapter 281 You Have To Pay 100 Million

    Hera didn��t waste time beating around the bush. Knowing Logan��s struggles with self-esteem, she knew he needed a straightforward exnation. "I pretended to believe Lucas because I needed him to trust me," she exined breathlessly, catching her breath between words.

    Logan visibly stiffened and came to an abrupt halt, though he avoided looking at Hera��s face, perhaps fearing what he might see. Sensing an opportunity, Hera stepped in front of him, forcing him to acknowledge her presence directly.

    "Listen, I don��t know what happened between the two of you, and only you can fix it because it��s your situation. But if you keep running away from it, not only will it remain unresolved, but it could also escte and be detrimental to you." Hera��s gaze was earnest as she looked directly at his face. She felt a strange concern for Logan, even though her own situation was already tooplicated to worry about others.

    But she couldn��t just leave someone who clearly needed help but didn��t know how to ask for it, all alone. If not for Athena, she might have ended up like Logan herself, so she feltpelled to extend an olive branch too.

    "Believe me when I say I understand how you feel. Though our situations may differ slightly, our futures could end simrly if we let others walk all over us. Even if you don��t know how to fight now, learning to protect yourself is the first step, and eventually, you��ll learn to fight. Who knows? You might surprise yourself and discover a hidden talent." Hera added a teasing remark at the end, hoping to lighten the tension between them.

    Then she saw Lucas running towards them. "Look, herees Lucas," Hera said quickly. "Just remember, I was only pretending. He��s close to my nemesis, so I can��t trust him." She made sure to rify with Logan before Lucas reached them.

    "Senior! Logan!!!" Lucas called out, panting as he bent forward and leaned on his knees. After taking a few deep breaths, he began chiding Logan. "Logan! How could you treat Senior like this? She was just worried about you! It��s okay if you treat me poorly, but you can��t always treat others the same way!"

    "It��s okay, Lucas. Thank you," Hera said, her concerned expression shifting to one of aggrieved resolve as she turned to Logan, who watched with wide eyes. "I��ll be taking Logan with me because our manager is waiting for us at his new lodging," she exined.

    "Wait, what?!" Lucas asked, visibly flustered.

    "Yes, he needs to stay in the dorms for training, as required by thepany," Hera exined quickly, already beginning to pull Logan along without waiting for Lucas to respond.

    "Hurry up, Logan! If the manager gets angry and cancels your contract, you��ll have to pay a breach fee ten times the original amount. And if you can��t pay, your family or guardian will have to cover it! You wouldn��t want Lucas and his family to deal with that, would you?" Hera pretended to scold Logan, but her real intention was to scare Lucas from intervening and letting Logan leave without interference.

    But Hera noticed Logan��s hand flinch, realizing she might have said something ufortable. Despite this, she kept walking, and Lucas hurried after them.

    "Senior, what does that mean? Logan can��t just stop working? How much would he even have to pay? He��s probably only on an E-list contract, right?" Lucas asked, appearing to search for a way to assist Logan. However, Hera couldn��t ignore the hint of gloating in his eyes, as if he didn��t regard Logan highly.

    "Huh? E-list?" Hera halted in her tracks, looking puzzled at Lucas.

    "Yes, from what my mom and dad have heard about Logan��s singing, I assume he��s probably only an E-list singer. Despite his transformation into a good-looking guy, that alone isn��t enough to secure a solid contract. There��s no shortage of attractive people in the entertainment industry, after all," Lucas remarked a hint of condescension in his tone.

    "What are you talking about, Lucas?" Hera turned to look at Logan, who was staring down at his feet, his jaw clenched. "Logan, you didn��t tell them?" she asked innocently, tilting her head to the side.

    "Tell us what?" Lucas asked, clearly confused.

    "That Logan has received an A-list contract, and not just any��apparently, it��s a customized one, better than the usual A-list deals. But because of its terms, my manager is strict; breaching it would incur a penalty of 100 million dors. Logan would have to pay it himself, or his parents or guardian would be liable."Hera said matter-of-factly as if she were just recounting the weather report to Lucas, but her words were enough to make him pale and sweat buckets. His lips trembled, but he couldn��t find the words to respond.

 Chapter 282 Acceptance

    "Yes." Luke��s voice was gentle yet sensual, tugging at Hera��s heart. She wasn��t sure if it was exhaustion making her lower her guard or if she was genuinely starting to warm up to the male leads.

    "What are you doing here at this hour?" Hera asked before Luke could get closer to her.

    "I was called in for an emergency meeting two hours ago, and I��m just now getting back. You look really tired." Luke quickened his pace,ing closer to Hera and gently holding her arm to support her.

    Hera nced up at him with an appreciative look. She was indeed tired, both mentally and physically, and she just wanted to crash into her bed now. "Thank you," Hera said, barely above a whisper.

    "Don��t mention it," Luke replied softly, supporting Hera as they walked slowly towards the elevator. Part of him wanted to sweep her up in a princess-style carry, but he restrained himself; he didn��t want to risking across like Rafael or Dave. Instead, he focused on being gentlemanly and providing Hera with thefort she needed.

    "You must be very busy." Hera said, trying to start a conversation so it would feel awkward since there were only the two of them in the dimly lit parking lot.

    Luke could sense Hera��s nervousness, and he chuckled softly, aware of his own inner struggle to maintain control, and reminded himself to maintain hisposure and not act impulsively. He fought the urge to sweep her off her feet, mindful of not sumbing to the desire to kiss Hera passionately. Despite his self-control, he couldn��t shake the feeling that he was falling behindpared to his friends. A hint of impatience crept in, knowing they might win her over if he hesitated.

    "I thought you were out for dinner with Dave and Rafael?" Luke asked casually, trying to avoid sounding jealous or possessive. Then, realizing the need to rify, he added, "They happened to mention it during our discussion about the scandal targeting you."

    "You believe they��re targeting me? Isn��t it true, though?" Hera responded, her voice and expression neutral, masking her thoughts.

    Luke chuckled softly. "Even if it is true, it��s not your problem. We all took a chance at the same time. What can we do? You��re too good to resist, and all of us are worried that if we blink, someone else will sweep you off your feet." He shrugged nonchntly but his eyes gleamed with seriousness.

    Hera nced up at Luke, surprised by his answer, and couldn��t help butugh a little to herself. ��<i>No wonder this is a reverse harem novel��</i>, she thought, shaking her head.

    Unlike Luke, who was wrestling with inner turmoil, Hera had alreadye to terms with herself. She epted that no matter which path she chose, survival meant she couldn��t avoid entanglements with the male leads. At the same time, she was reluctant to let go of Leo, feeling a greediness to retain what they shared. Now, she simply wanted to go with the flow, embracing both the benefits and struggles that came with stealing the female lead��s fate.

    This was the path she had chosen to walk, and so she resolved to ept everything that came with it. Now that her decision was made, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders and a newfound sense of happiness. If this couldn��t deter her, she believed nothing could.

    "I see you guys were discussing the scandal. Any updates on that?" Hera chuckled as she asked, the atmosphere between them lightening.

    "Yes, actually... The whole topic has been deleted, and nowizens are buzzing about something else entirely," Luke answered with a smile, ncing at her expectantly, hoping for some praise.

    "New topic?" Hera asked with raised eyebrows, the elevator falling into a brief silence as Luke searched for the right way to exin what had happened to her.

    "We... I mean, me and the other five, just yed around a bit, and because of it, the whole topic has turned into a shipping battle about which one of us suits you better, and it��s actually boosted your poprity." Luke replied with a fond look, gently rubbing the top of her head.

    Hera looked up at Luke for a moment, blinking a few times before bursting intoughter. <i>��I haven��t even done anything, and these guys have managed to sort out the issue themselves without harming my career. Instead, they��ve boosted it up. That��s some serious ��male lead halo�� effect.��</i>

    Luke smiled happily as he watched Heraugh, her eyes brimming with happy tears as she imagined what had transpired online in her absence. If only he had known she would be this delighted, they might not have kept it from her and let her witness the online saga unfold alongside them.

    "You mean, you, Rafael, Zhane, Xavier, Dave, and Leo all worked together to bury the hatchet without theizens knowing?" Hera asked, stillughing as she imagined the scene.

    Luke nodded, his eyes narrowing with a smile as he joined in her happiness. Right now, Hera felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, knowing that one of her immediate problems had been solved.

 Chapter 283 Her Body is Changing

    She felt her head spinning as she stared absentmindedly at Luke. Before she could gather her thoughts, Luke didn��t wait for her answer. He gently tilted Hera��s head upward and, with a confident move, drew her closer. His lips met hers in a decisive kiss, his other arm wrapping around her waist to pull her closer.

    Before Hera couldprehend what was happening, Luke��s lips were already on hers, gently sucking on her bottom lip. As she attempted to speak, Luke seized the moment to slide his tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss. When their tongues met, he let out a hungry groan, eagerly intertwining his tongue with Hera��s in a series of passionate exchanges.

    Hera��s thoughts came to a halt as her head grew fuzzy, oxygen seemingly drained, and her knees turned to jelly. All she could focus on was how incredible Luke��s kisses were and the delicious twitching sensation deep within her core.

    "Oh my GOD! Is horniness a disease?" The thought shed through Hera��s mind as Luke continued to savor every bit of her taste. She tried to push him away to catch her breath, cing her hands on his sturdy chest, but he was like an immovable rock, not flinching no matter how much she pushed.

    Instead, he tightened his grip on her waist, as if afraid she��d get away from him. His other hand, which had been on her jaw, slid further to the back of her head to prevent her from turning away.

    Luke bit Hera��s lower lip and sucked on it gently before using his tongue to tease her lips. Then, his tongue slipped back into her mouth, coaxing her tongue toe out and y, inviting it to dance with his.

    Hera followed Luke��s lead, sticking out her tongue, and he didn��t waste a second, sucking on it right away. She moaned into his mouth as he continued his assault of kisses. His thumb yed with her sensitive earlobe, making her writhe like a boneless squid in his arms.

    Luke��s kisses alternated from gentle to needy, but before he could go any further, a loud ��ding�� sound brought them back to reality. The elevator stopped moving, and the doors slowly opened.

    <i>��So much for holding back,��</i> Luke thought to himself as he reluctantly pulled away from Hera. A thin silver thread of saliva connected their tongues. Luke gave Hera onest lingering kiss, then licked her lips where the thread ended. A smirk yed on his lips, his eyes glinting with a hint of deep hunger and danger.

    If they weren��t in the elevator but in a room, Hera was certain that Luke wouldn��t have let her go so easily. She also realized that she wasn��t as adverse to physical intimacy with the male leads anymore; in fact, she felt her body craving it, screaming to be taken, and growing frustrated that they hadn��t reached the next stage.

    When Luke withdrew from her, Hera felt a lingering attachment, and as he stepped back, she couldn��t shake the feeling of emptiness that followed. Hera felt her body changing, unsure whether it was for better or worse at that moment.

    Luke took onest deep look at Hera, his eyes glinting with mixed emotions before he finally let the elevator doors close. Even after the elevator reached the penthouse floor, he lingered there, lost in thoughts of the kiss he had shared with Hera. He had never felt such a strong attraction or desire for a woman��s touch before.

    If Luke hadn��t regained control at thest second, he might have found himself with Hera��s legs wrapped around his hips, making love to her right there in the elevator. However, his rationality prevailed. He realized that it could potentially be Hera��s first time, and such a public and non-romantic setting might give her the wrong impression��that he was only interested in a casual fuck, which she clearly wasn��t.

    He didn��t want to hurt her feelings, although he was being impatient now, he could still hold on to his desires.

    After standing in front of the elevator door for a half-hour, he returned to his unit without bothering to turn on the living room lights, heading straight for his bedroom. He could still smell Hera��s lingering scent on his body as he took a deep breath, imagining her in his arms, recalling the kiss they shared, and the sensation of her soft body against his.

    He continued to imagine what he wanted to do to Hera in the elevator��how she would cling to his neck, her legs straddling his waist, as he gently thrust inside her, giving her time to adjust to his size.

    "Oh God," Luke murmured, his gentle demeanor giving way to a primal desire and possessiveness. His cock throbbed insistently in his pants, his arousal bing almost unbearable. With trembling hands, he unzipped his pants, freeing himself and stroking harder, imagining what might have happened if he hadn��t held back. He imagined how it would feel inside her tight warm pussy, how tightly she would hold onto him, and the sound of her voice as he thrust into her with his hard cock.

    Luke��s breathing grew ragged, his chest heaving with each heavy breath. His head tilted back as he felt his arousal nearing its peak, his urgent strokes bing harder and more desperate until he came abruptly. Strings of cum shot from his cock,nding on his heaving, muscr abdomen.

    With his eyes closed, Luke��s thoughts remained consumed by Hera. He envisioned his cock deeply buried inside her tight warm pussy,zily thrusting to ensure every drop of his cum was released inside her. He imagined supporting her gently, her back against the cool elevator wall, before guiding her back to his unit. There, still connected intimately, he gently carried her to his bed, where theyy together until they drifted off to sleep.

    He paid no mind to his appearance or the sweat glistening on his skin. Lost in the fantasy of Hera peacefully nestled in his arms, he eventually drifted off to sleep. His immersion in his imagination blurred the lines between reality and dreams, only bing clear when he awoke the next day.

 Chapter 284 Is She Coming Out?

    "Don��t bite your lips; it makes me want to do it for you," Luke��s voice startled Hera. She hadn��t realized Luke had followed her outside, and now she felt self-conscious about potentially making a spectacle of herself while her mind wandered to more lewd thoughts��with one of the subjects of those thoughts right beside her.

    Hera cleared her throat and quickened her pace, Luke following behind with a chuckle. Theypleted severalps around the expansive garden before deciding it was sufficient. Like the day before, Luke invited Hera to breakfast to bond and get to know each other better. Hera decided to stop ying hard to get and worrying about things, and she agreed.

    Seeing Hera agree much more easily than yesterday made Luke happy too. After Hera showered in her penthouse and was preparing to leave, she encountered Cindy in the living room. Cindy was sipping coffee and reading newspapers. Their eyes met briefly, and Cindy immediately looked away, her face flushing red.

    For a moment, Hera gazed absentmindedly at Cindy. Breaking the silence, Cindy spoke up, saying, "Young Miss, I��m d you��ve moved on from your scumbag ex and started dating again, but ahem! Next time, try not to make out in the elevator." She then covered her face with the newspaper.

    It was only after Cindy��s remark that Hera remembered the 24/7 manned 4K surveince camera in the elevator. Realizing that others could have seen what transpired, Hera felt deeply embarrassed.

    But what��s done is done, and Hera had a feeling that with Luke��s personality, this was only the beginning, which worried her even more. After regaining herposure, she joined Luke for breakfast. Against his suggestion to dine in, they headed to the Dragon Pce Hotel at Hera��s insistence, as she nned to meet Gerald before going to school.

    Luke drove his Aston Martin Victor to the entrance and swiftly exited to open the door for Hera, which she appreciated and thanked him for with a smile. "Thank you, Luke."

    Handing his car keys to the valet, Luke noticed Gerald waiting at the entrance, which surprised him. Gerald was usually busy and hard to track down. Luke nced at Hera, recalling Dave��s mention of being directed to the strictly off-limits Private Room 1 at the hotel restaurant.

    Luke wondered about Hera��s identity to prompt the typically elusive Gerald to greet them so energetically and warmly early in the morning, a demeanor quite unlike his usual arrogant and authoritative self. Gerald had shed his usual airs standing at the entrance, a sight that amused Luke.

    It never crossed Luke��s mind that Hera was the heiress to the Avery Consortium. As everyone knew, there was only one heiress, currently studying at Princeton.

    "Wee, Mr. Greyson and Miss Ainsley!" Gerald greeted, gesturing for them to follow him. He led Hera and Luke to an exclusive elevator and took them straight to the top floor where the restaurant was located. Staff members lined up in front of the elevator, weing Hera and Luke as soon as they stepped out.

    "Speaking of first-rate service, isn��t this typically reserved for the country��s delegation and politicians?" Luke remarked, raising an eyebrow as he surveyed the restaurant, which was unusually empty despite its usual early morning crowd.

    Hera also sensed that Gerald might be overdoing it and inadvertently revealing her identity. If people didn��t know that the Avery heiress was still studying at Princeton, they could easily piece together that she was the heiress they were seeking.

    Realizing his mistake in his excitement, Gerald quickly stepped in to amend it. "Mr. Greyson, we are honored to have you here. I heard from my subordinate that you did us a great deed by investing in one of the small businesses that we were considering closing due to ack of profit increase over the past half year. Your ability to see potential where we did not, shows myck of foresight. I am thankful that instead of taking the opportunity for yourself, you decided to help us out," Gerald exined.

 Chapter 285 How The Ancient Do

    Observing her apologetic expression, Luke smiled gently at Hera and nodded. "Take your time. I��ll be right here," he reassured her. He then lightly patted Hera��s hands, which were resting on the table, before she quickly left the room.

    "Hah, that was easy!" Hera murmured to herself as she stepped out of the room. In truth, she had set an rm on her phone for exactly five minutes after they entered the private room. Pretending to receive a call was her way of deceiving Luke, providing an excuse to leave the room. She couldn��t use the restroom as an excuse because the private room had its own facilities.

    Hera walked a short distance to the next private room where Gerald awaited with the files she had requested him to investigate andpile. A bodyguard stationed outside the door saw Hera approaching and promptly opened it, politely gesturing for her to enter.

    Upon entering, Hera noticed Gerald seated discreetly in a corner of the dining table, positioned so as to obscure his presence. This precaution suggested he was mindful of protecting his identity in case of an unexpected intrusion into the room.

    Gerald had developed this habit during his work leading the intelligence department of the Avery family. Dealing with mysterious individuals and powerful figures necessitated constant caution and protection of his identity when handling sensitive information.

    The room was considerably smaller than Private Room 1, featuring only arge, 12-seater round table. Near the entrance stood a wooden divider, and on a small table just in front of the wooden divider rested a white rose in an elegant ss vase, strategically ced to partially obscure Gerald��s face from view.

    The room still offered a floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of the city,plemented by the restaurant��s slow rotation and a serene ambiance conducive to rxation and enjoyment. Its design featured simple elegance that was not overpowering, yet upon closer inspection, one could appreciate the expensive artwork, the luxurious woods used in the furniture, and the vases that likely held a value of millions each.

    Hera didn��t hesitate and quickly moved to take her seat across from Gerald. He stood up courteously, offering her a nod before handing over the gathered files with both hands.

    "Miss Hera, as you suspected, Tyler Lennon has been targeting heiresses of majorpanies, specifically focusing on those set to inherit. This allows him to consolidate significant power by exploiting these women he has entrapped," Gerald exined, his voice tinged with frustration.

    He was disgusted by Tyler��s methods and cowardly tactics to rise to the top. "His family is well aware of this, and because of the power they have amassed, many of their family members have be audacious and arrogant, seeing themselves as above thew."

    "Based on my investigation, the Lennons were aiming to secure the Everetts as inws to bolster their influence in the medicalmunity, leveraging Zhane Everett��s esteemed reputation as a genius doctor. They orchestrated a facade, making it appear that the Everetts were overly enthusiastic about the union and were doing their best to win over Zhane��s future wife while sending gift after gift, while in reality, the Everetts were simply sending gift as a form of respect for the favor the Lennon did for them while being cordial about the said union."

    "But I also heard that Madam Everett has stoppeding to the Lennons for days now and there were no marriage talks after that. My source told be that it was the Patriarch��s order." Gerald confirmed while looking at Hera with a knowing look that he immediately concealed.

    As someone working in the Avery family��s intelligence gathering department, he was well aware of his Young Miss�� involvement to the men around her and in fact, he saw those men as an alliance of power to consolidate Hera��s foothold and power over her Consortium that would greatly helped her if those men would assist her and what better way to secure these help than to marry then like how the kings of ancient time consolidate their power by marrying many woman from different powerful houses.

 Chapter 286 Rafael Disciplining his Sister?

    To prioritize future concerns, the immediate focus was on addressing the Lennons for their actions, especially since Hera was now certain that Tyler Lennon had targeted Athena. Her best friend and Athena��s family were iparable to the Lennons.

    "Yes, Young Miss," Gerald replied politely, moving to Hera��s side and opening the folder to reveal some of the evidence he had gathered. "In addition to the confession from the Russian drug smuggler, we also essed the devices of the heiresses who were being ckmailed by Tyler Lennon after they refused to cooperate with the investigation. They remained tight-lipped, so we resorted to this measure. Fortunately, their devicescked anti-hacking applications, which facilitated our ess and enabled Tyler Lennon to exploit them." Gerald shrugged.

    "We attempted to extend an olive branch to those victims in hopes they would unite against Tyler, but they��re more afraid of the n failing and the potential consequences they might face. As a result, we were unable to obtain an actual confession from them."

    "Many of the victimse from middle-ss backgrounds within wealthy circles, and their families are involved in various scattered industries. Compromising them could potentially elevate Tyler Lennon to a position akin to a king with his own empire and entourage. The Lennons have shielded him, touting his achievements and positioning him as the next heir in line to lead them to new heights."

    "However, the Lennons�� increasing arrogance due to these achievements made them somewhatcent, at least in the eyes of most. Tyler and his immediate family still managed to cover up all incidents cleanly, but my team secured evidence before it could be wiped. We��ve stored it in our archives, anticipating its potential use should anyone seek information��information that happens to be exactly what we needed," Gerald added with an ominous smirk and a steely gaze.

    "And I can assure you, Young Miss, they are truly evil," Gerald said with an usatory tone, his anger palpable. He turned the pages of the file towards the end, revealing gruesome pictures of girls who had been raped, murdered, and dismembered before their remains were disposed of to feed sharks and crocodiles.

    There was also evidence of Tyler��s cousins involved in drug use, with one young man from another wealthy family dying of an overdose. Initially, the family sought justice upon discovering the autopsy report, but they withdrew after their other child was kidnapped and theirpany nearly went bankrupt due to sensitive files being leaked topetitors.

    One of Tyler��s cousins was involved in actively trafficking beautiful girls and forcing them into sex work within a hidden red-light district in the ck market. These women werepletely turned into sex ves with no freedom, often dying in that state. There was no attempt to provide medical treatment for those who contracted deadly diseases while working; they were simply reced with new victims.

    Their list of wrong deeds continued to grow, demonstrating their disregard for thew and belief that they were above it. It was no surprise that Tyler Lennon had the audacity to drug Athena in Hera��s territory without fear, hoping to seed and add another woman to his collection of victims, thereby increasing his power.

    Hera meticulously scanned through the contents of the files. They revealed that aside from his malevolent schemes, Tyler Lennon had little else to offer and was rather average, if not below average. Unable to win thepetition for the position of heir legitimately, he devised this n to tie down hispetitors, using their scandals as leverage to force them to withdraw. Those who resisted often met untimely ends.

    "Someone with a huge appetite but no skills to back it up would just choke on all the food he shoves down his throat without even bothering to chew," Hera remarked with a raised eyebrow, though inwardly she seethed.

    No wonder the heiresses were all scared. Tyler��s methods of ckmailing must have been so brutish and brutal that none of them dared to speak up. ording to the file, he not only issued warnings to a few girls but also meted out severe punishments to ensure fear was instilled, extending his influence to their families as well.

    With these actions, it was no surprise that not a singleint or rumor leaked beyond their circle. Everyone perceived Tyler as husband material, due to his apparent good upbringing and respect for women, evident in his treatment of his mother and the way he spoiled his little sister.

    But it turns out those women who were rumored to be flocking to him because of his good upbringing were merely dancing to his tune to survive.

    "This is going to be tricky," she said, a frown settling on her brow. "What about the scandal targeting me? Have you identified the person responsible, or made any progress tracing their hidden IP address?" Hera looked up, meeting Gerald��s eyes.

    Gerald shook his head. "No, Young Miss. The person who was targeting you was meticulous and seemed to be used to this kind of hide and seek tactic to throw off any investigation. Although it was evident that Minerva was the one fanning the me but Rafael Briley seems to have a firm grasp of his sister that he even went against his parents to discipline his sister. I don��t know what convincing he did but it seems like his parent backed away and left it at his hands to handle and they both flew out of the country for a vacation."

    "Or perhaps Rafael sent his parents out of the country so Minerva wouldn��t have anyone to back her up," Hera chuckled at the thought. "When did this happen?" She asked Gerald, her curiosity piqued.

    "Justst night, Young Miss. Currently, Minerva is confined to her room with guards monitoring her 24/7. She��s not permitted to use her phone or gadgets, only the television, and she��s forbidden from contacting her friends," Gerald reported, relishing the turn of events. "I believe her friend Alice attempted to visit her house just moments ago and encountered Rafael Briley on his way to work."

    "And then, what happened?" Hera leaned in closer, her eagerness tinged with dread and nervousness evident to Gerald. "Rafael didn��t get swayed and release Minerva just because Alice cried and begged, did he?" Hera added, holding her breath. If Rafael did sumb after meeting Alice and suddenly developed a soft spot for her, it would imply that the female lead��s influence and pull was still stronger than her tactics.

 Chapter 287 Is Rafael Getting Swayed?

    Or if he was so angry that he couldn��t even say a word. It could also be that he would rather take action than speak because he didn��t see Alice as significant, just his sister��s sidekick.

    But Rafael was usually more confrontational. He had personally gone to Hera to warn her not to be too harsh with his sister, even when it was his sister��s fault to begin with. He had been willing to let go of $100 million just to make a deal for his sister��s sake.

    So, hisck of action against Alice could imply several things, none of which boded well for her. The more she pondered the possibilities, the more overwhelmed she felt, fearing her efforts might be in vain.

    Despite knowing it might be the case, she hadn��t figured out another solution yet. So, perhaps instead of putting all her eggs in one basket, she should diversify her efforts and have multiple ns ready in case things go awry.

    And what better way to do that than to increase her own influence, focus on her career, and apply the theories she learned in school to practical use in business?

    After calming herself and putting aside thoughts of uncertain possibilities, Hera regained herposure. She still needed to assess her influence over Rafael and confirm whether he would truly stay out of her way if she chose to confront Minerva.

    And his decision to ce Minerva under house arrest indicated that he was aware of Minerva��s schemes and involvement in the scandal against Hera. Therefore, he couldn��t fault Hera for being firm in teaching his sister a lesson.

    And he might even have ced Minerva under house arrest as a subtle way to protect her from Hera��s potential retaliation. Rafael likely understood that if Hera took action, Minerva would be a target of ridicule in their society. So, he might have been considering a discreet method of safeguarding his sister without drawing too much attention and appearing as if he was taking back his words.

    And with this realization, Hera felt a pang of disappointment towards Rafael, even though she had started to believe they were growing closer, even with Minerva between them. She quickly pushed these emotions aside and relegated her thoughts to the recesses of her mind. ��Out of sight, out of mind,�� she silently repeated to herself, determined not to be consumed by overthinking.

    Gerald noticed Hera��s change in mood, understanding her dissatisfaction with how Rafael handled the situation. He sighed inwardly, feeling for Rafael Briley. If Gerald had to choose sides, he wouldn��t hesitate to side with Hera. He even considered that Rafael might be one of his future bosses if Hera and he were to get together, but that thought quickly faded into the background.

    "Young Miss, do you n to teach Minerva a lesson?" Gerald inquired.

    "What else? She seemed to not get how deadly online persecution is and kept on pushing my buttons and I��m sure that if she was given a chance, she would even try to push me to the edge of the cliff to my death." Hera said, not even changing her expression, after all, she already knew that Minerva was really capable of such.

    "then, what do we do? Please instruct me, Young Miss." Gerald politely asked as he lowered his head in submission.

    "Don��t worry, I��ve already prepared the materials I��ll need and I��m just waiting for the right moment to release them. I��ll ask UE to help me publicize it," Hera said with an evil smirk, tapping her finger on the table.

    If there��s one thing she has learned, that is, not to be too nice to your enemy. Because it was not true that if you gave them a chance, they mighte around and be your friends. That action would only the death of you because you are giving free rein to your enemy to stab you from the back when you least expected it.

    "Alright, let��s move on from this topic. I need to get back to Luke before my absence raises suspicion. Keep monitoring the Lennons and those families under their influence. Let me know if you uncover anything else." With those final instructions, Hera stood up decisively and left the room.

    Hera felt like she needed to up her game if she didn��t want to be consumed by the storyline.

    Hera went back nervously to the room where Luke was waiting, she nervously opened the door and saw that Luke was silently sitting on his chair while ying with his phone, she didn��t know what he was doing or what he was thinking.

    She then cleared her throat nervously and said. "Erm, Luke, I��m so sorry to keep you waiting, I didn��t know that I would be taking too long on the phone. You know girls could be a little more talkative even when they just talk for hours."

 Chapter 288 Wanted to Soar High

    Those students were all well-known and talented individuals at the university, each having shown remarkable achievements. Initially anxious that Hera might feel burdened or overwhelmed by the pressure of working alongside such outstanding students, Mr. Fletcher was pleasantly surprised. Hera was ecstatic to meet her senior peers, many of whom had already begun internships at majorpanies and were achieving impressive results. Several had even received job offers and opportunities to study abroad, enhancing their future prospects.

    She mingled with her senior peers, studying alongside them while Mr. Fletcher observed their interactions and asionally interjected to guide their discussions. This served as a valuableworking opportunity for his students before entering the corporate world. Mr. Fletcher emphasized the importance of coboration and mutual support among his students, encouraging them to strive for collective sess rather thanpeting against each other which would lead to negative rivalry.

    He could also see that Hera was well-liked, not just for her beauty, but for her respectful demeanor and ability to grasp the strengths of others�� arguments while gently correcting any misunderstandings. When both parties were mistaken, Mr. Fletcher intervened to steer them in the correct direction, fostering a productive learning environment.

    "Professor! You surprised us by bringing in this adorable junior! She��s been a godsend. Now we��re not just a bunch of stinky academians��we can actually see and smell the flowers!" chuckled one of Mr. Fletcher��s senior students, promptingughter from the others in the room.

    "Professor! Now I understand the true meaning of ��beauty and brains.�� I used to think God was fair��if someone��s good-looking, they might not be smart. But now I see my junior is both intelligent and beautiful, with a great personality to match! It��s like having a cute sibling��I��ve finally found the bliss of having a sibling, though sadly, my parents are too busy and too old to have another child," another student added, jokingly.

    "We can treat little Hera as our little sister from now on," another added, and they all agreed. Little did they know, that treating Hera as their little sister would turn out to be one of the best decisions they made in their lives.

    Hearing their exaggeratedpliments made Hera giggle like a five-year-old, prompting everyone tough along with her. With Hera joining their group, their academic progress improved significantly. Hera brought a fresh perspective that differed from theirs, which not only rifiedplicated theories but also opened new understandings and pathways for all of them.

    Even Mr. Fletcher found himself enjoying the exchange, feeling like he was learning alongside his students and keeping his mind sharper than ever.

    Others reluctantly left to attend their sses or prior engagements, but they all agreed to study together again soon. When everyone had left and Hera was alone with Mr. Fletcher, he continued to teach her one-on-one until her next ss began.

    And coincidentally, her next ss was Business Fundamentals. Originally a finance student, Hera had made the decision to expand her knowledge and demonstrate her ability to lead the Avery Consortium without beingpared to the stand-in her grandfather had hired. She had opted to pursue a double major in Business Administration alongside her Finance Major.

    Fortunately, Hera had alreadypleted all the non-major subjects for her Finance major during her first two years, leaving her with only a few major subjects remaining. The non-major subjects required for Business Administration were also manageable because some of them ovepped with her Finance major, making her academic load more streamlined.

    After her sses, Hera had to excuse herself from mingling with her ssmates to attend acting, dancing, and singing sses arranged by Betty. These sessions were crucial for Hera to develop the skills necessary to meet the contract requirements for the roles she was pursuing.

 Chapter 289 The Desperate Alexi

    He had already acknowledged that Hera had changed. She wasn��t the "yes sir" type of girl she used to be, which had made him feel in control, stroking his masculinity.

    But he still believed Hera woulde around because they had spent three years together. During those years, he had been loyal and treated her fairly. It was only after meeting Minerva that he changed somewhat, but he believed it was a small price to pay to advance. Afterward, he thought Hera would still enjoy the benefits of his sess without needing to work for her entire life, remaining a mere trophy wife at home, waiting for him with legs wide open.

    Yes, Alexi was misogynistic, as were his parents. Compared to his father, Alexi was rtively mild; he showed affection and didn��t mentally or physically abuse Hera. In his mind, he considered himself a mild casepared to his father, and he believed he was already doing Hera a favor by treating her this way.

    His twisted mind could only amodate what he wanted, disregarding Hera��s desires, believing she should obediently follow him.

    Now that Hera stood before him again, he felt an urge to forcefully kiss her, to bind her to his bed so she couldn��t escape or be linked to another man. Just reading that article had stirred Alexi��s jealousy to its core.

    He wanted to end his rtionship with Minerva if that would stop Hera��s anguish, but his alter ego stopped him. He hade too far to suddenly halt everything; all his hard work would crumble, leaving him with nothing.

    So, as much as he wanted to fuck Hera right there and then, he couldn��t move his muscle, his gaze was wavering but his heart was beating so fast, he knew that Minerva was grounded and can��te to him because Alice had already informed him, and he took this chance to meet Hera to talk things out between them while disguising it as him talking to Hera so she wouldn��t ask Rafael to punish his sister.

    For some reason, Alexi had convinced himself that Hera was with Rafael as a way to get back at him. However, he hadn��t shared this suspicion with Minerva. Despitecking evidence of any involvement between Hera and Rafael, Alexi, as a man, sensed a certain dynamic between them that troubled him.

    Hera stared at Alexi, his eyes swirling with a tumultuous mix of emotions as he looked at her as if he were battling with himself over what to do next. Not wanting to wait around for him to speak, she felt repulsed by his touch and swiftly flung his arm off hers.

    "I don��t have time for this," Hera muttered before turning to pick up her books. But before she could crouch down, Alexi grabbed her arm again and pulled her closer, causing Hera to stumble and crash into his body. His strong masculine perfume instantly overwhelmed her senses.

    She couldn��t help butpare Alexi��s scent to that of the male leads and Leo��s. The male leads didn��t use strong perfume, preferring cologne thatplemented them perfectly. Alexi, on the other hand, seemed to ovepensate with heavy perfume, trying to emte their refined fragrance.

    Alexi smirked as Hera identally touched his chest while trying to regain her bnce. Proud of his physique, he knew many girls admired his abs and strong chest. Little did he know, Hera was mentally calling herself blind at that moment.

    <i>��I was so sure that Alexi has one of the most outstanding bodies out there, but now that I��m touching it again, I��m, suddenly feel that I was so blind before, was it because of the rose-tinted sses reserved for me as I was supposed to be in love with him ording to the storyline? Because right now, I can��t even feel anything touching his chest, if anything, my mind was wandering to the male lead��s chest and body and especially Leo��s.��</i> Hera��s eyes fluttered the moment Leo��s sexy image entered her brain.

 Chapter 290 Start of Alexi’s Downfall

    Hera stood with her back to Alexi, clutching her books tightly. Her expression was hidden, she lowered her head, her shoulders shaking imperceptibly. Taking a deep breath, she turned around. Her face betrayed hurt and devastation, though she fought to contain her emotions and keep tears from welling in her eyes.

    As the crowd of onlookers doubled in size and others still kept oning to watch themotion live that had already spread in the campus��s forum, Hera looked around with fear painting her face, as if she was just a lone rabbit in the midst of wolves ready to pounce on her.

    Others began to perceive the beautiful girl before them as vulnerable, seemingly unable to defend herself, which made them quickly overlook the strength Hera had just disyed when she effortlessly flipped Alexi and threw him to the ground.

    With trembling lips, Hera opened her small mouth but no words came out, only a small whimper. But since the whole ce turned so quiet, those who were close could hear her pitiful whimpers. Others already had the urge to go andfort Hera and confront Alexi since he was the one who came to Hera and started acting shit.

    "Alexi, I already let you be with Minerva. You��ve already hurt me by cheating on me with her while we were still together, and I endured it, nursing my own wounds. Wasn��t that enough? WHY CAN��T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?!!!" Hera��s words dripped with resentment, her genuine feelingsid bare. After all, she had spent three whole years with him, genuinely trying to make things work.

    "Wasn��t it enough that I worked multiple part-time jobs to support your dreams and your family? I did everything I could, Alexi. Is that your idea of being ��nice��? I prioritized you, treated you well, and gave my all so you wouldn��t feel alone, and so you��d have support when times were tough. But all that effort and love were thrown away. For what? Money? Your career? If that��s all you cared about, you could have just broken up with me, and I would have let you go. I wouldn��t have clung to you or demanded anything in return, because everything I did, I did out of love." Hera��s voice hupped, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked utterly heartbroken.

    As Hera poured out her emotions, sympathy welled up among some listeners, though others remained skeptical, suspecting she was trying to portray herself as a victim.

    "NO!"

    Alexi��s loud roar abruptly interrupted their thoughts, shaking his head vigorously as he moved closer to Hera. She instinctively stepped back, struggling to maintain her bnce.

    "I need you! You know I love you, even now. Please believe me, babe! It was just a momentarypse, like every man has. We all make mistakes, but my heart belongs to you, and I��ll alwayse home to you," Alexi pleaded, believing he was being romantic. But all Hera felt was disgust bubbling in her chest and bile rising in her throat as she stared at him.

    She couldn��t fathom how she had endured three years with a man like him. Perhaps it was because, back then, the storyline hadn��t yet dictated the fate of the characters in the novel, allowing her some leeway for them. But now, with the storyline fully in motion, characters were moving toward their scripted paths, including awakening Alexi��s twisted nature.

    And somehow, Hera felt bad for Minerva for being in love with such a selfish man, he only thinks of himself.

    Hera shook her head. "No, Alexi. You don��t love me or anyone else. You only love yourself." Her attempt to appear tough came off as pitifully cute, but it resonated with onlookers who could sense the pain she must have endured while being harassed by her ex.

    "What?! Is it because you��ve hooked up with Rafael Briley? Or is it because of that Xavier or Hendrix? Ha! Are you trying to prove you��re desirable by doing this?" Alexi��s eyes zed with defiance and anger. "TELL ME!!! DID THEY PUT YOU TO THIS?!!!"

    Hera chuckled before speaking. "Even now, you refuse to admit your mistakes. Do you think I��m like you? Leeching off a woman to achieve your ambitions in life? Someone whocks the courage to stand on their own and use their own abilities to improve?" Hera sneered mockingly as she stared at Alexi, who now looked at her with wide eyes, clearly taken aback by her words.

    "No one but you put me in this situation, Alexi," Hera said, her voice choked with tears. "I��m exhausted from catering to your demands, and you��ve pushed me to my limit. If I hadn��t chosen the entertainment industry, do you think I��d still have a chance to live, especially after Minerva cklisted me and couldn��t work a normal job?" Hera��s heartfelt words resonated deeply with everyone present, even those watching the livestream could feel her pain.

    Yes, this altercation was being broadcasted live, thanks to one of Hera��s bodyguards discreetly filming amidst the crowd.

    And yes, this would be the start of Alexi��s downfall.

 Chapter 291 Kiddnapping

    He had always heard his mother��s words about men struggling with loyalty, unable to keep their desires in check, and often seeking satisfaction outside their marriages. Yet, she also emphasized that despite these temptations, men ultimately return to their families, viewing outside rtionships as mere indulgences rather than fulfilling their true needs.

    He always justified his actions, believing that he knew who he truly wanted to be with for life, viewing their current challenges as mere bumps in the road. However, he never paused to consider Hera��s perspective. Sure that was her mother��s words but she also did not specify that his father was a scumbag and she was just staying in her dysfunctional marriage because she was afraid to leave.

    She wasn��t trying to preserve her family��s unity because, frankly, their family dynamic seemed far from healthy. They resembled vultures and opportunists, always exploiting others while enjoying the fruits of theirbor, much like Alexi did with Minerva��s wealth and influence to advance his own status. Clearly, what he had wasn��t enough for him.

    He clearly desired more, and the troubling part was, that he showed no remorse for causing others pain��a realization Hera had alsoe to. This realization strengthened Hera��s resolve to end Alexi��s delusions and put an end to his harmful actions.

    Hera stared at Alexi with all seriousness before she delivered her final blow. "Alexi, the moment you decided to stick your dick in someone else��s cunt while you are in a rtionship with me, and let��s not forget me ving away to support your dream, then and there, our rtionship has ended and I made sure to tell you beforehand that I do not tolerate cheating. And clearly, our values are two worlds apart. The trust I have for you has already shattered to million pieces and even if I tried to mend it, it will never be the same and I��m sure that paranoia would only eat me alive thinking what you are doing while outside."

    "And maybe you didn��t sit down and think what effect this might bring me because if you did, you wouldn��t have tried to cheat on me. And clearly, you didn��t love me enough because you still fell into temptation. Alexi, cheating wasn��t a mistake, it was a choice so it can��t be used as an excuse." Hera weakly shook her head before she pulled Alexi��s finger one by one to free her arm.

    Alexi heard a deafening silence in his ear, and at that moment, the reality of losing Hera struck him hard. He realized he no longer held sway over their rtionship or her decisions. Flustered, he had always assumed Hera would align with his perspective once he exined his desires. He had grown ustomed to her unwavering support for his dreams, only now realizing he had taken her for granted, assuming she would always understand and stand by him.

    Disliking the direction the conversation was taking, he refused to hear any more from her. Gritting his teeth through the pain coursing through his body, he summoned all his strength to sling Hera over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and swiftly carried her away.

    The bystander was all caught off guard, their hearts all went to Hera and understood her logic and even they too felt the same way. Who would like a cheater? But since they are too invested in their emotions while watching the gossip, they don��t expect Alexi to resort to such a tactic and carry Hera away.

    No one reacted faster than Alexi, catching everyone off guard with his unexpected action. Even Hera was taken aback, knowing Alexi��s tendency to freeze when upset or conflicted. She had nned to turn away after delivering her message to sever all ties with him, not expecting him to act so decisively.

    And then, she could use this incident to present more of the evidence she had gathered against Alexi and, of course, Minerva as well. <i>��Wasn��t this kidnapping?��</i> Hera thought as she struggled to regain her bearings.

    "Hey man, put her down!!!" shouted a bystander who had regained hisposure, moving behind Alexi in an attempt to reason with him. Instead, Alexi violently kicked the bystander, causing him to crash into another man who was trying to approach from behind.

 Chapter 292 Her Knights in Shinning Armor Arrived

    The entire venue fell silent as everyone watched, eyes wide and jaws dropped. Rather than seeing it as mere gossip between two rising stars, it felt like a scene from a romance movie unfolding on campus, especially with the arrival of each strikingly good-looking man. However, they couldn��t help but notice Dave, who stood out not as an actor but as the current Young Minister of their country.

    Their demeanor and presence hinted that they weren��t actors but possibly individuals of influence, much like Dave. The sight of all of them gathered around one woman added fuel to the gossip mill, surpassing the intrigue of the earlier events.

    Their admiration for their good looks andmanding presence quickly turned to horror as their attention shifted to the now-wailing Alexi. They witnessed Luke stepping on Alexi��s right hand, Alexi used this hand to aid him in pushing against the ground to prevent Rafael from crushing him further. However, Luke��s unexpected force caused Alexi to cry out in pain, while Rafael increased pressure on his knee, intensifying Alexi��s agony.

    But no one dared to intervene. Luke��s palpable aura of menace prevented anyone from even considering it��they feared they might be his next target if they so much as twitched. Helplessly, they could only watch as Alexi cried out on the ground, his eyes still twisted with defiance as he met Luke��s deadly re.

    ��That��s a supporting male lead for you, there��s still a fight left in him�� Hera mused to herself, now calmed in Leo��s embrace and observing the scene with interest. She hadn��t expected things to unfold like this, but considering her goal was to teach Alexi a lesson and see him brought down by his own actions, she couldn��tin about how things were turning out.

    To think that Alexi wouldn��t easily sumb to the male lead��s aura��perhaps that��s what defines him as a supporting male lead. Maybe he even possesses a ��halo�� of his own, enabling him to hold his ground and not be easily overshadowed by the male leads.

    Luke felt Hera��s gaze on his back and turned around to see her seemingly enjoying herself. His anger subsided somewhat, and his expression softenedpletely, returning to his gentle smile as he nodded at her. More urately, he nodded at Leo, who then gently guided Hera��s face back to his chest, shielding her from whatever Luke was about to do.

    Hera struggled against Leo��s arm, not wanting to be coddled like a child. As she lifted her head again and Leo attempted to restrain her, she witnessed Luke preparing to kick Alexi��s head like a ser ball. Fear surged through her, feeling her eyes widen in horror at the thought of Alexi being seriously hurt or killed.

    "STOP!!! LUKE, DON��T!" Hera frantically shouted, struggling to free herself from Leo��s grasp. Her attempt to halt Luke only fueled the anger of the male leads and Leo. Consumed by their rage, they seemed oblivious to reason, and Hera feared they might cross a dangerous line that could implicate them all.

    "SEE THAT, ASSHOLE?! HERA STILL LOVES AND CHOOSES ME. YOU CAN ONLY ADMIRE HER FROM AFAR, SO FUCK OFF!!!" Alexi shouted hysterically, a smug, condescending smile on his lips as he defiantly stared at Luke. Despite Luke visibly struggling to control his inner rage, his forehead veins bulging and eyebrows twitching, the scariest aspect was his murderous gaze fixed on Alexi.

    Hera��s words only intensified Luke��s anger. He and the other male leads, including Leo, couldn��tprehend why Hera hesitated to let harm befall Alexi after everything. Even Zhane paused midair as he tended to the bruise on Hera��s wrist, inflicted by Alexi��s forceful grasp.

    Noticing their reaction, Hera rified, "If you hurt him, he might use it against us. I don��t want you guys to be dragged into this and be manipted by potential ckmail."

 Chapter 293 Sparking a Shift in People Views

    Even Xavier, who was watching the livestream from afar, found no fault in how the five men protected Hera. He felt they had handled the situation appropriately, and Leo��s presence with Hera seemed perfectly natural to him.

    Perhaps without realizing it, they had already epted Leo into their circle. Another possibility was that they were too preupied to let their differences divide them, especially with a united front against amon enemy who was threatening Hera.

    Even the viewers see the harmony around them and if Luke did not say that they are all vying for Hera, the viewers would only think that they may be Hera��s friends acting like brothers or maybe rtive on how protective they are acting towards Hera. Only to find out that they are allpeting for the same woman, if it was other men, just seeing theirpetition would already spark fists and verbal fights.

    The shipping battle over who suits Hera best became even more heated after everyone witnessed all five of them, each with their own distinct temperament and striking good looks.

    [ISaveLives: Isn��t that Doctor Everett?! The youngest doctor leading the medicalmunity? He��s known as the greatest medical genius!!!! My idol!!!!]

    [AnaS: Bro upstairs, are you a paid troll too? It��s hard to believe everything people say just to make someone look amazing. But I do agree, that guy in the white doctor��s coat does look incredibly handsome! He��s totally my type.]

    [ISaveLives: @AnaS please check the medicinemunity article that was released internationally and you��ll see if I was jesting. url.\\medicineinternationwards.]

    [ISaveLives: @AnaS, just to add, with Hera by his side, Doctor Everett wouldn��t even notice a squid. Stay bitter forever. Hmp!]

    [PasserbyGod: Hahaha, bro upstairs, that was a great reaction. I never knew he was an internationally renowned genius. I thought he was just the infirmary doctor. My bad, but he really is a big deal!]

    [AnaS: @ISaveLives jerkface!]

    [HeraIsMySister: I still ship our fan club president @NorthernDuke, AKA Leo Hendrix, as Hera��s future husband. But if they��re open to sharing and letting him be the primary husband, even better!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @HeraIsMySister OMG!!! That thought didn��t even cross my mind! I��m totally on board with that idea. Maybe we should update our banner to ship all of them with our sister Hera?!!! I��m so excited!]

    [AnaS: Isn��t that just being promiscuous? @HeraIsMySister]

    [HeraIsMySister: Well, I understand if you��re feeling bitter or jealous, perhaps because no one has shown interest in you or you haven��t experienced being courted by multiple men. But none of the men involved have objected, and as you can see on screen, they��re so harmonious that they seem willing to share her rather than lose her altogether. @AnaS]

    [HeraIsMySister: Besides, whatever we think will not do a thing because we are all outsiders in their story, only those who are involved would be able to make the decision. What we could only do is to give them a push.]

    [HeraIsMySister: By "push," I mean encouraging them to have the courage to pursue the path they choose, without forcing them over a cliff just because it diverges from norms or what we might want for them. Ultimately, it��s their life, not ours, so we shouldn��t dictate their choices.]

    [PasserbyGod: @HeraIsMySister Well said indeed. As my username suggests, I��m just an observer whoments objectively and logically. I believe in not dictating others because I wouldn��t want to be dictated to myself. It��s like the saying goes, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @HeraIsMySister OMG! You said exactly what I wanted to say but couldn��t put it into words!!!]

    [AnaS: Tsk! You are just a bunch of lunatics! I��m outa here!]

    [JustReading: Personally, I believe in monogamy because I feel a rtionship should be between two people, not three or more. I couldn��t imagine sharing my partner with another person and being okay with it. But that��s just my perspective, and I respect others who have different views.]

 Chapter 294 The Best Punishment He Deserved (Edited)

    Hera has begun executing her n to take down Alexi, and by extension, Minerva. After all, she has already given them many chances to change and just mind their business, not that she really stepped back, but because she and Rafael had an agreement, she was continuously sending trouble against Alexi and Minerva online because she wanted to remind them and also let them see that they should always consider their actions as it often has consequences.

    But they chose to ignore it, pretending as though nothing was amiss. Hera saw this as the perfect opportunity to test her influence over Rafael, especially after sessfully making him back down once before. She couldn��t forget Rafael��s behavior towards Alice, and now, she intended to gauge how he might react if she were to challenge him and push him into a corner.

    [Hera: Betty, I��m on my way to the office and I assume that you have seen the video of me going around by now?]

    [Betty: You mean theizens going wild shipping you with the men that came to save the day?! (��- ? ? ?)]

    [Hera: Huh?! Wait What?! Weren��t they supposed to be talking about the video with Alexi and the revtions about his previous rtionship with me?!!!]

    [Betty: Unfortunately, the topic about you and the handsome men surrounding you like bodyguards caught more attention and traffic. �d(?�n?)??]

    Hera was taken aback by Betty��s message, needing to read it repeatedly to grasp its meaning: the discussion had shifted due to the simultaneous appearance of the male leads, creating a powerful "male lead halo" effect that, while slightly weaker because Xavier wasn��t with them, still captivated attention and garnered reverence from those around them as if they were chosen ones.

    When they alle together with the female lead, all negative disagreement that people have due to their union as men sharing a wife, the ��male lead halo�� would do the job to make everything go ording to them, and this is what Hera was trying to achieve, be protected by this ��halo�� effect from the storyline.

    [Hera: Please help me bring it back to the trending topic. We need to release all the evidence of Alexi��s cheating with Minerva and everything they did to me while I was in a rtionship with him.]

    [Betty: This will surely end Alexi��s career, no matter what SOE does to salvage his reputation.]

    [Hera: Exactly. The best revenge is for him to lose what he was so proud of and thought would elevate him.]

    [Betty: But is this all you want?]

    [Hera: No, it��s more than that. Alexi and Minerva will find ways to recover if we don��t ensure Alexi has no way ofing back and Minerva learns her lesson. Even if Rafael abandons his sister, his parents won��t let anything extreme happen to their only daughter. I don��t want them to die, just to stop their malicious behavior.]

    [Hera: Actually, I pity Minerva.]

    [Betty: How so?! She was the one who stole your boyfriend and cklisted you from getting a normal job, ording to what you said.]

    [Hera: Well, that��s true, but she acted out of fear and jealousy because she knew Alexi had feelings for me. In actuality, we��re not so different. Minerva was also being used by Alexi, led by the nose just like I was. However, because she was pampered and overly protected, she believed she could get everything she wanted, including someone��s love.]

    [Hera: Isn��t that pitiful enough?]

    [Hera: Besides, by stealing my boyfriend, she actually took away my problems and gave me the freedom to pursue greater things. cklisting me from normal jobs only pushed me to aim higher. She underestimated me, and now she has to watch me rise from the ashes.]

    [Hera: And even if I pity her, she still gave me hell and I will never forget.]

    That��s right, even though she pitied Minerva and understood the reasons behind her actions, empathy is different from being overly naive. She needed to verify Rafael��s standing and determine how much influence the female lead still had on him before she could devise the best n to deal with Minerva.

    As for Alexi, this incident,bined with his actions caught on the live stream, was enough to seriously damage his career. Even if it didn��tpletely drive him out of the industry, his reputation and the persona he had carefully crafted were already tarnished. If he wanted to continue, his prospects would be very limited. No major production would want to associate with him due to the bacsh. Angryizens, when united, can be very powerful; they could easily boycott any production and refuse to watch anything just because they despise one artist involved. For a productionpany, including Alexi would be like throwing money into a bottomless pit.

    And no investor would tolerate losing money. So, even if a director wanted to cast him for his good acting or character portrayal, it wouldn��t be enough to choose Alexi. There are still many other talented actors out there who would be better options. In the end, Alexi would fade into obscurity, forever hoping to reim the limelight he once craved.

    Hera believed this would be the best punishment she could give him. For the betrayal and pain they caused, and for what they were supposed to do to her. Perhaps it had already happened in a different dimension; well, considering there is a transmigration and reincarnation, encountering an alternate dimension wouldn��t surprise her now.

 Chapter 295 I Will Use All My Power To Protect You

    Although Leo noticed this, he felt like Hera was in deep thought about something important or maybe she was sorting something inside her head, so as tactful as he could, he did not say a thing and continued driving steadily on the road so Hera wouldn��t feel ufortable on her seat.

    Hera didn��t harbor bitterness or jealousy towards Alice because, in the novel, Alice��s life seemed to flow effortlessly towards a happy ending without interruptions or agony, thanks to the protection of the five male leads. In Hera��s perspective, however, Alice appeared more like a decorative figure in the story. Why? Because aside from her role in pushing them to assist Minerva in dealing with the Avery consortium, Alice��s presence seemed limited to being in bed with one or all of the male leads simultaneously.

    Her role had reduced to simply being their romantic partner, and even her sess in the entertainment industry seemed handed to her by the male leads, there was none she really needed to work hard for to get, just as it was written in the novel, the male leads pampers her to no end that they wanted to give the world to her and clear her thorny path because they didn��t want to see her hurt.

    Hera could onlymend Alice for her adeptness at getting what she wanted. She could discern the desires of the male leads and adapt ordingly, that��s why she has never really believed Athena��s portrayal of the angelic and kind Alice from the novel and was always suspicious about it. If there is the main culprit from who brought her family down, it would be Alice.

    It was Alice��s persistence that prompted the male leads to consider opposing the Avery Consortium. Despite their influence and reputation as the foremost scions of their generation and beyond, the male leads knew they couldn��t match the deep-rooted power and century-old history of the Avery Consortium.

    It was Minerva who initially pleaded, but it was Alice who relentlessly pushed the idea forward. The male leads, fully aware of their prestigious lineage and formidable capabilities, understood they couldn��t confront the Avery Consortium head-on. Despite this, Alice��s persuasive influence swayed them, and all she had to do was sit back and watch as they executed what she wanted, ensuring their sess. Subsequently, she reaped the rewards of their efforts, enjoying afortable life. However, their tranquility was short-lived when the true antagonist emerged, targeting not just the male leads but Minerva and Alexi as well.

    Even throughout the fighting scenes and the story��s progression, Alice remained merely a decorative figure as the male leads battled against the true antagonist who consistently bested them. The only lingering issue now was Athena��s omission of the information about the true antagonist. It��s possible she overlooked mentioning it amid her focus on the male leads and their narrative.

    Hera��s train of thought was interrupted when Leo gently reminded her, "Hera, we��ve arrived at yourpany." His voice was soft as he lightly shook her shoulder, bringing her attention back from her reverie.

    As Hera snapped out of her thoughts, she nced at Leo and blinked several times, her gaze refocusing on his strikingly beautiful ocean-blue eyes filled with concern. Leo��s brow furrowed slightly as he regarded Hera with worry.

    Despite his concern for Hera, Leo refrained from prying into her private life. He sensed she might be dealing with troubles or something weighing heavily on her mind. However, he held back from asking, fearing she might misinterpret his intentions as meddling in her affairs.

    "Hera, if you��re in trouble or need help, please don��t hesitate to ask. I��ll do everything in my power to aid and protect you," Leo said, gently reaching out to take Hera��s hand, which rested on herp. He brought her hand close to his lips and kissed it tenderly, his eyes closing as he spoke.

    Hera noticed Leo��s long eyshes fluttering delicately, casting gentle shadows on his cheeks like the wings of a butterfly.

 Chapter 296 Rafael Taking a Step to Deal with Alexi

    Luke said. "How long are you going to stay here? How about I wait for you in the lobby and drive you home after you are done?"

    Hera declined, stating, "I have drama, dancing, and singing sses scheduled untilte tonight, but thepany has already arranged for bodyguards to escort me home afterward. I don��t want to impose on all of you, knowing how busy you are with your own work." Her words were a mix of truth and lies: while the sses were real, thepany had not actually arranged for bodyguards.

    The bodyguards were the same ones as yesterday, part of the security detail Cindy had arranged to discreetly follow her outside. Hera saw no reason to decline Cindy��s thoughtful offer. Unlike characters in novels who often mislead their guards for a moment of freedom only to find themselves in danger or abducted, Hera wasn��t foolish enough to take such risks.

    She didn��t want to invite harm upon herself, so she obediently allowed the bodyguards to apany her, provided they respected her personal space and didn��t make her ufortable.

    And most importantly, she knew her limits. Despite being skilled inbat, she understood she wasn��t omnipotent and could still fall victim to the wicked.

    "I understand. Are you also having dinner inside thepany?" Luke asked, still smiling gently at Hera, though a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes, which he tried to shake off. Rafale and Zhane mirrored this disappointment in their own expressions. Even without speaking, Hera could tell they genuinely wanted to spend more time with her.

    She felt her heart soften seeing them like this; she didn��t even need to turn around to know what Leo and Dave were feeling too. So she offered, "How about this: I��ll rearrange my schedule and invite you all to a meal. You��ve been a big help to me today on the campus. If it weren��t for you, things could have gotten much uglier, especially with Alexi determined to cause a scene."

    "Regarding that, would you like me to handle it?" Rafael offered. Being in the entertainment industry and managing numerous artists, he was experienced in dealing with such matters. He felt he could do a better job to protect Hera��s reputation, especially since the issue stemmed from his sister and her scumbag of a boyfriend.

    Rafael felt a deep sense of responsibility for the incident,pounded by his intense animosity towards Alexi. Not only did Alexi continue to desire Hera and cling to her like a flea, but he also led Rafael��s beloved sister down a destructive path, leaving her deeply ensnared in a toxic rtionship that even drove her to oppose her family��s wishes. Rafael was grateful that he had banned gadgets around his sister; otherwise, he dreaded to think what Minerva might have done upon learning of Alexi��s statements in the livestream while trying to get Hera back with him.

    Despite appearing harsh with his sister��s punishment, Rafael deeply loved and cared for her, having protected her throughout most of their lives. Currently, he grappled with internal turmoil, torn between his loyalty to his sister and his newfound romantic feelings for the first woman he had ever cared for romantically.

    He didn��t want to jeopardize either rtionship, but Hera had a valid concern: Minerva was spiraling out of control, and Rafael feared that if she continued down this path, she could not only get hurt but also put her life at risk.

    Soon, Minerva might not only endanger others but also be a danger to herself. Rafael understood that this stemmed from his sister��s arrogance, influenced by her societal status. He himself had been simrly arrogant and prideful in the past, but meeting Hera had humbled him on multiple asions. Initially furious at being treated differently, he eventually realized that continuing on that path would be detrimental to his family��s well-being.

    He could only thank Hera for it. She didn��tpliment him to stroke his ego; instead, she challenged him, showing that sitting in a golden chair and being fed with a golden spoon didn��t make him truly great.

 Chapter 297 What Would Rafael Do?

    Hera didn��t need to intervene directly with Minerva, as Rafael was determined to handle her himself, ensuring she wouldn��t pose a threat to Hera. His efforts also aimed to improve his parents�� perception of Hera, solidifying her favorable impression within their family while painting Minerva in the worst possible way.

    Hera knew that pitting Minerva against her family was a drastic move, but only they could contain her. The more her family sided with Hera, the more Minerva would feel wronged and direct her anger at Hera. When Minerva inevitably exploded, feeling abandoned by her family, Hera was prepared for her to act recklessly. It was a dangerous gamble, but Hera was determined to leave Minerva with no chance of aeback, ensuring that her unruliness would cut her off from her familypletely.

    Another possible oue could be Rafael distancing himself from his own family if they consistently sided with Minerva. In that scenario, Hera believed Rafael might not intervene to protect his family from trouble, especially if his friends were involved in seeking justice for Hera against Rafael��s family.

    This is Hera��s inner viiness screaming and scheming, this oue would only happen if Minerva still pushed through with her wicked ns and tried to hurt Hera, but if in case she had a change of heart and finally came to her senses and thought that ruining herself was not worth it for someone like Alexi, then, there might be a chance for Minerva to change and Hera wouldn��t need to resort to such degree to deal with her.

    After all, Hera didn��t believe in second chances unless someone had truly hit rock bottom, climbed back up, and earnestly sought forgiveness. She believed in genuine remorse and transformation, not just superficial gestures to clear one��s conscience or manipte others.

    Hera believed in the "an eye for an eye" philosophy, taught by Athena, which meant she wouldn��t hesitate to showcase her happiness, knowing it might provoke those who despised her. Athena had taught her to be assertive and to be bitch when necessary, believing that only those who deserved it could witness Hera��s empathetic and kind-hearted side.

    Now that she had set the stage for Rafael and he was clearly feeling guilty, more certain than ever that he had chosen the right woman, Hera knew Rafael would provide a satisfactory resolution to this issue. She was also confident he wouldn��t interfere when she sought retribution against Minerva in her own manner.

    The other male leads also nodded in agreement. Whether they were affirming her words or her n didn��t matter at the moment. Hera knew she needed to focus on one task at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed or overthinking everything.

    After exchanging heartfelt words with everyone, Hera bid them farewell before heading into thepany for her drama ss. Each person departed thoughtfully to attend to their own tasks, ensuring Hera wouldn��t feel burdened or worried about them.

    However, Rafael, troubled by his sister��s actions that seemed to push Hera away, also recognized his own shorings��his arrogance and prideful demeanor��that had previously caused tension with Hera. He was actively working on improving himself, determined not to give up. To redeem himself, Rafael not only sought to reflect on his past actions but also desired to assist Hera in guiding his sister. He agreed with Hera��s perspective that Minerva was likely being manipted and deserved understanding as a victim in this situation.

    But at the same time, he couldn��t help but appreciate Hera��s kindness and understanding, which didn��t stem from naivety but from a profound insight into human nature. She understood that openly punishing Minerva, as her brother, would make him appear biased against Hera and would suggest hecked discernment between right and wrong, possibly painting him as driven solely by infatuation.

    In his understanding, Hera��s decision not to ask him to punish his sister and to remain on the sidelines was an attempt to preserve his family rtionships. However, Rafael also perceived that Hera was drawing a clear boundary between them. If he couldn��t navigate beyond that line, he feared he would forever remain a stranger to her, unable to achieve the closeness Leo enjoyed with Hera.

 Chapter 298 You’ve Grown So Much

    But Rafael was resolute in ensuring that Alexi faced the consequences for using his sister while coveting his woman. He firmly believed in holding people ountable for their actions; there were no free lunches in this world, and Alexi needed to understand his ce. Rafael was determined to make sure Alexi paid for his audacity and learned a valuable lesson.

    "Dad, this is a golden opportunity to detach Minerva from that scoundrel and send her abroad to broaden her horizons. We��ve sheltered her too much, and it��s led to her being hurt because of her naivety and arrogance. I n to send her overseas to study and experience the realities of life, where she��ll learn the meaning of responsibility and hard work." Rafael exined, inspired by Hera��s own determination and work ethic when he learned of her efforts to support herself and her undeserving ex-boyfriend while she was studying and working part-time jobs all at the same time.

    He respected Hera, though he wished her reasons for working so hard weren��t misguided. Yet, inspired by her example, he saw sending Minerva abroad as the ideal punishment and a valuable lesson for his sister, who seemed to understand only spending money and behaving like a child.

    Hera was right, Minerva is immature and not everyone would be able to tolerate her actions and immaturity which would sooner orter be a problem and be the reason for her demise. Because now, he believed that not at all times would he be able to protect his sister and she needed to learn how to be decerning and how to protect herself to avoid this matter.

    He wasn��t tired of pampering his only sister and protecting her, but Rafael realized that if Minerva never left herfortable nest, she wouldn��t mature or experience the fulfillment of pursuing dreams and achieving goals through her own efforts.

    If that happens, what would Minerva impart to her future children? What bargaining chip would she have with her husband and his family? How would her husband treat her when love faded and resentment grew over her actions? Rafael also realized that outer beauty can only go so far; knowledge, wisdom, and inner beauty hold far greater value. Perhaps through these experiences, Minerva might discover her true desires and find genuine love that transcends superficialities.

    "If you do that, your sister will hate you for sending her overseas and may feel abandoned when she needs you the most. Can you handle that?" Rafael��s father interrupted his thoughts with this crucial question.

    "Dad, I��m prepared to take on that role. I can handle being seen as the bad guy if it means guiding my sister onto the right path, something we should have done a long time ago. It��s my responsibility as her older brother, and I realize I��ve neglected these details to avoid getting caught up in this messy drama for my own peace of mind. I��m partly to me for this," Rafael said solemnly, with sincerity and conviction.

    Rafael��s father was beyond shocked to hear his son speak this way. Rafael, known for his arrogance and pride, had never been one to easily admit mistakes or doubt himself.

    After a moment of shock, Rafael��s father erupted intoughter, his heart swelling with pride and genuine happiness to hear his son��s admission. It was a concern he had long held for his children; he and his wife knew they had pampered and sheltered them, inadvertently shaping their temperaments and attitudes to the way it turned out now. Yet, they never regretted it, as it was their way of expressing love and protection.

    But now, they realized how mistaken they had been, and witnessing the change in his son stirred deep emotions. Rafael��s father felt a sense of relief and satisfaction, knowing that even after he passed away, he wouldn��t need to worry about his children��s well-being. Beyond their wealth, they would grow tremendously in many aspects, which assured him that they will be well-equipped to face life��s challenges.

    "You��ve grown so much, son," Rafael��s father said weakly, trying to contain his tears of joy. "This is the best gift I could ever receive." He nodded repeatedly, adding quietly to himself once he realized Rafael couldn��t see. "Alright, since my young boy has grown into a mature and responsible young man, I will leave your sister��s education to you. This time, I won��t interfere with your ns, but please ensure her safety."

 Chapter 299 Logan’s Looking Troubled

    The husband and wife had been ying their cards well from the beginning, pretending to go along with their children��s wishes while secretly orchestrating events. They yed the good cop, leaving Rafael to be the bad cop. And what better solution could there be than this?

    Now, the couple discussed where to go next. They had been so busy with thepany and home that they hadn��t had a chance to rx before, which is why they were so excited to travel. Rafael had already started suspecting something due to how quickly his father agreed, but he had more pressing problems to solve, so he set aside his concerns about his parents.

    He then returned to thepany to start arranging things and managing his schedule. While Rafael was working tirelessly all night long, Hera was busy taking all her sses seriously, diligently taking notes on how to improve her skills, and treating each criticism as an opportunity to grow. Shepletely left Minerva��s matter in Rafael��s hands.

    Hera was also pleased that no one stayed up with her to observe how she took her sses or came back to pick her up. All the male leads, including Leo, were busy ying their petty games against each other, sending metaphorical nukes into each other��s workces to keep themselves grounded in theirpanies, ensuring no one could bother Hera.

    It seemed these petty games would drag on for a while before they realized that no one was truly benefiting from them and they were merely doubling their workloads while making each other��s lives harder. They say that only through suffering does one grow closer, and perhaps, in time, this shared self-made struggle might help them see eye to eye and mature a little when they finally face each other.

    "Senior? You��re still here at this hour?" Logan��s hesitant voice came from behind Hera, making her jump slightly.

    "Yeah, I��m working on some skill improvement sses. And you?" Hera nced at her wristwatch, noting it was already 10:45 PM. She saw that they were both heading out from opposite sides of the building. "Are you just leaving now?" She asked, noticing that Logan��splexion seemed off.

    "Yeah," Logan croaked, his voice trembling slightly. At that moment, Hera could tell something was definitely wrong with him.

    "Is something wrong?" Hera asked, her gaze fixed on Logan��s troubled expression. As his senior and the one who brought him into thepany, she felt a responsibility to look after him. If he was facing any issues, she wanted to help or at least listen to his concerns. After all, everything was new to him, and with his somewhat timid nature, he seemed particrly vulnerable.

    Additionally, with Logan��s new assistant��who should have been apanying him��nowhere in sight, Hera��s concern deepened. "I��m all ears," she said softly but with a reassuring confidence. "If you��re facing any troubles, feel free to share them with me."

 Chapter 300 What Hera Can and Can’t Do

    Her dance instructor praised her for being easy to train and quick to learn but emphasized that she needed to work on her flexibility, leaving her with a set of exercises to do daily. Meanwhile, her singing instructor acknowledged her sweet, well-quality voice but noted that Hera had been ying it safe, not pushing her limits. To challenge her, the instructor encouraged Hera to reach higher notes, discovering that she could indeed hit those notes. However, Hera��sck of practice had left her almost tone-deaf, nearly undermining her vocal talent. As a result, her instructor became even more stringent with her training.

    Fortunately, her drama tutor was thrilled with Hera��s ability to convey emotions and seamlessly embody her characters. The tutor emphasized that as long as Hera understood the characters�� backgrounds and rted to them on a personal level, she could portray them convincingly. Hera��s natural talent and dedication made her tutor extremely pleased and eager to guide her. They worked together to delve deeper into each character��s background, helping Hera refine her portrayal step by step for a richer, more nuanced performance.

    All of the instructors�� feedback and video recordings of Hera��s practice were sent to Betty, who was thrilled and proud to have another rising star in her hands. However, upon reviewing thements from Hera��s dance and vocal instructors, Betty couldn��t help but reflect, "No wonder Hera mentioned that singing and dancing weren��t her strongest suits��acting was where she truly shined. But she��s not entirely hopeless in these areas. If I can help her improve, Hera��s prospects will significantly rise, making her a versatile artist highly sought after in the industry."

    Just thinking about the possibilities made Betty excited. She was starting to see Hera as the female version of Xavier and couldn��t wait to watch her grow. The vision of Hera��s future was already forming in her mind.

    When Hera arrived at Green Dragon Manor, she pushed all thoughts and worries from her mind and indulged in a long, hot bath. She had prepared heating stones and rose petal bath bombs, treating herself to this rxing escape after a long and stressful day, especially with the challenges posed by Alexi. It was both a well-deserved reward and a soothing retreat.

    Hera usually enjoyed her hot baths in silence with her eyes closed, but tonight was different. With her vocal practices still fresh in her mind, she began to hum softly. Gradually, she transitioned into vocal exercises and eventually started singing a song that Logan performed when he signed his contract with UE.

    Hera noticed that her voice had changed subtly, likely due to her conscious effort to alter her breathing technique and infuse more power into her singing. As she confidently sang the song, her voice took on an ethereal quality, echoing softly off the tiled walls. It was soothing and sweet, like honey to the ear. Hera wasn��t narcissistic, but even she had to admit that she sounded impressive. This was her true potential and the areas where she still needed growth.

    Previously indifferent to singing and dancing, Hera��s newfound appreciation for her vocal progress sparked a change of heart. Hearing the improvement in her voice, she became determined to refine her skills further. She now hoped to do Logan��s song justice whenever she sang that song since it already be her favorite, aspiring to perform it with the respect it deserved rather than merely singing it.

    Before, Hera hadn��t realized how deeply singing could affect one��s emotions��lifting or even calming them. Given her love for ying the piano and other instruments, she already had an appreciation for music, but now she saw singing as a new way to channel her emotions and relieve stress. With proper guidance, she felt she could deliver apelling performance at her grandfather��s birthday, which now served as a fresh source of motivation. She was certain her grandfather would be thrilled.

 Chapter 301 Turning to Villainess

    "What��s wrong?" Hera asked as she poured herself a ss of water.

    "The audacity!!! Alexi posted a statement on his official ount iming you two broke up before he started dating Minerva. He says you can��t leave him alone and even barged into your old shared apartment to try to get back together with him. And now, because Minerva��s brother is causing trouble in their rtionship, he��s using you of taking the chance to seduce him back, saying he caved in a moment of weakness." Athena summarized the entire post, which spanned several pages.

    Hera couldn��t help but be amused by Athena��s angry voice and ring nostrils. Despite the situation, Hera found it hard to be angry anymore. She had already given everything she could for Alexi, trying to build a life with him, but he was the one who had disappointed her. Besides, Athena was already furious on her behalf. Hera suspected that Athena hadn��t slept, as the evidence had been slowly released the previous night by various trusted gossip bloggers.

    Alexi��s reply was exactly what Hera expected. Whether it was Alexi himself or his team who wrote that post didn��t matter; it was theirst desperate struggle. Hera was ready to take a step forward into her new beginning, free from the shadow of her past with Alexi.

    She also trusted herpany to release the evidence: Alexi��s call recordings after the breakup, his persistent text messages even after she made it clear she didn��t want to get back together, and the usatory and derogatory names he called her when she didn��tply with his wishes. This included messages from his mother and sister, full of demeaning words. Most importantly, there were videos documenting Minerva��s misdeeds targeting Hera.

    Just like how Minerva worked with the previous horse race champion to plot against Hera, there was a video showing Minerva going to the stable to poison Diamond. Initially, when the previous champion saw her and stopped her, the poison was still in her hands, If she really was reported and the poison was sent into theb, she��d have no way out, so Minerva was scared she��d be reported and was already thinking of various excuses to get away with it. However, the previous champion recruited her to work together, as it seemed they had the same enemy.

    Minerva provided the spiked horsewhip to the previous champion. When he dropped it on the race track, Hera��s team filmed the entire process. The previous champion attempted to whip Diamond in the rear, but Hera intercepted just in time, causing the whip to slip from his hands and fall. Hera��s team then approached the whip to capture video evidence of the spikes, which waster used to bring the previous champion to justice.

    Hera had kept this evidence locked up in a safe, nning to use it against Minerva at the most crucial time. This wasn��t all; she also sent her people to gather proof that Minerva had pulled strings to cklist Hera from working in various industries, including restaurant chains, odd jobs, clubs, and more. Hera was effectively banned from all industries. Additionally, Hera had evidence of Minerva ndering her online and fanning the mes to make the situation worse, constantly undermining her.

    Minerva even tried to get Hera expelled from college by falsely using her of cheating and bribing professors for better grades. Her tactics didn��t stop there; they became increasingly outrageous. Minerva also incited her anti-fans to attack Hera, using sulfuric acid to disfigure her. ��Yes, it was Minerva behind the scenes orchestrating these attacks and the death threats I��ve been receiving from Alexi��s fanatical supporters.��

    In retaliation, Hera had her team investigate every action of both Minerva and Alexi. What they uncovered about Minerva was far darker than she had anticipated. Describing Minerva as merely devious would be an understatement; she proved to be nothing short of a devil in disguise.

    Minerva had targeted several lesser-known female celebrities who had managed to get close to Alexi, even though he paid them little attention. Minerva saw this as a challenge to im her man and dispatched a team to deal with them. Contrary to what one might expect, Minerva��s team didn��t merely intimidate these women; their actions were far more sinister.

    The women were kidnapped, subjected to severe abuse, and raped before enduring prolonged torture. Once they were dead, their bodies were fed to sharks or crocodiles to erase all evidence of their suffering. Some were sold to human traffickers, while others ended up in a hidden underground red-light district known only to a select few.

    These heinous crimes have reached the division police office as a major case. All evidence gathered by the police was securely stored in a secret vault and meticulously erased from external records to prevent the criminals from realizing thatw enforcement was closing in on them. What began as reports of a few missing women has now escted to high-profile celebrities disappearing, leading investigators to suspect a close connection between the cases.

    Some secret agents have already infiltrated the underground red-light district, while others have prated the criminalwork itself. Hera was baffled by how Minerva managed to co-opt such powerful connections and manipte them to her advantage. What troubled Hera the most was the realization that Minerva had be something far worse than she ever expected. Instead of the redeemable second female lead who might recognize her ws and change for the better, Minerva had morphed into a true viiness, embodying malevolence and ruthlessness.

    Was it because of Alexi? Did Minerva��s inability to fully capture Alexi��s heart and love drive her to be sinister or paranoid? In the end, it didn��t matter. What mattered now was Hera��s determination to deal with Minerva decisively.

    When she asked Rafael not to interfere earlier, it was because she wanted him to stay out of this matter. Her intent in asking him to handle Minerva was to give Rafael the opportunity to turn his sister over to the police, ensuring justice for her victims. This would be Rafael��s final test��she would see if she could truly challenge his core beliefs and his protectiveness over his sister.

    Initially, Hera had nned to leave Minerva to Rafael, letting him handle the situation. However, after receiving a crucial investigation reportst night detailing Minerva��s wrongdoings, she was left baffled. Despite her dislike for Minerva, she knew that these actions didn��t align with Minerva��s character as she understood it, though the evidence was undeniably conclusive.

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 Chapter 302 Was Is It Really Her?

    Athena sighed. "Alright, I��ll go to sleep. Just call me if you need anything, and I��ll be there for you!" She reminded Hera of a few more things and gave a bit of a final nag before hanging up the phone and heading straight to bed.

    After the call, Hera refreshed herself and changed before heading out for her run in the garden. Unlike previous days, she didn��t see Luke��s shadow around, nor did she receive any messages from the male leads or even Leo. This was highly unusual, as she typically got good morning texts and a few more messages from all six of them daily, despite having only shared her number with a few.

    She decided not to dwell on it, assuming they might simply be very busy. With her mind focused on more pressing matters, she pushed aside any thoughts of romance. Right now, her brain was firmly in battle mode.

    After her morning run, she returned to take a shower and changed into her chosen outfit��a feminine, fresh ensemble with a touch of elegance that suited her temperament. This time, she left her hair cascading freely down her shoulders and back. The waves in her hair beautifully framed her features,plementing her outfit perfectly.

    She also wore the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Rainbow Minute Repeater Haute Joaillerie watch, adorned with a rainbow of sapphires and diamonds set in a rose gold frame. The watch added a sophisticated yet lively touch to her outfit, perfectlyplementing the college student vibe she aimed to create. For her earrings and ne, she chose ssic white pearls. After giving herself onest look in the mirror, she headed downstairs for breakfast.

    As she descended the stairs, Hera found herself deep in thought. Despite Minerva��s vindictiveness, could she really have sunk so low solely for Alexi? Had she given no thought to her family and how they would react if they discovered her actions? Hera had considered testing Rafael with this information, but it felt too heartless to pit the siblings against each other and risk destroying their rtionship when they were talking about the life and death of the other sibling.

    Hera let out a shaky exhale as she pondered the situation. Then she recalled Gerald��s observations from their text exchanges about the meticulous way the scandal was leaked to the tabloids. It didn��t seem like something Minerva, with her arrogance andck of subtlety, would orchestrate. It pointed more towards those criminals behind the scenes, who were likely orchestrating these acts to avoid any direct link to Minerva.

    <i>��Or could it all just be a diversion?��</i> The thought struck Hera. But without concrete evidence or a clear direction for the investigation, she couldn��t be certain. She felt a pang of sympathy for Rafael, especially since he was starting to change for the better. It was disheartening that things hade to this.

    She knew that if Rafael were to learn the full extent of the situation, he would be deeply hurt, and it could potentially destroy him. The thought of being indirectly responsible for that weighed heavily on her, filling her with guilt. However, the severity of the crimes could not be ignored or covered up. It was no longer just about her own safety but about seeking justice for the innocent victims and ensuring that other women who suffered were given the justice they deserved.

    But Hera couldn��t shake the unsettling churn in her stomach; she had a nagging feeling that something was off.

    [Hera: Gerald, please investigate Minerva��s case thoroughly. Focus on the individuals the police are targeting��examine their operations, their connections with Minerva, and their motives for coboration. Also, try to dy any police action for the time being.]

    [Gerald: Young Miss, are you suspecting something?]

    [Hera: Weren��t you the one who said that Minerva was too stupid for meticulous nning and execution? If you don��t remember then scroll up to our previous conversation and you��ll see.]

 Chapter 303 Suspicion

    [Hera: Also, keep track of everyone Minerva has been in contact with over the past six months.]

    [Hera: Also, it got me thinking. Are you sure the evidence we gathered against Minerva, linking her to those crimes, was actually collected by you and your team and not nted?]

    [Gerald: Are you suggesting, Young Miss, that instead of uncovering genuine evidence, we might have been fed false information without realizing it? ��(�� ����?)]

    [Hera: I��m not sure, but we need to consider all possibilities. We can��t risk being blindsided and used by the police of tampering with evidence or being essories to the crime, can we?]

    [Gerald: (?��?)...]

    [Gerald: That was a big possibility, Young Miss!]

    [Gerald: I��ll get my ass moving, Young Miss!]

    [Gerald: I��ll let you know if I got something.]

    [Hera: Alright, I��ll leave this to your care then.]

    Hera let out a heavy sigh as she reached the foot of the stairs, where Cindy stood straight, waiting for her.

    "Young Miss, is there a problem? Do you need me to handle it?" Cindy asked, bowing respectfully.

    "No need, I��ve already sent Gerald on a mission," Hera said, tilting her head to the side. "Wait, actually, I do need you. Coordinate with Gerald and see what you can do to help him. Also, instruct all the bodyguards apanying me to apprehend anyone suspicious��anyone trying to get close to me or watching from afar��and send them for interrogation," she added decisively. <i>��Instead of waiting for someone to hurt me, it��s better to take the first step, catch them in a, and be well-prepared,��</i> Hera thought.

    [Hera: Rafael, are you busy? Please contact me back if you see the message, thanks!]

    Hera stared at her phone for a moment before putting it down. She knew Rafael often woke up as early as she did, so she figured he must be swamped with work and unable to check his phone. Hera��s assumption was spot on. All six men were overwhelmed with work due to their own doing, having messed with each other and engaged in petty conflicts.

    When Mommy is out, the children y hard and often get hurt��a bit like what the six men are doing. Although theirpetition is no longer hostile, they are still being petty, trying to annoy each other to get more time with Hera. Who would have thought that by causing trouble for one another, they��d all end up swamped with work? They haven��t slept sincest night, and now they��re not even sure if they can resolve the issues within a day.

    Before diving into their work, each of them ensured that Hera had a bodyguard assigned to protect her in their absence. They also made arrangements to manage the online trouble but made sure to save the most significant tasks for Hera, so she could feel the satisfaction of handling the issue herself.

    After all, while they all cared deeply for Hera and wanted to protect her, they knew she didn��t want to be treated like a helpless doll. They recognized her as a strong woman with her own ideas and methods for handling things, believing firmly that she was a queen. And a queen doesn��t justmand respect��she rules with authority and strength.

    And they are her devoted servants, revering her every move. Somehow, without realizing it, they��vee to ept that all six of them belong to Hera and are ready to be hers. However, they��re not ready to share her just yet, which is why they continue their silentpetition behind her back, acting petty in their efforts.

    Unlike before, their rivalry was no longer fueled by malice. This shift urred because they all wanted to avoid causing Hera any distress with theirpetition for her affection, especially since, apart from Leo, it was clear that she seemed uninterested in engaging with them or was holding some prejudice that she could never tell why.

    That��s why they all felt dissatisfied and directed their frustration at Leo. Leo, in turn, was targeting them to push them away and secure more time with Hera. Although they couldn��t find concrete evidence proving his involvement, they weren��t blind��they knew it was him behind the moves.

    What they didn��t realize was that they were all simply fulfilling a fate that had already been predetermined, albeit with a different woman.

    On the other side of the city, Hera let go of all her distractions. She knew that if she didn��t, she��d be unproductive and inattentive to her tasks, which wouldn��t be good. She had already arranged everything she could think of to ensure her safety and protect those around her, while also checking if she was under anyone��s radar.

    Now that everything was arranged, Hera could enjoy her hearty breakfast prepared by Hannah. Like her father, Hannah enjoyed creating themed menus, and today��s breakfast featured Korean cuisine.

    The breakfast spread included kimchi as a side dish, Korean toast with egg, spam, veggies, chicken katsu, and plenty of mayo and mustard. There was also Kongnamul (Korean soybean sprouts) as another side dish which was crispy and refreshing to the palette, Dalgona coffee for a little caffeine in the morning, and Korean miso soup to go along with the main dish which she could take a sip every now and then to cleanse her palette while eating the Galbi Jjim. To ensure Hera had enough energy for the day, Hannah prepared rice and Galbi Jjim (braised short ribs) as the main dish.

    Galbi Jjim was slow-cooked short ribs that Hannah began preparing before dawn. She cooked them in a ypot to ensure they had a distinct, traditional Korean vor.

 Chapter 304 Dethrone the Campus Bell

    Upon reaching her car, she revved the engine a few times before speeding out of the parking lot. Once on the road, she blew through red lights, getting caught by traffic cameras and umting several tickets in the process.

    The convoy trailing behind Hera also ignored traffic rules, making it look like a scene from a "Fast and Furious" movie. Hera��s car even drifted a few times as she took sharp turns at intersections, closely followed by a fleet of ck SUVs. Onlookers were mesmerized by the impressive line of vehicles, which resembled a presidential motorcade. To top it off, the lead car was a limited edition model, adding to the spectacle.

    Focused on her driving and in a hurry, Hera didn��t notice how many cars were trailing behind her. She had expected just 2-3 bodyguard vehicles, with a maximum of 5 in total, but it turned out that around 20 cars were following her, making it resemble a grand procession.

    In the age of the inte, people��s first reaction was to film the spectacle and share it on social media. Once uploaded, the footage quickly garnered significant attention. Many spected that it must be a movie shoot, marveling at the grandeur of the procession.

    The person responsible for themotion was still flustered, running around the campus after hastily parking her car in the designated lot. Before she dashed out, she took onest nce to ensure she hadn��t damaged her car or any others. Unfortunately, her ssroom was far from the parking lot, so she ended up sprinting like she was in a marathon, all while wearing high heels.

    Her skirt and hair were flowing in the wind as she raced down the hallway. Students walking by couldn��t help but turn and look, seeing Hera in a frantic dash. Some wondered whether tough at her endearing struggle or feel sympathy for her obvious rush. In the end, they simply watched her run, captivated by the scene.

    "Why does everyone admire her so much and get mesmerized by her beauty when you��re just as beautiful?" one girl murmured, watching Hera��s back as she continued to run. "She doesn��t even act as elegantly or sophisticatedly as you do."

    "Let it be. It doesn��t affect my life, does it?"

    The woman who had started the conversation finally tore her eyes away from Hera��s retreating figure and turned to the beautiful woman beside her. With mesmerizing aquamarine eyes that resembled a mermaid��s and naturally ming red hair, she found Alice to be both stunning and unique. "Look at you, still worrying about others. You truly are such an angel, Alice."

    The girl on Alice��s other side chimed in, "Exactly! Why was she chosen as the campus bell and not you? Maybe the voting hasn��t even started yet, since you��re new to the university and she��s been here for two years."

    "And wouldn��t the title of Campus Bell benefit your career in the entertainment industry? It could serve as a great publicity boost. So, it has everything to do with you."

    "I agree with her. We need to rally the entire student body to establish a new Campus Bell and crown you as queen. This is your chance to catch the eye of the university��s directors and potential sponsors who could support your career. With so many artists in yourpany, making a significant move is crucial; otherwise, you risk being overshadowed by better-supported stars."

    "But it only happened because I made so many mistakes in the Variety Show I recently participated in," Alice said regretfully, her voice trembling and her eyes welling up with tears. Her pitiful demeanor made the two girls with her even more flustered and sympathetic.

    "Wasn��t it because of that girl from earlier? She��s the one at fault for everything that happened. She bullied you and had Xavier backing her, which made her so brazen. It��s only fair that she gives up the title of Campus Bell, and we can use that opportunity for your publicity. Since she gained attention and fame by stepping on you while riding Xavier��s coattails, it��s only natural that we leverage her name to attract more attention for you."

    Alice looked at the girl who spoke, her eyes widening with a mixture of surprise and hope. "What do you mean?"

    "We��ll take the Campus Bell title from her and publicize it both on campus and on social media, highlighting how the previous Campus Bell was dethroned by a freshman��s beauty. We��ll show side-by-side pictures of you and her, encouraging others to vote for you while subtly mocking her. We might even manage to attract some of her fans," she said with a malicious smile, her eyes darkening as she thought of Hera��s stunning face.

    "But she already has a solid fan base that��s expertly managed," Alice added hesitantly.

    "That fan base might not be as genuine as it seems. For all we know, her sponsor could be paying for those so-called fans, with many of them being paid followers rather than true admirers," one of the girls suggested, insinuating that Hera��s fame and supporters might be bought. "Just agree with our n. We��ll handle everything��your only job will be to stay pretty and rx."

 Chapter 305 Like A Pitiful Child

    The attacks quickly turned malevolent, leaving Hera without any defenders. In just one morning, her reputation had already been shattered. When Logan discovered what was happening, he rushed around the campus searching for Hera. However, he was frequently interrupted by girls eager to get his number or simply to meet him.

    For the first time, the usually timid Logan found himself snapping at people who pestered him while he frantically searched for Hera. His concern that she might be bullied or deeply hurt by the nder drove him to push back against the interruptions.

    He didn��t even realize that he had snarled angrily at the girls dying him, sending them away in tears. Unmoved by their distress, his anxiety only intensified as he imagined Hera crying in the same way, surrounded by people pointing fingers and mocking her.

    The situation was deeply unsettling for him, reopening old wounds from his childhood when he was bullied for being different. He didn��t want Hera to endure such a nightmare. He admired her confidence and sunny personality, seeing her as his sun and moon, a beacon of light and warmth in his life.

    She was the person who shone brighter than anyone else in the sky, and during dark times, she was also the light guiding lost souls like him, ensuring they wouldn��t be swallowed by the abyss and giving them a chance to improve and live better.

    As he frantically searched the vast campus, tears welled up in his eyes, turning them red with worry. The more he failed to find Hera, the darker his thoughts grew, gued by grim possibilities he could barely stand. The idea of her being at the center of such cruelty was unbearable to him. He��d endure the bullying himself withoutint, but seeing Hera subjected to it ignited a deep, unfamiliar hatred within him, a feeling he had never known before.

    He loathed those who sought to hurt Hera, a woman who had done nothing wrong and was not only beautiful but also genuinely kind andpassionate. She had gone out of her way to help a struggling boy like him, giving him a chance to stand on his own without asking for anything in return. Yet, despite her kindness, she was being maligned and treated with contempt. It enraged him to see someone so selfless and deserving of respect being degraded and disrespected.

    Unable to find Hera on his own, he called his assistant for help. He instructed them to reach out to Hera��s assistant and their manager, Betty, to inform them of the situation while he continued his search across the campus. He wanted to cover all bases to ensure her safety. Aware of the online attacks targeting Hera, he feared that some of her anti-fans might try to harm her.

    <i>��Is it her anti-fans causing this trouble, or could it be Alexi��s overzealous supporters targeting her?��</i> Logan wondered, his shirt soaked with sweat as he continued his frantic search around the campus.

    Logan chanted silent prayers for Hera��s safety as he continued his desperate search around the campus. He was on the verge of tears, feeling like a lost puppy searching for its owner in a crowded city. Fortunately, just as he was about to lose hope, he spotted Hera sitting under a tree, deeply engrossed in a book about advanced business knowledge.

    Hera, wearing headphones, sat calmly under the tree, absorbed in her book, oblivious to the students around her who were loudly gossiping and trying to provoke her. Despite their tant attempts to get under her skin, Hera remained unaffected and indifferent. When Logan saw her handling the situation with such grace, he couldn��t hold back his tears.

    Logan walked straight up to Hera, and as soon as he was in front of her, he copsed onto his knees, sobbing uncontrobly like a child.

 Chapter 306 Her True Goal

    Hearing Logan��s words, Hera initially thought he was referring to the online scandal involving Alexi. She understood that mixed opinions were inevitable, especially since only a small portion of the evidence had been released so far. More information would followter; they were allowing theizens to digest the details gradually. The n was to let the truth emerge over time, revealing who was genuinely honest and who was using the public to attack the innocent.

    Since she had her n in ce and everything was progressing smoothly, Hera felt confident and untroubled. Instead of worrying, she focused on deepening her knowledge of business and finance. Her goal was to assist her grandfather as soon as possible, knowing he was getting old in age and deserved to rx and enjoy life. She was determined to bnce her responsibilities at thepany with hermitments in the entertainment industry, ensuring that her grandfather could take a well-deserved break.

    "It��s alright, Logan. Betty will handle the online scandal with Alexi and Minerva. As for my suitors, I can��t say much about them. While it��s my life and I��m free to make my own choices, they also have their own lives and are free to do as they please. It��s not like they��re being forced at gunpoint to pursue me, right?" Hera chuckled, her tone light and teasing, clearly directed at those who were listening and recording the exchange.

    Logan shook his head, understanding that the online scandal targeting Hera was merely an attempt to nder her. He knew that it was unlikely for such usations to hold true, given how genuinely kind and remarkable she was. If only he were as outstanding as those men, he wouldn��t hesitate to join their ranks. But as someone still starting out and being helped by her, he didn��t feel he had the right to stand beside her in that way. Instead, he was determined to support her from behind, ensuring her safety and happiness at all times.

    "No, senior. There are some people ndering you on the school forum. You should check," Logan said nervously, wiping away his tears with a flushed face. He was now acutely aware of how embarrassed he looked in the moment.

    Instead of bing flustered or angry, Hera burst intoughter. She then pulled out her phone, opened the school forum, and began scanning the articles andments. She noticed the New Campus Bell voting, where the numbers showed andslide against her. Despite the results, she remained unfazed and cast a nce around at the students who had gathered around her.

    The most active participants were the freshmen, while those voting for Hera were primarily people who had seen her around campus or had witnessed her being harassed by Alexi and then saved by her suitors. Unfortunately, most of Hera��s supporters, who were familiar with her, were upied with their duties since it was still early and a few hours away from lunch when they��d have time to engage. As a result, Alice was currently leading by andslide, but Hera was not overly concerned, as she had anticipated this oue.

    And it doesn��t take a genius to know who was behind the nder circting about her at school, and soon, she��s sure that the board would know of this and would give her a hard time if it was proven that she��s really misbehaving.

    Alice��s ambitions extended beyond just bing the Campus Bell and securing a prominent position in the entertainment industry. Her ultimate goal was to get Hera expelled from the university, using the excuse of tainting its reputation. With Hera bing a rising star, every move she made was magnified online, making her an easy target for criticism and scandal.

    Recently, she��s been drawing significant negative publicity, which has also tarnished her university��s reputation. This is likely to have provoked the ire of the university��s board of directors, as the institution��s image is being sullied alongside hers.

    What she didn��t anticipate was Alice ying dirty. While Alice might im innocence or deny involvement, it was clear that she was aware of what was happening, and even after knowing all this, she still remained quiet only means that she��s obviously undermining Hera.

 Chapter 307 Fight Back With A Simple Move

    "I have a favor to ask," Hera said, her voice carrying a hint of embarrassment and hesitation as she addressed the girl standing before her.

    "Senior, please go ahead!" the girl eximed, grabbing Hera��s hands with fervent enthusiasm. Her book dropped to the ground as she eagerly looked at Hera, her voice brimming with urgency as if she feared Hera might ask someone else for the favor.

    Hera��s smile grew even sweeter upon seeing the girl��s enthusiasm. The other students, too, were visibly eager, their eyes bright with anticipation as if they were waiting for their chance to offer their assistance. It was as though they hadpletely forgotten their original intent to undermine Hera and were now more focused on helping her.

    Hera��s smile softened into a look of concern as she asked, "I recently came across the campus forum and discovered that I��m being referred to as the current Campus Bell. I also noticed there��s an ongoing vote, but my picture is blurry and unclear, while the other candidates�� photos are vibrant and clear. Could you exin what��s happening? Will this voting impact my university life or my schrship?"

    Her fidgeting and genuine worry made it clear that she was a dedicated student who prioritized her studies and important matters, prompting the others around her to consider that her schrship and academic focus might be at stake.

    To think that she��s even unaware of her current standing in the university that has nothing to do with academics was unknown to her, this shows that she was too busy to think about unnecessary things, and the question Hera posed also raised some suspicion through the scandals that were brought to the campus forum and the negative publicity she��s receiving was like an attack to her to elevate the other candidate for the Campus Bell and showed them as heaven and earth to highlight the other while demeaning the other.

    Hera��s straightforward question and genuine confusion made it clear to the students that they had been manipted into attacking her and spreading negativity. They now understood that their actions could potentially jeopardize her schrship if this continued. The realization hit them hard, their expressions reflecting their difort. They were not foolish��this was a prestigious school known for its low eptance rate, admitting only the best of the best, so, they were not stupid enough to be easily led by the nose which already happened and with Hera��s little hint they recognized the real issue.

    Gradually, a sense of anger rose among everyone as they realized they had been manipted into bullying a senior they didn��t even know personally. They felt enraged at the idea of being used to tarnish an innocent woman��s reputation and threaten her schrship.

    Several students who were live-streaming the exchange watched in disbelief as the anticipated drama turned into a public rtions disaster for them. They had expected Hera to make a fool of herself, only to find that the joke was on them. Achieving Dean��s List status at their prestigious university was no small feat��it required straight A��s,petition against numerous other high-achieving students and six rmendations from professors in major subjects.

    Securing a spot on the Dean��s List in such a rigorous selection process could easilybel someone as aplete nerd, but the rewards were substantial. The schrship came with generous monthly allowances, coverage for living expenses, and various other perks, making the stringent selection criteria worthwhile.

    Someone who went to such lengths for a schrship wouldn��t be foolish enough to engage in the antics described on the campus forum. It became clear that Hera didn��t even care about the Campus Bell status, which typically brought fame and recognition among students. In fact, she seemedpletely unaware that she had held the title of Campus Bell for two years running.

    "Se-senior, are you really a university schr?" the girl asked, her voice trembling as she clutched Hera��s hand. Though she had been the top scorer in her province, her arrival at the university had humbled her, making her realize she was just another student among many exceptional peers. Her initial arrogance had faded as she struggled to surpass the other top achievers at the campus.

 Chapter 308 How To Fight Fire With Fire

    "I��ll be okay, Logan," Hera croaked, her voice wavering but her resolve clear. The sight of her determination, despite the tears, tugged at everyone��s heartstrings. Hera quickly typed something on her phone, then picked up her bag and walked with renewed confidence. The students parted to make way for her, whispering apologies with embarrassed looks.

    But, Hera was actually feeling gleeful because she just used Alice��s tactic against her, crying and acting pitiful is what Alice used whenever she wanted to achieve something while swaying the hearts of the people around her, Hera had just used the same and harnessing it at the right moment at the right time to heighten the effect and make sure that everyone��s heart would go to her and turn the table against those people who was ndering her.

    She could already see the impact her tears had on everyone. Having studied at the university for two years, Hera had built a solid reputation with both professors and students. As a Dean��s Lister and one of the top achievers on campus, she was well-known and respected. Her clean record and diligent work ethic were recognized by many, which made her current plight all the more striking.

    Simply being known wasn��t enough; Hera needed to sway the masses to her side. The most effective way to do this was through emotion. People naturally gravitate toward those who appear weaker or more pitiful due to theirpassion and sense of justice. Now that Hera had positioned herself as the ��weaker side,�� she just needed to continue leveraging this perception to make others realize they had been manipted. Rather than using her confidence to prove her innocence, she aimed to ensure that her emotional appeal would shift the tide in her favor.

    While confidently asserting her innocence could serve as a way to confront her users, Hera knew that leveraging emotions and turning public sentiment against the conspirators would be far more effective. By appealing to the students�� sense of justice andpassion, she could iste and punish those responsible for the nder. The student body, stirred by her plight and the apparent injustice, would likely rally against the malevolent instigators, ensuring that Alice or whoever orchestrated the attack would face the consequences of their actions.

    This was a ssic case of "fighting fire with fire." Since Alice had used pity and emotional maniption as her weapon, Hera realized that she could turn those same tactics against her. By adopting a simr approach, she could make Alice and her allies experience the very same medicine they had been using. If Alice thrived on exploiting others�� sentiments, Hera could certainly learn to wield these tactics effectively herself.

    Despite the strategic thoughts running through Hera��s mind, she continued to cry pitifully, her tears genuine and unrestrained. Logan supported her from the side, offering silentfort. The students who initially came to witness her embarrassment now trailed behind her, feeling a deep sense of shame. They were eager to speak up for her once they reached the Dean��s office, driven by their newfound understanding and regret.

    Soon, Hera, with Logan by her side and a growing entourage of supporters trailing behind, arrived at the Dean��s office. Standing at the door, she offered a weak smile to Logan and the other students. "Please, everyone, you can return to your sses. I��ll be alright. I��m truly grateful for your support and for believing in my character," she said softly, her voice wavering as she tried to hold back her tears.

    Hearing themotion outside, the Dean opened the door to find a crowd of students gathered around Hera. "What��s going on here?" he demanded, his tone stern. "All students not involved should return to their sses. The matter at hand is between the person in question and me." He shot a sharp nce at Hera, signaling that the focus of the discussion was now solely on her.

    But this response only fueled the students�� anger further. They felt that the Dean, just like everyone else, was ignoring the gravity of the situation. As the head of the institution, the Dean should have conducted a thorough investigation before making any judgments. It was crucial for ensuring justice, especially for a student who might be wrongfully used. Thisck of due diligence seemed unfit for someone leading an educational institution responsible for nurturing the future leaders of tomorrow.

    The students felt undervalued and neglected, as if their concerns and status as the future generation were being dismissed with disregard.

 Chapter 309 Gender Equality?

    But for now, the students standing behind Hera hoped the Dean would correct their mistake and help clear her name byunching a thorough investigation. However, they quickly realized they were wrong. The Dean seemed more eager to ce Hera on the chopping block, showing no interest in listening to her exnation and immediately using her.

    The way the Dean looked at Hera didn��t go unnoticed by most of the students either. That was why none of them left, even when Hera asked them to, especially Logan. He was extremely displeased and quickly urged Betty to find a solution to help Hera out of this sudden predicament.

    "Dean, are you not even going to ask me what happened?" Hera asked, trying to maintain a calm and collected demeanor. Her voice, however, shook ever so slightly, sounding like a hurt animal trying to mask its pain while appearing tough on the outside.

    "Why bother? Isn��t it already clear? You��ve been mired in negative publicity for a while now. I��ve been generous enough not to expel you immediately and instead gave you a chance to prove your innocence. But, as Dean, I��m bound by the board of Directors�� decision. They��re concerned that keeping you would only further damage the reputation of our prestigious university, dragging its long-standing legacy through the mud due to your alleged irresponsibility and promiscuity." The Dean spat these words with little regard for their truth, more focused on making a public example of Hera to signal to the entire student body that the decision was final and beyond dispute.

    "Besides, where there��s smoke, there��s usually fire. It��s clear you��ve been seen publicly with multiple men��five, I believe, and they��ve admitted to it. Why should we investigate further? The information circting on the campus forum is a reminder for us all to choose role models who uphold good morals and maintain a clean record. We don��t want someone in a prominent position who might lead our students astray."

    Hera was momentarily speechless, as the Dean��s arguments seemed convincing and he sounded quite authoritative. However, she and a few other students couldn��t shake the feeling that there was more to the situation than what he was presenting. His demeanor felt unusually prickly, almost as if there were a personal vendetta behind his harsh judgment.

    "Dean, if having multiple suitors is considered promiscuous, doesn��t that also seem like an attack on women in general?" Hera asked innocently. "Even if we were to disclose it, I wouldn��t be the only one with multiple suitors, and we can��t always control who pursues us, even if we say no. What about men who have multiple girlfriends and treat rtionships like a conquest? Isn��t that worse than simply having several suitors?"

    Her words resonated with many women, who nodded in agreement, while some men shifted ufortably, feeling a bit defensive. They had often justified their own multiple rtionships as youthful folly or a natural part of growing up, and Hera��s question struck a chord with their own experiences.

    Hera��sparison revealed a troubling double standard: it seemed as though gender discrimination was at y. It appeared that women were being unfairly judged and restricted, while men were free to have multiple partners, often celebrated for their conquests as if it boosted their ego and enhanced their appeal. In contrast, a woman with multiple suitors wasbeled derogatorily, and her value was questioned. This disparity highlighted an inequality where men��s behavior was glorified, while simr behavior from women was condemned.

    But in reality, what��s the difference? Is it because they are women, conditioned from birth to prioritize and amodate men, that they are forbidden from doing what men can do? Even after centuries, true gender equality still seems elusive. This is the issue Hera wanted to highlight with the Dean��s words. As she spoke, many of the women who had followed her began to re up in anger, feeling disrespected and demeaned by their own Dean.

    "Also, Dean, wasn��t one of the Board of Directors a woman who had 2-3 suitors vying for her when she was young? Did she know that you considered her promiscuous? It was well-known at the time that those men were genuinelypeting for her attention, and even today, there��s still some rivalry among them��one seeded in winning her, while the other two were left bitter. Should I also ask the Director for her opinion on this and let her know what you��ve said?" Hera taunted innocently, as if the thought had just urred to her and she was merely stating it harmlessly.

 Chapter 310 A Quick Fix

    Hera realized her earlier approach wasn��t working with the Dean, so she decided to change tactics and confront him directly while maintaining the support of the student body. She was effectively ying both sides. She suspected that the Dean was shielding someone, and if it was Alice, it made sense. Alice was seen as the chosen one, and her actions were likely protected and guided to ensure favorable oues for her.

    The Dean��s anger was evident; veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes were bloodshot as he red at Hera with a look that suggested he wanted to devour her. Logan, noticing the Dean��s vtile reaction, quickly stepped in front of Hera, shielding her with his body. At first, the other students didn��t perceive the gravity of the situation, but as they saw the Dean��s erratic behavior, they realized something was amiss. His loss ofposure was palpable, and many students, especially those livestreaming the incident, caught the Dean��s unmasked fury.

    "You can��t do this! I��m the Dean, and I am the one who decides how this issue is handled! You have no right to make decisions for my university!" the Dean roared at Logan, though his anger was clearly directed at Hera.

    "Sir, if that��s the case, you should have prioritized protecting your student. The moment you failed to do so, you forfeited the right to make decisions about her. It��s her life on the line, not yours. You should have considered all the consequences she might face if you failed to safeguard her," Logan said, summoning all his courage despite his trembling. His fear was palpable, but his determination to stand up for Hera, just as she had protected him, kept him resolute.

    "The kid��s right!" a man��s voice boomed through the hallway, cutting through the tension and silencing the crowd. The students parted to make way as they saw the police nking the man, their presence adding an authoritative weight to his words. "You no longer have the right to call yourself the Dean of this university when you��ve failed to uphold your duties," he dered.

    "Who the hell are you?" the Dean bellowed, his face flushed with fury as his authority was challenged and his ns unraveled. He bristled at the intrusion, having prided himself on his long tenure and numerous achievements, which had earned him des and respect. The sudden shift in power made him feel as though he was being unceremoniously thrown off his pedestal.

    "Apologies for thete introduction," Gerald began, his voice calm but authoritative. "I��m Gerald Troy from the Avery Consortium, the primary and biggest shareholder of this university since its inception. We��ve been informed that one of our top achievers and schrs, Ms. Ainsley, is embroiled in a serious predicament. It appears that the Dean was not fully aware of the ongoing online nder that has thrust her into the spotlight of this scandal. I��ve been sent to investigate and address this issue directly." He stopped next to Logan, with the police standing behind him, their presence adding weight to his words.

    The Dean was taken aback upon hearing that Gerald was from the Avery Consortium. The university had long been considered a cornerstone of the Avery family��s legacy, as they were the founders of this prestigious institution. Unlike the Royal Academy, which only admitted royalty and aristocrats, the Avery Consortium��s university weed bothmoners and nobility alike, embodying amitment to merit and opportunity that set it apart.

    If the female Director had merely intimidated him momentarily, the presence of Gerald Troy struck sheer terror into the Dean. The Avery Consortium��s judgment would undoubtedly shape the trajectory of his career, and the fact that Gerald, an aide to the current generation��s heiress, was personally overseeing the situation indicated the seriousness with which they were treating it. The Dean now feared that the girl, Hera, might possess connections or influence he had not previously anticipated.

    The Dean knew that Gerald had ess to the Avery Consortium��s intelligence department, which only heightened his fear. He realized that Gerald likely held crucial information that could be used against him. Trembling and drenched in sweat, the Dean stood immobilized, his knees buckling under the weight of his anxiety.

    But Gerald came in prepared.

 Chapter 311 Dismissed

    Because this drama was either concocted by Minerva or by Alice herself.

    "Dean, isn��t it true that your reluctance to investigate this matter and your conviction that Ms. Ainsley is damaging the university��s reputation stems from the fact that your niece has been posting all these nderous messages on the campus forum? And that she stands to benefit from the schrship you were nning to award her?" Gerald said calmly. His words were enough to stir a reaction among the students, revealing the truth and causing a ripple of surprise.

    "Mr. Troy!!! Please, don��t nder me with baseless usations without evidence!" the Dean roared in anger.

    "So you understand that usations need evidence, yet you failed to properly investigate your own students, whom you should be nurturing. Instead, you convicted them based on nothing more than cropped photos and articles online, which are distorted andck actual facts," Hera replied with a sarcastic shrug.

    "We��ll soon find out whether this is nder or the truth, won��t we, Dean?" Gerald said, shing a confident smile as he signaled for the police behind him to step forward, causing the Dean to recoil in fear.

    "What do you mean?!" the Dean asked, his voice trembling as he stared at Gerald and the approaching police. "You can��t do this to me! I��m the Dean of this university!"

    "You were the Dean," Gerald replied nonchntly.

    "What?!" The Dean��s head snapped toward Gerald in disbelief.

    "The board has already decided to relieve you of your position. Your age and declining judgment have been damaging the university��s reputation, and your scandal, once it hits the media, will drag us all down," Gerald said with a devilish smirk.

    "I��ve already gathered all the evidence of your corruption, including your niece��s bullying, extortion, nder, and falsification of documents. So don��t worry��you and your family will be reunited in prison," Gerald said, suppressing augh as he nced at Hera, clearly expecting her praise.

    The revtion left everyone in stunned silence as they processed the shocking information, gazing at Gerald with awe. His swift handling of the situation and the Dean��s downfall seemed almost godlike. Gerald then dismissed the crowd, leaving only Hera and Logan behind under the pretense of discussingpensation for the mental and reputational damage she had suffered due to the Dean and his niece.

    Everyone understood that Hera had just endured a battle that nearly derailed her future and could see her distress. They offered their encouraging words one by one before leaving her alone in the Dean��s office with Gerald and two guards stationed at the door.</subtxt>

 Chapter 312 How was Rafael’s Reaction?

    Hera then had a sudden thought: What if Alice was aware of something? Perhaps Alice had discovered that she was special, that her second chance at life was not just an ordinary gift but a sign that she was meant to lead and reshape the world ording to her vision. However, such awareness seemed far-fetched. Unless Alice was inherently delusional, she would likely view her new life as a simple stroke of good fortune, believing that her karma had given her a chance to start afresh.

    Hera let out a heavy sigh before asking, "What��s thetest on the evidence we posted online about Alexi��s cheating and Minerva��s oppression?"

    Gerald replied with a satisfied tone, "The response to that has been excellent and is unfolding just as nned. Manyizens have begun boycotting both Alexi and Minerva. Several majorpanies, concerned about their reputations, have canceled their contracts with Alexi. Some even absorbed the cancetion fees to distance themselves from his scandal. Alexi is now under house arrest to ensure his safety, as there was a riot at one of his endorsement events when the scandal reached its peak, and he narrowly escaped severe injury."

    Gerald chuckled, "It turns out that the rioters were mainly his female fans who had been ardently defending his fairytale romance with Minerva. They were devastated when the evidence started piling up. Rafael��spany has been swamped, constantly having to deal with one scandal after another��it��s like a game of whack-a-mole. Every time they think they��ve buried one issue, another pops up!"

    Hera asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice, "And how did Rafael react to the impact this is having on hispany and his sister?"

    Gerald chuckled, leaning in slightly as he shared, "Rafael��s reaction has been quite unusual. Normally, he would retaliate fiercely against anyone targeting hispany or his people, even turning the usations back on the users. But this time, he��s kept a surprisingly low profile. His PR team��s responses have beenckluster, and he hasn��t defended his sister at all. Instead, I��ve heard through the grapevine that he��s nning to send her abroad to a boarding school. But that��s still unconfirmed, just something I picked up from the rumor mill."

    Hera��s expression shifted suddenly, a mix of anticipation and unease clouding her face. She felt a nagging fear that Rafael��s quiet reaction could be a cover, designed to mislead or redirect attention. After all, where there��s smoke, there��s usually fire. The rumor might be deliberately circted to reach specific ears or make certain connections, but it could also just be a coincidence or the result of Gerald��s thoroughness. The uncertainty was unsettling, leaving Hera unsure of how to proceed.

    "But we can��t let him send Minerva abroad just yet," Hera said solemnly. "Although we suspect she might be a scapegoat to divert attention, it��s also possible she��s presenting a false front while concealing her true intentions. Either way, the evidence we have is substantial and has already escted to a criminal matter. The police are actively pursuing this case. It was one thing to remain passive when we were unaware, but now that we know, I couldn��t live with myself if I didn��t pursue justice for the victims."

    "Don��t worry, Young Miss. I��ve already instructed my team to expedite the verification process and investigate every angle, including Minerva��s contacts," Gerald assured her. "However, I also think it��s crucial that we have a conversation with Rafael. This might be the perfect opportunity to gauge his moralpass and see where he stands."

    "What do you mean?" Hera asked, curiosity piqued. She had a few ideas about Gerald��s suggestion but preferred to hear his reasoning before jumping to conclusions.

    "What I mean is," Gerald continued, "weren��t you nning on forming a Marriage Alliance with the six men you��re getting closer to?" His blunt question caused Hera to choke slightly, stunned by the unexpectedness of his remark.

 Chapter 313 What to Do?

    Gerald wasn��t against Hera pursuing a marriage alliance. Especially now, with the Avery Consortium at its most vulnerable, she needed all the support she could get to strengthen her position. This would make any potential threats think twice before attempting to strike, potentially causing them to remain dormant as they had before.

    But then again, Gerald also remembered that Hera was supposed to be engaged to the Hendrix family��s sole heir. He hadn��t seen the kid in so long that he couldn��t even recall what he looked like anymore. Thest time he saw him was when Hera was very small, and the heir��s image in his mind was now vague. Additionally, that heir had a knack for concealing his information so well that even the Avery family couldn��t uncover any details about him.

    All Gerald knew was that the Hendrix��s sole heir had flown overseas to take over and expand their business sessfully. However, he was unaware that the heir had since returned to the country, met with Hera numerous times, and that their rtionship had blossomed.

    Gerald was somewhat skeptical about the Hendrix family. He knew they had their own enemies who were constantly watching for any opportunity to strike. This ongoing threat had been weakening the Hendrix family��a powerful family with a royal bloodline. If they allied with the Avery Consortium, they might inadvertently expose themselves to even greater danger, as their enemies could unite to target both families, increasing their chances of bringing them down and reaping double the reward.

    That��s why Gerald was determined to secure multiple marriage alliances with other influential families that had potential for growth if given time and support. Initially, he hesitated to suggest this because he feared it would require Hera to make significant personal sacrifices. However, after thoroughly analyzing the intel he and his team had gathered, he realized just how dire their situation was. He understood that without taking decisive action soon, they would be in grave trouble.

    But who would have thought that he and their Young Miss had been on the same wavelength all along? Gerald was genuinely pleased, which made him chuckle. If Hera knew what he was thinking, she would probably be taken aback. She had her own reasons for getting into thisplex rtionship, but is she realize Gerald��s insights were urate might lead her to acknowledge that his analysis of the Avery��s situation was indeed spot on.

    The room fell into silence as both Hera and Gerald were deep in thought, each absorbed in their own analyses. Hera was also contemting Gerald��s suggestion about Rafael, unsure of how to broach the subject with him. She nced at her phone, hoping for a reply, but there was still no response from Rafael to thest message she had sent.

    "Alright, I��ll figure out how to approach Rafael about this," Hera said, taking a deep breath topose herself. "We also need to remain cautious about the criminals behind these heinous acts. Have you determined if they��re part of a group, syndicate, or any organizedwork?" She spected that their audacity might be due to the backing of a powerful entity��either a syndicate or a coalition of influential individuals who use such operatives to handle their dirty work while maintaining a pristine public image.

    "Yes, Young Miss! You��re absolutely right. My intel team has gathered information indicating that they are indeed part of a big syndicate. It seems these individuals are involved in more than just the crimes we��ve seen��there��s a strong possibility they��re also engaged in other illicit activities, such as smuggling weapons or drugs," Gerald said solemnly, his expression grim.

    Hearing that her suspicions were correct, Hera felt a surge of anxiety. She knew that such individuals would stop at nothing to eliminate their enemies, resorting to extreme measures akin to those of terrorists if necessary. The realization that she had already ventured into such perilous territory made her feel deeply unsettled.

    It also made Hera wonder how Minerva ended up entangled with such dangerous individuals. She knew Minerva was arrogant and not as intelligent as her brother, but she couldn��t fathom how Minerva could be so foolish as to get involved with them. Either Minerva was unaware of the danger she was dealing with or, more troublingly, she had lost her senses and was driven by a desperate need to ensure that no one could steal her man.

 Chapter 314 Turning White to Black

    Seeing Hera lead the way sparked spection among onlookers. They reasoned that Gerald, deeply remorseful for nearly losing a top achiever, was showing his respect in this manner. It was inconceivable to them that Hera, known for her part-time jobs to support herself, could hold such a significant position. They could not fathom her authority or the respect shemanded.

    As Hera and Gerald started to leave, they encountered arge crowd of students gathered in the hallway. The noise of shouts and sobs filled the air, while murmurs and pointing fingers indicated a heated discussion. Hera noticed that some of the students who had followed her earlier were among those crowding the area. Curiosity piqued, she wondered what had transpired to cause such amotion and why the hallway waspletely blocked by the gathering.

    "You can��t do this to me!!!"

    A melodious yet distressed voice rang out from within the crowd, pleading, "E-everyone, please, let��s help out our fellow students, shall we?" The voice sounded oddly familiar to Hera. She exchanged a knowing nce with Gerald, who then cleared his throat loudly. The noise drew the students�� attention, and they finally noticed Hera and Gerald standing there. It dawned on them that Hera had emerged from the office, apanied by Gerald.

    The crowd parted to let Hera and Gerald through as they moved closer to the center. There, they found police officers struggling to pry two girls away from a pir. The girls were clinging tightly, with one of them even grasping onto nearby students to prevent being dragged away.

    Hera also saw Alice with them, trying to stop the police from dragging the two trouble maker who started the rumors on the campus forum, although Gerald didn��t expose them in the campus forum and directly called for the police to handle the situation, theputer science students that wanted to prove Hera��s innocence has managed to hack into the university��s system to the campus forum and reveal who has been spreading the malicious rumor about Hera that threatened her schrship.

    The students, driven by their sense of justice andpassion, took it upon themselves to clear Hera��s name since the Dean had not acted. They revealed to the entire student body who was behind the malicious rumors and the incitement of insults and violence against Hera. Their actions also exposed the misdeeds of those responsible.

    After tracing one of the phone��s IP addresses, theputer science students hacked into it and uncovered a wealth of evidence of the culprits�� misdeeds. This evidence was then spread across the campus forum. While Hera was inside the office talking with Gerald, the students had already seen the revtions. When Alice and her friends were stopped by the police, the students flocked to watch the unfolding drama, as it was clear that Alice and her group were also headed to witness the spectacle involving Hera. Only to end up being the spectacle themselves.

    Alice��s voice trembled as she spotted Hera emerging from the crowd. With tears streaming down her face, she dramatically shifted the me. "Hera, is this really what you want?" she sobbed. "These are just freshmen with dreams and bright futures ahead of them. If they end up in the hands of the police, their lives could be ruined. Is this the kind of oue you��re aiming for?"

    Alice��s words struck a chord with the crowd, causing them to fall silent. She pressed on, her voiceden with emotion. "You��re fine now, Hera. You��ve received recognition from the Avery Consortium and probably even somepensation. Your schrship isn��t at risk. But what about these girls? If they end up in the police station, they��ll be left with a criminal record that could ruin their futures. Nopany would want to hire them. Is that what you want?" Her convincing rhetoric made the students pause, reflecting on the potential consequences and the impact a bad record could have on their careers, even for students from a prestigious university like theirs.

 Chapter 315 A Pig Teammate

    In reality, Hera hadn��t asked for any of this and was, in fact, the true victim of the situation. So why should she apologize or endure Alice��s anger and scolding as if she were the one in the wrong? Why should she be punished for fighting for justice when she was the one being wronged?

    Sure enough, the students, who were still naive and had limited knowledge of the outside world beyond their studies, were easily swayed by Hera��s words. They now looked at Alice with contempt and anger for suggesting that Hera was at fault and even wanting her to just let it go.

    Alice looked at Hera with wide eyes, brimming with barely concealed indignation. Before she could respond, Hera continued smoothly, "Miss Quinn, I apologize if I have offended you in any way during the Variety Show that led to your dissatisfaction. I��m sure your friends are only acting out of a desire to address their grievances. After all, I never even crossed paths with them to warrant such bullying." Hera��s tone was understanding, yet subtly undermined Alice��s position.

    ��Isn��t this how the "white lotuses" in novels handle their enemies? By creating misunderstandings and subtly undermining them?�� Hera chuckled inwardly as she watched Alice��s expression shift through various emotions before sheposed herself, or at least pretended to be calm and collected.

    "Hera, you misunderstand me," Alice said, her eyes reddened as if she were on the verge of tears. "I��ve long forgotten what happened at the Variety Show. I��ve been reflecting on how socially awkward I must have seemed, struggling to express myself because I��m not used to sharing my feelings." Many people can rte to this struggle, finding it hard tomunicate their emotions because they��re ustomed to keeping everything inside.

    "Oh, I see," Hera said, her voice filled with faux realization as if she had just understood Alice��s point. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she quickly added, "I��m truly sorry for the misunderstanding. It seems they must really dislike me to act out so without reason and use you as a cover, making it seem like they��re doing it for you. It��s as if they��re pretending to be your friends while taking advantage of you." Hera looked at Alice with feigned pity, causing Alice��s friends to erupt in anger.

    As Hera continued to provoke the three women in front of her, she found a perverse satisfaction in watching them turn against each other and watch their trust unravel with just a few carefully chosen words. <i>��Maybe this is why many ancient strategists used this tactic to conquer strongholds,��</i> she thought. <i>��By sowing internal conflict, they could cause the stronghold to crumble from within, making it easier to deal with before any external threats even arrived.��</i>

    "You!!!" The girls pointed at Hera with eyes wide and red with anger. "We��re her friends, and we were only trying to punish you on her behalf! Her reputation and poprity have suffered because of you!!!!" one of the girls roared. Alice stepped in front of the two girls, trying to defuse the situation before their outburst led to more damaging usations or undermined her further.

    Hera was stiflingughter inside as she listened to Alice��s friends drag her down without even realizing it. <i>"This is what you get for having such unreliable allies, A pig teammate as they call."</i> she thought with amusement, all while maintaining a fa?ade of surprise.

    "Hera, I��m sorry. My friends are just very protective of me. Didn��t you have protective male friends who ended up in a scandal with you? They even came to the university and fought with a student just to save you, like a knight in shining armor," Alice said softly. Her words were a subtle reminder of Hera��s recent scandal, jogging everyone��s memory of the dramatic events from just yesterday.

 Chapter 316 Turning The Tide

    This might be what Alice learned from her previous life. After all, without these skills, she would have faced the same fate as in her past life. To survive and thrive in the entertainment industry, she sharpened her abilities and adapted her strategies ordingly.

    Hera needed to be cautious of Alice��s skillful maniption while ying the victim, which required heightened vignce. But how could she address this? The solution seemed to depend on the male leads, but they were currently preupied. Alice had numerous opportunities to get closer to any of the male leads in Rafael��s circle, making it difficult to guard against her schemes. This situation could also serve as a test of how strong the female lead��s influence and the storyline��s impact are on the male leads.

    And with this trajectory, she gained the male leads�� affection, helping her rise like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, soaring higher than anyone else after her transformation. This mirrors what Athena often mentions about female leads in reincarnation stories. By understanding this pattern, it��s easier to grasp the storyline and the female lead��s ultimate goals.

    "Additionally, while it��s true that they are my friends, they are also my suitors, contrary to the malicious rumors, they don��t actually provide me with my resources. I have a best friend who��s incredibly generous and the support of the Avery Consortium through the UE Company. Thanks to them, Ick nothing." Hera smiled at Alice, her expression carrying a hint of challenge and warning.

    Everyone, including Alice, was stunned by Hera��s revtion. While they had seen from the end of the Variety Show that Hera was best friends with a wealthy heiress who provided her with luxury cars and shelter after her apartment was taken from her due to her ex-boyfriend��s betrayal, they were baffled by Hera��s mention of support from the Avery Consortium. This new detail left them confused, as it was not something they had expected or understood.

    Then, their gaze shifted to Gerald standing behind Hera, and everything clicked into ce. They inferred that Gerald��s offer ofpensation for the injustice that Hera suffered and wasn��t taken care of properly must have been the support from the Avery Consortium for Hera��s career in the entertainment industry. Given that UE, where Hera is contracted, is also under the Avery Consortium��s banner, it made sense that they would facilitate her career through that connection.

    If that were the case, there would be no need for Hera to be a sugar baby to anyone. Despite her suitors being rich and handsome, including the Young Minister of the Country, they have never acted inappropriately towards her. Even during the Variety Show, when Xavier and Leo were with Hera, they maintained a respectful distance and behaved like friends. Any potential interest was expressed with clear boundaries and respect.

    Even with the photos circting of Hera with her suitors, none of them show her in intimate orpromising positions. The images only depict her in thepany of these men on various asions, without any evidence of inappropriate behavior.

    Fortunately, someone was live-streaming the entire ordeal, a detail Hera caught from the corner of her eye. Alice probably assumed Hera hadn��t noticed, which is why she kept trying to undermine her, hoping Hera would slip and admit to using her body to gain favor with men or anything else that could tarnish her reputation. Instead, Hera seized the opportunity to start clearing her name online, leveraging the growing stream of evidence that was released online to support her case.

    With Hera��s rification of the misunderstanding, if Alice continues to push the issue, it will only highlight her malice. Instead of Hera facing criticism, Alice will attract bacsh fromizens for having a dirty mind and using an innocent person of misconduct without proper evidence.

    This unexpected opportunity was too valuable for Hera to pass up. It proved to be more effective than her original n. Even with solid evidence, there could still be room for nder and criticism, but by seizing this moment, Hera could garner additional support for being wrongfully and maliciously used.

 Chapter 317 Time to Clear My Name

    [AuntieNextDoor: @HeraIsMySister, you make a great point! What��s the use of the inte if we can��t utilize it to find facts? @Athena_Lowery, you are exactly correct, my little sister Hera could have taken advantage of such opportunities instead of choosing the hard way, but she didn��t. Isn��t that already good evidence of her good nature? She��d rather have a hard time than exploit her best friend��s generosity. Just because we remained silent for a while, doesn��t mean we are guilty... (�p?��?)]

    [PasserbyGod: I��ve always wondered, who would benefit the most if Hera fell from grace without being able to defend herself?]

    [JustReading: @PasserbyGod, wouldn��t it be her scum ex-boyfriend and the homewrecker who banned her from the industry using her family��s influence so their bad deeds wouldn��te to light? They must be scared that Hera would continue to ruin their names, so they targeted her to get her kicked out of the entertainment industry while enjoying her predicament. But they didn��t expect thatizens would dig up all the relevant evidence, along with what Hera and her agency provided. They must have seen us all as fools.]

    At the same time, Hera��s agency released all the evidence she had provided about her rtionship with Alexi. They showed how unjustly she was fired from all her jobs in one day after being kicked out of her apartment, which she had paid for but was leased in Alexi��s name. They used both the lease contract and Hera��s monthly payment receipts as evidence to show the public.

    They also shared pictures of all the receipts Hera paid for the utility bills and photos showing her living in the same apartment with Alexi. Additionally, there were pictures from their dates, starting from high school, with Alexi bringing her paper flowers, handwritten letters, and flowers picked elsewhere. The collection included images of them holding hands, from Alexi��s rise to stardom to secret dates, andte-night dinners, illustrating their long-term rtionship.

    Alexi sweetly treated Hera when they were together, making her believe she had sessfully changed the trajectory of her life. This wasn��t how Alexi was supposed to treat her; this was how he was supposed to treat Minerva. They watched movies together in the cinema while he was in disguise and attended festivals hand in hand, afraid to be separated in the dense streets filled with other couples and families.

    They looked so sweet together that no one could im Alexi was unwilling or cornered into a rtionship with Hera, or that he dated her out of pity. Many photos had timestamps, but even those without them clearly happened long ago. There were also videos of theirughter echoing while Alexi sweetly called Hera��s name, showing how deeply in love he was with her at that time. Everyone could nowpare how he was then with how he acted yesterday when he tried to kidnap Hera just to talk to her.

    With all this evidence of her previous rtionship with Alexi, no one could im that she was the other woman or that "the one not loved was the mistress," because clearly, that wasn��t true.

    They also shared text messages and call recordings in which Hera was fired from all her jobs without proper reasons. Additionally, they included a selfie showing Hera having a meal with Dave and Leo in a private room 1 at the Dragon Pce Hotel��s revolving restaurant, indicating it was a gathering rather than an intimate date. More pictures of the room were shown, capturing the presence of the waitress, sommelier, and musician along with Hera, Dave, and Leo, further proving the innocent nature of the meeting.

    Hera was lucky that Dave took a discreet selfie at that moment because she hadn��t thought to take any pictures herself. She had been too focused on the food and the experience, so all her photos were of the dishes and herself, which couldn��t prove anything.

    They also included a picture of her dinner getaway with Rafael, Dave, Logan, and Sandra, just in case anyone tried to use her stolen pictures from the mall with Rafael and Dave to im it was another hidden intimate encounter.

    Lastly, her agency countered the nderous im that Hera was at the hospital with the men in the photo to determine if she was pregnant and identify the father. This was the primary reason Hera was trending and receiving heavy criticism; people used her of being entangled with many men and not knowing who the father was. Xavier��s fans recognized him among the men, leading to online verbal battles between Xavier��s fans and Hera��s supporters.

 Chapter 318 Time to Clear My Name 2

    [iAmRich: Has anyone noticed?! The private room Hera, the Young Minister, and Leo were in wasn��t just any room. It was private room #1, reserved exclusively for the heiress of the Avery family. This room is a love token from her father to her mother. Even the standard private rooms at that revolving restaurant are hard to book; you need to wait for at least half a year and have money and status! To reserve those private rooms, you need a gold membership card from the Golden Dragon Pavilion and a bnce of millions!]

    [HeraIsMySister: @iAmRich, you��re joking, right?!!!]

    [iAmRich: @HeraIsMySister, why would I joke about this?! My fianc�� is a businessman worth millions in assets, and even he couldn��t secure a private room at the Dragon Pce��s revolving restaurant. That ce is famous for its stunning views and the belief that proposals made there lead to strong and sessful marriages, like the Avery couple. My fianc�� wanted to propose there, hoping for a private room so our family and friends could attend, but we discovered the prerequisite requirements. We ended up in the general area, which was still great, but those private rooms are nearly impossible to book!]

    [HeraIsMySister: @iAmRich Oh my, congrattions on your engagement!]

    [iAmRich: @HeraIsMySister Thank you!!! (? ?)?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @iAmRich, you might be new here and not know our Hera, but I��ve been following her since she was kicked out of her apartment by her scum ex and his mistress. I mistakenly bullied her verbally until I found out the truth in her rification interview. My point is, that Hera is a lucky star and not just amoner. She uses $600+ per pound of butter for her breakfast, drives a Bugatti Mistral and a Pagani Codalunga even to remote ces, and has a big penthouse in Green Dragon Manor. Do you really think it��s impossible for her to dine in that revolving restaurant?]

    [HeraIsMySister: @AuntieNextDoor, aren��t you undermining sister Hera by mentioning those things right now? Others might misinterpret and think she did something unscrupulous to get all that. (��`����)?]

    [Dummy123: Isn��t that the case? I��ve noticed the inconsistencies for a long time and believed she really is a mistress of a wealthy man!!! How else would she go from working like a donkey as a waitress and other part-time jobs to living like an heiress?! Unless she��s a hidden heiress fooling around outside, I can��t believe she got all those things with a clean conscience!!!]

    [HeraIsMySister: @Dummy123, so what if she is or isn��t?! Do you have the right to dig into her private life when she��s not even doing anything wrong? Can you even say with a clean conscience that you aren��t bribed to nder sister Hera?! (�p �� ? ��)]

    [Dummy123: @HeraIsMySister, I was just asking, why are you so triggered? She��s now a celebrity with a public image. What private life are you talking about? The moment she chose to be a celebrity, she lost her privacy! Hmph!]

    [HeraIsMySister: ...]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @Dummy123, you really are a dummy like your username. You still don��t get my meaning. Like I said, I don��t believe Hera is simple. While watching her on the Variety Show, she��s shown her great character and her out-of-the-box thinking to be efficient and achieve her goals with minimal effort. Do you really think, after all her hard work, she would resort to using her body for favors? Especially when she has the capability to use her brain to earn a living, now that no one is leeching off her anymore?! Maybe, after being cklisted from white-cor jobs, she tried her luck in investments or other ventures and made money outside the entertainment industry. Or perhaps she��s really an heiress in disguise, gauging if Alexi was deserving of her, and pretended to be poor. When he disappointed her, she returned to her real life.]

 Chapter 319 Time to Clear My Name 3

    <i>[#2 Trending: Did You Know?!!! Hera Ainsley Receives Full Support from the Avery Family��Is Master Avery Her Secret Benefactor? Or Is She the Illegitimate Daughter of the Late Mr. Avery?!!!]</i>

    <i>[#3 Trending: Unveiling Hera Ainsley��s True Identity!!! The Missing Heiress of the Ainsley Family for Decades!!!]</i>

    <i>[#4 Trending: The Rising Star Alexi Allegedly Benefiting from Hera Ainsley��s Influence for a Better Life!!!!]</i>

    <i>[#5 Trending: Drugging Incident in Dragon Pce Hotel Happened Before!!!! Someone is a Repeat Offender!]</i>

    <i>[#6 Hera Tagetted of Hate, Been Maliciously use!!!]</i>

    ...

    Asizens became engrossed in the trending topics full of spection, they cross-referenced various facts: from a wealthy family recently discovering their long-lost daughter, to another wealthy family epting an illegitimate child back into their fold, to connecting Hera��sst name with the prominent military family ��Ainsley�� due to the shared surname. Hera��s newfound luxury only fueled these theories, leading to the creation of these sensationalized trending topics.

    Even though these new topics have overshadowed Alexi��s past behavior and cheating scandal, they have still created ripples of unease throughout the entertainment industry. Many production teams andpanies that had chosen Alexi as an endorser or coborator swiftly canceled their contracts. They feared bacsh fromizens who might associate theirpanies with Alexi��s controversies and use them of simr misconduct.

    Although Hera initially intended to give Alexi some time to face his struggles, Alice��s friends�� confrontation left her with no choice but to reconsider her approach. Faced with the opportunity presented to her, she recognized that adapting her ns might offer better oues than her original strategy. If the new opportunity proves to be more advantageous, why wouldn��t she seize it and make a change?

    Besides, Hera came to realize how dangerous it could be to keep certain people close to her life. These individuals could easily turn everything upside down, especially when they have nothing left to lose and no longer fear the consequences. This is something Hera had been overlooking all this time.

    During this time, the Lennon Family also began to feel uneasy. Netizens were digging up news and information on nearly every prominent family in the country. Some had uncovered dark secrets and shared them online, while others seized the opportunity to exploit the situation. They painted their rivals in a negative light, hoping to entangle them in the chaotic investigation led byizens, who seemed to treat it like an online treasure hunt.

    Once they gathered useful information, they would share it online, and the unfortunate victims would face the bacsh of the public��s opinions. It was one thing to deal with public opinion, but their stock markets and reputations were also at stake.

    Hera didn��t realize that she had inadvertently poked a ho��s nest, stirring theizens�� appetite for gossip and their love for uncovering the truth. This unforeseen consequence frightened those whom the Lennon family had been ckmailing. They feared either that the Lennons would use their trump card against them or that their secrets would inevitablye to light through theizens�� relentless pursuit of the truth, leaving no stone unturned.

    Betty, who had been alerted about Hera��s live-streamed argument at her university��where her integrity was being questioned by a fellow student and malicious rumors were being highlighted��had already mobilized her PR team and paid influencers. They were prepared to counter the wave of nder and manage the situation effectively.

    She was simply waiting for the perfect moment to strike. To say she hadplete faith in Hera��s ability to identify and capitalize on a favorable opportunity was an understatement.

    Hera certainly didn��t disappoint her. Despite their ongoing efforts to temper theizens and reveal Alexi��s true nature to prevent him from gaining more blind supporters, Betty knew this approach wasn��t a long-term solution. A decisive action was needed. When she heard Hera mention in the live stream that she and her team had been gathering evidence��exining her silence on the scandals��Betty smiled in delight.

    She then signaled her PR team to begin releasing all the evidence, which included much of what Hera had provided, along with additional information gathered through her own connections. Betty hadn��t anticipated receiving substantial evidence from Young Minister Carson, who had sent her several impactful photos. These included images from the revolving restaurant and even some taken when Hera was hospitalized.

    As the evidence supporting Hera��s ims began to surface, many eagerly reviewed it and gradually understood the truth behind the photos that had been posted online, which had previously painted Hera in a negative light.

    The release of evidence not only vindicated Hera but also provided an unexpected delight for many bystanders who had initiallye for the unfolding drama. They found the dynamics between Hera and the men involved intriguing, with their chemistry evident in the candid photos. Their appealing features turned them into eye candy, increasing the number of Hera��s shippers and sparking a public debate over which pairing was their favorite.

    Since all the men were her suitors, the public quickly epted her connections with each of them, much like how Alice gained support when she was entangled with multiple men in the novel.

    Many had already seen Leo and Xavier standing alongside Hera on the Variety Show, and couldn��t deny how well theyplemented her. Additionally, the pictures Dave provided showcased Hera��s incredibly attractive suitors, some of whom were internationally known figures. This only bolstered Hera��s reputation in the entertainment industry, sparking numerous spections.

    [HeraIsMySister: I am still rooting for @NorthernDuke. He��s dedicated and has been managing Sister Hera��s fanbase behind the scenes. I wish Sister Hera knew how hard our club president works in the shadows...]

    [PasserbyGod: @HeraIsMySister If I didn��t know better, I might believe you��re genuinely shipping them, but I remember the million dors he gave you during the Variety Show as pocket money. I haven��t forgotten about that.]

    [HeraIsMySister: @PasserbyGod Don��t nder me. I��m seriously rooting for them! Besides, I��m not the only one who supports them. Many girls find his actions sincere and doting, like an overbearing CEO romance.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Now that you mention it, I feel like the VIPs, especially our club president who always jumps in headfirst to defend my little sister Hera, are all so silent! Or am I just imagining things?]

 Chapter 320 Time to Clear My Name 4

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I believe Hera is fair and won��t listen to the lies you��re spreading...]

    [SilverEmperor: @NorthernDuke Stop dragging me into this. I haven��t even returned from overseas yet, but thanks for the reminder. Your day wille.]

    [NorthernDuke: @GoldenLight, @Dave_Carson, @EntertainmentKing, @FatherOfCaduceus, and @SilverEmperor, you think I wouldn��t know that it was all you guys who��ve been sending me troubles? This meager fight will not make me falter!]

    [Dave_Carson: @NorthernDuke meager? If I didn��t know better, I would believe you really are not having a hard time mitigating all the damages the Hendrix had suffered making you so busy that your ass was already married to your office chair. ��(��? �� )��]

    [NorthernDuke: @Dave_Carson So you��re admitting that you and your friends have been ganging up on me? Just a mere manager?! Hmph! Cowards! Using your influence and power to bully the weak. @Hera_A, wifey, see these wolves in sheep��s clothing! Don��t let them near you; they��re ck-hearted!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @NorthernDuke, you��re the first one to make a move against us! Do you really think we don��t see through your n to target us just to get more time with Hera? You��re being incredibly petty!]

    [GoldenLight: It makes me wonder if you��re really just a manager, @NorthernDuke. For all we know, you might be the vice president or even a hidden heir to the Hendrix Empire, considering the level of trouble you��ve been causing us. �r( ???)�q]

    [EntertainmentKing: I only retaliated in kind. Besides, I��m a changed man now and will do my best to protect Hera and what��s important to me. You guys can fight all you want, but leave me out of it!]

    [Dave_Carson: @NorthernDuke ?(????)]

    [Dave_Carson: ( �@���A)�j???�h���� @EntertainmentKing, are you trying to climb out of the bottom rankings and y the good guy now?]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing, unfortunately, it��s your sister who��s been causing my sweetheart so much trouble... ?��(��,�� )]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    [GoldenLight: @NorthernDuke, @Dave_Carson, @EntertainmentKing, @FatherOfCaduceus, @SilverEmperor, let��s put our differences aside. We��re all in a tough spot right now, and our bickering is preventing us from providing the support Hera needs during this critical time.]

    [NorthernDuke: @GoldenLight, @Dave_Carson, @EntertainmentKing, @FatherOfCaduceus, and @SilverEmperor, haven��t I shown remarkable restraint by not tearing you apart for trying to seduce my wife? And now, a little bit of my wrath has unsettled you? Pathetic! You��re all weaklings!]

    Leo��s assistant nced sharply at him from where he stood, observing Leo��s cold and indifferent expression as he typed rapidly on his keyboard. If he hadn��t known better, he might have thought Leo was working tirelessly and with intense focus on hisputer. In reality, Leo was busy sharing his thoughts online, aggressively targeting his love rivals.

    He couldn��t have imagined Leo saying anything like that, but reality had proven him wrong��Leo was nearly unleashing a digital nuke on the inte.

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    [Dave_Carson: ...]

    [EntertainmentKing: ...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]

    [SilverEmperor: ...]

    [SilverEmperor: @NorthernDuke, does Hera know about this side of you?]

    [NorthernDuke: ...]

    [SilverEmperor: @NorthernDuke, I thought so... (???)]

    [HeraIsMySister: @NorthernDuke, is it true that you were drugged at the hotel and ended up in the hospital with Hera? How did that happen?]

    [NorthernDuke: @HeraIsMySister, yes, it��s true. We were fortunate that the hotel staff acted quickly and got us to the hospital. @Dave_Carson was there with us as well...]

    [PasserbyGod: @NorthernDuke, so was it true that you and Hera weren��t the initial targets of the drugging incident?]

    [NorthernDuke: @PasserbyGod, you��ve done well to uncover that.]

    ...

    <strong>[Six Musketeers Group Chat]</strong>

    [Dave: Our job��s done just like that?!]

    [Zhane: Since we��ve agreed to a truce, let��s ensure that no one resorts to dirty tactics from here on out.]

    [Leo: You guys are the ones ying dirty!]

    [Luke: Even at this point you are pretending you didn��t know anything?]

    [Xavier: What I said earlier was true, I will really get back at you @NorthernDuke]

    [Dave: I��m sure that everything you said online was your true thoughts and you even tried to discredit us in front of my sweetheart. Hmph!]

    [Leo: You all can think whatever you like, it��s not as if I was the one who wrote the script for this. But will this really work?]

    [Rafael: It will. What the public needs is not the whole truth. We should present ourselves as close, slightly entric friends who��ve known each other for years. By doing so, we��ll validate everything Hera has said about us, showing that we��re all genuinely interested in her and are engaged in a friendlypetition. This way, the public will see it as a group of friends vying for the same woman without hard feelings if some lose out. At the same time, we should let the public��s imagination take over and guide their spections subtly, without revealing everything or forcing a particr narrative.]

    [Rafael: With this tactic, it will give us ten times the desired oue.]

    [Rafael: No matter how much we rify, if someizens spread their own spections and gain more traction, our truth could still be dismissed as fabricated.]

    [Leo: So, we��re aiming to sway public opinion by appealing to the masses and shaping their beliefs through this approach?]

    [Rafael: We��ve already confirmed all the evidence released by Hera��s agency and addressed the drugging incident. I don��t think we need to respond to anything about Alexi��ignoring him just shows we don��t view him as a realpetition. So, what��s the issue?]

    [Xavier: What about the person who started all this online chaos? Shouldn��t we investigate them too? And regarding the Lennons��do you think ourbined efforts might be enough to deal with them?]

    [Leo: I��ve tried to investigate the source of this nder, but the person behind it is meticulous and left no trace. As for the Lennons, they��re a tricky bunch. We need to tread carefully and stay flexible because rushing in could lead to us being blindsided.]

    [Luke: I also did some digging but came to the same conclusion about the online nder��no clear leads.]

 Chapter 321 Doctor Zigheart

    [Leo: Besides, you guys are the ones ganging up on me, even sending me business proposals filled with traps and loopholes, trying to steal our projects, and so on... The most unforgivable part was that someone among you even sent a bunch of hostesses to my office!!! (?��?)?��ߩ���]

    [Leo: Are you trying to frame me and let my wife know so you can eliminate me?!!!]

    [Dave: Someone sent a crazy woman after me too. She��s been stalking me.]

    [Rafael: I think it was Dave��s mischievous plot. Only he has the audacity to do that.]

    [Dave: Hey! Rafael!!! I thought you were my friend?! Why are you putting me on the chopping block? I didn��t do anything! (��С��)]

    [Xavier: Only Dave would stoop low enough to send hostesses. I��ve never even set foot in an establishment like that, so I wouldn��t have the means to do it.]

    [Luke: Let��s get back to business. We��ve already done this twice. If we keep trying to guide the public��s opinion, people will catch on to our tactic.]

    [Leo: It��s not that we have so much of an option right now.]

    [Leo: My wife already said she doesn��t need our help because she has a n, but that doesn��t mean we can��t assist in secret. This is our chance to support her. We also need to help suppress the Lennons so they can��t threaten her.]

    [Zhane: When I learned about Tyler Lennon and his family, I spoke with my grandfather. He was displeased, but we can��t stop our coboration with the Lennons yet because we don��t have another supplier for herbs and other ingredients. My grandfather is thinking about the family��s well-being, so he hasn��t made a move.]

    [Zhane: I can assure you that my grandfather has a strong aversion to unscrupulous individuals, as he believes they will betray anyone for profit. He genuinely wants to sever our ties with the Lennons. However, he needs solid evidence to justify this decision to the rest of the family, proving that his actions are not simply a result of old age or poor judgment.]

    [Leo: Why are you struggling to find another supplier when the Avery family owns a pharmaceuticalpany and grows their own herbs on their mountain? Coborating with them would benefit your hospital, especially since they have a specialized medicalb overseas that researches rare diseases and develops medicines. @Zhane, if you secure a coboration with the Avery family under these conditions, your career will skyrocket to new heights.]

    [Zhane: !!!]

    [Dave: (;������)]

    [Dave: They do?!]

    [Dave: @Leo, is this an attempt to undermine Zhane��s family to gain an advantage over him and improve your position with Hera? Are you using this situation to push Zhane down a notch?]

    [Leo: You really have a vivid imagination ��( -.�`; )��]

    [Zhane: @Leo, I wasn��t aware that the Avery family had a pharmaceuticalpany andb. Who is leading theb?]

    [Leo: It��s understandable you weren��t aware; the Avery family keeps their activities discreet. They run several charities, including one that supports people with rare diseases and cancers. They provide medicine and healthcare, with the condition that patients agree to have their cases studied overseas to aid in finding cures. Theb is led by the renowned Dr. Zigheart.]

    [Zhane: @Leo Dr. Zigheart?! I had heard he was involved in ab, but I assumed it was a military facility due to the secrecy surrounding his work.]

    [Leo: No, Dr. Zigheart has been with the Avery for a long time. I suggested this to you because your hospital would be an excellent fit for the Avery��s needs. They currentlyck a hospital of their own and often have to send patients overseas, which can be inconvenient.]

    [Leo: Ending your coboration with the Lennons will likely put them in a crisis. I��ve heard they��ve invested heavily in arge batch of herbs, but due to limited funds, they��vepromised on quality, substituting some herbs with cheaper alternatives to maximize their profit. You could leverage this information to terminate the contract and hold them ountable for the cancetion and damages without risking your own reputation.]

    "Sir, why are you assisting these men? Didn��t you dislike them for pursuing the young madam?" Leo��s assistant asked as he ced the coffee on Leo��s desk, noticing what he was typing.

    "I do dislike them pursuing my fianc��e, but I understand my ce and know that the final decision rests with Hera. However, that doesn��t mean I won��t help herpany capitalize on these side issues," Leo said with an evil grin.

    Leo weighed the pros and cons of the n. Although he was tempted to knock these men down a peg and prevent them from getting closer to Hera, he had promised himself not to be petty.

    When he sent troubles their way, it was just a moment of mischief to secure more uninterrupted time with Hera. However, when the five of them figured out it was him and retaliated, he chose not to retaliate further. He knew that escting the situation would only create disharmony and dissatisfaction, making it harder for them to reach any mutual understanding in the future.

    If that were to happen, it would be Hera who would face the most difficulty. Even he was surprised by his own capacity for magnanimity, but it was his choice. The only course of action left for him was to subtly assert his dominance over his rivals.

    In line with this, he nned to assist Zhane in terminating his family��s coboration with the Lennons. By exposing the Lennons for using substandard products, he intended to weaken their financial standing and damage their reputation. This would not only diminish the Lennons�� influence and power but could also encourage other victims to stand up against them, potentially challenging their ckmailing tactics.

    Leo knew that Hera had yet to find a breakthrough in convincing the victims, as they remained tight-lipped. Despite the drugging incident and the relentless efforts ofizens to uncover the perpetrator��s identity, this alone wouldn��t be enough to embolden the victims. They were still too afraid of the potential repercussions toe forward.

    So, engaging with his love rivals online was Leo��s strategy to get closer to them, making it easier for him to execute his ns without raising suspicion. He was particrly cautious around Luke, who he knew was suspicious and keeping a close watch. However, Leo was confident that Luke wouldn��t uncover anything significant as long as he didn��t want him to.

 Chapter 322 Working Together

    [Dave: Why do I feel like Luke is sporting an evil grin right now? It��s giving me serious goosebumps.]

    [Rafael: If anyone here is inclined towards mischief, it��s definitely you, @Dave.]

    [Dave: Why you!!! (*�ফ��*)?]

    [Leo: @Luke You have a way to make it happen?]

    [Luke: Yes, I��ve made some connections in the underground business that should make this feasible.]

    [Leo: Can we trust your connections to avoid being backstabbed? If we��re exposed, Hera will suffer the most, especially now that everyone knows we��re all pursuing her. If things go sideways, she��ll be the primary target, and the Lennons won��t hold back.]

    [Luke: Don��t worry, you can trust me on this. I��ll ensure that everything goes smoothly and no one will spill the beans.]

    [Xavier: How about I help escte the situation once the Lennons�� scheme against the Everett is exposed? My fans have quite the influence when ites to shaping public opinion.]

    [Leo: That would be appreciated.]

    [Rafael: I��ll work with Xavier on leading the public opinion to oppress the Lennons.]

    [Dave: In that case, I��ll coordinate with legal authorities to press charges against the Lennons for their disruptive practices. Their reckless pursuit of profit, without considering the potential harm to otherpanies and consumers, could lead to serious charges if it��s proven that their actions caused significant health risks that would lead to hugepensations and penalties.]

    [Leo: That sounds like a solid n. By cornering the Lennons from multiple angles, we��ll ensure they face overwhelming pressure. Once they��re in a vulnerable position, it��s likely that both their allies and business partners will distance themselves, leaving them with minimal support.]

    [Leo: Now that we have a n in ce, we should move forward with implementing it. Once things are underway, we can regroup and gradually inform Hera about the situation. This way, she won��t feel overwhelmed or burdened by any potentialplications.]

    [Luke: I also agree with this suggestion.]

    [Xavier: Agreed.]

    [Zhane: I will contact you soon Leo to finalize the contract once I��ve spoken with my grandfather. I agree with this setup]

    [Rafael: Agreed.]

    [Dave: �d( ?`?��?)??]

    With this incident, the male leads and Leo began working together toward a shared goal. Unbeknownst to them, Leo had slowly integrated himself into their circle, and they had be less averse to his presence and the fact that they were all drawn to the same woman. At this point, their focus was solely on how to support Hera in taking revenge on the Lennons.

    Although the male leads were unaware of the specific details of the Lennons�� ns or their schemes involving the heiresses from other families, they were certain that the Lennons were up to no good. At present, only Leo was privy to the full extent of what Hera had discovered about the Lennons and their secrets.

    He had no intention of revealing these details to the other male leads. However, since theycked this crucial information, Leo needed to take a more aggressive approach to motivate them. By doing so, they would have a better chance of cornering the Lennons and effectively bringing them down.

    Only Leo was aware of Hera��s background and her objectives, while the five men were in the dark about her true intentions. To steer them towards the desired oue, Leo guided their actions subtly, providing them with opportunities to perform and directing them where he needed them to go.

    Leo was confident that his n was progressing smoothly, but he knew he still had work to do.

    Meanwhile, Hera remained unaware that Leo and the others had already guided public opinion towards the oue she hoped for with Betty��s help. The livestream continued, and the public was beginning to empathize with Hera, feeling the weight of her unjust treatment and the silence she had maintained while enduring criticism. This sympathy was building as more evidence came to light.

    They also felt a deep sadness for Hera, seeing her forced to delve into painful parts of her past and share cherished memories that had been shattered. Her struggle, stemming from not being as wealthy as others and enduring oppression, was resonating with the public, amplifying their sympathy for her plight.

    Hera offered Alice and her friends a wry smile, as though deep in thought, before speaking. Her lips quivered, her eyes welling with tears. Even without uttering a word, she managed to win the sympathy and support of everyone present. Alice, on the other hand, was left stunned as her n unraveled. Her attempts to elicit pity while ying the role of the kind and magnanimous peacemaker fell t. Despite her efforts to broker peace and prevent any lives from being ruined, the audience��s sympathy firmly rested with Hera.

    Hera met Alice��s gaze and spoke with quiet resolve. "Alice, I appreciate your kind intentions and your desire to help both sides. However, every action carries consequences. I��ve endured suffering due to others�� actions while being innocent, but that��s not the case with your friends. They acted knowingly and without regard for the impact on me. As adults, we must face the consequences of our actions. Please don��t pressure me into stepping back, because people will only learn if they experience the repercussions of their actions." Her words, though righteous and kind, subtly highlighted the misced nature of Alice��s attempts at reconciliation.

 Chapter 323 She Has A Powerful Backing

    [DoctorBen: Aren��t you just ndering another woman here, or is there a point you��re trying to make? Regardless, aren��t you still aiming to hurt someone with this?]

    [SincerelyMe: @DoctorBen, we��re not ndering anyone or trying to bring any woman down. We support women like Hera, who has been unjustly ndered while innocent. However, we will call out anyone, woman or otherwise, who tries to ruin someone else��s life, regardless of their reasons. If someone has the ability to confront issues, they should do so without causing harm to others.]

    [JusticeBeliever: I can��t decide if the women who ndered Hera are simply foolish or truly malicious. Do they really think that just because Alice��s reputation has taken a hit, it��s eptable to go to such extremes to ruin someone else��s life? If you told me this isn��t a drama being hyped before its airing, I��d find it hard to believe.]

    [Cheatue: Unfortunately, @JusticeBeliever, this isn��t a drama or just hype. Someone��s life is genuinely being ruined, while one of the perpetrators is pretending to be righteous and kind.]

    [KingIsMe: Hold on! How can you be sure that Alice orchestrated this? It was her two friends who distorted the facts and spread misinformation online out of dissatisfaction. Just because she��s friends with them doesn��t mean she��s responsible for their actions. Aren��t you just ndering her as well? Punish the two whomitted the wrongdoing, but don��t drag Alice into it. She might be trying to y the hero, which is understandable for her age, and being friends with them doesn��t automatically make her guilty. It could simply mean she has a good heart.]

    [NorthernDuke: @KingIsMe, you make a fair point, but if Alice was truly just helping her friends, she wouldn��t have tried to distort the facts or suggest that the misinformation was urate. Her actions of provoking the victim while pretending to be concerned and kind raise questions about her intentions. The right response would have been to apologize on behalf of her friends, not to undermine Hera and mislead viewers. If you missed it, I��d suggest watching the rey to see the full context.]

    On the other side, Gerald had already pulled out his phone to check the online reaction. Noticing that the camera frequently shifted between Hera and Alice, as well as the two girls who had ndered Hera, he realized that the situation was being broadcast live. Curious about how public opinion was shaping up, he wanted to see the reaction and sentiment in real-time.

    He was actively reading all thements, finding it unnecessary to watch the live stream directly since the unfolding drama was clear from his end. asionally, he couldn��t help butugh at Hera��s sarcastic remarks, cleverly disguised as a pitiful disy.

    He only found out that his Young Miss could be witty and knew how to pretend to be pitiful and weak to sway the masses into her side and use her enemy��s tactics against them which was actually really hrious if watch live.

    He typically abhors women who use such maniptive tactics, finding them distasteful. However, seeing his Young Miss employ these same methods invoked a sense of pity for the other party. He couldn��t help butugh, knowing the recipient of her maniption was in for a significant bacsh.

    When he heard Hera say, "Why would I sumb now that I have a better standing than before?" Gerald nearly burst intoughter at the absurdity of it. She was absolutely right��why would she give in now when she had the full support of the Avery family and six powerful men backing and pampering her? There was no reason for her to sell herself short when she was in such a strong position.

 Chapter 324 - 234 The Two White Flower’s Face Off

    Hera��s eyes were filled with unsaid emotions as she struggled to maintain herposure, determined not to appear weak. In contrast, Alice looked at Hera with a mix of perceived heartlessness and desperate pleading, her own fa?ade of pity bing increasingly apparent.

    With such a dramatic disy, both online viewers and those watching live held their breaths, as their emotions were tugged in different directions. At a crucial moment, Gerald intervened decisively. "If you genuinely want to help your friends, let them face the consequences. Allow the authorities to guide them towards change. If we let this go unpunished, they might only worsen. What if their actions led to someone��s death over a simple argument? Would tears and apologies be enough to bring that person back?"

    Gerald let out a dramatic sigh. "Miss Ainsley appears to have struggled with this decision, but she chose to demonstrate tough love for the sake of these girls who have lost their way. Instead of coddling them, we must show that actions have consequences. This approach will teach them to consider the potential repercussions of their actions in the future. Isn��t that for the best? I believe that once they learn their lesson, they might change for the better." Gerald spoke convincingly as if he was deeply moved by the situation and was using logic to justify the necessary actions.

    "No! I don��t want to go to jail!" The other girl screamed hysterically, clinging desperately to Alice��s arms. "Alice! Didn��t you say this wouldn��t happen?!"

    "Alice! Don��t let us get taken away! You said the CEO of your entertainmentpany is your man! Do something!" The other girl grabbed Alice��s other arm, her voice rising in panic.

    "Alice! We only helped you because she was trying to seduce your man! Alice, I don��t want to go to jail! Call Mr. Rafael Briley and get him to help us! Aren��t you his woman?!"

    Hearing her friends repeat all the things she had drunkenly confessed the other day, Alice��s face went as pale as a sheet. She had inadvertently revealed details about her past rtionships with Xavier and Rafael, mixing up her memories from her previous life with her current reality. In her panic, she momentarily forgot the difference between the two lives and began to me Hera for the changes in the men she once adored, as well as the pain of seeing them grow closer to someone else.

    Alice couldn��t ept that her n to make Xavier and Rafael officially her man��something she had failed to achieve in her previous life due to her own indecisiveness��was now being thwarted by someone else. Her frustration and anger grew as she saw them bing close to another woman. She had turned to drinking with her friends to cope, but didn��t anticipate that she would be so inebriated after just a few sses of wine. In her previous life, she had always been able to hold her liquor well, so this was a surprise. Drunk, she began rambling about the injustices she felt, especially regarding the damage to her reputation and the impact on her fame that she had expected to skyrocket after the Variety Show.

    Alice med everything on Hera, and her friends took her outburst at face value. Minerva was supposed to be with them, but she failed to get Minerva out, which only added to her frustration. Rafael looked at her with disgust and anger, seemingly ming her for leading Minerva astray. Alice felt a deep sense of injustice for her suffering. The indifferent and impatient looks from Rafael and theck of concern from Xavier only intensified her feelings of betrayal and resentment.

    When her two friends proposed revoting the Campus Bell to boost her reputation and poprity while simultaneously dragging Hera down to prevent her from making a name in the entertainment industry, Alice saw a new glimmer of hope. This scheme promised to undermine Hera��s chance to be close to Rafael and Xavier, aligning perfectly with Alice��s own desires. Driven by the opportunity to regain her standing and exact revenge, she didn��t hesitate to support their n, despite knowing its full implications.

 Chapter 325 - 235 Rafael is on Another Predicament

    [Leo: One rival down! (*���� *)]

    [Rafael: You guys!!! Do you just love kicking someone when they��re down?! I��ve never even been close to that woman! What are you talking about, using her for personal pleasure?! Don��t nder me!!!]

    [Dave: Well, you don��t need to exin it to us. My sweetheart won��t hear your side of the story anyway. You��ll be out of thepetition before you even get a chance to make a move. Hahaha. @Rafael ?����o(��?��o �ᣩ����]

    [Xavier: She��s one of your artists, and it��s well-known that exploiting artists for personal pleasure ismon in entertainmentpanies. How do you n to exin yourself? Are you going to cry and beg Hera to listen to you?]

    [Zhane: You��re really in deep trouble if you don��t make a statement ASAP. Though, I wouldn��t mind having fewer rivals.]

    [Rafael: You guys!!! You��re supposed to be my friends��help me out!!!]

    [Luke: But this is a great opportunity to eliminate a rival. ��( `?)(?�� )��]

    [Dave: Exactly!!!]

    [Rafael: You guys are the worst!�q�ɨr(??? )?]

    Even before the livestream ended, Rafael��s call came in. Hera hesitated to answer when she saw Rafael��s name shing on her phone, clearly reluctant to get involved with him after discovering his connection to Alice. Meanwhile, Rafael, watching Hera��s reaction through the livestream, grew increasingly anxious as the seconds ticked by with no answer.

    Before Hera could decide what to do, Gerald swiftly took the phone from her hand and answered it. "Mr. Briley, why are you calling my university��s top achiever? Are you nning to drag her into another scandal, especially when you already have a little lover on your side?" Gerald made sure to put the call on speaker, so everyone could hear the confrontation.

    "Mr. Troy, please don��t nder me. You can easily verify whether I��m truly involved with that woman. It��s not umon for individuals to falsely im a rtionship with me to gain some advantage by leveraging my name. However, that doesn��t mean I won��t defend my reputation, especially when ites to clearing up any misunderstandings with the woman I��m interested in." Rafael��s voice was tinged with indignation and suppressed anger.

    It was clear to everyone listening that Rafael had called to defend himself and assert his innocence. Whether Hera would believe him was still uncertain. Rafael��s voice came through almost tearful as he tried to exin himself, his disgust evident every time he mentioned Alice. His reaction was understandable; he despised such schemes and drama, which were unfortunatelymon in his line of work, and he loathed being dragged into the spotlight by these maniptions.

    This was one of the major reasons Rafael harbored a deep-seated aversion towards women and held a negative view of most of them. He had encountered simr situations before, where women falsely imed a rtionship with him to gain advantages from their manager or external connections. Despite being an influential figure, Rafael despised such tactics and resented being grouped with other men who exploit their positions to surround themselves with women for personal pleasure.

    His disdain grew even stronger when a woman he didn��t even know used his name to further her own interests. This only reinforced his skepticism and rudeness toward women, except for his mother and sister. He believed these were the only women he could genuinely tolerate, as they were the exceptions to his general mistrust.

    Although Rafael didn��t focus much on his reputation, he despised being lumped together with the unsavory men who misused their positions. He found it exhausting to constantly defend himself, so he chose a different approach. Driven by his arrogance and pride, he targeted thepanies that employed such women, warning them that if their artists continued to exploit his name for personal gain, he would retaliate by targeting theirpanies. Depending on his mood, he might even drive them to bankruptcy.

    Initially, no one heeded Rafael��s warnings, and his name continued to be exploited by artists to secure lucrative coborations, generating millions in ie. As a result, many women began to follow suit, portraying Rafael as a hedonistic man who couldn��t be satisfied with just one or two women, living a life of indulgence. When Rafael received this report, he was already overwhelmed with work at hispany. His frustration reached a breaking point, and he decided to take decisive action. He targeted thepanies that ignored his warnings, using his entertainment empire and the Briley name to bring thosepanies to bankruptcy.

    Thepany, known for using all sorts of hical methods to make money, had many dark secrets that Rafael unearthed. He used this information to expose them, causing their stock prices to plummet. Within just three days, thepany was brought to its knees, as no one was willing to support them and risk offending Rafael.

    It was only then that people learned not to cross Rafael, as he had no qualms about taking drastic measures against those who wronged him. However, facing a simr issue now, Rafael felt a wave of fear. Unlike before, when he had little to lose and was indifferent to potential damage to his reputation, this time he was deeply concerned. The thought of Hera possibly misunderstanding him felt like a cold bucket of water poured over him, amplifying his anxiety.

    Especially since the same woman who falsely imed to be his partner was now targeting Hera, it was all too easy for people to believe the lie. Given Rafael��s visible interest in Hera, it seemed usible that Alice was driven by jealousy, as if Rafael had grown tired of her and now had his sights set on someone new.

    Despite his stature, Rafael was on the verge of tears. He felt overwhelmed and uncertain about where to begin his exnation, fearing that any attempt to rify would only fuel further spection against him. As much as he wanted to fire Alice and the manager who hired her, he knew that doing so might be perceived as an act of retaliation, making him seem guilty and defensive about being exposed.

 Chapter 326 I’m Coming!

    Viewers of the livestream quickly began urging the host not to end the broadcast, eager to hear more and ship Hera with Rafael with renewed enthusiasm. Hera��s fans, too, were excitedly anticipating the drama��s next twist. They loved following Hera because her life was never dull��wherever she went, drama and gossip followed, turning every moment into entertainment for those seeking a break from their monotonous routines.

    As soon as Rafael finished speaking, a loud thud echoed from the other end of the line, followed by the sound of something falling and a rustling of fabric. A door creaked open, and someone attempted to speak, but before they could, the line was filled with static, as if a gust of wind had hit the microphone. The static was reced by the sound of an elevator ding, and then the static cleared, revealing Rafael��s breathy, throaty panting and gasps on Hera��s side. This unexpected turn of events sent the listeners�� imaginations into overdrive, with some viewers screaming in excitement as their hearts raced.

    Some listeners felt as though they were tuned into an audiobook featuring a steamy scene, captivated by the sultry depth of Rafael��s voice. His deep, masculine tones,ced with a mix of arrogance and pride, were reminiscent of the charismatic leads in werewolf romance novels. Even without seeing his face, the intensity of his voice had everyone��s imaginations running wild, leaving them breathless and eager for more.

    After the elevator dinged again, a gust of wind hit the microphone, leading viewers to surmise that Rafael had no intention of ending the call before reaching Hera. It seemed he was worried she might leave before he arrived, so he kept the line open to stay informed about any developments on her end. The static and wind sounds suggested that Rafael was likely sprinting, adding to the sense of urgency and anticipation among the viewers.

    Suddenly, the sound of tires screeching and the roar of a sportscar engine filled the call, signaling that Rafael was now driving at top speed. The viewers could tell from the relentless engine noise that Rafael was ignoring traffic lights, determined to reach the university grounds within the 15 minutes he had promised. Some viewers even started timing his arrival as if it were part of an exciting game, adding to the growing anticipation.

    Hera and Gerald were both stunned by Rafael��s deration that he wasing. They exchanged bewildered nces, their expressions mirroring surprise and unanswered questions. However, neither of them could provide an exnation. Gerald, in particr, knew that Hera was only pretending to be distraught over Rafael being with Alice. He understood that both he and Hera knew Alice��s ims were nothing more than fabrications.

    That��s why Gerald yed along with Hera��s act, allowing Rafael to continue rambling on the phone without returning it to Hera. Out of the corner of his eye, Gerald noticed that Hera was making a significant effort to suppress herughter. Only those unfamiliar with her would mistake her trembling as a sign of anger.

    However, Gerald hadn��t anticipated that Rafael would be so flustered, likely fearing that Hera was upset and believed Alice��s ims. Although Gerald wanted to join Hera inughing at the absurdity of the situation, he had to maintain hisposure, especially since he was supposed to remain a neutral observer who didn��t know Hera personally.

    Hera and Gerald noticed the discussion among the students around them growing more animated. Logan, who hade to assist Hera, was now standing beside her, at a loss for how to help. He could only watch her with concern while the others eagerly began sharing the livestream on their own social media, eager for others to witness the unfolding drama and be part of the fun.

    Some even captioned the livestream with titles like "A Domineering CEO Exins His Affairs to His Legitimate Girlfriend!" and "A Domineering CEO��s Love is Real!!!" These catchy headlines quickly drew the attention of many women browsing the inte for entertainment. With numerous tags linking to Hera��s ount, all of her fans became aware of the unfolding drama and eagerly tuned in to watch thetest development in the romance of one of the six male leads from their shipping fantasies with Hera in real-time.

 Chapter 327 Outsmarted

    "My aversion to being caught up in drama and conflict among women is part of why things ended up like this. It��s also why I can honestly say I��ve never been involved with any woman, especially not with my own artists. I didn��t want to be like other bosses who use their positions for personal indulgence. I always believed there were more important things for me to focus on than getting entangled in catfights and personal drama. It felt beyond my capabilities and interests. Or maybe it��s simply that no one has captured my attention before, and I��ve always thought I was better off without theplications, preferring a peaceful mind andcking the patience to deal with a crying or jealous woman."

    "Others might already know this, but I have a short temper and can easily go into a rage. I��ve always seen women��s drama as petty and a waste of time. But now, even though I��ve probably given you some hints, I want to bepletely honest and tell you that I��ve been smitten with you. I didn��t realize when it started, but it feels like all my beliefs have been turned upside down. Maybe being involved with a woman and her drama isn��t so bad after all, especially if it means proving how capable I am of protecting someone I care about."

    At the end of his speech, Rafael��s face flushed deeply, turning red from his cheeks to his ears, neck, and even reaching the upper part of his chest.

    Rafael looked so innocent and vulnerable at that moment that Hera felt a sudden urge to pull him into a secluded room where no one could see him. He appeared like a teenage boy confessing to his first love, and his expression was so adorably inviting that it was impossible to ignore.

    To be honest, Hera wasn��t a fan of Rafael. His egotistical arrogance and often rude demeanor,bined with his sister��s actions, had firmly ced him on her <i>��Do Not Like��</i> list. Yet now, she found herself oddly attracted to him.

    Even though Athena couldn��t recall the exact words of Rafael��s confession to Alice in the novel, Hera sensed that what he was saying now closely mirrored the description from the book. His appearance and demeanor were strikingly simr to how the novel portrayed the scene.

    She wasn��t sure if the feelings she was experiencing were her own or influenced by the storyline, but she didn��t resist them. Instead, she gazed directly at Rafael, seeing a new side of him for the first time.

    When Rafael didn��t hear Hera��s reply, he nervously ran his fingers through his hair, unsure of where to ce his hands as he fidgeted. Despite his anxiety, his gaze remained steady, as if he desperately wanted Hera to understand and believe him. His actions and confession had even those watching, both live and online, holding their breath in anticipation, their hearts racing as if they were watching a dramatic television scene.

    [PasserbyGod: Oh?! Is this why he��s so sessful? He didn��t get distracted by women or pleasure and was fully dedicated to his work. Given his sess, it makes sense that hees across as arrogant and egotistical; it��s because he��s aware that his achievements justify his demeanor.]

    [JustReading: @PasserbyGod, don��t forget that there are people who constantly tter him. He��s so ustomed topliments and sycophancy that he oftenes across as rude. This could be his way of disying confidence, or it might be something entirely different.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: I��m still rooting for our president, but Mr. Briley��s heartfelt confession just made my heart flutter. I��m sure my little sister Hera is feeling the same way. My god!!! There really is something irresistibly charming about an innocent man!]

    [Dave_Carson: The Motherfucker actually went ahead and cut the line!!! ( ?_?)]

    [GoldenLight: I guess he��s not too preupied with his artist��s and sister��s scandals to find time to woo Hera.]

    [NorthernDuke: The nerve of this guy!!! Is he seriously ying coy with that face and body?! (?_?)]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I agree, it��s jarring to see him acting bashful when he looks like a mafia boss. It just doesn��t sit right.]

    [SilverEmperor: Why do I get the feeling that @EntertainmentKing is following someone��s lead?!]

    [Dave_Carson: DAMN!!! This jerk!!! Don��t tell me I��m about to fall to the bottom of the rankings! Tell me this isn��t his scheme! Did he create all this drama with his artist just to have a chance to confess?!!! I��m so freaking pissed!!!]

    [GoldenLight: What can we do? We��ve been outsmarted by someone we least expected. (�s����㣩�s�� �ߩ���]

 Chapter 328 The Adorable Rafael

    Even though she didn��t have time to y hard to get, she couldn��t make it too easy either. Athena once mentioned that when a man wins a woman��s affection too easily, his feelings of novelty tend to fade quickly. He might soon realize that his romantic interest wasn��t genuine and could quickly grow tired of the rtionship. It was crucial to strike a bnce to avoid such oues.

    This is why Hera couldn��t easily give in, as she was still uncertain about the male leads�� intentions and how Alice might interfere. There were many concerns on her mind. For now, Hera cleared her thoughts and focused directly on Rafael, trying to peer into the depths of his soul through his eyes.

    He truly had a certain charm��a rugged, forbidden aura reminiscent of a mafia boss. Yet, at that moment, his presence was more subdued and refined. His sincere confession stirred something in Hera, making her stomach flutter and her scalp tingle in a delightful way. The sensation was sopelling that she almost wanted to close her eyes and savor the feeling.

    Rafael took a step closer, his hand unconsciously reaching for Hera��s chin as he gazed at her with nervous anticipation. The silence between them was unbearable; every passing second felt like a painful stab to his heart, and his fear of rejection grew stronger. He had imagined countless scenarios where fate seemed to conspire against him, with everything Hera might dislike seeming to be tied to him. It felt as if he were being dragged to the bottom of the ocean.

    n a final effort to make her believe him, Rafael wanted her to see his sincerity. As he gently held her chin and made her look up at him, the proximity made him feel a rush of giddiness and excitement. His body tensed, and a warmth radiating from his core began to intensify, making him aware of the nature of this heat.

    Despite his desire to remain calm andposed, Rafael felt mesmerized by Hera��s gaze and wanted to stay that way for as long as possible. Before he fully realized what was happening, he found himself leaning down, wrapping one arm around Hera��s waist, and pulling her closer. She instinctively stood on her tiptoes to meet him. Before his mind could catch up, his body took over, and he pressed his lips against Hera��s with an intensity that took herpletely by surprise. She was left stunned, unable to process the sudden, passionate kiss.

    At that moment, Hera��s mind nked out the presence of the people around them and the live stream. Rafael��s kiss, both forceful and tender, took her breath away. Through the kiss, he tried to express everything he couldn��t put into words. It wasn��t wless��more clumsy than spectacr��but it was imbued with deep passion. The sensation was so intense that Hera almost moaned, forgetting to resist. All her frustrations and struggles melted away, consumed by the fervor of Rafael��s embrace.

    The viewers were equally stunned by the sudden turn of events. Some sat frozen, staring at their screens in disbelief, unable to process what was happening. Those who were cooking while watching were jolted back to reality only when they smelled something burning. Others, munching on popcorn, were so shocked that their hands trembled, causing popcorn to scatter everywhere. Those watching live were momentarily breathless, experiencing firsthand a passionate kiss they had only ever seen in movies. The intensity was so gripping that if they didn��t know better, they might have thought Hera and Rafael were filming a romance scene in real life.

    It was only when Rafael��s deep, masculine voice broke the silence that everyone snapped back to reality. "I��I��m sorry," Rafael stammered, his panic evident. He had just realized the extent of his impulsive actions, having let his body lead while his mind momentarily short-circuited. As he processed what had happened, he couldn��t help but feel a mix of embarrassment and exhration, grateful for the unexpected turn of events.

    Meanwhile, Hera remained in a daze, still processing the kiss. Rafael��s voice cut through the fog of her stupor. "I-I��m sorry," he repeated, his voice now louder and his face a deeper shade of red. He was frantically trying to exin himself, but he felt as though he had only dug himself deeper into a hole. The realization of his impulsive actions made him feel like crying; he regretted acting without thinking.

    "I-I��m sorry, please don��t reject me," Rafael said, his voice quivering like he was already in the verge of crying while flustered with what he did. Rafael looked like ��Big Bird�� but with a scared look and like a drenched chick, everyone felt like he��s so cute and pitiful at the same time but his image was just contracting with how he acted.

 Chapter 329 Someone’s Crying

    [Dave_Carson: Let me guess, he��s going to cry so Hera won��t reject him right now.]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: He wouldn��t stoop so low, right? (?_?;) (������;)]

    [GoldenLight: That guy, crying? I��ve never seen him cry. He��s too arrogant and egotistical to shed a tear. He might make someone else cry, but not himself. ��(���`)��]

    [Dave_Carson: But I have a strong feeling. (??? ??? )]

    [SilverEmperor: I can��t even imagine him crying. It��s just not in his bones. He was born to be tough and scary, like a big bad wolf.]

    [NorthernDuke: Argh! My blood pressure! (������?)]

    While the other five were panicking and expressing their dissatisfaction online, they struggled to fully convey their emotions. They relied on emoticons tomunicate their feelings, but in reality, their expressions remained the same even as their hearts pounded with anger. Leo, on the other hand, was truly furious. He felt his blood pressure rising and was starting to see red.

    He wanted to rush to the university right now, shove Rafael to the ground, and teach him a lesson��not just for touching his wife, but for doing so in front of a live stream with over a million viewers. The intensity of his feelings was making him feel like he was about to explode.

    But just like everyone else, he was stuck in his office, unable to leave due to an important meeting. The worst part was that he was in this predicament because the other five kept sending him trouble after trouble. Despite pulling all-nighters to handle urgent matters, new issues kept piling up.

    This sense of helplessness only fueled his anger and frustration. Seeing Rafael kiss his wife was bad enough, but not being able to see Hera��s expression made it worse. <i>��What if she likes his kiss more than mine? I��m pretty inexperienced and just relying on instinct. Will she startparing me to him? Will she agree to be with him?��</i> Leo was consumed by fear and on the verge of a panic attack.

    He didn��t even feel this way when Hera chose to be with Alexi, even when he saw pictures of them holding hands. This was different. He had only kissed her once after years of patiently waiting for his chance, and yet this bastard had jumped at the first opportunity.

    While Leo was seething with anger from afar, Rafael was panicking with fear, terrified of rejection. He had made one mistake after another, and Hera��s silence made his heart feel like it was lodged in his throat. He couldn��t even voice his concerns, knowing that he had already worsened his situation.

    He was terrified that Hera might see him as forceful and maniptive, disregarding her feelings. In reality, he hadn��t intended any of it; his actions had been driven by impulsive instincts, and he never imagined he��de across as so weak and uncertain in front of her. In short, a wussy.

    In reality, Hera was so taken aback by the sudden kiss that her mind went nk. She was overwhelmed, unable to process what was happening because it wasn��t anything she had anticipated. ��<i>Oh hell! None of them followed the script I imagined! They��re all so unpredictable that it feels like if I let my guard down, I��ll be devoured by any one of them.��</i> With that thought, Hera managed to pull herself together and regain herposure.

    Even after regaining herposure, Hera found herself at a loss for words. Before she could make sense of the situation, she heard a soft whimper. Looking up, she saw Rafael sobbing silently, his lips pressed tight as tears streamed down his flushed cheeks. His long eyshes were damp, and he was struggling to hold back his sobs. The tears that blurred his vision made it clear that he couldn��t see her expression at that moment.

    Even the viewers gasped in surprise at the sight of him crying. Witnessing such a tough man break down like this was both astonishing and deeply moving. Hera��s heart softened instantly, and she found herself flustered. Without thinking, she reached out on tiptoe to wipe his tears, her head buzzing with confusion. <i>��Did I make him cry? How did this even happen?��</i> Despite not fully understanding how things had escted, Hera felt an overwhelming sense of guilt seeing Rafael in such distress.

    "Please don��t hate me," Rafael croaked softly, his voice almost pleading, as he gently grasped Hera��s hand, the one she used to wipe away his tears. This was the first time in his life he felt such profound helplessness and fear. His family and everyone around him had always given him what he wanted, showering him with love, care, and protection. Even outsiders had revered him for his intelligence, which had emerged early in his childhood. The feeling of vulnerability now was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

    Rafael was used to making others cry, but he never thought he would find himself in the same position, especially not because of a woman. Hera��s silence was pushing him to his limits, and despite his fervent prayers to any deity he could think of, his anxiety was overwhelming. Before he realized it, warm tears were cascading down his cheeks. Seeing Hera wipe his tears, looking guilty, only made his emotions spill over further. Desperately, he reached out to her, his plea evident in his tear-streaked face.

    "I-I don��t hate you," Hera stammered, her voice trembling as she tried to calm him down. The situation was spiraling beyond her control, and despite her efforts to think clearly, she couldn��t recall Rafael ever crying in the original story. He had always been the tough, domineering figure, even with Alice, exuding arrogance and strength. Yet now, he was breaking character, crying like a helpless child. Hera��s confusion and fluster only deepened as she struggled to reconcile this unexpected disy of vulnerability with the Rafael she knew.

 Chapter 330 Time to Talk

    It took Rafael a little while to calm down, and despite the awkwardness of their position due to the height difference, he foundfort in being in Hera��s arms and being gently pampered. Hera continued to stroke his head soothingly, and the onlookers remained tacitly silent, absorbed in the scene. Even the live-stream audience watched in hushed fascination, savoring the quiet, intimate moment between the two. Only a fewments trickled in, as the majority seemed to share in the quiet, heartfelt connection unfolding before them.

    [Dave_Carson: I told you he would cry... (? ��?�ա�?)]

    [NorthernDuke: ...]

    [SilverEmperor: ...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    [GoldenLight: Maybe I should enroll in a ss on how to cry convincingly? @SilverEmperor, want to join me for some training?]

    [SilverEmperor: I��m not even sure I can pull off a tearful performance like that. Maybe we should both sign up for the ss.]

    [Dave_Carson: Count me in too! I need to learn the art of crying if I want to be taken seriously by my sweetheart.]

    [Dave_Carson: Why not ask @NorthernDuke for lessons on how to cry? Isn��t it his specialty? @SilverEmperor and @GoldenLight]

    [NorthernDuke: Are you trying to tter me or just get on my nerves?!]

    [Dave_Carson: Maybe a bit of both? ) teehee!]

    Now that Rafael was calming down and Hera��s mind was starting to clear, she recalled that there was something important she needed to discuss with him. He hadn��t yet responded to her text message, and she needed to address it.

    "Are you feeling better?" Hera asked, attempting to gently free herself from Rafael��s embrace so she could get a better look at him. However, Rafael tightened his hold even more, unwilling to let go.

    "Can we stay like this for a little while longer?" Rafael requested, his voice hoarse and dry from earlier sobbing. Even without looking, Hera could tell his eyes were likely still red and puffy. So, she continued to stroke his hair, offeringfort and reassurance.

    "Hmm, how about we have lunch together? I need to discuss something important with you," Hera suggested, her tone taking on a serious note. Before Rafael could respond, she continued, "It��s about Minerva, and I believe you need to hear this." Hera knew that to earn the male leads�� trust, she had to be transparent about what she could share, though she still hesitated to reveal details connected to the storyline and her true intentions. She hoped that in time, if she earned their trust and protection, she might be able to open up more, or if necessary, reveal the full truth under pressing circumstances.

    But those were options only if she found herself with no other choice or if it became absolutely necessary. For now, the most she could offer was this level of transparency. She could see that Rafael was genuinely trying to change and help his sister as well, but his efforts might not be enough if they were only scratching the surface of a deeper problem. To avoid wasting his efforts, he needed to understand what she and Gerald had uncovered about Minerva and see how he would respond to it.

    This would be a moment of truth with Rafael, to see where his heart and affiliation lie and see if she was really starting to get the fate of the female lead. After hearing the seriousness in her voice, Rafael could tell that Hera meant business, so he took a long dragging sniff of her scent before he slowly let go of her and stared straight at her face. He noticed a mixture of worry, resolve, and determination in her expression, but beneath it all, he could sense an underlying fear.

    He couldn��t fully grasp what was going on in Hera��s mind, but he knew that Minerva must have done something truly outrageous to provoke such a reaction from someone as smart and resolute as Hera. He had always seen her as a cunning and strong-willed individual, so this level of concern was telling.

 Chapter 331 Talking About Minerva’s Involvement

    While Betty and Logan discussed his career path with the Music Director of UE, Gerald was leading Hera and Rafael to Pavilion #1, a space specifically reserved for Hera��s use. Rafael was astounded to be brought to this exclusive Pavilion, a ce they had only glimpsed from a distance and never imagined seeing up close. It felt akin to how Dave and Leo had once experienced the restricted private room in the revolving restaurant. Now, Rafael had the chance to visit a location of simr prestige, marking a significant moment of ess and privilege alongside Hera.

    Rafael��s gaze narrowed as he nced down at Hera��s serene andposed face. She seemedpletely at ease, almost unaware of the significance of the Pavilion as she followed Gerald. Rafael began to question if his heightened sensitivity was a result of his recent self-reflection and newfound awareness, making him more perceptive of his surroundings and their deeper meanings.

    When they reached the door of Pavilion #1, Gerald came to a halt and turned to face them. To address Rafael��s unspoken concern, Gerald exined, "I brought you both here forplete privacy, so we can speak without any interruptions."

    Rafael��s eyes widened in surprise, and he felt a rush of confusion. "We?" he echoed, his mind racing to process the implications.

    "Yes, we. I, you, and Miss Ainsley," Gerald confirmed, a hint of a smug smirk ying at the corners of his mouth. "Is there a problem?" he added, his eyes glinting with amusement as he observed Rafael��s bewildered expression.

    "I-I thought..." Rafael stammered, his mind racing. He had anticipated a private lunch with just himself and Hera, hoping for a moment of intimacy despite the earlier ominous tone in Hera��s voice regarding his sister. The realization that others would be present, and Gerald��s evident amusement, made him feel as if his enthusiasm had been doused with cold water, extinguishing his hopes for a more personal interaction.

    Seeing that Rafael was on the verge of tears, Hera stepped in. "Let��s go, Rafael," she urged, taking his hand and leading him into the Pavilion. Gerald followed closely behind, struggling to suppress hisughter. He never imagined he would see the usually domineering and arrogant Rafael reduced to such a vulnerable state around his Young Miss.

    At that moment, Rafael had little control over his tear ducts. After his earlier outburst, it felt as though his tear ducts had malfunctioned; his eyes remained sensitive and prone to releasing tears whenever he felt aggrieved or disappointed, just as they were now.

    Despite feeling vulnerable, Rafael found sce in Hera��s response. The moment he disyed his aggrieved side, Hera stepped in to support him, just like a mother hen protecting its chicks. This small gesture of care reassured him that Hera genuinely cared about his feelings. Comforted by this realization, he chose to follow Hera quietly, avoiding any further fuss to prevent upsetting her.

    The moment they sat down, both Rafael and Hera took a moment to appreciate the pavilion they were in, it was luxurious and gave a sense of calm and wonder. And since it was just beside the man-madeke where lotus flowers were everywhere and many koi fishes and even a swan were swimming around just really made a picturesque romantic feel.

    They could see exquisite ceramic disys and ancient paintings, each worth millions, adorning the space. Even Rafael could sense the care and dedication that went into creating this special ce. It was no wonder it was said to be reserved for the Avery Heiress, and with the rumors circting that this establishment was also Avery��s property, he was beginning to believe them.

 Chapter 332 Talking About Minerva’s Involvement 2

    Hera understood Gerald��s words most deeply, as she was the granddaughter he mentioned. She felt a profound sense of longing and warmth from her grandfather��s love and dedication over the years. The Old Master Avery, unaware that Hera had known her true status for a long time, had been tirelessly working to protect her and safeguard her interests while fighting at the forefront against their adversaries.

    Hera felt an even stronger resolve to protect those who loved and cared for her. Once her emotions settled and her determination solidified, she, Gerald, and Rafael all took their seats at the round table positioned in the center of the pavilion. Rafael settled on her right side, while Gerald gave them space and took a seat across from them.

    As Rafael poured hot tea for Hera, Gerald retrieved a folder from somewhere and handed it to a servant stationed at the corner. The servant then passed the folder to Rafael before exiting the room and closing the door behind him, ensuringplete privacy for their discussion.

    "What��s this?" Rafael asked, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. He hesitated to open the folder, feeling a sense of unease.

    "Open it, and you��ll find out," Gerald replied, a teasing hint in his voice.

    To ease the tension, Hera interjected, "Actually, Mr. Troy was the one investigating the drugging incident at Dragon Pce Hotel since it falls under their jurisdiction. He needed to look into everyone present at the restaurant that day to identify who might be involved or behind the incident."

    "While Mr. Troy has already identified the mastermind behind the incident, he discovered that one of the visitors that day had connections to some questionable forces," Hera exined gently. She struggled with how to tell Rafael that his sister was linked to a criminal group that had been under police investigation for some time.

    "It��s more than just questionable," Gerald said. "I initially sought out Miss Ainsley because she��s close to you and might help facilitate a serious discussion about this. My goal is to hand over all the evidence to the police and resolve this matter swiftly. However, since I owe Miss Ainsley for being a victim of an incident on my turf, I wanted to respect her wishes before taking further action. It just so happens that you��re her friend." His tone carried a hint of taunting and smugness.

    "What��s all this about? How am I involved? I don��t recall being at that restaurant or hotel on that day," Rafael asked, his voice tinged with nervousness. He sensed where this might be heading but found himself in denial, struggling to ept the implications.

    "I understand, but you should review the contents of the folder to grasp the situation fully. I��ll answer any questions you may have afterward. Consider Miss Ainsley as the bridge facilitating this discussion. I��ve already had her sign a non-disclosure agreement." Gerald spoke with such a blend of truth and deceit that Hera didn��t need to offer her own excuses or worry about Rafael questioning her. She could simply observe his reaction and see how he processed the information.

    With a trembling hand, Rafael reached for the folder and opened it. The first page gave him an unsettling feeling, though it contained no immediate relevance. As he continued flipping through the pages, his unease grew. The folder revealed a series of disturbing photographs, each more horrifying than thest. Each image depicted various heinous crimes, causing Rafael��s stomach to churn and a sense of nausea to rise in his throat. The graphic content left him feeling increasingly disturbed.

 Chapter 333 Talking About Minerva’s Involvement 3

    He felt as if Hera was watching his every move, judging him with each action he took. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, and fear started to grow in his heart. The thought, <i>��Would she forsake me if I make a wrong decision?��</i> made his heart tremble.

    "What��s wrong, Mr. Briley? Afraid to move forward and uncover more about this case?" Gerald taunted. Though he had no personal grudge against Rafael, seeing him hesitate frustrated Gerald. He was eager to see Rafael��s reaction when he connected the heinous crimes to his sister and how he would choose between right and wrong.

    He could sense his Young Miss��s increasing nervousness as she watched Rafael stare at the same page for over ten minutes. Her eyes followed his every expression��his frowns, the purse of his lips, and the subtle deep breaths he took to mask his unease whenever he encountered something particrly disturbing for the first time.

    The longer Hera watched Rafael hesitate, the more her nervousness grew, bordering on fear. She worried that Rafael might disregard all caution and protect his sister, regardless of the consequences. It wasn��t that she didn��t want him to protect his sister, but she feared that such an action would reveal Rafael��s willingness to ignore right and wrong when it came to those he cared about. If that were the case, he would revert to the Rafael depicted in the novel��the very person Hera had worked so hard to help him ovee, guiding him to understand right from wrong.

    If Rafael truly regressed to the character depicted in the novel, it would mean that no matter how much effort she put into helping the male leads be a better version of themselves, her efforts would be undermined whenever such issues arise. When their interests are threatened, they might not hesitate tosh out at anyone in their way or fight anyone.

    Hera pursed her lips, contemting all the possibilities until the sound of a page flipping caught her attention. She heard Rafael��s audible gasp and turned to see his hands trembling as he gripped the folder tightly. His eyes were red with anger, and his entire presence radiated a menacing fury that overwhelmed even Hera. She could sense Rafael struggling to contain his rage, though he couldn��t hold back the torrent of curses that followed.

    "FUCK!!! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!!!" he muttered under his breath, clenching his jaw so tightly that a vein throbbed at the corner. Veins also pulsed in his forehead and hands as he seethed with anger, struggling to contain his rage. He resisted the urge tosh out at those around him or the surroundings, knowing it wouldn��t help him process the shocking information he had just read.

    "Gerald, are these things true, or are you using my sister to target me?" Rafael demanded, his eyes zing with intense emotion as he stared at Gerald, who sat directly in front of him. Gerald met his gaze unflinchingly, showing no sign of being intimidated.

    Gerald shook his head calmly, holding Rafael��s gaze for a moment before responding nonchntly. "If I were targeting either of you, I would have sent this folder to the police and let them handle it without involving myself. The fact that I contacted you through Miss Ainsley first means that I want to hear your perspective on this evidence, and nothing more."

    Gerald��s words offered little rity, and Rafael inhaled sharply as he studied the page. It revealed that all the victims listed in the folder had had conflicts with Minerva over Alexi. These women had either flirted with, shown interest in, or pursued Alexi, with or without Minerva��s presence. Minerva had confronted them and, before leaving, had issued a warning to watch their backs.

    And what did she mean by that, beyond what was stated in the report?

 Chapter 334 Talking About Minerva’s Involvement 4

    Although Rafael was expressing his gratitude to Gerald, Hera interpreted his words differently. To her, it seemed like Rafael was thanking Gerald for not going straight to the police, thus preventing his sister from being persecuted without Rafael��s understanding of the situation. Hera feared that what Rafael was about to say might signal the end of their rtionship and her hopes for him to be a better, more honorable male lead than the one depicted in the novel.

    Without realizing it, Hera��s hand stiffened under Rafael��s grasp and even tried to pull away because she really didn��t like the unscrupulous Rafael who condoned his sister��s vindictive demeanor just like how he and his friends helped Minerva took down the Avery just because Minerva end up sending Hera to her death and was afraid of the Avery��s retaliation from her crime.

    Hera felt on the verge of a panic attack, but she steeled herself to listen to what Rafael was about to say.

    "I, along with my parents, have loved and pampered Minerva since she was little, and that��s all I know how to do," Rafael said, his eyes lowered as he seemed to reflect on the past. As he reminisced, Hera��s heart sank. Rafael��s firm grip on her hand prevented her from pulling away, and at the same time, she felt an overwhelming desire to distance herself from him. Negative thoughts were consuming her, making the situation increasingly difficult to bear.

    "Because of this, we failed to correct my sister��s thinking and actions, so some of her mistakes and choices are my parents�� and my fault. As a family, we��ve only recently decided to do the right thing for my sister," Rafael said. His words hit Hera like a bolt of lightning, leaving her momentarily dazed. Even Gerald was taken aback, as he had expected Rafael to deny the contents of the report and assume responsibility for cleaning up his sister��s mess as the older brother.

    Since the police wouldn��t have ess to those reports, they wouldn��t be able to identify who was connected to the crimes, and the situation would continue as if nothing had happened. Rafael��s words were a breath of fresh air, in stark contrast to his usual approach to handling issues regarding his sister. Unlike when he first tried to intimidate Hera and offered her a bribe to keep his sister��s actions hidden, his current response showed a new level of ountability.

    It was indeed surprising, and even more astonishing were Rafael��s next words, which left Hera dazed as she stared at his serious yet handsome face, now seeming to glow with a new light. "Initially, I nned to send my sister to a boarding school abroad to broaden her horizons and teach her how to conduct herself. I wanted her to experience the hardships of life and move beyond her obsession with a man who was clearly using her. My parents and I didn��t want her to sink further into the abyss and continue hurting herself. Since then, I have been keeping her confined to her room, preparing to send her abroad."

    "But after learning this, I was both profoundly surprised and deeply disheartened. I never imagined that my coddling of my sister��s actions would lead to this. At the same time, I still believed in the remnants of humanity within her and struggled with my decision. I had hoped she wasn��t at the point where she would resort to such crimes, thinking she would only exploit her birthright and use the Briley name to intimidate or oppress others." Rafael added.

    Gerald quickly countered with another point. "However, you seem to have forgotten that you also removed her control over her birthright and refused to let her use either yourpany or the Briley��s influence to aid her bullying. She even resorted to bribing trolls and marketing ounts using her own funds because she could no longermand your PR team or the Briley��s resources. Perhaps this is why she turned to such drastic measures? Without the family��s influence and power, she may have sought out a criminal group to exact her revenge and protect what she believed was hers."

 Chapter 335 Talking About Minerva’s Involvement 5

    "What are you trying to say, Mr. Briley?" Gerald asked impatiently. He felt like Rafael was leading them on without making an actual decision, being indecisive because the matter concerned his sister.

    Rafael lifted his gaze to meet Gerald��s, his frown not aimed at Gerald but reflecting his unease. He felt that something was amiss, though he couldn��t quite pinpoint it. "What I��m trying to understand is, how did Minerva evene into contact with this group? Was there a connection or intermediary involved? Even if we confirm that her bank ount was used for transactions or withdrawals, how can we be sure it was Minerva herself behind these actions? Could someone else be manipting her, or worse, setting her up as a scapegoat?"

    Gerald took a deep breath, clearly frustrated. His patience was wearing thin, and he felt his blood pressure rising. He wasn��t sure if Rafael was in denial, trying to shift the me, or simply unwilling to confront the gravity of the crimes detailed in the folder. And the potential damage to their family��s name and reputation was significant if this came to light. "Mr. Briley, if you��re struggling to ept what your sister has done or if you��re in denial, just say so. We understand that you��re caught between a rock and a hard ce right now."

    "No, that��s not it," Rafael quickly corrected Gerald��s misunderstanding. "I��m not trying to avoid acknowledging the crimes in the report. It��s just that I have a strong feeling that this case is moreplicated than it appears."

    "You��re suggesting...?" Hera raised an eyebrow, her expression inscrutable. Rafael, feeling the weight of her gaze, grew nervous and quickly spoke up to rify his thoughts.

    "Look, I��m not trying to protect my sister, but I also don��t want her to be used as a scapegoat for something she might not be responsible for. I need the full report��specifically, how she came into contact with these criminal groups and who introduced her to them. I find it hard to believe she stumbled upon them by herself. Despite her reckless behavior, shecks the means or inclination to get involved with gangs. My sister is just as arrogant and proud as I am; she wouldn��t associate with people she considers beneath her, including criminals."

    Gerald scoffed at Rafael��sment, thinking to himself, <i>"Is that really something to be proud of?"</i>

    Rafael noticed Gerald��s gaze shift to him with a scornful scoff, and he felt the weight of the judgment. Ignoring it, he pressed on. "Minerva may resort to dirty tactics like ndering someone or manipting the crowd, things she��s seen in the entertainment industry. She��s familiar with these tricks because she��s observed them before. However, she��s like an old cow set in her ways��she struggles to learn anything new. I��m not proud of it, but my sister isn��t the sharpest tool in the shed. Either someone introduced her to these criminals or used her name to ce orders for these women behind her back." Rafael could feel the heat rising in his cheeks as he finished speaking.

    He wasn��t trying to belittle his sister, but Minerva had never been particrly bright. Her IQ was below average, and though her beauty was a saving grace, it only seemed to reinforce her arrogance and tyranny at home. This pride was deeply ingrained in her, making it unlikely she would suddenly change her ways. So, if she was involved in this criminal activity, it could mean one of two things: either she is genuinely desperate, or someone else is behind this, using her as a pawn.

    Gerald and Hera exchanged a knowing nce, choosing not to immediately dismiss Rafael��s perspective. They decided to delve deeper into his viewpoint, mindful not to jump to conclusions. As they often said, a person could only be deemed guilty and convicted once all evidence was conclusive and without any missing pieces. At this moment, despite the information at hand, the notion that Minerva hired a hitman to kill these women seemed somewhat shallow. The motive also appeared flimsy; only a psychopath wouldmit such heinous acts for trivial reasons.

 Chapter 337 How to Resolve This?

    Even if Hera chose to overlook it, Gerald wouldn��t tolerate someone with a questionable character being in a rtionship with his Young Miss, just as Alexi did before. Previously, they were kept in the dark about Hera��s actions and whereabouts to protect her, but now that they know more, Gerald is determined to ensure she isn��t betrayed or harmed again.

    "Gerald, be reasonable. It��s not as if you have any other solutions to offer. As you said yourself, you��ve been hitting a wall with the underworld and haven��t found a way through. This indicates there��s a powerful force behind those every move against your actions. The death of your subordinate is a clear warning to stop probing where you don��t belong. Since we have no leads and can��t prate their defenses, we should use someone who already has connections." Hera said, giving Gerald a stern look. He backed down, bowing his head in resignation, though he shot a disdainful nce at Rafael, who was so absorbed in feeling protected by Hera that he failed to notice anything amiss.

    He was so absorbed in his own sense of relief that he paid no attention to anything else. In that moment, he felt like Hera was supporting him and helping him find a solution. Her intervention in deflecting Gerald��s verbal attacks made him feel even more reassured and appreciative.

    "I��ll call Luke now to see if he��s avable," Rafael said with determination. He pulled out his phone from his suit��s breast pocket, dialed Luke��s number, and put it on speaker as soon as it began to ring.

    After three long rings, Luke finally answered the phone with azy yet amiable tone. "Yes?" There was a noticeable difference in his voicepared to when he spoke with Hera��while still friendly, it carried a hint of authority and detachment.

    "Hey, Luke. I need a favor. I recall you mentioned in our group chat that you have some connections in the underworld. I can��t go into details over the phone��can we meet up so I can show you something?" Rafael said. Although his tone remainedmanding and proud, there was a clear note of vulnerability and distress that even Luke could detect.

    "I��ll help you with whatever you need, but I��m swamped right now and can��t meet up. Have your assistant send over any critical information that can��t be emailed, and I��ll review it as soon as possible and get back to you," Luke said with a slight sigh. His usual warm tone sounded a bit cold and distant, clearly reflecting his fatigue and the pressure of his busy schedule.

    "Alright, I��ll have my assistant send the files directly. Hera and I will have lunch and wait for your response in the next few hours," Rafael said, feeling a bit relieved. Although he wasn��t sure if Luke could help, the prospect of having someone who might be able to assist gave him a glimmer of hope.

    On the other end of the phone, Luke immediately perked up when he heard that Hera was with Rafael. Noting that they were having lunch when something urgent came up, Luke��s tone shifted. "Wait, you just reminded me��it��s lunchtime, and I haven��t eaten yet. I��lle to you. Just send me your location." His voice was now eager and amodating. He shot a re at his assistant, who stood frozen, still holding the takeout boxes Luke had ordered his assistant to order for his lunch.

    Luke didn��t wait for his assistant to process his sudden decision and left immediately, leaving his assistant dumbfounded in the office amidst a mountain of revised contracts and financial reports. Despite being swamped with other aspects of his business, Luke feltpelled to act. Hearing that his friends were aggressively pursuing Hera��s attention and spending more time with her, he worried that his usual steady and gentlemanly approach might not make the same impact whenpared to their more shameless tactics.

 Chapter 338 The Five Of Them Are Missing Something

    That��s why no one was holding him back from exploring the underground world, where crime thrives. He found excitement in leading dual lives, with no one aware of his true nature. He felt a sense of disdain that no one had yet grasped who he really was or what he was truly capable of.

    His friends and he never interfered in each other��s business or lives because they didn��t feel the need to. Each of them was capable of standing on their own, no matter what chaos came their way. It was the first time Rafael had asked Luke for a favor, which initially didn��t intrigue him much. However, upon learning that Hera was involved, his curiosity was piqued, and he felt a genuine need to understand why they required his help.

    Luke was like a predator in sheep��s clothing, blending in with his prey to observe their lives before striking. However, his feelings for Hera were different. He felt a genuine attraction and pull toward her that he had never experienced before. He was certain his friends felt the same way, and he was eager to understand what drew them all to her. This newfound feeling was something he had been missing for a long, long time, and it intrigued him deeply.

    Otherwise, given his nature, he would have certainly eliminated anyone who tried to take what he considered his��Hera being one of those things��even if it meant staining his hands with his friends�� blood. Surprisingly, though, he didn��t feel repulsed by the idea of sharing his interest in Hera with his friends. Despite his hostility toward Leo, he didn��t have the urge to eliminate him either.

    In fact, he felt a rare sense of belonging and calm whenever Hera was around. He realized it must be her unique influence on them, a special quality that allowed her to navigate this world in her own way, just as he and his friends wielded their own talents to be leaders in their respective fields.

    With great expectation and anticipation, Luke headed to the address provided by Rafael. He thought he would be prepared for anything, but he was taken aback to discover that Hera and Rafael were dining in the highly exclusive Pavilion #1 and having a serious discussion with the notoriously elusive and reclusive Gerald Troy. The sight shattered his usual calm and self-awareness, leaving him stunned and disoriented.

    What surprised him the most was theck of exnation. As soon as he was led to the private room and took his seat, Rafael handed him a folder of reports without a word. Hera gave him an urging look, indicating he should examine the report to understand what was happening. With no one willing or able to exin, Luke opened the folder and raised an eyebrow upon seeing the contents.

    Instead of feeling disgusted or unsettled, he was surprisingly amused by the sight of familiar yet strikingly unfamiliar contents inside the folder.

    He remained silent, flipping through each page with a serious gaze as he scrutinized the reports. His usual warm and inviting smile had vanished, reced by a darker expression of amusement and scrutiny��an unfamiliar side of him that Rafael was seeing for the first time. Rafael assumed that Luke��s reaction was a coping mechanism, simr to how he himself had reacted when he first encountered the severity of the crimes detailed in the file.

    Hera watched Luke with a knowing gaze, waiting for him to finish reviewing the content before they proceeded with the discussion on how to handle the situation. She hadn��t intended to escte matters, but she sought answers, feeling that these developments might somehow be linked to the original ending of the novel or she should say, the original ending of the Hera depicted in the novel.

 Chapter 339 Asking For Help

    Isn��t this how male leads are typically crafted in novels? Authors often design their characters with a dark side, a troubled background, and various ws, all to drive the plot and encourage the female lead to take action. The goal is to pull these male leads out of their darkness and show them a different perspective, illuminating the possibilities beyond the shadows they��ve created or found themselves in.

    Hera struggled with this aspect because she wasn��t a fan of novels or stories created to entertain others by showcasing characters�� struggles and journeys. Finding herself unexpectedly cast as one of these characters in a narrative she never fully understood was disconcerting. Herck of interest in these matters became a w, making it difficult for her to navigate theplexities of her situation without Athena��s intervention.

    That��s why Luke, currently holding the highest position in the underworld, would be the best person to ask for favors regarding this investigation. However, Rafael and Gerald were unaware of this crucial information, so Hera was careful to keep her knowledge to herself to avoid revealing too much. Despite having a good rtionship with Luke and finding him amiable, she knew the importance of discretion.

    There��s no telling how Luke might react if he discovered that she was aware of his dark secrets. In truth, those who maintain a smiling facade are often more dangerous than those who exhibit a stoic and cold demeanor.

    After all, who would suspect a warm and charming man of having a few screws loose? That��s why they say that things that seem too good to be true often are��nothing more than lies and scams.

    Especially now that Hera wasn��t certain about her influence over Luke and the other male leads, she knew their reactions to her varied, but she had no way to gauge their favorability or measure her sess. Lacking a "love meter" or any system to assess her standing, Hera felt she was navigating blindly, relying solely on the iplete information Athena provided.

    What could Hera realistically expect from Athena? After all, Athena had read the novel only casually, without any foresight that she would one day find herself in that very story. It was unrealistic to expect Athena to remember every detail and nuance of a book she had merely read for entertainment.

    "Then, why am I here?" Luke asked, his warm smile directed at Hera as he sipped his tea. His gaze lingered on her lips, sending her into a whirlwind of distracting thoughts. Hera feared that if this continued, she might identally reveal something she didn��t intend to. It crossed her mind that this might be Luke��s way of distracting her, making her lose focus on her response, and perhaps even prompting her to confess more than she nned.

    Hera took a deep breath, clearing her mind of distracting thoughts, and began to exin. "After discussing among ourselves, we realized there might be a discrepancy in the evidence we��ve gathered. It seems possible that someone is using Minerva as a scapegoat, shifting the me onto her while she might be just a pawn in this scheme. However, this is just spection at this point. To understand more and figure out how to address this issue, we need someone with insider knowledge of the underworld. Unfortunately, Gerald��s men have been unable to prate the threshold and have ended up being killed instead."

    "Gerald?" Luke��s eyebrow arched yfully, but there was a hint of danger in his gaze that made, instinctively, Hera tense up. She quickly began to exin, her voice steady despite the growing unease.

    "You see, he��s helped me several times and treated me like the sister he never had, simr to how Zen has. But calling him ��Brother Gerald�� might be too intimate and could lead to rumors about our rtionship. Using just his name keeps a hint of familiarity without raising too many questions. Don��t you think?" Hera chuckled awkwardly, which only made her seem more guilty. Luke��s gaze intensified, his eyes sparkling like stars. Sitting so close, Hera could see the turmoil swirling beneath his calm exterior.

    She couldn��t borate further without worsening the situation, so she continued to update Luke on the events leading up to his arrival. "It just so happened that while we were discussing our concerns, Rafael recalled you mentioning in passing that you had connections in the underworld. Although we��re not sure how deep those connections run, having any link is better than none. That��s why Rafael decided to reach out." Hera shrugged to emphasize their effort to explore all possible options without raising any suspicion unto hers.

    If Luke wanted more information, he could ask Rafael directly. Among everyone in the Pavilion, she was likely the least knowledgeable and had the fewest connections or intel, which should keep her off their radar.

 Chapter 340 What Do I Get In Return?

    Hera bit her lower lip because she could feel Luke��s intense gaze lingering on her face and when she subconsciously bit her lips, Luke��s golden orbs rested on her lips and turned darker with a glint.

    Hera sensed that Luke��s thoughts were veering towards something inappropriate, so she quickly released her lips from between her teeth. Despite this, Luke��s gaze remained fixed on her lips as he continued, "As Gerald mentioned, the underworld is incredibly dangerous and difficult to infiltrate, with his people suffering significant losses. If I��m going to put myself and my team at risk, there needs to be something of greater value in it for me, don��t you agree?"

    "We��re all businessmen here, and I shouldn��t need to exin the importance of sincerity in our circle, whether among friends or not. When ites to matters of life and death, mary value pales inparison. Therefore, any return for this work must be something truly worthwhile," Luke added, his gaze remaining fixed on Hera.

    <i>��What a liar! This wouldn��t even pose a challenge for him, let alone a real danger! In fact, he is the danger himself. With just a flick of his finger, he could send someone to their death. He was the primary reason the Avery Consortium fell apart in the novel and why the main antagonist, despite his own considerable power, wealth, and influence, couldn��t win. So, Luke, where did your absurd ims evene from? You��re just trying to scam us!��</i> Hera fumed internally, struggling to maintain herposure on the outside.

    Since only she knew Luke��s true identity, she couldn��t openlyin about his shameless behavior. Although she had known from the start who Luke really was, his actions and apparent warmth towards her had caused her to forget his darker side. Now, she felt trapped, though she knew Luke wouldn��t harm her, as she was currently sharing the female lead��s fate. Still, it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

    <i>��These male leads are more shameless than the other, really.��</i> Hera added in her mind as Luke still looked at her, maybe he could somehow understand where Hera��s thoughts were lingering and was now looking at her with an amused gaze as he waited for an offer to be ced on the table.

    "Why don��t you go ahead and state your requirements, Luke? Or better yet, just let us know what you expect in return, and we��ll see if Rafael can meet those needs," Hera suggested, shifting the responsibility to Rafael. This way, she could subtly distance herself from thepensation discussion and avoid being directly involved in providing the reward.

    She feared that if she didn��t speak up, Luke might actually ask for her as his reward and just the thought of it made her stomach churn ufortably. Although Luke operated more as a figurehead in the underground world, his umted power indicated that he was indifferent to other matters and had little regard for the consequences.

    His people��s brutality was also his responsibility, and his inaction implied consent. The thought of Luke��s dual life, straddling both the light and dark sides of society, only served to remind Hera of how dire her own fate could be if she failed to change her circumstances.

    "What if I asked for you as my reward, and nothing else?" Luke said, his lips curling slightly as he stared at Hera with a hint of raw desire. Even Rafael, observing from the side, could see the intensity in Luke��s gaze. Rather than feeling possessive or angry, Rafael surprisingly found himself empathizing with Luke��s emotions. He even felt apulsion to vie for Hera��s attention, despite knowing it wasn��t the right time for such distractions. Rafael had expected a strong reaction, possibly even wanting to overturn the table in anger at Luke��s tant flirtation, but instead, he found himself intrigued and unsettled by the situation.

 Chapter 341 Luke’s Help

    Of all people, why him and not Rafael? He had always been warm and amiable, especially considering that Hera should have issues with Rafael��s sister. Now, as they discuss finding more clues to help with the case involving Rafael��s sister, shouldn��t Hera be directing her difort toward Rafael, rather than him��someone who was supposed to be helping?

    Overwhelmed by these emotions, Luke felt as though his heart was being crushed by a boulder, and he despised it. Before he realized it, he began to act out of character. If Rafael hadn��t reminded him of who he was, Luke might have lost hisposure entirely, driven by the urge to bite Hera��s lips and take her on the table, driven to the brink by his inability to handle her gaze. It was a moment of intense frustration that pushed him toward reckless behavior.

    But if he did, he would only be undermining his position in her heart. He knew that his feelings had overtaken his ability to judge and think properly so without further ado, he sat back straight on his chair and pulled out his phone to make a call, after the first ring, his subordinate picked up the call.

    "Boss, how can I assist you?" The man on the other end spoke in a gruff yet respectful tone.

    Luke skipped the formalities and went straight to the point. "I need you to investigate anyone connected to a gang of criminals who have been brutally killing young women over the past few days. It��s bing rming. Find out who is behind these orders and gatherplete evidence. If no one is willing to talk, you know what to do." His voice, previously warm, had turned into a chillingly cold and authoritative baritone, conveying a dangerous seriousness.

    Even without asking, it was clear to everyone that Luke was speaking with the contact Rafael had mentioned from the underground world. No one dared to inquire further, understanding that it was a matter of Luke��s business and not their ce to delve into.

    No one heard the response from the man on the other end of the call, as Luke had not put his phone on speaker. He kept the volume at a moderate level, so while his own voice and responses were audible, the conversation on the other end remained private.

    If everyone would consider this aspect, Luke would really appear suspicious but with his usual demeanor, everyone would just assume that he wanted privacy and it only meant that he was doing a great job in his cover, and wouldn��t be easy to suspect him of being involved in the mafia.

    "Alright, I��ll send you a copy of the evidence we have on hand. Use it as a guide to track these people down. Besides gathering evidence and identifying the mastermind behind these crimes, do nothing else but keep the criminals contained until further notice," Luke added. After a brief response from the person on the other end, Luke ended the call with a smile. The tense atmosphere lifted instantly as if the storm had passed and nothing had happened.

    He then turned towards Hera, who was still resting in Rafael��s embrace, having had no chance to react to the rapid session of events that had unfolded. Her mind hadn��t caught up. Hera stared at Luke, who was looking at her with an expectant expression as if he were waiting for praise for his negotiation skills��even though it hardly seemed like a negotiation.

    Even Gerald hadn��t expected it to be so straightforward. What had stumped him for a long time to infiltrate was handled effortlessly by Luke. This made Gerald feel that aligning with Luke through a marriage alliance was far preferable to making him an enemy. Although no one had explicitly exined the situation, he sensed that the rtionship between Luke and the person on the other end was one of superior and subordinate, with a solid grasp of the underground world and possibly a high standing in its hierarchy.

 Chapter 342 Unexpected Gain

    These are scenarios she wants to avoid as much as possible, especially since she hasn��t yet figured out how everything works. Being thrown into anotherplex situation would be counterproductive and only make things more difficult for her.

    4o mini

    After her bout of overthinking subsided, Hera calmed herself and turned her gaze back to Luke. This time, her expression was free of worry or fear, reced instead by a calm, sweet smile. "Was that call about arranging someone to assist Rafael with the investigation?"

    Luke nodded, a relieved smile spreading across his lips. He exhaled the breath he��d been holding, almost chuckling as he did. The weight of worry that had settled on him when he saw Hera��s apprehension seemed to lift, lightening his heart.

    He had never felt fear before, which was precisely why he had ventured into the underground world. It was hisck of fear towards those living in the shadows, or being drawn into endless battles for territory and power among those who had glimpsed the abyss and had been stared back by the abyss that pulled them deeper into the darkness, and it was also what drove him into this dangerous realm.

    But now, he understood fear in a way he never had before. He feared that Hera might be repelled by him or his bloodied hands. His insides trembled with dread as his mind raced through countless unsettling possibilities. This was an unfamiliar sensation for him, and the intensity of his fear was so overwhelming that he felt as if Hera might instantly reject him. Moreover, his standing among his friends and Leo seemed to plummet to the lowest point.

    He knew that although Rafael could be douche, he didn��t engage in illegal activities like Luke did. Dave, despite hisziness and tendency to dodge work, still managed to perform his duties withoutpromising integrity and had never be a corrupt official. Zhane, the responsible older brother, had his only w in being a workaholic, while Xavier, the youngest, was focused solely on his own pursuits. Despite their ws, each of them maintained a clear conscience and never crossed into inhumane behavior.

    As this realization sank in, Luke felt the darkness within him growing more intense, spreading fear throughout his body and mind. He now truly understood the weight of regret. If he hadn��t ventured into illegal activities, he might have faced Hera with the same pride as his friends did. Instead, he felt undeserving and deeply anxious around her.

    Luke felt a flush of embarrassment and found it difficult to maintain eye contact with Hera, as if she could see through him. He shifted his gaze and nervously took a sip of tea. Unbeknownst to him, his hand trembled slightly, a detail Hera observed but chose not to mention.

    In that moment, Luke vowed to avoid any actions that would make him feel embarrassed in front of Hera. Little did Hera know, even without her intervention, Luke had already resolved to change his ways out of fear of being excluded and rejected, motivated by the clear apprehension he sensed in her gaze.

    So, this could still be considered as her achievement, although unintended but it still reached the same conclusion and she didn��t even need to lift a finger to make Luke choose to change. If Luke��s subordinates in the underworld heard someone says that their big boss has chosen to be a good guys out of fear for only being stared down, they would certainly call it bullcrap andugh their ass of without concern.

 Chapter 343 Who’s Taking Care Of Who?

    As Luke exined, he could feel his heart pounding so hard it seemed as if it might burst from his chest. He turned to Hera, his gaze steady and intense, as if he were confessing his deepest secrets to her. Hera, taken aback by the depth of Luke��s revtions, felt her heart skip a beat. She hadn��t anticipated him disclosing so much about the underground world.

    Hera pondered whether Luke��s detailed disclosure was a tactic to deflect suspicion or if he genuinely wanted toe clean. She decided not to jump to conclusions and instead focused on listening to his conversation with Gerald. While she was aware that Luke was the boss of the East Faction, the specifics of his operations were not detailed in the novel, which had only mentioned that he was involved in various illegal activities with little regard for human lives.

    The boss of the North Faction is none other than the novel��s primary antagonist, the viin who initially targeted Minerva and Alexi. He eventually set his sights on Alice and the male leads who devoured the Avery family after their downfall.

    Luke was a mess, his thoughts a tangled jumble, which was why his behavior seemed contradictory. Earlier, he had shown hostility, but now he was practically rolling over, seeking approval from Hera as if wanting a belly rub. He didn��t even realize this shift himself. Despite not being someone easily swayed by emotions or fear, his reaction underscored the significant influence Hera had on him.

    After Gerald sent Luke the file, Luke wasted no time forwarding it to his subordinate, who immediately confirmed receipt and began working on the task. With the issue now in the hands of Luke��s investigation, and both Hera and Gerald agreeing to hold off on involving the police for the moment, there was nothing more to address. Rafael, though worried and flustered, had no additional input to offer. Consequently, Gerald called in the staff to start serving the food, signaling the end of their discussion.

    Only then did Rafael reluctantly release Hera from his embrace and begin serving her food. He had always wanted to do this for Hera, feeling a pang of jealousy and envy whenever he saw Leo and the others interacting with her so intimately. Witnessing their close bond and their care for her had always intrigued him, evoking a sense of fun and warmth that he hadn��t fully understood until now.

    Since Rafael had never taken care of anyone before, he was quite clumsy. As he tried to peel the shrimp, it slipped from his grasp and flew across the table,nding near Gerald. The unexpected mishap lightened the mood and broughtughter to everyone, easing the remaining tension in the room. Even Luke, momentarily forgetting his worries, was the first to chuckle as he looked at Rafael with a teasing smile. Rafael, blushing with embarrassment, couldn��t help but join in theughter.

    "Hey, Rafael, why are you so clumsy? Haven��t you ever helped your sister with this little task before?" Luke teased yfully as he watched Rafael, still flustered, attempt to peel another shrimp.

    "Shut up. I never had to take care of my sister��my parents and the servants always did. Besides, I��m used to being taken care of myself." Rafael��s voice softened, almost to a whisper, as he reached the end of his sentence, revealing his embarrassment at admitting his own need for care and his struggle to help Hera.

    Hera chuckled as she watched the shrimp fly across the table andnd near Gerald, followed by another one. She was baffled by how Rafael managed to make the shrimp fly so far; they didn��t even seem that slippery. Herughter grew as she saw Rafael��s awkward expression. Giving up on the shrimp, Rafael switched to serving Hera vegetables and meat instead. "Try this," he said, trying to hide his embarrassment. "It��s more delicious than the shrimp."

 Chapter 344 Sharing It With You

    Seeing the scene unfold, Hera burst into uncontrobleughter, clutching her stomach as it ached fromughing so hard. Her eyes were brimming with happy tears, and she couldn��t tear her gaze away from the three men who had instantly dissolved the tension in the room with their antics.

    From another perspective, it seemed like Rafael and Luke were having a yfulpetition to see who could shoot a shrimp farther, with Gerald unwittingly bing their target. The situation resembled a child��s game, and even though it was unintentional, the sight of Gerald being the target made the whole scenario incredibly amusing.

    They were effortlessly hrious, and Hera had to give them credit for that. This unexpectededypletely dispelled the dark feelings that had been weighing on her, clearing her mind and lifting her spirits.

    Embarrassed, Luke shot a re at Rafael to get him to stopughing and cast an apologetic nce at Gerald, who was still staring at the shrimp on the table. After seeing how effortlessly Xavier and Leo had managed to care for Hera during the celebratory feast at the Variety Show, Luke had thought taking care of someone would be straightforward and required just a bit ofmon sense. However, the task proved to be more challenging than he had anticipated.

    His inexperience had proven him wrong, a reality check he couldn��t ignore. Amidst his embarrassment, Luke found himself looking at Hera with a sheepish smile, his face flushed a deep red and his lips pursed in a mix of chagrin and apology. At that moment, he seemed almost angelic, an image that tugged at Hera��s heartstrings.

    Without needing words, Hera took the te of shrimp in front of Luke, donned a pair of stic gloves, and began peeling the shrimp with effortless grace. In just a few seconds, a plump, perfectly peeled shrimp was already resting on Luke��s te.

    When Hera ced the shrimp on Luke��s te, his eyes lit up with a mix of relief and gratitude. He gazed at the perfectly peeled shrimp with newfound enthusiasm, then quickly turned his head to watch Hera, who was now busy peeling another shrimp. After finishing, Hera handed the next shrimp to Rafael with the same nurturing care, as if she were soothing two crying children.

    "Um, Hera," Rafael asked, his voice tinged with sheepish curiosity, "Isn��t this your favorite? Aren��t you peeling any for yourself?" He noticed Hera peeling yet another shrimp, cing it on Luke��s te next to the first one she had prepared for him. She then moved on to peel another shrimp, which she put on Rafael��s te.

    Hera continued peeling shrimp before answering Rafael with a grin. "Yes, it is one of my favorites," she said, cing another shrimp on Rafael��s te. "I��m sharing it with you all to cheer you up."

    Luke felt a warmth spreading in his heart for the first time. It started as a small, flickering dot, but Hera��s kind gesture made it grow, causing his heart to skip a beat as he watched the shrimp pile up on his te with each shrimp she peeled.

    Gerald, feeling as though he��d been unfairly sidelined, protested with a hint of indignation, as if he were a child who had lost his mother to a bunch of random kids. "Y-young... Miss Ainsley! Shouldn��t you be coaxing me too? I��m the one who suffered!"

    Hera nced up and saw Gerald��s pouting face, clearly feeling sidelined and wronged, as if he had endured the most suffering and deserved to beforted. Meanwhile, Rafael and Luke were engrossed in the shrimp on their tes, their expressions filled with contentment, though they hadn��t yet touched the shrimp Hera had peeled for them. Smiling softly, Hera decided to address Gerald��s grievance. She continued peeling the shrimp, but instead of cing them on Rafael or Luke��s tes, she set them back on the serving dish. Once she had peeled all the remaining shrimp, she pushed the te across the table toward Gerald.

 Chapter 345 Spending Time Together

    The lessons they shared were so valuable that people would willingly pay a premium just to hear Luke and Rafael discuss these topics and reveal their strategies. Yet, they were sharing everything with Hera openly, almost as if they feared she might not grasp their perspectives. However, Hera impressed them on another level. She proved to be an exceptional student with remarkableprehension skills. She absorbed their information with ease, analyzed it thoroughly, and even identified ws and risks in their approaches. This led to a highly valuable discussion, benefiting not only to Hera��s learning but also helping Luke and Rafael uncover potential loopholes in their ns.

    With Hera��s insights, they were able to identify and address the loopholes in their ns, fortifying their strategies to prevent future exploitation. This experience revealed that Hera was not only a beautiful face but also remarkably intelligent and talented, with skills that rivaled their own. They felt as though they had uncovered a hidden gem, shaped and refined over time, and transformed into something truly valuable.

    Hera felt as though she were attending a private seminar given by renowned experts, with herself as the sole listener. She absorbed their insights with rapt attention and sparkling eyes, which only fueled Rafael and Luke��s enthusiasm to share their knowledge. Without realizing it, they had polished off all the food on the table. Throughout this engaging discussion, Gerald remained quiet, listening intently. He enjoyed the affinity and chemistry between Hera and the two men, feeling reassured about their future interactions and rtionships.

    Instead, Gerald took to the group chat with Hera��s aides to boast about how Hera had peeled shrimp just for him. His post sparked envy and jealousy among the other aides working overseas, and even Cindy, sitting in the penthouse of Green Dragon Manor, gritted her teeth in frustration. She was green with envy, eagerly awaiting Hera��s return.

    But these reactions only fueled Gerald��s excitement, causing him to continue his bragging in the group chat. His relentless posts began to annoy everyone else, leading the administrator to mute him. Gerald cursed under his breath, fuming with indignation. <i>��Isn��t this taking advantage of one��s position?! Die of envy, you bitches!��</i> he grumbled mentally before stuffing his phone back into his pocket.

    With their long lunching to an end, Hera nned to return to the university to attend sses scheduled a few hourster. She intended to wait on campus and walk around to aid digestion. However, Luke was reluctant to end the precious time with Hera. Given their busy schedules and rare opportunities to spend time together, he was eager to make the most of it and stay by her side for a little longer.

    "I noticed a lovely boat docked nearby. How about we take a short cruise on theke, feed the fish, and enjoy the scenery?" Luke suggested, ncing around the room. It was only then after his attention had been solely on Hera upon his arrival, that he took a moment to look around. Now, as he tried to find a reason to keep her a little longer, he discovered the boat and thought it might be the perfect opportunity for a rxing diversion.

    Hera remembered Gerald mentioning that the ce was meticulously prepared and cared for by her grandfather, which made her eager to fully enjoy the scenery. Theke looked so ethereal, like something straight out of a fairytale, and it ignited her enthusiasm. With plenty of time before her next ss, Hera didn��t hesitate to agree.

    Rafael and Luke exchanged excited smiles, their enthusiasm akin to that of eager boys heading to the park. They each gently took one of Hera��s hands, guiding her to stand and leading her toward the boat with a sense of joyful anticipation.

    Gerald, not wanting to intrude, stayed seated and busied himself with taking pictures of the trio from behind. Luke and Rafael worked seamlessly together to ensure Hera wasfortably settled on the plush white velvet seats of the boat. The seats were shaded by a grand parasol with intricate gold carvings, giving the whole setup a regal touch.

 Chapter 346 Screaming Rich

    Hera didn��t hesitate to share the picture on her social media, eager to show her followers the beauty of the ce and let them experience the scenery through her eyes. In the photo, she looked like a Disney fairy princess, nked by her princes, capturing the essence of the enchanting moment perfectly.

    [Basking in the breathtaking scenery of theke, which looked straight out of a fairytale.]

    As with all her photos, Hera opted not to add filters or enhance the image. The scene was already breathtakingly beautiful on its own. Even the boatman, who wasn��t particrly skilled at photography, found inspiration in capturing the trio. He simply pressed the shutter, and to his surprise, the photo turned out so stunningly that he felt like a professional photographer for a moment.

    [HeraIsMySister: Wow!!! I��mpletely speechless. My sister Hera never ceases to amaze me with the photos she posts. This ce looks like it��s straight out of a dream! Where exactly is this new scenic spot?!!!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Right!!! Did she be an ambassador for a new scenic spot or is she helping with marketing? The ce looks so magical and enchanting��just from the picture, you can tell it��s amazing! I��d love to visit and experience it myself. And by the way, she looks fantastic with her two suitors! Thank you for the meal!]

    [PasserbyGod: Did you all notice the check-in location in the photo? It��s at the Golden Dragon Pavilion, and didn��t they mention there��s a stunningke visible from the dining area? It looks like Hera was actually cruising around that restrictedke! I don��t think she��s endorsing or marketing anything��she��s simply sharing her genuine experience of the cruise!]

    [JustReading: No kidding @PasserbyGod?! That was another level of rich- rich!!! That ce was restricted from even the minister and everyone could only admire it from afar but now, someone was set in a boat having a closer experience! I wouldn��t be surprised if Hera says she��s a hidden heiress anymore, fuck!!! I��m dying of envy!!!]

    [RocksIsMyLife: Hey!!! Did any of you not notice the crystals hanging around the huge parasol? It was a fucking 228.31 carats with G-color, VS1 rity diamond that was bigger than a duck��s egg. If I am not mistaken, there should only be one of such worldwide that was sold in Christie��s and Geneva in France that was almost $22 million that sets a world record for a G-ss diamond!!! Fucking Hell!!! But there is not just one of them, there are so fucking many hanging around the parasol!!! That boat was a walking gold mine, dammit!!]

    [<strong>ILoveBoating:</strong> No joke! That boat is incredibly pricey! If I��m right, it��s made of teak wood, which costs between $2,500 and $5,000 per cubic foot. Teak is known for its durability and resistance to decay, making it the perfect material for longsting boats.]

    [Kevin: And let��s not overlook the gold engravings on that boat��it��s like a gold mine! I wouldn��t be surprised if that small boat cost as much as a yacht! Just one diamond that was hanging in the parasol was nearly $22 million. Imagine the cost of this one with all its features. And who designed it? It��s practically screaming luxury!]

    Hera didn��t realize her post was causing a stir online. After sharing the photos, she put her phone away and fully immersed herself in the moment with Luke and Rafael, feeding theke��s fish. It wasn��t just any fish; theke was home to a collection of pricey variety of fish from all over the world, each worth thousands regardless of size.

 Chapter 347 Who Would Send Her Back?

    As smart as Gerald was, he kept a certain distance from Hera, Luke and Rafael were pleased, they were like two territorial men who were acting like alpha wolves right now and were ready to pounce on his throat, if he as much as took a sniff of their female.

    Gerald escorted Hera, Luke, and Rafael to the entrance of the Golden Dragon Pavilion, demonstrating his respect. However, as soon as they stepped outside, Rafael and Luke exchanged intense res, silently challenging each other in a standoff. Their unspokenmunication was clear: neither was willing to back down.

    They stood motionless for a moment, prompting Gerald to intervene and bite the bullet. "Mr. Briley and Mr. Greyson," he said, trying to remain casual but with a slight quiver in his voice, "if you don��t move along soon, Miss Ainsley will bete for her afternoon ss and might end up with a tardiness mark." He felt a palpable tension, as if any moment now, the two men might pounce on him.

    Gerald began to regret, even if just a little, supporting these two suitors for his Young Miss. He worried about whether Hera would be able to handle their intense nature and the darker sides of their personalities that sometimes surfaced, intimidating those around them.

    "Then I��ll see Hera off. You head back to thepany," Luke said, his tone warm and friendly but with amanding undertone. His gaze, however, was locked onto Rafael��s with a fierce intensity, creating a charged atmosphere that made Hera feel like she was caught in the middle of a brewing storm.

    Hera cleared her throat to break the tension between the two men, and they immediately turned to her with affectionate smiles. "What can I do for my queen?" Rafael asked, his voice soft and tender. The shift in his demeanor sent a shiver down Hera��s spine, and she was caught off guard by the sudden contrast in his attitude, she wasn��t used to it.

    Although there was still a hint of arrogance and dominance in his voice, it was temperedpared to before. Being called "queen" was a new and surprising experience for Hera, especiallying from Rafael. The endearing nickname felt unexpected, as such affectionate terms usually suited Dave��s personality rather than Rafael��s.

    "Hera, please allow me to drive you back," Luke said with a soothing tone, his voice warm yet firm. He shot a pointed re at Rafael. "After all, Rafael drove you here, so it��s only fair that he lets me drive you back to the university." Luke��s lips curved into a subtle, almost wicked smile as his eyes met Hera��s, his gaze both gentle and intense.

    Hera was captivated by the hidden allure Luke exuded when his darker side emerged. There was something undeniably seductive about him��his voice took on a more dangerous tone, and his face bore a challenging smirk that gave him a tantalizingly bad-boy edge.

    This "bad boy" edge Luke exhibited was different from Rafael��s. While Rafael also had that dangerous allure, Luke��s version had its own unique charm. Their distinct types of allure both exuded a captivating, sexy quality, each in its own way.

    "Alright," Hera replied, causing Luke to break into a genuine, warm smile. Rafael, looking like a disappointed puppy, had no choice but to step back. He couldn��t bear to suffocate Hera with his presence, so he allowed Luke to guide Hera to his car, parked at the entrance. Luke took the keys from the valet and drove off, while Rafael followed closely behind. He slid into the driver��s seat of his own car, nning to trail Luke��s vehicle like a loyal convoy.

 Chapter 348 Sending Her Back to School

    Rafael, with a look of worry and frustration, knocked urgently on the ss window. "Luke! Are you out of your mind? Hera��s going to bete for her ss! You fucker!"

    Hera, jolted back to reality by Rafael��s outburst, realized she hadpletely forgotten about her ss amidst Luke��s distracting kiss. Despite her initial shock, she couldn��t help but acknowledge that the experience had felt incredibly good. Even in the face of beingte, she found it hard to me Luke.

    Hera let out a wry smile and grabbed her bag as she heard the door unlocking. Rafael quickly seized the opportunity, opening the door from the outside and pulling Hera into his embrace. Noticing her swollen lips, it was clear that she had just shared a passionate kiss with Luke. Although Rafael couldn��t ignore the fact that they had been making out in the car, his concern wasn��t for the kiss itself but for the potential consequences. He worried that Luke��s sudden actions might escte and cause problems if others saw it, possibly leading to more trouble for Hera.

    Rafael was quick to intervene. As he embraced Hera, Luke had already exited his car and walked over. He looked refreshed and ted, his face illuminated by a wide, satisfied grin. The sight of Luke��s blindingly cheerful demeanor only served to irritate Rafael further.

    He gently lifted Hera��s chin, tilting her face to look up at him. Her swollen lips, now even redder and slightly plumper, resembled ripe cherries. The sight stirred Rafael��s desire, and he leaned down to kiss her. Although his kiss was lighter than before, it remained just as passionate.

    He took control of her delicate mouth, devouring the lingering traces of Luke��s kiss before finally letting her go. Urging Hera to hurry inside the campus, he gave her a final, intense look. Although some students near the entrance had witnessed the exchange, they were so engrossed in the scene that none of them thought to record it. Thankfully for Hera and the others, their moment remained private.

    Hera took off at lightning speed as soon as she had the chance, darting away like a startled rabbit. As she ran, she threw a yful wave back at Rafael and Luke, adding a touch of cuteness to the scene. Both men couldn��t help but chuckle simultaneously, and they waved back at her, watching her go with smiles on their faces.

    The two men stood in ce, watching Hera��s figure gradually fade from view. Breaking the silence, Luke turned to Rafael with a knowing smile and teased, "Wasn��t that an indirect kiss?"

    Rafael��s face darkened as he caught on to Luke��s implication. He was certain Luke was trying to provoke him. With a smirk, Rafael retorted, "Didn��t I just disinfect her mouth and make sure she only remembers my taste while she��s inside the campus?" He didn��t back down, his right hand resting on his hip while his other hand casually yed with his chin.

    Rafael noticed Luke��s brows twitch slightly in response to his retort, clearly having hit a nerve. It was clear he had sessfully provoked Luke, but what could Luke do? He had started it, and Rafael had merely returned the favor. The two men were locked in a tense standstill for a moment, ring at each other with sparks almost visibly flying between them. Then, they both burst intoughter, shaking their heads and letting the moment of tension dissolve.

    "Looks like it��s unavoidable," Luke remarked with a wry smile. "It seems anyone who causes trouble will get personally booted by Hera. So, we��d better behave ourselves." With that, he gently closed the passenger door that had been left ajar when Rafael pulled Hera into his embrace.

 Chapter 349 Meeting Bry Again

    Hera focused entirely on her studies while on campus. When she encountered Logan on the grounds, she took the time to talk with him and offer reassurance, noting his evident worry. Despite his concerns, he seemed to be doing well overall. Hisplexion had improved since theirst meeting, and he appeared more energetic. Hera considered this a positive development, grateful for the chance to improve his circumstancespared to the novel. She hoped that this progress would continue and bring himsting benefits.

    It appeared that Lucas had attempted to disrupt Logan��s newfound peace a few times. Fortunately, Betty had assigned a vignt and skilled assistant to Logan, who had been effective in teaching him strategies to handle such situations. After a night of instruction, Logan had already picked up a few valuable techniques for dealing with Lucas.

    He was determined to escape his cage, feeling that after tasting the freedom Hera had granted him, he could no longer endure being confined. The longing to breathe fresh air and bask in the warm sun drove him. Despite the challenges, he took one step at a time to change himself. Embracing these changes, he began to love himself more and see himself in a new, positive light, which brought him a sense of fulfillment and joy, but, this will be in the near future but he really is doing better than yesterday.

    After exchanging a few words, Logan and Hera went their separate ways to attend their sses. Hera dedicated herself to mastering everything she could on campus. During her free time, she focused on studying and honing the skills her mentors had taught her in singing, acting, and dancing.

    <i>Ding...</i>

    [Bry: Hi, sister! I missed you! Doctor Everett, my uncle, and my father have already begun the n. In about two weeks after the surgery, my uncle will start rehabilitation to heal his legs. Doctor Everett is optimistic that he��ll take his first steps soon, and then more will follow. The process might take time, depending on the rehabilitation and my uncle��s determination, but I believe it will be sooner since my uncle is so motivated.]

    [Hera: I��m happy to hear this good news!!!]

    After finishing her sses on campus, Hera agreed to have dinner with Bry and his family. They were doing well around the city, and their horses back home were thriving too, thanks to the help of the vigers and Bry��s mother, who took good care of them.

    Even though it had only been a few days since theyst saw each other, Bry clung to Hera like she was his long-lost sister. His affection was palpable, and Hera, feeling the same way, indulged him with plenty of attention and enjoyed spending more time with him and his family.

    "Sister, I saw online that some people were bullying you. Are you okay now?" Bry asked, his expression filled with concern. His eyes were reddening at the corners, and his lips were set in a pout of discontent.

    "Yes, you know I don��t let anyone bully me," Hera replied smugly, affectionately ruffling Bry��s hair like he was a little brother. Bryughed, reassured by the sight of his fierce sister��he knew better than anyone how strong she could be and saw her as a hero.

    "But, don��t you like Brother Xavier or Brother Leo anymore? I saw you kissing a fierce man on the live broadcast earlier," Bry added, his face full of innocent curiosity.

    Hera choked on her drink at Bry��s question, while Bry��s father, feeling a mix of embarrassment and exasperation, gave his son a light smack on the back of the head. He clearly wished Bry had chosen a less awkward moment to ask such a question or better yet, not asked such questions at all.

    Hera cleared her throat, trying to regain herposure. "Oh, what are you talking about? Brother Xavier and Leo are doing just fine. The man in the video was also one of my suitors. So, um..." She hesitated, struggling to find a way to exin the situation without causing confusion. She realized that her circumstances were quite awkward and not something she should delve into with kids. It was better to avoid opening up suchplex perspectives to them and misleading them.

    Bry��s father gave him another light smack on the back of the head. "You little brat! Don��t meddle in adult affairs when you��re still wet behind your ears and has milk in your mouth!"

    Bry rubbed his sore head and clung to Hera, pretending to cry for extra sympathy. "Dad! Stop hitting me! You��re going to make me stupid!"

    "You are already so stupid, what��s more to worry about?" Bry��s father retorted.

    "I��m not! Sister Hera says I��m smart!" Bry huffed, puffing out his cheeks in defiance. "Hmph! Father, you just have fish for eyes and can��t see a treasure!" He crossed his arms and turned his gaze away from his father, clearly indignant.

 Chapter 350 Business Expansion

    "I suggested this idea because I remembered that my friend, who lent you her property, actually has connections with that ce. Perhaps she could help introduce you to the racecourse manager, so you could discuss a potential cooperation," Hera said, maintaining a steady gaze and a convincing tone. She spoke off the cuff, finding herself surprised at how effortlessly the lie came to her.

    Bry��s father fully believed Hera��s exnation, and both Bry and his uncle looked thrilled. They hadn��t invited Hera to dinner to discuss this opportunity because they didn��t know her background and didn��t want to impose. When Bry��s father asked, he was simply taking a chance, as he only knew Hera from the city and found the high-profile contacts he had previously dealt with too aloof to approach.

    He hadn��t expected Hera to actually have a solution. Without dy, Hera texted Cindy to make the arrangements and soon received a schedule for tomorrow morning, which she happily shared with Bry��s father. Their joy was so evident that Hera felt her own heart swell with happiness. She loved seeing others so pleased; for her, the joy of helping wasn��t about gaining reverence but about sharing and making others happy.

    The sense of fulfillment from her good deeds was reward enough for her. After her dinner with Bry and his family, she returned to thepany to continue her lessons, which stretchedte into the night. Her mentors reassured her that she was progressing steadily and quickly towards their goal, achieving results that surpassed their previous expectations.

    All her mentors echoed the same sentiment, and her records were passed on to Betty, who called her with a cheerful reminder to avoid overexerting herself and to get enough rest. Betty arranged for Daisy to drive Hera home, ensuring she could rx during the journey. Once she arrived home, she quickly ran a warm bath to soothe her aching body. It felt like each day had be increasingly busy and hectic as the story progressed.

    Drama seemed to follow her wherever she went, even though she had no desire to be involved. Perhaps this was simply part of being a female lead��trouble inevitably finds its way to you. At the moment, her biggest concerns were Alice and Minerva, buttely, it was Alice who had be the main source of trouble, overshadowing Minerva.

    And Alexi��s relentless pestering as well. As she recalled the trouble he caused, she picked up her phone from the edge of the bathtub and scrolled through thetest trending news. With Betty fueling the fire and Rafael��sck of intervention, public opinion had turned sharply against Alexi. Although the majority ofments were negative, it wasn��t a case of a heinous crime, so some of his fans continued to defend him amid the bacsh.

    Despite this, Alexi��s career appeared to be over. He was required topensate for all the damages caused by his scandal to his coborators, who had to terminate their contracts. Furthermore, those who paid for the contract cancetions began cklisting Alexi through their connections. The significant financial losses they incurred, which affected their cash flow, meant they would seek to recover their capital sooner orter with a means to turn their hostility on Alexi who caused all this.

    ording to her bodyguards, who had been monitoring the situation, they had already apprehended a dozen of Alexi��s most fanatical followers lurking around her, with ns to harm her. Among them, one individual even carried sulfuric acid, intending to disfigure Hera in an attempt to prevent her from seducing the men around her.

    She found it ironic that, while Minerva was the one who stole someone else��s boyfriend and became a mistress, she was beingbeled a seductress. Hera chuckled as she continued scrolling, noticing that the drugging incident was also gaining traction. Despite all themotion, she remained at the top of the trending list, where she was being branded as the illegitimate child of a prominent family.

    Hera felt like she was going to vomit blood. No matter what she did, it seemed she would always find herself entangled in some scandal, trending on social media whether the news about her was true or false.

    Manyizens eagerly joined the spection, as if engaged in a scavenger hunt for clues in all of Hera��s photos. They scrutinized every image she shared, noting even the understated hints of luxury, and began investigating the prices of the outfits she wore.

    Even the scarf she had tied to her bag earlier was added to the list��Oc��anie - La Mer (Oceania - The Sea), priced at $972,500. Her Herm��s So ck Feather Kelly, valued at $300,000, was also scrutinized. Hera was shocked to discover the true worth of the items she had worn; she hadn��t realized they were worth so much and found the situation almost absurd.

 Chapter 351 The Help Ones Need

    Now, Hera was reading through the messages she received from the victims. They had specifically asked the person handling the case for the name and contact information of the person who had helped them. The person in charge hesitated and reached out to Hera for confirmation, to which she dly agreed.

    Right now, more than 20 women had messaged her. Their words were simple, just a heartfelt ��Thank You,�� but Hera knew those words were filled with deep emotion. They had been in their most vulnerable states, and now, they had been given hope.

    Hera wasn��t expecting grand gestures of gratitude or promises of undying loyalty. A simple ��thank you�� was enough to make her smile because she knew it meant that one more person had found hope after their despair��a hope she herself would cherish if she were ever in their position.

    Having dealt with Alexi, his fanatical fans, and the victims, Hera felt a sense of calm as shey in bed. Surrounded by serene darkness and the soothing scent ofvender candles, her tired body and mind finally began to rx as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

    The next morning, Hera woke up to a flood of notifications on her phone, reflecting thetest developments online. The women who had contacted her the previous night hadn��t reached out again, fearing they might be a disturbance. They believed she was too busy to respond, so they chose not to burden her further. However, they had vowed to excel in their work, and indeed, they would be elite in their respective fields, contributing significantly to the strength and stability of the Avery Consortium in the future. For now, though, Hera groggily stared at her phone, still half-asleep.

    [Leo: Good morning, wifey!!! (?��??). I��m sorry I��ve been so busytely and haven��t been able to see you. Please be patient with me��I miss you a lot! (???)?]

    Hera giggled after reading Leo��s message, thinking he was trying to cheer her up amidst the online buzz surrounding her. She figured he might have sensed her frustration and wanted to lift her spirits, which he sessfully did. If only Leo knew what Hera was thinking, he might be torn betweenughing and crying, unsure how to react.

    There were simr messages from the male leads, which Hera took the time to read.

    [Luke: Good morning! I��ll be busy with an overseas meeting early today. I��ve sent over breakfast, and Amy will serve it for you. Don��t forget to eat and take care of yourself! (��?`?)]

    [Dave: Good morning, sweetheart! I miss you so much! If you have some free time, let��s hang out��I��d love to show you around some fun ces!]

    [Zhane: Good morning, Hera! I heard from Bry that you had a great dinnerst night. If you��re up for it, how about some horseback riding at the Avery Racecourse? It would be a nice way to unwind. Just let me know when you��re free, and I��ll be happy to join you.]

    [Xavier: Good morning, Hera. How are you doing? I hope you��re not letting the online chatter get to you. There are always people like that, but don��t worry��I��m here to help clear your name and protect you from this kind of trouble. Wait for me toe home, and let this big brother treat you to something nice.]

    [Rafael: Good morning, Hera! I hope you��re not too upset by the onlinemotion. I��ve already handled Alexi��he��s facing a substantial penalty for breaching our contract and has been cklisted from the industry. If he causes any more trouble, just let me know, and I��ll take care of it. Let��s have a meal together when you have time; I miss you already.]</subtxt>

 Chapter 352 Being Pampered Early In The Morning

    [AuntieNextDoor: Umu umu!!! Here I am only having steamed corn because I am busy and have no one to cook for me but myself, and here is my little sister, receiving the blessing from the heavens early this morning!!!!]

    [HeraIsMySister: Oh! This breakfast is from one of her suitors! Ah, @NorthernDuke President, where are you?! Are you retreating from thepetition and letting the other suitors outshine you? Why didn��t you send her any food or cook for her yourself? You��re falling behind!]

    [PasserbyGod: Looks like you��re really backing your bet! Are you making sure that one million was well spent, or are you worried he might retract it? @HeraIsMySister]

    [HeraIsMySister: You��re still hung up on that? I��m not worried at all! I just have a soft spot for handsome men, and with so many around sister Hera, it��s tough to pick. However, our president stands out with the genuine love he shows, which makes me believe he��s the one who��ll truly choose Hera no matter what. Hmph!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @HeraIsMySister I feel the same way, which is why I��m rooting for the president and my little sister. After witnessing how devastated she was when Alexi cheated and disrespected her love, she definitely deserves someone better.]

    [SussyB: I agree. No woman should undermine another just to steal a man. If he can��t staymitted, he should be honest about it. And the other woman shouldn��t unt being a mistress��it��s disrespectful and unbing.]

    While the online buzz continued to swirl, Hera had already arrived at the parking lot early in the morning. She chose to drive her amethyst Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail to the Avery Racecourse, where Bry and his father were already waiting for her.

    The reason she didn��t go running today was that she nned to apany Bry and his father to visit the ce and negotiate, as she hadn��t seen it for some time. Since it was still early in the morning, there was little traffic, allowing her to reach the suburbs in just 45 minutes.

    The road was smooth and nked by trees arching overhead, creating a natural tunnel of greenery. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a beautiful and soothing glow. With her car having no roof, Hera could feel the fresh, unpolluted air gently brushing her face.

    This private road leading to the Avery Racecourse was reserved for the affluent and essential deliveries, ensuring a serene and exclusive drive. Hera sped along the picturesque route, eager not to keep Bry and his father waiting.

    When Hera arrived at the entrance, Bry��s father��s truck was still parked in front of the gate, waiting for security to grant them entry. She waited patiently, assuming they were dealing with a clearance or verification issue. However, after five minutes had passed with no movement, she began to grow concerned.

    As far as Hera could remember, Cindy had mentioned that there would be no issues arriving early. She had said that many people came in the morning for horseback riding to avoid the intense midday sun when it was at its hottest.

    As she pondered the dy, amotion ahead caught her attention. Looking back, she saw another car pulling up behind her. If the situation continued, they risked receivingints from customers who disliked wasting time, especially when waiting in such circumstances.

    Hera stepped out of her car and walked to the front to investigate. She saw that a ck jeep had attempted to overtake Bry��s father��s truck while entering but misjudged the space, causing it to be wedged between the truck and the gate. Bry��s father, caught off guard by the sudden maneuver, hadn��t been able to brake in time, which only pushed the jeep further into the entrance, causing a jam.

 Chapter 353 You Are?

    She couldn��t recall ever meeting the man, so she assumed he might be one of her fans. Not wanting toe across as narcissistic, she refrained from mentioning it and waited for him to introduce himself. Although he appeared slightly disappointed that Hera didn��t immediately recognize him, which struck her as unusual, he still proceeded with his introduction.

    "Hi, I��m not sure if you remember me, but I was from ss C, your neighboring ss. You helped me a few times with bullies who tried to steal my allowance and beat me up," he said with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head.

    Hera raised an eyebrow, struggling to remember him. Throughout her life, she had frequently helped people, especially when it came to standing up against bullies. It was a cause she couldn��t ignore, but his face still didn��t seem familiar.

    She had also been bullied at times by girls who were jealous of her looks and academic sess, or who had crushes on Alexi. These experiences were part of what motivated her to learn martial arts and self-defense.

    Since she had helped many people over the years, she couldn��t remember all of them. At the time, she had been just a passerby and hadn��t taken her actions seriously, as she didn��t expect anything in return��it was simply what she believed a decent person should do.

    "How about we go in first?" Hera suggested, ncing at the growing line of impatient cars forming behind them. She didn��t want to dwell on the past and cause a dy for other customers at the racecourse.

    The man nodded eagerly, his expression brightening like a pleased puppy. He quickly hopped into his jeep, maneuvering it out of the way. The jeep had a noticeable dent from where the truck had hit it, and the truck itself had arger dent and damaged headlights. However, since the man had stopped causing trouble, Bry��s father chose not to pursue the matter further. With the truck��s damage being the least of his concerns, he focused on pacifying the young man and defusing the situation when they entered the facility.

    Bry��s father gave Hera a grateful nce before getting back into his truck and driving away. After ensuring that no further issues would arise, Hera began to return to her car. However, the security guards stopped her to apologize and thank her for intervening. They personally escorted her back to her vehicle, to show their respect for her.

    Before she could get back into her car, a sudden wave of tension washed over her. Her hair stood on end and goosebumps prickled her skin. She had the unsettling feeling of being watched as if she were a small rabbit being tracked by a predator.

    She nced discreetly behind her at the line of cars, but with so many vehicles around, she couldn��t determine if the unsettling feeling came from them or somewhere else. Not wanting to remain exposed to that eerie stare, she quickly got into her car and followed Bry��s father��s truck to the parking lot.

    She parked a few feet away from Bry��s father��s truck, and before she could even get out, the man from earlier had already approached her car, looking at her with a cheerful expression. Hera responded with a polite smile as she stepped out. Noticing his earlier behavior might have been intrusive, the man quickly took a step back to give her some space.

    He didn��t speak until Hera made the first move, but he followed her every step like a lost puppy. Reluctantly, Hera stopped and turned to him. "To be honest, I don��t remember many people from high school," she said. "I was so focused on my part-time jobs and studies that I barely recall my ssmates. If I did help you back then, please don��t dwell on it. It was something I did for myself and my own sense of conscience, not for recognition or repayment."

    Although Hera didn��t want toe across as rude, she felt it was necessary to rify her position. She didn��t want the man to hold her in unrealistic regard as a savior or to cling to her just because of something she did years ago. She didn��t want to be burdened by the weight of gratitude for something that happened so long ago. and just happened in passing

    "I��ve always known you were a kind soul," he said proudly, puffing out his chest. "But repaying the kindness I received is something I feel I must do. Your help from before inspired me to change and be a bit braver."

    Hera raised an eyebrow and looked him straight in the eye. <i>��Brave enough to pick a fight so early in the morning, despite being at fault for the ident,��</i> she thought to herself. <i>��I wonder if I��ve done more to damage to him than to help him grow into a better person?��</i> As she stared at him, she felt a strange twist of frustration and disappointment.

    Noticing the strange expression on Hera��s face, his own grew tense and flushed. He didn��t know where to put his hands, realizing his earlier mistake. Instead of making a positive impression on his idol, he had only managed to leave a negative one.

    He wanted to say something, but Hera had already walked away, leaving him rooted to the spot. Despite his frustration, he followed her a few steps, only to see her meet up with the man he had just verbally abused��someone he had unfairly treated as a target for his morning anger and frustration.

    He felt his body grow tense and cold as the blood drained from his face.

 Chapter 354 Avery Racecourse

    "Alright then, off you go," Hera responded, trying to send him on his way before guiding Bry and his father inside the facility, where the racecourse manager was waiting for them.

    She then subtly nced at him, thinking, ��<i>What kind of client is he meeting, looking like this?��</i> It wasn��t that she wanted to be judgmental, but he resembled someone going through a rebellious phase rather than attending a business meeting. Shaking her head to dismiss the thoughts about a guy she barely knew and had just met by chance, Hera continued guiding Bry and his father inside.

    Instead of leaving, the man trailed after them like a lost puppy, following them all the way to the lobby. There, the receptionist waited to check their reservation and invitation before allowing them to proceed inside, where the coaches, trainers, and stable boys were already waiting.

    This strict policy ensures that everyone entering the racecourse adheres to the established rules, preventing unnecessary disruptions. It also helps avoid overbooking or scheduling conflicts, which could lead to overcrowding on the track where the horses run.

    The policy also helps preserve the privacy of VIP members, ensuring they have ample space to enjoy their leisure time with clients, business partners, and friends. The racecourse serves as an ideal venue for business discussions, social gatherings, and events of varying scales that the wealthy often host.

    The influx of money here was substantial, which is why Hera suggested to Bry��s father that he try his luck at the Avery Racecourse. She believed his horses were of high quality and well-trained, and it would be a missed opportunity not to introduce him to potential new business partners. She saw it as a chance to benefit both Bry��s father and herself.

    As they entered the lobby, they were greeted by a wide, three-seater front desk crafted from rosewood, featuring the Avery emblem elegantly carved just below and the full name of the racecourse disyed above the receptionist��s heads. The three receptionists were all busy assisting various VIP members and confirming their reservations.

    Once they finished assisting the VIP members, the receptionists called the trainers assigned to neers or the assistants who would arrange the horses, prepare the lounging areas, and set up the changing rooms for their rest and be with their beck and call.

    White lilies were ced at each end of the receptionist��s desk,plemented by an elegant flower arrangement featuring a willow branch. The arrangement showcased flowers of varying heights to highlight the branch while ensuring the vase remained uncluttered.

    On the left side of the lobby was a wall-sized aquarium showcasing expensive ornamental fish, each valued at no less than a hundred thousand dors. Among them were several silver Asian Arowana and a particrly striking golden-orange Asian Arowana, which stood out like a diva amidst the rest. The golden Arowana alone had been purchased for $400,000.

    Thergest fish were grouped together on one side of the wall-sized aquarium, while smaller ones, such as the Peppermint Angelfish originally worth $30,000 but purchased for $120,000 after a bidding war with a collector, were ced on the other side. Alongside them were Polkadot stingrays valued at $100,000 and many more. Careful attention was given to maintaining the saltwater environment where these aquatic animals thrived.

    The collection was so impressive that many people would sit in front of it to pass the time. In response, a couch and coffee table were ced near the wall-sized fish tank. Though still within the lobby, this seating area was positioned far enough from the reception desk to offer a quiet space where those waiting for their ride or simply resting wouldn��t be disturbed by the noise from the reception area.

    As Hera and the others stepped in, the receptionist quickly noticed them and greeted, "Hi, may I know your reservation time, or could you show your invitation if this is your first visit?" The receptionist in the center addressed them, so Hera approached her, pulling out the invitation Cindy had given her. However, just as she was two steps away from the desk, a hand suddenly pushed her aside, making her stumble on her feet.

    "Don��t get in my way, country bumpkin!" a woman sneered, her tone dripping with arrogance. She turned to the receptionist, speaking as if she were addressing a servant. "Hurry up, I don��t have much time. And why are you even dealing with these country bumpkins? Isn��t this ce supposed to be for members only?" She shot Hera a dismissive nce, apanied by a derisive snort.

 Chapter 355 Gael Harrison

    "See?! Did you really think you could waltz in here with your fake invitation and seduce rich men? Too bad for you. Hahaha!" The girlughed mockingly, relishing in the moment. She swaggered away as a racecourse assistant approached to help her, her hips swaying provocatively. She cast onest disdainful nce at Hera before disappearing through a side door into the racecourse.

    Hera recognized the condescending gaze directed at her, but she remained unfazed. She had grown ustomed to this treatment after years of working various jobs for the wealthy��whether as a driver, martial arts assistant, delivery person, or cook. She had heard every insult, endured every belittlement, and been called every name imaginable.

    Instead of getting angry, Hera had learned over time that people like this woman, who talked a lot, were often like empty cans��making a lot of noise butcking any real substance. Even if they did try to cause trouble, it was nothing she couldn��t handle. So, Hera chose not to care about the woman��s attitude and let it slide.

    Just when Hera thought the woman was about to leave, she instead took a seat near the exit, clearly intent on watching the situation unfold. It was as if she was hoping to witness Hera and herpanions being kicked out, eager to savor the spectacle.

    The young man who had been trailing Hera since earlier couldn��t stand the arrogant way the girl was treating her any longer. He stepped forward decisively. "No need to worry about their invitation; they��re with me," he said, pulling a silver membership card from the inside pocket of his jacket. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it to the receptionist who had just asked Hera to leave.

    "Oh, ho! If it isn��t the useless fifth son of the Harrisons!" the girl drawled mockingly, her smirk growing even meaner. Hera couldn��t tell if the girl had targeted her earlier because of the young man, out of pure dislike, or maybe a bit of both.

    Hera took a deep breath, her gaze shifting from the woman to the young man beside her, ignoring the woman��s mocking tone. The young man repeated firmly, "Please use my membership card." Only then did the receptionist begin typing into herputer, checking the reservation details, and identifying the staff assigned to wee him and Hera��s party.

    She then pinged the assigned staff, requesting he arrive as soon as possible.

    After the receptionist finished processing, she handed the silver membership card back to the young man. Hera frowned slightly as she nced at the rainbow invitation card Cindy had given her. She wondered if Cindy had identally handed her an invitation meant for a different establishment under the Avery wing. Hera sighed, understanding that it was only natural for Cindy to make a mistake once in a while, given how many businesses she was managing while also trying to help Hera.

    Hera knew how hard Cindy and the other aides worked, so she decided to let it go, as no real harm had been done. However, the girl wasn��t ready to let the matter drop. "Gael Harrison, why would you even bring people like this in here?" she sneered, pausing before adding with a smirk, "Let me guess��because you all belong in the same trash can, both useless and dirty from the mud?"

    She seemed to take great pleasure in putting down Gael Harrison, her eyes glinting with malice. <i>��Are they ex-lovers?��</i> Hera wondered, ncing back and forth between the two.

    The girl seemed to catch on to Hera��s unspoken question. She shot Hera a venomous re before scoffing loudly. "I wouldn��t dream of getting close to such a clown. I��m not a trash collector to be one foot near him."

    "Wait, are you trying to seduce this loser? What, do you ept just anyone?" The girlughed loudly, and Hera saw Bry flinch at the woman��s mocking. Only then did she realize that, despite her own indifference, Bry and his father were deeply affected by the girl��s cruel antics. Her heart sank as she witnessed their difort.

 Chapter 356 Sienna Lennon

    Hera also realized why the girl was targeting her. Sienna Lennon, the supposed fianc��e of Zhane Everett, was one of the minor viiness in the novel, acting as a stumbling block for Alice when she started dating Zhane and the other male leads. It was surprising to encounter her here, of all ces.

    Sienna was just like any other socialite, reveling in social gatherings with women of her standing��tea parties, banquets, sports, and charity events. They had a packed schedule of activities, and equestrian events were among the frequent asions where they connected with friends.

    Based on Gael��sments, it seems Sienna��s engagement with Zhane must have fallen through, just as it did in the novel. However, instead of being due to Alice, it appears to be Hera who is the cause this time. Sienna likely saw the trending posts online featuring Hera with Zhane, which have sparked a frenzy among fans. Zhane, being a well-known figure who is not only handsome but also talented and intelligent, has only fueled this growing ship.

    So, now it all makes sense. Sienna must have recognized who Hera was and immediately began targeting her. Knowing that Hera wasn��t born into wealth like she was, Sienna felt emboldened to vent her frustrations and humiliate Hera as much as possible.

    She��s not even worried about what might happen if Hera told Zhane��that��s how confident and arrogant she is, just like her older brother. Yes, her brother is Tyler Lennon, and they��re two peas in a pod, alike in every way.

    But what she didn��t expect was Gael stepping up to defend Hera, even when it wasn��t convenient for him. Sienna looked like someone had stepped on her tail, beyond enraged. Her brows knitted tightly, and her jaw clenched in fury.

    "Hey, you!" Sienna snapped, pointing at the receptionist who was assisting Hera and the others. "Yes, you! Get these country bumpkins out of here! This racecourse doesn��t wee such lowly people!" She stood up, furiously pointing at Hera and Gael, demanding the receptionist call security to throw them out as if she owned the ce.

    Since she couldn��t win the verbal sparring, Sienna decided to resort to having them thrown out. With more people on Hera��s side and Gael��s sharper tongue, she realized that continuing the confrontation would only humiliate her further, so she sought to remove them before the situation got worse.

    She didn��t want her friends to hear what Gael said, fearing it would not only make her aughingstock within their circle but also leave her with no face to show if the truth about the Everett situation became widely known. She couldn��t figure out how Gael had learned of such information, but she was desperate to keep it from spreading.

    She had actually been meeting with her friends to leverage their family names and influence to pressure the Everetts into pushing Zhane to marry her. While it sounded ambitious, even far-fetched, she was determined to explore every possible avenue to secure a marriage with the Everett family��that was all that mattered to her.

    Now that another woman was in the picture, she felt even more flustered and desperate to make this happen as quickly as possible.

    "Who dares?!!!" A voice thundered from behind Sienna, causing her to jump in surprise as the roar echoed through the lobby, reverberating off the walls.

    Hera and the others turned to the door, where a middle-aged man of average build and height entered with brisk strides. He was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, but the anger on his face was unmistakable as he red at Sienna. "Ms. Lennon, it seems you��ve forgotten that this ce is owned by the Avery family, not the Lennons. Who are you to chase my guests out?!" he roared, his eyes bloodshot, fists clenched so tightly it seemed he mightsh out at Sienna at any moment.

 Chapter 357 When She Decided To Be Petty

    "No need for that, Manager. This situation is beyond your control. Besides, you couldn��t have anticipated a loose dog barking on your premises, could you?" Hera gave Sienna a sidelong nce before presenting her invitation to the manager. "Here is my invitation," she said. Hera offered the invitation despite knowing Cindy had already called ahead to reduce any suspicion about her presence. Since Cindy hadn��t mentioned any issues with the invitation card, it meant there was no mistake, and this invitation held special significance.

    As soon as the manager saw the rainbow invitation card, his smile widened. He immediately recognized the card and understood the significance it held for their sole heiress. With a respectful bow, he took the invitation card with both hands. He then walked behind the receptionist��s desk, entered a special code into the system, and scanned the back of the invitation card, where a chip was embedded.

    Both the receptionist, Gael, Bry and his father, and Sienna watched with curiosity as the manager handled the invitation card. Sienna wanted to challenge the validity of the invitation, but she bit her tongue, recognizing that the manager, being the one in charge, would be the most familiar with the invitation cards and their significance.

    If the manager epted the invitation card and was acting so deferential to Hera, it could only mean one thing. Sienna watched with bated breath, eager to see how the situation would unfold. After scanning the back of the invitation card, a prompt appeared on the system, indicating that another chip needed to be scanned. The manager then looked up at Hera.

    "Miss Ainsley, may I borrow your ck Dragon Card toplete the registration process?" The manager said, and Gael and Sienna��s eyes dted after hearing the ck Dragon Card that they only heard and sounded more like a myth in a legend than reality because there just so limited number of that card that they had yet to see one even when they both belong to the upper crust of the wealthy.

    Typically, such procedures arepleted in a private office, involving multiple verifications and a lengthy process. However, the manager��s decision to verify the invitation and handle the registration right then and there, issuing a membership card on the spot, was a deliberate choice. It was meant to demonstrate, not only to Sienna but to everyone present, including the neers, that Hera held a prestigious position that was beyond reproach and not easily challenged.

    Even without explicitly revealing her identity as the Avery family��s sole heiress, it was clear that they would not tolerate anyone bullying or speaking ill of her. Hera observed the manager��s actions and, embracing her decision to be petty that day, chose to fully support the manager��s stance. She produced her ck card, carefully obscuring her name with her finger before handing it to the manager. The manager, understanding her subtle cue, also covered the name on the card as he epted it.

    The manager scanned the card, and a loading screen appeared on his device. Momentster, it confirmed that an ount for Hera was already active. He looked up at Hera with a sheepish smile. <i>��Of course, Young Miss already has an ount��how could I have missed that? Still, this is a good opportunity to demonstrate to others,��</i> he said, nodding with satisfaction. The receptionist beside him looked on in stunned confusion, observing a procedure far different from their usual routine.

    The receptionist��s astonishment grew when the name disyed on the screen made her heart leap into her throat. Her wide eyes darted to Hera��s face, only to find Hera smiling with crescent-shaped eyes. In that instant, it became clear to her that Hera was silently signaling her to stay silent.

    The manager chuckled lightly. "It appears you��re already registered in our system, so the invitation card wasn��t necessary. However, if you pass it on to a friend, we could issue a ck tinum membership card for them immediately."

    The new arrivals approaching the receptionist area froze, their eyes widening in disbelief as they processed the manager��s words. They stared at him as if he had grown another head, struggling to understand what he meant by a ck tinum membership card��something they hadn��t even heard of, since they only knew of tinum as the highest membership level.

 Chapter 358 How It Feels Like To Be Fucking Rich!

    Naturally, Sienna became the target of ridicule in the ensuing gossip. Each time someone nced her way with a knowing smirk, she felt her face burn with embarrassment. Her resentment toward Hera deepened, but despite her urge to leave immediately, she couldn��t abandon her ns so easily. Forced to swallow her anger and frustration, she stayed, seething inside.

    Meanwhile, Hera and herpanions were ushered into an elegant room featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the racecourse. From their vantage point, they could see numerous people racing their horses on the track, while others rxed on the balcony beneath white umbres, seated onfortable chairs with tables set around the balcony.

    Adjacent to the balcony was a coffee shop renowned for its premium brews, featuring coffee beans sourced directly from the Avery family��s own ntations. Among the most coveted offerings was the ck Ivory,monly known as "Kopi Luwak," priced at $2,500 per kilogram. This rare and highly sought-after coffee was a favorite among members, who frequented the shop to savor its exceptional quality. Some of the members were allowed to purchase a maximum of five kilograms per month, making it a prized and exclusive treat.

    The quantity of ck Ivory coffee a member could purchase each month varied based on their membership level: bronze members were limited to 1 kilogram, silver members to 2 kilograms, gold members to 3.5 kilograms, and tinum members could buy up to 5 kilograms. tinum memberships were scarce, making the benefits highly exclusive. However, with her ck card, Hera had the privilege of having as much ck Ivory as she desired every day. Bry��s father and Gael, now equipped with ck tinum membership cards, were simrly entitled to acquire up to 30 kilograms of the coveted coffee each month.

    The production of ck Ivory coffee wasbor-intensive and challenging, resulting in a limited supply that necessitated strict purchase limits for members. Despite efforts to increase the number of Asian palm civets to increase the production of the said coffee bean, the supply remained insufficient to meet the high demand. Additionally, the Avery executives received a small allocation of this premium coffee��just one kilogram each per month��which further constrained the inventory avable for members.

    Fortunately, aside from the coveted ck Ivory coffee, the racecourse also offered other premium varieties like Tanzania Peaberry, Hawaii Kona, Nicaraguan coffee, and many more. These options, while rare and delicious in their own right, were more affordablepared to the ck Ivory. However, in high society, the allure of exclusivity and price often dictates preference. The rarer and more expensive an item is, the more it attracts attention and desire. As a result, these alternative coffee beans were considered secondary choices for those seeking the pinnacle of luxury.

    As Hera gazed out at the expansive racecourse, with people engaging in various activities, she marveled at the immense power and influence of the Avery family. It was remarkable how such high-profile individuals flocked to this ce just to sample their exclusive coffee and enjoy the vastnd for horseback riding. The racecourse offered even more amenities and activities for its members, but Hera knew she wouldn��t have time to explore all of them.

    She nced back into the room and noticed a shelf on her right side. The shelf, with its uneven arrangement, disyed an array of antique vases from various eras and countries. Each vase was encased in its own ss cover,plete with name tags such as "The Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase," "The 600-Year-Old Ming Dynasty Vase," and others, highlighting their historical significance.

    Hera was captivated by the impable preservation of each vase, marveling at how their vibrant colors and lustrous finishes had endured through the ages. To her left, a collection of porcin tes showcased intricate, colorful paintings that transformed the tes into canvases of remarkable artistry. The stunning detail and creativity on disy were truly breathtaking.

    Despite its modern, minimalist furniture, the room exuded understated luxury, with millions worth of art and design pieces carefully curated to create an atmosphere of refined elegance. The room��s simplicity wasplemented by strategically ced bonsai nts, adding a touch of vibrant color and life to the space.

 Chapter 359 How It Feels Like To Be Fucking Rich! 2

    The manager, undeterred by Bry��s distraction, continued to share the history of the racecourse, hoping Hera would find it interesting. "You see, both thete Master and Madam Avery had a passion for ck Ivory Coffee and horse riding. Over time, they passed their love for these activities to their daughter, making it a cherished family tradition. Their enjoyment of both pursuits attracted many clients and businessmen, leading to the establishment bing a renowned hub for coffee lovers as well."

    Hera smiled weakly, she remembered this part, but it was also because of this that she wasn��t a fan of coffee, it easily reminded her how her parents loved to drink it, that��s why she started avoiding it, but luckily she retained her love for riding horses.

    "Many of thete master��s friends enjoyed joining them for their coffee and horseback riding, and they were drawn to the ck Ivory Coffee served here. These friends often visited specifically to savor the coffee, and the clients and businessmen who awaited their turn in the lobby also had the opportunity to taste the variety of exclusive coffee beans in thete masters�� collection."

    "And eventually, it became customary for the masters to send guests home with coffee beans. As demand grew, they invested in their own ntation, turning their racecourse into a coffee hub and a gathering spot. The Old Master Avery honored histe son��s legacy by continuing this tradition, expanding the racecourse into an exclusive venue while also weing new guests."

    The manager recounted the history with a nostalgic smile, sharing every detail of how the racecourse evolved into a coffee hub and his own role in it. As he finished, Bry, clearly awed, stood up and eximed, "Is this what it feels like to be fucking rich?!" His eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at the manager and Hera, eagerly awaiting their response.

    Instead of answering, Hera burst intoughter, momentarily forgetting her sadness and enjoying Bry��s innocent and humorous reaction. His father, however, was less amused by Bry��s use of profanity in front of others. With a disapproving frown, he yanked Bry��s ear and pinched it sharply. "D-Dad! I��m sorry! I didn��t mean to!" Bry cried out, wincing in pain.

    Seeing the lighthearted exchange, everyone joined in theughter. As the mood lightened, Gael, though looking somewhat awkward and apprehensive, took a deep breath and joined the conversation. "Manager, I actually came here to discuss the exclusive distribution of your coffee beans. I understand there may be a bidding process, but I��d like to take a chance and present my prepared offer and n. If you could give me the opportunity, I��d greatly appreciate it."

    Gael appeared desperate, almost as if his life depended on securing the distribution rights. He practically begged the manager, but the manager remainedposed, meeting Gael��s pleading gaze with a steady, unwavering look. "Tell me," the manager said calmly, "why should I grant you that opportunity?"

    "I understand that business shouldn��t be mixed with personal matters, but this means everything to me. If I fail to secure this order and my brothers win it instead, I��ll be seen as worthless in my family��s eyes. They��ve already threatened to cut off my mom��s medical payments if I don��t seed. I admit, I was rebellious at first, trying to prove a point, but it turned into a habit to hide my pain. My family treated me and my mother like doormats until she was diagnosed with leukemia and needed treatment. That��s when I finally woke up to my own stupidity."

    "And this is the only way I can see for my mom and me to survive," Gael said, keeping his voice steady despite the weight of his words. He knew that bringing emotions into a business deal could be risky, and thest thing he wanted was to appear vulnerable in front of a potential partner. He fought hard to maintain hisposure, aware that many in the business world frowned upon letting emotions dictate decisions.

 Chapter 360 The Poor Gael

    Harrison wasn��t his father��s name; he was merely a son-inw who had married into the Harrison family. Gael should have been the rightful heir to the Harrison legacy, but without any other Harrison family members to advocate for him besides his mother, he had long since given up. As long as his father continued to cover his mother��s medical bills, Gael had resigned himself to the situation. In essence, his mother was being held as a hostage to keep Gael subdued and prevent him from challenging the status quo.

    So why did he suddenly want to make a move? It was because he realized that staying passive wasn��t what his mother would have wanted. The doctors had stated that his mother would never awaken from hera, leading his father and stepmother to becent, knowing they didn��t need to fully eliminate his mother. Gael, however, refused to ept this. To save his mother, he needed money and power to secure the best medical team for her care.

    He had already kept a low profile for a decade, and continuing to do so would diminish his mother��s chances of recovery. His only hope nowy with the Avery family. Gael aimed to establish a business connection with them and earn their trust so he could request assistance from the renowned doctor affiliated with them, who was running a leadingboratory overseas.

    In the novel, Gael��s n ultimately failed, but Alice��s timely intervention changed the oue. Instead of the second renowned genius, Zhane Everett took on the task and sessfully assisted Gael. As a result, they gained a loyal ally who helped propel their business to the forefront, eventually bing one of the world��s leadingpanies and securing a spot on the Forbes list of the top ten wealthiest individuals.

    Hera tapped her fingers on her knee, contemting her words and actions. The fact that this Gael was unintentionally connected to her could work to her advantage if she yed her cards right. A slight smile curled on her lips as she fixed her gaze on Gael, who appeared clearly caught off guard.

    Hera was well aware that Gael had dramatized his story. The reality was that his father and stepmother had already considered his mother a lost cause and had little interest in her well-being. They had yet to discontinue her medication, but Gael was concerned that this could happen soon, which is why he felt an urgent need to act. Ultimately, no one truly knew the full extent of what had happened to his mother.

    Now that Hera had spoken, the manager had no reason to turn down Gael��s request. He extended his hand towards Gael, who was momentarily stunned and stared nkly at the manager��s gesture. Hera couldn��t help but chuckle, and Bry��s childlike voice broke the silence. "Brother, the manager is asking for the folder you��re holding. Get a grip, will you?" Bry attempted to sound mature with hisst words, but it only made Heraugh even harder.

    Only then did Gael regain hisposure and handed the folder to the manager with a trembling hand. He stole a nce at Hera, who seemed to be supporting him, which eased his nerves. Confident in the business n he had prepared, he felt reassured knowing that the clear distribution and profit structure was aligned with the Avery��s interests.

    Gael cast an appreciative nce at Hera before focusing intently on the manager��s reaction to his business n. As the manager opened the folder and began reviewing the first few pages, his expression shifted to one of seriousness, his brows knitting together. He repeatedly read certain sections, particrly the profit distribution, before looking up at Gael with a puzzled expression.

    Typically, businessmen would negotiate for arger share of the profits rather than offering their work at minimal cost. However, Gael��s approach seemed as if he was willing to work for the Avery for little to nopensation, aiming only to cover the basic operational costs. The manager was puzzled by this, wondering why Gael would offer such terms if he needed funds for his mother��s medical expenses.

    The manager shot Hera a perplexed look. Noticing his expression, Hera responded, "Manager, as a business student and someone who has closely studied finance under Professor Fletcher��s guidance, I would appreciate the opportunity to review Mr. Harrison��s business n as well. It could provide valuable insights for my understanding."

 Chapter 361 Slip Of Tongue

    Hera nodded in satisfaction as she reviewed Gael��s business proposal. She exchanged a nce with the manager, who appeared to share her view but was hesitant to discuss the profit distribution openly. Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, the manager refrained from pushing the issue, as he didn��t like taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable position. He was content with his wellpensated position at the Avery and had no desire for the modest sum in question.

    Hera decided to address the issue directly. "I see great potential in your business n, but there��s one aspect I don��t quite understand. Mr. Harrison, why have you proposed such a low profit distribution? You could easily aim for 20% or even 30%. Do you think the Avery family would exploit the vulnerable or act like opportunistic predators?" Her tone was friendly, but a subtle edge of threat lingered in her words, and her eyes narrowed slightly.

    Gael felt a wave of nervousness under Hera��s intense scrutiny, while the manager��s silence indicated his agreement with Hera��s concerns.

    "No, please don��t misunderstand me," Gael stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don��t think that way at all. It��s just that my mother needs urgent medical attention. I��ve heard that the Avery family has established a renownedboratory dedicated to finding cures for many incurable diseases and assisting with difficult cases. I was hoping that by offering a lower profit margin, I might be able to request a favor and have my mother treated at that facility."

    His face grew red as he really did feel so weak and has little to offer to even ask for this kind of favor from the Avery family, he knew that in their circle, what matters most was benefit and what the other person could offer, especially when ites to making friends, what��s important is not the genuine feelings but the status and standing of the said friend. It was a toxic tradition but yet, it was widely practiced by many socialites.

    He understood all too well that in their world, falling from grace meant losing friends who were merely fair-weatherpanions. Despite being the true heir of the Harrison family, Gael had been dismissed as a mere clown in their social circle, while his illegitimate half-brothers were treated with far more respect. It was as though he were the real illegitimate one, a reflection of the old saying that the mistresses are often the unloved ones.

    Feeling the weight of Hera and the manager��s gaze, Gael felt utterly small and wished he could vanish into a hole. Then he heard Hera��s soft chuckle, a sound like the delicate chime of bells on a summer breeze, which only deepened his embarrassment. It was painful to realize that not only had she witnessed his previous helplessness, but even now, he felt as if nothing had changed, leaving him feeling more insignificant than ever.

    "Gael, it seems there��s been a misunderstanding about the Avery family," Hera said, her tone a mix of amusement and reassurance. She found Gael��s reaction refreshing, especially in a social circle full of opportunistic predators eager to exploit any sign of weakness. "Even if you had asked for a 30% profit distribution, we would still extend our help to your mother. We value our business partners and aremitted to supporting those in need through our charity work and even ourboratory was built with the same ideology. Why would we demand anything in return for helping your mother? Do you think my ancestors would rise from their graves to reprimand me?" Hera��s voice trailed off into augh as she wiped away a tear, finding humor in the situation.

    "Sister, what do you mean by ��your ancestors��? Are you also an Avery?" Bry��s innocent question jolted Hera back to reality. She instantly bit her lip, her eyes widening in realization. She had made an unintentional slip of the tongue, and even the manager looked taken aback. From Hera��s earlier actions, he had suspected she was concealing her identity, and Cindy��s remarks had suggested as much. But now, Hera��s inadvertent admission had made it clear.

    Hera��s eyes widened as she nced between the manager, Bry, his father, and the stunned Gael. Her mouth opened and closed, but she was at a loss for words.

 Chapter 362 The Promise

    Gael seemed to grasp her unspoken message and, with a thoughtful expression, lowered his gaze in contemtion. The manager, sensing the tension, took the opportunity to speak. "As Miss Hera mentioned, the Avery family has a long-standing tradition of helping those in need. They believe in umting good karma for their ancestors and themselves, adhering to the principle that acts of kindness and support in this life ensure a favorable rebirth and a better life in the next."

    "Assisting your mother would actually align with our values and support our cause," the manager said, aiming to ease the situation and redirect the focus to business. "Therefore, we��re willing to adjust the profit distribution to 70% for us and 30% for you, considering you��ll be handling all the work once we supply you with our products."

    Gael caught on and nodded, understanding the unspoken agreement. "If that��s the case, I��d be honored to ept the Avery��s generosity. However, I��d prefer to keep the distribution at 25% for me and 75% for you. Considering the extensive production process for ck Ivory Coffee Beans and the work involved in gathering them, I feel this is a fair adjustment. Since this will be my first venture in the business world, it��s important to me to start on a bnced note. Please, humor me. I��d rather not seem arrogant because of a favorable deal or pitied as though I��m receiving charity rather than being recognized for my capabilities."

    Gael then looked at the manager and Hera with a pained expression, as if deeply wounded. His eyes conveyed that he had already figured out Hera��s true identity, and he made no effort to conceal his understanding. That��s why he was also looking at Hera to back him up with his exnation.

    The manager nodded. "Fair enough. Let��s adjust the contract to reflect the 75% to 25% distribution. Please have yourwyer review it before we finalize and sign it." He then messaged for his assistant toe over to the Avery lounge. As he set down his phone and looked at Gael, Gael raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, clearly understanding the unspoken message.

    "I didn��t hear anything and won��t say a word outside this room. I��d suffer a lightning strike if I lied and betrayed my benefactor," Gael vowed. Just as he finished speaking, a loud thunderp echoed outside, followed by a bolt of lightning that struck a tree, splitting it in two. The sudden phenomenon startled the horses and guests alike. Though the thunderp was distant, it felt almost like a dramatic seal on Gael��s promise, causing a cold sweat to run down his back.

    Gael gulp the lump that formed in his throat but still looked back at Hera and the manager with a sincere look, Bry didn��t know what was happening and thought it was an adult talk so it has nothing to do with him while his father also came to his conclusion but he didn��t say anything and pretended he didn��t hear anything.

    Satisfied with the oue, Hera decided not to press the matter further. She knew Gael��s character well��he was loyal and unlikely to betray those who helped him. With a nod of approval, she watched as the assistant entered the lounge, retrieved the folder from the coffee table, and exchanged a few quiet words with the manager. The assistant nodded and left quickly, her purposeful strides echoing on the marbled floor.

    The room fell into an awkward silence as everyone busied themselves, avoiding conversation. Hera, however, remembered the real reason for her visit and decided to speak up.

    "Manager, I actually came here to discuss a potential coboration. My uncle here breeds and trains champion horses. Recently, two of his horses won a national championship, one was the champion named Diamond, the other horse also won the first runner-up and the third was the third runner-up. I��m looking to explore opportunities for coboration, whether it��s for training or breeding. If you��re interested, I��d love to discuss how we might work together."

    Hera nced at Bry��s father, giving him a subtle nod. Understanding her cue, he stepped in to borate on the proposal.

 Chapter 363 Contract Signed

    Once Gaelpleted his review, he signed both copies of the contract, and the manager did the same. After each had their signed copies, Gael let out a sigh of relief, satisfied that he had sessfully aplished his mission at the racecourse.

    The manager then added, "As our new business partner, you can now arrange for your mother��s transfer to our overseasb. I��ll have one of our doctorse over to assist with the transfer and oversee her health during the journey."

    Hearing the manager��s words was enough to bring Gael to tears, as he had been holding back his emotions for so long. He nodded gratefully but knew he had many preparations to make to ensure his mother��s safe transfer overseas. He needed to manage the situation carefully to avoid rming his family, as their interference could potentially jeopardize her health and the entire process.

    Gael then performed a deep 90-degree bow to both the manager and Hera, his gratitude evident. He felt especially indebted to Hera, realizing that without her intervention, he might never have had the opportunity to meet the elusive manager of the racecourse��even if he had camped outside the facility.

    Hera and the manager allowed Gael his moment of gratitude, understanding that people sometimes need to express their emotions to find peace and move forward. Hera approached and ced a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don��t worry, things will get better," she said, her words soothing and filled with genuine warmth. Gael found sce in her promise, and a renewed sense of determination surged within him. He vowed to be stronger and more capable, with the resolve to protect Hera from any threats she might face.

    Gael felt that this was the least he could do in return for the help he so desperately needed. Little did Hera know, she had just gained a fiercely loyal ally, one who would stand by her side through thick and thin, no matter where her path led or what challenges she faced. Hera had intended to keep Gael from crossing paths with Alice, hoping to limit Alice��s support, but she hadn��t anticipated that this would turn into a win-win situation for her.

    Gael quickly excused himself to begin preparations for his mother��s transfer, prioritizing this above all else before diving into business matters. He went straight to the hospital to visit his mother��s ward. There, he allowed himself a quiet, heartfelt cry, but he remained vignt, careful not to say anything that could be overheard or detected by potential listening devices. Determined not to jeopardize his carefullyid ns, his focus on organizing the transfer intensified.

    Meanwhile, on Hera��s side, the manager guided Hera, Bry, and his father to a private changing room near the Avery lounge. The manager��s assistant had already prepared riding suits for everyone, neatly arranged in their lockers, ready for them to change into.

    Hera didn��t ask any more questions, as she was eager to change out of her maxi dress. She wanted to avoid any potential dirt or horse smell, especially since she had sses to attendter. Besides, she was excited about the opportunity to ride a horse, and it was clear to everyone that she was itching to get in a fewps. That enthusiasm was one of the reasons the manager suggested they all change into riding suits.

    After changing into their riding suits, the four of them began their tour with the nearby lounges and facilities. They then proceeded to the stables, where hundreds of horses were housed. The stables resembled a warehouse more than a traditional stable due to the sheer number of horses and the variety of breeds on disy. Stable masters moved efficiently among the stalls, ensuring each horse was well-cared for.

    Each horse stall had a namete on the door indicating the horse��s name and its owner. For every ten horses, there was a dedicated stable master ensuring meticulous care and attention. Horses without owners had nametes on their doors along with cards that tracked the number of times the horse had been used by guests. Once a horse reached a certain number of uses, the cards were collected and reced with a stamped mark from the stable master.

 Chapter 364 You’re Here?

    Hera couldn��t decide whether tough or cry, overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, which seemed to far surpass her own. ncing back at the deck, she saw Bry leaning over the fence, waving excitedly at her. His expression was the same as when he watched her ride Diamond in the vige��full of joy and admiration.

    The familiar scene brought a nostalgic smile to Hera��s face. She gently urged the horse into a slow gallop, taking her time to get a feel for its temperament. As she became more in sync with the horse, a spark of excitement surged through her, and she felt the urge to speed up and feel the wind rush past her.

    "Giddyup��"

    "Hera?"

    "Sweetheart?" came the voices, interrupting her focus.

    Before Hera could fully encourage her horse to pick up speed, she heard someone call her name. The familiar voices prompted her to turn her head instinctively. She pulled the reins to the right, guiding the horse to turn as well. The horse��s hooves slowed to a gentle trot as two other horses came to a halt just behind her.

    "Zhane? Dave? You��re here too?!" Hera murmured, her surprise evident. The two were d in their riding suits and atop majestic horses, looking so strikingly handsome that it was as if they had stepped out of amercial.

    Zhane��s horse was a reddish-ck Thoroughbred, its coat shimmering in the sunlight with a rich blend of colors that changed as it moved. Dave rode a reddish-brown Hanoverian, its muscr build and height adding to its imposing presence. Both horses were stunning and impressive, matching the strength and elegance of Hera��s own Oldenburg horse.

    Zhane��s riding suit featured a sophisticated blend of green and brown with intricate silver embroidery, reflecting his elegant andposed demeanor. In contrast, Dave��s outfit was a bold maroon and ck with striking gold ents, making him look like a prince from a fairy tale. However, his charming appearance quickly faded as he opened his mouth and began to act shamelessly upon seeing Hera.

    "Sweetheart, I missed you so much!" Dave eximed as he hurried over to Hera, overtaking Zhane��s horse as if fearing that Zhane might reach her first. Behind them, a group of men and women of various ages followed, including Sienna and the Korean Dignitary Hera had previously seen at the restaurant with Dave and Rafael.

    Hera noticed Sienna scowling at her, and another woman in the group gave her a simrly hostile look. The two exchanged a nce, whispered to each other, and then regarded Hera as if they had just encountered amon enemy.

    Dave and Zhane seemed oblivious to the hostile women, brushing them off as they approached Hera. Before she knew it, she was nked by them��Dave on her right and Zhane on her left. As Dave closed the distance, he reached out to touch Hera��s face, letting out a contented sigh before smirking at her.

    "I missed you, baby," Dave repeated, not receiving a response the first time. Hera was at a loss for how to react, as many onlookers watched them. Dave��sck of discretion with his affectionate gesture seemed deliberate as if he was intentionally showcasing his im over her to everyone around.

    Eventually, Zhane couldn��t bear it any longer and reached out to hold Hera��s hand. "How have you beentely?"

    Hera couldn��t help but chuckle. "It hasn��t been that long since west saw each other."

    "What can I say? Dave��s idiocy must be contagious," Zhane teased, rubbing the back of Hera��s hand with a thoughtful smile, as if he genuinely missed her and hadn��t seen her for ages like an old couple reunited.

    "What the fuck, Zhane?! What are you attacking me for?" Dave eximed, clearly stung by Zhane��s public jab. He turned to Hera, trying to y the sympathy card, but his clumsy lunge nearly toppled him off his horse, causing Hera to burst intoughter. Zhane��s disdainful chuckle followed, as if to say, <i>��See? You just proved my point.��</i>

    ________

    PS: Hi everyone, I just wanted to ask who added Dave��s Character Personality as "Sufferer of Foot-in-mouth disease" and "Cunning Airhead"? This made meugh my ass off and just couldn��t move on from it. Please, whoever you are, step up. Imend you for your witty remarks. (????��

 Chapter 365 Zhane Wanting To Hit Dave

    Despite recognizing the trap, Hera willingly stepped into it to uncover Dave��s true intentions. Meanwhile, the people trailing behind Dave and Zhane had moved closer, their expressions amiable as they tried to join the conversation and observe what was unfolding.

    "What are you all up to?" the Korean Dignitary inquired, his secretary and otherpanions drawing closer as they awaited Hera, Zhane, and Dave��s response. Meanwhile, Dave pretended not to hear, feigning deep contemtion as he waited for Hera to respond to his proposal.

    Hera nodded in agreement. In less than a month, she had already been involved in several bets with the male leads, umting both wins and losses. She still owed Xavier two wishes, and even if she lost to Dave, she wondered what he could possibly ask for from their bet.

    Little did Hera know, Dave was already plotting to use the bet as a way to gain exclusive time with her. If he won, he nned to leverage the wishes to ensure she would spend more time with him while barring the others.

    The moment Hera nodded, Dave��s smile widened even further. "How about we do it like you and Xavier did at the race track during the Variety Show? The winner gets three wishes, and the loser has to fulfill them?"

    Hera realized Dave��s game n immediately, but rather than backing down, she felt a surge of defiance. Dave��s overconfidence, as if he was already counting his victory before the race had even started, grated on her pride. It felt like he was underestimating her, and although she wasn��t sure of the extent of Dave��s horsemanship skills, she wasn��t about to let that intimidate her.

    In reality, Dave��s motivation wasn��t just about winning the bet; he also wanted to impress Hera and show off his skills, hoping to change her perception of him just as Rafael had managed to do. However, what Dave didn��t realize was that, instead of improving his standing, he was only digging himself into a deeper hole.

    Zhane, observing from the sidelines, could only shake his head in disbelief. He felt a pang of pity for Dave��s impatience and thoughtlessness. It made him question where Dave��s usually sharp mind had gone whenever Hera was involved. Zhane began to doubt Dave��spetence, wondering if perhaps his brain had been left behind or if it had been devoured by stray dogs.

    In the end, Zhane took on the role of officiator, standing by as Hera and Dave raced across the track. Dave, ever the smug and impatient who has never learned his lesson, was so eager to win that he bolted the moment Zhane gave the signal. His hasty start allowed him to surge ahead, leaving Hera in the dust.

    As Dave surged ahead, Hera was still adjusting to her horse, trying to gauge its speed and stamina. Once she felt morefortable, she urged her horse to increase its speed and set off in pursuit of Dave.

    "Giddyup!"

    With only onep to determine the oue of the bet, Hera knew she had to push her horse to its limits as Dave reached the halfway point. However, catching up was challenging, as Dave seemed to have a deep familiarity with his horse. Hera deduced that it was either his favorite mount or one he had owned and ridden for a long time.

    His deep understanding of his horse allowed him to maintain his pace through more than half of the track. However, Hera was no stranger topetition; her victory in the national equestrian championships with Diamond wasn��t due to luck. Determined not to give Dave any more opportunities, she leaned closer to her horse, urging it to take long, powerful strides. Its hooves pounded the track with a spring-like energy, propelling them forward with increasing speed.

    Before long, Hera overtook Dave and reached the finish line, where Zhane stood with a warm, gentle smile. His expression resembled a loving partner eagerly awaiting their spouse��s return��adorably cute and heartwarming.

 Chapter 366 Dave Miserably Loosing To Zhane

    Dave began to shiver at the thought of what Zhane might do. There��s an old saying: mess with a businessman or a politician, but never with a doctor because your life is literally in their hands. He knew Zhane had the means to make him suffer far more than his other friends could. Zhane��s ability to manage his emotions was legendary; he rarely showed irritation, and no one had ever truly felt his retaliation. But now, Dave feared he might be the first to experience it.

    Dave immediately mped his mouth shut, pouting as he cast a pitiful nce at Hera. Hera, ustomed to Dave��s childish antics and his inability to hold back, could only chuckle at their bickering. To bring an end to their verbal sparring, Hera yfully intervened. "Alright, you two, no more of this early morning bickering. And Dave, stop provoking Zhane." Her mock reprimand only added to the yful atmosphere, making it clear to anyone watching that it was all in good fun.

    Zhane shed Dave a triumphant smirk, raising an eyebrow in a way he had never done before. Despite its novelty, the expression was undeniably infuriating to Dave, who had to concede that he had lost this round to Zhane.

    Dave wanted to voice his frustrations but found no one willing to listen, so he grudgingly swallowed his indignation. Zhane dismounted and handed the reins to the stable master, who guided his horse back to the stable. Zhane then approached Hera, standing just beside her horse. Dave, not wanting to be left behind, hurried to follow Zhane closely.

    Zhane and Dave stood beside Hera��s horse, which was so tall that its back nearly reached their necks, despite their own considerable height. It was only then that they realized the horse Hera was riding belonged to the racecourse��s manager��a prized steed that was never lent out or sold under any circumstances.

    Both Zhane and Dave exchanged surprised nces, their heads swiveling instinctively to scan the deck. They soon locked eyes with the manager, who was also observing them. Zhane��s gaze then fell upon Bry and his father standing beside the manager. His eyes widened in realization as he turned back to Hera, his expression clearly questioning the unexpected situation.

    The two were eager to ask questions but hesitated to pressure Hera. Dave��s curiosity was evident, but a sharp look from Zhane silenced him. Zhane then approached Hera, cing his hands on either side of her waist. With a gentle lift, he effortlessly raised her as if she weighed nothing, then carefully set her back on her feet.

    Hera was surprised by Zhane��s strength, as she had always assumed doctors relied solely on endurance. She realized now that, in addition to their stamina for long surgeries, doctors must also train their muscles. This strength likely helps them assist patients in emergencies when no one else is avable to help.

    As if reading Hera��s thoughts, Zhane��s eyes crinkled into a crescent as he shed a rare, proud smile, revealing his white teeth. This rare disy of warmth was a stark contrast to his usual stern and stoic demeanor.

    Though surprised, Dave chose not to fight back, unwilling to face another humiliating defeat at Zhane��s hands. He felt that no matter who he challenged within his friend group, he always ended up losing, which only further tarnished his image in front of Hera. Instead, he silently nursed his wounded pride and sobbed with invisible tears.

    Determined not to be just a passive observer, Dave grabbed Hera��s right hand and, with his own handkerchief, gently wiped the imaginary sweat from her forehead. "Sweetheart, are you tired? Do you need water, juice, or perhaps me?" he asked with earnest enthusiasm.

    Zhane couldn��t help but acknowledge that when it came to shamelessness, Dave was in a league of his own. Realizing he couldn��t match Dave��s audacity, Zhane decided to let it be. Hera, too, chuckled at Dave��s antics as they all headed back to the deck where Bry and the others awaited.

    When Bry spotted Zhane, he eagerly dashed over. "Doctor! You��re here too!!!" He skidded to a halt in front of Hera. Hera, wanting to ruffle Bry��s hair, found her hands upied��one held by Zhane and the other by Dave. With a helpless smile, she nodded at Bry, signaling him to lead the way. Bry, quick on the uptake, noticed Hera��s predicament, and without making a fuss, he gracefully retreated to rejoin his father, avoiding any awkwardness.

    "Such a smart kid!" Dave eximed, though his voice reached only Hera and Zhane.

    "You��re the only one who looks foolish," Zhane replied with a stoic expression, deliberately ignoring Dave��s challenging re.

    Before the argument could escte, Hera guided them to sit at the same table as Bry and the others. "Manager, the horse was incredible, and it was such a fantastic experience. Thank you for letting me borrow it," she said, effectively breaking the tension between Zhane and Dave. Their curiosity about Hera��s connection with the manager was rekindled as they shifted their focus back to the conversation.

    "Hahaha! No, no, I��m delighted you enjoyed the horse. Consider it a gift," the manager said, ncing subtly at Zhane and Dave before continuing, "And thank you for introducing me to such an excellent horse breeder and trainer. I can now rest easy knowing my stable will be well-stocked with fresh horses and that even the wildest ones will be well-handled." He chuckled and nced back at Bry��s father, indicating their positive discussion about the coboration, while Hera and Dave took ap around the track.

    "Oh? Manager, have you finally decided to hire an external breeder and trainer?" Dave teased, knowing that the manager was notoriously difficult to impress. The regrs at the racetrack were well aware of the manager��s stubbornness when it came to trusting just anyone with his horses. He had always been wary of jeopardizing their well-being and preferred to only buy champions from major equestrian events.

 Chapter 367 The Real Offer

    Hera wasn��t trying to dismiss the offer��it was, after all, a substantial amount of money. However, considering the cost of raising these horses with the highest quality feed, care, medicine, and supplements, the investment easily ran into tens of thousands. If they weremercial breeders who only needed about two years to raise and train their horses at lower costs, the offer would make sense. But for breeders like them, who invested heavily in every detail, the amount barely scratched the surface of what these horses were truly worth.

    Given the time and effort Bry��s family had invested in Diamond, that offer wouldn��t even cover half of the expenses. In fact, by continuing to enter Diamond in equestrian races, they could potentially earn far more from each win. That��s precisely why others were eager to buy Diamond��they saw the same long-term potential in the horse.

    Diamond is still young and hasn��t yet reached its full potential, so there��s a lot of room for improvement. Hera knew that many recognized this potential, which is why they were eager to buy Diamond. However, their offerscked sincerity and seemed aimed at exploiting Bry��s family rather than reflecting the true value of the horse.

    After Hera mentioned the offers Bry��s family had received for their champion horse, the manager was visibly shocked. He stood up abruptly, his disbelief evident. He couldn��t understand why such an exceptional horse had only been offered so little. Having seen the footage of the race, he was impressed by the horse��s performance, though he hadn��t focused much on the rider. Despite this, he was determined to purchase the horse, regardless of the price.

    Despite his frustration, the manager had initially epted the owner��s refusal to sell the horse. However, hearing this new perspective from Hera, he began to reconsider. He trusted Hera��s honesty, recognizing that she had no reason to deceive anyone; after all, she owned the racecourse and was financially secure, so there was no need for her to engage in under-the-table dealings.

    This suggested a problem with his subordinate. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and made a call, disregarding the fact that everyone was still at the table. He was determined to uncover the truth.

    Before the first ring had a chance to end, the call was answered. "Hello, sir. How may I assist you?" came the polite voice from the other end.

    "Hi, I wanted to follow up on the champion horse from this year��s national championship and the two runner-up horses. Is there truly no way to convince the owner to sell them? I��ve been thinking about these horses constantly and am very eager to acquire them," the manager��s voice conveyed an urgency and frustration as if he hadn��t been able to rest easily over the matter.

    "Sir, I made every effort I could, offering $5 million for the two runner-up horses and up to $10 million for the champion ck steed, knowing how much you wanted them. Unfortunately, despite my attempts, we weren��t sessful," the voice sounded resigned, reflecting a sense of deep frustration and helplessness.

    "Did you actually speak directly with the owner and they still refused to sell?" the manager asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. He nced between Bry��s father and Hera, feeling a flush of embarrassment. It was bing evident that something unusual was happening.

    "Yes, sir. As soon as the race ended, I went to where the owners and riders were. I even overheard someone making a joke about offering around $70,000 for the champion horse, as if they were entitled to it. I was a bit dyed getting there, and by the time I arrived, the owner had already started to leave. I had to catch up with their retreating group. I spoke with his daughter and presented our offer, but she mocked me, saying I was cheap and should just keep the money. I��I admit I was quite flustered and ended up storming off." The voice on the other end faltered, a hint of embarrassment creeping in as he admitted his unprofessional reaction.

 Chapter 368 The Real Offer 2

    Though Hera was reluctant to entertain such thoughts, Minerva��s actions had consistently exhibited these tendencies. When the manager mentioned that his subordinate had managed to take a picture, Hera signaled for him to have the subordinate send it over for confirmation.

    Momentster, the subordinate sent the picture, and the manager quickly opened it. Upon seeing the image, he stared at it, then at Bry��s father, and exploded at his subordinate. "How could you have mistaken them for being rted?!" he fumed, clearly frustrated and angry.

    The subordinate, sounding apologetic and almost pouting, replied, "I thought she might have inherited her beauty from her mother. I didn��t want to make assumptions, but I couldn��t pry into their family affairs."

    Still fuming, the manager pushed his phone to the center of the table, its screen disying the picture. Without needing to get closer, everyone could see who it was. Shock swept over the group as they realized it wasn��t Minerva, but her frequent confrontations with Hera during the Variety Show made all of them believe that it was her behind this misunderstanding.

    The truth hit them with an unexpected jolt. The ming red hair and striking aquamarine eyes unmistakably belonged to Alice Quinn. It was clear from the picture that she was the only person in it, not just a background figure or an incidental presence.

    In the photo, Alice was ring at Hera with clear hostility while Hera��s back was turned, boarding Bry��s father��s truck.

    "Ah!!! Isn��t this the other witch who always gets in Sister Hera��s way?!" Bry eximed, almost climbing onto the table to get a closer look at the phone. His father quickly grabbed him by the cor and pulled him back into his seat, shooting an apologetic look at everyone for Bry��s unruly behavior. He instinctively reached for the back of Bry��s head to give him a gentle smack, but Bry, anticipating the move, raised his hands to protect himself. "Dad! I��m just defending our family��s honor! There��s no way I��d have a witch for a sister!" Bry said indignantly, nearly grinding his teeth in his seat.

    "You know this girl?" The manager wanted to rify and looked at Bry.

    But this time, it was Dave who responded with a sarcastic tone. "Indeed, we do," he said, rubbing the back of Hera��s hand with his thumb. "Hera and that girl both participated in a Variety Show that was filmed in their vige." He gestured towards Bry and his father. "After seeing Hera��s impressive horsemanship, Uncle asked her to represent them in the Equestrian race. The Variety Show used it as a highlight, and of course, the other guests, including that girl, were also there to ��show support.��" Dave��s scoff emphasized his disdain for the term ��show support.��

    "Maybe she felt overshadowed and bitter because Hera was the center of attention at the time," Dave suggested. "It��s possible she took out her frustration on your subordinate, intercepting him and dismissing his offer. She might have been determined to deny Bry and his family a good life, particrly because they weed Hera but not her. Despite knowing Bry��s uncle was struggling, she may have refused to help them simply out of spite."

 Chapter 369 The Real Offer 3

    Or was it possible that Dave was just as blind as the other male leads? Perhaps, like them, he ignored all the red gs and warning signs because he was invested in Alice and convinced himself that she was kind-hearted, pure, and a good woman overall.

    Hera had no way of knowing which of her spections was correct. As she looked at Dave with narrowed eyes, she debated whether to hold onto her new understanding or not. Ultimately, she decided to let it go, recognizing that while the novel had its own narrative, this was her real life now.

    Clinging to negativity and unproven spections would be too exhausting, so she chose to go with the flow. However, while she let go of her doubts, she remained vignt, paying attention to red gs and signs to protect herself from potential pain and heartache, just in case of any betrayal.

    It was also possible that now, with Hera having shared some of the female lead��s Halo with Alice, and Hera having influenced the male leads to some extent, their perspectives might be clearer than in the novel. This newfound rity could allow them to think more objectively and without bias. With this in mind, Hera decided to give Dave the benefit of the doubt.

    After sorting out her feelings and thoughts, Hera��s narrowed eyes softened, and she smiled at Dave. Her words, however, carried a hint of yful teasing: "I didn��t realize Dave was so perceptive and quick-witted."

    Zhane, catching the undertone in Hera��s teasing, couldn��t help but chuckle. He remained focused on massaging her hand but fully agreed with her assessment. Despite his amusement, he continued his work with dedication.

    However, Zhane��s soft chuckle only irritated Dave, who felt a surge of frustration. "Zhane! You bastard! Am I a joke to you?" Dave��s voice, though deep and measured, carried an undertone of both anger and yfulness. It was clear to everyone that he wasn��t genuinely angry, just slightly annoyed.

    "That came out of your mouth, not mine," Zhane replied simply, without even looking at him. Dave was momentarily taken aback as if Zhane had pped him in front of Hera. Realizing this, Dave recalled his decision not to engage in verbal sparring with Zhane, as he often ended up embarrassed and looking foolish in front of Hera.

    Dave looked at Hera with a wounded expression. "Sweetheart, look at him. He��s bullying me way too much."

    "Alright, alright, let��s put a stop to this. It seems this misunderstanding was caused by Alice��s interference. Are you still willing to sell your horses for the amount offered, or would you like to negotiate further?" Hera turned to Bry��s father, eager to reopen the discussion, knowing that Bry and his family needed the money and recognizing this as a valuable opportunity.

    The manager also looked at Bry��s father with keen anticipation, nodding encouragingly. Bry��s father fell into deep contemtion, realizing that the offer for his horses was substantial enough to set his family up for decades if he sold all three. However, he hesitated, as he was reluctant to part with Diamond, knowing how much his brother valued the horse due to its significant memories it carried with it.

 Chapter 370 The Real Offer 4

    The manager then slid the folders over to Bry��s father. Both Bry and his father were bbergasted, remaining motionless as they absorbed the flood of information. Even though Bry was young, he understood that the terms were highly favorable, and his father��s reaction confirmed the positive nature of the offer.

    Bry��s father nced at Hera for reassurance, though he didn��t voice it. He suspected that Hera��s connection to the Avery family was the reason for the manager��s amodating gesture. Despite knowing there was supposed to be a different heiress studying at Princeton, he couldn��t shake the belief that Hera was the genuine Avery heiress. How this hade to be was a mystery to him, but he trusted in her role and influence.

    Everything that happened so far was enough proof that she was but he didn��t want to say anything about it since Hera seemed to be hiding that fact and he didn��t want to be meddlesome when she has be their benefactor since she won the equestrian race and gave up the reward to him and his family to help his younger brother and even managed to employ the renowned Doctor Everett that increase the chances of his younger brother��s surgery a sess.

    Seeing Hera��s approving gaze, Bry��s father felt reassured and proceeded without hesitation. He carefully reviewed all two contracts, scrutinizing every use to ensure he understood and fulfilled his obligations. After signing the contracts, he respectfully returned them to the manager. The manager then added his signature to finalize the agreements and handed Bry��s father copies of each contract. With the paperworkplete, the manager stood up and shook Bry��s father��s hand, sealing their coboration with a firm and respectful gesture.

    After the contracts were signed, Bry and his father appeared visibly exhausted but much happier than when they arrived. Seeing their mood, Hera decided to suggest a celebration for their new coboration. "How about we celebrate this new partnership?" she asked yfully, ncing at both the manager and Bry��s father. The manager, clearly eager for a celebratory feast, nodded enthusiastically, while Bry and his father, though initially hesitant and shy, managed to agree. Bry��s father gave a subtle nod, showing his willingness to join in the celebration.

    Before they could leave, a pair of unwee individuals made their way to Hera��s table with an air of arrogance. Sienna, apanied by the same girl from earlier, approached with an irritating swagger. Their voices were grating as they spoke. "Wow! Not only are you flirting with Zhane, but now you��re also making a y for the Young Minister? What a disgraceful whore!"

    Hera remained unfazed by the insults, having braced herself for such mockery the moment she decided to pursue the male leads. However, the same could not be said for the men at her table. Even young Bry was scowling, his expression intense and ready to confront the troublemakers, like a young wolf poised to defend its territory.

    Dave turned toward the girls with a smirk, his voice dripping with mockery. "Oh?! So I am the whore then? Since I was the one who willingly went to seduce my sweetheart. I just can��t keep my paws off of her whenever she��s around." His anger was palpable masked by his yfullness, not just from their insults towards Hera but also from the venomous jealousy that seemed to consume them.

    It was one thing for them to be jealous��that was their issue��but targeting his woman crossed a line.

    Even the usually stern Zhane couldn��t let it go. "I must say, seeing how the Lennons raised their daughter has been quite eye-opening. With such a venomous mouth and a dirty mind, it��s no wonder you act this way. Yes, I am interested in Hera and am pursuing her, but I owe no exnation to you about any connections you think you have with me. Who do you think you are?" Zhane��s piercing gaze was cold and unyielding, his calm demeanor only emphasizing the frost in his eyes as he addressed the troublemakers.

 Chapter 371 The Kind Of Woman

    Zhane had uncovered Hera��s schedule after Bry let it slip during their chat the previous night. Ever since their hospital visit to prepare Bry��s uncle for surgery, Zhane had kept in close contact with Bry. It was during this time that he learned Bry and Hera maintained regr contact, meeting up whenever Hera��s schedule allowed.

    Zhane subtly turned Bry into his informant to keep tabs on Hera��s schedule. When he learned she��d be meeting Bry and his father at the racecourse, he seized the opportunity to orchestrate a "chance" encounter. Feeling like he was falling behind the others, Zhane knew he had to act quickly��he hadn��t spent time with Herately and worried she might forget about him if he didn��t make his move.

    Zhane couldn��t figure out how Dave had managed to get wind of the meeting, especially since he��d been so careful to keep it discreet. He didn��t believe for a second that Dave��s appearance was a coincidence��Dave had imed he was going golfing, yet there he was, stepping out of his car in the racecourse parking lot at the exact same time.

    While Zhane waited for Hera and the others to arrive, it became obvious that Dave was also lingering nearby, pretending to be upied with his horse. Zhane couldn��t shake the suspicion that Dave had been keeping tabs on their group, possibly even spying on their other friends to get details on Hera��s schedule so he could crash their ns. Honestly, Dave always seemed like the third wheel at these meetups, but he didn��t seem to care in the slightest.

    Back to the main topic, neither Zhane nor Dave showed any concern for the feelings or reputations of the two women who came to stir trouble. Even Zhane, typically reserved and professional due to his medical background, had no intention of holding back. When it truly mattered, his words could be as sharp as a de, cutting through even the thickest of egos.

    Zhane instinctively extended his arm, gently pulling Hera closer to his side so she could feel his warmth and the security of his embrace. It wasn��t just a protective gesture��it was his way of ensuring that, should any of the womensh out or try to get physical, he��d be ready to shield Hera with his body at a moment��s notice. His instinct to protect her kicked in naturally, especially since he knew how emotional situations could escte.

    Sensing Zhane��s protective gesture, Dave stood up, reading the situation perfectly. While Zhane and Hera remained seated, Dave took a step behind Hera, effectively shielding her from view. His protective stance ensured that the two women couldn��t see Hera��s figure or even think about harming her out of spite. It was a silent but clear message: they wouldn��t let anything happen to her.

    Sianna and the other woman felt deeply insulted by how Zhane and Dave were so protective of Hera, as if they were reckless enough to harm someone in broad daylight. Yet, beneath their offended exteriors, they were seething with jealousy, secretly wishing they could pull Hera from her chair by her hair and drag her away. Their possessiveness over Zhane and Dave made them feel territorial, and Hera��s presence only fueled their frustration.

    "Young Minister Dave, isn��t this the woman you imed was your girlfriend?" the Korean dignitary sneered as he approached, his mocking toneced with disdain. "But why does she seem so cozy with other men? Or perhaps you have a particr kink��enjoying the idea of sharing your woman with others?" He stood beside Sianna and the other woman, clearly taking pleasure in ridiculing Dave��s choice of partner, Dave has been avoiding him and his granddaughter for some time now.

    Dave sneered back at the Korean dignitary, showing not the slightest respect despite the man��s seniority by three decades. "Hmph! Haven��t you heard? True treasures are rare, and when they appear, people flock to them like flies. It just means my girlfriend is so precious that many outstanding men are drawn to her," he shot back, his tone sharp. "Maybe instead ofining to me, you should wonder why your granddaughter wasn��t as fortunate in finding a husband." His words wereced with the same biting sarcasm, cutting just as deep as the dignitary��s mockery.

 Chapter 372 The Angry Dave

    Zhane appeared unaffected by Dave��s shift in demeanor, seemingly ustomed to seeing him this way, so it came as no surprise. Hera, on the other hand, though familiar with this side of Dave from the novel, was caught off guard by the intensity of the moment. Her difort was palpable as she fidgeted in her seat. Sensing her unease, Zhane instinctively pulled her closer, enveloping her in his protective embrace. While shielding her from the pressure Dave radiated, Zhane didn��t call out to him, nor urge him to cease his intimidating disy.

    Zhane recognized that Dave was firmly asserting his dominance and authority over the Korean Dignitary. As Dave had pointed out, this was his territory, and he had no intention of allowing anyone to be presumptuous or to assume that he owed them anything. Dave was determined not to be easily swayed or bent to their will, making it clear that he would not tolerate any disrespect on his own turf.

    If many thought Rafael or Luke were the scariest when they were angry, they were mistaken. It was Dave who truly became angry and intimidating when he was genuinely enraged and shed his yful demeanor. His ability to assert authority in various countries, win agreements against seasoned politicians, and sway negotiations in favor of his own country underscored his formidable presence and dominance.

    It appeared the Korean Dignitary was unfamiliar with this side of Dave, and the pressure he exuded took him by surprise. He fell to the floor, but Dave remained unmoved, looking down at him with unflinching coldness. There was no trace of pity in Dave��s eyes; they were as indifferent as if he were staring at an inanimate object or something entirely beneath his notice.

    The Korean Dignitary felt a cold sweat trickle down his back, snapping him out of his stunned state when he heard his granddaughter sobbing as she fell to her knees. "Mr. Carson, how can you treat us this way? Please, forgive my grandfather. He only meant well and tried to give me the best because he loves me. Don��t hold this against him. Please, just this once, do it for me."

    "Do this for you? Who do you think you are? Why would I show you any courtesy when you came here to provoke humiliation? If you im you didn��te here for that, then you should have ensured that no one disrespects or bothers my woman. It��s distasteful, and you should control your own ��dogs�� before barking up the wrong tree," Dave said, not holding back and delivering a harsh reprimand.

    Dave had no concern about humiliating a foreign dignitary or the potential for international dispute. He saw it as an opportunity to taunt him and his country. In fact, Dave was prepared to leverage this situation to his advantage, using the embarrassment as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Korea. He knew that the unfavorable position would not be his to bear but rather an opportunity to gain more from the situation.

    Firstly, the Korean Dignitary had arrived unofficially,cking the authority to use his position to exert control over anyone in Dave��s country. Dave had no obligation to entertain him or his demands. Any conflict between Dave and the Dignitary could lead toints about thetter��s conduct, potentially resulting in disciplinary action. Such issues could jeopardize diplomatic rtions and disrupt ongoing negotiations between the two countries.

    If necessary, Dave was prepared to escte the matter to ensure that the Korean Dignitary faced severe disciplinary action, potentially jeopardizing his reputation and position. Should the Dignitary��s country attempt to downy the situation or act as mediators, Dave would intensify his pressure, obstruct negotiations, and use the incident as leverage. He might even pursue discussions with Korea��s rival nation to further irritate them and strengthen his own bargaining position.

 Chapter 373 Who Would Suffer?

    Recently, his mother had finally stopped her relentless attempts to set him up on blind dates, possibly around the time when Hera��s scandal erupted, which seemed to provide her with a moment of rity. This sudden change only heightened the Korean Dignitary��s impatience and concern. Despite being seen as the family��s ck sheep, Dave was also their pride��a figure they couldn��t control but continued to indulge due to his exceptional skills and sweet mouth that charmed his family.

    Dave��s grandfather, the previous Minister, had made countless attempts to discipline him and curb hisziness. However, whenever Dave found something uninteresting, he simply lost all motivation, and his enthusiasm for any subject was fleeting. Despite their efforts, it proved challenging to keep him in line. Ultimately, they had to concede, focusing instead on ensuring that Dave performed his job exceptionally well��something he consistently delivered without fail.

    Due to Dave��s unyielding nature, no one could really control him. The Korean Dignitary hoped that his granddaughter, who was both exceptional and charming, might be able to win him over and perhaps influence him to be more discerning. However, this n faced a significant obstacle: another woman had already captured his attention.

    Fortunately, his granddaughter had a keen sense of when to strategically y her cards. When he saw her almost pleading and crying in front of Dave, asking for leniency for her grandfather, he felt a deep sense of pride. All the pampering and indulgence he had given her seemed to have paid off, confirming that he had raised her well.

    "Mr. Carson, please don��t misunderstand," the girl said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and her voice barely above a whisper. "Although my grandfather might seem insistent about the idea of an alliance marriage, he is only considering the greater good for both nations. Isn��t it said that leaders should always think of the bigger picture and make sacrifices for the betterment of their people, even if it means setting aside their own desires?" Her vulnerability,bined with her beauty, evoked a profound sense of sympathy and affection to anyone watching.

    "I��m not that kind of leader," Dave said, his smirk dripping with disdain. "Besides, only weak ass people give in to such tactics. I��m not one of them." Unmoved by the woman��s disy of vulnerability, Dave��s irritation grew. He detested being manipted and was bing increasingly hostile toward both the grandfather and granddaughter, his patience wearing thin with their attempts to coerce him.

    "Do I look fucking weak to you that I had to rely on a woman to pave my path or lead my nation to a better future?!" Dave��s voice was filled with scorn. "Man! You��re delusional if you think you worth that much effort!!! Wouldn��t I only let you take advantage of me if I agree to this marriage alliance? Hell nah ah!" Dave crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head furiously, clearly disdainful of the very thought.

    ____________

    <strong>PS:</strong> Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your continued support and for reading my novel. The WSA contest has officially started, and I��d love for you to take a moment to leave feedback for the event.

    You can find it by going to your <strong><i>��INBOX��</i></strong> and then selecting <strong><i>��EVENTS.��</i></strong> Once you provide feedback on 3 different books, you��ll earn a badge, which will be awarded on the 20th of next month.

    Thank you all for your amazing support!

 Chapter 374 My Fiancé?

    "As the sole heir of my n and a distinguished doctor who has brought much pride and honor to my family, they were concerned that I was too focused on my work and neglecting my future. My mother, in particr, was frantic in her search for a suitable and reputable marriage partner for me, who��s sensible and kind-hearted."

    "Although I didn��t agree, I also didn��t actively oppose it because I simply didn��t care. My mom took my indifference as consent and went ahead to find a match. The Lennon family showed vague interest but acted as if it were my family and I desperately seeking to marry their daughter. Fortunately, when my family discovered that I was already interested in someone else, they ceased their efforts, and my mother stopped pursuing other families." Zhane made sure to exin the situation clearly, ensuring Hera wouldn��t misunderstand his position.

    Hera nodded in understanding, already familiar with this from the novel. Zhane was indeed a workaholic, rarely going home, let alone seeking out a woman to date. When he wasn��t working, he would only go out with friends to unwind briefly before diving back into his work, which consumed so much of his time that he often couldn��t even get a full eight hours of sleep.

    His family members were all worried about him. They believed that if he had a wife, she might take care of him, help him unwind from work, and encourage him to take things easier. They hoped that having a family might help him learn to bnce his work and personal life.

    After Zhane��s exnation, his voice, though not as loud as Dave��s during the confrontation, cut through the eerie silence that had settled around them due to Sienna��s ufortable remarks. His words were delivered with clear precision, and the impact was like a bombshell in the tense atmosphere. Most of the eavesdroppers heard him, and his remarks hit with such force that it left their minds reeling.

    Everyone had believed there was a genuine arranged engagement between the Lennons and the Everetts, given the Everetts�� constant sending of expensive gifts to the Lennons to ensure they wouldn��t back out. However, if what Zhane said was true, it meant that the Lennons were actively fueling the gossip about this non-existent engagement. They had been pretending that the Everetts were eagerly pursuing the match, which led many smaller families to fawn over the Lennons in hopes of gaining favor. These families anticipated that once the Lennons and Everetts were officially united, they would benefit from the resulting favors and opportunities.

    Even prominent families had chosen to coborate with the Lennons to forge alliances before the union of the two families. They hoped to secure their ce in the social hierarchy by aligning themselves with the Lennons, anticipating that they would benefit once the Lennons rose higher in the social ranks and be easily connected with the Everetts as well.

    It seems that the Lennons yed the Everetts, using their influence to partner with numerous businesses. This strategy allowed them to gain a strong foothold and umte wealth from the seemingly endless opportunities that the Everetts�� connections provided.

    ____________

    <strong>PS:</strong> Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your continued support and for reading my novel. The WSA contest has officially started, and I��d love for you to take a moment to leave feedback for the event.

    You can find it by going to your <strong><i>��INBOX��</i></strong> and then selecting <strong><i>��EVENTS.��</i></strong> Once you provide feedback on 3 different books, you��ll earn a badge, which will be awarded on the 20th of next month.

    Thank you all for your amazing support!

 Chapter 375 Trying To Swallow A Swan Meat

    If Sienna thought the gossip would end there, she was mistaken. Another voice cut through the murmurs. "What a presumptuous family. I heard it was Tyler Lennon who was involved in the drugging incident at the Dragon Pce Hotel. Did the Lennons really think they were something special just because they managed to trick a minor family into thinking they were climbing the socialdder? What a bunch of gold diggers." After the remark, a group nearby burst intoughter, as if they had just heard the funniest joke.

    One voice joined in with a sneer. "She even had the nerve to confront the actual person Mr. Everett is interested in. For all we know, she might already be his girlfriend, and that crazy girl had the audacity to use her of seducing Mr. Everett and all sorts of other nasty things. Maybe she thinks everyone is as dirty as she is." This statement sparked a wave ofughter that spread across the entire deck, as the speaker had ensured that everyone could hear their scornful words.

    A woman giggled as she added a cutting remark, "Can you believe the Lennons were arrogant enough to attempt something like drugging someone in the Avery��s territory? It��s truly a blessing to be so blissfully ignorant."

    The individuals speaking out against the Lennons were clearly part of the elite upper crust of the wealthy circle. They had little patience for anyone from the Lennons, who they felt were overestimating their own importance and unting their modest influence in front of people sitting higher than them.

    Not only were they doing Zhane and Dave a favor by defending the woman they were interested in, but they also couldn��t tolerate seeing those beneath them overstepping their bounds and making a nuisance of themselves.

    They felt it was necessary to put such people in their ce to prevent them from jeopardizing others�� legitimate opportunities to forge valuable connections and build meaningful rtionships.

    At the same time, they considered those who aligned with the Lennons, without realizing they were being manipted, to becking in perceptiveness and judgment. Such individuals, in their view, were mediocre in ability and failed to understand character and intentions.

    Given their inability to recognize such maniptions, it was clear these individuals would likely achieve only mediocre sess in the business world. In business, the ability to discern people��s true character is crucial; it can determine whether a venture will thrive or falter. A single mistake or misjudgment could lead to significant setbacks or failure, making perceptiveness a vital asset.

    ____________

    <strong>PS:</strong> Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your continued support and for reading my novel. The WSA contest has officially started, and I��d love for you to take a moment to leave feedback for the event.

    You can find it by going to your <strong><i>��INBOX��</i></strong> and then selecting <strong><i>��EVENTS.��</i></strong> Once you provide feedback on 3 different books, you��ll earn a badge, which will be awarded on the 20th of next month.

    Thank you all for your amazing support!

 Chapter 376 Dave’s Sulking

    She despised Hera for stealing all the attention and even fantasized about being with Zhane, despite knowing her status paled inparison. Yet, no matter how unfair it seemed, she was powerless to act. Zhane was protecting the vixen, and though she longed to confront Hera, she knew the timing wasn��t right.

    Overwhelmed by a mix of hurt andplicated emotions, Sienna fled to her car, unwilling to endure any more verbal attacks. She couldn��t handle it and had no desire to face anyone. It felt as though everyone was watching her with scorn and disdain��feelings she had never experienced before��and the weight of it all was too much to bear.

    "Finally!" Dave sneered, rolling his eyes as he sat back down beside Hera. ��Sweetheart, are you alright?�� he asked softly, his voice filled with concern. "Don��t pay any mind to what that woman said��she��s just jealous of you." Reaching for Hera��s hand, he gently rubbed it, offeringfort. "As long as I��m here, I won��t let anyone hurt you." With that, he turned his attention back to the Korean dignitary, who remained standing with his granddaughter, still frozen in ce.

    The Korean dignitary understood that Dave��s words were a deliberate warning. It was a clear signal that Dave was finished ying passive, and if he crossed the line again, Dave wouldn��t hesitate to put him in his ce.

    Hera didn��t view Sienna or the Korean dignitary as real threats. She knew they were just cannon fodder like her, unlikely to cause significant trouble unless their fates shifted as hers had��which seemed improbable. But even if that were the case, she chose not to overthink it. Her te was already full, and she had more pressing matters to focus on.

    Hera smiled warmly at Zhane and Dave, leaning closer to Zhane and gently grasping Dave��s hand. "I don��t mind at all," she admitted softly. "I feel confident knowing that Zhane and Dave won��t let anyone bully me, so I feel at ease." Her sweet smile and reassuring words worked their charm, showcasing her ability to use her advantage effectively. If she didn��t leverage her charm and gentle persuasion to strengthen her connections with the male leads, she might be missing an opportunity to use her influence strategically.

    This approach ensured that Hera stayed in control of the male leads while making them feel valued and appreciated. Instead of feeling taken for granted, they would see that their efforts were recognized. Indeed, as soon as Hera made this small gesture, both Zhane and Dave smiled contentedly, their eyes reflecting a warm, affectionate gleam.

    Her sweet words melted away their irritation, and the brief interruption caused by the three unwanted people was quickly forgotten. Afterward, Bry, showing his concern,ically attempted to downy the situation. This earned him another affectionate yet reprimanding pat on the back of his head from his father for his unrefined behavior in front of so many people.

    Despite the earlier interruption, the atmosphere between them lightened, andughter returned to their group as they made their way to the Dragon Pce Hotel for breakfast. Since Bry hadn��t had the chance to visit, Hera wanted to take him there so he could enjoy the panoramic view of the entire city from the revolving restaurant.

    However, Dave appeared dejected, sulking around like a defeated puppy. Hera, curious about his sudden change in mood, asked him what was wrong. Seizing the opportunity to voice his frustration, Dave grumbled, "Yesterday, you spent time with Luke and Rafael at the Golden Dragon Pavilion and went boating on theke. That doesn��t seem fair."

    Zhane shook his head in disapproval and scolded Dave. "You��re being childish again," Zhane said firmly. "Do you really want topete with everyone all the time?" He didn��t hold back, calling Dave out for his pettiness and jealousy.

    "But I already had a meal at the Dragon Pce Hotel with Hera, and I also want to enjoy a meal with her at the Golden Dragon Pavilion. So what if I��m being childish?! I��m just being honest about my feelings," Dave retorted, pouting to emphasize his point.

 Chapter 377 You Choose

    He wasn��t about toin, not when Hera seemed so at ease and Zhane was given the spotlight. Even if he didn��t get his way, being with her mattered more. For now, at least.

    After all, unlike the others, Dave had already crashed one of Hera��s meals with his other friends and even managed to dine in a restricted area, creating a memory he��d carry for a long time. It wasn��t just the exclusivity of the ce that made it special, but the fact that he had spent so much time with Hera. No one else in their circle hade close to matching that level of attention from her, and he knew it.

    So far, he could boast that he was the one who��d shared the most moments with her, and that alone gave him a sense of pride.

    Besides, Dave knew that if he continued to push for his preferred choice, he might end up annoying Hera rather than winning her favor. Thest thing he wanted was for her to be irritated and for his efforts to backfire. Fortunately, Zhane had called him out on his childish behavior, which made Dave realize the potential consequences of his actions before it was toote.

    Zhane��s intervention had been a timely reminder to consider Hera��s feelings and preferences, rather than solely focusing on his own desires. It gave Dave a moment of rity, and he understood that being considerate of Hera��s choices was far more important than insisting on his own.

    When Zhane realized that Hera was genuinely entrusting him with the decision, he felt a warm, fluttering sensation in his chest. It was as delicate and invigorating as a feather��s touch, and he found it strangely addictive. For the first time, Zhane was struck by the rare opportunity to prioritize his own desires without the usual weight of responsibility or concern for others.

    This newfound feeling of being valued and trusted was intoxicating. It made him want to hold on to this moment of selfish indulgence, where he could simply follow his own preferences without hesitation.

    Zhane��s gaze softened further, as if a warm, golden honey were flowing from his eyes, each nce infused with tenderness and admiration. Despite the intensity of his look, Hera felt no difort; instead, it reassured her that she had made the right choice. This deepening connection with Zhane was precisely what she had hoped for, a bond fortified by genuine emotion and mutual respect.

    Hera was confident that this moment of closeness would fortify their rtionship, ensuring that even with Alice��s ��female lead��s halo����her inherent allure and charm��Zhane would remain steadfast in his feelings.

    Now that Hera had given him the green light, Zhane paused to reconsider the two dining options. As he reflected, he remembered that Hera had a sster in the day. Given that she was granting him full freedom to make the choice and allowing him to be a bit selfish, Zhane decided he would opt for a ce he truly loved, even if it wasn��t one of the current suggestions. He envisioned a special dining experience that would be unique to just the two of them, enhancing their time together.

    In his focus on creating this memorable experience with Hera, Zhane didn��t even notice that his thoughts had naturally sidelined Dave. He was entirely absorbed in imagining a special moment for himself and Hera, relishing the opportunity to be somewhat indulgent and personal in his choice.

    Unfortunately, the restaurant Zhane had in mind was quite far away, requiring a two-hour drive. He didn��t want Hera to miss her ss due to his choice. Noticing Zhane��s conflicted expression, Hera offered a solution: "If you��re having trouble choosing between the two ces, why not pick somewhere nearby for today? We can always visit your preferred spot tomorrow when you have more time."

 Chapter 378 Master Of Time Management

    Dave couldn��t help but sigh in frustration, his audible sigh carrying a note of defeat and sadness. Hera, having agreed to Zhane��s n for tomorrow, a Saturday when she would have a break from school and more time to rx, noticed Dave��s reaction. As she turned around, her eyes fell upon Dave��s downcast expression.

    His sadness was palpable, and it tugged at her heart, making her reconsider the dynamics of the situation. She felt a pang of empathy, realizing that while she was excited about spending time with Zhane and exploring new experiences, she didn��t want to leave Dave feeling neglected and unappreciated.

    She also recognized that while Dave was almost always present wherever she went, their interactionscked the intimacy and depth she had with the other male leads. In fact, Dave was the one she should focus on more, not only because he would be the first to fall under the female lead��s charm ording to the novel but also because she had be ustomed to his constant presence yet hadn��t cultivated a closer rtionship with him. This realization made her see that she had taken Dave��s dedication for granted and needed to make a more genuine effort to connect with him.

    Perhaps it was because, unlike the other male leads who constantly sought one-on-one time with her, Dave was content to be around her in any capacity, even if it meant joining her and the others. He didn��t demand exclusive attention but was happy just to be near her, no matter thepany.

    Despite Dave��sid-back and easygoing demeanor, it was clear that he was acutely aware of his position at the bottom of Hera��s list of favorites. This awareness made him both bold and cautious: he wanted to capture Hera��s attention, but he also didn��t want toe off as too demanding by asking for more of her time when he was already crashing some of her time with his other friends.

    Dave��s childish behavior was a cover for his insecurities and worries, and this realization struck Hera deeply. It was clear that, unlike the other male leads who actively sought her out��such as Luke, who made time for breakfast with her, Rafael, who apanied her shopping and carried her bags, and Xavier, with whom she had spent a week on the Variety Show��she hadn��t dedicated as much time to Dave. Even though she had shared a few interactions with Zhane, he had received the same level of attention as the others did.

    Now that Hera realized her oversight, she understood she needed to make apromise. While she was confident that she had captured the male leads�� interest, she was acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of their rtionships. The storyline could potentially disrupt her progress, introducing elements that might dramatically alter her position in their lives or intensify their feelings, undermining all her hard work. Although she hoped not to face such worst-case scenarios, she knew they weren��t beyond the realm of possibility.

    While Hera focused on preventing Alice from seizing opportunities and achieving sess in the entertainment industry, she also needed to carefully manage her time with the male leads. Bncing her interactions with them was crucial to maintaining her influence and ensuring she didn��t lose her footing in their hearts. Reflecting on her situation now, Hera realized the challenge was even greater than she had anticipated. With six men to manage��one more than Alice had to contend with��she faced an intricate juggling act between her career and her rtionships. She couldn��t afford to let go of any of them, including Leo, which only added to theplexity of her situation.

    Now, Hera couldn��t help but admire Alice��s skill in bncing everything��she truly was a master of time management, as Athena had mentioned. Even Hera found it challenging to keep up with such demands, and she had nearly overlooked Dave in the process. Having always been a monogamous person, deeply inspired by her parents�� love story, adjusting to the reality of managing multiple rtionships was proving to be a difficult shift. Theplexity of her situation made her appreciate Alice��s capabilities even more, recognizing that mastering such a bncing act was no small feat.

    Hera nced at Dave and, with Zhane momentarily distracted by the others, leaned in to whisper, "How about we spend some time together on Sunday? Just pick me up from my ce." Her smile, both apologetic and warm, carried an unspoken promise of a shared secret between them. In that moment, Dave��s gloomy expression lifted as a surge of hope brightened his eyes, his spirits visibly lifted by her gesture.

 Chapter 379 The Stolen Kiss

    Hera smiled at Dave, quickly deciding to tell a harmless white lie. "Dave just said something he thought was funny to cheer me up after I got upset by those people," she exined, her voice light and casual. But despite her calm tone, she couldn��t bring herself to meet Zhane��s eyes. Instead, she kept her gaze lowered, fidgeting slightly as the guilt crept in.

    For some reason, lying to Zhane didn��t sit well with her, even if it was a small, insignificant fib. The weight of it pressed on her conscience, making her feel uneasy. Still, she maintained her smile, hoping he wouldn��t notice her difort as her mind raced with the truth she kept concealed.

    Seeing the guilt on Hera��s face, Dave quickly wiped the smile from his own, not wanting to add to her difort. Despite his concern for her feelings, he didn��t regret stealing that kiss. He knew well enough that he wasn��t the only one vying for her affection��his friends had likely tried their own advances. Although he was certain of this, he had no idea what kind of kisses they might have shared with her. If he did know, it would only serve to deepen his frustration and hurt, making him feel even more unsettled.

    Zhane noticed nothing out of the ordinary and assumed Hera��s difort was due to the events of the day. To offer somefort, he reached out and gently rubbed the top of her head, a gesture meant to soothe. Unbeknownst to him, a look of tender affection appeared on his face, his lips curling into a soft, adoring smile that he didn��t even realize was there.

    Beside them, Dave watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, his expression a mix of surprise and contemtion. Despite his internal reactions, he chose to remain silent, his thoughts swirling as he observed Zhane��sforting gesture towards Hera.

    He couldn��t bring himself to say anything or stop Zhane from interacting with Hera, even though a pang of jealousy stirred within him. They had all agreed to y fair and square, understanding that each of them had their own moments with Hera. Dave knew that even though he had stolen a kiss from her, it was part of the unspoken rules they had all epted. No one could question his actions under these terms, just as he couldn��t challenge Zhane��s gestures offort. The bnce they maintained was fragile, but it was essential for navigating theplex dynamics among them.

    Once Dave had calmed his own feelings, the group gathered to head out in their separate cars to the Golden Dragon Pavilion. Just before they left, Hera finally took a moment to really observe Zhane. For the first time, she noticed the paleplexion of his face and the dark circles under his eyes. It struck her now, in the quiet moment after the day��s drama and her own preupation, how exhausted he looked. Her earlier distractions had kept her from seeing it clearly, but now, with everything settling down, she was fully aware of just how tired he seemed.

    Hera guessed that Zhane might have came to the racecourse to unwind after a long day yesterday. Not wanting him to endure another hour-long drive back to the city while already looking so worn out, she offered him a chance to ride with her. This way, he could rest a bit and take a break from driving.

    Zhane��s tired eyes brightened slightly, and a gentle smile touched his lips as he nodded gratefully at Hera. He decided to follow her to her car, appreciative of the chance to rest. Meanwhile, Dave, who was not far behind, had observed the exchange. Though he hadn��t heard their conversation, he had intended to ride with Hera as well. Assuming Zhane had parked his car near hers, Dave thought nothing of it and continued on, nning to join them for the ride.

    As Hera approached her car, she saw Bry and his father already climbing into their truck. Bry leaned out from the passenger window with a cheerful grin and called out, "Sister! We��ll follow you from behind!" Hera responded with a nod and a smile, then unlocked her car with the key, ready to head out.

 Chapter 380 Zhane and Leo Working Together

    Left behind, Dave felt a surge of frustration and considered running after the car to say something, but he was at a loss for words. He felt utterly defeated by Zhane, who had yed the pitiful role so convincingly in front of Hera. Dave was convinced that Zhane had nothing to do with anything yesterday��he had merely been working on his scheme with Leo regarding the Lennons. <i>��When did Zhane be such a master of pretense? Did he pick up his acting skills from that prick Leo?��</i> Dave fumed silently to himself.

    Dave was ready to chase after them, shouting, "FUCK!!!" as he realized he was toote. Frustrated, he turned and ran back, only now noticing that his car was parked on the opposite side of the parking lot. He had to make a quick detour through the lobby to cut across to Parking B and retrieve his vehicle.

    Dave sprinted for a full five minutes to reach his car, nearly diving into the driver��s seat as he flung open the door. Panting heavily, he settled into the seat, quickly starting the engine and revving it a few times before speeding out of the parking lot. However, Hera and the others were already well ahead, and Hera focused on driving as smoothly as possible to avoid disturbing the sleeping Zhane.

    As soon as Hera started driving out of the racecourse, Zhane had already fallen asleep in his seat. Although he hadn��t been upied with surgeries the previous day, he and Leo had been deeply engrossed in nning their strategy to hit the Lennons hard. Zhane hadn��t mentioned this to Hera, as he and Leo had decided to keep their ns secret for now, not wanting to add to her stress or worry.

    While both Leo and Zhane were confident that their scheme would seed, they knew better than to count their chickens before they hatched. They didn��t want to burden Hera with their ns, preferring to keep her unaware of the intricacies. Zhane, in particr, had a heavier load, as he was responsible for setting up everything on his end to ensure the Lennons would fall for the trap. In contrast, Leo��s role was primarily to oversee the scheme and coordinate with the Avery family, preparing fallback measures and changing coborators if needed.

    Zhane and Leo hadn��t anticipated how seamlessly they would work together. Their coboration was so effective that they managed toplete the entire nning and trap byte into the night. Now, all that remained was to wait for Luke to deliver on his promise to find a more cheaper and problematic version of the herbs. Once the Lennons saw the offer, it would bait them into the trap, allowing the n to proceed as intended.

    Despite their hostility toward Leo, Zhane had to acknowledge that Leo was exceptionally skilled at his work. His scheming mind was on par with, if not surpassing, that of his most cunning friends, including Dave and the ruthless Rafael.

    As Hera��s scent lingered in the car, Zhane felt an unexpected sense offort as soon as she began driving away from the racecourse. The soothing fragrance seemed to lull him into a deep sense of rxation, making it easy for him to drift off to sleep. Before long, a gentle and persistent motion rocked him slightly back and forth, trying to wake him. Instead of rousing him, it only deepened his sense of ease, drawing him further into a peaceful slumber.

    As Hera pulled up to the front of the Golden Dragon Pavilion, she noticed the racecourse manager��s car behind her, followed by Bry��s father��s truck. Not wanting to hold up the valet or cause a longer queue of cars, Hera decided to wake Zhane from his sleep. Despite her efforts, he remained deeply unconscious. "Zhane, wake up, we��ve arrived," she said gently, continuing to rock him softly in an attempt to rouse him.</subtxt>

 Chapter 381 Not A Dream

    "Ah!" Hera let out a soft, alluring moan as Zhane squeezed her butt cheeks again. His other hand slid behind her neck, holding her firmly in ce, making it clear he had no intention of letting her escape. "Zhane!" she called out, her voice betraying more need than she intended. A flicker of reason reminded her they were still outside the Golden Dragon Pavilion, and she had meant to tell him to stop. But instead, her voice came out seductive, as if she were inviting him to do more.

    Hearing his name spill from her cherry-red, seductive lips sent a surge of heat spiraling through Zhane��s core. He couldn��t help but groan, though the sound was muffled by their passionate kiss. But that didn��t slow him down��if anything, it only fueled his desire. He wanted more than just a kiss; he wanted all of her, right there, in that moment.

    Before Zhane could take any further action, a knock on the passenger side startled both Hera and Zhane. Hera instinctively tried to push Zhane away, but his strength made it almost impossible for her to move him more than a couple of inches. Zhane, however, calmly allowed her to create some distance but didn��t fully release her. Both of them were panting heavily, with Zhane��s powerful chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. Despite the interruption, his gaze remained passionately fixed on Hera��s flushed face.

    "You��re not a dream," Zhane murmured, his eyes still a bit blurry but gradually clearing, as if he wereing back to full awareness. Hera braced herself for an excuse or an apology, but instead, Zhane shed her a relieved and genuine smile. "I��m d it wasn��t just a dream." Hera choked slightly on her own breath, feeling a mix of defeat and embarrassment.

    Zhane was about to say more, but Dave��s frantic knocking started to irritate him. When Dave��s car finally pulled up behind Bry��s father��s truck, he was eager to rush to the front to catch up with Hera and Zhane. However, after two or three minutes with no movement from the cars ahead, a sudden realization struck him. He jumped out of his car and hurried to the front of the line. Sure enough, Hera��s car was right there, and the valet waiting by the driver��s side door had a flushed face and was pointedly looking away.

    The car��s engine was still rumbling, indicating that Hera hadn��t turned it off yet, but there was no sign of movement inside. Dave was about to ask the valet what was going on when he caught a glimpse through the front of the car and saw Hera and Zhane passionately making out. His frustration red, and he felt a pang of exclusion. He almost stumbled on his own feet as a thought crossed his mind: ��<i>What do I mean by feeling left out? Would it be okay if I joined in on the action too?��</i> Dave grumbled inwardly.

    He saw that the usually reserved Zhane now appeared like a ravenous beast, eager to devour his prey but simultaneously cautious not to cause any harm. His movements were filled with a mix of intense desire and careful restraint.

    He saw Hera��s flushed face, her grip on Zhane��s cor resembling that of a needy cat. Ovee with jealousy and unwillingness to be left out, Dave frantically knocked on the passenger window. As Zhane and Hera parted, Dave caught Zhane saying something to Hera, his expression content. Hera��s face turned even redder, her lips swollen and a deeper shade of red than usual, as she looked bashfully away.

    Hera was at a loss for words after Zhane��sment, his contented smile only deepening her embarrassment. She tried to look away, hoping to hide her flushed cheeks, but as she turned, her gaze locked with an amethyst eye staring back at her. It felt like d��j�� vu, and the familiarity of the situation made her want to sink into the ground. The embarrassment was overwhelming, intensified by the fact that there were now more people witnessing her intimate moment with Zhane inside the car.

 Chapter 382 Dave, Apologize

    Seeing Hera��s flustered state in Zhane��s arms, Dave offered with a warm smile, "Sweetheart, would you like to be in my arms instead?" His genuine tone made Hera��s heart skip a beat and caused Zhane to pause. He nced down, finding Hera still hiding her face against his chest, while Dave eagerly peered over his shoulder, clearly wanting to take his ce. Dave��s gaze turned usatory, as if Zhane were hoarding Hera all to himself. Zhane, however, remained silent, prepared to honor Hera��s choice if she preferred to be with Dave.

    Dave and Zhane waited in anticipation for Hera��s response, and feeling once again under the spotlight, she managed to croak out, "I��m fine now. I can walk on my own. It was just a moment of stiff muscles." Despite her attempt to downy the situation, her bright red ears betrayed her embarrassment. Both Zhane and Dave found her flustered state endearing.

    "Are you sure you don��t want to experience being held in my strong arms instead?" Dave teased Hera, unable to resist seeing her blush like a lovesick young girl. "Despite my appearance, I have toned muscles that can hold their own against any of my friends." He shed a yful, boyish grin, and sent Zhane a challenging smirk.

    Zhane shook his head at Dave��s childishpetitiveness ring up once again. He turned his attention back to Hera, his expression softening with concern. "Are you sure you��re feeling okay to walk on your own?" he asked gently.

    Hera didn��t respond verbally but gave a weak nod, too embarrassed to make eye contact as she struggled to regain herposure. The feeling of being the center of attention only added to her difort, and she could almost sense the crowd around them, as if they were eagerly watching a captivating performance unfold.

    Dave��s childish behavior wasn��t helping the situation, so Hera peered over Zhane��s shoulder and shot daggers at him with a fierce re. Dave visibly shuddered under her intense gaze, realizing only then how far he had pushed things due to his jealousy and sense of being left out. His shoulders slumped in defeat, and he muttered a weak apology. "I��m sorry," he said, looking like a chastened fox with his ears drooping.

    Zhane chose not to kick Dave while he was down, refraining from further reprimanding him. He knew Hera��s intense gaze had already delivered the necessary message. It was unusual to see Dave back down so quickly and even apologize, given his typically mischievous nature. Usually, Dave would persist until he got what he wanted, but Hera��s stern look had managed to subdue him. Silently, Dave fell into line behind them, his usual bravado reced by a subdued demeanor.

    Zhane carefully set Hera down, but he continued to hold her right hand, ready to offer support if she felt any difort. Despite his earlier apology, Dave was still eager to be close to Hera. As he reached out for her hand, he hesitated, his hand hovering in mid-air. Noticing Dave��s hesitation and feeling a bit sympathetic, Hera extended her left hand to grasp his, offering a reassuring touch.

    hen Dave felt Hera��s small, soft hand in his, his slumped shoulders straightened, and a wide grin spread across his face. With newfound energy, he walked alongside Hera and Zhane, his steps light and springy. Zhane couldn��t help but shake his head, amused by Dave��s quick turnaround. He hadn��t realized how easily Dave could be cated with a simple gesture of reassurance.

    On the other hand, Hera seemed to be growing ustomed to being nked by two male leads at once. She instinctively reached out to Dave, her actions reflecting a growing empathy that made her want to soothe their down moments. She noticed that her feelings were starting to align with theirs, but she chose not to overthink it. Instead, she decided to go with the flow and let things unfold naturally.

 Chapter 383 Who’s The Playgirl?

    Zhane��s tone was steady, but the way he spoke felt as though he were thanking someone on behalf of his wife, adding an unspoken depth to his gratitude.

    Gerald��s opinion of Zhane only improved as he nodded in approval, a smile forming on his lips. "I was just doing my duty, Dr. Everett," he responded smoothly. "It was you who truly helped Miss Ainsley deal with her... unhinged ex." Gerald made sure to mention Alexi, subtly drawing aparison between Zhane��s calm, reliable demeanor and Alexi��s vtile nature, the implication hanging in the air between them.

    Dave, curious about the conversation and eager to learn more about Hera��s past, couldn��t hide his interest. His expression clearly betrayed his desire to be in the loop. Noticing this, Gerald initially reached out to shake Dave��s hand but then saw that Dave��s right hand was firmly sping Hera��s. With a friendly smile, Gerald opted to pat Dave on the shoulder instead.

    "I��ll fill you in on the detailster," Gerald said with a knowing grin. "How about I show you to your private room for now?"

    Both Dave and Zhane were taken aback. They had just arrived in the lobby and hadn��t yet made a reservation or requested any assistance to set up their room. Gerald��s assertion that he already had a room prepared for them was unexpected and somewhat unusual.

    Then, both Dave and Zhane nced back at the racecourse manager, and a realization dawned on them. They understood that the manager must have made the reservation earlier, which exined why Gerald was there in person to lead them. Given that both the racecourse and the Golden Dragon Pavilion were part of the Avery��s properties, they inferred that Gerald and the manager were likely well-acquainted. Dave shot a grateful look at the manager, who responded with a puzzled tilt of his head.

    Dave and Zhane didn��t find the situation unusual. They were unaware of the exchange between Hera and Gerald that took ce while they were turning to look at the manager. To those observing, it resembled a yful staring match between old friends or siblings who had known each other for a long time.

    Gerald, pleased with the situation, urged Hera and the others to follow him. Hera didn��t need to guess about the room Gerald had prepared; she knew it was one of the many he had readily avable, requiring no prior reservation or preparation.

    Gerald soon led everyone to Pavilion 1, which both surprised and amazed Zhane and Dave. Zhane managed to maintain hisposure, but Dave looked around with childlike excitement. When he spotted the luxurious boat docked beside Pavilion 1, he became convinced that Luke and Rafael had indeed enjoyed their lunch here yesterday with Hera.

    He turned to Hera with a wide, yful smile, his eyes narrowing into crescent shapes like an innocent fox��though she knew better. "Sweetheart, shall we feed the fish? Hmm?" His voice was turning a soft purr, coaxing her to join him on the boat, wanting to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.

    _______________

    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: <ABDHY8UWAAKFKZKDA>. 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!

 Chapter 384 Bry’s Father, Being Jumpy and Nervous

    When Hera noticed Gerald��s cautious seating arrangement, she couldn��t help but recall the flying shrimp incident from the previous day. The memory made herugh softly, and Gerald, recognizing the cause of her amusement, felt his face flush with embarrassment. His nose red slightly, but he chose not toment. Instead, he quickly shifted his attention and called out to the servers, trying to redirect the focus away from his difort.

    The servers soon arrived, presenting an array of meticulously prepared dishes that catered to everyone��s preferences, with Hera��s favorites taking center stage. The table was adorned with a sumptuous spread: steamed Fourchu Lobster and Pearl Lobster, baked Coffin Bay King Oyster, charcoal grilled eel with a special sauce, and Bluefin Tuna paired with creamy white truffle soup. Additionally, there was a Kobe beef sandwich and Almas Caviar on the side, making for an opulent and diverse feast.

    The table also featured lighter options, including a crisp sd with creamy Caesar dressing and an enticing fruit tter, alongside more seafood and soups. Bry��s eyes sparkled with awe at the array of unfamiliar and exquisitely presented dishes. Each te looked like a work of art, making him hesitate to dig in, captivated by their beauty.

    Despite his reluctance, Bry��s stomach betrayed him with a loud grumble that echoed around the room, eliciting heartyughter from everyone. Noticing Bry��s predicament, the manager took it upon himself to serve the boy. Understanding that Bry was not only small and might struggle to reach the food but also likely unsure or shy about what to choose, the manager made sure to offer him a selection of dishes to try.

    The manager promptly offered Bry a sample of each dish on the table, allowing him to choose his favorites before serving himrger portions of the ones he liked best. Meanwhile, Bry��s father, his hands trembling, reached for the nearest food. Without needing to ask, he recognized the extravagant nature of the spread��he had seen wealthy individuals indulging in simr delicacies before and overheard discussions about the high cost of caviar and air-freighted lobster from the servants of wealthy families.

    He felt that the longer he stayed in such an opulent environment, the more his heart would struggle to keep up, overwhelmed by the extravagance. Unustomed to such luxury, he found himself eating slowly and sparingly, unable to fully enjoy the feast before him. Hera, recalling her own experiences of adjusting from a humble life, empathized deeply with his difort. She regretted not considering Bry��s father��s feelings more carefully and felt a pang of guilt for not anticipating his reaction to thevish surroundings.

    Hera realized it was her oversight to focus solely on the male leads�� preferences and neglect Bry��s father��sfort, especially since this celebration was meant to for him. Frustrated, she let out a quiet sigh, which didn��t go unnoticed by the observant Zhane. He gently patted the back of her hand, which was clutching her dress under the table, offering a silent gesture of support and understanding.

    Feeling Zhane��s reassuring touch, Hera pursed her lips in contemtion. She made a quick decision, beckoning a nearby server and whispering instructions into his ear. The server then dashed out of the room. Meanwhile, Zhane took a steamed Fourchu Lobster, carefully cut it into bite-sized pieces, and ced the te in front of Hera. He also set the apanying sauce beside her and gently encouraged her to sample the lobster.

    Zhane continued to cut the lobster with practiced precision, effortlessly and gracefully peeling a shrimp for Hera. Initially, Gerald flinched and raised his hands defensively when he saw Zhane reaching for the shrimp, anticipating another mishap. However, when nothing happened, he nced over to find Zhane skillfully and elegantly peeling the shrimp, his movements so fluid and precise that it resembled a work of art.

    What can he even expect from the best doctor?

 Chapter 385 Two Peas In A Pod

    Bry��s father taunted him with a smug expression. "What? Are you more afraid of being pinched than getting hit by me?" he asked sarcastically. Bry looked back at him, clearly puzzled.

    "Dad, can��t you see? Brother Dave looks like he��s in so much pain. Even an adult would nearly cry from being pinched like that. Honestly, getting hit seems better to me," Bry said, trying to exin his reasoning to his father. He nced back at Dave, who was still wincing in difort, and winced himself. "Sister Hera looks pretty formidable," he murmured before returning to his meal. Although no one could quite read his thoughts, Bry started behaving more thoughtfully, stealing asional nces at Hera and Dave before focusing back on his food.

    Bry��s father burst intoughter at his son��s mischievous behavior and silently gave Hera a thumbs up. Soon after, another round of food arrived. This time, the dishes were simple and familiar to Bry and his father. Bry��s eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the familiar fare, and he eagerly anticipated the meal. Bry��s father cast an appreciative nce at Hera, acknowledging her thoughtfulness.

    He began serving his son the simple fare, such as grilled fish, and enjoyed the meal heartily himself. Seeing her good intentions appreciated, Hera felt uplifted and continued eating with a sense of satisfaction. The breakfast turned out to be a wonderful mood booster for everyone. As they finished their meal, the atmosphere around the dining table was filled withughter and shared stories. They discussed their passions and personal experiences, deepening their understanding of one another.

    Dave took on the role of the group��s mascot, guiding the conversation to a rxed and humorous tone. His yful banter led to frequentughter among the group, and that��s how their celebratory feast concluded. After they finished eating, Hera, Bry, Dave, and Zhane set off for a boat ride around theke. Dave made sure to ask the boatman to take a picture of him with Hera. Given the small space, the photo ended up capturing all four of them��Zhane, Hera, Bry, and Dave��together.

    Hera sat in the center of the plush, white velvet seat, nked by Dave on one side and Zhane on the other. Bry, holding the fish feed and shing a wide smile, crouched in front of Hera, eagerly looking at the camera as they captured the moment.

    Since it was still early in the daypared to when Hera, Luke, and Rafael had visited yesterday, the ambiance in the picture was slightly different. Birds were captured in flight, darting around the water lilies as they snatched at insects. The photo also featured the soft shimmer of a rainbow, created by the reflection of teardrop crystals hanging from therge umbre, casting a delicate, glittering halo. This created a soft, elegant atmosphere, in contrast to the ethereal, fairytale-like quality of the previous day.

    At first, Dave is dissatisfied but then again, after considering again, hees into terms that the picture itself could be considered a different experience from what Luke and Rafael had with Hera even if they are in the same ce and he felt much better after having such thought.

    After they had spent a pleasant morning together, Gerald escorted them to the lobby to see them off to their cars. But the world is really so small that enemies often meet on a narrow road.

    "Well, well, well. Look who we have here!" Sienna, who had recently parted ways with Hera��s group and left on a sour note, was now seen again with the granddaughter of the Korean dignitary. To Hera��s surprise, ire was also with them. ire, who was supposed to be cklisted from the Golden Dragon Pavilion due to her previous misdeeds, attempted to hide behind Sienna and the Korean dignitary��s granddaughter. However, it was already toote��Hera had spotted her.

    Hera merely chuckled and took a step forward, her arms crossed confidently over her ample chest. This stance, inadvertently highlighting her impressive figure, only added to hermanding presence. Her demeanor was deliberately assertive, clearly intended to provoke and unsettle the three girls further.

    "Shhh!" Before Sienna could utter another derogatory or upsetting word, Hera swiftly gestured for her to be quiet, cing her index finger over her lips with a mischievous glint in her eye. This gesture only served to heighten Sienna��s indignation, a reaction Hera was fully prepared for and clearly relished.

 Chapter 386 The Real Reason Behind Her Taunting

    It wasn��t just Sienna who was caught off guard and flustered by being thrust into the spotlight��ire and the granddaughter of the Korean dignitary were also swept into the chaos, especially ire, who had been named alongside Sienna. ire had thought her cklist was limited to the Golden Dragon Pavilion and had hoped to "identally" run into Gerald, knowing he was present, in a desperate attempt to salvage her tarnished image after herst public altercation with Hera at the same venue.

    ire was determined to use every trick at her disposal to redeem herself, even if it meant resorting to seducing Gerald, whom she believed was still single and "up for grabs." Her desperation had only deepened after the fallout at home��her father had been livid upon learning their family��s prestigious membership at the Golden Dragon Pavilion had been revoked, turning all his hard-earned connections into dust.

    ire had not only been grounded for a week and stripped of her allowance for two months, but she had also endured a harsh beating from her father, leaving her unable to go out even after the grounding ended. The pain and humiliation she experienced fueled her resentment toward Hera, though it was mixed with a growing fear��Hera had be the face of her trauma, and ire couldn��t shake the anxiety that came with facing her again.

    Now, hearing from Hera, of all people, that they had been cklisted from every Avery establishment felt like a death sentence. It wasn��t just a social snub��it was a deration that they no longer had a ce in their own country. Their only option would be to live like outcasts, unable to attend any major social events unless hosted in private homes.

    Being cklisted by a conglomerate family also meant that all the socialites would sever ties with them. Essentially, Hera was telling them to disappear quietly. She knew it was a harsh fate, but there was still a way out. They could flee, relocate their businesses overseas, and start afresh. It would be tough, but at least it would be a new beginning.

    If Hera didn��t take this decisive action, ire, her family, and other minor characters would inevitably be pulled deeper into the storyline. They��d be viinized, relentlessly targeting Hera toplicate her life. Worse, they could end up bing the second "Hera"��mere cannon fodder, doomed to serve as obstacles to advance the plot. By cutting them off now, she was preventing them from following that path.

    Although Hera wasn��t in a position to worry about their fate, considering she herself wasn��t safe from being dragged back into the role of cannon fodder she was destined to y.

    "NO!" Sienna roared, her face contorting with rage as if she were about to pounce on Hera. Zhane and Dave, sensing the shift in Sienna��s demeanor, stepped forward to shield Hera. But Hera remained unflinching, her resolve firm. Her target wasn��t ire; it was Sienna.

    Hera aimed to provoke Sienna as much as Sienna wanted to provoke her. The strategy was simple: to stir up the Lennons and force them to act swiftly, particrly Tyler Lennon, who had been elusive since his scandal. Hera suspected Tyler was bidding his time, preparing to strike when least expected. It was far more dangerous to face an unexpected attack than to anticipate one.

    Why target Sienna instead of going directly after Tyler? The answer was strategic: confronting Tyler directly would alert him to the danger, causing him to act with even greater caution and making Hera��s nned ambush ineffective. By provoking Sienna, Hera hoped to force Tyler into action prematurely, potentially catching him off guard.

    More importantly, Sienna was the pampered princess of her family, adored even by her brother. Provoking her would make her so enraged that she would likely run to Tyler, her brother, in tears. Given the recent bad publicity surrounding the Lennons, including the drugging incident and the fallout at the racecourse, adding the news of Sienna being cklisted from all Avery establishments would only stoke the mes. Tyler would perceive this as a deliberate provocation, interpreting it as a warning from the Avery family in retaliation for the drugging incident.

 Chapter 387 When She Decided To Be Cruel

    Hera took a deep breath, locking her gaze on Sienna��s eyes to further provoke her. She aimed to escte the confrontation, turning this from mere drama into a calcted hunt. It was time for her to go after her prey.

    Seeing Hera��s taunting smirk, Sienna��s eyes widened in fury. She roared, "It��s you, isn��t it?! You��re spewing nonsense! Why would the Avery Family cklist me from all their establishments if you��re the only one I��ve shed with? Don��t tell me��you��re Old Master Avery��s sugar baby?" Her maniacalughter grated on Hera��s patience and deeply displeased Gerald, Zhane, and Dave.

    Dave gritted his teeth, his frustration barely contained as Sienna spewed nonsense about Hera. Meanwhile, Zhane, ever the gentleman, red at Sienna with a piercing intensity. Though his thoughts remained unreadable, his gaze made it clear that he viewed her as a hateful enemy.

    Hera remained unfazed. "Oh, didn��t you know? Just a week ago, your brother tried to drug the sole heiress of the Lowery and Jackson families right on Avery turf. Not only did he tarnish the wless reputation of the Dragon Pce Hotel, the only seven-star establishment in the country, but he also caused reputational damage that could cost $50 billion inpensation."

    With Hera��s revtion, ire would soon realize that her cklist was not solely due to her own missteps but rather because of her association with Sienna. ire would start to understand that her exclusion from Avery establishments stemmed from her connection to Sienna. The reason the other girl, an exchange student from Korea, wasn��t affected was because she was not a local and thus beyond the Avery��s jurisdiction. Banning her from using their facilities would lead to a national dispute, especially since she was the granddaughter of a Korean dignitary, and the Avery would need a strong justification to avoid diplomaticplications.

    ire only became the unlucky one because of her wrong association, so, Hera would be clear off of her hatred and instead would focus her hatred on Sienna now for dragging her down with her.

    "No!!! You��re just making up lies and ndering my brother!" Sienna growled, her eyes zing with fury. The businessmen in the lobby exchanged uneasy nces; if Hera��s ims were true, it would spark a major dispute, forcing them to choose sides in what could be a significant n conflict.

    This was also Hera��s strategy topel the families of the heiresses Tyler was ckmailing to choose a side. Would they align with a rising family like the Lennons, who had yet to make a significant breakthrough and relied heavily on their fragile connections, or would they side with a longstanding conglomerate with deep-rooted influence and power?

    As the saying goes, one must choose their battles wisely to ensure a long and sessful life. Most influential families in their circles prioritize their collective interests over individual concerns. Therefore, when faced with a choice between supporting a single family member or advancing the interests of the entire n, they will undoubtedly prioritize the n��s welfare and discard the individual baggage.

    Although it was harsh of Hera to drive them to the brink, this was the only way to persuade the heiresses under Tyler��s control to align themselves with the Avery family. Even if they feared that their scandals might be exposed and tarnish their reputations, it was a far better alternative than being utterly forsaken by their entire n.

    Besides, Gerald had already approached those heiresses with a deal, but their fear of public humiliation had made them hesitant. Now, with mounting pressure from their own families, they would be forced to make a decisive choice. Additionally, this incident would likely alienate the Lennons from the upper crust, driving Tyler to be even more desperate in his actions.

 Chapter 388 We Are No Paper Tiger

    "Do you really think we��d let those who wronged us walk away scot-free? Ha! You Lennons are sorely underestimating the Avery family," Geraldughed menacingly, his voice dripping with disdain. Hera couldn��t help but whistle softly, impressed by his convincing disy of viiny meant to intimidate Sienna.

    "Because of your brother��s actions, we��ve lost all trust in the Lennons. It was only fitting that we cklist everyst one of you from our establishments and coborations," Gerald continued, his tone cold and authoritative. Then, he nced at ire sitting on the floor and feigned surprise. "Oh, and this youngdy here got caught up in your mess, Miss Lennon. We can��t afford to let anyone with ties to the Lennons get too close. After all, you y dirty. What if you tried to use people close to you to attack us again? Like when you bribed one of my staff at the hotel with $10 million."

    "Your brother was so eager to bag Miss Lowery over no matter what the cost that he was willing to drop $10 million to bribe one of my staff," Gerald said, dropping the bombshell with a chilling calmness. The businessmen watching were visibly shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief. They had been puzzled by the drugging incident at their hotel, especially given how generously the Avery familypensated their staff. A sum like $10 million was more than enough for any employee to retire early and livefortably without ever needing to work again.

    Upon hearing the truth from Gerald, the businessmen��s expressions shifted from surprise to disgust. They now understood the sordid details behind the Lennons�� underhanded tactics and felt a growing unease about what Tyler Lennon had attempted.

    With years of experience in the business world, they recognized the potential threat Tyler posed and couldn��t help but shudder at the thought of him turning his attention toward their own families.

    The idea of such a maniptive figure targeting their daughters filled them with dread and made them reconsider their own positions and alliances.

    Aligning with the Lennons would bring no benefit and, like ire and her family, they risked bing pariahs. Instead, they were determined to distance themselves from the Lennons, fearing further schemes and retribution.

    Gerald��s words were taken as a stark warning, and no one wanted to be on the wrong side of the Avery family. Unlike Tyler, whose arrogance seemed to seal his fate, these businessmen were keen to avoid any actions that might lead them into a simr predicament.

    Sienna felt the intense res piercing through her, and her heart sank under the weight of repeated scorn. Overwhelmed and unable to face the humiliation any longer, she turned and fled with trembling legs and a storm of anger in her heart. As she ran, her thoughts were filled with a bitter resolve: <i>��I��ll be back. My brother will deal with you! You don��t know what he��s capable of��he��s the real tiger in this dense jungle!��</i>

    Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she fought to hold them back, unwilling to give Hera the satisfaction of seeing her break down. In her mind, Hera was to me for everything��from trying to steal her fianc�� to sparking the feud between the Avery and the Lennon families. Sienna convinced herself that if Hera had kept quiet about the drugging incident, none of this would have happened.

    "Oh, so you��re nning to run off and tell your brother? What exactly do you think he can do?" Dave��s mocking voice echoed through the lobby.

 Chapter 389 Zhane’s Retort

    Hera wasn��t foolish enough to put herself in danger beyond what she could handle. Her strategy of sharing the target with the Avery was designed to provoke the male leads�� protective instincts and demonstrate that she could depend on them. Athena had once pointed out that by consistently portraying vulnerability and facing tough situations, a person��s perceived fragility could heighten a man��s protectiveness and stir his feelings, making him more fearful of losing her.

    By adopting this approach, she would be well-protected, with the male leads actively defending her with all their might. In a sense, this would bind them to her, which is precisely what she needs. She has to pull out all the stops to secure the affection of all the male leads, as her limited time makes it impossible to spend quality moments with each of them individually.

    Initially, Hera was reluctant to put herself in danger, as she didn��t want to worry her grandfather. However, Alice��s actions and Minerva��s involvement in a heinous crime were deeply unsettling. Hera realized that, while she was seeding in winning the male leads�� favor, it also meant that the two female leads were straying from their original personas��or perhaps revealing their true selves. As the saying goes, one��s true character is exposed in times of danger and adversity.

    Hera believed this was an unfavorable situation for both Minerva and Alice. Despite her initial resistance, she knew she had to face it, even if just this once. Her greatest hope was to keep this secret from her grandfather, as the revtion would undoubtedly break his heart and bring him to tears. The very thought of causing him such pain was unbearable to her.

    "That��s right. Do you really think the Lennons could act so arrogantly on our turf and escape without consequences?" Gerald��s smirk was a chilling contrast to the tense atmosphere. As the crowd��s mocking gazes bore down on her, Sienna��sposure shattered, and she burst into tears as she fled toward the exit.

    ire, both embarrassed and furious, ran after her, shouting, "Wait, Sienna, wait!"

    Dave huffed in indignation as he watched the two women run off, one chasing the other in a frantic escape. He nced briefly at the granddaughter of the Korean dignitary, who was staring at him with wide, tearful eyes, but he chose to ignore her, remaining unmoved by her pitiable expression.

    Dave didn��t even want to spare her a nce, instead striding back to Hera��s side. He shot a disdainful look at Zhane, as if to me him for the entire debacle, rolling his eyes in frustration. Zhane, noticing Dave��s gesture, chose to ignore it, understanding that Dave��s behavior stemmed from his protectiveness over Hera. He didn��t take the remark to heart, recognizing the tension in the situation.

    But Zhane wasn��t about to let Dave trample over him to prove his point to Hera. He retorted, "Dave, you can��t seriously badmouth me and my mother like that. You know my mom is mild-mannered and probably believed the Lennons were righteous. She��s a kind and empathetic person, even a fan of Hera. If given the choice between an ill-mannered woman and Hera, she��d undoubtedly choose Hera. Once she learned I was involved with Hera, she was eager to meet her and stopped any negative assumptions. So don��t assume we��re blind or anything."

    Zhane��s eyes crinkled slightly as he noticed Dave��s furrowed brows. He pressed on, "And let��s not forget, wasn��t your mom the one setting you up on blind dates one after another? What makes you so certain you won��t fall for the same trick? Also, isn��t it a bit suspicious how your location was always conveniently leaked to the Korean Dignitary, making him able to setting up chance encounters with his granddaughter? Do you really believe that wasn��t orchestrated by your own family?"

    Dave��s eyes widened as Zhane��s words sank in. He began to realize that the consistent leaks about his location might indeed be connected to his own mother.

 Chapter 390 Calling His Mom

    Reflecting on it more carefully, Dave realized it was highly unlikely that his mother even knew where he was. If she had known, she wouldn��t have spent months organizing blind dates and working so hard to find suitable matches for him. And if he hadn��t attended those dates, she would have definitely shown up in person to drag him to the meetings herself.

    Dave��s eyes narrowed as the realization hit him, and frustration welled up inside him. He had walked right into Zhane��s trap without even realizing it. He hadn��t expected Zhane to be so sly, which is why he had taken his words at face value.

    Dave gritted his teeth and pursed his lips, his gaze fixed sharply on Zhane. The usual mischievous glint in his eyes had turned serious. He had to admit that Zhane had outmaneuvered him. Dave had let his guard down, frustrated by the constant, seemingly coincidental appearances of the Korean Dignitary and his granddaughter, which, in hindsight, had been anything but random.

    In his eagerness to shake off the two of them, he hadn��t paused to think. But judging by his mother��s reaction, it was clear she wasn��t the one tracking his location either. This only confirmed that his initial suspicion had been correct.

    And that, my friend, is the reason why Leo hasn��t been showing up his face all this time even when he really wanted to see Hera so much, more than anyone.

    Due to the suspicions surrounding his scheme against the male leads, he found himself inundated with trouble, having to handle the fallout from every direction without respite. However, it wasn��t just a matter of retaliation. They were also determined to uncover Leo��s true background��whether he was indeed just a manager as he imed or if he was something entirely different, as they suspected.

    After a moment of surprise, Hera burst into giggles. In the novel, not even Alice could manage to put Dave in his ce, so it was quite amusing to see his mother achieve it so effortlessly. Hera��sughter delighted her, and Dave, realizing she wasughing at him, could do nothing but slump his shoulders in defeat as he looked at her smiling.

    Gerald bade them farewell, and Dave drove Zhane back to the hospital to discuss the n Zhane and Leo had been working on. Meanwhile, Bry and his father parted ways with Hera and the manager. Bry, brimming with energy, chattered incessantly with his father on their way home, while the manager stayed at the Pavilion to catch up with Gerald.

    Once everything was wrapped up, Hera drove her Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail back to the university. As usual, the car drew attention wherever she went, making heads turn as she arrived on campus. Her high-profile arrival only reinforced the rumors about her being a missing heiress or an illegitimate child.

    Hera and Betty let the wild spection swirl online, understanding that, despite its negativity, it still served as publicity. Betty hadplete confidence in Hera��s ability to turn this attention to her advantage, trusting that Hera would make the most of the situation one way or another.

    Following the incident between Hera and Alice at the campus revote for the new campus Bell, which escted into a nder case, no one wanted to revisit the past. Everyone acted as if nothing had happened and continued to treat Hera as the campus Bell. In fact, the controversy only boosted Hera��s poprity at school.

    Previously, her busy schedule with part-time jobs had left her looking haggard and her beauty often overlooked. Now, with the increased attention, her poprity soared as she became more prominent and noticed.

    Now that Hera was practically glowing and dressed impably, her beauty was even more pronounced. The saying "clothes make the man" proved true, as she was treated like the celebrity she had be. Her fanbase continued to grow steadily, with students frequently stopping her for autographs or photos. Hera handled these encounters with patience, offering polite nods and smiles, which were warmly received by everyone.

 Chapter 391 Fan To The Rescue

    Though small in stature, the girl was fierce. Hera couldn��t help but think of a chihuahua��tiny but always ready to bite when irritated or provoked. The girl stepped in front of Hera, who was momentarily lost for words, and spread her arms protectively, standing her ground with surprising intensity.

    Hera couldn��t help but be amused by the cute girl who looked like she belonged in middle school. With a small face,rge eyes, and delicate features��a tiny nose and lips��she resembled a real-life doll. Her long, straight hair was tied into a twin ponytail, and she wore a simple white shirt, ck skirt, long ck socks, and ck leather shoes. Hera noticed there was no visible school emblem on the girl��s outfit, perhaps because it was on a vest or coat she wasn��t wearing at the moment.

    The two girls, embarrassed at being called witches in front of so many students, looked ready to fight back. But like Hera, they quickly realized their "opponent" was just a middle schooler. Deciding to act as though they were the bigger people, they huffed and scoffed at Hera before storming off. The little girl, however, wasn��t about to let them have thest word. She puffed out her chest and stuck her tongue out at the two retreating girls in defiant indignation.

    "That��s right! You should��ve left earlier instead of projecting your insecurities onto someone just because they��re clearly prettier and more talented than you. Hmph!"

    The two girls were furious, but realizing they would only be theughingstock if they squabbled with a kid, they stomped off with their tails between their legs. The girl let out a heartyugh, then spun around to face Hera, her big eyes sparkling with mischief and a wide grin spreading across her face.

    "Hello, Sister Hera! I��m your fan, ��HeraIsMySister��! I��m here to protect you from any unreasonable fans so you can get to ss!" The girl saluted yfully, as if she were on duty, and began guiding Hera toward her ssroom.

    Still a bit baffled by the sudden turn of events, Hera felt a gentle push on her back as the girl urged her forward. The girl chatted away, asking questions in an adorably cute voice. Though she barely reached Hera��s chest due to Hera��s heels, the little fan carried herself with an air of defiance that made her seem more intimidating than Hera herself.

    The girl would scowl or growl at anyone who tried to approach Hera, barking, "She��ste! Move, or I��ll bite you!" Hera was utterly amused, unsure where this fierce little protector hade from. Herughter rang out, melodious and beautiful, her eyes sparkling with tears of joy.

    She couldn��t contain it, and the hallway fell into stunned silence. Everyone paused, captivated by Hera��s radiant beauty as herughter echoed, almost glowing in their eyes. Mesmerized, they simply stood there, watching as the girl confidently guided Hera down the hall.

    The girl joined Hera inughter as she saw everyone frozen in ce, their eyes following Hera��s every move. "Sister Hera, I didn��t realize your beautifulughter was more effective than my barking! Maybe you should justugh like this on your way to ss so no one bothers you?" she suggested with a grin. Hera��sughter only grew louder, her amusement evident.

    "Wouldn��t I juste off as a bit entric if I startedughing out of nowhere? It might deter people from approaching, but it would probably just lead to more gossip and negative headlines," Hera replied with a chuckle. She felt a growing closeness to the girl, not only because of her straightforwardness but also due to the clear, pure sincerity in her deer-like eyes. Hera could tell that the girl was a genuine fan.

    "Hahaha! Then I��ll just be your bodyguard and help you deal with these annoying people since they clearly don��t respect your personal time or your responsibilities as a student," the girl said loudly, making sure everyone could hear. Her words rang true; while fans should support their idols, they shouldn��t intrude on their personal lives or be a hindrance. Instead of being helpful, they were causing unnecessary trouble.

 Chapter 392 HeraIsMySister

    When the girl sessfully escorted Hera to her next ss��Finance, where Professor Fletcher was the guest speaker��she refused to leave and plopped herself down beside Hera, determined to shield her from fans who didn��t seem to understand the concept of personal space. Hera, knowing Professor Fletcher well, smiled wryly and decided to ask, "Teacher, would it be alright if my sister sits in for today?"

    Her tone was light, but the unspoken plea for understanding was clear. The girl looked at the professor with wide, innocent eyes, clearly eager to stay.

    The girl looked at the professor with pleading, obedient eyes that seemed to say, "Pretty please, I��m harmless and a good kid." Hera couldn��t help but secretly chuckle at the girl��s antics. She had no idea how she ended up with a fan like this, but she was d she did. The girl was truly adorable, and something about her made Hera feel an unexpected sense of closeness.

    Professor Fletcher didn��t hesitate to allow the girl to stay. Not only was she quiet and adorable, but it was Hera who had made the request. He was well aware of Hera��s rising poprity and the challenges that came with it since she became an artist. Seeing someone so protective of her was a relief. With the girl by her side, Hera would be able to focus more on her studies without the constant distractions from people vying for her attention on campus.

    It would be a disappointment if he couldn��t impart his knowledge and the meticulously prepared materials he had for Hera. The only reason he agreed to speak to this ss was because of her. Speaking to juniors, especially sophomores, often felt like a waste of his time, as they were only beginning to scratch the surface of their major. True understanding of the material typically began in their junior year and deepened throughout their senior year.

    But Hera was different. Her strongprehension skills made teaching her enjoyable, so he was more than happy to grant this small favor. Anything that helped Hera stay focused in ss was worth it to him.

    As the ss began, Hera listened attentively to the lecture, absorbing the informative material presented. The girl, on the other hand, struggled to keep her eyes open. Despite her efforts to stay awake for Hera��s sake, her eyelids grew heavy, and she began to nod off.

    Just then, a gentle, warm hand rested on the back of her head and softly patted her, as if inviting her to rest. Without much hesitation, she allowed her head to rest on the table and soon fell asleep,forted by the reassuring touch.

    Professor Fletcher noticed the girl��s sudden drowsiness and the tender gesture from Hera, pausing briefly before resuming his lecture. He chose to overlook the situation, focusing instead on delivering the material. Hera��s ssmates cast curious nces in her direction, but a stern look from the professor quickly silenced them. The troublemakers who had earlier caused amotion also kept their distance, deterred by the professor��s authoritative re.

    Few were aware of Hera��s studies under Professor Fletcher, but those in the know wisely chose to stay out of it. It wasmon knowledge at the university that Professor Fletcher only epted students with exceptional talent, and the fact that Hera was among them spoke volumes about her capabilities.

    Moreover, Hera��s exceptional abilities wereplemented by her easygoing nature and polite demeanor, which made her well-liked by those around her. She was respectful and kind, though she firmly dealt with troublemakers who crossed the line. This bnce of kindness and assertiveness ensured a smooth lecture experience. Hera was pleased with the session, recognizing how the knowledge she gained would be invaluable for her future role in leading the Avery Consortium.

 Chapter 393 HeraIsMySister’s Predicament

    <strong>[HeraIsMySister:</strong> Argh! My mom is definitely going to hit me with her slippers again for staying out sote! Dang it! But honestly, spending time with my idol was totally worth it, even if it means facing my mom��s wrath. Bring on the slippers and hangers!]

    <strong>[PasserbyGod:</strong> Wow, being chauffeured by your idol must have been an amazing experience! If I didn��t know any better, I��d almost believe you. I��m half-wondering if your fan club president, Northern Duke, sent you on this mission to either protect or spy on Hera. After all, you did receive his $1 million bribe. (��?-?)... (??_?)]

    <strong>[HeraIsMySister:</strong> Ugh! Can we just move on from that already? The money went straight into my college trust fund, and honestly, I still can��t believe I became a young millionaire from that. I keep wondering if he��ll try to take it back someday!]

    <strong>[AuntieNextDoor:</strong> @HeraIsMySister, you��re overthinking it. Did you know how much Northern Duke spent during my little sister Hera��s Variety Show live broadcast? It was in the millions! That $1 million you received might just be a drop in the bucket for him. He probably didn��t even think twice about sending it after you did him a favor. That��s just how rich people are. ��_(��)_/��]

    Soon, Hera arrived at the address, and the girl put away her phone, turning to Hera with a radiant smile. "Sister Hera, thank you so much for spending time with me. It means the world to me, and I never expected to be so lucky to be with my idol. I��ll treasure this day forever," the girl said, her eyes filled with adoration.

    Hera chuckled at the girl��s heartfelt remarks, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. She hadn��t expected connecting with a fan to be so fulfilling. It was a unique blend of emotions��like forming a bond with a friend, yet somehow different, and a bit like caring for a younger sibling, but still distinct. Though she couldn��t quite put it into words, the experience left her feeling genuinely happy.

    Hera exchanged numbers with the girl, who was thrilled and eager to oblige. As the girl walked into her house, she hummed happily, savoring the memorable day. However, her joy quickly turned to dread when she closed the front door and saw her mother standing there with a leather belt tightly gripped in her hand, ready to administer a harsh punishment.

    The girl could only cry bitterly as she looked up at her mother, who red at her with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "Your aunt told me she expected you back in the afternoon. Why are you onlying home now, when it��s already dark outside? And whose car did you get out of?!" Her mother��s nostrils red and her face turned a deep red, her anger evident as she formed her own conclusions about the situation.

    Tears streaming down her face, the girl desperately tried to exin as she nced nervously at the leather belt in her mother��s hand. "Mom, please wait! This is all a misunderstanding! I didn��t do anything wrong, I promise! Just let me exin, okay?!" She pleaded, trying to prevent the leather belt froming down before she had a chance to tell her side of the story.

    Her mother raised an eyebrow at her mischievous daughter, her skepticism deepening with each passing moment. She was already on edge after her daughter brought home a million dors in cash��a windfall that nearly gave her a stroke. Despite being reassured that it was a gift, and even seeing a screenshot as proof, she remained uneasy. She attempted to return the money, but the donor didn��t even flinch. Reluctantly, they gave up on returning it and deposited it into her college trust fund.

    Now, seeing her daughter step out of an incredibly expensive car, her mother��s suspicion only grew. Even though she wasn��t an expert on luxury vehicles, she could tell that the car was worth at least $5 million. With her arms crossed and a stern expression, she stared down her daughter, waiting for a convincing exnation.

    Seeing that her mother hadn��t immediately struck her, the girl seized the opportunity to exin. "Mom, that was Sister Hera. She goes to the same university as my cousin. After delivering my cousin��s things, I saw Sister Hera being harassed by other students. I stepped in to help because I thought, as a celebrity, it would be difficult for her to confront them without it reflecting poorly on her. I protected her so she could focus on her studies without interruptions. As a thank you, she treated me to dinner."

 Chapter 394 Leo Getting Bald

    To her surprise, Betty and two other instructors were waiting inside the training room. Hera had expected them to leave once her training began, but instead, they remained seated in the corner, observing her every move. The intensity of their scrutiny added ayer of pressure, making her acutely aware of their assessment of every action she took.

    Fortunately, she didn��t let the sudden change in her environment intimidate her. She managed to block out their presence and focus on her performance. Following the instructor��smands and suggestions, she immersed herself fully in the role, feeling liberated from the constraints of her reality. In those moments, she felt a deep connection with the character, as if she had be one with them.

    At the end of her performance, her acting instructor pped enthusiastically, a broad smile of pride lighting up her face.

    The same transformation urred in her dancing and voice sses. She effortlessly shed her everyday self and embraced the persona needed for the stage. Her performance resonated deeply with everyone, and her newfound rxation and soulful expression struck the right chords with her audience.

    Hera��s passion and keen understanding of timing and technique earned her top marks in her assessments. Her instructors then informed her that she was ready to proceed independently. They offered their continued support for discussing new roles and any future guidance she might need.

    This was the final step Betty needed before sending Hera off to pursue roles in drama and movies. After the assessment by her training instructors, Betty and Hera went straight to Betty��s office. There, they discussed the roles Hera was interested in and went over for the discussion for the uingmercial shoot. Hera would be working with Xavier for an ambassadorial campaign for ��Love Potion�� perfume��a project Hera had sessfully secured after taking it from Rafael.

    After discussing Hera��s future career path in more detail, both Hera and Betty headed home. By the time Hera arrived at her penthouse, it was well past midnight. Fortunately, the next day was Saturday, so she could afford to sleep in a bit longer. Out of habit, she checked her phone while taking a long, hot bath to soothe her muscles and calm her mind, preparing herself for a restful night.

    Just as she expected, the six all sent her good night messages, Leo was the longest of all the messages.

    [Leo: I��m really starting to miss you.]

    [Leo: Have you had a great day? I hope you did, I miss you and wanted to see you soon.]

    [Leo: Good night, I hope you��ll have an uninterrupted sleep tonight and I also hope that we��ll meet each other in our dream. Sleep well and dream of me. (??��??)?]

    [Leo: ( ? 3?)?( �� ? `)��?]

    Hera couldn��t help but giggle at Leo��s messages. She found it hard to imagine this yful, coy side of him, especially after her initial impression of him as domineering and aloof. Seeing him act so affectionately like a pampered wife was a delightful surprise. This new side of Leo felt warm and adorably charming, and she couldn��t deny that she found it endearing.

    Hera happily replied to Leo��s messages.

    [Hera: You too, I hope you��ll have a good rest tonight.]

    [Hera: Don��t stay up all night working, it was bad for your health, it might lead to baldness (�R?�Q)/]

    [Hera: Good night and sweet dreams.]

    Hera��sment about baldness was clearly a joke, but Leo took it to heart. He started to worry that he might actually go bald if he continued staying up all night. The thought reminded him of the executives at hispany��most of whom were workaholics and, notably, bald.

    Previously, Leo didn��t pay much attention to trivial matters, but Hera��s mention of baldness struck a chord with him. Concerned that she might not like him if he really did go bald, he quickly stood up from his office chair and decided to wash up and get some sleep. Meanwhile, his assistant, who had dark circles under his eyes from working overtime, entered Leo��s office to deliver the revised ns and business proposals they had been working on for days.

    When the assistant noticed that Leo��s chair was empty��an unusual sight given his recent tendency to workte��he grew puzzled and began searching the office for him. As his concern escted, he started to panic, but he never considered checking the hidden room in Leo��s office. The idea of Leo actually being asleep at this hour hadn��t crossed his mind.

    He frantically searched every nook and cranny of the entire floor, and even tried calling Leo��s phone. However, after ensuring that Hera was settled for the night, Leo had turned off his phone to avoid any interruptions that might disrupt his much-needed rest. In his haste to disconnect, he had forgotten to inform his assistant about his new, more regimented sleep schedule.

 Chapter 395 Old Master Avery

    Understanding her grandfather��s feelings, Hera quickly apologized and tried to charm him with her cuteness. "I��m sorry, Grandpa! I know you were busy, and since you gave me the freedom to explore before I took over the Consortium, I thought the entertainment industry would be the perfect ce. It��s a great way for people to get to know me and give ourpany some free promotion once I take over. Plus, it��s a dreame true for me because I love acting too."

    "So, it��s really just hitting two birds with one stone," Hera said with a yful giggle, letting her childish side show. Her grandfather, along with Athena, was one of the few people who could see this side of her. She feltpletely at ease around them, as if she could let her raw emotionse through without any pretense. This sense of freedom allowed her to momentarily forget the weight of her fate and the future, letting her truly be herself.

    "Hahaha! Good, good! That��s wonderful to hear! I loved what I saw on the Variety show, and I��m curious if you��ll be joining any other shows or dramas. Could you send me the titles? I��d love to catch up on them during my free time while working."

    "And let me tell you, my old friend was green with envy seeing how well you��re doing and how loved you are by everyone. He��s eager to support you too. It��s better to keep him upied with something like this rather than having him pester me at every turn," Old Master Avery grumbled, recalling how his friend had followed him overseas out of boredom and a need to be a nuisance.

    He still couldn��t figure out how he ended up friends with such an irritating old man who acted like a child. There was never a moment of peace when his friend was around��his constant chattering covered everything, from trivial matters to even the ants crawling about, minding their own business.

    So, not only was he thrilled to see his granddaughter making a ssh on television and the inte, but he was also relieved to see his friend finally find something to upy his time. It was a wee distraction from the constant interruptions during important business meetings and other crucial moments.

    There was even a time during an important business meeting with an overseas partner when his friend showed up unexpectedly, dressed in a mismatched floral shirt, shorts, and ck slippers. He lookedpletely out of ce and like a sore thumb. To make matters worse, he had the audacity to interrupt the meeting with a childish question about where to eat for lunch.

    He couldn��t tell if his friend was merely sumbing to the frailties of old age or if he was just so bored with life that he no longer cared about anything. Either way, it was frustrating because it felt like he was turning into a full-time caregiver for him.

    So now, he was more than pleased to see his friend glued to his tablet. Even when the old man apanied him to the office, he would quietly sit on the sofa, engrossed in the show, asionallyughing or grumbling at something. Although his friend��s silence was fleeting, it was still a wee relief, allowing him to focus on his own business uninterrupted.

    Hera chuckled, listening to her grandfather��s yful chiding of his friend. Although he sounded like he was reprimanding someone and calling them shameless, his tone wasced with a mix of helplessness and hidden amusement. It seemed that despite his outward irritation, he was secretly enjoying thepany. It was a wee break from his usual serious demeanor and constant focus on business, allowing him a chance to rx and have some fun.

    He found that engaging in yful banter with his friend helped him rx and temporarily forget the stressors that weighed heavily on him. The sense of helplessness he felt was more a reflection of their close rtionship than a genuine dislike for his friend��s presence.

    After grumbling about his annoyance, which only made his granddaughterugh and chuckle, he asked, "I heard you��ve been dealing with online attacks. My old friend has been waging a battle with what he calls trolls who have been badmouthing you for days. Are you okay? Let Cindy handle those things and try not to stress too much over their nonsense. We both know it��s not true, alright?" His tone softened, as if trying tofort her and assure her that he was on her side.

    Although his words weren��t particrly sweet or cuddly, the genuine care and thoughtfulness in his tone conveyed everything Hera needed to know. Even from afar, he was deeply concerned about his granddaughter��s well-being.

 Chapter 396 Feeling Like A Mafia Boss

    As Hera descended the stairs, Cindy and Amy stared in awe, their mouths agape and eyes sparkling with admiration. Yesterday, Hera had exuded the elegance of a high-ss sophisticate; today, she embodied the allure of a femme fatale straight out of a mafia novel. The dramatic shift in her appearance was striking, and the transformation was clearly captivating.

    Amy envisioned Hera descending the stairs with a lollipop yfully perched in her mouth, her every move oozing with the essence of her daring new look. Hera had fully embraced her provocative attire, embodying a persona so different from the elegant figure of yesterday that it was almost unrecognizable. Mesmerized by the transformation, Amy found herself pping in awe, caught up in the sheer impact of Hera��s bold new style.

    "Wow, Young Miss! I never realized you could rock an outfit like this! You look irresistibly fierce and sassy!" Amy eximed, her eyes wide with admiration as if she were watching a fashion show with Hera strutting down the runway.

    Hera couldn��t help but giggle, fully embracing her sassy mood for the day. Just then, Hannah��s voice rang out from the kitchen, "Breakfast is ready!"

    Before Amy could pull Hera towards the dining table, she insisted on taking a photo, convinced that even Hera��s fans would be astonished by her outfit. Hera, amused by the idea, handed her phone to Amy and struck a pose at the end of the stairs. Leaning casually against the railing, she crossed her legs and gave a yful smile, ready for her close-up.

    "Amazing, yes, just like that!" Amy eximed, excitedly kneeling on the marble floor to snap the first shot. She then asked Hera to turn her face slightly to the side for a different angle, capturing another perfect frame. For the next five minutes, Amy busily photographed Hera in various spots around the penthouse, each shot showcasing a new aspect of her striking look.

    As their photo session stretched on, Hannah eventually reminded them that breakfast was waiting. Only then did Amy remember that Hera hadn��t eaten yet. Amy quickly apologized to Hera for getting so caught up in the shoot, but Hera justughed it off. Eagerly, she joined Amy at the kitchen table, where they reviewed the photos together and decided which ones to post on Hera��s social media ount.

    As Hera enjoyed her breakfast, she allowed Amy to post the best of the photos on Hera��s social media ount, leaving the caption to Amy��s creative touch:

    [I am feeling sassy today and felt like a mafia boss.]

    Amy posted several photos of Hera that exuded a daring, provocative vibe without revealing much skin. Hera��smanding aura came through clearly in the images. As soon as Amy hit "post," the likes began pouring in, and her smile grew wider with each refresh. Thements flowed in like a tidal wave, adding to the excitement of the moment.

    She nced at Hera��s phone for a moment before handing it back, opting to check her own phone instead since she followed Hera as well. Then, two more notification ��dings�� echoed through the dining room, one after another.

    Cindy and Hannah quickly pulled out their phones to check Hera��s social media update. They both hit "like" instantly and saved the photo to their own devices. Meanwhile, Hera remained blissfully unaware, savoring the breakfast that Hannah had prepared for her.

    Hannah had prepared hand-pulled noodles in a rich chicken broth, simmered with mushrooms, garlic, onions, ck pepper, a hint of ginger, leeks, and a selection of nourishing herbs. This hearty dish was designed to replenish Hera��s energy, especially given herte nights spent training and studying. To finish, Hannah added an extrayer of toppings to enhance the meal.

    After Hera finished her meal, Hannah served her a refreshing lemonade infused with mint and cucumber slices to cleanse her pte. As Hera leaned back, content and satisfied, she let out a small, appreciative burp, savoring the delicious meal.

    Just in time, she received a message from Zhane.

    [Zhane: What time are we heading out today?]

    [Zhane: I��ll pick you up at your ce.]

    [Hera: Actually, I��m ready to go now, but I��m still deciding whether to stop by the antique store to get a gift for my grandpa.]

    [Zhane: How about I join you?]

    [Zhane: I often buy gifts for my grandpa too, so I might be able to help you choose something.]

    [Hera: That sounds great!]

    [Zhane: Give me 30 minutes. I��ll head over after I change.]

    [Hera: Okay! Drive safely.]

    After sending the message, Zhane quickly stood up from his home office. He had been meaning to ask Hera what time they were going out today, but he was still busy searching for a great ce for their date. When he learned that Hera was heading out early, he decided to join her. By tagging along, he could make the most of their time together.

    The staff at Everett Hospital were stunned to hear that Zhane Everett, the notoriously workaholic genius doctor, was taking a day off. This unexpected break sparked a flurry of spection among the staff. Some of the higher-ups even contacted the Everett manor for an exnation, but the manor was just as in the dark, having no idea that Zhane had taken a day off.

    It wasn��t that the hospital was thrown into disarray by Zhane��s absence, given his role in leading major surgeries and research. Rather, the buzz stemmed from the staff��s gossipy nature and curiosity about the potential reasons behind his unexpected day off.

    Zhane, on the other hand, nearly stumbled several times as he hurried to his walk-in closet to pick out his clothes. He had expected their outing with Hera to be scheduled forter, so although he had beenposed earlier, learning that Hera was nning to leave so soon sent his heartbeat racing and made him feel unusually nervous.

    Moreover, with the timeframe he had mentioned for his arrival, Zhane felt the pressure to hurry. Realizing this was his first date and that he hadn��t yet chosen his outfit, he felt a rare surge of panic. In his haste, he bumped into the small chair he usually uses when putting on his shoes. As he stumbled away from the chair, he identally collided with the disy ss in the center of his walk-in closet, where he kept his collection of wristwatches and tie pins.

 Chapter 397 Stone Betting

    "Nice ride!" Heramented as Zhane stepped out of the car. True to his gentlemanly nature, Zhane didn��t allow Hera to open her own door. When she reached for it, he gave her a meaningful smile, signaling her to wait. Understanding immediately, Hera stood back as Zhane gracefully opened the door for her before moving to his own side of the car.

    As she settled into her seat, Hera took a moment to observe Zhane. It was the first time she saw him looking more casual yet still carrying an air of subtle seriousness. This new side of him was like a finely aged wine��refined and captivating in a way that stirred something within her. He looked strikingly handsome, and the effect was both irresistible and thrilling.

    Hera smiled at Zhane as she buckled her seatbelt. Zhane didn��t drive off immediately; he first ensured that Hera was securely fastened andfortable in her seat. Satisfied, he set off toward the antique district. The area was bustling with a variety of antique shops, from old history establishments with century-old histories to newly opened boutiques.

    This area is typically frequented by older individuals who enjoy browsing and discovering treasures. There are also smaller stalls, which, despite being less prestigious, are tightly secured to protect the elderly from any potential exploitation.

    The district is essible to middle-ss visitors as well, with stalls offering more affordable items. However, these goods often have only a decade of history and don��t quite qualify as true antiques.

    Despite its focus on antiques, the district remains a popr destination for many due to its vibrant atmosphere. Veterans and elderly individuals, including those from prominent families, often mingle with the crowd, adding to the charm and appeal of the ce.

    In addition to the antique shops, there are rows of stalls offering raw, unopened stones��a practice known as "stone betting." This attracts those seeking the thrill of a potentially lucrative gamble, making it a legitimate form of gambling in the area.

    When Hera and Zhane arrived, they passed by rows of bustling stores, eventuallying upon a grand three-story pagoda teeming with activity. Despite the early hour, the ce was alive with a steady stream of visitors.

    Therge, eye-catching signboard read "Pearl Jade Raw Stone," its bold, golden lettering standing out prominently from afar. Hera gazed at the sign with interest, noting the lively scene, and smiled as her eyes narrowed into slits.

    She was tempted to explore the bustling pagoda and its intriguing offerings. Tapping her lips with her index finger, she weighed the decision of whether to venture inside or stick to their original ns. After all, Zhane was apanying her, and she didn��t want to drag him along on an impromptu detour unless it was something he��d enjoy.

    Zhane, who had been attentively watching her every move and expression, noticed her interest in the pagoda. With a subtle nce at the bustling entrance, he smiled warmly. "Would you like to take a look? It could be quite an experience, and who knows, you might even find a unique souvenir," he suggested with a cool, casual tone. Gently taking Hera��s hand, he guided her toward the entrance with a reassuring touch.

    Inside the pagoda, there were multiple levels. The first level featured amon area just outside the main entrance. This space was filled with crates of small stones, and many people were busy inspecting and selecting their stones using small lights to check for any internal illumination or translucency.

    Once they had chosen their stones, they proceeded to the payment area. After payment, they had the option to either take the stone with them or have it cut by the stone master.

 Chapter 398 Stone Betting 2

    Zhane nced at Hera, noticing her excitement and the sparkle in her eyes. He chuckled and began showing her around. However, Hera wasn��t interested in the smaller stones. "Could you show me where there��s a higher chance of finding rarer jade?" she asked directly.

    Zhane seemed to have hoped she would start by buying a smaller stone to experience the thrill of stone betting, but she was clearly focused on something more valuable.

    Zhane instantly stopped in his tracks, staring at Hera as if trying to process what she had just said. He wondered if he was overthinking or if she simply didn��t realize how much those higher-value stones actually cost.

    Zhane began exining in a thoughtful and informative manner, not wanting to dismiss or embarrass Hera, but rather to help her better understand stone betting. He started by discussing jade in general, including its significance and the different types, before going into detail about the price differences between stones and the various levels of the pagoda where they could be found.

    Currently, they were in the mostmon area, essible to everyone, where middle-ss buyers typically gathered. Next was the first level of the pagoda, located on the ground floor, where the stones were priced higher, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.

    The second level, located on the second floor, featured stones priced between $30,000 and $100,000. Above that was the invitation-only section, where most stone auctions took ce. Here, stones that had already been inspected by experts were sold, with prices starting at $500,000 and reaching into the millions, depending on expert evaluations.

    Even though the stones on the third level were already evaluated by experts, there was still a chance that the evaluations could be slightly off, and the jadeite inside might be worth less than estimated. That��s why everyone bidding on these stones brought their own inspector to assess the jadeite��s value. Of course, they were always given time to thoroughly inspect the stones before bidding.

    If more than one person was interested in the same stone, a bidding process would begin, with the highest bidder winning the stone. However, if only one person showed interest, they could purchase it at the set price.

    As Zhane continued exining, he had already taken Hera to the first level. There, well-dressed young men and women were browsing, while middle-aged and older individuals were busily inspecting stones disyed on well-arranged tables. This setup was much more refinedpared to themon area, where stones were simply stored in crates and people had to dig through them to find what they wanted before making a purchase.

    As Hera listened to Zhane��s exnation, she scanned the table where stones of various sizes wereid out. Although there were fewer people herepared to themon area, there were still more than a dozen present early in the morning. With a mischievous smile, Hera looked up at Zhane. Her curiosity piqued by his exnation, she was eager to explore the second and third levels of the pagoda and decided to check them out next.

    Zhane quickly understood Hera��s intentions and realized he couldn��t stop her. With a helpless chuckle and a shake of his head, he led her to the elevator. If exploring the second and third levels would make her happy, he was prepared to cover her purchases without a second thought.

    With a delighted glint in her eyes, Hera excitedly clung to Zhane��s arm, eager to satisfy her curiosity. This was her first time stone betting, and although she didn��t have high expectations, she was keen to try her luck and experience it. If she won something, she could turn it into an essory and gift it to either her grandfather or a friend. As a first-timer, she thought <i>��Winning something would be like sharing my luck with someone special.��</i>

    She smiled giddily, and her enthusiasm was so infectious that Zhane began to rx and get caught up in her excitement. He chatted animatedly with her about jades and stone betting, fully embracing the moment, but he didn��t realize it yet.

 Chapter 399 Stone Betting 3

    The girl, who appeared to be around the same age as Hera or perhaps a few years older, nced at Hera with a tilt of her head before speaking. "Miss," she began, her tone polite yet earnest, "I��m not sure if there��s been a mistake, but that stone is priced at $98,000. I noticed you haven��t even touched it��just stared at it. If you��re here to just experience the process, I understand, but this amount is quite significant, and we should take it seriously." She exined with a good-natured demeanor.

    Hera looked at her and nodded with a smile, ready to exin her side. "Miss, thank you for letting me know��" But before she could finish, the girl cut her off, assuming that Hera was simply grateful for her help and was unaware of the situation.

    "You heard her," the girl said with a smile, her expression brightening as if she had just found something she truly liked. "She made a mistake and didn��t know the price. So, I can have it, right?" She reached out for the stone, but Hera swiftly intercepted her hand.

    "Miss, I think there��s been a misunderstanding," Hera said, gently pushing the girl��s hand away. The girl looked at her with a puzzled expression, clearly confused. Hera continued, "I appreciate your concern, but I��m still going to buy this stone because I like it."

    Seeing how much Hera liked the stone, Zhane stepped in behind her and gently ced his arm around her shoulder in a protective manner. "We��ll be taking this one," he said, clearly asserting their decision. The girl flinched in surprise as she recognized Zhane and registered his authoritative presence.

    "Doctor Everett? You��re here as well?" The girl looked back and forth between Hera and Zhane, her brows narrowing in skepticism. "Are you buying this stone for her?" she asked, her tone reflecting doubt.

    "Yes-"

    "No-"

    Hera and Zhane answered simultaneously, their voices ovepping. Both were surprised by each other��s response and exchanged a nce. The girl, taken aback, seemed unsure if she had heard them correctly, and her skepticism deepened.

    She had heard the female voice say "no" and the male voice say "yes," which seemed contradictory. Confused, she thought she must have misheard. Assuming it was Hera who said "yes" and Doctor Everett who said "no," so, she sneered in response.

    <i>��What a gold digger. Is she hoping to get Doctor Everett to buy her a stone, thinking it might turn out to be valuable? Ha.��</i> Her inner thoughts were at odds with her outward demeanor. She maintained aposed and polite exterior as she looked at the two, waiting for an exnation.

    Hera had no intention of exining her situation to a stranger she��d just met. Instead, she reached into her small bag and swiftly retrieved her ck card. The girl��s quick nce only caught sight of the ck card itself, while Zhane saw Hera��s name imprinted on it. As Hera handed the card to the assistant, her thumb covered thest name, which Zhane couldn��t make out. He assumed it read "Ainsley" as it was Hera��s knownst name

    Zhane also recalled seeing the same card Hera used during the auction she attended with Leo. Both he and Rafael had assumed the card was provided by Leo. Now, seeing that it was actually under Hera��s name, he felt a sense of rity, as if a fishbone had finally been dislodged from his throat.

 Chapter 400 Spending With Her Black Card

    Zhane thought to himself, <i>��Why work so hard if I can��t even provide this level of luxury for my future wife?��</i> Yet again, Hera managed to surprise him. Meanwhile, Hera was equally taken aback by how effortlessly Zhane had adopted Dave��s casual mannerisms and actions. Despite his rxed demeanor, his reprimand of the girl remained both noble and polite.

    The girl, however, couldn��t shake the belief that Hera��s actions were a deliberate attempt to embarrass her. She assumed that the ck card Hera was holding belonged to Zhane, as she hadn��t seen the name on it��only Hera handing it over.

    Annoyed, she pursed her lips and snorted. Having heard much about Zhane Everett��s reputation as a gentleman, it wasn��t surprising to her that he would let Hera use his card to purchase whatever she wanted.

    She thought that Hera seemed to be unting her status in response to thements the girl had made earlier. As a result, each of the three people near her��Hera, Zhane, and the assistant��had their own thoughts, but all were focused on Hera and the situation unfolding around her.

    It��s no wonder that Miss Goldsmith might think this way, given that Zhane and the other male leads all possess their own exclusive ck cards. However, Hera��s ck Dragon Card is unique��it��s issued by the Dragon Empire Bank, a prestigious institution linked to her own Avery family. To qualify for this card, one must have a minimum of $100 billion in liquid assets deposited with the bank, reflecting its exclusivity and the substantial wealth required.

    Only the first hundred individuals are eligible to receive these cards, each assigned a unique number. Hera��s card is number 1, reflecting her family��s prestigious status. After her parents�� passing, their cards were returned, and Hera inherited her father��s ount. Her grandfather��s card is numbered 2, and her mother��s was number 3.

    The card numbers also reflect the amount of wealth deposited in the bank and the people will be ranked ording to the amount of assets they have there which signifies the number in their cards. Each cardholder is allocated a security safe, each as spacious as a hotel room. Many tycoons use these safes to store gold bars and other high-value assets that are not only immune to depreciation but are expected to appreciate over time.

    Just like gold, which maintains its value over timepared to fluctuating currencies, precious gems and jewelry are also considered stable investments. It��s understandable if Miss Goldsmith was unfamiliar with the ck Dragon Card; many people regard it as more legend than reality due to its rarity. Even customer service professionals at major banks and other bigpanies, though trained on the subject, rarely encounter these elusive cards in person.

    The assistant had to fetch the special card reader, which had been gathering dust in the office for ages, seldom used. She felt a mix of excitement and apprehension, as if she were holding a hot potato. Rushing back and forth, she quickly returned to Hera, determined toplete the transaction promptly and efficiently.

    Hera received an authorization request on her phone and promptly approved it, marking her first transaction from that location. The card had no spending limits, allowing her to make purchases or transfers of any amount without requiring additional clearance. This flexibility made it a powerful tool for managing her finances with ease.

    Afterpleting the transaction, the assistant handed Hera��s card back with both hands, carefully keeping it facing backward to conceal her name. Delighted by the assistant��s handling of the situation, Hera decided to continue shopping and invited the girl to apany her, appreciating her professionalism and the way she managed the transaction.

    Seeing Hera pleased with her service, the assistant eagerly followed Hera and Zhane as they selected more stones from the second floor, deliberately ignoring the frustrated Miss Goldsmith, who was nursing a belly full of annoyance.

    Before continuing their shopping, Hera asked Zhane to visit the stone master in the corner to have their purchase opened. Since it was her first time betting on stones, she was eager to see how her choice measured up.

 Chapter 401 Opening The Stones

    Miss Goldsmith smirked as Hera and Zhane arrived at the waiting stone master.

    "Shall we begin by opening your stones?" the stone master inquired.

    Hera turned to Zhane with a smile. "Zhane, why don��t you go first?" She then nced at the girl who had been trailing them. Although the girl remained silent, Hera could sense that she was eager to see her make a mistake. Not feeling concerned, Hera decided to let her watch, noting that the girl��s curiosity seemed harmless.

    Zhane didn��t attempt to suggest otherwise, sensing that Hera might be hesitant to open her purchases for fear of discovering a mistake. Instead, he stepped forward and handed the basket to the stone master. "Please help me open this," he requested.

    The stone master first inspected the stones and made some markings. Since Zhane had not provided specific instructions on how to open them, the master made his own judgment and began opening each stone one by one.

    "Oh!" The stone master chuckled as he made a small cut along the edge of the stone, revealing a hint of green. He decided to make a deeper incision to see if there was something more significant inside. After a bit more effort, he confirmed there was indeed something within. "Unfortunately..."

    "Unfortunately, what?" Zhane asked, tilting his head as he noticed the jade inside the stone. Despite this, the stone master seemed dissatisfied with what he saw. Miss Goldsmith stepped forward to exin the reason behind the stone master��s reaction.

    "That one is Nephrite jade," she exined. "It��s the mostmon type of jade and isn��t worth nearly as much as jadeite. To put it in perspective, it��s likeparing ss to a real diamond��the difference is substantial." Without needing a closer inspection, she could tell from the sound of the cut that it wasn��t jadeite. Nephrite jade is slightly softer and has a duller colorpared to the vibrant luster of true jadeite.

    Zhane sighed but wasn��t too disheartened. The stone the master had opened was the least expensive of the ones he��d chosen, costing him $55,000. However, it seemed unlikely he would recoup that amount. Nephrite jade of that size could only fetch between $5,000 and $10,000 at most.

    Zhane urged the stone master to continue. While the second stone turned out to be a disappointment, thest one revealed a high-quality ck jade. Seeing this, Zhane let out a sigh of relief. If the final stone had also been a letdown, he was worried he might embarrass himself in front of Hera.

    Hera pped happily seeing that Zhane got a good one.

    "Wow! You really lucked out with this one!" Miss Goldsmith eximed. "This jade could be sold for four times what you paid for it! If you��re interested, I can buy it from you directly!" Her eyes stayed fixed on the ck jade as she mentally envisioned the essories she could create from it.

    "I��m sorry, Miss Goldsmith, but I��ll leave the decision to my girlfriend," Zhane said, attempting to offer constion to Hera. Unbeknownst to him, he had just passed the hot potato to Hera. Miss Goldsmith��s intense gaze now focused on Hera, who could only manage a wry smile and try to ignore the scrutiny. She urged the assistant to present her stones to the stone master.

    Since the girl was also interested in her first purchase, Hera allowed the stone master to open therge ck stone. There was little suspense, as Miss Goldsmith seemed to expect a valuable gem inside. However, when the stone was finally opened, Miss Goldsmith couldn��t help but gasp in astonishment.

    "Holy shit!" Miss Goldsmith eximed in surprise, quickly covering her mouth with her hands as she realized her outburst. Her eyes, however, remained wide with astonishment.

    Hera merely smiled, appearingpletely unfazed, which irritated Miss Goldsmith. She assumed Hera was unaware of the significance of her random choice. "Hey! You might not realize it, but that��s an imperial jade!" Miss Goldsmith tried to maintain herposure, but her voice still rose in excitement at the mention of ��imperial jade.

    Hera only chuckled softly. "I know."

    <i>��You know, you know what? Do you even realize what you��ve found? There��s a huge difference between ordinary jade and imperial jade!��</i> Miss Goldsmith thought in disbelief. The stone master was equally bbergasted, staring at the jade in his hand. Fortunately, he had only made a small cut at the edge, preserving therge piece of imperial jade intact.

    Even Zhane was dumbfounded, instinctively reaching for Hera��s hand. Hera responded with a reassuring smile and even had to remind the stone master to proceed with the next stone. This time, the stone master handled the task with extra caution, feeling a sense of pressure. He couldn��t shake the feeling that the girl who brought the jade, acting so nonchntly, might be a hidden expert��a scenario he had often read about in novels.

 Chapter 402 Luck Or Capability?

    Unable to ignore Hera��s perfect sess rate, Miss Goldsmith��s skepticism melted away. Driven by inspiration, she threw caution to the wind and quickly approached Hera, startling her. Before Hera could speak, Miss Goldsmith, her eyes sparkling with excitement, blurted out, "Miss! Will you represent my family and join me at the stone auction?" Her enthusiastic voice reverberated through the silent hall.

    "Huh?!" Hera blinked in confusion, staring at the girl in front of her, who looked at her with awe as if an idol had just descended from the sky.

    Zhane, on the other hand, managed to collect himself and chuckled at the sight of Hera, who waspletely taken aback by the girl��s sudden enthusiasm. Even he couldn��tprehend what had just happened. He had watched Hera pick stones at random, yet the final results were so astounding that trying to make sense of it seemed impossible.

    He felt as though Hera had somehow picked every stone containing a gem, though that wasn��t the case. If anything, Hera could bepared to a treasure detector. While her familiarity with jade came from her grandfather, she still relied on instinct. Just like with her first stone, despite knowing little, she felt an undeniable pull toward it.

    When Hera noticed Miss Goldsmith��s interest in the same stone, it confirmed her hunch that something valuable might be inside. To test her instincts further, she wandered around the second floor, selecting only the stones she felt a strong connection with.

    As a result, she ended up with all the stones that gave off a positive energy. She had also sensed something from the stone Zhane chose, which contained the ck jade, but since he picked it, she let it go.

    Hera had just proven she had a remarkable knack for detecting treasures. Perhaps this was her hidden gift, one that never had the chance to shine before her early death in the novel. Even for Hera, the experience was incredible, leaving her overwhelmed with euphoria. The ability to sense something so extraordinary felt almost metaphysical.

    Feeling ted, Hera didn��t decline Miss Goldsmith��s invitation. She had never attended a stone auction before, and this would be her first time. Besides, she still needed the stone master��s help to shave off the remaining stone, clean her purchases, and ensure only the jade remained��a process that would surely take hours toplete.

    Rather than waiting idly, Hera decided she��d rather take a peek inside the auction room with Zhane. He agreed, seeing it as a chance to broaden their knowledge about stone betting. Miss Goldsmith, delighted, eagerly led them upstairs, while Hera and Zhane entrusted their purchases to the assistant to watch over while they were away.

    When they reached the third floor, a bulky man in a ck suit stood guard by the elevator, asking for invitations. Since Miss Goldsmith had already been upstairs earlier, she didn��t need to provide another invitation. She simply vouched for Hera and Zhane, confirming they were with her.

    Miss Goldsmith eagerly led Hera and Zhane to her father, who was deep in conversation with their professional inspector. She could barely contain her excitement as she hurried to his side, but her father, absorbed in the discussion, didn��t want to be interrupted by his daughter.

    It took several more tugs before her father, irritated, finally turned to look at her. Seizing the moment, Miss Goldsmith leaned in and whispered in his ear. When she finished, his eyebrows shot up in disbelief as he nced in the direction his daughter was pointing.

    "Are you telling the truth?" he whispered, staring directly at Hera. Although he had noticed Zhane, his disbelief in his daughter��s ims made him momentarily overlook him. Part of him suspected that Hera might have conspired with the assistant or even the stone master to impress or attract his daughter��s attention. After all, today was a high-stakes stone betting event, featuringrger stones believed to contain thousand-year-old jade and other precious gems.

 Chapter 403 Stone Auction

    Hera chuckled as she shook Liz��s hand, finding her to be a refreshing change from the other crazy heiresses she had encountered recently. <i>��This is how a true heiress should behave,��</i> Hera thought. <i>��Proud but not arrogant, aware of her mistakes, and willing to make amends without causing a fuss. Moreover, she��s skilled at socializing, which is essential for any socialite.��</i>

    Hera��s mind began to churn as she observed Liz, a foxy smile spreading across her face. Zhane, noticing Hera��s mischievous grin, turned away to stifle augh. He knew that smile all too well��it was the same one she wore when she was scheming, whether for good or ill, reminiscent of a cat who had just stolen a fish.

    <i>��She��s mischievous, alright,��</i> Zhane thought with a doting smile afterposing himself. His briefughter went unnoticed by Liz and Hera, who were too engrossed in their conversation as they waited for the bidding to begin.

    Once all attendees, including their Professional Inspectors and secretaries, were ounted for, the host called for everyone��s attention tomence the bidding. "Good morning, everyone. It��s a pleasure to see you all here," he began, pausing to smile as he surveyed the crowd, noting some new faces withoutmenting. "As you know, we have sourced some exceptional stones from the mines. These stones are fresh, having just arrived, and their quality is assured, having been thoroughly inspected by our in-house experts."

    Hera leaned in and whispered to Liz, "If the stones have already been inspected by in-house experts, why allow others to bring their own inspectors? Why not just sell the stones after opening them up?" She tilted her head, clearly baffled as she tried to understand the reasoning behind the process.

    Liz couldn��t help but smile at Hera��s cute, confused expression. "It��s true that the stones have been inspected," she exined, "but buyers want to ensure they��re getting what they��re promised. They prefer not to rely solely on one or two inspectors, no matter how trustworthy. These businessmen need to verify the stones themselves to feel at ease."

    "After all, we��re talking about millions of dors for a single stone. Additionally, there have been past incidents where inspectors disagreed, and it waster discovered that a stone, which seemed promising with a jade-rich outeryer, was actually a sham. The outeryer was just a fa?ade, and the inner part was worthless. This is why buyers need to conduct their own inspections to avoid such pitfalls."

    "Therefore, a buyer who spent ten million on a massive stone, hoping to make ten times his investment, ended up barely earning a fraction of that."

    Hera nodded in understanding. Once the host finished his introduction, he signaled the start of the bidding. Liz��s father wasted no time and began inspecting each stone, ready to make his offers. Seeing the excitement, Hera decided to join in. Zhane, ever supportive, assisted her by holding the paper and pen provided for bids, handing them to her whenever she was ready to make an offer.

    Liz, intrigued by Hera��s judgment process, watched her intently, hoping to learn something new. However, the longer she observed, the more confused she became, unable to discern any clear pattern in Hera��s choices.

    Zhane assisted Hera by writing her name on all the bid papers while she inspected the stones. Whenever she liked a stone, she wrote down the amount she felt was appropriate. After her experience downstairs, Hera had picked up on certain nuances and felt a stronger pull towards specific stones. She put her newfound insights into practice, carefully choosing and bidding on the stones that resonated with her.

    It took two and a half hours for the bidding to conclude. Once everyone had finished, bidders gathered with their professional inspectors to discuss the stones they had bid on and evaluate their chances of sess.

 Chapter 404 Stone Auction 2

    "Who in their right mind would offer that much? It��s going to be a bust!"

    "Must be a clueless newbie who doesn��t know a thing about jade."

    "This is hrious! Another one��s going to cry after cracking open that dud. The auction just scored a free meal with this one."

    Liz��s face flushed with embarrassment, as if she were the one being mocked. She nced at Hera with a look of sympathy, as if silently saying, <i>��Don��t listen to them, I��ve got your back!��</i> Gripping Hera��s hand in a show of support, Liz offered quietfort. But Hera remained unfazed, her expression calm as she kept her eyes on the stage, waiting for the host to announce the winner of the boulder.

    When the host finally confirmed her win, Hera stood up with quiet confidence. Zhane followed immediately, while Liz hesitated, ncing back at her father, who gave her a stern look but remained silent. Gathering her resolve, Liz joined Hera and Zhane. Hera made her way directly to the assistants at the back, calmly instructing them to process her payment for the purchases.

    Hera swiftly paid the $26 million with her card, and just like before, the assistants were wide-eyed in disbelief but remained silent. This time, however, they clearly saw her name, and the realization left them even more cautious. Recognizing she was likely here discreetly, they dared not say a word, aware that she was someone not to be trifled with.

    Initially, the assistants had discreetlyughed and mocked Hera for bidding $15 million on what they believed to be a worthless boulder. But now, as they realized who she was��a member of the influential Avery family, holding a prestigious ck Dragon Card��their attitudes shifted to reverence.

    They understood why she hadn��t flinched under their ridicule. To her, that sum was merely pocket money, insignificant in the grand scheme of her wealth.

    Once they realized Hera was from the Avery family, their attitudes shifted, bing noticeably more enthusiastic. Hera wasn��t concerned about them revealing her identity��this auction, unlike the lower floors of the pagoda, strictly protected client confidentiality.

    Moreover, shecked the machinery to open her newly acquired boulder, so she would need their assistance to lead her to the back of the pagoda, where therge machines were located for precisely this purpose. Confident in their discretion, she calmly prepared for the next step.

    The assistants were more than eager to assist Hera, leading her downstairs while the final bids were still taking ce. One of them informed the overseer about Hera��s winning bid on therge boulder, requesting it be moved to the back for opening, along with the two other stones she had acquired.

    Knowing it would take time to haul such a massive item, Hera decided to first head to the second floor to check if the stone master had finished grinding the excess material from her earlier purchases.

    When they arrived on the second floor, the assistant from the third floor, naturally curious, took a keen interest in Hera��s acquisitions. Fortunately, the stone master was nearly finished with processing the four stones. The only ones remaining were the two imperial jades, which he was handling with extra care due to their rarity and high value.

 Chapter 405 Her Winnings

    After confirming they would need to wait a bit longer for the stone master to finish with her purchases, Hera, Zhane, and the third-floor assistant headed to the back of the pagoda. There, her massive boulder awaited, along with her other acquisitions neatly stacked together.

    As she approached, the group from the third floor descended, chatting excitedly about the highlight of the auction. It seemed they were also heading down to reveal their stone in front of everyone.

    These individuals had their own machinery and studios, yet they chose to open the stones publicly. This was more about unting their sess and sparking envy among their rivals, a subtle way to show off their impressive finds.

    Hera had no interest in joining their disy of grandeur. Instead, she quickened her pace, hoping to find a less conspicuous spot to open her purchases. Upon reaching the shed with the machinery, she found threerge machines and four smaller ones.

    The third-floor assistant urged her to select a machine for her stones. Hera chose one on the left side, where she could work privately. She first requested to open the smaller stone��though she referred to it as such, it was still asrge as a basketball or perhaps even bigger, especiallypared to the stones she had purchased on the second floor.

    When the other people arrived, Hera was already preparing to open her purchases. They barely nced her way, dismissing her as just another wealthy novice hoping to strike it rich with the stones. Unconcerned with her, they moved on to the remaining avable machines to unveil their own finds.

    Hera was pleased to be left undisturbed, but Zhane��s brows furrowed in annoyance at the way people were dismissing her. Seeing Hera��s calm response, he chose to stay silent as well. Both of them watched as the stone master meticulously marked the stone before beginning the process of opening it.

    Hera didn��t have to wait long. The stone master first opened the smaller stone, revealing a vibrant green jadeite. He then moved on to the second stone, which unveiled a stunning blue jade. Despite its name, the blue jade was actually a soft pastel blend of opaque and translucent shades of light green and blue.

    The stone master��s amazement grew as he examined the stones. Both were substantial blocks of jade with exceptional purity, sure to fetch a high price. His gaze shifted to Hera, whose childlike joy was palpable. This made him regard her with newfound respect and curiosity.

    The stone master then called for a forklift driver to help lift the massive boulder onto the machine for opening. Meanwhile, the other side of the shed buzzed with excitement and admiration for the stones being revealed. As themotion around Hera��s side grew, curious nces began to shift in her direction, drawn by the unexpected spectacle unfolding there.

    However, the crowd��s attention to Hera��s side was brief. Liz took the opportunity to slip over to her father. "Dad, did you get a chance to open your stone yet? If not,e with me. Sister Hera��s jade pieces turned out exceptionally well��they��re perfect for our uing collection!" Liz urged, her voice betraying her excitement despite her attempt to keep itposed.

    "How impressive could her finds really be?" her father said dismissively, his attention still focused on the highlight of the auction. He hadn��t secured the stone himself; his rival had won it with a bid of $22 million, $2 million more than his own.

    Seeing her father remain unmoved, Liz grew flustered and uneasy. She was convinced that Hera��s finds might surpass even the highlight of the auction. Having seen the quality of the stones herself, she believed the boulder would reveal something impressive as well. Reluctantly leaving her stubborn father, Liz returned to Hera��s side, just in time to see the stone master begin opening the massive boulder.

    Liz and the third-floor assistant watched with a mix of anticipation and anxiety as the stone master revealed the contents of the boulder. The suspense quickly faded when a vivid green imperial jade emerged.

    Despite the thick five-inchyer of stone obscuring it, the bright green jade inside was strikingly beautiful and certain tomand the highest price of the auction.

    Liz recalled that such exceptional quality of imperial jade had beenst seen a century ago, with simr pieces fetching around $100 million for a single bracelet or even higher.

    Liz gasped, but her reaction was quickly drowned out by the collective shock from the other side of the shed.

    Amidst the murmurs, a desperate cry rang out: "No! It can��t be!" Hera and the stone master, absorbed in their own world and thrilled by the jade they were uncovering, remained unaware of the uproar.

    The stonemaster focused on meticulously opening and cleaning the boulder, preparing it for the buyer��s assessment and eventual use.

 Chapter 406 Her Winnings 2

    Her father��s eyes widened in disbelief. "Who did?"

    "Hera, the girl I invited! She got a green jade, a blue jade, and the highest quality green imperial jade!"

    "What?!" Her father almost shouted in surprise. He remembered that the girl had only bought three stones and couldn��t believe that they were all valuable jades worth hundreds of millions. "You must be kidding me."

    Liz pouted in annoyance. "If you don��t believe me, go over there and ask the stone master yourself. I��m not lying!"

    He nced at the stone master and the third-floor assistant, who were busy conversing, and decided to approach them himself. Liz, irritated that her father didn��t trust her, followed closely behind.

    "Did you really open a green jade, a blue jade, and an imperial jade for the girl who was here earlier?" Liz��s father asked directly, not wasting any time.

    "Oh? You mean the beautiful girl? Yes, we did," the stone master replied, his face lit up with pride and excitement. He relished the opportunity to boast about opening such a rare find, knowing that imperial jade is nearly unheard of in the market.

    Liz��s father was floored, regretting his earlier skepticism. He worried he might have offended Hera and Zhane with his dismissive attitude. Turning to Liz, he asked if she had managed to get their contact information. Liz then realized, with a pang of regret, that she had only given them her business card and had not obtained their details.

    If Hera never called her, Liz thought, it would be a lost opportunity. She turned to the third-floor assistant, who had handled Hera��s delivery address, and asked for Hera��s contact information. However, the assistant stood firm, exining that client confidentiality agreements prohibited him from disclosing any personal details.

    Liz and her father could only cry in regret.

    Hera was taken aback. She had anticipated a trip to an amusement park, a ssic date choice and the same venue Zhane had chosen for his first date with Alice. Instead, she found herself at a shooting range.

    As Zhane gently guided her inside by the hand, she couldn��t help but feel a mix of curiosity and excitement. The unexpected choice of venue hinted at a different kind of adventure, one that promised a new experience away from the usual date spots.

    They quickly secured a private section of the shooting range, where two instructors awaited them. The area was stocked with an array of firearms, from pistols and assault rifles to sniper rifles. The instructors stood by, ready to assist with any questions or guidance they might need.

    Hera stared nkly at the distant shooting target as Zhane helped her don the ear protection "muffler" and ballistic eyewear. The eye gear would shield her from any potential hazards, including stray fragments from the bullets.

    Zhane noticed Hera��s distracted expression and rubbed his nose thoughtfully. After studying her face for a moment, he couldn��t quite gauge her thoughts. With a hint of unease, he asked, "Are you disappointed that I brought you here instead of the amusement park?" His voice was steady, but a trace of concern lingered.

    Hera��s head snapped toward Zhane, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What are you talking about? This feels like a dreame true! I��ve always wanted to try a shooting range, but my grandpa never let me because he said it was a men��s sport and too dangerous!"

    She turned her attention back to the shooting target, her excitement palpable. Her palms were beginning to feel mmy, and a wide grin spread across her face as she eagerly awaited the instructors to begin their brief on how to use the firearms.

    Upon hearing Hera��s enthusiastic response and seeing the sparkle of excitement in her eyes, Zhane let out a sigh of relief and chuckled softly. He walked over to the array of firearms and selected a smaller pistol, one designed for ease of use, especially for women. This choice would ensure Hera wouldn��t struggle with the weight or handling when she fired.

    When Zhane handed her the pistol, Hera pouted and looked disappointed. "But what about a Magnum or a Desert Eagle?" she asked, clearly longing for something more impressive.

    Zhane almostughed at Hera��s enthusiasm. Seeing this new side of her��her genuine excitement for his hobby��delighted him. He hadn��t anticipated she��d enjoy shooting so much. He had simply hoped to share a passion of his and bond, but her happiness here, even more than at an amusement park, pleasantly surprised him and made him even happier.

    "Don��t worry, this Glock 19 is a great choice and will fit your hand perfectly. Plus, those others you mentioned would be too heavy for you."

 Chapter 407 Flag Ceremony

    Because right now, he couldn��t. As a doctor, he knew exactly where the body��s most sensitive nerves were, and he used that knowledge to his advantage, making Hera feel his growing arousal without saying a word��his every touch silently conveying what words couldn��t.

    "When you��re aiming, focus��steady your breath, line up your shot, then pull the trigger," Zhane instructed in a calm, even voice. But the warmth of his breath brushed against Hera��s neck, sending a wave of shivers down her spine. Just as his lips lightly grazed her skin, <i>��Bang!��</i>��the gun fired. Her body jolted, not from the recoil, but from the distraction, her thoughts now miles away from the target.

    The gun went off, but Hera��s mind wasn��t anywhere near the target. She couldn��t focus. The Zhane standing behind her now wasn��t the calm, collected figure he was in the novel. Even in his intimate moments with Alice, he remained in control��teasing her, knowing exactly how to push her to the edge with his medical expertise.

    He made every touch feel intentional, but always with consent. He would ask what she wanted before moving forward, turning each interaction into a slow, deliberate dance of connection and desire. Yet now, with Hera, there was no asking��only action, and it sent her mind spinning.

    Right now, Zhane couldn��t think straight. His usual restraint was nowhere to be found. All he wanted was to devour Hera, to bend her over the table in front of them, her body arched, her ass pressed against him as he ground his hardened shaft against her soft curves. His self-control was slipping away, overwhelmed by the primal urge surging through him.

    "Great job, Hera. You scored full marks," Zhane praised, but his voice dripped with a sensuality that made Hera��s heart race. Her eyshes fluttered at the sound, feeling the weight of his words deep inside. His left hand, still resting just below her belly button, began to move, his thumb rubbing in slow, teasing circles.

    Hera��s breath hitched, a shaky inhale betraying herposure. "As a good girl," he murmured, his voice low and suggestive, "what reward do you want?" His hardened shaft pressed firmly against her ass, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.

    Hera��s entire being was stirred by the deep, baritone of Zhane��s voice, each word like a caress that threatened to break her restraint. She bit her lips, desperately trying to stifle her moans, but Zhane seemed to sense her struggle and only leaned in closer. "You need to focus on your core too," he purred, his voice rich and almost hypnotic.

    The sensation of his words was enough to make Hera��s eyes flutter and roll back, the intensity of his voice making her feel as though it alone could consume her. When they say a voice can be seductive and could impregnate, Zhane��s was the epitome of that allure.

    "You feeling it?" Zhane��s voice was a low, teasing murmur, his thumb continuing its slow, deliberate rub just below her belly button.

    "Ye-yeah..." Hera gulped, her voice trembling as she struggled to maintain herposure.

    "Good," Zhane��s voice was a drawn-out purr. He pressed his body closer, using his hand to guide Hera��s movements so she could feel his hardened shaft pressing against her. "What about here?"

    Hera felt his smile through her sensitive skin, his eyes locked on her face as she let out a shaky breath. "Ye-yeah..." she croaked, struggling to keep her voice steady.

 Chapter 408 If You Can’t Fight It, Then Enjoy It

    Zhane grunted as his tongue finally intertwined with Hera��s, and she clutched his strong, firm arm, feeling the muscle flex with each movement. The sensation was intoxicating, and Hera found herself being swept up in Zhane��s rhythm. She was acutely aware of how deeply she was falling into the moment, her body responding eagerly to his touch.

    "Hera..." Zhane murmured almost into her mouth, giving her a brief moment to catch her breath. "I need more," he said with a hint of urgency. Hera responded eagerly, her right arm sliding to the back of his neck, pulling him closer as their kiss deepened.

    She knew better than to resist the maic pull between them; surrendering to the attraction felt inevitable, and fighting it would only make the experience moreplicated.

    It��s better for things to happen on her terms and for her to enjoy them, rather than twisting the narrative. She believed that while the storyline would always find a way to progress, it might also lead the male leads to be overly possessive and domineering if they��re unable to fulfill their intended role of intimacy with her that was set by the storyline.

    Intimacy with her can take various forms, from kissing and touching to more. If she manages to control the situation effectively, she might settle for just these actions. However, if the male leads be unruly, they might push boundaries if she resists too much.

    So, she chose to navigate the situation on her own terms, finding enjoyment in it since escaping wasn��t an option.

    At that moment, she chose to savor the experience. She wrapped her arm around Zhane��s neck to deepen their kiss, letting her tongue dance with his. It was clearly effective; Zhane��s muffled groan reverberated in her mouth, but he continued to entwine his tongue with hers, asionally sucking and nibbling.

    Zhane��s hand, which had been resting on her belly, slowly moved up to her chest. He cupped her right breast, eliciting a gasp from Hera, which he immediately absorbed with a deeper kiss. Despite the urgency in his touch, Hera could still feel his tenderness as he fondled her through the fabric, teasing her hardened nipple with his fingers.

    When Zhane paused to let her catch her breath, he gently nudged her neck, skillfully pulling down her turtleneck using his teeth just enough to expose her skin. He began to suck and then lick the soft spot, causing Hera��s knees to weaken with pleasure. Her soft moan of "Um..." only spurred Zhane to continue, intensifying his kisses and licks.

    Hera released a long, drawn-out exhale as Zhane sucked on her earlobe and pinched her nipple through the fabric. "Ah! Zhane!" she eximed, her voice filled with surprise and pleasure.

    Instead of pain, Hera experienced a tumultuous churn in her stomach. At that moment, Zhane��s hands traveled from her stomach down her thighs, eventually slipping inside her skirt. "Zhane!" she called out urgently.

    Even without overthinking, she understood his intentions. She felt a pang of anticipation but also knew that allowing him to continue could quickly spiral out of control.

    They were still in a public setting, and anything beyond kissing and touching would be risky. Although the novel ��<i>Thin Line Between Love and Lust��</i> often depicted the original female lead and male leads seeking adventure and intimacy just out of sight of the public but was still in the public setting, Hera had yet to have her first experience. She wanted it to be with someone she truly feltfortable with and cared about.

    And deep down, she knew, the male leads couldn��t be that person.

    It was as if Zhane sensed Hera��s thoughts. He leaned in, his voice low and seductive as he whispered in her ear, "Don��t worry, I won��t go too far. I just want to make you feel good." Then, he captured her lips again, drawing her focus away from her worries and urging her to simply revel in the pleasure.

    Hera��s heart skipped a beat at Zhane��s words, but there was no time for reflection. Her thoughts scattered as Zhane��s hand slipped inside her skirt, bending her over the table in front of her. Despite his position, Zhane stayed close, his hardened shaft pressing firmly against her from behind. He began to grind his hips slowly, allowing her to feel his arousal, while his fingers gently caressed her folds.

    "Ah!" Hera��s eyes fluttered as her throat grew dry from the sensation of Zhane��s skilled fingers, like jade, caressing her folds and rubbing her clit in a slow, circr motion.

    "Fuck! Hera, you��re so wet," Zhane grunted, his words muffled against her mouth. Hera felt a powerful, thrilling pull in her stomach; Zhane had never spoken so dirtly before, not even with the original female lead. The low growl escaping his lips was incredibly sexy and enticing, heightening her arousal.

    Hera felt Zhane move her panties aside and slide a finger inside her, starting slowly. She couldn��t help but moan, her body trembling slightly in his arms. He continued to kiss her, never releasing her mouth, as he pumped his finger in and out. As her body began to adjust to the sensation, Zhane added a second finger, making her gasp like a fish out of water, but he didn��t stop.

    "Hera, tell me, how do you feel? Do you want me to stop?" Zhane asked, his tone serious but his eyes sparkling with a hint of teasing. He watched her beautiful face, now glistening with sweat, her eyshes fluttering like delicate butterfly wings.

    Hera bit Zhane��s lip in response, but he teasingly halted his finger��s movements, causing her to pout and momentarily set aside her embarrassment. "Zhane, don��t stop," she pleaded, her voice tinged with a mix of desire and desperation.

 Chapter 409 I Want You, But I Want You To Be Onboard

    Zhane��s eyes softened with a loving gaze as he continued to look at Hera. As her eyshes fluttered open, she met his emerald eyes, which twinkled with affection. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his concern evident. Despite his gentle words, she could still feel his hard cock pressing against her, throbbing with a restless intensity.

    Hera pursed her lips, her embarrassment catching up with her as her face flushed a deep red, extending to her neck and ears. "Ho-how about you? Aren��t you ufortable?" she croaked, managing to ask despite her flustered state.

    Zhane offered a gentle smile and kissed her forehead. "Don��t worry about me,�� he said softly. ��It was my own selfishness that brought us here. If I had managed my feelings better, I wouldn��t have lost control or acted so recklessly in public." He looked at her with a pleading expression, his voice dropping to a low, apologetic tone. "Please don��t be angry with me."

    His grip on her arm tightened slightly, revealing his nervousness as he braced himself for Hera��s reprimand. But it never came. Instead, Hera chuckled, reaching up to coax his cheeks. ��I��m not angry. Didn��t you just help me feel good?�� she teased, though inside she was a mix of bashfulness andplex emotions. Her words held a grain of truth, she understood how his character was made.

    As she felt the throbbing pressure beneath her, Hera nced at Zhane with a hint of hesitation. He recognized the unspoken question in her eyes and responded with a teasing smile, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "You don��t need to worry about that," he said softly, his voice a soothing melody to Hera��s ears.

    "You��ll only get dirty. Besides, this is my doing. Just give me a moment to calm down." He then leaned in for a quick, tender peck on her lips before resting his forehead on her shoulder, trying to steady his intense desire.

    Hera initially didn��t understand what he meant by her getting ��dirty,�� and it took a few moments for the realization to sink in. When it finally did, she felt her face flush with heat once more.

    Then it dawned on her. She took the handkerchief from Zhane and, with a flushed face, gently wiped his middle and ring fingers. Zhane was momentarily taken aback, but once he collected himself, he burst intoughter at how endearingly cute Hera was behaving.

    She wiped his fingers as though trying to erase any trace of what had happened. Zhane sat upright, watching with amusement as Hera struggled to contain her embarrassment. Feeling yful, he decided to tease her further, bringing the very fingers she had been wiping to his mouth and sensually licking them.

    Hera��s breath hitched as she watched Zhane clean his fingers with his tongue, his gaze locked on hers. He grinned mischievously, like a fox, but with a hint of tenderness in his expression.

    "Don��t! That��s dirty!" Hera eximed, reaching out to cover his fingers with the handkerchief.

    "Says who? Are you talking about my fingers or something else?" Zhane drawled suggestively, his eyes locked onto hers with a fierce hunger.

    "I-I��m not talking about your fingers..." Hera stammered. It might have been better if she hadn��t answered, but Zhane��s gaze only deepened, darkening with intensified desire as he looked at her.

    He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered in a low, seductive voice. "No, I could even eat and lick your pussy right now and no one would say it is dirty. I wanna have a taste of your love juice, not unless you let me do that, then, I��ll just settle at the second best, tasting the remnants of your juice from my fingers."

    Hera��s voice caught in her throat, leaving her at a loss for words. She was witnessing a side of Zhane she had never seen before, it wasn��t even mentioned in the novel. ��<i>He��s so damn seductive��,</i> she thought, feeling her core throb with desire. Her mind was in overdrive, unable to keep up with the intensity of the moment.

    For Zhane, his words and actions only heightened the throbbing of his cock, excitement surging through him. He bit his lower lip as he gazed at Hera, torn between desire and control.

    Despite his intense feelings, he still retained some rationality. Unless Hera offered herself willingly, he wouldn��t push further. He didn��t want to be driven solely by lust and risk having her regret itter.

    He leaned in against Hera��s shoulder, his breathing in ragged pants as he fought to control his urges. "Don��t worry, I won��t go any further unless you give me permission," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of helplessness and pain. "I want you, but I also want you to bepletely onboard."

    Hera was deeply touched by Zhane��s words. While she knew that ying hard to get and not pushing too much might make them temper their desires, hearing him explicitly state that he wouldn��t force her was profoundly meaningful.

    She understood that she would eventually need to be intimate with them, but Zhane��s restraint and genuine care showed her that he sought more than just physical connection��he was interested in building a deeper, more meaningful rtionship.

    She wasn��t sure about the other male leads, but they had all demonstrated restraint by limiting their actions to kissing and touching. In the novel, they showed simr restraint, though they asionally gave in to their desires.

    However, when an opportunity like earlier presented itself, they wouldn��t hold back, even if Alice appeared frail and on the brink of tears.

    This indicated that she had managed to forge a genuine connection with the male leads, one that made them consider her feelings rather than pursuing her out of mere lust or interest.

    This realization meant a great deal to her, as it allowed her to view her rtionships with them with more respect and depth, moving beyond seeing them as just characters in the novel.

 Chapter 410 Zhane’s Hobby

    This time, it wasn��t a bullseye, but she still hit the 8-point mark. Excited, Hera jumped up and down, her enthusiasm contagious. Zhane, generous with his praise, smiled warmly, genuinely impressed. "That��s a great result for a beginner," he remarked, his approval making her glow with pride.

    "Good job! Just remember the feeling and your stance, and you��ll get the hang of it," Zhane said, patting her shoulder reassuringly. He let her fire a few more rounds, and just as he promised, once she gotfortable with the rhythm and sensation, she began hitting bullseyes and scoring 9- 10 points consistently.

    The minimal recoil of the gun made it easier for her to maintain her aim once she found her rhythm. As a reward for being such a diligent student, Zhane offered to let her try out the guns she was interested in.

    She got to handle the .22 Magnum, the striking .357 Magnum, the sleek Walther Magnum, the unassuming yet impressive Desert Eagle, and even had the chance to fire a round from a revolver, just to experience how it felt.

    Consumed by the adrenaline rush, Hera reveled in the thrill of shooting. Despite her hand growing numb from the constant recoil, the exhration kept her hooked. Noticing her enthusiasm, Zhane decided to introduce her to assault rifles, adding another exciting dimension to her experience.

    Hera started with the FAMAS, then moved on to the M16A4, MP5K, FN P90, and tried nearly every assault rifle in the arsenal. Eventually, she progressed to the sniper rifle. Zhane guided her to the side and helped her get into a prone position on the ground.

    Before she began, he retrieved a sheet from a nearby cab,id it out for her, and then assumed a prone position beside her. While she settled in, he provided a thorough tutorial on how to use the sniper rifle.

    Unlike pistols, rifles have different recoil and power, so Zhane wanted to ensure Hera didn��t get injured due to improper posture. He became quite stern as he carefully guided her through the correct techniques.

    Despite his seriousness, Hera was so absorbed in the experience and enjoying herself immensely that she barely noticed his strict demeanor, her face lighting up with a constant smile.

    Particrly when Zhane handed her the sleek and cool L115A3 sniper rifle, she was pleased to find it light and manageable. Her first shot was surprisingly gentle on her shoulder, contrary to her expectations. Encouraged by this, Zhane let her fire a few more rounds before she moved on to the powerful AW50 sniper rifle.

    Unbeknownst to Hera, Zhane was the happiest of them all. Sharing his passion and hobby with the woman he like brought him immense joy. Watching her so engaged and enthusiastic, eagerly absorbing his exnations on each weapon, and seeing her face light up with admiration as she looked at him as the ��expert�� stirred a deep sense of satisfaction in him.

    Seeing her lying prone on the ground beside him, fully immersed in the experience, was incredibly appealing to him.

    Zhane��s mind was spinning in circles, his attraction to Hera intensifying with every moment. Watching her so fully engaged, not only participating but genuinely enjoying what he loved, deepened his connection with her.

    Unlike other women who might haveined about the difort of lying on the ground, Hera embraced it, and her willingness to share in his interests made him feel even closer to her.

    Once Hera had familiarized herself with the guns, Zhane suggested a friendlypetition to see who could score the highest. The loser would treat the other to lunch, a meal they had forgotten about as they got caught up in the excitement. With the day already past lunchtime, it was the perfect opportunity for a bit of yful rivalry.

    Zhane took it easy on Hera, aware that she was still a beginner. Nevertheless, she impressed him with her performance, scoring one 8, three 9s, and six 10s out of ten shots on the target. To ensure fairness, Zhane had called in the instructors beforehand to act as judges for their friendlypetition.

    Zhane scored five 9s and five 10s. With his steady hand and sharp eyesight, honed by his medical background, he could have easily achieved a perfect score. His precision and skill, essential qualities for a doctor, also made him an excellent sniper.

    Seeing Zhane��s score, Hera excitedly chatted away as she peered through the binocrs at the target, her smile wide and beaming. She wasn��t disheartened by his easy victory or the fact that he had held back; she was simply thrilled by the experience.

    "Did you enjoy your time at the shooting range?" Zhane asked, approaching her with a grin.

    Hera nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with excitement. "You have no idea how much I enjoyed this! I��ve only ever used guns in Call of Duty before, since my grandpa doesn��t approve. But now..." She let out a slyugh, her delight evident.

    Even though her grandfather disapproved, she was thrilled to have been able to experience it, especially since she was a guest of Zhane and felt it was only polite to ept the invitation.

 Chapter 411 Seaside Cove

    Although the sun��s intensity made it somewhat ufortable, Hera found the scene mesmerizing and embraced the beauty of it. Despite the afternoon heat, she enjoyed every moment of the scenic drive.

    After another hour on the road, they arrived at Seaside Cove, a renowned seaside restaurant that promised a fine dining experience. With its stunning, Instagram-worthy ambiance and sky-high prices, but it remained a popr spot with a steady flow of patrons. While most guests needed to book in advance, Zhane��s status allowed them to walk in without a reservation, as a private room was always set aside for him.

    As Zhane and Hera were escorted upstairs, they passed a line of people waiting outside, snapping pictures of the picturesque setting.

    Zhane had his arm around Hera��s waist as they ascended, but as soon as they reached the second floor, someone spotted him and eximed, "Zhane?!"

    "Uncle Ben, you��re here to eat out too?" Zhane asked, ncing at the woman standing beside his uncle. Although Zhane addressed him as "uncle," the man was merely a member of a branch family who often shed with Zhane��s father in family discussions and was known for employing underhanded tactics to gain more assets.

    Zhane��s father always preferred to rise above the infighting and avoid getting entangled in family disputes, but Uncle Ben��s insatiable greed never ceased to stir trouble. As Zhane noticed the woman beside his uncle, who was not his wife, a smirk tugged at his lips. "Are you discussing business?" he asked, his toneced with subtle amusement.

    His uncle��s gaze darted around nervously before settling on Hera, the beautiful woman beside Zhane. Though he initially failed to recognize her, his eyes sparkled with a glimmer of lustful curiosity. "And who might this be?" he inquired with a veneer of calm, attempting to mask the difort of being seen dining with someone who wasn��t his wife.

    Zhane stepped forward to block his uncle��s lingering gaze, his brows furrowed in disapproval. "She��s my girlfriend," he said firmly. "It looks like you��re heading out, Uncle. Please, go on and enjoy your evening." He turned to the woman apanying his uncle and added, "Could you kindly see my uncle out? I��m sure Auntie is eagerly waiting for him."

    The man was speechless, he had just arrived at the restaurant a minute ahead of Zhane but he was already being sent home, and he couldn��t even refute what he said because the restaurant was owned by Zhane��s mother and his wife was the one who was really a part of the Everett��s branch family while he was nothing but a son inw. He led his date out as he ground his teeth in anger.

    Zhane��s words wereced with a subtle but unmistakable threat: if his uncle pressed his luck, Zhane wouldn��t hesitate to expose the affair to his uncle��s wife. Such a revtion would ignite a family scandal, likely resulting in his uncle��s expulsion from the family��a harsh consequence for someone who was always ying the role of the henpecked husband.

    Seething with resentment, the man pulled out his phone and made a call. When someone on the other end answered, he barked, "Begin the operation; the goods are ready for delivery." Hanging up, he sneered, his eyes shing with cold, ruthless determination.

    But Zhane was more than just a pretty face��he was acutely aware of his uncle��s vindictive nature. Anticipating potential sabotage, he had already arranged for someone to secure a copy of the restaurant��s camera footage, ensuring that any evidence of his uncle��s activities would be preserved before it could be tampered with or erased.

    After the brief interlude, Zhane led Hera to his private room and requested the staff to prepare the restaurant��s specialties. As they waited, he served Hera a refreshing ss of cold orange juice, and they chatted about their experiences at the shooting range.

    When the seafood boat arrived, brimming with freshly caught delicacies, Zhane eagerly dove in to serve Hera dishes he knew she would enjoy. He had observed her fondness for shelled seafood like lobster, shrimp, and crab, so he made sure to include those in their spread. However, noticing she hadn��t tried raw fish or oysters yet, he decided not to order them this time.

    Seeing Zhane attentively take care of her, Hera decided to return the gesture by serving him as well. While he focused on peeling shrimp and crab, she asionally spoon-fed him the dishes he had prepared for her.

    Hera found joy in this act of nurturing, especially as Zhane��s eyes lit up with delight each time she fed him. His usually guarded, responsible demeanor softened, revealing a more yful, childlike side that Hera hadn��t seen before.

    It was a side of him that contrasted sharply with his usual role as the big brother of the bunch, and he felt a profound sense of happiness and indulgence that he hadn��t realized was hidden beneath his stoic exterior.

    Throughout lunch, the yful exchange between Hera and Zhane made the meal particrly memorable. They managed to finish all the food served, with Zhane eating the majority, as Hera took great pleasure in feeding him.

    Her enjoyment of the act meant that, even as she began to feel full and bloated, she continued to offer him bites. Sharing utensils only added to Zhane��s happiness��after all, they had already shared a kiss, so sharing a spoon felt like a natural extension of their intimacy.

 Chapter 412 Six Muskeeter’s Group Chat

    [Leo: So, while I��m busyying the groundwork, someone was fooling around with my wife!]

    [Leo: ?��?��? ?�� ��=�Ԧ�O)) @Zhane]

    [Leo: A literal example of the dog biting the hand that feeds it]

    [Leo: ?? ? ? ? ? ? ??]

    [Rafael: Don��t tell me, you��re nning to hog Hera all day today?! Give us a chance to spend some time with her too!!! @Zhane]

    [Xavier: What about me?!]

    [Dave: Shut up (????)? @Xavier! You already spent an undisputed whole week with Hera, what else do you want? Huh?!]

    [Dave: ?(������)?]

    [Dave: Do you see this muscle? You want me to hit you with it?! Ha!]

    [Xavier: It��s not like, you��re the only one among us with muscles.]

    [Leo: agreed, my wife also likes my body, caught her drooling over it. d(???)b]

    [Luke: It��s not as if your body was more amazing than ours, she also likes mine. (;?_?)@Leo]

    [Leo: Haters gonna hate...]

    [Leo: Can��t see someone doing better than you? @Luke.]

    [Leo: That��s why you��ll always be the side piece and I��m the one and only original, the one and only main husband.]

    [Luke: What are you gloating over?]

    [Luke: You��ve been away for some time, what do you mean main husband, for all I know, you��re now at the bottom of the list.]

    [Leo: Even if I��m not there, my heart has always been with her, longer than you are... Side piece...]

    [Leo: Vixens!]

    [Rafael: Why does it feel like you are attacking all of us when it was Luke who was provoking you?!]

    [Dave: Right! Your fight with Luke stays with Luke! Don��t bring us in.]

    [Xavier: Right.]

    [Leo: When the shoe fits....]

    [Leo: Anyway, Luke, any movement on your side?]

    [Luke: Yes, just received words that the other side has started moving.]

    [Luke: The order will be picked soon.]

    [Luke: It won��t be long when the exchange will take ce and yours and @Zhane��s job will be starting.]

    [Leo: Got it.]

    [Leo: I��ll prepare on my side.]

    [Leo: @Zhane, heard that? Get your ass up here.]

    [Leo: Or I won��t care if your hospital got razed on the ground.]

    [Dave: By the way, @Leo, I heard that the Avery was also starting to move in the shadows against the Lennon. Did you hear?]

    [Leo: I heard it too, I think it would be best to continue the way we are and let the Lennons suffer a pincer attack from all sides.]

    [Xavier: They deserved it...]

    [Rafael: Just let me know if there��s anything I can do to help.]

    [Rafale: By the way, @Luke, is there any news about the investigation regarding the favor I asked you the other day?]

    [Luke: Oh that?! Yes, my people are working diligently while preventing identally poking the ho��s nest.]

    [Luke: Just be patient, we��ll receive words soon and we��ll know then.]

    [Luke: Don��t be too agitated or stressed about it.]

    [Rafael: I understand.]

    [Luke: Is she still being taken care of in her room?]

    [Rafael: Yes, she��s been throwing things around and threatening to harm herself multiple times. Once, she even tried to use a piece of broken ss.]

    [Luke: But it was a bluff, right? She��s afraid of hurting herself.]

    [Rafael: Yes.]

    [Dave: What are you guys talking about?]

    [Dave: Is it about Rafael��s sister?]

    [Dave: What did she do this time?]

    [Rafael: Why are you treating my sister like a crazy troublemaker?!]

    [Dave: Duh!!! Because she is!]

    [Xavier: Agreed...]

    [Luke: Don��t be too worried about your sister.]

    [Leo: You guys sure to talk about these secrets here while I��m part of the group?]

    [Dave: Duh?!! It��s not as if Rafael��s sister��s craziness was a secret though.]

    [Xavier: True...]

    [Luke: You��ve been part of the group for some time, we��ve been working on some schemes together, what else to keep secrets among ourselves?]

    [Leo: Are you trying to cozy up with me so I would treat you properly?]

    [Leo: Like how the empress would treat the emperor��s concubines?!]

    [Xavier: (;?_?) @Leo]

    [Luke: You really treated yourself as the empress, huh?!]

    [Leo: What else?]

    [Dave: If you are the empress, then, I am the favored concubine!!! Hmph!]

    [Xavier: In your dreams..]

    [Xavier: More like the unwanted concubine from the enemy kingdom being kept in the cold pce...]

    [Xavier: I think that role suits you best...]

    [Luke: More like the maid who crawled in the emperor��sp and acted like the emperor��s crazy dog.]

    [Rafael: I think that really suits him best.]

    [Luke: If there would be a favored concubine, it would be me.]

    [Leo: So, you already epted your fate?]

    [Luke: Ugh!]

    [Luke: (��??) (?_?)]

    [Luke: I do not.]

    [Luke: Just a metaphor and just shut it, will you?]

    While everyone in the group chat was engaged in lively conversation, with Leo blending in with the banter, Zhane suddenly posted a picture of Hera lying prone on the ground, holding a sniper rifle he had secretly taken earlier. He shared the image in the group, causing a stir of reactions.

    Everyone in the group eximed in annoyance and awe.

    [Dave: What the fuck @Zhane?]

    [Dave: Are you trying to rub it on our faces?]

    [Zhane: No, I was just sharing it with everyone since I am generous enough to do so.]

    [Dave: Ohhh! Saved...]

    [Dave: My sweetheart looked so hot in this position while seriously checking the scope.]

    [Dave: Ugh! I hope I was there with her!]

    [Xavier: She seems to be having a lot of fun.]

    [Zhane: She does, she was exhrated.]

    [Rafael: Let��s all go in the shooting range some other time. ]

    [Luke: We all couldpete and liven up the atmosphere.]

    [Dave: More like watch each other with an eagle-like surveince... ]

    [Dave: �������`������]

    [Xaveir: Why are you suddenly saying that when everyone just wanted to have a fair and squarepetition and y it cool so Hera wouldn��t be put in an awkward situation since our whole situation was alreadyplicated enough.]

    [Leo: Maybe, he was trying to have a secret date with her so he could have her all to himself.]

    [Dave: I never said such things, don��t put words into my mouth!]

    [Luke: Acting like his tail has been stepped on.]

    [Rafael: Definitely suspicious!]

 Chapter 413 Zhane And Hera’s Date

    As Zhane and Hera continued their date, Zhane asionally sent pictures to their group chat. Despite his usual demeanor as a caring, mature older brother, he still had a touch of yfulness and pettiness in him.

    He took pleasure in stirring up the ho��s nest and then escaping whenever he could. The other five men in the group chat were certainly enraged, especially Leo. Despite his good upbringing, Leo couldn��t help but curse throughout the day, consumed by jealousy. He began nning his own date with Hera after offloading all his remaining work onto Zhane.

    ��Just you wait, Zhane! You��ll be handling everything after this, and let��s see if you can still sneak around with my wife!�� Leo grumbled throughout the day as he worked. His assistant, standing by his side, could sense the palpable tension and unease radiating from the irritable and moody Leo.

    Leo wasn��t the only one affected. Now that they knew Hera enjoyed the shooting range, a difference from the usual fine dining and amusement parks favored by most women, they all began to rethink their dating strategies. Each of them started nning unique dates tailored to Hera��s newfound interests.

    Of course, they didn��t forget their schemes or what needed to be done, but given their stress and fatigue from work, they found rxation in nning their dates.

    After a leisurely walk along the beach and a delightful lunch at Seaside Cove, Hera and Zhane enjoyed a scenic drive around the sea and mountains until nightfall. They even made their way to a mountain summit to watch the sunset over a sea of clouds.

    The breathtaking view set a romantic mood for both of them. Although Hera took a photo and shared it on her social media, she set her phone aside without checking thements, choosing instead to fully savor the moment with Zhane.

    She never realized she could feel this rxed once the storyline began.

    As they watched the sun sets and the sky gradually darken, Zhane gently took Hera��s hand. His melodious voice broke the silence. "Hera, thank you for spending this time with me. I never realized that, apart from making world-changing discoveries, there are other beautiful things in this world." Hera tilted her head, ncing away from the horizon to meet Zhane��s handsome profile, still gazing ahead.

    She couldn��t help but smile after feeling Zhane��s genuine feelings, she let out a sigh as she too looked ahead but before she knew it, a shadow loomed over her and Zhane��s handsome face descended on her and gave her a kiss.

    The kiss began softly, tenderly, like a feather��s touch. Gradually, Zhane��s kisses grew more urgent, his teeth gently nibbling at her soft lips, coaxing her to open her mouth. Feeling the tingling sensation, Hera parted her lips and extended her tongue to meet his halfway, without needing any further encouragement.

    This surprised Zhane but instantly fueled the fire in his heart, he then grabbed Hera by the waist abruptly and pulled her closer as he deepened their kiss, he felt like devouring her then, her clumsy kissing technique made him feel like his heart was being scratched by a cat.

    Hera��s eyes were tightly shut, while Zhane��s remained slightly open as he tried to imprint her beautiful face in his mind. Her long eyshes fluttered like delicate butterfly wings, intensifying the flutter in his stomach.

    He reached up to gently caress her earlobes before letting his hand slowly travel down to her neck. He felt her body tremble in his arms and heard a soft sigh escape her lips as they continued to kiss.

    Zhane eventually broke their passionate kiss, softly cing a series of tender kisses on her forehead, nose, the corners of her eyes, and her cheeks. "Hera, please stay by my side," he murmured, his voice still husky and alluring, his Adam��s apple bobbing as he spoke.

    "We��ll see about that," she replied, gently cupping his face with her palm. Zhane was so tall that she usually had to tiptoe to meet his height, but at that moment, she didn��t mind. Her thumb traced along his thin, red lips, which she had just nibbled lightly.

    Zhane felt Hera��s touch only stoke the mes of his desire for her, though he made an effort to stayposed. Hera wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to reach his shoulders.

    The sight of her sultry eyes, effortlessly seductive, made Zhane��s throat burn as he swallowed hard. It didn��t take long for him to lean down and capture her soft, red lips once more. "Hera, you��re teasing me, aren��t you?" he murmured.

    "I don��t know what you��re talking about," Hera replied between kisses, her voice yful and mischievous.

    Zhane no longer held back. He cupped Hera��s buttocks, lifting her effortlessly so she could straddle his waist. As he pressed her against the tree, their kiss deepened. His kisses, once light, became intense and fervent, as he passionately sucked on her lips and tongue.

    Hera gasped as her back pressed against the tree. Zhane adjusted their position, lifting her leather skirt to clear the way, revealing just a glimpse of her panties. Fortunately, her long leather trench coat covered her inner thighs, but it was still enough for Zhane to feel the warmth of her core pressing against his hardening cock.

    Zhane grunted as he felt her warmth. While his left hand remained cradling the back of Hera��s head, his right hand traveled down to her soft breast, gently cupping it. Hera gasped, her eyes locking onto his as she plunged back into their kiss.

    Hera��s suspicions were more than confirmed; she could genuinely feel the storylineing to life. She sensed a powerful pull as her mind flickered with a white, screen-like glow, urging her to follow the narrative written before her mind.

    She slightly shook her head. Whenever she moved closer and actively sought intimacy with Zhane, the screen-like white light would fade and stop nagging her. However, if she resisted the development, the light would flicker back on, like a malfunctioning TV screen, intensifying the urging sensation.

    She broke the kiss with Zhane, panting lightly. As he gently fondled her breast, a swirling sensation churned in her stomach. She leaned back against the tree, but her eyes remained locked on Zhane��s intense, dark gaze.

    "Zhane, what are you thinking? Is your mind clear?" Hera asked, her hips grinding against his hard arousal. Supporting herself with her left hand on his shoulder, she gripped the back of his hair with her right. "Do you see a white screen in your mind? Do you feel something urging you to continue?" She moaned softly as Zhane lifted her clothing to her chest, unsping her bra from behind while kissing her cleavage.

    "No," Zhane shook his head, not fully grasping Hera��s words but feeling unusually light and clear-headed. "My mind is clearer than ever. All I can see is you, and all I hear is your heartbeat and our mingled breaths." He answered honestly as he leaned in, taking Hera��s perky nipple into his mouth after her bra hade undone.

    "Ah!" Hera gasped as she felt Zhane��s cool lips on her warm nipple. She squirmed slightly as he yed with her nipple using his mouth. His right hand then traveled down to her core, his thumb gently rubbing her clit through her panties.

    Hera felt her breath catch in her throat as she gasped in pleasure. Every inch of her tingled, and she curled her toes as the sensation overwhelmed her senses. "Zhane!" she moaned.

    Zhane��s hand slid down Hera��s back, tracing the curve of her arch before he seized her other breast. He fondled it, pinching and rubbing her nipple, while his mouth and teeth yed with the other.

 Chapter 414 Practice

    His tongue danced with hers as his fingers continued their rhythmic thrusting inside her, making her squirm and grind against him in sync. "You��re doing great. Rx your muscles," he whispered in a deep, husky voice, guiding her. "Are you feeling good?" he asked, giving her a tender peck on the cheek.

    Hera felt a wave of shyness, her face turning as red as a tomato, but the pleasure soon overshadowed her embarrassment. "Y-yes!" she gasped between breaths. "Zhane, yes!" Her cries of pleasure made Zhane grunt, feeling his hard cock throb intensely in his pants.

    Feeling the tightness building within her inner walls, Zhane sensed that Hera was on the brink of climax. He increased the speed of his thrusts, his fingers driving deeper as he kissed her hungrily. His calm demeanor shifted to one of desperate urgency, as if seeking her lips was his lifeline.

    "Hera, cum. Cum on my fingers," he urged. Hera felt her core tighten as Zhane��s seductive voice drove her wild. His fingers maintained their relentless pace, pushing her towards the edge. An electrifying sensation overwhelmed her, sending tingles through every nerve in her body.

    "Zhane! I��m cumming!"

    "Yes, cum. Don��t hold back," Zhane urged, his hot breath grazing her cheek as he too struggled to catch his breath. His emerald eyes darkened with a dangerous intensity.

    Hera��s eyes rolled back as she leaned into Zhane��s shoulder, biting him hard as her gums tingled, like worms crawling beneath her skin, and her lips went numb. Zhane grunted in pain but didn��t stop his relentless thrusting. He continued until he felt a warm liquid burst from Hera��s core, marking her climax while squeezing his fingers inside her pussy.

    "Oh god, this is so fucking sexy," Zhane murmured. He continued to pump his fingers in and out slowly, feeling Hera tremble in his arms. As he supported her limp body, she panted heavily, having bitten down on his shoulder.

    "Hera, you have no idea how turned on I am right now," Zhane grumbled, feeling her warmth on his fingers. Hera pulled away slightly, meeting his gaze with misty eyes. Zhane looked back at her with an ocean-deep stare before he brought his fingers to his mouth, sucking them clean and showing Hera his tongue as he licked away every trace of her juice.

    Hera��s breath hitched as she watched the usually calm and collected Dr. Zhane disy such raw, lewd behavior. The sight of this different, seductive side of him set off fireworks inside her. She asked, "Zhane, are you feeling ufortable?"

    Zhane narrowed his eyes, fixing his intense gaze on her. "What if I am? Would you help me settle it?"

    "What if I am?" Hera responded with equal seriousness.

    Zhane��s Adam��s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his body tense with anticipation. Before he could fully grasp her intent, Hera had already ced her right palm on his chest. Her hand slowly trailed downward, feeling the rise and fall of his breath as her fingers skimmed over his firm abs. His muscles tightened and trembled under her touch, a silent testament to his growing desire.

    "Would you let me?" Hera asked, her yful smile teasing at the corners of her lips, her eyes never leaving Zhane��s. The intensity in her gaze was undeniable, a challenge wrapped in allure.

    Zhane remained silent, his unspoken agreement hanging in the air as he watched Hera with intense anticipation. She stepped closer, her fingers deftly undoing the buckle of his belt while maintaining eye contact.

    Slowly, deliberately, she unfastened it. The moment his pants loosened, his hard cock sprang free, startling Hera. She gasped, her eyes widening at the size before a flush crept up her cheeks.

    A proud glint shed in Zhane��s eyes, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he watched Hera��s astonished expression, her wide-eyed surprise at his size feeding his confidence.

    Hera gulped, her eyes fixated on Zhane��s length, wondering if it could even fit��it was both thick and long. She hesitated, her conflicted gaze shifting between his face and his cock. Though the surroundings were dark, the soft glow from Zhane��s headlight in the distance provided just enough light to make everything visible, adding to the tension in the air.

    "You don��t have to force yourself, you know," Zhane chuckled softly, letting out a defeated sigh. Despite his excitement and overwhelming desire, he understood Hera��s hesitation. He didn��t want to push her into something she wasn��t ready for.

    Hera shook her head, her resolve hardening as she put on a brave face. She knew this moment was inevitable, and it was better to gain experience now while they came to her one by one. If they all came at her all at once, she wouldn��t be able to manage it then.

    Hera took a deep breath, steadying herself as she wrapped her hand around the middle of his hard cock, gripping it like a handle. Zhane gasped, his cock twitching in her grasp, which made her flinch slightly in surprise��but she didn��t let go, determined to keep herposure.

    Zhane could sense Hera��s inexperience as she hesitated, unsure of her next move. A rush of satisfaction filled him, knowing this was her first time. Gently, he reached for her hand, guiding it in slow, deliberate strokes up and down his length.

    The sensation of her soft hands wrapped around his hardness sent a delicious shiver through his body, causing him to bite his lip, barely able to contain his moan of pleasure.

 Chapter 415 Experimenting

    When Hera��s hand brushed against his balls, Zhane groaned, biting his lip to stifle a deeper reaction. He drew closer to her, pressing her gently against the tree, his body shielding her. His left hand braced against the tree behind her, anchoring himself as he locked her in ce between his frame and the rough bark.

    "Ugh! Hera! This is too much stimtion," Zhane gasped as her hands worked on his balls. Hera was caught between sensations��she was undeniably aroused by stroking Zhane��s cock, but she also found an odd amusement in the feeling of his balls in her hand. It was oddly soothing, almost like a stress ball easing her tension.

    She couldn��t understand why her mind was wandering this way, especially when the intensity of the moment with Zhane should have kept her focus solely on their connection.

    From her perspective, Zhane seemed to be experiencing more intense pleasure than before. Despite her hesitations, she entertained a bold idea that might push him even further, though she was unsure whether to act on it.

    Hera kept stroking Zhane��s cock, feeling him quicken his rhythm slightly. Her hand began to feel sore, and it seemed Zhane might take a while longer to reach his climax. She wasn��t sure how much longer her arm could hold out without a break.

    But Hera didn��t have time to ponder, as Zhane suddenly closed in, capturing her mouth with a desperate, hungry kiss. Hisst shred of rationality had shattered the moment Hera��s hand touched his balls. Despite his extensive medical knowledge, Zhane had never experienced such intense, primal urges before, whether toward himself or anyone else.

    Never had he even touched himself nor masturbated before.

    Now that Hera had stirred this addictive sensation within him, Zhane felt utterly hooked. His primal instincts had fully awakened; he was consumed by an intense, insatiable thirst. He didn��t just want her hand or her mouth��he craved every part of her.

    As Zhane captured her mouth, he let out a low growl, drawing in her breath as he plunged his tongue deep into her. His kiss was fierce,manding her full attention, leaving no space for stray thoughts.

    "Hera!" Zhane gasped her name between kisses, his breath hot and erratic against her face. At that moment, the usually calm andposed Zhane appearedpletely vulnerable, making Hera feel a powerful sense of control, as if she could bend him to her will with just a touch.

    <i>��Well, I literally am, since I��m holding his balls.�� </i>There was a moment of silence inside her head before her thoughts continued<i> ��What��s wrong with my brain? Is this some kind of advertisement? It��s ruining the ��mood!��</i> Hera��s thoughts drifted, but each time Zhane sensed her distraction, he pulled her back with a searing, passionate kiss.

    "Hera! I��m almost there!" Zhane gasped, his breath shaky with urgency. "If you don��t focus, I might just take over and put it in." His words carried a sharp edge, hinting at the barely contained intensity in his eyes.

    Hera flinched at his words, recognizing the primal desire simmering beneath his gaze. She realized that if she didn��t bring him to climax soon, he might think she was deliberately prolonging it, and that could backfire badly.

    To soothe Zhane, Hera proactively sought his lips, her tongue dancing yfully to y with his thin lips. She gently bit and tugged at them, pulling him closer as she sought to bridge the distance between them.

    She hadn��t anticipated this side of Zhane, uncovering so manyyers of him in a single day. It felt as though she were the Easter Bunny, revealing hidden aspects of him. Perhaps that��s why her yful side kept surfacing, drawn out by the unexpected depth of his personality.

    Hera twisted her right hand in a circr motion, her strokes pulling Zhane closer to the edge. His breath came in ragged gasps, emerald eyes locked onto Hera as he allowed her to y with his lips, releasing a hungry snarl. Hera then moved to his neck, giving it a sensual lick before pressing a tender kiss to his Adam��s apple.

    "Zhane, are you about to cum? Hmm?" Hera murmured in a sultry tone.

    Zhane didn��t respond; instead, he pulled Hera into another passionate kiss, biting her lips as his body trembled. Hera felt his cock swell and twitch, a clear sign of his impending climax. Despite her realization, Zhane held her lips captive with his and tightened his grip around her right hand, which was still stroking his shaft. In her panic, Hera tried to pull away, but Zhane wouldn��t let her.

    Before she knew it, Zhane let out a low growl, a shuddering release of hot air escaping his mouth. Hera felt a warm, thick fluid spill onto her stomach, where the tip of Zhane��s cock was brushing against her. And another string of white cum followed, and Zhane groaned with a hoarse, weakened voice as he reached the peak of his climax.

    Zhane held Hera close for a while, his breathing in ragged gasps as he tried to regain hisposure. His warm breath brushed against her ear as he nestled his face next to hers, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

    Despite his earlier climax, both of their hands still gripped his cock, which, though softened a little, remained erect enough for another round.

    Hera��s eyes widened in astonishment as she realized Zhane��s stamina was impressive, still eager for another round. If she timed him, he must havested at least 15 to 20 minutes, and this was supposedly his first time.

    Didn��t they say that a man��s first would be quick because they still couldn��t hold it in because of the unfamiliarity? <i>��Then, don��t tell me he��llst longer after this?!��</i> She thought, her mind reeling with the realization.

    <i>��Will I be able tost? And there are six of them?! Will they all have this kind of stamina and vitality?!��</i> Despite her calm exterior, Hera was internally in a state of panic.

 Chapter 416 Connected

    Thankfully, Zhane had pulled up her clothes earlier, sparing them from being stained by his release. Still, the sight of Hera, her skin marked by his release, ignited something in him.

    Maybe it was because she looked irresistibly sexy, or perhaps it was the fact that she was now a canvas to his handiwork that made the moment even more captivating.

    The mere thought of it made his arousal surge, harder than before. Zhane cleared his throat, trying to regain control, and quickened his pace as he helped Hera clean up, his hands moving with a newfound urgency.

    Hera noticed his frantic state but didn��t dwell on it, as her own embarrassment hit her like a ton of bricks. Flustered, she watched Zhane help her clean up, fully aware that her stomach and breasts were still exposed while they stood outside.

    Her heart pounded in her throat, each passing moment making her face burn brighter, redder than a tomato. Neither noticed the other��s flustered state, too consumed with calming their own racing thoughts.

    She hadn��t realized how intensely intimate it would feel to be outdoors; the experience was a blend of embarrassment and exhration that left her heart feeling as though it was hanging by a thread.

    When Zhane finished helping Hera clean up, she quickly fixed herself, neither of them breaking the tense silence, as if silently agreeing to avoid discussing what had happened until they��d bothposed themselves.

    They headed toward Zhane��s car, Hera��s skin felt icy from the night air. Sensing her chill, Zhane immediately turned on the car heater once they settled in, allowing Hera to rest and collect herself in the warmth.

    Hera closed her eyes, exhaustion evident after the evening��s events. As she dozed off the moment she sat down, Zhane nced at her serene face. His thoughts remained unreadable for a moment, but after a heavy sigh, he smiled softly to himself.

    He didn��t regret what happened; if anything, his only regret was the location. He wished he could have chosen a morefortable ce for her. He hadn��t anticipated things unfolding this way, but he epted it as part of their shared experience.

    Acknowledging that he couldn��t undo what had already transpired, Zhane took a deep breath to steady his thoughts. As he drove off into the night, he was mindful of how long they had been out and how tired Hera must be.

    Zhane drove as smoothly and quietly as possible, mindful not to disturb Hera��s sleep. He checked on her periodically, ensuring she remainedfortable in her seat. After nearly three hours of uninterrupted driving, Zhane arrived at Green Dragon Manor.

    The guards, aware of his destination at the Jade Dragon Building, greeted him with polite nods and did not hinder his entry.

    Given that everyone was now aware of their boss��s rtionships with these men, they understood the importance of being courteous to each one to avoid crossing any lines or falling out of favor.

    As the car came to a stop, Hera stirred from her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open as she stretched her arms and nced around, trying to gauge her surroundings.

    Upon recognizing the familiar lobby through the window, she struggled to suppress a yawn that was threatening to stretch her mouth wide.

    She heard a soft chuckle from the driver��s seat and turned her head slowly to meet Zhane��s gentle gaze. He watched her with a tender smile as she stretched and tried to stifle a yawn, looking like a contented cat. "Did you have a good rest?" he asked softly.

    Hera nodded, though she still felt tired despite having slept through the entire car ride. Zhane noticed her weary expression, and it tugged at his heartstrings. He gently reached out to pat her head. "You should head up and get some rest. Take a hot bath, drink some warm milk before bed, and keep cold medicine by your bedside."

    "You were exposed to the night wind, and I��d hate for you to catch a cold." His concern was evident, and his reminders were as nurturing as a devoted partner��s, showing just how much he cared.

    Hera couldn��t help but chuckle softly. They both fell silent for a moment beforeughing in unison, feeling more in sync and connected than before. Though they both felt a twinge of embarrassment earlier, since they were adults, they were now back to their usual selves. The only thing that had changed was the depth of their feelings for each other.

    Zhane felt a deeper connection with Hera, his emotions growing more intense than before. For the first time in his life, he truly understood what it meant to be interested in a woman.

    As he smiled at Hera, his smile took on a deeper significance, his eyes reflecting a hint of love. His voice, too, carried the weight of his raw, heartfelt feelings.

    He couldn��t help but worry about her, constantly nagging to ensure she wouldn��t get sick, since he couldn��t be by her side all the time. Hera smiled warmly at Zhane and nodded to show she understood. She then unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to step out.

    "Wait, Hera," Zhane said. As Hera nced back at him, she saw that Zhane had already unbuckled his seatbelt and was leaning closer. Before she could process what was happening, Zhane��s warm hand cupped the side of her face, followed by a tender, passionate kiss.

    Zhane didn��t take long to pull away, but his warm hands remained gently cradling Hera��s face, his thumb softly rubbing her cheeks. His eyes locked onto hers, twinkling with unspoken emotion. "Good night and have a good rest," he murmured, his voice husky, as if there were words he wished he could express but couldn��t quite find.

 Chapter 417 Who’s Grandson Is Better

    Zhane had never behaved like this before. As he drove back to the Everett manor, the butler noticed his foolish grin. Given his age and experience with life��s highs and lows, the butler quickly recognized that Zhane had fallen in love. It wasn��t long before the news had spread throughout the entire manor.

    Zhane��s parents were eagerly discussing his love life in their room, while the Patriarch quickly shared the news with his friends over the phone. He was already talking about great-grandchildren and weddings, which began to irritate his friends.

    They, too, had no great-grandchildren and were preupied with their own families, making Zhane��s romantic developments a bit of a sore spot.

    One of them was Dave��s grandfather, who was particrly irritated by Zhane��s grandfather��s endless chatter in their group chat. Zhane��s grandfather couldn��t stop praising his grandchild, boasting about his achievements and only mentioning that his sole w was being a workaholic.

    He couldn��t even discuss his own grandchild because Dave was like a firecracker, behaving as the ck sheep of the family. Dave ignored everyone��s advice, shirked his work responsibilities, and refused to attend the blind dates his mother arranged to help him settle down.

    As he grew older, Dave��s grandfather longed to see great-grandchildren before passing away, but Dave��s indifference made that increasingly unlikely.

    As he fumed over his annoyance, someone tagged him in the group chat.

    [Patriarch A: Didn��t both your grandchildren end up involved with the same woman?]

    [Patriarch B: Oh, yes! My granddaughter even showed me tabloid news about Zhane and Dave dating the same woman. There was even a photo of them together. Is there a story behind this? Why don��t you both share the gossip with us, @EverettPatriarch and @CarsonPatriarch?]

    [Everett Patriarch: ...]

    [Carson Patriarch: Why don��t you ask @EverettPatriarch since he was just boasting about his grandson going on a date for the first time?]

    [Everett Patriarch: @CarsonPatriarch what, are you jealous because my grandson has stopped just hanging out with his stinky male friends and decided to date someone?]

    [Everett Patriarch: You are being petty.]

    [Everett Patriarch: You should just discipline your grandson and drag him to attend the blind dates if you really want to have children running around your backyard. Hmph!]

    [Carson Patriarch: Why are you being so pricky? Huh?! Are you afraid that my grandson would win the girl since your grandson was boring and only knew how to busy himself with work?]

    [Everett Patriarch: As if! Your grandson was too willful and yful like a child, who would take him seriously, at least, my grandson was dutiful and mature. Yours was just a big child.]

    [Everett Patriarch: You are just like your own grandson, I guess, the apple didn��t fall far from the tree. Ha ha ha!]

    The two patriarchs, long-time friends, began an online banter,paring their grandsons. Their friends stayed silent, unable to intervene and content to watch the spectacle unfold. They settled in with popcorn, enjoying the show and picking up thetest gossip from both families.

    Unaware of the online feud between his and Dave��s grandfathers, Zhane happily returned to his room and messaged Hera to let her know he had arrived home.

    After staring at his phone screen for a while, he headed to the bathroom for a shower. When he didn��t receive a reply from Hera, he assumed she had already fallen asleep.

    Meanwhile, his group chat with the other five men was exploding with questions about how the date went. Dave was even asking for tips on what to do on his own date, pretending it was for future reference.

    In reality, he was bing increasingly anxious about his uing date with Hera, as he had no dating experience and was feeling nervous.

    At the moment, no one knew that Dave had a date with Hera scheduled for tomorrow. He wanted to learn from Zhane��s experience to avoid making any mistakes that might annoy Hera or spoil the date.

    He had never felt this nervous before, not even when standing before the Russian president for diplomatic negotiations.

    But now, his stomach was churning with anxiety. He still hadn��t finalized the itinerary for their date. He had received a confirmation from Hera about their ns half an hour ago, just before she went to sleep.

    He kept ncing at his phone, hoping Zhane would reply or start discussing his date, but there was no update. Even the other four were curious, pressing for details about how the date went and what had happened. They were relentless, like detectives eagerly awaiting answers from Zhane.

    It took Zhane 15 minutes to check his phone and see the flood of notifications from the group chat. He hadn��t discussed his date with them, fully aware of their curiosity and what they were up to.

    Instead, he decided to send a series of pictures from their date: from the shooting range to the seafood restaurant, the beach, and even the sunset from the mountaintop.

    The other five stared at the photos with narrowed, envious eyes. It was clear from the images that Zhane��s date had gone well, and Hera looked genuinely happy and content. They found it difficult to pick apart any ws.

    No matter how much they egg Zhane to divulge the info of his date with Hera, they didn��t get anything and Zhane just went to sleep with a smile on his face, still, before closing his eyes and falling asleep, he was still thinking of Hera, as a result, he dreamt about Hera nad him intimately entangled in the bedsheets.

 Chapter 418 A Gift

    As she descended the stairs, Hera was taken aback to find Dave waiting at the bottom, holding an enormous bouquet of 999 red roses. Despite the faint shadows under his eyes, likely from a sleepless night, his charm was undiminished.

    His maroon suit, with two buttons casually undone, reflected his easygoing personality, effortlessly blending sophistication with a touch ofid-back elegance.

    "Good morning, sweetheart. I��m here to pick you up," Dave said softly, stepping closer to Hera with a warm smile. As he extended the bouquet of roses toward her, he added, "These are for you."

    Dave appeared both shy and hopeful as he handed the bouquet to Hera. She blinked in surprise at the grand gesture, her eyes catching on the three small balloons tied to the roses. A smile spread across her face at the yful touch, her initial surprise melting into warmth.

    Tucked among the roses was a small card and a velvet box, catching Hera��s attention. She nced up at Dave with a raised eyebrow, silently asking what this was all about, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

    "Just a simple gift for our first date. Is that alright?" Dave asked, his usual yful demeanor reced by a rare look of nervousness and shyness. Hera found it both amusing and endearing, so with a soft smile, she nodded and opened the letter first.

    <i>"Dear My Sweetest Hera,</i>

    <i>I hope you find my gesture pleasing. More than anything, I want you to enjoy our day together. I��ve never been this excited about someone before; I know I maye across as a yboy, but my feelings for you are genuine.</i>

    <i>P.S. I��ve never been with anyone else, so I promise I��m not a yboy.</i>

    <i>P.P.S. I wrote this letterst night and made several errors, so I had to rewrite it a few times. I hope you don��t find it too old-fashioned.</i>

    <i>P.P.P.S. I got this idea from my grandpa, who used to write letters to my grandma when they were young. She loved them, and I hope you will too."</i>

    ...

    As Hera read the heartfelt letter, she was immediately struck by the beauty of Dave��s elegant handwriting. With each line, she felt a warmth growing inside her. When she reread it, she couldn��t stifle a chuckle, realizing that Dave had a silly side she hadn��t known about before. It was undeniably charming, and she found it endearing.

    She looked up from the letter to find Dave��s cheeks flushed with a deep red, and she decided against teasing him. Instead, she opened the velvet box, revealing a Chanel ck clover bracelet. It was both cute and sophisticated, and a bright smile spread across Hera��s face as she gazed at Dave, her heart swelling with appreciation.

    "Thank you, Dave! I love them!" Hera beamed, her joy radiating as she openly expressed her delight.

    Aside from her grandfather and Athena, she had never received such thoughtful gifts before. In her past rtionship, it had always been her who gave gifts, often using her hard-earned money for Alexi, who had never reciprocated with anything meaningful��most of his gifts were just things Minerva had deemed unworthy.

    This moment felt refreshing and deeply appreciated.

    ��How could she consider it as a gift from him?��

    To think that the first person to truly give her a gift was Dave��it was unexpected and tugged at her heartstrings. A sparkle reflected in her eyes as she smiled, easing Dave��s nervousness and fear.

    At that moment, he could see that his gesture had made an impact, filling him with a mix of relief and happiness.

    He often heard from others that pleasing a woman with gifts could be a daunting task��get the color wrong, choose the wrong item, and they might not appreciate it.

    ��But maybe that��s just for women who are too pampered and don��t know how to appreciate what they have. My sweetheart is different,�� Dave mused, stealing a nce at Hera, whose eyes sparkled with genuine appreciation. ��So why was I so nervous in the first ce?��

    His nervousness melted away, reced by a boyish grin as he watched Hera admire his gift. Stepping closer, he offered to help her fasten the bracelet onto her right wrist.

    As he secured it, he puffed out his chest, his smile widening at how beautifully itplemented her fair, sculpted wrist and perfectly matched her outfit.

    Initially, Dave had second-guessed his choice of gift. He remembered how, during the Variety Show, the camera had captured the inside of her walk-in closet, revealing an impressive array of expensive essories��watches, earrings, bracelets, and more.

    He had rewatched that segment multiple times because he didn��t really see that part since he wasn��t familiar with her then, eager to familiarize himself with her style. Hearing about her exquisite collection had only fueled his desire to choose something that would truly resonate with her taste.

    That��s why he decided on something simple and understated, not nearly as extravagant as the pieces in her collection. He didn��t want her to feel burdened by the gift but hoped she would ept it without hesitation.

    Seeing her genuine smile and appreciation made his heart swell with happiness��it was the only reassurance he needed.

    After a moment, Hera cheerfully led Dave to the dining table, where breakfast was alreadyid out. The spread included eggs benedict, freshly squeezed orange juice, a light sd, and her favorite butter and bread bread on the side. It was simple but inviting, just like the atmosphere between them.

 Chapter 419 Dave And Hera’s Date

    "And you all called me here just to watch my wife get whisked away by your friend?" Leo snapped, his irritation evident. He sat near the window, his gaze fixed on the scene below.

    Having been summoned by Luke at the crack of dawn, he couldn��t shake the frustration that brewed within him as they all witnessed Dave pull up to the building��s entrance, a bouquet of red roses in hand, before heading upstairs.

    Leo��s annoyance simmered just below the surface. He hadn��t had a decent night��s sleep, preupied with thoughts of Zhane��s date with Hera. Theck of sleep waspounded by the nagging frustration that Zhane hadn��t shared a word about how it went.

    Everyone knew he had spent the evening with Hera, lingering until thest possible moment before sending her home, and that only added to Leo��s irritation.

    "What are you all worked up about?" Luke asked casually, leaning against the window until Dave��s car disappeared from view. He then turned and took a seat across from Leo. "If you keep losing your temper over every little thing, you��re just going to wear yourselves out."

    "Instead of fretting over Dave, let��s focus on our n," Luke continued, his tone shifting to seriousness. "The Lennons have already taken the bait, and by tonight or tomorrow, we can cripple them. I called you all here so we can strategize together and seize their family business once they fall from grace."

    Leo frowned, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Why all this fanfare just to take down the Lennons? They��re a mediocre-sized family business. We don��t need such an borate approach to bring them down. If we were dealing with a major conglomerate like the Hendrix or Avery, then sure, intricate nning would make sense to secure the spoils. But the Lennons? They hardly require this level of effort."

    Even Rafael frowned, though he understood Luke��s cautious nature. He knew that Luke preferred not to confront a losing battle head-on; instead, he would rather lurk in the shadows, observing how things unfolded before making a calcted strike against their enemies. So, he waited patiently for Luke to borate and exin his reasoning.

    Xavier slumped on the long sofa near the window, leaning back with his eyes closed. He had no desire to join the conversation, as he couldn��t fathom using his family��s influence and power in such a way.

    The murky waters of the business world repulsed him, and he preferred to distance himself from the intricacies of their schemes.

    "Well, indeed, to the Hendrixes, the Lennons are little more than ants to be trampled," Luke said, casting a meaningful smile at Leo. "But remember, even an ant can take down an elephant when they swarm."

    "Are you suggesting that the Lennons are coborating with other families?" Leo asked, his expression turning serious. He wasn��t surprised; his own intel had hinted at the same, though not with the depth that the Averys possessed.

    Since Gerald and Hera were actively working against the Lennons, Gerald wouldn��t dare sell this information, no matter the price��he was too wary of rattling a snake.

    However, Leo and the others weren��t as informed as Hera and Gerald about the Lennons. Leo believed they could handle the situation, no matter how many families allied with them. In contrast, Luke felt confident he could simply set one house aze and wait for the others to emerge, ready to corner and eliminate them all in a single sweep.

    Hera also contemted the ns they had discussed, but she knew the Lennons�� schemes ran deep. Among their supporters were individuals who had unresolved issues with the male leads, which made her hesitant to fully put the Lennons�� fate in their hands.

    She wanted their assistance in crippling the Lennons, but she intended to take charge of the final blow herself.

    After all, her other preparations wereplete, and Gerald was meticulously guarding the information they had, along with the ns to deal with the Lennons. Hera was simply waiting for the right moment to act.

    She also knew that Athena��s family and her uncle��s family were poised and ready, just waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

    After all, it was their beloved princess who Tyler Lennon tried to schemed against.

    On Hera��s side, Dave took her to a charming themed park that was perfect for Instagram-worthy photos, featuring a whimsical princess theme, Mini Mouse decorations, and more.

    It resembled a miniature Disnend, and he had reserved the entire ce just for her, ensuring she could enjoy every corner without interruption.

    Hera chuckled, recalling the domineering CEO archetypes Athena often mentioned. <i>��Isn��t he just acting like one of those characters?��</i> she thought, amused by the resemnce.

    Dave eagerly transformed into Hera��s personal photographer, urging her to pose beside the whimsical mascots and don cute angel wings. He went so far as to lie t on the ground, determined to capture the perfect shot of her adorned in the angel wings, with petals cascading around her and the clear blue sky as a stunning backdrop.

    As Hera watched Dave contort himself into awkward positions to capture her on camera, she couldn��t help but burst into a merryugh.

    Sitting on a white swing draped in beautiful flowers, reminiscent of a fairy��s flower field, she enjoyed the yful moment.

    Dave eagerly snapped pictures, even urging her to stop posing and look away, hoping to catch a candid shot that would capture her genuine joy.

 Chapter 420 The Magical Lunch

    Dave had meticulously nned every detail of the meal, ensuring that each dish would be something Hera would love.

    He even went so far as to hire an internationally renowned chef with a culinary style reminiscent of Hannah��s, crafting a fusion of vors from various countries to impress her.

    A top-tier patissier was also brought in to create desserts that not only tasted divine but also looked magical.

    The entire theme of the lunch revolved around fairytales and princesses, so when the appetizers arrived, they were as enchanting as they were delicious��delicate bites that seemed straight out of a fantasy.

    The presentation was nothing short of dreamy and magical. The dish appeared to be a simple pot filled with loose soil, but when warm water was gently poured over it, something extraordinary happened.

    A mist began to rise, giving the illusion of a snake-like figure emerging from the pot, creating an enchanting fairy-tale atmosphere. It was likely the effect of dry ice hidden beneath, adding to the spectacle.

    Slowly, the "soil" began to shift, and tiny mushrooms and flowers started to bloom right before Hera��s eyes. She couldn��t help but smile, captivated by the whimsical disy unfolding before her.

    To Hera, it felt like watching a magic show unfold. The waiter, noticing her delighted reaction and radiant smile, couldn��t help but feel his own heart flutter.

    As the flower slowly rose from the soil, transforming into a fully blossomed beauty, it was as if the entire process of growth��from seed to bloom��was being revealed right before their eyes.

    The elegance and wonder of the moment made the experience all the more captivating, leaving everyone enchanted by the delicate transformation.

    "This soil is crafted from a blend of coconut sap and chocte powder," the waiter exined, his voice smooth and engaging.

    "The mushrooms are real, coated in a glossy ze to give them that perfect shine, and they��re filled with a savory soup. As for the flowers, they��re not real but are intricately designed by our chef using vegetables."

    "After shaping them, we dry them to create a curled appearance, allowing them to hide under the pot. Once they encounter warm water, they expand beautifully, mimicking the natural blooming of a flower."

    The waiter spoke with such enthusiasm that his voice asionally rose, as if he were sharing an exhrating tale. Hera leaned in, captivated by his exnation, her eyes sparkling with interest.

    Once the appetizer presentation concluded, Hera began poking at the flower with curiosity before taking a bite of the mushroom.

    Dave watched her every move intently, his gaze unwavering. He wanted to capture each moment��the glimmer in her eyes, the curve of her lips, and the joy radiating from her smile��engraving them into his memory.

    The appetizer concluded with a flourish, leaving Hera delighted with the vors. Next, the waiter presented a soup served in a pot shaped like a cauldron, still bubbling and emitting a gentle hiss. Hedled a scoop for both Hera and Dave.

    At first nce, the soup appeared to be a simple m chowder, nothing out of the ordinary, but the whimsical presentation added an air of magic to the experience.

    Or so she thought. The moment Hera took a sip, a delightful explosion of contrasting vors enveloped her pte, each note blending seamlessly to create a harmonious symphony on her taste buds.

    It wasn��t m chowder at all; instead, it was a velvety white pumpkin soup that surprised and delighted her with its richness.

    Hera let out a soft gasp after her first sip, her eyes widening in delight. The waiter had intentionally held back on the soup��s description, eager to surprise them.

    Only after witnessing Hera��s reaction did he seize the moment to exin, a satisfied smile ying on his lips.

    "This is a white pumpkin soup," the waiter began, his voice infused with excitement.

    "Rather than following the traditional method of making pumpkin soup, the chef crafted this using pumpkin essence blended with creamy milk and a medley of spices, giving it the appearance of m chowder."

    Hera nodded, savoring another sip, her eyes transforming into crescent shapes that radiated delight. Dave found her reaction both silly and captivating, and he couldn��t help but join in, taking a hearty sip of his own.

    Yet, his gaze remained fixed on Hera, keenly observing every little movement she made, like a hawk intent on its prey.

    Next came a beautifully presented dish featuring a glistening, perfectly cooked egg perched in the center of a ceramic te.

    Hera tilted her head, studying the egg with a mix of curiosity and confusion. She nced up at the waiter, seeking rification, but he merely smiled, encouraging her to dig in.

    Hera quickly realized that the waiter would likely exin after she tasted the dish, adding to the surprise.

    As she gently poked the "fried egg," she discovered it wasn��t what it appeared. The thinyer of jelly broke, revealing a luscious soup that mimicked a real yolk.

    The white, crafted from jellied bone marrow soup infused with herbs and spices, contrasted beautifully with the mild, creamy yolk, delighting her pte even further.

    This delightful culinary experience unfolded over the course of a twelve-course meal. When the main dish arrived��a beautifully presented b of A5 wagyu beef, expertly grilled over charcoal��Hera marveled at its rich aroma.

    As she sliced into the tender meat, it felt like cutting through butter. Just as she was savoring the texture, Dave stood up slightly from his chair, carefully lifting his te to exchange it with hers.

    His meat had already been perfectly cut into bite-sized pieces, allowing her to enjoy the dish without any fuss.

    Hera took her time cutting the meat, not just for the tenderness, but also to admire the dish itself.

    She pondered whether it was another clever illusion, like the previous courses, wondering if it might look one way while being crafted from entirely different ingredients.

    Her curiosity heightened the experience, making each moment feel special.

    As Hera became engrossed in admiring the dish, which resembled a work of art, Dave seized the moment to cut the perfectly cooked A5 wagyu into bite-sized pieces.

    His intention was to allow Hera to simply savor the vors without the distraction of cutting. As he worked, an unguarded gentleness illuminated his eyes��an expression he was unaware of but that didn��t go unnoticed by those nearby, including the violinist, who watched with a mix of awe and envy.

    "Dave, you didn��t have to do that. I already took a bite from mine," Hera said, her cheeks warming with a mix of bashfulness and embarrassment.

    She didn��t want toe across as if she needed help cutting her food or as if he were eating her leftovers. But Dave simply chuckled, his expression full of affection.

    He speared a piece of the perfectly cut meat from her te, taking a bite with a wide grin that said he was more than happy to share this moment with her.

 Chapter 421 Next Location

    "Here��s the dessert," said the waiter. "The tree trunk is crafted from tempered chocte, while the rabbits, mushrooms, and flowers, along with the bird��s nest, are made from vored candy. The base is a rich chocte moist cake."

    He then poured from a small pitcher that appeared empty, but as he tilted it, a mist emerged, slowly enveloping the moss-covered soil, creating the illusion of a dreamy haze.

    Hera grinned with delight as she watched the spectacle unfold, thoroughly enjoying it. She even took a picture to capture the moment.

    Dave felt a sense of happiness knowing that Hera was enjoying herself and that his little preparations were paying off.

    After their delightful lunch, Hera and Dave walked side by side, and she took a moment to thank the entire staff as they exited the themed park.

    Hera assumed their date would end there, but to her surprise, Dave drove them to another location. She tilted her head, watching the scenery shift from the vibrant park to the tranquil suburbs outside the car window.

    She had intended to be the one taking Dave to ces, having suggested their outing in the first ce. But seeing his enthusiastic demeanor, she decided to let him lead.

    Besides, she was truly enjoying herself; she hadn��t expected Dave to prepare such an borate date in just two days.

    The date Dave had nned was innocent and romantic, the kind every woman would appreciate and enjoy.

    She hadn��t expected him toe up with something so thoughtful, let alone be her personal photographer throughout the day. The thought made her chuckle quietly to herself.

    Soon, they arrived at a race circuit, and even from a distance, Hera could hear the loud rumbling of racing car engines.

    However, the absence of visitors�� voices puzzled her. Sensing her confusion, Dave quickly stepped in to exin.

    "I rented the entire ce," Dave exined. "There weren��t any scheduled races��international or local��so the circuit was avable. Those cars you hear are probably teams practicing or a few rich brats getting someps in before I showed up."

    Dave shrugged casually, as if to say it wasn��t a big deal. "After seeing some of the cars you drive, I figured you might be into cars��and maybe racing too. So, I brought you here to give it a try. What do you think?" he asked, looking at Hera expectantly as he gently guided her inside.

    In truth, he was a bit nervous. This hadn��t been part of his original n for the date, but after seeing Zhane take Hera to the shooting range and knowing how much she enjoyed it, he wanted to share one of the ces he loved spending time in as well.

    That��s why he figured the people doingps on the circuit were either the national team practicing or the wealthy kids he often hung out with at the track.

    He usually came here with Rafael, a car enthusiast who also loved racing. But with Rafael��s parents on vacation, he had been too busy managing both Briley Corporation and his entertainmentpany to join him.

    With Rafael busy and his troublemaker of a sister keeping him upied, Dave often found himselfing here alone.

    But now, with Hera by his side, he couldn��t help but feel grateful for Rafael��s absence��it gave him the chance to have Hera all to himself.

    Remembering that he had the entire day alone with Hera, Dave instantly perked up. Hera, meanwhile, was looking around with amazement clearly written across her face.

    Not long after, they reached the area where the others were gathered. Upon seeing Dave approach, they immediately surrounded him with enthusiastic chatter.

    However, when they noticed Hera beside him, they stiffened, wide-eyed, before ncing at Dave with a hint of guilt.

    Dave quickly sensed that something was off about their reactions.

    "What��s wrong?" he asked.

    "Boss, who is she?" one of them finally dared to ask. He couldn��t help but nce at Hera multiple times, each look revealing a flicker of recognition, as if he were trying to recall something just out of reach.

    "Dave!" Even before any of them could respond, a girl in a form-fitting race suit rushed toward him, holding her helmet in her right arm.

    She immediately attached herself to Dave��s right arm, using her body to push Hera aside.

    Dave was taken aback; he never allowed anyone to get as close to him as this girl had, and she typically wouldn��t be so audacious.

    However, seeing Hera holding hands with him as he led her inside seemed to ignite something in the neer, prompting her to throw caution to the wind.

    She suddenly felt a surge of possessiveness, not wanting any girl near Dave at all. After all the time she had invested in trying to get close to him, it was frustrating to discover he had brought an unknown girl along.

    After a moment of surprise, Dave��s brow furrowed deeply. Instinctively, he shook the girl��s arm off as if trying to rid himself of something unclean.

    He even patted down his clothes, rubbing his palms against his pants as if to emphasize his difort.

    "Shi, what do you think you��re doing?!" a guy in a race suit called out as he ran after her. His hair was slightly damp, suggesting he had just finished practicing and had rushed after the girl who had dashed to Dave.

 Chapter 422 Who Is She?

    Hera joined in the fun, yfully pinching his sides and eliciting a heartyugh from Dave. He then exined, "She��s one of the sisters from one member of the national race team. She alwayses to support her brother and has made friends with this group of kids."

    Dave acted as if all the men around them were nothing but kids. In reality, they were the same age as he was, but unlike Dave��who held a powerful position and had close friendships with equally sessful individuals like Luke��this group genuinely looked like children.

    Even at their age, they were still clinging to their parents for allowances, spending their time racing, drinking, eating, and sleeping like a bunch of teenagers.

    It was hard to me them for choosing such a lifestyle; they could afford to bezy. If they ever decided to leave their carefree lives behind and start working, there were jobs waiting for them��they just needed to show up.

    If they chose to continue living this way, they already had shares in their familypanies that would allow them to enjoy a leisurely life for the rest of their days. After all, who wouldn��t want such a carefree lifestyle?

    After hearing Dave��s exnation, referring to her as merely a sister of one of the racers from the national team struck the girl hard. Her face paled, and the redness in her eyes and the tip of her nose betrayed her growing distress.

    Seeing the girl in distress made Hera feel a twinge of sympathy, so she decided to stop stirring trouble. "Shall we head inside? I��m excited for a spin," she said, maintaining her smile as she nodded at everyone surrounding Dave.

    Dave nodded eagerly at Hera��s request, more than happy to guide her to his car for a spin.

    But before leading her away, he looked around at the men surrounding him, puffed out his chest, and dered, "You should show respect to your future sister-inw. Don��t anger her, because upsetting her means upsetting me. Understand?"

    Dave didn��t need to specify who he was talking about; everyone understood his implication. His words also served as a clear warning to the girl, telling her to stop pestering him and dreaming of things she couldn��t have.

    Dave chose not to confront the girl directly, as he still had enough decency not to embarrass her in front of the crowd. However, that didn��t mean he wouldn��t issue a warning.

    If they continued to disregard his boundaries, they couldn��t fully me him for being ruthless or disrespectful.

    Everyone understood this; despite Dave��s carefree and easygoing demeanor, they all knew that crossing him would reveal a side no one wanted to witness. He could be just as intimidating and scary when provoked.

    When he issued his warning, everyone gulped, a shiver running down their spines, and they could only nod in agreement. However, the girl was so consumed by her jealousy and envy of Hera that she didn��t even register what Dave had said.

    She could only stare at Hera with unmistakable hatred. She had invested so much time trying to impress Dave��learning about cars, mastering racing techniques like her brother, and even delving into engine specifications and details.

    Over the years she had known Dave, she had done so much to catch his attention. She had also met Rafael, but unlike Dave��s easygoing personality, Rafael appeared intimidating and had a short temper.

    Despite being as handsome as sin, she still preferred Dave. She had always been confident in her looks, especially her voluptuous figure.

    But seeing Hera standing so close to Dave made all her hard work feel futile. She felt an urge to step forward and drag Hera away by her hair, furious at how the other girl clung to his arm with her long ws, which irritated her to the core.

    Hera could feel the piercing gaze boring into her back, sending goosebumps across her skin.

    However, she pretended not to notice and continued to engage with Dave and the other guys who fawned over her because of him.

    While she didn��t shut them down, she maintained a cordial and polite demeanor, despite herck of genuine enthusiasm.

    Dave didn��t disappoint Hera. As soon as they stepped out to where the cars were parked, he immediately guided her to a striking red racing car adorned with stickers on each side, as well as on the wings and front.

    Dave��s car almost resembled Lightning McQueen, making Hera chuckle unconsciously. She recalled the cartoon racing car from her childhood, and it seemed as if Dave was trying to recreate that iconic look, as if to say that he was the best racer in his own right.

    She ran her fingers along the sleek surface of the car while Dave stood back, watching her admire it with a doting smile on his face. "Do you like it?" he asked.

    Hera nodded, grinning at him. "Lightning McQueen?" she teased.

    "Oh?! Was it that obvious?" Dave didn��t seem surprised that Hera noticed the resemnce. Instead, he shed a boyish grin and raised an eyebrow yfully.

    Hera chuckled as she stood in front of the car. Dave gently took her hand and led her to the passenger seat. "Shall we go for a spin?"

    Without hesitation, Hera nodded eagerly. Dave quickly settled into the driver��s seat after helping her in, leaving everyone in a daze as the car roared to life, the exhaust fumes lingering in the air.

    "I think Dave is serious about that girl. He��s never let anyone sit in his car��not even Rafael," one of the guys remarked.

    "Duh! Who would let anyone else sit in their car if it costs millions and is fully customized with the best of everything? The engine and materials he chose are top-notch, designed to withstand damage even in a crash."

 Chapter 423 Joining The Race

    Turning on her heels, she felt a surge of determination; she was ready to put Hera in her ce.

    As Dave drove his car out of the parking spot, it shot forward like an arrow��swift yet steady.

    Both he and Hera secured their seatbelts, ensuring their safety without the constraint of helmets. This way, they could fully immerse themselves in the experience, allowing Hera an unobstructed view of the circuit to savor every moment of the ride.

    Dave felt no apprehension about potential idents; he had already navigated that circuit over a dozen times, knowing it intimately.

    To ensure Hera��sfort, he drove smoothly, prioritizing a seamless experience that would make their time together enjoyable.

    Hera was having the time of her life, herughter mingling with the roar of the engine as her hair whipped around inside the car.

    Despite the rush, she had a clear view of the circuit, savoring every twist and turn. Dave executed smooth drifts around the corners, eliciting delighted giggles from Hera that filled the car with joy.

    Amid the roar of the engine and the screeching tires, Dave caught the sound of Hera��s delighted giggles, and it warmed his heart.

    Seeing her joy, he decided to push the limits further, executing more daring drifts, each one met with her infectiousughter, making the ride even more exhrating.

    As Dave crossed the finish line, a broad grin spread across his face. His gaze quickly turned to Hera, who was still buzzing with exhration.

    She wasughing joyfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement, urging him to take on moreps. Her infectious enthusiasm made his heart soar even higher.

    Seeing her so radiant with joy, Dave quickly exited the driver��s seat and made his way to her side.

    At that moment, the wealthy young masters, the national team, and the girl from earlier approached him, all wearing smiles.

    It had been a while since they��d witnessed Dave tearing up the circuit, and watching him now brought back memories of his impressive prowess on the racetrack, reminding everyone just how formidable he truly was.

    Even though Dave wasn��t particrly skilled in horseback riding, car racing was his true forte and passion.

    He wanted to embody the spirit of Lightning McQueen��a beast on the racetrack��and he had just given Hera a taste of his remarkable driving skills, showcasing the thrill of speed and precision.

    As he helped Hera out of the car, a crowd quickly gathered around them, showering Dave with admiration.

    The members of the national team were especially eager, theirpetitive spirits ignited by his spectacr driving.

    They couldn��t wait to take ap with him, their excitement palpable as they mored for the chance to experience his skills firsthand.

    Hera encouraged Dave to embrace the challenge as a friendlypetition.

    After all, they hade to the race circuit for the thrill of racing, and what better way to heighten the excitement than by racing against others?

    The idea of runningps together added an exhrating twist to their day.

    "Dave, you should run someps! Let��s take this opportunity to enjoy the day," Hera said, her smile radiating excitement.

    It was clear she was eager to witness the thrill and see how Dave would stack up against the national team.

    "Why don��t we girls join in the fun? After all, this is such a perfect opportunity!" the girl from earlier suggested, her eyes glinting with mischief as she shot Hera a challenging smirk.

    It was as if she could see Hera unwittingly digging her own grave with that proposal, ready to pounce on the chance to drag her into the race track and humiliate her.

    Dave caught wind of the girl��s intentions, and his anger red instantly.

    He felt a surge of protectiveness; while he was fine with letting Hera drive on her own around the circuit, putting her in a car with a group of professionals��especially with someone who clearly had it out for her��was entirely uneptable.

    The thought of her being humiliated ignited a fierce determination within him.

    Although Hera could handle a sports car, driving a racing car required a different level of skill and control.

    The heavier steering wheel demanded more strength, and even a small mistake could send her off course��or worse, lead to an ident.

    The stakes were significantly higher, and Dave couldn��t shake the concern for her safety.

    "No!" Dave��s voice cut through the air, igniting a sudden silence among the group. The girl, however, was not ready to back down.

    "Why not? Didn��t you bring her here to have fun? What��s the thrill in just watching the boys race while the girls sit on the sidelines? Are you really saying you don��t trust us to drive and maybe even beat the boys?" the girl asked, feigning innocence while cleverly framing her challenge as a lightheartedpetition.

    The other young masters, unaware of the girl��s ulterior motives, eagerly joined in her enthusiasm. "Right? Milly managed to win at least two out of five races all on her own! It��s only fair to let Hera join too. It would make everyone feel included and definitely amp up the fun!" Their excitement echoed in the air, amplifying the challenge.

    "Absolutely! I think we should all join in so no one feels left out. Then we can watch the recordedps togetherter and relive the excitement!"

 Chapter 424 Joining The Race 2

    Milly envisioned all sorts of reactions from Hera, ready to subtly drive the nail into her confidence and make her feel insecure and sidelined.

    "Sure!" Hera replied, her bright smile catching everyone off guard. The other guys around them found themselves momentarily entranced, unable to look away from her beauty.

    "Ehem!" Dave��s irritated throat-clearing snapped everyone back to reality, including Milly, who clearly hadn��t anticipated Hera��s response.

    Of all the answers she expected, Milly never thought Hera would ept such a challenge. Everyone knew that car racing was dangerous and could lead to serious idents. Unless a girl had a true love for challenges and a brave heart, few would dare to step into the fray.

    Even after extensive self-convincing and mental preparation to drive alongside others, she had her brother��a member of the national team��train her in the hopes of getting closer to Dave.

    Car racing wasn��t for beginners; it required skills and techniques that could only be honed through years of practice.

    When everyone heard Hera readily ept the challenge, half of the onlookers were skeptical, believing she was biting off more than she could chew just to grab Dave��s attention.

    Milly��s brother, in particr, dismissed her as shallow, convinced she was merely trying to impress Dave.

    Though Milly didn��t receive the response she hoped for, she noticed that most of the national team members were watching Hera with a mix of skepticism and frown.

    Dave raised an eyebrow as he regarded Hera, uncertain yet intrigued. He didn��t know her well, but he sensed that she wouldn��t take on a challenge unless she felt confident.

    Still, worry creased his features, prompting him to inch closer to her, concerned about the decision she had made.

    "Are you sure you want to join in?" Dave asked, concern evident in his voice. "If you do, I can teach you the controls and everything you need to know."

    "Yeah, and you could also take a few practiceps before we all race," one of the Young Masters chimed in, noticing Dave��s apprehension.

    He seized the opportunity to gain favor with Dave, hoping to impress him with his supportive gesture.

    Hera let out a light chuckle, a sound like chimes dancing in the breeze. It struck a chord in their hearts, effortlessly captivating everyone around her. Those who had initially dismissed her as shallow found their negative perceptions melting away, drawn in by her warmth and genuine charm.

    "Thank you, but I��m fine," Hera said softly, giving Dave��s hand a reassuring tap. However, her response elicited a scoff from Milly��s brother, who clearly disapproved.

    "Are you sure you can handle it? Race cars aren��t like regr cars. We can��t afford to have you getting into an ident here, so it��s best to let Dave teach you first and run a fewps before you join the others. After all, it would reflect poorly on our team��s image if news got out that we allowed a beginner to race with everyone else."

    Everyone caught the biting tone in his remarks, recognizing his attempt to embarrass Hera for turning down Dave��s offer. It seemed he believed she was pretending to know how to drive,pletely unaware of her own limitations.

    Milly��s brother was clearly trying to intimidate Hera, subtly reminding her of the potential dangers of a beginner racing alongside professionals. His words were a thinly veiled attempt to assert his superiority while keeping her firmly in her ce.

    Hera had sensed Milly��s intentions from the start and understood the underlying agenda behind her push for the girls to join. However, she refused to back down. If Milly could y her game, then Hera could y hers, determined to prove herself against the odds.

    Hera smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she locked gazes with Milly��s brother.

    He was clearly taken aback, caught off guard by her beauty, which struck him like a sudden gust of wind.

    Although he was ustomed to beautiful women��having traveled the world with his team and with a sister who turned heads��Hera��s allure was distinct. It made his heart skip a beat, a reaction he hadn��t anticipated.

    Hera exuded an aura that was both innocently pure and subtly seductive, reminiscent of a subus. This intriguing contrast melded harmoniously, creating a captivating allure that drew attention and left an indelible impression.

    Not only did Milly��s brother react this way; the other guys were equally captivated, their eyes fixed on Hera in awe.

    This only deepened the darkness in Dave��s expression, a simmering rage rising within him as he watched them stare. Yet, he hesitated to chide Hera for her charm, fully aware of how effortlessly enchanting she could be.

    "Then, since it��s a friendlypetition, how about we ce a bet?" Hera proposed, a cunning smile dancing on her lips. Her unexpected challenge caught everyone off guard; they were baffled by her audacity to suggest a wager, especially considering she was a beginner.

    But Dave��s expression softened as he yfully tapped the tip of her nose, looking both endearing and doting.

    "Are you addicted to bets? How do you envision this one ying out? I have to admit, I��m not keen on wishes. What if you lose and someone else wins? I wouldn��t want them making demands on you to satisfy their whims."

    Dave��s suddenment left nearly everyone choking on their own saliva. <i>��Does Dave really see us as unscrupulous, unable to control ourselves around women?��</i> All the guys collectively thought, their eyes wide with surprise as they turned to him.

    Meanwhile, Hera smiled wryly, a mix of amusement and helplessness in her expression as she nced at Dave.

    "How about we make it a mary bet? After all, everyone here has plenty of cash to spare. Since it��s just a friendlypetition, betting money could be seen as a lighthearted game of poker among friends. Sound good?"

    The Young Masters from wealthy families nodded in agreement. They were no strangers to friendly wagers, often ying poker and betting either money or assets like cars, pieces ofnd, or favors. When it came to cash, they typically wagered millions.

    With more than a dozen participants, if each of them bet one million, the winner could potentially walk away with over $10 million��a prize nearly equivalent to the winnings of a national race or a grand prix. The stakes were high, and excitement crackled in the air.</subtxt>

 Chapter 425 Joining The Race 3

    Everyone understood the implication behind Milly��s remark, and it left them with a sour taste. They, too, began to feel that Hera shouldn��t have let Dave pay for her share, especially since she was the one who confidently proposed the bet.

    If she had the nerve to start it, she should have the confidence to back it with her own money.

    But despite their disapproval of Hera, many of them had their own reasons for siding with Milly. They believed she was the better choice for Dave, sharing his passion for racing and excelling at it herself.

    This only deepened their bias, fueling their belief that Milly was the one who truly belonged by Dave��s side.

    But this sentiment mostly came from Milly��s brother��s team.

    They felt that, rather than dating someone who was only beautiful, Dave should choose someone like Milly��someone who not only shared his passion for the sport but was also just as beautiful.

    With shared interests, they��d have more inmon and could enjoy the same things together.

    Besides, they had known Milly longer and naturally leaned toward her, making them biased in her favor.

    So when she started criticizing Hera, they all sided with Milly.

    However, the young masters from wealthier families chose not to get involved. To them, both Hera and Milly were beautiful in their own ways, each with her own strengths and personality.

    Additionally, since Milly came from a middle-ss background as well, it was easy to assume that if one of them were seen as a gold digger, the same assumption could be made for both��especially given how loaded Dave was.

    So when they heard Milly suggesting that Hera had intended for Dave to foot the bill from the beginning, they shrugged it off.

    After all, Milly was being sponsored by her brother, and with Dave��s immense wealth, a million dors was just a drop in the bucket for him.

    However, being wealthy young masters, they failed to grasp the distinction: one was being financially supported by a family member, while the other was not.

    Ultimately, it didn��t matter, as Hera had no intention of letting Dave cover her expenses.

    Hera could only chuckle humorously as she heard Milly paint her as a gold digger right to her face. "I haven��t even said a thing, yet you��re already letting your imagination run wild?"

    Though she didn��t mention anyone by name, her implication was so clear that even the young masters struggled to suppress theirughter, nearly choking on it.

    Hera��s response was a clever, subtle retort to Milly, delivered without malice or overt vindictiveness.

    Instead, her cool demeanor made the exchange feel wholesome, endearing her to the young masters even more.

    Lacking any bias towards either woman, they found it easy to embrace her, ultimately epting anyone Dave chose as a suitablepanion, especially someone who could stand alongside him with confidence.

    Hera fished out her phone from her bag and casually opened her online banking app, ncing around as she asked, "So, who should I send the money to? I assume we have someone keeping track of the pool to ensure everyone pays up, right?"

    Her cool, calm smile made everyone exchange nces, realizing they hadn��t designated anyone to hold the pool money yet.

    A pale young master, looking somewhat unwell, raised his hand and said, "I can take care of the pool money. I don��t think I��m up for driving right now since I just got sickst night. I��ll stand by the officiators and keep an eye on things."

    The other young masters stared at him as if he had grown a second head. "What are you even doing here if you��re sick?" they all asked, eyebrows raised in disbelief.

    "Duh?! It��s been ages since the group got together, and with Dave always MIA these days, I had to drag myself out of bed to watch him wipe the floor with you guys!" he replied, gritting his teeth yfully, his lighthearted tone making it clear he was just joking.

    Everyone chuckled at hisment, knowing all too well that they had all dropped everything just to rush to the circuit and see Dave.

    Even if they weren��t the closest of friends, they all regarded him warmly and enjoyed spending time together.

    They all agreed with the young man��s reasoning and decided not toplicate things further.

    One by one, the young masters transferred their money to him through online banking or handed over their cards, as was their usual practice.

    Hera stepped forward as well, asking him to disy his bank��s QR code for a quicker transfer.

    He generated a QR code, and Hera stepped up to scan it, promptly sending $2 million for both her and Dave��s portions.

    The sickly young man inadvertently caught a glimpse of Hera��s bank bnce, and his eyes widened in disbelief, unsure if he was seeing it correctly or not.

    He struggled to count the zeros properly, having only caught a quick glimpse, but there were so many that he assumed it must be in the hundreds of millions��never imagining it could actually be in the billions.

    However, it was enough to rattle him. If it had been Dave, he would have considered it normal for someone of his status to have such a bnce.

    But even for Dave, he found it hard to believe that anyone could have that much money readily avable in an online ount.

    Although Dave possessed a ck card, it was a credit card, not a debit card, so having that much liquid asset was far from ordinary.

 Chapter 426 Joining The Race 4

    The sickly young man nodded vigorously, his earlier surprise transforming into affirmation.

    Having just glimpsed the staggering number of zeros in Hera��s bank bnce, he could certainly testify that she wasn��t broke.

    More importantly, it was clear to him that she wasn��t a gold digger either. His eyes sparkled with newfound respect for her, recognizing that she was more than capable of standing on her own.

    In fact, the way she carried herself made her seem more like a sugar mommy while Dave appeared to be her sugar baby.

    The young man felt an unexpected temptation to vie for Hera��s attention, sensing that she would be a wonderfully generous sugar mommy.

    However, he quickly dismissed the idea, fully aware that Dave would not take kindly to any advances.

    He chuckled to himself, realizing that he could only admire from afar; chasing after such "swan meat" would be a fool��s errand, and he had no intention of provoking Dave��s wrath.

    However, his confirmation was enough to convince everyone that Hera had indeed used her own money to cover both her and Dave��s portions.

    Before anyone could delve deeper into the conversation, Hera swiftly interjected, redirecting their attention elsewhere.

    "Well?! Should we get started?" Hera smirked, her gaze brieflynding on Milly��s face.

    With a yful tug, she pulled Dave along and swaggered out of the venue, determined to find her car��or perhaps rent one��since she didn��t own a race car like Dave did.

    Knowing exactly where she was headed, Dave grasped her hand and led her toward his garage at the circuit.

    Initially, he felt a twinge of embarrassment at being taken care of by Hera, but that feeling quickly faded, reced by a warm happiness.

    He realized that her generosity was another form of pampering, and it amazed him how she managed to look both cool and wholesome while doing it.

    Since she had already covered the pool money, Dave decided he would take care of her car.

    As they arrived at his garage, Hera was greeted by a stunning lineup of vehicles, each one more eye-catching than thest, each reflecting Dave��s vibrant personality.

    She couldn��t help but chuckle, recognizing how perfectly the shy cars mirrored his character.

    A midnight blue car caught her eye��it was understated yet undeniably shy, exuding an elegance that perfectly matched her temperament. Without hesitation, she chose it as her ride for the day.

    Dave��s grin broadened as he exined, "My sweetheart has an excellent eye! That car is brand new and features thetest engine I acquired at auction. It was just recently built with the best materials avable, which is why it doesn��t have many stickers yet. I��ll gift you this one," he added nonchntly.

    Hera paused for a moment, then shook her head. If she epted this gift, Milly and the others wouldn��t just call her a gold digger subtly��they would do so openly. That was thest thing she wanted to hear.

    Though she knew the usations weren��t true and wouldn��t engage in a fight over them, she couldn��t say the same for Dave.

    He would undoubtedly be furious, ready to defend her honor, but his anger would onlye off as unreasonable and reflect poorly on his public image.

    After all, Dave didn��t strike her as someone who would stand idly by while his woman was criticized and called names in front of him.

    Dave opened his mouth to protest when Hera turned down his gift, but her sparkling eyes and radiant smile quickly silenced him.

    "I don��t want your car, but can I borrow it from time to time when we��re here?" she asked, her sweet voice making it impossible for him to resist. With a dazed smile, he nodded like a lovestruck fool,pletely charmed by her.

    ��Even if she doesn��t ept it, I could always reserve the car just for her,�� Dave thought, a cunning glint in his eyes.

    He realized he couldn��t force Hera to ept his gift, but her willingness to borrow it from time to time felt like a victory to him.

    To him, it sounded almost the same, but Hera had only said it out of politeness, hoping to cate his persistence.

    Yet, they interpreted each other��s silence in entirely different ways.

    Before long, Dave called over a staff member to help drive the car outside while he guided Hera back into the bustling atmosphere outside.

    The air was charged with excitement as everyone busily prepared for the event; some had already donned their racing suits and were diligently checking the functionality of their cars.

    "Do you want to change into a racing suit?" Dave asked gently, his tone considerate.

    Hera shook her head, feeling that a bodysuit would only constrict her movements. Without a custom fit, she knew she��d either feel too tight or too loose, and neither option was appealing. The difort would only distract her from enjoying the race.

    Understanding her reluctance, Dave nodded and chose to remain in his casual clothes as well, ensuring Hera wouldn��t feel out of ce.

    Meanwhile, Milly observed their interaction from the sidelines, where she was engaged in a quick meeting with her brother and their team.

    They were taking the race seriously��after all, the stakes were higher than $10 million.

    Aside from the two young masters who opted out of the fun, nearly everyone else joined in, eager for a chance to win the life-changing pool money.

    Milly��s eyes narrowed as she observed Hera and Daveughing together, their interaction reminiscent of a couple enjoying a leisurely stroll in the park.

    The sight grated on her nerves, and she realized that Dave wasn��t taking her seriously.

    Seizing the opportunity, Milly decided to showcase her own qualities by undermining Hera, intending to use her as a stepping stone to elevate her own status in Dave��s eyes.

 Chapter 427 The Race

    The engines of all the cars rumbled, with some revving excitedly as they awaited the signal. Soon, the overhead lights began to blink from red to orange, and the drivers increased their revs in anticipation, eagerly waiting for the light to turn green.

    However, Hera kept her revving calm, giving the engine just a couple of gentle bursts to warm it up.

    She intentionally avoided the incessant noise that the others created, choosing instead to project a sense of control.

    Her understated approach was both intimidating andposed, a stark contrast to the impatient eagerness radiating from the other participants.

    Before the light turned green, Hera nced to her right and noticed Milly with her window down and helmet raised, staring directly at her.

    Milly then defiantly raised her hand and shed Hera the middle finger.

    Just then, as if on cue, the signal light shifted to green. The cars in the front row surged forward, clearing the path, while the second row followed suit, creating a wave of roaring engines as they elerated away.

    Milly and the others in Hera��s row took off, leaving her behind in a cloud of dust. Hera let out a heartyugh, her eyes following Milly��s car as it sped away.

    But as theughter faded, her expression shifted��her yful eyes sharpened, suddenly fierce, like a lion stirred from its slumber.

    Then, with calm precision, Hera shifted gears and pressed down on the gas. Her focus was unwavering, eyes locked straight ahead on the road, every movement deliberate and controlled.

    The national team couldn��t help butugh when they saw Hera being left behind, dismissing her as no realpetition. They exchanged smug nces, confident she wouldn��t be a threat.

    Milly��s brother smirked as he nced at his rearview mirror, thinking, <i>��I knew it. She doesn��t even know how to handle the car. She��s just trying to impress Dave. Such a pretentious woman.��</i> His confidence surged, convinced Hera was no real threat on the track.

    "What a clown!"

    "Ha! She doesn��t even know how to start the car!"

    "That��s why she should��ve done a test run or let Dave exin the controls before pretending to know what she��s doing!"

    They had barely gained a few meters on Hera when, with a determined bite of her lower lip, her tires screeched violently against the asphalt.

    The front tires held firm, but the rear ones spun furiously, creating a cloud of smoke and leaving dark tire marks.

    Then, with a swift gear shift, Hera��s car shot forward like an arrow unleashed from a bow.

    "Whoa! D-did you see that?" the sickly guy stammered in disbelief, nearly shouting as he stared at the monitor. Hera��s car hadunched forward like an arrow shot from a bow, leaving him in awe.

    The man sitting beside him, however, remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the monitor, lost in deep contemtion.

    Hera��s eyes quickly scanned the cars ahead, searching for an opening to overtake the one deliberately blocking her path.

    Every time she shifted to the right, the car in front mirrored her move, cutting off her escape and leaving barely enough space.

    If she tried to force her way through, she risked pancaking her car between the fence and the opponent��s vehicle.

    Approaching the curve, her options narrowed��she either had to brake to reduce speed or risk a dangerous head-on collision with the track��s railings.

    Hera could now see just how far they were willing to go to push her aside, and it only fueled her resolve.

    Her eyes narrowed in focus as she realized there was no time left for games. With just twops and only a few kilometers before the finish line, she decided she wouldn��t hold back anymore.

    There was no more room for restraint; it was time to make her move.

    Hera deftly maneuvered her car to the left in anticipation of the approaching curve.

    Rather than easing off the gas to drift and brake as one might expect, she chose an audacious strategy: she elerated onto the grass.

    This bold move startled the national team driver who was obstructing her, catching him off guard as he realized she was not willing to yield her position easily.

    He thought Hera got mad because he was bullying her and decided to ram the nose of his car on the next curve that might either throw his car rolling or veering off course before crashing into the rails, either way, it would only mean an ident for him or both of them ��an uneptable oue, especially with the national team gearing up for an uing national grand prix selection before heading to the international stage.

    He gritted his teeth as he began to drift through the curve, maintaining a cautious distance from the inner edge.

    Seizing the opportunity, Hera expertly maneuvered past him, drifting smoothly into the innerne. As soon as she cleared the curve, she stepped on the gas, elerating away and leaving him behind her trail.

    As they approached a tight 180-degree turn, Hera found herself sandwiched between two members of the national team.

    They were determined not to let her pass, underestimating her skills and assuming that her earlier maneuver had been mere luck.

    They believed that her bold move, while impressive,cked the technical finesse required to sustain it.

    As a beginner, they were convinced that she wouldn��t be able to pull it off and had merely panicked during her earlier attempt, nearly grazing the front of their teammate��s car.

    With this assumption, they chose to sandwich her between them, effectively blocking any opportunity for her to make a move.

 Chapter 428 The Race 2

    Both of them quickly turned their attention back to the monitor, afraid they might miss something big if they kept talking.

    On Hera��s side, after wlessly executing a 180-degree drift, she elerated to close the gap with the main pack.

    The majority of the racers were tightly clustered, all desperate not to fall behind as they jockeyed for position. Up at the front, Dave and Milly��s brother were locked in a fierce battle, neck and neck, neither willing to yield an inch.

    With Hera��s technical prowess behind the wheel, she swiftly overtook one car after another.

    By the time the other drivers realized what was happening, she was already ahead, leaving them stunned.

    Her driving was so smooth and precise that it seemed as if her car was gliding effortlessly, barely touching the ground. It was a wless and breathtaking disy of skill.

    She barely touched the brakes at all during the corners. In fact, rather than slowing down, she elerated as soon as she hit the midpoint of each turn. It was a risky maneuver, one that had everyone watching holding their breath.

    A single misstep could have sent her car tipping over, rolling violently, or her tires could have slipped, resulting in a catastrophic crash.

    But Hera executed it with a calm precision that made the danger seem almost effortless.

    Either way, it was undeniably dangerous. Yet, for Hera, the thrill was undeniable.

    It felt as though she was inplete sync with the car, sensing every inch of its grip on the asphalt, every turn of the tires.

    The more she pushed the limits, the more exhrated she became, as if the danger only heightened her focus and connection to the machine.

    While driving, she couldn��t suppress the grin spreading across her face. Every time the car seemed to lift off the road, almost like a rally car catching air, it gave her a sensation of weightlessness.

    Her body felt as if it was floating inside the vehicle, and the thrill of it all only made her smile grow wider.

    It took Hera mere seconds to catch up to the front, like a speeding arrow that couldn��t be stopped.

    Milly and her brother were stunned, but even Dave was caught off guard when he saw Hera racing alongside him and Milly��s brother.

    She had effortlessly overtaken Milly, leaving her behind with no chance to react or stop her.

    "FUCK!!! What��s happening?!" Milly demanded through her microphone, baffled. As the sister of the national team��s ace and a skilled driver herself, she had been scouted multiple times.

    However, she turned down the offers, knowing it would require dedicating countless hours to training and traveling the world for international grand prix races.

    Milly had no interest in that life��her focus was entirely on pursuing Dave.

    That��s why the national team was lenient with Milly, allowing her to join their training sessions and use their support whenever they raced like this, giving her a taste of what it would be like to be part of the team.

    But now, even the support team was at a loss, unable to exin what was happening. Their confusion mirrored Milly��s frustration as they struggled to keep up with the unexpected turn of events.

    Hera��s driving style was unorthodox, blending elements of street racing, rally driving, and Form 1 techniques into a seamless yet unpredictable approach.

    Her erratic maneuvers left the support team bewildered, making it nearly impossible for them to predict her next move ormunicate effective strategies to their team on the track.

    They found themselves struggling to decipher her pattern, rendering their usual tactics useless against her dynamic driving.

    As Hera surged to the front, Milly��s brother instinctively positioned himself to block her path.

    Having abandoned his earlier goal of holding back Dave, he felt an inexplicable sense of threat from Hera.

    His reflexes kicked in before his mind could fully process the unfolding situation, and he quickly moved to obstruct her, fully aware that she posed a significant challenge to his chances of winning.

    Hera, anticipating his move, deftly dodged him and elerated past, leaving him in her wake.

    In a twist of fate, he inadvertently blocked Milly, who had been desperately trying to keep pace with Hera and was just inches away from overtaking her.

    The siblings were caught off guard; they hadn��t realized they were so close to each other. Hera��s earlier maneuver had concealed Milly��s position, and as Hera surged ahead, Milly found herself blindsided by her brother��s sudden braking.

    Startled, she jerked the steering wheel, causing her tires to wobble and skid dangerously, tipping her car over in the process.

    When Dave witnessed Hera��s astonishing driving skills, a surge of adrenaline coursed through him, and a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

    Eager to rise to the challenge, he drove alongside her, reveling in the thrill ofpetition. Unlike their previous horse race, where uncertainty loomed, car racing was his domain, and he was eager to showcase his talent to Hera.

    Little did he know she possessed such impressive skills of her own.

    Despite the loud crashing sound echoing in the background, Hera and Dave remained undeterred, their focus locked on the race.

    They continued to weave in and out, each seizing opportunities to overtake the other. Whenever Hera found an opening, she deftly surged past Dave, only for him to retaliate momentster.

    The thrill of the challenge ignited theirpetitive spirits, and both pressed down harder on the elerator, pushing their cars to new speeds as they reveled in the exhrating contest.

 Chapter 429 The Race 3

    Especially for those on the national team, their pride and ego took a severe hit. Hera and Dave didn��t even seem to consider them aspetition.

    As the two sped past, neck, and neck, finishing the firstp and approaching again, the national team racers felt the sting of being utterly ignored, realizing what it meant to be truly outssed.

    Before they knew it, Dave and Hera were already halfway through the secondp, still locked in a fierce back-and-forth, overtaking each other and clearly enjoying the thrill ofpetition.

    But as they approached the final stretch, just a few meters from the finish line, the tension heightened.

    Hera and Dave shifted gears, both turning serious as they prepared to outdo each other. What Dave didn��t realize was that he should have been trying to beat her from the start, instead of wasting time ying around.

    Hera had been trying to get Dave to lower his guard the whole time, showing weakness and baring her neck, waiting for him to take the bait. Once he did, she would stop pretending and leave him behind.

    When she suddenly sped up around the corner and overtook Dave in an instant, he thought he could catch her at the next turn. But that chance never came��Hera kept pulling farther and farther ahead.

    It wasn��t until he could no longer close the gap that Dave realized what had happened.

    "Fuck! I remember who she is now!" The man in the VIP room shot to his feet, eyes wide as the realization hit him.

    ��<i>That��s why she looked so familiar the first time I saw her!��</i> he thought, blinking in disbelief as he watched Hera effortlessly take the turn, leaving even Dave in the dust.

    "Y-You know her?" the sickly guy asked, his eyes glued to the monitor. He was just as shocked as the others, struggling to process what he was witnessing.

    The national team, supposedly the best of the best in their country��chosen and trained��was left in the dust just like that.

    He could understand if it were Dave��everyone recognized him as a genius, exceptionally talented and clearly different from the rest.

    But seeing Hera, who appeared so frail and had been treated like a beginner by many, now leading the race by a significant margin was astonishing.

    "Of course, I know her! After all, I was the one who introduced her to car racing!" the other guy eximed, his gaze fixed on Hera.

    Honestly, he hadn��t realized it was her; the Hera he remembered and the girl he had seen earlier seemed like two entirely different people.

    When Hera turned 18 and finally obtained her driver��s license, she became a driver for hire for high-profile young masters.

    The pay was significantly better, allowing her to earn a few hundred bucks in a single trip��far more than she made from deliveries or other part-time jobs.

    Her job was to be an on-call driver for those who couldn��t drive because they were drunk or simply didn��t feel like driving that night. Most of her clients came from high-end pubs.

    For her first night on the job, Hera chose the city��s most luxurious pub, where young masters and mistresses partied almost every night.

    With them burning money like there was no tomorrow, Hera realized that driving for them while they were intoxicated would earn her significantly more.

    That single night, she drove several young masters home and after driving them home, she would return to the pub multiple times by taxi which she only needed to pay just a few dors, earning her a few thousand dors in return.

    Her smooth and swift driving ensured that her passengers feltfortable, even when they were drunk, which quickly made her a favorite among them.

    One time, she found herself driving a particr young master home after a night of partying. As usual, Hera focused on driving as smoothly as possible, ensuring her passenger feltfortable.

    After all, she was behind the wheel of their expensive cars, which meant she had to be extra careful.

    Noticing her smooth driving, the young master had a sudden idea.

    The next day, he specifically waited for Hera and chose not to drink. Instead, he hired her to drive him to an illegal racing den, where other young masters were busy racing and gambling their pocket money and cars, hoping to earn more to spend on nights out at the pubs or on dates.

    The young master pretended that he needed to race against the others but suddenly imed he felt ill.

    However, he had already ced his wager and urged Hera to take his ce in the race. In return, if she won, they would split the prize money 50/50; if she lost, he would take full responsibility for the loss.

    He believed that since Hera drove so smoothly and seemed to haveplete control over the sports car, why not let her race?

    He was curious to see if she was also skilled at it. For him, it was a gamble, but it added to the intrigue he wanted to satisfy. If he turned out to be wrong, at least he would have the answer and wouldn��t have to ponder it any longer.

    But if he was right, he could earn a little extra pocket money without lifting a finger.

    Upon hearing his enticing offer, Hera felt truly tempted. After all, she had just moved into a very expensive apartment with Alexi and was struggling to cover the utilities and monthly rent. She had to be strategic in choosing part-time jobs that paid well.

 Chapter 430 Phantom

    Having be ustomed to handling the car, Hera left no chance for the others to win against her.

    That night, Hera managed to earn a few thousand dors, which instantly eased her burden of monthly expenses and even left her with enough to buy Alexi a few gifts.

    And so, their partnership began at that moment. However, the illegal racing den was closed for a few months, so instead, the young master introduced Hera to the official car racing. She needed topete, win, and bring home the trophy.

    She became a prominent figure in the racingmunity as a result, with the young master as her sponsor. The trophy and 40% of Hera��s winnings would go to him, while she kept the rest. This arrangement helped her manage her finances over the past year.

    Otherwise, how could she possibly sustain Alexi��s lifestyle along with the sky-high bills and monthly rent she had to pay?

    However, even with her winnings, these opportunities didn��te every month. She still needed to keep her part-time jobs to earn extra money.

    This way, if there were no races for a few months, she would at least have some funds to cover bills and other expenses.

    It had been a while since shest saw the young master. However, when Hera spotted him in the crowd, she recognized him immediately.

    But since he didn��t greet her as usual, she assumed he was pretending not to know her to keep their partnership a secret.

    But little did Hera know that the young master simply didn��t recognize her due to the significant transformation she had undergone.

    She seemed to have experienced a glow-up, and after a few months since theirst meeting, she looked so different from what he remembered.

    Yet, the faint resemnce he remembered, along with her driving technique, felt too familiar to the young master. It didn��t take long for him to realize that Hera was his partner.

    "Phantom!" the guy murmured, but the sickly guy caught wind of it.

    "You mean Phantom?! The genius racer who appears and disappears frompetitions like a ghost, leaving no one knowing who he really is?" His eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn��t tell if his mind was ying tricks on him or if his friend was seriously suggesting that Phantom was actually Hera, or if he was just saying it randomly.

    "Of course she��s Phantom!" the guy murmured louder this time, an excited smile spreading across his face. His words sent the other guy into a stupor��who didn��t idolize Phantom among them?

    If someone loved racing, they would have heard of Phantom one way or another. Many regarded Phantom as a racing god, and his status in their hearts was undisputed. But to discover that Phantom was a girl was a shocking revtion.

    "How can you be so sure she��s Phantom?!" the sickly guy asked, shaking his friend��s arm almost forcefully.

    In his excitement, he forgot he was supposed to be sick; the news was simply too overwhelming for him to handle, igniting a surge of agitation that momentarily overshadowed his condition.

    Everyone wanted to meet Phantom in person, and many had attempted to uncover his identity countless times, only to encounter roadblocks at every turn.

    "Of course, I know! After all, I��m Phantom��s sponsor and the one who has been blocking all attempts to uncover her identity. I��m the one keeping all her trophies and maintaining the closest contact with her. Do you really think I would mistake my own partner?" the guy said, his tone almost defensive.

    "Then why didn��t you say so earlier?" the sickly guy asked, sounding skeptical. Although he didn��t want to believe his friend, deep down he knew he didn��t lie. He had also noticed Hera��s familiar, unorthodox driving style but hadn��t connected the dots until now.

    The guy rubbed the tip of his nose sheepishly before confessing, "It��s because she looked different from what I remembered, but I��m certain it��s her. After all, her driving style isn��t easy to emte."

    "Aside from when I taught her the basics, she figured out the rest on her own and developed her unique driving style without professional��s help, which is why her approach is so unorthodox."

    While the two were arguing inside the VIP room, the national team��s support staff began to notice that Hera��s driving style closely resembled that of Phantom, the very racer they had been desperately trying to track down to join their team.

    Having Phantom on board could give them a better chance of winning against their arch-nemesis, Great Britain.

    The two teams were always neck-and-neck in every international Grand Prix, and securing even a single victory was no easy feat.

    With Phantom on their side, they would have a much better chance. But who would have thought they had always been looking in the wrong ces for Phantom, even assuming from the start that Phantom was a guy?

    But who wouldn��t think the same? After all, Hera��s driving style was so aggressive that it would be considered risky even for a man.

    Despite their team being trashed at the moment, the support staff was exhrated, jumping around as if they had just won a major race.

    They no longer cared about their team��s current performance; instead, they were already brainstorming ways to entice Hera to join them for the national Grand Prix and beyond, aiming for the international stage.

    Only those on the racetrack hadn��t caught on yet, as their positions made it difficult to see what those watching from a bird��s-eye view could easily perceive. Soon enough, the race ended with Hera maintaining a significant lead over Dave and the others.

 Chapter 431 I can’t

    She had assumed he was ignoring her on purpose, but now she understood that he simply hadn��t recognized her at that time.

    Hera, on the other hand, was taken aback to learn that her sponsor had not recognized her at first nce due to her dramatic glow-up. She felt a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

    As a girl who valued her appearance, his admission hit her hard. It was both apliment and a blow, leaving her momentarily speechless as she grappled with her emotions.

    Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the national team��s support staff, along with their coach and manager, approached her, creating a flurry of excitement.

    They surrounded her, eagerly extending the best offers they could muster to persuade her to join their team and represent her country in both national and international grand prix events.

    "Girl, would you be willing to join our national team and represent our country in the international Grand Prix hosted in various countries this year?" the manager eximed, his enthusiasm palpable.

    He anticipated her immediate agreement, or at the very least, hoped she would give it serious consideration.

    "I don��t think I can manage," Hera replied, her smile unwavering as she delivered her message.

    The national team��s manager was taken aback, stunned that she would dismiss their offer without a moment��s hesitation.

    Almost every racer��s dream was to join the national team, eager to bask in the admiration and affection of their fellow countrymen.

    Being part of such a prestigious team is not only a tremendous honor but also a testament to their dedication and skill.

    For Hera to dismiss the offer without a second thought felt like a p in the face to him.

    Yet, before he could let anger take hold, Hera quickly interjected to exin her reasons for declining his offer.

    "Sir, while I truly appreciate your offer and am honored by it, I must respectfully decline. Unfortunately, my schedule is already packed. I��m currently a college student with a double major and also juggling my responsibilities as a celebrity. I have new projectsing in, and several contracts have already been signed."

    "I��m afraid I won��t be able to participate in the training sessions with the team. My currentmitments are quite extensive, and taking on a new one would mean I��d have to sacrifice one of my existing responsibilities."

    As Hera exined her situation, her eyshes fluttered down, revealing the weight of her struggle to decide, burdened by her packed schedule.

    It wasn��t that she was lying; she genuinely needed to prioritize her college life while also focusing on her burgeoning career in the entertainment industry, especially if she wanted to get ahead of Alice.

    "If that��s the case, how about just participating in the actual race?" Hera��s sponsor interjected, finally finding his voice amid the crowd surrounding her.

    After all, who wouldn��t be excited in front of their idol? Everyone wanted to engage with her and learn more about her.

    Phantom had be a racing god to many, celebrated for her unbeatable and record-breaking performances.

    Although her achievements were unofficial, no one could replicate her remarkable feats.

    Phantom had be a source of pride for many, inspiring countless individuals to attempt to adopt her identity in hopes of bing the next sensation.

    However, most fell short of her brilliance and instead became the subject of ridicule.

    "Participating only in the actual race?" the manager eximed, his voice rising incredulously as disbelief washed over his features.

    "Why not?!" a confident voice chimed in, apanied by a smug smirk. "Phantom has always raced without prior training before anypetition, yet has she ever lost to anyone?"

    The truth is, with her packed schedule of sses, tending to Alexi��s needs, and juggling her various part-time jobs, Hera hardly found the time to consistently train her driving skills.

    In fact, rather than focusing on training, she prioritized resting her body to ensure she had enough energy to race alongside herpetitors.

    After all, racing was a physically demanding endeavor in itself.

    "Wait! What?!" Before the manager could respond, the national team coach pushed past him to confront Hera��s sponsor directly.

    His eyes widened in disbelief as he processed the ims, struggling to ept what he had just heard.

    "That��s not right! Racing requires rigorous training to ensure that the body and mind work in unison, sharpening motor skills and split-second decision-making."

    "That��s why it��s a sport! It��s simply impossible for someone who doesn��t train to excel�� it doesn��t make any sense!" The coach��s outburst was understandable; he had dedicated his life to this sport, training countless young racers who had already made their mark in the racing world.

    This isn��t an achievement that can be gained merely by wanting it; it requires relentless hard work and dedication. Yet here was someone iming to have achieved groundbreaking records without any rigorous training at all.

    To him, that sounded utterly preposterous, and he couldn��t wrap his mind around what he was hearing.

    "I had a hard time epting it myself when she first mentioned that she would only show up on race day. It seems I��m not the only one reacting this way," Hera��s sponsor shrugged.

    Yet, beneath his calm demeanor, he couldn��t help but feel a thrill of excitement stirring in his stomach.

    ��<i>She really is the boss!��</i> Though he feigned resignation at this realization, he couldn��t suppress the pride swelling in his chest. After all, she was the gem he had discovered and nurtured, making him her mentor in essence.

    If his closest friend were to hear his thoughts, he would likelyugh and say, <i>��Dreaming is free, so you can indulge yourself to feed your ego.��</i> No one knew better than him how skilled his friend was behind the wheel.

 Chapter 432 No Sportsmanship

    Everyone around them was left speechless by Dave��s nonchnt deration, as if he were simply discussing the weather. Just as he finished speaking, the members of the national team arrived on the scene.

    Among them were Milly and her brother, both still reeling from the experience, unable to believe their eyes.

    Milly, on the other hand, felt a surge of resentment as Hera had effortlessly stolen the spotlight of the event.

    Unintentionally, she had given Hera the perfect tform to showcase her exceptional driving skills.

    Rather than humiliating Hera, she had only dug her own grave and leaped right into it, ultimately resulting in her own embarrassment.

    When the national team overheard Dave and the others discussing ns to have Hera participate in the international and national Grand Prix, apetition meant for them, and even offering to fly her wherever she needed, they couldn��t help but feel it was unfair that she was receiving so much attention and support from everyone.

    Despite having beaten all of them and won the race, some still believed it was merely a stroke of luck.

    After all, they hadn��t witnessed what the support team had observed, leaving them still in the dark about the true extent of her abilities.

    However, Hera, the focus of their discussion, felt genuinely perplexed.

    Even though they sought her opinion, it was clear they had already made up their minds about what they wanted to do.

    Their inquiry felt more like a formality rather than a genuine consideration of her thoughts.

    Instead, she decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Now that the race is over, we should talk about distributing the winnings to the victor," Hera said, her smile bright as she eagerly jumped into the discussion to remind everyone.

    At her words, many winced as the painful memory resurfaced��they had just lost $1 million in an instant, while the unsuspecting Hera had pocketed a staggering $11 million all to herself.

    The sickly guy eagerly transferred the money back to Hera��s online bank, a cheerful smile on his face. Meanwhile, Milly clenched her teeth in frustration as she made her way toward Hera.

    "Why do you get to keep all the winnings without considering us? Especially me, who had an ident! Don��t you think it��s only fair for me to receive at least half of the prize money for what I��ve been through?!"

    "After all, it was your fault that I got into an ident!" Milly shot a re at Hera.

    Hera raised an eyebrow, turning to face Milly. "First of all, it wasn��t my fault you had an ident. If you��re determined to pursue this usation, we can always review the race footage."

    "Secondly, don��t act so entitled to my winnings. We raced fairly, and everyone agreed to the terms: the winner takes the pool money."

    Hera continued, "idents like this are amon risk in racing. If you��re afraid of getting caught in one, maybe you shouldn��t be racing at all."

    "Car racing isn��t for the faint of heart," Hera scoffed, rolling her eyes at Milly. She didn��t hold back, making Dave chuckle loudly.

    Just as Milly opened her mouth to retort, Hera added, "If you��re trying to scam me out of my winnings, at least put in some effort." With that, she flipped her long hair in a show of defiance, clearly hitting a nerve with Milly, who was visibly annoyed.

    Milly��s face flushed a deep crimson with anger, her fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white. "What do you mean, <i>your</i> money?! It belongs to all of us!" She nced around, trying to rally the others against Hera, hoping to incite them to reim their share of the winnings.

    After all, that $1 million represented their hard-earned savings, and relinquishing it would leave them financially devastated.

    Hera recognized Milly��s intentions and waved her phone in front of her, relishing the opportunity to annoy her further.

    At the same time, she aimed to make it clear that they had lost the race; since it was a gamble, it was ultimately their own responsibility for participating and loosing.

    However, Milly had managed to rally the national team members to her cause, and soon they all began to pressure Hera to return their money.

    However, Dave and the young masters who had lost stood by Hera��s side. For them, money was not a pressing concern, and they recognized that Hera had won the race fair and square.

    They had little patience for sore losers. After all, everyone had eagerly joined in on the bet, which meant they should own their defeat rather than make a fuss about it.

    "Manager, coach, is this what your team stands for? No sense of sportsmanship, and they can��t even recognize when to admit defeat?!" Hera��s sponsor eximed, his tone dripping with disdain.

    After working closely with Hera for a while, he hade to understand her well. He could see that she was bing increasingly dissatisfied and annoyed by Milly��s antics.

    Simultaneously, he recognized that Hera was retaliating against Milly for her earlier tricks on the racetrack.

    "Perhaps we should reconsider allowing Phantom to join this team," he suggested, turning to lead Hera and Dave away from themotion.

    However, Dave and the neers were unaware that Hera was Phantom. When they heard the name "Phantom," their expressions shifted to surprise. Confused, they tensed up, anxious that they might have inadvertently annoyed their idol.

 Chapter 433 The Ace’s Stance

    "Shame on you! When you thought you had a chance to win millions, you were blinded by the allure of that prize money and acted on impulse. But now that you��ve lost, you want to back out?! What, do you want to have your cake and eat it too?" His furious voice echoed, leaving the team members in stunned silence, their heads bowed in shame.

    But Milly refused to back down. "But manager! That money belongs to us! And why are you siding with an outsider?!"

    "Shut up! If there��s an outsider here, it��s you! Don��t be so arrogant just because we��ve treated you well as my Ace��s sister!" He didn��t hold back, putting Milly firmly in her ce.

    Previously, they had overlooked her spoiled and haughty demeanor, but as he pointed out, it was because she was their Ace��s sister, and her attitude hadn��t affected them until now.

    But now, because of her, they risk losing the opportunity for Hera to represent them, jeopardizing their chances to clinch championships against other countries and potentially secure back-to-back victories wherever theypete.

    All countries could only dream of such lofty ambitions, but with Hera on their side, it felt attainable. Would he really sacrifice a golden opportunity for an arrogant brat?

    "Michael, you need to keep your sister on a short leash. We extended our olive branch to her because we recognized her efforts to improve in racing and wanted her to join the team. It��s a way of respecting you, considering you personally trained her."

    "But watching her act so haughtily and behave like a shrew in front of the Young Minister is truly degrading our team��s reputation. As your sister, she should be putting forth her best behavior to avoid embarrassing you, especially in front of the other teams."

    "Moreover, your coach and I were nning to request Miss Hera��s assistance in representing us at the international Grand Prix. Why must your sister antagonize her?"

    "Represent us? At the international Grand Prix? What��s happening?" Michael nearly missed the rest of the manager��s words, his mind zeroing in on the mention of representing their team on the global stage.

    It felt like he was putting in all the effort nationally only for someone else to take the spotlight, leaving him with nothing but the crumbs.

    A buzzing sensation filled his head, and his thoughts seemed to fade into a blur, leaving an unsettling pit in his stomach.

    Noticing the disapproval etched on Michael��s face, the manager quickly readjusted his words. "While I mentioned her representing us, the reality is that our lineup will remain unchanged; we��ll simply be adding Miss Hera into the mix. This approach will significantly boost our chances of clinching multiple podium finishes." He spoke with an air of nonchnce, as if the trophy were already in their grasp.

    "And why is that?" The only words Michael managed to utter as the buzzing in his head intensified.

    "Because she��s Phantom, of course," the coach replied casually.

    "What?!" The entire team erupted in disbelief, their voices rising in unison.

    "Do you really expect us to buy into this nonsense? She��s clearly trying to use Phantom��s name to manipte us!" Michael shouted, his anger ring as if someone had struck a nerve.

    He idolized Phantom and believed that not just anyone could exploit the name for personal gain or to bask in the limelight. To him, Hera��s attempts to gain poprity through this method seemed shallow and opportunistic.

    "Ipletely disagree with this!" he said through gritted teeth.

    "It��s not your decision to make," the manager retorted.

    "If we have to humble ourselves to get her on board, then that��s exactly what we��ll do!" His eagerness to enlist Hera��s help was palpable.

    "If she goes, then I��m out of here!!!" Michael dered. The moment Milly heard him, she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. But then she remembered that her brother was the team��s ace, and she shared his sentiments.

    Gradually, her nervousness subsided, and she shot a smug nce at Hera, positioning herself closer to Michael to show her support.

    Everyone held their breath when they heard Michael threaten to quit the team over Hera.

    His teammates rallied around him, their solidarity evident. The message was clear: if Michael left, they would follow suit, showcasing their tight-knit bond and unwavering loyalty to their team.

    While the national team was caught up in their dramatic standoff, the group of young masters nearby shared an equally stunned reaction to the revtion that Hera was Phantom.

    They exchanged bewildered nces, turning their heads toward the sickly guy and Hera��s sponsor, silently inquiring what they had missed.

    After all, they had been thest to arrive, left in the dust by everyone else at the racetrack.

    Hera��s sponsor nodded in acknowledgment, while the sickly guy pulled out his phone, tapping a few times until he essed his library.

    He then shared a recorded video of the race he had saved as a memento, showcasing the thrilling moments they had missed.

    He showed the video to their friends, and the other young masters huddled together, watching intently while the drama on the other side unfolded.

    Hera, however, appeared detached, as if she wasn��t the main topic of discussion. Meanwhile, Dave looked at her with a sparkle in his eyes, gently holding her hand.

    "Whatever you decide, I��ll support you," Dave whispered in Hera��s ear, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips.

    He fully believed that Hera was Phantom. After all, if Michael couldn��t defeat Dave, the only person he could imagine besting him was the elusive and enigmatic Phantom.

 Chapter 434 Little Ancestor

    Before he could address the escting situation, Michael stormed out in a fit of rage, followed closely by his sister and the entire team.

    Milly had the audacity to cast a smug, challenging smirk back at Hera before swaggering out, her hips swaying confidently as if she knew they would soon be back, begging for their return.

    However, the manager didn��t respond; as soon as his entire team vanished from view, he copsed to his knees with a loud thud, startling everyone around him. Even the coach was left speechless, reeling from the whirlwind of sudden twists and turns in the events.

    Ignoring the pain in his knees, the manager crawled to Hera��s feet, resembling a child in desperate need of help.

    "My little ancestor! Huhuhuh! You have to save me! I have no one left��our hopes for the national and international Grand Prix rest entirely on you now!" He wept at her feet, his voice cracking with desperation.

    In her shock, Hera instinctively jumped back, almost stumbling as she recoiled from the manager��s outburst.

    Dave quickly swept her into his arms, his gaze fixed angrily on the manager, who was now a picture of despair, tears and snot mingling grotesquely on his face.

    "Why did you drive them away if you don��t have a backup n?" Dave snapped, his voiceced with anger as he cradled Hera like a princess, ring down at the manager still kneeling in defeat.

    If Hera didn��t know any better, she might suspect that the manager had orchestrated this chaos to pressure her into representing his team in the race.

    However, his earlier outburst had been so genuine, revealing a deep-seated frustration with being threatened.

    In that moment, he truly lost hisposure, ultimately driving away his entire team before he even realized what he had done.

    Upon realizing his mistake, he immediately dropped to his knees, pleading for help.

    If he was going to grovel anyway, he might as well ask the one person who could deliver results far beyond those entitled, arrogant brats.

    "Huhuhu! Should I let them trample on my authority and treat me with such disrespect? Am I the manager here, or are they?" the manager wailed, his voice tinged with the petnce of a wronged child as he continued to cry.

    However, the young masters couldn��t bear to look at him. Not only did he appear ugly while crying, but the sight of his snot nearly reaching his lips was utterly repulsive. They found it impossible to watch any longer.

    Seeing him in such a pitiful state after digging his own grave made Hera��s head throb. With a heavy sigh, she said, "Just call my manager and get her opinion. After all, she��s the one managing my schedule alongside my college sses."

    With Hera��s response, she effectively closed the door on negotiations.

    She was confident that Betty would help her fend off the national team��s manager, as she already had a full schedule of coborations lined up for her career.

    Adding this situation to Betty��s workload would onlyplicate matters further.

    In a way, Hera was using Betty as a shield, knowing that a direct refusal would be unhelpful in the moment.

    Hera quickly retrieved Betty��s calling card from her bag, a precaution she had prepared for moments like this.

    It proved to be quite useful. However, since she was in Dave��s arms, reaching out to the manager was a bit difficult.

    Thankfully, the coach, regaining hisposure, took the calling card from Hera��s hands and handed it to the manager, who had finally ceased his tears after hearing her words.

    The manager sprang to his feet, quickly wiping his tears and snot with his sleeves. He hurriedly grabbed his phone and snatched the calling card from the coach��s hand, eager to act without wasting another moment.

    Hera couldn��t help but smile mischievously, knowing exactly what kind of response Betty would have for him.

    The manager switched the phone to speaker mode, but the wind and open space muffled the voice on the other end.

    Despite the slight distortion, the surroundings were quiet enough for everyone to catch snippets of the conversation. Instinctively, they all leaned in closer, eager to hear what Betty had to say.

    "Hello? Who is this?" Betty��s professional tone resonated clearly on the other end of the line.

    "Yes, hello. Am I speaking with Betty Dwane, Miss Hera��s manager?" the national team��s manager inquired, his voice trembling with nervous anticipation. Having just finished crying, his tone came out hoarse, resembling a croak.

    "Yes, speaking. What can I help you with?"

    "Ah, hello, Miss Dwane. I��m the manager of the national race team..." He paused for a moment, and Betty remained silent, waiting for him to continue. Deep down, she expected him to ask if Hera could serve as their team��s model or ambassador, as that seemed the most likely reason for the manager��s call.

    "Here��s the situation: I want Miss Hera to represent our team in both the national and international races!" However, the manager��s words jolted her from her chair in surprise.

    "Wait, what?! Could you please repeat that?" Betty��s voice was filled with confusion, clearly audible from the other end.

    "I apologize for not providing a clear exnation; I can see this has confused you. Let me send you a video to help rify the situation," the manager said, gesturing to the coach beside him to retrieve the footage using the tablet he was holding.

    The coach quickly grasped the situation, fumbling with the tablet before taking the calling card back from the manager��s hand. He promptly sent a copy of the video to Betty��s phone.

 Chapter 435 Betty’s Plan

    Betty��s sidepsed into silence, a quiet moment that was honored by the other party.

    Meanwhile, Dave took the opportunity to lead Hera back to the VIP room, recognizing that lingering in the middle of the racetrack felt a bit foolish.

    Hera didn��t object; she was beginning to feel parched as well, and the idea of resting in a morefortable setting was wee.

    The other young masters trailed behind Dave and Hera, while the coach and manager, further back, opted to return as well. They figured it would be more conducive to sit and converse with Betty in a quieter environment.

    Before long, they all reached the VIP room, where Dave settled Hera onto the plush couch.

    He retrieved a bottle of cold water, expertly opening the cap for her. After she took a few sips, he gently took the bottle from her, causing Hera to look up at him with a puzzled expression and raised eyebrows.

    "You can��t drink too much cold water; it��s not good for your health," Dave advised, leaning closer to Hera and whispering,

    "Or you��ll end up like my mom, who always gets stomach cramps during her period." He straightened up, leaning back against the sofa with a smirk before taking a swig from the same bottle Hera had just used.

    Hera didn��t feel shy at all when she heard Dave speak like that. In this day and age, men were bing increasingly aware of women��s struggles, including issues like period cramps and pregnancy. Instead of feeling embarrassed, she felt a sense of admiration for him.

    His willingness to discuss such matters revealed how much he cared for his mother, taking the time to understand her condition and wanting to spare Hera from experiencing the same difort.

    In a way, Dave��sments were his way of expressing care and a desire to protect Hera in any way he could.

    He showed no hesitation or embarrassment in bringing it up, unlike many other men who often dismissed such matters as unworthy of concern.

    They might feel disgusted at the sight of a bloodstain on a woman��s clothing or bedsheets, despite understanding that these urrences are a normal part of a woman��s life and biology.

    Sometimes, she couldn��t help but harbor resentment toward men like that��those who only seemed to appreciate a woman��s body without any understanding of her struggles.

    Hera had vowed to herself to steer clear of such men. In fact, she had always assumed that the male leads would fit this stereotype, so she was genuinely surprised to hear Dave speak with such care instead of disgust.

    On the opposite side of the room, the young masters observed Hera and Dave��s intimate interaction, quickly concluding that the two were romantically involved.

    Engrossed in their own fulfilling lives, they hadn��t closely followed the entertainment industry and were unaware of the news spreading about Dave, his friends, and Hera.

    The other young masters watched in amazement as Dave interacted with Hera so naturally.

    Normally, when girls tried to flirt with him by drinking from the same ss or bottle, he��d recoil in disgust, often opting to break the ss or toss the bottle aside to avoid sharing.

    The thought of drinking from someone else��s ss made him even more repulsed, but here he was, rxed and unbothered.

    But just look at him now��he was happily gulping down water from the very same bottle that Hera had just sipped from, managing to finish everyst drop.

    While everyone was still reeling in amazement, lost in their own thoughts about Dave and Hera, the room erupted withughter when the manager let out a hearty guffaw, drawing everyone��s attention to him. Even the coach wore a broad smile at the scene.

    However, as Hera took in the cheerful atmosphere, unease washed over her, and she felt her expression darken.

    "Thank you so much, Manager Dwane, for understanding our situation!" Hera��s heart raced as the manager��s voice boomed, her brows furrowing in surprise. From the weight of his words, she sensed that Betty had unexpectedly agreed to let her race under the banner of the national team.

    Still simmering with frustration, Hera watched as the manager approached her and handed over his phone. She noticed the call was still connected, with Betty patiently waiting on the other end for Hera to take the call.

    The phone remained on speaker as Hera spoke up. "Hello? This is Hera. Could you please fill me in on the details?"

    "There you are! I had no idea you could race!" Betty eximed, her tone cheerful and genuinely surprised. Hera couldn��t tell if Betty was a fan of car racing or if there was a past connection between Betty and the national team��s manager that influenced her decision to ept the manager��s proposal.

    Ultimately, Hera felt a sense of defeat, as if she had willingly ced her neck on the chopping block.

    Hera remained silent, ignoring Betty��s lighthearted chatter. Sensing her frustration, Betty immediately grew serious and began to exin her reasons for epting the offer.

    "First of all, Hera, the national team��s manager presented a substantial contract offer. We��ll receive half of the prize money, including the signup fee, since you��ll be the ace racer moving forward and will need to support the entire team. This arrangement is fair given the circumstances."

    When Hera still didn��t respond, Betty recognized that with Hera��s support and recalling how wealthy she appeared, money wouldn��t be a concern for her. Hera could even choose to do something for free if she truly wanted to.

    And so, Betty started to list her own considerations as to why she epted the job for Hera. She didn��t want Hera to be angry and eventually use the power of her backing to make her way out of it and turn down the offer without fully understanding Betty��s n.

    After all, Betty was an A-list manager who had worked with numerous top artists and understood the best opportunities to help her artists stand out from the rest.

    "So, here��s why I epted the offer. First, didn��t you mention that I need to keep an eye on the films directed by that award-winning director that would participate in this year��s Oscars? Well, he is indeed set to film a movie, but this time, instead of a historical action piece, he��ll be creating a female-led action film set in a zombie apocalypse."

    "What do you think would be more appealing to a director than having a main female lead who excels at both fighting and racing? There will be numerous scenes where the female lead will perform incredible stunts behind the wheel."

    "With your exceptional driving skills, you might not even need a stunt double, allowing the director to capture close-up shots of you driving, which would expand his filming options."

    "While fighting skills can be learned, mastering the driving maneuvers the director envisions will be challenging. Plus, racing for your country is an honor that will demonstrate to your fans that you��re more than just a pretty face; it could significantly boost your poprity even more than they are now. With this in mind, the film��s director might even invite you personally to be his female lead."

 Chapter 436 Believe In Yourself

    This would provide the director with greater flexibility to film his movie exactly as he envisions it, without any limitations.

    As the young masters overheard Hera and Betty��s conversation, they were astonished to learn that Hera was actually an actress.

    The revtion sent ripples of surprise through the group, and they turned to Dave with questioning gazes.

    None of them had ever imagined that he would consider bringing home a celebrity as his girlfriend��much less as a romantic partner.

    They all knew that Dave had a knack for dodging blind dates, often retreating to the race circuit to escape his mother��s relentless matchmaking efforts.

    But now that they realized Hera was a celebrity, their feelings were a mix of excitement and skepticism.

    However, they quickly recalled that she was also known as Phantom, a name that carried its own allure and intrigue.

    <i>��So what if she��s a celebrity?��</i> the young masters thought, a grin spreading across their faces.

    <i>��We��ll just watch her work and support her.��</i> With newfound determination, they all turned their gazes to Hera, eagerly awaiting her next words, curious to see how this unexpected twist would unfold.

    "Then what about my school?" Hera asked Betty, her brow furrowing with concern.

    If she were to represent her country in the international Grand Prix, she would need to be away for at least two weeks, traveling to five different countries topete.

    While participating in the national Grand Prix wouldn��t pose much of a problem��since Hera had no intention ofmitting to daily training and was only nning to take a single day of leave for the actual race��she worried about the impact of her absence on her education.

    She hoped her grades and attendance wouldn��t suffer as a result of these new obligations.

    Betty sensed Hera��s anxiety and quickly reassured her. "You��re a top student, and your school will understand the significance of this opportunity. With your academic performance, I��m sure we can work out a n to keep you up with your studies while youpete."

    "Plus, this experience could enhance your profile for future opportunities!"

    Hera nodded, her worries easing slightly. The thought of representing her country and racing on an international stage was not so exhrating, and she didn��t want her education to be held back.

    "I��ve already thought it through," Betty replied confidently. "I��ll just need to apply for a long-term leave of absence from your school. I��m certain they won��t make a fuss about it, especially since this is for the country��s honor."

    Hera raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping into her voice. "Well, that only works if I��m not a dean��s lister and not one of the top students. I have a feeling the dean would give you a hard time about it, given that he prioritizes grades and the student��s education."

    Betty smiled, unfazed by Hera��s concerns. "I understand your worries, but I��m confident we can make it work. Your achievements will speak for themselves, and I��ll make sure the dean knows how important this opportunity is for you. Besides, how often does a student get to represent their country on an international stage?"

    Hera couldn��t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. While she appreciated Betty��s optimism, she was also aware of the challenges ahead. "Just remember, I don��t want to jeopardize my academic standing. I��ve worked hard to get where I am, and I don��t want to let that slip away."

    "Trust me, Hera," Betty said, her tone reassuring. "We��ll navigate this together. This is a chance for you to shine, and I won��t let anything stand in your way."

    "Well, you can leave the negotiations to me; that��s my area of expertise," Betty said confidently.

    "All you need to focus on is staying in top condition. Besides, the race team��s manager already mentioned that you don��t n to train daily and are only aiming to race on the event day."

    "Wouldn��t that still give you some time to study while you��re not training?" A sly smile danced across Betty��s lips, and Hera could almost visualize it, feeling the mischief radiating from her manager.

    Hera felt a lump form in her throat at Betty��s confident words, rendering her momentarily speechless. She struggled to formte a retort, knowing Betty had a point but hating to admit it.

    The thought of bncing her career in the entertainment industry, racing with her studies felt overwhelming, yet part of her was tempted by the thrill of the opportunity.

    Instead of responding right away, she nced away, trying to process her mixed feelings. "I��" she started, but the words caught in her throat. How could she argue with someone so resolute?

    Betty��s unwavering voice encouraged Hera to confront her own doubts. Finally, with a deep breath, Hera managed to say, "It��s not that simple, though. I don��t want topromise my education."

    "Of course not," Betty replied, her expression softening. "But you also deserve this chance. Let��s find a way to make it work."

    After a moment of reflection, Hera couldn��t deny the truth in Betty��s words.

    Though bncing her studies, rising celebrity status, and racing would be gruelingly challenging, it was an opportunity she couldn��t easily dismiss.

    The path ahead would demand intense focus and sacrifice, but once the racingpetition was over, she could return to her studies and her career as an artist with renewed momentum.

    By then, she would likely be even more popr, with countless new opportunities at her fingertips.

    The thought of emerging from this experience stronger, more recognized, and with a wider range of prospects began to outweigh her doubts. It wouldn��t be easy, but it was clear that the rewards could be transformative.

 Chapter 437 The Chateau

    Of course, Betty wove a few half-truths into the story��just enough to tug at the Dean��spassion. While some parts were urate, the embellishments did the trick.

    The Dean, already familiar with Hera��s reputation as a top student and her dedication to her studies, took a moment to think it over.

    He had always admired her character andmitment, which made it easier for him to seriously consider Betty��s request.

    With that in mind, the Dean reasoned that Hera wouldn��t jeopardize her own hard work.

    Without much hesitation, he agreed to allow her to attend sses andplete her assignments online.

    As long as Hera met the professors�� requirements, she could continue her extended leave of absence.

    The university was even willing to postpone her exams if she was stillpeting when the exam period arrived.

    After Betty was done talking for an hour, she felt her throat partched and hoarse but she felt it was worth it and after taking a sip of water, she immediately went on to deliver the news to Hera.

    Hera picked up the call almost immediately. After her earlier conversation with Betty, she had fallen into deep contemtion.

    Reflecting on Betty��s words, she realized that her initial hesitation and resistance about it at first wasn��t because of herself but because the storyline was making her feel that way, so she wouldn��t leave the country prematurely.

    It was the narrative that made her feel reluctant, as Alice, the character from the original novel, never left the country until it was time for her to step onto the international stage.

    However, after searching deep within her feelings and thoughts, Hera realized she didn��t want the storyline to dictate her path any longer. Instead, she was determined to confront it on her own terms and achieve her goals in her own unique way.

    Hera understood Betty��s reasoning clearly. As a neer in the industry with limited experience, her growing fanbase could secure better endorsement deals, but it wouldn��t necessarily help hernd the acting roles she desired.

    However, by participating in the race, she would create better opportunities for herself, and if she proved her worth, directors might even invite her to audition for coveted roles.

    If she followed the traditional route of attending audition after audition��where connections often trump talent��she could be waiting a long time to achieve her goals. Instead, she wanted the directors toe to her.

    Whether it was due to her rising poprity or her potential as a lead in an action drama with impressive racing stunts, either way, it represented a valuable opportunity.

    Once she was given the opportunity, she could showcase her acting skills, effectively hitting multiple targets with a single shot. So when she received Betty��s call, she answered it with renewed enthusiasm.

    "Hello?" Hera answered, her voice bright and uplifted, making it clear that Betty could hear her enthusiasm.

    Betty smiled to herself before speaking. "It��s all set! The other parties have agreed to amodate your schedule and are even willing to leverage their branch offices worldwide to ensure you receive exceptional support while attending the international Grand Prix."

    "This flexibility not only makes the shooting easier but also elevates their endorsement efforts to an international level, which, in turn, increases our contract fee."

    "And your Dean was more than willing to grant you all the leeway you need to represent the country while still allowing you to study at your own pace. He expressed confidence in your judgment, knowing you wouldn��t let your studies slip."

    "He also mentioned that he was being so amodating because it was you, and you��ve never disappointed him," Betty chuckled.

    Hera felt her heart tremble as she chuckled along with Betty. The truth was, the Dean had witnessed her hard work ever since he had recruited her to attend his university.

    It wasn��t just because the university was part of the Avery system; the Dean genuinely believed in her capabilities.

    He often took the time to check in on her, especially during moments when she struggled with financial burdens.

    In many ways, he was like a guardian and another grandfather to her. After learning that Betty had arranged everything, the news resonated throughout the room, sparking a wave of joy among everyone present.

    Once Hera��s call with Betty ended, all that remained was for Betty and the national team��s manager to discuss the contract and finalize the deal. At that point, everything was essentially set.

    As the day came to a close and darkness settled outside, Dave noticed that Hera looked exhausted after a long day.

    Feeling a pang of sympathy, he decided to escort her out and take her for dinner before sending her home.

    This time, he had nned a special candlelight dinner, but before that, he surprised her with a helicopter ride around the city.

    He wanted her to experience the breathtaking beauty of the cityscape illuminated by night.

    Sure enough, Hera thoroughly enjoyed the experience, her eyes sparkling with joy as if they contained their own stars.

    Dave found immense pleasure in watching her revel in the moment. Once the hour-long aerial tour concluded, he led her to his private chateau, nestled away from the city.

    The helicopter smoothlynded on the helipad adjacent to the cluxurious estate.

    It was just as grand as the Avery mansion, resembling a castle straight out of a Disney movie. His chateau was nestled near a vastke, isted yet serene and picturesque.

    Although it was nighttime when they arrived, the estate exuded beauty, illuminated by soft lights that twinkled like stars.

    As Hera stepped inside, she marveled at the marble floors adorned with intricate gold engravings, while shimmering crystals were embedded in both the marble and the walls, creating a breathtaking ambiance.

 Chapter 438 The Chateau 2

    Hera, however, appeared calm and collected, as if she had already grown ustomed to such opulence.

    In the past, everyone had been screaming in awe, their eyes wide with disbelief as they took in the luxurious decor of his home.

    The space was adorned with exquisite ceramic vases, masterpieces from renowned painters, and stunning sculptures, each piece a testament to wealth and artistry.

    However, seeing Hera remain soposed��her eyes fixed ahead and her expression calm, as if to say, "Meh"��made Dave chuckle to himself.

    He hadn��t anticipated this reaction, and it only deepened his fondness for her.

    At that moment, he realized that Hera wasn��t drawn to him for his wealth or influence; she was genuinely different.

    Having seen the world from a young age, Dave knew that some people were exceptional at pretending.

    He had already learned his lesson the hard way, having been fooled once in the past. If it happened again, the shame would be on him.

    It all started with an elementary school ssmate who pretended to be his friend, only to use him for his money and connections.

    The so-called friend took advantage of Dave��s name to grant his father��s business certain government favors, like avoiding taxes.

    This eventually led to a sessful case of tax evasion, all because they falsely imed ties to the Carsons.

    The incident nearly tarnished his family��s reputation and gave their enemies ammunition, sparking a political battle thatsted for years.

    Now that he thought about it, his so-called friend was far too young to devise such a scheme on his own.

    It was clear that the real mastermind was his friend��s father, who had used their supposed friendship to manipte events and things behind the scenes.

    His so-called friend wasn��t entirely innocent either. Someone overheard him badmouthing Dave, expressing clear resentment.

    He believed Dave didn��t deserve to have a better family standing or to excel beyond him in any way.

    The kid was obviously pampered, arrogant, and narcissistic��likely a result of his parents feeding him the idea that he was superior to everyone else.

    Dave had believed in his friend��until he simply couldn��t anymore. That experience taught him a hard lesson.

    It��s why he now projects a carefree demeanor while shrewdly watching everyone��s moves like a hawk.

    Trust issues became a part of him, and he only lets a select few into his inner circle��those he��s certain would never betray him.

    Since then, Dave has honed his ability to read people. No matter how well they pretended, he could always catch a glimpse of whaty behind their facade, especially through their eyes.

    Right now, he could tell that Hera truly didn��t care about hervish surroundings. In fact, he even noticed her subtlyparing one of the paintings to something in her mind, which made him chuckle to himself.

    It seemed she had seen something even more impressive than what he had in his home.

    <i>��Oh God, I��m done for! I��ve fallen hard this time, and there��s no turning back,��</i> Dave thought to himself, shaking his head slightly in surrender. Yet, despite the defeat he felt, his heart swelled with happiness

    In truth, Dave had brought Hera there not just to treat her to a romantic candlelit dinner and showcase the luxury he could provide, but also to gain a deeper understanding of her.

    Even if he suspected that Hera might be after his wealth, he would willingly offer it to her.

    After all, he had more than enough to share, believing that she could never possibly spend it all in a lifetime.

    Moreover, he preferred the idea of her being interested in his wealth. Beyond that, he struggled to identify what else he could offer her.

    If she appreciated his money, at least it meant there was something about him that she valued.

    As the saying goes, a trulypetent man need not fret over gold diggers; instead, he should focus on nurturing his partner��s heart to ensure it remains devoted to him alone.

    If a woman is motivated by wealth, it can actually simplify things��after all, satisfying her desires bes a matter of simply providing her with what she wants.

    For a man with abundant resources, showering her with gifts would be an effortless task.

    However, observing Hera now, he realized she wasn��t the kind of woman who was swayed by material possessions.

    She had demonstrated her authenticity time and again, drawing him closer and deepening his affection for her.

    Yet, this also sparked a worry within him: what did she truly desire? He wanted to give her the world��everything he had��but if material wealth held no appeal for her, what could he possibly offer that would fulfill her needs or he could use to capture her heart?

    Despite grappling with the crisis of his life, he maintained a carefree demeanor as he guided Hera along the path to the gazebo outside the chateau, where his surprise awaited her.

    While he was consumed by worries of all kinds, Hera, havinge to terms with many aspects of her life, had learned to navigate the relentless interference of the storyline in her decisions and actions.

    She epted that events would unfold regardless, and in her quest to break free from the narrative��s control, she had embraced a sense of eptance about the things that were beyond her influence.

    Including the possibilities that might unfold in this chateau with Dave.

    Instead, she took a moment to admire the luxurious surroundings, a testament to their generational wealth.

    While Dave��s family might not be as rich as the Avery, their chateau was spectacr from every angle, prompting her to mentally whistle in appreciation as Dave led her through a stunning flower garden.

    Beyond the vibrant bloomsy a grand gazebo that looked fit for a castle, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

 Chapter 439 The Candlelight Dinner

    As he took his own seat, he leaned in to ce a soft kiss on her temple, a tender gesture that made her heart flutter before he finally settled into his own chair.

    This time, Dave��s demeanor was striking different from his usual self; he carried himself with the poise of an aristocrat.

    Every movement exuded elegance andposure, highlighting his handsome features.

    The flickering candlelight enhanced his allure, casting a warm glow that softened his countenance, making him all the more captivating.

    Even Hera struggled to find any trace of Dave��s usual yful and easygoing demeanor. Instead, he appeared more handsome than she ever remembered.

    This change in behavior, moving away from childish antics to a moreposed persona, allowed others to appreciate his features without distraction, inviting silent admiration rather than focusing on his yfulness.

    Hera and Dave removed the lids from the dishes in front of them, setting them aside on the cart nearby.

    A well-prepared meal awaited,plete with soup, appetizers, and a main course, all elegantly arranged on the table for each of them.

    The meal began with a refined appetizer of Pan Seared Diver Scallops and Leeks in White Wine. For sides, there was a beautifullyyered Bayaldi de L��gumes (Confit Bayaldi) and Asparagus with a Citrus Champagne Vinaigrette. A rich, French Onion Soup Gratin��e apanied the courses, followed by the main dish��Branzino with a delicate Sauce Vierge. To end on a sweet note, Cr��me Brul��e awaited them for dessert.

    The moment Heraid eyes on the spread before her, her face lit up with delight.

    Each dish was something she knew she would savor, and they all looked irresistibly appetizing.

    The enticing aromas filled the air, teasing her senses, and before she could even take a bite, her stomach gave an audible rumble in anticipation.

    She lifted her chin in embarrassment, only to find Dave watching her with a raised eyebrow.

    His eyes sparkled with amusement, and though his lips were pressed together, it was clear he was trying to hold back augh.

    That only made things worse for Hera, as she was now certain Dave had heard her stomach rumble loudly while she had been practically drooling over the food.

    With a smile that was half gentle, half teasing, Dave urged Hera to start eating. "Go ahead, eat. It��s been a long day, and I know you��re hungry."

    Before Hera could respond, Dave casually took a spoonful of his onion soup, making it clear he wasn��t giving her time to feel embarrassed.

    As he lowered his head to sip the soup, he struggled to hide his amusement, trying not to choke while holding back hisughter.

    <i>��God, I didn��t realize she was this adorable!��</i> Dave thought, biting his lip as he fought backughter.

    The soup nearly spilled from the corner of his mouth, and he had to stop himself from rushing over to shower Hera with kisses.

    He never imagined he��d turn into such a fool once he became interested in a woman.

    Everything about her seemed perfect, tugging at his heart in ways he couldn��t ignore.

    Even the slightest crease in her forehead was impossible for him to overlook��it was like every little thing she did was imprinted on his mind.

    Seeing that Dave had already started eating, being a gracious host by not openlyughing��though she could still see his shoulders trembling as he tried to stifle it��Hera sighed in mild relief.

    At least he wasn��t outrightughing at her. With a small pout, she picked up her fork and began eating her scallops.

    But the moment she tasted the tender, perfectly cooked scallops��soft and not the least bit rubbery��her embarrassment melted away.

    Instantly absorbed in the deliciousness, she dove into her meal, nearly forgetting about Dave entirely.

    Dave had chosen not to start a conversation after noticing how focused Hera was on enjoying her food.

    After a few bites, he simply sat back and watched her, captivated by the way she relished each dish.

    Propping his arm on the table, he rested his chin on his palm, smiling softly as he observed her.

    By the time Hera was finished, the candlelight dinner hade to an end, but Dave wasn��t ready for the night to be over.

    He was having too much fun being with her, and the thought of her leaving for home was thest thing he wanted.

    Before long, they finished their meal.

    Dave then rang the bell, and shortly after, his butler appeared, apanied by a maid carrying a bottle of wine.

    The butler expertly uncorked the wine, pouring it into a decanter before allowing the maid to serve it into the two sses ced in front of Hera and Dave.

    As the maid was about to ce the decanter in front of Hera, she ��identally�� tipped Hera��s wine ss, causing the rich red liquid to ssh onto Hera��s white shirt.

    The wine soaked through her clothes, and she could feel it seeping onto her bra as well.

    Dave��s eyes narrowed as he red dangerously at the maid, sensing the malice behind her actions. He would be a fool not to recognize that this was intentional, not idental.

    His gaze shot to the butler, whose face stiffened in shock at the unfolding scene, clearly caught off guard by the maid��s tant disregard for decorum.

    With her back turned to Dave, the maid shed a subtle, arrogant smirk at Hera before feigning flustered concern.

    As she aggressively patted down Hera��s shirt with a napkin, she only seeded in spreading the wine stain further.

    The force of her rubbing made Hera wince, prompting her to grasp the maid��s wrist tightly, just so to stop the maid from hurting her skin further.

 Chapter 440 Another White Flower

    Hera raised an eyebrow, ncing subtly at Dave, who was watching the scene unfold with pursed lips, clearly displeased.

    The maid, however, misread the situation, assuming Dave��s frustration was directed at Hera for her physical response.

    After all, Dave had neverid a hand on anyone, and his mother despised those who relied on brute force, believing it to be disgraceful and a stain on their family��s reputation.

    Seeing Dave��s reaction, the maid��s sobbing intensified. "Master Dave, please, I��m so sorry! I didn��t mean to spill the wine. I swear, but... I��ll ept any punishment."

    She paused dramatically, her voice trembling, then pursed her lips before slowly turning her gaze back to Hera.

    Her face twisted into a pained wince, as though Hera had just tightened her grip on her wrist, even though nothing had changed.

    After her long day, Hera quickly lost interest in ying the maid��s mind games.

    She already saw through the attempt to create a wedge between her and Dave, and the maid��s motivations��whether jealousy or misced loyalty��felt irrelevant.

    It wasn��t Hera��s ce to intervene or discipline Dave��s staff.

    This was his home, his responsibility, and whatever the maid��s reason, it was up to him to uncover and handle it.

    Hera released the maid��s wrist, but to her surprise, the maid dramatically copsed to the floor as if she��d been violently shoved.

    It was a clear ploy to make it seem like Hera had aggressively acted out because the maid stole Dave��s attention away from her.

    Hera��s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to do anything but stare at the theatrics unfolding before her.

    <i>��I thought I was a good actress, but this maid is on a whole different level!��</i> Hera mused, her inner determination to sharpen her acting skills suddenly reigniting.

    Despite the thoughts swirling in her mind, her eyes remained fixed on the maid, wide with a mixture of confusion and surprise, reflecting the absurdity of the situation.

    The butler was taken aback when he saw the maid copse to the ground, her dramatic disy escting the situation.

    Without hesitation, he rushed over to support her, his face clouded with a mix of concern and confusion.

    As he nced at Hera, his expression turned conflicted, his eyes silently questioning her actions.

    ��<i>Did she really have to be so ruthless, especially after the maid had already apologized for what seemed like an innocent mistake?��</i>

    The butler nced back at Dave, expecting him to step in and defend his servant.

    After all, she had been working in the Chateau for years, and the staff had always been loyal and trustworthy.

    In the butler��s mind, Dave knew their character well enough to stand up for them, especially against an outsider, even if that outsider happened to be a guest.

    Yet, Dave remained rooted in ce, his brow furrowed as he surveyed the scene before him.

    The maid, sensing his hesitation, sobbed even more dramatically, hoping to draw him back to reality.

    She believed he was still in shock, struggling to reconcile the fact that the woman he was interested in might be snobbish��and perhaps even a gold digger who was unreasonable.

    "It��s okay, Butler Seb. Hic! I��m so sorry, miss," the maid sobbed, her voice trembling as she struggled to catch her breath between hups.

    Hera took a deep breath, casting a nce at Dave and giving a nonchnt shrug. Only then did Dave finally spring into action.

    "Butler Sebastian," Dave��s voice resonated with a low, intimidating tone that made both the butler and the maid stiffen.

    They nced up at him, and in that moment, the maid��s act of sobbing faltered.

    Tears still streamed down her cheeks as she stared nkly at Dave, an uneasy sensation creeping into her chest, causing her face to pale gradually.

    "I��ve always prided myself on being a fair judge, extending generosity to my servants and subordinates," Dave said, his tone calm yetced with an underlying tension.

    "So, I never imagined a day woulde when my special guest would be disrespected in my own home and framed in such a manner."

    Hisposed demeanor only heightened their anxiety, particrly for the maid who had orchestrated this stunt against Hera.

    "M-Master, I��m not trying to disrespect your guest," Butler Seb stammered, defending himself. It never crossed his mind that the maid had acted with intention.

    "Is that so?" Dave replied, a mocking smirk curling his lips as he stepped closer to where the maid and the butler were.

    He crouched down to meet the maid��s gaze, his eyes locking onto hers.

    In another time, she would have felt ted to be this close to him, basking in his attention.

    But now, all she could feel was fear and regret. Dave��s anger radiated from him, coiling around her like a snake, tightening its grip around her throat.

    Her breath hitched as she locked eyes with Dave, feeling her throat go dry.

    She wanted to defend herself, to weave some excuse, but the intensity of his gaze rendered her speechless.

    It was as if he could see right through her, discerning any falsehood before it even crossed her lips.

    Dave didn��t need to utter another word; hismanding presence, honed over years of dealing with foreign leaders, was enough to shatter the maid��s resolve.

    Within moments, she crumpled to the floor like a lifeless doll, her defiance extinguished. "I-I��m sorry, Master..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

    After a moment��s hesitation, she finally met Dave��s gaze again, her eyes now brimming with unfiltered love.

    "I just can��t ept that a gold digger hase all this way to seduce you. She doesn��t deserve you." Her words dripped with venom as she spoke through gritted teeth, a mixture of hatred and deep affectioncing her tone.

    She then shot Hera a re that seemed to wish for nothing less than to stab her with a thousand knives.

 Chapter 441 I Love You

    "You��re not the only woman who has professed her love for me. Do you think I owe you anything simply because you im to love me?"

    "And if you��re truly acting in my best interest, why do you resemble an envious snake, eager to devour my woman simply because she isn��t you? Don��t assume I didn��t notice your expression just because you tried to hide it," Dave said with a smirk, clicking his tongue in disdain.

    "Rather than iming this is for my benefit, I��d find it far more amusing��and bold��if you admitted you��re acting out of your own selfish desires."

    "That��s the truth. Don��t even try to convince me your love is pure and genuine; if it were, you wouldn��t be attempting to drive away the woman I care about just to keep me from being with her."

    "In truth, all you wanted was to iste me, waiting for the chance tofort me at my lowest so you could sneak your way into my bed��and my pants."

    "Don��t even try to sully the meaning of pure and genuine love. Like they say, a dark heart always sees the ugliness in others, because your vision is tainted by the ckness in your own heart."

    "Since you��re fully aware that you��re a servant to my family, shouldn��t you know your ce instead of lusting after your master? So tell me��who��s the real gold digger here?" Dave didn��t hold back, determined to make his point.

    When the maid called Hera a gold digger, it wasn��t Hera who took offense��it was him.

    Anger burned within him, not because of the insult itself, but because they were treating Hera this way when she clearly wasn��t the person they were trying to paint her as.

    And even if she were a gold digger, that would be his concern and no one else��s.

    So, despite his harsh and cutting words, Dave didn��t care. Everyone knew well enough that he wasn��t someone you wanted to provoke.

    The maid had managed to press all of Dave��s wrong buttons, provoking him to the brink.

    He was barely holding onto his anger, not wanting to frighten Hera or reveal the extent of his temper.

    Instead, he chose to keep hisposure and talk some sense into the woman who imed to love him.

    Though Dave knew that reasoning with a delusional person was like talking to a wall, he still feltpelled to say his piece.

    Even if the maid refused to listen, he knew that some of his words would linger, haunting her and cutting deeper than any punishment he could impose.

    The stronger her feelings for Dave, the deeper his words would cut, driving the knife further into her heart.

    The pain would linger, a constant reminder of her actions, and that would be the price she had to pay for crossing the line in front of Hera.

    This was Dave��s method of retribution. He never resorted to physical confrontation but always struck where it hurt the most��shattering someone��s heart and mind with his words.

    After delivering his final blow, Dave noticed the light in the maid��s eyes fade, and only then did his gaze narrow.

    He stood up, his posture rigid, turning his attention to the butler, who was still paralyzed by shock.

    The events had escted so rapidly that the butler��s mind struggled to process everything.

    It wasn��t until he caught sight of Dave��s deadly re that the butler��s senses returned, pulling him back from the edge of panic.

    The butler quicklyposed himself, awaiting Dave��s next instructions.

    "Remove her from the premises. Pay her remaining sry and triple her severance before sending her away," Dave ordered coldly, showing no sign of remorse.

    This, in fact, was his version of leniency, given that she had served the family for a decade since her youth.

    As if struck by a sudden thought, Dave added, "Also, transfer all the younger female staff working here to the old mansion and let my mother handle their discipline.

    Bring the older maids from there to rece them."

    Dave didn��t need to borate further��his intentions were clear, and the butler understood the underlying message.

    Without hesitation, he began dragging the maid away as Dave dismissed them, hurrying to carry out his orders.

    The butler dragged the maid away, her once vibrant demeanor now reduced to a shell, as if all the life had been drained from her.

    But Dave didn��t spare her a second thought. When he turned to see Hera wiping her clothes with a napkin, his cold facade melted into a gentle, albeit weary, smile as he approached her.

    "I��m truly sorry about this," he said, his voice softening.

    "I know this has overshadowed our wonderful dinner, and I hope this incident won��t tarnish your impression of the Carsons��or of me." The intimidating figure from earlier had vanished, reced by an expression that teetered on the edge of tears, reminiscent of a chastised child.

    Hera smiled sweetly at Dave, she wasn��t deaf enough not to hear everything he said.

    She recognized that while his words were undeniably harsh and out of line, they were likely the only way to make the maid cease her behavior.

    Hera understood that the maid��s feelings for Dave might have been genuine; after all, a decade spent in the Carson household could easily foster such emotions.

    It wasn��t hard to see how a woman might fall for Dave, given his charm and sess��qualities that could captivate any heart.

    However, even though she may have genuinely loved him, that was no justification for her actions.

    While her behavior might have seemed mild and could bebeled a harmless prank, allowing it to go unaddressed would only embolden her.

 Chapter 442 A Gift

    Or maybe believed that it would only take a little more time before Dave noticed her since she��d been with him for a long time, just like the story of the other maid who was once a maid that turned into the mistress of the house or the other woman who has be the main wife after the husband divorces the wife to give way to their mistresses.

    Yet, Hera couldn��t shake the thought of Alice. She realized she couldn��t recall anything about Dave��s Chateau being mentioned by Athena.

    Such an oversight seemed significant, especially since Athena typically addressed all conflicts rted to the male leads and antagonists in the book.

    She even included details about supporting characters like Lucas.

    <i>��Does that mean Dave never brought Alice to his Chateau? But I��m certain he took her to their old mansion where his parents and grandparents reside.��</i>

    Hera felt her heart thump violently at the thought.

    As she pondered this, Dave guided her inside the Chateau, wrapping his arm around her waist to steady her and ensuring she wouldn��t stumble on the pebbles in the garden or the stairs.

    He sensed she was deep in thought and chose not to interrupt, assuming she was still reflecting on the earlier incident, which only made him purse his lips in concern.

    <i>"Thank goodness the crazy maid only pulled these minor antics and didn��t try to seduce me while Hera was here; that would surely create a huge misunderstanding!"</i> The thought sent a shiver down Dave��s spine.

    He winced at the mere idea of Hera witnessing him pinned down in apromising position with someone else.

    A cold sweat trickled down his back, and his fingers trembled at the thought.

    He felt fortunate that the maid instead resorted to intimidation tactics against Hera; otherwise, his future with her could be irrevocably tarnished.

    Unable to shake the unease, he tightened his grip around Hera��s waist, pulling her closer as if to shield her from any potential threats.

    "Sweetheart, I��m so sorry for what happened. I promise it won��t happen again," Dave reassured her, his voice steady but filled with sincerity.

    <i>��To hell with letting that happen a second time! With my friends also vying for her attention, she could easily choose someone else if I allow that nonsense to continue.</i>�� The thought ignited a fire within him.

    Now more determined than ever, Dave resolved not to let anyone else get close to him or Hera.

    As Dave walked Hera to his room, he took the opportunity to give her a tour of the Chateau.

    They passed by a mini museum on the first floor, showcasing an impressive array of items��from dinosaur fossils and exquisite paintings to rare gems and artifacts.

    Adjacent to the guest living room was his showroom, a ss-enclosed space disying his cherished collection of rare cars.

    As they ascended the curved staircase, Hera couldn��t help but admire the stunning collection, which felt like a centerpiece of the Chateau itself.

    He had a stunning collection that included ssic cars reminiscent of those seen in historical films set in Ennd, alongside customized armored vehicles.

    Hera hadn��t anticipated that Dave would possess such a collection; she had always associated car enthusiasm with Rafael, who was known for his love of automobiles. The idea that Dave also shared this passion surprised her.

    As if he could read her thoughts, Dave chuckled at Hera��s amazed expression, which was tinged with confusion, and said,

    "While I may have this collection, the vintage cars were passed down from my grandfather and histe father. They might not match Rafael��s collection of supercars in sheer shiness, but when ites to value, mine is definitely superior." He shed Hera a boyish grin, a blend of boastfulness and charm.

    "Is there anything here that catches your eye? I��d be happy to gift it to you." Dave paused, scanning the array of cars below before adding,

    "You know what? Why not gift you the entire collection?" He nodded to himself with a satisfied smile, as if he had juste up with the most brilliant idea, patting himself on the back for good measure.

    Hera gasped in surprise. Just gazing at the automobiles in the showroom, she realized that the oldest models could easily fetch hundreds of millions at a museum due to their historical significance��and they were impably maintained.

    But Dave offered them to her as casually as if he were gifting a pebble from the road. Hera immediately shook her head.

    As far as she could recall, her grandfather had an extensive collection of cars in his garage��so vast that she had lost track of their release years or how he managed to maintain them all.

    When Dave noticed Hera vigorously shaking her head, he pouted. "Don��t you want to ept a gift from me?!"

    "That��s not it, Dave. It��s the thought that counts. This collection is like a family heirloom, passed down from your great-grandfather to you. I can only imagine how much it means to you and how it might one day be gifted to your future children."

    "Then I��ll save it for our future children," Dave said with a cheerful grin, his enthusiasm rekindled.

    Hera felt a lump in her throat at his seemingly sillyment, but as she looked into his eyes, she saw a depth of seriousness and determination that made her believe he was genuinely sincere.

    <i>��Did I just dig my own grave and leap right into it?��</i> Hera thought, gulping as an awkwardugh bubbled up in her mind. She had merely intended to decline his extravagant gift, but he had spun it into an even more outrageous proposition.

 Chapter 443 Trap?

    "Why did you p yourself?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of worry and frustration.

    "There was a mosquito..." Hera stammered, her initial excuse slipping out before she could think it through.

    Lacking a better exnation for her action, she awkwardly continued, hoping to deflect attention from her embarrassment.

    Dave furrowed his brows as he gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "I��m sorry. I��ll call pest control to get rid of all the insects and bugs around here," he said, though skepticism lingered in his voice. Despite his doubts, he chose to hold back any further questions.

    On the other hand, Hera felt a sense of rity wash over her after the p.

    <i>��There��s no point in overthinking; I��ll cross that bridge when I get there,</i>�� she thought, her eyes sparkling with newfound determination.

    She smiled sweetly at Dave, hoping to ease his worry.

    However, Dave��s concern deepened. He chose not to press her further, recognizing that Hera clearly preferred to keep her thoughts to herself.

    He continued to lead Hera toward his room on the second floor, and it wasn��t long before they arrived.

    As soon as they entered, Dave directed Hera to his spacious bathroom, which boasted arge French window offering a stunning view of the chateau��s grounds.

    The white bathtubplemented the gold faucets and shower fixtures beautifully, creating an elegant contrast.

    The entire bathroom was designed in a sophisticated white and gold theme, and it was as spacious as her bathroom in the penthouse, if notrger.

    The bathroom exuded a clean and refreshing aesthetic while radiating an elegant luxury.

    As Hera stepped inside, Dave turned to assist her in gathering what she would need.

    He retrieved a soft towel from the cupboard, a spare toothbrush, a plush bathrobe, and other essentials.

    Hera watched in amusement as Dave rummaged through every cab, pulling out nearly every item he could find.

    He meticulously exined how to use everything, even the toilet bowl, leaving Hera feeling a faint line forming on her forehead from both confusion and exasperation.

    Since Dave seemed determined to stay put, Hera had no choice but to gently push him outside so she could finally take her shower.

    "Wait, sweetheart! Before you push me out, you should put your clothes in that basket. I��ll have an older maid pick them up for dry cleaning. If they can be salvaged, great; if not, I��ll make sure you get something else to wear."

    By the time he finished speaking, Hera had already pushed him out the door. With a wide smile, she closed the door behind him just as he was about to say more.

    Dave couldn��t help but chuckle at Hera��s antics. But as he watched her, excitement bubbled within him; she was in his room.

    His heart raced louder as the realization sank in, and he felt a flutter in his stomach, his breath hitching at the overwhelming emotions.

    Dave nervously settled into the sofa chair, his gaze locked onto the bathroom door.

    His expression was serious, his thoughts a mystery, and he felt a heat radiating from his body. But who could tell? He was the only one in the room.

    On the other hand, Hera no longer worried about Dave, but she made sure to lock the door just in case.

    Then she quickly undressed, cing her clothes in the basket before stepping under the shower heads and allowing the warm water to cascade over her body.

    She loved warm water, but to be honest, her idea of warm could easily be considered boiling hot by others.

    She wasn��t sure if it was just her or if other girls enjoyed such steamy baths and showers, but she took care not to soak her hair in the hot water; otherwise, her beautiful locks would be brittle.

    To avoid this, she typically separated washing her hair from her body, relishing the rxing experience of a hot bath while keeping her hair cuticles safe.

    After warming her body, she switched to cold water to wash her hair, gently massaging her scalp as she rinsed.

    Once her hair was clean, she turned her attention to her body. The longer she stood under the shower, the more her skin began to feel numb; the hot water no longer felt scorching, but the fatigue in her body faded away, and her mind felt clearer but she was starting to feel sleepy.

    After half an hour, Kisha emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe, still drying her hair with a towel.

    When she stepped out, she nearly shrieked in surprise at the intensity of Dave��s gaze, which seemed to bore a hole into her from where he sat by the door.

    A wave of heat washed over her, making her throat feel dry. She couldn��t tell if the warmth was from her hot bath or the charged atmosphere in the room.

    But she masked her difort and avoided eye contact. Given her experiences, she would be foolish not to recognize the tension in the air.

    She moved away from the sofa and approached the bed, where Dave had ced the hair dryer.

    With a subtle smile, she nced back at him before picking it up and starting to dry her long hair.

    The sound of the hair dryer filled the silent room, and Dave refrained from making small talk, allowing Hera to focus as her back remained turned to him.

    Suddenly, she flinched at the sensation of a warm hand gently touching hers, the one holding the hair dryer.

    Another hand grazed her long, slender neck before slowly brushing through her hair with delicate fingers.

    Soon, Dave took the hair dryer from her, drying her hair while gentlybing through it with his fingers.

    Despite his attentive touch, he remained silent, and Hera felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

    Unconsciously, she held her breath as she sensed Dave��s warm hand grazing her neck, a touch that felt almost too sensual.

    She couldn��t tell if he was doing it intentionally or if she was simply overthinking the moment.

 Chapter 444 I Want To See

    Then, she felt the gentle, deliberate touch of Dave��s fingers tracing the curve of her neck, slowly moving to her exposed nape.

    A shiver ran down her spine, and despite herself, Hera let out a soft, trembling moan. "Hmmm," the sound escaped her lips as her body shuddered in response to his touch.

    Just when Hera thought Dave was done, he leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss on her neck.

    Instinctively, she tilted her head to the side, silently offering him more ess to her most sensitive spot.

    Dave took the silent invitation, trailing gentle pecks down her skin, each one more lingering than thest.

    Soon, his kisses deepened, transforming into sensual licks and nips that made Hera gasp softly, her body trembling with each touch.

    Every kiss sent a shudder through her, and she couldn��t help but let out a few breathless sounds in response to the growing intensity.

    Dave��s hands didn��t remain idle. Slowly, he reached for the back of her robe, gently pulling it down, inch by inch, revealing more of her soft, jade-like skin.

    The robe slipped down her shoulders, loosely hanging on her body, barely covering her front while fully exposing the graceful curves of her back for Dave��s eyes to savor.

    Her hair, now ced to the side over her right shoulder, left her nape and backpletely bare, allowing Dave to take in every delicate line and curve with growing intensity.

    Dave��s breath hitched as his gaze fell upon Hera��s alluring, exposed back.

    Her head remained tilted to the right, her breathing slightly ragged, and the flush at the nape of her neck only heightened her irresistible allure.

    A surge of heat pooled in his core, making his pants feel tighter with each passing second, but he couldn��t tear his eyes away.

    Her beauty in that moment was mesmerizing, and he felt an overwhelming desire to etch the image of her breathtaking figure deep into his memory, savoring every curve and detail.

    Feeling the stillness behind her, Hera��s shyness crept in, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her.

    She instinctively began to pull her robe back up, but was stopped by Dave��s husky, sensual voice. "Don��t move, darling. I want to burn your beautiful form into my mind for eternity."

    His words came out in a breathless whisper,ced with raw desire, as though he was holding himself back from something deeper.

    Hearing Dave��s words only heightened Hera��s self-consciousness, making her even more embarrassed about exposing her bare back.

    Sensing her unease, Dave closed the distance between them, his fingers gently grazing from the nape of her neck down the length of her spine.

    Hera shuddered, gasping softly at the sensation.

    Before she could react further, Dave leaned in, tilting her chin to face him.

    In one smooth motion, he captured her lips and plunged his tongue into her mouth, tasting her sweetness with a passionate intensity that left her breathless.

    While locking her in a deep, passionate kiss, Dave��s hand began to roam, gently massaging her shoulder before trailing down her soft arm.

    His touch lingered briefly, then grazed her t stomach, sending a wave of heat through Hera��s body.

    She let out a soft moan, the sensation intensifying the churning she felt deep in her core, every touch igniting an almost unbearable anticipation within her.

    "Hmmm... Dave," Hera��s soft, inviting voice sent a shiver through him, urging Dave to continue.

    His lips never left hers as his hands wandered. From her stomach, his fingers gently circled her belly button, causing Hera to squirm slightly.

    Then, his touch trailed upward, grazing the base of her breast. He teased the edge of her ample mound, circling it slowly, each motion deliberate.

    As his hand moved, he deftly slid her robe away, revealing her beautiful, full breasts, exposed to his gaze.

    Hera��s left hand reached behind Dave��s neck, gripping his hair as her breathing grew ragged and uneven.

    A soft gasp escaped her lips when Dave��s hand cupped her left breast, his fingers sinking into her soft skin.

    The sensation drew a deep groan of desire from him, fueling the tension between them.

    "Ugh! Fuck!" he muttered, the curses escaping his lips as he deepened the kiss.

    Excitement surged through him as he savored the softness of Hera��s breasts in his hands.

    Stealing nces when he could, he felt his breath hitch even more at the sight of her beautiful form before him.

    His self-control was slipping away, and all he wanted was to devour Herapletely.

    Yet, he managed topose himself, determined to ensure that Hera would enjoy every moment and be fully prepared for the impending intimacy.

    He wanted to make certain that the experience would be pleasurable for her, not traumatizing.

    After all, he was acutely aware that his size and length could be overwhelming, and he didn��t want to rush anything that might cause her difort.

    Dave leaned in closer, maintaining their passionate kiss as he cupped her breasts, his hands exploring her curves with growing desire.

    His index fingers toyed with her nipples, pinching them gently, which made Hera squirm in his embrace.

    He held her tightly from behind, feeling a mix of excitement and difort as he longed to lift her and settle her in hisp.

    However, he hesitated, worried that such a bold move might startle her��and that she might identally let her robe slip, exposing herself fully.

    The thought alone sent a jolt of anticipation through him, and he wasn��t sure if his heart could withstand the sight of herpletely naked.

    A growing heat radiated from Dave��s core as he continued to knead her breasts and tease her, relishing the way she squirmed beneath his touch.

    He noticed her struggle to stifle her moans, and with each sound that escaped her lips, he felt her grip tighten in his hair.

 Chapter 445 Who Would Be The First?

    A warm sensation radiated from deep within her core that she felting out, wetting her pussy.

    "Sir! Please, don��t go in there!" Butler Seb shouted frantically from the entrance of Dave��s room.

    Although the space wasrge, it wasn��tpletely soundproof; the old Chateau still bore the echoes of its original structure, allowing sounds from the outside to permeate through the walls.

    Since he was upstairs with Hera, all the staff had been instructed to remain on the first floor, maintaining a respectful distance.

    The tension in the air was palpable, a mix of urgency and concern emanating from Seb��s voice.

    But right now, amotion erupted at the entrance of the room, causing both Dave and Hera to flinch and abruptly halt their actions.

    Dave frowned in frustration, reluctant to break the moment.

    He tried to refocus on Hera, convinced that Butler Seb could handle any unwanted interruptions until he was ready to emerge into the open.

    However, the noise outside persisted, hinting at a scuffle.

    Dave recognized familiar voices amid the chaos, while Hera felt as if she were waking from a dream, her earlier desire dissipating with themotion.

    The charged atmosphere had vanished, leaving both of them ncing at each other with confusion and curiosity about the disturbance.

    Slowly, Dave got out of bed, and Hera began topose herself, nning to join him in discovering what was happening outside.

    Dave took a moment to inhale deeply, trying to regte his ragged breathing and calm his racing heart.

    He knew that if he stepped out like this, everyone would immediately understand what had transpired between him and Hera, given the obvious evidence in his tight pants.

    Meanwhile, Hera turned away to adjust her robe, a precaution in case someone burst through the door unexpectedly.

    As she had feared, someone kicked the door open with such force that it nearly flew off its hinges.

    The sudden intrusion startled both Hera and Dave, who were still trying to shake off the intimacy they had been sharing before themotion erupted.

    They scrambled topose themselves, desperately attempting to look presentable amidst the chaos.

    "Oh my God!" Butler Seb gasped in horror, his years of experience serving Dave��s family doing little to shield him from the shock of the scene before him.

    Concern etched on his face, he quickly gathered himself. "Call the doctor! Someone��s bleeding!" hemanded, urgencycing his voice as he sprang into action.

    Everyone in the room, including Dave, froze in shock at Butler Seb��s urgent cry.

    Even the neers, who had intended to cause trouble, halted when they spotted the bloodstains on the hem of Hera��s robe.

    A collective gasp swept through the group, their eyes widening in disbelief. Then, as the realization hit, all eyes turned to Dave.

    Mouths agape, they attempted to speak, but words eluded them, leaving them dumbfounded as they stared at Hera, unsure of what to say or where to begin.

    A whirlwind of emotions yed across everyone��s faces, shifting from fierce anger to confusion, and finally settling into shock and disbelief. The sudden changepelled Hera to turn around, her eyesnding on Leo, Luke, Xavier, Rafael, and, surprisingly, Zhane, who remained silent and inscrutable, his expression starkly contrasting with the tumultuous reactions of the others.

    However, Dave was the most shocked and aghast of them all. His expression shifted as he slowly turned his head from Hera to the furious group that had charged into his room, their anger palpable.

    His mouth fell open as he tried to formte an exnation for the bloodstain on Hera��s robe, which was conspicuously located just below her backside.

    No matter how he attempted to rationalize the situation, the unspoken conclusion hung heavy in the air: everyone assumed that she had just lost her virginity to him.

    The unfairness of it all struck a chord, intensifying their resentment, as they felt Dave had taken advantage of a moment that had unfolded right under their noses.

    Unaware of the usations swirling in their minds, Hera assumed their gazes reflected anger directed at her for what had transpired between her and Dave.

    A wave of embarrassment washed over her. But then she recalled Butler Seb��s urgent warning about someone bleeding, prompting her to scan the crowd nervously.

    She tried to identify who was injured, but despite her frantic searching, she couldn��t see anyone who appeared to be hurt; everyone else seemed perfectly fine.

    Before Hera could grasp the situation, Rafael strode over to Dave, yanked him by the cor andunched into a furious tirade.

    "How dare youy your hands on Hera and take her virginity after we all agreed to y fair and square?!" Rafael roared.

    Fortunately, Butler Seb had already dashed out to summon the family doctor, leaving only the five male leads, Leo, and Hera in the room.

    The other servants wisely stayed away, knowing that despite their friends�� outrage, they wouldn��t actually harm Dave.

    Seb��s intervention was merely a precaution, intended to alert Dave that someone was about to burst in, just in case he and Hera were caught in the middle of something.

    Hera and Dave wore a mix of expressions that spoke volumes.

    Dave appeared as if he had been wronged, desperately attempting to exin himself but struggling to find the right words.

    Meanwhile, Hera��s initial confusion quickly gave way to realization, causing her face to flush bright red with embarrassment.

    In a sudden burst of emotion, she dashed toward the bathroom, her speed catching everyone off guard. It was a swift retreat that no one had anticipated, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.

    Everyone exchanged nces, realizing they had been too confrontational.

    There was an unspoken consensus that Dave had deliberately been sneaky, attempting to sleep with Hera while keeping others in the dark.

    It wasn��t that they believed he needed permission, but the situation felt inherently wrong to them.

    With worried nces, they all abruptly halted, their anger dissipating and reced by concern that Hera had been frightened away.

    They began to reproach themselves for overreacting, knowing that this oue was inevitable; sooner orter, Hera would sleep with one of them.

    The only question was who would be the lucky first man. Their eyes turned to Dave, resentment lingering, but their anger fadedpletely.

 Chapter 446 Aunt Flo

    Dave choked on his words, unable to defend himself any longer. What they said was true��he had been nning to take things further if they hadn��t barged in and interrupted his time with Hera.

    But s, these guys had an almost uncanny radar when it came to her, making it impossible for him to slip past the they had set up.

    Instead of defending himself, Dave decided to stay silent. They were all men after all, and they knew exactly how their minds worked.

    Any argument would be pointless since they could answer their own questions.

    What mattered now was Hera��she was the one in the most awkward position, probably feeling like she��d been caught red-handed, as if she��d done something wrong.

    But in reality, she was free to make her own choices, since she wasn��t in a rtionship with any of them.

    None of them really had the right to reprimand her. After all, they had agreed to y fair and square��but that agreement applied to themselves as rivals for her attention, not to Hera. She was free to make her own choices.

    While the men outside the door were busy figuring out how to rescue Hera from the awkward situation they had created, Hera, on the other side, was dying of embarrassment.

    She wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole, desperate to escape the overwhelming humiliation.

    It wasn��t just the feeling of being caught red-handed by all the men she was romantically involved with that mortified her.

    The most embarrassing part was that they all assumed she and Dave had already done the deed because of the blood on her robe.

    But the real humiliation came from the fact that the truth was far more innocent��she hadn��t even realized it was already that time of the month.

    It was an honest mistake on her part. Hera had an irregr cycle, making it difficult to predict when her period would arrive.

    The only clues she ever got were a few distinct symptoms��intense cravings that kept her awake until she satisfied them, feeling like she wasing down with a fever, or,stly, the swelling of her breasts.

    Though the swelling wasn��t always noticeable to the eye, she could feel the soreness. The most embarrassing part? When it was close, she��d feel unusually aroused, almost like a rabbit in heat��restless and undeniably... horny.

    "Now that I think about it, wasn��t I just being... horny?!" she eximed, her voice echoing in her head with frustration as she rubbed her face with her palms.

    The memory of all six men staring at her, their eyes fixated on the bloodstain, made her cringe over and over again.

    Just recalling that moment sent waves of embarrassment rushing through her.

    Taking a deep breath, sheposed herself and began rummaging through the bathroom for any women��s products.

    The voices of the men outside echoed in her ears, shifting from berating Dave to coaxing her toe out.

    Their tones fluctuated between apologies and Dave��s desperate pleas, begging her not to be angry.

    The sheer absurdity of the situation nearly made Heraugh in awkwardness for a lifetime.

    She tried to refocus her attention on finding what she needed and nned to shower again beforeing out to exin everything.

    However, no matter how much she searched, she couldn��t find any women��s products.

    It dawned on her once more that Dave was the only one who lived there, and he never allowed anyone near his room.

    Naturally, there wouldn��t be any feminine supplies stocked in his bathroom.

    With no other choice, she mustered her courage and opened the door just a crack.

    As soon as she did, everyone outside fell silent, their eyes glued to the door in anticipation. When they saw her peering through the narrow opening, confusion washed over their faces.

    Hera��s head peeked out, her face adorably flushed with embarrassment as she nervously bit her lip, wanting to say something but unsure where to begin.

    Her gaze swept over the crowd until itnded on Dave, her eyes reflecting a silent plea for understanding.

    "Hm, Dave?" Hera said, her voice tinged with anxiety.

    She bit the inside of her cheek for a moment before continuing, "Could you please ask your maid if I can borrow some feminine products?"

    Hera believed that once Dave mentioned her request to the maids, they would understand what she needed without her having to directly ask the men for feminine products.

    All they needed to do was ry the message, which felt like a much less embarrassing option.

    "Ah!" Dave eximed, startled for a moment before he averted his gaze and looked to the side.

    "The maids have already gone back to the old mansion, and the older ones won��t be arriving until tomorrow morning."

    He let out an awkwardugh, realizing that he had hastily sent the younger maid away without considering that Hera might need something essential that wasn��t stocked in his bathroom.

    After hearing Dave��s words, Hera��s face shifted from pale to red. She realized her options were dwindling, and she would have to ask someone for feminine products.

    However, she hesitated, recalling a past experience that left her uneasy. Once, she had asked Alexi to buy her a feminine product when she unexpectedly got her period on campus.

    In a moment of solidarity, she had given herst napkin to a female student in the women��s washroom who was panicking over bloodstains on her pants and had no supplies of her own.

    Hera had believed in the woman��s code of helping each other out during such times, but because she helped, she was left with nothing to use.

    Little did she know that she would get her period that very day, especially after giving away herst spare napkin.

    Normally, Hera carried an extra in her bag just in case, given her irregr cycle that often arrived unannounced.</subtxt>

 Chapter 447 How Rich People Buys Napkin

    Her shy yet sparkling eyes reflected her gratitude, capturing the attention of the other men, who felt a surge of envy.

    They yearned for that same look of admiration from her, as if she had found her hero just in time.

    Her gaze towards Zhane conveyed not only her gratitude but also a hint of deeper affection, stirring something profound within the others.

    Leo, quick to pick up on the situation, stepped forward with a calm confidence.

    Without saying a word, he leaned in and nted a gentle kiss on Hera��s cheek, his fingers tenderly rubbing her earlobes.

    "Just wait for me for a bit; I��ll be back as soon as I can," he reassured her softly.

    There was no need for him to ask what she needed; he understood instinctively. Before anyone else could react, he slipped out of the room, determined to help her.

    He had been watching over Hera for long enough to know her likes andfort foods, which made this task effortless.

    While Zhane appeared amodating and understanding, Leo��s actions reflected the kind of deep understanding that onlyes from being in a long-term rtionship.

    It was as if he instinctively knew what she might need and want, showcasing a profound connection between them.

    Everyone was momentarily taken aback, including Hera, who blinked a few times as she watched Leo��s figure fade around the door.

    The others followed suit, their gazes fixed on his retreating back, uncertain about what had just transpired.

    Only Zhane seemed to grasp Leo��s intentions. His lips pursed in annoyance, feeling as though he hadbored to cultivate thend, only to have someone swoop in and harvest the crops right before his eyes.

    After giving Hera a gentle peck on the cheek and shing her a warm smile, Zhane rushed out the door.

    Leo was already a distance away. Luke, Rafael, Xavier, and Dave exchanged puzzled nces, still in the dark about what Zhane and Leo were up to.

    Suddenly, Luke��s expression darkened as realization struck him; without hesitation, he bolted out the door after them.

    The others, still clueless, followed suit, unaware of what was happening. Before leaving, each of them leaned down to nt a kiss on Hera��s cheek.

    Hera was the most bewildered of them all, staring at the closed door for a long time, utterly confused about what had just transpired.

    After a while, she retreated back into the bathroom, feeling a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.

    The look in Leo��s eyes told her everything; there was no need for words. He understood what needed to be done, and that reassurance filled her with warmth.

    To be honest, seeing all the men behave this way because of her made her heart swell with love andfort. She appreciated their efforts, no matter how small.

    Hera returned and filled the bathtub with warm water, hoping to rx her muscles while she waited for what she needed and a change of clothes.

    By the time the other men reached the entrance of the chateau, Leo was nowhere to be found, and Zhane was already getting into his car.

    They assumed Leo had driven off, but then a loud rumble echoed through the air.

    "SHIT!!! That motherfucker is stealing my helicopter!" Dave shouted as he sprinted toward the helipad.

    The loud roar of the helicopter��s rotors filled the air, echoing throughout the entire area, even reaching Hera��s ears.

    "Are they really using the helicopter to buy me napkins?!" Hera eximed, peering out the window but unable to see anything. "Maybe not?" she added, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

    "That would be overkill to use a chopper to buy my things, and it��s way too high profile, right?" Hera pondered aloud, uncertainty lingering in her voice.

    But with no one to answer her, she decided to carry on with what she was doing.

    On the other hand, Dave was running as fast as he could, determined to jump into the helicopter and ensure he wouldn��t be left behind.

    He wanted to buy what Hera needed, but he didn��t even know who was piloting his chopper; all he knew was that Leo was onboard as well.

    But when he reached the helipad, the helicopter was already a few meters off the ground. He caught a brief glimpse of Leo in the pilot��s seat, alone, with the other seats empty, just before Leo took off by himself.

    "The motherfucker even had the audacity to smirk at me?!" Dave roared, his eyes widening in anger at the sight of Leo��s expression just before he took off.

    He shouted in frustration several times. Behind him, Luke, Xavier, and even Zhane came running to see what was going on.

    By the time they reached Dave, Leo had already flown far away, and Dave was fishing out his phone to make a call. "Prepare the other helicopter ASAP! We��re flying to the city!" he barked into the phone, clearly annoyed.

    The pilot on standby was both surprised and confused by Dave��s urgency and annoyance.

    However, he knew better than to ask questions; his job was simply to pilot the helicopter.

    As a retired Air Force captain, he was ustomed to following orders from his superiors without hesitation.

    He quickly emerged from his lodging, jumped into a parked military truck, and drove to the hangar a little farther from the chateau.

    After ensuring the helicopter was in good condition and had a full tank, he flew it to the helipad where Dave and the others were waiting.

    On the way to pick up Dave, the pilot contacted aviation authorities to secure flight clearance for the helicopter around the city.

    This essential step was necessary to prevent any potential aircraft idents and ensure that the designated route was clear before granting permission to the pilots.

    If the route wasn��t clear, they would need to find alternative paths.

 Chapter 448 My Wife

    Leo��s assistant drove him to the city��srgest and most luxurious mall.

    Without waiting for his assistant to park the car, Leo stepped out at the entrance and headed straight to the designated store with purpose, wasting no time.

    As Leo entered the store, a few women were still browsing and picking up what they needed.

    Thankfully, in malls of this caliber, the rules were different from regr ones.

    Unlike typical malls that close at night, luxury establishments remain open to cater to the demands of high-profile clients, no matter the hour.

    They understand that individuals of Leo��s status may require certain necessities at any time, and they��re always prepared to amodate such needs.

    Despite thete hour, the mall remained open, and a few patrons were still browsing the stores.

    As Leo stepped into the shop stocked with every product a woman could need, he immediately caught the attention of everyone inside.

    Most of the shoppers were women in their mid-tote twenties, with even a few college students standing in the corner, examining lip tints.

    All eyes turned to Leo the moment he entered, his presencemanding the room effortlessly.

    His sharp, imposing aurabined with his chiseled features and well-defined physique made him impossible to ignore.

    Every woman in the store couldn��t help but follow his every move, their faces betraying looks of admiration and infatuation.

    Leo didn��t spare a nce at his surroundings as he moved directly to the shelves, scanning each one with focused intent.

    Noticing his determined search, a shop assistant gathered her courage and approached him, ready to offer assistance.

    "Hello, sir! Are you searching for products for your sister, mother, or perhaps your girlfriend?" The shop assistant, though clearly captivated, maintained her professionalism.

    Having worked with affluent clients for years, she understood the importance of keeping her interactions discreet and avoiding any personal entanglements.

    "For my wife." Leo��s deep, resonant voice reverberated through the store, catching the attention of everyone present.

    The sudden hush magnified his words, making them ring out clearly. His tone carried a note of pride, as if he were the luckiest man alive to be married to such a remarkable woman.

    The other women in the store couldn��t help but grimace in envy at his heartfelt deration.

    "Oh!" The shop assistant was momentarily taken aback but quicklyposed herself.

    "What products are you looking for? I��d be happy to offer some rmendations. However, if you already have a specific item in mind, I can guide you to make your shopping experience easier." She shed a practiced, professional smile.

    Leo nodded, taking a moment to consider. "Could you rmend a good brand of sanitary napkins? I��m looking for something that offersfort and minimizes the risk of rashes. My wife has very sensitive skin, so I want to ensure she feelsfortable and doesn��t experience any irritation."

    Although he was merely asking for a rmendation, it was clear to everyone eavesdropping that he was subtlyplimenting his wife��s baby-soft skin while showcasing their strong rtionship.

    His words made the other women bite their lips in envy, intensifying their admiration for him.

    Even the shop assistant chuckled and nodded in agreement.

    Leo pursed his lips, considering her question, and then she continued, "Actually, I have a fantastic product in mind. It features a soft material that��s perfect for sensitive skin. May I ask if your wife prefers products with wings or without?"

    Hearing the shop assistant casually refer to Hera as his wife brought a faint smile to Leo��s lips.

    However, when she asked her question, he felt a twinge of confusion.

    Despite the research he and his assistant had conducted, they had yet to grasp all the nuances, and he realized he still had much to learn.

    Unsure about the distinction between winged and non-winged products, he decided to rely on the shop assistant��s expertise and simply asked for her rmendation.

    <i>��Are they supposed to fly? What��s the purpose of the wings?��</i> A flurry of questions raced through his mind.

    Noticing his confusion and silence, the assistant took the initiative to guide Leo to the shelves where the napkins were disyed.

    It was clear he wasn��t familiar with the products, but she admired his dedication to helping his wife find what she needed rather than leaving her to navigate it alone.

    "Sir, since we��re unsure of your wife��s preference, why not buy both winged and non-winged options?

    They��re from the same brand," the shop assistant suggested. Leo nodded, his expression serious as he attentively listened to her advice.

    With each moment, the assistant��s smile became wider and more genuine; after all, securing such arge sale from just one customer meant she would not only meet but exceed her sales quota.

    When Leo exited the store, he wasden with several shopping bags brimming with an assortment of products: napkins from three different brands, both winged and non-winged, along with a feminine wash from another brand, a hot pack, massage oil, and much more.

    Yet, his shopping spree wasn��t over. He headed to the women��s wear section, where he selected a cozy pajama set,fortable lingerie, and two stylish dresses for Hera to choose from.

    Before heading back, Leo made a stop at a candy store, where he picked up an assortment of choctes and candies, along with hot chocte and a few of Hera��s favoritefort snacks.

    By the time his assistant arrived, Leo was struggling to see past the mountain of shopping bags and boxes he was carrying.

    After finishing their shopping at the mall, they headed straight to the Michelin-starred restaurant to pick up their order.

    At the front desk, they encountered Dave, who red at Leo with eyes full of resentment, though he remained silent.

 Chapter 449 Netflix And Chill

    In contrast, Leo struggled under the weight of his numerous bags, making it difficult for him to see where he was going.

    By the time he reached the door, the other five had already gathered there, waiting for him.

    However, there was no time for rivalry; they quickly entered the room to tend to Hera��s needs.

    They set their purchases down on the coffee table before sorting through the items to decide what to give her inside the bathroom.

    Soon, Hera heard a knock on the door. She realized she had been in the bathroom for quite some time, having reheated the water several times using the heat stones.

    Her fingers had begun to wrinkle from prolonged exposure to the water, but she couldn��t bring herself to step out��Dave��s spare robe was already stained with her blood.

    Therefore, she couldn��t reuse the robe. No one hade to assist Hera yet because Dave had sent all the maids away, believing they would return shortly. It turned out they wouldn��t arrive until the following day, leaving them with only new sets of clothes to offer her.

    When she heard the unmistakable sound of the helicopter, she tried to dismiss the thought that they had actually flown back to the city just to buy her napkins.

    Yet, deep down, she knew these male leads were capable of such antics. As the reality set in, she quickly emerged from the bathtub, wrapping a towel around herself.

    Sure enough, it wasn��t long before a knock echoed on the door.

    When she opened the door, Leo and Zhane greeted her with a stream of shopping bags filled with women��s products, clothing, and even intimate apparel.

    Peeking at them through the slightly ajar door, she bit her lip, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

    She remained silent, but her shy demeanor didn��t go unnoticed.

    Leo gently patted her head and reassured her, "Don��t overthink it. This ispletely normal, and I��m always happy to help with these things. There��s no need to be embarrassed."

    Zhane remained silent, but he nodded in agreement with Leo��s reassuring words. He then smiled at Hera and gently patted her head as well.

    Their understanding and willingness to go above and beyond filled her with warmth and happiness.

    She felt their bond deepening and, instead of resisting it, she embraced them both wholeheartedly.

    Hera smiled sweetly at them, momentarily forgetting her previous experience with Alexi.

    This tender moment eclipsed those memories, and her genuine smile illuminated her face. The men, watching her through the gap in the door, felt their efforts rewarded.

    They were overjoyed to have helped her and to see her reassured.

    "Thank you, truly," Hera said, her voice filled with gratitude.

    "Anything for you, love," Dave replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. The others nodded in agreement, encouraging her to go inside and change before she caught a chill.

    When Hera stepped back inside, she was taken aback by the array of productsid out before her.

    It was clear that they had put in considerable effort to anticipate her needs��there were hotpresses, painkillers for any severe cramps, and a variety of napkins and tampons.

    The sight made her chuckle heartily, touched by their thoughtfulness.

    If she didn��t know any better, Hera would have thought they had bought out the entire store.

    As she emerged from the bathroom, she was greeted by an array of medicinal soups and snacksid out on the bed.

    Leo, Dave, Zhane, Luke, Xavier, and Rafael were all gathered around, inviting her to sit in the middle of the bed.

    The 64-inch, theater-like t-screen TV was ying Netflix, setting a cozy atmosphere.

    "Netflix and chill, huh?" she thought, slowly strolling toward them.

    "Wifey,e here! We prepared a spread just for you��food and snacks!" Leo called out warmly, making her feel right at home and pampered��exactly what she needed during her period when difort was at its peak.

    Without hesitation, she made her way to the center of the bed. Rafael, holding the remote, nced at her and asked, "What do you feel like watching? How about something romantic and light, like <i>Emily in Paris</i>?"

    Hera��s eyebrows shot up in surprise as she turned to Rafael. "You know about that movie?"

    "What? Is it weird that I do?" Rafael replied, a hint of defensiveness in his tone.

    "Don��t forget, I run an entertainmentpany. I need to know what��s out there in the market to understand what people like. This way, I can invest wisely in my artists and determine who to push into the spotlight." With that, he began scrolling through the list of movies.

    Hera held back her thoughts, finding Rafael��s reaction surprisingly cute.

    Just then, Luke handed her a small bowl of steaming chicken soup��warm, but not hot enough to burn her.

    She took a sip, feeling theforting warmth flow down her throat, and replied to Rafael��s earlier inquiry, "How about some <i>Jurassic World</i> instead?"

    "Now, that��s surprising... Don��t girls usually prefer romance, watching everyone fall in love and all that?" Dave said, leaning toward Hera to feed her a bite of the fruit he had bought.

    "What��s so surprising about it? Sure, girls enjoy romance, but that doesn��t mean we don��t appreciate action, thrillers, or even sci-fi," she replied.

    "What��s really odd is that guys think girls only like romance, as if our interests revolve solely around love stories and fairy-tale endings," Hera chuckled knowingly, then turned her attention back to the screen.

    "Well, fair enough," Xavier said as he leaned in to feed Hera, mirroring Dave��s earlier gesture.

    They all moved with such ease, as if they had shared this moment countless times before, creating a warm and united atmosphere reminiscent of a big, happy family.

    Meanwhile, the butler, who had peeked through the door fearing a potential showdown among the men vying for Hera��s affection, was left utterly bewildered.

    However, a smile crept across his face as he watched them getting along so well. Unbeknownst to him, he found himself cheering for each of them.

 Chapter 450 Tonight

    Dave continued excitedly, outlining all the ways he could support Hera��s future projects. Hera couldn��t help but chuckle, feeling both pampered and deeply loved by his enthusiasm.

    Meanwhile, the other four men were caught off guard, their attention diverted by something Dave had casually mentioned. They were momentarily stunned, missing most of what he had said.

    "Wait, what? You��re going to race in the Grand Prix?" Luke asked, his expression full of shock.

    "You can race?" Rafael asked, his initial surprise quickly giving way to excitement. He seemed thrilled to discover this side of Hera, realizing they shared amon interest.

    It was as if a flood of thoughts about cars and racing tips were bubbling up, eager to be shared.

    Xavier and Zhane stayed quiet, as Dave had already said most of what needed to be said, and Rafael and Luke had asked the key questions.

    Meanwhile, Leo sat back with a knowing smile.

    He was fully aware of Hera��s driving skills for having followed her closely for a long time.

    In fact, if anyone asked who her first fan was, Leo would proudly im that title without hesitation, as he had been quietly supporting and investing in her activities from the very beginning.

    Leo made sure his support was subtle, so Hera wouldn��t notice. He knew she was sharp and quick-witted, and any overt gesture could be easily mistaken as charity.

    But Leo understood that Hera didn��t need handouts��she had everything she needed. She was simply out in the world to gain experience, just like her ancestors before her.

    However, Leo��s subtle behavior didn��t go unnoticed by Luke. Normally, Leo would be the first to assert his position when it came to Hera, but this time, he simply smiled, as if he��d known all along.

    Luke then recalled Leo mentioning that he had known Hera longer than any of them and had been quietly following her journey.

    Aplicated expression crossed Luke��s face as he watched Leo for a moment, deep in thought.

    <i>��Is he... a stalker? And a proud one at that?��</i> Luke briefly wondered, before shaking off the thought and refocusing on Hera to gather more details about the racing offer.

    However, before Hera could respond, Dave jumped in, brimming with excitement like a proud mother hen.

    His storytelling was animated,plete with hand gestures and enthusiasm as he recounted how Hera had outssed Milly and Michael in their own sick games.

    He even went as far as sharing footage from the race, much to the delight of the other men, who happily let him take the center stage to relive the thrilling event and share it with them.

    They were so captivated by Dave��s animated storytelling that theypletely forgot they were watching a movie on Netflix.

    His tales were far more engaging than the film ying in the background.

    Everyone listened intently as Dave recounted the details of their date, while Hera, the central figure in his stories, snuggledfortably against Leo��s side.

    On one side, Zhane was gently massaging her right foot, while Rafael attended to her left foot. Xavier mirrored him on her left hand, and Luke leaned in to massage the remaining hand, fully absorbed in Dave��s vivid narration.

    Dave even added dramatic ir to his storytelling, acting out the scenes as he spoke, making the moment all the more entertaining.

    Unbeknownst to them, Hera had already drifted off to sleep amidst their pampering while they listened to Dave recount her experiences on their date.

    Dave, however, chose to omit any mention of his maid, aware that revealing that detail would dampen the mood and reflect poorly on him.

    He feared that if the other men discovered the truth, they might not allow him to take Hera out again and bring to his chateau in the future.

    Their protective instincts towards Hera were palpable; they were determined to shield her from any danger.

    Leo leaned in to adjust Hera��s head, concerned she might get a stiff neck. "Oh, she��s fallen asleep," he remarked, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

    The room fell silent as everyone turned to admire Hera, whose face appeared angelic��pure and serene��like a celestial being that had descended into the mortal realm to save and cleanse the sinners.

    A moment of tense silence enveloped the room before Zhane finally spoke, his expression shifting to one of grim seriousness. "My uncle has made his move. The first batch of the cheap herbs and materials has just arrived. Should we proceed with the n?"

    Everyone gradually shifted their gaze to Zhane, fully aware of his desire to resolve this issue once and for all.

    They knew that addressing the problem would prevent Tyler Lennon from targeting Hera��s best friend.

    After all, they understood how close Hera and Athena were; Hera wouldn��t hesitate to put herself in harm��s way or confront the Lennons if it meant protecting her friend and that��s what they are afraid of happening.

    No one wanted things to escte to that point before making their move. They were keenly aware that Tyler Lennon was furious about being thwarted in his previous scheme and viewed Hera as a thorn in his side��a potential witness to his actions. He believed that it was because of her that the Averys discovered his involvement, leading them to target him. They suspected that he must have also heard about what happened to his sister, prompting him to take action.

    "Let��s move tonight," Leo dered suddenly, drawing everyone��s attention. However, he was too captivated by Hera��s face to notice their surprised expressions.

 Chapter 451 Morning With Them In My Side

    However, Zhane was already aware of who was coborating with the Lennons in this fiasco, which would inevitably throw his entire n into disarray and attract scrutiny.

    While they had close ties to the Carsons, he knew that those connections wouldn��t shield them once the drugs they supplied to their own hospital began exhibiting severe side effects due to the cheaper herbs used in their formtion��or worse, resulted in patient fatalities.

    But since he already knew who was behind the trouble, it became easier for him to address the situation.

    "I had my aunt��s assistance," Zhane exined briefly.

    "Did you trick your aunt into selling out her own husband, or does she not realize that she justpromised him by giving you that document?" Dave asked, skepticismcing his tone.

    He couldn��t believe it had been that easy for Zhane to obtain the original copy of the financial records.

    Unfortunately for Zhane, while his family enjoyed significant sess, their achievements often overshadowed others and bred resentment, especially among the greedy.

    His aunt��s husband had been promoted to the head of the purchasing department to prove himself, he was given this position so he would have the choice to.

    However, instead of proving hispetence and dispelling the fear of being looked down upon, he ended up making a fool of himself, inviting mockery and disdain.

    His greed overshadowed any sense of ability he might have had. He was like a leech, insatiable and consuming so much that he risked bursting from his gluttony.

    "All I did was show her a video," Zhane said, his stern and somber expression shifting into a mischievous grin.

    "Well, that��s a first!" Dave joked, stepping aside to make a call to someone at the bureau. He intended to initiate a surprise investigation at Everett Hospital, using a tip-off as a pretext.

    Dave nned to reference a fictitious patient who experienced severe side effects from the medications provided by the hospital.

    After finishing his call, Dave turned to Zhane again. "But buddy, given how things are unfolding, your hospital is bound to face some bacsh. What��s your n for handling that?"

    "No matter what actions I take, bacsh is inevitable," Zhane replied. "But this time, at least, everything is under my control, and we won��t be caught off guard. It��s better this way; we can cut our losses in time." A hint of ruthlessness colored his tone.

    Even Dave shuddered at Zhane��s words, realizing that neither Zhane��s uncle nor the Lennon family woulde out unscathed.

    It was clear that Zhane intended to ensure everyone was aware of their impending downfall.

    They might not just cripple the Lennons but pull them down entirely with this, but that also meant that the Everett will suffer greatly.

    As the six of them began discussing their ns and expectations for the uing week, none noticed that Hera had slightly opened her eyes. It was unclear when she had woken up or whether she had ever truly fallen asleep, as she may have been silently giving them space to discuss the matter at hand.

    Now that she was aware of their ns, a slight smirk yed on her lips before she closed her eyes once more.

    When she opened them again, it was morning, and everyone was still sprawled across the bed.

    The sight of the big men crammed together wasical, despite Dave��s king-sized bed; it still wasn��t quite big enough to amodate all of themfortably.

    Hera attempted to shift on the bed and noticed that, despite the cramped space, all of them had made an effort to create arger area for her so she wouldn��t be squished between them.

    It allowed her to sleepfortably while they struggled to find room.

    Dave��s arm was sprawled across Rafael��s face, making it difficult for him to breathe.

    Rafael tried to nudge it away a few times, but each time, Dave simply hugged him tighter.

    Startled awake, Rafael sat up in bed, his bleary eyes narrowing with irritation. He slowly turned to his side, where Davey sprawled, and for a moment, he seemed to contemte whether to strangle him or outright kill him for disturbing his sleep.

    Hera noticed Rafael��s expression, and it was clear his temper was ring.

    Instead of feeling intimidated, she couldn��t help but chuckle; she found both Rafael and Dave endearing in their own way.

    Maybe she had a few loose screws for thinking so, but regardless, she had enjoyed a good night��s sleep and was thoroughly amused by the morning��s antics.

    Her melodious chuckle drew Rafael��s bleary eyes into focus, transforming his initially murderous gaze into something gentle when he saw Hera looking back at him. "Good morning, baby," he said, his voice low and husky, exuding a sexy charm that sent a flutter through Hera��s stomach.

    <i>��I feel like my ears are getting pregnant,��</i> Hera thought, smiling sweetly at Rafael.

    One by one, the others began to stir awake, with Dave being thest to rise. He looked as if he had spent the night at a friend��s house, blissfully enjoying his sleep. If it weren��t for Rafael kicking him off the bed, he might have continued snoozing.

    "Motherfucker! Who pushed me off the bed?!" Dave��s angry roar echoed through the room, but no one answered; they all pretended not to have seen anything.

    "Didn��t you fall on your own? Are you still dreaming?" Leo teased as he stirred and pulled Hera closer, murmuring, "Good morning, wifey," before nting a kiss on her cheek.

    "Good morning, everyone," Hera replied, giggling at the sight of them all getting along so well. It was heartwarming and made her feel amazing to witness such closeness as soon as she woke up.

 Chapter 452 Tempering

    He was well aware that Dave and his friends had shared the room with Hera, but it wasn��t his ce to specte.

    Even if something had happened inside, Seb kept his thoughts to himself, focusing solely on his duties.

    What mattered most to him was that Dave seemed genuinely happy, not his usual sarcastic or mischievous self.

    When Dave was either of those two kinds of happy��sarcastic or mischievous��trouble usually followed, and it was rarely good for anyone.

    But hearing his genuineughter echo through the chateau that morning had a different effect.

    It lifted everyone��s spirits.

    The staff felt the positive energy, and the chefs, catching on to the upbeat mood, prepared an especially hearty breakfast, thinking everyone must be famished and in need of a good refuel.

    When Hera and the others arrived at the dining table, adorned with fresh flowers and set like a feast fit for royalty, she was astonished.

    Dave��s dining table, which could easily seat 24 people, was now halfway filled with an array of dishes from various cuisines, each one more tempting than thest.

    It was an impressive spread that left her both surprised and delighted.

    This was Butler Sebastian and the chefs�� way of showing restraint, subtly indicating they weren��t overdoing things.

    If they wanted, the chefs could easily have filled the entire table with food, but they chose to hold back, offering just enough to impress without overwhelming.

    For Hera, the abundance of food was both amusing and slightly embarrassing.

    It was clear why the chef had gone all out for breakfast for just seven people.

    Although no one mentioned it, the implications were obvious: a woman and seven men had spent the night together, and while they had witnessed the joviality of the previous evening, no one could know what had transpired during the rest of the night.

    Everyone assumed it would be difficult to keep their hands to themselves while sharing a bed with a fresh and beautiful girl.

    However, they seemed to have overlooked the fact that Hera was on her period.

    As she nced at thevish spread of food before her, she could only manage an awkward chuckle.

    Leo and Luke gently guided Hera to sit between them and began serving her food.

    Although they were fully aware of what the staff at Dave��s chateau might be thinking, they didn��t care.

    In fact, they saw it as preparing everyone for the inevitable.

    Sooner orter, things would progress as the staff imagined, and when that time came, everyone would already know how to handle it.

    If Hera knew what the men around her were thinking, she might have choked on the water she was sipping, feeling the weight of their gazes.

    However, her experience performing on stage in her high school drama club had taught her how to maintain herposure.

    Pushing aside unnecessary thoughts, she began to ept that this might soon be her new normal.

    Unbeknownst to her, this was precisely what all the men desired. They were subtly encouraging her to limate to their presence and the idea of being together as a group. Their intention was clear: they were allmitted to sharing her, ensuring that no one felt left out. To do this, they needed the object of their affection to befortable with their dynamic.

    Back at the breakfast table, Dave, having discovered Hera��s fondness for seafood, made it a point to share this preference with his kitchen staff.

    As a result, even for breakfast, the chefs incorporated seafood into nearly every dish.

    Among the offerings was a delectable seafood congee featuring sulent tiger prawns and tender scallops.

    There was an egg benedict topped with shrimp and avocado, buttery shrimp, lobster, and a variety of other dishes.

    As the men around Hera took in the impressive spread before them, an unspoken understanding seemed to develop among them after their night together.

    Without needing to discuss it, they silently delegated the task of serving her to one another.

    Leo promptly took Hera��s bowl anddled in some seafood congee, adding a generous serving of the seafood from the ypot.

    Meanwhile, Zhane took it upon himself to peel the shrimp, carefully arranging the tender meat on a te before presenting it to Hera.

    Luke also took the initiative to cut the food into bite-sized pieces, making it easier for Hera to eat without having to fuss over each morsel.

    The staff of the chateau watched in wide-eyed amazement at the organized effort of the six men.

    Even Dave, who had little experience in caring for someone, was actively pitching in wherever he could, though he wisely left the shrimp peeling to the professional��Zhane.

    Luke handled almost everything, except peeling the shrimp. He didn��t want to make a spectacle of himself in front of his rivals-turned-friends, knowing full well they��d never let him live it down if he fumbled.

    The usually quiet group had transformed into a lively bunch, animatedly discussing their businesses without hesitation.

    They felt confident that Hera would grasp the topics and could easily join the conversation whenever she liked.

    Sure enough, as they shared their experiences and insights, Hera found herself genuinely intrigued.

    She was learning far more from their discussions than she ever did from her university professors, who often droned on about theories and abstractions.

    The chateau staff discreetly left the group to enjoy their breakfast in peace, unwilling to intrude on the harmonious moment shared among the seven. It was evident how the men regarded Hera and how she reciprocated their feelings, so everyone was careful not to disrupt the pleasant atmosphere.

    After breakfast, the mood among the six shifted to one of deep contemtion and seriousness.

    "Why don��t we y a game of short sticks? The one with the shortest stick gets to send Hera to school," Dave suggested, already preparing to ask Butler Seb to fetch the necessary sticks.

    "But I��m not going to school today," Hera interjected, tilting her head in confusion.

    If she had nned to attend ss, she certainly wouldn��t have lingered in bed, savoring a long breakfast with everyone while enjoying herself.

 Chapter 453 Growing Accustomed To Having Six Hubby

    However, he didn��t dare resent his mother, whom he viewed as a strict female ogre; instead, his frustration was directed toward Rafael and Xavier for their carefree antics.

    Upon hearing Dave openly discuss their less-than-ster school experiences, Rafael instantly became defensive, like a porcupine ready to strike. "What are you talking about?! Don��t just tarnish my reputation in front of Hera because you��re feeling jealous!"

    Before Dave could respond, Xavier jumped in to support Rafael. "My manager and Hera��s manager have already discussed this. Today, we��re going out to shoot for our ambassadorial campaign for the Love Potion perfume that Rafael gifted to Hera."

    "She��ll be my partner for the endorsement. We��ll need to head to the store together for the productunch and then participate in a proper photoshoot. They��ve kept the ambassador��s position under wraps and will only reveal itter."

    "But everyone already knows you��d be one of the ambassadors," Zhane teased, his expression remainingposed and stern.

    "Nothing I can do about that��it��s their fault for not keeping a tighter lid on things," Rafael said firmly, making sure no one misunderstood his stance.

    Confidentiality was a key part of the contract, and he had upheld his end of the deal.

    If there was a leak, it had to havee from thepany, and he wasn��t about to let them pin the me on him.

    And it certainly wasn��t on Hera��s side either, as her appearance hadn��t been revealed or leaked yet.

    Only Xavier was known, but thepany behind this ambassadorial offer had yet to make any announcements.

    Rafael suspected it was part of their marketing strategy to hype it up, carefully keeping Hera under wraps.

    As soon as Hera and Betty received the contract for the ambassadorship, Betty arranged for Hera to take a leave of absence from school, so, there��s nothing for them to worry about Hera��s school.

    After learning about this from Rafael, the others followed suit and took their seats in the helicopter.

    They opted to return to the city by helicopter since it was the fastest option.

    Driving back from Dave��s chateau would take over two hours, consuming valuable time, especially since most of them had morning meetings scheduled for that day.

    With seven of them needing to board the helicopter, space quickly became an issue.

    If they all wanted to return via chopper, they would need two. However, no one was willing to give up their seat and everyone insisted on riding with Hera.

    In the end, Leo, who knew how to pilot, took the task of flying the chopper, with Luke assisting as co-pilot, while the other four surrounded Hera in the back.

    Afternding on the rooftop of Everett Hospital, the closest location to Xavier and Hera��s destination, they stepped out to find their respective assistants waiting downstairs with their cars ready.

    Zhane sent them off first, before heading off to begin his morning rounds in the hospital while awaiting the investigators that Dave had dispatched to his territory.

    Xavier insisted that Hera ride with him in his nanny van alongside his manager.

    Since Hera would be traveling with Xavier, Rafael saw no reason to take a separate car. However, the urgent calls from his assistant made it clear that he needed to leave, prompting Hera to send Rafael away.

    He looked like a forlorn puppy left on the roadside. With a chuckle, Hera leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, as if bidding her husband farewell for the day.

    This gesture brought a smile to Rafael��s face. Seeing this, the others eagerly awaited their turn, hoping for a kiss from Hera before heading off to work.

    Instead of picking up Hera, Daisy, her assistant, had been instructed to head directly to the venue.

    She was tasked with preparing everything Hera might need and coordinating with the staff to ensure a smooth setup.

    Daisy, her assistant, had been instructed to head straight to the venue instead of picking up Hera.

    Her task was to prepare everything andmunicate with the staff to ensure that all of Hera��s needs were met, just in case.

    Xavier was reluctant to leave her side, having been away from the country for a few days that felt like an eternity.

    During his absence, so much had happened, and he felt he had missed out on important moments.

    His resentment toward the person who had sent him away grew, and he longed to vent his frustrations. Unable to do so, he clung to Hera like gum, unwilling to let her go.

    He never imagined he would find himself acting like a lovesick fool, yet here he was.

    Hera couldn��t help butugh as she gently stroked Xavier��s soft hair while sitting beside him.

    His manager, usually vignt, chose to remain silent, pretending not to notice their affection.

    Typically, managers of his caliber would advise their artists against falling in love, fearing it could jeopardize their careers.

    Initially, he worried about this, but after witnessing the growing fanbase of the HAVIER love team shippers, he began to rx.

    Their poprity surged, quickly surpassing other couples in the market, even those who had starred in major box-office hits.

    He realized that expanding Xavier��s acting repertoire was also beneficial.

    Until now, he had primarily been associated with action, sci-fi, and fantasy films thatcked any hint of romance��just non-stop action and thrills.

    Recognizing the potential for growth, he decided to stop resisting this new direction.

    Moreover, he could no longer think of Hera as merely riding Xavier��s coattails.

    Her fanbase was rapidly expanding, evolving from its infancy into a robustmunity, thanks to the capable leadership of the fan club��s president.

    He believed both Hera and Xavier would benefit from this partnership; neither was a liability.

    In the brief moments he had interacted with Hera, he had already noticed her humility, kindness, and overall likability.

 Chapter 454 When Xavier Felt Like Laughing

    That��s why Xavier wanted to attend the productunch with Hera��not only to protect her but also to send a clear message: anyone who dared to touch Hera would be crossing him.

    Even though Xavier didn��t voice his thoughts, Hera could sense his intentions.

    Betty had already warned her about the risks of being associated with Leo, Luke, Xavier, Rafael, Dave, and Zhane, as many women coveted their attention.

    Being seen with them ced her in danger, and she could anticipate one mishap after another.

    That��s why she never strayed beyond the protection of her bodyguards.

    However, Betty also gave her the green light to let these men actively protect her, especially Xavier.

    While many sought to eliminate her in hopes of iming a spot beside these men, they were equally wary of Xavier��s strength and the influence he wielded, just as they were weary of offending the other five.

    Many already believed that Xavier had a mysterious background and was not solely dependent on Rafael, making them hesitant to offend him.

    While they feared offending Rafael and facing potential cklisting in the industry, there were still some unpredictable individuals out there.

    As a result, Hera couldn��t be certain that no one would attempt to harm her.

    As Xavier��s nanny van glided along the skyway toward the venue, five sleek ck sedans trailed closely behind. Both Xavier and his manager noticed the unusual convoy.

    "Xavier, we��re being followed," his manager said, his brow furrowing as he scrutinized the rearview mirror.

    He contemted various strategies to shake off their pursuers.

    Xavier frowned at the manager��s words, ncing back briefly. Hera, however, remained unfazed.

    Understanding the concern, she decided to rify the situation, knowing her assurance would ease their minds, especially if the manager��s efforts to shake the tail would likely be in vain.

    "No need to worry, those are my bodyguards," she exined, her voice calm and soothing.

    Both Xavier and his manager were taken aback by Hera��s words.

    Five sleek sedans trailed them, each more expensive than the car Xavier��s manager was driving.

    He suspected that the vehicles behind them were bulletproof, from the metal frame to the ss windows. Widening his eyes, Xavier turned to Hera, silently urging her to rify.

    Hera didn��t hesitate to borate. "Haven��t I just be the center of a tabloid scandal? Because of that, it��s likely that some of my anti-fans and your most zealous supporters will target me. There are also unpredictable factors at y. So, Betty, my manager, decided to hire a full security detail to protect me 24/7, especially when I��m out in public."

    Xavier��s manager whistled in astonishment as he nced at Xavier in the rearview mirror.

    He had always focused on managing his other artists, allowing Xavier to operate independently with his road manager.

    Now, he had decided to step in and assist, viewing this as a chance to unwind since managing Xavier was rtively straightforward.

    But he felt thating here was a good decision, as if he were in the midst of a drama where he was the sole spectator.

    "Don��t you think your manager is going a bit overboard?" he joked, his words holding a kernel of truth.

    Five cars, each filled with trained bodyguards��many likely retired military officers or special forces��was excessive for any celebrity.

    Typically, two bodyguards would suffice, yet here she was, being treated like a politician on an overseas trip, with five vehicles tailing her every move.

    "Well, I suppose it��s only fair. After all, I��m my manager��s new cash cow," Hera joked.

    Yet deep down, she recognized the overkill of the situation.

    Turning down this level of security wasn��t an option; while it was Betty who made the request, the real decision came from the CEO of UE.

    Upon reflection, she suspected these bodyguards were likely dispatched by her grandfather and came from their own family��s security detail.

    The reason for the five cars was that half of them were the bodyguards Hera had requested from Cindy as soon as the scandal erupted, while the other half had been dispatched by UE due to Betty��s insistence.

    Indeed, all of these bodyguards are retired special forces, with ranks no lower than captain.

    They hail from various branches of the military, including the Marines, Air Force, and primarily, the Navy SEALs.

    Their ranks mirror those of the U.S. military, as both countries often engage in joint operations, leading to simr designations within their armed forces.

    After hearing Hera��s exnation, both Xavier and his manager were still baffled by the necessity of so many bodyguards for her.

    Hera felt the same way, especially since Betty had also consented to her being protected by Xavier and the other male leads.

    With all this security, she felt more like a fortified bunker equipped with multiple locks, making her seem like an exceptionally important person.

    However, there was little she could do about it. Several attacks had indeed urred, likely reaching her grandfather��s ears amid the scandal.

    Concerned for her safety, he urged the CEO of UE to bolster Hera��s security detail, despite her attempts to decline the extra protection, as she already had a security team in ce.

    To reassure her grandfather, she agreed with this set up, however, her security detail had indeed expanded over the past few days.

    That��s why she often instructed her security detail to maintain their distance.

    Whenever possible, she requested that they forgo their suits and ties in favor of casual clothing.

    This way, they could blend into the crowd more easily, looking less conspicuous while still providing her with protection without drawing too much attention.

    Upon realizing that the five cars were part of Hera��s security detail, the van eased off its hurried pace along the skyway instead of attempting to flee.

    In response, the security vehicles closed in, with one car moving to the front and two nking the nanny van on either side.

    The remaining two trailed closely behind, maintaining a careful distance while ensuring that Hera was thoroughly protected.

    With this setup in ce, Xavier decided to let it go, recognizing it was for Hera��s safety.

    He settled backfortably in his seat, cuddling with her as they both relished the peaceful silence inside the van.

    They took this moment to recharge, ensuring they would have the energy needed for the productunch ahead.

    Soon, their nanny van arrived at the back door of the mall��s underground parking where the ��Love Potion�� perfumeunch was set to take ce.

    Bodyguards were already waiting to escort Xavier inside, and they were taken aback to see him emerging from the same van as Hera.

    Their primary task was to protect Xavier and ensure he wouldn��t be overwhelmed by fanster, so the unexpected pairing caught them off guard.

    The bodyguards assigned to Xavier ignored Hera, gesturing for him to follow them.

    Xavier��s expression darkened as he noticed how they treated her as if she were invisible. He opened his mouth to say something, but Hera gently squeezed his hand to hold him back.

    "Don��t worry; have you forgotten that I have my own security detail?" Hera whispered.

 Chapter 455 The Love Potion Perfume

    "Oh, them?" Xavier��s smirk widened, shrugging casually. "They��re not mine."

    <i>��Are you kidding me?! If they��re not your bodyguards, then whose are they?��</i> the bodyguard thought, biting his lip in frustration.

    But as he scanned the towering figures, realization dawned on him.

    All of those intimidating men were standing protectively around Hera, not Xavier. His eyes flickered back to her, suddenly aware of just who they were guarding.

    <i>��Don��t tell me they��re hers...��</i> he thought, scanning the intimidating figures once more, disbelief and unease settling in.

    But when he saw Hera��s smiling face again, a chill ran down his spine.

    Now, he was certain those men were hers, and the realization hit him hard��he might have just offended her.

    He felt that if he so much as made eye contact with her bodyguards, they might end him on the spot.

    The unease spread among his team, and as their captain, he suddenly felt like David facing Goliath��not in a triumphant way, but as if the odds were heavily stacked against him.

    Two of Hera��s bodyguards stayed behind to keep an eye on the vehicle, knowing that the remaining 18 were more than enough to secure the perimeter around her.

    They also needed someone to ensure the vehicle was ready in case of a quick exit or any unexpected event that required getting Hera out of the area swiftly.

    With their preparedness and coordinated actions, Hera felt reassured that no anti-fan or anyone with malicious intent would be able to approach her or Xavier.

    Her security detail moved in perfect formation, guiding her inside. Xavier followed close behind, leaving thepany��s bodyguards��who had been ignoring Hera just moments ago��stunned in their wake.

    As Xavier walked away, thepany��s bodyguards snapped back to reality and hurried to follow him.

    This time, however, they kept a low profile, avoiding drawing any attention from Hera��s imposing security detail.

    Their earlier confidence had evaporated, and now they moved with their heads lowered, as if in quiet surrender.

    Hera and Xavier paid no attention to the bodyguards and walked confidently toward the productunch.

    Coincidentally, this was the same mall Hera had visited several times with Athena and the others.

    As soon as the store assistants on the second floor noticed Hera approaching, surrounded by her security detail, they perked up with excitement.

    One of them hurried to prepare the VVIP room, ready to serve Hera should she decide to stop by their store.

    At that moment, the Hermes store had yet to experience the honor of Hera��s visit.

    Initially, when they heard about her from the other shop assistants, they prepared to treat her like their usual regr-profile clientele.

    They nned to allow her to browse and shop in their store, offering her only the items avable rather than letting her choose freely.

    Their strategy was to ensure that, once she established herself as a valued customer, she would be eligible to purchase whatever she desired from her wishlist, especially in the bag section.

    However, after witnessing Hera��svish spending on her second visit to various stores, their perspective began to shift.

    Unfortunately, she had yet to step foot in their boutique, but they were confident that she possessed the financial means to indulge in their offerings.

    Consequently, they felt there was no need to adhere to their usual routine; they were eager to present her with everything their store had to offer.

    They recognized her as part of the elite 1% of the poption, hailing from a prestigious family, and were eager to cater to her every desire.

    Unfortunately, their excitement was quickly extinguished when Hera simply walked past their boutique and headed directly to the newly opened store hosting an event.

    A group of youngdies was already gathered there, eagerly awaiting the festivities to begin.

    Disappointed, the shop assistants trailed behind slowly, curious to catch a glimpse of the unfolding excitement.

    On the other hand, Hera noticed the enthusiastic shop assistants but had no time to shop; she needed to focus on her work.

    As she and Xavier were escorted into the boutique, they were grateful for the presence of their bodyguards.

    The excited youngdies, eager to catch a glimpse of Xavier, began pushing forward in line, their enthusiasm causing them to forget their manners.

    Although many came from wealthy families, the thrill of seeing their beloved idol sent their adrenaline soaring.

    Inside the store, Hera and Xavier were soon introduced to the CEO of the product they would be representing as ambassadors.

    Gradually, the guards began to allow the guests in, while the press was already prepared, cameras poised and ready to capture the moment.

    On the small stage, the spotlight was on the Love Potion Perfume, with Xavier, Hera, and the CEO standing beside it, ready to make their appearance.

    They kicked off the press conference to introduce the highly anticipated product from a globally renowned line of perfumes, now making its debut in their country.

    While Xavier was set to be the ambassador for this fragrance line, details about the product remained shrouded in secrecy.

    To maintain this air of mystery, the productunch and photoshoot were scheduled for the same day.

    As a result, excitement was palpable, with many eager to see how the event would unfold and tuning in to the live stream.

    Shortly after the CEO��s brief speech, everyone was ushered to a designated wall adorned with thepany logo and its product.

    They were invited to sign their names in the white space, starting with the CEO, followed by Xavier and then Hera.

    The ceremony was straightforward and efficient, maintaining a sense of professionalism throughout.

    Shortly after, Xavier and Hera were escorted into the boutique for makeup and wardrobe changes in preparation for their photoshoot.

 Chapter 456 The Love Potion Perfume 2

    However, when she discovered her father��s n to rece Hera with another A-list celebrity, she was furious.

    No longer willing to keep her feelings subtle, she unleashed her wrath, creating chaos in their home and directing her fury squarely at her father.

    Left with no choice, the CEO had to reluctantly ept the situation and go along with it.

    As a result, his daughter, who usually preferred to stay cooped up in her small apartment rather than venture outside��maintaining the facade of a struggling woman in her twenties��now found herself amidst the crowd, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she caught sight of Hera in person.

    "Ah! My foot! Who stepped on my foot?! Damn it, I��ll bite every one of you!" shouted a girl with twin tails, resembling a cute doll.

    Though small and fair, sheshed out in frustration as people shoved past her, eager to push to the front of the crowd.

    "Easy there, HeraIsMySister! You��d better not cause a scene, or they��ll say our little sister Hera is violent too. Remember, what we do reflects on our idol," the older girl warned, before turning her attention back to where Hera had disappeared.

    "But Sister Massie! I��m so small I can��t even see Sister Hera! I��m trying my best to keep my temper in check, but they��re really testing my patience!" the smaller girl protested, her cheeks puffed up in frustration and her eyes glistening with anger.

    "Alright, alright! I promise I��ll make sure you get to see Little Sister Herater. Just try to calm down a bit, Stacy."

    "You promise?!"

    "Yes, I promise."

    As soon as Massie made her promise, they both heard a snicker behind them.

    A woman sneered and added, "That��s quite a promise to keep. Not just anyone gets to meet the ambassadors up close��only those from wealthy families can manage that. Even then, there are bodyguards keeping them at arm��s length. You act like you��re better than them; it��s really just a show-off act!"

    "<strong>You!</strong>" Stacy��s temper red again, despite Massie��s earlier efforts to coax her into keeping a low profile.

    Since arriving, all she had wanted was to see Hera up close.

    Her envy of HeraIsMySister��who had shared her time with Hera, even being chauffeured home by her��was simmering just beneath the surface.

    With the opportunity finally within her grasp, Stacy felt a surge of happiness and enthusiasm, momentarily forgetting her facade as a poor twenty-year-old woman.

    "Ha! What does it matter if I talk big or showing off? It��s not like I��m nning to bring you along," she retorted, rolling her eyes and flipping her hair dismissively.

    She then grabbed Stacy��s hand and headed straight toward her father.

    However, the bodyguards halted her progress, concerned that if fans spotted someone bypassing them, they might follow suit in a frenzy.

    Their vignce was crucial to maintaining order in the midst of the excitement surrounding them.

    The girls who had mocked Massie and Stacy earlier erupted intoughter upon seeing Massie being stopped.

    "I told you she was just pretending; she can��t even maintain her facade!"

    Massie shot them a re before pulling out her work ID.

    The bodyguards froze for a moment as they read ��Chief Perfumer�� and recognized her affiliation with ��House Of Fragrance�� the verypany that was doing the productunch.

    Immediately, they stepped aside, and this development didn��t go unnoticed by the crowd.

    Even the CEO caught sight of this and felt a swell of pride as his daughter stepped into the limelight atst, recalling her passionate words from two days ago.

    ...

    "Dad, if you rece Hera as ourpany��s female ambassador, not only will you lose your head perfumer to apetitor, but you��ll also risk falling short in the productunch," Massie dered confidently, her tone bordering on a thinly veiled threat.

    "And why is that? She��s just a rising star; she can��t possiblypare to the other international celebrities. Xavier is one of them, but she isn��t," Massie��s father replied, maintaining a tone of patience despite his skepticism.

    "Well, as long as Hera is ourpany��s ambassador, I��ll continue to serve as the chief perfumer. So you won��t need to worry about that. I��ll dly and actively create new fragrances for the market, making it clear to the former head perfumer that she��s not irreceable, and ensuring that ourpetitors know their ce."

    "Are you threatening me? How can you guarantee all of this?" Her father scrutinized her, assessing her like a seasoned businessman.

    "Of course, it was because I��m confident in my worth and abilities, or you wouldn��t have tried to recruit me for yourpany all these years. After all, I was recognized as a genius perfumer and awarded at just ten years old, and you know that."

    Massie��s words rang true; their family business was a legacy passed down through generations.

    Having been immersed in the world of perfumes from a young age, she was inspired by her father��s sess and passion for his craft.

    With abundant materials at their disposal, they allowed young Massie to experiment with extracts and fragrances in her father��s workshop, where he often spent his time creating new scents as a hobby.

    They allowed Massie to explore her creativity in her father��s workshop, and to their surprise, she crafted a remarkable perfume from her experiments with the equipment, extracts, and fragrances.

    With only minor enhancements to improve its longevity, her creation was soonunched, marking a turning point for their business and earning them a prestigious award at a contest for renowned perfumers around the globe.

    Creating perfumes became Massie��s passion, but as she gained des and respect, jealousy and resentment from others grew.

    This animosity led to her being targeted, culminating in a traumatic experience where she was kidnapped and nearly lost her life due to the torture she endured.

    As a result, perfume-making, once a source of joy, transformed into a source of distress, prompting her to distance herself from it.

 Chapter 457 The Love Potion Perfume 3

    <i>Back to the present...</i>

    As soon as Massie and Stacy were granted entry, the women who had been mocking them fell silent.

    However, Massie was not someone who could be easily bullied.

    Like Hera and her fans, she refused to back down from intimidation and was determined to stand her ground.

    This resilience was one of the main reasons they admired Hera so deeply.

    It wasn��t just Hera��s likability that drew them in; it was her embodiment of strength and empowerment.

    She was a queen who inspired other women not to settle for less and acted as their spokesperson.

    Just like Massie, many had found their voices through Hera, learning that being opinionated and expressing their thoughts was not only eptable but empowering.

    Unbeknownst to her, Massie had transformed into a figure much like Hera.

    Unlike before, when she merely projected a facade of strength, she was now standing tall and genuine.

    She didn��t even realize how far she hade in oveing the trauma she had battled for a decade.

    All it took was her desire to support Hera, and suddenly, she found herself rising above her past.

    Massie and Stacy both shot the women mocking them just earlier with a triumphant, mocking sneer as they approached the CEO with a confident swagger, exuding an air of confidence as if they own the ce.

    The CEO, seizing the moment, proudly introduced his only daughter and sessor to the public as the new chief perfumer, relishing the chance to showcase her talents.

    However, before introducing his daughter to the press, he leaned in closer and asked, "Who is that little girl? Is she your assistant?"

    He was pointing at Stacy, who stood a few feet away from Massie, her eyes sparkling as she tried to soak in the luxurious experience surrounding her.

    Typically, someone like Stacy wouldn��t have the opportunity to enter such an opulent mall��one reserved for the wealthy and privileged.

    But now, given the chance to revel in the atmosphere, she gawked at everything around her, her face a canvas of amazement.

    "What are you talking about, Dad? This girl is clearly underage! She��s also a fan of Little Sister Hera, and I brought her here to see her," Massie exined, pulling Stacy closer.

    The reminder that Stacy was still a minor made Massie more vignt; taking care of her had now be her responsibility.

    If anything were to happen while Stacy was under her watch, it would fall on her shoulders.

    "Is that girl really that popr?" the CEO asked, his skepticism evident as he referred to Hera.

    After all, most celebrities with a scandal or two either became extremely famous or faded into obscurity��those in thetter category often fell from grace and vanished from the limelight if they couldn��t manage to clean up their mess.

    "You clearly haven��t checked her social media, have you?" Massie leaned in closer, adopting a gossipy tone.

    "Let me tell you, Dad, little sister Hera��s fanbase has already reached millions. She can go toe-to-toe with some A-list celebrities! The most impressive part? She only joined the scene a few weeks ago, made an appearance on one variety show, and she��s already this popr. Just imagine how much her following will grow once she really starts to engage!"

    The CEO looked visibly rattled. He had heard whispers about Hera��s substantial following, but to him, a celebrity��s fanbase was akin to their value in the industry.

    What truly surprised him was realizing that Hera was still a neer��fresh on the scene��and yet she was already amassing such arge following.

    The fact that she hadn��t even reached her peak yet made her rapid rise all the more impressive.

    Typically, neers were considered impressive if they managed to reach around 10,000 followers within a few weeks.

    Achieving that milestone often required a well-coordinated effort from their public rtions team and a steady stream of job opportunities.

    Companies frequently allocated significant resources to promote a newbie, hoping to gain hundreds of thousands of followers, but even then, their fanbase remained fragile, like a delicate vase.

    If they projected her increasing poprity and potential mary value once she began taking on more jobs, dramas, and endorsements, the deal they struck now could be seen as an early investment with significant long-term returns.

    The amount they paid for this ambassadorship was a fraction of what international celebritiesmanded.

    If Hera��s anticipated poprity materialized, they could potentially earn three times their initial investment or maybe more.

    Massie��s father felt a rush of excitement just imagining the possibilities thaty ahead.

    He chose to trust his daughter��s discerning judgment and demonstrate his unwavering support for her decisions, knowing that she would soon take over thepany.

    He viewed this as an opportunity for her to gain valuable experience in preparation for her future role as its leader.

    Once the father-daughter duo finished their discussion, the CEO took center stage, pulling Massie along with him. In turn, Massie inadvertently brought Stacy along as well. The three of them then faced the press, answering questions about the new product and Massie��s role in thepany, all while maintaining an air of confidence and professionalism.

    "Sir, is it true that your head perfumer has left to join apetitor and is nning topete in the uing perfumer contest tounch theirtest product?"

    "Sir, if that��s the case, wouldn��t that create a significant disparity between yourpany and theirs, especially considering their new head perfumer is a seasoned veteran with numerous awards to their name, while your new chief perfumer is rtively new?"

    The reporters pressed on, eager to uncover the drama that the public craved.

    But Massie couldn��t help but chuckle at their questions.

 Chapter 458 The Love Potion Perfume 4

    She had been recognized by the royal family, awarded their royal insignia, and offered the coveted position of royal perfumer. It was an de that few could ever hope to attain.

    "Miss Morgan! Are you really nning to return to the world of perfume-making?!"

    "Miss Morgan, what do you want to say to your former head perfumer? Will you also bepeting and responding in kind?"

    "Miss Morgan, why did you disappear from the scene? Is it true that your kidnapping led to psychological issues?"

    After hearing thest question, Mr. Morgan��s face darkened, and he nced nervously at his daughter, who would usually bristle at any mention of her past.

    However, Massie maintained a smile, as if discussing someone else��s life. "Yes, it��s true. I was tortured and nearly killed back then, and I was just a child. Even an adult would struggle to cope with such trauma; how could I not?"

    Massie��s biting retort silenced the room, especially the reporter who had asked the question.

    Everyone turned to him with res that seemed to convey a collective desire to tear him to pieces for even attempting to maliciously stir the pot and risk a public bacsh for opening such a forbidden door.

    After Massie put the reporter in his ce, the press conference continued seamlessly.

    Her father, watching from the sidelines, felt an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness as he observed his daughter handle the pressure with such professionalism, barely breaking a sweat.

    He realized that she had trulye out of her shell and was ready to shine even brighter than before.

    Meanwhile, Stacy had fully embraced her role as Massie��s assistant and was even earning some pocket money.

    And because of this, she would begin to follow Massie everywhere, eager to gain more experience.

    In the future, the two would grow to be like sisters, both bing elite figures in their respective fields.

    As Massie navigated the press conference, Hera and Xavier were finishing up their makeup and wardrobe changes.

    Xavier emerged ahead of Hera, needing only minimal adjustments to his appearance.

    He entuated his features with a new hairstyle, giving him a more mature and alluring look.

    Dressed in a white satin shirt that was left unbuttoned, he showcased his Adonis belt and well-defined abs, exuding confidence and charisma.

    Xavier, with his slim physique, hardly seemed capable of possessing such a chiseled body but, seeing his well-defined body proved them wrong.

    He exuded an enchanting allure, reminiscent of a siren, as he stepped out of the changing room wearing only ck trousers and an open shirt.

    His striking presence captivated everyone around him, causing them to pause and hold their breath in awe.

    However, for Xavier, this was nothing new; he had long since grown ustomed to the attention his beautymanded.

    Once everyone regained theirposure, the assistant photographer guided Xavier to the man-made waterfall, surrounded by lush forest nts.

    The theme of the photoshoot was wild and captivating, designed to convey the idea of Xavier being so deeply in love with Hera that he felt entranced, as if under the spell of a love potion.

    The imagery aimed to be intense, possessive, and mesmerizing, perfectly reflecting the fervor of his emotions due to the love potion.

    As soon as Hera stepped out of her changing room, she took everyone��s breath away in a simple ck dress featuring thin straps, an open back, and a plunging neckline that entuated her every curve.

    The visual impact was stunning, leaving the men in the room blushing and their hearts racing at her captivating allure.

    "She��s a subus in the flesh," the photographer murmured, his inspiration igniting within him.

    He realized that Hera and Xavier were the perfect duo for this role, embodying the very essence of the product itself.

    Their chemistry and allure fueled his creativity, making him even more determined to capture their captivating dynamic on camera.

    The makeup team excelled at enhancing Hera and Xavier��s natural beauty without overdoing it.

    They focused on highlighting their features rather than masking them with heavy makeup.

    Initially, they thought a bold cat-eye look would be necessary to transform Hera��s innocent appearance into that of an enchantress.

    However, once she changed into her outfit, her aura shifted dramatically.

    Her expressive eyes conveyed a maic allure, leading the team to forgo any excessive makeup.

    Instead, they opted for a simple hairstyle and a light dusting of powder to ensure her face would catch the perfect light and exposure on camera.

    In the end, they realized that her raw beauty was enough, and they could have sent her out as is.

    Now, as they watched Hera standing before the camera with Xavier, the makeup team felt confident in their decision.

    Hera exuded an effortless allure, as if she had been born to captivate.

    Even Xavier��s heart raced so fiercely that he could hear the pounding in his ears.

    The moment heid eyes on her, she became his sole focus, and the raw, unfiltered desire in his gaze was unmistakable.

    "Just like that! Perfect!" the photographer eximed, clicking the shutter repeatedly to capture various angles.

    It was clear that Xavier waspletely under Hera��s spell, oblivious to everything and everyone else around him.

    Hera ced her hand gently on his chest, maintaining their intense eye contact.

    Xavier��s breath hitched as he slowly bit his lower lip, emotions swirling in his gaze.

    In addition to the photos, a short video would be showcased on the store��s HD wall as part of the advertisement.

    Hera��s movements were fluid and captivating, enough to stir Xavier��s emotions and ignite a burning desire within him.

    As her hand glided down his abs, she took her time tracing each contour, making everyone watching hold their breath.

    When her fingers reached his Adonis belt, gasps erupted from the crowd, the air thick with anticipation as they collectively forgot to breathe.

 Chapter 459 The Photoshoot

    The other staff members continued to watch them, captivated as if they were witnessing a couple��s milestone.

    "They really look amazing together, don��t you think?" one of the makeup artists remarked.

    As professionals, they held high standards when it came to aesthetics, having seen all kinds of beauty.

    Yet, in this moment, their admiration for Xavier and Hera was sincere; they were genuinely awestruck by the couple��s chemistry and striking looks.

    They could feel the shift in Hera��s aura as she transitioned into character, a stark contrast from her innocent, sweet self to the alluring enchantress they saw before them.

    It was astonishing to witness her seamlessly switch between these personas, capturing the essence of each with remarkable depth.

    This transformation evoked a feeling reminiscent of watching top actresses, those who could shed tears on cue and manipte their emotions with the precision of their scripts.

    Hera��s ability to embody such contrasting identities left everyone in awe, highlighting her extraordinary talent.

    "Exactly! Did you know that Hera shares her OOTD on social media? She has such a talent for fashion," one of the girls chimed in.

    Although she wasn��t initially a fan of Hera, the moment she saw her emerge from the changing room, she felt a wave of amazement and curiosity.

    Intrigued, she decided to check out Hera��s profiles, where she discovered an impressive array of content reminiscent of what popr vloggers and streamers post.

    But in Hera��s case, it was effortless and authentic, showcasing her natural ir for style.

    Because of this statement, those who had been idling around and had finished their tasks quickly gathered to check out Hera��s social media, eager to share their opinions.

    Everyone was captivated by Hera��s stage presence from earlier; her allure had not been overshadowed by Xavier��s charisma.

    As they explored her posts, they began to develop a profound respect and admiration for Hera, recognizing her unique talent and the strength of her individuality.

    As a result, many of them began following Hera, drawn in by her engaging social media content.

    While her posts featured the kinds of lifestyles typically associated with wealthy influencers or those striving to appear affluent, Hera��s authenticity shone through.

    Unlike others who seemed to force a persona of a wealthy heiress, her earlier posts��filled with everyday meals and casual outings��revealed a genuine progression.

    Though her content had evolved to include more upscale experiences, it felt effortless, as if she were simply sharing her life rather than trying to impress anyone.

    What they truly saw was a woman genuinely enjoying her life and eager to share her experiences with anyone interested, not someone trying to unt or boast.

    As everyone was lost in their own thoughts, the photographer and his team quickly began editing the photos and videos.

    However, as soon as they reviewed the raw footage, they found themselves in a dilemma.

    They struggled to identify any areas for improvement; Xavier and Hera had perfectly captured the essence of the concept and even surpassed expectations.

    After watching the video repeatedly, they were still stirred by the chemistry and emotions conveyed in their performances.

    They couldn��t believe it was Hera��s first photoshoot; perhaps it was Xavier��s guidance that made the difference.

    Together, they found the perfect angles when posing and acting, capturing every moment with remarkable precision.

    Their chemistry shone through, making it seem as if their actions were expertly choreographed.

    Anyone who saw the photos and videos would feel their hearts leap from their chests, overwhelmed by the intensity of the emotions portrayed.

    After much deliberation, the photographer��s team ultimately decided against editing the video and photos.

    The videographer opted to add only a few touches, including the nned promotional voiceover and text, ensuring that both elements were subtle.

    They chose to highlight Hera and Xavier, cing the text discreetly in the corner while keeping the voiceover understated, allowing the couple��s chemistry and the raw emotion of the shoot to take center stage.

    Once theypleted the editing process, the team released the video and sent the photos to the prepared printer, ensuring that posters could be printed immediately.

    They nned to distribute these posters to the attendees of the productunch without dy, generating excitement for the event.

    When the promotional video featuring Hera and Xavier lit up the HD wall, a hush fell over the boutique, including the gathered press.

    A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as they witnessed the captivating scene unfold on screen.

    Hera and Xavier portrayed an enchantress and her enchanted, with Xavier��s eyes aze with swirling desire and a hunger etched across his face��an intensity they had never encountered in his previous promotional videos or films.

    This raw, new side of him stirred emotions in their hearts, while Hera effortlessly embodied the enchantress.

    She didn��t need to utter a word or resort to overt seduction; her allure felt instinctive, as if she had been born for this role.

    The effect was palpable, leaving everyone in the boutique with a thrilling churn in their stomachs.

    Even the women in the crowd found themselves irresistibly drawn to Hera, their faces flushing and breaths hitching as they imagined themselves in Xavier��s ce.

    When the scene unfolded where Xavier sniffed Hera��s neck, surrendering to an impulse as he sensually licked her skin, gasps erupted from the audience.

    It was as if they were the ones experiencing the electrifying thrill of that touch.

    They stood, mesmerized, in front of the HD wall, lost in the moment, watching the promotional video on repeat.

    Their hearts raced, each beat echoing louder than thest, as if they were witnessing something utterly new and exhrating each time.

    Simultaneously, another interview was taking ce in a different location.

 Chapter 460 Butterfly’s Touch Launch

    Although the event was originally intended to showcase a group of esteemed international actresses and actors, fate had other ns.

    The second female lead had suffered an unfortunate ident just moments before the event, leaving the organizers scrambling for ast-minute solution.

    In a swift decision, thepany opted to include a talented domestic artist from the local scene, someone who had proven her worth in various productions and had a growing fanbase.

    The role ultimately went to Alice, a talented domestic artist whose selection surprised many.

    No one was quite sure how she secured the role, but her presence as the sole local representative among the four celebrities quickly made her the focus of attention.

    With her pure beauty and radiant charm, Alice naturally drew the spotlight, captivating the audience and media alike.

    Rumors began to swirl online about her newfound status, suggesting that the ambassadorship was strategically offered to elevate her career.

    Observers spected that the three international stars were not just there to promote the product but to amplify Alice��s profile, showcasing her talent and potential.

    Their presence highlighted her as a rising star, positioning her to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the industry��s biggest names.

    As social media buzzed with her pictures, fans began to rally behind Alice, intrigued by the promise of her blossoming career.

    The coboration with such high-profile ambassadors only served to reinforce the belief that Alice was destined for greatness, making her an inspiring figure for aspiring artists in the industry.

    Following the productunch, bothpanies ensured a sessful live stream, aiming to generate a significant online buzz.

    To amplify the event��s visibility, Alice enlisted a professional "water army," strategizing to propel her presence as one of the ambassadors to the top of the trending list.

    Her meticulous preparations had been in the works for quite some time, which exined her quiet demeanor leading up to theunch.

    Alice chose not to engage with the male leads during this period, confident that once she started to gain momentum, she would have ample opportunities to charm them.

    She believed that focusing on her career at this critical juncture would yield greater rewards in the long run.

    By prioritizing her professional image and building her reputation, she set the stage for a future where she could seamlessly intertwine her personal ambitions with her romantic pursuits.

    Alice felt a surge of happiness as she witnessed the fruits of herbor beginning to manifest.

    All her hard work was finally paying off; she had truly be the center of attention.

    The water army she had hired worked exceptionally well, amplifying rumors about her sess and embellishing her story.

    As a neer, being selected as an ambassador and standing among international celebrities was no small feat, and they proudly celebrated this achievement.

    With each passing minute, her fanbase grew, driven by the excitement surrounding her newfound status.

    Alice reveled in her rising poprity, knowing that she was steadily climbing the ranks in the industry.

    The attention she garnered not only validated her efforts but also fueled her ambition, propelling her further on her journey to stardom.

    Just as depicted in the storyline, Alice had hoped for a triumphantunch.

    Despite her team��s efforts to generate buzz online with promotional videos and posters, the moment Hera and Xavier��s promotional video premiered, itpletely overshadowed "Butterfly��s Touch" by andslide.

    The contrast was stark; while Alice��s campaign generated excitement, it paled inparison to the intense fervor ignited by Hera and Xavier��s captivating performance.

    The sheer maism of their video dominated social media feeds and conversations, leaving Alice��s efforts feeling insignificant in the wake of their star power.

    [XOXO: What the hell! I thought the promotional video for Butterfly��s Touch was impressive, but then I saw Hera and Xavier��s video, and itpletely blew me away! Even now, my heart is still racing. Damn!]

    [DivineGoddessOfTheEast: Where can I buy that perfume?! I want my boyfriend to act like that toward me too!!!]

    [AnnaB: I want to buy it as well! +1]

    [SassyIsMyName: You are toote guys! The stock has just been sold out!!!]

    [SugarMommyIsLife: Argh! I can��t ept this! The perfume has been sold out! God I was so stirred by their promotional video that I wanted to buy a hundred bottles!]

    [Chucky: @SugarMommyIsLife are you sure you can buy that many? That was an international perfume and each bottle cost $3,000]

    [SugarMommyIsLife: @Chucky who cares if it is expensive if I can stir my sugar baby��s appetite for me?! To hell with the price, just give me a bottle!]

    The online buzz had taken social media by storm, with countless posts andments flooding the official Love Potion page.

    Many viewers found themselves captivated by the promotional video, reying it multiple times.

    However, when they hurried to the online shop to purchase the perfume, they were met with disappointment��it was already sold out.

    Those who were quick on the uptake rushed to purchase the perfume as soon as they saw the promotional video.

    They did their best to tear their eyes away from the screen, knowing they could rewatch it as many times as they liked.

    Their priority was clear: securing the Love Potion perfume before others caught on.

    Within just half an hour of the promotional video��s release, the Love Potion perfume waspletely sold out online.

    Customers at the store swiftly snatched up every bottle avable, leading to a near altercation as some attendees tried to buy more than their fair share.

    The excitement in the air was palpable, with the atmosphere charged and almost electric, as tempers red over the coveted product.

    As the product sold out, thepany��s hotline was inundated with calls from eager customers hoping to reserve one or two bottles��some even requesting to purchase up to a hundred at once.

    The sales department��s phones rang incessantly, creating a whirlwind of activity.

    Despite the exhaustion, the employees couldn��t help but smile; the surge in sales meant significant bonuses for everyone, making the long hours worth it.

 Chapter 461 Athena On The Watch

    Everyone was taken aback, feeling a mix of surprise and admiration as they experienced the transformation unfolding on their screens.

    Goosebumps prickled their skin, a testament to Hera��s remarkable ability to embody her character.

    In an instant, she morphed into an entirely different person, captivating the audience with her authenticity.

    When she finally returned to her sweet and pure self, the stunned silence lingered, leaving everyone in awe of her talent.

    As a result of this stunning performance, Hera inadvertently overshadowed Alice��s meticulously nned ascent in the entertainment industry.

    Although the storyline initially helped Alice secure a new role to rece the one that Hera had taken from her, the undeniable chemistry between Hera and Xavier, coupled with their exceptional acting skills, managed to derail Alice��s progress.

    Instead of propelling Alice forward, the pair��s dynamic performance captivated audiences and shifted the spotlight away from her ambitions.

    Unbeknownst to Hera, Athena lounged in her room, munching on chips and sipping Coke,ughing heartily at the unfolding drama.

    She had witnessed Alice��s name surge to the trending list, buoyed by the fame of the three international stars, and knew all too well that Alice would seize any opportunity to capitalize on this moment to elevate herself, attempting to ride their coattails to sess.

    Athena found it amusing to watch Alice��s desperate attempts to leverage their attention for her own gain, fully aware that Hera��s talent and charm were drawing the spotlight away from Alice��s ambitions.

    Alice had soared to the top of the trending list, only to plunge to 15th ce after the release of Hera and Xavier��s promotional video.

    <i>��Ha ha ha! Can you imagine how Alice will feel once she realizes she reached the top, only to crash down so hard?��</i>

    Athena cackled, picturing the scene as she popped a handful of chips into her mouth and took a swig of her Coke, thoroughly enjoying the drama unfolding around her.

    <i>��I bet Hera has no idea that Alice managed to snag an ambassadorial contract on her own! But still, ha ha ha!��</i>

    Athenaughed so hard that tears streamed down her face.

    Only she knew the backstory, just like Hera, and she couldn��t help but think that the storyline was attempting to correct itself.

    After all, Hera was now on a path leading her toward the male leads that were initially meant for Alice.

    After observing Hera��s efforts, Athena had already pieced together part of her n and was eager to see how everything would unfold.

    That��s why she wasn��t bothering Hera at the moment; she understood that Hera was focused on getting to the male leads before Alice could.

    Athena recognized how hard Hera was working to bnce her time among the five men, no six men surrounding her, and she couldn��t bring herself to interrupt such a delicate strategy.

    As Hera��s best friend for over a decade, Athena knew her inside and out, almost like the back of her hand.

    She could easily decipher what was going on in Hera��s mind. Rather than fretting over it, Athena was filled with excitement.

    She had always been a fan of the <i>��Thin Line Between Love and Lust��</i> novel, and now that her best friend was actively vying for the female lead position, she was eager to witness how Hera��s passionate love story would unfold with all her male leads.

    So, Athena lounged at home, following Hera��s every move on social media, unable to contain her excitement as she squealed with delight from time to time at Hera��s progress.

    <i>��My teachings are finally bearing fruit! I was right to give my girl tips on handling men and staying vignt against those white lotuses!��</i> Athena chortled, rolling around in bed while keeping her eyes glued to the screen of her phone.

    Hera also chose not to disturb Athena, fully aware that she could never hide anything from her.

    Most of what she knew was taught by Athena, so her every little action wouldn��t escape the notice of her romance-addicted friend.

    Knowing that Athena was keeping to herself meant she was quietly observing from the sidelines, popcorn in hand, as if she were watching her favorite drama unfold.

    Hera decided it was best to let Athena be for now.

    Their close bond over the years had honed their ability to read each other��s thoughts as if they were their own.

    After Athena finished reveling in Hera��s love life, she set down her phone, which was still ying Hera��s live stream, and stretched her neck and fingers before turning her attention to theptop on her bed.

    There, she tuned into Alice��s live stream and scrolled through a social media page that was busy bashing Hera.

    Since Alice��s hired water army couldn��t propel her to the top of the trending list, they opted to target Hera instead, hoping to drag her down into the mud.

    Aware of the longstanding animosity between Alice and Hera, they seized the opportunity to exploit this rivalry and undermine Hera��s rising poprity.

    By doing this, even if Hera managed to trend on social media, the negative publicity would overshadow her sess, ultimately tarnishing her reputation.

    They aimed to contrast Hera��s rise with Alice��s achievements, suggesting that Alice had earned her ce through sheer talent and hard work, while insinuating that Hera relied on her rtionships with Xavier and Rafael to secure her opportunities.

    This narrative was crafted to spread quickly and widely across social media, reinforcing the idea that Hera��s sess was undeserved and diminishing her aplishments in the eyes of the public.

    Athena, who had been closely monitoring social media, quickly noticed the emerging narrative, as did Betty.

 Chapter 462 Dealing With The Water Army

    Still, Athena didn��t want to leave anything to chance, especially when their opponent was none other than the original female lead of the novel they both inhabited and the storyline backing Alice.

    Athena dove into thement sections, fiercely battling the trolls and the hired water army targeting Hera.

    But she wasn��t just waging a random fight; she was strategically stirring the pot.

    By subtly implying that someone was orchestrating these attacks to undermine Hera because she was overshadowing another, Athena set off a wave of spection.

    Without needing to spell it out, she knew her audience loved concocting their own theories, and they quickly began to connect the dots.

    But Athena didn��t stop there. She pulled out the footage of Hera��s high school theater performances from their drama club, which she had painstakingly recorded and treasured like a prized possession.

    Her intention was to someday gift it to Hera��s future children, allowing them to witness their mother��s incredible talent.

    Inspired by the hope that Hera would ovee her current tribtions and thrive in the future, Athena saw this as a meaningful keepsake to celebrate Hera��s journey.

    Having treated Hera like a sister, Athena genuinely wanted the best for her.

    This footage served as a cherished treasure, meant either tomemorate Hera��s legacy if tragedy struck, as it did in the novel, or to be enjoyed by Hera��s future children as they grew up.

    Regardless of the oue, the footage was rtively recent, showcasing Hera��s remarkable talent and the impable acting skills that had garnered her multiple standing ovations from audiences in all her performances.

    Hera��s presence had remained strikingly consistent, making the recordings a testament to her great acting and performance.

    Athena created several alternate burner ounts to post all the videos across various tforms from different events.

    She believed that if the public had a discerning eye and a sound mind, some bloggers or gossip ounts would piece everything together and react to Hera��s high school performances.

    This would be the perfect opportunity for them to ride the wave of Hera��s poprity.

    If they spoke positively about her, Hera��s fans would likely rally behind them, enhancing their image as good Samaritans who stepped in to help clear Hera��s name while others tried to drag her through the mud.

    Seeing this, Betty didn��t bother investigating who was trying to help Hera; instead, she focused on boosting all the released footage to showcase Hera��s talent.

    By highlighting how exceptional an actress Hera had been even before joining the entertainment industry, she aimed to bolster Hera��s publicity and silence the critics questioning her abilities.

    This strategy would also help dispel the narrative that Hera was merely leveraging Xavier to climb the ranks through favors and her body.

    Once the footage was boosted, many viewers recognized Hera from her past and those who had attended school with her began to speak up in her defense.

    Although they remembered her as a poor orphan, many admired her for her amiable and sweet nature, even if she could be intimidating when necessary.

    Some users began posting videos of Hera horseback riding and winning races, which jogged the memories ofizens who recalled her triumph at the national horse championship.

    Additionally, one of Hera��s servants living in Avery Manor, who had recently helped move Hera��s belongings to her penthouse, shared a clip of Hera��s piano performance.

    This footage, captured on her phone, had be a staple in the servant��s nighttime routine, serving as a soothing melody before sleep.

    The Water Army��s attempts to sabotage Hera had spectacrly backfired.

    Leo, who was watching Hera��s promotional video and her press conference with Xavier from his office, caught wind of the online drama through Terry.

    Furious at the injustice, Leo was determined to teach them a lesson they wouldn��t soon forget.

    "It appears my earlier warning to these Water Army and trolls fell on deaf ears," Leo remarked, his expression dark and foreboding.

    An unsettling chill enveloped the room, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere around him.

    "Please, Young Master, tell me how to proceed," Terry said, bowing deeply, his shoulders trembling slightly. "It��s my fault for not managing the situation more effectively. Please, punish me."

    "No need for that," Leo replied, his voice low andmanding.

    "Just have our IT department track down these vermin and ensure their operations are shut down. Once that��s done, publicize it. This will serve as a warning to other water armies about who they can and cannot mess with."

    "Consider it done, Young Master." Terry nodded respectfully before excusing himself from the room, quietly closing the door behind him as he left.

    As soon as Terry left, Leo quickly logged into his ount, the familiar golden badge shining brightly as it appeared before everyone on the inte.

    The moment they saw it, the chatter in the chatroom paused, and then excitement surged as everyone eagerly joined in, ready to engage with him.

    [NorthernDuke: It appears that society is descending intowlessness, where ndering others has be the norm.]

    [NorthernDuke: Tell me, does money truly erase your conscience? How much is your employer paying you to defame my wife? Ha! Do you think it��s worth risking 4 months to 3 years in jail?]

    ___

    PS: Hi Everyone, if you are interested, you can join my new discord server to chat and just lounge around.

    .gg/MkzrsQ9P

    Please ADD <THE RETURN OF THE CANNON FODDER TRILLION HEIRESS> to your LIBRARY to be notified when the update is posted. Thank you!!!

    Please don��t forget to cheer me up by voting with Powerstone and Golden Ticket!

    Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

    You may also like <MY 100TH REBIRTH A DAY BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE>

 Chapter 463 Tag Team

    [XOXO: But nder? Cyberbullying? That��s never okay. Destroying someone��s reputation for profit is disgusting and immoral. There��s a line you should never cross, and you crossed it the moment you decided to spread lies and harm others for money.]

    [NorthernDuke: @EntertainmentKing and @FatherOfCaduceus, you two geniuses, did you really have to spill the strategy? The nder case was just a decoy to make them drop their guard.]

    [NorthernDuke: They��ve been through nder cases before and always managed to wriggle their way out without serious punishment. Of course, I had thought about it! The idea was to let them continue, thinking they were safe, and then hit them with something they wouldn��t seeing.]

    [NorthernDuke: Now you��ve gone and scared my fish away!]

    [NorthernDuke: (��?��?)����ߩ���]

    [Dumb@ss: @NorthernDuke, @EntertainmentKing, and @FatherOfCaduceus, do you seriously think your little ��pretend��wsuit can scare us? Sure, you��re rich and powerful, but ever heard of freedom of speech? There are plenty of us out here, and no court is going to rule in your favor just because you can throw money around. This country still runs on a legal system, and your intimidation tactics won��t work like they used to.]

    [Sassy@Girl: Exactly! The guy above is spot on. We��re not spreading hoaxes or misinformation��we��re just stating facts. You think you can silence everyone with your money, @NorthernDuke?]

    [Sassy@Girl: That��s not going to happen. And let��s be real, it��smon knowledge that Hera only got her role because of her connections. Maybe she used one of you, or maybe she got close to some of the old men in power.]

    [Sassy@Girl: Who knows? But don��t act like you can sweep this under the rug just because you don��t like what we��re saying.]

    [NorthernDuke: Oh! They did not run away!]

    [NorthernDuke: o(��?��)��]

    [Dave_Carson: @Sassy@Girl facts? How do you know it��s facts? Do you live under my sweetheart��s bed that you know what she does and her every breath? That��s nder, not freedom of speech.]

    [Dave_Carson: And @Dumb@ss, you really are a dumbass to think that what you guys are doing was freedom of speech.

    [GoldenLight: That freedom of speech of yours will not protect you in jail.]

    [GoldenLight: (;?_?) (�V_�V) (?_?) (?_?)]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @Dumb@ss and @Sassy@Girl, being defensive will not help though.]

    [Kiki: Isn��t this cyberbullying? Just because you guys are from a wealthy family, do you think you could intimidate us and g us just because you say it was nder so it was going to be nder?]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @Kiki, it wasn��t us who��s going to judge if it was nder or not, the court��s judge will.]

    [Kiki: ...]

    [NorthernDuke: Just right about time you guys meet your maker.]

    [NorthernDuke: ?(�਌��*)]

    [GoldenLight: Oh?! Did you already reported them? Or was it my team who has reached them first?]

    [GoldenLight: (???)]

    [Dave_Carson: Ha ha ha! Do you @NorthernDuke and @GoldenLight think that I, as the Young Minister of the country, would just stand here and b about random things when I should be the one upholding justice for my fellow citizens? I, of course, have sent the special force to arrest them.]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: I also reported them to the authorities.]

    [NorthernDuke: You guys @Dave_Carson, @GoldenLight, and @FatherOfCaduceus of course, it��s my team, I just received a report that the bad guys have been apprehended.]

    [NorthernDuke: @Everyone, thank you so much for standing up for my wife and trying your hardest to fight off these evil people and didn��t allow them to continue to nder my precious wife, we will make sure to send the hundred or so water armies that has been apprehended and their public trial will be live streamed so everyone could see the power of our country��s justice system.]

    [Dave_Carson: ...]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]

    [GoldenLight: ...]

    [Anito: WTF?! Seriously?! They were really apprehended?! I just saw some S.W.A.T team barged in through the next door and held my streamer neighbor at gun point before they hauled him away in handcuffs. (photo.attached)]

    [DebbyMe: Holy SHIT! My neighborhood has also been busted! Three of them has been taken by the S.W.A.T team too. (photo.attached.)]

    [Kiki: WTF!!! Someone��s kicking my door! @NorthernDuke, @Dave_Carson, @GoldenLight and @FatherOfCaduceus, young masters, be generous and please let me be! I��ll talk, I��ll tell you who paid us just please...]

    [Kiki: Argh!]

    [Kiki: (photo.attached)

    [Kiki: hdjfhskirebn]

    [PasserbyGod: Interesting, now, @Kiki was sending jarble words, she must be desperately typing to ask for help right now. But, why do I not feel sad? Instead, I am happy that they are being apprehended?]

    [XOXO: The photo she have even sent was a mess and blurry, all I could make out of the image was a blur image of someone with ck helmet wearing ck, was that supposed to be the S.W.A.T team?]

 Chapter 464 Where’s Rafael?

    [Zhane: What those water army was doing was online terrorism though.]

    [Leo: Zhane was right, they are no different from terrorists who execute our fellow citizens, using their words as their weapon, so, I got my rtive to help out since he works from the S.W.A.T division and I have the concrete evidence against the water army and those trolls.]

    [Dave: Right! Wasn��t it me who passed this bill against cyberbullying and treated it as my duty to make sure that these bullies serve their victims justice?]

    [Dave: Sorry, I forgot.]

    [Luke: It��s all good��we each did our part. I��m d Leo made it such a big deal, though. It really brought attention to the issue and showed that our government treats cyberbullying as the serious crime it is. By doing so, we��re helping to prevent more lives from being lost, stopping the cycle of depression and suicides that often follows when victims feel there��s no escape.]

    [Dave: My grandpa always believed that the younger generation is the future of our country, but they��re also the most vulnerable to mental health issues, especially with all the pressure they face. And honestly, I think he was spot on.]

    [Dave: When you look at the suicide statistics, it��s clear that younger citizens, particrly those still emotionally sensitive, often feel overwhelmed by the chaos around them. Many choose to escape it all rather than face the struggles, which is heartbreaking. If we continue to ignore this, we��ll see a sharp decline in the younger poption, and it could lead to serious demographic issues like the ones other countries are already dealing with.]

    [Dave: Haist...]

    [Zhane: What was the age bracket you included in the younger generation?]

    [Zhane: Just asking...]

    [Dave: (???)]

    [Zhane: I��m not worried about my age.]

    [Dave: I haven��t said anything though.]

    [Zhane: ...]

    [Dave: (�R���Q) (�ި���) (�R?�Q)]

    [Luke: Anyway, we already settled the issue before it even reached Hera.]

    [Leo: Exactly my thoughts, she��s currently juggling so many priorities right now that these bullies will only burden her mentality when she still has a race to think about along with her studies.]

    [Dave: Aren��t my sweetheart so great?!]

    [Leo: She��s my wife!]

    [Dave: And she��s my sweetheart!]

    [Luke: Alright you two, stop it. Rafael wasn��t responding to my calls and text, have any of you knew what was going on with him?]

    [Zhane: Why? Maybe he was just busy?]

    [Luke: I don��t think so anymore.]

    [Luke: Earlier, he mentioned in the passing that he was sending his sister to the suburbs for a while since she was bing really mentally unstable and was really starting to hurt herself this time.]

    [Zhane: Maybe it has something to do with her being confined for quite some time without knowing what was happening to the outside world and her close friend and her boyfriend not being able to speak with her added to this stress, so it wasn��t really impossible she��ll feel stressed, maybe even depressed.]

    [Luke: But Rafael can��t do anything about it, she��s still under investigation.]

    [Luke: My investigation at least.]

    [Luke: Anyway, she really can��t go out there because the police were just also around the corner and were just missing a little more intel to tie her to all those crimes, so, I understand why Rafael wouldn��t allow her getting out, it will just make things worst.]

    [Leo: But, do you seriously believe that she was innocent?]

    [Leo: Just asking...]

    [Luke: I honestly don��t know.]

    [Luke: The people I sent haven��t sent me any intel yet, it only means that the one who did the work has wiped off their trails really well, that��s why even the police were stumped with their investigation.]

    [Luke: And it also means that these weren��t simple cases too.]

    [Luke: It could even be connected to organ trafficking, or at least, that��s what I suspect. ]

    [Leo: How can you say?]

    [Luke: Normally, if it was a simple case of paid torture for the vendetta, that faction wouldn��t even cover their traces this well, after all, the victims don��t have serious backgrounds and those people don��t takemoners seriously.]

    [Luke: If it��s rted to their business, they��ll definitely tread carefully. Any misstep could jeopardize not just this deal, but also their other ventures in the underground market. They can��t afford for things to spiral out of control.]

    [Leo: You sure know them really well...]

    [Leo: Were you working in the dark side too?]

    [Luke: You don��t seem that uninformed too.]

    [Luke: Let��s just mind our own businesses.]

    [Dave: Holy Shit?! Luke? You��re really working in the dark?!]

    [Luke: ...]

    [Dave: Pretending to be mute now, aren��t we?]

    [Zhane: @Dave, just let them be and answer my earlier question.]

    [Dave: What question?]

    [Zhane: About the age bracket?]

    [Dave: You really don��t give up, don��t you?]

    [Dave: Anyway, I��lle down and see Rafael to check up on him.]

    [Dave: He must be really stressed with his sister��s condition now.]

    [Zhane: Don��t pretend, you just want to ck off from work.]

    [Dave: Fuck you!]

    [Dave: I��m a changed man now!]

    [Dave: I don��t want to embarrass my sweetheart, so, I��m working hard now.]

    [Dave: Don��t even try to ruin my image in front of her!]

    [Zhane: Your image has long been ruined by you.]

    [Zhane: Besides, it��s not as if there was something to salvage about your image anyway.]

    [Dave: Fuck you Zhane!]

    [Dave: (?������)�q�ɨr]

    [Dave: Fuck You all!]

    [Dave: (�p�ާգ�)͹]

    [Leo: (��?��;))) ( ((((;�ߨS��)]

    [Leo: Luke, since Rafael��s issue with his sister affects Hera, I think you should push your subordinates to increase their efforts.]

    [Luke: I��m on it.]

    [Luke: But @Leo, aren��t you enjoying acting like the main wife as you tell me what to do?]

    [Luke: (???)]

    [Leo: The hell I do!!!]

    [Leo: Concubines should follow the empress�� words, or else, you��ll be punished and be sent to the cold pce together with Dave.]

    [Leo: (???)]

    [Dave: Ey! I��m no longer staying in the cold pce. I��ve been moved to a different courtyard by the emperor, I��m no longer who I used to be.]

    [Dave: ?(?//��//? )]

    [Luke: What do you mean?]

    [Dave: What I mean, is that you can fight with Leo all you want and be put wherever you like, but me? Nah ah.]

    [Dave: I have sessfully shed my cocoon and was reborn as a butterfly that my beloved sweetheart likes the most, after all...]

    [Leo: After all what?!]

    [Dave: What?!]

    [Dave: You think, you��ll be the only one who will be loved?!]

    [Dave: Ha ha ha! So long! Suckers!]

    [Luke: Don��t tell me, you have already put your dirty paws on Hera?!!!!]

    [Luke: DAVE!!!!]

    [Dave: Be jealous and die of Envy but I DO NOT CARE.]

    [Dave: ? ��??a?a?a]

    [Zhane: You overestimate yourself.]

    [Dave: What do you mean?!]

    [Dave: Don��t tell me?!!!]

    [Dave: ��(�����)]

    [Luke: FUCK!!! Does that mean, I��m the only one who has yet to make progress?!]

 Chapter 465 Hera Sharing Her Thoughts

    He wanted to distinguish himself from the others, allowing her to see him not just as apanion but as someone truly exceptional.

    By embodying a gentlemanly demeanor and disying kindness in his actions, he aimed to cultivate a deeper connection that would set him apart.

    His goal was to create asting impression in her mind, one that would make her see him as more than just another face in the crowd.

    <i>��Why did I even take on this role of acting like a gentleman? Now it��sing back to bite me!��</i> Luke grumbled to himself, his frustration boiling over as his chest heaved with anger.

    <i>��It��s not like I can just shed this gentlemanly facade on a whim. What would Hera think of me then?��</i> Luke thought, running his fingers through his hair, his frustration evident in every movement.

    Just the thought of Dave��s smug deration sent Luke��s mood plummeting, causing the temperature in the room to drop a few degrees.

    His subordinate, standing behind him, couldn��t help but felt the chill in the air.

    They appeared menacing and intimidating, their bulky bodies and scowling faces suggesting they could crush skulls with their bare hands.

    Yet, at that moment, a wave of fear washed over them as they sensed Luke��s mood plummeting.

    They were as silent as mice, not daring to make a sound when Luke issued the order for some of theirrades to infiltrate the enemy��s base.

    Deep down, they understood it was a suicide mission, but they swallowed their concerns and remained quiet.

    Luke was far too preupied with plotting his next move to concern himself with the well-being of his subordinates.

    From the moment he entered this line of work, he recognized the inherent dangers thaty ahead, and this addedyer of risk was simply one more challenge for him to navigate.

    Luke believed his subordinates understood this reality as well. Running from danger out of fear of death was no longer an option for them.

    Despite knowing they were risking their lives by epting the mission, no one backed out.

    Instead, they steeled themselves, making thorough preparations in anticipation of the worst-case scenarios before embarking on their infiltration of the enemy��s base.

    Meanwhile, Hera was oblivious to the unfolding drama among the male leads, fully immersed in the productunch alongside Xavier.

    She diligently catered to reporters, fielding their questions one after another.

    Despite the malice that asionallyced their inquiries, Hera maintained herposure, responding with honesty and politeness, her smile unwavering.

    As a result, the reporters found themselves feeling increasingly awkward, hesitant to continue bombarding Hera with the same level of aggressive questions just for a sensational scoop.

    Her unwaveringposure not only impressed those present but also captivated the live stream audience, leading to a significant increase in her following.

    Despite Xavier��s unmistakable warning re aimed at the reporters who had been targeting Hera since the beginning, one journalist remained undeterred in their quest to bring her down.

    While most had backed off, this particr reporter seemed intent on provoking her and boldly pressed on with a question.

    "Miss Hera, are you aware that some innocent individuals have been imprisoned simply for expressing their opinions online?"

    "One of those linked to you seems to have yed a role in this. Do you see this as an attempt to silence critics, or is it a deliberate strategy to leverage your backer��s influence and power to maintain your position at the top?"

    "It has even been suggested that these individuals are being targeted for persecution online. Could you please share your thoughts on this?"

    Hera noticed the glint of malice in the woman��s eyes as she bombarded her with questions, never allowing her a moment to respond beforeunching into the next.

    Yet, Hera remained steadfast, demonstrating that herposure could withstand even the most unexpected attacks.

    With grace and elegance, Hera smiled before responding. "First, I want to thank you for bringing this to my attention, as I was not aware of the situation."

    "However, I haveplete trust in the people around me; I believe they would never resort to harming the citizens of this country over something as minor as differing opinions."

    "I believe what you��ve mentioned is merely the tip of the iceberg and doesn��t capture the full scope of what��s happening online."

    Hera smiled brighter and sweeter, fully aware that the reporter was targeting her.

    She refused to be a paper tiger, allowing herself to be trampled in front of the masses, which would only embolden others to do the same.

    Hera realized that the reporter was not only cing all the me on her but also attempting to sweep the misdeeds of others under the rug.

    She suspected that the reporter had some connection to one of those apprehended by the authorities, which exined her hostility.

    Although she had no way to confirm this suspicion at the moment, Hera was determined not to remain passive while the reporter misled the public against her.

    Hera continued, "Miss Reporter, if I didn��t know any better, I might think that your questions are designed to mislead the public into believing that I��m misusing the influence and power of others for my own advantage while silencing innocent voices."

    Hera let out a sweet chuckle. "After all, the individuals you��re pointing fingers at have their own public images to uphold, and we��re not privy to the events that led to this situation. So, please, enlighten us."

    She didn��t hesitate to put the reporter in the spotlight for her insinuations in front of the audience.

    "And as far as I understand, reporters were originally meant to give the public a voice and to reveal the truth, providing awareness and rity about what��s happening in society��not to mislead or create unnecessary narratives just to target someone. Isn��t that correct?"

    Hera added pointedly, drawing the attention of the entire room toward the reporter who had instigated the confrontation.

 Chapter 466 Hera’s Stance

    This is why gossip columns about celebrities�� lives and other simr forms of reporting have be mainstream.

    They provide information that most people wouldn��t otherwise know, and if presented as truth, the public has no way of discerning fact from fiction unless there��s concrete evidence or an official statement refutes it.

    The reporters on the scene quietly distanced themselves from the female reporter who had tried to throw Hera into the middle of the chaos, only to find herself bing the prey.

    She could feel Hera��s eyes on her, filled with mischief and a hint of amusement, as if watching a clown stumble and be the butt of their own joke.

    She felt as if she might choke on her own saliva while struggling to formte a retort to Hera��s words.

    "M-Miss Hera, please don��t put it that way. We reporters are only doing our job to uncover the truth for the public. It feels as if our dedication is being questioned and ridiculed, even when we haven��t done anything wrong."

    The reporter repeatedly used "we" to epass all journalists in the country, attempting to unite them under her banner.

    By doing so, she aimed to rally her colleagues to defend their profession��and, by extension, herself��while shifting their animosity toward Hera for her bold and outrageous remarks made in front of the public.

    "Miss Reporter, I��m not suggesting that all journalists are the same. Each of you is an individual, and many reporters genuinely risk their lives to deliver the truth to the public, which deserves respect."

    "However, there are some who tarnish that dedication, leading to a negative perception of the profession as a whole."

    "I brought this up because I��m concerned that your line of questioning may ce you in that negative light. Nowadays, manyizens are discerning and can easily recognize when someone is engaging in negative press."

    As Hera��s exnation resonated, the live stream erupted with a flood ofments criticizing the reporter.

    The reporters on-site began to cast the other female reporter nces of disdain, as if she were dragging them all down into the same pit, exposing them to the wrath of the masses.

    They struggled to find a retort to Hera��s words because she spoke nothing but the truth. In fact, many of the journalists present began to admire her.

    As fellow reporters, they recognized the difficulty of pursuing their passion when bad apples tainted their ranks, particrly among those in higher positions.

    This often forced them to chase gossip, which was more profitable and had arger market, instead of focusing on the truth about the nation or the business matters they were genuinely interested in uncovering.

    The worst part was that, due to the negative press, the public began to lump all journalists together, failing to appreciate even the most dedicated among them.

    Journalism hadn��t always been this way; it once focused solely on delivering the truth to the masses. However, when politics entered the scene, everything changed.

    Hera��s voice pulled everyone back to reality as she chuckled before continuing. "Oh, I see! So what really happened is that a group of hired trolls has been spreading falsehoods about me, attempting to tarnish my name."

    "Naturally, my people couldn��t just sit back and allow them to damage my reputation while I remainpletely innocent."

    As she spoke, she scrolled through Xavier��s phone, which he had handed her after quickly looking up information when the female reporter put Hera in a tough spot.

    "Well, I believe this is an important moment for me to rify my stance. I stand with my people��s decision in calling for public ountability for these online bullies. Some of you might think I��m being too harsh for saying this, but I am firmly against all forms of bullying��whether it��s in schools, online, or at work."

    "Bullying is not a joke; it��s a crime against humanity. To the bullies out there, I urge you to ask yourselves: Have these individuals done anything to deserve your harassment? Or are you simply trying to assert your power and appear ��cool�� by bending others to your will?"

    "True strength is found in a person��s ability to stand up against any odds and rise to the top through their own efforts. This includes being responsible, open-minded, and embodying many other important qualities."

    "Those who bully others to assert power are nothing but cowards, who sumb to pressure rather than demonstrating true strength."

    "Simrly, those who do so for financial gain are simply bad apples in society that need to be addressed and held ountable."

    "We must protect those who are being bullied. Essentially, those who engage in online harassment for profit and disregard human lives are nothing but scum."

    "Have any of you considered how many lives have been lost to suicide due to the actions of these online bullies?"

    "While some may view the victims as weak for sumbing to their tormentors, we must remember that they may already be facing significant struggles behind closed doors."

    "As human beings, we should be spreadingpassion and empathy instead of dismissing others for their inability to fit in."

    ...

    [IAMSuperman: Damn! The bullies has been burned! I never have thought that I would see Hera this fierce, she must be really against bullying.]

    [Sasha: Do you think she has been bullied badly in school before?]

    [SuzieIsABeauty: @Sasha, I am her schoolmate from highschool and she was indeed bullied by Alexi��s fans but she have a very fierce friend, Athena, so, no one can really do so but Hera also helped the victims of bullying since she was in school.]

    [CallMeBaby: That��s true! I even came across Hera, wiping the floor with some male bullies in the alley when I was studying in the same highschool as her, apparently, she was good at fighting, so no one really messes with her, aside from the stupid bimbos of our school.]

 Chapter 467 The Public Falling For Hera

    [KikoIsMyName: +1]

    [HeraIsMySister: +2]

    [Deyum: +999]

    <strong>[Shuri_Me:</strong> My daughter was a victim of bullying at school. After my husband and I divorced, I had to work constantly, and he refused to be involved with us, so I ended up neglecting her. She kept it all to herself, thinking it would only add to my burdens. I had no idea anything was wrong��until I found her lifeless body hanging from the staircase.]

    <strong>[Shuri_Me:</strong> I was devastated. After her funeral, I discovered the truth. Her diary was filled with the pain she endured��how her bullies used our divorce to torment her relentlessly. It wasn��t just verbal and psychological harassment; it even became physical.]

    <strong>[Shuri_Me:</strong> I raised this concern with the school, but they protected the bullies because of their family backgrounds. One of them even had the audacity tough in my face, calling my daughter a ��fat, ugly bitch.�� They didn��t care about the life that was lost, and their parents acted like I was only after money.]

    <strong>[Shuri_Me:</strong> My poor daughter... <i>huhuhu.</i> Hearing this celebrity speak out about bullying gives me hope that what happened to her won��t happen to any other parent��s child in the future. I pray that more people like her continue to stand up for this cause.]

    <strong>[HeraIsMySister:</strong> Auntie @Shuri_Me, please don��t me yourself for this. It��s not your fault; the real culprits are the bullies and their parents for failing to raise them properly and not holding them ountable for their actions.]

    <strong>[Rakasha:</strong> Absolutely! The victims are never to me; the responsibility lies with the tormentors and their parents for failing to raise them right or discipline such behavior. It��s refreshing to see a celebrity like Hera boldly confront these issues online without fearing bacsh from the masses. I really admire her personality and sound judgment!]

    ...

    Hera narrowed her eyes at the female reporter. "So, Miss Reporter, tell me, is it wrong for me to express my opinions? After all, isn��t this what they call freedom of speech?"

    But before the female reporter could respond, Hera interrupted her. "However, the key difference between my freedom of speech and the so-called freedom of speech practiced by the water army is this: my words reflect my ideals, advocating for what is right and opposing actions that could harm others."

    "I won��t be jailed for expressing those beliefs. In contrast, the so-called ��innocent people�� you mentioned��those trolls and members of the water army��misuse their freedom of speech to fabricate baseless ims about others."

    "They disregard the potential harm they inflict, leading vulnerable individuals to despair, damaging their lives, and in the worst cases, driving them to suicide."

    "So, when you ask if I condone my people sending those kinds of individuals to jail? The hell I did!"

    Hera shed a sweet grin at the camera. Instead of provoking anger in the masses, her straightforward remarks and clear reasoning captivated them.

    It seemed the female reporter��s luck had run out. Just as Hera finished speaking, amotion erupted outside the boutique as S.W.A.T. personnel flooded in.

    Initially, the crowd spected that their arrival was due to Hera��s bold remarks��though that seemed unlikely.

    However, the S.W.A.T. members bypassed the others and began scanning the sea of reporters.

    When the team captain locked eyes with the reporter who had put Hera on the spot, he paused for a moment before striding toward her.

    His team quickly formed a protective barrier, pushing away irrelevant bystanders, ensuring no one could disrupt their captain as he reached into his vest and pulled out a piece of paper.

    "Miss Sawyer, we have obtained a warrant for your arrest."

    "This action is based on evidence indicating your involvement with a questionable organization that has been hired to defame individuals, jeopardize the well-being of innocent parties, and disseminate sensitive information to various online trolls."

    "This warrant is part of an ongoing investigation into activities that threaten the integrity and safety of individuals in ourmunity."

    He then produced a pair of handcuffs and swiftly apprehended the female reporter.

    She was still in shock, struggling to process the rapid turn of events as the captain spoke quickly, barely giving her a moment to react.

    "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you in court..."

    Before anyone could fully grasp the situation, the female reporter was swiftly taken away from the venue, and the S.W.A.T team vanished as quickly as they had arrived.

    All eyes turned to Hera, who remained unperturbed in front of the camera, her expression calm as if she were simply watching a movie unfold.

    "It wasn��t me!" Hera eximed, her voiceced with innocent indignation and her eyes wide and sparkling.

    Her animated response served as a wake-up call to everyone, prompting a wave ofughter to ripple through the live stream audience.

    ...

    [PasserbyGod: What a twist! It turns out she was the one colluding with those water armies, feeding them information all along! She tried to put Hera through online persecution, but it turns out she��s the real guilty party! Ha ha ha!]

 Chapter 468 The Public Falling For Hera 2

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: And here��s the kicker: she just pushed the ace racer off the National Team to take his spot and boost her own career. She��s not thinking about representing the country; she just wants to be seen as amazing and multi-talented.]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: And what��s more? All the members of the National Team have quit because of her. So tell me, is she really as kind as she pretends to be in the media? I don��t think so; she just can��t resist being the center of attention.]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: She might not even be focused on winning the races; it seems more like a chance for her to show off. The National Team has trained tirelessly topete in the Grand Prix and make our country proud, only to be pushed aside because of her.]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: She doesn��t even n on training regrly��just showing up for the races on the day of the event. Do you seriously think she��s taking this seriously with that kind of attitude?]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: But really, what can the original members of the National Team do? They��re just regr citizens at the bottom of the food chain, while Hera is a celebrity with countless backers��even the Young Minister is at her beck and call.]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: So the National Team��s manager and coach are left with no choice but to bow to her demands, seemingly indifferent to winning any races now.]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: They might think there��s always next year, but what if she decides to race again next season? How many championships will we miss out on because of her presence?]

    [HeraIsMySister: Wait, what? Sister Hera is racing? When is it happening? Have they already released the schedule? Holy moly! I need to make ns to attend and support my sister!!!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @HeraIsMySister You can stick with me! I��ll take you to cheer for my little sister Hera, and I��ll exin everything to your parents. Plus, I��ll even pay you to be my assistant, so you��ll have a solid reason to be there. And didn��t the "bitch upstairs" just say that my little sister Hera would only show up on race day?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: You just need to be absent from school that day, and we can fly out together!]

    [PasserbyGod: If she��s racing for the National Team and everyone else has left, that means she��ll be the only member! So, does that mean she��ll bepeting in the international Grand Prix hosted in different countries?!]

    [HeraIsMyLove: This is fantastic news! I��m going to tell my whole family so we can support her! I just hope she sets up a live stream so we can cheer her on from home! We��ll send gifts since I can��t be there in person!]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: Hey! Are you all nuts?! Didn��t I just say she wouldn��t win and is only there to show off? Or do you not care about the honor of the country because you��re just a bunch of brain-dead fans?]

    [Shuri_Me: I also want to attend and support her! If the National Team chose her, that means she��s qualified and capable enough. After all, the coach and manager have dedicated their lives to this cause, and they wouldn��t throw away their dreams just for marypensation, unlike that person ��BITCH�� from above suggested.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @Shuri_Me, you make a great point! My little sister Hera is intelligent, but she��s not selfish. For all we know, the manager and coach might have even begged her to participate. Ha ha ha!]

    [National_Team_Racing-Team: Hello everyone, we apologize for the way this announcement hase about. Our team had nned a more significant event to share this news, but some individuals just couldn��t resist making a spectacle of themselves after leaving the team, unable to handle losing a race to a girl.]

    [National_Team_Racing-Team: However, putting that aside, I, as the manager of the National Team, am thrilled to officially announce that Hera will be our representative in all the races this season. We hope you��ll rally behind us and support our journey!]

    [National_Team_Racing-Team: We��ll be releasing the official announcement on out official page, so I hope, everyone could check it out!]

    [XOXO: Holy moly!!! Not only has the Anti-Bullying Department asked Hera to be their spokesperson, but now the National Racing Team has also chosen her as their representative?! Am I the only one blown away by these incredible announcementsing one after another?!]

    [HeraIsLove: @XOXO Right?! It��s amazing to see how many talents Hera has beyond acting. She just proved her acting chops during the Love Potion Perfume productunch alongside a top actor like Xavier. Now we find out she can fight, and now she��s racing too! What��s next? A miracle doctor?]

    [M&M: @HeraIsLove, you��ve been reading too many novels!]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: What the hell is wrong with everyone?!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer, are you really surprised by the public��s reaction? Did you expect her to be bashed and scrutinized? Well, you��re toote, my dear��everyone loves Hera now!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: She��s unafraid to speak her mind and genuinely cares about others. Do you really think such a sweetheart could be as vicious as you im?]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: Ha! So, you all want to wait and see the results of the race before reacting, huh? Fine by me! Just don��te crying to the old team for help after Hera ruins everything! You��ll all see how delusional you are!]

    [HeraIsMySister: @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer, we��re confident that sister Hera wille out on top, so you and your brother can take a hike!]

    [HeraIsMySister: Besides, just because the previous racer was called the "ace" of the national team doesn��t mean he was actually that impressive. He didn��t even bring home that many medals or trophies from the races he participated in!]

    [HeraIsMySister: (???��)]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: You!!! Very well!!!]

 Chapter 469 Who Would Be In Trouble?

    "That woman who stole your spot on the National Racing Team is now the talk of the city, and they��re treating her like some kind of hero. I can��t stand it," Milly said, her voice trembling with frustration as silent tears fell down her cheeks.

    "It feels so unfair that you and the others were pushed aside, and everything you worked so hard for was just handed to her on a silver tter. It��s just not right."

    The other former members of the Racing Team sat with them, casually eating and hanging out.

    Their schedules had be strangely free ever since they quit, a sharp contrast to the time they used to spend on the race track or at headquarters, training or strategizing how to beat theirpetitors.

    Now, without those routines, they felt lost. Their decision to quit had been an impulsive move, meant to show Hera who really held the power in the team.

    After all, they were the ones out there racing and setting records, not the manager or the coach.

    But what they hadn��t expected was for the manager and coach to let them go so easily after their outburst.

    The whole group was upset and at a loss. None of them had expected things to turn out this way.

    Their pride, however, wouldn��t allow them to go back and beg the manager and coach for another chance after everything they had said.

    Deep down, they thought the manager and coach were trying to bend them, waiting for an apology.

    But right now, their onlyfort was the belief that those "two old fogeys" would eventually crawl back, begging them to return.

    This belief kept them going, and it was the only reason they felt okay enough to hang out with Michael, their ace racer, and his sister today.

    They had always treated Milly like a sister, and some even harbored silent crushes on her.

    It was partly because of these feelings that they acted so impulsively, trying to show off.

    Now, hearing Milly say that Hera was being embraced by the public, showered with love and support, stung deeply.

    They had once been the ones receiving that admiration.

    So, it wasn��t a lie to say that they felt resentment and envy.

    But with no one to me but themselves for their rash decision, they didn��t know where to direct those emotions.

    To cope, they kept telling themselves that sooner orter, the manager and coach woulde crawling back, especially after Hera inevitably messed up.

    They pictured themselves swooping in to save the day, using Hera��s failure as a way to boost their own image and regain the spotlight.

    But despite trying to convince themselves otherwise, they couldn��t resist reaching for their phones, checking social media to see thetest trends.

    And there she was��Hera. From the top spot all the way down to the tenth, every trending topic was about her, effortlessly pushing everyone else down thedder.

    Seeing the sour faces and grim expressions around him, Michael felt a twinge of nervousness.

    He and his sister had been the ones to stir things up and react so strongly against Hera, especially Milly.

    Deep down, he knew his decision had been impulsive, driven by the need to show his support for his sister, ensuring no one would dare to bully her��especially not in his presence.

    But now, looking back, everything seemed like a blur. He couldn��t quite remember how it all started or how it escted so quickly.

    It was like the whole situation slipped out of his grasp, and he couldn��t figure out why.

    Yet, deep down, he knew the truth. He just didn��t want to confront it, as doing so would mean acknowledging that the me rested squarely on his shoulders��and on Milly��s as well.

    The reason he and his team sat in the restaurant with gloomy expressions was painfully clear: they had let their greed cloud their judgment, chasing the allure of a ten-million-dor prize.

    They had gambled their money and lost to a girl they had initially dismissed as nothing more than a pretty face.

    It was a blow to his pride, especially since he was supposed to be the ace of the team.

    He took immense pride in being the ace of the team, the focal point of admiration and love from both theizens and his teammates.

    His words had always carried the weight of a verdict that the entire National Race Team would rally behind.

    But now, look where they were: adrift and uncertain. He felt the most lost of all, yet he couldn��t allow it to show on his face.

    He feared that revealing his turmoil might hurt his sister, who had instigated the fight with Hera.

    They had all tried to cover up the fallout, but deep down, the reality was inescapable.

    Michael took a deep breath and chuckled nonchntly.

    "Don��t worry about her. Have you forgotten that we signed contracts with various sponsors? Our entire team did, especially since our cars are sponsored." He shed a wicked smile as he took a sip of his water.

    "Just imagine what would happen if our sponsors found out that our manager and coach kicked us out for a woman they��re trying to butter up for some beginner��s luck after beating us?"

    Everyone on Michael��s team perked up at the thought, especially Milly, who felt a surge of joy.

    This meant Hera was in serious trouble.

    Once the sponsors discovered that the entire team had been reced by a single woman, they would undoubtedly be furious.

    They might pull their sponsorship, leaving the National Team to face penalties for breaching the contract.

    On top of that, the sponsored cars would be reimed, leaving Hera with nothing��an empty garage and no equipment to her name.

 Chapter 470 Putting Hera In Another Trouble

    They immediately began contacting the manager and coach to terminate their contracts.

    The sponsors argued that the National Team had breached the agreements, as each contract specified sponsorship for individual racers rather than the team as a whole.

    The sponsors prioritized the value of individual racers over the team itself, selecting specific athletes to represent their brands.

    Michael, in particr, was a favorite among sponsors, who had chosen him to showcase their products and prominently disy their stickers on his car.

    Now that he had left the team and been reced by a neer, the sponsors felt cheated.

    They suspected that the manager��s decision was a ploy to minimize payouts to Hera while maximizing profits for themselves.

    Ironically, it was actually Hera who stood to gain more from her deal with the National Race Team.

    All the sponsors inundated the National Race Team��s manager with urgent calls, delivering an ultimatum: either reinstate Michael and his team or face the cancetion of all sponsorships, including the contract with BMW and the PGA Tour.

    The deadline they imposed was a mere two hours, clearly indicating their determination to put pressure on the manager.

    As the barrage of calls concluded, the manager quickly dialed Betty, who had just settled into her chair after managing the chaos surrounding Hera��s online bacsh.

    "Hello, manager?! Are you calling to check on Hera? She��s doing great, so you don��t need to worry," Betty immediately said, jumping to conclusions about the reason for the call.

    After all, with the online attacks targeting Hera and the whirlwind of events, it was only natural to assume the manager of the National Race Team was concerned.

    Betty had been dealing with damage control, and considering the speed at which the situation escted, it made sense to her that the manager would be calling for reassurance.

    "N-no, Manager Betty, we have a situation here," the National Race Team (NRT) manager stammered, his voice trembling and on the verge of breaking down.

    Hearing the distress in his tone, Betty immediately sat up straight, a sense of unease washing over her as she braced herself for what he was about to reveal.

    "The sponsors called, and they��re threatening to cancel their support for the team unless I reinstate Michael and his team back into the NRT," the manager said, panic rising in his voice.

    "If we don��t act quickly, we��ll lose everything within the next two hours. We won��t have enough time to find a new sponsor or secure a car for Hera to use in her first national race, which is tomorrow."

    "I��m so sorry," the manager choked out, his voice trembling with regret. "I was just so excited to see Phantom racing with my own eyes that I overlooked a crucial use in our sponsorship contract."

    "I know an apology isn��t enough, but I honestly don��t know what to do right now. I don��t want to lose Phantom, but the sponsors aren��t giving me any choice." Unable to hold back his tears any longer, he sobbed into the phone, clutching it tightly to his ear.

    "It��s not like I kicked them out," the NRT manager grumbled, his resentment palpable.

    "They left haughtily, making it look like I was the one who forced them out. All I wanted was to add Phantom to our roster."

    "What? Tomorrow?!" Betty eximed, her voice rising in disbelief.

    "We really don��t have any time left! I��ve already signed contracts for other coborations and sponsorships, all because they believed Hera would be racing under our country��s banner on the international stage."

    "If I break the news that it might not happen, I won��t just offend thosepanies; I could also risk getting Hera cklisted. It would look like I hyped a lie to boost poprity and secure contract fees."

    The thought sent a chill down Betty��s spine, and she could already envision how disastrous the situation would be. Her heart throbbed violently in her chest as anxiety gripped her.

    "I know, right? I��m also responsible for paying the penalties for breaching the contract, even though it should be my former team members footing the bill for those damages since they were the ones who quit."

    The NRT manager was now in tears on the other end, while the coach frantically racked his brain for a solution. But fear gripped them both, leaving their minds in a chaotic haze.

    Even Betty felt a surge of panic at this moment, though it was nothingpared to the distress of the two on the other end of the line.

    Still, she managed to think clearly. "What if we bring Hera into this?" she suggested.

    "It��s better to have three minds working on this than just the two of us." She didn��t propose this to shift the responsibility; she genuinely believed that Hera��s unique background could provide insights and solutions that they hadn��t considered.

    The NRT manager and coach both agreed, prompting Betty to dial Hera��s number to include her in the conference call.

    Coincidentally, Hera and Xavier had just finished their conference interview and were returning to the boutique��s private room to rx.

    Meanwhile, the management of Love Potion Perfume was busy managing the crowd and media outside.

    As soon as Hera settled onto the couch, Xavier casually pulled her leg onto hisp and began massaging it.

    His touch was so natural that Hera didn��t think twice about it. She leaned against the coach, her body sinking into the soft cushions.

    Just then, her phone rang inside her bag.

    Since Xavier was close by, he effortlessly retrieved her bag and handed it to her without saying a word, returning to his massage as if nothing had interrupted them.

    Hera felt the soothing pressure of Xavier��s gentle massage as his fingers glided over her sore legs, perfectly bncing strength and tenderness.

    He even helped her slip off her shoes, allowing him to massage her ankles and the soles of her feet.

    "Hello, Betty? Is there a problem?" Hera asked, her voice calm and soothing.

    She immediately sensed something was amiss, much like Betty, and suspected it had to do with the recent events at her first ambassadorial contract product��sunch.

 Chapter 471 Pettiness Runs In My Blood

    Betty��s voice sounded weary and defeated as she took a deep breath, bracing herself to break the news to Hera.

    "The sponsors for the NRT just called the manager, and they��re pulling their sponsorship because Michael and his team were kicked out."

    "The real problem is, you��re supposed to race tomorrow, and they��ve given us only two hours to reinstate Michael."

    "If they cancel, it means no car, no gear, and no suits��everything will be taken back. Without the sponsor��s agreement, we won��t be able to use any of it."

    Although Hera��s call wasn��t on speaker, the room was so quiet that Xavier, sitting close by, could hear everything being said on the other end.

    The moment he heard the news, his expression darkened, a deep frown forming on his face.

    Instinctively, he wanted to say something, tofort Hera and assure her that everything would be fine, that he��d help her figure it out.

    But when he turned to her, expecting worry, he was surprised to find Hera looking calm��amused even��as she casually twirled a strand of her wavy hair between her fingers.

    "Hmmm," Hera responded, her tone casual and unconcerned. On the other end of the line, Betty, the NRT manager, and the coach all stared at their phones in disbelief.

    <i>��Did she not hear that right? Is the reception bad?��</i> Betty wondered, ncing at the screen, though there was no way to tell.

    Skepticism clouded her features, as she started to worry that Hera might not fully grasp the seriousness of the situation.

    Thinking that Hera might not fully understand the gravity of the situation, Betty repeated herself. "Hera, you must be exhausted and not thinking clearly, but if we lose the car and gear, even with our staff ready to help, there��s nothing they can do."

    "We can��t build a new car overnight. And... I��m afraid the sponsors have already reached out to others, spreading the word to make their stance clear."

    "I understand," Hera replied calmly, her tone still nonchnt. She knew exactly why Betty and the NRT manager were so anxious. The reason she didn��t respond immediately was because her mind was already working, thinking about how to deal with the people trying to suppress them to get their way.

    Before Betty and the NRT manager could spiral into panic again, Hera continued, "Let��s not stress about the car and gear��I have a solution for that. What I want to discuss is this: Betty, please make a list of all the brands and sponsors that are backing out and giving us a hard time."

    "I understand that I need to prove myself to them, and while their disapproval is beyond my control, I won��t tolerate anyone trying to suppress us or make things difficult just to force us to back down."

    "I have a bit of pettiness in my blood, and I don��t go down without a fight. You know exactly what I mean, right?"

    Xavier noticed a mischievous smile dancing on Hera��s lips, and he realized she had everything under control.

    She wouldn��t let anyone bully her, especially not in a public setting where many eyes could witness it.

    If these businessmen seeded in asserting their dominance over her, it could send a message that Hera was easy to manipte.

    That would set a dangerous precedent, inviting others to try the same tactics and undermining her growth and career.

    Making an example of this situation now would be the best course of action for her future.

    Betty and the others understood Hera��s intentions; after all, they had spent years in the industry and were well-versed in the intricacies of business politics.

    They recognized the tactics that other businessmen were attempting to employ, as well as Hera��s strategy to counter them.

    However, since the NRT manager and the coach only knew Hera as Phantom, they felt skeptical, worried she might be digging her own grave.

    Betty, on the other hand, had a clearer perspective.

    Aware that the CEO of UE was backing Hera, she understood that Hera��s background was moreplex than it appeared.

    The confidence in Hera��s voice resonated with her, as if she were saying, <i>��I��ve got this. Just follow my lead.��</i>

    With a sigh, Betty replied, "Alright, I��llpile a list with the NRT manager of all the brands andpanies that align with their stance. Do you want me to permanently cklist them from hiring you or pursuing coborations in the future?"

    Hera chuckled lightly. "Betty, if we cklist them from hiring me, we��d lose out on potential business. Those shrewd businessmen would just unite against me to see who could oust the other."

    "I don��t mind that fight, but let��s be real��money talks. Instead, if they want to hire me, they��ll have to pay ten times my usual rate. They might call me a big shot for that, but won��t I truly be one when I take center stage in the international race and bring home the trophy?"

    "When that timees, they��ll be scrambling to hire me, but it won��t be so easy anymore. We��ll make it easier for the brands and people who stood by us, especially with the pressure from their peers when they made their decision to support us."

    Both Betty and the NRT manager, along with the coach, could hear the unwavering confidence in Hera��s voice, and they couldn��t dispute it.

    After all, they all knew Phantom��s capabilities; her reputation was legendary.

    Phantom had shattered multiple records across various race circuits, and her performance remained unmatched to this day.

    Those who attempted to emte her maneuvers ended up in idents, which deterred others from trying.

    As a result, Phantom��s name echoed around the world, and no one had anticipated that she would be racing this season.

 Chapter 472 The Little Ancestor’s Advice

    Although it was a rush job, their location being a hub for such events meant they had ample resources to make it happen.

    They decided to reduce their inventory of merchandise for lesser-known racers and instead focused on ramping up production of items featuring Hera��glow sticks, fans, banners, shirts, and more��capitalizing on her growing poprity.

    Recognizing Hera��s millions of fans, theymitted all their resources��and even their savings��to producerge batches of merchandise, even cing overnight orders to boost production.

    Meanwhile, Love Potion Perfume, having just named Hera as their ambassador, decided to lend their support.

    Although it was outside their usual operations, thepany��s heiress, a devoted supporter of Hera, took the initiative.

    She retrieved posters from their product line, pulled a substantial stock of Love Potion Perfume from the warehouse, and printed additional shirts and items featuring the Love Potion branding with Hera��s face in it that was taken from the photoshoot.

    She then transported everything to the venue, eagerly awaiting the next day��s excitement.

    However, this also showcased her business acumen. By seizing the opportunity and embracing the event, she positioned herself toe out ahead in this situation.

    Despite the opposition to Hera leading the NRT and its impact on their business, some began to waver as they witnessed the overwhelming support she garnered and the impressive sales of the products she endorsed.

    As seasoned businessmen, their primary concern was profit, but a few were too prideful to acknowledge the potential benefits of aligning with her, choosing instead to ignore any positive developments rted to Hera��unless, of course, it involved criticism of her.

    However, those who closely monitored the situation recognized the power of Hera��s poprity and chose to uphold their support and contracts with her.

    They became increasingly enthusiastic, ensuring their presence at the uing race.

    Unfortunately, their peers noticed their actions and began to mock them, deriding them for theirck of foresight and judgment in recognizing talent.

    Those who faced ridicule remained silent but wore subtle smiles that seemed to say, <i>��We��ll see who ends up cryingter.��</i>

    Those who chose to support Hera eagerly sent products for her to wear and showcase in the public eye.

    They even printed theirpany stickers and banners before heading off to the NRT, eager to kick off their coboration.

    Little did these businessmen know that they had made one of the best decisions of their careers.

    As Hera��s poprity soared, her loyal fanbase grew, and the products she endorsed became wildly sessful, leading to a remarkable spike in sales.

    The demand for their supplies not only doubled but reached an all-time high, leaving those who had mocked them in despair as they scrambled to rebuild their bridges with Hera.

    Meanwhile, Hera became even more sought after within their circle, solidifying her position as a powerful influencer in the industry.

    But this story would be a littleter.

    The loudest critics of Hera��s rise to represent the entire NRT were BMW.

    Unlike other brands that considered the potential benefits of having a celebrity driver, BMW was steadfast in their skepticism.

    They recognized that racing is inherently dangerous and requires not only strength but also exceptional reflexes to handle the vehicle properly.

    They doubted that a celebrity like Hera could meet those demands.

    If an ident were to ur, they feared they would be the first to bear the me, regardless of whether it was the driver��s fault.

    They viewed Hera as someone simply chasing clout, waiting for her to embarrass herself in front of the masses during the race.

    Determined to make a statement, BMW nned to publicly criticize her performance, hoping to break her spirit and reaffirm their own superiority in the process.

    Shortly after, the official BMW page released a statement:

    "Ourpany has only signed contracts with the previous team members and will be seekingpensation from the National Race Team for breaching those agreements. We wish them the best moving forward."

    Meanwhile, Hera brought up the topic with the NRT manager. "Speaking of penalties for breach of contract, manager, since your previous sponsors are asking you to pay, have your team handle it."

    "After all, it was their pride that led them to abandon the team, so they should be responsible forpensating the National Team for the breach, along with any reputational damage and other penalties." Hera chuckled, fully aware that Michael and Milly were likely behind this trouble. She wasn��t naive enough to think they weren��t involved.

    "That��s the problem, ancestor. I don��t have any proof that they were the ones who left; it��s all just he-said-she-said."

    "In the end, the me will fall on me as the one in charge, and I��ll be used of breaking the contract by kicking them out because of you. They might even stir up public sentimentter, iming you seduced me for clout, which led to their dismissal."

    "It just so happens that they quit while we were on the racetrack. Even if the outdoor cameras captured the moment, we can��t hear their voices over the wind. Hu hu hu. That could mean tens of millions inpensation." The manager said, his voice sounded aggrieved and full of resentment.

    "Since we have the footage, it should be fine. Please send it to me, and I��ll have my friend clean up the background noise before returning it to you. You can use it to address thepensation issue."

    As if recalling something important, she added, "Also, since this may lead to legal battles, I have a fantasticwyer friend who hasn��t lost a case yet and specializes in business contracts. He can help you close any loopholes and ensure you won��t be digging into your own pockets."

    Hera��s tone was somanding that both Betty, the manager, and Xavier couldn��t help but chuckle at her confidence.

    "Alright, ancestor, I��ll get started on this right away. Please let me know if there��s anything else you need from me."

 Chapter 473 Larry Wickman

    As he did, the still-lit screen caught his eye, and he unintentionally saw the name and affiliation of the person mentioned.

    The coach��s skepticism deepened as he recognized the significance of the name.

    Larry Wickman, Acting CEO and head attorney of Avery Legal Team. The words left the coach stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief.

    His head slowly turned toward the manager, as if it was a moving rusted gear.

    Their gazes met, both frozen in ce.

    It was as if they were silently asking each other,<i> ��Are we seeing this right? Or is Hera pulling our leg?!��</i>

    How could they not overreact?

    Larry Wickman wasn��t just anywyer��he was the acting CEO and head attorney of Avery��s in-house legal team, one of the most formidable and feared teams in the industry.

    This team was made up exclusively of the elite of the elite, handpicked from across cities and even countries.

    Many of their top talents had been poached from prestigious firms around the world and some were sent to their international branches.

    It was widely known that the Avery Legal Team never lost a case, and their reputation for meticulousness and thorough preparation was almost legendary.

    Some even joked that they could read minds because they always seemed two steps ahead��prepared with a counterargument before the opposing attorney had even spoken.

    Most attorneys in the industry steered clear of going up against Avery��s legal team, and especially Larry Wickman, who had earned a fearsome reputation for being ruthless when necessary.

    One case in particr solidified his notoriety.

    In a high-stakes corporatewsuit, apany attempted a hostile takeover of one of Avery��s subsidiaries.

    The opposing attorney had resorted to bribery and perjury, using forged evidence in a desperate bid to win the case.

    It was a move that could have caused serious damage to the tune of $30 million if sessful.

    The subsidiary had fallen into an intricate trap, and without concrete evidence, it seemed they were on the verge of losing.

    But Larry uncovered a single piece of key evidence��an inconsistency buried deep within the filed affidavits.

    This discovery unraveled the entire scheme, exposing multiple discrepancies and leading to the truth behind the takeover attempt.

    Not only did Larry win the case, but he also ensured the opposing attorney was jailed for bribery and perjury, cementing his reputation as a legal powerhouse.

    Larry Wickman was even able to prove that the real evidence had been tampered with and destroyed.

    Luck was on his side when one of the key individuals in the opposingpany, suspecting he might be scapegoated by his higher-ups, secretly kept copies of all the data that crossed his desk.

    His instincts proved right, and when thepany tried to frame him, Larry managed to convince this key figure to testify as a crucial witness.

    His testimony exposed the perjury and falsified evidence, turning the tide of the case.

    Though the oue might seem straightforward, the opposingpany had used numerous underhanded tactics and covered their tracks exceptionally well.

    It was Larry��s sharp attention to detail and ability to connect the smallest dots that made the difference.

    He noticed things that others missed, and though luck yed a part, it was Larry��s skill and tenacity that ultimately secured the victory.

    After this case, Larry Wickman��s reputation skyrocketed within the legalmunity.

    Many individuals with questionable dealings grew wary of crossing paths with him, while numerous business leaders sought to lure him away from Avery with enticing offers.

    Even those who couldn��t sway him to join their ranks hoped he would represent them in court, knowing the frequency of legal battles in the business world.

    However, Larry and his elite legal team were exclusively dedicated to serving the Avery Consortium and its subsidiaries.

    They only took on cases outside this scope if personally requested by Old Master Avery or the Consortium��s sole heiress.

    Not even the top executives of the Avery Consortium or political leaders could sway the Avery Legal Team��especially Larry Wickman.

    He answered only to the direct descendants of the Avery family, his dedication unwavering, much like Butler Alfonse��s loyalty.

    The Wickman family had a long history as attorneys for the Averys, and over the years, they had weathered many storms.

    Their refusal to serve other families made them a target for disgrace and scandal, as rivals sought to undermine them.

    This deep-rooted loyalty stemmed from a pivotal moment in their history: the Avery ancestor had once saved the life of Larry��s great-grandfather when he was but a little boy, who was not only Hera��s great-grandfather��s close friend but also the Wickman family��s sole heir at the time.

    This act of kindness cemented their bond, and ever since, the Wickmans remained steadfast in their loyalty to the Avery family.

    Now, Hera was handing over Larry��s contact information to the NRT manager as casually as if she were distributing cabbages on the street.

    Naturally, both the manager and the coach reacted with astonishment and strongly.

    Everyone coveted Larry��s contact details, but he never shared his number with anyone.

    Before they could fully process this mind-blowing turn of events, the phone the coach was still holding rang.

    The two exchanged wide-eyed looks, as if they��d seen a ghost, before bursting intoughter like silly children.

    They quicklyposed themselves and stood up straight, trying to regain their professional demeanor.

    The manager answered the call, noting theck of a caller ID and showing it was a private number. "Hello, this is Danny Coleman speaking."

    A warm and friendly male voice resonated from the other end. "Hello, Mr. Coleman. My name is Larry Wickman from the Avery Legal Team. Young Miss Hera asked me to assist you with the breach of contract penalties you��re currently facing."

    "The camera footage that serves as evidence of your team��s non-fault has already been cleaned up and sent to me by Sasha. I��ve reviewed the footage, and it clearly shows that your management was not at fault, giving us a strong case against your former team if they refuse to settle."

 Chapter 474 Larry’s Taking Action

    Both Danny and the coach exchanged nces, their eyes sparkling with realization as they thought, ��<i>Hera truly is our little ancestor! She even knows such a powerhouse!</i>��

    Before long, Danny and Larry began discussing the finer details over the phone, promptly scheduling a meeting.

    Larry was eager to tackle the situation head-on to ensure that Hera wouldn��t be adversely affected and that this issue wouldn��t be used against her, potentially causing dys andplications for the uing race she was set to participate in.

    True to his nature, Larry arrived at the National Race Team��s office shortly after they had set the meeting time.

    Danny and the coach sat anxiously, awaiting his arrival. When Larry entered the room, he looked sharp and polished in his custom-fit suit, exuding a subtle warmth and gentleness.

    The moment he spotted Danny and the coach, he greeted them with a friendly smile and extended his hand for a handshake.

    Without wasting any time, Larry dove straight into the matter at hand.

    Heid out the files and the settlement contract that needed to be presented to each member of the former team.

    The contract detailed thepensation they were owed for breaching their agreement, along with the losses incurred by the National Race Team��s management.

    Larry exined that if the defendants chose not to settle, the case would have to go to court, resulting in even greaterpensation fees.

    Additionally, a court battle could further tarnish their reputations, potentially making it difficult for them to find employment in the future due to the damage to their credibility.

    Given the abundance of aspiring racers, it wasn��t far-fetched to suggest that the defendants could easily fade into obscurity and never have the chance to shine again.

    Larry borated on the necessary actions they needed to take, outlining the benefits they would receive and the repercussions the defendants would face if they pursued thewsuit and brought the matter to court.

    Danny and his friend were wide-eyed as they witnessed Larry��s meticulous preparation.

    In just two hours, he had devised aprehensive solution along with contingency ns. His approach was not only thorough but also ruthless; he left no room for Michael and his team to recover from the fallout.

    Once the case reached court, it would be ringly obvious that Michael and his team had abandoned the National Race Team out of pride.

    They wouldn��t just face bacsh for leaving so close to the race, which had thrown the team into disarray, but they would also be branded as ungrateful.

    Unbeknownst to Michael, Milly, and the rest of their group, their downfall was looming just around the corner.

    Even if they managed to extricate themselves from their current predicament, their futures in national and international racing appeared bleak.

    While they could attempt to join another team or even pursue opportunities abroad, their tarnished image and credibility would follow them like a shadow.

    In their new team, they would likely face mockery and sidelining, forced to swallow their anger and anguish, all because they had made the choices that led them to this point.

    Larry was there to ensure they understood the consequences of their actions all too well.

    After all, Michael and his team had only sought to make Hera��s life difficult.

    Larry, with his extensive experience in legal battles, had encountered this kind of behavior many times before.

    He understood how their minds worked and what their intentions were.

    So, they couldn��t really me him for being ruthless; he was simply defending the sole heiress of the Avery family��a role he took on with the same fierce protection his father and grandfather had shown.

    Once the briefing concluded, both Danny and the coach couldn��t help but shudder at the depth of the trouble Michael and his team were in.

    They felt a mix of gratitude and fear toward Larry, but his presence also alleviated some of their worries.

    Coincidentally, while Larry was still there, they received a call from the sponsors; after all, they had long since passed the deadline to make their decision.

    Faced with Larry��s assurance that they wouldn��t be liable for the penalties and that Hera would have a car to use for the race tomorrow, both Danny and the coach felt a wave of relief wash over them.

    Yet, feeling cornered like a trapped rabbit, they couldn��t help but express their anger and frustration at the situation.

    Danny vented his temper at the sponsors who called to pressure him, firmly stating his decision not to reinstate Michael and his team.

    When BMW and the PGA Tour threatened to withdraw their sponsored cars and gear, he stood his ground.

    Danny snorted, cing one hand on his hip as he puffed out his chest and lifted his chin defiantly.

    Even though the other party couldn��t see him, they could sense the disdain and confidence radiating from his words.

    "Then so be it! Take your car and go! Pweh!" With that, he mmed the phone down, frustration boiling over as he angrily sank back into his chair.

    Larry listened intently as Danny put the call on speaker, his expression shifting as he absorbed every word.

    A storm brewed in his eyes, darkening with intensity, before a menacing chuckle escaped his lips.

    "Very well!" He rose from the couch, striding purposefully toward the door.

    Just as he reached it, he paused and looked back at Danny, a glint of determination in his gaze.

    "Mr. Coleman, please send me a list of all the sponsors and brands that are threatening to withdraw their support and making things difficult for Young Miss Hera and your management. I��ll take care of the rest. All you need to do is be there to support her in tomorrow��s race with everything you��ve got��make sure nothing happens to her."

    Without waiting for Danny��s response, Larry strode out of the room, his long strides radiating a grim determination.

    He exuded a menacing presence, as if he were plotting a course of action that would undoubtedly rattle thepanies he had set his sights on.

 Chapter 475 Xavier’s Insecurity

    It wasn��t about being petty, but about standing their ground.

    Betty knew that those who had turned their backs on Hera woulde to regret it when they saw just how high the price of working with her had be and how hot she��ll be in the market.

    Even if thepanies tried to retaliate byunching public criticism against Hera for her sky-high contract fee, Betty had already prepared a contingency n.

    She had sent clear instructions to the PR team, anticipating a surge of offers following Hera��s first race.

    As Hera��s manager, it was crucial for Betty to be present to support her during this pivotal moment.

    To counter any negativity, Betty called Daisy, the PR department manager, along with several members of their team.

    She had a clear vision: they would set up a live stream of the event, allowing fans to see Hera behind the wheel firsthand.

    This way, there would be no room for rumors��no ims that Hera had hired a stunt double or any other lies meant to discredit her.

    Betty was determined to showcase Hera��s talent and authenticity, ensuring that the public could witness her skills in real time.

    With this proactive approach, she was ready to protect Hera��s reputation and turn the narrative in their favor, regardless of what critics might throw at them.

    By organizing the live stream, they could ensure that Hera��s fans felt as though they were right there with her, fostering a deeper connection with their idol.

    This sense of involvement would amplify the excitement surrounding the event and counter any negative narratives that might emerge.

    With a determined nod, Betty sprang into action, dedicating the entire day to arranging everything Hera might need for tomorrow.

    She coordinated logistics, gathered supplies, and addressed potential challenges, all while keeping her focus on what was best for Hera.

    Betty was prepared for whatever obstacles mighte their way, knowing that every detail mattered in this critical moment.

    Her unwaveringmitment to Hera��s sess fueled her energy, and she worked tirelessly to ensure that nothing would stand in their path.

    On the other side, after her conference call with Danny and Betty, Hera savored the rxing sensation of Xavier��s massage, allowing the gentle rhythm to lull her into a peaceful sleep.

    With her worries momentarily forgotten, she resolved to confront any challenges only when they arose.

    Overthinking wouldn��t just spoil her mood��it would also weigh heavily on her mental well-being.

    Thankfully, Xavier��s expert hands had worked wonders, melting away her tension and stress.

    As she drifted off on the couch, a soft sigh escaped Xavier��s lips, tinged with a mix of amusement and defeat at her ease.

    But his amusement faded quickly as he noticed the position she��d fallen asleep in.

    Hera was still dressed in the form-fitting dress that hugged her curves, entuating her silhouette and revealing glimpses of her cleavage, back, and legs.

    Now curled up on her side, she presented an alluring view, one that made Xavier��s breath hitch.

    He stiffened mid-massage, suddenly acutely aware of the intimacy of the moment.

    His heart raced, pounding loudly in his chest as he fought to maintain hisposure.

    The warm glow of the roombined with the softness of the scene left him both entranced and flustered, caught in the delicate bnce between self-restraint and something deeper.

    Xavier bit his lip, torn between restraint and desire.

    While he had previously managed to keep his feelings in check, Hera��s allure was overwhelming him now.

    She appeared so vulnerable and at ease, and he couldn��t help but wonder if she trusted him implicitly, allowing herself to sleep soundly without a hint of worry.

    But then a troubling thought crept into his mind��what if she simply didn��t see him as a man?

    The idea stung, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

    That was thest thing he wanted her to think of him.

    He watched as his friends made progress with her; even Dave and Zhane had gone on dates with Hera, inching closer to her heart.

    Justst night, if they hadn��t barged in and if Hera hadn��t been on her period, Dave might have already seeded in winning her over.

    Feeling a pang of jealousy, Xavier struggled with the realization that he was losing ground.

    It wasn��t just about attraction; it was about connection. He wanted to be the one she turned to, the one who made her feel safe and cherished.

    But with every passing moment, the distance between them felt insurmountable, leaving him grappling with his own insecurities as he continued to massage her legs.

    At that moment, the memory of Hera being on her period eased Xavier��s erratic breathing.

    A small smile crept onto his lips as he felt a wave of relief wash over him.

    Carefully, he lowered her legs and gently set them down, mindful of herfort.

    He then rose to retrieve a soft nket from the cab that the staff had prepared beforehand.

    As he draped it over Hera, he couldn��t help but admire her serene expression, the tension in her features finally melting away in sleep.

    The gesture felt protective, a small way to care for her without crossing any boundaries.

    <i>��That��s right,��</i> Xavier thought, a wave of understanding washing over him.

    <i>��She must be exhausted and dealing with the difort of her period. I��ve heard that women often feel fatigued and under the weather during this time.��</i> With that realization, he felt a sense of relief; it wasn��t about her not seeing him as a man.

    Feeling a surge of sympathy for Hera, he moved closer to where her head rested, gently cradling it in his hands.

    He began to massage her temples and scalp, his fingers working with a tender touch.

    To his delight, even in her sleep, she sank deeper into her nap, a soft sigh of contentment escaping her lips.

 Chapter 476 Xavier’s Insecurity 2

    Yet, he was painfully aware that his friends wouldn��t simply wait around while he sorted through his emotions.

    Earlier, he had been battling with these conflicting feelings, but the sight of Hera sleeping peacefully in front of him made him smile and helped ease his overthinking.

    Just watching her brought a sense of calm, and he realized that he, too, was starting to feel drowsy.

    Xavier settled onto the ground, the plush carpet softening the hardness and coldness against the cool tiled floor beneath him.

    He continued to gently massage Hera��s head with his right hand, while his chin rested thoughtfully on his left palm as he watched her sleep on the couch.

    The serenity of the moment enveloped him, the rhythmic rise and fall of her breath calming his own racing thoughts.

    Without even realizing it, exhaustion crept over him, and he gradually slipped into a peaceful slumber, the warmth of the room and thefort of his surroundings lulling him into a dreamlike state.

    When the staff entered to fetch Hera and Xavier for the celebratory feast honoring the sess of the productunch with the CEO and his daughter, they were met with this scene that instantly silenced them.

    The sight of Hera and Xavier peacefully asleep on the floor and couch, lost in their dreams, tugged at their hearts.

    It was clear that neither of them would want to be disturbed; they appeared so serene and content, as if they were sharing a beautiful dream together.

    One of the staff members couldn��t resist the moment and quietly snapped a picture of the pair, capturing the scene as if they were posing for a photo shoot, even in their slumber.

    The warmth of the moment brought a smile to the staff��s faces, knowing they were witnessing a genuine connection between the two.

    No one stopped her from taking the picture; in fact, they were all eager to get a copy for themselves.

    However, before they could ask, the staff member had already shared the photo in their group chat.

    And it turned out that one of the staff had recently be a devoted HAVIER fan, passionately shipping Hera and Xavier.

    Seizing the opportunity, she quickly saved the picture to her phone and shared it with the HAVIER fan club.

    Though the details of her joining the group were unclear, she was efficient in her efforts.

    The moment the fan club received the photo, an uproar ensued.

    Members flooded the chat with excitement, utterly charmed by how perfect the couple looked together.

    The image of Hera and Xavier captured their hearts, fueling their enthusiasm for the budding romance.

    The HAVIER fan club erupted with enthusiasm, passionately arguing with rival fan clubs to assert that Xavier and Hera were the perfect match.

    They highlighted how their shared career in the same field allowed them to support each other in unique ways.

    In response, the opposing fan clubs couldn��t stay silent; they began listing the advantages of their own supported suitors among Hera��s six admirers.

    Eager to bolster their case, the HAVIER fans shared the captivating photo of Hera and Xavier, sparking even more excitement.

    Fortunately for them, the page where this lively debate was taking ce had been created by a fan who envisioned Hera with a harem, allowing fans of various suitors to freely express their thoughts about their favored men.

    What none of the fans realized was that this page had been secretly created by Terry, Leo��s assistant, with Leo himself acting as the hidden admin.

    His intention was to gather intel on Hera and his rivals without expending unnecessary resources to keep an eye on them.

    As the HAVIER fans posted their picture, other fan clubs followed suit, sharing images of Hera with her other suitors andparing each man.

    This strategic move not only provided Leo with valuable insights into his rivals and their dates with Hera but also allowed him to learn what women found attractive in a man.

    He began to understand why Hera��s fans supported hispetition.

    It was a clever tactic, one that kept him informed and one step ahead in the game for her heart.

    The members of this page weremitted to a strict code of conduct: aside from discussions within the group, they were not allowed to leak any private pictures or information about Hera.

    The only exception to this rule was if it became absolutely necessary to protect her or her suitors from potential nder or harm.

    This was precisely why Leo had created the page��to provide a space for Hera��s shippers and his rival��s supporters to engage in discussions without the risk of their conversations spilling onto the broader inte, where malicious individuals could twist their words for their own agendas.

    By keeping the dialogue contained, Leo was able to maintain control over the flow of information, ensuring that sensitive details remained within the confines of the group.

    This strategic approach allowed Leo and his team to monitor which members had ess to specific information, enabling them to efficiently track any potential leaks or issues.

    Instead of searching for a needle in a haystack if something went awry, they could quickly pinpoint sources of information and address concerns as they arose, safeguarding Hera from unwanted scrutiny.

    Most importantly, Leo was seething in his chair as he stared at the picture of Hera and Xavier.

    Despite his irritation, he forced himself to stay calm; he had alreadye to terms with the fact that he had to let Hera choose how she wanted her love life to unfold.

    All he needed to do was ensure that he remained her main husband, the one with whom she would share her love and life.

    The others were merely backdrops to his grand n.

    However, his annoyance wouldn��t go unchecked.

    With a devilish grin spreading across his face, he decided to share the picture in the "Six Musketeer��s Group Chat."

    As he hit send, he bit his lip, trying to suppress hisughter.

    The moment Dave saw the picture, his reaction was instantaneous��he flooded the chat with frantic messages, demanding to know where Xavier was and why he hadn��te to exin himself.

    Leo couldn��t help but chuckle at the chaos he had just unleashed, reveling in the moment as the group erupted into a flurry of activity.

 Chapter 477 Six Musketeers’ Group Chat

    [Zhane: The picture doesn��t look like it was taken by paparazzi, though.]

    [Dave: I don��t care! I just want to have as many pictures with her as possible!]

    [Dave: (��`����)?]

    [Dave: I want to save them all so our kids can see how lovey-dovey their mom and dad were!]

    Leo could barely hold back hisughter as Dave��s over-the-top responses kepting.

    The group chat was buzzing with Dave��s theatrical outbursts, while the others sat back, amused by the spectacle.

    Leo leaned back in his chair, satisfied with the chaos he��d set in motion.

    [Luke: That��s a solid n, Dave. Thanks for sharing.]

    [Luke: (��??) (?_?)]

    [Dave: (;������)]

    [Zhane: Besides, @Dave, do you really think Hera would let you be her PA? You said you��ve turned over a new leaf, right? So quit trying to escape your responsibilities and focus on your work.]

    [Zhane: And don��t even think abouting up with an excuse!]

    [Luke: @Dave, Zhane��s right. Stop running around the city avoiding your duties.]

    [Luke: Didn��t your grandfather assign you some tasks to finish? So, get moving and start working, man.]

    [Luke: (???)]

    [Dave: (��ڡ� ) Gasp]

    [Dave: Y-you! It��s you!]

    [Dave: Are you <i>really</i> my friend?!]

    [Dave: How dare you even suggest that my grandpa send me to Korea right now?!]

    [Dave: Are you trying to get rid of your rival, @Luke?]

    [Dave: Are you feeling threatened?]

    [Dave: (��?��)��]

    [Dave: (

    [Dave: Take that!]

    [Zhane: Isn��t it only natural for you to finish the project in Korea? Besides, you did say you were going to start taking your job seriously now.]

    [Luke: Exactly! I only mentioned to your grandpa that you��ve turned over a new leaf and are ready to work properly.]

    [Luke: Just imagine how thrilled your grandfather must have been.]

    [Luke: He literally checked the sky to see if the sun had risen from the west!]

    [Luke: (�ި���)]

    [Dave: @Zhane, don��t y innocent! I know Luke is just trying to get back at me for surpassing him. After all, he hasn��t made any progress with Hera, while I��ve managed to win some brownie points! Plus, you don��t want Luke stealing the spotlight, since that might hinder your own progress, right?]

    [Dave: Don��t think I��m stupid! Hmph! I��m not going down without a fight!]

    [Dave: As much as my grandpa would love to hear that I��m finally taking work seriously, he��d also be over the moon to know I found him a beautiful, talented, and gracious granddaughter-inw.]

    [Dave: (���� �� ͹]

    [Zhane: ...]

    [Luke: ...]

    [Luke]: Anyway, have you checked on Rafael?]

    [Dave: Oh, switching topics, are we?]

    [Dave: Fine, I��m not talking to you guys anymore! Hmph!]

    [Dave: Since Leo is just enjoying the show and doesn��t want to chime in, so be it.]

    [Dave: Right, Leo, I see you��re online��no pretending you��re dead! You wanted to stir the pot, didn��t you?!]

    [Dave: Well, congrattions, you seeded! Happy now? Hmph!]

    [Leo: More than happy, in fact!]

    [Leo: ��~?(?���� ?��)�� @Dave ?����o(��?��o�ᣩ����]

    [Luke: But seriously, has anyone heard from Rafael?]

    [Luke: With his temperament, he should be one of the few of us seething with jealousy right now, so it��s uncharacteristic of him not to say a word.]

    [Dave: I get it, @Luke��you just want to see us make fools of ourselves, huh? Will that make you happy?]

    [Zhane: One fool is enough, @Dave.]

    [Dave: What do you mean by that, @Zhane? Are you calling me a fool?]

    [Zhane: I never mentioned your name, but if you insist... so be it.]

    [Zhane: ��( -.�`; )��]

    [Dave: You guys are bullying me! I��m going to tell my sweetheart and expose your true selves, you two-faced foxes!]

    [Zhane: @Dave, that��s nder. I haven��t said a word; you just jumped to conclusions. Now you��re ming us? Are you not afraid that Hera will think you��re fussier than a girl?]

    [Dave: ...]

    [Dave: @Luke, I went to Rafael��s house, but he wasn��t there. I asked the servants, and they told me that Rafael left in a hurry after checking on Minerva��s room. They��ve been instructed to keep their distance from her for now. One of them mentioned that Rafael looked sick and angry, so it seems like they might have had another argument or that Minerva did something to upset him.]

    [Dave: They haven��t heard anything from upstairs, so they didn��t check on Minerva this time. Rafael hasn��te back since then; they assumed he was in the office. I even called his office, but he��s not at Briley Corporation or his entertainmentpany...]

    [Leo: Do you think his sister might have run away, and he��s now out looking for her before anyone else does? Like the police, for instance?]

    [Dave: (��ڡ� )]

    [Dave: I don��t think so??!!]

    [Zhane: Why don��t we split up and see what we can find?]

    [Luke: That seems like our best option right now. We can leave Hera in Xavier��s care for the time being; he��ll keep her safe. She has a big day tomorrow, and with Minerva potentially on the run, things could take a turn for the worse. We need to consider that Minerva mightsh out at Hera for some reason.]

    [Luke: While she might not directly seek revenge, it��s a possibility we shouldn��t ignore. Human emotions and thoughts can be unpredictable, especially when ites to someone like Minerva. We can��t forget that she��s been struggling mentally.]

    [Zhane: Ipletely agree. I just hope Minerva hasn��t really run away. Given her fragile state, she might me Hera for her own failures after seeing her sess online. That kind ofparison could trigger something in her and make her even more unhinged.]

    [Zhane: When someone is in a vulnerable mental state, they can be especially sensitive to differences in sess. It��s a dangerous situation.]

    [Leo: Then let��s spread out and search!]

    [Leo: I still have to be there to cheer on my wife during her epic race tomorrow!]

    [Dave: @Leo, you��re not the least bit concerned about Rafael��s sister, are you?]

    [Leo: ��( ?_?)��]

    [Leo: Why should I be? She��s not my sister, and she certainly isn��t my family.]

    [Leo: Plus, she��s bullied Hera multiple times and even hurt her.]

    [Leo: The only time I��ve felt grateful toward her was when she took Alexi away, freeing my wife from that dirty fox��s grasp. That��s the sole reason I��m not outright dismissing your attempts to help Rafael��s sister.]

    [Leo: I��m already being generous enough here; don��t push your luck.]

 Chapter 478 Rafael And Minerva On The Run

    "Brother, hick, I can��t run anymore! My feet hurt," Minerva whimpered between hups, struggling to keep her voice down to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

    She fought back tears, desperately trying not to cry out louder.

    How did they end up in this predicament?

    Last night, Rafael had confidently spent the night at Dave��s chateau, believing that the handful of bodyguards stationed at Minerva��s door, as well as those positioned outside her window, would keep her secure.

    He had left his home with the firm conviction that his sister wouldn��t be able to escape her room without his permission.

    The following morning, after disembarking from Dave��s chopper, he headed straight to his office to catch up on work, knowing Luke still had no leads to share.

    As he engaged in lighthearted banter with the group online, he received a call from one of the guards monitoring Minerva��s window.

    The guard reported a terrifying situation: they had been ambushed and rendered unconscious.

    When they finally regained consciousness, they discovered that Minerva was missing.

    In a desperate attempt to contain the chaos, the guards decided to keep the incident under wraps, pretending that everything was still normal.

    As soon as they discovered that Minerva was missing, the guards immediately called Rafael.

    It was at that moment that he abruptly stopped participating in the lively banter with the others.

    Heart racing, he hurried to the underground parking garage, rallying his bodyguards to help search for his sister.

    Theybed through all the ces Minerva might have gone, trying to piece together why she would escape.

    However, unease gnawed at Rafael.

    The fact that the guards he had stationed outside had been knocked unconscious meant that someone had orchestrated Minerva��s abduction.

    The only name that surfaced in his mind was Alexi.

    Without hesitation, Rafael instructed his driver to take them directly to Alexi��s location, while his bodyguards tracked down the ce.

    Yet, something felt off��there was a nagging sensation in Rafael��s gut that he couldn��t quite identify.

    He couldn��t shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye.

    Still, Alexi was his only lead, and as he pressed onward, he wrestled with his conflicting thoughts, desperate to uncover the truth behind Minerva��s disappearance.

    When they arrived at Alexi��s apartment, Rafael��s bodyguard kicked down the door, revealing a familiar sight��the same t where Hera had once lived with Alexi.

    Theyout was unchanged, and the bodyguards felt a sense of recognition wash over them.

    After all, they were the same team that had apanied Minerva the day she had confronted Hera.

    However, there was a noticeable difference: the few guards who had forcibly thrown Hera out were no longer with them, having been dismissed by Rafael for their actions.

    Now, only those who had shown respect towards Hera remained, standing ready to assist Rafael in his search for Minerva.

    As soon as Rafael and his team stepped into Alexi��s apartment, they were overwhelmed by the pungent smell of alcohol.

    Rafael barely got through the door before he kicked a bottle of tequ across the floor.

    There, slumped against the wall, was Alexi��unconscious and still gripping a liquor bottle in his hand.

    He didn��t even flinch at the sound of the door being kicked in, lost in a drunken stupor that rendered him oblivious to his surroundings.

    His pallidplexion and disheveled appearance made him look almost lifeless. Disgusted, Rafael shot Alexi a disdainful nce.

    "Search the ce!" Rafael barked, striding into the apartment��s living room and scanning the surroundings.

    It was clear that Alexi hadn��t bothered to clear out Hera��s photos; remnants of their past lingered everywhere.

    Ever since Hera left, Alexi hadn��t brought Minerva back to the apartment, knowing that every glimpse of Hera��s pictures would spark an argument between them.

    Yet, despite the tension, Alexi remained stubbornly unwilling to part with the reminders of his former life.

    "Negative!" one bodyguard called out from the kitchen.

    "Not here!" another shouted from one of the bedrooms.

    "Clear!"

    "Negative!"

    Before long, everyone regrouped after thoroughly searching the small apartment.

    The swift sweep of the premises left Rafael with a deepening frown.

    Hearing that Minerva was nowhere to be found in Alexi��s ce frustrated him; this was his only lead.

    He hadn��t equipped Minerva with any tracking device, so he couldn��t even trace her through her phone.

    His stomach churned with frustration. "Wake the bastard up!" Rafael snarled as he stormed out of the living room.

    He headed toward the two rooms, their doors left ajar after the guards had swept through.

    One room resembled a disaster zone, clothes and random items scattered as if a tornado had torn through it.

    In stark contrast, the other room was clean and tidy��minimalistic yet warm and inviting. The guards had only nced around, leaving everything untouched.

    Rafael stepped into the neater room and scanned the space.

    His gazended on a picture of Hera in her school uniform, smiling brightly in the vanity mirror.

    She looked so youthful and charming that he couldn��t help but smile to himself.

    Carefully, he pulled the photo from its frame and tucked it into his breast pocket.

    <strong>-Ssh...</strong>

    "Sir! He��s awake!" one of the bodyguards shouted from the living room.

    "Hmm." Rafael replied absently, indifferent to whether his bodyguards heard him or not.

    He took onest look around Hera��s room before stepping back into the living room, where he found Alexi drenched and coughing as if he had just been pulled from the ocean.

    <i>Cough!</i>

    <i>Cough!</i>

    "Who the hell are you?! What do you want?!" Alexi shouted, still disoriented and only partially sober.

    The cold water sshed across his face jolting him from his drunken stupor, but he stubbornly clung to the bottle of liquor in his hand.

 Chapter 479 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 2

    Slowly, the fog of drunkenness began to lift, and his awareness of the situation sharpened. He could finally grasp the gravity of the danger looming over him.

    "How did you get into my ce?! Get out!" Hatred red in Alexi��s eyes as he locked onto Rafael.

    Fear no longer held any sway over him��only rage.

    With nothing left to lose, Alexi��s anger boiled over.

    He knew, deep down, that his downfall had everything to do with Hera��s suitors, particrly Rafael.

    His ambitions might have been grand, but he wasn��t a fool. It was clear that Rafael had orchestrated his cklisting, and once Rafael took a stance against him, the otherpanies had followed suit, boldly shutting him out.

    Now, staring at the man he held responsible for his ruin, Alexi��s hatred overshadowed any remnants of fear.

    Seeing Rafael standing in his apartment ignited something explosive within Alexi.

    His anger and hatred surged to new heights, burning fiercely in his eyes. But Rafael didn��t care��he wasn��t the least bit intimidated by Alexi.

    What truly infuriated Rafael wasn��t just that his sister was missing and Alexi was being unhelpful.

    It was the thought that Hera, the woman he cherished, had once lived in this very apartment, sharing a life with the man now in front of him.

    The idea that Hera had been in a rtionship with this scumbag only fueled Rafael��s rage, making him even more sensitive and irritable.

    Rafael��s fists clenched involuntarily, and the urge to bash Alexi��s face is almost overwhelming.

    cklisting him from the entertainment industry no longer felt sufficient; Rafael wanted to ensure Alexi��s downfall was permanent, that he��d never rise again.

    The thought of letting him off easily was infuriating.

    But despite his boiling rage, Rafael held himself back. He knew that finding his sister took priority.

    There would be plenty of timeter to make Alexi pay for everything��once Minerva was safe.

    Rafael crouched down in front of Alexi, his long legs spread wide, sitting back on his heels.

    He locked eyes with Alexi��s hatred-filled gaze, unflinching.

    With a cold, deliberate movement, Rafael reached out with his leather-gloved hand, gripping Alexi��s hair tightly.

    He yanked it, forcing Alexi to meet his intense, domineering stare��eyes that radiated oppressive power and barely contained fury.

    "Where��s Minerva? Where are you hiding my sister?" Rafael growled through gritted teeth, his voice low and seething with barely restrained fury.

    His temper was dangerously close to boiling over, but he forced himself to hold back��he needed answers, and he needed them fast.

    "Oh? Your sister?" Alexi sneered, his voice slurred with bitterness and a twisted sense of satisfaction.

    "Did shee here again, begging for me to fuck her brains out?"

    Heughed darkly, almost delirious, knowing full well how much Rafael cherished his sister.

    If Rafael didn��t care so much, he wouldn��t have let Minerva run wild like a spoiled princess.

    Alexi, remembering that this was his ace, wanted to twist the knife.

    He wanted Rafael to know that no matter how powerful he was, Minerva still sought him outing back to him, acting like a little slut.

    It was a final, desperate attempt to assert some control, to get under Rafael��s skin, to prove that he still had something Rafael couldn��t take away.

    After spending enough time in the entertainment industry, Alexi had learned how to read socialites��their arrogance, their fragile pride.

    The thought of humiliating someone as conceited as Minerva, of dragging her down to his level, thrilled him.

    And now, seeing the fury twisting Rafael��s face, Alexi felt an almost sickening glee. It was a rare moment of control in his spiraling life, and he relished every second of it.

    Alexi, sensing Rafael��s breaking point, pushed further, eager to see just how far he could go.

    "Well, as you can see, I��m in no shape to give your sister what she craves right now. Maybe she found herself a gigolo to scratch that itch. After all, she likes it rough, doesn��t she? Who would��ve thought��"

    Before Alexi could finish, Rafael��s patience snapped.

    In one swift motion, he grabbed Alexi and mmed his head onto the ground with a sickening thud.

    His restraint had finally burned away, leaving nothing but raw, seething rage.

    -Crack...

    The force of the m was so brutal that the bodyguards standing nearby heard a sickening crack.

    They all winced and exchanged silent, uneasy nces��they knew exactly what that sound meant.

    Blood began to pool around Alexi��s head as hey motionless, but Rafael didn��t flinch. He stared down at Alexi with cold, unforgiving eyes, as if the man was already dead to him.

    "Take care of this," Rafael barked at one of the bodyguards before storming out of the apartment.

    "Sir, but what about finding out where Miss Minerva is?" one of the bodyguards asked nervously, trailing behind Rafael.

    His hands fidgeted as he gathered the courage to voice his concern, knowing full well how vtile Rafael��s temper could be.

    "He doesn��t know where Minerva is," Rafael said coldly.

    "Check all the CCTV footage at the mansion��quietly. If it��s been erased, try to recover it. If you can��t, get Sasha the hacker and offer her whatever it takes to retrieve it. We need to find my sister today. No excuses."

    "Understood, sir!" The bodyguard snapped to attention and immediately scrambled to carry out his orders.

    He contacted the IT team to start retrieving the CCTV footage from the mansion and, while at it, reached out to his contacts on the dark web.

    He posted a high-priority request for Sasha, offering a hefty ten million reward to ensure her swift cooperation.

    Rafael was seething with rage. The thought of his sister being degraded and humiliated by the very man she had once loved and defended against her family was unbearable.

    Minerva had fought for Alexi, only to be treated like a disposable object, like a mere whore.

    Rafael couldn��t even fathom how devastated Minerva would be if she had heard the vile things Alexi said about her in front of her own brother.

    It was crystal clear now��Alexi had never truly loved Minerva.

    He had used her for her family��s resources, with her body as a convenient bonus.

    The fact that Alexi had the audacity to say these things so openly to him only proved that Minerva meant nothing to him.

 Chapter 480 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 3

    If anything, he wished he could have smashed Alexi��s face into the ground until even his own mother wouldn��t recognize him.

    Yet, at the same time, Rafael didn��t want to taint his hands with the filth��s blood any more than he already had.

    With an air of arrogance, he walked away from the building without a backward nce.

    He had already dispatched a bodyguard to take Alexi to the hospital, even covering his medical expenses to ensure he wouldn��t die or use it against him.

    And if Alexi tried to sue, he wouldn��t have a leg to stand on��his blood-alcohol level would speak for itself.

    Rafael was also aware of the CCTV camera in the living room, a detail Hera had revealed during her first interview after being thrown out of Alexi��s apartment.

    So, he had taken care to position himself in the blind spot of the camera, leaving no evidence of his confrontation.

    So, even if Alexi were to pursue legal action, the worst he could charge Rafael with would be trespassing.

    However, Rafael would have a solid justification for his actions: his sister was missing, and Alexi was the only one with a motive to have kidnapped her.

    He could easily assert that when he arrived, Alexi had already bashed his own head on the ground.

    Rafael could subtly suggest that it was Alexi��s own drunkenness and carelessness that led to his misfortune.

    Furthermore, he could sway public sentiment in his favor, portraying himself as the concerned brother who rushed Alexi to the hospital while desperately searching for his missing sister, thus garnering sympathy and turning the narrative to his advantage.

    As a seasoned businessman, Rafael had considered all possible scenarios, giving him the confidence that Alexi would have no grounds for retaliation against him.

    While Rafael searched for Minerva in all her usual hangout ces or friends, Sasha, one of Hera��s subordinates, received the request.

    Despite his name, Sasha was actually a teenage boy who had skipped school to watch Hera��s interview.

    He was fiercely defending her against the nderous remarks ofizens, hacking into their PCs to retrieve their IP addresses and forwarding the information to their legal team for revenge.

    There was nothing more dangerous than a vengeful teenager skilled in hacking; they were impulsive and indifferent to the consequences.

    As Sasha immersed himself in this chaotic endeavor, the ck page behind his burner social media ount lit up with an iing request, catching his attention.

    Hezily clicked on the iing message from his online broker on the dark web.

    "Someone��s looking for you��Rafael Briley, to be exact. He��s searching for his missing sister and has offered a bounty of 10 million for this job. Would you like me to ept it or decline?"

    "I��m busy right now; I��m not in the mood to track down some runaway girl," Sasha said dismissively, showing little concern for Rafael or his sister.

    He returned to his previous task, hacking into the ounts of those still ndering Hera despite the chaos caused by the troll army.

    But then, a thought struck him. Rafael Briley��one of Hera��s suitors and a steadfast supporter of her��shed in his mind, prompting him to quickly revisit the dark web.

    "You know what? ept that order but offer a discount��let��s only take 1 million for now," Sasha messaged.

    He thought to himself, ��<i>I don��t want Hera or anyone else breathing down my neck once they find out I extorted her boyfriend. Besides, I��ve already been warned to steer clear of the dark web; it��s filled with disturbing things. And when Hera is angry, she��s genuinely terrifying.��</i>

    Sasha nodded to himself. He just wanted to help Hera, his friend who recognized his talent and often hung out with him, despite others finding him strange.

    After all, who could truly understand the entricities of a genius when surrounded by average people?

    Most treated him like a pariah, viewing him as someone with a few loose screws or as antisocial.

    But Hera saw him differently��she recognized him as an introvert rather than a weirdo.

    She couldn��tprehend why people felt the need to impose their ideals and behaviors on others; if someone didn��t conform, they were shunned and treated as outcasts.

    That was exactly how they treated Sasha.

    Sasha was just a few years younger than Hera, still a minor, so it was understandable that he often hesitated tomunicate with others.

    The male leads in the novels they lived in exhibited simr traits, and their boundaries were respected and even revered.

    In contrast, ordinary people like Sasha were shunned for being different.

    No one recognized he��s genius until Hera took him to an inte caf��, hoping to spark his interest and help him discover his passion.

    Just like many teenagers, she had been captivated by video games during her own adolescence.

    Hera was simply trying her luck; if gaming didn��t resonate with Sasha, they could explore othermon interests together.

    She just wanted to help him find something to engage with, as he often appeared unmotivated and gloomy.

    Hera was always patient with Sasha. Even when he ignored her, she would sit quietly beside him, reading her lessons or working on her homework.

    Sasha disliked going home, as his parents were both preupied with their own lives and viewed him as a creep due to his gloomy demeanor and entricity.

    Theirck of attention only deepened his sense of istion, making Hera��spanionship all the more important to him.

    Who would have thought that when Hera brought Sasha to the inte caf��, he would discover a passion for hacking instead of gaming?

    At first, he had no idea what he was doing, but after browsing the web for a while, he was captivated by the wealth of knowledge avable.

    A spark ignited in his eyes, and from that moment on, they often returned to the caf�� together.

    While Hera immersed herself in games, Sasha focused on learning to code and hack.

    Even though Hera could only spare a maximum of two hours a day due to her busy schedule, her presence meant the world to Sasha.

    He appreciated her dedication and treated her with the respect of both a friend and a boss, someone he would follow with his life.

 Chapter 481 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 4

    Sasha had once caused a major international incident after hacking into the Pentagon and stealing ssified national secrets, which ignited tensions with Russia.

    As a result, the Pentagon put a bounty on his head, and he became a wanted figure.

    Currently, Sasha works as a gray hat hacker, specializing in testing and reinforcingpany firewalls.

    Long before Hera returned, he had been working for the Avery Consortium, primarily offline.

    His main task was to strengthen and upgrade thepany��s firewall, which was crucial due to their centralized system that attracted numerous hacking attempts over the years.

    Hera, understanding this vulnerability, had Sasha secure Avery��s system even before she officially took over the consortium.

    Within Avery, few knew much about Sasha, except that he had a reputation as a dark web hacker.

    Over time, he rose through the hacker rankings, reaching the top while defending Avery��s systems, making him a force that deterred further hacking attempts.

    Anyone who attempted to breach Avery��s system quickly regretted it.

    Sasha not only traced their locations but also retrieved detailed activity histories from their devices before shutting down their servers. He then forwarded the incriminating data to the police in their respective countries.

    To make matters worse for the hackers, he ensured their devices crashed, leaving them scrambling to rebuild everything from scratch.

    If they were lucky and they had backups, then they can start over; if not, their only option was to flee the authorities and attempt to rebuild their lives while evading capture.

    And this well known hacker that was feared by many was only a teenager and if many found out about it, many would try to take advantage of him or target him more because of his talent and this scary idivisual is not licking his lollipop as he type on his keyboard.

    "You know what? ept that order but offer a discount��let��s only take 1 million for now," Sasha messaged.

    "Ah!"

    "What happened?!"

    "I just sent a reply declining the offer," the broker said, nervous and palm mping.

    "Why were you typing so fast?! Hurry, message them again and tell them I��m epting the offer!"

    The broker stared at Sasha��s message, speechless. Was he supposed to respond as slowly as a sloth?

    "And make sure you exin that you were replying to a different client, and sent it to them by mistake!" Sasha urged.

    The broker��s lips twitched in frustration. It wasn��t believable to im a mistake like that��each client had unique codes and usernames.

    As hackers living in the dark web, they were hyper-aware of such details.

    iming he made an error would not only damage his credibility but turn him into aughing stock. Still, he couldn��t argue with Sasha; they all knew how terrifying he could be.

    "A-alright, I��ll contact them again," he muttered reluctantly as he type his reply.

    Sasha didn��t have to wait long before he was connected to the client��Rafael��s assistant��who immediatelyunched into an exnation of the situation and what they needed Sasha to do.

    The assistant quickly provided Sasha ess to the security cameras�� backend, hoping he could determine if the system had been tampered with.

    They were at a loss over Minerva��s disappearance, and theck of footage itself suggested something critical: someone had hacked their system and deleted the evidence.

    "No need. I��ll handle it myself," Sasha typed back confidently before diving into action.

    Sasha replied even before Rafael��s assistant had a chance to send over the backend ess.

    As an experienced hacker, getting in on his own was a breeze for him.

    The assistant knew this, but offering the ess was more a gesture of trust, showing that they were fully willing to cooperate and provide Sasha with anything he needed.

    Without dy, Sasha began reviewing the security footage.

    As suspected, it had been hacked. He quickly restored the original footage and searched for the specific timeframe mentioned by the bodyguards when they were knocked out.

    Sure enough, Sasha uncovered something crucial. He immediately forwarded the recovered footage to Rafael��s assistant.

    Impressed, the assistant quickly asked if Sasha could also help trace the individuals and the vehicle they had used during the incident.

    The reason they hired Sasha was that restoring deleted files is no easy task, and tracking vehicles is even more challenging.

    To locate the vehicles, a hacker would need to breach the national security system, essing the city��s CCTV cameras and scouring the streets for clues.

    This process typically takes considerable time and requires a team of experts.

    Alternatively, they could seek permission from Dave to ess the entire city��s security footage to find Minerva.

    However, even that routees with its own protocols, which could further dy the investigation.

    Rafael didn��t have the luxury of time; by the time they received the green light, Minerva could be miles away.

    They had already lost too much time, and any further dys were uneptable.

    After receiving the footage from Sasha, the assistant stepped forward and yed it on his phone for Rafael, who was still seething with anger. As Rafael watched the original footage fromst night, his fury intensified.

    "Damn it! Get ready to move!" he barked at the bodyguards standing behind him, gripping the phone tightly, ready to smash it against the ground.

    "Sir! We need to consult Sasha to help us locate the young miss!" the assistant quickly intervened, stepping in front of Rafael to prevent him from destroying his phone.

    <i>��I just got this new phone after myst one got smashed a month ago,��</i> the assistant muttered to himself, ncing anxiously at the device in Rafael��s hand.

    As soon as he heard the assistant��s words, Rafael promptly returned the phone before striding away with heavy steps, his fury palpable��he moved as if smoke were billowing from his nostrils.

 Chapter 482 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 5

    Utilizing nearly all the CCTV feeds in the neighborhood, he managed to capture the license te of the van.

    However, when he ran a search in the national database, he discovered that the van was unregistered and had been reported stolen years ago.

    This meant the data was unreliable; the license te could easily be fake, and the individuals using the van might be changing the tes regrly.

    Considering this, Sasha decided to take a different approach as he tracked the van onto the highway and into an underground route.

    Sasha promptly sent any leads he discovered directly to Rafael. In response, Rafael and his bodyguards quickly mobilized to search for the van mentioned in the report.

    They divided into four groups, with Rafael taking only two bodyguards as they raced through the streets.

    Meanwhile, Rafael��s assistant remained at the office, maintainingmunication with Sasha and coordinating the four teams as their navigator, guiding them in different directions.

    This coordinated effort allowed Rafael and the other three groups to reach their destinations more quickly.

    As they checked various locations for any sign of Minerva, Rafael and his team remained vignt, ensuring they moved quietly and swiftly to avoid drawing attention and alerting the other party of his original n while they awaited Sasha��s report.

    After all, it was only natural for him to search the city for his sister once he realized she was missing.

    If he suddenly stopped looking and stayed in one ce, it would indicate that he had enlisted a skilled hacker to help track her down, prompting the other party to cover their tracks even more.

    Therefore, the more reckless and desperate Rafael appeared in his search, the better it worked to their advantage.

    As their search continued, the sky grew darker, and Sasha meticulously scoured the city for clues.

    Hisst lead was the underground route, but despite waiting patiently, the van never emerged from any of its exits.

    Sensing something was off, he quickly essed the blueprint of the underground route from the national database and discovered an underground railway with interconnected exits.

    Considering this new information, Sasha decided to abandon monitoring the underground route and instead focused on the railway and its various exits and tunnels.

    However, he ultimately decided against abandoning the underground route.

    It could be a diversion tactic to make him believe that the other party had used the railway system to escape, while they changed the van��s license te or peeled away ayer of its wrap, revealing the original color.

    It would be much easier to alter the van��s appearance than to navigate theplex underground rail system, which would require significant effort and the presence of a transportation vehicle waiting outside the railway.

    Alternatively, they might be nning to ride the train to another location.

    With so many possibilities to consider, Sasha needed to keep a close watch on every detail.

    Fortunately, he had developed an AI assistant on his PC to help monitor these minor aspects while he focused on the major tasks.

    The AI monitored the activities along the underground route, specifically tracking all vehicles that passed by, especially any vans matching the model of the ck van.

    Meanwhile, Sasha traced the various underground routes and their interconnected exits.

    In addition to tracking the transportation, Sasha had to consider Minerva��s condition: <i>was she being taken against her will, was sheing willingly, or had she been drugged and carried off like a sack of potatoes? </i>

    Yes, Minerva had been kidnapped from her room by an unknown people, which only deepened Rafael��s anger and anxiety.

    Now he understood the source of his unease upon learning of her disappearance.

    The fact that she had been abducted from her own home suggested that her captors wanted something from her, rather than intending to silence her and it also proves that they don��t give a fuck about Rafael or his family, or maybe, they just don��t fear anyone or the circumstances calls for it.

    This realization allowed Rafael topose himself and concentrate on locating her; if they had wanted to eliminate her, they could have done so at the moment they entered her room. Instead, they chose to kidnap her.

    Rafael��s mind raced as he recalled the underworld factions Luke had mentioned, which were linked to the crimes involving Minerva.

    It was possible that the police had gathered key evidence against these factions and needed Minerva toplete the picture.

    However, Minerva��s identity was sensitive, which might exin why the mafia hadn��t killed her outright; instead, they seemed intent on negotiating a deal.

    Regardless of the motives behind her abduction, Rafael realized he wouldn��t uncover the truth until he found Minerva.

    With these factors in mind, Sasha��s search became clearer.

    If Minerva was awake, she could actively participate in whatever ns her captors had for her, especially if she came willingly with them.

    However, if she was unconscious, their options would be significantly limited.

    Given that Minerva had been abducted, it was likely she was incapacitated, which meant the only possibilities were that they were either using the railway��s interconnected exits with a getaway vehicle waiting or they were altering the van��s appearance in the underground route.

    After formting this deduction, Sasha shared his findings with Rafael��s assistant, who then ryed the information to Rafael and his three teams.

    The other teams were dispatched to the railway exits, where they patiently awaited any signs of movement.

    Meanwhile, Rafael and his bodyguards positioned themselves at the underground route��s exit, pretending that one of the bodyguards��dressed in a simple white undershirt and looking like an office worker��was experiencing technical issues with their vehicle, such as a t tire or engine trouble.

 Chapter 483 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 6

    His priority was to track their destination first.

    After another half hour, Rafael and his team noticed the van behaving oddly; it began to slow down, leading them to suspect it might stop or take a turn at the uing fork.

    They remained calm, keeping their distance. Suddenly, the back window of the van rolled down slowly.

    Before they could react, the bodyguard in the passenger seat was shot in the upper stomach, near the heart.

    Fortunately, the bullet had veered slightly, but the surprise jolted everyone.

    The wounded bodyguard immediately pressed his right hand against his stomach in a desperate attempt to stem the bleeding, but he felt his consciousness fading.

    He struggled to reach for his gun but found himself growing increasingly weak.

    Grunt-

    "Duck!"

    The other bodyguard ducked below the steering wheel, urgently gesturing for Rafael to do the same.

    As he did, he carefully adjusted his partner��s seat, lowering it with the panel beside him to minimize their visibility.

    The bodyguard drew his gun from inside his suit, but he couldn��t find an opportunity to return fire as the other party unleashed a hail of bullets on their vehicle.

    All he could do was maneuver as best as he could to avoid getting hit, wary of the possibility that the gunner might target their tires or the hood of the car.

    A bullet could easily prate the vehicle��s body, especially depending on the type of ammunition being used. He couldn��t afford to stop, but closing the distance was equally risky; returning fire was his only option.

    Rafael didn��t remain idle. As soon as he realized what was happening��his bodyguard in the passenger seat had been hit and was now slumped over��he swiftly reached for his gun.

    Each of his bodyguards was permitted to carry two weapons and two backup magazines while apanying him, ensuring they were always battle-ready for situations like this or potential terrorist attacks.

    Their training and preparation were crucial for defending both themselves and their employer.

    As soon as Rafael grabbed the guns, he quickly checked his bodyguard for signs of life. His expression turned grim and angry as he examined the wounded man.

    Bloodied hands trembling, he reached for the guard��s neck and felt a faint pulse.

    A wave of relief washed over him, but it was tempered by the grim realization that they were losing him; the bodyguard was losing too much blood, and they had no way of knowing if any vital organs had been damaged.

    Without hesitation, Rafael pulled the handkerchief from his breast pocket, crumpling it before pressing it firmly against the wound, nearly trying to force it into the gaping hole to staunch the bleeding.

    He then retrieved a utility dagger from thepartment to cut the seatbelt, using it to secure his bodyguard in a stable position.

    Adding a few moreyers of fabric to the wound, he tied it all together with the seatbelt, using its dual purpose to keep the man firmly in ce while applying pressure to slow the bleeding.

    The bodyguard let out a weak grunt, the pain from the wound intensifying as Rafael pressed down hard.

    But Rafael had no choice; theycked the proper medical equipment, and in their current situation, he simply couldn��t provide the necessary pressure to stem the bleeding effectively.

    With limited resources at hand, improvisation was their only option.

    After attending to his wounded bodyguard while the other struggled to return fire, Rafael quickly informed his assistant of the unfolding situation.

    Meanwhile, Sasha, who was monitoring events via the road��s CCTV, realized that Rafael was being lured into a secluded area devoid of surveince.

    Faced with this challenge, he decided to hack into the nearest satellite and magnify its view, allowing him to keep an eye on the car chase.

    This proved to be a crucial decision; as soon as he spotted something rming, he alerted Rafael��s assistant.

    The bodyguards, hearing the urgency in his voice, pressed down on the gas, determined to reach Rafael as quickly as possible.

    After Rafael briefed his assistant on the unfolding situation, he joined in the return fire.

    His bodyguard was expertly maneuvering the car, swerving to avoid as many bullets as possible.

    Despite their efforts, the vehicle sustained significant damage; the windows were shattered, allowing them to simply stick their arms out and shoot.

    Fortunately, the van they were pursuing wasn��t armored, and their return fire managed to shatter its windows as well.

    They were careful not to shoot excessively at the van, fearing they might identally hit Minerva.

    Their primary goal was to shatter the windows for better visibility inside. Only when they confirmed that there was no sign of her��no girl��s head sticking out��did they increase their return fire.

    They spected that Minerva might be sleeping in the back or hiding elsewhere in the vehicle.

    Rafael noticed the rearview mirror had fallen off and quickly reached for it.

    As his bodyguard swerved along the road, Rafael used the mirror to peer through the gaps and locate the gunner.

    With a steady aim, he extended his hand out of the window and fired at the gunner, determined to take him down.

    Bang!

    With a single shot, using the mirror as his sight, Rafael struck the gunner squarely between the eyes. The gunner��s weapon ttered to the road as his lifeless body slumped against the van��s window.

    The driver of the van appeared to panic, causing the vehicle to swerve before finallying to aplete stop.

    Momentster, another man emerged from the van, brandishing a pistol and positioning himself in the middle of the road as if preparing to shoot.

    "Idiot. He must watch too many action movies," the bodyguard muttered before charging at the man.

    The bodyguard didn��t hesitate when he saw the other man emerge from the van, brandishing his pistol and preparing to shoot.

 Chapter 484 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 7

    "You shouldn��t trust these criminals..." Rafael��s voice rang out just after the gunshot, startling the bodyguard.

    He barely ducked in time, narrowly avoiding a shot to the head from the driver, who had pretended to cower in fear to catch him off guard.

    Rafael was right; he shouldn��t have let his guard down just because the enemy appeared defeated.

    After all, they were criminals ustomed to ying dirty. Honor meant nothing to them; survival was all that mattered.

    They would resort to anything, even biting someone if necessary, to stay alive.

    Acting cowardly to catch their opponents off guard was amon tactic, and only a fool would believe otherwise.

    The driver who had just tried to shoot Rafael��s bodyguard was now dead, his head blown apart by Rafael, who stood just a few steps behind.

    The driver��s lifeless body slumped forward onto the steering wheel, triggering a loud honking sound that echoed through the deserted road.

    With no one else around, Rafael and his bodyguard remained unfazed. Rafael quickly checked the van for any hidden threats, and once they confirmed there were no ambushes waiting, he began searching the interior for Minerva.

    Meanwhile, the other three teams arrived on the scene, winching slightly at the gruesome sight of the body on the road before ignoring it and joining Rafael in the search.

    Before Rafael continued, he barked, "Get the wounded to the hospital��ASAP!" Only then did the others realize someone had been shot and was on the brink of death.

    Without hesitation, two bodyguards rushed to assist their injuredrade and sped off to the nearest hospital.

    Meanwhile, Rafael and the remaining team members searched the van, but no matter where they looked, Minerva was nowhere to be found.

    There were no hiddenpartments or anything of the sort. Rafael��s heart thudded violently in his chest, anxiety coursing through him.

    It was painfully clear that the other party was aware of Rafael��s actions and was closely monitoring them.

    Despite Rafael��s efforts, they had managed to slip from his grasp, indicating they had thoroughly nned this kidnapping.

    A growing dread settled in his stomach as he imagined what might be happening to his sister.

    Rafael felt a chill sweep through his entire body as he quickly reached for his phone to contact his assistant.

    "Minerva isn��t here!" he growled, his eyes shing red with a mix of anger and fear.

    Rafael��s assistant gasped in horror on the other end of the line and quickly ryed the news to Sasha.

    However, Sasha was already one step ahead. He began to search again, acutely aware that their adversaries had outsmarted them despite all precautions.

    Since thest known contact point was the underground route, he decided to start there, checking the railway exits to see if they had used them as a diversion.

    It was clear they had orchestrated a ploy to lead him astray, likely aware that Rafael had enlisted a hacker on his side.

    They understood their actions would be monitored, prompting them to act with deceptive cunning.

    Feeling deceived, Sasha��s blood boiled with anger. Determined to take down the hacker on the other side, he made it his personal mission to trace the adversaries�� movements.

    He quickly noticed multiple vehicles exiting the railway at the same time, all filled with individuals who resembled mafia members.

    Their suspicious behavior and the guns they clutched only heightened his sense of urgency.

    Sashapiled all the CCTV footage from the railway exits and meticulously reviewed it.

    However, several blind spots in the camera angles prevented him from seeing whether there were any additional individuals with the suspects, apart from those who asionally strayed into the obscured areas.

    However, another piece of footage caught his attention. He zoomed in, momentarily disregarding the suspicious railway exit footage.

    A smile crept across Sasha��s face. <i>��Ha! Trying to throw me off again, are you? The more overtly suspicious your actions be, the more discrepancies emerge. It��s clear you��re doing this on purpose,��</i> he thought to himself.

    He then contacted Rafael��s assistant again. "I have some footage for you to review. (Video attached.)"

    The assistant received a video of the underground route again, this time capturing the moment the van entered.

    In the footage, a seemingly ordinary Toyota Coro caught the assistant��s attention.

    It entered from Rafael��s side and exited where the van had gone in.

    At first nce, it appearedpletely unremarkable, but something caught his eye��a small,ced red ribbon dangling from the backpartment.

    The assistant remembered that it was part of Minerva��s dress before she went missing.

    If Sasha hadn��t zoomed in and circled that specific detail during his editing, he might have overlooked it entirely, dismissing the footage as irrelevant.

    The assistant perked up and quickly forwarded the short video to Rafael, urging him to confirm with the bodyguard who had stayed with Minerva.

    He needed to verify whether the ribbon matched what the bodyguards remembered.

    Given the cunning nature of their enemies, it was possible this could be another diversion meant to mislead them.

    As soon as Rafael received the video, he immediately called the bodyguards who had been stationed to guard Minerva that night.

    They all nodded in acknowledgment as he pulled up a picture of her��a screenshot taken through the crack of the door when someone delivered food before the kidnapping.

    In the image, Minerva wore a form-fitting white dress with aced red ribbon sewn at her waist, designed to entuate her slim figure and curves.

    However, despite her beauty, she appeared listless and haggard.

    As they cross-referenced Minerva��s dress with the small ribbon dangling from the Toyota Coro, Rafael��s suspicions deepened.

    The more ordinary the car appeared, the more uneasy he felt.

    He recalled making eye contact with the amiable-looking old man behind the wheel��a sight that had seemed harmless at the time.

    His unease grew, and it struck him that he and the others had been misled, all while the kidnappers likelyughed as they transported Minerva to an unknown location.

    He quickly instructed his assistant to have Sasha trace the car��s route.

 Chapter 485 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 8

    The assistant quickly forwarded the message to Rafael, who wasted no time��he and his team jumped into their vehicles, leaving only two bodyguards behind to manage the aftermath of the crossfire.

    This way, they could prevent any public or government from seeing the aftermath that could tarnish Rafael��s reputation and hispany.

    Meanwhile, Sasha watched as the man aligned the jeep with the Toyota Coro and opened the backpartment.

    Therey the unconscious Minerva.

    Even though the sky was darkening, Sasha was able to see her clearly thanks to the enhanced camera visuals he had improved and the blurriness he had eliminated.

    He quickly sent another image to Rafael��s team, signaling that they were indeed on the right track this time.

    The kidnapper appearedcent and unhurried, clearly believing they had sessfully evaded Rafael��s pursuit.

    Sasha recognized that this worked to their advantage; their enemies were unaware that he had managed to track them down despite the meticulousness of their kidnapping n.

    After the man lifted Minerva into the back of the jeep, he pulled something from his pocket and leaned closer to the backseat.

    Sasha surmised that he intended to use it to drug Minerva, ensuring she wouldn��t wake up until they reached their destination.

    For now, they could breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Minerva was still safe and sound. But for how long? That remained uncertain.

    Once the man finished with Minerva, he returned to the Toyota Coro and meticulously cleaned the interior to eliminate any trace of his fingerprints or potential DNA evidence.

    He covered the leather seats with stic to easily tear it offter, wiped down the steering wheel, and vacuumed the seats andpartments.

    Satisfied that everything was spotless, he gathered his cleaning supplies and stowed them in the back of his jeep before speeding away.

    Sashapiled all the video footage he had gathered and sent it to Rafael��s team, along with his findings regarding the jeep used to transport Minerva.

    To his surprise, the vehicle was registered under a real individual.

    Sasha uncovered that the owner was a props creator working with film crews, specializing in costumes and prosthetics for actors based on their specific needs.

    As he reviewed the individual��s background, tracing their history from childhood to the present, Sasha kept one eye on his other screen, which continued to track the jeep via satellite.

    Sasha sent all the information he had gathered to Rafael, but aside from that, he couldn��t find anything else.

    The individual��s profile was pristine��there wasn��t a single blemish to be found.

    This only deepened Sasha��s suspicions; it suggested that someone was protecting this person from the shadows, a backer with considerable influence.

    The problem was that this guy operated like a mercenary, making it difficult for Sasha to uncover who was behind him.

    All he could do was track the man��s movements, but that was enough for Rafael to locate his sister and potentially identify the mastermind behind the abduction.

    While the man holding Minerva was indeed a mercenary, the individuals Rafael and his bodyguards had eliminated during the car chase appeared to be affiliated with a gang.

    With Luke��s assistance, they could trace those gang affiliations, which only reinforced Rafael��s belief that this was connected torger criminal activities.

    What worried Rafael was that the criminal activities could be linked to Gerald��s findings involving his sister.

    The urgency with which they had targeted Minerva only confirmed his fears.

    As the police edged closer to uncovering the truth, Rafael feared that they might resort to sacrificing Minerva as a desperatest-ditch effort.

    This realization weighed heavily on him; he wanted to protect his sister but also felt the need to do what was right.

    The conflicting emotions tortured him as they followed the GPS signal moving deeper into the mountain suburbs.

    Sasha continued to send periodic updates and images to confirm the jeep they were tracking.

    Meanwhile, Rafael reviewed the file on the man who currently had Minerva, forwarding it to his own investigator for a thorough background check on the man��s history and whereabouts since high school.

    He was determined to be meticulous in his approach, wanting to understand every detail and connection that could lead to Minerva��s safe return.

    After hanging up with his investigator and sending all the information Sasha had gathered, Rafael took a deep, shaky breath.

    He buried his face in his palms, rubbing his face vigorously as overwhelming emotions surged within him.

    Worry gnawed at his insides, intensifying the conflicting feelings he couldn��t shake.

    Part of him wanted to p and scold his sister for being a troublemaker, for not recognizing the danger she was in, and for getting herself tangled up in this mess.

    But once he saved her, he resolved to give her a good p��not out of anger, but as a wake-up call to shake her from her misguided thinking.

    He couldn��t help but feel that he should have done it long ago; perhaps if he had, she might have grasped the importance of recognizing the dangers around her and learned what she should and shouldn��t do.

    While Rafael was embroiled in the car chase to rescue his sister, hepletely forgot to inform his friends about what was happening.

    As a result, Dave and the others began to worry and look for him.

    When they couldn��t locate him, they calmed down, specting that he might have had an importantst-minute meeting overseas and brought Minerva along after she tried to run away.

    This way, he could keep an eye on her and prevent her from seeking out Alexi.

    However, they also felt that Rafael was being overly protective, considering he should be keeping Minerva grounded in their country while the investigation was ongoing.

    Conflicted feelings lingered, but they decided to remain silent, waiting for Rafael to reach out first to reveal the truth.

    By nightfall, Xavier had spent the entire day keeping Herapany after their productunch.

 Chapter 486 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 9

    The realization of what their mothers endured��the pain and inconvenience of carrying them into the world��led the group to decide to be kinder and more understanding to their mothers.

    While Xavier stayed behind to assist Hera since his family lived farther away, the others��Dave, Luke, and even Leo��embarked on a shopping spree.

    They bought thetest items, including clothes, bags, jewelry, and supplements, as well as an abundance of snacks that their mothers enjoyed.

    When they returned home, their mothers were astonished, peering out the window as if the sun had risen from the west or they were dreaming.

    Zhane, being a doctor, had always been kind and understanding toward his mother.

    He recognized the challenges women face with their bodies, which made him especially gentle in his interactions with her.

    So, it came as no surprise when he returned home with thoughtful supplements and snacks.

    His mother greeted him warmly as he stepped through the door, helping him remove his coat and guiding him to sit down.

    They settled in together to watch Hera��s recorded interview, with Zhane joining in as he chatted with her, creating aforting atmosphere in the room.

    Meanwhile, the others were met with incredulous expressions from their mothers, particrly Dave.

    Known for his mischievous and rebellious nature, his mother couldn��t shake the feeling that he was up to no good again.

    Her mind raced with concerns as she wondered what kind of trouble he might have stirred up this time.

    "Speak! What have you done this time?!" Dave��s mother barked, irritation clear in her voice as she settled onto the couch, eyeing both Dave and the items he carried.

    Even the butler and a few servants emerged to assist him, but her mind raced with suspicion.

    She couldn��t fathom any other reason for her son��s sudden shift in behavior, making her even more wary of his intentions.

    Dave, taken aback by his mother��s harsh words after his efforts to care for her, felt a wave of indignation wash over him.

    He pouted, unafraid to disy his discontent. "Mom! That��s a bit much, don��t you think?! Do you really see me like that?!" he eximed, his voice cracking as if he were on the verge of tears.

    "Because you are," his mother replied sharply, her words striking him like a blow.

    Dave��s expression shifted to one of disbelief, his mouth agape as he processed her retort.

    "I wouldn��t even believe you if you imed to have an epiphany. You��re just a cunning fox who knows how to cause me trouble," she added, flipping her hair dismissively as she turned away, leaving Dave truly on the verge of tears this time.

    His mother lounged in the living room, seemingly indifferent to his presence, but deep down, she was waiting for him to drop the act before she truly passed judgment.

    It would be a lie to say she wasn��t touched by her son��s sudden disy of care; Dave had never gone to such lengths for her before. He usually kept to himself, rarely spending time at home, and though she acknowledged her own role in that distance, it was only fueled by her worry for his future.

    Their rtionshipcked the closeness typical of a mother and son, leaving her to grapple with both pride and concern.

    Instead of storming out in anger like his usual rebellious self, Dave dragged his feet and plopped down on the couch beside his mom.

    He silently munched on the peeled fruits and sipped his tea, content to simply be in her presence for a change.

    He even chose to eat in the old mansion, engaging in light conversation with his mother, which took her by surprise.

    As they chatted, she couldn��t shake the feeling that her son was up to something, and soon her heart was filled with suspicion about his sudden kindness.

    Nevertheless, they enjoyed their time together, much like Luke and Leo did with their own mothers.

    The surprise visits delighted their parents, who eagerly prepared their sons�� favorite meals. The once-quiet house blossomed with warmth, filled with lively chatter andughter.

    Luke and Leo were unaware that their simple gesture would have such a profound impact on their family.

    Their mothers beamed with happiness and satisfaction, and seeing his wife so joyful filled their father with pride and joy as well.

    It was a moment of warmth that strengthened their family bonds.

    While everyone enjoyed their time at home��Hera and Xavier relishing their moments together after the sessful productunch��Rafael faced a grueling challenge in the forest.

    After tracking the GPS signal, he and his bodyguards followed the man to a heavily fortified stronghold deep in the mountains.

    Guards armed with assault rifles patrolled every corner like soldiers, and Rafael couldn��t help but take a deep breath as they observed from a distance, watching the jeep enter thepound.

    The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, knowing Minerva was somewhere inside.

    Rafael��s assistant immediately called for backup upon discovering the stronghold, but it would take at least one to two hours for the nearest team to arrive.

    The stronghold was well hidden in the forest, essible only via a tricky route that wound around steep cliffs.

    Using a helicopter would raise rms, potentially endangering Minerva or giving the kidnappers a chance to flee.

    In the worst-case scenario, they might even resort to desperate measures, threatening to take everyone down with them, which was an oue Rafael couldn��t afford to contemte.

    Rafael and the bodyguards took the position in the forest, carefully monitoring the stronghold as they devised a n.

    They knew they had to wait for nightfall before making any moves.

    Although the bodyguards harbored doubts about the n��s sess, remaining idle only worsened Minerva��s chances of survival.

 Chapter 487 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 10

    Fortunately, they had Sasha with them, who would provide critical support.

    The team waited in silence as Sasha began hacking into the enemy��s mainframe to take control of the CCTV system within the building.

    His goal was to manipte the camera feeds and pinpoint Minerva��s exact location, giving them a strategic advantage for the rescue.

    Fortunately, their gamble on Sasha paid off.

    The stronghold was indeed connected to the inte, as it served as the hub for much of their illicit activities.

    This base facilitated transactions on the dark web, where they sold contraband, coordinated with foreign contacts, and scheduled the smuggling of goods.

    Sasha��s ess gave the team a strategic advantage, uncovering not just Minerva��s location but also insights into the operations fueling this dangerouswork.

    Once Sasha gave the go-ahead, confirming he��d hacked into the system, Rafael and his team began executing their n.

    Using their knowledge of the guards�� rotations, they moved quickly.

    Some of the bodyguards returned to the foot of the mountain to secure an exit strategy, hiding their vehicles in discreet spots.

    Since they had arrived with multiple cars, keeping them out of sight was essential to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

    They also stationed lookouts outside, equipping them with earpieces and ensuring their phones were on silent mode to avoid any careless mistakes that could lead to being exposed by a stray ringtone.

    Fortunately for Rafael��s team, the stronghold hadn��t installed any signal jammers, likely due to overconfidence in their hidden location and a need formunication.

    Without the advanced technology Sasha utilized, like satellite ess, the stronghold relied heavily on phone signals to coordinate their operations and monitor any potential authority movements.

    This oversight worked in Rafael��s favor, allowing Sasha��s team to maintain uninterrupted contact and proceed with their infiltration ns.

    Rafael decided to take only two bodyguards with him for the infiltration, knowing that a smaller group would make it easier to slip past security.

    The remaining team members stayed positioned as lookouts, ready to provide cover or support if needed.

    This streamlined approach minimized their risk of detection and maximized their chances of sess.

    After thorough nning and preparation, Rafael and his men returned to the cars to retrieve ropes, extra backup gear, bulletproof vests, and additional ammunition.

    Fortunately, they always came equipped for emergencies.

    As soon as they discovered Minerva��s abduction, Rafael��s bodyguards had already begun preparing before he even arrived, anticipating the worst.

    Now, their foresight was proving invaluable.

    Even if some of the equipment went unused, they felt reassured knowing they were ready for anything that might unfold.

    After finalizing their preparations, the other bodyguards drove the vehicles down the mountain, while several others strategically positioned themselves at key locations along the anticipated return route to provide support.

    One of Rafael��s team members also prepared an extra vest for Minerva.

    Once everything was in ce, Rafael and his two selected teammates circled back to the southeastern side of the stronghold, where security was slightly more rxed and guard rotations were slower.

    This area, being farthest from the gates and exits, required the guards to make nearly a full loop around the perimeter, creating a valuable window of opportunity for Rafael��s team.

    Why did Rafael choose this area, despite it being far from the exits?

    Because they didn��t n to use the doors at all; their goal was to scale the walls.

    Prior to finalizing this n, one of Rafael��s bodyguards had stealthily climbed a tree to get a clearer view of the interioryout, making it easier for them to navigate once inside.

    Sasha, meanwhile, had also managed to obtain an aerial view of the stronghold��s perimeter and, with some luck, uncovered a partial blueprint.

    This intel proved invaluable, allowing Rafael��s team to refine their approach and coordinate their next moves.

    With just three of them, Rafael��s team moved swiftly and quietly.

    Using a rope with a grappling hook, they scaled the wall, aiming for a second-floor window near the dormitory area.

    ording to Sasha��s observations, most upants should be headed to the dining room at this hour, leaving only a minimal guard presence on standby until the next rotation.

    Rafael knew this timing was crucial; it was their best chance to climb undetected and gain entry before the guards returned to their posts.

    Rafael and his team expertly tossed their grappling hooks to secure three different windows, allowing them to climb in simultaneously.

    Once they had sessfully infiltrated, they quickly retrieved the ropes, coiling them over their shoulders to avoid leaving any trace.

    Carefully, they peered through the doors to ensure the hallway was clear.

    With no one in sight, they moved stealthily, blending into the shadows and treading lightly to keep any sounds to a minimum.

    They made their way toward the holding cells in the lower levels, where they believed the captives��likely trafficked girls��were being kept.

    Rafael and his team silently slipped past the dining area, their practiced movements and coordination keeping them undetected.

    As they reached the entrance to the underground level, however, they spotted two guards stationed at the doorway.

    The hallway was brightly lit, meaning any step beyond the shadows would likely alert the guards��and with the dining hall nearby, the risk of causing amotion was high.

    Just as Rafael was about to signal his team to hold their positions, he assessed the situation carefully, weighing their options.

    <i>Argh!</i>

    <i>Kack-</i>

    A glinting, cold, sharp object whizzed past Rafael, striking both guards at the doorway.

    Rafael shot an incredulous look back at his bodyguard, as if silently asking, <i>��Why did you do that?��</i>

    His bodyguard, expression unwavering and serious, simply shrugged in response, as if to say, <i>��Problem solved.��</i>

    Rafael held back anyment, understanding that they couldn��t afford a noisy confrontation.

    The other bodyguard quickly moved in, catching the two guards as they slumped to the ground, daggers lodged in their throats.

 Chapter 488 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 11

    Their jaws tightened, teeth grinding as they struggled to keep their rage in check, determined not to let itpromise their mission��but the fury was unmistakable, burning through their silent resolve.

    Even Rafael struggled to stay calm, but he knew they couldn��t afford to act recklessly.

    They weren��t heroes, and attempting a rescue now would only risk their lives and jeopardize the mission.

    Heroes might sacrifice themselves to save others, but Rafael and his team needed to survive to ensure Minerva��and all the other captives��made it out safely.

    They had already called for backup, and once outside, they could alert both their own team and the authorities to raid the entirepound. Staying alive and focused was their best, and only, option.

    After steeling their resolve, the three of them pressed on down the corridor.

    At the far end, they spotted a figure lying motionless in the shadows.

    One of the bodyguards nearly overlooked her due to the darkness, but Minerva��s white dress stood out starkly against the dark.

    When Rafael realized that the unmoving figure in thest cell was indeed Minerva, he feared she might still be unconscious from the drugs.

    Without hesitation, he and the others retrieved a small pouch filled with delicate wires and picking tools.

    Rafael expertly began to work on the lock, his hands steady and focused.

    After unlocking the cell, Rafael swiftly handed the tools to the nearest bodyguard and stepped inside.

    He gently lifted the girl lying on the bed, confirming that it was indeed Minerva.

    She was so disoriented that she barely registered her surroundings, and her weak,bored breathing made Rafael��s heart sink.

    A deep frown creased his brow as he realized something was seriously wrong with her.

    One of the bodyguards quickly approached, pulling out a piece of cloth and a small bottle filled with a solution from his pocket.

    He wrapped the bottle in the cloth and handed it to Rafael.

    Carefully, Rafael held the cloth containing the solution near Minerva��s nose, ensuring it was far enough away not to overwhelm her senses.

    It took two minutes of inhaling the solution before Minerva finally stirred, her eyes fluttering open weakly.

    She struggled to breathe, barely responding to her surroundings, and Rafael��s concern deepened.

    The two bodyguards exchanged worried nces, recognizing that something was seriously wrong.

    While disorientation is typical for someone who has been drugged, Minerva��s condition suggested she might have been overdosed.

    It appeared they had likely drugged her a third time to prolong her unconsciousness.

    If that was the case, it would exin her current state��she might have woken up only to be sedated again before she could fully regain consciousness, leaving her in this vulnerable condition.

    As the pampered princess of the Briley family, Minerva had never experienced such treatment before.

    The first time she woke up was during a transfer into a different car in the mountains.

    Sensing her awakening, the kidnapper quickly drugged her again.

    The second time she regained consciousness was as darkness fell over the horizon, and she was jolted awake by the sound of loud sobbing surrounding her.

    Her head throbbed painfully, and her limbs felt weak, refusing to respond to hermands.

    Unfortunately, when she opened her eyes, she found guards patrolling the cells to ensure their captives were awake and eating before being transported along their secret routes.

    They approached Minerva��s cell and, upon seeing her looking back at them, made the decision to drug her once more without consulting their superior.

    They left her there, helpless and alone, as they went about their same old duties.

    Before Minerva finally sumbed to unconsciousness for the third time, a profound sense of hopelessness enveloped her.

    She felt utterly helpless and feared that she might never see her family again.

    As darkness descended, she reflected on every wrong decision she had made, including the bullying of others, and a wave of regret washed over her.

    Yet, she grappled with uncertainty, questioning whether her actions warranted such a cruel fate.

    In those final moments of awareness, she was consumed by deep regret, fear, and self-pity, feeling as though she were losing not just her consciousness but a part of herself as well or maybe, even dying.

    Only when she heard her brother��s confident voice did a flicker offort and renewed confidence spark within her.

    Slowly, she began to open her heavy eyelids, but her limbs remained unresponsive, and she struggled to form words.

    Sensing her difficulty, Rafael encouraged her to inhale the solution a bit longer before gently taking it away.

    He then assisted Minerva in putting on a bulletproof vest, mindful of her inability to move on her own.

    Meanwhile, one of the bodyguards discreetly returned to the main entrance to ensure the area was still clear, while the other remained in the corridor, keeping an eye on the situation with the captives.

    They waited a bit longer for Minerva to regain her ability to walk before they began to move cautiously.

    However, just as they were about to make some distance, they heard voices pleading from behind the bars.

    "Hey, are you guys getting out of here? Take me with you! Please!"

    "Me too! I want to see my family!"

    "Don��t leave us here!"

    The desperate cries echoed in the corridor.

    The collective voices of women began to echo from the cells, sending a cold sweat in Rafael and his team��s bodies.

    It wasn��t that they wanted to abandon them; the reality was far moreplicated.

    They couldn��t risk bringing so many people with them.

    With just the three of them, theycked the capacity to protect everyone, and many of the captives appeared too weak to move swiftly or quietly��some couldn��t even stand properly.

    Their options were limited, and the urgency of the situation weighed heavily on Rafael��s mind.

    Rafael and his team didn��t have the luxury of time to exin their predicament.

    They received a message from Sasha, warning that the guards in the dining hall were nearly finished with their meal, which meant they needed to escape as soon as possible.

    With urgency pressing upon them, Rafael and the others quickened their pace, trying to block out the frantic pleas of the women in the cells.

 Chapter 489 Rafael And Minerva On The Run 12

    When Rafael and his guards finally emerged from the underground, the harsh sounds of the women��s cries reverberated through the open door, chilling them to the core.

    Their faces went pale, a cold dread settling in as they realized the weight of the situation sinking in, this loud noise would surely reach the ears of the guards eating in the dining hall.

    They sprinted as fast as they could, knowing it was only a matter of time before the men in the dining room, who surely heard themotion, would be alerted.

    Instead of retracing their steps to the original entry point, they opted for the opposite direction.

    Fortunately, this part of the stronghold was still clear of guards.

    Sasha, watching live CCTV feeds remotely, guided them through their earpieces, all while cleverly ying pre-recorded footage in the stronghold��s monitoring room to avoid detection.

    Their escape depended on speed and stealth, and Sasha��s navigation proved to be invaluable in staying a step ahead.

    When Rafael and the others reached the second floor, they quickly ducked into a room and peered out the window.

    Guards were still posted around the area, making a swift exit impossible.

    Soon, they heard shouting from within the building��likely men trying to silence the women who were still crying and shouting in the underground cells.

    The tension was mounting, and with every passing second, the urgency to find a safe way outgrew even stronger.

    Rafael and the others felt a wave of anxiety as they considered the possibilities.

    They didn��t know if the women in the cells might give them away out of spite for not rescuing them or if the guards would soon realize Minerva was missing.

    Either scenario posed a serious risk, especially since Sasha had warned that the stronghold had trained hunting hounds that could track them quickly.

    Their hearts pounded with tension, but they focused on staying calm, determined not to let fear cloud their judgment or cause them to miss any critical escape opportunities.

    The three exchanged nces, focusing on steadying their breathing, but in their haste, they overlooked Minerva��s condition.

    She was struggling quietly, her legs still regaining function, her senses graduallying back but in short, she couldn��t feel her body properly so her body��s coordination was a mess.

    Trembling, she fought the waves of fear resurfacing as memories of her abduction flooded her mind��the helplessness, the terror.

    Yet, she remained silent, forcing herself to stay strong; after all, her brother was here now, risking everything to rescue her.

    She clung to that thought, her resolve hardening despite her body��s lingering weakness.

    She instinctively tightened her grip on Rafael��s hand, seekingfort, and he responded by squeezing her hand reassuringly.

    After a moment of tense silence, one of the bodyguards, concealed in the shadows nearby, signaled for Rafael and the others to get ready.

    <i>Kukuku...</i>

    <i>Hoo Hoo...</i>

    <i>Hoo Hoo-</i>

    The hoot of a night owl resonated through the forest, blending seamlessly into the familiar sounds of the night.

    The guards stationed around the perimeter paid little mind to it; after all, they had heard those owls nearly every evening, and such noises were nothing out of the ordinary.

    They continued their patrol, unaware of the brewing tension.

    But soon, the calm was shattered by a flurry of shouts echoing from the stronghold. Rafael and the two bodyguards exchanged anxious nces, realizing that their cover had been blown.

    "Find them! Make sure they don��t escape this ce��kill them if you have to!" An angry roar reverberated through the stronghold, sending a jolt of fear through Minerva.

    She began to tremble, her eyes zing over as panic threatened to overwhelm her.

    Rafael quickly turned to her, offering reassuring words, but inside, he too was gripped by anxiety.

    BOOM-

    A loud explosion rocked the stronghold, causing the ground to tremble beneath them.

    The sudden st silenced everyone inside, a hush falling over the chaos before the air erupted again with frantic shouting.

    "We��re under attack! Gear up!" Frantic voices echoed throughout the stronghold, and even the guards stationed outside dashed toward the source of the explosion.

    Once they confirmed that the area was secure, Rafael��s two bodyguards quickly lowered a rope for him and Minerva to climb down.

    Rafael carefully helped Minerva reach the ground, guiding her toward the forest where the other bodyguard awaited.

    Meanwhile, the two bodyguards on the second floor swiftly coiled the rope and secured it on their shoulders, determined to eliminate any evidence of their escape route.

    They knew leaving the rope behind could alert pursuers to their location, allowing the enemy to concentrate their efforts in one area.

    They preferred to scatter their pursuers, creating confusion and ensuring they could manage any potential pursuers if their forces had been spread thin around the forest.

    However, once the hounds were unleashed, they understood the stakes would change dramatically.

    But by then, they hoped to have put enough distance between themselves and the stronghold, buying precious time before the enemy could catch up.

    After securing the rope, the two bodyguards leaped from the window as if in an action film,nding gracefully on their feet.

    They rolled upon impact to dissipate the force, quickly regaining their bnce.

    Once steady, they sprinted toward the forest, following the path Rafael and Minerva had taken.

    Rafael and the others sprinted deep into the forest, not daring to look back.

    By the time they reached a more secluded area, Minerva began to regain sensation in her body, only to be jolted by a surge of pain.

    She grimaced as the realization hit her: her legs and feet throbbed with stinging difort, and she was barefoot, her soles battered and wounded.

    The hem of her once-white dress was now rmingly stained with blood, and tattered remnants had snagged on the branches they brushed past.

    "Brother, hick, I can��t run anymore! My feet hurt," Minerva whimpered between hups, struggling to keep her voice down to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

    When Rafael nced down at his sister, his heart raced with rm at the sight before him.

    He feared their escape route would be easily traced by their pursuers, drawn in by the scent of blood and the tattered remnants of Minerva��s dress snagged on the branches.

 Chapter 490 Being Pursued!

    <i>Bang!</i>

    The distant sound of gunfire pierced the air, a chilling reminder that their pursuers were closing in, relishing the thrill of the hunt.

    Soon after, the rumble of engines shattered the forest��s eerie silence.

    VROOM!!!

    Vro-vrooom!!!

    "Dammit! They have off-road motorcycles!" one of the bodyguards muttered under his breath, his anxiety palpable.

    The pounding of their heartbeats quickened, echoing the urgency of their situation.

    Meanwhile, Sasha was growing increasingly anxious as the trees obscured his bird��s-eye view footage from the satellite, leaving him unable to monitor the situation in the forest.

    Concern gnawed at him; he wanted to inform Hera that one of her men was in danger, but he hesitated, fearing that dragging her into this dangerous situation could onlyplicate matters.

    The reality was daunting, and he wasn��t even sure if Rafael and his team would make it out alive.

    Sasha was a wreck as he anxiously scanned the forest, desperate for any sign of Rafael and the others.

    The signal was weak, and their constant movement only exacerbated the issue.

    All he could do was urge Rafael��s assistant to elerate the reinforcements; the small number of Rafael��s men wouldn��t stand a chance against the forces from the stronghold once they caught up.

    Seeing those men mount off-road motorcycles only heightened his anxiety��those pursuers were intimately familiar with the mountainous terrain, having operated in the area for far too long.

    Rafael and his group managed to run as far down the mountain as they could, navigating treacherous terrain that nearly sent them tumbling down the slope several times.

    It was particrly challenging for Rafael, who was carrying his sister on his back.

    He couldn��t put her down��not only because she was injured but also because doing so would only slow their escape.

    "B-brother, please, put me down. I can run on my own," Minerva pleaded, her voice shaky and barely above a whisper.

    She could see the strain on Rafael��s face as he carried her down the mountain.

    She felt the sweat pooling on his back that she could feel through her dress and noted how damp his neck had be, his uneven breathing now audible as he gasped for air.

    Despite the exertion, he refused to slow down or stop.

    "No, I can��t," Rafael replied, his breathing in ragged gasps.

    "They��re searching the forest and trying to smoke us out with their scare tactics��firing their guns and using their off-road motorcycles. If we let the pressure get to us, we might trip and fall, and that could lead to injuries like sprained ankles. If that happens, our injuries or sprained ankles would surely decrease our speed and they��ll find us for sure."

    He struggled to finish his thought, his lungs burning with every word.

    It was crucial for Minerva to understand the seriousness of the situation, so she would stop pressing him to put her down.

    At the same time, he needed to voice his concerns as his anxiety mounted.

    But just then, the distant roar of off-road motorcycles and the barking of hounds reached their ears.

    "SHIT! They��re already on our tail!" one of the bodyguards eximed, nearly shouting as he pushed aside branches and leaped over a tree root.

    "We need to pick up the pace!" Rafael dered, bursting into a sprint.

    Despite his pale, sweaty face and the pain screaming through his body, he refused to stop, relying on sheer willpower to push through.

    <i>Vro-vrooom!!!</i>

    <i>VRRROOOOOM!!!</i>

    "I found them! They��re just up ahead!" one of the men leading the pursuit shouted, his voice brimming with excitement as he caught sight of Rafael and his group in the distance.

    Raft!

    The hounds lunged forward, picking up speed as they chased after Rafael and his group.

    The pursuers appeared to revel in the hunt, as if they had done this many times before��sending their captives off to escape, allowing them to savor the fleeting thrill of freedom and the hope of returning home, only to drag them back into despair after being hunted.

    It was a cruel game, one designed to shatter their spirits and plunge them into hopelessness.

    Soon, the pursuers closed in on Rafael and his group, riding their off-road motorcycles and eyeing them with predatory intent.

    However, Rafael and his people weren��t easy targets.

    Just when it seemed they would be overwhelmed, his bodyguards emerged from their hidden positions, ready to provide much-needed support.

    Bang!

    Bang!

    A series of gunfire rang out through the forest as Rafael��s bodyguards opened fire on their pursuers.

    They were quick to take down the hounds that lunged at Minerva, narrowly preventing a bite to her neck.

    Their timely arrival made all the difference, and as the chaos unfolded, Rafael and his group couldn��t help but feel a surge of relief��turns out those off-road motorcycles weren��t just a menace; they were also a tactical advantage to them now.

    "We can ride these things!" one of the bodyguards eximed, excitement breaking through the tension.

    Without hesitation, Rafael set Minerva down and approached one of the motorcycles, gesturing for her to climb on.

    Minerva struggled to mount the bike, her inexperience slowing them down, so Rafael stepped in to help her up.

    Minerva barely had time to process the horror of witnessing someone die right in front of her; everything unfolded in an instant.

    Rafael, on the other hand, didn��t flinch as chaos erupted around him.

    He simply pushed aside the body of the person who had been using the off-road motorcycle and imed it for himself.

    It wasn��t that he didn��t care; rather, he was focused on survival.

    They had chosen this path and sought his life, and at that moment, he knew he had to do whatever it took to escape, even if it meant killing others who targeted his and his sister��s lives.

    Just as they began to rev the engines and speed away, the second wave of pursuers arrived.

    Fortunately, they had enough off-road motorcycles for everyone, and some quickly paired up, allowing those in the back to fire back at their attackers.

    The adrenaline surged as they prepared to fight and flee simultaneously.

    Bang-

    Bang!

    A fresh barrage of gunfire erupted between both sides, and while some of Rafael��s men were hit, the injuries were not life-threatening.

    They gritted their teeth against the pain, clinging tightly to the drivers of the off-road motorcycles as they fought to maintain their grip and keep moving forward.

 Chapter 491 Does It Taste Good?

    "No, I can manage," Xavier replied, focused on stirring the pot of honey water.

    He had boiled water, added honey, and even some orange peel, making the mixture with the same care as if he were baking.

    Amy and Hannah couldn��t convince him to let them help��he was determined to do this for Hera himself.

    Earlier, he had also prepared everything upstairs: he drew a hot bath,id out towels, and set out fresh pajamas for her beforeing down to the kitchen.

    Sitting in the bathtub, Hera began to feel some relief as the hot water soothed her body.

    Although there was still a lingering ache in her stomach, the intense pain had subsided.

    Now, with a clearer mind, she felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her as she recalled Xavier��s attentive actions.

    He had gone to her walk-in closet to find her pajamas��and even her underwear��and had discreetly checked the bathroom for her preferred feminine products, taking note of the brand she used.

    Only after ensuring everything was set did he finally leave the bathroom and head out.

    Xavier didn��t say much as he quietly went about everything he did for her, but Hera felt her heart warm from his thoughtfulness.

    Despite his aloof and silent demeanor, a certain warmth and genuine care radiated from him that made her feel understood and looked after.

    There was no need for grand gestures or borate words��he simply showed he cared through his actions, and that spoke volumes.

    <i>��That��s Xavier for you,��</i> Hera thought, smiling to herself as she leaned back and let the warm bathwater soothe her.

    She didn��t linger long in the tub, and after a few minutes, she drained the water and switched to a hot shower, quickly scrubbing off thest traces of stress.

    Once finished, she dried off and put on the pajamas and other essentials Xavier had thoughtfully prepared.

    She skipped her usual routine��no additional products��just a simple rinse with shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner before stepping out, feeling both refreshed andforted.

    When Xavier finished preparing the honey water, he didn��t have to wait long for Hera to emerge in the bathroom.

    As he pushed the door open, he found her seated at the vanity, blow-drying her hair.

    He approached her, cing the honey water he had made on the counter in front of her before gently taking the dryer from her hands.

    With a warm smile, he began drying her hair himself, encouraging her to drink the honey water he had prepared.

    "Drink it slowly; it��s still a bit hot," Xavier reminded her.

    Truth be told, he didn��t actually need to boil the honey and orange peel to make the honey water.

    Unsure of his kitchen skills and reluctant to ask for help from Amy and Hannah, he had gone the extra mile, boiling water when all he really needed to do was pour hot water in a cup and stir in the honey and orange peel.

    But what mattered was that he had tried.

    Hera could tell the effort he put into making the honey water; the consistency hinted at his extra step, as if he were preparing something for a cake rather than a simple drink.

    <i>��So, he really doesn��t know his way around the kitchen,��</i> Hera thought, smiling sweetly at Xavier through the mirror.

    A yful memory surfaced, reminding her of the time he had asked her to cook for him during their variety show together.

    She couldn��t help but giggle to herself at the thought.

    "Does it taste good?" Xavier asked suddenly, noticing her giggle.

    His smile was genuine, with his eyes crinkling in warmth.

    Although the honey water was slightly bitter from the overboiled orange peel, Hera nodded and returned his smile with sweetness.

    "It��s delicious, thank you, Brother Vier," Hera said, a teasing lilt in her voice.

    She didn��t notice the sudden change in Xavier��s expression at her words. The way she said it felt like music to his ears, sending a jolt through his chest and a sweet sensation churning in his stomach. He instinctively reached out to touch her lips while cing the hairdryer down with his other hand.

    "Let me have a taste," Xavier murmured, leaning down to brush his lips against Hera��s. He intended only a brief peck to savor the sweetness of the honey water lingering on her lips, which looked so tantalizingly inviting.

    "Not enough." But the gentle kiss only heightened his thirst, leaving him with a dryness in his throat and a desire for more.

    He leaned in closer, his entire frame enveloping her.

    Gently, he rubbed his thumb along Hera��s lips, then pressed it to the corner of her mouth, coaxing her to open up.

    As soon as sheplied, Xavier couldn��t contain his urgency; he dove his tongue into her mouth like a hungry cat.

    His other hand found its way to the back of Hera��s head, drawing her in closer and urging her not to pull away.

    Caught off guard by Xavier��s sudden move, Hera tried to find her voice, but he didn��t give her a chance to pull away. Instead, he deepened the kiss, holding her firmly in ce.

    "Hmmm." Hera��s eyes fluttered as Xavier��s hair brushed against her face, sending a ticklish sensation through her.

    A warm churn began to grow in her stomach, a familiar feeling that made her realize just how much she desired him.

    Slowly, she reached up to his hand, still cupping her face, his thumb resting at the corner of her lips.

    His big hands enveloped her face effortlessly, and she felt the heat of his touch as he gently caressed her cheek. "Ha..."

    She barely had a moment to exhale before Xavier leaned in for another deep kiss, consuming her with urgency.

 Chapter 492 It Really Did Tasted Good

    Despite her past experiences with the other male leads, nothing could prepare her for the way each of them and their antics twisted and turned her heart, leaving her breathless and yearning for more.

    At that moment, Xavier pulled away, allowing both him and Hera a moment to catch their breath.

    He couldn��t help but notice her face, flushed as bright as a tomato.

    <i>��She��s so cute,��</i> he thought, a smile tugging at his lips.

    But as soon as he leaned in again to nibble and kiss her lips, his resolve crumbled.

    The space he had given her was gone, and he found himself unable to control his urges.

    Though he fought to be content with just a kiss, knowing she was still on her period, the struggle was bing increasingly difficult.

    The desire surged within him, making it hard to hold back as he lost himself in the sweetness of her lips once more.

    "Ugh!" Xavier grunted as he felt his cock harden under Hera��s weight.

    Although he couldn��t sense her warmth and dampness, his mind began to race with images that stirred his desires.

    However, the pad separating their skin served as a stark reminder that Hera was still on her period, preventing him from acting on those impulses.

    Aware of how difficult it would be to rein himself in once the arousal fully set in, he quickly resolved to stop himself from going any further.

    Thest thing he needed was to lose control in this moment.

    He leaned his forehead against Hera��s shoulder, struggling to catch his breath as he inhaled herforting scent, which gradually helped calm him down.

    Rubbing the tip of his nose against her corbone, he elicited a soft moan from Hera, her reaction making her feel ticklish.

    Unintentionally, this only intensified Xavier��s growing arousal, a tantalizing mix of desire and restraint swirling within him.

    "Hera, you��ll be the death of me," Xavier murmured, his voice strained yet brimming with suppressed desire.

    The intensity of his words sent a thrill through Hera, stirring something deep within her.

    She found herself unconsciously biting her lip, her heart racing against her ribcage.

    The rapid thumping echoed in her ears, and she knew Xavier could hear it too.

    The raw sexiness of his words left her at a loss, caught in a whirlwind of emotions as she struggled toprehend the effect he had on her.

    "Ugh! If you keep squirming like that, I��m going to get hard��hard as a rock," Xavier teased.

    His words were yful, yet the way he delivered them dripped with an enticing allure that made Hera swallow the lump in her throat.

    Thebination of his tone and the underlying intensity of his statement sent shivers down her spine, igniting a mix of excitement and nervousness within her.

    But she really did stop moving, letting her hands, which had been resting on Xavier��s shoulders, slowly glide up to caress his soft white hair.

    She wanted to help him calm down, fully aware that she couldn��t provoke the beast within him at this moment.

    The thought of stirring his desire made her heart race, and the reality of being in the middle of her period only added to her difort.

    Just imagining the passionate things they could do made her blood boil in desire, and she didn��t want to dwell on it, especially since the blood gushing out of her intimate area due to the excitement she was feeling would ruin the intimate mood they had created.

    In her mind, the thought of her period was definitely ruining the mood.

    She could feel the unmistakable sensation of blood gushing, and it made her lips twitch with annoyance, as if her body were constantly reminding her, <i>��Don��t get too carried away and horny; you��re on your period.��</i>

    She mentally scolded herself, wishing she could just shake off the distraction.

    Yet, on the outside, she maintained aposed expression, focusing on helping Xavier calm down despite the turmoil in her thoughts.

    They stayed in that cozy position for a while until Xavier finally lifted his head, his expression a mix of determination and vulnerability.

    "Hera, can I sleep beside you?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of a pout that made him look like an abandoned puppy.

    It was impossible for Hera to deny him when he looked so pitiful.

    Besides, they both knew that nothing would happen��she was on her period, and Xavier wouldn��t cross that line.

    So, with a soft nod, she agreed.

    The moment she did, Xavier��s face lit up with a wide, adorable smile, revealing his bright white teeth and instantly warming her heart.

    Xavier lifted her effortlessly, and Hera instinctively clung to him like a vine wrapping around a tree, her arms coiling around his neck while her legs secured themselves around his waist.

    He chuckled softly, the sound ringing like a bell in the quiet room, and then he walked over to the bed, gently cing her down before tucking her in with a nket.

    Afterward, he headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.

    Everything had happened so quickly that Hera��s head buzzed as she stared at the bathroom door, processing the whirlwind of events.

    It was only when Xavier emerged from the shower that she realized her blunder: he didn��t have any spare clothes in her room, leaving half his body exposed, d only in a towel.

    He emerged from the bathroom, the towel slung low around his hips, showcasing his lean yet muscr physique, still glistening with droplets of water.

    As he rubbed a smaller towel over his head, his muscles rippled with each movement, making Hera feel as though the towel could slip away at any moment.

    She gulped, her heart racing in anticipation.

    Xavier then sat beside her on the bed, his gaze direct and yful.

    "Would you help me dry my hair?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes that suggested he knew exactly what was going through her mind.

    Hera felt the heat rise in her cheeks once more, a deep blush flooding her face.

 Chapter 493 Wifey, I Miss You...

    He scooted over to her side and gently pulled her into his embrace.

    "Then let��s get some sleep. You have an early, long day tomorrow," Xavier said, burying his nose into Hera��s hair.

    He��d wanted to do this for a while;st night, during their sleepover at Dave��s chateau, only Leo and Luke got to sleep beside Hera, while the others either slept nearby or curled up at the foot of the bed.

    Naturally, he��d felt a bit envious, so now he intended to make the most of this moment, savoring the chance to sleep next to her while everyone else was upied.

    With a sigh, Xavier closed his eyes, feeling Hera��s small figure fit perfectly in his arms.

    He had expected to have a hard time sleeping, thinking that being so close to her might create an intimately charged atmosphere that would leave him torn between desire and restraint.

    But to his surprise, he felt at ease, as if he were truly at home with her in his arms.

    Hera, who was already feeling sleepy and easily tired from her period, also drifted off as soon as they settled under the sheets.

    It must have been their shared understanding and mutualfort that let them sleep so peacefully.

    When they finally opened their eyes, it was to Hera��s pre-dawn rm. The curtains were still drawn, keeping the room in darkness.

    As soon as Hera stirred, Xavier instinctively reached out, pulling her close as if he wanted to hold her even closer.

    He turned off the rm and returned to his spot, feeling as though he had never slept so well in his life.

    All he wanted was to drift back to sleep, savoring the warmth of simply lying there with her.

    Hera, too, felt no difort in her body��no aches in her stomach or navel.

    Perhaps it was due to Xavier��s warmth or the uninterrupted sleep, but she hadn��t even dreamed; everything had just been darkness, proof of how deeply she��d slept.

    Now, she feltpletely refreshed.

    "Let��s sleep a little longer," Xavier��s husky voice rumbled above Hera��s head.

    Hisnguid tone was enticingly sexy, as if coaxing her to close her eyes and drift back to sleep.

    Hera inhaled deeply, drawn in by his natural scent, which was incredibly soothing.

    As her nose brushed against his bare chest, she found herself wanting to nuzzle against him again and again, savoring the warmth of his skin.

    His skin felt smooth and stic, almost like that of a baby.

    Xavier could feel Hera��s affectionate gestures and relished the attention she was giving him.

    He pulled her even closer, encouraging her to rub her nose against his chest.

    Meanwhile, he gently massaged her scalp with his left hand, noticing her almost soft purring sounds in response to the massage.

    Delighted by her reaction, he continued, not wanting to stop.

    As a result, Hera inadvertently closed her eyes, while Xavier hadn��t even opened his in the first ce.

    <i>Knock, knock...</i>

    <i>Knock...</i>

    "Young Miss, hmmm... Young Master Leo, Young Master Luke, Young Master Zhane, and Young Master Dave have arrived and are now waiting in, hmmm." After knocking on the door, Amy hesitated for a moment before continuing.

    "Sweetheart, I��m here to pick you up," Dave��s overly sweet voice called from the other side of the door.

    "Hera, let me check how you��re doing so we can make sure you��ll be fer. I wouldn��t feel reassured letting you race if you might suddenly feel ufortable," Zhane said after Dave.

    Though his tone was sincere and concerned, there was an undertone that caught Hera��s attention.

    She instantly opened her eyes, but Xavier remained unwilling to move, still holding her close in his embrace.

    He knew that the four of them had arrived precisely at this hour��perhaps even earlier��but had hesitated toe up right away, not wanting to appear too desperate.

    They must have heard that Xavier hadn��t left Hera��s penthouse the previous night and were likely worried about him sleeping there with her, prompting them to rush over first thing in the morning.

    Xavier didn��t care about them; after all, he��d been sent overseas for a few days while they had all the time they wanted with Hera. Since he hadn��t had that same chance, he felt no obligation to step aside today.

    "Xavier, they came looking for you," Hera whispered, resembling a nervous wife caught red-handed by her husbands for ying favorites.

    Xavier chuckled, his chest vibrating as his Adam��s apple bobbed in front of Hera.

    "My little Hera is very perceptive, huh? I guess they won��t be able to keep up their pretense for long," he teased, continuing to hold her close and massage her scalp.

    "Let them be."

    After Amy��s knock and their speaking, the group heard no movement from the room, prompting the four to exchange nces.

    Leo raised an eyebrow, ring intently at the door, while Dave began knocking a bit more urgently.

    "Sweetheart, you can��t bete. W-we��ll all bete..." Dave stammered, trying to sound persuasive enough to coax Hera out of the room.

    As far as they knew, Xavier hadn��t spent the night in any of the guest rooms��Amy had already checked��so the only exnation was that he had stayed in Hera��s room.

    Dave, who knew firsthand how easy it was to enter her room since she rarely locked the door, suspected that Xavier had slipped in.

    He didn��t want to think about what might have happened, as it only fueled his jealousy. Already gritting his teeth, he kept knocking, determined to "smoke" Xavier out of the room.

    Leo cleared his throat and spoke directly. "Wifey, can Ie in? I missed you."

    He sounded so genuinely aggrieved and convincing that even Dave abruptly stopped pounding on the door, turning to stare at Leo, who truly looked like a lost puppy about to cry for his owner.

 Chapter 494 Preparing Like a Husband

    "Again," Xavier murmured, his voice low.

    Thinking he was dissatisfied and that she might have done it wrong, Hera leaned in once more.

    This time, she licked his skin lightly before pressing her lips against it.

    "Ugh!" Xavier shuddered at the sensation of her tongue on his skin, pulling Hera closer to make her apply more pressure.

    He only stopped when he felt a familiar warmth stirring in his core, realizing he was pushing things a bit too far and would soon be genuinely aroused.

    Satisfied with the mark she��d left, he gently pulled away, giving her a rxed smile and urging her to wash up while he went to open the door.

    It was only then that Hera understood why Xavier had wanted the kiss mark��to show off.

    She couldn��t decide whether tough at his yful antics or feel flustered, because Xavier was acting silly and wanting to show off to everyone, or maybe cry because deep inside, she already knew how far she��s went with every man standing outside that door and Xavier��s attempt could still be treated as innocent.

    Hera stopped overthinking and dashed to the bathroom to calm herself down.

    Only after watching her scurry away like a startled rabbit did Xavier rise from the bed, chuckling to himself.

    But his expression darkened slightly, still feeling the tension churning in his stomach.

    When he opened the door, an unmistakable air of ambiguity lingered around him.

    His trousers sat low on his waist, entuating his Adonis belt and a noticeable bulge, causing the faces of the four men outside to darken.

    Meanwhile, Amy had already retreated to the kitchen to help Hannah prepare breakfast for the six of them��and to avoid watching the confrontation.

    Though curious about who might win her young mistress��s heart among the five men vying for her, she wasn��t bold enough to watch openly, so she missed seeing Xavier as he appeared.

    As soon as Xavier stepped out, Dave was the most visibly irritated, as always.

    "Motherfucker! You crawled into my sweetheart��s bed even knowing she��s on her monthly period?" Dave growled in a low voice.

    Xavier leaned casually against the doorframe, unfazed. "Like you said, she��s on her period. What are you so worried about?" he repliedzily.

    "Dave, do you think you��re the only one who can crawl into Hera��s bed while she��s sleeping?" Luke teased, clearly hinting that he knew about the time Dave had slipped into Hera��s bed after getting drunk at the penthouse, only to have Lukee back to retrieve him.

    Dave visibly stiffened at Luke��s words, slowly turning to look over his shoulder. There was a dangerous glint in Luke��s eyes, as if silently warning, ��<i>You dare lie to me?��</i>

    Dave gulped, realizing his secret was out, and decided to stay silent, leaving the whole corridor in an awkward silence.

    Breaking the tension, Leo walked past Xavier and entered the room to help Hera get ready.

    Approaching the bathroom door, he asked, "Wifey, would it be alright if I pack a few clothes for you to bring to the race, just in case?" His voice was filled with genuine thoughtfulness and concern.

    Although Leo��s voice sounded caring, the men outside, who could see his expression, couldn��t quite tell what he was thinking.

    However, the air around them felt heavy��especially for Dave, who involuntarily shuddered.

    After Luke��s teasing, everyone had pieced together what likely happened that night.

    When they arrived at Hera��s penthouse, Dave had been the most anxious to ensure Xavier hadn��t slipped into Hera��s bed while she was asleep.

    Though they all shared the same suspicion, Dave��s concern seemed toe from experience, and Luke��s teasing had simply been a way to test his reaction.

    "O-okay!" Hera stammered in response through the door.

    Inside the bathroom, her heart was still pounding.

    Even though she knew this was a reverse harem story, she still couldn��t get used to the situation.

    It felt impossible to look each of them in the eye after being intimately close with one, only to then face the others as if nothing had happened.

    She took a deep breath in and out, calming herself, then washed her face to fully wake up.

    Thankfully, there hadn��t been any issues with her period spilling onto the nket or bed; in her rush, she hadn��t had the chance to check earlier.

    Now, though, she felt relieved��she didn��t want to embarrass herself or make anyone ufortable by seeing blood on the sheets.

    Although she knew these men probably wouldn��t react like others, she couldn��t forget Alexi��s reaction, and she still felt a bit self-conscious.

    Even so, she reminded herself that this was a natural cycle of her body.

    As she began to overthink again, she washed herself, trying to rinse away those intrusive thoughts.

    <i>��I have nothing to be embarrassed about; my body simply goes through its natural cycle. Boys may be fussy, but real men understand and takes care.��</i> Hera repeated this mantra in her mind, and it truly helped her calm down and shift her perspective.

    On the other hand, as soon as Leo received the go-ahead, he headed to Hera��s walk-in closet.

    It was as if he had been living there for ages; he quickly located the Gi Savoy suitcases.

    After selecting one, he picked out three pairs of shoes: a ssy stiletto, a pair of running shoes, and some sassy ck military boots.

    Unsure of what Hera would want to wear after the race, he focused on choosing items that he felt would suit her best while ensuring herfort.

    For clothing, he selected a beautiful yetfortable maxi dress, a cozy sweatshirt, and a stylish trench coat paired with a leather skirt.

    Unable to decide between a thin-strapped plunging neckline tube top and a fashionable long sleeve, he decided to pack both.

 Chapter 495 Not Showing Favoritism

    It was evident that choosing a particr outfit from the five prepared would spark jealousy among the men, potentially leaving one of them sulking for the entire day.

    She might even be used of ying favorites.

    Yet, even if they didn��t voice their feelings, it was clear that someone would feel a twinge of disappointment.

    Their meticulous selection of dresses, tailored to her style, warmed her heart.

    It reflected not only their attention to detail but also their genuine desire to support and show their affection for her by caring to know what she likes.

    This thought brought a smile to her face, making her appreciate their efforts even more.

    Hera gazed at the clothes for a moment, contemting her choice.

    Outside the walk-in closet, the five men asionally nced at the door, eager to see which outfit she would select.

    They tried to y it cool, but their eyes betrayed them as they subtly observed each other, all secretly hoping for Hera��s approval while feigning indifference.

    The tension in the air was palpable, a silentpetition that only added to the yful atmosphere.

    Dave was flipping through the newspaper upside down, feigning indifference as he casually sipped his coffee, pretending that he wasn��t particrly nervous about the situation.

    Leo, on the other hand, wore a serious expression, engrossed in the articles as if they held the key to the universe.

    Luke lounged back on the couch, legs crossed and looking carefree, yet he hadn��t moved past the same line in the newspaper since he settled in.

    The others fared no better, each hiding their anxiety behind a facade of pride, unwilling to show how much they truly cared about Hera��s choice.

    It wasn��t that they wanted topete over every little thing involving Hera; rather, the thought of her wearing the outfits they had carefully selected for her��smiling and praising their taste��was simply too enticing to ignore.

    Each of them had done their research, learning about what girls appreciate and enjoy.

    They discovered that many women love coordinating outfits with their partners, so they aimed to embody that sentiment.

    The dresses they prepared for Hera featured subtle hints of their own colors or vibes, creating an understated couple��s look without being too obvious.

    They all hoped this would give them an edge over the others, showcasing their thoughtfulness and style.

    When Hera stepped out of the walk-in closet, she was dressed in a perfect blend of everything they��d each chosen, and the men could only nce at each other and chuckle��it meant nobody had truly "won."

    She was rocking a chic, sassy look that made her appear like a fashionable college student.

    She wore a fitted navy blue tank top that entuated her youthful, glowing face and her ample breast, paired with crisp, tight-fitting white cks and 5-inch Christian Louboutin Kate heels.

    Her look waspleted with a stylish cream trench coat, adding an air of sophistication.

    Each piece she wore had been chosen by one of the men: Dave had selected the heels, Zhane the trench coat, Luke the top, Xavier the cks, and Leo the essories��a ruby ne and a chic hair ribbon.

    With a few extra touches to match her own style, Hera looked absolutely stunning.

    As she approached them with a confident smile, Dave couldn��t help but let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.

    Each of them had carefully picked out an outfit they thought would suit her best for the asion, drawing inspiration from Hera��s previous looks and her unique style.

    But when she emerged wearing a blend of each piece, it was clear she had made the thoughtful choice to show she wasn��t favoring anyone.

    Seeing her in this mix of their selections spoke volumes, and they couldn��t help but feel both understanding and admiration for her gesture.

    With knowing smiles, they all nodded in appreciation as they weed her warmly.

    "You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart," Dave said, setting his newspaper aside without a second thought.

    He stood up, taking a moment to walk around Hera, admiring her outfit from every angle with a satisfied grin.

    Zhane reached for her hand, giving it a gentle kiss as he nodded approvingly, clearly appreciating her thoughtful choice.

    He chuckled softly, admiring not only her style but her quick thinking and the way she reassured everyone with such a simple gesture.

    "Shall we head down for breakfast?" Leo asked, standing up and taking Hera��s hand with a warm smile.

    He gestured for her to follow him downstairs, his other hand effortlessly picking up the suitcase he��d packed for her.

    The others rose from their seats as well, each grabbing their own suitcase with a chuckle, epting their friendly defeat as they joined Leo and Hera, amused but thoroughly charmed by her thoughtful gesture.

    Reassured by Hera��s thoughtful gesture, they each fell naturally into their roles around her.

    No one felt the need to force a superficial unity or indulge in petty rivalries anymore.

    Though they still exchanged yful banter and butted heads asionally, the atmosphere felt lighter and more rxed��like friends simply preparing for a casual outing.

    Together, they guided Hera down the stairs, where Amy and Hannah were already setting the table with a spread of delicious dishes, ready for everyone to enjoy breakfast.

    "Are we sure driving to the venue is the best option?" Zhane asked thoughtfully, pulling out a chair for Hera as Leo guided her to sit.

    "It��s still a 3�C4 hour drive, and Hera won��t be able to restfortably on the way."

    "No need; the national race team and Hera��s crew are already at the venue, checking all the equipment," Xavier replied, scooping some soup and setting it gently in front of her.

    "I sent her assistant and manager ahead to ensure everything she��ll be using is in perfect condition. Let��s just take the helicopter again��it��ll be faster and morefortable for Hera."

    When Hera heard the words "helicopter again," it brought back memories of thest time she heard one taking off��right after she unexpectedly got her period.

    She suddenly realized that these men had likely flown back to the city by helicopter, a thought that struck her fully only now as she listened to how casually they talked about it, as if a helicopter was always on standby for their needs.

    Even though she was gradually getting used to her new life of luxury, moments like these, where they discussed high-end conveniences as though they were everyday essentials, still managed to surprise her.

    She quietly ate her meal, listening as they discussed transportation logistics.

    Dave was also busy checking traffic updates and coordinating security measures, ensuring there would be an ambnce, police presence, ample venue staff, and everything else required for a smooth event.

    He made calls to relevant departments with easy confidence, openly leveraging his position to secure everything they needed, clearly not shy about using his influence to guarantee the best for her.

    "What are you staring at?" Dave said sharply, noticing Xavier��s lingering gaze, as if he owned the entire ce.

    "I need to make sure that everyone attending the event has ess to the right facilities and proper authorities on hand to ensure everyone feels at ease."

    "Besides, this is beneficial for the country and can be seen as a boost to tourism," he added, justifying his actions even though no one had asked for an exnation.

    "The press arrived at the venuest night," Xavier reported, ncing at his phone to check the trending topics. "They��re clearly focused on Hera; her racing event is still a hot topic online."

    "Speaking of which, what��s the update on the Everetts��int about the cheap products they received? Wasn��t that supposed to be rolling out by now?" Leo inquired, taking a delicate bite of his toast.

 Chapter 496 Heading To The Racing Venue

    They had paid for a superior product but received a cheaper version, which could severely impact the medications the Everetts produced for their hospital.

    This was not only an opportunity for the Everetts to prevent such fraud from happening, but it also meant they could use this situation to bring down the Lennons.

    Despite their proactive measures, Dave and the others were maintaining strict control over the situation, ensuring it didn��t leak outside their circle.

    They wanted to avoid making the issue with the Lennons the talk of the town while Hera was racing, as this would not only preserve her poprity but also counter the narrative that she had secured her position through Dave��s maniption of the NRT��s management.

    Instead, they aimed to showcase her genuine ability to lead the NRT to an international stage, fostering more support and unity among the citizens.

    Simultaneously, once the Lennon issue came to light, concrete evidence would surface against them, making it increasingly difficult for them to fabricate evidence or shift the me onto others.

    This strategy would allow Dave to orchestrate everything behind the scenes while methodically dismantling the Lennons�� credibility.

    They would likely resort to desperate measures to protect themselves, potentially implicating an insider from the Everetts.

    Regardless of the route they chose��whether attempting to salvage their reputation or finding a scapegoat��the end result would be the same: the Lennons would be cornered.

    This would enable the Everetts to not only clean up the mess but also expose the conspirators among them.

    By severing ties with the Lennons on solid ground, they would gain public support and further solidify their position.

    Hera nodded slightly, absorbing the situation as she listened intently to their conversation.

    Leo and the others spoke openly about their ns, showing no hesitation in including her in their discussions.

    With a yful gesture, Leo ruffled Hera��s hair, encouraging her to eat more and offering her a ss of juice while he enjoyed his toast.

    Meanwhile, Amy and Hannah peeked from behind the kitchen counter, desperately trying to contain their excitement.

    They watched as Hera and her "harem" interacted seamlessly, and soon found themselves chatting in their group chat about it.

    Previously, both Amy and Hannah had their individual favorites for who would best suit Hera, but witnessing the camaraderie among the five men now made them cheer for all six to be in the running as potential husbands.

    Yet, they maintained their professionalism, striving to appearposed. Still, they couldn��t help but feel their lips twitch as they fought to suppress their glee.

    Leo and the others continued discussing the Lennon situation and the progress of Dave��s operation.

    Suddenly, Dave paused, recalling something important. "By the way, has anyone heard from Rafael? He didn��te today."

    "What about Rafael?" Hera asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

    It dawned on her that she hadn��t seen or heard from himtely.

    Usually, he would send a message every night, just like everyone else, butst night there had been nothing from him, which felt unusually suspicious.

    Everyone exchanged nces, most of them shrugging their shoulders in response, indicating they had no news about Rafael either, while others shook their heads.

    However, Leo, aware that Hera had enough on her te, tried to reassure her.

    "Don��t worry about him, wifey. I heard he��s just preupied with his sister and might be sending her somewhere safe to recuperate."

    "Minerva? What about her?" Hera asked, her uncertainty evident.

    It had been days since shest heard from Minerva or Alice, and part of her felt relieved that her life had been rtively smooth without their constant provocations.

    However, the mention of Minerva also brought to mind the ongoing investigation into the missing women, prompting Hera to instinctively nce at Luke.

    He noticed her gaze and shook his head slightly, conveying that he understood her concern but had no updates on the investigation either.

    Hera took a deep breath, clearly lost in thought.

    Leo reached out and took her hands, his grip warm and reassuring.

    "Don��t worry; Rafael can take care of himself. If he��s in trouble, we��ll be there to help him. Right now, all you need to do is focus on your race and leave everything else to us, okay?"

    His soothing words and gentle voice eased Hera��s worries.

    He was right. For the first time, she realized how wonderful it was to have someone to rely on.

    Previously, she had always depended on herself and her best friend, bing ustomed to her independence.

    But now, surrounded by these men, she felt a sense of protection that was truly uplifting.

    Hera smiled sweetly and nodded, her demeanor reminiscent of an obedient cat, which made everyone at the table grin with satisfaction as they continued to pamper her.

    After finishing their breakfast, they escorted Hera not down, but up a staircase leading to the penthouse rooftop, where a helipad awaited her.

    They had already secured permission from Cindy, the manager of the Dragon Jade Building, who granted them ess.

    Xavier had arranged for arger helicopter, and their pass to the venue had been cleared.

    As Hera surveyed the men surrounding her, her brows knitted in curiosity.

    In that moment, she felt like a queen, treated with the utmost care. A swell of emotions filled her heart, and she could only smile at them, momentarily at a loss for words.

    Leo escorted Hera onto the helicopter, while Luke took the suitcase from him so he could fully support her.

    The others followed, helping with the luggage.

    With six of them onboard, there was only one pilot, making Leo the co-pilot.

    After ensuring Hera wasfortably settled, he turned and headed to the co-pilot��s seat, slipping on his headset.

 Chapter 497 Heading To The Racing Venue 2

    Hera was genuinely surprised to see how well Leo fit into their group.

    Initially, she had worried about his closeness to them, fearing he might face hostility from the male leads or that his career could be jeopardized.

    Yet, seeing him blend in so seamlessly, as if he had been part of their circle from the start, was truly unexpected.

    The male leads had embraced him as part of the harem without hesitation, and it was a delightful surprise that she never anticipated.

    She couldn��t help but wonder how it had alle to be.

    However, she refrained from asking the others how they hade to ept Leo; it would sound conceited, as if she had always known these men would be part of her harem and at her beck and call.

    It felt a bit embarrassing, especially with the pilot seated in front of them.

    She refocused her thoughts and began to chat with Luke and the others, allowing Leo to concentrate on assisting the pilot.

    The helicopter ride was pleasant, and after about an hour, they arrived at their destination��a tall hotel building under the Avery banner.

    With Cindy��s clearance, theirnding went smoothly.

    She had also arranged for them to stay in the presidential suite, giving them a chance to rx after the helicopter ride and helping Hera readjust her mindset before the race.

    They all eagerly helped Hera carry her suitcases, having decided against bringing spare clothes for themselves since they could wear what they had until they returned home or buy something new if needed.

    However, knowing that Hera would be racing and likely sweating throughout, they made sure to pack a few outfits for her to change into.

    They left her clothes in the hotel room, conveniently close to the venue, so they could easily return if necessary.

    Instead, they brought along just a duffle bag for Hera to bring to the venue.

    They also encouraged her to pick out some outfits she would like to wear after the race for their celebration with the NRT team.

    Hera giggled, waving her hand dismissively.

    "Guys, rx... I��ll be in a race suit during the event, so even if I sweat, I can just wear back what I have on now." She shrugged and began to walk out of the room, only to be gently pulled back by Leo.

    "How can we let that happen? We can��t let you stay in sweaty clothes; you might catch a cold! Besides, we brought you so many outfits to change into��why would you want to wear the same thing again, hmm?" Leo��s voice was coaxing, yful, and pampering.

    Hera felt a jolt in her lower abdomen as she met his teasing gaze.

    Hera tilted her head and replied, "Even if I change my clothester, I��d still need to shower afterward. We can juste back here to freshen up before changing."

    "I��m sure Betty and Daisy have already prepared towels and other essentials at the venue. I just need to show up and do my thing!"

    She grinned mischievously, like a yful cat. Leo took a step back, realizing she had a point��she could simply wipe away her sweat and shower back at the hotel.

    They all left the room and settled onto the sofa in the living room, tuning in to the live coverage of the venue on TV.

    The news was buzzing with excitement as crowds gathered to watch the uing race.

    The camera panned across the various garages, showcasing the racers and their teams in preparation.

    When it passed by Hera��s team, however, the mood shifted; their garage was empty, and the staff looked glum while the manager remained on the phone, seemingly distressed.

    In stark contrast, the team next to them was snickering, and to Hera��s surprise, the previous ace racer from her team was now decked out in the race suit of the opposing team.

    It seemed that he had epted the opposing team��s offer at thest minute, along with his entire team.

    Now, they were racing against their former teammates, openly unting their decision in front of their previous manager, who looked increasingly disheartened.

    Their smug expressions and taunting gestures only added to the sting, as they reveled in their new allegiance while looking down on those they once stood with.

    This provocation grated on Hera��s nerves.

    "Let��s go��we��ll help with the preparations," she dered, rising to her feet.

    An oppressive aura emanated from her, but rather than feeling intimidated, the men surrounding her felt a surge of pride as they witnessed Hera embracing her role as the queen she was.

    They quickly stood and followed her lead.

    With three hours left until the race officially began, they had nned to arrive an hour early, but now, with someone trying to provoke them, they were determined not to let the opportunity slip away.

    "What about the racing car you��ll be using? Do you want to use mine? I can have it sent over before the race," Dave offered candidly.

    "No need; my car will be arriving any minute now." Hera nced back at him with a sweet smile, but her eyes conveyed a different message.

    Dave found himself momentarily dazed by her expression as he responded, "Oooh..."

    Hera then turned on her heel and walked out of the presidential suite.

    Leo and the others exchanged knowing nces, silentlymunicating, <i>��Someone��s going to cryter.��</i>

    Their eyes curved into crescent smiles, resembling cunning foxes reveling in the mischief that was about to unfold.

    Xavier cleared his throat. "Keep your expressions in check; you might scare Hera away."

    Although he attempted to hide his own amusement, the twitching of his lips betrayed the glee he felt.

    They all followed Hera with confident big strides, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

    Eager to witness the unfolding drama, they couldn��t wait to see the so-called ��ace�� racer humiliated by their woman.

    As they reached the entrance of the hotel, a sleek extended silver Lincoln awaited them, and the hotel staff respectfully opened the door.

    Leo gently took Hera��s hand and ced his other hand on the roof of the car, helping her inside.

    Luke approached the opposite side, sliding in next to her.

    With Leo on her right and Luke on her left, the other three settled into the spacious seating area, creating a cozy atmosphere as they prepared for the ride ahead.

 Chapter 498 Hera Starts Livestreaming

    But Hera wasn��t feeling nervous��she was feeling irritated.

    She wasn��t trying to be petty with the former NRT members; even though they had quit abruptly, leaving the team in a difficult position just because they didn��t like her, she was still open to weing them back if they were willing to work together after she proved herself today.

    After all, her prioritiesy with the entertainmentpany and her studies, aiming to lighten her grandfather��s burdens in thepany.

    But instead of apologizing for their sudden departure or acknowledging the trouble they caused, they had joined the opposing team and were now brazenly trying to provoke her and their former team, rubbing it in their faces.

    No matter the differences between them, the former team had once shared grueling training sessions and countless hours with the NRT��s manager, coach, and staff.

    Even if they felt resentment toward her, they could have discussed it or, if it came down to it, pushed for her removal in a way that allowed for other solutions.

    She could have worked with Betty to find another way to showcase her talent in front of the director to secure the role in the movie she was hoping for.

    Instead, they had chosen neither of these paths.

    They joined the opposing team and openly mocked and humiliated their former team on national TV.

    Without even checking the onlinements, she could imagine the public reaction.

    What Hera didn��t yet know was that NRT had already announced her participation and shared what happened with the former members, including their exit, online.

    So while she still felt reasons to step back and let them have their way, her response was shaped by ack ofmunication on all sides.

    Due to thisck of information on her end, Hera was now more fired up than ever to race and win.

    The spark of determination had ignited, and the pettiness in her blood ran deep, with her inner viiness practically screaming in excitement.

    Rather than intimidating her or undermining her confidence, Michael and his team��s actions only fueled Hera��s determination to seed, backfiringpletely on their intentions.

    She no longer felt the need to save face for them��instead, she nned to show them the true meaning of pettiness.

    With a resolute huff, Hera and the others remained in the Lincoln.

    The men exchanged knowing nces, sensing her steely resolve, and subtly tried to lighten the mood, steering the conversation elsewhere. Just then, Hera��s phone buzzed.

    [Betty: Hera, the livestream setup isplete on our end. If you could stream your journey from the penthouse to the venue, it would be amazing��so many of your fans are here to support you, and more are still arriving!]

    [Hera: I��ve already arrived in the city and am on my way to the venue now.]

    [Betty: Oh, that��s a shame! But we can still livestream the rest of your journey so your fans have something to enjoy while waiting for the race to start. It��s still a few hours until then, and this could be a great way to showcase our response to the taunts we��ve received.]

    [Betty: (???)]

    [Betty: We��ve connected the livestreaming tform to your ount and sent you the link along with the invitation.]

    [Betty: (link. attached)]

    [Hera: Alright, I got it. Thank you.]

    Hera stared at her phone screen for a moment, biting the inside of her cheek.

    With a sigh, she clicked the link and logged in using her social media ount, which directed her to the livestreaming tform.

    There was no need for adjustments, as all her information was already pre-filled, including her profile picture.

    Thanks to Betty��s preparation, the ount was verified in no time.

    With livestreaming gaining poprity among celebrities as a means to boost their profiles, promote sponsors, and connect with fans on a daily basis, Betty believed this would be an excellent opportunity to endorse Hera.

    It would also allow her to rify Hera��s stance regarding the controversy surrounding the former NRT team she had reced.

    Currently, a rift had formed between racing fans and the individual supporters of Michael and his team, particrly since Michael boasted thergest fanbase, pitted against Hera��s rapidly growing following.

    Even if Hera chose to ignore the provocations, her fans were unwilling to stay silent and had engaged in an escting online battle with Michael��s supporters.

    Betty recognized that when Hera began livestreaming, Michael��s fans would likely swarm in to harass her, potentially even reporting her ount and causing issues for the livestreaming tform.

    Fortunately, the moderator she had spoken with was easy to work with, and they had already devised strategies to ensure that Hera��s livestream remained uninterrupted.

    Once Hera logged in and clicked ��Start Live,�� her front camera began recording her, instantly notifying her followers on social media as well as viewers waiting on Betty��s livestream.

    Within seconds, viewers started pouring in, creating a lively mix of Hera��s fans, curious passersby drawn to themotion, and Michael��s supporters, eager to stir up trouble.

    Leo and the other four male leads watched Hera��s every move until their phones buzzed with notifications that she had started a livestream.

    Instinctively, Leo and Luke shifted closer to Hera, subtly angling their profiles toward the camera, while the other three shot them squinted nces, unimpressed by their antics.

    ...

    [MichaelMySuperStar: Ey! Yow! Is this the chick who likes stealing things? Kekeke]

    [RaceIsLifeNotForFun: Girl, with those scrawny arms, can you even handle the steering wheel? Just give the position back to the national team��s ace racer and go home. Stop ying with men��s ambitions and races.]

    [RaceIsAmbition: The guy above has a point. Racing isn��t a game; it��s about ambition for men like us. I could probably drive circles around you, little girl. Why not stick to being a homemaker instead of trying to y in a man��s world? Hmmm?]

    [HeraIsMySister: Sister Hera, don��t let these clueless men get to you! They have the brains of a donkey and clearly don��t understand gender equality. What men can do, women can often do better!]

    [HeraIsMySister: They just can��t ept that women can dominate in racing.]

    [RaceIsLifeNotForFun: How can you even say that? Has that little chick ever won a trophy? No? So, shut the hell up with your gender equality nonsense!]

    [HeraIsLife: @RaceIsLifeNotForFun What��s the matter, can��t handle the truth? Why don��t you just go back to your dusty old house? I bet you��re single, lounging in your living room, pouring all that negativity and anger into the inte because you��re lonely. Spread your toxicity somewhere else!]

    [RaceIsLifeNotForFun: @HeraIsLife Are you stalking me?!]

    [RaceIsLifeNotForFun: ?(������)�r]

    [HeraIsLife: @RaceIsLifeNotForFun sorry, I��m not into animals, much more date them]

    [HeraIsLife: (;������)]

 Chapter 499 Hera Starts Livestreaming 2

    ...

    When both Leo and Luke saw their names mentioned, they instinctively sat up straight and puffed out their chests, pretending to drink from the bottled water that Dave had passed to them.

    "Sweetheart, are you livestreaming?" Dave chimed in, determined to make his presence felt among the viewers of Hera��s stream.

    Although he had already figured out she was live based on Leo and Luke��s reactions, he feigned ignorance, pretending he just needed to ask.

    Meanwhile, Xavier and Zhane, who were well aware of Dave��s antics, didn��t want to let Leo and Luke hog the spotlight either.

    They joined in, ensuring their own presence was known on camera.

    "Would you like me to hold that for you? You could start a little Q&A segment to engage with your fans," Zhane suggested, leaning in slightly from the side of the car. His position kept him a bit farther from Hera than Leo and Luke, but he was eager to contribute.

    Ever since their date, Zhane had made a point to understand the celebrity lifestyle better, diving into the world of live streaming and fan interaction.

    Sitting next to him, Xavier raised an eyebrow at Zhane��s newfound enthusiasm for fan engagement.

    Just a short time ago, Zhane had focused solely on his research and work, and now he was suggesting ways to connect with fans.

    The suggestion was explosive, causing Dave, Xavier, and even Luke to stare at Zhane as if he had just sprouted another head.

    But Zhane paid them no mind, focusing instead on Hera, who was contemting his idea.

    With a flood of criticizingmentsing in alongside her fans defending her, she realized that Zhane��s rmendation was far more constructive than simply sitting back and reading the negativity.

    Engaging with her audience could shift the conversation and empower her supporters.

    "Sure," Hera said with a smile as she handed her phone to Zhane.

    This allowed the viewers to catch a clearer glimpse of the inside of the Lincoln, which looked far more extravagant than what other celebrities had showcased during their livestreams.

    This was particrly striking whenpared to one celebrity who frequently boasted about her wealth as an heiress, iming it was the reason so many people followed her.

    However, in contrast to the ostentatious disy of luxury in Hera��s livestream, many viewers began tagging that celebrity.

    A wave of her fans flooded thements, criticizing Hera for attempting to emte their idol��s style of livestreaming, only to be met with the undeniable allure of the opulence surrounding her and the attractive eye candies beside her.

    As a result, they quickly forgot their anger and settled in front of their PCs and cell phones to watch.

    After all, who could resist the charm of handsome men and a stunning woman sitting in a luxurious car worth millions?

    Before long, Hera��s livestream skyrocketed to the top of the tform��s rankings.

    The moderator Betty had spoken with was so impressed that he actively promoted her stream.

    Gerald, lounging in one of the VIP seats at the venue to support his boss, received a notification about Hera��s livestream.

    Following her ount, he quickly noticed the flood of negativements and barked orders to suppress them.

    However, upon witnessing Hera��s easygoing demeanor and the fierce loyalty of her fans, he rescinded his orders.

    Instead, he decided to top up his ount, knowing that the tform had a maximum limit of ten thousand dors for deposits made him top up numerous times.

    Afterpleting multiple transactions, he sent gifts in Hera��s livestream, his golden username shing brightly and standing out among the others.

    Thement section momentarily fell silent, with only his name prominently disyed.

    ...

    [Gerald__Troy: Gifted Golden Gachapon x 999]

    [Gerald__Troy: Gifted Golden Gachapon x 999]

    [Gerald__Troy: Gifted Golden Gachapon x 999]

    [Gerald__Troy: Gifted Golden Gachapon x 999]

    ....

    With each series of gifts he sent, a treasure chest appeared on viewers�� screens, inviting them to click for coins that could be exchanged for real cash or used for online purchases.

    This momentarily surprised the audience, prompting a frenzy of tapping on their screens.

    Typically, each supergift granted viewers one chance to tap and win a random amount of prizes, but the number of winners was limited as these prizes were deducted from the tform��s ie.

    However, this strategy was part of a broader marketing effort to attract new users and encourage livestreamers to invest more in boosting their streams, ultimately drawing in arger audience.

    However, since Gerald had sent gifts worth x999 each time, the number of viewers in Hera��s livestream skyrocketed, causing the tform tog significantly.

    Some viewers struggled to receive any coins at all, as theg was so severe that no matter how fervently they clicked, their screens remained unresponsive.

    Even Hera was taken aback by the flurry of congrattory messages flooding her screen, each one announcing the receipt of a supergift along with the usernames of generous contributors.

    Dave clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes. "Tsk! I can do better."

    Without hesitation, he logged into his ount and quicklypleted a few transactions before sending even more gifts.

    The others in the car followed suit, each of them silently contributing their own gifts.

    The influx of donations caused the tform tog further as the viewer count continued to soar.

    Meanwhile, other live streamers were left speechless as the world notifications of the supergifts flooded their screens, watching helplessly as their viewers began to leave in droves, some even joining the fray to get in on the action.

    ...

    [DashaISABeauty: Wow! If I had known I could earn so many coins here, I would have just followed this amazing sister��s live stream instead of doing my own. The coins I��ve earned from tapping the treasure chests are worth more than what I��d make in three months of nonstop streaming!]

 Chapter 500 Hera Starts Livestreaming 3

    He sent additional gifts, ensuring that even theters had a chance to snag some coins.

    This enthusiasm sessfully hyped up Hera, propelling her live stream into trending territory.

    Viewers, both loyal fans and neers, found themselves glued to the screen, uncertain when the next supergift would appear.

    Whether out of curiosity or sheer excitement, they all decided to stick around, eager to see what would happen next.

    On the other side of the livestreaming tform, Alice, who had just joined, initially basked in a wave of support and affection from viewers.

    Many sent her gifts and red pockets ranging from 10 to 5,000 coins, thetter equivalent to $100, and she was thrilled.

    Riding the wave of poprity from the recent Butterfly��s Touch productunch, she aimed to boost her own following by sharing her everyday life.

    Currently, she was broadcasting from a rented yacht, still docked, while the staff served her food and champagne.

    Alice sought to emte the morous lifestyle that she believed was well-received on social media, inspired by Hera��s posts showcasing avish life.

    Convinced that Hera was merely faking her wealth with hired help, Alice decided to replicate the act, renting a Ferrari and a yacht for her streams.

    At first, she drew in about 3,000 viewers, considering it a sess for her debut.

    Ignoring the smaller gifts, she focused on acknowledging the bigger spenders, inadvertently encouraging men to spend more in hopes of gaining her attention.

    However, just 30 minutes into her stream, the tide turned.

    Viewers began to trickle away, and before long, she was left with only one viewer��her own alternate ount.

    The early enthusiasm faded, leaving Alice grappling with the stark reality of her livestream��s failure.

    She couldn��t help but notice the incessant notifications swirling above her livestream, a sure sign that her viewers were losing interest and jumping ship.

    Curious about themotion, she switched to her alternate ount to check in on what was happening, leaving her own stream running in the background.

    To her surprise, it was Hera��s livestream that was causing the stir.

    As Alice scrolled through the rapidly ascendingments, she struggled to keep up.

    What she did catch was a chorus of viewers bragging about the staggering amounts of coins they were racking up from the continuous supergifts flooding Hera��s stream.

    Some users reported pocketing as much as 5,000 just from tapping on the treasure chests that kept appearing on their screens and they are not talking about coins but dors.

    Alice��s eyes widened at the figures being tossed around.

    She had barely scraped together $1,000 from her viewers��hardly enough to cover the costs of renting the yacht and Ferrari.

    The realization stung; while she was floundering to gain traction, Hera was effortlessly captivating an audience and generating incredible revenue.

    Her eyes burned with envy as she took in the sight of Hera, rxed in a luxurious car alongside Leo and Luke.

    Dave, Xavier, and Zhane would asionally step into the frame, yfully popping up whenever the camera panned their way, while the others were busy reading messages and showering Hera with gift after gift.

    Each notification seemed to echo her own inadequacies, intensifying the feeling of frustration coursing through her.

    "This woman is insufferable! That spot was mine! How dare she try to take my men away from me?" Alice seethed, her eyes burning with rage as she red at Hera on the screen.

    A flicker of malice danced across her face; she believed as she had been reborn, she is chosen by the gods as their beloved child.

    In her mind, all the love, support, poprity, and the best men should rightfully belong to her.

    To Alice, it felt as if Hera was stealing what was hers, igniting a fire of fury within her that she couldn��t extinguish.

    The rage boiled inside her chest as she watched, wishing for Hera��s downfall.

    Determined to assert her dominance, she searched on the inte��s trending topics and came to find out about the race and the controversy surrounding the former members of the national race team.

    To insert herself into the narrative, she publicly threw her support behind Michael and his team, portraying them as the true victims and subtly ming Hera for daring to im what was never hers.

    ...

    [Alice_Quinn: I wholeheartedly support Michael, the ace racer of the National Race Team! His unwavering dedication, sweat, and sacrifice have exemplified what it means to represent our country with pride. Since his debut, he has embodied the spirit of sportsmanship, and despite the unfortunate events that have unfolded, I have no doubt that Michael and his team will rise to the challenge. I believe they will prove that true dedication can triumph over mere influence and poprity. Go for it, Country��s Champion! The citizens of this nation stand behind you and truly appreciate your efforts!]

    ...

    Alice��s post quickly gained traction, with Michael��s fans enthusiastically reposting and rallying around her.

    Soon, Alice��s following swelled, especially from Michael��s supporters, who now saw Hera as the reason Michael had been removed from the team.

    Meanwhile, Larry, sitting beside Gerald, was silently taking notes, his eyes darkening as he studied the screen with a calcting smile��one that hinted at anything but goodwill.

    Even Gerald, noticing Larry��s expression, instinctively shifted a little further away.

    Larry had originally apanied Gerald to deliver the settlement documents to Michael and his team for the breach of contract, but after seeing that Michael showed no remorse and was instead instigating further trouble, Larry was mentally filing away this behavior, including Alice��s.

 Chapter 501 I Have The Money To Pamper You

    "Are you sure this person��s a fan? Because that sounds suspiciously like something an anti-fan with an agenda would ask," he added, raising a brow in genuine confusion.

    "I think this person might actually hate you, sweetheart," he said, frowning thoughtfully.

    His every reaction, from the lip-biting to the furrowed brows, yed out live, making his confusion all the more entertaining for viewers.

    Hera chuckled at Dave��s reaction, amused by how fiercely he seemed ready to defend her from even her own fans.

    She knew, however, that this particr fan hadn��t intended any harm.

    In fact, she recognized the question as a thoughtful way of helping her finally put to rest a long-standing rumor about her and Alexi��a rumor she and Alexi had never directly addressed, leaving fans and the public to specte.

    This question actually presented her with a chance to clear the airpletely and sever any lingering connection to Alexi.

    Hera suspected he might try to ride on her coattails for attention if he ever attempted aeback in the industry, so she appreciated the opportunity to set the record straight once and for all.

    Hera��s chuckle softened as she directed a warm smile toward the camera, which was positioned across from them to capture everyone in the Q&A session��a setup her fans loved, given the view of all the handsome men surrounding her.

    "Thank you, ��HeraIsMySister��, for giving me this chance to address that issue," she began sincerely.

    "I know you mean well; after all, you recently acted as my personal bodyguard, making sure I got to ss safe and sound."

    Herughter filled the car, a soft, velvety sound that was both gentle and captivating, bringing a lively warmth to the atmosphere.

    "Before, I didn��t want to confirm anything because I didn��t want it to seem like I was trying to bring him down or use his poprity to boost my own," Hera exined, her tone measured.

    "After all, after that one incident, I ended up bing a public figure myself��thanks to everyone who believed in me and supported me through it all. But now, it feels right to set things straight."

    She took a brief pause, then continued, "Yes, we were in a rtionship back then, and the apartment shown in the video was, in fact, one I was paying for, just as some of the online evidence suggested. But that��s all in the past. We met in high school through the drama club, but now, we��re done. That Chapter is closed."

    Leo, Luke, Xavier, Zhane, and Dave all looked at Hera with expressions that were difficult to read.

    Internally, though, they were analyzing her every move, trying to gauge if she was truly unaffected by her own words or simply putting on a brave front.

    Despite their best efforts to hide it, a pang of jealousy simmered among them, knowing how tirelessly Hera had once supported Alexi��an act that, to them, felt like she had poured her heart into someone undeserving.

    Though it might have seemed distasteful to watch a man allow his partner to carry him, deep down, each of them harbored a longing for Hera��s love and care in that way.

    As thoughts of "what if" lingered, they fought to keep their expressions neutral, masking the jealousy stirring within.

    Yet, one among them seemed to struggle more than the rest to keep his feelings concealed.

    Dave pouted, his expression heartbreakingly dramatic, as if he were on the verge of tears.

    "Sweetheart, I��m jealous..." he sighed, scooting closer, hoping to squeeze beside Hera so he could indulge in some yful affection.

    But Leo and Luke, seated like statues with stubborn looks, weren��t about to budge.

    As if they were glued to their seats, they held their ground, forcing Dave to roll his eyes in defeat.

    <i>��Fine!��</i> he huffed, maintaining his dramatic tone. "But really, I don��t want you to ever suffer like you did before," he continued, softening as he met her gaze.

    "And, just so you know, I would never let you ��wear the pants�� in our rtionship. I��d pamper you, spoil you silly... but," he added with a yful twinkle, "I wouldn��t mind experiencing a little of that pampering from you, too."

    Leo felt the urge to act yfully charming in front of Hera, but with Dave beating him to it, he had to hold back.

    Instead, he bit his bottom lip, casting a sulky nce at Hera with his eyes shimmering like they were on the brink of tears.

    It was as if he was silently agreeing with Dave, hoping to convey his own longing for her attention.

    Feeling yful and lighthearted after addressing the issue with Alexi, Hera decided to tease them a bit.

    "Why would you be jealous? I could pamper you even better than I did with him. After all, I have money to spend now!"

    Her response was intentionally vague, leaving viewers to specte about the source of her newfound wealth.

    They chuckled, likening her deration to a girl boasting about supporting her affluent parents.

    Everyone could see the wealth radiating from the men surrounding her, so no one took her words too seriously.

    Many viewers even assumed that her financial gains came from these handsome suitors, further fueling the yful banter.

    Yet, these men couldn��t help but reflect on the reality of Hera��s situation.

    Yet, despite their amusement, these men couldn��t help but ponder the reality behind Hera��s wealth.

    Aside from her status as a celebrity, they were left wondering where her riches truly came from or if she had a hidden background that they couldn��t uncover.

    They understood how challenging it was to acquire a penthouse in her location; even with money, it wasn��t easy.

    The luxury cars she drove were beyond what even Rafael, a true car enthusiast, could afford despite his best efforts to own a fleet.

 Chapter 502 I Have The Money To Pamper You 2

    A sudden stillness fell over thement section; even the other men around them fell silent, captivated by the raw sincerity of his deration.

    Only Leo understood the gravity of his words; they were a promise, a heartfelt confession as he bared his soul before her.

    The sincerity of his feelings resonated deeply, and even those around them could sense the weight of his deration.

    Dave, typically the yfully mischievous one, suddenly halted his actions, turning his gaze toward Leo.

    Inside, he seethed with frustration, realizing that he had unwittingly given Leo the perfect opportunity to reveal his profound feelings for Hera and used his little antics as a stepping stone to showcase their difference.

    Meanwhile, Dave��s own demeanor resembled that of a child seeking attention from a mother, while Leo exuded warmth and understanding, contrasting sharply with Dave��s childish antics.

    Thement section erupted as Leo��s words began to resonate with viewers.

    While many recognized the clich��s in his deration, the genuine sincerity behind his sentiments was undeniable.

    It was clear to everyone that he was expressing a heartfeltmitment to Hera, which sent the Leo and Hera shippermunity into a frenzy.

    Fans flooded thements, celebrating their favorite couple with an outpouring of joy and excitement, thrilled to witness such a genuine expression of love.

    ...

    [HeraIsMySister: OMG!!! I never thought the club president had it in him to express such sweet sentiments! Is it because it��s sister Hera that brings this side out of him? I always pictured him as indifferent and cold, maybe even domineering. This is such a pleasant surprise!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @HeraIsMySister Maybe he only acts this way with her. When little sister Hera isn��t around, he looks like a sharp de, ready to take down anyone in his path! I get the feeling he��s just tolerating the other guys around Hera to avoid upsetting her oring off as petty. He definitely gives off major "main wife" vibes!]

    [XOXO: You��re right about that, @AuntieNextDoor! He definitely gives off that vibe. Only someone truly magnanimous would allow their loved one to be surrounded by their love rivals. I know I wouldn��t be able to handle it! Either Leo doesn��t take his feelings for her seriously and views it as a game, or he genuinely doesn��t want to upset her. But after hearing his heartfelt deration, it��s hard for me to believe he doesn��t really love her��he sounded so sincere!]

    ...

    After a moment of stunned silence in the car, Luke cleared his throat and reached for Hera��s hand, gently pressing it against his lips while keeping his gaze locked on hers.

    "Ahem. Hera, while I would love to be pampered by you, I would much rather pamper you instead��showering you with everything I have so you can live a carefree, happy life for the rest of our days."

    He then ced a tender kiss on Hera��s ring finger, a gesture unmistakably suggesting his intentions regarding marriage.

    The implication was clear enough for everyone to notice, and with both of them having already made their online confessions, the public viewers became witnesses to their derations of love.

    No one wanted to back down now; they all feltpelled to express their feelings for Hera in this moment of shared intimacy.

    With limited space to get closer to Hera from his seat, Zhane chimed in, "I know I have my ws and I��m a bit of a nerd, but I promise you that I will always be loyal and do my best to support you."

    "I��ll be there to help you through your struggles, protect you, and shower you with all the love I can offer. Just hearing you say you would pamper us is enough to make me happy; your presence alone brings me joy."

    "And just so you know, I��d much rather pamper you than be pampered myself," Xavier added.

    He seemed to have a lot on his mind but struggled to express it all.

    So, he kept it simple, focusing on the sentiment rather than the details.

    Dave also nced at Hera, ready to say something, but her soft chuckle filled the small space of the car as she looked around at the men surrounding her.

    She had been going along with the earlier mood, expressing her thoughts without realizing it would lead to a heartfelt confession match.

    Although she recognized the sincerity and genuine feelings of those around her, she felt a blush creeping up her cheeks.

    It was all happening in front of the public, and she chuckled to mask her awkwardness and bashfulness, yet she couldn��t help but feel delighted by the outpouring of affection��especially from Leo.

    Leo��s words tugged at her heartstrings with such intensity that her eyshes fluttered in response.

    A warm sensation spread through her chest, causing her smile to grow even wider.

    "I truly don��t mind pampering you all," she replied, her voice soft and sincere, "but I would dly ept your heartfelt intentions."

    With a yful glint in her eye, she teasingly added, "Just so you know, I��m more than capable of pampering my man, and I��m quite generous about it."

    "I know, wifey, I know," Leo whispered softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

    How could he not know the depths of Hera��s ability to pamper her man?

    He had seen it firsthand.

    After all, it was her abundant affection for Alexi that had driven him overseas, desperately trying to escape the jealousy and possessiveness that threatened to consume him.

    It took a grueling three long years to tame those feelings, allowing him to finally ept sharing Hera with the others.

    If he hadn��t experienced the torment of possessiveness and jealousy gnawing at his sanity, he wouldn��t have learned to cherish every moment with her, even while grappling with the urge to eliminate anyone who got too close.

    When he imed to be magnanimous for allowing Luke and the others to linger around Hera, he was speaking the truth; in the past, he would have been ready to kill to keep her safe and only for himself.

    Yet, back then, hecked the status to exert control over her.

    Although she was his fianc��e, she remained oblivious to their connection for special reasons.

    Now, however, he found contentment in simply being by her side, spending every possible moment with her.

    He was determined to pave her way and protect her with all his strength, willing to give everything to ensure her happiness��even if it meant sharing her with others.

    After all, this was far better than being away from her, a time when he felt himself slowly losing his grip on reality and sanity.

    Leo and the others smiled at Hera, yet beneath their expressions, a whirlwind of thoughts churned in their minds.

    Hera, too, found herself lost in contemtion, especially regarding their connections to the storyline and the deeper implications of their rtionships.

    As everyone immersed themselves in their own thoughts, the Q&A session came to an unexpected end when their car arrived at the venue.

    They pulled up to the staff-only gate, a necessary measure to keep fans from obstructing the flow of racers and crew members entering and exiting the area.

    As they all exited the car, Dave took the opportunity to grab Hera��s phone.

    Leo and Luke stood protectively on either side of her, while Zhane lingered a couple of steps behind, with Xavier beside him.

    Dave moved around the group, eager to entertain Hera��s fans by giving them a tour of the venue in her stead.

    Hera smiled warmly at Dave, appreciative of his efforts to make the day special.

    "Thank you, Dave," she said, her eyes sparkling as she turned to face him.

    The other four nodded in approval, acknowledging his thoughtful gesture.

 Chapter 503 The Car Has Arrived

    [Sponsor: Don��t forget to check the car before racing. We always check everything before racing, just like our usual routine.]

    [Sponsor: Some of our team members are with the truck to assist the National Race Team��s staff with your car. After all, it��s a bit special; we customized it because your driving style and maneuvers was straining the brakes and suspension so much that a standard build would easily break down under the pressure.]

    [<strong>Sponsor:</strong> Because of this, we can��t skip the daily check-up, especially before a race. We did a check-upst night, but we can never be sure if someone tampered with your car beforehand, so it��s better to be safe than sorry.]

    [<strong>Hera:</strong> I think you��ve watched too many dramas...]

    [<strong>Sponsor:</strong> I��m being serious, though. There are so many hateful people who would stoop low to get what they want. You��re so incredible at what you do that you stand out like a sore thumb. You attract not just bees and butterflies, but also flies and cockroaches.]

    [<strong>Sponsor:</strong> (-_-;)]

    [<strong>Sponsor:</strong> (�R���Q)]

    [<strong>Sponsor:</strong> You never take me seriously.]

    [<strong>Hera:</strong> ((��_��))]

    [<strong>Hera:</strong> Alright, I get it. Just get here ASAP. You need to coordinate with my manager, Betty, and the NRT manager for the necessary information and race data.]

    [<strong>Sponsor:</strong> Don��t worry about that. I��ve sent most of our team from Phantom��s Racing Team, so they have all the data the NRT manager will need. We also brought your gear and most of your things. Just put your sponsors�� stickers on the car, and it will all be good.]

    [Sponsor: (���???)b]

    ...

    Just then, Leo approached Hera, who was standing in the corner chatting on her phone.

    He sensed that she might be starting to feel nervous due to the flood of negativements online maligning her, so he moved closer tofort her.

    Meanwhile, Dave and the others were busy in the garage.

    Dave was interviewing nearly everyone around and ying the role of a gracious host after receiving Hera��s ��thank you.��

    He aimed to liven up the atmosphere of the live stream and divert the fans�� worries away from the missing car in the garage.

    "Are you alright? Are you feeling nervous?" Leo asked, gently brushing Hera��s hair behind her ear as he looked at her with concern.

    "I��m fine. I was just texting my team about the transport of my car," Hera replied with a reassuring smile.

    Her voice was soft, but those nearby, especially the more sensitive ones, caught her words.

    They felt as if the bowstring had been strummed tight, their own nerves heightening.

    They still hadn��t seen the car Hera mentioned, and without havingpleted their checks, they were anxious about whether anyst-minute maintenance would be needed before the race.

    Although they had heard from the manager that Hera was Phantom and had seen the racing footage, a hint of skepticism and doubt lingered.

    After all, many had imed to be Phantom, and no one truly knew who the real Phantom was.

    They remained on the sidelines, uncertain whether this gamble would pay off.

    Moreover, they were all aware that numerous people were waiting to see Hera fail, especially thosepanies that had distanced themselves after the issues with Michael��s team.

    The venue was packed with people eager to watch the show and see the drama unfold.

    Most of them were Hera��s fans, there to support her no matter what happened, believing in her racing abilities.

    Among them were Michael��s fans, anxiously waiting for Hera to fail.

    With hours to go before the race started, the crowd continued to swell, and various team banners filled the air.

    Hera��s banner stood out the most.

    Unlike the cool, creative banners made by other fans, hers��either crafted by her supporters or sold outside��resembled an idol��s banner: cute and shy, it drew attention like a sore thumb amidst the crowd.

    Many racing fans found itical, knowing that celebrities often go to great lengths for clout.

    They scoffed at Hera��s supporters, seeing her disy as just another gimmick.

    Hera��s fans hadplete trust in her character and never doubted her capabilities.

    They believed that if she couldn��t do something, she would be honest about it and take the time to learn.

    If she could do it, she would tackle it with confidence, never backing down.

    That��s how they hade to see Hera through everything they had witnessed so far.

    After all, Hera��s management hadn��t crafted a persona for her; instead, they allowed her to bepletely transparent, showing her true self to the camera and her fans.

    Hera��s fans chants nearly drowned out the criticisms and skepticism from Michael��s fans, who were looking for trouble.

    Tensions ran high, and it seemed that fights among fans were on the verge of breaking out.

    Fortunately, the venue��s organizers had anticipated this possibility after learning that a celebrity and several well-known racers would be attending.

    They increased security measures to prevent any altercations from escting.

    While the tension was high and Hera��s fans grew increasingly nervous for her, she remained as cool as a cucumber, lounging in the garage.

    She chose not to retreat to her team��s lounge area, aware that her presence there might be perceived as a sign of defeat and many might think she was throwing in the towel and didn��t care about the result of the race.

    Although she considered giving that impression, she knew it would only heighten her team��s anxiety, and she couldn��t do that to them.

    Instead, she rxed in the garage alongside her crew, reassuring them that the car would arrive soon and had been well maintained, so there was no need for concern.

    Only after numerous attempts to reassure her team, the tension finally began to subside a little.

    Hera��s calm and confident demeanor worked its magic, instilling a sense of belief that she might be telling the truth.

    They remembered that she had been on her phone earlier, which led them to think she might be in constantmunication with those transporting the car.

    Amidst the rising criticism, Hera received confirmation that the car had arrived at the staff gate. Her Phantom Race Team was ready to pick it up and bring it into the garage.

    "Put up some screens around the garage so they can��t see the car," Hera instructed, her expression resembling that of a mischievous cat plotting a prank.

    At first, no one moved, but once Luke echoed hermand, they sprang into action, setting up the screens.

    Meanwhile, the head mechanic of NRT and several other staff members stepped out in response to Hera��s request to join her team and help pull the car into the garage.

    Not long after, the head mechanic stepped out of the garage��s back door.

    As he walked a short distance, he encountered a team of people pushing a covered car.

    Dressed in ck tracksuits, they appeared professional and serious.

    It wasn��t until he got closer that the head mechanic noticed the logo of a ck panther on the uniforms of those in front of him, prominently disyed near their chests.

    Only then did his eyes widen as he took in the faces of the people pushing the car on a car dolly.

    He noticed a man in his mid-forties walking behind the group, dressed in the same uniform and busily checking something on his tablet.

    This professional-looking man exuded a sleek and stern demeanor, but he was also a well-known mechanic globally, having joined Phantom��s team out of enthusiasm.

    He sought the challenge of building the best car to amodate Phantom��s unique driving style, which often pushed vehicles to their limits.

    Seeing the globally renowned mechanic caused the NRT��s head mechanic to spring to his feet.

    He recognized the man walking toward them and was now certain they were indeed Phantom��s team. His heart thumped loudly in his chest.

 Chapter 504 She’s Really Phantom

    The NRT��s head mechanic shivered, but not out of fear��rather, it was a thrill of excitement.

    Like every mechanic in the racing world, he dreamed of meeting his idol, the head mechanic of Phantom��s team.

    They all feared and admired the incredible beast of a machine he had created for Phantom.

    Its performance was unmatched; although itcked sponsorship from major car manufacturers like the NRT��s previous partnership with BMW, Phantom��s car was a force to be reckoned with.

    Rumor had it that only Phantom could drive it effectively, as it was uniquely tailored to her specific needs and style.

    When they reached the back door, the NRT team eagerly opened the shutter and helped push the car inside.

    As the vehicle rolled in, the staff members already in the garage let out a collective sigh of relief.

    However, midway through their sigh, they caught sight of Phantom��s team, and the sound abruptly caught in their throats, leading to a chorus of surprised coughs and flushed faces.

    Only Luke and Xavier were unaware of the sudden shift in the NRT staff��s demeanor.

    Leo and Dave, however, were fully aware; Dave had been racing for years and was well-familiar with Phantom and her team through what he had seen in the races Phantom participated in before, while Leo had followed Hera��s journey closely, knowing her team well before this moment.

    As Leo continued to massage Hera��s hands, Luke and Xavier soon realized what was happening, exchanging knowing smiles.

    Before long, Xavier returned to his task, focusing on massaging Hera��s scalp to help her rx even more.

    Dave quickly regained hisposure and decided against turning the live stream towards the car.

    Instead, he understood Hera��s intentions and adjusted the camera angle to avoid capturing the car��s view once the cover was lifted.

    Although the camera still recorded the car being pushed inside the garage, Hera��s fans felt a wave of relief at its arrival.

    However, they were left curious about why Hera was keeping it a secret.

    Meanwhile, some of Michael��s fans attempted to press Hera for answers, questioning her mysterious behavior.

    Despite the murmurs and spection, Hera and her team remained tight-lipped, allowing the mechanics to focus on their work.

    Meanwhile, Dave engaged Hera��s fans with entertainingmentary, while the other men doted on her like royalty, much to the delight of her supporters.

    Even Xavier was enthusiastically getting in on the act, which kept Hera��s fans thoroughly entertained and engaged.

    After all, some of those watching were also Xavier��s fans, and they had never seen him behave like this before.

    He typically disliked random approaches and preferred to maintain a certain distance, which was why he had never starred in a romance film and instead focused on action and fantasy.

    However, seeing Xavier willingly serve Hera captivated them.

    Their eyes widened in surprise as they began to imagine the possibility of him starring in a romantic film with her, filling them with excitement.

    ...

    [XavierIsLife: Hey!!! I really think their chemistry is perfect! I can��t wait to see them in a romance. Imagine if Hera could do some stunts��an action-romance film with them would be incredible! That would definitely be epic!!!]

    [XavierIsLove: I totally agree with you, sister upstairs! I can��t wait to see that happen! The thought of Xavier actually being so subservient to a woman is making my imagination run wild! I��d love to see him y the role of a butler!]

    [XavierIsLove: How about a romance called "The Bullet and His Mistress"? Or maybe "The Owner and Her Big Dog"? I never thought I��d get to see something like this so soon��it��s pure heaven! Ugh! Kyaa!]

    [XavierIsLove: (>?<)]

    [XavierMyLove: Absolutely! I used to think it was hard to picture Xavier in a romance film with a CP, but now I can totally see it��and I love it! Hera seems so natural with her suitors that I wouldn��t mind watching a reverse harem right now!]

    [XavierMyLove: I��ve never been a fan of reverse harems because I always felt bad for the handsome guys who inevitably get hurt due to favoritism, but seeing Hera treat everyone equally with her genuine and sincere gaze has changed my perspective. This kind of reverse harem is definitely eptable for me! Kya!!!]

    [XavierMyLove: (?�R0�Q)]

    [HeraIsMySister: My sister Hera is truly a queen!!! ]

    [AuntieNextDoor: She looks like a pampered cat right now, her eyes squinting in delight. I can almost hear her purring as Xavier massages her scalp, while Leo and Luke work on her palms, and the handsome Mr. Everett tends to her legs!]

    [Athena_Lowery: I wish I had such handsome masseurs flocking to me too!]

    [Athena_Lowery: (?�R?�Q)]

    [HeraIsMySister: I��m dying to know what they are trying to hide in the garage right now. Is anyone with me in this curiosity?]

    [XOXO: +1]

    [RacingGod: +150]

    [PasserbyGod: I think they must have secured an incredible car, possibly from a different sponsor since BWM canceled their contract with the NRT. It seems like Hera and the NRT are trying to keep their new sponsor under wraps to build the excitement.]

    [PasserbyGod: After all, nobody expected her to get a sponsored car at thest minute; it��s nearly impossible to build a racing car overnight without a backup sponsor in ce. This could very well be a clever publicity stunt to generate buzz for that new sponsor!]

    [DreamMe: That hypothesis sounds usible. It��s also possible that the car they received didn��t meet their expectations or the standard racing car, so they��re dying the embarrassment by keeping it a secret until thest minute. This way, Hera can face any bacsh and be socially persecuted in one swift moment and move on more quickly. Just my two cents!]

    [PasserbyGod: I don��t think so, @DreamMe. I noticed a different team arriving with the NRT��s mechanics, so it��s possible they��re coborating with another racing team this time. It might be more likely that a team that didn��t qualify for nationals is lending them a car, rather than the scenario you mentioned.]

 Chapter 505 I Love Eggs

    Given that there would inevitably be spections about her connection to Phantom after this race, Hera realized it was best to prepare the audience in advance.

    By showcasing thebination of Phantom��s car, Phantom��s skilled mechanics, and her unique driving style, she could let the truth speak for itself.

    This way, she could transform what could be seen as an unfortunate incident into a positive oue that would benefit both the NRT and her career significantly.

    Hera��s new sponsors and Betty were all seated in the VIP spectator lounge alongside Larry and Gerald, much to Betty��s surprise.

    They had never anticipated such a delightful revtion; after all, meeting Larry and Gerald was notoriously challenging.

    Yet, here they were, loungingfortably and warmly inviting everyone to sit down and engage in conversation.

    The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as they beganworking, each person carefully managing their expressions to avoid breaking into foolish grins.

    While everyone else assumed Gerald was there as a new sponsor to support Hera, Betty couldn��t help but feel puzzled about why Gerald and Larry had chosen to join her in Hera��s guest lounge.

    Thanks to Gerald and Larry��s warm reception, all the sponsors who chose to support Hera felt they had made a brilliant decision.

    They even managed to snag Gerald and Larry��s highly coveted phone numbers, a feat that left them pleasantly surprised.

    Now, they regarded Hera as their lucky star and began brainstorming new promotions and coborations to further their partnership as they continued to sponsor her in the race.

    Not only would Hera help promote their brands by racing with their logos prominently disyed on her car, but it would also enhance their image as loyal supporters who believed in her potential through thick and thin.

    After all, they had all received the footage of Hera��s previous race that Betty sent, and even those who weren��t racing enthusiasts could see how she had decisively defeated the former Ace of NRT.

    They were confident that Hera would surprise everyone once the race began, and eagerly shared this sentiment with Gerald and Larry, praising Hera non-stop to ensure they felt secure in their decision to support her.

    Little did they know, their enthusiastic words of respect for Hera were earning them an invaluable coboration with the Avery family��a partnership worth hundreds of millions that would elevate theirpanies to new heights.

    Before long, Hera would be seen as their "goddess of wealth," and one could only imagine their astonishment when her true identity were finally revealed to the public.

    They could only silently thank their ancestors for the wisdom and foresight that guided them to back Hera, recognizing her potential even when others doubted her.

    As they engaged in lively conversation with Larry and Gerald, ke��Hera��s former sponsor during her time as Phantom��arrived at the venue and was directed to the garage.

    With an hour remaining before the race, the head mechanics from both teams were enthusiastically exchanging insights and fine-tuning the car, reviewing engine specs and performance stats on their tablets.

    Hera and her men kept a low profile, staying out of the way as the bustling garage staff moved efficiently around them, focused and determined like a hive of bees.

    Daisy returned with a food container in hand, weaving her way through the bustling garage to find Hera.

    She still felt a whirlwind of nervousness, struggling to fully grasp how she��d ended up here and what was about to unfold.

    Unlike Betty, who had a clear purpose and solid vision for the race, Daisy felt a bit lost and overwhelmed, her nerves palpable as she approached Hera.

    "Sister Hera, please eat first so you��ll have energy topete. I got you a spinach and mushroom omelette with cheese. Or if you want something else, I can go get it for you."

    Daisy��s voice wavered as she nced around at the men surrounding Hera.

    Each had an air of power and sophistication, clearly from prominent families.

    Their mere presence made Daisy feel tiny and out of ce, her nerves showing as she waited for Hera��s response.

    "No, really, this is perfect! I love eggs," Hera replied reassuringly, giving Daisy a warm smile.

    She could see how tense Daisy was, looking almost as if *she* were the one preparing to race under the scrutiny of the public eye.

    Hera felt a pang of sympathy for her assistant.

    Daisy, not knowing the truth of Hera��s Phantom identity, couldn��t fully understand the confidence Hera had in her abilities and might even think she was putting on a brave front.

    Determined to calm Daisy, Hera gave her an encouraging look, hoping to ease her fears, if only a little.

    Hera reached for the juice Xavier handed her, but her attention was caught by Zhane��s face, which was flushed as he tried to maintain hisposure.

    When he nced her way, their eyes met, and he looked at her with a shy yet meaningful expression.

    Hera froze, a string of questions forming in her mind.

    She couldn��t quite ce why Zhane was acting so uncharacteristically bashful, but the way he looked at her seemed as if he wanted to say something��only to immediately push the thought away.

    <i>��Did I say something weird?��</i> Hera wondered, ncing around.

    Suddenly, a vivid memory hit her, and she choked on her drink.

    Juice sprayed out of her mouth just as Dave was approaching with a mic, ready to interview her after chatting with other staff around the garage.

    He stopped in his tracks, wide-eyed and frozen, as the juice sshed over him.

    Staring at Hera with a pitiful expression, he pouted, looking utterly wronged.

 Chapter 506 The Race Starts

    Leo gave her a knowing smile, one that only made her feel more bashful and guilty at the same time.

    She had the distinct feeling that Leo knew something but was choosing to remain understanding��an awareness that made her feel like she��d been caught red-handed.

    However, her guilt was momentarily overshadowed by Dave, who had begun to dramatically sob in front of her, acting as though he��d been wronged.

    His over-the-top theatrics made Leo roll his eyes in clear annoyance, but Hera couldn��t help but smile at the sight.

    She grabbed a few tissues to wipe Dave��s face, all the while apologizing for his distress.

    Dave, for his part, seemed to revel in the attention, his coy expression almost purring with satisfaction.

    Meanwhile, Zhane had managed to regain hisposure, his expression now carefully neutral.

    His heart was still racing, his thoughts scattered after the brief but intense rush of emotions.

    Yet despite his best efforts, a noticeable tent had formed in his pants.

    He quickly found a ce to sit, remaining as still as possible while keeping his gaze fixed on Hera.

    His mind was still reeling, but he focused on helping in any way he could, trying to distract himself from the growing tension.

    Both Dave and Xavier werepletely oblivious to the interaction between Hera and Zhane, but Leo and Luke, ever perceptive, had caught on.

    Sensing Hera��s distraction, they both subtly worked to shift her focus, gently guiding her into engaging with the fans to take her mind off what Zhane��s reminder had stirred up.

    Just then, ke approached, having finished handling the aftermath of the ident that had dyed them. He took the opportunity to chat with Hera, offering a wee distraction as well.

    "ke, what are you doing here?" Dave stood up, his gaze narrowing as he shot his friend a questioning look, an eyebrow raised.

    ke grinned, unfazed. "What else? I��m here to deliver my racer��s car."

    Dave��s expression shifted to confusion. "Your racer? Since when? And howe you didn��t mention anything when I brought Hera to the trackst weekend?"

    He��d been meaning to ask this for a while.

    When he��d brought Hera to the race, ke had acted as though he was meeting her for the first time, never once mentioning their connection.

    ke looked slightly embarrassed as he repeated his exnation to his friend.

    "Well, Phantom just looked so different from how I remembered her a few months ago. At first, she seemed familiar, but I couldn��t quite ce why. I mean, clothes really <i>do</i> make the person��she used to only wear t-shirts and jeans."

    "But when you brought her to the track, she was all dolled up, with apletely different vibe. It didn��t click right away." He rubbed the tip of his nose and shrugged, his unease still evident.

    At this time, Betty and some of the staff had just finished installing a camera inside Hera��s car to record her while she��s driving.

    The footage will be broadcast live on her stream at ater time.

    With just 30 minutes remaining before the race, Hera stood up from her seat, grabbed her race suit, and headed off to change and prepare for thepetition.

    Shortly after, Hera emerged, her voluptuous figure perfectly entuated by the tight race suit that hugged her body in all the right ces.

    Her curves were boldly outlined, leaving little to the imagination.

    The most noticeable reaction came from Hera��s men, who all stood in awe as they took in her stunning presence.

    She radiated a new, powerful aura��wild and adventurous��with her eyes reflecting a blend of determination and confidence.

    All their concerns about whether Hera would be alright vanished in an instant.

    Her aura spoke volumes, leaving no room for doubt. At that moment, they were all captivated by her presence.

    Everything about her exuded an undeniable sense of dominance��a side of Hera that waspletely new to Luke, Dave, Zhane, and Xavier.

    ke smirked to himself.

    "Now that��s the Phantom I remember."

    This was the Phantom he knew��dominant on the racetrack, even when surrounded by men behind the wheel.

    She was the one who could make the impossible happen with her out-of-this-world maneuvers, moves no one else could replicate.

    With his arms crossed smugly over his chest, he followed Hera around as they both inspected the sponsor logos on her car.

    Meanwhile, the crew began removing the screen around the garage entrance, and some of the staff started moving the car toward the racetrack to position it for the uing race.

    Hera didn��t immediately follow the car out onto the racetrack; instead, she stood calmly in the garage, watching from a distance.

    By this time, other teams had already started pushing their cars onto the track after their inspections.

    Hera��s car, number 18, was a bit behind the others.

    But as soon as her car was rolled out, a wave of excitement and shock swept through the crowd��especially from the online viewers.

    Hera��s dedicated fans, however, were in a slightly better position.

    Before the car was pushed onto the track, Betty and her team had already set up a camera inside, capturing footage that was now rolling live.

    This gave Hera��s fans an early advantage, as many had begun specting about the car��s origins.

    Dave also shared a few teasers, revealing bits and pieces of the car, which prompted fans to dig deeper and experience the same shocking surprise that was unfolding for everyone else.

    Now, more than ever, her fans were eagerly anticipating Hera taking the wheel, while others wondered if she had secretly hired someone else to race for her.

    The louder the buzz grew, the wider Hera��s smile became.

    Even Michael, observing from his own position, was momentarily shocked and flustered. He quickly nced back at the garage where the car came from, only to lock eyes with Hera, who stood there in her race suit, looking both morous and alluring.

    In that instant, it all clicked in his mind.

    A scornful smirk spread across his face as he turned and strode back to his seat.

    He believed Hera��s team had figured out about Phantom, painting their car to resemble Phantom��s car, all in an effort to stir up more buzz and generate inte clout.

    Now, Michael was certain that Hera and her team were just there to make fools of themselves.

    While he could acknowledge Hera��s driving skills��after all, she had beaten him when he wasn��t taking it seriously��he knew that kind of victory only mattered in a casual race.

    But this time, it was different.

    This was a real race, in front of the whole nation.

    He was eager to wipe the floor with her and see how far her clout-chasing and overconfidence would get her, especially whenpared to the ambitious, driven men she��d be up against.

    Michael believed this race would be a rude awakening for Hera��these men wouldn��t make it easy for her, and she��d likely be left in the dust.

    Milly, standing beside her brother, shared the same thoughts as Michael.

    At first, she was angry and jealous, seeing Hera surrounded by handsome men who treated her like royalty.

    But as she thought about it more, she imagined how those same men would soon witness Hera��s embarrassment firsthand.

    The thought of it made her smile��she believed that once they saw her humiliation, their infatuation with Hera would fade.

    They would realize how maniptive she was, using her fame for attention, and might even start seeing her for the gold-digger she truly was.

    Milly could barely contain her excitement at the thought of seeing Hera��s downfall after the race, picturing her brother��s victory and the NRT team groveling at their feet, begging them to return.

 Chapter 507 Prepare to Race

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: Come on, are there really that many fans who can��t think critically anymore? This kind of thing only happens in novels. Clearly, this is just a publicity stunt to generate buzz online and boost her poprity.]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Bitter much, @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer? Whether it��s a publicity stunt or not, isn��t it too early to judge? My little sister Hera has her own image to uphold, and she��s already popr enough to have a bigger following than Michael. Why would she risk that for money? Or maybe you��re the one not thinking clearly?!]

    [XOXO: (?_?) (-_-��) (?_?) (��??)]

    [HeraIsMySister: Exactly! My sister Hera even won a horse racing championship��she wouldn��t do something reckless or put others in a difficult position.]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: @HeraIsMySister little girl, don��t just blindly believe everything you hear. Horseback riding and car racing are worlds apart. So what if she won a championship in horseback riding? That doesn��t mean she can race cars just as well.]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: Racing takes unique talent and lightning-fast reflexes, and only about 1% of racers worldwide are women. Driving a race car is apletely different skill than driving a regr car, let alone riding a horse. Are you trying to make meugh?]

    [Athena_Lowery: The only funny thing here is you, @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer. You��re just upset that Hera outshined your brother in NRT when their manager tried to recruit her right after she beat him in a race. Maybe your brother should consider racing with horses��or better yet, being one himself, considering his horse-like face!]

    [Athena_Lowery: (���ţ�)]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: !!!]

    [MichaelIsNumber1: @Athena_Lowery Hey! That��s too far! Michael is handsome and the "male god" of plenty of girls��who are you calling a horse face? Are you blind?!]

    [Athena_Lowery: (Photo.attached)]

    [Athena_Lowery: So, tell me��am I really blind, or are you saying Michael��s more handsome than these guys around Hera?]

    [MichaelIsNumber1: Hey, beautiful sister, where did you get this? Was it Photoshop? They look so handsome they don��t even look real.]

    [Athena_Lowery: You tell me... They��ve been showing their faces on Hera��s livestream the whole time, without any filters��I can even see the pores and wrinkles on the people around them!]

    [MichaelIsNumber1: Well...]

    [MichaelIsNumber1: I admit they��re more handsome than Michael, but when ites to racing, Hera can��t match up to him��or maybe to any of the other racers on the track.]

    [Athena_Lowery: How can you say that when the race hasn��t even started? FYI, she didn��t hire anyone to race for her. To prove it, her team set up a camera inside the car and even mounted one on her chest to show her exact view while driving.]

    [Athena_Lowery: This will make it clear if she can drive or not. Until then, maybe you should just watch quietly��unless you want people to question yourmon sense.]

    ...

    Although Athena said this confidently, she actually wasn��t sure if Hera could really race��she had never seen Hera on the track before.

    All she knew was that Hera had driven as part of a part-time job to earn extra ie.

    Maybe Athena, too, had underestimated Hera��s resourcefulness and abilities, assuming her talents were limited to her intelligence and acting skills.

    Even so, Athena was more excited than anyone else to hear this news.

    With the way Hera��s life was unfolding and her remarkable character, she seemed more like the heroine of the novels Athena used to read in her previous life than Alice did.

    Just like those amazing heroines with multiple identities, if Hera suddenly revealed she was a miracle doctor one day, Athena wouldn��t even be surprised��Hera had already amazed her more than once.

    If Hera knew what Athena was thinking, she��d probably say,<i> ��You��ve read too many novels. Miracle doctors don��t just sprout up like cabbages!��</i>

    Besides, Zhane was already a genius doctor, yet even he wasn��t called a miracle doctor.

    After all, no one can truly steal life back from the Grim Reaper when it��s someone��s time to go. Still, a doctor��s duty is to try their best, just as Zhane does every day.

    With only five minutes left, Betty and the team finished setting up another camera on Hera��s chest, allowing her to show her fans what it felt like sitting inside the race car while the driver was speeding around the track.

    This also helped dispel growing rumors that Hera had hired someone else to drive for her.

    Betty and the others took care of the technical details, ensuring that Hera��s fans��and everyone watching��would get a clear view of what she was truly capable of.

    The anticipation only fueled Betty��s excitement, as well as that of those who were in the know.

    "Sweetheart, you��ve got this!" Dave said with a fist pump before nting a quick kiss on Hera��s cheek.

    "Don��t be nervous," Xavier added, offering her a reassuring smile as he gave her a gentle peck on the cheek.

    Next, Luke ruffled her hair yfully before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek as well.

    Finally, Leo wrapped his arms around Hera in a warm hug, kissing her cheek before leaning in closer, his lips brushing her ear.

    "Wifey, I believe in you," he whispered, his voice low and intoxicating. The deep, alluring tone sent a shiver down her spine, from her earlobe to her toes.

    She couldn��t help but curl her toes as her eyes fluttered, overwhelmed by the delicious sensation that tingled through her body.

    As Leo pulled away from Hera, he nted another soft kiss on her cheek before handing her the helmet, adorned with the NRT logo and her car number.

    Today, she wasn��t wearing her usual ck race suit with the ck panther logo stitched on the back.

    Instead, she was dressed in the white and red race suit from NRT, featuring a bold red eagle logo on the back.

    The viewers who witnessed Hera��s interaction with the five men didn��t dwell on it, as their attention was focused on the uing race.

    Hera, meanwhile, made her way to her car, still holding the helmet, as the crowd on the spectator tform watched her every move.

    Dressed in the striking white and red race suit, she looked effortlessly cool as she approached the sleek ck car, casually holding the helmet.

    Many couldn��t help but be captivated, following her every step as she calmly donned the helmet and slid into the car.

 Chapter 508 Step On The Gas And Let the Car Fly

    Her use of an exact replica of Phantom��s race car was mentioned, but aside from that, thementator didn��t have much to say about her technical stats before moving on to the other 22 racers on the track.

    As the countdown timer appeared on the digital screen, the lights shifted to yellow, and all the racers revved their engines in preparation.

    When the lights finally turned green, Michael was the first to floor the pedal, shooting ahead and taking the lead, followed closely by one of the race��s other favorites.

    Hera, on the other hand, was quickly nked by several racers, particrly members of Michael��s team, who positioned themselves alongside her.

    They purposely let others pass, all the while trying to block her and stall her progress, aiming to drag her out of the race as much as possible.

    "These people really haven��t learned their lesson," Hera murmured, her voice captured by the microphone of the camera on her chest.

    Her smirking eyes were caught by the camera mounted just in front of her passenger seat as she nced at both sides of her car, where she was clearly being nked and boxed in.

    Even the spectators andmentator were taken aback by the obvious pressure Michael��s team was putting on her.

    Hera��s fans were immediately enraged by the tant bullying Michael��s team was disying in front of the crowd.

    However, when they saw the mischievous glint in Hera��s eyes, thement section fell silent as everyone waited to see what she had nned.

    Hera didn��t leave them in suspense for long.

    She suddenly eased off the throttle and mmed on the brakes, causing the two cars nking her to collide, their sides scraping against each other as they skidded across the pavement.

    Without missing a beat, Hera shifted gears, surged forward, and rejoined the race, flooring the gas and showing no intention of using the brakes again.

    Her aggressive and ruthless driving left everyone gasping.

    She didn��t drive like a typical girl��she was far more decisive than the other racers, who would have faltered at the risk of causing an ident.

    But it was clear why she had to act the way she did.

    If she had continued to be nked by two cars without making a move or slowing down, she would��ve inevitably been forced into an ident and eliminated from the race before it even began.

    And since Michael��s team was so determined to take her out, Hera saw no reason to hold back or show any decency or respect.

    "It��s not like I��m nning to let them bully this fragiledy," Hera murmured again, though a devilish grin yed across her face��far from the expression of someone being bullied.

    Hera��s fans couldn��t help but share a knowing smirk as they realized she wasn��t just a skilled racer, but a force to be reckoned with.

    Her dominance on the track was clear, and they silently anticipated her rise, sensing that Hera was about to emerge as the dark horse of the race.

    And just like that, Hera��s ck car surged forward, picking up speed as it smoothly overtook the other racers.

    Within seconds, she caught up to thosegging behind the pack, swiftly passing five cars almost effortlessly.

    The spectators, along with thementators, shifted their attention from the front of the pack to Hera, who was steadily climbing up the ranks with no intention of slowing down.

    They held their breath as her car zipped past three more cars in the blink of an eye.

    Her car didn��t just look like a dark horse��it was more like a panther on the hunt, relentless and graceful.

    Then, someone attempted to block her again, cutting off her path every time she tried to overtake.

    Instead of sticking to the usual approach, Hera decided to take matters into her own hands.

    On the next turn, she floored the gas and made an aggressive, sharp turn.

    Everyone expected her to crash into the edge of the curve, but what they saw was nothing short of incredible.

    She executed a perfect, near-impossible turn��not a simple drift, but something like a triangr drift��and in an instant, she shot past the car ahead of her, taking the outsidene.

    "<i>Gasp</i> That was Phantom��s move!!!"

    "She��s Phantom! I know it for sure! I saw Phantom race with my own eyes!"

    The spectators, whether watching live or from behind the screen, erupted in excitement as they recognized the signature move Hera had just executed.

    Everyone was now on their feet, eyes glued to the big screen, where the camera focused on the ck car relentlessly passing one racer after another, steadily climbing into the top five.

    "Holy molly! Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we��ve truly witnessed the impossible��a pie falling from the sky! We��re being graced with the sight of Phantom emerging from her hiding and racing for the National Team!"

    Thementator eximed excitedly into the mic, his voice full of energy.

    He perched on the edge of his seat, banging his fist on the table in front of him, unable to contain his excitement.

    Thement section of Hera��s livestream was flooded with exmation points, as her 30k viewers quickly surged to 60k.

    Everyone was eager to see what Hera was experiencing from the driver��s seat and how she was maneuvering inside the car.

    The viewership continued to climb, reaching 100k, then soaring to 1.5 million in mere seconds.

    The sudden spike in viewers came after Hera��s stunning rise from the back of the pack, effortlessly overtaking five cars.

    The numbers skyrocketed even further after her jaw-dropping triangr drift, which left everyone in awe.

    What the viewers saw was Hera remainingpletelyposed inside the car.

    She didn��t look like she was struggling at all with theplex maneuvers she had just executed.

    Her eyes curved into crescents as she caught sight of the frustrated expressions of the racers she had passed.

    With a quiet confidence, she shifted gears again, increasing her speed in a way no one expected.

    Her car, already flying down the track, seemed to defy the limits as she effortlessly pushed it even faster.

 Chapter 509 Pressure Them Until They Crumble

    Michael, in particr, felt the weight of it.

    He had already been defeated by Hera once, and the memory of that loss only fueled his frustration as she closed in on him again.

    Hera, on the other hand, was still able to increase her speed, but for now, she was enjoying tormenting the four racers in the lead��especially Michael.

    Her fans, watching the mischievous glint in her eyes and hearing her asional giggles, couldn��t help butugh along every time they saw the leaders�� faltering confidence.

    It seemed like every time they lost theirposure, whether by skidding on the pavement or bumping into each other, their positions would shift, opening the door for those trailing behind.

    Despite this, Hera did an excellent job of holding on to 5th ce, never allowing anyone to pass her.

    It soon became clear to everyone that the others were ying right into Hera��s hands, unable to do anything as her superior technical skills kept them at bay.

    Those behind her could only hope for a top-ten finish, while Hera��s dominance made it feel like there were two different races unfolding on the same track.

    Hera couldn��t help but giggle to herself, knowing that, for now, the race was hers to control.

    With only twops remaining, Hera��s mischievous glint in her eyes vanished, reced by a steely focus.

    Her eyes sharpened as she reached for the gear shift, changing gears with precision before pushing her car to the limit, her speed surging once again.

    By now, Michael and the other three leaders had sumbed to the relentless pressure Hera had been putting on them.

    Mentally drained and tense, they thought they had already seen everything she could do.

    But when Hera finally decided to turn it up a notch, they were in for a shock.

    Her ck car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, leaving them in the dust.

    Michael gritted his teeth, flooring the gas to catch up to Hera, staying right on her tail.

    He even bumped her a few times, trying to push her into the guardrail.

    But Hera wasn��t one to back down.

    Her eyebrow arched, eyes narrowing in concentration.

    Without breaking a sweat, she delivered a quick, calcted bump to Michael��s car, sending him swerving.

    He struggled to regain control, but Hera��s move had been swift and forceful, throwing him off bnce.

    In a split second, Michael lost control and crashed into the guardrail, his race ending abruptly.

    Meanwhile, none of his teammates managed to finish, as the first two from his team were already taken out before they even had a chance topete.

    With Michael��s "No Finish" status, his team was effectively out of the race. His new team erupted in frustration, cursing and kicking the air as they watched their name grayed out on the leaderboard.

    They couldn��t help but vent their anger at Michael.

    They had chosen to send him and his team, believing their performance would outshine their rivals, but no one could have predicted this disaster.

    If they had stuck with their original team, they might have at least secured a spot in the top ten. But now, regret was useless��there was no turning back.

    As a result of this incident, Michael��s fate was sealed. Hera never intended to disqualify him or his team, but they had chosen to y dirty.

    If they had stayed in their ownne and followed the rules, she wouldn��t have needed to take such drastic action. But since they didn��t, they couldn��t really me her for what happened.

    Hera snorted, her voice sharp andced with satisfaction. "Serves you right." It was as if she had just delivered the final blow to someone who had been bullying her.

    Her fans erupted inughter as they watched Michael storm out of his car, fury evident as he kicked the tires in frustration.

    After taking out Michael, Hera wasted no time in pushing her car to its limits once more, increasing the gap between her and the second-ce racer with each passing second.

    By the time she crossed the finish line, the rest of the pack was still far behind, struggling to catch up.

    The win was so dominating that no one could question or scrutinize it.

    The entire venue fell silent, as if deserted, with only the distant roar of race cars breaking the stillness. Even thementator was left speechless.

    Hera had done it again��breaking another record, but this time, it was her own, leaving herpetitors trailing far behind in the dust.

    It wasn��t until all the cars had caught up ande to a stop that thementator finally snapped back to reality.

    On the big screen, a new name shed next to the new record: "Hera Ainsley." Her name had reced "Phantom," but by now, it was clear to everyone that Hera <i>was</i> Phantom.

    She had just shattered her own record, and the national broadcast had captured every second.

    With cameras set up inside her car to ensure no one could question her identity, it was undeniable��this victory was hers, and no one could dismiss it.

    "Holy <i>freaking</i> molly! Apologies for thenguage, but <i>damn</i>, Phantom��s done it again! She��s not only shattered another speed record, but she also dominated the top racers and disqualified the former ace of the National Race Team! Now, I get it��<i>this</i> is why the NRT manager was so determined to bring Miss Hera on board, even if it meant letting go of their ace!"

    The audience erupted in a standing ovation, their apuse and cheers echoing through the venue as they went wild, overwhelmed by the incredible race they had just witnessed.

    Even after the race ended, they could still feel their hearts pounding, their blood racing with excitement from the thrilling spectacle they had experienced firsthand.

 Chapter 510 A Win That Could Slap Faces

    His face twisted into aical, almost duck-like expression, his lips curving upward in a sharp triangle as heughed obnoxiously��almost like ��Hanamichi Sakuragi from <i>m Dunk��</i>.

    With both arms confidently nted on his hips, he looked unbearably smug.

    It just so happened that Hera��s phone, still connected to the live stream, was in Dave��s hand, broadcasting every second of their antics.

    Hera��s fans and other viewers had been watching it all unfold,ughing along with the crew, who��despite their losses��were too entertained to care.

    They all celebrated Hera��s victory, treating her like the queen she was. Michael��s fans fell silent the moment she floored the gas, climbing the ranks and eliminating Michael and his team.

    Now, they stood dumbfounded, watching the big screen that disyed Hera��s record-breaking speed, while her team celebrated in the garage, waiting eagerly for her to pull up beside them.

    If they could, her team would have sprinted to meet Hera on the track, but they waited patiently, faces beaming with pride.

    By now, the entire country knew that Hera was the mysterious Phantom.

    For those who hadn��t yet connected the dots, fans hadpiled race footage of Phantom side by side with Hera��s, proving the undeniable truth.

    Not only did she win by a huge margin, but now everyone knew she would be representing the country in the uing international race.

    The inte buzzed with excitement, and Hera dominated the top ten trending topics.

    Not long after, Betty��s phone began buzzing nonstop, and her eyes curved into delighted crescents.

    Those who had dismissed her and Hera when BMW and the PGA Tour initially withdrew their support were now scrambling to reach out.

    Even those who had turned them away outright were shamelessly calling, and when they couldn��t get through, they sent a flood of messages.

    Betty hadn��t felt this happy even when her actors reached the pinnacle of their careers. Hera��s future in the entertainment industry had now skyrocketed��not only was she representing the country on the international stage, but the overwhelming support pouring in was proving her impact was real.

    Even the locally-made products featuring Hera��s name and image sold outpletely, bringing in huge profits for local vendors.

    Some shop owners were so grateful that they invited Hera and her entire team to dine in their establishments for free.

    Others sent so many gifts and supplies that, even before Hera parked her car in front of the garage, the space was already overflowing with tokens of appreciation.

    ...

    [Athena_Lowery: Ha ha ha! Now, where��s that loudmouth bitch who said this was just a publicity stunt and that Hera would ruin the National Race Team? Is your face hurting yet?]

    [Athena_Lowery: Good thing Hera stepped up and reced the so-called "NRT Ace," or we��d have missed the international stage entirely! Nothing like serving a reality check to sore losers full of hot air!]

    [Athena_Lowery: Losing once wasn��t enough for them? Guess they just loveing back for more, don��t they? Ha ha ha!]

    [HeraIsMySister: That person got pped so hard, they forgot how to make a sound! Or maybe they��re hiding from all the embarrassment after running their mouths. Even the arrogant Michael is probably embarrassed and fuming right now. Ha ha ha!]

    [RealPowerSpeaks: This is what it means to let actions do the talking. Real power doesn��t need empty promises��just win the trophy, set records, and show what you can do! Ha ha ha! I��m actually crying right now, this is so satisfying.]

    [PasserByGod: God, I can��t even say anything. ? ��??a?a?a]

    [XOXO: This had meughing out loud! Ha ha ha, I almost forgot about that one person... was it @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer? Hahaha, calling you out! Let��s hear you say what you said before.]

    [XOXO: @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer ?����o(��?��o �ᣩ����]

    [MyBrotherIsASuperRacer: ...]

    [HeraIsLove: @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer Does your face hurt?! ? ��??a?a?a]

    [HeraIsLife: @MyBrotherIsASuperRacer Who you said can��t race? (*�R���Q)??]

    ...

    "Ugh!"

    Crash-

    A loud crash echoed from the neighboring garage as Milly, exasperated, threw her phone after reading the endlessments berating her for everything she��d said about Hera online.

    Her social media was flooded��not just by Hera��s fans but by random people eager to mock her now that Hera had proven herself on national TV.

    Each notification felt like another p in the face, and there was no escaping the bacsh.

    Some even taunted her, hurling insults at her and her brother��some of which were too painful to bear. Her eyes stung as she stared at the ground, fists clenched tightly with her nails digging into her palms.

    She stood alone, with no one tofort her; her brother was off sulking in the garage, and the rest of the team had isted them, their anger barely contained, as if they might spit at them if they could.

    There was nothing more humiliating than this. After everything she��d said onlineparing Hera to her brother and nearly calling her names��Hera��s victory had left her as nothing more than the butt of the joke.

    The moment Hera stepped out of the car, she was met with warm smiles from Leo, Luke, Zhane, Xavier, and Dave.

    Leo, grinning widely, swept her off her feet and spun her into the air. Hera, caught off guard, let out a surprised squeal that quickly turned intoughter as she settled into the unexpected joy of the moment.

    Hera wrapped her arms around Leo��s neck, leaning back and giggling in his embrace.

    "Congrattions, wifey. I knew you could do it," Leo said with a grin, his lips hovering near her neck in a way that felt both yful and tender.

    Luke stepped closer, though he kept some distance as Leo continued to spin Hera gently. "Congrattions, that drift was incredible," he said, a soft smile lighting up his golden eyes. At that moment, he looked almost angelic��like a god even.

 Chapter 511 Finding Out About Rafael and Minerva

    It was clear how close they were, able to tease and joke with one another so freely.

    Leo draped his arm around Hera��s shoulders, drawing her closer as they walked toward the other men, still caught up in their yful banter.

    Hera��s fans, meanwhile, watched the scene with wide grins, popcorn in hand and drinks in the other, clearly delighted by the lighthearted moment.

    <i>Ring...</i>

    <i>Ring...</i>

    The yful banter abruptly halted as the shrill sound of a phone ringing cut through the air. It was Hera��s phone, its volume jarring in the otherwise cheerful atmosphere.

    Dave reached into his breast pocket and pulled it out, ncing at the caller ID. "Sweetheart, it��s a call from Sasha," he said, his voice trailing off with a hint of uncertainty at the end.

    Hera raised an eyebrow as she gently took the phone from Dave. Noticing the live stream was still active and the phone growing warm in her hand, she turned to address the viewers with a soft smile.

    "Hey everyone," she began, her voice calm and soothing, "I truly appreciate all of your support and well-wishes. However, I need to take this call. So, I��ll be cutting the live stream for now. But don��t worry, we��ll find a better spotter to continue the stream, and we��ll make sure to include all of you in the celebration��because you��re all part of this win."

    Her voice was so warm and inviting that viewers couldn��t help but smile in agreement, excited to continue sharing in the moment with her.

    Without hesitation, Hera ended the live stream. But as she was taking her time, the call from Sasha had already stopped. Realizing it, she quickly dialed him back.

    Before the first ring could even finish, Sasha picked up, as if he had been waiting for the call.

    That immediate response made Hera realize that he had something important to say.

    She answered the phone, unaware that the five men were within earshot, and they slowly began to guide her toward a quieter corner of the garage.

    They held her hand gently as they moved, but as Hera listened to Sasha��s voice on the other end, her steps suddenly faltered.

    Her face drained of color, and her eyes widened in shock and fear. She stopped dead in her tracks, her body stiffening as a wave of horror washed over her.

    "Can you please repeat that?" Hera��s voice trembled as she spoke again, the words barely escaping her lips.

    The men couldn��t hear what was being said on the other end of the line, since their surroundings were far from quiet.

    All they could do was focus on Hera��s reactions, watching her every movement with concern.

    They crowded around her, instinctively shielding her from the wind that threatened to drown out her words. They waited anxiously, eager to learn what had shaken her so deeply.

    "Send me the location where youst saw them," Hera said, her voice calm yetced with authority. Beneath it, a simmering worry twisted into a barely contained fury.

    Sasha had just informed her that Rafael had been missing sincest night, along with his sister, Minerva.

    The bodyguards who had infiltrated the enemy��s stronghold with Rafael had been found dead in the forest by the backup forces, who had arrived only to find they were toote.

    Despite searching the entire night, no trace of Rafael or Minerva had been found, and now they were faced with the grim possibility that they might never find them alive.

    Hera could only pray and hold on to the hope that Rafael, as one of the male leads, and Minerva, as the second female lead, still had the luck and resilience to survive.

    Their roles in the story should have granted them some protection, but the hours that had already passed weighed heavily on her.

    No matter how important their characters were, it didn��t mean their lives were safe from danger.

    "What happened?" Zhane asked, his brow furrowing in concern as he noticed Hera��s pale face, still devoid of color.

    Hera hesitated for a moment, struggling with how to break the news to them.

    She knew Rafael was not just her friend, but theirs as well. With a heavy sigh, she finally spoke, her voice tight with worry.

    "Yesterday, Rafael went out looking for his sister and hired Sasha to help track her down. They discovered she had been kidnapped by a mafia syndicate, who had set up aplicated scheme to throw them off the trail."

    "Despite that, they managed to pinpoint their stronghold. But during the night, Rafael and two of his bodyguards infiltrated the stronghold��while the rest of the team prepared an exit strategy��were ambushed..."

    "The men who were stationed at the base of the mountain managed to survive, though they suffered deep wounds. Backup forces arrived just in time to assist them and get them to the hospital."

    "But Rafael, along with the others who were in the forest and being hunted by the enemy, weren��t as fortunate. The two bodyguards who apanied him were found dead deep in the woods."

    "Those who had been waiting at the rendezvous point are severely injured and currently in the ICU. But Rafael and Minerva��there��s no sign of them. No clues, no trace...."

    "Even after Sasha used satellite surveince to search the area, they couldn��t locate them. ording to one of the bodyguards from the rendezvous point, who had been providing support to Rafael, both Rafael and Minerva appeared to be wounded..." Hera��s voice trailed off, thick with a mixture of concern and frustration.

 Chapter 512 Hera To The Rescue

    <i>Ding...</i>

    [Sasha: (gps.location.attached)]

    Hera nced down at her phone, seeing the GPS coordinates Sasha had sent.

    A steely determination shed in her eyes as she quickly turned and headed out.

    Without a moment��s hesitation, she jumped into her race car and sped off.

    Leo, Luke, Zhane, Xavier, and Dave were still reeling from the shocking news, especially Rafael��s friends, who barely registered Hera��s sudden departure.

    By the time they snapped back to their senses, Hera had already driven away, her car disappearing down the road.

    The audience in the venue was equally confused by the suddenmotion, while Hera��s team was visibly flustered.

    Leo darted toward their car, urgency in his voice.

    "Quick, we need to follow her!" he shouted, jolting Luke and the others into action.

    At Leo��s call, they snapped out of their shock and sprinted after him.

    Betty, feeling both distraught and unprepared, hurried along with the rest, unable to process what was happening but determined to keep up.

    Leo and the others piled into the Lincoln, but by the time they exited the venue, Hera��s car was already out of sight.

    Frustration shed in Leo��s eyes as he quickly made a call, then turned sharply to the driver.

    "Back to the hotel!" hemanded.

    He couldn��t shake the unease gnawing at him��he��d caught a fleeting look of guilt in Hera��s eyes just before she bolted, and he was worried about what might be running through her mind.

    Not wanting her to face whatever it was alone, he resolved to find her as soon as possible.

    The driver sped off, ignoring every red light along the way, and before long, they arrived at the hotel.

    "What are we doing here? She��s not here," Dave said, starting to panic.

    "With her driving skills, we won��t be able to catch up with her on the road. We��re better off tracking her from the air," Luke exined, realizing Leo��s n and trying to calm Dave down.

    Before Luke even finished speaking, Dave had already stormed past them, clearly frustrated by their dy. "What are you guys waiting for? Hurry up! We need to get to the helicopter ASAP!" he snapped, urging everyone to move faster.

    Hera, meanwhile, wasted no time. She focused on the GPS on her phone and sped through the streets, ignoring red lights.

    Luckily, the racing event had left the roads almost empty, allowing her to drive without interruptions. As fate would have it, the location on the map wasn��t far from her current position either.

    She floored the gas and made a call, her phone on speaker as it sat securely on the dashboard, freeing her hands to grip the wheel. The person on the other end picked up immediately.

    Before they could say a word, Hera spoke quickly, "Cindy, coordinate with Sasha and arrange for backup. I��m en route to the location Sasha sent, but I don��t know what I��m walking into. Make sure to send an ambnce as well."

    Hera paused, her mind racing as she processed the situation. After a moment, she spoke again with clear resolve, "Forget the ambnce. I need air support instead. We��ll transport the injured by air. I��m not sure how long they��ve been hurt, so they��ll need to be sent to the hospital immediately."

    "And make sure the backup is well-armed and fully geared up," Hera added, her voice sharp. "This situation is risky, and I need to be prepared for anything."

    Cindy, though still confused by Hera��s cryptic words, nodded. "Understood, Young Miss."

    Cindy hesitated, her concern deepening. "But Young Miss, if the situation is as dangerous as you say, wouldn��t it be better to wait for backup? Let them handle it. You might��"

    Before Cindy could finish, Hera��s voice cut through firmly. "Cindy, you know I value my life, but I can��t just sit around, not knowing what��s going on over there. I��ll make sure to stay safe, but I can��t let uncertainty dictate my actions. I��ll be careful, don��t worry. Just focus on getting the backup to follow me."

    Cindy, sensing the determination in Hera��s voice, relented, though still uneasy. "Understood, Young Miss. I��ll get everything set up right away."

    With that, she quickly ended the call, already reaching out to Sasha for more details. She needed to get the full picture so she could coordinate the necessary help for Hera.

    Hera didn��t need to send her location to her team��her phone was already equipped with GPS tracking.

    As long as they needed to find her, they could easily follow the built-in tracker. Since she��d be heading there first, it would be easier for the backup to follow her lead.

    Cindy, not wasting any time, immediately contacted Sasha. Sasha was quick to exin everything, skipping pleasantries and going straight to the point.

    Once the call ended, Cindy swiftly dialed their security detail��an elite team of retired military personnel, including Air Force veterans, SEALs, and more. They would be ready to act at a moment��s notice.

    Hera��s usual security detail hadn��t apanied her this time, as Leo, Luke, Zhane, Xavier, and Dave had brought their own team along.

    She had insisted that her usual security stay behind, promising to call them if she needed backup.

    As a result, her regr team had remained on high alert, waiting for any sign of action. When Cindy called, they were ready.

    Without hesitation, they swiftly geared up and boarded therge military helicopter the Avery family kept on standby for emergencies like cmity evacuations, rescue operations, and other critical missions.

    Threerge helicopters roared to life as they took off from the hangar, their engines rumbling so loudly that the sound echoed throughout the city. Meanwhile, Cindy monitored the unfolding situation closely, using the body cameras worn by the security detail sent to support Hera.

    In less than an hour, Hera arrived at the location marked on her GPS. She found herself on a road near the edge of a forest, a considerable distance from the rendezvous point Rafael had originally set with his subordinate, who was supposed to have prepared an escape route.

    However, due to the pressure from the forces trailing them, Rafael and his group had deviated from their nned path, veering deeper into the forest in an attempt to shake off their pursuers.

 Chapter 513 Hera Tracking Rafael Down

    She nced around once more, then started her car, heading in the direction where the signal hadst pinged.

    Her mind raced as she considered her next move. But before she fullymitted, Hera pulled off to the side and hid her car in a secluded spot. It wouldn��t do to have a conspicuous vehicle lingering around.

    If Rafael��s pursuers saw it, they��d get suspicious and might even follow her tracks instead of looking for him. And that would only put both her and Rafael in more danger. Better safe than sorry.

    Hera drove the car under arge tree, its thick canopy offering a perfect natural cover.

    She scanned the area for anyrge leaves and branches, then began gathering them, her movements swift and methodical.

    With practiced hands, she cut off several branches and arranged them on top of the car, weaving them carefully to blend with the surrounding foliage.

    Some branches she stuck into the ground around the car, creating the illusion of overgrown, small trees sprouting up.

    From a distance, it was nearly impossible to spot, and only a keen observer would notice the subtle disruption.

    She wasn��t done yet.

    Hera took extra care to erase any trace of her arrival.

    She covered the tire tracks with dry leaves, scattering them strategically so no one could follow her movements easily. Every detail mattered; her life��and Rafael��s��depended on it.

    Once she finished concealing the car, Hera took a moment to assess her work.

    Satisfied with the camouge, she pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the hidden vehicle and its surroundings.

    The photo would serve as a reference, ensuring that she could easily find the spot againter or avoid any confusion if she needed to return.

    It was a small but necessary precaution to make sure she didn��t lose track of her carefully concealed escape route just in case she��d need itter, if not, then at least, the person who would retrieve her car would be able to find itter.

    Once she was satisfied with her car��s concealment, Hera began her trek on foot.

    She grabbed a sturdy stick from the ground, using it to rustle the grass ahead of her, ensuring that any snakes nearby would be frightened away.

    Thest thing she needed was a venomous bite while alone in the wilderness.

    As she walked, she passed a patch of familiar citrone grass.

    She plucked a handful and rubbed it on her exposed face to ward off bugs, then tucked the remaining leaves into her race suit for further protection.

    Continuing along, Hera encountered a few strong-scented nts known to repel snakes.

    She collected some, crushing the leaves and hanging them on her gear, creating a natural barrier against the slithering dangers of the forest.

    With each step, she remained vignt, aware that every precaution she took would keep her safer in the unpredictable environment ahead.

    Now that she had both citrone and snake-repelling nts on her, Hera felt a sense of reassurance.

    With the threat of mosquitoes carrying disease and snakes slithering too close to her eliminated, she allowed herself to pick up the pace.

    The weight of worry lifted, and her movements became more purposeful as she pressed deeper into the forest, focused on the task ahead.

    It took Hera quite a while to reach the area where Sasha hadst detected Rafael��s signal, as the location was deeply secluded.

    Fortunately, the daylight was still holding, giving her a clear advantage.

    She moved cautiously, inspecting every nook and cranny of the area, determined not to overlook any detail.

    As she carefully surveyed the ground, her eyes caught sight of footprints��both fresh and partially obscured��marking the path Rafael and Minerva had taken.

    Hera��s brow furrowed as she examined the footprints closely.

    <i> ��These don��t match Rafael��s...��</i> she muttered to herself.

    ording to Sasha, Rafael had rushed out as soon as he discovered Minerva was missing, which meant he would have still been in his suit and tie.

    His shoes, too, would have been formal��leather shoes, not anything like boots.

    She scrutinized the lone footprint in front of her, noting its half-inch depth. It didn��t match what she expected. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she knelt down for a closer look.

    Hera squinted at the footprint, her mind racing.

    <i>��And Minerva was the only one with Rafael. With how she dresses, there��s no way she��d be wearing shoes like this,��</i> she thought, her gaze shifting toward the direction the footprint led.

    The print pointed south, toward the dense forest. She straightened, her heart racing as the pieces began to fall into ce.

    Hera couldn��t help but smile as she examined the footprint.

    <i>��I guess this is my only lead for now.��</i>

    Her mind lingered on Rafael��s cleverness.

    <i>��Rafael did a great job covering his tracks. If it were anyone else, they��d be too frantic to think about hiding their traces while running for their lives.��</i>

    She couldn��t help but feel a sense of pride��Rafael��s focus andposure were impressive, even in the chaos.

    Knowing that Rafael had taken the time to cover his tracks gave Hera a sense of relief. It meant that he was still ahead of his pursuers, buying himself more time to escape. The heaviness in her chest began to lift as she realized the significance��Rafael was still alive, and that alone fueled her determination to keep going.

    However, with Rafael taking care to cover his tracks and the presence of another set of footprints, Hera knew there was a chance she could be following the wrong lead.

    It was also possible that their pursuers had hunting dogs or tracking hounds, using scent to follow Rafael and Minerva.

    This meant that following the single footprint could be a fifty-fifty gamble��either it would lead her directly to Rafael, or it would bring her face-to-face with his pursuers, putting her in a dangerous situation.

 Chapter 514 Solving A Little Riddle

    [HeraIsMySister: You��re right...]

    [XOXO: ...]

    ...

    After a thorough search, Hera still found nothing.

    She looked up at the sky, noting the sun��s position��it had already passed its peak, meaning afternoon was slipping into evening.

    If she dyed any longer, night would fall soon, putting her at a disadvantage since she hadn��t brought any supplies in her earlier rush.

    <i>��Seriously, who��s rescuing who now?��</i> Hera muttered, scratching her head in frustration as she looked up.

    Just then, something on a branch caught her eye��a faint glimmer reflecting the sunlight.

    She squinted, trying to make it out, but the angle kept her from seeing clearly.

    Intrigued, Hera stepped closer to the tree��s base, examining its bark to see if it would be possible to climb up and get a closer look.

    <i>��Looks doable to me,��</i> she murmured, eyeing the tree��s sturdy branches.

    With that, she began her climb, moving carefully and deliberately.

    Each step was precise��she couldn��t afford a slip-up now.

    Thest thing she wanted was to get injured and be a burden instead of helping.

    After a while, she reached the branch and found the source of the sparkle��a man��s watch, carefully wedged into a small crevice in the tree.

    It was hidden just enough to avoid drawing attention but still visible if someone happened to look closely.

    Without a pocket, Hera tucked the watch into her cleavage to keep it secure as she climbed down.

    Holding it in her mouth was too risky��one slip, and she might chip a tooth or drop the watch entirely.

    This way, it stayed safe, and besides, with no one around, she didn��t worry much about appearances.

    <i>��Yeah, better keep it here, safe and sound,��</i> Hera muttered to herself, unzipping her suit just enough to slip the watch inside.

    ...

    [ILikeSexyLadies: Is that the infamous "woman��s pocket"? If you know what I mean... ]

    [ILikeSexyLadies: d(???)b]

    [OffaLoofah: Pfft! Didn��t see that oneing! (??????)]

    [ISeeYou: I wish I were that watch... (? ?)?]

    [AuntieNextDoor: I��m a girl, but I think I��m having a nosebleed right now... Ugh, what a deadly move. ]

    [HeraIsMySister: But, what��s a watch doing up there? Hmmm... �r(??�� ??��)�q]

    [XOXO: Maybe it got caught when someone climbed up there? ]

    [Dreaming: Maybe it was a ranger��s watch? ]

    [Watchamadoing: @Dreaming I don��t think so. That watch looks expensive. I��m pretty sure it��s an Omega brand, and the top models go for hundreds of thousands. That watch Hera grabbed definitely wasn��t cheap. ]

    ...

    Once she made her way down the tree, she retrieved it and examined it carefully.

    <i>��I can��t say for sure if it��s Rafael��s, but finding it here�� tucked into a tree�� doesn��t seem like a coincidence. Someone went through a lot of trouble to hide it there. Who else but Rafael would do that?��</i>

    She stared at the watch, noting that the hands had stopped, frozen at 9:50.

    <i>��Hmm, this could very well be a clue Rafael left for anyone looking for him,��</i> Hera muttered, her right index finger tapping her chin as she examined the watch.

    <i>��It might have been a gamble on his part, but the fact that it��s still here means either no one hase to look for him yet��or they haven��t seen this.��</i>

    <i>��If I remember correctly, a wristwatch can be used to tell direction... Hmm,��</i> Hera murmured, her eyes narrowing as she studied the time on the watch.

    Suddenly, a flicker of realization sparked in her mind. <i>��Wait... Maybe this 9:50 is a set of coordinates!��</i>

    <i>��But wait, a 9:50 coordinate might not even exist,��</i> Hera muttered, furrowing her brow.

    <i>��Besides, the watch has already stopped, so it��s not like it could point to a specific location. What I remember about using a watch for direction is that it helps you find south, based on where the sun is. So, this isn��t going to work for finding a location.��</i>

    <i>��Hmm, I get it now!��</i> Hera eximed as she rolled up her sleeves.

    There, on her wrist, was her own ssy, expensive watch.

    She nced up at the sky and spotted the sun��s position.

    Carefully, she shifted her stance, aligning her body so that the hour hand of her watch pointed directly toward the sun, as she��d read before.

    This, she knew, should indicate south. Once she was sure, she turned her attention back to the men��s watch in her hand.

    <i>��Hmm, I think this really is a coordinate, but instead of longitude andtitude, I might need to graph it on a map,��</i> Hera muttered to herself.

    She quickly pulled out her phone, opened the map, and zoomed out from her current location.

    Taking a screenshot, she began to use a photo editor to draw lines based on the numbers from the watch.

    But after a few moments of analyzing the result, Hera scratched her head in frustration��nothing seemed to align.

    She paused, then looked back at the watch, cing Rafael��s watch on top of hers. She blinked. Something clicked.

    <i>��I guess it makes more sense if Rafael used the watch to indicate the direction he took, not coordinates,��</i> Hera thought aloud.

    <i>��South is easy to identify when you��re in a forest, so anyone would just follow it.��</i> She adjusted the position of the watch in her hand.

    <i>��So, if south is that way, then I can align Rafael��s watch with its 12 o��clock facing south. The 9:50 position�� that��s the range of his direction!��</i>

    The direction she determined from the watch was theplete opposite of where the footprint led.

    Hera paused, caught in a dilemma.

    Should she trust the footprint and follow her instincts, or stick with the direction the watch suggested?

    Hera clenched her jaw, making a swift decision. She bolted off in the opposite direction, determined to test her theory.

 Chapter 515 Found Them

    Her lungs burned with every gasping inhale, and her body trembled from the relentless sprint.

    She bent back slightly, her hands on her knees, desperately trying to steady her breathing.

    Steam rose from her mouth with each exhale, her face flushed with exhaustion. Her tired eyes inadvertently drifted upward, catching sight of a thick branch several meters off the ground.

    "Ah!" Hera gasped as she sprang to her feet.

    "Minerva?!" she called out, her voice barely containing her shock.

    There, high up in the tree, Minerva��s head peeked out from a thick branch. Her long hair was a tangled mess, and her face was streaked with dirt, making her look like a beggar lost in the wild.

    Minerva froze, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Hera. She wasn��t sure if she was seeing things due to hunger or if Hera was really there, standing before her, all alone. Her gaze flicked behind Hera, searching for any signs of others, but there was nothing.

    "W-what are you doing here, in the forest?!" Minerva asked, her voice tinged with caution, though a flicker of relief also passed over her face at the sight of someone she recognized.

    "I came to find Rafael," Hera replied, her voice firm and direct.

    "On your own?!" Minerva eximed, her eyes widening in disbelief.

    Hera scratched her head, looking away sheepishly. "Well, some people areingter to rescue you. I just came ahead to look for him." Her eyes darted around, suddenly remembering her mission. "Where��s Rafael?!"

    At the mention of her brother, Minerva��s eyes welled up, and a soft sob escaped her. "He��s up here with me." Her voice was barely a whisper, weak and trembling, so soft that Hera almost didn��t catch it.

    Hera��s heart clenched with concern.<i> ��Is his condition that bad?��</i> She remembered what they��d said��both siblings were injured.

    "Are you alright?" Hera asked urgently, her tone full of worry. Minerva blinked in confusion, taken aback by the question.

    "Are you asking *me*?" she replied, her voice tinged with disbelief.

    "Who else? The tree?" Hera rolled her eyes as she looked around the tree to see where she could climb up.

    "I��m alright. But my brother..." Minerva��s voice faltered, a mix of embarrassment and worry in her words.

    She was embarrassed because, despite their differences and the history between them, Hera still cared enough to ask if she was okay.

    In this vulnerable moment, with her brother in so much pain and unsure if he��d survive, Hera��s concern for her felt like an unexpected weight on her heart. Minerva bit her lip, trying to steady herself, but her emotions were threatening to spill over.

    Hera didn��t wait for Minerva to collect her thoughts; instead, she immediately began climbing the tree, quickly checking their surroundings to make sure no one was following.

    <i>��I must be turning into a monkey, climbing tree after tree,��</i> Hera muttered under her breath with a pout, but she didn��t stop.

    Despite the tree��s immense size, it had plenty of sturdy branches, making it easier for Hera to climb. In no time, she was right beneath Minerva.

    Seeing Hera approach, Minerva, startled but relieved, hurriedly extended her hand, eager to help Hera up once she was close enough.

    "Ah! Stop, stop!" Hera yelped, her voice high with surprise. "Don��t pull on the back of my race suit��it��s tugging at my ass!" She snapped, wincing from the ufortable pull, though she kept the more embarrassing part to herself, feeling the ufortable tension between her legs as well.

    "Oh! Sorry," Minerva eximed, her face flushing as she realized what she��d been doing. Her hand instinctively released the fabric, but the damage was done. Minerva bit her lip, guilt flooding her as she realized her attempt to help had only made things worse.

    Hera exhaled in frustration and quickly adjusted her race suit, realizing she hadn��t had time to change before rushing out.

    It wasn��t ideal, but at least the suit kept her fully protected from any insects. She then nced over at Minerva, noticing the red spots that dotted her pale skin, especially on her face. Without a word, Hera gathered some of the grass she had collected on her way over and handed it to Minerva.

    Minerva stared at the grass, confused. She tilted her head to the side, brow furrowing as she looked at the bundle in Hera��s hands.

    Hera sighed, realizing she needed to exin. "You��ve been bitten by mosquitoes all over your body��probably more than just a few sincest night. This grass will help keep the insects away."

    Minerva stared at Hera, her emotions a tangled mess.

    She took the bundle of grass, her fingers trembling slightly, and muttered a quiet, "Thank you."

    Her voice was barely audible, more like a whisper. A mix of embarrassment, gratitude, and guilt swirled within her.

    After everything that had happened between them, Hera still showed concern for her��despite the way Minerva had treated her in the past.

    Hera could have easily ignored her, especially since she hade for Rafael, but she didn��t. That realization made Minerva feel even smaller.

    Her chest tightened with self-loathing, and she couldn��t help but wonder how she could have ever been so selfish.

    Hera, despite all her kindness, was a far better person than Minerva could ever be.

    They were supposed to be the same age, but at this moment, Minerva felt like nothingpared to her. She lowered her head, unable to meet Hera��s gaze.

    After handing the bundle of grass to Minerva, Hera moved swiftly towards Rafael.

    She found him lying against the tree��s thick branches, his face pale and his breathingbored.

    His white shirt was stained with dark, dried blood, which made Hera��s stomach churn. She could only guess that he had been injured during the night, and with the blood already dried, he might be suffering from an infection.

    Her heart tightened as she knelt beside him, unsure of how long he��d been in this state.

    Hera put her hand on Rafael��s forehead, he was covered with sweat, and sure enough, although he was pale, he was currently burning up. Hera took a sharp breath. <i></i>

    <i>��His wound is infected.��</i> Hera murmured but Minerva heard it as well as those tuned in on Hera��s livestream.

 Chapter 516 Close Call

    Without another word, Hera pulled out a stone about the size of half a fist and began crushing the grass and roots she��d collected along the way, focused on preparing a remedy.

    "That..." Minerva hesitated, watching her in surprise, "...isn��t what I expected."

    Hera, sensing Minerva��s worry, offered a reassuring exnation.

    "This grass will help staunch the bleeding, and this one is for inmmation. Oh, and could you help me with something? ce that grass under his tongue��it should help reduce the fever. After that, all we can do is hope and pray that my team arrives soon." Hera��s face was serious, her tone calm and focused.

    Minerva,forted by Hera��sposure, nodded and did as she was told without hesitation.

    Arguing or questioning seemed pointless now, and with Hera taking charge, Minerva felt a glimmer of hope, her fears momentarily lifted.

    The two worked in sync to care for Rafael, whoy unconscious, his brows furrowed in pain, asionally grunting as if struggling in a restless sleep.

    "Hang in there, big guy. You��ll be okay," Hera murmured softly, her voice gentle and calming, like a soothing luby. Her words seemed to reach him, as his tense expression softened, easing into a look of peace, as though he were simply asleep.

    Minerva noticed the shift in her brother��s expression and felt a surge of gratitude toward Hera. Seeing Rafael��s pain lessen filled her with relief, so she followed Hera��s instructions even more attentively.

    Together, they tore Rafael��s shirt into strips, using them to secure the herbal mixture Hera had applied to his wound. The makeshift bandage held the herbs in ce, applying gentle pressure to help prevent further bleeding.

    Hera pulled out her phone to check for any updates from her support team.

    "There��s no signal here..." Minerva said, her voice filled with frustration. She had already tried to send an SOS message with Rafael��s phone, only to find no signal at all.

    "I have a signal, though," Hera replied calmly, ncing at her phone screen.

    It was true��her race suit��s camera was still live-streaming and her phone connection remained strong.

    Minerva stared in astonishment, marveling at how Hera��s phone was leagues beyond anything she��d seen, that��s how strong her cellr and inte signal was in her phone.

    "Eh?!" Minerva gasped quietly, inching closer to Hera and peeking over her shoulder at the phone. Before she could ask anything, faint shouts and the barking of dogs drifted through the trees.

    "Arf! Arf!"

    "Look around!!! Dammit! How is it we still haven��t found those two when we already shot the man?!" one of the voices grumbled, frustration evident even at a distance.

    "Ugh! I��m so pissed off! They even managed to throw off our hunting dogs with their blood-soaked coat!"

    "Both of you, shut it and keep moving��your yelling��s enough to scare off birds for miles and tip them off!"

    Hera and Minerva froze, exchanging a look of rm.

    "As if! These dogs won��t stop barking! They��re going to alert them!" one of the voicesined, their irritation rising.

    "Why don��t we just send them back? They��re not doing anything useful!" another voice snapped.

    "And who exactly do you think will help, huh? You?" came the mocking reply, now much closer. "With that loud mouth of yours? You��re louder than a woman getting fucked by two men."

    The crude remark floated through the air, and the voices drew nearer, just below the tree. Minerva and Hera instinctively pressed themselves against the trunk, holding their breath as they both tried to blend into the shadows.

    Minerva was about to inch closer to Hera, but Hera quickly gestured for her to stay still, holding up a hand to stop her. She mouthed silently, urging Minerva not to move.

    Suddenly, a hissing sound broke the tense silence.

    "Fuck! This dog won��t shut up!" one of the voices cursed as the dog barked, its body rising onto its hind legs. The animal stretched toward the base of therge tree where Minerva and Rafael were hiding.

    "Hold on, check the tree! They could be up there!" another voice called out, their urgency now palpable.

    When Hera and Minerva heard the shout, their eyes widened in panic, but Hera was determined not to let Minerva move.

    She had already spotted the danger��a massive python, as thick as her leg, slithering down the thick branches behind Minerva. It had likely been up there with them from the moment they climbed the tree.

    Hera��s scalp prickled with tension. She couldn��t let Minerva turn around or make any sudden movements; if she did, the shock would surely make her scream and do big movements, and that would only startle the snake, whose movements were slow and deliberate as it descended the branch.

    Every nerve in Hera��s body screamed for Minerva to stay still. If she did, they might be able to avoid the snake��s notice.

    The snake must have been well-fed, resting here, possibly treating the tree as its nest or feasting on birds or eggs that had nested there. If it hadn��t been sated, it would have struck Minerva and Rafael long ago. But perhaps it was simply waiting for the right moment, biding its time.

    <i>Hiss...</i>

    Minerva sensed the presence behind her and heard the cold, menacing hiss again. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her instinct was to crawl toward Hera, but Hera��s firm gesture stopped her in her tracks.

    Trembling, Minerva could only squeeze her eyes shut, frozen in ce, fighting the overwhelming fear.

    The python, seemingly uninterested in Minerva, continued to slither down the tree. Its massive head slowly emerged, right in front of the man who had been climbing the tree.

    The man froze in shock as the snake��s head appeared just inches away from him, and he was dangerously close to where Hera and Minerva were hiding.

    <i>Thud!</i>

    "Ah! Fuck!" The man yelped in panic, losing his grip as he fell to the ground. The python, now fully on the move, dangled momentarily from the branch before striking with deadly precision. It lunged at the barking dog, sinking its razor-w-like teeth into the animal��s neck, locking it and quickly coiling around it.

    "Fuck!" The man cursed again, his voice filled with disbelief.

    Meanwhile, Minerva, overwhelmed by fear, couldn��t hold back the tears. Her body trembled uncontrobly as she silently crawled toward Hera, seekingfort.

    As soon as she reached her, Minerva threw her arms around Hera in a desperate embrace, feeling a sense of safety only when she was wrapped in Hera��s arms.

    Hera, sensing Minerva��s fear, held her tightly. She gently stroked her hair and back, whispering soothingly, "Shush... it��s alright now. You��re safe... you��re safe."

    "Ah, stop! Let��s just get out of here! The dog��s barking is too loud and useless anyway!"

    "Yeah, there��s no way the girl and that half-dead man could��ve climbed this tree. And with that big snake around, they��d already be eaten if they were up there."

 Chapter 517 Have You Offended Someone?

    It wasn��t just luck��it was the ��male lead halo�� protecting Rafael. And as the second female lead, Minerva might also have her own form of protection, a ��halo�� that shielded her just like Rafael��s.

    In a strange way, the snake had be an unlikely ally, helping them without anyone realizing it.

    Minerva nodded in agreement, stopping her search for an escape route. With Rafael in his condition, it was clear there was no way he could move, anyway.

    "By the way, I heard you��re injured too," Hera said, suddenly recalling. "Where��s your injury?" She hadn��t noticed before, as Minerva had been moving so freely.

    Minerva pulled away slightly, her face flushing with both embarrassment and a touch of gratitude. "It��s my feet... and my legs," she murmured, her eyes avoiding Hera��s for a moment.

    Without waiting for Hera to ask, Minerva began to recount the events of the previous night.

    "Last night, my brother came to rescue me from the underground cell with his two bodyguards. We tried to escape on an off-road motorcycle, but we were intercepted."

    "The two bodyguards got separated from us, and we have no idea what happened to them after that. There were other guards stationed at different locations to buy us more time, but eventually, my brother and I crashed somewhere along the way."

    "I injured my legs during the crash, so my brother carried me on his back as he ran. Along the way, I watched him leave subtle clues for our people to follow while hiding the more obvious ones."

    "He brought me up here to hide before darting off on his own. When he returned, he was bleeding heavily. I asked him where his coat was so I could use it to stop the bleeding, and he said he��d discarded it."

    Minerva��s sobs grew heavier as she continued, "Even though he was bleeding so much, he kept reassuring me. Luckily, the rainsted for about half an hourst night, and it helped mask his blood trail. Otherwise, we would��ve been found by now."

    Hera��s expression shifted, her eyes growing serious. "Do you have any idea why they��re after you?" she asked, her tone cautious.

    She suspected this might be tied to the report she received, something closely connected to Minerva and the crime of missing women, and she wanted to get more information.

    Minerva shook her head, her face a mix of confusion and fear.

    "Isn��t it for ransom?" Minerva whispered, her voice shaky.

    "My family is wealthy, and my brother too," Minerva said, her voice quiet but steady.

    "So it��s not surprising that someone would try to kidnap me. But to think they woulde for me even when I was in my own house... it doesn��t make sense. They must be after my family��s project, or maybe it was done by rivals. Those are the only exnations I cane up with."

    She paused, her brows furrowed in concentration as she tried to make sense of everything. Despite her tear-streaked face and the redness in her eyes, she was pushing herself to think clearly.

    "Right," Minerva continued, her voice softening as she recalled the moment.

    "Before we left, I overheard some other woman trapped in that underground cell too. We didn��t bring them with us because it would have been too dangerous with more people."

    "My brother said he��de back for them once the backup arrived, but..." Her voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping back into her tone.

    "Alright," Hera replied, her tone steady. Without missing a beat, she typed swiftly on her phone, sending a message to let the backup team sent by Cindy know that they should head to the stronghold to help the women, ensuring their safety before returning.

    Once the message was sent, she refocused her attention on Minerva, her expression serious yet reassuring.

    "Do you remember if you��ve crossed any dangerous people? Maybe... the mafia, for example?" Hera asked, her tone intentionally dragging,ced with a subtle insinuation.

    She watched Minerva closely, curious to see how she would react��whether guilt, frustration, or anger would surface, or if she would remain defensive, pretending to be unaware of any potential involvement.

    Hera had expected a range of reactions, but Minerva��s response caught her off guard. She looked genuinely confused.

    "No," she said, shaking her head. "I can be arrogant and haughty, but that��s only with you or people I don��t like. I��ve never intentionally provoked anyone dangerous. The only person I know who might look like part of the mafia is my brother."

    Hera wasn��t sure whether to cry orugh at Minerva��s response. She couldn��t help but understand why Minerva had said it, though.

    Rafael did have that mafia boss vibe��his domineering presence, intimidating aura, and short temper.

    When his patience was tested, he could be explosively violent, the kind of unpredictable behavior that was dangerously close to what you��d expect from a mafia.

    What surprised Hera more than anything was how Minerva seemedpletely oblivious to the situation.

    Either she was an exceptional actress, or she was truly clueless about what was going on. Hera thought back to their time on the variety show, remembering how Minerva couldn��t mask her disdain for her.

    With her arrogant attitude, Hera had expected Minerva to taunt her or let slip some hint of her involvement.

    Instead, Minerva appeared genuinely confused, almost more lost than Hera was as to why she had be a target.

    Hera took a deep breath, her gaze settling on Rafael��s face.

    It seemed that she truly needed to dig deeper into Minerva��s possible involvement in the case of the missing and murdered women.

    Rafael��s concerns might be valid��perhaps Minerva really was innocent in all of this, despite the doubts that lingered in her mind.

    <i>��But who would be bold enough to ce all the me on Minerva? Could it be the mafia syndicates? Maybe, seeing that the authorities were closing in on them and others were starting to snoop around, they decided to shift the me onto her.��</i>

    <i>��By putting Minerva in danger, they could manipte Rafael into stepping in to protect her, using his loyalty over his sister to clean up their mess. It��s a usible theory, but why Minerva? Was it because Rafael is a powerful, promising young man, fiercely protective of his sister?��</i>

 Chapter 518 Rescuers Are Arriving

    "Sister Hera, I checked your location on the visual map and sent it to the team. However, the pilot mentioned that it wouldn��t be safe for the helicopter tond directly at your position."

    "They can drop down adder for you to climb, and a suspended stretcher for Rafael, but those options are risky, especially with syndicate members still lurking nearby. The safest course of action would be for them to find a clearing andnd there before proceeding."

    "But that also means the team will need to rappel down to your location. Once they arrive, you and the team will need to move to the designated extraction point to board the helicopter before being transported back to safety," Sasha reported.

    Hera considered Sasha��s report carefully, and everything made sense.

    The tree they were hiding on top of covered arge area, so even if the team rappelled down, they would have to do so farther from their location.

    They might engaged in a skirmish with the opposing forces on the way to Hera��s location and it might be inevitable, which would only dy the rescue.

    Transporting the injured Rafael added more risk��especially since it was clear that the mafia syndicate wasn��t going to let Minerva and Rafael go easily.

    ording to the report, the mafia��s main forces had been in a standoff with Rafael��s backup team hours ago, meaning they were likely more alert now.

    While she was confident that her people could deal with the syndicate, the real concern was the girls in the underground cells that Minerva had mentioned.

    Hera shook herself out of her thoughts, pping each side of her cheeks to snap back into focus.

    <i>��Hera stopped thinking...��</i> There was no point in overthinking things right now.

    She wasn��t in a position to help herself, let alone the women in the underground cells.

    She had already called in the right people to handle the situation��her overthinking wouldn��t change anything.

    It was time to trust her team and stay focused on the task at hand.

    After regaining her focus, Hera quickly messaged Sasha again. "What��s the n? Should we stay put, or should we move to a new position?"

    "Team A and Team B are en route to your location, while Team C is heading to the stronghold to assist Rafael��s team. Given Rafael��s condition��if what you said is urate��your best option is to wait for the teams to arrive and help bring him down safely."

    "Moving him now could worsen his injuries," Sasha exined clearly, ensuring everyone understood the gravity of the situation.

    Hera, too, had considered this, and was just as concerned about moving Rafael too soon.

    "Understood, we��ll stay put," Hera replied to Sasha before tucking her phone securely back into her cleavage to keep it from falling.

    She then focused on Minerva, continuing to crush more grass to treat her injuries.

    Realizing she had no other fabric to tear, Hera reluctantly used the remaining length of Minerva��s long dress, now reduced to a miniskirt, to tear into strips.

    She carefully tied up the wounds, applying the crushed herbs to prevent infection and reduce inmmation.

    Hera was surprised by Minerva��s unexpected calmness.

    Despite her wounds being just as severe as Rafael��s, Minerva wasn��t whining orining as usual.

    Instead, she remained still, quietly following Hera��s instructions without resistance.

    Recognizing the unusual silence, Hera didn��t say anything either, simply continuing to apply the crushed grass to the wounds as Minerva allowed her to.

    "Thank you." Minerva��s quiet words of gratitude caught Hera by surprise, causing her eyebrows to arch up.

    However, she said nothing in response, simply nodding at Minerva before turning her attention back to Rafael.

    Her gaze then shifted to the massive python, still coiled in the branches above them.

    The sight of its enormous head resting there making her scalp tingle as she felt the shudder run in her spine.

    Thankfully, its eyes were closed; had it been watching them, Hera would have likely lost herposure and started crying.

    Soon, the distant rumble of helicopters reached their ears, signaling that help was on the way.

    Minerva perked up, her face lighting up with a smile.

    "The rescuers areing for us!" she eximed, her excitement barely contained.

    If she weren��t so cautious about the possibility of enemies still lurking nearby, she would have shouted in pure joy.

    "Yes, they��reing for us. We should prepare." Hera said, her voice calm but with a note of urgency.

    She checked Rafael��s wounds once more, ensuring the bleeding had stopped.

    Gently, she brushed his hair off his forehead, revealing strands that had fallen out of ce.

    His usually well-kept hair now hung in disarray, but rather than making him look unkept, it only intensified his dangerous aura, making him look even more dangerously handsome.

    Hera��s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly averted her gaze, her mind swirling with concern as she refocused on his wound.

    "Big guy, you��re going to have to endure a bit longer, but I promise you, everything will be alright." Hera murmured softly, her voice gentle and reassuring as she stroked Rafael��s hair, her hands moving in soothing motions, almost as if she were trying to calm him through her touch.

    The rumble of the helicopter grew louder, but then it suddenly stopped, only to fade into the distance.

    "Wait, they��re leaving! We need to get to them!" Minerva��s voice trembled in panic as she heard the helicopter pull away, her eyes wide with rm.

    "Don��t worry. They��re just looking for a safe ce tond. A group of highly trained, retired soldiers is on their way to rescue us." Hera reached out, gently stopping Minerva from getting up as she struggled, panic overtaking her.

    "R-really? You��re not just saying that to calm me down, are you?" Minerva��s voice cracked, her eyes shimmering with barely-contained tears.

    Fear gripped her, especially with her brother��her only rock��unconscious and in danger.

    "I won��t lie to you," Hera said firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.

    Minerva reluctantly sank back into her ce, but this time, her grip tightened around Hera��s hands.

    With her brother unconscious, she felt as though only Hera could offer her any sense of safety.

    Without realizing it, she clung to her, the fear and uncertainty making her desperate forfort.

 Chapter 519 Moving

    "The peopleing to rescue us won��t let those bad guys hurt us. We��ll get out of here together, with your brother."

    Her hand never stopped gently rubbing Minerva��s, offering silent reassurance.

    But Minerva didn��t respond, clinging to Hera as if she hadn��t heard a word.

    After several tense minutes, the gunfire finally ceased, and Minerva, ever so slightly, rxed.

    Soon after, faint movements echoed around the vicinity.

    Hera and Minerva remained silent, not daring to make a sound, uncertain of who had arrived.

    The sound of measured footsteps grew nearer, but they were oddly quiet��too quiet, in fact.

    Both Hera and Minerva felt their nerves tighten, their hearts seemingly lodged in their throats, each step amplifying their unease.

    "Young Miss!" A head suddenly popped up from the corner like a mischievous monkey, startling both Hera and Minerva to the core, causing them to scream.

    Hera��s eyes snapped upward to the tree branches, searching for the big python.

    Thankfully, the snake appeared to be well-fed, only stirring slightly without opening its eyes. It seemed to ignore them entirely, its focus on dreand.

    Only then did Hera exhale a sigh of relief and turn to face the person who had called out to them.

    A man in histe thirties crouching at the edge, his face marked with ck camouge lines, wearing a camouge uniform and helmet.

    An assault rifle was slung across his back.

    He climbed up effortlessly, making no sound as he approached Hera and Minerva.

    At that moment, Minerva finally allowed herself to cry, tears flowing silently. It was as though she had found her lifeline��truly realizing that she was safe, and that help had arrived.

    Minerva threw her arms around Hera, her voice trembling with relief. "Hera, we��re saved! H-Hera, we��re really going to get out of here..." She sobbed quietly, the weight of fear finally lifting.

    "Yes, we are..." Hera murmured, offeringfort to Minerva as the man signaled to his team below the tree, instructing one to throw up a rope and another toe up and help lower Rafael.

    But just as they were about to move, Hera grabbed the sleeve of the man crouching beside them at the edge of the tree.

    Without saying a word, she subtly motioned for him to look up.

    It was only then that the soldier noticed the massive snake, coiled and asleep just a few thick branches above them.

    The creature��s bulk nearly spanned the entire area where they had been resting, as if it were guarding its territory��or its prey.

    The sight of the snake stunned him so much that he nearly lost his bnce and fell to the ground below.

    His foot slipped, but with years of wilderness experience and lightning-fast reflexes, he quickly regained hisposure.

    He signaled to his team below, his movements deliberate and silent.

    This time, they moved with extreme caution.

    The man below threw up the thick rope, and the soldier carefully began climbing, his movements measured and deliberate, making as little noise as possible.

    A foldable stretcher was slung across his back, ready to assist in lowering Rafael.

    Once they were both up, one of the men carefully made his way to a thick branch near the snake, preparing to tie the rope.

    Meanwhile, the other two focused on Rafael��s injuries.

    One was a former field medic, and the other, the captain, who had surprised Hera with his timely arrival.

    The medic��s eyes narrowed as he examined Rafael.

    Noticing the herbs in the wounds, he raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by the makeshift first aid.

    He nodded to himself, acknowledging the efforts of the person who did it.

    For now, he didn��t attempt to change the dressing, recognizing that it was effectively halting the bleeding.

    Instead, he and the captain carefully lifted Rafael, making sure not to jostle him, and began to transfer him to the stretcher.

    Rafael��s brow furrowed, and he grunted in pain as he was moved.

    The sharp sting of his injuries was still very much present. Seeing this, the field medic quickly administered a dose of liquid painkillers to help ease his difort, allowing him to rest a bit morefortably and hopefully dull the sensation of being jostled.

    Once Rafael was secured on the stretcher, the team moved him slowly and cautiously to the edge of the tree.

    Below, the rest of the team remained vignt, scanning for any signs of enemies.

    Two soldiers stood ready at the base, waiting for the stretcher to be pulleyed down using the rope.

    Above, the two men gripping the rope kept a careful watch on the massive python, ensuring its eyes remained closed.

    Meanwhile, the field medic focused on the stretcher, ready to signal the rope holders with a tap on their shoulders once it reached the ground and the waiting hands below.

    Thanks to their coordinated teamwork, they managed to bring Rafael down with rtive ease.

    Afterward, Hera quickly informed the captain that Minerva couldn��t walk on her own.

    The captain crouched down, preparing to let Minerva climb onto his back. Minerva hesitated, her eyes searching Hera��s face for reassurance before making the decision.

    Hera gave Minerva a reassuring nod.

    "It��s okay, you can trust them." She gave Minerva��s shoulder a gentle tap, encouraging her. With visible reluctance, Minerva climbed onto the captain��s back, clinging to him tightly as he began to descend.

    Hera followed closely behind, her eyes scanning the area.

    Thest to climb down was the soldier who had retrieved the rope.

    Fortunately, the snake remained still, and they were able to make their escape without incident, unscathed but tense from the close call.

    Once they reached the base, one of the soldiers approached Hera. By now, they had heard about the massive python up in the tree.

    "Young Miss, should we take care of the snake, or would you prefer we relocate it to a zoo?"

    Hera shook her head. "There��s no need to worry about the python. Let��s leave it in its natural habitat and request that this area be protected.

    After all, such a massive tree is rare��just like the python. It must be ancient. We can��t allow illegal loggers to cut the tree or poachers to harm it. Let it live. It helped us escape those who were after my friends."

    Minerva heard Hera��s words, and a sharp sting filled her eyes as the word <i>friend</i> echoed in her ears.

 Chapter 520 Hera Got Caught

    Zhane, carrying a medical kit, was ready to assist the team��s field medic.

    With Zhane and the medic now escorting Rafael��s stretcher, Hera felt her lingering fear gradually melt away, reced by a renewed sense of security.

    Before heading to the designated location where the helicopters awaited, all five men took a moment to hug Hera, easing their own nerves after the tense ordeal.

    Still feeling on edge, they moved steadily through the forest, momentarily forgetting that Hera��s livestream was still running.

    Team A led the group while Team B guarded the rear, with Leo, Luke, Dave, and Xavier positioned in the center to protect Hera, along with Rafael and Minerva.

    Due to theirrge group, they were hard to miss, drawing attention as they moved through the forest.

    This heightened the retired soldiers�� caution, making them even more vignt as they scanned their surroundings, their own nerves on edge.

    Rustle-

    Rustle...

    A rustling in the bushes snapped everyone to attention. They halted instantly, each member moving swiftly into position, alert and ready.

    "Take cover!" the captain shouted, hismand followed by a sudden burst of gunfire.

    Leo, closest to Hera, sprang unto his feet, pulling her down to the ground for safety.

    Those near the trees took cover behind trunks, while the retired soldiers prepared to return fire.

    Soon, both sides were exchanging rounds. Leo quickly guided Hera behind a sturdy tree, while the others did the same, drawing their guns and unlocking them, ready for the fight.

    "Give me a gun too," Hera demanded, looking at one of the soldiers who was supposed to be her security detail.

    "Young Miss, please leave this to us," the captain replied firmly. "We can��t risk anything happening to you." With a quick hand signal, he directed the others to move in and surround the enemy while providing covering fire.

    "But I don��t feel safe without some kind of protection," Hera insisted.

    "What if someone suddenly appears and points a gun at me?" She didn��t want to shoot anyone, but she couldn��t ignore the possibilities.

    The captain hesitated, her reasoning clearly giving him pause as he considered her request.

    "Don��t worry, wifey. I��ll protect you with my life," Leo promised, his grip on her hand firm and resolute.

    His determination left Hera speechless.

    She understood that Leo was shielding her from the burden of having to harm someone, even if that person deserved it.

    In his own way, he was protecting her from more than just physical danger��he was protecting her heart.

    Understanding Leo��s intentions, Hera chose not to argue and stayed behind the tree.

    Meanwhile, the captain had instructed his men to surround the enemy and eliminate the threat.

    The only ones left with Hera were Leo, Luke, Dave, Xavier, and Zhane. Zhane remained with the field medic and Rafael, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

    Luke, Dave, and Xavier positioned themselves slightly ahead, guarding the area and keeping watch, while Leo stayed right by Hera��s side, ever vignt.

    Before long, the gunfire subsided.

    "Clear!"

    "Area B is clear!"

    "Area A is secure!"

    The mafia syndicate who hade to confront and had tracked them down were swiftly neutralized in a few well-ced shots.

    After all, these were all seasoned veterans, experienced inbat and ready for anything.

    What they didn��t realize was that the men who had drawn their attention were merely a decoy.

    The main force had been nning an ambush from behind, closing in on them stealthily. By the time they noticed, it was already toote.

    "Ah!" Hera cried out in surprise as she was suddenly yanked backward. Leo, who had been just ahead of her, instinctively turned at the sound.

    His eyes widened as he saw Hera being pulled away, and before they could react, another group from the mafia syndicate emerged from the bushes, opening fire.

    Thanks to Hera��s startled yell, Leo and the others barely managed to dodge the iing gunfire.

    If not for her warning, they would have had bullet holes in their bodies by now.

    However, the surprise attack left them scrambling for cover, and in the chaos, Hera was taken.

    Minerva, still safe with the captain, had remained unharmed, but Hera, despite being protected, had been snatched right from under their noses.

    Panic surged through the group as they fought back, the air thick with urgency.

    The mafia syndicate managed to inflict only superficial wounds on Leo and the others before being cut down swiftly, their lives ending almost as quickly as the attack began.

    Hera, on the other hand, was forcefully dragged away.

    One of the men had a grip on her neck, hisrge, rough hands nearly encircling itpletely. His face, was marked by scars and shadowed by a cruel expression with a crew-cut hairstyle.

    The bloodlust that radiated from him sent a chill through Hera��s body. As she struggled, he shot her a cold sidelong nce, a warning that made her freeze in fear.

    There were four of them in total who managed to slip away.

    Three guarded the rear, eyes scanning the surroundings, while the fourth held a pistol in his right hand, his other arm gripping Hera tightly.

    The other three had their fingers poised on the triggers of their assault rifles, ready for any move.

    Their pace was harsh and swift, nearly dragging Hera along as they forced her to move faster.

    Hera didn��t resist, understanding that she was at a disadvantage and that acting recklessly would only make things worse.

    Instead, she silentlyplied, which caused the man holding her to nce at her for a moment.

    He hesitated, then loosened his grip on her neck, wary that he might snap her delicate bones with a single wrong move.

    "Where are you taking me?" Hera pretended to look timid and scared as she asked with trembling voice.

 Chapter 521 Pretend Till You Make It

    "W-why are you doing this? Is this just for some ransom? I-I don��t even have money..."

    Hera��s voice trembled, on the verge of tears, though in reality, she was probing for information without giving away her intentions.

    "Ha! Do we look like we��re in need of that little money?!" The same tall, lean man spat, his voice dripping with disdain and irritation.

    But before he could continue, the man holding Hera��s neck��the apparent leader��shot him a sharp re, silencing him.

    The man quickly refocused, his attention now fixed on making sure they weren��t being followed or setting themselves up for an ambush.

    It was clear that the tall, lean man feared the one holding Hera, as he quickly fell silent after the leader��s re.

    Hera, too, remained quiet after that, realizing her attempt to fish for information had failed.

    However, it wasn��t entirely in vain.

    She now knew that this wasn��t just a typical kidnapping for ransom.

    Her intuition about the mafia syndicate��s involvement in Minerva��s abduction seemed to be tied to therger investigation into the missing and murdered women that the authorities had been trying to crack.

    Thanks to the live stream, Leo and the others were able to track the kidnappers�� movements in real-time.

    Not only could they follow the trail with ease, but they could also keep an eye on Hera��s condition.

    This allowed them to move stealthily through the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike while ensuring her safety.

    Hera, realizing that her whining might provoke the men into violence, wisely stopped her feigned sobbing.

    Instead, she opted to pretend to bepliant, disying a fearful and timid demeanor.

    Her acting worked to her advantage, as the grip around her neck slowly loosened to a more bearable level.

    The men, lulled into a false sense of security, failed to consider tying her up.

    They didn��t have the time to stop and deal with that, but more importantly, her submissiveness and apparent fragility made themcent.

    To them, Hera was just another weak woman, one they believed too scared to make a sound, let alone attempt any kind of resistance.

    After all, they��d dealt with many women like her before and knew that fear often rendered them passive and easy to control.

    Because of theircency, the moment an opportunity presented itself, Hera acted swiftly.

    Spotting something in the distance, she drove her elbow back, knocking the man��s hand from her neck.

    In one fluid motion, she pivoted and slipped behind him, locking her arm around his throat in a chokehold.

    Her right arm coiled tightly around his neck while her legs wrapped securely around his waist, anchoring her in ce.

    Her left arm gripped her right arm, tightening the choke.

    Before the others could react, the sound of gunshots rang out from a distance, and the men were struck��bullets tearing into their shoulders and legs, halting them in their tracks.

    The man Hera was choking reacted quickly, grabbing the back cor of her racing suit.

    With a violent tug, her entire body was yanked forward, the suit giving way easily under his strength.

    Despite the vast difference in their strength, Hera flipped mid-air, quickly turning her body to deliver a swift roundhouse kick to his jaw.

    The impact rattled his head, leaving him dazed.

    Seizing the opportunity, Hera followed up with a brutal knee strike to the underside of his chin, the force of which knocked him out cold, sending him crumpling to the ground.

    "Sweetheart, that was a clean strike," Dave��s voice came from behind the bushes.

    Some leaves still clung to his hair, but he paid no mind to his disheveled appearance, his focus entirely on Hera��s impressive move.

    <i> ��I guess I really can��t mess with my future wife,��</i> David thought to himself with a grin, kicking the enemy��s weapon aside.<i> ��She can definitely teach me a lesson or two.��</i>

    Leo emerged from behind the tree and immediately pulled Hera into his arms, holding her tightly.

    He wanted to chide her for taking on an enemy known for killing without hesitation, fearing that she might have been hurt.

    But as he looked down at her, all his anger melted away. Instead of scolding her, he simply held her, overwhelmed with relief that she was safe.

    "Are you alright? Is there any pain anywhere?" Leo asked, his voice full of concern. Hera shook her head, a soft smile curving on her lips as she looked up at him.

    "No, I was careful. I waited for the right moment to act��I didn��t want to get hurt and make you all worry," Hera exined her tone light.

    "And if my grandpa found out, he��d definitely teach me a lesson." She pouted in mock grievance as if she��d already been on the receiving end of his reprimands before.

    Leo couldn��t help but smile at her, a tender look in his eyes as he ruffled her hair. "I��m d you��re okay," he said softly.

    After that, they gathered the men, securing and sedating them before dragging them back toward the designated location, where the rest of the team was waiting.

    When they returned to the city, Luke took charge of the captured men, dragging them off to another location for interrogation.

    Meanwhile, Dave immediately headed to the security bureau.

    He had a lot of work ahead of him��first, he needed to ensure the rescued victims were safe and properly taken care of.

    He began gathering their testimonies, putting them under protective custody to shield them from any further threats or intimidation from the hidden enemies still lurking in the shadows.

    Dave also made sure to secure the victims�� families, ensuring they couldn��t be used as leverage or ckmail against the victims or key witnesses.

    Zhane took charge of the operation for Rafael, and ensuring Minerva was patched up and then carefully settled her into a private room.

    Rafael, after undergoing surgery, was ced under close monitoring.

    Meanwhile, Leo disappeared into an unknown location, leaving only Xavier beside Hera to keep a watchful eye on her, offeringfort and support to make sure she wasn��t left traumatized by the ordeal.

    The news of what had transpired sent shockwaves throughout the entire country.

 Chapter 522 The Aftermath

    However, he vastly underestimated Hera��s mental resilience. Not only did she remainposed after learning about the situation online, but she also showed little sign of distress.

    In fact, both her and Rafael��s names had quickly gained national attention for their role in the capture of the four mafia syndicate members.

    This new achievement eclipsed Hera��s previous victory in the national race, as the public became more focused on the missing women and their families, sparking widespread discussions across the nation.

    Hera also dispatched Gerald to assist with the investigation, instructing him to report back with any findings.

    She knew that once Rafael woke up, he would undoubtedly want to know what was going on.

    It would be better to have some rity on the situation beforehand��or at least a well-prepared response to ease his mind.

    After all, this case was closely tied to his sister, and she wanted to ensure that they could provide him with the answers he needed.

    Luke, on the other hand, wasted no time in extracting information from the four men they had captured.

    Without receiving any updates from his own team, who were still gathering intel on the dark side, these prisoners had conveniently walked right into his hands.

    Judging by theirposed demeanor, Luke suspected they weren��t as clueless as they appeared.

    With that in mind, he spared no effort in using every means possible to make sure they would talk and reveal the information he needed.

    The man who seemed to be the leader was tough and tight-lipped, unwilling to give up any information.

    The other three, clearly lower-ranking members, knew little beyond the basics.

    They were simply following orders, dragged along by the leader on a mission to kidnap someone, without understanding the full scope of what was really happening.

    Their fear was palpable, and they offered little more than vague, disjointed details.

    At first, the scarred man refused to speak, no matter how much Luke beat him.

    His face was already swollen and bruised, and though he let out the asional grunt of pain, he remained silent.

    But Luke wasn��t going to stop. He escted the torture, starting with the brutal plucking of nails and teeth.

    When that didn��t break him, Luke resorted to insertingrge needles into the sensitive crevices beneath the nails, and even slowly shattering his bones, all in a relentless attempt to extract the information he needed.

    Luke savored every moment of the man��s suffering, taking his time with the brutal torture.

    The man, who had appeared unbreakable at first, was now witnessing Luke��s dark side��a cold, sinister brutality that made it clear Luke was relishing in the pain he was inflicting.

    A wave of dread washed over the man, and he realized that whether he remained silent or not, his fate was sealed.

    The torture would only escte. By the middle of the night, his mental fortitude shattered, and in that moment of despair, he chose to end his suffering sooner rather than endure more.

    He gave in, hoping for a quicker death rather than the endless torment Luke would undoubtedly continue to bring.

    ...

    After a peaceful night��s rest, with Xavier staying by Hera��s side to ensure she wasn��t troubled by nightmares or fear, they both woke up feeling refreshed and well-rested.

    However, Leo, Zhane, Dave, and even Luke had yet to return or make contact. With no news from them, Xavier felt a sense of tion that he could stay closer to Hera without disturbance and remained by Hera��s side, not wanting to leave her alone just yet.

    He wasn��t the least bit worried about the others as he was sure of their capabilities.

    They spent the majority of the day in Hera��s penthouse, where she had been granted time off from school due to the recent events.

    The decision was made to keep her away from the public eye, shielding her from the reporters who were eager to question her about everything that had happened. It was a small reprieve, but it allowed Hera to have some space to breathe and recover.

    Hera wanted to visit Rafael and Minerva at the hospital, but Zhane stopped her, insisting that she rest.

    He promised to call her as soon as Rafael woke up.

    With concern in his eyes, Zhane reminded her that she had already done everything she could.

    Rafael was still in critical condition, and Zhane didn��t want Hera to be overwhelmed with worry.

    He was grateful that she had acted swiftly when she found Rafael, or else the infection could have spread, worsening his fever and potentially causing irreversible brain damage.

    Even if he managed to save Rafael now, there was no telling if he could fully recover withoutsting consequences.

    After breakfast, Hera and Xavier rxed in the living room.

    Hera decided to y the piano, with Xavier sitting beside her. They began ying the duet ��Heart and Soul�� piano version, its lively melody filling the room, like something an old couple would y in their spare time together.

    In the kitchen, Amy and Hannah were happily preparing a snack, enjoying the music as it echoed throughout the space.

    Once they finished ��Heart and Soul��, Hera and Xavier smoothly transitioned into a ��Sound of Music Medley��, maintaining the upbeat and fast tempo.

    The cheerful tunes added warmth to the atmosphere, bringing a sense of joy to the whole penthouse.

    Hera and Xavier were both swaying in their seats, caught up in the rhythm of their yful piano duet.

    As their fingers danced across the keys, the doorbell suddenly rang.

    Amy, with her usual confident stride, moved to answer it.

    Hera and Xavier continued to y, unaware of who had arrived, but Hera��s gaze shifted toward the hallway, her curiosity piqued as she waited to see who would walk through the door.

    After some time, Luke finally entered, now dressed in fresh clothes after a much-needed shower following an entire night of extracting information.

    He stood before Hera, his dark undereye circles a clear sign he hadn��t slept a wink.

    His posture was slouched, looking all exhausted.

    Xavier, standing beside Hera, let out a cold snort and rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by Luke��s disheveled appearance.

    "Pretentious..." Xavier murmured under his breath, recognizing that Luke was putting on an act, trying to appear pitiful in front of Hera in hopes of gaining her sympathy.

 Chapter 523 The Start Of The Lennon’s Downfall

    He knew Luke had been through something important the night before. By the afternoon, all three of them had drifted off to sleep on the sofa.

    Amy, noticing them, quietly grabbed a nket from upstairs and gently draped it over them.

    She and Hannah continued working in the penthouse, trying to keep their movements as quiet as possible, not wanting to disturb the peaceful scene.

    Meanwhile, on the inte, Zhane and Dave worked together to ensure the investigation remained as discreet as possible.

    They seized the opportunity to use the situation to bring the Lennons down, carefully strategizing behind the scenes.

    Leo, though his exact actions remained unknown, yed his part with equal dedication, making sure to put in as much effort as the others, contributing silently to their shared mission.

    By 6 PM, when inte traffic was at its peak, the onlinemunity was buzzing with discussions about the events from the previous day.

    Seizing the moment, Dave used his position to leak the conspiracy involving the Lennons and Zhane��s uncle-inw.

    As a result, the topic quickly surged to the top of trending discussions.

    Leo, ensuring the mes were fanned even further, funneled additional resources to amplify the coverage, making sure the Lennons�� involvement became the primary focus of the online conversation.

    [#1 Trending Today! Allegations surface that the Lennons conspired with the Everett��s distant son-inw to purchase cheap herbs and pocket the profits!]

    [#2 Trending! The Lennons used of using their vast wealth to bully and ckmail women, manipting bidding wars, and securing business deals through intimidation!]

    [#3 Trending Today! Victims unite to expose the Lennons�� abuse of power, as more victims step forward to fight back!]

    [#4 Trending Today! The Everett��s distant son-inw, used of marrying for money, is facing a bitter divorce after his affair was exposed. Sources say he��s been kicked out with nothing left in his ounts.]

    As the night went on, more rted topics emerged, with numerous ounts from victims who imed to have been ckmailed and suppressed by the Lennons.

    Despite the mounting evidence, the Lennon family attempted to debunk the allegations, but the damage was done.

    [LennonsOfficial: We would like to address the recent allegations circting online. As apany built on justice and integrity, we have always strived to provide opportunities and work for those in need, firmly believing that good deeds are always rewarded. We are shocked by the ims of manipting bidding wars, especially when ourpany has never been in a position of such strength. How could we possibly intimidatepanies on the same level or stronger than us? We firmly believe these usations are part of a deliberate attempt by rivalpanies to tarnish our reputation. Thank you for your attention.]

    The Lennons quickly mobilized their resources, funneling money into hiring a massive "water army" to counter the growing wave of criticism, targeting those who had been ostracizing them.

    As soon as the Lennons released their official statement, Leo��s assistant, Terry, was already one step ahead.

    He unleashed a tidal wave of revtions, as the heiresses from variouspanies, who had been ckmailed and controlled by Tyler Lennon, finally came forward.

    The truth of their maniption spilled into the open, exposing the extent of the Lennons�� wrongdoing.

    [Gege145: LOL, ssic. Women always cry "ckmail" when they get caught after acting so promiscuous. Of course, men aren��t going to turn them down when theye to them with their legs wide open.]

    [XOXO: Some people never learn. (???) (?_?) @Gege145]

    [Gege145: Right? They never do...]

    [PasserbyGod: @Gege145 he was talking about you. Looks like someone didn��t learn from the water army members who were recently jailed for nder. And yet, you still have the nerve to be one.]

    [Gege145: ...]

    [DoggyCross: But isn��t it suspicious that all these victims areing forward only now? It feels more like a move by rivalpanies to ruin the Lennons�� reputation, just like they imed. If these victims really wanted to speak out, why wait so long?]

    [yedByYou: @DoggyCross You make a good point, but honestly, I��m just here for the drama. I��ll wait to see how it ys out before jumping to conclusions. I��d rather not be a pawn in someone else��s game.]

    [Miss_ssyoftheNells: Hello, everyone. I am the only daughter of the Nell family and the sole heiress to our legacy. To be honest, I��ve been terrified toe forward. After all, my future is at stake. In our circles, once our reputation is ruined, no other family would ept us, and we would be looked down upon.]

    [Miss_ssyoftheNells: The impact goes beyond personal disgrace��it affects our family��s business and stocks as well. It brings pain not just to me, but to my entire family. However, I can no longer stay silent.]

    [Miss_ssyoftheNells: My family has already suffered enough trying to help me escape this mess. I am here today to testify about the Lennon family��s abuse of power and ckmail. They manipted and forced my family into submission, draining us of money and resources. I have provided the relevant evidence to the authorities, and I ask that, in order to preserve whatever dignity remains, the evidence be kept solely with them.]

    [The_GoddessoftheBerkeley: Hello, I am also the only daughter and sole heiress of the Berkeley family. Like the previous young woman, I have struggled with the decision toe forward. Though the Lennons aren��t as powerful as other families, they are ruthless and know how to y dirty.]

    [The_GoddessoftheBerkeley: They have ckmailed me and my family into submission, using threats to seize everynd they set their sights on. If we refused, they would threaten to ruin me. As the sole heir to my family��s legacy, my downfall would be the downfall of everything my family has worked so hard to build. I can��t allow that.]

    [The_GoddessoftheBerkeley: I know the sacrifices my family has made to get where we are, but due to my own naivety and the Lennons�� cunning, I was trapped. In an attempt to save me, my father reluctantly surrendered to them, but I can no longer stand by while they drain us of everything. Allowing this to continue would be the same as destroying my family with my own hands. I have already submitted the relevant evidence and testimony to the authorities.]

 Chapter 524 Targeted From All Sides

    People understood that no one from the upper ss would risk their own reputation just to fabricate a story against someone else, especially given the social stakes involved.

    However, a few opportunists attempted to jump on the bandwagon, pretending to be victims to garner attention and support.

    These impostors were quickly exposed byizens who had begun noticing a clear pattern in Tyler Lennon��s choice of targets.

    His victims were always the only child of wealthy families, specifically heiresses from at least the upper-middle ss, whose status or assets could bring significant benefits to the Lennons.

    If someone didn��t fit that profile, Tyler wouldn��t have targeted them, making false ims easy to discredit.

    Those attempting to ride on the coattails of genuine victims eventually stopped, as the growing number of credible cases began to overshadow any false ims.

    The exposure not only highlighted the victims brought forward by Terry but also those supported by Gerald.

    Gerald��s involvement was particrly impactful, as he promised to help these families recover with the backing of the Avery family��s connections and investments.

    This offer was too good to pass up, especially for families who had been drained of resources and wealth by the Lennons�� maniptive schemes.

    For them, this was a chance to rebuild their lives and businesses while holding the Lennons ountable for their actions.

    For these families, it was a rare win-win opportunity, even if it meant enduring a little more hardship.

    However, the situation escted further when Athena, who had been biding her time to exact revenge on the Lennons for offending her and Hera, seized the moment to intensify the bacsh.

    Her efforts poured fuel on the fire, amplifying the growing storm against the Lennons.

    [Athena_Lowery: I can��t believe my family once considered that guy to be decent enough to set up a blind date at his family��s request. Looking back, I shudder at how close I came to being one of his victims.]

    [Athena_Lowery: If it weren��t for my best friend, @Hera_A, and her suitor, @NorthernDuke, I might have fallen into his disgusting trap. By sheer luck, the drugged wine meant for me was mistakenly served to them instead.]

    [Athena_Lowery: Thankfully, the men around Hera were trustworthy and acted immediately, rushing them to the hospital. If it had been me in their ce... I can��t even begin to imagine what could have happened. Hu hu hu.]

    [Athena_Lowery: I can��t believe I almost fell for his ims of being a gentleman who would never hurt a woman. He even had the audacity to tell me he was "innocent" and had never been in a rtionship before. What a maniptive fraud...]

    [Athena_Lowery: (p���ը�q)]

    Athena��s reminder of what happened to Hera and Leo during that incident helpedizens piece together the full story.

    They began connecting the dots about why Hera was seen in the hospital with her suitors, who the intended target of the drugging was, and who ultimately fell victim.

    This revtion sealed the Lennons�� fate��no amount of exnation could sway public opinion anymore.

    Among the online users, Hera��s fans were the most outraged, fiercely protective of her like tigers defending their cub.

    The Lennons�� stocks were plummeting asizensunched a widespread boycott against them.

    Then, Dave released the evidence provided by Luke��a receipt of the cheaper herb transaction and a recording exposing the Lennons�� scheme.

    The recording revealed that they had been purchasing cheap alternative herbs while requesting receipts for expensive ones to maintain a spotless public ount.

    However, Luke had preserved the original records of the transaction and the actual items received, ensuring the Lennons couldn��t escape ountability, no matter how much they denied involvement.

    Meanwhile, Zhane��s distant uncle-inw, who had been implicated in simr shady dealings, faced equally severe repercussions.

    Despite his attempt to flee, Zhane had been monitoring him closely, and he was swiftly captured. The walls were closing in on the Lennons from every direction.

    Fortunately, his aunt provided the critical documents needed to incriminate his uncle-inw��the original financial records that he had been secretly keeping as the procurement manager.

    These records served as undeniable proof of his misconduct, sealing his fate.

    Now, after discovering that not only had he lost all his wealth, but also faced imminent jail time, his mistress abandoned him, taking thest of his money and leaving him to face the consequences alone.

    It was only then that he truly realized the depth of his mistakes��betraying his wife and seeking pleasure elsewhere had led him to nothing but ruin, leaving him to rot in the gutter.

    Now, the Lennons were under attack from all directions, with nowhere left to hide.

    Their business partners began to distance themselves, ignoring their desperate calls for help and pretending they never knew the Lennons, fearing they would be tainted by association.

    As a result, the Lennons were left isted, stranded on their own metaphorical deserted ind.

    It didn��t take long for the Lennons topletely crumble from their pedestal.

    Hera, observing from the sidelines, received detailed reports from Gerald outlining the fall of the Lennons.

    Incredibly, it happened so quickly��within a matter of hours, their empire copsed.

    They went bankrupt, the fastest corporate downfall ever recorded in history, a testament to how swiftly their power and influence disintegrated.

 Chapter 525 Tyler Lennon’s’ Surrender

    Though Hera��s emotions remained tangled, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.

    Despite theplexity of her thoughts, there wasfort in knowing that she was slowly changing her fate��a shift that extended to her family and the legacy of her ancestors.

    The weight of it all seemed a little lighter now.

    She ced her phone back on the nightstand and nestled into Luke and Xavier��s arms, the warmth of their embraceforting her.

    As they all drifted into sleep, it felt so natural, as though this had been the way it was always meant to be.

    Only when Hera returned to their arms did Luke and Xavier finally rx, slipping back into peaceful slumber, their hearts at ease.

    The Lennons, however, tried to escape the country with the little money they managed to scrape together from the fire sale of their businesses, which had been sold for a fraction of their true worth.

    With no other option, they reluctantly epted the meager amount offered to them, knowing they would get nothing if they refused.

    The humiliation of it all burned deep as they turned their backs on their homnd.

    But when they arrived at the dock, preparing to be smuggled out, they found themselves trapped.

    Dave��s men were already waiting for them on the cargo ship, armed and poised, ready to capture the rats as they entered the cage.

    "Dave, please, don��t do this to us. Give us a way out," Sienna pleaded, her voice trembling as she clutched her bag tightly to her chest.

    Fear gripped her heart as she realized the full extent of their fall.

    Just moments ago, her family had basked in glory, with countless socialites vying for her favor, fawning over her every move.

    She had felt untouchable, standing at the pinnacle of the socialdder.

    Now, everything hade crashing down.

    Her family��s wealth and status were gone, and her so-called friends had turned their backs, pretending they never knew her.

    Worse yet, she was mocked and scorned, her every move ridiculed.

    Seeing Dave standing before them, nked by his men, Sienna couldn��t help but feel a mixture of bitterness and a faint flicker of hope.

    Perhaps, she thought, he might feel some sympathy for her family��s downfall.

    But sympathy was thest thing in Dave��s vocabry.

    As the Young Minister, the one who controlled the political scene, he had no room for emotions in his decision-making.

    In fact, his sess in his position was due precisely to hisck of sentiment, his ability to remain detached from anyone or anything.

    Sympathy, he knew, would only leave him vulnerable to exploitation��by his enemies and people like Sienna.

    "You should have considered this oue when your family made the choices they did," Dave said coldly, his expression unreadable as he made no move.

    "Why are you punishing our entire family for what my brother did?!" Sienna��s voice cracked with anger, her temper ring.

    She no longer cared about her brother��s reputation or throwing him under the bus; all that mattered now was avoiding jail and the further humiliation that had already shattered them.

    Her family members, equally desperate, exchanged nces and nodded in agreement.

    To them, they hadn��t done anything wrong. In the cutthroat world of business, survival was paramount, and scheming against rivals was just part of the game.

    Tyler, who had been fleeing alongside them, felt a cold emptiness settle in his chest.

    Everything he had done, every scheme, every maniption, was meant to elevate his family, to propel them to new heights.

    His family was ambitious��too ambitious, perhaps��but unfortunately, he was far from a business genius.

    He had always known his limitations, and now it seemed hisck of skill would be their downfall.

    If he did nothing, they would be devoured by people like Luke and Rafael, who were considered geniuses in their fields.

    Even if it wasn��t those two, there were plenty of other sharks circling, all too eager to sink their teeth into the Lennons. He feared his own ipetence would drag them all down with him.

    In the end, Tyler hade to the bitter realization that scheming was his only option to achieve anything of worth, but deep down, he knew it wasn��t solely his doing.

    His family had reveled in the wealth, recognition, and power they amassed, but they had also abused that power to manipte others into serving them.

    They were as much to me as he was.

    They had encouraged him, pushing him to scheme, to expand their influence, all while enjoying the fruits of his efforts.

    Now, when the consequences were upon them, they were quick to throw him under the bus to save themselves, abandoning him to bear the full brunt of their collective sins.

    Tyler couldn��t help but let out a bitter smile as he sank to his knees, surrendering to the inevitable.

    He had no fight left in him. He didn��t want to struggle for his family anymore.

    It wasn��t as though he had ever asked to be born into this kind of life.

    All he ever longed for was their recognition and love��but he had only ever received it when he brought in more wealth.

    In truth, he had always envied his sister. Though she was just as useless, if not more so, their parents adored her, showering her with affection that he could never seem to earn.

    As the older brother, he was expected to dote on her, yet he was left starving for the same attention. The unfairness of it all weighed heavily on him.

    In a way, Tyler also resented his family, especially Sienna.

    She could be arrogant, willful, and utterly careless about the consequences of her actions, knowing that he was always there to clean up after her��like her personal butler.

    The reason he even considered using that scheme against the sole heiresses of other families was to redirect his simmering resentment for his family, and particrly his sister, toward someone else.

    The unfortunate victims bore the brunt of all his pent-up anger and bitterness, and in dominating them, Tyler finally felt a twisted sense of power. It was the only time he felt like he truly mattered.

 Chapter 526 Mission Accomplished

    He ced a firm hand on Tyler��s shoulder, speaking in a tone that was both stern and strangelypassionate.

    "You��ve surrendered and agreed to confess everything against yourself and your family. That decision will earn you a lighter sentence," Dave said evenly. "Use that time to reform, to figure out who you are outside of all this. When you leave prison, it won��t be toote to start over and live the life you��ve always wanted."

    Those words struck Tyler like a hammer to his chest, shattering thest remnants of his bravado.

    The weight of Dave��s unexpected empathy��so foreign and undeserved��broke himpletely.

    Tears spilled down his face as he let out a pitiful sob, his body trembling as he was dragged away into custody.

    For the first time, the walls he had built around himself crumbled, leaving him vulnerable to the reality of his choices and the slim hope of redemption.

    After leaving the docks, Dave headed straight to Hera��s penthouse. Amy, who was gradually bing ustomed to the steady stream of men visiting the residence, opened the door for him without hesitation.

    "Young Miss, Mr. Greyson, and Mr. Montague are already asleep in her room," Amy informed him matter-of-factly.

    She no longer saw the need to tiptoe around the situation, having grown used to the unusual dynamic.

    It was clear to her that the seven shared a bond so natural that their sleeping arrangements were hardly worth concealing.

    Dave nodded naturally. "Mind if I borrow some spare clothes? I��ll take a shower in the guest room first."

    It wasn��t so much a question as a statement of intent, and Amy, who had anticipated this, was already prepared.

    She had stocked the guest room with a selection of new men��s clothing just in case.

    Smiling, she guided Dave to the guest room, her job for the night essentially done.

    Once he was settled, she retired for the day, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having everything ready ahead of time.

    After his shower, Dave quietly made his way to Hera��s room, moving with care to avoid disturbing anyone.

    The only light in the room came from a gxy-themedmp casting a soft, ethereal glow, enough for him to make out Hera��s silhouette, and the two men nking her on either side.

    Realizing there was no room beside her, Dave sighed inwardly and settled for the space next to Xavier. Exhaustion outweighed his desire to be choosy.

    As the bed dipped slightly under Dave��s weight, Xavier stirred briefly but didn��t open his eyes.

    He knew, even half-asleep, that it was one of the three men he trusted implicitly.

    Content with his spot next to Hera, Xavier showed no intention of budging, his subconscious resolve to stay firmly by her side unshaken.

    He would even be so happy to pretend like he was sleeping like a log, seeing Xavier pretending, Dave snorted before heid down and pulled the nket over his chest, leaving Xavier without a nket and cold.

    ��Pretend to sleep all you want. Let��s see if your body��s endurance outmatches your acting skills,�� Dave thought with a scoff.

    Without hesitation, he wrapped himself tightly in the nket like a cocoon, ensuring Xavier wouldn��t be able to steal it in his sleep.

    The small,petitive gesture brought a faint smirk to his face as he settled in for the night.

    The moment Dave��s head hit the pillow, he was out like a light, oblivious to Xavier��s sly movements.

    Taking advantage of the situation, Xavier slipped under Hera��s nket, curling around her like a contented snake.

    Far from annoyed about losing his own nket to Dave, Xavier was more than happy with the trade-off.

    If anyoneined tomorrow about his sneaky maneuver, he already had his excuse ready��he��d pin the me squarely on Dave for "forcing" him to seek warmth elsewhere.

    With a sly smirk, Xavier inched even closer to Hera, nestling his nose into the crook of her neck.

    She was fortunate she was still on her period��otherwise, these men wouldn��t have been so restrained or silent, and she wouldn��t have been let off so easily.

    If Dave had any inkling of how things would unfold, he��d undoubtedly be fuming at Xavier��s cunning audacity, ready to spit fire at the unfair advantage his rival had taken.

    The three men were all content and satisfied with their aplishments for the day. This sense of achievement made them eager to be close to Hera that night, as if it were their well-earned reward.

    Hera, understanding their feelings and knowing it wouldn��t harm her, allowed them to indulge. After all, this closeness felt inevitable��a natural progression of their unique bond.

    ...

    <i>Ding...</i>

    <i>Ding...</i>

    The next morning, the four were jolted awake by a barrage of text messages followed by the loud ringing of a phone.

    Dave shot up from his side of the bed, struggling to open his eyes, still cocooned in his nket.

    Xavier, on the other hand, didn��t even bother to open his eyes. He simply pulled Hera closer,zily ignoring the noise as he tried to drift back to sleep.

    Only Luke, ever the sensible one, slowly opened his eyes, stretched, and made his way to the other side of the bed to grab the phone.

    "Hello?" Luke��s voice was still raspy, deep, and maic, effortlessly captivating the person on the other end.

    They paused for a moment, momentarily taken aback, as they tried to steady their breath before looking at the phone in their hand. Luke, ever patient, waited for a response, his eyes drifting to the bed. They lingered on Hera��s peaceful, beautiful sleeping face, almost hidden beneath the nket. He couldn��t help but chuckle softly at the sight.

    "Is this Miss Hera Ainsley��s number?" The person stammered on the other end, having double-checked the number.

    She couldn��t help but hear the soft chuckle in Luke��s voice, and a wave of butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

    Despite the stirring effect his voice had on her, she maintained her professionalism and pressed on with the conversation, though deep down, she longed to hear more of his voice��it felt like it could linger in her ears forever, which seemed to resonate in her ears like an intoxicating melody.

    "Yes."

    "May I please speak with her?"

    "I��m sorry, she��s still sleeping. She was too tiredst night." Luke answered honestly, unaware that his words could easily be misinterpreted.

    On the other end of the line, the nurse��s mind began to wander.

    The innocent tone of his words had sparked a whirlwind of impure thoughts, and she felt a flush creep up her neck.

    The excitement brewing inside her was almost overwhelming, her heart racing at the thought of what those words could imply.

    She struggled to maintain herposure, feeling as though her imagination was running wild.

    "U-um, sir, Doctor Everett instructed me to call Miss Hera and inform her that Young Master Briley is expected to wake up this morning. He believes Miss Hera would likely want to be there too," the nurse exined, her voice trembling slightly as she fought to maintain professionalism.

    But inside, her mind was running wild. <i>��What they say on the inte is true! Hera Ainsley really is being pampered and protected by all six of those men��maybe even in bed...��</i>

    Her thoughts took a more unholy turn, imagining scenarios that had no ce in the professional setting she was supposed to be in.

    She hadn��t heard Luke��s response yet, but she was so lost in her own thoughts that she hardly noticed the silence on the other end of the line.

    "Alright, we��ll be there after breakfast," Luke replied after a brief pause, his voice steady and calm, as if the chaotic thoughts swirling in the nurse��s mind didn��t even register with him.

    "I-I��ll inform Dr. Everett. Once you arrive, please head to private room 662, or you can ask a nurse at the station on the 6th floor to guide you there," the nurse said, regaining herposure as she delivered the details.

    She knew Luke would pass the message on to Hera once she woke up.

    After the call ended, she couldn��t help herself��she let out a high-pitched squeal of excitement, causing nearby patients and nurses to nce at her in confusion and concern.

 Chapter 527 Checking On Rafael

    The two of them were sofortable and at ease, unconcerned about appearances, which made her smile.

    Luke, who was serving Hera the soup, noticed where she was looking and smirked, but Dave caught the faint scoff in his tone. His eyes shot open, and he shot Luke a re.

    But Luke didn��t even acknowledge Dave��s re, his attention solely focused on Hera.

    Meanwhile, Xavier seized the opportunity and slipped into the seat beside her, catching Davepletely off guard.

    It was only then that Dave realized he had been left behind. Reluctantly, he settled into the seat across from Hera, giving him the chance to at least see her face as she ate, and he could still offer her some food.

    But neither Xavier nor Luke were giving Dave a chance to serve Hera.

    It was as if they had eyes on the sides of their heads, or perhaps their attention was so split that one eye was constantly on Hera while the other stayed focused on everything else.

    Whatever she needed seemed to appear before her without a word, making it clear that they were both keeping a close eye on her.

    In exasperation, Dave stabbed his food throughout the entire breakfast, which made Hera chuckle as she ate.

    It was rare for her dining room to feel this lively, especially in the mornings, so she found it refreshing and fun to spend this kind of time with everyone.

    After breakfast and they all freshen up, they all headed down to the garage.

    Since Hera��s cars were all two-seaters, they didn��t use any of them.

    Instead, they made their way to Luke��s parking spot, where his custom matte-ck Land Rover SV was parked, ready for the day ahead.

    The sleek design and luxurious interior of the Land Rover exuded elegance, parked next to Luke��s Aston Martin Victor.

    Without hesitation, Luke unlocked the car and opened the passenger door for Hera, carefully cing his hand above the frame to ensure she wouldn��t bump her head.

    Hera smiled gratefully at him.

    Meanwhile, Dave and Xavier slid into the back seats, and together, they made their way to the hospital.

    Although they still couldn��t reach Leo, they had already left him a message, informing him that they were heading to check on Rafael.

    When they arrived at the hospital, Zhane was already waiting at the entrance to greet them.

    "You all go ahead," Luke said as he pulled up to the curb, "I��ll park the car. I can��t stay here too long, just in case there��s an emergency or other patients need ess."

    Hera nced at him, concern in her eyes. "Are you sure? We can wait for you here."

    "Don��t worry, I��ll call Leo on my way up," Luke reassured her with a warm smile, his tone soothing.

    Only after his reassurance did Hera step back, letting him go. They watched as he drove toward the parking lot, his car disappearing around the corner.

    Zhane gestured for them to follow him inside, but his disheveled appearance quickly caught Hera��s attention.

    His dark under-eye circles and bloodshot eyes were impossible to miss, making it clear he hadn��t slept.

    Concern flickered across Hera��s face as she observed him closely, worry tightening her chest.

    "Zhane, here, take this chicken mushroom soup. Hannah made it, and it��ll be good to warm your stomach," Hera said, holding up the thermal sk she had brought along.

    Though she didn��t hand it to him just yet, her tone was full of concern.

    Zhane��s gaze softened as he saw the care in Hera��s eyes.

    The fact that she had thought to bring him food touched him deeply, and a warm smile spread across his face.

    It wasn��t the usual polite or calcted expression he reserved for patients; this smile was genuine, gentle, and heartfelt.

    Nearby, a few nurses who had been discreetly observing were utterly stunned.

    They had never seen Dr. Zhane Everett, known for his aloof and stern demeanor, show such warmth toward anyone.

    The sight of him smiling so openly was almost surreal, leaving them exchanging hushed whispers, clearly intrigued by the rare transformation of their usuallyposed superior.

    Under the weight of curious gazes from the nurses and passersby, Zhane led Hera and the others directly to the sixth floor.

    He had already instructed the staff to notify Hera where to go and ensure someone was avable to assist them when they arrived.

    Yet, despite his meticulous preparation, he couldn��t shake the urge to be there personally with her.

    Now, walking alongside Hera, Zhane felt an unexpected release of tension that had been weighing him down.

    The exhaustion he had been carrying from the moment Rafael was brought in��when he personally performed the surgery and stayed to monitor the siblings��seemed to catch up with him all at once.

    It had been nearly, or perhaps over, 24 hours since they had left the race circuit in search of Rafael, and the whirlwind of events since then had been relentless.

    Yet, in Hera��s presence, there was a strange sense of sce that allowed him to take a deep breath for the first time in hours.

    His family had also been thrown into turmoil due to the scandal involving his uncle-inw.

    Fortunately, Zhane had anticipated the fallout and prepared ahead of time. Even so, there was still coteral damage to address.

    As the sole heir, he took it upon himself to tie up the loose ends and assist his aunt in settling down after filing for divorce from her now ex-husband.

    Thankfully, a prenuptial agreement was in ce, and Zhane had managed to secure solid evidence of his uncle��s infidelity.

    He had instructed one of their employees to save CCTV footage from the Seaside Cove, a location his uncle frequented.

    As expected, his uncle attempted to erase the evidence, but Zhane had already made a backup.

    That footage, coupled with employee testimonies about his uncle��s repeated indiscretions and his audacity to charge personal expenses to the family��s ount, became irrefutable proof that sealed the case against him.

 Chapter 528 Visiting Rafael In The Hospital

    By focusing the spotlight on the Lennons, they ensured the mafia faction remained oblivious to their true intentions.

    Meanwhile, Luke took charge of interrogating their captives, methodically uncovering critical information to identify their enemies and map out the full extent of the threat.

    This multifaceted approach not only created a strategic diversion but also provided them with the intel they needed to stay one step ahead.

    "How��s Rafael��s condition?" Hera asked, keeping pace with Zhane as they walked down the hallway. She still held the sk in her hands, her concern evident in her tone and posture.

    "That man is tough," Zhane replied, his voice steady but carrying a subtle undercurrent of relief.

    "We called at least two code bluesst night after the operation, but somehow, he managed to slip past the grim reaper."

    Though his words were like he was just talking about one of his patients, the hint of joy in his tone was unmistakable��a testament to his genuine satisfaction that Rafael had pulled through the critical stage.

    "That bastard won��t die easily, sweetheart, so don��t worry too much about him," Dave said with a shrug, his tone light as he tried to downy the situation.

    "After all, they say bad people don��t die easily. Though, he��s not exactly evil, just... not good either." Dave said, as he shrugged his shoulder, trying to bad mouth Rafael while he was out so he could go back to being the least favorite in the group but Xavier beside him spoke up.

    "Then, you��re thest to die among us." Xavier retorted, shooting Dave a side-eye, a mocking glint shing in his eyes.

    Dave nearly choked on his saliva, ring at Xavier, who only smirked in response.

    Their yful back-and-forth had everyone��Hera, Luke, and even Zhaneughing, easing the heavy tension that had lingered just moments before.

    In the midst of their light banter, they didn��t realize they had already reached the area near Rafael��s private room.

    However, just before his room, Hera noticed another door slightly ajar. She heard Minerva��s voice from the other side, unmistakably filled with sorrow.

    Curiosity piqued, Hera gently knocked on the door.

    "C-Come in!"

    Hera gently pushed the door open and stepped inside, but froze mid-step when she looked up. Alice was sitting beside the hospital bed, peeling an apple, her back to the door.

    Her fiery red hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, adding a vibrant contrast to the otherwise quiet room.

    Hearing the door creak open, Alice turned, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Hera standing in the doorway.

    Alice quickly stood up, setting the apple down on the bedside table. Her eyes widened as she faced Hera, an edge of surprise in her voice.

    "Hera, what are you doing here?" She nced briefly behind Hera, as if expecting someone else, before her gaze snapped back to her with sudden intensity.

    The color drained from her face, and her eyes darkened with a sh of anger. "Are you here tough at Minerva for what happened to her?!"

    Hera raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Alice��s sudden shift in demeanor. However, Alice wasn��t even looking at her.

    She had already lowered her head, her posture slumping as if she were burdened with some unseen weight, a silent expression of being wronged hanging over her.

    <i>��What is she trying to pull this time?��</i> Hera thought, her patience thinning.

    Ignoring Alice��s theatrics, she stepped forward toward Minerva, but Alice was quicker. She moved in front of Minerva, shielding her as if Hera intended to harm her.

    It was as though Alice was trying to paint Hera as a threat. The irony wasn��t lost on Hera��she was the one who had saved both Minerva and Rafael from the forest.

    Had she not arrived when she did, they might still be out there, with no one knowing what dangers they��d face.

    Alice was consumed by bitterness and jealousy.

    Everyone was talking about Hera, flooding the trending topics, while she watched in frustration as her own viewers dwindled, leaving her with no choice but to pay for the yacht and limousine rentals out of her own pocket.

    Fueled by anger, she returned home, turned off her phone, and shut herself off from anything rted to Hera.

    It wasn��t untilter, when she saw news reports about Minerva, that Alice learned of the incident.

    But in her haste, she didn��t read the part where it was Hera who had saved both Minerva and her brother.

    Determined to be there for Minerva, Alice finally managed to get her to open up.

    But Minerva hadn��t yet reached the part where Hera had swooped in to save her and Rafael from the forest. So, for now, Alice remainedpletely unaware of the full extent of Hera��s involvement.

    All this time, Alice had been trying to get closer to Rafael, just like in her previous life, but nothing was going ording to n.

    Now, with everything that had happened, she saw this as her opportunity to prove her care and sincerity.

    With Minerva��s parents out of the country and her brother still in the hospital, Alice thought it would seem only natural for her to step in and take care of them.

    Minerva, still vulnerable and in need of support, would surely ept her presence if she positioned herself as their caregiver.

    This could be her golden opportunity to finally gain the position she desired.

    Seeing Hera here again set rm bells ringing in Alice��s mind, and she hated it.

    However, her attention was quickly diverted when she noticed Xavier standing not far behind, along with the other men.

    She could already tell who Dave was, having seen his interviews on television regarding his diplomatic work.

    Realizing that the rest of the men were likely part of Rafael��s friend group, Alice couldn��t help but feel that fate was offering her a chance to get closer to them.

    The only problem, however, was the ring eyesore in her n��Hera.

 Chapter 529 Is Minerva Changing?

    "She��s my best friend, and she��s been through something horrific. She��s still recovering, so... please, just leave, okay?"

    Despite the quiver in her tone, there was a glint of defiance in her eyes, as if she was mustering all her bravery to stand her ground.

    Hera didn��t bother responding to Alice. Instead, she calmly tilted her head to the side, her gaze bypassing Alice entirely to catch a glimpse of a startled Minerva.

    "Are you still in pain?" Hera asked gently, her tone soft but focused, making it clear that Alice��s theatrics weren��t worth her attention.

    Only then did Minerva snap back to her senses.

    She opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words, her emotions still raw from crying her heart out to Alice moments ago.

    All she could manage was a hesitant nod in response to Hera��s question.

    A strange unease settled over Minerva as she processed the situation.

    Alice��s usations toward Hera felt misced and unwarranted. After all, it wasn��t Hera who had wronged her��it was the other way around.

    Minerva had stolen Hera��s boyfriend and done countless things she should be ashamed of.

    Yet, despite all that, Hera had still helped her. Even if it was for Rafael��s sake, Hera had extended her hand when Minerva needed it most.

    The realization weighed heavily on her, leaving her conflicted and unable to meet Hera��s gaze.

    "A-Alice, it��s alright," Minerva said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, yetced with sincerity.

    She lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushed with shame. "Hera... she actually saved me and my brother."

    Though hesitant, Minerva spoke with the hope of diffusing the tension and ensuring that Alice wouldn��t continue being rude or misunderstanding Hera.

    It was the least she could do for someone who had stepped in to help despite everything.

    "Eh?! H-how is that possible?" Alice blurted out, her voice tinged with disbelief as her mind raced.

    She waspletely thrown off by the revtion.

    In her past life, none of this had happened. Instead, ��she�� was supposed to be the one kidnapped, with Rafaeling to her rescue alongside his friends.

    ording to how things ��should�� have unfolded, she had helped Minerva escape first, leading to her own capture. That selfless act had been the turning point, bringing her closer to Rafael.

    But now? Everything was unraveling differently, and she couldn��t fathom why.

    Since Alice hadn��t been allowed to meet Minerva recently, and Rafael had been keeping Minerva cooped up at home without any exnation, she assumed the kidnapping wouldn��t happen yet.

    Confident in her assumptions, she had beenid back, focusing on boosting her poprity instead.

    But hearing that Minerva and Rafael had been caught up in such a dangerous incident shocked her, prompting her to rush to the hospital to figure out what had happened and why things had deviated so drastically from her expectations.

    Learning that it was ��Hera�� who saved Rafael and Minerva only made her head spin as she scrambled to piece together an exnation.

    <i>��Something��s definitely wrong here; I��m certain of it,��</i> Alice thought, biting the inside of her bottom lip.<i> ��Since when did things start deviating from my past life?�� </i>

    She forced a wry smile at Hera, then extended it awkwardly toward the men still standing outside the door.

    They clearly had no intention of stepping inside or mingling with her and Minerva, instead waiting patiently for Hera to finish.

    Theirck of acknowledgment made Alice feel like an outsider, and the unease bubbling inside her only grew stronger.

    Her thoughts spiraled as impatience gnawed at her.

    The way events were unfolding��so out of sync with her expectations��sent rm bells ringing in her mind.

    Something was deeply wrong, and the more she tried to piece it together, the more antsy and out of control she felt.

    "I-I��m sorry, Hera," Alice said, her voice softer now, though still carrying an edge of uncertainty.

    "I was just really worried about Minerva, about her mental health, and I ended upshing out at you. Please forgive me, okay?"

    She walked over to Hera, stopping just a foot away.

    Alice raised her arms and lightly swayed them as if they were close friends, putting on a yful, almost flirtatious act.

    She tried to look cute, her expression shifting to one of feigned innocence, hoping to smooth over the tension with her charm.

    Hera felt a cringe wash over her from Alice��s overly sweet, almost sharine tone.

    Without needing to nce behind her, she knew Alice��s act wasn��t meant for her��it was for the men standing just beyond her.

    Hera caught the fleeting nces Alice kept casting in their direction, the way she subtly tried to position herself as the center of attention.

    But Hera wasn��t interested in ying that game. She came here to check on Minerva, not to entertain Alice��s maniptions.

    After spending time with the men, Hera hade to realize they weren��t fools.

    They could easily see through people, and their version in the novel seemed to suggest they had simply turned a blind eye to Alice��s antics, allowing her to y the role of the "damsel" in the story.

    It wasn��t that they were ignorant��it was just that they didn��t bother with petty women��s struggles, showing their affection in ways that didn��t require indulging in every trivial drama.

    In the novel, the male leads would always step in to help Alice when she needed them the most, as that��s typically how stories like this unfold��rescuing the heroine or letting her grow through her challenges.

    But things were different now. With all the male leads already attached to Hera, and some of Alice��s ��female lead halo�� now transferred to Hera, the men no longer showed any interest in Alice.

    The once maic allure she held over them was fading, and they were no longer drawn to her as they should have been like in the novel.

 Chapter 530 Trying To Pull Minerva Back

    As a result, the Lennons had be a formidable hidden force��one capable of striking at the Avery family with such precision that the Averys would find it nearly impossible to escape without enduring significant damage.

    Now, standing before Alice��the original female lead of the novel��Hera couldn��t help but reflect on how far she hade.

    In the story, she was supposed to be the cannon fodder, a character doomed to perish long ago.

    But here she was, alive and thriving. The weight of the realization hit her all at once, and a surge of emotion washed over her.

    It was as if all the struggles, the choices, and the twists of fate had led her to this moment, making her wonder just how much she had truly changed.

    "Hera, I��m really happy you took a moment to visit me," Minerva said, her voice shaky, drawing Hera out of her thoughts.

    She sounded nervous, even fearful, as though she was bracing for bad news.

    It was clear that Minerva wasn��t expecting kindness from Hera. After everything that had happened, she feared judgment or anger, but instead, Hera had helped her.

    It was a stark contrast to the hate and scorn she might have anticipated. As they say, it��s easier to break someone with kindness than with pain and hatred, especially when they are feeling guilty.

    "I��m d to hear that," Hera said, her tone neutral, betraying little emotion.

    She shifted slightly, pulling one of the thermal sks from her hand and stepping closer to Minerva.

    "My chef made a chicken and mushroom soup. Try it, if you like. It��s still warm and should be good for your stomach and recovery. There are some herbs in it that can help, too."

    Her voice was calm and measured, neither overly familiar nor distant.

    Hera��s expression remained neutral, as though this gesture was simply an act ofpassion��a basic human decency.

    She wasn��t here to mock or scorn Minerva but rather to offer something as simple as help, something that felt right, given what Minerva had been through.

    "Um... Hera, I already fed Minerva the chicken soup I made when I arrived..." Alice said, eyeing the soup Hera had brought with her.

    "Oh!" Hera responded with a light, unbothered shrug, her gaze flicking to the sk in her hand. She didn��t seem the least bit concerned that the soup might go to waste.

    "Well, no worries," she added casually, her tone calm. There are plenty of people who can enjoy it, even if Minerva doesn��t.

    Hera wasn��t one to let something so minor get to her, and she was already prepared for the soup to find its way to someone else who might appreciate it.

    But to Hera��s surprise, as soon as she got close to Minerva and Alice mentioned that she had already eaten, Minerva grabbed her hands, almost as if afraid Hera would take back the soup.

    "No, I��m still hungry!" Minerva said, a foolish grin spreading across her face, her expression almost fawning as she looked at Hera.

    Hera was momentarily stunned. Usually, Minerva would re at her with menacing eyes, full of hatred and resentment.

    But this time, seeing her like this, so unexpectedly warm and almost vulnerable, caught Hera off guard.

    She felt a strange twist in her chest��something unfamiliar, an odd sensation that she couldn��t quite ce. It was the first time Minerva had acted like this, and it left Hera feeling odd.

    "Minerva, no, you can��t... What if you get sick?" Alice said, her voiceced with faux concern.

    On the surface, it seemed like she was worried about Minerva overeating and potentially getting a stomachache, but in reality, she was subtly implying that Hera��s intentions were not to be trusted.

    Alice was insinuating that Hera might have some hidden agenda, suggesting she could be tricking Minerva by adding something harmful to the soup.

    The truth was, Alice didn��t like seeing Minerva��s animosity toward Hera vanish.

    Seeing Minerva so open to Hera��s kindness felt like a threat to Alice, so she took this opportunity to sow discord again, making sly remarks that were not immediately obvious but still carried an undercurrent of distrust.

    Her words were a thinly veiled attempt to nt doubt in Minerva��s mind, hoping to regain control over her friend��s opinions.

    After all, Minerva was Alice��s ticket to getting closer to Rafael.

    The more Minerva resented Hera, the harder it would be for Hera to integrate into Rafael��s family, and the more likely it was that their rtionship would be strained.

    If the family was divided, Rafael��s parents would surely be dissatisfied with Hera, making it harder for them to approve of her.

    On the other hand, if Alice yed her cards right, she could position herself as the one who truly understood Minerva��s pain and gain the approval she needed to get closer to Rafael��s family.

    "It��s okay, Alice. Weren��t you peeling an apple for me to eat? Why don��t I have the soup instead?" Minerva reassured Alice with a gentle smile, not fully grasping Alice��s intentions.

    In the past, when Minerva��s hatred for Hera had clouded her judgment, even the slightestment from Alice would have sounded like a subtle jab against Hera, no matter how neutral or well-meaning.

    But now, with her mind clearer and her resentment fading, Minerva couldn��t help but see Alice��s words as mere concern, even though they wereced with something more than just kindness.

    She felt grateful to Hera and guilty for the things she��d once believed, and that made her more open to interpreting Alice��s actions with a softer heart.

    Alice, barely hiding her irritation, added with a hint of concern in her voice, "But, the chicken soup I made also has herbs, and if the herbs in my soup and the ones in Hera��s chicken and mushroom soup have different effects, it could actually harm your body instead of helping you recover..."

    She nced at Minerva, her expression carefully crafted to look concerned, though there was an underlying edge to her words.

 Chapter 531 Minerva’s Baffling Change

    Hera decided not to argue with Alice any further, mindful that Minerva was still recovering and not wanting to cause unnecessary tension.

    After all, her primary reason foring to the hospital had been Rafael. Keeping her tone calm and neutral, she said, "Alright, we��ll be going. Take care of yourself."

    As Hera turned to leave, Minerva instinctively clutched her arm, unwilling to let go.

    She wasn��t sure when it had started��perhaps it was back in the forest, when Hera had appeared at her most vulnerable and terrified.

    At that moment, Hera had felt like a lifeline, someone dependable, much like her brother, whom she had always seen as a hero.

    Now, the thought of Hera walking away triggered a faint wave of panic, stirring a reliance she hadn��t realized was growing.

    "But I really want to try your chicken and mushroom soup. Won��t you leave it here? I promise I��ll eat itter," Minerva said, her voice almost pleading.

    Alice��s eyes widened in irritation, her expression tinged with resentment.

    Her reddened eyes gave the impression of being wronged as she desperately tried to draw Minerva��s attention.

    However, Minerva remained entirely focused on Hera, afraid that even a brief nce away might cause her to leave. This single-mindedness only fueled Alice��s growing anger.

    "It won��t taste as good if you eat itter," Hera replied, her tone calm yet uncertain.

    She didn��t make a move to pull away, but she couldn��t hide her confusion at Minerva��s sudden change in behavior.

    Hera found herself baffled by the unexpected warmth and reliance Minerva now seemed to show toward her.

    "It��s alright," Minerva said with a slight pout, her tone resembling that of a stubborn child trying to win an argument.

    "You brought this for me, so it��s mine now. That means I get to decide when and how I eat it."

    Her aggrieved expression, paired with her attempt at acting cute, added an almost endearing touch to her protest.

    Hera sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. I��ll bring more foodter, and I��ll make sure to save you a portion. But for now, let this soup go��it might not be good for your health to overeat."

    Hearing that this wouldn��t be thest time Hera would bring her something, Minerva��s face lit up with joy.

    Her eyes sparkled as she nodded enthusiastically, resembling an obedient puppy basking in attention.

    "Don��t forget, okay?!" Minerva said eagerly, her grip on Hera loosening as she settled back into her bed.

    Hera chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. I won��t forget. I won��t keep you for long, though. Please, go on and rest."

    Minerva, now content, seemed to drift into her own little world, forgetting the reason Hera hade in the first ce��her brother.

    Hera, mildly baffled by Minerva��s sudden change in mood, decided not to press the matter. She quickly ended the conversation, as there were still others waiting for her outside.

    With a quick wave to Minerva, Hera made her way toward the door, giving Alice a curt nod before leaving the room.

    Alice stood still, as if wrestling with her own thoughts. She seemed to want to speak, but the words just wouldn��te.

    She lingered awkwardly in the room until Hera finally left, and it was only then that Alice shifted her gaze to Minerva. Her expression twisted with a mix of hurt and betrayal.

    Minerva, lost in her own musings, didn��t notice Alice��s change in demeanor, and Alice seized the moment to voice her thoughts.

    "Minerva, why the sudden change in treatment?" she asked, her tone tinged with concern.

    "Didn��t you hate her before because of Alexi? And didn��t she embarrass you in front of everyone, not caring about how you��d feel or how it would affect you?"

    Although Alice framed her words as genuine curiosity, her true intention was clear: to stir up the old resentment Minerva had once felt for Hera.

    Each word she spoke was a calcted move to rekindle the hatred that had been there before, hoping to drive a wedge between the two.

    "I understand that she saved you when you were at your lowest," Alice began, her voice soft but edged with concern.

    "But do you really think she did it out of the goodness of her heart? What if... what if she��s doing this to get closer to you, only to use you to get closer to your brother?"

    Her words wavered for a moment, as if Alice herself was unsure whether she should go further, but when Minerva remained silent, Alice pressed on.

    "You��ve seen how many women want your brother. They��d do anything to get close to him, even if it means using you as a stepping stone. I just don��t want you to put your trust in her��especially after everything that��s happened��only to realize you��ve been manipted."

    Her voice softened toward the end, but the insinuation hung heavily in the air, subtly suggesting that Minerva��s newfound closeness with Hera might be nothing more than a carefully orchestrated n.

    Minerva stayed silent, her face contorting into a mixture of hurt and dejection. Alice watched her closely, sensing the shift in her emotions.

    Seeing this, Alice ceased speaking, her smile turning into something soft and understanding, though there was a barely contained smugness in her eyes.

    <i>��I knew it. Only I can control Minerva. She should only listen to me,��</i> Alice thought, settling beside her on the bed, trying to appearforting.

    However, Minerva remained silent, lost in her own thoughts, so Alice gave her the space to process.

    <i>��What matters now is that I��ve nted the seeds of doubt... rekindled the resentment she once had for Hera.��</i> Alice��s mind hummed with satisfaction.

    <i>��She should only hate Hera, and no one else.��</i>

    With that thought, Alice resumed peeling the apple, content that the seeds of doubt had been sown.

    As Hera stepped out of Minerva��s private ward, Dave approached her quietly, casting a nce back toward the room before leaning in to whisper in her ear.

    "What��s going on with her?" He gestured subtly toward Minerva, his suspicion evident. "She��s acting awfully close to you. What��s her game?"

    While Dave had no problem with Rafael��his buddy through and through��he wasn��t about to sit idly by if he thought Minerva had any ulterior motives with Hera. He��d protect his sweetheart even from his frined��s sister, no matter the situation.

 Chapter 532 Was It A Faux Or Real?

    He could tell that Hera hadn��t even considered the deeper implications of Minerva��s sudden change in behavior, which only fueled his determination to keep an eye on her.

    After all, he didn��t want his sweetheart to be betrayed or heartbroken. With a resolute frown, he made up his mind to watch Minerva��s every move from now on, prepared to step in if needed.

    After taking just a few steps from Minerva��s room, they reached Rafael��s private room.

    He was still connected to medical equipment and receiving oxygen. As Hera approached, she couldn��t help but notice that, even in his sleep, Rafael��s brows were furrowed in a displeased frown.

    She chuckled softly at the sight and reached out to smooth the crease with her fingers.

    But as soon as she did, her touch lingered, and she noticed two dark orbs staring at her from beneath his eyelids. Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes locked.

    A slow smile crept onto Hera��s lips. "You��re awake," she said calmly, her voice soft but steady.

    The others, who had settled in different corners of the room, nced up at her words.

    Zhane, holding Rafael��s medical report while checking the apparatus around him, paused and followed their gaze.

    Everyone was taken aback when they saw Rafael awake, his intense, unblinking stare fixed on Hera. The oxygen mask he wore fogged slightly as he breathed, a subtle sign of his quiet awareness.

    "Am I... dead?" Rafael��s voice was slow and strained, each word seeming like a struggle, but he still managed to form aplete sentence.

    His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, carried a depth of emotion as he continued, "But why are you here? Is this thest time I��ll see you?"

    The words hung in the air, thick with the weight of unspoken thoughts, as if his entire being was desperate for an answer.

    Dave, who was mid-sit on the couch, gasped, his eyes going wide in disbelief at Rafael��s words.

    He stared at him as if he��d just heard the most stupid thing.

    Even Xavier couldn��t help but wrinkle his nose, feeling an ufortable cringe wash over him. The line was straight out of a cheesy romanticedy, and he could barely suppress the urge to roll his eyes.

    Hera chuckled softly, seeing the confusion on Rafael��s face. His expression deepened as he tried to process her words.

    "You��re in the hospital, silly," she replied, her tone gentle. She could see that he was clearly disoriented.

    After all, when he passed out, the situation had seemed dire��he probably believed it would be thest time he��d see the world.

    If anyone was to make it out alive, he must have thought it would only be his sister.

    "I... I��m alive?!" Rafael��s eyes widened in disbelief, as if the idea of being alive was too unreal to grasp.

    He gazed up at Hera, her face glowing with warmth, her smile as bright as the sun and as sweet as honey.

    For a moment, he wanted to savor the sight of her, relief flooding through him.

    But before he could, Dave��s head suddenly popped up beside Hera, wearing a smug, irritating grin.

    From Rafael��s perspective, it looked as though Dave was practically draped over Hera, his face too close to hers, giving the impression of an intimate embrace from the back.

    The sight made Rafael��s blood boil, and he almost cursed out loud in exasperation.

    "Dude, you��re lucky my sweetheart found you when she did," Dave said, his mocking tone only serving to deepen Rafael��s frustration.

    "You did a really good job hiding your tracks��so good, in fact, that almost none of your people managed to find you all night."

    The words stung, and Rafael felt his blood boil.

    Dave wasn��t just taunting him; he was making him feel like a fool for everything he��d done, for the choices that had led to this moment.

    Each word grated against him, only adding fuel to his simmering anger.

    Rafael��s breathing grew heavier in exasperation, causing his oxygen mask to fog up. It wasn��t until this moment that Zhane finally spoke up, his voice cutting through the tension.

    "Dave, shut up," he said firmly.

    Dave, however, was unbothered. He puffed out his cheeks in a pout and crossed his arms, clearly still eager to taunt Rafael, though he kept his gaze fixed on him.

    He had no intention of moving away from Hera, his attention fully on her,pletely indifferent to Rafael��s growing irritation.

    Rafael, feeling trapped under Dave��s smug gaze, chose to ignore him. He shifted his focus instead to Hera, trying his best to block out the annoying presence beside her.

    "You found me?" Rafael��s eyes widened as his thoughts raced, trying to piece together how Hera managed to track him down.

    Maybe it was the medication clouding his mind or the lingering fog of just waking up, but his head felt disoriented.

    Despite his confusion, a sense of relief washed over him. Seeing Dave��s annoying face meant he wasn��t in some afterlife��if anything, that man was the type to be sent straight to hell.

    Rafael fought the urge to roll his eyes at Dave but instead reached for Hera��s hand, gripping it tightly. He didn��t want to let go, grateful for her presence.

    Zhane, who had been quietly observing, stepped closer to check on Rafael��s condition.

    After confirming that he was improving, he gently removed the oxygen mask so Rafael could speak more freely.

    Dave grinned mischievously as he gently guided Hera to sit in the chair, ensuring she wouldn��t stay standing too close to Rafael.

    He then bent down, resting his chin on Hera��s shoulder, shooting Rafael a teasing look.

    The awkwardness of Dave��s position was almostical, and Xavier, couldn��t stand seeing this and let out a defeated sigh.

 Chapter 533 Alice Meeting Rafael

    He was moved by the extent to which Hera had gone for him and felt a pang of guilt for nearly putting her life at risk.

    Hera could sense Rafael��s emotional turmoil, and Zhane felt it too.

    He ced a reassuring hand on Rafael��s shoulder. "It��s alright, everything��s behind you now," he said softly.

    Zhane didn��t want Rafael to get too worked up or overwhelmed with emotion, especially since he was still recovering from his injury.

    Intense feelings could spike his blood flow, possibly causing him to cough and strain the injury, which could worsen his condition and bring on another fever.

    As a doctor, Zhane didn��t want his patient to reach that point, and as a love rival, he certainly didn��t want Rafael to sabotage his recovery.

    After all, Hera had risked her life to save him, so the least Zhane could do was ensure he healed properly.

    Rafael quickly realized this and took a moment to steady his emotions, offering Hera a grateful smile.

    "Thank you so much, my angel," he said, his voice catching with emotion, as he struggled to keep it in check. Despite his effort, the glint of happiness, guilt, and love shone in his eyes.

    When the atmosphere turned obviously charged.

    <i>Creak...</i>

    The sound of a door opening snapped everyone��s attention toward it.

    Hera and the others turned to look, and even Rafael, though his view was obstructed, strained to see where the noise hade from.

    "U-Um... Hello, I was justing to check on Minerva��s brother... I didn��t realize he had a visitor..." Alice��s soft, hesitant voice came from the doorway.

    She seemed surprised to see others with Rafael, her expression a mix of shyness and apology.

    However, she didn��t seem eager to leave either, so the group stayed there in an awkward silence, staring at each other for a few moments.

    "I-I just wanted to check on Minerva��s brother to make sure he��s doing okay, so I can reassure her not to worry anymore," Alice added, her voice still uncertain.

    Slowly, she stepped into the room and made her way toward the foot of the bed.

    "And who are you to Rafael?" Dave asked, his expression incredulous, his right eyebrow arched in surprise.

    "If you need anything, you can always call the nurse," Xavier added, his gaze sharp, as though he could read her thoughts.

    He snorted dismissively as he finished speaking. Zhane gave Alice a brief nce before turning his attention back to his work, ignoring her presence entirely.

    Upon hearing who the new arrival was, Rafael settled back into his bed, deliberately ignoring Alice.

    Instead, he reached for Hera��s hand, holding it tightly as if afraid of being misunderstood.

    "Hera, my angel, I didn��t know who that woman was. Please don��t misunderstand, okay?" His expression was one of innocent defensiveness, looking almost pitiful as he tried to clear his name.

    Hera nced at him, amusement tugging at her lips, resisting the urge tough at the group��s over-the-top reaction to Alice simply trying to check on Rafael.

    Perhaps they had all sensed something off about Alice��s presence, automatically falling into defense mode.

    Or maybe it was just instinct, a reflex to protect their time together.

    Either way, Hera couldn��t help but feel a wave of relief wash over her, along with a touch of humor at the situation.

    Whether she admitted it or not, Hera had always feared that once they met Alice in person, they might feel drawn to her and forget about her, making all her efforts seem wasted.

    But seeing their reactions now eased the anxiety in her heart.

    Still, she remained cautious, knowing she couldn��t afford to becent��she wasn��t sure if the storyline would throw a wrench in her ns at any moment.

    When Rafael��s voice, though quiet, broke the silence, Alice heard it clearly, as everyone else had fallen quiet. She felt a surge of frustration, nearly choking on her own anger.

    ��<i>It was Hera! She must have said something to turn them against me!��</i> Alice fumed inwardly, but she quickly masked her emotions, making sure her thoughts didn��t show on her face.

    "I... I-I��m sorry. I just wanted to help Minerva get some rest and stop worrying about her brother. After all, I��m her best friend, and I can��t stand seeing her struggle," Alice said, her voice trembling.

    She looked up, her eyes and nose reddened, as if she were on the verge of tears.

    She locked her gaze on Rafael, managing to conceal the longing in her eyes, though her gaze briefly flickered to the others, lingering momentarily on Xavier before returning to Rafael.

    ��<i>God, I��ve missed these two...</i>�� she thought, regret gnawing at her for not confessing her feelings before she died.

    ��<i>But now, I��m going to make sure we go back to the way things were.��</i> The thought felt more like a vow, a conviction she made to herself.

    Rafael and Xavier both felt uneasy under her gaze, even though it appeared innocent.

    They couldn��t quite pinpoint why, but something about it unsettled them, especially with Hera present.

    Rafael��s frown deepened, a sense of displeasure rising in him almost immediately as his temper red.

    "Miss, we��re not close enough for you to be in my private room, even if you��re a friend of my sister��s. Please, have some decency and don��t disturb a man who needs his rest," Rafael said, his tone firm but polite, as he still tried to maintain his manners speaking to a woman who was a friend of his sister��s.

    However, knowing she was close to Minerva didn��t sit well with him.

    He couldn��t forget that it was Alice who had constantly targeted Hera during the Variety Show and had been encouraging Minerva to do outrageous things.

    Seeing Alice enter his private room as if they were close, especially in front of Hera, immediately irritated Rafael, and his frustration was clearly written on his face.

    Hera, on the other hand, didn��t make any effort to intervene. After all, it was Alice who hade to Rafael��s room uninvited.

 Chapter 534 It Was Her

    Slowly, she lifted her gaze, her eyes wide and tear-filled, and bit down on her red, slightly bloodied lips, as if trying to hold back more tears.

    Hera silently observed, curious to see how Alice��s supposed male leads would react.

    Would their feelings be stirred by her pitiful disy?

    Even Hera, a woman, couldn��t help but feel something when she saw Alice like this��a deep, instinctive urge to protect her, almost making her want to apologize, even though she hadn��t done anything wrong.

    Perhaps it was the storyline whispering in her ear, pulling her to y her part.

    But Hera, having developed resilience against the storyline��s urging over time, was growing ustomed to these forced emotions.

    She didn��t move. Instead, she seemed like an outsider, watching a drama unfold before her, wondering whether the characters would stick to the script or break free from it.

    Hera��s breath became shallow as she held it, waiting to see how things would unfold.

    However, herck of response led the supposed male leads to assume that she felt wronged or upset��or perhaps, they thought, she didn��t even realize she was being targeted.

    At that moment, all of them thought the same thing: ��<i>Woman! Someone��s trying to seduce your man, and you��re just standing there watching?!��</i>

    Dave stomped his foot in frustration, ring at Hera.

    The others exchanged subtle nces, a mix of amusement and confusion, but in Alice��s eyes, it seemed like they were doubting Hera.

    Biting her lower lip again, Alice stepped closer to Rafael��s bed. This movement immediately drew a collective frown from the group.

    They were already upset by Hera��s passive behavior, as if she were watching a drama unfold, and now, the woman who had stirred everything up and ruined the previously good mood was advancing toward them.

    "Wifey, do you miss me?" A hoarse, seductive, yet unmistakably masculine voice echoed through the door just as it opened.

    Leo stepped in, halting in his tracks as he took in the scene. Behind him, Luke did the same, both of them momentarily confused by the tension in the room.

    Leo raised an eyebrow, taking note of Dave and the others looking clearly upset. However, he chose to ignore them, his focus immediately shifting to Hera as he walked toward her without hesitation.

    "Wifey, I��ve missed you so much! Did anyone give you a hard time? Tell me, and I��ll take care of them," Leo said, his tone dripping with affection as he began massaging Hera��s shoulders.

    Hera, jolted from her thoughts by Leo��s sudden appearance, nced around the room.

    It was only then that she noticed the wronged expressions on Dave, Xavier, and Rafael��s faces.

    Even Zhane, usuallyposed, had a hint of questioning in his gaze, tinged with a slight frustration.

    Hera��s brow furrowed. ��<i>Did they believe Alice?��</i> The thought struck her, and her chest tightened, a sharp pang of unease spreading through her.

    Now, all attention shifted to Hera, and once again, Alice was forgotten.

    The shift only fueled Alice��s growing hatred, her fists clenching in frustration.

    <i>��This slut...</i>�� she thought, her eyes burning with fury. <i></i>

    <i>��She wasn��t content with just stealing Rafael and Xavier from me��now she��s trying to surround herself with all these men? Does she really think she��s worthy?��</i>

    Little did Alice know, someone had noticed the hatred in her eyes. "Miss, are you someone closet or a rtive of the man in this room?" Leo asked, his tone cold andced with disdain.

    "Hey! Ugh!" Rafael, eager to clear his name once again, reacted too hastily, causing a sharp pull on his wounds.

    He winced in pain, his face paling instantly. Despite the difort, he refused to let the pain make him appear unfaithful or suggest that he was hiding something from Hera.

    Though Leo was being unfriendly toward Alice and questioning her, his words effectively linked Rafael to her, making it seem as though he had a secret rtionship with her.

    Rafael wasn��t about to let that stand. "Don��t nder me," he said, his voice tight.

    "I��ve already told them��I don��t even know that woman. She was the one crying and acting pitiful in front of us." He took a slow, steady breath, aided by Zhane, before settling back into his bed.

    "She ims to be my sister��s best friend, but we��ve already made it clear that we don��t wee her here. It��s <i>her</i> who keeps lingering around, trying to annoy us," Rafael stated, not caring whether he hurt Alice��s feelings or not. After all, he wasn��t close to her and had no positive impression of her.

    When Alice heard Rafael��s words, her face flushed a deep red before draining to an ashen pallor.

    She opened and closed her mouth, struggling to find the right words but failing to speak.

    This wasn��t how she had imagined her first real meeting with Rafael would go.

    In fact, she had expected it to unfold like it had in her previous life, where Rafael, though indifferent, would at least greet her with a respectful nod.

    She had hoped that, over time, he would warm up to her.

    But this��this cold reception from both Rafael and Xavier��waspletely unexpected.

    She couldn��t understand how things had gone so wrong, so differently from what she remembered.

    <i>��Was this the butterfly effect caused by my rebirth?��</i> Alice��s mind raced, struggling to make sense of it all.

    <i>��No, I haven��t done anything to disrupt my rtionship with Rafael and Xavier, aside from focusing on advancing my career...��</i> She couldn��t ept this unexpected oue.

    Then, her eyesnded on Hera��s face, and a flicker of realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. <i></i>

    <i>��It��s her! It��s all because of her!��</i>

 Chapter 535 Going Back Crying

    Her thinking wasn��tpletely wrong, but the reality was that Hera had gotten to them first. Now, it had be a race��who would win the male leads�� affection and use their ��male lead halo�� to crown themselves as the female lead?

    Obviously, the title of ��female lead�� should have belonged to Alice.

    However, Hera had managed to siphon away part of Alice��s rightful "halo," disrupting her destined achievements in the storyline.

    By intercepting the male leads and preventing them from falling for Alice and supporting her, Hera had effectively weakened her position.

    As a result, Alice was now left with minimal backing and was significantly weakerpared to Hera, despite the storyline still working in her favor to secure opportunities.

    Although Hera hadn��t intended to charm or manipte the male leads, she found herselfpelled to do so.

    It was the only way to ensure that they wouldn��t drift back to Alice and that the coveted ��female lead halo�� would fully transfer to her.

    Hera needed that influence��not for selfish reasons, but to protect the people she cared about.

    Besides, the male leads had already demonstrated their immense power and influence.

    Their recent takedown of the Lennons was proof of that.

    Despite the meticulous nning that took days, it had taken them just one night to dismantle the Lennonspletely, without suffering any significant losses on their side.

    Zhane also took the opportunity to rid his hospital of corruption, using the situation as a public statement that the Everetts would not tolerate misconduct��even from family��if it endangered patients�� lives.

    This decisive action not only reinforced the hospital��s integrity but also boosted its reputation and public trust.

    Meanwhile, Zhane��s former uncle-inw bore the brunt of public outrage, sharing the Lennons�� disgrace.

    Even if the Lennons avoided a total financial ruin, their tarnished reputation ensured their downfall in the industry, making survival nearly impossible.

    Frustration simmered within Rafael as he hissed through clenched teeth, barely restraining the urge to shout and curse.

    Despite everything he had said, Alice still stood before them, her tears flowing as if she were the one wronged.

    The sight only fueled his irritation.

    If not for Zhane holding him back��and the looming concern that aggravating his injuries would worsen his condition��he might not have been able to contain himself.

    Before anyone could react, Dave stormed across the room and mmed his hand on the emergency button to summon a nurse.

    Momentster, a nurse rushed in, her expression tense with urgency, only to be met with Dave��s unmistakable look of displeasure.

    "Can you please ensure that not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can waltz into the patient��s room? This is the VIP floor for a reason," Dave said in aposed yet sharp tone.

    His words were cutting enough to make Alice choke on her own spit, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at him, incredulous.

    Even Hera was caught off guard by Dave��s boldness in addressing the nurse.

    Zhane, however, made no move to stop him, silently affirming that he shared Dave��s sentiments.

    Only after hearing Dave��s words did Rafael finally settle back into his bed, his irritation visibly easing.

    "D-Do you need me to call security?" the nurse stammered, her gaze darting nervously around the room.

    Everywhere she looked, she was met with beautiful people, and she couldn��t help but feel her heart skip a beat.

    A faint blush crept up her cheeks as she fought to maintain her professionalism.

    "W-What?! No!!!" Alice eximed, frantically waving her hands in the air, her voice tinged with panic.

    She struggled to find the right words to exin herself to the nurse, but the weight of the situation made her feel cornered.

    Anger and frustration bubbled inside her as the realization struck��everyone seemed to be against her.

    She hadn��t even managed to approach Rafael as nned. Instead, her actions seemed to have only fueled their displeasure.

    Worse still, she could sense that his circle of friends might now share a negative impression of her.

    The very thought made her stomach churn; she hated the idea of being judged or cast out, especially by those she had hoped to win over.

    "I-I will leave," Alice stammered, her voice trailing off as she nervously nced at Rafael��s face. "I was only visiting the brother of my best friend, with her consent..." Her words felt hollow, the exnation not nearly as convincing as she hoped.

    Dave, however, scoffed loudly, cutting her off with a sharp tone. "Her consent doesn��t equal her brother��s consent when you��re nning to visit him." He rolled his eyes, clearly irritated and too fed up to even bother pretending to be polite with Alice.

    His annoyance was too obvious, and it only added to the sting of her already humiliating situation.

    Humiliated beyond measure, Alice walked away like a defeated dog with her tail between her legs.

    Her head hung low, and her steps were slow and heavy, the weight of her embarrassment pressing down on her.

    By the time she reached the room beside Rafael��s, tears were streaming down her face, a raw mix of anger, frustration, and disbelief. She had never felt so small.

    When she entered the room, her sobs were uncontroble, but Minerva was already asleep, her back turned toward Alice in the quiet room.

    The sight of her friend��s calmness, oblivious to Alice��s pain, only made the hurt deeper.

    Alice��s sobs grew louder, a desperate cry for Minerva to wake up andfort her.

    She hoped for some sort of acknowledgment, maybe even for Minerva to confront her brother and stand up for her, but there was no response.

 Chapter 536 Seeing Her For The First Time

    Had she been paying attention, she would have realized Minerva wasn��t resting as she thought.

    Minerva had quietly left the room and followed her out after a nurse assisted her, heading to her brother��s room next door.

    As his sister��the one Rafael protected fiercely, even at the cost of his own life that was luckily saved��Minerva had wanted to be there when he woke up, but seeing Alice there alone made her feel a twinge of difort.

    It felt wrong, like she had been left out, as if Alice had been using their connection to gain ess to Rafael, something Minerva could sense but didn��t know how to confront.

    Minerva wasn��t unfamiliar with that feeling.

    In fact, it had be all too familiar. So many women had used the same approach over the years��pretending to befriend her just to get closer to Rafael.

    She had seen it countless times when she was still studying, girls eager to meet him in private and try their luck.

    But once Rafael rejected their confessions, those same girls would turn their backs on her, as if the friendship they had once shared meant nothing.

    The cycle had grown so repetitive that Minerva had be numb to it, each betrayal dulling her sensitivity to the sting.

    Minerva had heard everything that was said in her brother��s private room, and with every word, the crease in her brows deepened.

    She hadn��t even known that Alice had been sent to check on Rafael and that, it was supposed to be her who had sent her without her own knowledge, and it was at that moment, more than ever, that Minerva truly felt like she was seeing Alice for the first time.

    She hadn��t realized that Alice harbored feelings for Rafael, and the realization that Alice had been using her to get closer to her brother left a bitter taste in Minerva��s mouth.

    For the first time, Minerva felt not just disappointed but deeply saddened��used in a way she hadn��t anticipated.

    Conflicted by the emotions swirling inside her, Minerva didn��t know how to face Alice��not yet.

    So, she chose to pretend to be asleep, hoping to avoid the confrontation.

    There were so many emotions tugging at her heart.

    Unlike Alice, who was supposed to be her closest friend, her best friend even. Minerva had always seen Hera as her enemy due to her ties to Alexi.

    Yet, learning that her brother was courting Hera didn��t make her feel anger or resentment.

    In fact, it brought a sense of calm and relief��at least she knew where they stood. But Alice... Alice felt like a betrayal. That hurt in a way she hadn��t expected.

    Minerva remained still, listening to Alice��s muffled sobs from the sofa.

    She had no intention offorting her, not when Alice had done nothing to earn it.

    After all, Minerva was no stranger to harsh treatment herself��she��d often faced it from Dave.

    While Rafael and the others were friends, it didn��t mean they would tolerate her bratty attitude.

    Minerva didn��t enjoy being around Dave or the rest of them either, and she certainly wasn��t about to sympathize with Alice��s tears.

    Minerva knew all too well how sharp Dave��s tongue could be when he was irritated.

    To hear her brother��s annoyance so clearly, made her realize it was Alice��s own fault for staying in the room after being told more than once that she wasn��t wee.

    It was a case of Alice reaping what she had sowed.

    Minerva closed her eyes, trying to block out Alice��s relentless sobbing, which was starting to grate on her nerves.

    A soft, shaky sigh escaped her lips.

    <i>��Maybe I��ve been pretending to be blind for too long,��</i> she thought to herself.

    While Minerva could be bratty and na?ve, she wasn��tpletely oblivious.

    She had seen the signs �� Alice��s clear affection for her brother and the subtle jabs at Hera earlier.

    Minerva had only realized it after Hera had left the room, but now, looking back at the whole scene, it became evident that Alice��sments were aimed at Hera.

    At first, Minerva had assumed Alice��s bitterness was due to their friendship and she was standing up for her, but now it seemed clear that Alice��s jealousy wasn��t about her at all �� it was about Rafael��s feelings for Hera.

    Minerva felt a wave of conflict rise within her.

    She didn��t want to be caught between her brother and her best friend, especially when her brother clearly disliked Alice for reasons she couldn��t fully understand.

    Perhaps it was because, like her, Rafael had noticed Alice��s subtle jabs at Hera.

    Minerva could only hope Alice wouldn��t make the same mistake with Hera again, because if she did, Rafael wouldn��t hesitate to show a side of him that even Minerva feared��his terrifying, unyielding side. And once he did, there would be no going back.

    As Minerva pondered all of this, exhaustion finally overcame her, and she drifted off to sleep.

    Alice��s sobs became nothing more than background noise, like the soft patter of rain outside.

    Meanwhile, in Rafael��s room, the atmosphere had returned to its usual calm after Alice��s departure.

    The group resumed their conversation, with Leo, looking utterly drained, sinking into a chair beside Hera.

    He rested his head on her shoulder, quietly recharging his energy from her warmth, his personal human charger.

    "Man, you look like shit... What happened to you?" Dave asked, leaning in to get a closer look at Leo, as if trying to check if he��d even bothered to shower.

    "Don��t worry, I showered..." Leo mumbled, eyes still closed. Dave, still edging closer, let out a yelp and jumped back, startled.

    "Man! Do you have eyes on the back of your head?" Dave eximed, patting his chest, trying to y it off. He��d been discreet in his approach, yet Leo had caught him in the act.

    Hera chuckled from the sidelines, amused by their banter.

    "If you weren��t breathing so heavily down my neck, I wouldn��t have noticed," Leo shot back, his voice still thick with exhaustion. Barely a secondter, Hera could hear his soft snoring filling the space.

 Chapter 537 Another Slip

    They carefully moved Rafael��s bed and medical equipment, ensuring nothing was disturbed, and pushed everything aside to make room for therge bed they were setting up.

    Using a makeshift frame built from a supply crate, they assembled two queen-sized beds in the center of the room.

    Fortunately, the VIP room was spacious enough to amodate these changes without issue.

    As the staff made their adjustments, Rafael��s gaze lingered on therge bed with a wistful expression.

    He, too, longed to rest beside them, not isted in the sterile, cold confines of his hospital bed.

    The warmth andfort of being close to Hera felt like a distant longing in that moment.

    After a while, the hospital staff finished arranging the covers, duvet, pillows, and nkets, and, without a word, quietly left the room.

    Without hesitation, Luke, Xavier, and Dave worked together to lift Leo, intending to transfer him to the new bed.

    However, since Leo refused to let go of Hera, it meant that she, too, had to be moved with him.

    The task turned out to be more difficult than they expected, with the three of them sweating and exchanging a few choice words, especially from Dave, who couldn��t help but mutter a curse or two.

    "Goddamn it! What is he, a monkey or a damn ko?!" Dave grumbled, struggling to lift Leo.

    "What is he made of, steel and iron? Why the hell is he so heavy?!" He panted, frustration clear in his voice as he heaved Leo up once again.

    Luke and Xavier exchanged a nce, ignoring Dave��s grumbling as they worked together to remove Leo��s shoes, each of them handling one foot.

    Meanwhile, Zhane, sitting by Rafael��s bed, carefully fed him the chicken and mushroom soup Hera had brought.

    Once he finished, Zhane opened the second thermal sk and began eating his own portion.

    Despite Rafael��s quiet protests, wanting Hera to feed him instead, he couldn��t muster the strength to push the thought away��Hera was still stuck with Leo, who refused to let go.

    <i>Ring...</i>

    <i>Ring...</i>

    Hera��s phone kept ringing, its persistent sounding from her bag on the bedside table next to Rafael.

    Since Leo refused to let go, Hera was left with no choice but to either ask someone to pass her the phone or answer it themselves.

    However, she was reluctant to stir and risk waking Leo.

    Whenever Luke, Xavier, and Dave moved Leo, he slept soundly like a log, but the moment Hera even seemed like she might leave, his eyes would flicker open, and he��d pull her tighter.

    As much as she wanted to answer the call, she couldn��t bring herself to disturb Leo��s sleep.

    "Could you guys please answer my phone? Ugh," Hera groaned, her words interrupted by a soft tickling sensation as Leo nuzzled the crook of her neck.

    Her eyes fluttered involuntarily, trying to hold back augh.

    Since Rafael was still too injured to move much, the nearest person to her bag was Xavier.

    Without a second thought, Xavier reached over with ease, grabbed the phone from Hera��s bag, and answered it.

    Without even ncing at the caller ID, Xavier picked up the phone, his eyes still narrowed with envy as he nced at Leo. He switched the call to speaker mode, and a man��s voice immediately rang out from the other end.

    "Hello, young miss?! Good morning! I heard from Cindy that you went to the hospital to visit one of your boyfriends."

    The mention of "visiting one of your boyfriends" instantly lifted Rafael��s spirits, wiping away any lingering feelings of being left out.

    A small smile tugged at his lips.

    The others couldn��t help but smirk as well, each of them silently thinking, <i>��Is this a subtle admission of our rtionship and ce beside Hera?��</i> Who wouldn��t be happy with that?

    But since they were all too happy to react, and Hera was frozen in ce, her face paling as she tried to speak, it was already toote.

    Gerald��s loud voice boomed through the phone, eagerly reporting everything he had done.

    "Young Miss, guess what?" Gerald didn��t even wait for a reply before continuing.

    "I��ve already bought up most of the profitable businesses from the Lennon��s family under your name and repurposed the others to boost their value before reselling. As for the rest, your boyfriends swooped in and made sure the other sharks didn��t get a chance to bite."

    "Additionally, I��ve been keeping an eye on the foreignpany you were interested in��the one moving into AI drones. As soon as they opened for investment, I made sure to transfer the $10 billion you instructed me to."

    "You wouldn��t believe how shocked their young CEO was when he received such arge investment right off the bat. He even called me, almost in tears, thinking we were trying to buy hispany. He didn��t seem opposed to the idea, though. Should I go ahead and buy it outright?"

    Hera felt an overwhelming urge to kick Gerald right then and there.

    All five pairs of eyes in the room turned to her, their brows raised in unison, disbelief etched across their faces.

    Even Luke, known as ��Midas�� Hand��, looked momentarily stunned by the sheer size of the sum Gerald had mentioned.

    It was clear to everyone in the room �� especially since they��d all met Gerald in person multiple times �� that they recognized his voice instantly.

    His overly subservient tone towards Hera, referring to her as "Young Miss," didn��t go unnoticed either, leaving everyone with the same unspoken question: <i>��Just how close are they, really? Or what��s up with their rtionship.��</i>

    Hera took a deep, shaky breath, feeling her body tremble, but she forced herself to maintain aposed expression and steady demeanor.

    With a practiced air of confidence, she spoke as if she hadn��t noticed the questioning looks around her.

    "Ha ha ha, Mr. Troy, you truly go above and beyond. I can only thank you for the generouspensation you provided for the incident at the hotel you manage. And as for the $50 billion... please, don��t jest. Otherwise, everyone listening will start thinking far too highly of me."

 Chapter 538 Be A Kept Man

    With the knowledge that her grandfather still held the power in the consortium, their focus remained on him.

    They knew the supposed heiress of the Avery was preupied with her life at Princeton, socializing and attending school, so they were in no rush to deal with her directly.

    However, they weren��t idle��they sent assassins after Hera��s stand-in whenever they could, hoping to eliminate her.

    If she died, the only thing holding the Avery together would be the aging patriarch, whose life was at the mercy of those scheming against him.

    Without their interference, he might have lived out his days peacefully for a few years since he was already old, but now, with their relentless pressure, he was growing weaker.

    If his enemies converged on him all at once, he wouldn��t have the strength to fend them off.

    This is why Hera��s grandfather allowed her to enjoy her youth before fully inheriting the consortium.

    He wanted her to experience freedom for thest few years of her life, free from the heavy responsibilities of their business empire, before she became tied down to theplex web of power and control that awaited her.

    Her business empire was too alluring, and with the male leads being as ambitious as they were described in the novel, the fact that she hadn��t fully captured their hearts left her vulnerable.

    Their sharp, calcting ambitions could easily turn against her one day, and she wasn��t ready for that, even if it was just hypothetical.

    This is why, over the years, she had quietly been building her power in the shadows.

    Now, what she needed was reputation and influence.

    Staying in the entertainment industry wasn��t just about stealing Alice��s achievements and her "female lead halo" �� it was a strategic move for the future of her business empire as well.

    <i>��Just give me more time,��</i> Hera thought silently to herself. <i>��I wille clean with all of you, but until then, I need to see that you prove you deserve to know the truth.��</i>

    Gerald continued on the other end, now understanding the situation on Hera��s side. "Ha ha, Young Miss Hera, I��m d you took it as a joke. Anyway, as per your request, and as part of mypensation to you, I��ve put together an investment that I believe suits you perfectly. As a business and finance student yourself, I think this would be a great addition to your CV."

    "Now that the investment isplete, there��s still a little money left over, which I��ve already sent to your ount. Just reach out if you need anything else. After all, as I mentioned before, I��ve managed to acquire so many of the Lennon��s properties and added them to the Avery consortium, all thanks to your cooperation."

    "You didn��t get intimidated and run away from the Lennons, and you stood strong with me. So, this little bit of money is just a small reward for your efforts. Please don��t turn it down again��it��s nothing to the Avery," Gerald exined, carefully framing his words so that anyone listening to the call would take this information as the truth and overlook everything he had said earlier.

    "If you feel this amount isn��t enough, feel free to renegotiate with me or ask for another round of investments��this way, you can continue to grow your wealth and I��ll be happy to help," Gerald continued, his tone casual.

    "Anyway, I��ve said my piece. Hope you��re doing well, and be sure to pass along my greetings to everyone. I��ll treat you all to a meal when I��m free. Ciao!"

    Without waiting for Hera��s response, Gerald abruptly ended the call, as though in a rush to escape, leaving Hera to handle the mess he had just created.

    Hera was left speechless, unsure of where to even begin or how to answer any potential questions from the others if they decided to inquire.

    Fortunately, or perhaps because they sensed Hera didn��t want to go deeper into the matter, the others remained silent, tacitly agreeing to pretend they hadn��t heard anything.

    After all, even though Gerald had exined it, there were lingering doubts and subtle clues that had started to surface.

    For instance, Zhane recalled how Hera had paid for her stone betting purchases at the Stone Betting Pagoda when she was with him, effortlessly using a ck card��a detail that raised a few more questions than it answered.

    But even among these intelligent men, there was always one who stood out, forever stirring the pot and looking for trouble.

    "Oh, now I get it! Is that where all the money you��ve spent on me came from?" Dave chimed in, his question sounding deceptively innocent, but the underlying tone of his voice made it clear he was subtly unting the fact that Hera had spent a considerable amount on him.

    "Are you really that proud of being a kept man?" Xavier scoffed, his gaze cold as he looked at Dave.

    "Where��s your pride? Shouldn��t it be you pampering Hera, not the other way around?"

    "What��s wrong with being a kept man?" Dave retorted, a smug grin on his face.

    "I��d happily be a gigolo, a boy toy, or whatever you want to call it, if it means being with Hera. Besides, she already said it in front of the whole nation that she has the money to spoil me. Doesn��t that just sound like she��s treating me like a husband, showing me love? Hmp, let the bitterness and envy eat you up��I couldn��t care less."

    "More like a trophy husband," Rafael muttered, his tone dripping with disdain.

    This was the first time he had seen someone so proudly embrace being a kept man and gigolo, unting it in front of his love rivals.

    A slight flicker of pity crossed his mind, realizing that Dave must have some wires crossed in his brain if he actually thought this was something to be proud of.

    Thanks to Dave��s antics, the tension that had been building quickly faded, and the focus shifted to teasing him instead.

    Hera couldn��t help butugh along with the others as they made fun of Dave.

    Soon enough, the group gathered together in therge bed, exhausted from the day��s events, and drifted off to sleep.

    Meanwhile, Rafael remained in the hospital bed, still feeling a little down. Hera, noticing his mood, gentlyforted him, promising that once he was healed, they��d all sleep together.

 Chapter 539 Good News And Bad News

    Given the buzz online and her need to stay low, it made sense that Hera would keep her movements discreet.

    When she didn��te back to pick up the lunch they had prepared for Rafael, as requested, Hannah and Amy decided to pack up the food for everyone and head to the hospital to deliver it.

    Hera and the others stirred awake at the soft knock on the door. "Come in," Luke said hoarsely, propping himself up slightly in bed.

    The others, still half-asleep, remainednguidly stretched out, unwilling to leave the warmth of their covers.

    Reluctantly, Luke stood up and made his way to the door, where he could tell the visitors were a bit hesitant to enter.

    As soon as he slid the door open, Amy and Hannah stepped in, their eyes carefully avoiding the room as they headed straight for the built-in kitchen.

    Without a word, they began transferring the lunch to tes and setting the table.

    Meanwhile, Hera and the others slowly began to stir from the bed, and Leo, roused from his deep sleep, began to wake up as well.

    "Good morning, wifey..." His voice, husky andced with seduction, greeted Hera as she stirred in the bed. Her space was limited, with Leo clinging to her and refusing to let go, leaving her with little choice but to turn from side to side.

    "Good morning," she murmured, rubbing her eyes. "We should get up and eat lunch. Did you have breakfast earlier?"

    "No..." Leo replied, his voice soft as he snuggled closer to Hera��s shoulder, unwilling to trade her warmth for food.

    "I don��t want to let go." His words carried a childlike tone, as if he were seekingfort and affection.

    Hera couldn��t help but giggle, gently patting Leo��s chest a few times. The motion made Leo chuckle in response, the deep sound sending a ripple of warmth through his chest where Hera��s face was resting. His baritoneughter reverberated above her head, filling the air with a soothing, yful energy.

    <i>��Oh god, I could listen to thatugh all day,��</i> Hera thought, content to remain still in Leo��s warm embrace.

    Without another word, Leo gently propped himself up, lifting Hera effortlessly in his arms like a princess. He carried her straight to the dining table, his movements steady and purposeful.

    "Hey, that��s unfair," Dave chimed in, his voicenguid yet yful, with a hint of teasing as he pouted. He too propped himself up, stretching his limbs slowly, clearly enjoying thezy noon.

    "What, you want to be carried like a princess too?" Xavier asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Dave, clearly amused by his antics.

    Dave paused for a moment, his mind still foggy, the sleep lingering just a bit longer than usual.

    His brain took a moment to catch up, but when he finally understood what Xavier meant, he sprang out of bed, intent on kicking Xavier in the rear.

    But Xavier was quicker. With azy grin, he dodged Dave��s attempt and made his way to the dining table, leaving Dave standing there, momentarily stunned and alone.

    Earlier, it had been Zhane who fed Rafael, but now, Luke had taken on the role.

    No one wanted Hera to be the one to feed him, not because they didn��t want to help Rafael, but because they didn��t want him to receive special treatment from Hera.

    They all knew that if she did, they��d feel a surge of envy and would probably want to be hospitalized just to get the same kind of care. It was childish, but then again, men would always be men.

    Rafael, aware of their unspoken thoughts, could only re at Luke.

    However, he didn��t protest��he didn��t want to make Hera feel ufortable or distract her from eating.

    So, he merely shot Luke a menacing look while Luke continued to maintain his gentlemanlyposure, unbothered by the re.

    Amy and Hannah, standing quietly at the side, exchanged a nce as they observed the interactions unfolding around them.

    It was clear to them that there was an unspoken understanding among the group.

    Although they knew all six men were courting Hera and vying for her attention, they still managed to work things out without creating a hostile atmosphere.

    Instead, they maintained a united front, calmly behaving like friends.

    What struck Amy and Hannah as the strangest part was how natural everything felt��despite the underlying tension, it all seemed to flow effortlessly.

    <i>Ring...</i>

    <i>Ring...</i>

    Hera��s phone rang again.

    Determined not to make the same mistake as before, she rushed to grab it from her bag.

    No one tried to stop her or even reacted outwardly, but her hasty movements only served to confirm what everyone had already suspected��Hera was hiding something.

    The five men exchanged nces, their curiosity piqued. Though they kept theirposure, all of them couldn��t help but lean in slightly, ears straining as Hera answered the phone.

    "Hello?" Hera��s soft voice broke the silence, making the entire room feel as if it had frozen in time.

    "Hera, I have both good news and bad news for you." Betty��s voice came through, straight to the point without any small talk.

    The fact that it was Betty calling, and not Gerald or anyone from the Avery Consortium, immediately eased the tension in Hera��s shoulders.

    She let out a quiet sigh of relief, her body rxing slightly as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

    "What��s the good news, then?" Hera asked, her tone curious but calm. It was as if she hadn��t even heard Betty mention the bad news.

 Chapter 540 Zoren Film Festival And Oscars?

    "This is such a good opportunity for you to make a name for yourself as a rising star with a clean te, but it also opens the door for critics to question your abilities."

    "That said, I��ve seen what you��re capable of, and your instructors��ments have only reinforced my confidence in you. Still, I can��t help but worry about the pressure this puts on you��it might affect your performance."

    As a manager, Betty understood just how overwhelming this situation was for an artist.

    Not only was Hera pressed for time, but now she had to shoulder the weight of the director��s high expectations.

    Failing to meet those expectations could turn what was supposed to be a career-making opportunity into a chance to bebeled a mediocre actress in the eyes of many.

    The director was a major figure in the film industry, with a vastwork of connections.

    Once he passed judgment on Hera��s acting skills, word would quickly spread. Depending on his evaluation, Hera��s future could either soar ore crashing down.

    Although the director was thrilled and excited to meet Hera��visually, she perfectly embodied the heroine he envisioned��he knew that looks alone wouldn��t be enough.

    In terms of action, Hera exceeded expectations, excelling in both martial arts and driving, which were central elements of the film.

    However, the director needed more than just a capable action star; he needed an actress who could breathe life into the character, someone with the emotional depth and talent to carry the role.

    No matter how impressed he was with her action skills, if Hera couldn��t deliver as an actress, the film would suffer��and that was a risk he wasn��t willing to take.

    His goal wasn��t just to create a good action film but to craft a masterpiece worthy of critical acim, with aspirations of entering the Oscars.

    This project was his passion, one he had been meticulously nning and developing for over five years, and he wanted only the best of the best for his cast.

    Although the director was impressed with Hera, he still needed to evaluate the other actresses he had handpicked to determine who would be the best fit for the role.

    For him, acting skills were the top priority. He knew that while action sequences and driving were crucial elements of the film, they weren��t insurmountable challenges.

    An actress could always learn the necessary moves from a martial arts instructor or rely on a stunt double to handle the more physically demanding scenes, including driving.

    While Hera was undeniably captivating and possessed an impressive skill set, the director wasn��t solely focused on those attributes.

    His priority was finding someone who could deliver the emotional depth andplexity needed to bring the heroine to life.

    Action and technical skills could be taught or outsourced, but authentic,pelling acting was non-negotiable.

    Hera chuckled softly, her demeanor calm and even slightly amused. "It��s already more than enough that I��ve been given the chance to audition. I��m grateful for that. Please send me the location and time, and I��ll make sure to be there."

    She had expected this oue all along. After all, in the novel, Alice also received a chance to audition for this same film, though her invitation came under unique circumstances.

    Alice had saved the director��s daughter, earning his gratitude and securing an audition as a gesture ofpensation.

    Initially, the director didn��t have high expectations for Alice and was even considering offering her a minor role instead.

    However, during the audition, Alice surprised him.

    Despite her innocent appearance, she turned out to be a skilled actress with a solid foundation.

    She managed to embody 85% of the heroine the director had envisioned.

    Although shecked martial arts and driving skills, her performance impressed him enough tomit to postponing filming by a few months so she could prepare adequately for the role.

    With that understanding, Hera knew that her martial arts and driving skills alone wouldn��t guarantee her sess��she still needed to prove herself.

    She wasn��t sure if Alice had secured a spot in the audition this time just like it was mentioned in the novel, but that didn��t matter; she needed to give it her all.

    If her memory served her correctly, Alice had likely received her invitation two or three days earlier.

    By now, Alice would have already practiced, created a detailed character biography, and thoroughly analyzed the heroine��s personality.

    While Alice��s acting resume appeared as spotless and untested as Hera��s, the truth was far different.

    Alice��s experience from her previous life, which included winning a prestigious acting award, gave her a significant advantage.

    Her ability to embodyplex characters allowed her topete with seasoned actresses effortlessly because she��s already one.

    It was no wonder the director had been thoroughly impressed by her performance in the novel.

 Chapter 541 Director Nick

    "Yup," Hera answered simply, her tone calm and collected.

    Her straightforward reply made Xavier raise an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his eyes. He hadn��t expected such nonchnce, especially considering that Director Nick wasn��t just a big name in the industry��this zombie apocalypse film was rumored to be a career-defining project.

    Being invited to audition, let alone being part of the cast or crew, was a monumental opportunity, something most would proudly boast about.

    But Hera remainedposed, her demeanor suggesting she knew more than she let on, yet she wasn��t inclined to make a spectacle of it.

    "Then let��s go together," Xavier said casually, his gaze fixed on Hera, gauging her every reaction.

    "I was invited to y the male lead. It wouldn��t be surprising if I sat with the director during the auditions for the female lead. After all, whoever gets the role will be working closely with me."

    He added thest part with a slight smirk, leaning back in his chair. Hera, too caught up in her own excitement, momentarily forgot to school her expressions.

    Xavier was taken aback. Hera��sck of surprise at hearing he was cast as the male lead was unexpected.

    The actor lineup for the movie had been tightly guarded, with even inside rumors subtly swirling that his rival actor might take the role. Many spected that Xavier, being notoriously busy, had declined the offer, leaving the part open for the second choice.

    And now, realizing Hera might be auditioning for the heroine��s role, Xavier��s perspective shifted. His interest in the project heightened. He wanted to be part of the film, ensuring that only he, the director, and the staff were privy to this revtion for now.

    The rumors about the male lead role were circting only among the elite actors and actresses��those already well-established in the industry.

    Many of them were vying for a chance to be cast in this film, doing whatever it took to gather insider information.

    However, this intel had not leaked to lower-tier celebrities, let alone the general public.

    That��s why Hera��s calm andposed reaction baffled Xavier. Most would have been shocked or at least intrigued by hearing such ssified information mentioned so casually. Unless... she already knew about it beforehand.

    The reason Hera wasn��t surprised was obvious��she already knew. It had been mentioned in the novel that Xavier��s schedule would soon open up due to unforeseen dys in some of his ongoing projects.

    The shooting locations for a few of his dramas had been canceled because of disputes over rights and contracts, which would take time to resolve.

    While waiting, Xavier��s agency was set to ept Director Nick��s offer for the male lead role in his film.

    Rafael, ever strategic and money minded, recognized the potential. He knew this project could once again catapult Xavier to global recognition, especially with Director Nick nning to submit the film to the Oscars.

    This information was supposed to be confidential, but Rafael had paid a hefty sum to uncover it.

    Thus, Xavier became the male lead, while Alice secured the role of the female lead. This was how Alice grew closer to Xavier in the novel��not solely because of Rafael and Minerva.

    While it was true that Alice met Xavier through Rafael, their connection deepened through this project.

    Working together on the film required them to share several intimate scenes, which naturally brought them closer.

    And this would be Xavier��s ever first romance action genre movie in the market which would attract all kind of fans which would highlight him and Alice to the point that both their fanbase would grow significantly, especially their loveteam shippers.

    After all, after Xavier stayed in the entertainment industry for a long time, this would be the very first time he would be acting in a romance action movie with someone, even when he has been asked to do it from day one but he stubbornly refused and so, many has thought that Xavier did it for Alice and that they are romantically involved.

    And because of this, Alice��s poprity skyrocketed and since they are working in the same entertainmentpany, their agency never cleared this misunderstanding up as it became a part of their marketing strategy to rile up the public to increase the visibility of the movie and make the general public be hooked up and invested to know how the movie will unfold, along with their on screen love team.

    All of this had beenid out in the novel, serving as a pivotal development in their rtionship.

    Hera was already fully aware of the developments surrounding the film, including the fact that the audition was invite-only��a highly confidential event where everything was kept under wraps.

    Given this, her calm reaction to Xavier��s question was unusual. She should have been surprised, or at least more guarded, but instead, she remainedposed. Fortunately for her, Xavier didn��t press further for details.

    "But don��t you have othermitments? Your schedule should be packed by now," Rafael��s deep voice called out from across the room, prompting Xavier to lift his gaze and meet his eyes.

    "Well, I can always request to postpone those projects for a special reason��they��re not that important anyway," Xavier replied with a smirk. "Besides, wouldn��t you be pleased if I joined the film? It could generate a lot more ie for thepany."

    Xavier knew exactly why Rafael was bringing it up��he didn��t want him involved, especially since it would mean more time spent with Hera.

    <i>Ring...</i>

    Xavier��s phone rang, its persistent tone cutting through the quiet room.

    Hezily pulled it out of his pocket, clearly uninterested in answering, but the ringing didn��t seem to stop. With a sigh, he stood up and walked a little farther away to take the call.

    Momentster, his expression shifted from boredom to a wide, mischievous grin as he nced back at Rafael. After hanging up, he returned to his seat, still wearing that yful smile.

 Chapter 542 Better Be Him Than Others

    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.

 Chapter 543 The Audition Location

    The warmth he had shown moments ago was gone, reced by an unsettling intensity that made him seem like an entirely different person. His driver shuddered involuntarily, sensing the oppressive shift in Leo��s mood.

    Knowing better than to ask questions, the driver could only grip the steering wheel tighter, silently praying for whoever might find themselves the target of Leo��s ire.

    After a half-hour drive, Luke and the others arrived at the audition venue.

    The location was far from the city center, tucked away in a secluded area that resembled a warehouse.

    It seemed the organizers had deliberately chosen this spot to ensure the casting process remained confidential.

    The moment the car came to a stop, Xavier jumped out of the back seat and moved to open the passenger door for Hera.

    Luke, noticing Xavier��s eagerness, stayed in the driver��s seat, leaving the task to him.

    However, just before Xavier could reach the door, Luke leaned over to Hera, who was busy unbuckling her seatbelt.

    He caught her attention with a quick kiss on her lips, then rested his forehead against hers, letting out a soft exhale as if grounding himself in the moment.

    "Don��t be nervous, and don��t overthink it. Just be yourself��I know you��ll amaze them," Luke said, his voice steady with unwavering confidence.

    His belief in her was so strong it bordered on blind faith, but Hera could tell he genuinely meant every word.

    "I will," Hera replied with a soft smile, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "We��ll let you know the good news soon," she added, her voice carrying a newfound confidence.

    "I��ll be waiting... and I��ll miss you," Luke said, his tone warm and sincere, his eyes lingering on her as if to hold onto the moment a little longer.

    Getting impatient, Xavier opened the door. "Don��t act as if you��ll not see her for a long time." He shot Luke a look.

    Luke chuckled softly as he released Hera from his embrace. "Of course. Even more than an hour feels too long," he said, his tone light but carrying a hint of truth.

    From the corner of his eye, he caught Xavier rolling his eyes. Luke smirked but didn��t bother responding.

    After all, how could Xavier possibly understand? He got to spend the most time with Hera while the rest of them were stuck ving away at their jobs, fully aware that someone was out there constantly flirting with their girl.

    The thought alone was enough to make their envy simmer beneath the surface.

    With a resigned smile, Luke gave Hera onest tender look and a small wave before sending her off.

    He stood by, watching as Xavier escorted her inside the building. The location, tucked away in a secluded area with tight security at the entrance, offered a sense of assurance.

    There was no need to worry about paparazzi lurking to snap photos of audition attendees.

    Thebination of privacy and security was exactly why this spot had been chosen��its distance from the bustling crowds only added to its appeal.

    As Luke exited through the guard��s gate, he retrieved the ID he had left when dropping Hera and Xavier off.

    The ID served as a help to record the visitors for security, which wouldter be forwarded to the film crew for reference.

    Only those with official invitations and their names on the guest list were allowed inside, ensuring the utmost discretion.

    With that, Luke started his car and drove off.

    When Hera entered the building with Xavier, she quickly sent him off to meet the director before anyone noticed they had arrived together.

    She wanted to avoid giving the impression that she had brought him along to intimidate the director or influence the casting process.

    After all, rumors about the second-choice male lead had already circted, and many still believed Xavier was the first-choice actor who had been offered the role on a silver tter.

    If Xavier��s presence here signaled his eptance of the role, it could easily stir unease among the other candidates.

    Worse, some might suspect that he intended to use his decision to ept as leverage to push Hera into the cast.

    To prevent any misunderstandings or unnecessary tension, Hera ensured their arrival appeared unconnected, maintaining professionalism and keeping the focus on her own audition.

    Hera, with her clean record, knew she would inevitably attract negative attention from the other attendees.

    Many would likely believe she didn��t deserve to be there, which could spark jealousy and retaliation.

    Even Alice, the protagonist of the novel, faced simr treatment in a simr situation.

    For Hera, who was publicly associated with influential figures, the scrutiny would be even harsher, making her an easy target for envy and judgment.

    If the others saw her entering with Xavier, it would only worsen matters.

    They might assume she was relying on his influence to secure her position, further tarnishing her reputation.

    However, while such assumptions were inevitable once people discovered Xavier��s presence inside, at least the dyed realization might work in her favor.

    At least, it would buy her enough time to review her script, rehearse, and prepare before the inevitable confrontations began.

    Hera was well aware of how far others might go to secure a coveted role.

    For many actresses, especially those without an agency to support them,nding even a single part could be a life-changing opportunity.

    This desperation could push them to resort to sabotaging others.

 Chapter 544 Causing Trouble Again

    The second-choice lead, now simmering with jealousy, couldn��t help but feel a pang of resentment.

    When he had arrived earlier, his reception had been far more subdued��nothing like the enthusiastic wee Xavier was getting.

    He scoffed, a hint of disdain in his tone. "So, you finally decided to show up? I thought you were going to ignore this film altogether." His words were sharp, deliberately stirring the pot as his simmering resentment boiled over.

    Thement caught the attention of everyone in the room, and they turned their eyes to Xavier, curiosity flickering in their gazes as they waited to hear his response.

    Xavier, a man who had long since proven his talent and whose sole reason for being there was his desire to act alongside Hera, dismissed the snide remark with the ease of someone unfazed by petty provocations.

    Instead, he turned his full attention to the director, calmly exining the recent changes to his schedule.

    Though his voice was measured and quiet, the ever-savvy Director Nick seized the opportunity to clear the air.

    He repeated Xavier��s exnation aloud, as if confirming the details for everyone present. The move was deliberate, silencing any lingering doubts or disappointment in the room.

    With the atmosphere shifted, Director Nick smoothly redirected the focus, sidelining the second-choice actor without ceremony.

    He invited Xavier to sit beside him to assist in choosing the female lead who would act alongside him.

    After all, Xavier��s skills were beyond question��his reputation as one of the best in the industry preceded him.

    For Director Nick, the choice was clear: Xavier was his top pick, even if it meant offending the other actor initially brought in to fill the role Xavier had almost turned down.

    Xavier took the time to subtly and patiently exin his scheduling conflict, ensuring that no one misinterpreted his presence as solely an act of support for Hera.

    He was determined to prevent anyone from dismissing her talent by attributing her sess to his influence.

    By framing his arrival as a mere coincidence, he aimed to align perfectly with Hera��s goal: to earn her role through her own skills and merit, free from the shadow of his reputation.

    Hera, meanwhile, had arrived at the waiting area where the other candidates were gathered.

    A staff member guided her to her seat and handed her the final number, marking her as thest to audition due to herst-minute addition.

    Scanning the room, Hera��s eyesnded on Alice, seated a little farther away.

    Despite being the target of subtle harassment from a few of the other actresses, Alice maintained herposure, quietly engrossed in her script.

    Her demeanor, while reserved, exuded a quiet grace that starkly contrasted with the petty antics around her.

    The actresses trying to provoke Alice seemed more focused on unsettling theirpetition than preparing for their own auditions.

    Unlike Alice, who was fully immersed in her script, these women had long since memorized their lines and were using the remaining time to distract others rather than refine their performances or calm their nerves.

    Their attempts to unnerve Alice, however, seemed to have little effect, as she remained steadfast in her preparation.

    However, not everyone resorted to underhanded tactics. Some candidates focused entirely on their preparation, exuding confidence in their readiness.

    These were the well-established actresses with strong connections or impressive backgrounds, making others wary of crossing them.

    Their status alone seemed to shield them from petty distractions, ensuring they could concentrate fully on the task at hand.

    Their tactics were underhanded but undeniably effective in diminishing some of thepetition.

    Hera, however, chose to remain unobtrusive. She quietly slipped into a seat hidden from view, ensuring she remained out of the spotlight.

    Without drawing any attention, she opened the script and immersed herself in it, her focus intense and undisturbed.

    Fully immersed in the script, Hera shut out everything around her, her focus honing with each turn of the page.

    She didn��t simply memorize the lines��she stepped into the character, imagining herself as the female lead.

    Every line, every emotion, was carefully considered, as though she were rehearsing a scene that was taking ce inside her head.

    As she breathed life into the role in her mind.

    Hera tried to envision what it would be like to be the female lead in a world consumed by desperation, where danger lurked at every turn��not only from the zombies roaming the streets, but from other humans, unrestrained byw or morality.

    How would she react in such a world? How would she fight to survive?

    Lost in her own thoughts, she didn��t realize that Alice had noticed her arrival. Without a word, Alice subtly directed the women who had been harassing her toward Hera��s quiet corner.

    "Why don��t you just stop? What do you hope to gain from targeting me? I��m just a neer with no connections, likely to be eliminated anyway without your distractions." Alice��s voice was steady, but her eyes sharp as she continued.

    "Instead of bullying me, why don��t you focus on that woman over there, the one who��s clearly been parachuted in by her suitors?"

    She pointed toward a corner of the room, partially hidden by arge indoor nt and the pir.

    The others followed her gesture, but when they looked, there was no one to be seen.

    Confusion swept over them, followed by frustration and anger. They exchanged nces, their faces twisting with irritation, as if Alice were mocking their intelligence.

    "Behind the pir," Alice added, her tone unwavering.

    Among the candidates, only a handful were neers��most were established, veteran actresses.

    Some wondered if these neers had been hired just to stir up trouble, perhaps with the promise of some benefit in exchange for causing chaos and distracting thepetition.

    After all, there was only one female lead role, and many were desperate to im it.

    While some would continue to fight for their chance, others might seize the opportunity to sabotage the rest, knowing they stood little chance themselves.

    With no staff around��everyone was inside the room attending to the needs of the other contestants��there was no one to intervene.

 Chapter 545 No Courtesy For The Troublemakers

    However, none of them stepped forward to expose her scheme. Some were likely too afraid of drawing attention to themselves, while others simply didn��t care enough to get involved.

    Especially since they were all action actresses, they were more arrogant and domineering than typical actresses.

    This often led even the neers to act with a certain level of tyranny during auditions.

    Being an action actress meant facing tougher demands and, depending on the director, harsher filming conditions.

    These challenges made them feel as though they operated in a different league from other actresses. As a result, many of them, like these few, were just as reckless and unapologetic in their behavior.

    After Alice pointed to Hera��s location, the troublemakers eyed the pir skeptically before shifting their gaze back to Alice.

    One of them stepped forward and peered around the pir. On the other side, she saw a stunning woman.

    Hera��s hair rested delicately on her shoulder as she tilted her head, her eyes focused on the script in her hands.

    It was as though her mind was absorbed in the words, yet lost in a sea of thoughts.

    Her beauty was ethereal��fragile yet heroic, in a way that was hard to define. She didn��t have the cold beauty of someone detached she instead looked inoocently pure, but rather the presence of a seasoned veteran, though her face suggested someone new to the industry.

    Still, there was something familiar about her, yet she couldn��t quite ce it.

    Thinking that she might indeed be a neer, as Alice had mentioned, the woman now believed Alice��s words without a doubt��Hera had been parachuted in by her suitor.

    Even she, as a woman, couldn��t help but feel drawn to the woman sitting in front of her.

    As someone who has not been scouted by major bigpanies, with talent butcking in the looks department, she felt a surge of irritation seeing Hera there.

    She had been paid handsomely and given some resources to target the others, and considered herself to be a shrewd woman who could weigh the pros and cons of any situation.

    Looking at Hera��so beautiful yet not at the top of the entertainment industry��she couldn��t help but wonder why such a stunning woman hadn��t yet been pushed into the limelight.

    It suggested that her suitors didn��t hold much power, or at least not the kind that could catapult her to fame.

    As she stood before Hera, watching her so absorbed in her reading that she didn��t even notice her presence, the woman��s thoughts sharpened, her irritation growing.

    "She��s here!" The woman called out with a sinister smirk, standing before Hera with an air of arrogance, like a gangster cornering their prey.

    Soon, the other troublemakers gathered around, moving closer to see who was on the other side of the pir.

    They found Hera, casually flipping through her script as though she hadn��t noticed their presence. The sight of her so nonchnt, so unaware, only made them scoff in disdain.

    Most of them had practiced martial arts at some point, or were seasoned actresses with a broad range of skills.

    The heroine of the movie they were auditioning for was meant to be a cold beauty, a woman who had endured the hardships of life and death multiple of times in the harsh world of the zombie apocalypse.

    But the woman sitting before them seemed more like an innocent princess, her delicate beautypletely at odds with the hardened character they expected.

    They all exchanged disdainful looks, some unable to resist the urge to make their presence known.

    One of them reached out to snatch the script from Hera��s hand, a deliberate move to get her attention.

    "Hey!"

    But Hera��s reflexes were faster. With a subtle shift, she evaded the hand that reached for her script, her eyes never leaving the page.

    She wasn��t ignoring them out of indifference��she heard Alice��s words clearly, and a sneer tugged at her lips. Still, she didn��t react with rm.

    This was the reason Hera despised bullying. It always seemed like the weak or unsuspecting were the targets, while those who couldn��t be easily manipted were ignored.

    Clearly, these actresses were still wrapped up in their own little world, preparing for the audition, and hadn��t yet caught wind of what Hera had been up to.

    If they had, they would��ve known better than to provoke her. After all, her name had been circting on the inte almost every day.

    "May I help you?" Hera asked casually, her eyes still fixed on the script in front of her. She didn��t bother looking up or showing any sign of respect.

    After all, why should she? The hostilitying from them was palpable, and she wasn��t about to offer courtesy to someone clearly looking to cause trouble.

    "We��re talking to you��are you deaf or just blind? You��re not even showing respect to your seniors?" one of the women snapped.

    "Hmm?" Hera nced up briefly, her lips curving into a sweet but knowing smile. "Respect should be mutual, don��t you think?" she replied, her tone light but pointed.

    The smile only served to grate on their nerves, and their irritation red.

    Alice, watching from the sidelines, couldn��t help but sneer in delight.

    Hera was digging her own grave, and Alice was more than pleased to watch it unfold.

    Not only had she managed to rid herself of these troublemakers, but now she was watching Hera be the new target��someone she had found irritating for some time.

    Alice leaned back, feeling smug, as she refocused on her script, satisfied with how things were ying out.

    "Do you even know the rules of the entertainment industry? Do you really want to stay here?" one of them snapped, her voice dripping with fury as she reached out to snatch the script from Hera. But with barely any effort, Hera shifted slightly, effortlessly avoiding the grasp.

 Chapter 546 I Haven’t Used It Yet

    Most people only thought about what they could gain from it. If there was a clear benefit to helping, they might step in, but more often than not, they preferred to stay on the sidelines.

    For now, they were content, knowing that someone else was dealing with the troublemakers on their behalf.

    "You <i>fucking</i> bitch! Are you treating us like fools?" One of them hissed, her veins bulging in fury as she clenched her fists.

    "You said it, not me," Hera replied coolly, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

    Maybe it was because she��d spent too much time around the male leads, but she��d started picking up Dave��s knack for dealing with these kinds of people.

    The thought of him made her smile even more��his attitude, his sarcastic demeanor��she answered in the same way she imagined Dave would.

    Meanwhile, in his office, Dave was sipping his ck coffee while his assistant reported thetest news.

    Out of nowhere, he suddenly sneezed��loud and sudden, causing everyone in the room to jump in surprise.

    The sneeze was so forceful that it sent the hot coffee sshing onto his trousers.

    "Holy shit! My <i>dick��s</i> gonna burn!" Dave yelled, leaping from his chair as he hastily set his coffee cup down.

    It just so happened that the hot coffee spilled exactly where his private part was currently positioned in his trouser, causing Dave to jump in surprise.

    Unfortunately, the hot coffee had spilled directly onto hisp, causing a sharp reaction. "Dammit! I haven��t even used this tool to please my woman yet��how could I let it suffer like this?" he muttered, causing his assistant and a few politicians listening in on the meeting to nearly burst intoughter.

    The seriousness of the meeting was momentarily forgotten as everyone tried to hold in their amusement.

    "Fuck! Who��s cursing me now?! Damn it, they��re trying to end my lineage! What am I supposed to do if I get crippled here? My woman will leave me!" Dave ranted, his voice panicked as he rushed to the nearby bathroom, urgently stripping off his trousers to make sure the hot coffee hadn��t caused any serious damage.

    Only after Dave had exited the room, followed by his frantic assistant, did the other politicians burst intoughter, banging on the table in amusement.

    They had never seen this side of Dave before.

    Usually, he was the charming, scheming fox in the office, but today, he was a flustered mess.

    Fortunately, all the people present were close political allies of his family, so they took it as a harmless, funny moment.

    One of them, who had been recording the meeting for reference, quickly sent the video to the Carson family patriarch.

    Dave��s grandfather, along with the rest of the family, found out that Dave has a woman��who he had yet to touch but he almost got his private��s burn��and they couldn��t stopughing.

    The video was reyed over and over, and theyughed until they couldn��t anymore.

    Back on Hera��s side, her sharp retort had sessfully enraged the group of troublemakers, and one of them, seething with anger, raised her arm, clearly intending to strike Hera.

    "NEXT auditioner, please!" Just then, the person who just finished their audition walked out of the room, apanied by a member of the filming crew, who promptly called for the next candidate.

    Although Hera was sitting near the pir, she was positioned close to the door, so the crew member immediately noticed the group standing around her.

    Hera��s expression shifted, and in an instant, her eyes welled up with tears, as if on cue, turning on the waterworks.

    When the crew member saw the group of troublemakers standing in front of Hera, clearly on the verge of causing harm, her attention shifted to the woman sitting nearby.

    Hera��s eyes were red, swollen like a rabbit��s, as she desperately held back tears, trying to appear brave while biting her lower lip.

    As soon as Hera��s eyes met the crew member��s, she let out a soft, shaky hup, as if she had just spotted her savior.

    Her eyes, wide with distress, seemed to silently scream for help, pleading with the crew to intervene.

    Instantly, the crew��s expression darkened. "What��s going on here?" she asked, her voice sharp as she stepped closer and shut the door behind her.

    The troublemakers were caught off guard, unable to process what was happening. They opened their mouths, ready to make excuses.

    "We were just asking��" one of them began, but before they could finish, they noticed the crew��s frown deepen. Panic crept in as their eyes instinctively turned toward Hera.

    To their shock, Hera��s earlier sarcastic expression had vanished in an instant, reced by an entirely different demeanor.

    In that split second, her previously confident face was now a mask of vulnerability.

    The shift was enough to make their limbs feel weak, as a sudden chill ran through their bodies, leaving them unsettled and unsure of what would happen next.

    "Didn��t we make ourselves clear already?" The crew��s voice was icy, her gaze unwavering. "Anyone causing trouble will be immediately disqualified."

    The troublemakers�� faces drained of color, but they still scrambled toe up with an excuse. Before they could speak, however, Hera��s voice cut through the air, sharp and firm.

    "Sister, I��m okay," Hera choked out, her voice thick with restrained emotion.

    Although the crew member was in her mid-tote thirties, hearing Hera call her "sister" instantly made her warm to the girl even more.

    The sight of Hera��s face, filled with contained grievance, only deepened the crew member��s sympathy.

    It made her side with Hera all the more, her gaze sharpening as she turned to the troublemakers.

    Despite Hera��s words, her expression told a different story.

    The faint tremor in her voice,ced with a hint of fear, spoke volumes��she had clearly been threatened.

    The crew member didn��t need to ask further questions. She already knew what was happening.

    Intimidation like this wasn��t umon in the industry, though it was usually done subtly so as to maintain the aggressor��s public image. But being caught red-handed, as these troublemakers were, was a different matter entirely.

 Chapter 547 Bad Guys Being Punished

    "Ma��am, this is��" one of the troublemakers began, attempting to appeal to the crew member.

    But she was immediately cut off. "Enough," the crew member said sharply, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

    Without wasting another second, she reopened the door behind her and gestured for someone inside.

    Until now, no one inside the room had realized anything unusual was happening. Inside, Director Nick had been preupied discussing the script with Xavier, his lead actor.

    After a moment, someone stepped out in response to the crew member��s call, their expression curious but professional as they noticed the tense atmosphere brewing in the hallway.

    "What is it?" the male crew member asked as he stepped out, his brows furrowed in mild confusion.

    "Stay here and watch over the situation. We can��t let anyone cause trouble��it��ll drag the reputation of our production team through the mud," the female crew member said firmly, casting a sharp nce at the troublemakers.

    Everything had escted so quickly that the onlookers had been holding their breath, too stunned to intervene earlier.

    Now, hearing the crew��s stern words, they realized just how serious the matter had be. The male crew member nodded, positioning himself near the door like a silent sentinel.

    The troublemakers exchanged uneasy nces, their earlier bravado faltering.

    They understood the implication: the female crew member was going inside to report the incident, and once the higher-ups got wind of their behavior, the consequences would be dire.

    The reason no one had been stationed to keep watch from the start was simple: they believed the initial warnings would be enough.

    After all, Director Nick��s infamous temper was well-known in the industry, and everyone understood his zero-tolerance policy for bullying on set.

    Being caught engaging in such behavior wasn��t just a breach of conduct��it was almost a guaranteed career setback.

    Although Director Nick wouldn��t actively cklist anyone, being dismissed from his film carried heavy implications.

    It either suggested ipetence or a significant character w, both of which could tarnish an actor��s reputation.

    No one in their right mind wanted to risk either. However, the troublemakers�� audacity had proven that not everyone heeded the warning, prompting the crew to take more decisive action.

    Being cast out of one of Director Nick��s films effectively meant the end of any future opportunities to work with him.

    Director Nick had no tolerance for unprofessional behavior, and once someone fell out of his favor, they were permanently excluded from consideration for his projects.

    With no shortage of talent in the entertainment industry��a field constantly refreshed by new faces��there was little incentive for him to give second chances.

    Those unable to adapt and meet his standards would inevitably find themselves sidelined and forgotten, as the relentless tide of the industry moved on without them.

    After the new male crew member took his position outside the door to stand guard, the next candidate was promptly ushered into the audition room to ensure the schedule remained on track.

    Inside, the female crew member entered and made her way directly to Director Nick.

    Politely excusing herself, she approached him with a sense of urgency. Director Nick, ever perceptive, immediately noticed her tense demeanor.

    Leaning back slightly in his chair, his expression darkened as he prepared to listen.

    The female crew member leaned in and whispered the situation into his ear, her words drawing an even deeper frown across his face as he processed the troubling news.

    Upon learning what had transpired, Director Nick was already seething, though he managed to maintain aposed exterior.

    With a curt wave of his hand, he dismissed the crew to take care of the troublemakers, his voice cold as he added, <i>"Make sure they��re taught a proper lesson. It seems I��ve been far too lenienttely, and some people have forgotten that even I have limits to my patience."</i>

    His demeanor shifted instantly, the previously casual and approachable director now reced by amanding and indifferent presence.

    The transformation was palpable, and the room��s atmosphere grew tense.

    Even Xavier, who had been speaking with him moments watched silently as this unfolded, while the second-choice male lead actor instinctively lowered his gaze, trying to shrink into the background and avoid drawing any unwanted attention.

    The female crew member retrieved the files of the troublemakers, stamped each with a bold "Failed," and walked out to escort them away without asking for further exnations.

    After all, they had already been given a chance to exin earlier, and instead of owning up to their mistakes, they continued trying to wriggle out of ountability.

    She had seen this kind of tactic far too many times��one nce was enough for her to see through their excuses and the truth.

    The troublemakers, on the other hand, had not anticipated the situation escting to this extent.

    Their naivety betrayed their inexperience; as newbies in the industry, they didn��t yet grasp the weight of their actions.

    They also didn��t fully understand the consequences of being used as pawns��paid handsomely with resources aspensation��to stir up trouble.

    What they failed to realize was that the risk they took was far greater than the reward. No seasoned professional would have agreed to be a scapegoat.

    Now, not only had they been disqualified, but their reputations were tarnished, effectively cutting their budding careers short. It was a harsh lesson, but one the industry had no qualms about delivering.

    After the troublemakers were escorted out, the female crew member promptly called their small-time managers to inform them of the incident, delivering a stern warning.

    Once the calls were made and the matter settled, she turned her attention to Hera.

    Hera was still sitting by the pir, her head lowered, eyes staring nkly at her script as though she were ming herself for the chaos that had unfolded.

    Her eyes had reddened further, and she looked so despondent, so quietly distraught, that even the male crew member couldn��t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

    Seeing her in such a vulnerable state tugged at his heart, and for a moment, he wished there was more he could do to ease her pain.

 Chapter 548 Scene 26

    Moreover, no one had spoken up to cover for the troublemakers, as no one wanted to be dragged into their mess.

    If anyone spoke against Hera now, it would only sound like victim-ming and expose their own ws for not standing up for her when it was clear she was being targeted.

    Hera��s responses, no matter how sarcastic they might have seemed, would be viewed as a defense mechanism��a way for her to protect herself.

    Everyone understood that, even if the words sounded sharp. And apart from the troublemakers, no one had witnessed how Hera had appeared earlier when she was facing them down.

    They didn��t see how quickly her expression had shifted, how she had gone from sarcasm to vulnerability in the blink of an eye.

    So, even if the troublemakers tried to exin themselves, it would only hurt their case. Their excuses would seem like attempts to shift the me, avoiding ountability for their actions, and only furthering their downfall.

    With a final,forting pat on Hera��s shoulder, the female crew member turned and headed back inside.

    Sending a stern warning was only the first step; there were other measures to take.

    They needed to send a clear message to the entire industry��to ensure that actors knew the consequences of crossing the line on their production.

    It wasn��t just about this incident; it was about setting a precedent. Everyone had to understand that such behavior would not be tolerated.

    After hearing theforting words from the female crew member, Hera nodded without looking up, but inside, she was struggling to hold back a wide grin.

    Her shoulders trembled slightly, betraying the effort it took to maintain herposure.

    The female and male crew, noticing this, could only pity her more, unaware that Hera was fighting the urge tough out loud at the absurdity of it all.

    Meanwhile, Alice, who had tried to redirect the trouble to Hera, bit her lip in frustration.

    Her eyes burned with hatred as she red at the pir blocking Hera��s figure, as if wishing she could burn a hole through it.

    If only she had known how this would turn out.

    She regretted not enduring the harassment on her own, thinking that if she had, she could have secured a more favorable impression of herself��one that would surely reach Director Nick��s ears.

    Now that the atmosphere had quieted, Hera returned to reading her script in silence.

    No one dared to stir up trouble again, and the audition process continued smoothly as candidates, both newbies and veterans, entered and exited the room.

    Each audition typicallysted between 15 to 20 minutes, and soon, Alice had regained control of her expression, redirecting her focus back to her goal.

    Although Hera had earned a favorable impression, Alice was determined to secure the role for herself.

    To her, Hera��s gain would only amount to a fleeting impression, nothing more.

    With that resolve, Alice silently immersed herself in her script and character background, preparing herself to ace the audition.

    Soon, it was Alice��s turn. As she entered the room and saw Xavier sitting beside the Director, her expression softened, and she straightened, waiting for the Director��s signal.

    Each candidate was assigned a different scene based on the Director��s direction, so no one knew what scene they would be performing.

    As the Director observed Alice, her face exuded a perfect bnce of innocence and fiery confidence.

    Her striking red hair only amplified her strong, edgy presence. The Director nodded, clearly impressed by her appearance, signaling her to begin.

    "Please start with scene 26," the Director instructed. After Alice helped his daughter, the Director had developed a positive impression of her.

    He appreciated that Alice had only asked for the opportunity to audition and hadn��t made any outrageous demands.

    In fact, he admired her character for not taking the easy route by asking to be cast as the heroine in his film��a request he knew many others would have made.

    Her decision showed both courage and alignment with his own values of integrity.

    Because of this, when the Director saw Alice, he couldn��t help but show a little leniency. Understanding that she was still a neer, he decided to assign her a slightly easier scenepared to the others, especially since he didn��t have too much of an expectation.

    Scene 26 was a moment in the script, where the heroine and the male lead, having spent the entire day running through the city trying to survive, finally found a moment to rest and converse.

    They exchanged their experiences and tried to make sense of the zombie apocalypse, discussing what had happened and where they should go next.

    Since this scene involved a dynamic conversation between the two leads, Alice would need to act alongside the male lead.

    This meant that, even if she didn��tnd the role, the interaction would still be a valuable learning experience for her.

    Alice looked at Xavier expectantly, hoping he would take the lead, but Xavier remained motionless in his seat. It was clear that he had no interest in participating.

    Seizing the opportunity, the second-choice male lead stood up with a confident air, eager to demonstrate his skills and prove to the director that he was not only a better team yer but also a more capable actor than Xavier.

    He stepped onto the small stage, his gaze fixed on Alice with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

    It was clear he was captivated by her beauty, but there was also an underlying sense ofpetition in his demeanor as he prepared for the scene.

    When Alice heard the cue to start, her innocent and gentle expression quickly morphed into one of exhaustion.

    She panted heavily, her face filled with a mix of fear and confusion, unable toprehend the chaos unfolding around her.

    Despite the terror, she knew she had to keep running, had to survive.

    She dropped to one knee, taking a moment to steady her breathing, her body still trembling from the physical and emotional strain of the scene.

 Chapter 549 Who The Role Belongs To

    By the time thirty minutes had gone by, an uneasy tension filled the air.

    Everyone waiting outside began to sense that something was off.

    This was the first time a candidate had stayed inside for so long, and the atmosphere shifted.

    Whispers rippled through the crowd, with many already assuming that this neer had secured the role.

    A sense of dejection began to settle over those who had hoped for their own chance, their hopes dimming as they realized that Alice might soon take the lead.

    "How could this be?! Sister Mei, you��re the most talented action star in the industry, and you��ve even worked with Director Nick on one of his films, which catapulted you to new heights because of your impressive martial arts skills and acting talent. We all thought this role was practically yours, and that this audition was just a formality, something to keep the gossip at bay. But how is it that this neer is still inside the audition room, longer than you?"

    "Does this mean they��ve already made their decision and chosen her?"

    "Do you think she��ll evene out of there, or are they already discussing the role��s details with her?"

    Soon, one after another, the candidates approached Sister Mei, trying tofort her while voicing their frustrations.

    They couldn��t ept the oue. If they had lost to a seasoned actress like her, they could have at least understood; after all, she had proven her abilities time and time again.

    But to think they were losing to a neer felt like swallowing a fly��it was a bitter pill they couldn��t easily swallow, and their pride couldn��t bear it.

    Yet, they had forgotten that this so-called "Sister Mei" had once been a neer too, just like them.

    So, what really set them apart? What was the difference after all?

    Hera remained seated, quietly reviewing her script, unfazed by the chatter andmotion around her.

    No one dared to disturb her again, though it was clear she was being overlooked and even dismissed by the others.

    Yet, she didn��t mind. She was focused solely on her task. Almost an hour passed before Alice finally emerged from the room, followed by the female crew members who hade out earlier.

    Their faces were all smiles, clearly impressed and appreciative of Alice��s performance.

    It was evident that Alice had been in a detailed discussion with the director and the crew.

    They had asked her about her thoughts on the role and had conducted an impromptu interview, diving deeper into her understanding and interpretation of the character.

    As Alice stepped out of the room, she couldn��t resist shooting Hera a subtle, smug look, a small grin tugging at the corners of her lips.

    She could tell from the approving nces of the director, assistant director, and other staff that her acting had left a strong impression on them.

    Alice felt a surge of pride; after all, her confidence came from the years of experience she��d umted in her past life, something Hera clearlycked.

    In her mind, the role was already hers. If she hadn��t been worried about the first contender, Sister Mei, she certainly wasn��t about to be intimidated by Hera.

    Alice couldn��t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction as she imagined how devastated Hera would be when she entered the room.

    While, everyone seemed to still be talking about her, leaving Herapletely ignored.

    In fact, Alice had almost been cast on the spot by Director Nick; she had embodied the role so well��about 80% of it, in fact��that she even outshone the well-established Sister Mei.

    The director had already interviewed Alice and discussed the role and filming logistics, yet, just as he was about to finalize his decision, Xavier spoke up, suggesting they give the other candidates a chance before making a final call.

    Out of respect for Xavier, Director Nick decided to continue with the auditions, though it was clear to everyone that Alice had set a high bar.

    With only a few candidates left, they were all eager to wrap things up.

    Unfortunately for the other candidates, no one performed better than Alice after her turn.

    One of the key reasons Director Nick grew so fond of her was the fact that she was still a neer.

    With her raw talent, he saw immense potential for her to grow into an even better actress.

    The thought of guiding her through the process, helping her refine her craft, and potentially witnessing her breakthrough during filming excited him.

    He could already envision Alice winning both the Best Neer and Best Actress awards in the future.

    This made him more focused on Alice��s potential than the other candidates, and, as Alice had predicted, the attention remained on her.

    The discussions shifted toparing her to the others, with many now specting on how she would perform in the role.

    Alice had set the bar so high that the candidates who followed after her were left feeling disheartened.

    As they performed in front of the stage, it was clear that no one was paying attention to them anymore.

    When they exited the room after only a brief 10-minute session, they slumped back into their chairs, their expressions drained, as if their very souls had been sucked out.

    Meanwhile, Alice couldn��t hide her growing glee. With each new person who came out looking defeated, her sense of triumph swelled, and anticipation buzzed in her chest.

    The excitement of what was toe next only deepened her eagerness��now, all she could think about was Hera��s turn.

    Since Hera was thest in line, it took a little longer for her turn toe, but it arrived quickly nheless.

    No one had stayed inside for more than 10 minutes, and each candidate was promptly sent out after their scene.

    "NEXT,st candidate, please!" The female crew emerged from the room, looking tired but stillposed.

    When she noticed Hera standing up with a warm smile, she couldn��t help but return the gesture.

    Her good impression of Hera made her treat the actress with extra kindness, so she gently guided Hera inside with a smile.

    "Do your best," she whispered encouragingly before quietly settling into a corner of the room.

 Chapter 550 Hera’s Turn

    A wave of confusion crossed his mind��what was someone like her even doing at the audition?

    It seemed impossible that she could embody the role, let alone portray the fiery, cold, and indifferent character he had in mind.

    At least Alice had that fiery intensity, a quality that somewhat aligned with the action-packed, fierce nature of the heroine��far closer to what the role demanded along with the cold, indifferent demeanor that was ingrained in the character��s very essence.

    However, as Director Nick nced down at Hera��s profile and saw the words <i>"Phantom, Race��s Champion, personally invited by Director Nick,"</i> his entire body stiffened.

    He looked up at Hera, his gaze sharpening.

    The others, still preupied with discussing Alice, didn��t seem to notice his shift in attention.

    While their voices weren��t loud, they weren��t exactly subtle either, and their conversation drifted to Hera��s ears.

    Hearing the conversations around him, Director Nick expected Hera to be disheartened like the other candidates.

    He remembered how she looked when she was driving the other day��so different from the woman standing before him now.

    If not for her refined temperament and her almost ethereal features, he might have easily dismissed her, just like the others.

    He was already leaning towards Alice, but now, something about Hera piqued his interest. However, he wasn��t given much time to dwell on it.

    Hera��s innocent and elegant aura shifted the moment she heard the Director��s instructions.

    Her expression changed instantly, but unlike Alice, who had a partner to assist her, no one stepped onto the stage to help Hera.

    Instead, Xavier rose from his seat, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.

    All eyes followed him as he moved.

    By this time, Hera had already bent down, her posture slumped with confusion.

    She looked dazed��more puzzled and angry than fearful��her emotions clear as she struggled to understand what was happening.

    After all, she had just supposedly witnessed people close to her being killed and torn apart in front of her.

    Hera stared at her clean hands, as though they were stained with the blood of those lost.

    A cold, seething anger simmered beneath her skin, as if the shbacks of the gruesome events were ying relentlessly in her mind.

    Xavier, now on stage, seamlessly slipped into his role.

    His expression became one of exhaustion, as though he had been running nonstop until they reached a point where they could momentarily rest.

    The entire room fell silent, captivated by the raw intensity of Xavier and Hera��s performance.

    The atmosphere shifted, as if the audience had been transported into the scene itself.

    They could almost see the protagonists, drenched in sweat and blood, their eyes flickering with a range of emotions.

    Without a single word exchanged, the room was filled with unspoken feelings��tension, grief, and desperation.

    Hera��s once-innocent expression began to crack, and in that moment, her naive view of the world seemed to slowly crumble.

    It was in the subtle shift of her gaze, the slight tremor of her movements, that the audience could feel the transformation of her character.

    Every small action spoke volumes.

    Despite Xavier��s impable skill, Hera held her own.

    She wasn��t overshadowed. Instead, there was an undeniable harmony between them, a silent chemistry that enhanced their portrayal of the scene.

    The acting was so raw, so real, that the room seemed to vibrate with emotion.

    As the scene unfolded, a wave of excitement, sorrow, and pain washed over the viewers, each feeling a shiver down their spine as they connected with the intense, palpable emotions of the two protagonists.

    The room was so absorbed in their performance that no one could pinpoint when the acting had stopped.

    Slowly, Hera and Xavier��s expressions returned to normal.

    Hera��s once cold, indifferent eyes shifted, transforming into sparkling orbs��bright and intense, like stars descending to earth.

    Her gaze radiated warmth, and with a gentle smile, she bowed to the room.

    A small bead of sweat formed on her forehead, a subtle reminder of the intensity of the scene.

    In that instant, the heroine of the movie faded away, reced by Hera, the actress herself.

    The shift in her demeanor was so striking that it snapped everyone out of their reverie, leaving them momentarily stunned.

    The rawness of her transformation had been so seamless that the line between character and performer had blurred, leaving asting impression on everyone in the room.

    Hera had perfectly embodied the role of the heroine, so much so that it felt as though the very character the Director had envisioned had trulye to life.

    For a moment, it was as if the heroine herself had descended into the room, standing before them, breathing, and living.

    The transformation was soplete that it was hard to distinguish where the character ended and Hera began.

    "Yes! That��s it! She��s my heroine!!" Director Nick eximed, leaping from his seat so abruptly that his chair toppled behind him.

    The sudden movement startled everyone, but it was quickly followed by a burst of apuse.

    No one objected when the Director announced that Hera would be chosen for the role.

    It was clear to everyone in the room that there was something distinct in Hera��s performance��a subtle yet undeniable difference in how she brought the character to life.

    It was the kind of depth and authenticity that set her apart from Alice, making the choice an obvious one.

    Hera had embodied the heroine so perfectly that even the screenwriter couldn��t hold back her emotions.

    She pped her hands, her smile wide, and a few tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

    Earlier, when Alice performed, the screenwriter had nodded in approval, but something had feltcking in Alice��s portrayal��she hadn��t quite captured the depth of the heroine��s emotions.

    However, as soon as Hera took the stage, everything clicked into ce.

    The way she conveyed the character��s emotions resonated deeply with the screenwriter, making her feel a stronger connection to the heroine than she ever had before.

 Chapter 551 Bagged The Role

    In hindsight, his actions showed ack of consideration for Hera��s circumstances.

    As someone he personally invited because she had the essence and physicality of the heroine he envisioned, he should have ensured she had adequate time to prepare.

    Instead, his excitement led him to thrust her into an audition on such short notice, essentially setting her up for failure.

    If Hera hadn��t been as remarkable as she was��calm, collected, and resourceful��she might have buckled under the pressure.

    A less capable neer could have easily been overwhelmed, unsure of where to begin.

    Realizing this, Nick scratched the back of his head awkwardly, silently grateful for Hera��s poise and talent that saved him from losing out on what could be the perfect actress for his film.

    He made a mental note to handle such situations with more thoughtfulness in the future.

    "I came here to check on her because I was concerned, but deep down, I believed she could pull it off. And now, it seems I was right. What do you think?" Xavier said, his tone calm yet confident.

    His words caught everyone off guard, as they weren��t ustomed to him speaking so much.

    Known for his aloof andzy demeanor both on and off the screen, this rare moment of candor made them pause.

    It slowly dawned on the crew that Xavier��s earlier suggestion to proceed with the audition after Alice��s performance wasn��t merely professional courtesy��it was a deliberate move to ensure Hera got her chance to perform in front of them.

    Gratitude rippled through the room as they exchanged nces.

    If not for Xavier��s quiet insistence, they might have missed this extraordinary talent��a hidden gem that had now dazzled them all.

    They didn��t suspect Xavier of coaching Hera about the role beforehand.

    After all, the production team had strict protocols in ce to manage the script��s distribution, ensuring it was essible only to audition participants.

    Even someone like Xavier wouldn��t have been exempt from repercussions if he had shared the script without approval.

    However, they couldn��t help but wonder if Hera��s exceptional performance was influenced by Xavier��s presence and support.

    As if reading their thoughts, Xavier added, "I haven��t had the chance to teach Hera any acting techniques myself, but I heard her manager, Betty Dwane, brought in the best acting instructor in the industry to train her. She��s only had a week of lessons."

    "A week?! Only a week?!" the director eximed, his voice filled with astonishment.

    Most actors in the industry invest months, if not years, in rigorous acting sses before making a mark.

    Companies often ensure their rookies are trained extensively, yet Hera managed to achieve this level of performance with just a week of preparation.

    What��s more, the instructor who trained her wasn��t just anyone��it was <i>the</i> "Witch of the Stage," known for her impossibly high standards, choosy nature, and perfectionism.

    She was notorious for turning away promising students, refusing to teach anyone she deemed unworthy of her time.

    For Hera to not only secure the witch��s approval but also receive her go-ahead in just one week spoke volumes about her innate talent.

    The realization sent a chill down Director Nick��s spine.

    He had nearly overlooked this star-in-the-making because of his earlier impulsiveness.

    The thought made him break into a cold sweat, but alongside the regret, there was a surge of gratitude toward Xavier for ensuring Hera got her chance to shine.

    "Great! Great!" Director Nick eximed, his eyes scanning the room with an intense gaze.

    "I suppose no one will disagree with me when I say that Miss Hera Ainsley is the perfect choice for the heroine of this movie?"

    Though his words were framed as a question, his tone was more like amand,ced with a veiled threat, as if daring anyone to oppose him.

    His expression was stern, almost murderous, but the tension in the room was quickly dispelled.

    No one was foolish enough to challenge his decision��not when it was so clear that Hera had the talent to not only bring the character to life but to carry the film to sess.

    They could already envision her winning awards for her performance.

    The film festival, the Oscars��they could taste the des, and the thought only reinforced their confidence. With Hera in the lead, they knew they were on the brink of something monumental.

    "Who would be foolish enough to oppose?"

    "Exactly! With our best actor and the rise of a new star in the making, this movie is destined for sess. We��re practically guaranteed back-to-back awards once it��s finished. Who in their right mind would disagree?"

    "That��s right. It��s an honor to be a part of this movie, knowing that we��re helping tounch a new best actress into the world. We��re all fortunate to witness this talente to life."

    One by one, the crew chimed in, their words filled with excitement and agreement.

    After a moment of shared approval, the Director picked up Hera��s printed profile and stamped it with a confident "approved."

    Without hesitation, he jumped straight into the interview, eager to dive deeper.

    Throughout the entire process, Xavier stood by Hera��s side, offering silent support to ease her nerves.

    But to his surprise, Hera remained calm andposed, her smile never fading as she answered each question with poise and grace.

    "Thank you so much for this opportunity, Director, and to everyone here," Hera said, giving them another humble and sincere bow.

    Her genuine gratitude was unmistakable, and it struck everyone with a sense of warmth��something they hadn��t felt in a long time from other actors they��d worked with.

    "Don��t be too polite with us, Hera," Director Nick said with a heartyugh, his eyes bright with excitement.

    "From now on, we��ll be working together as a team. We��ve got your back, and you don��t need to stand on ceremony with us. For this short time, we��ll be like family��rising and falling together."

 Chapter 552 Why Would I Fear?

    He could tell how genuine Director Nick��s interest in Hera was, and he silently observed, ready to step in if needed to help negotiate on her behalf.

    Typically, such discussions would wait until the contract signing the following day, but Director Nick was so pleased with Hera��s performance that he spoke candidly, without any reservations.

    Hera, too, was taken aback by the Director Nick��s openness.

    She hadn��t expected such a warm reception, and as his words sank in, a swell of pride and happiness filled her heart.

    Being acknowledged by a renowned director in the industry made her feel that her talent had been truly recognized.

    It fueled her determination to work even harder and prove herself worthy of the opportunities ahead.

    She shed a radiant smile that took everyone by surprise, as if their hearts had been captured by the beauty before them.

    For a moment, the room seemed to stand still, enchanted by her presence.

    Xavier instinctively stepped forward, a possessive urge rising within him, but just as quickly, he hesitated and retreated to his original spot.

    He knew that Hera was destined for greater heights, and her journey would take her to a stage where countless others would admire and love her.

    More than his own possessiveness, he longed to see her shine like a star, to be by her side as she reached for her dreams, eager to witness her sess firsthand.

    After a brief, stunned silence, everyone finally broke into smiles, joining Hera in her moment of triumph.

    Laughter and excited chatter filled the room as they eagerly discussed the heroine and how she managed to craft such apelling character background.

    They marveled at the depth with which she portrayed the character��s emotions at key moments.

    The screenwriter, who had also written the original script, watched Hera with a look of admiration, her eyes wide with excitement, as if she were a fan witnessing a rising star.

    Hera paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face, before she spoke. "I imagined myself in her position," she began, her voice steady.

    "When you��re young and na?ve, you look at the world with hope, believing in a better future��one where you��re surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues. Those people are your world."

    "But when something as horrifying as a zombie apocalypse happens out of nowhere, the first thing I��d feel is confusion��just trying to understand why this is happening. And then, instead of fear, I think I��d feel anger."

    "The people I love, the ones closest to me, they start dying right before my eyes, and I don��t even understand why it��s happening. Before I even get a chance to make sense of it, they��re gone. Don��t you think that��s unfair?"

    Her words hung in the air, raw and honest, revealing the depth of her understanding of the character��s pain.

    Hera��s gaze grew more intense as she continued, her words cutting through the air with a raw emotion that seemed to resonate with everyone in the room.

    "And fear? Why would I fear, when I��m thest one left in a world without the people I loved, the ones I��d hoped to spend my life with? No, at that moment, I wouldn��t fear."

    "Instead, I would condemn the world for what it had be. I��d want to eradicate every single thing that took my family from me."

    "But beyond that... my loved ones died to give me a chance to live. And so, instead of giving in to despair, I would grit my teeth, embrace the cold indifference, and survive. I would show them��show my family��that their sacrifice wasn��t in vain. Even if I couldn��t take down every zombie, I would find a way to carve my own path, to keep moving forward."

    As Hera spoke, the screenwriter��s eyes widened with realization.

    Hera had perfectly captured the very emotions she had poured into the script��emotions she hadn��t even known how to express herself until now.

    In her early days of writing, she had been bitter and angry at the world, feeling overlooked and dismissed.

    She didn��t want to write just another typical romance; she yearned to create a story about battle-hardened, wounded characters��like wolvesing together, licking their wounds and fighting side by side, growing stronger with each battle.

    It was her way of expressing what she herself had felt: the struggle, the need to be seen, to fight for her own ce in the world.

    Hearing Hera voice those very sentiments, the screenwriter��s chest tightened with emotion.

    It was as if Hera had unlocked a part of her soul.

    She wanted to cry, remembering the pain of fighting alone, only to have her struggles ignored by those around her.

    But now, seeing Hera embody those feelings with such authenticity, she couldn��t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

    Hera had understood herpletely, channeling every bit of that raw emotion into the character she had created.

    The other candidates all portrayed their heroines as fearful��afraid of the world they now found themselves in, terrified of being alone in a reality that had be unrecognizable.

    Their characters were driven by the constant dread of dying, the fear of betrayal, the uncertainty of survival.

    But Hera��s portrayal was different. It wasn��t about fear; it was about resilience, about anger, and the will to survive for something greater than just life itself.

    That was the missing element, the one thing that had always felt absent in the other performances.

    Now, the screenwriter understood why she had never been fully satisfied with their portrayals.

    It wasn��t just about fear��it was about the fight to reim purpose, to make the pain of survival mean something.

    As the realization dawned on her, the screenwriter��s eyes filled with tears, her emotions overwhelming her.

    She nodded vigorously, her eyes rimmed red with unshed tears, feeling a deep connection to Hera.

    She had created this heroine as a reflection of her own struggles, her own longing to be seen, to have her voice heard.

 Chapter 553 Who’s The Bed Warmer?

    With that thought, the excitement to begin filming grew among the crew.

    Everyone was caught up in their own reflections as Hera was escorted outside by the same female crew member who had initially brought her in.

    Xavier remained behind, but Hera, unaware of the time, stepped out after spending over an hour and a half inside.

    Between performing two scenes��one more than Alice��and engaging in a long conversation with Director Nick and the others, she hadn��t realized how much time had passed.

    When she emerged, the waiting candidates were surprised. They had assumed Hera had already left unnoticed, as no announcement was made and the staff seemed too busy with discussions to send anyone home.

    Seeing her now, many couldn��t believe she had spent twice as long inside the room as Alice had.

    It was clear to everyone that something extraordinary had transpired during her time there.

    Even Alice, upon seeing Hera step out, felt her fury rise to an almost uncontroble level.

    Her eyes burned with barely concealed anger, though she forced herself to maintain aposed expression.

    Internally, she was seething, cursing Hera for what she perceived as an attempt to steal the role that she believed rightfully belonged to her.

    To Alice, the heroine role was hers��undisputed and destined.

    The mere thought of Hera, who seemed to constantly overshadow her and take what she felt was hers, was enough to ignite a vindictive desire within her.

    Though she didn��t dare to act out openly, the simmering resentment made her yearn for an opportunity tosh out and put Hera in her ce.

    She despised it when things didn��t go her way��especially when she believed they were rightfully hers.

    Her frustration festered, and with each passing day, her hatred for Hera grew more intense.

    The bitterness consumed her thoughts, pushing her to darker ces, until she began to entertain the idea of eliminating Hera entirely.

    If Hera were gone, there would be no one left to obstruct her path, no one to challenge her im to the spotlight.

    The notion was chilling, yet in Alice��s twisted logic, it felt like the only way to reim what she believed was hers.

    <i>��Don��t me me for being ruthless,��</i> Alice thought, her eyes narrowing as they burned into Hera��s serene, beautiful face��a face that felt like a constant thorn in her side.

    The mere sight of Hera was enough to ignite a fresh wave of resentment in Alice��s chest.

    With all the candidates havingpleted their auditions and the director clearly set on his choice for the heroine, the group was dismissed and sent home.

    As they exited, curiosity buzzed among the other candidates. Everyone wanted to ask Hera what had transpired during her extended time inside the audition room.

    Why had she been there for so long? What had the discussion entailed?

    Yet, with the crew diligently escorting them out, there was no opportunity for questions or chatter. Frustrated whispers and unspoken questions hung in the air as they departed.

    The female crew member escorted the candidates to the building��s entrance, where the assistants and cars of the actresses waited.

    Her lingering presence made it clear that no one could linger or cause a scene, leaving the candidates with little choice but to depart one by one.

    Soon, the entrance cleared as they left, until only Hera and a few others remained, standing quietly and waiting for her ride.

    Alice strode over to Hera, a sneer curling on her lips. "Tsk, Hera, no ride to pick you up?" she mocked, pausing as her eyes darted around the area.

    Not spotting Xavier, she let out a chuckle, her voice dripping with malice. "After seducing so many men, not one of them is here to fetch you? How pathetic."

    Hera chose to ignore Alicepletely, unwilling to waste her energy on petty provocations.

    She was already drained, having poured her emotions and mental focus into her performance earlier.

    Engaging with Alice would only prolong an unnecessary exchange��or perhaps, it wouldn��t even qualify as a conversation at all.

    Alice��s words dripped with venom as she tried to provoke Hera, her voice thick with malicious satisfaction.

    "What, did I hit a nerve? Are you just a pretty face, nothing more? They didn��t even pick you for the lead role, which only proves you��re just a cum dumster to them, right?"

    She sneered, convinced that Hera was nothing but a fleeting distraction, a beauty who couldn��t captivate a man��s heart.

    <i>��No man would turn away from a pretty face, but a beautiful face alone can��t keep their fickle hearts,��</i>

    Alice thought, bitterly believing that it took a woman with more cunning to truly hold their attention. Unlike Hera, who only yed the virtuous card and was as dull as ever.

    Alice sneered, her words dripping with mockery. "What, you want me to help you warm their beds? The more, the merrier," she added, her voiceced with cruel amusement as she watched Hera��s every reaction.

    Alice had always been confident in her ability to manipte situations, especially in the way she charmed the male leads in the novel.

    She would often feign resistance��saying things like, "No, we can��t do this," or "This isn��t the right ce," only for those very words to dissolve into heated moments, with her eagerly straddling their waists in the end.

    In contrast, Hera��s progress had been slower��just tender and not-so-tender touches, passionate kisses, and brief connections.

    While Alice seemed to have no difficulty using her body to keep her men around, there was a stark irony in the dynamic between them.

    Hera, on the other hand, wasn��t just about physicality; she was seeking emotional connections, trying to understand the male leads and open her heart, slowly dismantling her prejudices.

    If anything, it was Alice who seemed to be the true "bed warmer" in their world, while Hera was building something deeper, more meaningful.

 Chapter 554 Do You Think I’m Easy To Bully?

    "H-Hello, Brother Xavier!" Alice��s voice trembled as she spoke, her lips pouting slightly, and her eyes sparkling with the illusion of unshed tears.

    "C-Can I also ride with you? I don��t have a way back..." Her tone was almost desperate, her gaze filled with a silent plea.

    Before Xavier could respond, Alice, with a swift movement, stepped closer, intent on sliding into the seat beside him.

    She reached for the spot where his hand had been resting just moments ago, leaning in as if it were already hers, her gaze fixed on him with an expectant, almost pleading look.

    "Are we close?" Xavier��s voice was cold and distant, his words slicing through the air with sharp indifference.

    Alice froze in her tracks, her hand still outstretched toward the door frame of the van, as if frozen by his tone.

    "W-What?" Alice stammered, her eyes wide with confusion and disbelief. She blinked up at him, unable to fully process the chill in his voice.

    "We��re not close, and I��m not your nanny," Xavier said, his voice sharp and unmoved. "If you don��t have a ride, hail a taxi. If there are no taxis, then walk."

    His words struck with chilling indifference, and Alice��s carefully constructed fa?ade shattered.

    The fake tears she had been feigning in front of him turned genuine, her humiliation boiling over.

    Nothing could sting more than being publicly rebuked, especially after she had been gloating in front of Hera.

    The weight of embarrassment settled over her like a heavy cloak, more suffocating than any of the cruel remarks she had thrown at others.

    Xavier disregarded Alicepletely, his attention solely focused on Hera. He extended his hand toward her, a silent invitation for her to join him.

    Alice remained frozen in ce, her gaze locked on the scene unfolding before her.

    Hera, with a light mocking chuckle, stepped past her, savoring the moment before entering the van.

    She reached out, taking Xavier��s hand, and with a swift pull, he guided her beside him.

    As Hera settled into the seat, Xavier opened the van��s small refrigeratorpartment and handed her a milk tea, his gesture calm and thoughtful as he smiled at her.

    "You did well," Xavier said softly, his voice calm yet full of admiration as he ced a gentle kiss on Hera��s forehead.

    It was unclear whether he meant for Alice to see it or if he simply didn��t care, but the act felt like a p in Alice��s face��especially after her earlier insults.

    Alice, still standing frozen, felt an intense rush of jealousy and anger twist in her gut.

    Before she could utter a word, the van��s automatic door closed with a soft hum, and the vehicle drove away, leaving Alice standing there, seething.

    The female crew members, who had not overheard the conversation between Hera and Alice but could clearly sense the tension, looked with knowing nces.

    As Alice remained at the entrance, coldly ignored, one of the crew members couldn��t help but chuckle softly before heading back inside the building.

    The only one left at the entrance was her.

    "Did she bully you? Or say something to upset you?" Xavier asked softly, his voice full of concern as he gently massaged Hera��s palm, a gesture meant tofort her.

    Hera couldn��t tell if Xavier had some kind of telepathic ability or if he simply understood Alice��s nature.

    But deep down, she realized that Xavier seemed to sense her unease, even though she had kept her expression neutral.

    He may not have known exactly what had been said between her and Alice, but he could tell that something had happened.

    The tension in the air, the subtle hints of hostility, reminded him of the way Alice had provoked Hera during their previous variety show appearance.

    Xavier, who had always been sharp, instinctively knew that something had disturbed Hera.

    That��s why, despite not knowing the details of their conversation, he feltpelled to ask, to soothe her, and to show her a gentler side of himself.

    His protective instincts kicked in, and his focus shifted entirely to Hera, hoping to make her feel safe and understood.

    When Alice had been acting all chummy with Hera, Xavier couldn��t help but shut her down with his cold remarks.

    He wasn��t one to tolerate being too familiar with people he wasn��t close to, and Alice��s actions had crossed a line.

    Her behavior made him feel ufortable, and he didn��t want Hera to misunderstand his intentions.

    Though he knew his words had been harsh, Xavier didn��t really mind. He had always been this way with others��blunt, direct, and unapologetic.

    He didn��t dwell on it for long. That brief exchange with Alice was fleeting, quickly fading from his thoughts as if it had never happened.

    His focus remained on Hera, and any lingering difort he may have felt evaporated, leaving no trace.

    "Do you think I��m easy to bully?" Hera asked, her lips curling into an amused smile as she took a sip of her milk tea.

    Xavier paused for a moment, thinking, before a soft chuckle escaped him. He shook his head, his gaze never leaving hers. "No one can bully my Hera," he replied with a hint of pride.

    He reached up, his fingers gently brushing the back of her head, pulling her a little closer. Resting his forehead against hers, he added with a yful grin, "I forgot just how amazing you are."

    Heraughed lightly, but before she could say anything, Xavier leaned forward, stealing a sip from her straw. He pulled away with a smirk.

    "This is way too sweet," he teased, making a face beforeughing softly.

    Xavier continued to gently rub Hera��s head, his touch soothing as they both rxed in their seats.

    Daisy and the road manager remained silent, exchanging knowing nces through the rearview mirror, their lips curving into wide, quiet smiles.

    They made a conscious effort to keep their presence unobtrusive, not wanting to disturb the warm, intimate atmosphere between Hera and Xavier.

    Daisy couldn��t help but think to herself, ��<i>Ugh, I don��t want to watch this endless disy of PDA and forcefully making us eat dog food. I want a love life too!��</i> she silently groaned, but kept her thoughts to herself, watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and longing.

 Chapter 555 Who Designed It?

    Because with the wealth she had umted and the freedom to experiment with her abilities, she was no longer hesitant about taking risks.

    In addition to her previous earnings from racing, she had now made millions through stock trading.

    While she had dabbled in it before, starting with small, careful investments, she had always yed it safe, mindful of her limited capital.

    But now, with a solid financial cushion, a fallback capital, she didn��t need to hold back anymore.

    She was diving into high-risk, high-reward investments, and it had just paid off��her first major profit from the stock market.

    Now, she sat staring at her screen, transfixed, after transferring her first few million earnings into her bank ount.

    The number of zeroes was almost impossible to count, but she couldn��t help smiling like a fool.

    The Avery family was already incredibly wealthy, and her grandfather had generously given her an initial allowance of $100 billion��though she still had more than $90 billion left.

    But who wouldin about having too much money?

    With this kind of fortune, she could evenugh in her sleep. Besides, who said money can��t buy happiness? She was certainly living proof it could.

    Thanks to the lessons she learned from Luke during their meals together, where he openly shared his strategies and tactics, she was able to put his advice into practice alongside her own.

    She carefully selected stocks with strong potential, making smart investments.

    She sold off some of those stocks while holding onto the ones with the best long-term prospects��stocks that were sure to increase in value over time.

    After checking her profits, she stretched her arms, feeling the numbness from hours of typing and clicking the mouse.

    Shezily leaned back in her leather seat, staring into space.

    As she thought about it, she realized how much money she had earned, all thanks to Luke and Leo for sharing their tactics and experiences.

    She had used their advice as a foundation to boldly choose high-risk options. Now, it was time to show her gratitude.

    She reached for her phone, took out a card, and dialed the number written on it. It didn��t take long for the owner of the number to pick up.

    "Hello?! Who��s this?" The voice on the other end sounded rushed and preupied.

    "Hello, Miss Liz, this is Hera Ainsley." After introducing herself, there was a brief silence on the other end.

    It seemed like the person was either trying to recall who she was or simply pausing to think. Hera gave her time, patiently waiting.

    "Ah! It��s you?!" After a brief pause, the girl on the other end screamed, causing Hera to instinctively pull the phone away from her ear.

    She then ced it in a phone stand and switched to speaker mode, tired of holding it in her hand.

    Hera chuckled. "Looks like you still remember me," she teased.

    "Of course, I do! What can I help you with? Want to ask me to hang out, Miss Superstar?" Liz quickly switched to a yful tone, as if they��d been friends for years, teasing Hera back.

    It was as if she��dpletely forgotten how she had taunted Hera before, leaving a less-than-ster first impression.

    But Hera didn��t hold it against her.

    She smiled, recognizing that Liz had likely seen the news circting online and realized how much attention she��d been gettingtely.

    "No, remember when you asked me to call you before? It was if I needed help making jewelry out of the jade I got from stone betting. Well, I��m calling now for the same reason��just to help me make some simple cufflinks and a tie clip." Hera exined seriously, as she began fidgeting with herputer again.

    "Ah! Of course, of course!" Liz replied excitedly.

    She remembered how much money Hera could make from those jades and knew that each custom jewelry order would be worth a significant amount.

    Liz��s business-minded instincts kicked in, and she began calcting the potential profit from this deal.

    She��d been worried about finding clients to prove her worth to her fathertely, but now one wasing to her��how could she not be thrilled? "I��ll send you some designs. Just let me know your requirements."

    Hera chuckled at Liz��s enthusiasm while continuing to click away at herputer.

    "No need to send any designs. I actually have a few jewelry blueprints here with me; I��m just picking out a design. Please give me your email address so I can send them to you."

    "That works too," Liz replied, though her voice carried a hint of disappointment.

    She had hoped for a designmission too to boost her ie, but she knew it was better than nothing. "With the designs ready, it��ll be easier for me to have my team make it."

    "That��s great to hear," Hera said.

    Soon after, Liz sent a text message sending her email address, and not long after that, Hera finished picking a few designs from herputer.

    She was nning to make a pair of cufflinks and a tie clip for Leo, Luke, Xavier, Zhane, Rafael, and Dave, and of course, to her grandfather as well.

    Each of them had helped her in one way or another, and she wanted to show her appreciation for their care and support.

    After sending the blueprints, Liz casually began reviewing the designs, assuming they would be simple��after all, it was just a cufflink and tie clip set, likely a gift for a man.

    But when she opened the first design, she fell silent, staring at the screen. She scrolled down to the next design, her eyes widening in shock. Finally, she let out a loud gasp.

    "Did you buy this from one of the famous jewelry designers? Which one? I��ve never seen anything like this design technique before. It��s a bitplicated to make, but it��s so elegant, unique, and absolutely beautiful. Does the designer have a studio? Can you refer her to me? Please?"

    Hera chuckled, thinking Liz was exaggerating. "I think it��s simple and elegant, but there��s no need to go overboard with the praise."

 Chapter 556 I Did

    After all, jewelry design is about creating something unique that captures the hearts of the consumers.

    It��s about aspiration, and those who set their own trends are the ones who rise to the top of the industry.

    Liz wanted to get acquainted with this potential future star, even offer them a position on her team.

    As that person improved, her family��spany would rise with them, gaining free publicity along the way.

    Not only would winning apetition or two under herpany��s name elevate its status, but it would also boost the value of their jewelry.

    Just the thought of it made Liz so excited that her eyes almost turned red as she eagerly awaited Hera��s response from the other end.

    Hera, however, shyly rubbed the tip of her nose. "You��re praising me too much."

    That simple response from Hera left Liz stunned, her mind buzzing as if an explosion had gone off in her head. She could hardlyprehend what Hera had just said. "Wait, what did you just say? Are you telling me <i>you</i> designed these?"

    Not wanting to keep it from Liz, Hera answered, "Well, it started as a hobby. My best friend was really into fashion��she had an amazing eye for style, whether it was clothes or jewelry."

    "But the thing is, she didn��t have the talent for jewelry design. In high school, we were both part of the drama club. She was always in charge of costumes because she had a knack for designing clothes."

    "But since we also needed jewelry for the costumes, and she couldn��t make it, she ended up asking me to do it. So, I taught myself and used some online tutorials on how to make simple pieces, and it just became a hobby over time."

    "Sometimes, when I have a bit of free time, I make them by hand, but I don��t want to waste too many jades since I��m still not that great at cutting them."

    "And I��m nning to give these to some important people, so I don��t want them to look poorly made if I cut the jade by hand. I can only rely on you for that. After all, they say it��s the thought that counts," Hera said awkwardly, feeling her face heat up.

    No one knew about her jewelry designing skills, except for Athena and a few members of their drama club.

    Most people assumed that the jewelry she wore during performances was bought from somewhere else.

    Her first attempt at making jewelry had been crooked and asymmetrical, but with Athena��s help, she started to get the hang of it.

    They didn��t necessarily have to make everything by hand, but since she and Athena were supposed to be poor orphans, they couldn��t afford to buy expensive items, especially considering they were attending an international school where most of their ssmates came from wealthy families.

    While other students could pool money together to cover the cost of costumes and jewelry, that wasn��t an option for Hera and Athena.

    So, they had to rely on themselves��buying the materials and making everything on their own.

    Not only was it fun, but it felt like they were working in a creative workshop.

    The two of them enjoyed discussing the overall theme and working together.

    Seeing how much effort Athena put into making the clothes, Hera feltpelled to put in even more effort with the jewelry so that Athena wouldn��t have to carry the burden alone.

    After all, Athena was only in the drama club because of her.

    Although Athena always imed that making costumes was a way to hone her skills in fashion design for her future, Hera knew that deep down, Athena was also supporting her with everything she had.

    The fun they had during those days sparked Hera��s love for making and designing jewelry.

    However, after she started working to support Alexi, she became so busy that she didn��t have much time to further develop her skills.

    She only designed jewelry when inspiration struck, but she had already built a collection of designs on her hard drive, ranging from women��s to men��s pieces.

    Even though she was passionate about designing, Hera still felt somewhat clueless about the intricacies of jewelry making��she had learned how to craft pieces, but not the techniques or history behind them.

    As a result, even Liz could tell that her designs still had an amateurish quality.

    "Woah! What the hell?!" Liz was speechless.

    From what Hera had said, she could already piece it together��Hera had never received formal training and had only learned to make jewelry during high school.

    "Hey, why don��t I mentor you a little?" Liz said excitedly. "I may not be the best, but I can definitely help you refine your skills, and together, we can make your designs even better!"

    Her enthusiasm was palpable, as if she had just uncovered a hidden gem and couldn��t bear the thought of letting it be buried under dust and pebbles.

    After all, there were plenty of jewelry designers out there, but most of them, like her, just followed trends.

    It was rare to find someone like Hera, whose designs were truly unique��something that could captivate the public and draw attention to jewelry at a time when everyone was focused on fashion clothes.

    The jewelry industry was being dominated by big brands, and smallerpanies were being pushed into the shadows.

    With this opportunity, Hera could help elevate those smaller brands and even change the industry.

    "Ha ha ha, I don��t think I have the time," Hera replied, though she was reluctant to let the opportunity slip away.

    After all, she was the type of person who, even if she didn��t know how to do something, would seize any opportunity that came her way and figure it outter��just like how she had learned jewelry design.

    Liz pped her thigh again, her frustration evident. "How can this be? This is uneptable!" She was fired up��she couldn��t let this gem slip away.

 Chapter 557 When Two Businesswomen Talks

    "Ha ha ha, you got me," Liz chuckled awkwardly from the other side, rubbing her head, feeling exposed after Hera saw through her intentions.

    She felt bare, as if her thoughts wereid out for everyone to see.

    Maybe it was her anxiety and eagerness that made her slip up. "Alright, well, considering the designs you sent me��like I said, they��re all unique and have the potential to win awards."

    "I want you to enter somepetitions with them, build your brand, and make a name for yourself in the jewelry industry."

    "If I mentor you, I can also increase my value by associating my name with yours, and it would help mypany too. Wouldn��t that be a great investment for me?"

    "The more famous you be, the more your designs rack up awards and public recognition, the better my investment will be," Liz exined openly.

    "So, why would I worry about paying to teach you?" What she said was true.

    Once Hera participated in a fewpetitions, her name would be out there.

    One award could secure a directorial position in a well-establishedpany, and a few more would be enough to make her a household name, allowing her to open her own studio and earn millions.

    But what if that designer reaches even greater heights?

    Would she still have to worry about shing with big brands?

    Of course not��even the top brands would have to respect her.

    And right now, Hera needed reputation, connections, and real power��she��d need all of that to build a solid foundation for her family��s consortium when she eventually took over.

    "Don��t overthink it, just ept, please?" Liz pleaded, her voice tinged with urgency.

    She was worried about how to prove her worth to her father, and then, out of nowhere, a diamond had justnded in herp��someone who could help her solve all her problems and elevate her family��s business to new heights simply by associating her name with Hera��s.

    Why wouldn��t she want that?

    Besides, if she could bring Hera into the jewelry industry, Hera��s poprity would naturally market the jewelry, and sales would skyrocket.

    Not only would they save on marketing costs because of Hera��s fame, but with Hera��s racing winnings and connections in the entertainment world, Liz knew that Hera had the capital to start a small studio.

    They could coborate, and that partnership could truly transform their businesses.

    As long as Hera was on their side, Liz knew the coboration could secure her family��s future��essentially, she could thrive just by aligning herself with Hera.

    Although it didn��t sound ideal and felt somewhat like Liz was trying to use Hera, in the business world, that��s often how things worked.

    As Liz was contemting this, Hera had already thought about it too.

    She wasn��tcking in capital or poprity.

    Once her first movie was released, her reputation and connections would grow.

    But as a businesswoman, she understood the importance of seizing every opportunity.

    Since both of them stood to benefit, she didn��t see anything wrong with it. This realization led her into deep contemtion.

    "I have two hours free now. Will youe?" Hera suddenly asked, catching Liz off guard.

    For a moment, Liz was dazed, but then she snapped back to reality.

    She quickly nced at her wristwatch, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she realized what Hera had just said.

    "Please send me your address, I��ll be there in 20!" Before Liz could even finish her words, she was already sprinting toward the elevator.

    Her father, who had just left a shareholder��s meeting discussing quarterly sales��his mood already soured by the disappointing 2% sales decrease due to the new Bulgari and Cartier collections flooding the market��watched her run down the corridor.

    He felt his frustration bubble up, as if he had finally found an outlet for his anger.

    Ready to snap at her, he almost started nagging, telling her to stop following trends and focus on finding her own inspiration instead.

    But before he could even say a word, Liz had already rushed past him, barely acknowledging his presence.

    She looked both anxious and excited, as if something thrilling was about to happen.

    "Is she holding in a big poop or something?" he muttered to himself, watching her retreating figure.

    "Wait, no. She��s not heading to the restroom��her office has one. Argh! Damn it! She��s off to have some fun again!"

    It wasn��t until he asked himself the question that he realized: his daughter was in a rush, not for anything urgent, but to chase after some adventure.

    "This girl! How can I even consider passing thepany to her when she��s this irresponsible?!" he thought, frustration mounting.

    It was nearly the end of office hours, but that didn��t mean the workday was over.

    In fact, he had nned to push his daughter to work overtime with him toe up with a solution for their current financial mess.

    They were facing serious cash flow issues after investing heavily in a new batch of raw stones for their jewelry collection.

    Meanwhile, their coborators were demanding payment, and dying it would only strain their rtionships. He was truly in a tight spot.

    His daughter was the only one who could inherit thepany their family had built from the ground up.

    His eldest son, a carefree yboy, was more interested in indulging himself than taking on any responsibility.

    But his daughter��though she had picked up a few bad habits from her older brother��was talented in jewelry design, hardworking, and shrewd.

    He felt more at ease thinking about passing thepany to her.

    The problem was her inconsistency.

 Chapter 558 IGI Expressions Competition

    After all, IGI Expressions valued innovation, uniqueness, and talent.

    While she might have a bit more talent than the average person, it wasn��t enough to stand out in such a prestigiouspetition.

    Only the best of the best jewelry designers could participate in, and she would likely be a small fish in a sea of giants who wouldn��t even notice her.

    So why not make use of this opportunity to form an alliance with someone who could be the sleeping dragon capable of sweeping away thepetition?

    Hera already had a strong sense of fashion, thanks to Athena.

    She also developed an appreciation for painting through her high school, which encouraged students to be well-rounded or specialize in one field, Hera chose to be an all-rounder.

    Hera had chosen this path, knowing that as the sole heir to the family, she needed to be versatile.

    She understood that having a diverse set of skills would give her a strategic advantage��hidden cards she could y when necessary, whether for business negotiations or handling her enemies.

    Socializing, after all, required more than just knowledge of business and finance.

    She also needed to be well-versed in subjects like jewelry, sports, politics, economics,nguages, and more.

    This was why the Avery family always ensured their descendants gained life experience outside of their family��s sphere, but neverpromised on education.

    They believed in sending their children to top schools with enriching learning environments.

    They had learned the hard way that ignorance in key areas��whether in business, current events, or various subjects��could lead to being looked down upon by potential partners.

    More dangerously, it could make them vulnerable to maniption, which could ultimately lead to their downfall.

    They wouldn��t even realize they had already been sold, still counting the money for others without understanding the full extent of it.

    With this in mind, Hera took her grandfather��s advice to heart, prioritizing her education.

    Fortunately, her strong ability toprehend allowed her to absorb knowledge like a sponge, remembering what was taught to her.

    While she may not have a photographic memory or be a genius, her capacity to learn and retain information made her just as capable.

    Having a good friend like Athena, who constantly encouraged her to try new things and discover her strengths, helped Hera learn more about herself.

    This support shaped her into someone who wouldn��t shy away from opportunities, even if she wasn��t fully prepared for them.

    So, after agreeing with Liz, and true to her words, she raced through every red light she encountered on the way to Green Dragon Manor.

    Fortunately, Hera had already informed the security team to grant her visitor ess, ensuring Liz wouldn��t be dyed at the gate.

    When Liz arrived, everything was seamless.

    At the front desk, she was handed a special visitor��s ess key authorized by Hera.

    The system was straightforward��if Hera decided to revoke Liz��s ess, a quick call to the front desk would handle it instantly. The process was convenient and efficient.

    However, as Liz held the ess card in her hand, she stood there in stunned silence.

    The realization hit her like a thunderbolt��Hera lived in the most exclusive area of the city, possibly the entire country, in the penthouse of the most luxurious building.

    Her body seemed to move on autopilot, following the mission, while her mind reeled from a series of mental explosions.

    The sheer magnitude of Hera��s status was almost too much to process all at once.

    Even then, Liz had no idea what Hera��s true status was.

    Everyone who lived in Green Dragon Manor was a major figure in their respective fields, making the ce a proverbial den of hidden dragons and phoenixes.

    For Hera to have a residence there suggested aplex and influential background.

    The mere thought sent a chill down Liz��s spine, prompting her to block her curiosity immediately.

    If Hera was truly someone of such stature, Liz knew better than to dig into her affairs.

    After all, as the saying goes, ��<i>curiosity kills the cat��</i>��and Liz had no intention of bing that unfortunate feline.

    She shuddered slightly at the thought, deciding it was safer to focus on her purpose rather than entertain dangerous questions.

    By the time the elevator neared the penthouse, countless thoughts had already racedps inside Liz��s mind.

    She barely had time to process them all before the soft ��<i>ding��</i> of the elevator announced her arrival.

    As the doors slid open, Liz quicklyposed herself, erasing any trace of her inner turmoil and schooling her expression into calm neutrality.

    But the moment her eyesnded on the penthouse hallway, she froze, stunned once again.

    The space before her radiated opulence, as if she had stepped into a grand, modern-day pce.

    The sheer elegance of the decor left her momentarily speechless, a reminder of just how far this world was from her own.

    Liz took a deep breath, steadying herself as she slowly made her way down the luxurious hallway, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

    By the time she reached the grand, imposing door of the penthouse, her face was a carefully nk te��not because she had managed to calm herself, but because she waspletely overwhelmed.

    The sheer disparity between the modest wealth she had grown up with and the opulence standing before her was staggering.

    Even the penthouse door alone was a masterpiece, clearly worth millions.

    The thought made her throat tighten, and for a fleeting moment, she fought the absurd urge to cry.

    <i>Dingdong...</i>

    The door opened after a single ring of the doorbell, as if her arrival had been anticipated.

    When she was led inside, the overwhelming opulence of the space hit her like a tidal wave.

    She couldn��t handle it anymore; the grandeur of Hera��s world was far beyond anything she had imagined.

    Her earlier proposal now seemedughable, almost absurd��like she was offering an olive branch to someone who owned the entire forest.

    Standing amidst this disy of wealth, she couldn��t shake the feeling that she was the one riding Hera��s bandwagon, trying to seize an opportunity that she had no business asking for.

 Chapter 559 A Test

    The remaining hour and a half were spent on more intricate topics.

    Liz exined design theories, crafting techniques, and the concept of timelessness in jewelry.

    She emphasized the importance of self-expression and how to trante inspiration into tangible, wearable art.

    Her passion for the subject shone through, and Hera listened intently, absorbing every word like a sponge.

    Liz was amazed by how quickly Hera absorbed her advice and put it into action.

    Watching Hera��s enthusiasm ignite as she began sketching a design inspired by the given topic filled Liz with excitement.

    It wasn��t just the speed at which Hera worked that impressed Liz��it was the depth of her creativity.

    Not everyone could conjure inspiration so effortlessly from a simple prompt.

    Hera��s talent went beyond technical skill; she had an innate understanding of the timelessness of jewelry, creating designs that would remain appealing across eras.

    Perhaps it was her exposure to a wealth of ssic pieces and diverse essories in her walk-in closet, or maybe her vivid imagination yed a key role.

    Whatever the reason, witnessing Hera��s process was nothing short of astonishing for Liz.

    Liz sped her hands together in excitement, falling silent as she watched Hera work.

    The fact that Hera trusted her enough to sketch her ideas on the spot, without fear of having them stolen, deeply surprised Liz.

    In an industry where giarism was all toomon��where inspiration didn��te as easily as it did for Hera��it wasn��t unusual for people to sumb to the temptation of iming someone else��s ideas, especially if those ideas promised fame and fortune.

    Yet, Hera��s openness and confidence in her creativity set her apart, leaving Liz both amazed and honored.

    What Liz didn��t realize was that during her drive to the Green Dragon Manor, Hera had already instructed Gerald to investigate her.

    As a shrewd businesswoman, Hera believed it was better to err on the side of caution, especially when faced with a proposition like Liz��s.

    By the time Liz arrived, Hera was well-informed about Liz��s background, including the recent events at the quarterly shareholders�� meeting in herpany.

    While Hera genuinely appreciated Liz��s guidance, her decision to sketch in Liz��s presence wasn��t born solely from trust��it was also a calcted test to gauge Liz��s character.

    Just as Liz thought, the allure of fame and wealth could easily stir greed in anyone.

    When such a tempting opportunity was ced before them, their true nature often emerged.

    While Liz might currently feel overwhelmed by the grandeur of Hera��s home, that initial intimidation could quickly fade if she began to believe that achieving simr wealth and sess was within her grasp��especially if a shortcut presented itself.

    Moreover, Liz didn��t know Hera��s true status.

    Like many others, she might assume Hera was merely a kept woman or someone with little substance behind her wealth.

    Moreover, Hera had never formally studied jewelry design, nor did she participate inpetitions like Liz had.

    To an outsider, Hera��s credibility as a designer might seem weak, making it easier to steal her work without fear of repercussions.

    Even if Athena vouched for her, people might dismiss it as a gesture of loyalty rather than proof of Hera��s talent.

    All of this would make Hera an easy target for those seeking to im her designs as their own.

    When all these factors converged, they created the perfect storm to cloud one��s judgment with temptation and greed, exposing their true character��or worse, corrupting them entirely.

    Fully aware of this, Hera sketched on undeterred, her mind brimming with inspiration.

    Liz, captivated, stayed silent as her eyes followed the fluid motion of Hera��s hands gliding across the sketchpad.

    Though Hera��s rough sketches appeared somewhat chaotic, resembling the hurried scrawls of a chicken��s feet, the brilliance of her ideas was undeniable.

    With careful refinement and the addition of intricate details, each concept had the potential to transform into a masterpiece worthy of submission to apetition.

    If Liz were inclined to steal the designs for herself, she could easily memorize the key ideas and concepts, then add a few of her own touches to make it seem like her own creation.

    As she watched Hera sketch so quickly, tearing off each page and scattering them across the table, Liz took a shaky breath.

    She could only watch in silence, her eyes wide and her jaw clenched, feeling increasingly helpless in the face of Hera��s relentless speed and talent.

    Was she tempted?

    Far from it.

    In fact, she felt utterly crushed.

    It was as if her entire life had been a lie.

    Memories of her sleepless nights spent brainstorming ideas, perfecting techniques, and dedicating herself to her studies shed before her eyes.

    The years she had sacrificed to be a skilled designer seemed meaningless now, overshadowed by someone who hadn��t even studied jewelry design.

    Hera had only spent an hour and a half learning the history and techniques on the same day, yet she was surpassing Liz in ways she couldn��tprehend.

    Liz felt as though her life was a joke, her family is a joke, and the world itself was all a cruel joke.

    Later, Liz��s eyes welled with tears, her gaze reddening as though she had been wronged.

    Her confidence crumbled, shattering into pieces.

    She could no longer view jewelry design with the same passion.

    At first, she had believed she was doing Hera a favor, sharing her expertise and guidance.

    But now, reality hit hard. It was clear that even without her, Hera would have still risen to the top.

    Hera had always had a vision, a spark of creativity, and had even crafted jewelry before.

    Liz was left grappling with the painful truth that Hera��s sess was never dependent on her.

    Liz felt the urge to cry as she watched Hera in silence, but no tears came.

    A dull ache settled in her chest, the weight of it almost unbearable.

    Yet, she refused to let go of the fragile dignity and pride she had left. So, she forced herself to appear unaffected, masking the turmoil within with a stoic expression.

 Chapter 560 Settle Accounts

    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.

    _______________

    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!

 Chapter 561 Your Twin

    Liz��s mannerisms, after all, were nearly identical to Athena��s when it came to teasing, making Hera shake her head internally at the uncanny resemnce.

    "Babe! I��m home!" Athena��s cheerful voice echoed from the living room, drawing everyone��s attention.

    Hera and the rest turned toward the source of the sound as Athena strode in, looking sharp and polished in her crisp outfit, her armsden with several shopping bags.

    "My mom asked me to bring you something!" she said excitedly, her eyes lighting up as she approached.

    But then her gazended on Liz, who wasfortably seated at the table, munching away, while Hera stood nearby holding thermal bags.

    "Are you going out? And who��s this chipmunk?" Athena asked, raising a brow, her expression a mix of curiosity and yful judgment.

    "Your twin," Hera replied teasingly, a smirk tugging at her lips. Then, with a soft chuckle, she added, "You stay here��I need to deliver this food."

    "What?! I just got here, and now you��re leaving? We haven��t spent any time together in ages! You��ve changed! You don��t love me anymore!" Athena eximed dramatically, her lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout.

    Despite her words, she was already handing the bags to Amy, who hade to help, and heading toward the dining table.

    Hera rolled her eyes, suppressing augh. "Have some conscience, Athena. You onlye here to mooch off me."

    Athena,pletely unfazed, pointed at Liz without a hint of shame. "And what about her? Isn��t she mooching off you too?"

    Liz��s eyes widened as she immediately set her fork down.

    "Excuse me? I helped tutor Hera in jewelry design!" she retorted, ring at Athena, who seemed to have the energy of a human firecracker since the moment she walked in.

    "Oh, please. Hera��s already amazing and could figure it out on her own if she had more time. Don��t try to ride her coattails, brat," Athena shot back, her tone dripping with disinterest.

    She didn��t spare Liz��s feelings, her words sharp and dismissive.

    Athena knew better than anyone how talented Hera was��she��d seen it countless times as they grew up together.

    But the real reason for her prickly attitude wasn��t just pride; it was the creeping sense of insecurity. Her position as Hera��s best friend felt threatened.

    With Hera��s limited time split between winning over the male leads, navigating the chaos of the storyline, pursuing her career in the entertainment industry, and limating herself to managing the consortium, Athena barely got to see her anymore.

    She missed her best friend.

    So now, seeing someone else in Hera��s space, especially someone who seemed to be getting close, made Athena��s internal rm bells ring loud and clear.

    Hearing Athena��s sharp retort, Liz choked on her own spit, momentarily flustered.

    She couldn��t argue with Athena��s words��they were true, and deep down, Liz knew it.

    That was precisely why she��d been so adamant about refusing the tuition fee Hera had offered.

    "I know, okay? I��m not shameless," Liz finally replied, her tone defensive butced with a hint of humor.

    "That��s why I��m not taking any tuition from her. But eating here��" she gestured dramatically to the table, "��should be fine, right? Or are you seriously going to be stingy with me?"

    She turned to Athena with a yful yet challenging look, as if daring her to deny her a seat at the table.

    Hera shook her head in amusement as she left the two bickering like old friends who had known each other forever.

    Even Hannah and Amy returned to their tasks, unfazed by the lively argument.

    Amy quietly set up Athena��s utensils and served her food, while Athena and Liz continued their back-and-forth without missing a beat.

    By the time Hera saw them together again in the future, she was taken aback to find that the two had be inseparable.

    They walked arm-in-arm like twins,ughing and teasing each other as if they��d been close sisters all their lives.

    After casting one final nce at the two bickering "children," Hera picked up the thermal bags and headed to the ss cab where her collection of car keys was disyed.

    She selected the key for her Pagani Codalunga, recalling that it had recently been repaired after a minor rear-end collision.

    Besides, she found the car charming and felt it matched her mood today.

    With the car keys in hand, Hera made her way downstairs.

    Once she carefully secured the thermal bags in the passenger seat, she slid into the driver��s seat and started the engine.

    The car purred to life, and without wasting any time, she drove off, the sleek vehicle gliding effortlessly down the driveway.

    Upon arriving at the hospital, Hera decided to check Minerva��s room first.

    She pushed the door open slightly, only to find the room dark and empty.

    Letting out a small sigh, she turned and made her way to Rafael��s room instead.

    The door was slightly ajar, and just as she approached, a soft, pleading voice drifted out.

    "Rafael, please eat the food I brought. I cooked it myself," Alice��s pitiful tone echoed,ced with desperation.

    "I said <i>leave</i>!" Rafael��s voice snapped back sharply, cutting through the air like a whip.

    "Are you not even going to try it?" Alice��s voice trembled slightly, a mix of frustration and pleading.

    "I scalded my hand while cooking this. It was my fault for being clumsy, but I just... I just really wanted to share it with you."

    "Minerva keeps worrying about you, and even though she feels guilty for what happened, she can��t take care of you herself because she��s also injured."

    "So, as her best friend, I��m doing what she can��t." Her tone softened, sounding both helpless and indulgent as she exined herself.

    Hera stepped closer to the door, curiosity piqued, and peeked inside.

    What she saw was enough to make her pause. Rafael��s face was dark, his expression thunderous, and his body trembled as he visibly struggled to rein in his anger.

 Chapter 562 The Siblings

    The voice wasn��t loud, nor was it too soft, but it still cut through the tense atmosphere, drawing both Rafael and Alice��s attention.

    As Hera turned toward the source of the voice, she saw Minerva, being gently pushed in by a nurse.

    "How are you feeling?" Hera��s expression shifted instantly, settling into a calm andposed demeanor.

    Minerva smiled at her warmly, her gaze drifting to therge thermal bags Hera was carrying. <i></i>

    <i>��Those must be heavy,��</i> she thought to herself. Hera noticed her eyes but didn��t make any effort to conceal the bags.

    "Are you here to visit my brother?" Minerva asked, her tone light but filled with curiosity.

    Hera nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

    "I brought you food, just like I promised." At her words, Minerva��s eyes briefly sparkled with excitement, though she quickly masked it with a calm expression.

    Hera couldn��t help but chuckle softly at the sight.

    "Please,e in," Minerva said, motioning toward the door as the nurse gently pushed her wheelchair inside.

    Both Rafael and Alice were now watching intently, waiting for the two to enter.

    Rafael��s eyes were filled with anticipation and excitement upon hearing that Hera had arrived, while Alice��s face twisted with displeasure��almost anger��as she realized Hera was intruding on her time with Rafael.

    She hated the thought of anyone else stealing his attention.

    Just as Hera and Minerva stepped into the room, Zhane arrived, looking slightly disheveled with his hair out of ce and a hint of breathlessness in his voice.

    Without hesitation, he reached out to help Hera carry the bags she was holding.

    Hera didn��t pull away, allowing him to take some of the load.

    Though Hera had worked as a delivery person before and carrying such a load was no trouble for her, seeing her small figure with the heavy bags made both Zhane and Rafael��s hearts ache.

    Fortunately, Hera had messaged Zhane the moment she arrived at the hospital, inviting him to join her for dinner.

    As soon as he received the message, he had raced from his office straight to Rafael��s room.

    After Zhane took the bags from Hera, he effortlessly carried them with one arm while gently holding her other hand, leading her inside and purposefully ignoring Alice, who was seated near the patient��s bed.

    Once they reached the small dining table, he carefully set the bags down and then looked at Hera��s delicate hands.

    They were soft, but her palms were red with faint marks from the straps of the bags.

    "You should��ve waited for me to pick you up downstairs," Zhane said, his voiceced with a hint of self-reproach, as though he were scolding himself rather than Hera.

    Minerva couldn��t help but chuckle from behind them, giving her brother a teasing nce.

    "Brother, if you keep being so slow, Hera might be stolen away," Minerva teased.

    Instead of the usual irritation, Rafael��s expression softened, and a smile tugged at his lips, his mood lightening at the yful banter.

    "Your sister-inw wouldn��t just favor the new and discard the old. Don��t you believe in your brother��s charm?" Rafael replied, his eyes shifting to Minerva, who was sitting in the wheeled chair.

    His gaze softened as he looked at her, a mix of affection and concern in his eyes.

    He couldn��t help but feel a pang of regret that she had to endure this difort.

    If this had been before, a little pain would have sent Minerva into tears, calling out to their parents or him forfort.

    But now, despite the ache, she was still smiling at him, her strength shining through.

    <i>��She��s really grown so much.��</i> Rafael thought, a swell of pride and tenderness rising in his chest.

    Not long ago, he had believed that he had exhausted his love for his sister, worn down by their constant arguments over Alexi.

    But the events that had unfolded between them felt like a bridge, reconnecting them in a way he hadn��t expected, bringing them closer once again.

    Minerva, too, sensed the shift, and the joy in her heart was so overwhelming that she found herself crying at night, silently thanking the deities for giving her the chance to change, to be someone who could restore the bond she shared with her brother.

    It felt as though the two siblings had returned to the closeness they once shared, where Rafael would always go to great lengths to protect his sister, and Minerva, though spoiled, still understood her boundaries��so much so that Rafael indulged her every whim.

    But after Alexi came into their lives, everything changed.

    Rafael became frustrated with Minerva��s constant threats of suicide whenever things didn��t go her way, and her reckless use of his hard-earnedpany resources to support Alexi.

    She even redirected funds that were meant for his other artists, all for Alexi��s sake.

    Rafael couldn��t bring himself to openly oppose his sister, so he was always the one to clean up the messes Minerva created.

    It was the same as when Hera had first entered the picture.

    Over time, instead of the love he once had for his sister, it transformed into a burden��a responsibility that weighed heavily on him.

    <i>��When did our rtionship start to change?��</i> Rafael thought, a heavy sense of guilt creeping into his chest.

    ��<i>Was it when I got busy with my ownpany and stopped making time for her? Or had it started long before that?��</i>

    "Minerva,e here. How are you feeling?" Rafael asked, his voice gentle as he gestured for her toe closer.

    Minerva blinked, a wave of emotion rising in her chest.

    Her eyes reddened as she rolled her wheelchair closer to him.

    She had missed this��Rafael��s tenderness and indulgence.

    After the ident in the forest, it was as if a fog had lifted from her mind.

    Maybe it was because Hera had saved her, or perhaps it was the overwhelming feeling of vulnerability when she thought she and Rafael might die there.

    Hera had been the one to pull them back from the brink.

    At that moment, the bitterness and hatred she��d once harbored seemed to evaporate.

    Her desire to bring Hera down vanished entirely.

    But deep down, she knew it wasn��t just her heart that had changed��it was something else�� the storyline��s grip on her that had finally loosened.

 Chapter 563 Brother, You Are Shameless

    She refused to let anyone see past her carefully crafted fa?ade.

    Alice couldn��t tell if Minerva had genuinely forgotten about her in the midst of this emotional reconciliation with her brother or if she was deliberately being ignored.

    <i>��That��s impossible,��</i> Alice thought, trying to reassure herself.

    <i>��Minerva is my best friend��she has been for two lifetimes. She wouldn��t ignore me, not her. She��s loyal, and she��d never abandon me or stab me in the back.��</i>

    What Alice thought wasn��t entirely wrong.

    Minerva, for all her stubbornness, arrogance, and princess-like demeanor, had always been fiercely loyal to her family and friends.

    She never betrayed those close to her, and in both Alice��s past life and the novel that Hera and Athena were familiar with, Minerva had always followed Alice��s lead without question.

    But now, something had changed.

    The storyline that once dictated Minerva��s actions no longer held sway over her��just as it no longer controlled Hera.

    While Hera broke free from the novel��s storyline through Athena��s guidance that caused her enlightenment, Minerva��s, however, was different.

    Her shift came from within��an epiphany sparked by her near-death experience.

    Perhaps it was the light of Hera saving her in that critical moment that altered her perspective.

    The unwavering loyalty she once reserved solely for Alice had subtly shifted, and the mental fog that clouded her judgment had lifted.

    For the first time, Minerva saw things clearly, unburdened by the storyline��s incessant pull dictating her every action.

    While Minerva chatted with her brother, Alice stood awkwardly behind her, hoping Minerva would finally turn around and acknowledge her presence.

    She looked pitiful, forgotten, and alone, her eyes boring into Minerva��s back with a silent plea for attention.

    But Minerva never looked back��not even once.

    She acted as if Alice didn��t exist, ignoring the faint, whining noises Alice made in an attempt to draw her attention.

    Rafael, on the other hand, was more than happy to y along with his sister in ignoring Alice.

    ��<i>Ignoring a woman? Easy. I��ve mastered that,��</i> Rafael thought, as he focused entirely on his little sister.

    Theirughter and affectionate conversation filled the air, a stark contrast to Alice��s growing frustration.

    For Rafael, this moment was bittersweet.

    It reminded him of the Minerva he once knew��the stubborn, princess-like sister who, while arrogant, was never as insufferable as she had been in recent months and years.

    It was as though she had been possessed by a ghost, her behavior bing grating enough for him to dislike and avoid her entirely.

    But now, that old Minerva was peeking through, and Rafael couldn��t help but feel a sense of relief as he reconnected with her.

    Seeing this familiar side of his little sister again felt like a lifetime had passed for Rafael.

    It was a relief, almost nostalgic, and he realized just how much he had missed this version of her.

    The siblings had plenty to catch up on, their conversation flowing easily as if trying to make up for lost time.

    Their moment continued until Hera and Zhane finished setting the table and brought over the food.

    Hera carefully pushed an overbed table closer to Rafael, positioning it within his reach.

    Zhane followed shortly, carrying a wooden trayden with dishes, efficiently bringing everything over in one trip.

    "Let��s eat first, and you can catch upter," Zhane said, his tone firm as he slipped into his usual doctor demeanor.

    His words were a gentle but clear reminder to both Rafael and Minerva.

    Nearby, the nurse apanying Minerva stood quietly, pretending not to notice the interaction.

    As a nurse in the VIP ward, she had long since grown ustomed to the dramas and scandals that unfolded among the wealthy.

    Professionalism had taught her to be discreet, knowing when to blend into the background and when to step forward with her duties.

    When the food was brought in, the nurse quickly moved another overhead table closer to Minerva, preparing to help feed her.

    "It��s okay," Minerva protested, pouting slightly.

    Her face flushed a soft pink, a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "I hurt my legs, not my hands. I can still feed myself."

    But, in stark contrast to her, her brother had no such qualms.

    His usual domineering demeanor softened into one of mock helplessness as he turned to Hera, his eyes wide with feigned sincerity.

    "Hera, I hurt my arm and can��t lift it. Can you feed me?"

    Hera, unable to refuse, sighed in exasperation, but Minerva choked on the soup she had just taken, coughing a few times.

    A bit of drool escaped her lips, and she quickly wiped it away, her face turning even redder.

    "Brother, you��" Minerva started, but she couldn��t finish her sentence.

    She was taken aback by how shameless her brother had be without her even realizing it.

    Rafael, who had always been so domineering and intimidating, now seemed almost childishly needy.

    This softer side of him was so unexpected that Minerva couldn��t quite process it.

    She couldn��t even find the right words to say.

    ��<i>I don��t know anymore,��</i> she thought, burying her face in the food in front of her while secretly ncing up at the yful exchange between Hera and Rafael, her curiosity piqued.

    "It��s alright, Hera," Zhane said, his voice stern, yet there was a hint of teasing and affection in his eyes as he gave a small, knowing smile.

    "You can feed Rafael, and I��ll take care of you."

    Rafael looked exasperated as if Zhane had one up him but he really couldn��t find a word to say something because he genuinely can��t move his arm right now.

    "What would you like to eat tomorrow? I mighte by again to bring some food," Hera asked, her gaze drifting toward Minerva.

    Rafael was about to answer but caught the look in Hera��s eyes as she nced at Minerva.

    He paused, his words faltering as he shifted his attention between the two of them.

    A soft smile slowly spread across his lips.

    He found it heartwarming to see his little minx and his little princess getting along so well.

    The sight made his heart swell with a mix of pride and contentment.

 Chapter 564 Little Minx

    "Little minx, you��re so good to me and my little sister. Thank you," Rafael said, breaking into a wide smile.

    Minerva, witnessing this softer, almost yful side of her brother for the first time, was left utterly speechless.

    She had never imagined that her usually domineering brother could behave so... shamelessly.

    Amused, Minerva quietly observed the trio as they bantered.

    Most of the exchanges involved Rafael attempting to pick fights with Zhane, who either feigned ignorance or treated Rafael��sments as the ramblings of a fool.

    This, of course, only served to further exasperate Rafael.

    Hera, ever the peacemaker, would step in to calm Rafael, gently reminding him not to get too worked up while he was still recovering.

    Amid the cheerful banter, no one noticed when Alice quietly slipped out of the room, her face flushed with anger.

    Not long after, Minerva was wheeled out to her own room to rest and sleep.

    Hera then turned her attention to Zhane, who looked visibly exhausted.

    The dark circles under his eyes were impossible to ignore, and his pained expression only reinforced her concern.

    "Zhane, go home and get some sleep, okay? You��ve been working nonstop," Hera urged gently.

    "I��ll stay with Rafael and look after him for a while." Her tone was firm but caring as she tried to convince him to take a well-deserved break.

    Zhane shook his head stubbornly.

    "Let��s just sleep here together. Sleeping next to you will help me rest better," he said, his voice hoarse and strained, hinting that he might be on the verge of catching a cold.

    Seeing his condition, Hera stopped trying to persuade him. Instead, she gave him a small nod, her concern evident.

    By this time, Minerva had already been wheeled out to rest in her own room.

    Shortly after, the staff returned to the ward and began setting up the king-size bed again, carefully pushing other furniture aside to make space.

    Unlike before, Rafael was no longer tethered to any medical machines, except for an IV drip.

    Once the bed was ready, he gingerly climbed down from his current bed.

    His movements were slow and deliberate, his expression pitiable as though he wanted to evoke sympathy from everyone in the room.

    "I��ll sleep with you guys too," Rafael announced. Though he attempted to look pitiful, his naturally intense expression��with a frown sharp enough to crush a fly��still gave off an air of intimidation.

    Hera sighed helplessly, scooting to the middle of the bed before lifting the nket invitingly.

    "Come on, but be careful with the IV needle. If you pull it, you��ll regret it," she reminded him.

    Rafael, now grinning like a mischievous child, carefully maneuvered his IV drip and climbed onto the bed.

    Meanwhile, Zhane had already removed his doctor��s coat, hanging it neatly on the back of the couch.

    Sitting at the edge of the bed, he slipped off his shoes and ced them neatly beside it.

    With deliberate movements, he loosened the buttons of his shirt and unfastened his belt, setting it on the couch alongside his coat.

    He was clearly making himselffortable, prioritizing a restful sleep.

    Hera, without even realizing it, had grownpletely ustomed to having these men orbit around her.

    Their constant presence in her life had be so natural that sharing a bed with them no longer seemed out of the ordinary.

    She settledfortably between the two without a second thought.

    As Rafaely down beside Hera, he turned his gaze to Zhane and asked casually, "Zhane, can I take off the IV drip for now and put it back tomorrow?"

    "This bag is almost empty," Zhane replied calmly. "Just let it finish, and we��ll take out the needle afterward. I��ll set you up with a new one first thing in the morning. Your body��s already recovering well��this is just a precaution."

    Satisfied with his exnation, Zhane shifted closer to Hera, his arm naturally wrapping around her waist.

    He rested his head near her shoulder, his nose brushing against the crook of her neck.

    Within moments, his steady breathing signaled he had drifted off to sleep, his exhaustion finally catching up with him.

    Hera chuckled softly as she nced at Zhane��s tired but peaceful face.

    Unable to resist, she reached out and gently brushed his bangs away from his forehead, watching as his steady breathing remained calm in his sleep.

    Just then, another arm reached out to hug her, apanied by a low grunt of pain.

    Startled, Hera turned her attention to Rafael, concern shing in her eyes.

    "Don��t move too quickly," she said, her tone gentle yet firm, as she carefully extended her hand toward him to offer support.

    Before Hera could react, Rafael��s lips were already on hers, capturing her in a deep, passionate kiss while Zhane slept soundly against her other arm.

    Rafael had shifted onto his side, his injured arm now wrapped around her neck, pulling her closer with surprising strength.

    Hera��s first instinct was to recoil, worried about aggravating his wound.

    But the thought of moving abruptly and causing him more harm held her still, her mind torn between concern and the intensity of the moment.

    Hera tried to speak, but before she could, Rafael took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue iming hers.

    He shifted closer, sliding his leg between hers.

    "Little Minx," he murmured, his voice thick with desire, "I��ve been wanting to kiss you like this for so long."

    His grip on her neck tightened as he kissed her with an intensity that made her feel as though he was trying to pull her into him, to make her a part of him.

    "Rafael, you��re injured," Hera gasped, her hands pushing gently against his chest, trying to create some space between them.

    "Do you know, I thought I��d never see you again when I was sure I was dying?" Rafael murmured, his forehead resting gently against Hera��s.

    He was still breathing heavily, his lips parting slightly after their kiss, but the look in his eyes��intense, full of desire, passion, and love��burned into hers.

 Chapter 565 Two Against One

    A growl escaped him, primal and hungry, as he sensed her desire building.

    He rubbed his knees against her core, the fabric of her clothes the only barrier between them.

    Hera shuddered, feeling a tightening sensation that made her pulse quicken, heat pooling between her legs.

    Rafael��s hand, resting on her waist, began to massage her gently, inching upward until it reached her chest.

    His fingers kneaded the base of her breast before slipping beneath the fabric of her clothes.

    "Hmmm..." Hera unconsciously moaned, quickly stifling the sound in fear that Zhane might wake.

    To her surprise, this secret moment only deepened the knot in her stomach, a mix of anticipation and nervousness swirling within her as she wondered if Zhane would stir and discover them.

    <i>��Damn, is this what it feels like to be a cheater? The rush of being caught?��</i> Hera thought, her mind racing.

    <i>��But we��re not cheating... still, the thrill is undeniable.��</i>

    Rafael��s voice, low and filled with unspoken desire, cut through her thoughts. "Little minx, it seems I��m not doing enough to keep your mind from wandering while I��m here with you."

    Hera opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Rafael silenced her with a deep, hungry kiss.

    His tongue plunged into her mouth, iming her with an intensity that left her breathless.

    His hands slipped under her bra, pinching her nipple with a force that sent a jolt of pleasure through her body.

    "Ah!" Hera moaned into Rafael��s kiss, her body responding instinctively.

    She could sense him smiling against her lips, his warm breath mingling with hers in the darkness.

    Theck of light seemed to heighten every sensation, making Rafael��s touch burn with intensity.

    Her desire surged, and she felt her core clenching, her breath hitching with each gentle lick and teasing bite he gave her lips.

    It was as if he was coaxing her to let go, urging her to surrender to the moment.

    Rafael didn��t stop. His hand found her breast, gripping it possessively as his lips trailed down to her jaw.

    His tongue flicked along her skin, and then his teeth gently grazed her jaw, teasing as if he wanted to take a bite.

    The sensation sent a surge of electricity through her, her scalp tingling, and her body trembling.

    Her eyes fluttered as the sensation overwhelmed her, and a soft moan escaped her lips.

    "Hmm..." she sighed, gasping sharply as his touch deepened. "Ah!"

    She felt another hand slip inside her clothes, sliding directly into her panties from behind. In an instant, Hera froze, her breath catching in her throat, as if her heart might leap from her chest.

    "So, you��ve been awake this whole time?" Rafael murmured, his voice low and thick with desire. He lowered his lips to her neck, sucking gently as he moved closer.

    "How could I possibly sleep when you��re making moves right beside me?" Zhane murmured, his voice low and teasing.

    "Aren��t you hoping I��d wake up and help you, especially since you seem to be struggling to move?"

    Without waiting for an answer, his hand slid confidently into Hera��s panties, his fingers finding her clit with practiced ease.

    He caressed her, drawing soft circles that sent shivers through her body before trailing lower. "You��re so wet," he whispered into her ear, his breath warm and tantalizing against her skin.

    As he nibbled on her earlobe, a quiet growl escaping him, his middle finger slipped inside her, eliciting a gasp from her lips.

    Pressing his body firmly against Hera��s back, Zhane moved with an unrelenting intensity, his presence enveloping herpletely.

    Hera was now caught between the two of them��Rafael in front, his body pressing firmly against hers, and Zhane behind, his touch unrelenting.

    Zhane��s other hand slid beneath her body, reaching up from the mattress to grip her other breast while his fingers continued their rhythmic thrusts into her wet pussy.

    "Ha... ha... ha..." Hera��s panting filled the room, her body trembling under the intensity of their shared heat.

    Their hot breaths brushed against her bare skin, sending shivers racing down her spine.

    Rafael had long since pulled her clothes away, exposing her soft, fair skin to their eager touch.

    Even in the darkness, where neither of them could see much, Hera��s cheeks flushed with a mixture of arousal and shyness.

    It felt as though their eyes could pierce through the shadows, seeing her entirely��leaving her feeling bare in more ways than one.

    "Don��t be shy. You can moan louder," Rafael murmured, his voice deep and coaxing as his fingers teased Hera��s sensitive nipple.

    Slowly, he trailed his mouth downward, his lips grazing her heated skin and leaving a damp, tantalizing trail of saliva in his trail.

    When he reached the soft mound that fit perfectly in hisrge hand, he didn��t hesitate.

    His lips closed around her nipple, sucking and nibbling with just the right amount of pressure.

    "Ah!" Hera gasped louder this time, her voice trembling with pleasure.

    An indescribable wave of arousal surged through her, making her mind nk out as her body surrenderedpletely, letting itself be carried by the flood of sensation.

    Without even realizing it, Hera began grinding her hips against Zhane��s hand, her movements instinctive and desperate as soft moans escaped her lips.

    "Ah!" she cried out, her voice growing louder with every motion.

    "That��s it," Zhane encouraged, his voice thick with excitement.

    "Ride my fingers." His free hand teased her further, pinching her nipples as her hips continued their rhythm.

    Each grind of her body asionally brushed against his cock, drawing a sharp hiss from him as he bit his lower lip.

    The pressure was almost too much to bear, his shaft hardening to the point of aching steel.

    A guttural groan slipped from Zhane��s lips as he thrust his fingers deeper into her slick heat, adding another finger without hesitation.

    Hera��s moans grew louder, her walls clenching tightly around him, her body responding uncontrobly.

    "You��re so tight," Zhane murmured, his arousal evident in every word, his breathing ragged as he lost himself in her pleasure.

    Rafael propped himself up, and it was as if an unspoken understanding passed between the two men.

    Without a word, Zhane followed suit, momentarily pausing and pulling his hands away from beneath Hera��s clothes.

    She blinked in a daze, confused and breathless at their sudden stop.

    Zhane sat up against the headboard, arranging a few pillows behind him before gently pulling Hera into his embrace.

    Without saying anything, Rafael began to strip Hera of her clothes, piece by piece.

    Hershes fluttered, her mind spinning as she tried to understand what they were doing.

    Then, she gasped sharply, her back arching instinctively as she melted deeper into Zhane��s arms.

    "Be good," Zhane murmured, his voice a lowmand as he captured her lips in a deep, heated kiss.

    His hands roamed her body, kneading her breasts with deliberate care, eliciting soft whimpers from her.

    Rafael moved down between her legs, his lips and tongue teasing her pussy in slow, deliberate strokes.

    The sudden wave of pleasure made Hera cry out in shock and ecstasy, her body trembling uncontrobly. Every nerve in her body felt alive, her breathsing in ragged gasps.

    Through the kiss, Zhane chuckled softly, his tone teasing.

    "You��re so sensitive... so cute," he murmured against her lips, his words sending another jolt of heat coursing through her.

    But Rafael wasn��t done driving Hera wild.

    As his tongue flicked and teased her clit, he slid two fingers inside her, curling them with precision.

    The sudden rush of pleasure made Hera jolt, her body arching involuntarily.

    "No, not there!" she yelped, her voice shaky and breathless, barely more than a whisper between ragged breaths.

    She bit her lower lip in an attempt to contain the overwhelming sensations coursing through her, but Zhane wouldn��t let her hide.

    Gently, he tilted her chin upward, his gaze locking with hers.

    "Don��t bite your lips," he said in a low, coaxing tone before leaning in to capture her mouth.

    His tongue plunged in, swallowing her gasps and moans as he deepened the kiss, leaving her no room to resist.

    Hera��s senses were overwhelmed, her body trembling and growing weaker as the relentless assault of pleasure continued.

    Rafael��s skilled hands and tongue worked in perfect tandem, and the more her body reacted��helpless and vulnerable��the more the two men seemed to thrive on her responses, their movements bing even more fervent and focused.

    Soon, Rafael felt her inner walls tighten around his fingers, a telltale sign of her impending climax.

    A wicked grin spread across his lips as he increased the pace of his thrusts, his tongue flicking faster over her sensitive clit.

    Hera��s moans turned into a scream of ecstasy as her body gave in, waves of pleasure crashing through her in an explosive release.

 Chapter 566 Another One Came In

    When they saw what he was doing, they opened their mouths to speak, but no words came out.

    <i>��He��s really shameless,��</i> they both thought as they watched Leo��s silhouette in the dim light, stripping off his clothes piece by piece.

    The sight made their eyes sting, as though they were unwilling spectators to an impromptu striptease.

    Awkwardly, the two men averted their gazes, their focus dropping to Hera.

    She was still lost in her own world, her body trembling faintly as she came down from the peak of her climax.

    Before they could fully process what was happening, Leo had already joined them on the bed, his boldness leaving no room for hesitation.

    "I��ve already sent everyone away and booked the entire floor," Leo said, his tone calm but firm.

    He turned to Rafael. "Your sister is on the floor below, so no one will hear or disturb us."

    Leo crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "Without my arrangements, with everything going on in here, it wouldn��t have taken long for you to be discovered."

    It was only natural for Leo to be meticulous when it came to Hera��s matter.

    Despite his own exhaustion, the moment he reached the dark ward and heard Hera��s moans through the door, he had acted immediately.

    Rushing to the nurse��s desk, he ensured no one could approach the room, locked down the entire floor, and moved Minerva downstairs.

    Only with these precautions in ce could he rx, confident that Hera��s privacy��and the scandalous scene unfolding��wouldn��t make tomorrow��s headlines.

    That was why he had been so furious the moment he entered the room.

    He knew all too well that each of his rivals was doing everything they could to win Hera over, and they weren��t holding back from touching her intimately.

    He couldn��t afford to be petty or stop them from doing what consenting adults did, but he��d be lying if he said he wasn��t jealous.

    Rather than stewing in anger and envy from the sidelines, he decided it was better to join in.

    If he was part of it, at least he could ensure he had the most time with her��and maybe, just maybe, im a little more of her attention for himself.

    "L-Leo?" Hera��s weak, dreamy voice broke the tension in an instant. Leo, d only in his pants, moved closer to her, his expression softening with concern.

    "I��m here," he said gently. "How are you feeling?" There was a hint of worry in his tone, as though he feared she might have been overwhelmed or pushed too far.

    Hera blinked up at him, momentarily stunned, but then a warm smile spread across her face.

    She didn��t fully understand why, but from the beginning, she had always felt closer to Leo.

    Maybe it was his quiet sincerity, the way he cared for her, or the intensity of his gaze that always seemed to be solely on her, even when he didn��t say much.

    There was something about him that felt like a silent promise of protection. And though she hadn��t caught everything earlier, she had heard enough to know that Leo always wanted the best for her.

    As he leaned in to check on her, Hera instinctively reached up, looping her arms around his neck. Her voice softened, and she looked up at him with a yful, coquettish glimmer in her eyes.

    "Are you worried about me?" Hera��s soft voice broke the momentary silence, her words catching the three men off guard.

    Zhane and Rafael��s eyes immediately sharpened, jealousy and possessiveness ring as they watched the way Hera looked at Leo.

    The sight of the two so close together made something primal stir within them. Without hesitation, they scooted closer, unwilling to let Leo steal the moment.

    Zhane leaned in, his lips brushing against Hera��s ear. "Have you forgotten about me now that your favorite is here, hmm?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing as he gently nipped at her earlobe.

    "I��m here too," Rafael added, his hand sliding up to grip Hera��s inner thigh. Theirbined touches sent a shiver through her body, and a loud moan escaped her lips.

    Leo��s eyes burned with an intense red glow, his jealousy sparking into action as he watched the others.

    In the dim light of the ward, Hera��s tear-zed eyes sparkled like stars, her beauty rendering him incapable of holding back any longer.

    He moved closer, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.

    Meanwhile, Zhane supported Hera��s weight, keeping her securely between him and Rafael.

    Now, with Leo joining in, the air around them grew even heavier with desire, none of them willing to yield.

    Hera��s hand, resting on Leo��s neck, slowly slid upward until her fingers tangled in his hair.

    She gripped it tightly, responding eagerly to his kisses, which emboldened Leo to deepen them further.

    Hera had long made her decision; she knew the inevitable wasing.

    And as an adult, she saw no reason to shy away.

    She would embrace their love and the overwhelming attention theyvished on her��especially Leo��s.

    As Leo imed her lips, Zhane pressed soft kisses along the nape of her neck, his hands skillfully fondling her breasts.

    At the same time, Rafael��s lips traveled to the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

    Hera��s breath hitched, caught in her throat as the sensations overwhelmed her.

    It was only then that she realized she was surrounded, held captive by three ravenous wolves intent on devouring her entirely.

    Her heart raced wildly, threatening to leap from her chest, as her body melted under their touch.

    She moaned softly, breaking free from Leo��s kisses, her breathing in short, uneven gasps.

    Leo��s intense gaze locked onto her face, his eyes burning with desire yet tempered with concern.

    "What��s wrong?" he asked gently, his hand caressing her cheek with soothing tenderness.

    "A-um... it��s my first time," she admitted weakly, her voice trembling with shyness.

    Her words were quiet, but they ignited a fire in the hearts of all three men.

    Leo��s chest tightened, desire and restraint battling within him, yet he still managed to ask with care.

 Chapter 567 If It’s You, I’m Willing

    Zhane and Rafael were momentarily stunned, jealousy flickering in their hearts.

    But Zhane, ever perceptive, understood the situation better than most. Among them, he knew no one could rival Leo��s love for Hera��not even him.

    Leo didn��t need grand derations or borate gestures; his every action radiated his unwavering devotion.

    From the way he thought of her well-being to the quiet, deliberate things he did for her, it was clear that Leo��s love ran deep.

    So, if Hera was truly willing to give herself to Leo, Zhane couldn��t bring himself to protest. As long as he could remain by her side, that would be enough for him.

    "We��ve already prepared her," Zhane said teasingly, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips.

    Hera��s eyes widened, and an intense blush spread across her cheeks.

    Her body felt unbearably warm as the weight of Zhane��s words sank in.

    She realized how much her earlier confession had revealed��not just her feelings for Leo but also her vulnerability in front of the other two men.

    Zhane��s remark didn��t need an exnation; it was all too clear what he meant, especially for someone like her, who now fully grasped the adult implications of their situation.

    "May I?" Leo asked softly, his gaze meeting Hera��s.

    Hera nodded shyly, her cheeks flushed. Summoning her courage, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

    A wide smile spread across Leo��s face as he deepened the kiss, his movements tender yet deliberate.

    He didn��t need to coax her; Hera parted her lips willingly, inviting him in.

    Taking the lead, Leo slid his tongue into her mouth, yfully intertwining with hers, each stroke drawing her further into the moment.

    As they kissed, Leo��s hand traveled downward.

    His fingers brushed against her belly button, tracing gentle circles before continuing lower, his touch leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

    Hera squirmed under his exploration, her body responding instinctively.

    At the same time, Zhane pinched her nipple, his lips teasing her earlobe, eliciting gasps and shivers that made her arch against them.

    When Leo��s hand reached her core, he could feel how wet she was.

    A low groan escaped his lips as he continued to kiss her, his passion unrelenting.

    Every kiss felt desperate, like a parched man finally drinking deeply, pulling Hera deeper into the intoxicating tide.

    Slowly, Leo inserted his middle finger inside her, his touch making Hera squirm even more.

    Her inner walls clenched around him, and the sensation made him hiss softly in excitement.

    When Leo was certain that Hera was ready��her body soft and inviting, her arousal undeniable��he unbuttoned his pants and slid his boxers down.

    In an instant, his hard cock sprang free, no longer constrained.

    Though the room was dim, Hera��s eyes had gradually adjusted to the darkness, and her heightened senses allowed her to make out its outline.

    The sight,bined with the memory of her first intimate moments with Leo, sent a tingling sensation coursing through her body.

    Her heart raced, her breath quickening as anticipation built steadily within her.

    Leo positioned himself carefully between her legs, his movements deliberate and tender.

    Meanwhile, Rafael shifted to the side, not wanting to be left out entirely.

    Reaching out, he gently took hold of one of Hera��s hands,cing his fingers with hers.

    Even if it was only this small connection for now, it was enough to remind her that he was there, still a part of this shared moment.

    Before entering her, Leo leaned down, capturing Hera��s lips in a series of tender, passionate kisses.

    His lips moved down her neck, trailing to her chest before settling on her sensitive nipple.

    Zhane��s hand moved aside, giving Leo space to take over, though his fingers lingered, gently caressing the base of her breast as Leo��s lips teased and sucked her nipple.

    As Leo��s mouth worshiped her skin, his other hand guided his hard cock to the entrance of her wet pussy, positioning himself with careful precision.

    His breath was warm against her chest as he paused, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

    "Wifey," he murmured softly, his voice a mix of arousal and affection, "I��m putting it in." His words sought her permission, his tone gentle and reassuring.

    Overwhelmed by the sensations of Leo��s mouth teasing her sensitive nipple, Hera could only manage a soft, trembling sound.

    "Um," she murmured, her voice barely audible but filled with trust. Taking her response as consent, Leo began to push in slowly, the tip of his cock stretching her entrance.

    A sharp gasp escaped Hera��s lips as a wave of pain shot through her, the feeling of being stretched wide nearly overwhelming her.

    Leo froze immediately, his body tense as he registered her difort.

    Though his arousal burned fiercely, concern quickly overtook him. He groaned softly, his restraint evident, stopping to give her time to adjust.

    Sensing the tension in the air, Zhane gently cupped Hera��s chin, tilting her face toward him. "Look at me," he murmured, his voice soothing yet firm.

    Without hesitation, he pressed his lips to hers, his tongue intertwining with hers in a passionate kiss meant to distract andfort her.

    At the same time, Rafael leaned closer, his hand reaching between Hera��s legs.

    His fingers found her clit and began circling it with deliberate, teasing strokes, sending jolts of pleasure through her trembling body.

    Gradually, Hera��s muscles began to rx under theirbined touch, her tension easing as her mind became lost in the flood of sensations.

    Feeling her body soften around him, Leo exhaled in relief, gently pushing in a little further, his movements slow and careful as he continued to watch her for any sign of difort.

    "Ah," Hera whimpered, her body trembling again.

    But with Rafael and Zhane working to distract her, the sharpness of the pain began to fade, reced by a growing warmth.

    Rafael leaned in, his lips closing around one of her nipples as he teased it with slow, deliberate strokes of his tongue.

    Simultaneously, his fingers continued their rhythmic caress over her clit, sending jolts of pleasure through her body and further easing her tension.

    This left Leo free to focus entirely on herfort, his movements patient and tender as he carefully adjusted, ensuring Hera��s body had time to amodate him.

    Together, their attentions worked in harmony, guiding her from difort into a steadily building sense of pleasure and connection.

 Chapter 568 All At Once

    For them, it wasn��t about being first; it was about being part of her life, sharing in her joy, and making her feel adored.

    As Leo pushed his full length inside her, a tight pressure clenched around his shaft, making him wince slightly.

    The sheer thickness and length of him left Hera feeling ufortably full, but Leo��s patience gave her the time she needed to adjust.

    Slowly, the tearing pain in her core subsided, aided by Zhane and Rafael��s soothing caresses and tender kisses, which distracted her and eased her difort.

    "Argh," Leo groaned, his voice strained as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

    His body trembled slightly, a testament to the effort it took to hold himself back.

    Even in the dim light, Hera could sense his struggle��hisbored breaths, the tension in his muscles, and the way his cock twitched inside her.

    Reaching out, Hera ced her hand on Leo��s arm, which was braced near her waist to support his weight.

    Her touch was gentle but steady, an unspoken gesture of reassurance and connection as they navigated this intimate moment together.

    "You don��t have to hold back. I��m feeling better now," Hera whispered softly, her voice trembling slightly.

    Her heart pounded in her chest, her face burning as a deep flush spread from her cheeks down to the nape of her neck.

    Zhane chuckled quietly, his warm breath brushing her ear as his hands continued to fondle her breasts from behind, kneading them with care.

    She could feel the firm press of his cock against her back, a steady reminder of his presence.

    Leo began to move slowly, his thrusts gentle and deliberate.

    The faint ache that Hera had felt earlier gradually gave way to a blossoming pleasure.

    Rafael��s fingers moved in synchronized circles over her clit, his touch precise and attentive, his eyes locked on her face to gauge her reactions.

    Overwhelmed by thebined sensations, Hera��sshes fluttered, her breathsing faster as waves of pleasure coursed through her.

    Leo groaned softly, biting his lip to stifle the sounds of his growing pleasure.

    The heat of her body and the rhythm of his thrusts sent shivers down his spine, his movements gradually deepening as he let himself sink into the moment.

    Hera��s toes curled as waves of electrifying pleasure coursed through her body, building steadily in her core.

    Her inner walls tightened instinctively, and her dangling leg hooked more firmly around Leo��s waist, pulling him closer and causing his cock to sink even deeper inside her.

    "Ugh, wifey..." Leo gasped, his voice thick with restraint.

    His breaths were heavy, and his muscles tensed as he fought to maintain control.

    Despite the overwhelming sensations flooding his body, his focus remained on her.

    "Don��t... don��t do this. I can barely hold myself back," he admitted, his eyes squeezed shut as he battled his urges.

    He understood the significance of her first time and was determined to make it about her, ensuring she felt cherished and loved, not just used for his own pleasure.

    Before Leo could hold onto his fleeting restraint, Hera��s soft voice broke through the haze, trembling and almost pleading.

    "It��s okay... you don��t have to hold back. I��m feeling good. You can go harder," she murmured. Her words weren��t an attempt to sound brave��they were honest.

    Each stroke of Leo��s cock sent tremors through her body, striking the perfect ces that made her mind spin and her body shiver uncontrobly.

    It was a sensation she couldn��t fully describe, like tiny sparks coursing through her veins, leaving her wanting more with every moment.

    Those few words were all it took to shatter thest thread of Leo��s restraint.

    Hera felt his cock swell slightly inside her, her heart racing in response to the sudden shift.

    Before she could fully adjust, Leo��s slow, gentle thrusts transformed into deep, powerful movements, each one driving further into her core and pulling a gasp from her lips.

    "Ah!" Hera cried out, her back arching instinctively.

    The intense pleasure coursing through her left her breathless, her senses overwhelmed.

    Zhane, ever attentive, silenced her cries��which had begun to sound more like desperate moans��with a heated kiss, his lips iming hers as his hands continued to knead her breasts.

    His fingers toyed with her nipples, pinching and rolling them expertly, drawing more gasps and squirms from her.

    Pleasure assaulted Hera from every direction, leaving her utterly helpless to resist.

    She couldn��t focus on any single sensation��the waves of ecstasy crashing through her came from everywhere at once.

    Her thoughts dissolved into a haze, her body surrenderingpletely as she was swept away by the overwhelming intensity, unable to form words and lost entirely in the moment.

    Leo thrust deeper into Hera��s pussy, his cock brushing against her most sensitive spots, each movement sending jolts of pleasure through her.

    When he hit her womb, a loud, unrestrained moan escaped her lips.

    His grip on her waist tightened, his fingers digging into her soft skin as he leaned closer. His hot breath fanned her flushed face, their gazes locking in a fiery exchange.

    Hera��s eyes, wide and zed with pleasure, met Leo��s intense stare, and for a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them.

    "Don��t just focus on him," Zhane growled, his voice tinged with jealousy.

    He bit her lower lip gently, his possessive touch sending a shiver down Hera��s spine. It was a reminder that he was still there, unwilling to be overlooked.

    Despite the distraction, Leo��s burning eyes remained on Hera, each thrust deliberate, as if staking his im.

    The connection between them was palpable, igniting a fire that made Hera cry out in ecstasy. "Ahh!" she gasped as Leo buried himself even deeper, hitting that perfect spot again.

    Meanwhile, Rafael gently took Hera��s hands in his own, pressing soft kisses to each finger.

    He let his tongue flick over the delicate crevices, his teasing touch both intimate and electrifying.

    His cock, already hard and straining against the thin fabric of his hospital pants, twitched with anticipation.

    Meanwhile, Hera��s movements against Zhane��s body sent jolts of pleasure coursing through him.

    Her back grazed his hardened cock with every thrust, the friction almost unbearable.

    He groaned deeply, his breaths ragged as the overwhelming sensations teased him toward the edge.

    Even without direct contact, the intensity of their shared moment had him dangerously close to losing control.

    Hera��s eyes rolled back as waves of pleasure consumed her, her entire body trembling uncontrobly.

 Chapter 569 Let Us Have Ours

    The intensity of his climax left him breathless, a primal snarl escaping his lips as he struggled to regain control.

    It was a feeling unlike anything Leo had ever experienced��raw, unrestrained, and entirely overwhelming.

    Despite the loss of his usualposure, his gaze instinctively returned to Hera.

    The sight of her trembling in pleasure, her expression blissful and her body responding so perfectly, made his heart swell with an unfamiliar tenderness.

    Hera, too, was ovee by the intensity of the moment.

    A second climax ripped through her, leaving her body convulsing violently as wave after wave of electrifying pleasure coursed through her veins.

    Her longshes fluttered, her eyes ssy with ecstasy, while her toes curled and stiffened with the sheer force of her release.

    The sensation was all-consuming, leaving her breathless and trembling as the pleasure washed over her in relentless waves.

    "Y-you came inside her."

    "You creampied her."

    Zhane and Rafael spoke simultaneously, their voicesced with shock.

    Neither had expected Leo to release his seed deep inside Hera, and their gazes instinctively dropped to her lower belly.

    As adults, they fully understood the implications of what had just happened, and a tremor of disbelief and tension coursed through them.

    But Leo paid them no mind.

    His attention remained entirely on Hera. His intense gaze roamed from her flushed face to where their bodies were still intimately joined.

    His cock, still hard and buried deep inside her, radiated warmth from the mixture of their shared release.

    Slowly, almostzily, he began to thrust again, the slick sensation making Hera tremble uncontrobly beneath him.

    "That��s it, wifey," Leo murmured, his voice a husky mix of satisfaction and desire.

    "Coat my cock with your love juice." Each deliberate stroke amplified the wet, rhythmic sounds of their union, their fluids mingling as Hera��s body quivered in response to the continued stimtion.

    The scene was both intimate and primal, a moment that left no doubt of their shared passion.

    Seeing that Leo had no intention of stopping, Rafael finally spoke, his voice tinged with authority and a trace of impatience.

    "You��ve had your turn, now let us have ours." His tone carried a domineering edge, though his restraint was evident.

    Zhane was silent beside him and didn��t need to say a word��his intense gaze spoke volumes, making it clear he shared Rafael��s sentiments.

    Despite Rafael��smanding demeanor, he was visibly holding himself back, the ache in his abdomen signaling just how close he was to losing control.

    Leo paused mid-thrust, his predatory gaze shifting to the two men.

    Through the dim light and shadows, his deep ocean-blue eyes glinted with possessiveness, a primal challenge that made both Zhane and Rafael involuntarily tense.

    A shiver ran down their spines, but neither backed down��they weren��t the type to falter, even in the face of Leo��s unyielding dominance.

    After a tense moment of silence, Leo relented.

    With an exasperated sigh, he pulled out his cock slowly, and thick, warm streams of his release spilled out of Hera��s trembling pussy.

    The sensation made her gasp faintly, though her mind was clouded, her body exhausted and trembling from the overwhelming sensations she had just experienced.

    Her breaths came in soft, shallow pants, and her half-lidded eyes fluttered closed, unable to focus on the conversation around her.

    Rafael moved to step forward, but Zhane was faster, his desire already teetering on the edge of control.

    He had been forced to endure the torment of feeling Hera��s soft body grind against his painfully hard cock while Leo imed her, and now he couldn��t hold back any longer.

    From behind, Zhane unbuttoned his pants, freeing his cock from its confines, hard and throbbing with need.

    Carefully, he positioned Hera on her side, cradling her limp form with surprising tenderness.

    He raised her right leg and rested it against his strong arm, exposing her fully to him.

    With a low, guttural groan, he aligned himself at her entrance, his cock brushing against her slick folds.

    Slowly, carefully, he began to push inside, inch by inch, the tight heat of her enveloping him as his breaths grew ragged.

    "Argh," Zhane hissed, a deep groan escaping him as Hera��s inner walls clenched tightly around his cock, drawing him deeper into the intoxicating heat.

    "Ah!" Hera cried out, her voice trembling with a mixture of lingering ecstasy and the overwhelming sensation of Zhane��s cock pushed deeper into her, stretching her.

    Her body, still reeling from her previous climax, quivered as she whimpered softly.

    The intense sensations pulled her out of her daze, her mind struggling to keep up with the onught of pleasure.

    Zhane��s hot breath fanned against the nape of her neck as he moved with steady, deliberate thrusts.

    His left arm slid under her body, encircling her waist and pulling her closer.

    Hera could feel the tension in his strong muscles through the thin fabric of his shirt.

    With a firm but gentle grip, he guided her chin upward, making her meet his smoldering gaze.

    As his cock plunged in and out, eliciting gasps from her trembling lips, he captured her mouth in a hungry kiss.

    His tongue explored hers, muffling her cries, and he groaned against her lips.

    "I can��t get enough of your sweet taste," he murmured, his voice low and rough, sending shivers down her spine.

    The intensity of his words and the relentless rhythm of his thrusts caused Hera��s inner walls to tighten around him, drawing a ragged groan from his throat.

    She could feel the faint curve of his smile against her lips, a sign of his satisfaction even as his breathing grew more uneven.

    But Leo wasn��t finished.

    The sight of Zhane iming Hera so intimately stirred a possessive fire within him.

    Jealousy flickered in his gaze, his need to feel her again overwhelming his self-restraint.

    Seeing Hera��s exposed and inviting position, Leo��s hunger reignited.

    Leo shifted closer, lifting Hera��s dangling right leg from Zhane��s arm and draping it over his broad shoulder.

    Lowering his body, he aligned himself with her.

    He brought his still-hard cock to her clit, grinding it slowly and deliberately against her slick, sensitive folds while Zhane was pouncing in and out.

    Thebination of his thick cum and Hera��s own juices created a sinful, slippery sensation that made Hera��s moans grew louder, the sensation sending jolts of pleasure through her already overstimted body.

 Chapter 570 Three (Extra)

    Hera��s soft cries and breathless whimpers only fueled their desire, driving them closer to the edge. Even Zhane, usually calm andposed, had lost all restraint.

    His thrusts became rough and relentless, each movement more intense than thest.

    Hera��s voice, already strained from her moans and cries, began to grow hoarse under the onught.

    Her trembling body reacted to every motion, her cries blending with their groans, creating a symphony of unbridled passion that echoed throughout the room.

    "This... it��s too much... I can��t," Hera gasped, her words trembling as she struggled to keep herposure.

    Her limbs began to feel foreign, disconnected, as if they no longer belonged to her.

    Weakness slowly overtook her, but before she couldpletely lose her grip, Rafael grasped her fingers, his hand firm as he intertwined with hers.

    His grip tightened, guiding her delicate touch to stroke his hard shaft.

    The sensation was overwhelming, building within him as he moved with a mixture of urgency and restraint, feeling the intensity surge within him.

    "Ha... ha... ha..." The sound of the men��s ragged breaths filled the room, mingling with Hera��s desperate moans.

    It was unmistakable��anyone passing by would know exactly what was happening inside.

    Hera no longer felt the need to be shy or reserved; her mind was overwhelmed by lust and desire.

    Thankfully, her stamina held up, allowing her to keep pace with the men.

    But even as Leo and Zhane finished, her body felt on the verge of giving out.

    The night was far from over, and with Rafael��perhaps even more��still toe, she wondered if she��d ever have a chance to rest.

    "Ugh! Hera! I��m cumming!" Zhane growled, his voice hoarse and unrestrained.

    His breaths grew hotter as his grip on her breast and waist tightened, his movements bing erratic.

    With a final, desperate thrust, he buried his face in Hera��s nape, the words caught in his throat as his climax overtook him.

    The pleasure was overwhelming��far more intense than anything he��d felt before, even when Hera had used her hand.

    A shudder coursed through his entire body as he cum inside her, his mind nk with ecstasy.

    Unconsciously, he bit down on her shoulder de, drawing a cry from Hera that was equal parts pain and pleasure.

    Her inner walls clenched tightly around him, milking him dry and pushing him to the brink of copse as he nearly fell limp beside her.

    At the same moment, Leo and Rafael reached their peaks as well, their releases arching through the air andnding on Hera��s trembling abdomen, glistening against her flushed, heaving skin.

    Leo, Zhane, and Rafael panted heavily, their gazes fixed on Hera��s flushed face.

    Her skin glistened with sweat, and strands of her long, wavy hair clung to her forehead and cheeks.

    Zhane reached out tenderly, tucking her hair behind her ear as he looked at her with quiet adoration.

    Feeling his gentle touch and the intensity of their gazes, Hera slowly opened her eyes, her breathsbored.

    Exhaustion weighed on her, but the lingering euphoria still coursed through her trembling body.

    Noticing her state without her saying a word, Rafael had already fetched a ss of water.

    When she reached out for it, her hand trembled too much to hold it steadily. Rafael brought the ss to her lips instead, while Zhane gently supported her, helping her sit up.

    Despite his assistance, Zhane had yet to pull out, his hard cock still pressing inside her, a constant reminder of their closeness.

    But at that moment, her parched throat demanded relief more than anything after all her moaning and screaming.

    As the cool water touched her lips, Hera drank deeply, desperate for its soothing touch, like a fish gasping for life. It was a small reprieve in the aftermath of their shared intensity.

    "Slow down, be careful while you drink," Leo reminded, leaning in closer with a soft tone.

    Once Hera had finished, the three men took turns drinking from the same ss, no longer concerned about sharing. Their earlier germaphobia had long been forgotten, swept away by exhaustion and thirst.

    Hera let out a sigh, thinking the ordeal might finally be over, but it seemed she was mistaken��it was only a water break.

    "It��s my turn now, isn��t it?" Rafael said with a wide grin, cing the ss on the bedside table.

    He had already stripped off his hospital pants earlier, walking around unabashedly naked to grab cold water from the fridge.

    Hera��s throat tightened at his words, making it hard to swallow as she nearly choked in surprise.

    Zhane, who had beenzily thrusting inside her under the pretense of taking his time, froze mid-motion.

    With a reluctant low groan, he finally pulled out, though it was clear he wasn��t ready to give up his im just yet.

    <i>��Since it��se to this, and we��ve already done it, what��s there to be ashamed of?!��</i> Hera thought, her mind racing as three pairs of eyes tracked her every move in the dimly lit room.

    Despite the darkness, it seemed as though they could see her clearly, their gazes piercing through the shadows.

    When Rafael shifted positions with Zhane, he effortlessly lifted Hera and set her on her knees, positioning her to face both Zhane and Leo.

    "A nice view, indeed," Leo teased, a yful smirk on his lips before leaning in to kiss her deeply.

    From behind, Rafael began aligning himself, his movements deliberate and steady.

    Zhane and Leo each took hold of Hera��s trembling hands, steadying her as they supported her weight.

    She leaned against Leo��s broad shoulder, feeling theirbined presence envelop herpletely.

    "Are you still okay for one more round?" Rafael��s deep voice came from behind, his tone carrying a mix of eagerness and restraint.

    Despite his obvious desire to im his turn, he didn��t want to push Hera past her limits.

    Though his words sounded firm, Hera caught the underlying note of concern in his voice.

    He remembered how long Leo and Zhane had taken during their turns, pushing Hera to the brink of exhaustion.

    She hade dangerously close to passing out, yet her remarkable stamina had carried her through.

    Years of working in physically demanding fields had honed her endurance, but even so, Rafael hesitated, waiting for her answer before proceeding.

 Chapter 571 After

    As soon as the words left her lips, Rafael plunged his cock deep into her womb in a single, decisive motion.

    Hera yelped, her body trembling as her mind reeled, a dizzying buzz coursing through her.

    "Ah!" Her cry was quickly overtaken by the relentless rhythm of Rafael��s thrusts from behind.

    The intensity left her clinging to Leo, her teeth sinking into his shoulder as if to ground herself against the electric sensations surging through her.

    Leo, unbothered, let her bite down, hisrge hands stroking her arms reassuringly.

    He leaned closer, brushing his lips against her earlobe, nibbling gently as a soothing contrast to Rafael��s force.

    Zhane approached, his touch tender as he kissed the hand Hera free hand that wasn��t gripping onto Leo.

    Watching this, Rafael leaned forward, pressing his chest against Hera��s back.

    His hand found her breast, kneading it firmly as he pinched her nipple, drawing another sharp gasp from her lips.

    At the same time, his other hand pressed on her lower abdomen, feeling the bulge created by his deep pration, heightening the intensity for them both.

    The pressure Rafael applied to her lower abdomen sent a jolt through Hera, the knot in her stomach tightening and growing more chaotic with every movement.

    Her mind spiraled, overwhelmed by the sensations.

    "Ugh, so you like this?" Rafael murmured, his voice low and hoarse, dripping with seductive confidence.

    He quickened his pace, his thrusts bing more deliberate as he pressed against that sensitive spot again.

    Hera��s inner walls clenched tightly in response, drawing a deep groan from him.

    Her moans grew louder, unrestrained, as the intensity built between them, filling the room with an undeniable rhythm of shared ecstasy.

    Hera released Leo��s shoulder as soon as she noticed the faint metallic taste on her tongue.

    A flicker of guilt crossed her mind, but the overwhelming pleasure clouded her thoughts, leaving her unable to focus on anything else.

    Before she could apologize, Leo gave her a tender, reassuring look.

    Without hesitation, he leaned in and imed her lips, his kiss deep and possessive.

    His tongue explored her mouth, tasting and teasing with an intensity that left her breathless.

    Behind her, Rafael continued his relentless rhythm, his movements causing her body to rock in time with his thrusts.

    Her other breast swayed enticingly with the motion, drawing Zhane��s attention.

    He couldn��t help but fall into a trance, captivated by the hypnotic allure of her every movement as he watched, his eyes fixed in a daze.

    Zhane��s Adam��s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his throat suddenly parched. His gaze lingered, and he felt his cock twitch, hardening like steel despite having stepped aside for now.

    Leo wasn��t faring much better. Hera��s intoxicating floral scent, mixed with the glistening sheen of her sweat, filled the air as her tongue danced yfully with his.

    Both men burned with the desire to join in again, their restraint wavering, but they held back, knowing their turn had already passed.

    Meanwhile, Rafael, unrestrained and consumed by his own hunger, drove into Hera with the raw intensity of a beast unleashed.

    Each thrust was rough and deep, eliciting cries from Hera as she felt every inch of him reaching depths that left her trembling.

    She gasped as she pulled away from Leo��s kiss, her breathing in quick, shallow bursts.

    "Too deep!" she whimpered, her voice trembling.

    But before she could gather herself, three pairs of hands began exploring her body, seeking out the ces that made her shiver with need.

    The overwhelming sensations drove her wild, her mind spinning with pleasure.

    Rafael��s voice was strained, barely above a whisper as he groaned through clenched teeth, "Little minx, I��m almost at my limit. I��m cumming,"

    His body tensed as he felt Hera��s inner walls tightening around his cock, her body��s honest response betraying her own impending release.

    Spurred on, he quickened his pace, each thrust harder and more desperate.

    Leo refused to let her go, keeping his lips locked on hers, his kiss a silentmand.

    Hera��s body trembled beneath their touch, and though her mouth was muffled, her reactions spoke volumes.

    "Ah!" Hera cried out, her body surrendering to the wave of pleasure that overtook her.

    As Rafael quickened his pace, Hera��s body responded instinctively, her breath hitching as a rush of warmth overwhelmed her.

    With a sharp cry, Hera��s climax washed over her, her warm juice coating Rafael��s cock.

    The sensation sent him over the edge, with a final, powerful thrust, and with a guttural groan, he released inside her, his movements slowing but deliberate as he made sure everyst drop of his seed filled herpletely.

    It wasn��t a conscious decision��it was pure instinct, a primal need fulfilled.

    Before Hera could slump over, Leo caught her in his arms, steady and attentive. Both she and Rafael were panting heavily, their bodies glistening with the aftermath of their shared climax.

    Zhane, snapping back to reality, quietly slipped off the bed and headed to the bathroom to prepare a warm bath for Hera.

    The sound of running water filled the air as he moved methodically, his care evident in every action.

    When he returned, he had a set of clean clothes and a guest��s bathrobe in hand, fortunately, they were in the VIP ward, fully equipped with everything they needed, including a guest bathrobe for Hera��sfort.

    Leo carefully lifted Hera and carried her into the bathroom, where Zhane had already finished preparing the bath.

    Gently, Leo began helping Hera clean up, her exhaustion evident as she leaned against him, barely conscious.

    Meanwhile, back in the room, Zhane switched on the lights and began tidying up. That��s when his eyes fell on the sheets, a streak of blood catching his attention.

    He paused, his brows furrowing slightly, understanding the significance of what he was seeing.

    Zhane��s eyes quickly snapped to Rafael, and sure enough, his wound was bleeding.

    The wound had torn open from his excessive exertion. As a doctor, Zhane��s first instinct was to scold Rafael for being reckless, but he stopped himself.

    They were all equally responsible for the night��s events.

    Silently, he grabbed the first-aid kit and set to work, cleaning and reapplying medicine to Rafael��s wound before carefully rebandaging it.

    Once Rafael��s injuries were tended to, Zhane turned his attention to the bed.

    The sheets were soaked with sweat, mixed fluids, and streaks of blood.

    He stripped them off, discarding the soiled linens into a pile. As he worked, his gaze caught a darker, older stain on a specific spot.

    It stood out from the rest, and Zhane immediately understood its significance��it was Hera��s proof of chastity.

 Chapter 572 The Other Three Arrived

    He was a bit clumsy, but he made sure to keep the blower away from her face, careful not to disturb her peaceful sleep.

    After the intensity of herst climax, Hera had fallen unconscious, overwhelmed by everything, but she didn��t regret it.

    A small smile yed at her lips as she slept, content. Seeing her like that, the three men��s tense hearts finally eased.

    Once they had cleaned up, they returned to her side, slowly settling beside her.

    This time, they truly nned to sleep. Zhane, however, made sure to remove the soiled bedsheets and put them in the washer, ensuring no evidence would remain.

    But before he did, they shared one final, quiet moment together��something tomemorate the intensity of what had just passed.

    After all, this was their first step toward truly bing one with Hera, and each of them felt a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

    Before settling to sleep, Zhane carefully hooked Rafael up to a new IV drip, noticing the previous one had long fallen off.

    What he didn��t realize was that, before making a move, Rafael had silently removed the IV needle.

    He wouldn��t be able to move freely with it still attached, and now the discarded needley on the floor, covered in germs and bacteria.

    Without hesitation, Zhane discarded it in the trash, recing it with a fresh one from the nearby supply.

    While Rafael and Zhane were busy, Leo gentlyid beside Hera, pulling the nket over them both.

    He snuggled close, resting his nose contentedly in the crook of her neck.

    Instinctively, Hera shifted closer, nuzzling into his embrace. The warmth of his body soothed her tired muscles, and she drifted into a peaceful slumber,forted by his presence.

    Seeing this, Zhane and Rafael quickly finished cleaning up, wiping down their bodies and changing into fresh clothes.

    They tidied up the room, making sure everything was in order.

    Once they were done, both men joined Hera and Leo on the bed.

    Since Rafael was still hooked up to the IV drip, he settled on Hera��s left side, while Zhaney beside Leo.

    Though he would have preferred to be closer to Hera, he didn��tin.

    After the strenuous night, exhaustion weighed heavily on all of them, and Rafael, still feeling the effects of the medication, quickly sumbed to sleep.

    The four of them slept soundly through the night.

    However, the peace was shattered when the door suddenly swung open with a loud creak.

    Rafael��s temper red instantly, his irritation cutting through the haze of sleep.

    "Who the hell is it?" he muttered, not fully opening his eyes.

    His first instinct was to check if Hera had been startled by the noise, his gaze locking on her peaceful face.

    When he saw that she was still sleeping soundly, he let out a quiet sigh of relief, his tense body rxing as he snuggled closer to her, seekingfort in her warmth.

    "Hmmm? Something��s not right," Dave muttered as he entered the ward, his instincts immediately telling him something was off.

    Earlier that morning, he had arrived at Green Dragon Manor, eager to spend time with Hera.

    Upon finding Luke and Xavier standing just outside her penthouse, he learned that Hera hadn��t gone home.

    The only ce they knew she might be was the hospital, as mentioned by her servant. Without wasting time, they headed there as quickly as they could.

    However, as soon as they arrived on the hospital floor, an eerie quietness hung in the air, something about it unsettling that Dave couldn��t quite put his finger on.

    He wasn��t the only one who sensed it��Luke and Xavier shared the same feeling.

    They rushed to the VIP ward, only to find Hera, Leo, Zhane, and Rafael all sound asleep in the bed.

    Leo, in particr, looked like a snake coiled around Hera, his body wrapped protectively around hers.

    "It��s already 9 in the morning, and Hera hasn��t woken up yet. This isn��t like her," Luke murmured, concern creeping into his voice.

    He knew Hera��s routine well��she usually woke up early, taking a fewps around the garden before diving into her day��s tasks, never staying in bed for long.

    But today, it was alreadyte, and she was still asleep.

    Her face, though, told a different story. She looked unusually tired, yet there was a soft rosy glow to herplexion, an afterglow that made Luke pause, realizing what it might mean...

    A sh of realization hit the three men simultaneously, and they exchanged quick, searching nces, each of them silently confirming the same unsettling thought.

    Dave��s face darkened instantly, his mood shifting to one of anger and frustration.

    He strode over to the edge of the bed, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at the four sleeping figures, his gaze locking onto Leo, Rafael, and Zhane with a fiery intensity.

    They waited in silence, sitting on the sofa, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the four sleeping in the bed.

    Two hours passed before Hera groggily stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

    "Water," she croaked hoarsely, her voice sounding different from the usualzy, alluring tone she had when she first woke. This time, it was dry, weak, and rough, as though her throat had been overused.

    As Hera slowly propped herself up, a sharp wince of pain crossed her face.

    Every inch of her body ached, and her lower body felt sore.

    She bit her lower lip, trying to suppress a sound, but this subtle movement was enough for Dave, Luke, and Xavier to know that their worst fears hade true.

    Without a moment��s hesitation, all three of them jumped to their feet, rushing to her side.

 Chapter 573 They Knew

    Seeing her struggle, he gently took the cup from Xavier and helped Hera drink, holding it carefully to her lips.

    The intimacy of the moment was undeniable, and under the weight of their watchful gazes, Hera��s cheeks turned crimson.

    <i>��They know, don��t they? Can they really tell?��</i> Hera��s thoughts spiraled in embarrassment, realizing that Luke, Dave, and Xavier likely knew what had transpired.

    Coupled with the lingering morning haze, her mind wandered, and she struggled to focus as she sipped the water Leo offered her.

    Hera nced up guiltily, stealing a quick peek before quickly averting her eyes when she realized all attention was on her.

    Even Rafael had propped himself up on his uninjured arm, his elbow resting on the bed as he cradled his cheek in his palm, a satisfied grin ying on his lips.

    His yful, adoring gaze made her cheeks burn even hotter.

    Zhane, now standing and slipping into his doctor��s coat, was no less attentive, his eyes lingering on her with a mix of amusement and warmth.

    Despite their different postures, every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on her, making Hera��s blush deepen. A wave of guilt swept over her, though she wasn��t entirely sure why.

    <i>��There��s no way I can handle all of them...��</i> she thought helplessly. <i>��My body would break. Just these three were already too much, and I know they held back.��</i>

    As memories of the previous night resurfaced, unbidden and vivid, her thoughts spiraled into a flood of unholy recollections.

    Each one brought more heat to her face, and her blush crept steadily down her neck as she struggled to shake the images from her mind.

    Leo let out a low chuckle, his hand reaching out to flick Hera gently on the forehead.

    "Focus on drinking first," he said, his tone warm and teasing.

    A doting smile curved his lips, but the flicker of desire in his deep ocean-blue eyes betrayed his lingering thoughts.

    He knew exactly what was running through her mind, and her blush only confirmed it.

    Hera wasn��t wrong.

    If they hadn��t been concerned about her body��s limits, they might have dragged things on until dawn, their thirst far from quenched.

    But seeing her pitiful state��so exhausted she��d passed out��they had reluctantly restrained themselves.

    They��d each had their turn, and while that had left them content, the tension in the room from those who hadn��t been part of the night��s events was palpable.

    Of the group, only Dave seemed unable to fully mask his emotions, his jealousy simmering just beneath the surface.

    Hera obediently sipped the warm water, her toes curling under the nket as if to anchor herself.

    She kept her head down, avoiding eye contact, her gaze fixed on the cup.

    She didn��t know what to say��didn��t even trust herself to speak.

    Yet the charged atmosphere was impossible to ignore, the unspoken tension crackling in the air like static.

    Perhaps seeing her in this state made them reconsider. Luke and Xavier, though still feeling the weight of their jealousy, chose to let it go.

    Even Dave, though reluctantly, followed suit.

    They all knew this day woulde��their jealousy stemmed not from Hera��s choice, but from the longing of not having been part of her night with the others.

    However, that didn��t mean their time wouldn��te in the future.

    With that thought in mind, each of them sighed and decided to give Hera the space she needed.

    After all, she looked exhausted and embarrassed, and pushing her further would only make her feel worse.

    They realized that respecting her now was the best way to show their care for her.

    "We made it just in time," Luke broke the silence, his voice calm. "Aunt Amy gave us Hera��s change of clothes, and Hannah packed us breakfast."

    Meanwhile, Xavier quietly moved the bags they had ced near the door, bringing them to the dining table.

    It was a small butforting action, bringing some normalcy to the tense atmosphere.

    Dave, noticing the moment of quiet, leaned over to kiss Hera gently on the forehead.

    "Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?" he asked, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized they didn��t quite sound right.

    Sheepishly, he rubbed the tip of his nose when he saw Hera��s ears turning red.

    Rafael, noticing the exchange, chuckled softly before moving closer to Hera and gently rubbing her legs.

    "Are you still feeling ufortable?" Rafael asked with a concerned tone, his hands working slowly to massage her sore muscles.

    Hera shook her head slightly, unsure of what she was feeling.

    Her body felt heavy, weak, and still trembled from the strain.

    The ache that pulsed through her limbs made it difficult to focus on anything, and all she could do was try to rx as they tended to her.

    "Then how about I take care of you, hmm?" Leo said, his voice teasing but gentle.

    His eyes, filled with nothing but her reflection, made Hera feel as though she might melt under his gaze.

    She subconsciously nodded in agreement, and without hesitation, Leo lifted her carefully and carried her to the dinner table.

    But instead of cing her in one of the chairs, he settled herfortably on hisp.

    Xavier, with quiet efficiency, ced a te of food in front of Leo, while Luke, always attentive, scooped some warm soup for Hera.

    The rest of the group gathered around the table, each settling in to join the quiet moment to eat together.

    Even Rafael, with his IV drip still attached, made his way over to sit with them, his presence unbothered by the equipment.

    Suddenly, a voice piped up from the door, pulling their attention away.

    "Ah! What about me?" Minerva called out, her voice yful yet dramatic.

    She was being helped by a nurse, her arms crossed in front of her chest, and a pouting expression on her face.

    "I was waiting for my food too! I knew it��you��ve all forgotten about me." She nced over at Hera with exaggerated pitiful eyes, making Hera chuckle.

    For a moment, all the embarrassment she had felt earlier melted away, and the tension in her body eased.

 Chapter 574 Giving A Hand

    She froze mid-bite, her eyes fixed on the sight of Leo feeding Hera with an almost tender care, as if afraid she might break under his touch.

    Minerva��s gaze then flicked over to her brother. Rafael sat there, grinning, seemingly unfazed as he ate, though his expression held a quiet affection as his eyes asionally nced over at Hera.

    Minerva noted that Rafael was still struggling to eat on his own��likely due to the strain he��d put on his wound the previous night, which had probably reopened.

    It was clear to Minerva that, despite their usual tensions, the bonds between them all were shifting, bing something softer and more intricate than she��d ever realized.

    <i>��My useless brother, just sitting there, watching his love rival feed my future sister-inw,��</i> Minerva fumed, the urge to p her forehead strong, though she resisted the impulse.

    Instead, she sighed in defeat. What could she possibly do? She knew her brother had feelings for Hera, but if he wasn��t going to act on them, just passively watching from the sidelines, then he really had no chance.

    It was frustrating, but there was little she could do to change it.

    If only Minerva knew what Rafael had done the night before, perhaps she��d view her brother in a different light. She might even admire his cunning��especially since, in many ways, everything had started with him.

    So, why wouldn��t Rafael grin while eating? Of course, he was happier than anyone else��after all, it was his aplishment.

    Even the ever-curious Dave was itching to ask what had happened the night before. If only Minerva hadn��t been there, and if he wasn��t worried that Hera might die of embarrassment, he would��ve asked for the details long ago.

    With their own thoughts preupying them, everyone quietly finished their breakfast.

    As Minerva prepared to leave for the garden, she extended an invitation to Hera and Rafael, hoping to give them some time alone��and perhaps give her brother a little nudge.

    However, Hera regretfully declined, exining that she needed to prepare and head out with her manager to meet Director Nick and finalize her contract.

    Disappointed but understanding, Minerva left with a sigh of regret.

    Once Minerva was gone, Hera shifted ufortably in Leo��sp, the memory ofst night making her blush furiously.

    Determined to stand, she tried to rise, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, her legs wobbled beneath her. Before she could fall, Leo��s arms were already around her, steadying her by the waist.

    "Careful, wifey. You��re still weak," Leo whispered in her ear, his toneced with a suggestive edge.

    Without even looking, Hera could picture the sly smirk tugging at his lips, and her cheeks burned even hotter.

    "I-I need to change and head to the studio," Hera stammered, her face flushed.

    No matter how much she tried topose herself, her thoughts betrayed her, reying fragments ofst night that made her heart race.

    It felt as if all her acting skills deserted her in the presence of these men.

    "Then let me help you," Leo offered, his voice soft and serious this time, devoid of teasing.

    "W-what? N-no!" Hera nearly yelped, her wide eyes meeting his, both startled and flustered.

    Leo leaned in close, his lips brushing lightly against Hera��s ear as he whispered, "Why not? I was the one who bathed youst night and put you in your bathrobe." His low, seductive voice sent a shiver down her spine, and his words hit her like a thunderbolt.

    Hera��s face turned a deeper shade of red as the realization dawned��she really was wearing a bathrobe, and her skin felt clean and refreshed, with no trace of the sweat and exhaustion from before.

    It could only mean Leo was telling the truth.

    Meanwhile, the three men nearby subtly perked up, their ears straining to catch snippets of the conversation.

    However, Zhane quickly shot them a warning look, silently urging them to behave.

    Reluctantly, the trio stayed seated, pretending to focus on their own meals rather than risk embarrassing Hera further.

    After Zhane finished silently warning the trio with a sharp re, he strode out of the room with purposeful steps.

    No one asked where he was headed; they all knew better than to pry when Zhane was in that kind of mood.

    Meanwhile, Hera found herself in a stalemate with Leo. She remained uncertain, her gaze flitting between his earnest expression and the floor.

    Leo, however, showed no signs of impatience. His gentle persistence and calm coaxing made it clear that he wasn��t going to leave her struggling on her own.

    Finally, Hera took a deep breath, summoning all her courage. "Alright," she murmured, her voice so faint it barely escaped her lips, more like the soft buzz of a mosquito than actual words.

    Leo��s eyes softened, a tender smile gracing his face as he waited for her to ept his help.

    Leo chuckled softly, carrying Hera to the bathroom with care.

    Xavier followed just a step behind, carrying Hera��s change of clothes.

    As they reached the doorway, he nced at her with a calm expression, masking the emotions simmering beneath the surface.

    "Do you need my help?" he asked, his tone steady, though there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes.

    Hera quickly shook her head, her cheeks flushing slightly.

    Taking her response as his cue, Xavier handed over the clothes and stepped back, leaving the bathroom.

    His outward demeanor remainedposed, but inside, a storm of jealousy and possessiveness swirled. He clenched his jaw, reigning in the emotions that threatened to spill over.

    ��Get a grip,�� he reminded himself. He knew his feelings were selfish and didn��t want to burden Hera with them.

    Forcing himself to focus, Xavier returned to the dining area and busied himself cleaning the table, channeling his frustration into something productive.

 Chapter 575 Helping With The Ointment

    Her cheeks flushed deeply, heat spreading across her face as a wave of shyness and embarrassment overtook her.

    Instinctively, she raised her hands to cover her eyes, as if doing so could shield her from their gazes��or at least hide her own flustered expression.

    Zhane chuckled softly, his voice warm with amusement. "Hera, you��re just so cute," he said, his tone carrying both affection and teasing admiration.

    Her innocence and inexperience when it came to intimacy were evident, and it ttered him in a way that made his smile linger.

    Without waiting for her response, he gently lifted her right leg, resting it on his shoulder, while pushing her left leg aside to open her posture.

    His movements were calm yet deliberate, giving him a clear view. Hera��s face flushed crimson as she instinctively wanted to protest, but her eyes caught the ointment in his hand.

    Slowly, realization dawned on her, and she began to understand his intention.

    "I-I can do it myself," she murmured softly, her voice trembling with a mix of shyness and hesitation.

    "It��s alright; you wouldn��t be able to apply it properly. It��s better to let the doctor do his job," Zhane said with a reassuring smile.

    However, as he spoke, there was an unintended softness in his words that gave them an almost seductive undertone that left Hera feeling even more flustered.

    As he nced down, his Adam��s apple bobbed involuntarily.

    In the bright light, he could clearly see what had been obscured the night before��Hera��s pink, slightly swollen folds.

    The sight left him momentarily breathless, but heposed himself quickly.

    Taking a small amount of ointment on his clean finger, he leaned closer and began to gently apply it to her sensitive skin.

    Hera shuddered at the cool sensation of the ointment against her warm flesh, her body tensing slightly.

    The thought of Zhane seeing her so intimately sent a wave of heat coursing through her, her face burning with a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability.

    Zhane felt a familiar warmth stirring deep within him as his fingers grazed Hera��s sensitive folds.

    The trembling of her legs resting on his shoulder only heightened the tension building inside him. A thought shed through his mind, unbidden and insistent: ��<i>I want to slide my fingers inside.��</i>

    Despite himself, his movements slowed as he rubbed her folds gently, testing her reaction.

    "Hmmm," Hera let out a soft, involuntary moan, her voice barely above a whisper.

    The sound was enough to send a jolt through the room. The two men with her froze, their gazes snapping to her.

    Their eyes darkened, filled with unspoken desire, as their bodies reacted instinctively to the sound and the intimate scene unfolding before them.

    Zhane instinctively set the ointment aside, his focus entirely on Hera.

    His thumb found her clit, and he began to rub it gently yet deliberately, eliciting a sharp yelp from her.

    The sound was cut short as Leo, quick to act, leaned in and caught the back of her neck, pulling her into a deep kiss.

    His lips imed hers with urgency, muffling her moans as they melted into his mouth.

    "Hmmm," Hera whimpered against Leo��s lips, her voice trembling with both pleasure and surprise.

    Her body reacted instinctively, her legs quivering as Zhane��s skilled fingers continued their work, teasing her clit and folds.

    The sensation made her legs twitch involuntarily, as if to close around him, inadvertently bringing her thighs closer to Zhane��s face.

    The proximity made Hera acutely aware of his warm breath ghosting over her sensitive skin, heightening the intensity of her sensations and leaving her utterly breathless.

    "Wifey, don��t be too loud," Leo teased, his voice low and yful. "The hungry wolves outside might catch a whiff ande crashing in." He gently traced the sensitive area of Hera��s lower lip with his thumb, watching her reactions closely.

    Hera��s eyes were clouded with desire, tears threatening to spill as she gasped for breath.

    Without realizing it, her hips began to move, grinding against Zhane��s touch.

    A knot formed in her stomach, tightening with every stroke. Leo��s words were meant as a warning, but they only heightened her anticipation, leaving her even more stirred than before.

    Leo reached for the ointment that Zhane had left beside Hera��s thigh, opening it with deliberate care.

    Hera��s breath was heavy and shallow beside his ear, sending a wave of heat through him.

    Despite the reaction stirring low in his abdomen, Leo forced himself to focus.

    He scooped a small amount of the ointment and gently applied it to the marks on Hera��s shoulder and neck��the hickeys and the bite mark from the night before.

    His touch, though tender, felt far more intimate than intended, and Hera looked up at him with eyes that seemed to silently beg for more.

    Leo swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat.

    His finger trembled slightly as he continued his touch, wanting nothing more than to give in to the desire building between them.

    But a quiet concern lingered in the back of his mind��he wasn��t sure if Hera��s body could handle it.

    Zhane was clearly struggling, his senses overwhelmed by the sweet scent and the temptation to continue where they left offst night.

    "Fuck," he muttered under his breath, his gaze rising from between Hera��s thighs. He could see the desire swirling in her eyes, mirroring his own inner conflict.

    "Don��t," Leo interjected firmly. "If we push her body too hard, she might end up with a fever."

    His words grounded Zhane, reminding him of the delicate bnce they had to maintain.

    Only then did Zhane recall that it was Hera��s first time��her body was still not used to this.

    Thest thing they needed was to let their desires overpower her well-being.

    With a heavy exhale, Zhane finished applying the ointment to her sore folds, his hands moving with gentle precision.

    He stood up, Hera��s legs still draped around his waist.

    The sight of her closeness stirred his desire even more, and he groaned softly, struggling to reign in his emotions and the intense pull he felt toward her.

 Chapter 576 Dress Her

    <strong><i>Bang...</i></strong>

    "Hey, you guys! What are you doing in there? What��s taking you so long?" Dave��s frantic voice echoed from the other side of the door, shattering the charged atmosphere in an instant.

    Zhane and Leo exchanged nces before chuckling, the interruption exactly what they needed to ground themselves and shake off their heated thoughts.

    Hera, shaken from her trance and overwhelmed by embarrassment, turned crimson.

    She tried to climb down from the sink, but Leo and Zhane stopped her.

    "I can take care of it myself," she said quickly, reaching toward Leo, gesturing for him to hand over her clothes.

    Leo raised an eyebrow. "Can you even stand?"

    "I-I think I can," Hera stammered, though her trembling knees betrayed her uncertainty.

    "Why don��t you sound confident?" Zhane chimed in, his toneced with teasing amusement.

    Frustrated, Hera puffed out her cheeks, determined to prove them wrong.

    She braced herself on the edge of the sink, slowly maneuvering down like a cautious turtle.

    Leo and Zhane didn��t intervene; instead, they crossed their arms and watched her with amused expressions.

    "S-See?" Hera said triumphantly as her feet touched the cold floor. But her victory was short-lived��she felt her knees buckle, her legs giving way beneath her almost immediately.

    Leo quickly stepped forward, steadying Hera as she wobbled.

    His soft chuckle rumbled in his chest, and Hera could feel the vibration as she caught a faint trace of his scent.

    It sent her heart racing, her senses heightened in a way she couldn��t ignore.

    Afterst night, it felt as though all her inhibitions had shattered.

    Her thoughts were a chaotic mess, consumed by an unfamiliar wave of desire that seemed to amplify with every little interaction she had with them.

    She couldn��t tell if it was the experience itself she craved, or the people she��d shared it with.

    Flustered, Hera buried her face in her hands, her embarrassment overwhelming.

    The stark realization that she couldn��t even stand, let alone dress herself, left her feeling vulnerable and helpless.

    She briefly entertained ideas of how she might manage alone, but it was clear from the determined looks on the two men before her that they weren��t going to let her struggle.

    "Alright, let��s not make this harder," Leo said, his voice calm yet resolute as he reached for the tie of her bathrobe, his intent clear.

    Hera��s hand shot out, grasping his wrist in a frantic attempt to halt his actions. "Wait, I��I can do it!" she stammered, her voice betraying her uncertainty.

    Leo leaned in slightly, his gaze steady as he softened his tone. "What��s there to be embarrassed about between us, wifey?" he asked, his voice a mix of reassurance and teasing. "Would it help if we evened the ying field? Make it fair so you feel more at ease?"

    <i>��What does he mean?</i>�� Hera wondered, her mind spinning.

    While she was lost in thought, Leo had already pushed her bathrobe off her shoulders.

    The moment it fell, both Leo and Zhane��s eyes flickered with barely contained desire.

    However, Dave��s incessant knocking on the door forced them to quickly avert their gazes, snapping them back to reality.

    Leo focused on the task at hand, gathering Hera��s inner garments with quiet determination while Zhane assisted, handing him the clothing piece by piece.

    When Zhane passed him the panties, Leo hesitated for a brief moment, staring at the delicate fabric as if trying to gather hisposure.

    Clearing his throat, he crouched on one knee before Hera.

    "Hera, hold onto my shoulder," he said softly, his tone coaxing and gentle.

    Still overwhelmed and flushed with embarrassment, Hera��s mind felt like it had short-circuited.

    She obeyed without question, her movements automatic, like a doll on strings.

    Her emotions were too tangled, her thoughts too scattered to resist or protest as Leo guided the panties over her feet, carefully dressing her.

    After sessfully slipping Hera��s panties on, Leo reached for the bra Zhane handed him.

    He stared at it for a moment, clearly unsure of what to do.

    ncing at Zhane, he asked, "Do you know how to put this on?"

    Zhane raised an eyebrow, replying almost immediately, "Why are you asking me? I don��t wear those."

    Before their exchange could spiral into an unproductive back-and-forth, Hera, still absent minded, reached for the bra herself.

    With practiced ease, she slipped it on and fastened it.

    Both men watched in silence until the task was done, finally murmuring in unison, "Oh."

    After that, they seemed to realize the need for haste.

    Working together, they quickly helped Hera into the rest of her clothing, even going as far as to put on her shoes.

    Once finished, Leo carefully lifted Hera into his arms, her body light and unresisting as her dazed eyes remained fixed on some distant point.

    Zhane opened the bathroom door for them, and the moment they stepped out, the tension among the other men was obvious.

    Though no one spoke, the situation was obvious. It didn��t take much to guess that Leo and Zhane had assisted Hera with dressing.

    Dave��s jaw tightened as he watched Leo carry Hera out of the bathroom.

    Hera��s expression remained distant, her mind still lost in its own swirl of emotions, leaving the others unsure of what to say��or if they even should.

    As soon as Leo guided Hera to sit on the edge of the bed, he immediately began massaging her limbs with gentle, practiced hands.

    His touch was firm yet soothing, aimed at helping her regain enough strength to stand and walk on her ownter.

    Hera winced slightly, shifting ufortably. It was difficult for her to move freely��she could still feel the lingering sensations of the night before, as if their presence remained imprinted on her body.

    The pressure and intensity of their actions seemed to echo within her, leaving her flushed and acutely aware of every ache and tremor coursing through her.

    While Leo helped Hera massage her limbs, the others had alreadyposed their expressions.

    It was one thing to feel jealous, but it was another to burden her with those emotions.

    Especially considering they had all insisted on sharing her, which meant she was equally theirs.

    No one should act as if Hera was betraying them. They all understood that if given the choice, she might very well choose Leo, leaving the rest with nothing.

    After taking a moment to collect their thoughts and adjust their feelings, even Dave calmed down. He immediately shifted his demeanor and acted coquettishly in front of Hera.

    "Sweetheart, you��re heading out? Want me to be your chauffeur? I��ll drive smoothly so you can rx in the car," he said with a charming grin.

    "No need," Xavier interjected, his tone cool. "I��ll be heading in the same direction as her. I��ll take her. Just don��t use this as an excuse to avoid your work."

    Xavier gave Dave a pointed look before snorting, a sound that clearly irritated Dave.

    "What do you mean? I��m working hard! You can��t nder me!" Dave rolled his eyes before turning back to Hera.

    "Sweetheart, don��t listen to him. I��ve been working diligently and doing a great job. You can even ask around the office. I��ve really changed my ways," Dave said, quickly defending himself.

    "Quick to clean up your act in front of Hera, huh?" Rafael teased, throwing a jab at Dave, his tone mocking.

    ________

    Hello, everyone!

    I hope you��re all doing well. I wanted to let you know that I might be a bit slower than usual over the next few days. I��ve been invited to participate in an award ceremony in Shanghai, which has kept me busy recently and will continue to do so in theing days.

    I��ll be flying to Shanghai on the 15th and returning on the 20th. During this time, there are several events lined up, so my schedule will be packed. However, I��ll do my best to release at least one Chapter a day for you.

    Thank you so much for your patience and understanding, and I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your support means the world to me!

 Chapter 577 Contract Signing

    It was this kind of atmosphere that always pulled her away from her worries, making everything else fade into the background.

    She wasn��t sure if they were doing it on purpose, helping her adjust and let go of her awkwardness, since these moments were just part of life��and if they happened, they happened, with no reason to feel ashamed.

    Or maybe they were simply sofortable with each other that this kind of banter was second nature to them.

    Soon, Hera wasughing along with them, and Dave, clearly enjoying himself, became even more animated.

    It was obvious he was putting in a lot of effort, ying the role of the group��s clown just to make Hera smile.

    But that didn��t matter��what truly mattered was the harmony between the seven of them.

    Leo, focused on his task, simply smiled as he continued massaging Hera��s limbs, while Luke, moving slowly, climbed onto the bed to gently work on her shoulders.

    <i>"Shoot, I feel like a queen with her harem!"</i> Hera thought as she nced around.

    Leo sat at the edge of the bed, his eyes half-lidded in concentration as he focused on massaging her legs.

    His long, slender fingers were so well-defined that, as he worked, it almost looked like he was ying a piano��a sight that was oddly enticing.

    Luke wasn��t far behind in skill either. He applied just the right amount of pressure as he worked on her shoulders, making her muscles rx and forget the strenuous exercise from the night before with Leo, Zhane, and Rafael.

    Now that she hade to ept it, thinking back on it no longer embarrassed her.

    But every time the memory resurfaced, a knot would tighten in her stomach, sending a jolt through her core that made her muscles clench deliciously.

    After a while, Hera began to feel better.

    Her stiff shoulder muscles had loosened, and her legs regained some strength.

    Earlier, when she woke up, she��d felt feverish and unsure of what was going on, but now she felt a bit more refreshed.

    Xavier had even gone to the kitchen to make her warm lemonade with honey.

    The drink was both refreshing and soothing, warming her throat and easing the dryness and hoarseness that had lingered.

    "Thank you," Hera said sweetly, her words causing all six men to look at her with warm smiles and gentle eyes.

    They didn��t say anything, but their gazes spoke volumes, making Hera feel as though the warmth of the lemonade was spreading through her heart as well.

    Once Hera began to feel better, she and Xavier went out, while Luke returned to Green Dragon Manor to drop off Hera��s used clothes and the lunch boxes before heading off to work.

    Leo also disappeared somewhere, and Dave, albeit reluctantly, made his way to his office to check on ongoing national projects and reforms with his assistant.

    Rafael, on the other hand, was left in his ward to rest, the effects of his medication making him drowsy.

    Before he finally drifted off to sleep, however, he was on the receiving end of an earful from Zhane, who scolded him for constantly reopening his wound with his reckless actions.

    When Xavier and Hera arrived at the studio, some staff were already waiting at the entrance to greet Xavier.

    However, when they saw Hera step out of Xavier��s car, with him attentively opening the door and escorting her, the atmosphere shifted.

    The staff fell silent, their eyes filled with knowing smiles as they watched the pair.

    More than that, they were awestruck by how perfectly Hera��s aura and featuresplemented the best actor, Xavier.

    Normally, anyone who stood beside Xavier seemed to fade into the background, as his presence and temperament often overshadowed those around him.

    That��s why no one wanted to walk the red carpet with Xavier, or even be seen near him in public.

    Being caught in a photo with him wouldn��t bring good publicity��it would only invite criticism.

    Theparisons were inevitable, especially for men, who would be overshadowed.

    As for women, Xavier��s fans would bombard the actress with harsh criticism and anger, making the experience even more daunting.

    But seeing Hera standing side by side with Xavier felt so natural, like they were an immortal couple straight out of a fairy tale. "W-wee, Xavier, Hera," one of the staff stammered as he greeted them, his mind still reeling, as if he were living in a dream.

    "Thank you," Hera replied sweetly, but Xavier simply nodded before gently taking her hand and resting it in his arm to support her.

    Hera didn��t pull away; instead, she leaned in slightly as they walked together.

    They were escorted to the conference room, where the other actors and Hera��s manager were waiting.

    Betty was deep in conversation with Director Nick about the contract, while the other actors�� managers had long since finished the contract signing.

    Since the other roles weren��t as significant as the lead roles, their contracts werergely standard, almost like a temte, while the leads had differentpensation packages and additional uses.

    When Hera and Xavier entered, Betty nced up, her face instantly lighting up with a smile. "Hera��s here! And it looks like you��ve arrived with Xavier," she said, giving Xavier a quick once-over before shifting her gaze between him and Hera.

    After a moment, she turned back to Director Nick.

    "See? I told you, you should reconsider this use and thepensation. As you can see behind me, my artist can stand shoulder to shoulder with the male lead, and the chemistry between them is already well-known and well-epted."

    "I can guarantee that these two will bring out the best in each other and turn your movie into a blockbuster."

    "Of course, I��m not saying the script and other factors don��t matter, but having an actor who can truly bring a character to life is something else entirely."

    "Think of this adjustment inpensation as a small investment��after all, you��ll be earning hundreds of millions from this movie anyway." Betty continued, her words flowing as she tried to negotiate the terms.

    For a female lead role, thepensation was indeed modest, but that was because Hera was still a neer with little to show for herself.

    The reason Betty was pushing to renegotiate was that, although Hera was a neer, her poprity rivaled that of any A-list actress.

    Her acting skills weren��tcking either��Director Nick had already witnessed her talent firsthand.

    Before Hera��s arrival, he had been hesitant.

    However, when Hera and Xavier walked in, and he saw their undeniable chemistry both on and off stage, Betty boldly raised thepensation threefold.

    The move left Director Nick regretting that he hadn��t agreed to her terms earlier.

    Director Nick let out a grunt of defeat as he nced back, his expression pained.

    With a reluctant nod to Betty, he conceded.

    His assistant director wasted no time, quickly revising the contract and printing the updated version in under ten minutes, fearful that Betty might push for additional uses or increase thepensation again.

    After all, they couldn��t afford to lose Hera.

    Hera, meanwhile, quietly let Xavier guide her to a seat beside him near the head of the table. She listened to Betty��s words but remainedposed.

    The other actors and actresses kept their heads lowered, pretending not to hear anything.

    This conversation was something that should have been discussed behind closed doors, with only the involved parties present.

    However, Director Nick was a peculiar individual.

    Perhaps he wanted to promote transparency, or maybe he intended to spark a sense of rivalry among the actors, motivating them to strive harder.

    After all, excelling in this project could give them leverage to negotiate betterpensation in his future films.

    Or, perhaps, he simply didn��t care enough and found it too much effort to handle the matter privately.

    Once the revised contract arrived, Director Nick signed it without a second nce and handed it to Betty.

    True to her perfectionist nature, Betty meticulously reviewed every detail to ensure there were no issues.

    She took her role as Hera��s manager seriously and wanted everything to be perfect.

    After confirming that the requested adjustments, including the newpensation, were urately reflected, she signed it herself and brought it to Hera.

 Chapter 578 Zen’s Sharp Tongue

    After the contract signing wasplete, Director Nick wasted no time in addressing the room.

    "Good morning, everyone," he began, his wide smile sweeping across the group as he made eye contact with each person.

    "I��m thrilled to wee all of you to our crew, and I��m proud to announce that filming will begin very soon."

    "For now, we��ve brought theplete script for everyone to review and get familiar with. We��ll schedule a reading in a few days."

    "Later, the staff will take your measurements for the props and costumes we��ll be using during filming," Director Nick announced, his tone both weing and efficient.

    "In the meantime, feel free to get to know one another, as we��ll all be working together for a while." With a final warm smile, he excused himself and headed off to coordinate with the staff, ensuring all arrangements for the locations, props, and other details were on track.

    As soon as Director Nick left the room, the other actors began chatting among themselves, asionally sneaking nces at Hera and Xavier.

    "Yo! I never thought I��d see you again!" Zen eximed, jumping up from the far corner of the table.

    His sudden movement drew everyone��s attention, including Hera��s. She hadn��t noticed him earlier, as his head had been lowered, and Xavier��s tall frame had blocked her view when they entered.

    "Zen?!" Hera eximed, her voice a mix of surprise and excitement. It had only been about more than two weeks since theyst saw each other, but it felt like much longer.

    Zen hadn��t changed at all. His trademark boyish smile was still there, giving him the air of an older brother ready to tease his little sister.

    The moment he saw Hera, he shed the same grin, but then his gaze shifted to Xavier, his smile widening mischievously.

    "It looks like our top actor, Xavier, is doing his best to win someone��s heart, huh?" Zen teased, hands on his hips as he shed a yful grin. Xavier shot him a look, but then smiled in return.

    "I have been," Xavier replied nonchntly. "There are so many bees and butterflies around."

    Zen burst outughing at the remark before finding a seat and joining the conversation with Hera and Xavier.

    The three of them had really hit it off during their time on the variety show ��<i>The Quest��</i>, and their easy camaraderie made them seem like longtime friends.

    The atmosphere in the room softened, and before long, everyone was listening in on their lively conversation,ughing along.

    This natural banter helped everyone get to know each other, breaking the ice with ease.

    At first, everyone assumed Xavier would keep his distance, considering he was a multiple award-winning actor and many of them were lesser-known, with most ustomed to ying supporting or second lead roles.

    However, when they heard Xavier engaging in conversation and even joking around with Zen and Hera, their perceptions quickly shifted.

    His warmth and approachability drew them in, and curiosity about him and Hera grew.

    Gradually, they began to join the conversation, eager to be a part of the camaraderie.

    Of course, there were still those who didn��t like the attention shifting away from them��those who were used to being the center of the spotlight.

    But no one paid them any mind, leaving them to stew in their corner.

    They didn��t make any effort to join in either, as they were ustomed to being the ones admired and adored.

    "Tsk, what a pretentious woman," someone from behind the crowd muttered, clearly aimed at Hera, as she was the easiest target among those at the center of attention.

    After all, Xavier was an influential figure, and Zen had strong backing, but Hera didn��t have the same power.

    Many believed Xavier was merely keeping her by his side temporarily, either out of curiosity or for the novelty of it. As a result, they didn��t see Hera as a threat and dismissed her ordingly.

    "Sister, please don��t say that. People might think you��re trying to bully a neer, but I know that��s not true."

    "You were so kind to me when I am also a neer, and I can��t let anyone misunderstand your kindness." The voice softened. "I know you��re just concerned for Brother Xavier and don��t want his good intentions to be taken advantage of."

    A familiar female voice spoke just beside the harsh tone from earlier, and even without looking, Hera immediately recognized who it was.

    <i>��So, Alice still made it into this movie.��</i> Hera thought, a little surprised.

    It was this very film that hadunched Alice to stardom, and while Hera had already taken the female lead role away from her, she assumed that was the end of it.

    But to her surprise, Alice had still managed to secure a part. So, what would her role be? Second female lead? Supporting character?

    Hera didn��t want to waste any more energy on Alice; her tactics hadn��t changed, and it was starting to bore her.

    Pretending to be the innocent, fragile white flower had lost its charm, especially after Hera had yed that part herself for so long.

    She had grown tired of constantly acting pitiful and weak.

    In a way, she couldn��t help but admire Alice��s resilience��how could she continue with this act for so long without getting exhausted?

    "Ha! Why are you even defending her when she��s taking the role that was supposed to go to one of us?" the woman sneered, her tone dripping with arrogance and confidence.

    However, when Hera nced at her, she couldn��t recall seeing her at yesterday��s audition.

    That meant she either hadn��t made the cut for the female lead or had been ced into a lesser role��likely a supporting character��thanks to some investor influence.

    The others remained silent, pursing their lips as they subtly shrank into the background.

    Hera couldn��t help but think her guest might be right��this arrogant woman had likely been parachuted into the role by an investor.

    There was only one major investor in this movie, who had put in a hefty 30 million, while the other investors were smaller yers, just looking to get a piece of the pie.

    That meant only one person could have given this woman the audacity to act so arrogantly��the major investor.

    And while the director might have yielded to the investor��s pressure, he wasn��t one to give in easily.

    Even when hepromised, he could only offer her a minor role. That alone was already a significant concession to the major investor.

    The woman��s discontent with Hera stemmed from the fact that, despite having a powerful backer, she onlynded a minor role.

    That frustration made her eager to target Hera.

    And of course, who wouldn��t be envious of the attention Xavier wasvishing on her?

    Naturally, the woman��s jealousy festered, fueling her desire to make Hera��s life difficult.

    As for her alliance with Alice, the reasoning was simple: in their circle, who didn��t have a loyal follower hanging on to their every word and whim?

    She wanted that same power, and Alice, eager to please, served as the perfect tool for her.

    The constant ttery only boosted the woman��s ego, making her feel more smug and confident about herself.

    "Oh! Alice, I thought you auditioned for the female lead. Are you here for the second female lead?" Hera asked, feigning surprise as if just noticing Alice.

    Xavier and Zen both followed her gaze, looking toward the small circle a little farther from them.

    Aside from Alice and the woman from earlier, there was a man who had initially been considered for the male lead, but now, with Xavier taking the role, he had been relegated to the second male lead.

    Beyond them were a few other actors who had secured supporting roles.

    Zen let out a snort, a sneer curling on his lips. "Second female lead? The real second female lead is this girl," he said, pointing to a simple girl sitting beside Hera.

    She was beautiful, radiating youth and energy, but when Zen pointed at her, she immediately blushed and looked down, clearly ufortable with the attention and unwilling to engage with the people from the other side.

    "As for Alice," Zen continued with a taunting chuckle, "she��s ying the viiness �� the kind who��s great at pretending to be the innocent white lotus. Seems like a perfect fit for her, doesn��t it?"

 Chapter 579 What Envy Does To People And Xavier’s Background?

    She choked on her anger but kept quiet, knowing that any reaction would only confirm her status as a parachuted cast member and embarrass herself further.

    Her re shifted to Wesley, her annoyance palpable, though she remained silent to avoid drawing more attention to her situation.

    Wesley nced at Emily, the arrogant woman, confused by her sudden anger.

    Blinking in mild bewilderment, he shrugged it off and pressed on.

    "Emily, we can��t let just anyone push us around just because they have connections or capital backing them," he said, his words pointedly including Zen in the usation.

    Although he didn��t dare address Xavier directly, the subtle undertone made it clear that his remark extended to him as well.

    Wesley��s resentment was palpable. Losing the lead role to Xavier had been a bitter pill to swallow.

    With Xavier��s arrival, Wesley had been unceremoniously sidelined to the second male lead��a ring reminder of the power imbnce that he couldn��t overlook.

    "Some dogs just can��t help but bark, can they?" Zen said with a casual shrug, his tone dripping with disdain.

    Turning his attention back to Hera and Xavier, he deliberately ignored Alice, Wesley, Emily, and their group.

    Zen had no intention of wasting his time or energy on people like them.

    Engaging further would only drag him down, and frankly, he didn��t see the point of giving them even a second more of his attention.

    But that single word was enough to offend several people at once. Both Emily and Wesley gritted their teeth in frustration.

    "Zen! Who do you think you are, huh?" Wesley growled, his face twisted with anger.

    "Just because you have a backer, you think you can do whatever you want here? Don��t forget��you��re still just the third male lead, not someone important! Do you really think offending so many people at once will do you any good?"

    Wesley��s re was sharp, his barely contained rage simmering beneath the surface. He had never felt this humiliated before, and Zen��s audacity had clearly struck a nerve.

    Zen turned to Wesley with a smug expression, his confidence practically radiating off him.

    "Oh? And what exactly can you do to me?" he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

    "If you��re aspetent and impressive as you im, why don��t you try getting me kicked off the production team?"

    The challenge hung in the air, daring Wesley to respond. Zen��s disdain was clear in the way he looked at him��like a clown performing for an unimpressed audience.

    Meanwhile, Hera and Xavier remained silent, but their calm, unbothered demeanor spoke volumes.

    Their unspoken support for Zen was evident, leaving Wesley to stew in his growing frustration.

    "Enough!" Emily roared, her voice sharp andmanding, like an angry bull ready to charge.

    Her re bore into Wesley, silently demanding he stand down.

    Though arrogant by nature, Emily wasn��t entirely foolish.

    She recognized the precarious position Wesley was putting them in.

    Picking a fight with Zen and Xavier��s group was a dangerous gamble��both men were influential figures who could crush their opponents with little effort if they wished.

    While Emily enjoyed wielding her own authority, she wasn��t reckless enough to openly oppose such powerful individuals.

    The problem, however, was Wesley.

    His actions reflected poorly on her, especially since they were in the same circle.

    By aligning herself with him, his reckless behavior risked dragging her into enmity with Zen and Xavier��a battle she knew they couldn��t win.

    "We have more important things to do than waste time bickering here. Why don��t you focus on polishing your script instead?" Emily said sharply.

    For once, her words carried some merit, though even she failed to realize it.

    She was simply trying to defuse the tension and extract herself from an increasingly awkward situation.

    Emily knew better than to let herself be dragged further into petty disputes.

    After all, she hadn��t risen to her current position��or maintained the favor of a powerful backer in the industry��without ying her cards wisely.

    She understood that a single misstep could undo years of careful effort and nning. Allowing a trivial squabble to jeopardize her standing was a risk she wasn��t willing to take.

    After being reprimanded, Wesley begrudgingly backed down, though the hatred in his eyes remained.

    His gaze lingered on Zen and, more intensely, on Xavier.

    Wesley couldn��t suppress the resentment simmering within him��resentment born from always being overshadowed by Xavier.

    No matter where he went, Xavier��s presence inevitably relegated Wesley to the sidelines, reducing him to little more than a supporting role��a mere foil to highlight Xavier��s brilliance.

    Wesley had always tried his best to be noticed and liked, working hard to integrate himself into various groups, hoping others would choose him over Xavier.

    He longed for the validation that came with being selected, the role he felt he deserved.

    But no matter how much effort he put in, reality always mocked him.

    Just when he thought the tide had turned in his favor, that others preferred him over Xavier, Xavier would stille out on top��securing the role effortlessly.

    It felt like a cruel joke, and Wesley couldn��t shake the feeling that it was all unfair.

    His hard work seemed irrelevant in the face of Xavier��s influence and power.

    He believed Xavier used his status to bully his way into getting what he wanted, leaving Wesley to scavenge for the scraps.

    To him, it was as if he was a beggar, forced to fight for the leftovers.

    What Wesley failed to realize and ept was the stark difference between those who were truly exalted��people like Xavier, who were gifted with unparalleled talent, charisma, and looks that could captivate anyone at a moment��s notice.

    Competing against someone like him was like throwing an egg at a boulder��no matter how hard he tried, he would only end up breaking himself.

    Wesley��s efforts were futile, as he was simply not on the same level, and his stubbornness would only lead to his own downfall.

    Xavier didn��t achieve his position through the power or influence of others, and certainly not through his family.

    He had left his family��s reach toe to this city, determined to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry while concealing his true identity.

    If he had sought quick sess, he could have easily used his family��s influence to secure everything he wanted without lifting a finger.

    But that wasn��t his way.

    He fought for everything he had, relying on his own talent, hard work, and sheer determination.

    Beyond his relentless effort, Xavier was also incredibly gifted in acting, with a natural stage presence that set him apart.

    No matter how hard Wesley tried to outdo Xavier, he would only end up sabotaging himself and undermining his own aplishments.

    After all, it��s absurd for a quail topare itself to an ostrich.

    Even Hera, observing from the sidelines, could see the raw envy and hatred Wesley harbored for Xavier.

    She had encountered many people like him��those who failed to recognize their own limitations and insisted onpeting in areas where they didn��t belong.

    These types were always the first to stir up trouble.

    Alice, knowing this well, was cleverly using Wesley��s jealousy to her advantage, pushing him to confront Xavier, and even coaxing Emily to challenge Hera.

    Fortunately, Emily, notcking the foresight, quickly retreated from the confrontation.

    But Wesley? He was too blinded by his own emotions to step back and see the bigger picture.

    Realizing the situation was quickly spiraling, Alice immediately stepped in, putting on a fa?ade of concern for the team��s harmony.

    "Everyone, let��s not make things difficult for each other. After all, we��re all colleagues now." She shed a sweet, practiced smile at the group.

    "Ha! How pretentious," Zen said, his voice cutting through the room, loud enough for everyone to hear.

    It was as if he��d pped Alice��s face,pletely undermining her attempt to smooth over the tension.

    Hera lowered her head, struggling to suppress herughter as she watched Alice��s face shift through several shades of color in mere seconds.

    The mix of emotions was clear��frustration, embarrassment, and perhaps a hint of shame��as Zenpletely disregarded her, consistently making sure to expose her white lotus tactics whenever she tried to y them in front of him.

 Chapter 580 Having Lunch With Everyone

    "That��s a great idea!" Hera replied enthusiastically, her hands sping together in excitement. "Since the director hasn��t called for us yet��he��s probably busy��how about we all grab some lunch?"

    Xavier��s gaze softened as he watched Hera, his eyes following her every move with quiet affection.

    When she suggested lunch, he didn��t object. He simply nodded in agreement, clearly willing to go along with whatever made her happy.

    "I-I..." The second female lead, Nami, nced back at Alice��s group, her head lowering as she hesitated.

    After a brief moment of thought, she gave a small nod.

    Factions forming during filming was inevitable, and she knew she��d be targeted no matter what.

    If that was the case, she��d rather align herself with the best actor��s group than endure the pettiness of bullies.

    At least with Xavier, there was no need for ttery or ying politics��everyone knew that the award-winning actor despised such practices.

    Sticking around him was far more rxed. The only challenge? Figuring out how to remain close without being brushed off.

    The answer, of course, was Hera.

    "May I join too?" Nami asked softly, her gaze directed at Hera instead of Xavier, as though seeking her permission.

    "Of course! Let��s all go together!" Hera replied enthusiastically, her bright smile sweeping over the small crowd gathered around her, Xavier, and Zen.

    "Then how about we let our esteemed Best Actor, Xavier, treat us?" Zen chimed in mischievously, his grin wide with yful intent.

    It was clear he had been nning this from the start.

    After all, it was nearly impossible to get Xavier to spend time with anyone, let alone treat them to a meal. Xavier always kept to himself.

    But now, with Hera around, Xavier seemed far more agreeable��and Zen wasn��t about to let that opportunity slip by.

    As Zen had predicted, Xavier didn��t refuse. Instead, he simply nodded after ncing at Hera, as though silently seeking her approval.

    The moment Xavier agreed, Zen sprang into action, eagerly leading everyone toward the exit.

    Before they left, Zen made sure to call over a staff member to inform the director that they were heading out for lunch.

    Ever the yful one, he even extended the invitation to the director and staff, acting as though <i>he</i> were the one hosting the outing.

    Of course, Xavier didn��t seem to mind at all, his calm demeanor making it clear he was willing to go along with Zen��s antics.

    And so, they all set off in their own cars, creating a scene that resembled a convoy as they made their way to the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

    Leading the group, Xavier drove Hera��s mint-pink Pagani.

    Though the car��s soft color might have seemed overly feminine at first nce, the sight of Xavier and Hera inside transformed it entirely��making it look stylish and refreshingly elegant.

    The two of them, effortlessly stunning, turned the girly car into a symbol of charm and sophistication, while the rest of the group followed closely behind.

    When they arrived at the restaurant entrance, the staff immediately recognized Hera and sprang into action, quickly forming a neat weing line.

    Bowing respectfully, they greeted Hera and her group with practiced precision.

    Since Gerald wasn��t present to personally attend to Hera, the manager stepped in, determined to ensure everything was perfect for their visit.

    She meticulously oversaw their wee, radioing the kitchen to begin preparations and directing the other staff to ensure Pavilion 1 was impably arranged for Hera and her group��s arrival.

    "Wee!" the manager greeted enthusiastically.

    The group trailing behind Hera and Xavier naturally assumed the warm reception was because of Xavier.

    After all, who wouldn��t recognize the award-winning actor? Having someone like Xavier dine at their establishment was as good as free promotion for any restaurant.

    The others who followed the pair were visibly astonished when they stepped into the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

    It wasn��t just the luxurious ambiance that left them in awe��it was the exclusivity.

    Even having money wasn��t enough to secure entry, as the restaurant was strictly members-only.

    Emily, Wesley, and Alice, who had tagged along out of curiosity��and perhaps to gloat��were left stunned when they saw where Xavier and Hera had taken the group.

    The Golden Dragon Pavilion was a ce they had only heard of, an opportunity they had never expected to get.

    Hesitating for a moment, they quickly decided to blend into Hera��s group, pretending as if they belonged, and followed everyone inside.

    Hera, however, had already taken note of the trio.

    She understood their intentions��they had likelye to ridicule her orpete in a show of wealth.

    Yet, in their eagerness to follow her, they had unwittingly led themselves straight into the Golden Dragon Pavilion��a venue so exclusive that even Emily, with all the backing and resources at her disposal, couldn��t dream of affording entry, much less stepping through its doors.

    "Young Miss Hera, we have prepared your room," the manager said, leading the way.

    Her words struck like a thunderp, halting everyone in their tracks.

    They had all assumed the manager was simply being polite to Xavier, given his fame and status as a top actor.

    But to their surprise, the greeting was directed at Hera��and it wasn��t just any greeting.

    The mention of her <i>room</i> implied she was a regr.

    The only exnation?

    Hera was not just wealthy enough to enter such an exclusive establishment; she was wealthy enough to be treated like one of their own.

    In that moment, a new understanding dawned on them��Hera wasn��t just another neer. She was on an entirely different level.

    "Shall we?" Xavier said, extending his arm, signaling Hera to take his arm as he escorted her inside.

    His calm demeanor left everyone stunned, standing motionless in ce. It took them a few moments to snap back to reality, but by the time they did, Hera, Xavier, and Zen were already a good distance ahead.

    Only then did the group start to move inside, their minds racing with a mix of thoughts and emotions.

    More than anything, they were filled with excitement, their eyes darting around the luxurious establishment as they tried to absorb every detail.

    They knew this experience, dining in such an exclusive ce, would be an asset in the future.

    They could use it as leverage, a weapon tomand respect from others.

    After all, stepping foot inside this renowned establishment was something most could only dream of��yet here they were, being treated like VIPs by the manager herself.

    Even Alice, Emily, and Wesley��who had seen much of the world��understood the significance of this ce, so they could only follow quietly.

    But Alice, in particr, couldn��t believe that Hera had any real connection to this exclusive establishment. It didn��t make sense.

    If Hera were truly that wealthy and influential, why had she worked part-time in various establishments in the past?

    Why had she struggled to support Alexi, as Minerva had mentioned? Hera herself had admitted during an interview that she had faced difficulties.

    These inconsistencies left Alice skeptical. As she followed behind, her mind raced with questions, each one making the situation even more confusing.

    Soon, they were led outside to a stand-alone pavilion beside the sereneke.

    "Young Miss Hera, please, rest here for a while. Would you like me to prepare the usual, or would you prefer to select from the menu?" the manager asked politely as soon as Hera sat down.

    Hera nced around and nodded, then turned to the others. "Does anyone want to add anything?" she asked.

    The others immediately shook their heads, not even daring to nce at the menu for fear of seeing the exorbitant prices. But one person seemed to be looking for trouble.

    "I��d like to add a few things," Emily said haughtily. "After all, I��m not sure we have the same taste in food." She didn��t believe for a second that Hera was a regr here.

    In fact, Emily thought the whole situation seemed too good to be true.

    She suspected that the manager might be Hera��s friend, pretending to treat her like a wealthy heiress to give her face.

    The more Emily thought about it, the more convinced she became of her theory.

    Emily quickly flipped through the menu, her eyes widening as she saw the prices.

    Her hand trembled slightly, but she managed to mask her nervousness, though her heart still raced in disbelief.

    The prices were astronomical��just a bottle of water here could buy an entire meal for a table elsewhere.

    She nced up at Hera, her gaze sharp and filled with conflicting emotions��uncertainty mingled with doubt, as if she couldn��t quite reconcile the reality before her.

 Chapter 581 Alice’s Talent

    Zen, unlike Hera, wasn��t known for his patience.

    His irritation red as he turned to Emily, a sneer tugging at his lips.

    "Hmph! Some people really have no shame. They weren��t even invited, yet here they are, barging into our lunch and acting like they��re the ones hosting. Tsk, tsk! The audacity." Zen clicked his tongue in annoyance, ring directly at Emily, Alice, and Wesley.

    He wasn��t even bothering to be subtle anymore.

    Not only had Alice, Emily, and Wesley constantly targeted them with their nonsense, but now they had followed them in, trying to experience the luxury of the ce while stirring up trouble for Hera��s group.

    Zen Ainsley wouldn��t be himself without his fiery temper.

    If Emily wanted to make things difficult for Hera, she couldn��t expect him to stay polite.

    "You��re just like a dog��barking loudly but with no real bite. It��s obvious you��re out of your depth here, pretending to act ssy when you have none."

    "You��ve clearly never been in a ce like this before, have you? Just picking dishes based on their price instead of actually knowing what you��re ordering..."

    Before he could continue his tirade, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.

    He nced down and saw Hera looking up at him with a familiar expression��one that silently urged him to rein himself in.

    Hera gestured for Zen to lean closer, and without hesitation, he obliged.

    As she whispered softly into his ear, the irritation on his face gradually melted away, reced by a bright smile.

    By the time she finished, Zen straightened in his seat, his demeanorpletely transformed.

    With a newfound calmness, he picked up the menu and began browsing it intently, no longer sparing a nce in Emily��s direction.

    With no one stopping her, Emily doubled down, pointing to even more dishes on the menu.

    Still fuming from Zen��s earlierments, she redirected her frustration into ordering extravagantly.

    Her n was clear��she wanted Hera to panic when the bill arrived, especially if Xavier decided to leave her to face it alone.

    To add fuel to the fire, she urged Alice and Wesley to join in.

    Alice, feigning reluctance, hesitated before adding a few more items, acting as though she was being forced.

    Wesley, on the other hand, wore a smug grin as he casually selected dishes.

    Meanwhile, the other actors and actresses sat stiffly, barely daring to breathe, let alone nce at the menu.

    Watching Emily��s group pile on more and more orders, they couldn��t help but dread the moment when the table would be buried under an avnche of dishes.

    After everyone had finished ordering, the manager left to ry the orders to the kitchen.

    Hera��s group hadn��t needed to select anything��the kitchen had already begun preparing her usual order the moment she arrived.

    It wasn��t long before the Golden Dragon Pavilion��s signature dishes began arriving, one after another, carefully arranged on the table.

    However, as the tters were ced, the division at the table became ringly obvious.

    Most of the exquisite dishes were set closer to Hera��s side, leaving Emily��s side conspicuously bare.

    The stark contrast was impossible to ignore, and Emily��s face turned livid, her expression darkening with every passing second.

    "What is the meaning of this?" Emily��s furious voice echoed through the open pavilion, her sharp tone cutting through the air.

    The manager, however, remainedposed and unbothered, her polite smile unwavering.

    "I do apologize, Miss," the manager began smoothly, her tone dripping with professional courtesy.

    "The dishes you ordered have not yet arrived. These are the items typically prepared for Young Miss Hera and her guests. Please be patient��your selections will be served shortly."

    Without giving Emily another nce, the manager turned away, leaving her to fume.

    This calcted indifference wasn��t idental; the manager had overheard snippets of Emily��s earlier provocations and was well aware of her disruptive intentions.

    If Emily wanted to make trouble for Hera, the manager saw no harm in subtly reminding her whose turf she was on.

    With no outlet for her growing anger, Emily��s gaze shifted to the dishes in front of Hera.

    She scrutinized them intently, noting that many weren��t even listed on the menu, and the few she recognized had no prices disyed.

    A sinking feeling began to creep into her thoughts.

    Unbeknownst to her, the dishes she had chosen were considered the least expensive options on the menu.

    These items still had their prices listed��a clear indication they were designed for bronze and silver members.

    The truly exclusive, high-end dishes��those without any prices disyed��were reserved for gold members and above.

    These selections catered to individuals so wealthy they could order without a second thought about the cost.

    Emily remained oblivious to this distinction, her irritation mounting as she failed toprehend the unspoken rules of the Golden Dragon Pavilion��s elite offerings.

    "Hera, don��t tell me you conspired with the staff to single us out just because Emily spoke out earlier," Alice��s pitifully soft voice cut through the tense silence in the room.

    The usation hung in the air, thick with hostility.

    No one had started eating yet.

    Xavier, unfazed by the brewing conflict, was calmly arranging Hera��s utensils with a practiced ease, his focus entirely on her.

    Zen, on the other hand, seemed uninterested, his head lowered as he casually scrolled through his phone.

    Meanwhile, the other actors sat stiffly, desperately trying to blend into the background.

    They avoided eye contact, clearly unwilling to get caught in the crossfire between the two factions.

    After hearing Alice��s usation, Zen, who had been idly scrolling through his phone, suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp and unfriendly.

    Just as he was about to speak, Hera��s cold chuckle broke the tension.

    "Miss Quinn, you truly have a talent for spinning nonsense, don��t you?" Hera said, her tone cutting and calm.

    She leaned back slightly, her eyes narrowing as they fixed on Alice. "Tell me, have you seen me speak with the staff? Or perhaps you��ve caught me ying with my phone just now?"

 Chapter 582 How Much Hera Could Spend For A Meal?

    As much as possible, she had tried to avoid direct confrontation, knowing that continuing these little shes with Alice could lead to unpredictable consequences��especially considering Alice��s strong backing in the world.

    However, that didn��t mean Hera would simply stand by when provoked. If pushed too far, she wasn��t the type to hold back, and when the time came, she would strike back with full force.

    Alice was momentarily taken aback by Hera��s words, her mind racing as she struggled to find a response.

    After Hera had finished speaking, she smiled sweetly, as if everything had been nothing more than a lighthearted joke between friends.

    But Alice could see the cold seriousness in Hera��s eyes, a knowing look that suggested she was testing the waters.

    The weight of her gaze made Alice��s face drain of color, her hands trembling slightly as she nervously rubbed her thumbs together.

    Hera, however, remainedposed, sipping her tea with a serene smile while her eyes never left Alice, sharp and unblinking, like a hawk watching its prey.

    As the silence lingered, Xavier quietly began serving Hera her meal, the tension still thick in the air.

    Hera smiled contentedly as she took a bite of her food, her eyes crinkling with pleasure.

    "Everyone, don��t be shy��dig in. We have a lot to aplish today, so we need all the energy we can get."

    Only then did the others begin eating, though they did so mechanically, the tension still thick in the air.

    They could barely enjoy the meal, their stomachs knotted with difort, as if the food might turn to stone in their bellies.

    What was supposed to be a pleasant dining experience with Xavier, one of the best actors, had been soured by Alice and her entourage.

    A few momentster, the food Emily and Alice had ordered finally arrived, and both women immediately noticed the stark contrast between their dishes and the ones before Hera.

    Thevish spread in front of Hera seemed a world away from the dishes set before them.

    Emily immediately snapped, her frustration boiling over as she pointed to the lobster in front of her and then at Hera��s.

    "What��s going on here? Are you trying to bully us?!" She mmed her hand onto the table, her finger usingly drawing attention to the disparity in the dishes.

    But Hera, Xavier, and Zen remained unfazed, clearly aware, of the reason behind the difference. They continued eating, unbothered by Emily��s outburst.

    The other actors and actresses, however, looked confused.

    They couldn��t quite put their finger on it, but they noticed the lobster in front of Emily was smaller, and the ting was definitely less refinedpared to what was before Hera.

    Despite Emily��s outburst, the manager remainedposed, her smile unwavering as she addressed the situation professionally.

    "Miss," the manager began, her tone calm and professional,

    "I��m not sure if you��ve had the chance to read the menu thoroughly, or if this is your first time dining with us, but the lobster you��ve ordered is our Maine Lobster, which is offered to our lower-tier members."

    "However, the lobster Young Miss Hera typically enjoys is a ��<i>Tropical Rock Lobster��</i>, a rare variety caught in the wild and flown directly from its source. It is ten times more expensive than the one you��ve chosen."

    "We do not list it on the menu due to its limited avability, and it is usually reserved for our top-tier members, who have ess to today��s special menu."

    The manager��s exnation, though polite, carried an unmistakable glint of mockery in her eyes, as though she found amusement in watching someone make a fool of themselves.

    As her words sank in, the others were taken aback.

    While they weren��t certain of the exact price of the ��<i>Tropical Rock Lobster</i>��, they quickly grasped the implication��if it was flown in directly from its source and only avable to top spenders, the ingredients alone must be extraordinarily rare and incredibly expensive.

    Emily gulped, but her pride wouldn��t let her back down.

    "How expensive could it really be? I have the money, and I can definitely afford to be one of the top spenders."

    "Just tell me the price, and I��ll dly pay to be treated the same as her," she said, pointing at Hera, unwilling to ept being humiliated, especially when Hera seemed to be better than her in every way.

    The manager maintained her professional demeanor, but her words cut deep.

    "I apologize, Miss, but our establishment operates on an invite-only basis. Membership is reserved for those with significant influence and power in the business world, individuals who also possess substantial financial means."

    "Based on your current financial capability, I��m afraid even our Bronze membership would be out of reach."

    The manager��s tone was direct and factual, but to Emily��s ears, it felt like a harsh dismissal, fueling her anger and humiliation.

    "Are you looking down on me? Just tell me how much! How much did that bitch spend to be called a top spender?!" Emily roared, herposure shattering.

    The humiliation had piled up so much that she felt she had to reim some of her dignity, or she would lose itpletely.

    The manager paused, ncing at Hera for guidance before speaking.

    She wasn��t sure whether to reveal such private information, but when she saw Hera��s slight nod of approval, she continued, her tone even but firm.

    "Young Miss Hera spent $250,000 on a single meal here at our establishment. She routinely orders all of our daily specials, which feature rare ingredients such as the Tropical Rock Lobster, Coffin Bay King Oyster, Bluefin Tuna, and many others."

    The room fell silent, and the weight of the manager��s words hit Emily like a p.

    The sheer scale of the expense was enough to make her blood run cold, but she couldn��t back down now.

 Chapter 583 Can’t I Spend For My Man?

    Emily had thought the prices on the menu were already exorbitant��$2,000 for steak, $500 for foie gras��but she had no idea that one of Hera��s orders was Almas caviar, which costs $34,000 per kilogram.

    This rare, golden caviares from a female albino sturgeon, over a century old, harvested from the Caspian Sea.

    The difference in price was staggering, and when added to the rest of Hera��s orders, the total easily reached $250,000��or even more.

    Since Hera had already given her approval, the manager pulled out her tablet, which was connected to their ordering system, and walked over to Emily.

    "Miss," she began, "if you��re truly curious, this is the pricing from our system. I cannot alter these prices without authorization from our general manager, and even then, it would need to be reviewed and approved by the higher-ups. Price adjustments only ur when the cost of certain ingredients increases."

    After exining, the manager pulled up Hera��s order on the tablet, and the list of items appeared, each apanied by its price.

    Alice subtly leaned closer to Emily to see the prices too, and she nearly gasped in surprise when she saw the Almas Caviar listed at $34,000 per kilogram.

    It was served in two containers, each roughly 500 grams, making it easy for the other actors and actresses to reach and add it to their bread or other dishes.

    Beside it, the Tropical Rock Lobster was priced at $500 per kilogram.

    The lobsters were sorge that they appeared to weigh at least 2 kilograms each, and there were several ted in front of Hera, each cut into bite-sized pieces.

    The more Emily and Alice scrolled down, the wider their mouths dropped and the paler their faces became.

    By the time they reached the end of the list, they were stunned to see that the total price far exceeded $250,000.

    Both Alice and Emily were speechless.

    Emily��s earlier arrogance quickly evaporated, leaving her unable to boast about having the financial means topete with Hera. She fell into a stunned silence.

    "B-But isn��t Brother Xavier paying for this meal?!" Alice stammered, her voice low but loud enough for everyone to hear.

    It was as though she was speaking to herself, but in reality, she wanted to make sure everyone caught her words.

    "Sister Hera is ordering all these expensive dishes without even considering Brother Xavier��s hard-earned money?"

    Her words hung in the air,den with implied judgment.

    After all, the manager had been praising Hera non-stop, but before they arrived, Zen had made it clear that Xavier was the one footing the bill, and Xavier himself had agreed.

    To Alice, this suggested that Hera was using Xavier��s wealth to elevate her image, and it seemed shameless from any angle they look.

    As soon as Alice spoke, the others exchanged subtle nces, their eyes shifting to Hera.

    They began to specte, wondering if she had ordered the most expensive items without any consideration for what Xavier might think.

    The more they thought about it, the more questions arose.

    Since the manager had mentioned that Hera was a regr and had spent suchrge amounts in the past, everyone began to remember her connections to the heirs of other prominent families.

    Whispers started circting, with some wondering if Hera was using their wealth to show off, just like she seemed to be doing now.

    And that was exactly what Alice had been hoping for, nting seeds of doubt in everyone��s minds.

    <i>��So what if she can spend that much? No matter what she does, she��s just using her body to enjoy these perks,��</i> Alice thought to herself, her gaze lowered to hide the smug expression forming in her eyes.

    She couldn��t suppress the feeling of triumph building inside her.

    Alice couldn��t help but wonder if Xavier had ever considered that Hera might be exploiting his influence or money while ying the innocent victim.

    Maybe she was doing the same with the other men around her.

    <i>��But I��m different,��</i> Alice thought, her confidence growing.

    ��I��m sure to be the best actress because of my experience in my previous life that would help me reach that goal. I know I can make it.��

    <i>��So even if the men in my life spend money on me, it��s an investment��one I��ll pay back when I reach the top. What does Hera have? Nothing but her body. A slut, that��s all she is.��</i>

    Alice felt a sense of superiority as she overheard whispers from those around her.

    While the actors and actresses on Hera��s side stayed quiet, Alice could tell they were thinking the same thing, just holding back out of respect for Xavier.

    It was clear to Alice��she was on her way to the top, and Hera, in her mind, would never measure up.

    Instead of getting flustered, Hera remainedposed, continuing to eat with calm grace.

    Xavier, though visibly irritated, only looked up once, his gaze sweeping over the room as he shot everyone a pointed re.

    He didn��t say anything, however, because Hera had already taken his hand beneath the table and patted it a few times.

    His fist was clenched, a clear sign that his anger was nearing its boiling point.

    With poised elegance, Hera delicately wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, taking her time as she savored the moment.

    When she finally looked up, her eyes sparkled with amusement, and a subtle, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

    It was clear she wasn��t fazed by the whispers or the judgment; instead, she seemed to find the entire situation entertaining.

    Hera chuckled softly as she set the napkin down, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I��m not sure if Miss Quinn is suffering from selective memory loss, but perhaps you��ve forgotten something."

    "Besides being a neer in the entertainment industry, I am also the legendary racer, Phantom."

    "I��ve won numerous races, earning quite a bit of money along the way. In fact, just recently, I defeated some spendthrift second-generation heirs in a race with a prize of $11 million." She paused for effect, her gaze now directly on Alice.

    "So, tell me��do I really need my man to pay for me? Can��t I handle it myself and even treat my man, too?"

    As Hera boldly referred to Xavier as "her man," a flutter of emotion swept through him.

    His heart skipped a beat, and before he knew it, a grin spread across his face.

    He couldn��t help but gaze at her with a look of fondness, his expression softening as he basked in the affection and confidence she disyed so effortlessly.

    Those who overheard Hera��s words were left stunned, their thoughts racing. <i>��Racing can earn that much?!��</i>

    As the group absorbed this new information, Alice couldn��t hide her surprise.

    Her face went pale as she realized that Hera had actually earned millions from racing.

    She had always dismissed racing as a morous hobby, assuming it wouldn��tpare to the riches of the entertainment industry.

    Now, with Hera��s words, she was forced to swallow her misconceptions in one swift blow.

    The atmosphere grew tense and awkward as the meal continued.

    Alice and Emily fell into a heavy silence, realizing they had already dug themselves into a hole too deep to climb out of.

    No one dared to challenge Hera anymore, especially not with Xavier��s simmering anger hovering just beneath the surface.

    The others at the table, sensing the shifting dynamic, quietly avoided drawing attention to the conflict, hoping to steer clear of any more tension.

    After the meal, Hera casually took out her ck card, deliberately cing her thumb over herst name, allowing the emblem of the ck Dragon Card to be visible for all to see.

    She wasn��t one to show off, but in this case, she made an exception��especially in front of Alice.

    Hera knew how much Alice enjoyed giving her a hard time, and this moment felt like the perfect opportunity to turn the tables.

    It wasn��t just about the card��it was about sending a message.

    Hera wasn��t above being petty, and today, she decided to let Alice experience a little difort.

    After all, Alice had tried to undermine her many times, and now it was her turn to remind Alice of just who she was.

    With a small, almost imperceptible smile, Hera silently enjoyed the effect her gesture was bound to have.

 Chapter 584 PGA Tour Taking Action

    The other actors and actresses nced at Emily and Alice with subtle pity but chose to remain silent.

    They had all witnessed Emily��s arrogance and condescension toward Hera, as well as Alice��s petty schemes to undermine her.

    If Hera hadn��t skillfully defended herself and rified the situation, she could have been unfairlybeled a kept woman, used of exploiting Xavier for his money and influence.

    Such rumors, if leaked to the outside world, could have dire consequences.

    Xavier��s fervent fans would undoubtedly turn against Hera, subjecting her to relentless scrutiny and harassment��potentially forcing her to abandon her budding career in the entertainment industry altogether.

    They couldn��t tell whether Alice had deliberately aimed to cause such harm or if her actions were merely thoughtless.

    Regardless, her words had crossed the line, hitting below the belt. Hera��s response, sharp and well-deserved, was simply a case of them reaping what they had sown.

    No one felt the slightest bit of sympathy for the two.

    Emily, Alice, and Wesley were left utterly stunned, their ears practically ringing after Hera��s parting words sank in: she hadn��t paid for their meals, leaving them to cover the bill themselves.

    The realization hit hard��they were now on the hook for $25,000.

    Having chosen the most expensive dishes on the menu, with Wesley even adding to the order, they had racked up a hefty tab.

    While this amount wasn��t as extravagant as what Hera had paid for the rest of the group, it was still an overwhelming sum for them to afford for a single meal.

    "Argh!!!" Emily��s scream of frustration echoed through the restaurant, loud enough to be heard by Hera and the others as they made their way down the hallway toward the lobby.

    Zen, upon hearing her outburst, burst into even moreughter, his eyes brimming with tears as he clutched his stomach, unable to contain his amusement.

    "Serves them right! Ha ha ha," Zen managed to say between breaths, stillughing as he pictured Emily��s frazzled state after her outburst.

    The other actors and actresses couldn��t help but share a chuckle, their amusement mingling with a newfound admiration for Hera.

    In their industry, bullying was somon that most simply endured it in silence, pretending to be fine just to keep their careers intact.

    Hera��s unapologetic way of standing up for herself felt like a refreshing change.

    It reminded them that sometimes, taking a stand was not only empowering but necessary��especially in an environment where unchecked bullying had driven some to tragic oues.

    To think that Hera could handle the situation so wlessly without needing Xavier to intervene left many of them, especially those often targeted by bullies, deeply impressed.

    The second female lead, who had endured her share of mistreatment, now gazed at Hera with newfound admiration, her eyes sparkling as if she were looking at a role model.

    Noticing her expression, Zen stepped in, positioning himself protectively between Hera and the starstruck actress.

    "Don��t get any ideas about my little sister Hera," he teased with a yful smirk. "You won��t make the cut."

    His lighthearted remark sent the group intoughter, and even the second female lead joined in, her spirits lifted by the camaraderie.

    After some time, the group returned to the conference room, noticeably more rxed.

    Emily and her group, however, were nowhere to be seen��likely scrambling to figure out how to settle their exorbitant bill as the manager wouldn��t let them leave her sight.

    Their absence brought a newfound harmony to the room, making it easier for everyone to focus on their tasks without the tension their presence usually brought.

    Even when the director arrived to escort the cast for costume fittings, the trio remained absent.

    Word soon came that they had requested a leave of absence from the crew, leaving the director fuming over their unprofessionalism.

    "What? A leave of absence on the very first day?!" the director snapped, his frustration palpable.

    "Unbelievable! Fine, keep an eye on them. I won��t tolerate unprofessional behavior. If this keeps up, we��ll find recements!" With that, he stormed off, his irritation clear.

    They only needed to take care of these fittings today, with the rest of the schedule spread out over the next few days.

    But the fact that the trio had so casually taken a leave made it feel like they considered themselves too important to show up.

    Even Xavier, who was juggling a packed schedule, made sure to be present, yet those three seemed to think they were exempt. The director couldn��t stand it.

    As a result, Alice, Wesley, and Emily found themselves on the director��s bad side, though they werepletely unaware of it.

    Meanwhile, Hera walked away from the scene with a bright smile, so radiant that Xavier couldn��t help but ruffle her hair. "Are you really that happy?"

    "Was it that obvious?" Hera teased, sticking out her tongue yfully before letting out a soft chuckle.

    <i>Ding...</i>

    A notification popped up on her phone, and with a smile, she eagerly opened it.

    [Danny Coleman: Hello again, Miss Hera. We��re set to fly out to Barcelona tomorrow for the race, and I��ve checked with your manager �C it looks like we��re all clear.]

    [Danny Coleman: On another note, the PGA Tour and BMW reached out, attempting to renew the contract they hastily ended when Michael and his group left. I turned them down, but unfortunately, PGA Tours retaliated by blocking our efforts to secure international flights.]

    [Danny Coleman: How do you think we should proceed?]

    Even without seeing his face, Hera could easily imagine the worry and exhaustion etched across Danny��s features as he dealt with the situation.

    Normally, their flights were sponsored by the PGA Tour, covering their travel to races in various countries. But since the PGA Tour and BMW ended their contract, Danny and his team had been relegated to flying economy.

    That wasn��t the issue, though.

    The real problem was that Danny had received word that the PGA Tour was nning to take action against them unless they epted the olive branch they were offering.

    It became clear that the PGA Tour was coercing them into signing a contract��one that would not only benefit them by securing Hera��s involvement, given her potential in both racing and promotion.

    It was a way for them to kill two birds with one stone, and they saw Hera as the perfect ambassador they had been searching for.

    Danny was already in a panic, scrambling to secure flights for his entire team after the race.

    To his surprise, he was unable to find a flight until thest minute. His only option left was to turn to Hera, knowing she was connected to influential figures who might be able to help them with this issue.

    Hera understood what he was trying to do, but instead of getting frustrated, she kept herposure.

    She knew this wasn��t Danny��s fault��it was the capitalists who saw an opportunity to exploit them that were in the wrong.

    Still, her expression remained calm and indifferent as she responded.

    [Hera: Don��t worry. Just meet me at the VIP lounge tomorrow at Terminal 1, 6 AM sharp. Bring your passport, luggage, and the whole team.]

    [Hera: By the way, do we still need to bring the car, or have you taken care of that?]

    [Danny Coleman: (? ?-? �� ?-? ?)]

    [Danny Coleman: We still need to bring the car with us, so we��ll need a cargo ne...]

    [Hera: No problem, just bring it along. I��ll send you a numberter. Communicate with her, and she��ll handle everything.]

    [Hera: Cindy Brent #####]

    When Danny received the number, his heart raced with anticipation.

    Just like when he first received Larry Wickman��s number, he knew who Cindy Brent was, and the weight of it hit him.

    Every time Hera sent him a number, it felt like she was steering him toward a path of undeniable sess.

    A surge of excitement washed over him, and without hesitation, he immediately reached out to Cindy.

    When Cindy heard the situation, she couldn��t help butugh, her voice carrying a calm confidence simr to Hera��s.

    "Alright, just bring yourselves, your luggage, and the car. I��ll handle everything on my end."

    With that, she ended the call, leaving Danny speechless and lost in a cloud of disbelief.

 Chapter 585 Xavier’s Turn

    Once the arrangements were made, Cindy sent Hera the updated schedule and busied herself with the final preparations.

    When Hera and Xavier returned to the penthouse after their dinner out, the ce was eerily quiet, as if it had beenpletely deserted.

    It turned out that both Hannah and Amy had gone back to the old mansion to take care of some matters while Cindy was busy taking care of the matter with Danny.

    "Where is everyone?" Xavier askedzily, his voice tinged with disinterest.

    It wasn��t as if he expected an answer; he simply moved around, helping Hera remove her coat and change her shoes.

    Hera didn��t like being treated like this��it made her feel like a child��but Xavier insisted on doing it.

    As he knelt to help her with her shoes, Hera was left with no choice but to hold onto his shoulder for bnce. At that moment, their eyes met.

    Xavier, noticing Hera��s shy expression as she bit her lower lip, felt an undeniable urge to kiss her.

    Without thinking, his body acted on instinct.

    In an instant, his lips were pressed against hers.

    Hera was suddenly pushed back against the wall, the breath knocked out of her, though it wasn��t painful��just a shock to her senses.

    Before she could say anything or even react, she found herself locked in a kiss with Xavier.

    His kiss was urgent and demanding, overwhelming her like a torrential storm.

    Hera couldn��t help but let out a soft moan, her body responding involuntarily.

    The sound only fueled Xavier��s desire, his gaze darkening with hunger.

    He had been holding back for so long, but seeing Hera��s innocent yet alluring face broke down his restraint.

    The jealousy he��d been harboring��knowing Leo, Zhane, and Rafael had already slipped past her defenses and shared intimate moments with her��ignited a fire within him.

    Xavier suddenly bit her lip, his gaze locking with hers as if he wanted to say something.

    But seeing Hera��s flushed, breathless face silenced him, and instead, he kissed her again, deeper this time.

    Without even letting her put on her slippers, he reached for her thigh, causing Hera to instinctively loop her legs around his waist as he lifted her effortlessly.

    Surprised, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Xavier smiled against her lips, his heart racing with a mixture of desire and satisfaction.

    "Good girl," Xavier said hoarsely, his voice thick with desire, before he resumed nibbling on her lips.

    "Hmm..." Hera moaned softly, shifting her position.

    From Xavier��s perspective, it felt as though Hera was grinding her core against his crotch, a movement that made him hiss in pleasure.

    His eyes darkened, filled with an unrestrained desire.

    All the restraint he had fought to maintain evaporated at that moment, leaving him utterly lost to the overwhelming desire.

    As if sensing his thoughts, Hera leaned closer, her movements deliberate and enticing.

    Her lips brushed against his lips before she licked them teasingly, her gaze locking onto his.

    Mischief danced in her eyes, glinting like a yful kitten��s under the warm light.

    It was an unspoken invitation, a wordless dare, and Xavier��s resolve crumbledpletely as he carried her toward the sofa, his mind consumed by her irresistible allure.

    "Ugh," Xavier groaned, his voiceced with a mix of frustration and desire.

    Without warning, he delivered a firm p to Hera��s buttocks, drawing a startled yelp from her lips.

    "Bad girl," he rasped, the words meant to sound reprimanding, but his tone betrayed his amusement.

    He couldn��t help but enjoy this unexpected side of Hera, one that seemed buried deep within her and now, tantalizingly,ing to the surface.

    The corner of his lips twitched into a smirk before he leaned in, crashing his mouth against hers in a searing kiss.

    Lowering her gently onto the plush sofa, Xavier climbed on top of her, his weight grounding her beneath him.

    His tongue explored her mouth hungrily, every movement possessive and demanding, as his right hand deftly worked to unbutton his shirt, the fabric falling open to reveal the sculpted nes of his chest.

    "Hera... Can... I?" Xavier asked breathlessly, his voice low andced with anticipation as he pulled away from her.

    A thin, silver thread of saliva connected their lips before it broke, shimmering in the dim light.

    Slowly, he shrugged off his shirt, revealing the lean, chiseled muscles beneath.

    His torso was a masterpiece of defined lines, his sculpted abs leading down to the enticing curve of his V-line.

    The way his trousers hung low on his hips only added to the allure, dangerously close to slipping further.

    Hera��s gaze drifted downward, her breath catching in her throat.

    She wasn��t sure if Xavier��s trousers always sat that low or if her earlier movements while straddling him had caused them to shift, but the sight made her pulse quicken.

    The faint bulge of veins trailing downward and the unmistakable outline beneath the fabric made her throat go dry, forcing her to gulp hard against the sudden heat rising within her.

    Seeing Hera��s unrestrained gaze trailing over his body, Xavier couldn��t suppress the swell of satisfaction that surged within him.

    The desire coiling in his core tightened, growing almost unbearable. Her eyes, filled with a mix of curiosity and longing, were like a silent invitation.

    Unable to wait for her answer, he leaned in and captured her lips in another heated kiss, his hands moving deftly to help her out of her clothes.

    Hera offered no resistance; her entire body felt as though it were on fire, warmth spreading through her like an intoxicating haze.

    She was utterly captivated, drawn to Xavier��s handsome features and the sensual grace of his movements.

    The way his muscles shifted beneath his skin with every motion was mesmerizing��irresistibly sexy and impossible to ignore.

    It stirred something primal within her, awakening a hunger for intimacy she hadn��t fully realized until now.

    Perhaps it wasst night��s intimacy with Leo, Zhane, and Rafael that had awakened this side of her��a newfound hunger that now burned like an unrelenting me.

    Hera felt as though she were going into heat, her body responding instinctively to Xavier��s presence.

    Their kisses grew deeper, more urgent, as they helped each other strip away theyers of clothing between them.

    From time to time, Hera��s fingers would trace over the contours of Xavier��s body, gliding along his lean muscles and smooth skin.

    Each touch sent a shiver coursing through him, drawing a low, delicious tremor that only spurred her on.

    Xavier��s kisses became more intense, almost devouring, as her hands explored him.

    The heat between them was electric, building with each shared breath, each lingering caress, until it became nearly impossible to contain.

    When Hera was down to just her bra and panties, and Xavier was left in nothing but his pants, he leaned in to kiss her neck.

    The touch was featherlight at first, like a whisper against her skin, making Hera��s long eyshes flutter as a delicate shiver ran through her.

    Xavier��s hand moved to cup her breast, still cradled within the confines of her bra.

    Despite the barrier, the warmth of his palm seeped through, igniting her senses.

    Hera��s body trembled under his touch, her breath hitching as his lips trailed lower, his warm breath teasing her skin and sending a cascade of goosebumps across her body.

    "Haa..." A shaky exhale escaped her lips, her voice barely above a whisper, betraying the storm of emotions and sensations swirling within her.

    It took Xavier two attempts before he managed to unhook Hera��s bra, and when he finally did, her breasts sprang free, bouncing lightly before him.

    The sight made Xavier��s eyes darken with unrestrained desire, his resolve wavering as his gaze lingered on her.

    He had always tried to control himself, never daring to let his thoughts wander to defiling Hera��not even in his mind.

    But he was still a man, and being so close to the woman he loved tested the limits of his restraint.

    Each passing moment chipped away at his resolve, the maic pull of his feelings and her allure bing impossible to ignore.

    Without hesitation, Xavier lowered his mouth to her nipple, suckling softly at first, then with increasing pressure.

    Hera gasped, her body instinctively leaning back into the sofa as the tingling sensation shot through her.

    His tongue swirled and teased, asionally grazing it with his teeth, while his other hand caressed and fondled her other breast, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her.

    Every touch made her body tremble, and a knot of desire tightened in her stomach, causing her to weaken.

    Her knees buckled slightly, the warmth of her growing arousal pooling between her legs, an undeniable response to the pleasure he was giving her.

 Chapter 586 Taste Like Strawberry

    Her glistening nipple still bore the traces of his kisses, a sight that made his chest tighten with want.

    His middle finger gently traced her clit, drawing slow, deliberate circles, as if savoring every reaction she gave him.

    "Does it feel good?" he asked, his tone a mix of teasing and genuine curiosity.

    Hera��s lips parted, but no words came��only a soft, trembling moan escaped her.

    The slight flick of his finger against her sensitive nub sent a shiver through her body, her lips quivering as her breath hitched, unable to resist the mounting waves of pleasure.

    Xavier smirked, his darkened eyes fixed on Hera as her body responded instinctively to his every touch, betraying her arousal.

    With deliberate ease, he slid his middle finger into her slick pussy, her wetness making the movement effortless.

    "Ah!" Hera cried out, her head tilting back as the sensation of his finger entering her sent a wave of pleasure coursing through her.

    Her inner walls clenched tightly around him, as if trying to pull him deeper, and the reaction only fueled Xavier��s desire.

    He inhaled sharply, his chest tightening with excitement at the sensation of her warmth and tightness enveloping his fingers.

    Without hesitation, he began to pump them in and out, his movements slow and deliberate at first, building a tantalizing rhythm.

    Hera��s louder moans filled the air, her voice trembling with pleasure.

    Unable to resist, Xavier leaned in and imed her mouth, silencing her cries with a deep, passionate kiss.

    His tongue tangled with hers, matching the rhythm of his fingers, as he explored her deeply in both ways, leaving her breathless and trembling beneath him.

    The warm glow of the living room lights bathed the space in a soft, inviting hue, heightening the intimacy of the moment.

    The light was just enough to illuminate every detail, allowing them to see and feel everything they needed.

    Xavier��s lips moved with precision, trailing kisses from Hera��s flushed cheeks down to her delicate jawline.

    asionally, he let his teeth graze her skin, teasing her with a mix of sharpness and tenderness.

    Each graze sent electric jolts coursing through Hera��s body, her chest rising and falling with her rapid breaths as waves of pleasure rippled through her.

    Her body responded eagerly, her muscles tightening as the sensations grew overwhelming.

    Xavier��s fingers continued their deliberate exploration, thrusting steadily into her pussy.

    Noticing her inner walls clenching tighter, he added a second finger, her wetness making the motion seamless.

    "Ahh..." Hera whimpered, her voice trembling with the intensity of the sensations.

    Xavier smirked at her response, his pace quickening as his fingers worked her with practiced skill, building a rhythm that had her core burning with anticipation and desire.

    "Xavier... Xavier..." Hera whimpered breathlessly, her voice trembling as her body arched against him.

    Her knees instinctively buckled together, the familiar, electrifying build of her climax surging through her core.

    Her eyshes fluttered uncontrobly, her eyes rolling back as waves of pleasure consumed her.

    Her entire body quivered, overwhelmed by the addictive, almost indescribable sensation that left her breathless.

    "Ahh...!" she exhaled, her voice a mix of a scream and a gasp, the release spilling from her in waves.

    Just as she reached her peak, Xavier leaned in and gently bit down on her shoulder, the sharp sting of pain blending with the ecstasy, sending her spiraling into an even deeper, more intense climax.

    When everything seemed to settle, Hera��s body still trembling from her climax, she opened her eyes to find Xavier kneeling on the floor.

    Her legs were gently spread wider, his firm hands holding her in ce.

    As her senses returned, her gaze met Xavier��s��his alluring eyes, dark with desire, locked onto hers from between her thighs.

    A seductive smile yed on his lips, sending a fresh wave of heat through her.

    Before she could utter a word, Xavier leaned in and licked her clit.

    The wet, deliberate sensation sent a shiver coursing through her body, making her tremble uncontrobly.

    Still sensitive from her recent release, the simple touch was almost overwhelming.

    Hera gasped, her breath hitching as the pleasure threatened to pull her under once more, her body already teetering on the edge of another climax.

    "You taste like strawberries, Hera," Xavier��s raspy voice rumbled from between her thighs, the slight vibration of his words sending shivers up her spine.

    The unexpected sensation made Hera instinctively grind her hips against his face. Xavier��s eyes darkened further, his expression a mix of desire and intensity.

    "Yes, ride my face," he growled, his tone uncharacteristically dirty yet irresistibly seductive.

    Hera never imagined Xavier speaking to her this way, but every word dripping from his lips ignited a fire deep within her, tying her stomach into a deliciously tight knot.

    Emboldened by his words and her own growing pleasure, Hera continued to move her hips against him.

    Xavier��s tongue expertlypped at her sensitive clit, the sensation making her whimper uncontrobly.

    At the same time, his fingers remained busy.

    He slid two inside her again, thrusting them with a rhythmic urgency.

    Each movement of his fingers was deliberate��sometimes fast and unrelenting, other times slow and purposeful, massaging the sensitive spots within her.

    The upward curve of his strokes sent jolts of pleasure through her core, causing her to squirm and writhe.

    Her hands fisted the sofa tightly as she screamed with pleasure, unable to contain the sensations overwhelming her body.

    "Xavier!!!" Hera��s hoarse scream echoed in the living room as she gritted her teeth in the end as she felt her gums tingling.

    "That��s right, Hera. Cum for me��right into my face," Xavier urged, his voice dark andmanding as he quickened the rhythm of his fingers and tongue.

    The wet sounds of his actions filled the room, a testament to the mingling of his saliva and Hera��s wetness, glistening in the dim light.

    A thin, silvery thread of her essence clung to the corner of his mouth and chin, a sight that sent Hera��s mind spiraling further into oblivion.

    The overwhelming sensations built to a peak, and as another climax crashed through her, it was even stronger than before, leaving her trembling and helpless.

    Her mind was a haze, and coherent thought escaped her entirely.

    "Oh God! Oh God! Fuuuuck!" Hera cried out, her voice breaking as her body shook uncontrobly.

    Words tumbled from her lips in a delirious chant of ecstasy, her entire being reduced to raw, unfiltered pleasure.

 Chapter 587 The Bold Hera

    As she leaned closer, her tongue flicked across her bottom lip in a gesture that was both innocent and enticing, leaving him utterly captivated.

    Words stuck in his throat, forgotten, as he watched her.

    Spellbound by her boldness and the fire in her eyes, Xavier could only surrender to the moment, anticipation thrumming through his veins.

    Xavier watched intently as Hera opened his pants, her movements deliberate yet hesitant.

    When his hard shaft sprang free, a surprised gasp escaped her lips.

    It wasn��t the first time she had seen it, but being this close made her breath catch in her throat.

    A faint blush colored her cheeks, adding a touch of innocence to her already captivating expression.

    <i>��It��s so big... Can I even fit this in my mouth?��</i> Hera wondered, her thoughts racing as her wide eyes remained fixed on Xavier��s impressive length.

    Her intense gaze only fueled his arousal further.

    His cock twitched involuntarily, growing even harder under her scrutiny, drawing a soft chuckle from Xavier.

    "Hera," he murmured, his voice deep and tinged with amusement, "you��re going to make me lose my mind if you keep looking at me like that."

    "Hera..." Xavier��s voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with both need and restraint.

    Her gaze traveled back up to meet his eyes, a spark of mischief glimmering in her own.

    Slowly, her hand traced the contours of his cock, her touch featherlight yet maddeningly deliberate.

    Xavier hissed, holding his breath, his entire body taut with anticipation.

    "Hera," he repeated, his voice strained, a plea mingling with his desire.

    He could feel her teasing him, every soft caress driving him closer to the edge, his restraint threatening to unravel.

    It was almost unbearable how her light touch alone seemed enough to make him lose control.

    Then, without breaking eye contact, Hera leaned closer.

    Her hand began stroking his length with an unhurried rhythm, and her lips parted as she brought the tip of his cock to her mouth.

    She flicked her tongue against the sensitive tip before tracing it around the crown, her deliberate movements sending shocks of pleasure coursing through him.

    Xavier leaned back against the sofa, his head tilting slightly as a guttural growl escaped his lips.

    Both his arms went up to rest on the back of the couch, his fists clenching as if to anchor himself. "Hera..." he rasped, her name falling from his lips like a prayer, thick with desire.

    This was something Hera had considered trying with Zhane before��back when she first helped him cum and felt her hands going numb from stroking his cock��but she had never acted on it.

    Now, with Xavier, the opportunity presented itself, and she decided to take it.

    Hera wasn��t as innocent as she might appear.

    Athena��s rather candid "sex education" from long ago had given her more knowledge than she let on.

    She had held back before, never trying anything with Alexi because it didn��t feel like the right time.

    Back then, she��d thought about saving those moments, showcasing what she��d learned after the wedding.

    But fate had followed the novel��s course, and Alexi��s story hade to its inevitable end.

    Now, with Xavier, Hera allowed herself to explore desires she had once only imagined, fully embracing the moment without hesitation.

    Hera focused intently on Xavier��s length, her eyes locking with his as she tried to gauge his response, wanting to make sure she was doing it right.

    Xavier��s gaze met hers, dark and hungry, barely containing the beast within him. His lips parted slightly, a silent struggle between control and desire.

    As Hera opened her mouth and slowly ran her tongue from the base of his cock up to the tip before she sucked it, putting his cock inside her mouth, she tried to steady her breathing.

    She could feel the weight of him on her tongue, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn��t fit even half of it.

    The stretch in her jaw was almost unbearable, and she felt as though she might dislocate it if she pushed herself further.

    Still, she didn��t pull away, her determination mirrored in the way Xavier��s eyes darkened, his body tense with anticipation.

    Hera��s gagging echoed through the room as she struggled to control her breath, her movements jerky as she struggled to manage the intensity.

    Each motion brought Xavier closer to the edge, and he gripped her hair, guiding her up and down, the sound of her gagging only intensifying.

    His muscles tensed, veins bulging in his arms as he fought the urge to push his cock deeper into her throat, desperate to maintain control.

    Hera, too, was struggling for air as Xavier��s movements pressed further into her throat, making each breath harder to catch.

    Hera��s red watery eyes, stared at Xavier, making her look alluringly beautiful and pitiful,

    Xavier bit his lips as he started panting hoarsely, his lips turning bloody red as he bit it to control the tingling sensation running in his veins until his guttural snarl rose from his chest, drowning out the sound of Hera��s gagging.

    And without a word, Xavier cum inside Hera��s mouth.

    Hera��s eyes widened in surprise, but she couldn��t pull away, her breath caught as Xavier��s grip held her in ce, continuing to force her downward.

    After a moment, Xavier finally released Hera, but she had already swallowed his cum then, her throat desperately working to clear her airway as she struggled to breathe.

    Her eyes, red and using, locked with his as she pulled away. She pouted her lips, and a trace of his cum lingered at the corner of her mouth.

    It was only then that Xavier realized, with a jolt of shock, that Hera had inadvertently swallowed his cum, causing his breath to catch in his chest.

    A little guilty, Xavier smiled wryly and said. "Sorry Hera...."

    He then leaned closer and kissed Hera, his tongue prying open her teeth, and only then did he taste himself from her lips, his brows furrowed but he didn��t stop kissing her, instead, he pulled Hera from the ground, guiding her onto hisp.

    Gently, heid her back on the soft couch, positioning himself above her. "Hera," he whispered, his voice thick with urgency as his hand drifted from her small waist to her hips, "I can��t take it anymore. Can I?"

    Hera nodded softly, her fingers trailing over his chest, feeling the firmness of his chiseled muscles beneath her touch.

    Xavier positioned himself at her entrance, and a shiver ran through Hera as the familiar sensation made her squirm, her body reacting instinctively to his closeness.

 Chapter 588 Strawberry

    The fullness was overwhelming, almost unimaginable, as her body adjusted to amodate his thick, long cock.

    Her mind struggled to keep up, teetering on the edge of coherence, consumed by the intense sensations coursing through her.

    That tantalizing itch surged through her veins, building her desire to climax again, even as Xavier took his time, savoring every moment.

    Xavier lifted Hera��s left leg, bringing it closer to his lips as he ced soft, deliberate kisses along her smooth skin.

    Slowly, he began rocking his hips, drawing a breathless moan from Hera.

    "Ah, Xavier!" she cried out needily, her voice trembling with desire.

    Xavier let out a muffled groan in response, his voice thick with restraint.

    "Hera... you��re so tight. You��re gonna make me cum so soon," he muttered, his wordsced with raw honesty.

    His teeth grazed her leg seductively, sending shivers through her, while his steady, gentle thrusts kept her on the edge of bliss.

    "Argh." Xavier groaned, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling as he fought to maintain control.

    After two deliberate thrusts, he lowered his gaze back to Hera, his grip firm on her left leg.

    His eyes never left her face, though her own had lost focus, her expression consumed by pleasure as she moaned and panted uncontrobly.

    Xavier kissed and licked her leg, savoring her soft skin.

    To have better ess inside her pussy, he adjusted his position, lifting her hips slightly as he shifted onto his heels, his knees buckling under him.

    Her right leg rested against his thigh as he leaned back, angling himself perfectly to hit her G-spot.

    The effect was immediate��Hera��s moans grew louder, her body trembling under the intensity.

    "Xavier! This... is too... much!" Hera said between heavy breaths.

    Xavier didn��t respond, his predatory gaze fixed on Hera��s unfocused eyes, drinking in her dazed expression.

    He trailed a series of kiss marks along her jade-like legs, each touch deliberate, as his thrusts grew deeper and harder.

    The sound of Hera calling his name over and over was intoxicating, fueling the fire within him.

    Unbeknownst to himself, he was gradually losing control, his restraint slipping away as his primal instincts began to take over.

    "Fuck! I can��t get enough of you, strawberry," Xavier growled suddenly, his voice muffled by hoarse groans and ragged breaths.

    Despite the haze of her own pleasure, Hera understood him, and the unexpected nickname sent a jolt through her, making her inner walls clench tighter around him.

    Xavier let out a deep, guttural snarl in response, his control slipping further.

    "Ugh! Don��t wring me dry, strawberry..." he groaned, the raw edge in his tone making her shiver.

    Her inner walls clenched tightly again, drawing a low groan from Xavier as his hungry eyes locked onto her, a teasing smile curving his lips.

    "You like it when I call you that?" he asked, his voice rough, his panting growing heavier with every word.

    His thrusts quickened, each one more deliberate than thest.

    Hera, no longer able to focus on his words, felt her body spiraling out of control.

    Her eyes rolled back as waves of pleasure consumed her, her hands scrambling to find something��anything��to cling to.

    She wanted to reach for Xavier, to feel him closer, but he was just out of reach.

    At the same time, she ached to arch her back, desperate to feel him hit even deeper.

    Yet, even without her doing so, his cock was already knocking against the entrance of her womb, sending her hurtling toward the edge of climax.

    Xavier maintained his relentless rhythm for over 30 minutes, leaving Hera��s eyes rimmed with unshed tears, their red hue betraying her overwhelming sensations.

    Her face, down to her neck, was flushed a deep crimson.

    "Hera, I��m sorry... I can��t control myself anymore," he murmured, his voiceced with both apology and desire.

    In one swift motion, he turned her onto all fours, pinning her down on the sofa.

    He locked her hands above her head, ensuring her upper body pressed firmly against the cushions, while her lower abdomen rested atop a pillow to elevate her hips.

    With a piston-like rhythm, Xavier thrust deeper, eliciting muffled moans from Hera, her cries absorbed by the soft pillow beneath her.

    Hera��s entire body burned with desire, her back arching as she gasped for air. "Xavier! Xavier!!! I��m cumming again!" she cried out, her voice trembling with intensity as she almost screamed his name.

    Xavier kept pumping in and out, faster, burying himself deeper with each thrust.

    "That��s it, strawberry, cum for me... Ugh! So tight! I��m almost there too..." His words, thick with desire, spurred him on as his pace quickened, each movement more urgent.

    His upper body trembled, his control slipping.

    The tightening of Hera��s inner walls sent him over the edge, and with a low growl, he came alongside her.

    "Ugh... let��s cum together, Hera..." Xavier��s voice was raw, his movements bing more frantic as he thrust harder, faster, as if racing toward the finish line.

    "Ah!" Hera��s back arched, her face barely lifting from where it was pinned down.

    A strange, tingling sensation spread through her gums, as if worms were wriggling beneath her skin.

    The itch was unbearable, forcing her to grit her teeth, her cry of release lingering in the air.

    Xavier��s body arched forward, as if he were trying to fully merge with Hera, letting out a low, sexy growl as his eyes closed in pleasure.

    He spilled his seeds deep inside her, not wanting to waste a single drop.

    The warmth spread within her, a hot sensation deep in her belly, causing both of them to shudder in shared pleasure.

    His ragged breaths mingled with Hera��s soft whimpers, the heat between them palpable.

    Sweat beaded on his forehead, tracing down his neck and chest, before it dripped onto Hera��s bare back.

    The air was thick with their shared intensity, their bodies glistening with sweat, shining under the weight of the moment.

    After cumming, Xavier didn��t pull out immediately.

    Instead, he gave slow,zy thrusts, each one making Hera��s body tremble, as though a lingering climax was still building.

    He leaned forward, his lips hovering near Hera��s ear, his weight pressing down on her.

    "Hera, did it feel good?" he asked, his voiceced with mischief, a glint of yfulness in his eyes.

    But Hera��s mind was still reeling from the explosive climax, her brain overwhelmed by the aftershocks of pleasure.

    She could barely register his words, her throat dry and hoarse as she panted in quick, uneven bursts.

    As he leaned in close to her, Xavier continued to thrustzily, his still-hard cock sliding inside her pussy with slow, deliberate motions.

 Chapter 589 Round Two

    He didn��t give her any time to think��his lips moved to nibble on her ear, sending a sharp jolt of pleasure through her, causing her core to tighten.

    At the same time, Xavier thrust deep and hard, making Hera��s whimpers grow louder.

    "Ah!" she cried out, her voice trembling with the overwhelming sensation.

    Xavier then turned her to face him, capturing her lips in a hungry, deep kiss filled with both passion and possessiveness.

    He didn��t stop there��his right hand moved to fondle her breast, pinching her nipple from time to time.

    Each pinch made Hera gasp for air, but that only gave Xavier the chance to deepen the kiss, his tongue slipping past her lips to find hers, twining together in a sensual dance.

    As Xavier yed with her tongue, his cock drove deep inside her pussy, making Hera cling desperately to his neck.

    Her right hand slid up to the nape of his neck, fingers weaving into his soft, white locks, thick and silky like a cat��s fur.

    Her left hand found its way to his upper back, just below his neck, her nails digging into his skin with each powerful thrust.

    Xavier��s relentless movements only spurred her on, their bodies locked in a rhythm of passion and intensity.

    Hera��s whimpers were swallowed by Xavier��s mouth as he continued to thrust his hips, the rhythm steady and relentless.

    Hera straddled his strong waist, and Xavier couldn��t help but smile against her lips in satisfaction, feeling her tremble in his arms.

    He wanted to imprint this moment in his mind, to make sure every inch of her was etched in his memory.

    Hera was too beautiful to ever forget now��like a yful, coquettish cat, she exuded an irresistible allure, wanting to be indulged but too wild to be tamed, always on the edge of being dangerously unpredictable.

    Xavier felt the sharp sting in his back as Hera��s nails dug into his skin, but the pain only fueled his desire, driving him to thrust deeper inside her pussy.

    He shifted his pace and repositioned themselves, slowly pulling back from her lips, a silver thread of their shared saliva lingering in the air between them.

    Hera��s misted eyes, filled with longing, looked irresistibly beautiful as Xavier gazed at her.

    He carefully ced each of her legs onto his arms, granting himself deeper ess, a position that made the connection between them even more intimate.

    However, as she became aware of their exposed position, Hera��s face flushed a deep crimson, a wave of embarrassment washing over her.

    Before Hera could say a word, Xavier pulled out until only the tip of his cock remained inside her.

    With a swift motion, he drove deep into her like a piston, and the force knocked the breath from her lungs.

    A loud moan escaped her lips as the pleasure surged through her, her body trembling under the intensity of his thrust.

    But Xavier wasn��t done.

    Positioned like he was about to do a push-up, his body taut and focused, he held her legs stretched across his arms.

    His lips returned to im hers, silencing her with another kiss, while his thrusts continued, each oneing in rapid session.

    He pulled out almost entirely, leaving only the tip inside, before ramming into her hard and deep over and over again.

    The pleasure was driving Hera nearly insane, consuming her rationality with every thrust, but all she could manage was a muffled cry, her lips locked by Xavier��s in a passionate kiss.

    In their position, she could only reach up with her hands, gripping the cushion tightly as her fingers curled into a fist, desperately trying to hold onto something.

    The waves of pleasure surged through her, overwhelming her senses to the point where she didn��t know what to do but surrender to the sensation, letting her body drown in it.

    Xavier��s ragged breathing and the heat of his sweat brushed against her skin, while Hera kept her eyes tightly shut, her gaze already lost as her eyes had rolled back into her skull.

    "Xavier... Xavier..." Hera could only repeat his name, as if pleading for mercy, the pleasure overwhelming her to the point of desperation.

    But Xavier wasn��t listening anymore.

    His desire and the intoxicating pleasure had already taken over his mind, leaving him with only one focus��Hera��s face, and the burning need to make her hispletely.

    Hera had lost all sense of time, unable to tell how long she had been drowning in pleasure.

    But she could feel the next wave of her climax building, so close, and Xavier��s rapid breathing brushed against her fluttering eyshes.

    His low groans grew more hurried and louder, a clear sign that he, too, was nearing his release.

    "Hera... I-I��m cumming again!" Xavier groaned through gritted teeth, his voice strained with intensity.

    He leaned into the crook of her neck, burying his face against her shoulder, and before Hera could react, he bit down on her skin.

    The sudden pressure made her inner walls clench tighter than before, and Xavier��s thrusts grew deeper, pushing against the entrance of her womb as he released his thick load inside her.

    "Ugh!" Xavier groaned, his sound more animalistic, a deep growl that vibrated through his chest.

    Hera, unable to contain herself, let out a loud, almost scream-like moan. "AH!"

    When he was done, Xavier copsed on top of Hera, his full weight pressing down on her, momentarily making it hard for her to breathe.

    But just a secondter, he gently lifted his body off her, ensuring she wasn��t crushed beneath him.

    "Sorry, strawberry. It felt so good I almost passed out," he teased, his voiceced with satisfaction.

    Normally, Xavier didn��t speak much, but now, his words wereced with a dirty, sexy edge that sent Hera into a trance, his voice bing intoxicatingly irresistible.

    The only sound that filled the space around them was their heavy breathing, the warmth of the dim light making Hera feel drowsy.

    After taking a moment to recover, Xavier sat up, his gaze turning to Hera.

    When he remembered the bite on her shoulder, his expression softened with concern.

    He gently rubbed the red mark, his eyes filled with apology.

    Fortunately, his teeth hadn��t sunk too deep, leaving only a faint red imprint.

    "Sorry," he murmured softly, his fingers gently massaging her shoulder.

    After a moment, he picked up his shirt from the floor and draped it over her, then carefully lifted her into his arms, carrying her to her room with tender care.

 Chapter 590 On The Bath

    He felt his blood rushing again, his thoughts clouded by desire.

    Hera, drowsy and pliant, sat in front of him, her body partially submerged in the warm, steaming water.

    Even so, her alluring figure was visible, her jade-like skin adorned with marks left by Leo, Zhane, and Rafael from the night before.

    Now, his marks were among them, mingling with the others, a testament to his im.

    Xavier��s fingers glided over the marks he had left on her skin, his lips curling into a sly smirk.

    His touch then trailed down to her perky breast, pausing at the tip of her nipple, eliciting a soft tremble from Hera��s body.

    "Hera, your body is so sensitive," he murmured in a deep, velvety tone, his breath teasing her ear.

    Despite her exhaustion, Hera��s body betrayed her, responding instinctively to Xavier��s touch.

    She couldn��t tell if she was simply too overwhelmed by desire or if his words were true��perhaps her body really was as sensitive as he imed.

    Xavier gazed down at Hera, her quickened breaths drawing him closer.

    With both index fingers, he began to tease her sensitive nipples, his touch light and deliberate, like a yful caress.

    Leaning in, he pressed his lips to her neck, alternating between soft kisses and gentle licks, leaving a trail of warmth on her skin.

    Hera��s hand instinctively reached for his strong arm, but her grip was feeble, her strength subdued by the sensations coursing through her.

    Xavier��s teasing touch shifted as he cupped her full breasts, kneading them with firm yet tender hands, eliciting a soft moan from Hera.

    "They��re so soft and perfectly fill my hands," he whispered, his voice low and sultry against her ear.

    His lips then moved to her earlobe, licking it sensuously before capturing it between his teeth, adding a tantalizing edge to his affection.

    Hera��s mind hadpletely short-circuited, her thoughts dissolving into the overwhelming sensations coursing through her body.

    She leaned back against Xavier��s solid chest, surrendering herself entirely to the moment.

    His left hand traced a deliberate path down to her stomach, his fingertips drawing slow, circr motions around her navel, sending a ticklish yet heated sensation rippling from her core.

    As her breathing quickened, Xavier��s hand continued its descent.

    His long fingers danced teasingly over her sensitive folds, eliciting a shiver from Hera.

    Then, with deliberate precision, he gently slid two fingers inside, his touch both tender and electrifying, igniting a fiery response that made her arch instinctively into him.

    As Hera gasped, Xavier��s right hand gently captured her chin, tilting her face upward to meet his intense gaze.

    Without hesitation, he imed her lips in a hungry, possessive kiss, his desire palpable in every movement.

    His tongue traced sensually over her lips, coaxing them apart before plunging inside, deepening the kiss with raw passion.

    Overwhelmed by the fire igniting between them, Hera instinctively reached up with her right arm, curling it around his neck.

    Her response was fervent, their tongues intertwining in a dance of mutual desire, pulling her deeper into the intoxicating connection.

    With every pump of his fingers, Xavier felt Hera��s wet, hot walls tightening around his fingers, sending waves of anticipation through his body.

    His own arousal showed no sign of subsiding. Unable to resist any longer, he effortlessly lifted Hera as if she weighed nothing, turning her to face him.

    With his hands firmly gripping her hips, he positioned her above his throbbing cock, his intense gaze locked on her flushed, beautiful face.

    In one smooth, powerful motion, he thrust her down onto him, fully iming her.

    Hera let out a breathless gasp, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck as she leaned back, her spine arching in a disy of raw, unrestrained passion.

    "AH!" Hera moaned, her legs folded on either side of Xavier��s powerful thighs.

    After so much intimacy with the four of them, her body had grown ustomed to the overwhelming sensations��there was no longer any pain, only wave after wave of pure pleasure.

    Breathing heavily, Hera leaned into Xavier, her chest brushing against his as she began to move her hips in a slow, deliberate rhythm.

    The steady motion sent sparks of pleasure through her, but this time, it was Xavier who seemed undone.

    Groans escaped his lips, his hands gripping her hips as if to steady himself, and the sight of him losing control emboldened Hera.

    A newfound confidence surged within her, and she quickened her pace, taking control of their shared passion.

    "Hera... Hera... it feels so good," Xavier murmured, his voice trembling with pleasure as he rested his forehead against her shoulder.

    Hera��s rhythmic movements, sliding up and down his cock, sent shivers through him, and the flush spreading across his shoulders deepened.

    Xavier lifted his gaze to her, his teeth sinking into his lower lip, a mix of restraint and unfiltered desire etched across his face.

    He looked utterly undone, as though drowning in ecstasy, and the sight filled Hera with a profound sense of satisfaction.

    Her heart swelled with pride and aplishment, driving her to move faster, plunging herself harder and deeper, each motion squeezing him tighter.

    Her own pleasure surged, overwhelming her senses as she arched her back, her eyes lifting to the ceiling. Her arms clung to Xavier��s neck with a desperate intensity, as if anchoring herself amidst the torrent of sensations.

    "Ha!" Hera exhaled shakily, her breathsing in shallow pants as her moans echoed softly in the bathroom.

    She felt a rare sense of control this time, yet the overwhelming pleasure coursing through her body made her feel as though every ounce of energy was being drained.

    Her heart pounded relentlessly in her chest, each beat so fierce it felt like it might burst at any moment.

    "Hera, don��t stop... don��t stop," Xavier urged, his voice thick with need.

    His hands gripped her hips firmly, guiding her movements, but his touch grew bolder.

    His fingers slid to her firm, perky ass, holding it tightly.

    With a low, guttural snarl, he thrust her down harder, ensuring he was buried as deeply as possible inside her.

    The intensity left both of them trembling, the connection between them electric and undeniable.

    Xavier intensified his movements, plunging her to his cock with deeper, more deliberate thrusts, drawing cries of pleasure from Hera.

    As the intensity grew, he shifted control, guiding her to straddle his hips.

 Chapter 591 On The Bath 2

    Their shared moans and groans echoed off the tiled walls, a symphony of passion.

    Xavier��s deep, restrained groans,ced with raw need, were like music to Hera��s ears, only fueling the fire within her.

    She felt herself growing wetter, her body responding to him in ways that left her breathless.

    As if Xavier couldn��t get enough, the sight of Hera��s bouncing breasts in front of him was too enticing to resist.

    He leaned forward, his tongue darting out to capture one of her taut nipples in his mouth.

    He swirled his tongue around it, alternating between teasing flicks and firm suction, eliciting soft gasps from Hera.

    Her body instinctively responded, her pussy��s inner walls squeezing tightly around his cock, which drew a guttural groan from Xavier.

    He tilted his head up briefly, his gaze drawn to her elegant neck arching back as she leaned into him, offering herselfpletely.

    Her full, supple breasts pressed against his face as he hungrilytched onto her nipple once more, sucking harder, the sensation driving both of them closer to the edge.

    "Vier... Vier... So good," Hera mumbled incoherently, her voice trembling as waves of overwhelming pleasure coursed through her body.

    Her teeth clenched, trying to process the intensity. Xavier��s firm hands gripped her ass tighter, his fingers digging into her soft flesh.

    The sensation made her acutely aware of how he spread her butt cheeks apart, adding a deliciously teasing pressure.

    Her inner walls instinctively responded, clenching tightly around him, amplifying the pleasure for them both.

    They had lost track of time, the once warm bathwater now cold, as the bathroom filled with the symphony of Xavier��s deep groans and Hera��s breathless moans, echoing off the tiled walls.

    Hera��s inner walls squeezed around Xavier��s cock with a relentless intensity, and he knew he couldn��t hold back any longer.

    He felt her body trembling, her movements growing more erratic, signaling that her climax was near��and so was his.

    "Hera..." he groaned, his voice thick with need, as his cock swelled inside her, throbbing in anticipation.

    "Xavier... I��m cumming... I��m cumming!" Hera cried out, her voice breaking with the force of her pleasure.

    Hershes fluttered uncontrobly, her body convulsing as the powerful wave of her orgasm imed herpletely.

    Her mind nked, and her trembling body surrendered to the overwhelming ecstasy.

    "Me too," Xavier groaned through gritted teeth, his breath hot and ragged against the curve of Hera��s neck.

    He buried his face in the crook of her shoulder, his chest rising and falling as the tension in his body reached its peak.

    With a deep, guttural groan, he released inside her once again, his hands gripping her soft butt cheeks firmly, his fingers sinking into the pliant flesh.

    "Fuck... I can��t stop cumming," he growled, his voice thick with pleasure, the sound reverberating through the room.

    Hera, however, was beyond hearing him, lost in her own world of bliss.

    Her body trembled in his arms, her mind adrift in the intoxicating waves of ecstasy coursing through her.

    It took a while for Hera��s soft whimpers and Xavier��s deep groans to fade into silence within the bathroom.

    The two of themy slumped in the bathtub, motionless, their breaths mingling in the steamy air.

    Xavier��s arms encircled Hera��s waist and back, holding her close as sheypletely atop him, her body limp in exhaustion.

    He remained inside her, too drained to move, while Hera had already sumbed to unconsciousness.

    After some time, Xavier stirred.

    His movements were slow and deliberate as he gently caressed Hera��s back, his fingers tracing soothing patterns along her skin.

    Carefully, he shifted her down onto the smooth surface of the bathtub.

    With tenderness, he drained the now-cold water and reached for the showerhead.

    Warm water cascaded over Hera��s body as Xavier washed her with meticulous care, his touch unhurried and gentle.

    He shampooed her hair with the same tenderness, ensuring the water remainedfortably warm to avoid startling her from her rest.

    Despite his own fatigue, Xavier worked deftly, his sole focus on tending to Hera without disturbing her peaceful slumber.

    Once he finished washing her, Xavier grabbed a soft bath towel and gently wrapped it around Hera��s body.

    With careful movements, he carried her to the plush sofa in her room and set her down with care.

    He then took a hairdryer and began drying her hair, keeping the device at a safe distance to ensure the warm air wouldn��t disturb her ears.

    It was a delicate task, but he managed, grateful that Hera remained peacefully asleep, her breathing soft and even.

    When he was done, Xavier returned to the bathroom to clean up the mess they��d left behind.

    Exhaustion tugged at his every movement, but he worked quickly and efficiently.

    Finally, he rejoined Hera on the bed, lying beside her.

    He didn��t bother dressing��his currentck of clothing seemed inconsequential, and hecked the energy to find something to wear.

    Instead, he let himself rx, his body sinking into the soft mattress as he drifted into a well-earned rest by her side.

    They had lost track of time entirely, unaware of howte into the evening it had gotten or how many hours they had spent in each other��s passionate embrace.

    Both utterly spent, they drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

    The next early morning, the piercing sound of Hera��s phone ringing shattered the stillness of the room.

    Hera remained undisturbed, her exhaustion keeping her in a blissful slumber.

    Xavier, however, stirred awake, his sharp senses quickly tuning into the noise.

    Groggily, he reached out for the phone, his arm brushing past Hera as he grabbed it. Without much thought, he answered the call, his voice still thick with sleep.

    "Hello?" His voice was hoarse and thick with sleep, still carrying a hint of seduction as he spoke.

    He wasn��t fully awake yet and had no idea whose phone he had answered.

    His tone wasced with a bit of annoyance.

    On the other end, the caller paused, seemingly stunned, as if double-checking whether they��d dialed the right number.

    Only after confirming that it was indeed Hera��s phone did the person continue.

    "Good morning, I��m trying to reach Miss Hera," the voice on the other end said.

    "We��re scheduled to fly out of the country today, and our departure has been moved up to 4 a.m." It was Danny Coleman, now on his way to the airport, and with the time already 2:30 a.m., Xavier, still exhausted, felt as though he��d just hit the pillow when the ringing jolted him awake.

    _____

    Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

 Chapter 592 Xavier Under The Radar

    Since Danny wasn��t sure who he was speaking to, he chose to maintain his politeness and refrained from addressing the person by name.

    After they hung up, he quickly sent the terminal information for the airport where they would need to check in before boarding the ne.

    After sending the information, Danny closed his eyes to rest.

    He was equally exhausted, having spent the past few days scrambling to secure a flight to Barcelona, only to be intercepted by PGA Tour, who cornered him and his team.

    He��d also been desperately trying to connect with others who might be able to help, leaving him feeling like a spinning top.

    Only to find out that the answer had been within his reach all along, but he hadn��t been able to utilize it from the start.

    But he never imagined that Hera would be the one to solve his problem so easily.

    Now that everything was settled, the weight of exhaustion hit him all at once.

    All he wanted was to sleep, and that��s exactly what he did during the ride to the airport.

    Xavier stood up from the bed, went to the bathroom and sshed cold water on his face, trying to wake every cell in his body.

    He then checked to see if Amy and Hannah had returned, only to find that the penthouse was empty except for him and Hera.

    He made his way to the guest room to find a fresh set of clothes.

    After getting dressed, he returned to Hera��s room and rummaged through her walk-in closet.

    At the far corner, he found a neglected set of sweatpants and a hoodie, tucked away as if forgotten.

    Perhaps it was because Hera had so many different styles to choose from that she never got around to trying this set.

    He couldn��t help but feel guilty for having exhausted her to this point, but at the same time, a soft chuckle escaped him.

    Leaning down, he gently kissed her cheek. "Just sleep and leave everything to me," he whispered softly.

    After a moment, he stood up, moved back to her walk-in closet, and retrieved a pair of long socks and running shoes.

    Once Xavier had everything he needed, he returned to Hera and carefully slipped her socks onto her feet.

    Even though he was alone, he effortlessly dressed her, gently lifting her into hisp as he slipped her clothes on while she slept. As Xavier dressed Hera, she remainedpletely still, not even stirring from her deep sleep.

    With the utmost care, he raised her arms to slide the hoodie over her head, then gently lifted her legs to pull on the sweatpants.

    Dressing her was a delicate process, and he made sure to handle her with tenderness at every step.

    When it came to the shoes, the task was simpler��he let her rest peacefully on the bed as he carefully put them on, grateful for the quiet moments with her.

    Once everything was in ce, Xavier took Hera��s phone and tucked it into his pocket, along with his own, before gently lifting Hera from the bed.

    Just as he was making his way out of the room, Cindy returned to check on Hera, prepared to wake her if needed.

    As she approached the door to knock, Xavier opened it, effortlessly bncing Hera in his arms in a princess carry while using his foot to pull the door open after he twisted the knob with his hand.

    He froze for a moment when he saw Cindy standing there, her eyes widening in surprise. A brief silence passed before Cindy cleared her throat awkwardly.

    "Hello, Mr. Montague." Cindy��s gaze shifted to Hera, still asleep in his arms, lookingpletely undisturbed as if she hadn��t moved a muscle.

    But Xavier didn��t give Cindy a chance to ask any questions.

    Instead, he spoke first. "I heard Hera��s flying out as early as 4 a.m. Do you know where her passport and ID are?"

    His expression remained unreadable��no hint of guilt or difort.

    Cindy couldn��t discern anything from his face alone. Hera waspletely covered, the hoodie pulled tightly over her head, leaving only the faint outline of her body visible.

    All Cindy could tell was that Hera was sleeping deeply, unaware of the conversation happening around her.

    Cindy didn��t suspect anything and simply replied,

    "I know where to find it. Please help Young Miss Hera down. I already have a car waiting downstairs, and I��ll follow you after I get her passport and IDs." She stepped aside to make way for Xavier, pushing aside any thoughts about what might have transpired between the two.

    It was beyond her job to specte on such matters��it was her young miss��s privacy, and as a subordinate, she knew better than to pry into personal affairs.

    With lips pressed into a thin line, Xavier carried Hera down the stairs with effortless grace.

    As he reached the door, he spotted Dave, Luke, and Leo heading in the same direction, only to freeze when they saw Xavier carrying the sleeping Hera.

    "Where are you taking Hera so early?" Dave asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.

    "And what are you doing here so early?" Xavier shot back, his expression unwavering, maintaining his neutral facade.

    "I asked first," Dave retorted, his brows furrowing as if he was starting to piece something together. But before he could say more, Xavier interrupted with an exnation.

    "Hera needed to fly out today, and her schedule got moved up to 4 a.m. I didn��t want to wake her, so I��m just taking her to the airport like this," Xavier exined with a shrug.

    He knew if he revealed what had happenedst night, the three of them would give him an earful.

 Chapter 593 What Happens To Wicked People

    As Dave was busy texting, Cindy stepped out of the penthouse, holding a small ID wallet.

    When she saw the group gathered by the door, she paused, surprised.

    The tension in the air was palpable, and she felt her presence there might be unnecessary.

    Not wanting to get caught in the middle, she quickly nced at Leo, the closest person, and handed him the wallet.

    "Mr. Hendrix, this is Young Miss Hera��s ID wallet. Her IDs and passport are inside. Please pass it to her, as Mr. Montague is carrying Young Miss and will have trouble handling everything."

    Cindy handed the wallet to Leo, then quickly retreated back into the penthouse, almost as if she were escaping something.

    She made sure only to leave the wallet with him before disappearing inside.

    Leo nced at Xavier with a smirk. "You heard her. I need to go with Hera too and make sure her IDs are with her..."

    Realizing things were about to take a petty turn, Luke stopped Cindy, who was almost fleeing back into the penthouse, and asked, "Where is Hera flying to, and what��s the reason?"

    Only then did Leo, Xavier, and Dave turn their attention to Cindy, all unaware of where Hera was going or why she needed to leave the country.

    "Young Miss Hera needs to go to Barcelona with the National Race Team topete in the international race there," Cindy exined.

    "Oh..." Leo murmured, almost recalling something.

    The reason he had arrived so early that morning was because he��d heard about the trouble brewing with Hera��s trip.

    The PGA Tour was making things difficult for the National Race Team, blocking them from booking flights to Barcelona��direct or connecting��in an attempt to prevent her from participating.

    Their interference didn��t stop there; they were set on hindering her involvement in any race unless the National Race Team agreed to sign another contract with the PGA Tour and BMW.

    The two entities, embarrassed by the oue of the recent race and the incident involving Michael, were working together to corner Hera.

    It wasn��t the first time they��d used sponsorships to manipte teams, aiming solely to promote their own brands.

    They simply couldn��t ept the humiliation and mockery they faced after beingbeled as arrogant and out of touch.

    Their decision to distance themselves from Hera and side with the wrong party had backfired spectacrly, leaving them as the butt of countless jokes.

    To salvage their tarnished reputation, they now sought to sign a new contract with Hera and the National Race Team, hoping to mitigate the embarrassment.

    Meanwhile, Michael found himself cornered as well; his petty instigations had contributed to the fiasco.

    Not only was he facingwsuits from Larry Wickman and the National Race Team for damages, but he had also lost the race and failed to secure his team��s spot on the leaderboard.

    Michael��s racing career seemed all but over, as he faced bacsh from every direction.

    The PGA Tour, BMW, and other sponsors he had rallied against Hera and the National Race Team were now turning on him.

    On top of that, he was burdened with the prospect of paying a massivepensation he had no means to afford.

    The turmoil spread to his team, which descended into infighting as they grappled with their shared predicament.

    Their anger and frustration ultimately turned toward Milly, who had been the catalyst for the entire fiasco.

    As they found themselves in deep trouble, their bottom lines and characters were put to the test.

    Even Milly��s brother, Michael, refused to stand up for her. In just two days, Michael had be almost unrecognizable.

    He hadn��t showered or shaved his growing stubble, and he had turned to drinking heavily.

    His frustration boiled over, and he even raised a hand against Milly, his voice slurring as he repeated the same bitter words: "You��re such a jinx! This is all your fault!"

    Michael beat Milly ck and blue, but that wasn��t the worst of it.

    His teammates, also ming Milly for their predicament, decided to take out their frustrations on her as well.

    While they resented Michael, they knew they couldn��t overpower him to settle the score.

    Instead, they channeled their anger toward Milly, making her the target of their collective wrath.

    Since receiving a subpoena for the court hearing and the staggeringpensation demanded by the sponsors and his new team, along with thepensation asked by Larry Wickman for the damages, Michael had shut himself away.

    Refusing to face reality, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol and stayed locked in his ce.

    He relied on Milly to handle everything��groceries, meals, and taking care of him��justifying it in his mind as her obligation after, in his view, she had ruined his life with her jealousy and pettiness.

    Meanwhile, Milly, weighed down by guilt and pain, cared for her brother despite her own suffering.

    Yet, her burden didn��t end there��Michael��s teammates would corner her whenever they could, subjecting her to beatings or worse forms of abuse.

    Hera had no idea about any of this.

    Larry refused to let Gerald share the information with her, and even Gerald, who managed intelligence for the Averys, kept it from her willingly.

    They both knew Hera��s softhearted nature and feared how she might react��especially toward someone like Milly.

    It was true that Milly and Michael hadn��t seeded in hurting Hera physically or emotionally, but that wasrgely because Hera was the Avery heiress and had the means to protect herself.

    If she hadn��t held that position, if she were just a regr racer, Michael��s fanbase would have crushed her under relentless attacks.

    Public scorn alone could have drowned her in their spit, and if she had been the slightest bit fragile, she might have been driven to despair��or worse, suicide.

    Michael��s vindictive nature was dangerous enough that he had already tried to block Hera��s path and sabotage her career using his influence.

    Even the sponsors who chose to side with Michael didn��t escape notice.

    While Larry and Gerald understood that this was just how business operated, they couldn��t stand by and let anyone bully their Young Miss.

    Determined to protect Hera, Larry didn��t hesitate to take decisive action against Michael and his team, while Gerald focused on countering the sponsors who had unfairly targeted her.

 Chapter 594 Coming back To Help Her

    He had heard about the recent actions taken by the PGA Tour and BMW, but his own obligations had kept him so busy that it took considerable effort to carve out time for Hera.

    Even the brief moment of free time he managed to secure the other night had required a significant struggle, just so he could be by her side.

    And what was meant to be a quiet night of rest turned into something far more memorable than just sleeping.

    After experiencing intimacy for the first time, Leo found himself, like Xavier, Rafael, and Zhane, unable to forget the sensation.

    The lingering emotions were so consuming that they began to distract him from his work��a dangerous liability given the stakes.

    Determined to regain focus and at the same time protect Hera, he decided to return and assist her in addressing her situation to put his mind at ease.

    Luke had also caught wind of the turmoil brewing around Hera, which fueled his worries and prompted him to rush back to her side.

    His concerns mirrored Leo��s, driven by the need to ensure her safety.

    Meanwhile, Dave, who had learned about Michael��s downfall and the humiliation of the National Race Team��s former sponsor, recognized the connections behind the scenes.

    He knew that some of the people supporting the PGA Tour and BMW were politicians who were opposed to him and his faction.

    This exined the audacity of PGA Tour and BMW in attempting to block Hera��s flight out of the country.

    They had been pressuring airline owners, confident in their influence.

    However, they failed to realize that not every major airline would bow to their demands.

    One such airline, owned by the Montague family, had already been secured by Dave.

    Since Xavier had distanced himself from his family and refused to engage��fearing they might drag him back to manage thepany��Dave had taken matters into his own hands and spoken with them directly.

    Dave came to reassure Hera that she and her team would be able to leave the country without any issues.

    Luke shared the same intention, driven by his concern for Hera��s safety and sess.

    Leo, on the other hand, was less focused on the logistics of the flight. His anger burned at the thought of someone conspiring against Hera and potentially putting her in harm��s way.

    "Xavier, did you know?" Dave asked cryptically as Xavier strode toward the elevator, Leo walking beside him while Luke and Dave followed close behind.

    Xavier didn��t pause or respond, his expression unreadable as he continued forward. Undeterred by the silence, Dave pressed on.

    "The PGA Tour, BMW, and the other sponsors who sided with Michael to suppress Hera during the recent race are now actively working together to block her and the entire National Race Team from flying out of the country," Dave revealed, his toneced with both frustration and concern.

    Xavier froze mid-step, his eyes shing dangerously for a brief moment before the emotion vanished as quickly as it appeared.

    His face settled into a neutral expression, betraying none of his thoughts.

    "But don��t worry," Dave said, a smug smile ying on his lips as he continued walking.

    "I know you don��t want to contact your family for favors, so I took the liberty of reaching out to them under my name."

    "I made sure to secure a ne and ensure Hera can be escorted safely to the race venue. I believe Luke also did something simr."

    Xavier nced back at Dave, his gaze shifting briefly to Luke. He didn��t appear angry; instead, he raised an eyebrow at the two of them before stepping into the elevator without a word.

    "You��re worrying too much," Leo said casually, pressing the button for the ground floor.

    "Those people won��t be able to control every airline and force them to follow their orders. And even if they could, we have private nes at our disposal."

    "Oh? You have a private ne?" Luke asked, a teasing glint in his eye, his curiosity piqued.

    He wasn��t the only one��Zhane, Rafael, Xavier, and Dave all had their own nes as well. They often traveled abroad, and it was far too inconvenient to flymercially.

    Sharing a flight with regr passengers meant their schedules could easily be leaked to the paparazzi, and theirpetitors would quickly catch wind of their ns.

    This was especially true for Dave, who was deeply involved in politics and often had to travel abroad for peace talks.

    His safety could be at serious risk if a terrorist were to get a hold of his itinerary and board the same flight.

    Zhane, on the other hand, frequently flew to medical conferences, conducted research, or traveled to countries with challenging health crises where his expertise was needed.

    Xavier��s family owned thergest airline in the country, with a vast internationalwork, so it was no surprise that he had a fleet of private nes at his disposal��something they��d umted over the years as the one thing theycked.

    Rafael and Luke also had their own nes, preferring the convenience and privacy to avoid the hassle ofmercial flights and the risk of their itineraries being leaked. As for Leo, it was unclear whether he had one as well.

    Could a manager afford to buy a private ne, even if they worked for an internationally renownedpany? Absolutely not.

    So, none of them ever considered that Leo might have his own private ne. For them, the issue of Hera not being able to fly out was something that could be easily resolved.

    The reason Dave and Luke approached the Montague family wasn��t due to ack of nes or flight options��it was because they needed stronger backing at the airport.

    With the support of thergest airline, they could ensure that even if their opposition bribed someone on the inside, the officers would be less likely to create trouble for Hera and her team.

 Chapter 595 Who Owns The Airport

    Given that they all knew they had better standing than him, they couldn��t understand how he had the nerve to say such a thing.

    As if anticipating their skepticism, Leo added, "Well, with the Hendrix influence, should you still be worried about those people resorting to underhanded tactics at the airport? Bribing officers or higher-ups to dy Hera��s flight, even when she��s flying on a private ne?"

    No one answered him, as that was exactly what they were all thinking.

    Leo snorted. "Pathetic. Don��t forget, the Hendrix and the Avery families joined forces to buy the airport where those airlines lease all their facilities��including the Montague��s."

    There was a hint of amusement and arrogance in his voice, as if he were reminding them that, in the end, he was still the biggest winner among them.

    After all, the airport Leo was referring to was internationally renowned, boasting an unblemished five-star rating.

    It wasn��t just the ster customer service��staff who were polite and proficient in at least two to threenguages��but also the pristine cleanliness, beautifulndscaping that could rival Singapore��s airport, and cutting-edge amenities.

    With high-speed, secure inte, digital maps, assistant robots to guide travelers, and numerous interactive facilities, the airport had be a must-see destination for tourists.

    However, this also made it difficult for anyone to sway the airport staff.

    Much like the Avery family��s operations, the airport offeredpetitive sries and extensive benefits, making it a coveted ce to work.

    Few would risk losing their jobs, as many aspired to hold any position there.

    That��s why it took a coordinated effort from various forces to create problems for Hera��s flight��and they likely spent a substantial sum to influence some staff members inside the airport.

    The reason they went to such lengths was simple��they had no other choice but to force Hera and the National Race Team intopliance.

    If the BMW headquarters caught wind of the situation, those responsible would surely be dismissed and fined for their blunder.

    They were desperate to avoid such a scenario and the inevitable investigation that would follow.

    Upon hearing Leo��s words, Dave, Luke, and Xavier were all left in shock.

    Why?

    Because no one really knew who the mysterious owner of the airport was.

    All they knew was that, five years ago, it had been bought from the government, and ever since, significant changes had taken ce.

    The airport had once been gued by issues, such as staff conspiring against unsuspecting travelers to extort money from them.

    They would frame the travelers and then threaten to report these travelers to the police unless they paid up.

    There had also been incidents where passengers were falsely used of wrongdoing, such as connections to drugs, owning firearms, and other things.

    This had be a major problem, especially with their tourism industry, causing many foreigners to avoid the country.

    Back then, they were all still young, either just entering the business world or preparing to join their family businesses.

    It was both a shock and yet not entirely surprising when they learned the truth: the forces behind the purchase and transformation of the airport were the two powerful consortiums.

    The revtion hit hard, but at the same time, it made perfect sense.

    With the financial might of the Avery and Hendrix families, it was only logical that they could turn around a previously corrupt airport into the state-of-the-art hub it was today.

    Their efforts had not only revitalized the airport but had also bolstered the country��s tourism industry, breathing new life into the economy.

    Once the shock had worn off, Dave shot back, "What are you so smug about? It��s not like you were the one who bought the airport and turned it around!"

    Leo swallowed hard, a moment of frustration flickering across his face before he decided against voicing it.

    He had forgotten that, when introducing himself, he had downyed his identity as merely a manager from the branch family of the Hendrix.

    In truth, he was the sole heir of the Hendrix family, the one who had shaken the business world when he took the reins of his family��s empire.

    Seven years ago, it was Leo who approached Hera��s grandfather to propose the coboration to buy the airport and transform it.

    By partnering with the Avery family, he could reduce the risks and secure the finances needed to bring his vision to life��his first major project, and a way to prove his capabilities to the shareholders who had doubted his ability to lead due to his youth.

    It took another two years after signing the coboration for Leo and Hera��s grandfather to sessfully acquire the airport from the government, as they faced numerous obstacles and opposition along the way.

    Many politicians had long been benefiting from the airport, using it as a hub for illicit activities.

    Only after the Carson family, along with their allies and the military, uncovered major issues��such as drug trafficking��did the Avery and Hendrix families find an opportunity to negotiate a purchase.

    The Carson family, in exchange for help in resolving the longstanding corruption and cleaning up the airport, agreed to the deal.

    However, due to the sensitive nature of the situation, the Carsons and their associates chose to keep the identities of the buyers a secret, fearing the potential spread of the scandal would pull their whole country deeper into the mud.

    In a way, both the Avery and Hendrix families were indirectly backed by the government due to their involvement with the airport.

    This connection was also the reason why BMW and the PGA Tour reached out to politicians to put pressure on the airlines.

    They were unaware of the true ownership of the airport, but the government��s ties to the airport yed a significant role in their decision to target it.

 Chapter 596 When They Retaliated

    Once they understood the gravity of their mistake, they quickly realized just how badly they had messed up.

    Fortunately for the Avery, the airlines had all signed non-disclosure agreements when they entered the lease.

    Even though they now knew the true identity of the heiress, they were legally bound not to disclose it.

    If they did, they would facepensation ims worth billions for the damage caused and for putting the Avery heiress��s life at risk.

    Without hesitation, Cindy reached out to each airline involved and issued them notices of lease cancetion.

    Only a few airlines had stayed out of it��mostly small carriers with limited routes that didn��t fly to Barcelona, so they were unaffected.

    The other exception was Montague Airlines, which had remained uninvolved.

    As a result, Montague��s business expanded effortlessly, with theirpetitors dealt with by the Avery and Hendrix families without any effort on their part.

    Some airlines went bankrupt before the sun even rose, their nes quickly purchased by Montague, and their terminals swiftly taken over.

    Meanwhile, the smaller airlines seized the opportunity, gobbling up whatever they could��buying up spaces and smaller nes to rapidly expand their own fleets.

    The Montagues also yed a key role in ensuring the airlines oppressed by the Hendrix and Avery families were driven into bankruptcy.

    Their goal was to acquire these struggling airlines and subsidize them.

    The Avery and Hendrix families didn��t interfere; in fact, the Avery family supported the Montagues, offering them a push to help facilitate the takeover of these airlines.

    The unrest that unfolded that night quickly came and went, unnoticed by most.

    The airlines that believed they were clinging to a life-saving opportunity, hoping to expand their businesses and gain favor with powerfulpanies and politicians for investments, ultimately found themselves on the path to their own downfall.

    Their decision proved to be their point of no return, and they didn��t even realize when their downfall became inevitable.

    The storm came and went swiftly, leaving them penniless.

    To their shock, they discovered that the seemingly unassuming Hera Ainsley, whom they had dismissed as nothing more than a kept woman��someone who existed only to serve the powerful and who was beneath the influence of politicians and internationalpanies like BMW��was actually the heiress of the Avery family.

    She was a force to be reckoned with, standing equal to, if not above, the very people they had been fawning over. In truth, they should have feared her far more than the powerful figures they had once admired.

    By the time they realized their mistake, it was already toote to backpedal.

    Cindy was already on their heels, chasing them with a chainsaw, cutting off every possible escape route and ensuring the Montague family took control of their businesses.

    Regret was futile now; all they could do was return to those who had instigated them and take what little power they had left to strike back.

    Instead of continuing to fight the Avery, Hendrix, and Montague families, the politicians and sponsors who had conspired against Hera seemed like an easier target.

    At the very least, they could vent their frustration��and if they had to drag those politicians down with them into the mud, so be it.

    Cindy watched as the people turned on each other, quietly admiring her handiwork. <i></i>

    <i>��This is their doing. It��s only fitting they fight among themselves and leave our Young Miss out of their mess. This should do,��</i> she thought, listening to her assistant��s report on the aftermath of her intervention.

    Calmly sitting in her leather chair, still dressed in her business suit, she exuded the dangerous aura of a thorned rose, a smile curling on her lips.

    It was no wonder Cindy had be one of the most influential figures in the country, despite being merely an aide to the future heiress of the Avery family.

    Herpetitiveness and unnervingly efficient actions were her trademarks.

    On the call with her was Larry Wickman, the one responsible for delivering the notice to the airlines that had crossed the line.

    Larry was also keeping a watchful eye on the sponsors who had caught his attention��those who sought to ce Hera in a difficult position.

    He had already ensured that Michael and his team received the punishment they deserved.

    Now, they were neck-deep in debt, their careers shattered.

    Most had turned to alcohol, and for Michael, it was worse. Not only had he be an alcoholic, but he had also begun to take out his frustration on Milly, unable to ept the ruin his life had be.

    But Larry wasn��t done yet.

    Hepiled a list of the remaining sponsors and ensured that all subsidiaries of the Avery family were instructed to steer clear of thesepanies.

    The result was a wave of losses for many, with the affectedpanies clueless about what had happened or who they had offended.

    It wasn��t until Hera��s identity was revealed to the public in the future that everything became clear to them.

    By then, it was toote.

    The Avery, Hendrix, Briley, and Greyson families had already dismantled their businesses, devouring them and making their own empires even stronger.

    The Briley and Greyson families, in particr, emerged as the dominant forces, growing almost as powerful as the tworgest families in the country, the Avery and the Hendix families.

    Meanwhile, Hera remained blissfully unaware, sleeping soundly in her own world.

    When Xavier, Leo, Luke, and Dave arrived at the airport in the extended Rolls-Royce Cindy had sent to escort them to the VIP entrance, they were met with a crowd already lined up to wee them.

    It was as if the people feared failing to show the respect and courtesy deserving of Hera��s group, eager to offer a greeting befitting their prestigious status.

 Chapter 597 VIP Lounge

    They quickly misinterpreted it as a sign of dissatisfaction with their service, and beads of sweat began to form on their foreheads as they anxiously awaited further instructions.

    Dave couldn��t say anything, as revealing the truth would blow their cover.

    <i>��Fake it ��til we make it,��</i> he thought, settling into the role.

    He moved alongside the others, confident that, as high-profile individuals like himself, they could easily disguise Leo in their group and convince everyone of their fabricated story.

    However, this was just Dave��s assumption.

    Leo, having caught the knowing look Dave shot his way, said nothing in return. Instead, he simply shook his head in quiet resignation.

    "Stupid," Leo muttered under his breath, but Dave still caught it.

    Fuming, he had no retort to offer. Luke and Xavier, however, didn��t pay him much mind, continuing on as the head staff led the way.

    It wasn��t until they passed that the other staff members exhaled in relief, their tension finally easing.

    Only then did they notice the person resting on Xavier��s arm, her face hidden beneath the hoodie, adding to the air of mystery surrounding her.

    Curiosity grew, especially after they learned she was, in fact, the elusive heiress of the Avery family.

    The question now loomed: If Hera was the real heiress, then who was the one studying at Princeton and openly posing as her, taking over her identity?

    A sense of drama hung in the air, sparking their innate curiosity.

    Their gossipy nature red up, and they began trailing behind Hera��s group, keeping their voices low as they pretended to be at the ready, should the VIPs need anything.

    Soon after, they arrived at the private lounge, which was spacious and exuded luxury.

    Massage chairs were neatly arranged around the room, along with soft, plush ck leather sofas centered around the long coffee table.

    Attentive staff stood by, ready to assist with any requests.

    Soft music yed in the background, and the lounge, a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport, felt like a world apart.

    Inside, the noise of announcements waspletely absent, leaving only an aura of calm and quiet.

    On one expansive wall stood arge aquarium, home to a stunning array of ornamental fish in every color and shape, its value easily surpassing $30,000 for each ornamental fish.

    The arrangement was nothing short of spectacr, sure to impress any collector of rare and beautiful fish.

    Behind them, rather than the view of nes taking off andnding, was a serene disy of lush Chinese bamboo and other ornamental nts, enhancing the tranquil ambiance of the room.

    The lounge itself was vast, divided into two distinct areas: one designed for rxation, and the other a dining space where guests could enjoy a meal while watching nes take off andnd from the runway.

    Even for frequent travelers like Luke, Xavier, and Dave, this was their first time experiencing such a lounge.

    The VIP lounge they typically used was located in a different area and was nothing like this in terms of luxury.

    Sure, their usual lounge was top-tier, but inparison to this one��especially with its exquisite food selection��this space felt more like a presidential suite, while the VIP lounge they were ustomed to seemed a step below.

    Nearby the dining area, there was a serene, small man-made pond with the soothing sound of a small waterfall, where koi fish gracefully swam.

    The scene exuded an oriental tranquility, making them feel as though they were there to experience more than just a meal.

    The ingredients were of the highest quality, with some flown in directly from their sources.

    Even the flowers adorning the space were airlifted from renowned flower districts, showcasing rare and exquisite blooms.

    "This is..." Dave began, but the words caught in his throat.

    He was at a loss, unable to find the right words to express his amazement.

    The airport itself boasted a five-star rating, offering top-tier facilities and services, but this lounge felt like a hidden gem on an ind brimming with treasures.

    "This is the private lounge reserved exclusively for the direct descendants of the Hendrix and Avery families, but not for the branch family" Leo exined, but as the words left his mouth, he realized his slip-up.

    He had already revealed that he was from a branch family, and with Hera��s identity still a secret, his exnation was not only confusing but wed. Leo pursed his lips, lowering his gaze in quiet frustration.

    But Dave misinterpreted Leo��s reaction, thinking it was a subtle worry that the staff would find out about him being from the branch family.

    With a sympathetic smile, Dave ced a hand on Leo��s shoulder, giving him an understanding pat, as if to say, <i>��I get it, no need to exin further.��</i> Leo, however, only saw Dave��s expression as annoyingly patronizing.

    Xavier and Luke heard Leo��s exnation but didn��t give it much thought.

    To them, as long as the goal was achieved, the details didn��t matter.

    The two of them settled onto the long sofa, with Xavier gently cradling Hera��s form against him, careful not to disturb her slumber as he adjusted his position.

    Luke, on the other hand, stretched Hera��s legs out onto hisp and began massaging them slowly, his touch light and soothing, though still mindful of herfort.

    As soon as Xavier and Luke settled onto the sofa, Danny and the rest of the National Race Team staff emerged from the other side of the lounge.

    They came to an abrupt halt when they saw Luke, Xavier, Dave, and Leo together, with a bundle resting on Xavier��s arm.

    Although they were ustomed to encountering important people, the sight of so many in one room was overwhelming��something they weren��t quite used to.

    Their enthusiasm quickly faded, and they froze, like startled quail, hesitant to disturb Hera��s peaceful sleep.

 Chapter 598 Her Identity Being Suspected

    Before long, the staff led them down a separate passageway, and just a few rooms ahead, a connecting bridge awaited them.

    There, parked on the tarmac, was an enormous private ne. Its sleek, luxurious design gleamed under the lights, and emzoned near the tail were the words "PRINCESS HERA."

    Everyone halted in their tracks, eyes widening as they reread what they had seen.

    The ne was nearly the size of one that could amodate a a few dozen passengers, and its opulence was undeniable��such a caliber of aircraft was clearly a rare and expensive sight to behold.

    Right now, however, they were standing in front of one, and it was named after the most unexpected person in the group.

    With such powerful men surrounding Hera, it seemed more likely that Dave, Xavier, Luke, or perhaps Leo from the Hendrix, given his presence, would be the one to own such a private ne.

    But what they couldn��t wrap their heads around was how Hera, of all people, managed to acquire such a massive aircraft.

    Was she really an heiress, as the rumors hinted? The question lingered in their minds, puzzling them even more.

    Then, the thought that Hera might be an illegitimate child from a powerful family crossed their minds, and their eyes widened in surprise.

    But Luke, Xavier, and Dave had a different reaction��they became even more intrigued by her.

    With so many inconsistencies surrounding her identity, they couldn��t help but feel that beneath her beautiful exterior, there wereyers of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

    The mystery of Hera only deepened with each new revtion.

    Even if she were Phantom, raking in millions from winning races and cing bets with reckless, rich heirs all year round, there would still be a limit to how much money she could umte from them.

    Even with such earnings, it wouldn��t be enough to afford a private ne of this magnitude.

    Such an acquisition requires not only money but also connections��favors, resources, and awork that goes beyond just wealth.

    The lease for using airport facilities, along with monthly maintenance and fees, would drain her wallet within a few months, making it unsustainable in the long run.

    This is why not every rich family owns a private ne; they��re costly to maintain and could easily be a financial burden, especially ones of this size.

    The fact that Hera owned such a ne seemed to suggest she was someone favored by a super-wealthy family, like the Hendrix, yet the more they pondered the possibilities, the more their thoughts spiraled back to the same question.

    Rather than dwell on it, Luke, Xavier, and Dave decided to move on, adjusting their thoughts as they began walking toward the ne.

    Leo trailed just behind them, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, a knowing smile ying on his lips as he observed Hera, her head concealed by the hoodie as she still sleep in Xavier��s arm.

    Leo knew that the ne was a gift from Hera��s grandfather for her 18th birthday, given justst year.

    She was supposed to receive it after celebrating her birthday and return to her rightful ce, but she never did.

    Instead, she stayed away, following a disagreement with her grandfather.

    He had used her of being bewitched by Alexi, dismissing her actions as nothing more than the foolish behavior of a lovesick fool.

    But Hera never offered any exnation��how could she? What could she say to him? That they were mere characters in a novel, bound by fate to meet tragic ends? She couldn��t possibly tell him that, for it would only make her seem like a mentally ill patient, lost in delusions.

    But no one knew the truth, not even Leo, who had been waiting for Hera��s return. He felt a bitter mix of disappointment and confusion.

    At that time, he had nned to go back and reim his fianc��e, only to discover that she had refused to return.

    Despite his initial heartbreak when he found out that Hera found someone else, the realization that Hera had chosen to endure life outside, suffering like a ve for another man, still stung deeply.

    The pain drove Leo to anger, and in his frustration, he threw himself into work, bing a workaholic as a way to escape the hurt.

    Now that Hera had returned, no one was happier than Leo.

    This time, he was determined to stay by her side, no matter what. Even if it meant being shamelessly clingy, he would do it and never leave her again, unlike before.

    Back then, although he kept his distance, his thoughts constantly drifted to her.

    He kept track of her through any news he could find, but it was pure torture��something he never wanted to endure again. Now, with the chance to be close to her, he wouldn��t let it slip away.

    Once everyone boarded the ne, Danny, Luke, Dave, Xavier, and the rest were all left in stunned silence.

    The interior of the ne resembled a luxurious presidential suite more than anything else.

    The space was expansive, with nearly everything crafted from fine leather and adorned with plush velvet cushions.

    ____

    OMG, I have someone incredibly special to thank right now! A huge shoutout to the amazing <strong>Author Air_Ace</strong>, the brilliant mind behind ��<i>When Love is a Question Mark��</i> and ��<i>ze Deception: A Viin in a Hero��s Disguise</i>.�� She went above and beyond by writing a song <i>just</i> for this novel! I��m absolutely in love with the lyrics and can��t wait to share them with all of you.

    She created two songs for this novel: In Her Hands, you��ll see on Hera��s harem channel on my server

    You can check it out on my Discord server here: .gg/nTVVtQzJE2. Don��t miss it!

 Chapter 599 Her Identity Being Suspected 2

    Passengers wouldn��t feel a moment of boredom during the flight. Despite the exterior��s pink-and-white "princess" appearance, the interior mirrored Hera��s penthouse, adorned in white, gold, and cream tones.

    This elegant design exuded a sense of royalty, sophistication, and tranquility, creating an atmosphere of calm that would make the passengers feel at ease rather than overwhelmed.

    With staff stationed throughout, ready to assist with every need, Hera and herpanions could simply sit back and rx, enjoying the flight without lifting a finger.

    Danny and the rest of the National Race Team staff were immediately filled with excitement as the flight attendants guided them to their seats.

    Leo quickly settled beside Hera as Xavier gently helped her into her seat, ensuring she wasfortable.

    With a caring touch, Leo fastened her seatbelt to make sure she was safe. As the crew took over their duties, everyone turned off their phones, settling into the luxurious surroundings for the flight ahead.

    From the back, Dave leaned forward, his eyes drifting to Hera��s peaceful sleeping face.

    Unable to contain his curiosity, he couldn��t help but ask, "Sweetheart isn��t secretly from the Hendrix family, is she?"

    He looked at her, thevish surroundings of the ne, her penthouse, exotic rare cars, and connections to powerful people, all raising questions about her identity.

    While it seemed unlikely that she was one of the Hendrix, considering Leo was already from that family, the thought lingered.

    After all, the Hendrix had distant family branches, and marrying outside the direct bloodline wouldn��t be incestuous. The possibility, however remote, was still there.

    "She should be..." Leo responded slowly, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Once she marries me, she��ll be a Hendrix."

    His answer only seemed to fuel Dave��s frustration.

    "Be serious, man," Dave shot back, his tone sharp and annoyed. Leo, unfazed, simply rolled his eyes.

    "If you really want to know her identity, then be patient," Leo said, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

    "Once she trusts you enough, she��ll tell you. Or, even if she already does, there might be circumstances holding her back. So just be patient."

    Although Leo was offering advice, the three men could sense there was a deeper meaning behind his words.

    It almost sounded like Leo knew exactly who Hera was.

    The thought from earlier��the one Dave had mentioned��shed in their minds, and in that instant, Luke, Xavier, and Dave exchanged a knowing look. Dave��s gaze instantly darted to Hera��s face, his eyes wide with the realization.

    With so many cluesid out before them, they would have to be incredibly dense not to put the pieces together.

    After all, Hera hadn��t been keeping thempletely in the dark��she had been gradually revealing herself.

    She was slowlying out of her shell, building her power, reputation, and influence, so when her true identity was finally exposed, it wouldn��t be too shocking.

    At least, not to those who were paying attention.

    Most of the men around her were already beginning to see the bigger picture, unlike the public, who would still be scrambling to piece together the mystery.

    This approach also gave Hera the chance to test the waters with the male leads, gauging their loyalty and understanding.

    It also allowed her to gradually uncover those who might be targeting her family��those who were supposed to be working alongside the male leads in the novel to bring down her family and its legacy.

    Without Xavier, Leo, or the others noticing, Hera��s eyes fluttered. She had been awake for a while, but she was toozy to move, and a little embarrassed to be questioned about the events of the previous night, that��s why she kept pretending to be asleep.

    She wasn��t yet used to the feeling of being intimate with multiple men, so it was natural for her to feel this way.

    But hearing Leo��s words made her heart skip a beat. Despite her initial hesitation, he was right.

    She had started to trust the male leads long ago. If she hadn��t, she would never have allowed them that closeness, nor considered them in the first ce.

    By using some of her privileges around them, she was already admitting her identity, even without openly revealing it.

    She knew that the men around her were all smart, and with their sharp intellects, they would catch on quickly.

    However, without her saying anything, their thoughts would only remain as suspicions and guesses.

    Luke, Dave, and Xavier, too, realized this. They might havee to a conclusion, but they weren��t certain��there was always the chance their deductions could be wrong.

    Still, at least now, their hearts were prepared for the inevitable revtion that woulde sooner orter.

    And as Leo had said, patience was key. Hera would eventually reveal the truth in her own time.

    It was better this way��allowing her to share it when she felt ready��than for them to grow impatient and secretly investigate her. This small act of patience and trust was all Hera needed from them now.

    After a moment of reflection, Dave fell silent, and Leo gave a satisfied smile as they all settled into their seats.

    The topic was quietly dropped. Hera, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders, let out a quiet sigh of relief.

    Soon after, the flight attendants closed the ne��s door, and the crew went through the motions of securing each passenger, making sure every indicator was clear. Then, the Captain��s voice crackled over the speaker.

    "Good day, everyone. This is Captain Troy. We��ve received the go-ahead from Traffic Control. Please ensure your seatbelts are fastened, and I��ll have you in Barcelona in less than five hours."

    Fortunately, while their private ne was spacious, it wasn��t asrge as amercial aircraft, which actually worked in their favor.

    Its size allowed it to fly faster, ensuring they��d reach their destination in record time. With the ne��s luxurious facilities, Hera could even rest and recharge during the flight, ready to race as soon as they arrived.

 Chapter 600 Athena’s Skepticism (EDITED)

    "Young Miss Hera, this package is from your manager, Betty," she said, her voice soft but clear.

    "She mentioned that everything has been arranged. All you need to do is open the equipment." The attendant bowed slightly as she offered the box with both hands, her movements graceful and respectful.

    "Thank you," Hera replied politely, taking the box with a gentle grip.

    Her graceful, respectful demeanor made the flight attendant blush, and she shyly returned to her position, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

    Xavier, ustomed to handling such tasks, assisted Hera with setting up the equipment.

    Within moments, the livestream began, and a flood ofments poured in as the broadcast opened, filling the screen with a wave of excitement and support from viewers.

    [HeraIsMySister: Oh my God! Sister Hera, are you staying at a hotel?! That ce looks so ssy!]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @HeraIsMySister I think it��s a private jet, I can spot the ne windows and those customized seats. It��s definitely luxurious! Little Sister Hera, whose private jet are you on?!]

    [Enteirtainment King: Ah! You left without me?!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: What are you even going to do there? You��re still a patient!]

    [Enteirtainment King: I��m strong enough to even help carry Hera!]

    [Enteirtainment King: ( ??_??)?]

    [Enteirtainment King: You��ve seen it too... ( ?? ? )]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: ( ?��?��) !!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus:...]

    [MinervaB: <( ???? - ????)>]

    [MinervaB: What about me?!]

    [MinervaB: I wanna join too!!!]

    [MinervaB: @Hera_A, I wanna go too! ( ? ?? ? ?? ? )]

    [MinervaB: (�Ĩi�n�i)��]

    [Athena_Lowery: @MinervaB Girl, did you hit your head or something?]

    [MinervaB: ...]

    [Athena_Lowery: @MinervaB Aren��t you two like water and oil? What happened?]

    [MinervaB: (???�n???)]

    [MinervaB: Hera was a benefactor to both my brother and me, saving us from danger... and I��ve... woken up.]

    [MinervaB: I know Hera is a good person. The only reason we fought before was because of my own unreasonable behavior. I��m trying to change.]

    [Athena_Lowery: Oooh!!!]

    [Athena_Lowery: (O_O)!]

    [Athena_Lowery: You must have hit your head really hard during those times.]

    Hera couldn��t help but smile as she read thements, nearlyughing at Athena��s disbelief.

    It was clear her best friend couldn��t wrap her mind around Minerva��s sudden change.

    Hera herself was still processing how Minerva had gone from being her enemy who was always in her throat��someone who ndered her at every turn and tried to crush her��to someone who was now opening up and even wanting to join them. It was aplete 180-degree turn.

    Hera understood Athena��s skepticism about Minerva��s sudden shift in behavior.

    After all, it was hard to believe that someone who had once been so vehemently opposed to her could change overnight.

    But Hera also knew that, in a world where the storyline held such a tight grip on every character��main and secondary alike��nothing was truly impossible.

    With part of Alice��s female lead halo now in her grip, Hera saw the potential to turn Minerva into an ally, just as she had with the others.

    This only reaffirmed that Hera��s gamble to steal Alice��s fate and use the male leads as her protection was the right move all along.

    The storyline��s hold on everyone was strong, but Hera had managed to shift it in her favor.

    It was possible that Minerva had experienced some form of enlightenment, just like Hera, but that seemed unlikely.

    If every character in their world could simply break free from their destined paths so easily, Hera wouldn��t have had to struggle so much to steal Alice��s fate.

    In that case, everyone would be free to move and act ording to their own desires, and the very concept of fate would lose its grip on the world entirely.

    While Athena and the others chatted animatedly in the live stream��sment section, with Athena setting the mood for the viewers, Hera and the rest had little to do.

    Daisy, meanwhile, was doing her part, guiding the audience alongside Athena, ensuring everything went smoothly.

    [Athena_Lowery: Babe! Why don��t you give us a full tour of the private ne? I should��ve joined you if I knew it was like paradise up there! ?? ? ? ? ??]

    Hera chuckled after reading Athena��sment.

    She knew that Athena and Liz had hit it off ever since their first meeting at Hera��s penthouse.

    ording to Amy and Hannah, the two had barely stopped talking since then.

    It seemed that Liz and Athena had foundmon ground in their shared love for fashion.

    After Liz discovered Hera��s talent for jewelry design, she couldn��t help but be intrigued.

    Athena, ever the proud "mother hen," eagerly began sharing the story of how Hera had designed her first piece of jewelry, which was intended to be used for a costume.

    Because of this, after enjoying a meal at Hera��s penthouse, the two women made their way to Liz��s workshop.

    There, Liz proudly showed Athena her collection, as well as the designs Hera had sent for cufflinks and tie pins intended for Leo, Luke, Dave, Zhane, Xavier, Rafael, and even her grandfathers.

    Athena, intrigued by the intricate process, became even more fascinated.

    She watched intently as Liz��s jewelers began cutting the jade pieces Hera had carefully selected for her order, her interest piqued by every delicate movement and detail.

    Because of this, Athena was still staying with Liz, lounging nearby as she watched the live stream after receiving a notification that Hera had started a broadcast on her page.

    Liz, too, was watching from her phone and began chatting with Athena about Minerva and what had happened.

    As Athena had grown closer to Liz and they started to vibe well together, she no longer felt the need to hide the tension between Hera and Minerva.

    Liz, being a bit skeptical, shared the same doubts as Athena about how quickly Minerva seemed to have changed.

    However, once they saw the private ne Hera was in and the people around her, Athena and Liz��s eyes lit up with curiosity.

    Instead of continuing to ask about Minerva, they quickly shifted their focus to asking for a tour of the ne and inquiring about the men around Hera.

    Before long, Hera��s face turned red as she realized exactly what Athena was trying to do.

    Despite her embarrassment, Hera still took charge and guided the tour around the ne like a professional host.

    Dave, ever the reliable cameraman, took responsibility for holding the camera while following her every move.

    Xavier, her co-anchor, trailed behind, assisting with the flow of the broadcast.

    Meanwhile, Leo and Luke yed their roles as models and the perfect backdrop, making the entire live stream feel like an eye-candy showcase that had the viewers�� hearts racing.

    [LoveLove: Ahhh! These men are all so delicious looking!]

    [Athena__Lowery: @LoveLove girl, you can only admire, not bite. They��re already imed by my babe. But, honestly, these celestial beings are just meant to be admired, like stars in the sky. ]

    [Athena__Lowery: (�R?�Q)]

    [Athena__Lowery: My sense of beauty aesthetics has been totally ruined by my best friend. Now, I can��t even look at a normal guy withoutparing him to my babe and these handsome men. Guess I��m not alone in this anymore, kekekeke.]

    [PasserbyGod: I get it now. You see Hera every day, and that face of hers is truly extraordinary. I guess anything less than that��whether it��s a guy with a bit of charm or a girl who��s just slightly attractive��must seem pretty average to you byparison.]

    [HeraIsMySister: Right! After seeing Sister Hera in person, my whole perspective on beauty haspletely shifted. People I once thought were handsome or beautiful now seem so in inparison. Wah! I guess my beauty aesthetics have been ruined too!]

    [HeraIsMySister: ? ??o???? ��? o??????? ???]

    [Athena__Lowery: ? (��?��)?a?a?a]

    [AuntieNextDoor: ��(��????`)�� ? ??o???? ��? o??????? ???]

    [AuntieNextDoor: Aww, there there, don��t cry! Aren��t we on our way to watch my little sister Hera��s race? You��ll get to see her soon!]

    Hera let out an awkwardugh in front of the camera as the topic shifted yet again.

    She scratched the back of her head, ncing around at the men standing beside her.

    They all shrugged, equally bewildered.

    ��<i>Why does it feel like we��re the ones at fault?��</i> Hera thought, but she quickly refocused, continuing to give the tour of the ne.

 Chapter 601 A Loyal Man

    Noticing Dave��s reaction, Captain Troy chuckled softly and raised his left hand, revealing a gleaming wedding band.

    He said nothing, letting the gesture speak for itself. Only then did Dave rx, his tension easing visibly.

    Hera chuckled as well, finding Dave��s antics unexpectedly endearing. Though tempted to tease him, she decided to let it slide, enjoying the lighthearted moment instead.

    Even the viewers noticed the subtle exchange, flooding thement section with a barrage of heart and cute emojis.

    Meanwhile, Leo, Luke, and Xavier maintained their usualposure, but the slight tension in their expressions betrayed their feelings.

    Dave��s overly protective reaction had set off their internal rms, making them re at him with mild annoyance.

    <i>��Seriously? Overreacting like that?��</i> their looks seemed to say. They knew all too well that Hera wasn��t the type to be easily swayed by a handsome face alone.

    They were all undeniably handsome, yet even they had struggled to win Hera��s favor.

    Dave��s overreaction, however, managed to stir a bit of unease among them as well.

    Thankfully, Captain Troy, despite his stern appearance, came across as perceptive and approachable, easing the tension in the air.

    "Is it really true?" Dave asked cautiously, his voiceced with skepticism. He wanted to confirm that Captain Troy wasn��t simply wearing a wedding band as a clever ruse to deflect unwanted attention from women.

    Sensing what Dave was hinting at, Captain Troy calmly reached into his pocket, retrieved his wallet, and opened it.

    Sensing what Dave was getting at, Captain Troy reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and flipped it open.

    He held it up for Dave to see, revealing a photo of himself dressed in a sharp, white tailored wedding suit standing beside a radiant woman in a stunning fishtail wedding dress, a bouquet of white lilies in her hands.

    Below that was another photo of the same woman, now cradling a baby boy, with Captain Troy standing proudly beside her, his arm around her shoulders.

    A small, smug smile yed on Captain Troy��s lips as he showed the pictures, as if proudly presenting his most cherished treasures.

    Dave, caught off guard, found himself momentarily at a loss, a mix of embarrassment and reluctant admiration bubbling within him.

    <i>��Damn! Did I just give this guy a tform to show off his love life?!��</i> Dave thought, feeling a twinge of regret.

    Since he was the one holding the camera, he instinctively angled it toward Captain Troy��s wallet, unintentionally broadcasting the contents to the live audience.

    Viewers were treated to a clear view of the loving wedding photo, the adorable family picture, and Captain Troy��s smug expression as he proudly disyed his cherished moments.

    The camera, designed for wide-angle coverage with nearly 360-degree vision��perfect for capturing every detail during adventure livestreams��didn��t miss a thing.

    ...

    Thement section immediately exploded with reactions:

    [SunflowerHeart: OMG, what a beautiful family!]

    [CaptainFan: That smug look, though! ? (�R��Q)]

    [ForeverAlone: Why am I feeling single all over again?! ???? ????? )]

    ...

    Dave groaned internally, realizing he had just provided the perfect setup for Captain Troy��s unintentional flex.

    A woman was leisurely watching Hera��s live stream, reminiscing about how she became a fan back when Hera first started sharing snippets of her daily life��like a travel blogger mixed with everyday mundanities.

    Hera��s content, calming and rtable, had resonated with her deeply.

    Being married to a man whose work often took him away on business trips, missions, or other engagements, she found sce in Hera��s posts, imagining that her husband might be experiencing simr moments during his time away.

    However, her quiet morning took an unexpected turn.

    She was stunned to see her <i>so-called</i> husband appear on the livestream��none other than Captain Troy��casually showing off their wedding photo.

    Even though she was alone in the room with her two-year-old son, she felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment as her cheeks flushed red.

    Thement section was in an uproar, full of admiration andpliments about her "lovely family" and her "loyal husband."

    For a moment, it felt like she was transported back to their dating days, her heart fluttering as if she were a young bride again.

    ��<i>This man really knows how to make me fall for him all over again,��</i> she thought with a wry smile, brushing back a lock of hair as she watched the screen.

    At the same time, she had just uncovered a startling realization. Before leavingst night, her husband had casually mentioned he would be piloting a private ne for the Avery heiress.

    Now, as she watched the livestream, the only female passenger she��d seen onboard was her idol, Hera.

    At first, she thought nothing of it, assuming the crew��s respectful demeanor toward Hera was simply part of their job.

    But when her husband appeared on screen, proudly unting their family photos, the pieces began to fall into ce.

    Her husband wouldn��t lie to her, and she vividly remembered the day Gerald Troy himself hade to their home to recruit her husband as an exclusive pilot for the Avery family.

    Connecting the dots, one undeniable conclusion surfaced in her mind: the Avery heiress her husband mentioned was none other than Hera.

    Her heart raced as this revtion sank in. ��<i>How did I not realize this before?��</i> she thought, her blood pumping with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

    While Captain Troy and the viewers were having a field day, Dave��despite being visibly annoyed by Captain Troy��s smug demeanor��couldn��t help but feel relieved.

    The weight of his initial wariness began to fade, but another frustration simmered beneath the surface.

    He wasn��t just on edge because of Captain Troy��s handsome appearance or amiable personality; he was battling his own insecurities.

    Deep down, Dave knew the truth. Though none of the others had outright said anything, it was clear from their interactions and subtle hints that Leo, Zhane, and Rafael had already crossed a significant line with Hera the previous night.

 Chapter 602 All Hera’s Love Interest

    Meanwhile, Leo, noticing the three of theming together to apany Hera��aware of what they were all likely thinking��had no choice but to follow along.

    He knew that without him there to keep them in check, Hera could end up exhausted by their constantpetition.

    Even though Leo was fully aware of what had happened between Hera and Xavierst night, and could clearly sense the tension between the others, he understood the importance of maintaining control.

    He couldn��t let his own selfish desires, possessiveness, and jealousy cloud his judgment.

    He had to keep things in bnce, for Hera��s sake, even if it meant putting his feelings aside for the moment.

    If they all wanted to coexist harmoniously, they needed to make room for one another and share Hera equally.

    This way, there would be no conflict, and they wouldn��t find themselves vying for more of her time or trying to outdo each other.

    Because if they let that happen, Hera would end up caught in the middle, bearing the brunt of the tension. It would be her who suffered the most, and none of them wanted that, especially him.

    Leo let out a resigned sigh and shook his head, as if preparing to scold a mischievous child.

    He grabbed Dave by the back of his cor and gently pulled him back, aware that his restless behavior was too obvious with so many viewers watching.

    What they didn��t realize was that the viewers, many of whom were passionately shipping their own favorite couples, were going wild over the scene.

    Fans were snapping screenshots nonstop, eager to capture every moment of their favorite "love team."

    The loudest among them were the members of the ��Queen��s Harem,�� a fan group that shipped all six men with Hera and eagerly dissected every little interaction, assigning deeper meaning to even the smallest gestures.

    ...

    [Briley Family��s Group Chat]

    [Minerva: Mom, Dad, did you know that brother already found a girlfriend?]

    [Mother Briley: What? When did this happen? How?]

    [Mother Briley: Is she beautiful?]

    [Father Briley: What about her background?]

    [Father Briley: I mean, I don��t want any troublemakers around...]

    [Minerva: (Picture.JPEG.Attached)]

    [Minerva: You can see for yourselves.]

    [Mother Briley: She looks innocent and sweet. Did your brother intimidate this poor girl?]

    [Mother Briley: She looks so beautiful��are you sure she��s your brother��s girlfriend?]

    [Minerva: ? (��?��)?a?a?a]

    [Minerva: Mom, I��m sure. My brother was so disappointing, he was sulking in the corner because his love rivals took his girlfriend away to participate in an event and left him behind in the hospital.]

    [Minerva: (Picture.JPEG.Attached)]

    [Father Briley: He really is disappointing. Why sulk like that? Is he waiting for someone to steal her before he does anything?]

    [Minerva: Doctor Zhane won��t let him leave. (?????)]

    [Mother Briley: You seem to be enjoying your brother��s misery, huh?]

    [Minerva: Mom, don��t get me wrong, I think Hera is a great girl and she��s not intimidated by my brother��s scary mafia-like face. But he��s just too idiotic when ites to love. He doesn��t take advantage of the chances to get closer to her when she��s in such high demand from other men.]

    [Minerva: Look, he��s even circling his toe on the ground like a child while sulking.]

    [Minerva: (???????)]

    [Minerva: Mom, help, I��m dying ofughter over here...]

    [Mother Briley: Hmmm, if I��m not mistaken, you... about that Hera girl, just recently... ]

    [Minerva: Mom, that��s all in the past now. I��ve woken up from my dream and seen things clearly. My brother even told me what my good-for-nothing ex said while I was kidnapped.]

    [Minerva: (?_?)]

    [Minerva: I know I��ve worried you both too much, but I��ll do better from now on. Anyway, I just wanted to share my brother��s good news and theughter, especially since we��ve never seen this side of him. I can��t stopughing!]

    [Minerva: (?>????)]

    [Father Briley: That��s good to hear, my princess. Don��t worry, that good-for-nothing ex wasn��t worth your tears. Daddy will send you a list of handsome boys��just pick as many as you like, and they��ll pamper you to the heavens.]

    [Mother Briley: Exactly, sweetheart. I��ve already prepared the perfect candidates for you, and I know you��ll love them.]

    [Mother Briley: @Father Briley, trying to steal my credit, huh? Just wait for me to discipline youter.]

    [Mother Briley: ( ` ? �� )]

    [Father Briley: Honey, I know I was wrong.]

    [Father Briley: (???)?]

    [Father Briley: (?�n?//)]

    ...

    While everything was going smoothly for Hera, in another hospital ward, someone watched her livestream, unblinking, his gaze fixed on her beautiful face.

    Surrounded by so many handsome men, it was painfully obvious how much they admired her, and they didn��t even try to hide their feelings.

    Their eyes lingered on her, full of affection. Hera looked radiant, even more beautiful than thest time he had seen her, and the sight left a bitter ache in his chest.

    "What are you even staring at?!" a woman��s shrill voice echoed through the ward.

    "What happened to you that you ended up hospitalized like this? Shouldn��t we be demandingpensation for all this?!" Her words were sharp,ced with frustration.

    Thankfully, they were in a private ward, but just the thought of the money they were burning each day while unable to earn anything made her stomach churn, as if each moment in the hospital was another stab to her heart.

    "Alexi, why don��t you call that rich girlfriend of yours to pay for your hospital bill?" the woman��s voice grated on his nerves.

    "You��ve been scorned by the public, your career��s ruined, and it��s all because of her! Is she running away now that she��s tired of you? How could we let this happen? Does she think that just because we��re not as wealthy as them, we��re easy to bully?"

 Chapter 603 When Jealousy Hits

    <i>��This isn��t how it should be,��</i> Alexi thought, a deep sense of frustration settling in his chest.

    He couldn��t shake the feeling that his story wasn��t meant to end like this. Lost in his thoughts, he unknowingly tightened his grip on his phone, his gaze locked on the figure in the live stream.

    His mother, who had been relentlessly nagging him to contact Minerva for help with the hospital bills and living expenses, noticed the shift in her son��s demeanor.

    His intense focus on the screen was unusual, and curiosity got the better of her. She leaned in closer, trying to see what had caught his undivided attention.

    When she saw that the person on the livestream was Hera, her expression instantly soured, her face hardening with a mixture of anger and disdain.

    "That jinx again?!" she seethed, her voice rising. "Haven��t I told you to break up with her? She��ll never do anything good for your career��she��ll only drag you down! You don��t even belong in the same world as her!"

    Alexi��s mother shouted, her voice dangerously close to a roar, like a tiger whose tail had been stepped on. Her frustration boiled over, and she couldn��t contain her fury at the sight of Hera.

    She had never liked Hera, but she tolerated her presence for one reason: Hera had been sensible enough to provide living expenses and take care of Alexi while he was busy working.

    In her eyes, Hera wasn��t a potential daughter-inw��she was a convenient caretaker, a free nanny who would look after her son. To her, Hera was nothing more than a fool who wasn��t worthy of Alexi.

    When Minerva arrived, everything changed. From the moment Minerva entered the picture, she made it clear that Hera was no longer wee.

    She pushed Alexi toward Minerva at every turn, insisting that only someone of Minerva��s status��an heiress��was truly worthy of her son.

    To her, Minerva represented everything that Hera could never be: deserving, powerful, and fitting for a future alongside her son.

    "I��m telling you, that Hera woman will never be part of this family. Over my dead body!" she spat through gritted teeth.

    But Alexi, sitting there motionless, acted as if he hadn��t heard a word. His indifference only served to fuel her rage, making her blood boil and her blood pressure skyrocket.

    Instead of letting herself be consumed by anger in the room, she stormed out, determined to call Hera and warn her.

    But when she dialed Hera��s number, only to find it blocked, the wave of fury that surged through her almost made her spit blood on the spot.

    Unaware of the tension brewing back home, Hera enjoyed the activities on the ne with Leo, Xavier, Dave, and Luke.

    They shared a leisurely breakfast together, and to Hera��s surprise, their chef was none other than Hannah.

    The breakfast spread was nothing short of extravagant. There was a seafood congee brimming with snow crab, tiger prawn, and golden-hued abalone from Mexico,plemented by mushrooms and vegetables for a burst of color and nutrients.

    The aroma alone made Hera��s stomach rumble, and after the exhausting night with Xavier, she found herself even hungrier than usual.

    In addition to the congee, there were dumplings, buns, soy milk, and a variety of other treats. Leo, ever attentive, was diligently scooping congee for Hera and serving it with a smile.

    Xavier, always thoughtful, was carefully shredding the snow crab meat, making it easier for her to eat.

    Dave was serving her dumplings, and Luke had prepared a special soy sauce and chili mix for her.

    Everyone was so focused on making sure Hera was well-fed that they almost forgot to eat themselves.

    If Hera hadn��t pouted and pretended to be upset, they likely would have continued fussing over her like she was a child, ensuring she ate to her heart��s content.

    The viewers, who were practically stuffed with "dog food" from the disy of affection, couldn��t help but feel a mixture of happiness and envy.

    The girls in rtionships began nagging their boyfriends, urging them to be as thoughtful and attentive as Leo, Luke, Dave, and Xavier, much to the frustration of the men watching.

    The guys nationwide were all now united in their dislike for the four. After breakfast, the group moved on to a few rounds of billiards, continuing theirid-back yet close-knit dynamic.

    "Ah! Sweetheart! How could you do this? You didn��t even let us y, you just socketed all the balls!" Dave exaggerated with a dramatic whimper, but his eyes sparkled with admiration and affection.

    It was clear he was more interested in making sure everyone knew just how incredible Hera was than actually winning the game.

    "I didn��t know our Hera was such a pro at billiards," Luke teased, positioning himself behind her as he watched her line up the next shot.

    However, his gaze unintentionally drifted to her perky ass as she bent over. For a moment, he lost focus, his thoughts clouded with inappropriate images, and his eyes lingered on her curves.

    When he looked up, he met Xavier��s smug expression, as if as if to say <i>��They felt great to the touch��</i>.

    The smugness in Xavier��s gaze only added to Luke��s irk, and a vein in his neck bulged as he tried to reign in his growing frustration.

    Ignoring Xavierpletely, Luke suddenly leaned forward toward Hera as she prepared to hit the ball.

    His movements were deliberate, his crotch brushing against her ass, and his entire body pressing against her from behind.

    Hera tensed, her body stiffening as she felt Luke��s hardness through the close contact.

    "Hera, I think the angle might be off��or maybe it��s just the height difference?" Luke murmured, his voice low and teasing.

    His lips hovered just behind her ear, close enough that his warm breath tickled her skin. Her scent wafted into his senses, and he inhaled subtly, savoring it.

    Hera��s cheeks flushed deep red, her pulse quickening. The close proximity was overwhelming, especially with the cameras still on them.

    Dave, noticing the interaction, instantly perked up, his attention sharp as he watched the scene unfold.

 Chapter 604 Another Skills unlocked

    The intimate exchange only sent the viewers into a frenzy, screaming and going wild, as it seemed like pure fan service for the shippers.

    Before long, screenshots began flooding various group pages. Luke positioned himself at the table, while Dave leaned in closer to Hera, eager to gossip.

    "Sweetheart, where did you learn to y like that? You��re even doing some yful shots."

    At Dave��s question, everyone turned to Hera, eager to hear her answer.

    ying billiards requires both talent and precision, not to mention plenty of practice. The way she had executed her shots earlier��so smooth and professional��was captivating, almost like watching a championship match.

    Even the viewers had fallen silent. Hera sheepishly rubbed the tip of her nose, looking guilty.

    "He he he, before I got into racing, I actually worked as a dealer in a casino and picked up a few tricks there. One of them was billiards..."

    Her face turned even redder as she spoke. When she mentioned ��before racing,�� it meant she was still underage at the time, though she had faked her age.

    By then, her body had already developed, with the right curves, so no one suspected she was younger than she appeared.

    She worked as a dealer at the poker table and other games in the casino, but one time, a female guest challenged her to a game of billiards with severe consequences.

    The girl��s boyfriend had taken a liking to Hera, and out of jealousy, she was determined to make Hera��s life difficult.

    The girl had been ying billiards since she was young and had even won a few championships.

    At first, Hera was losing badly, and the stakes were high��losers had to take off a piece of their clothing.

    Hera hadn��t wanted to y, but her manager insisted, not wanting to offend the woman.

    After losing a few rounds, Hera realized that if she lost one more, she��d have to either remove her white shirt or her skirt, leaving her in nothing but her inner garments.

    A crowd began to gather around the table, eager to see Hera lose, their attention focused on the curves of her body.

    Some men even started throwing money onto the table. Hera had never felt so humiliated.

    But driven by sheer determination, she pushed herself to win, learning a few tricks along the way.

    After Hera won, the woman dismissed it as a fluke and insisted on another round.

    But Hera won again, and her streak continued, pushing the woman to the brink of losing everything. In frustration, the woman used Hera of faking her skills, refusing to believe that Hera had just learned them.

    Fortunately, a bystander stepped in to support Hera, recognizing how badly she had been bullied.

    The woman had challenged Hera to the game, confident in her own skills and thinking she could easily breeze through it, showing off her expertise while humiliating Hera in front of everyone to get her boyfriend��s attention.

    She believed her boyfriend wouldn��t like a woman who had been publicly seen as ��dirty.�� But to her shock, she was the one getting wiped off the floor. Hera��s growth had been gradual��each time she had the chance to take a shot, she would theorize two or three tricks and then put them into action when the opportunity arose.

    Unfortunately, when her grandfather found out about the event and learned she had worked at the casino, he became terrified that she was heading down the wrong path.

    In a fit of anger, he stormed into the casino, grabbed Hera by the ear, and dragged her back home.

    Now that Dave, Luke, and Xavier had heard this, they all realized that Hera had been a minor at the time, yet somehow, she had managed to work there.

    They couldn��t help but wonder how she had even learned billiards in such a situation.

    Hera pursed her lips, clearly not wanting to say more, her embarrassment evident as she avoided their gazes.

    Trying to lighten the mood, Danny, who had been watching with great interest, chuckled. "Ha ha ha, your family must have been furious."

    Hera, sensing what Danny was trying to do, yed along with a pitiful expression. "My grandfather yanked my ear and dragged me home. I almost turned into an elf."

    She added with a dramatic sigh, "So, everyone, please, gambling isn��t the way to go. Don��t follow the wrong path." Her tone made it clear that she regretted her past decision.

    However, one of the National Race Team staff missed the point and asked, "If you hadn��t worked there, would you be as good as you are now? Have you ever considered ying internationally? Last I heard, the championship offers a $250,000 grand prize."

    Danny immediately smacked the man on the back of his head, visibly annoyed.

    "What are you talking about? Even if she hadn��t gone to the casino, with her talent, steady hands, and sharp eyes, she would��ve learned it one way or another. It��s always about a person��s capabilities!"

    Danny was trying to salvage the situation, mindful that they were still live. While Hera��s honesty was refreshing, they couldn��t afford to mislead the viewers or encourage the wrong mindset.

    After all, Hera was an anomaly��not only was she exceptional at racing, but her billiard skills were equally impressive.

    To Danny, Hera felt almost untouchable, as though she were on apletely different level.

    While they were talking, the other members of the National Race Team gasped in surprise.

    Luke had already cleared the table, pocketing every ball without giving Leo, Xavier, or Dave a chance��just like Hera had done earlier.

    Danny had an epiphany: they were surrounded by anomalies, each a prodigy in their own right.

    Realizing howpetitive things were, they decided to stop giving way and instead picked sticks to determine who would open the game.

    Predictably, whoever opened the game also ended it. Leo, Luke, Xavier, and Dave were equally impressive, with Leo and Luke ying wlessly, not missing a single shot.

    Xavier missed two, while Dave missed five, but even that level of skill left the onlookers in awe.

    Someone joked, "Don��t tell me you picked that up at the casino too?"

 Chapter 605 Protagonist

    [TheWorldHermit: That��s why the snake didn��t attack them on the tree after waking up��the lingering effect of the grass she tied to herself and gave Ms. Briley kept it at bay.]

    [TheWorldHermit: Otherwise, once it woke up hungry, it might have gone after them instead of the hunting dog. And don��t forget how she handled first aid for Mr. Briley during that time��she clearly knows her way around medicine.]

    [Anastashia: @TheWorldHermit Now that you mention it, I noticed that too! I��ve always wondered why the snake didn��t attack Hera and the others when it woke up. Maybe when Mr. and Ms. Briley climbed the tree, the snake was full and sleeping, so it ignored them.]

    [Anastashia: But when it woke up hungry, it went straight for the hunting dog instead of them. I always thought that was bizarre. Only after your reminder about the grass Hera used did I do a quick search and realize what it was for!]

    [Sesame: Do you think Dr. Everett taught her that kind of knowledge?]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: @Sesame, I was just as surprised by what she did! And yes, thanks to her quick actions, Mr. Briley��s condition didn��t worsen, and he avoided any long-termplications.]

    [Chaochao: !!!]

    [TheWorldHermit: It now came from a renowned genius doctor, so it wasn��t impossible for her to learn and be good at it too.]

    [PrincessLizzy: You might not know this yet, but Hera is also incredibly talented in jewelry design. Once she showcases her creations, you��ll see what I mean. I hope you��ll support her when that timees!]

    ...

    Liz Goldsmith seized the opportunity to promote Hera��s uing entry into the jewelry design world, highlighting her growing strength and abilities.

    While many were skeptical, thinking Liz was simply trying to ride on Hera��s fame for attention, the mention still sparked public interest.

    After all, Hera would need support when she entered her firstpetition. With no formal background in jewelry design, Liz was concerned that others might try to undermine Hera by using herck of credentials against her, resorting to dirty tactics during thepetition simply because she was unknown in the field.

    Still, the small stone Liz threw into the still waters created a ripple, one that many noticed. Though they were skeptical for now, once they saw what Hera could do, they would remember Liz��s words and realize that Hera hadn��t entered thepetition on a whim.

    She had taken the time to learn and prepare. In essence, Liz was quietly building a foundation for Hera��s sess, gathering witnesses along the way. Athena, standing beside Liz, gave her a thumbs up as she finally understood Liz��s intent.

    Athena had always hoped Hera would be her muse, designing countless dresses for her and shining even brighter. Now, with Liz��s support, Hera would surely rise like the sun, high in the sky.

    <i>��My best friend was already in the making of her own protagonist a long time ago, she just doesn��t realize it��or maybe she hasn��t noticed because she��s too busy focusing on the present and not thinking about the ��what-ifs�� of the future,��</i> Athena thought, watching Hera��s reaction.

    Hera had just read Liz��sment, her eyes widening before she nervously bit her bottom lip. It was clear she hadn��t yet decided whichpetition to join or if she even wanted to go forward with it.

    But Liz��s public deration left her no way out, pushing her to make a decision. Athena knew that Liz��sment was intentional, and that she, too, likely approved of this move.

    Hera didn��t refute Liz��sment but also remained silent about it. After all, the fewer people knew, the less chance anyone would have to sabotage her.

    Letting Liz make that statement was enough��there was no need to draw more attention to herself, especially since her profile was already growing with so many things about hering to light one after another.

    It was only now that Hera realized how much she had learned during her time away. No wonder her grandfather often joked, with a smile, that she was a "wild child"��apliment in his eyes.

    This was the true essence of why the Averys were sent away to experience hardship: to be hardworking, to understand the struggles of those beneath them, to bepassionate but not naive.

    They were meant to acquire skills��one after another��because each new skill could shape their future. Having many skills could be incredibly useful.

    After all, only by stepping out of theirfort zones were they pushed to their limits, driven to be the best version of themselves, rather than remaining pampered, arrogant heirs who thought they were kings.

    Athena��s encouragement to explore other hobbies had only further contributed to her growth, shaping her into the person she was now. Unaware of the effect she was having, Hera sweetly smiled to herself, oblivious to the men who had been watching her every move with rapt attention��and the cameras capturing it all.

    Leo, Luke, Dave, and Xavier couldn��t help but smile fondly at her. Leo even reached out to gently pat Hera��s hair, his gesture full of affection, causing the viewers to nearly lose their hearts over the beautiful scene.

    The five-hour flight felt surprisingly short as everyone enjoyed themselves, taking time to rx and rest when needed.

    Hera, who slept soundly without a dream, feltpletely refreshed by her rest, and even though it was only five hours, she didn��t feel tired at all. Instead, the constant support from her fans left her feeling more energized and excited for the uing race.

    When they exited the ne and entered the airport, Hera was surprised to see her bodyguards already waiting, creating a barrier to guide them through the crowd.

    She was even more surprised by the number of people there to greet her��mostly male racing fans, along with some women.

    Many of the women were her fans as a celebrity, excited to see her in person at the race. This heartfelt disy of support touched Hera, and she couldn��t help but smile happily in response.

 Chapter 606 Karma

    "Don��t look," Leo��s voice rasped beside her ear. It was cold,ced with a sharp edge of murderous intent that sent shivers down her spine.

    She had never heard him sound like this before. Her toes curled involuntarily in her shoes, and she felt her breath hitch.

    "W-What��s going on?" she stammered, her voice trembling with unease.

    A sharp, irritated <i>tsk</i> broke the tense silence, cutting through the air like a de.

    Determined to uncover the chaos, Hera forcefully pulled Leo��s hand away from her eyes. The muffled screams and the sound of people panicking became clearer.

    Her bodyguards were shouting stern warnings, pushing the crowd back as a wave of panic rippled through the onlookers. Gradually, the mass of people retreated, leaving a wide circle around themotion.

    "My face!" a man wailed, his voice raw with pain. Hera��s gaze snapped to the center of the circle, where a man in a hoodie writhed on the ground, clutching his face in agony.

    A bottle, its contents unknown, rolled across the pavement, drawing suspicious nces but no one dared approach it.

    Hera��s stomach churned as she took in the scene. The crowd��s horror was palpable. Instead of sympathy, their faces reflected disdain and scorn as they stared at the man on the ground.

    No one made a move to help him. Their collective silence only deepened the ominous weight hanging in the air.

    "Call the police immediately!" one of the bodyguardsmanded with urgency. In an instant, Luke, Dave, and Xavier closed ranks around Hera, forming a protective barrier.

    Luke took position in front, while Xavier and Dave nked her on either side, their tall frames blocking most of her view.

    Through a narrow gap between them, Hera could just make out what was happening.

    "Don��t let him escape!" Dave shouted furiously, his voice echoing over the tense crowd.

    The man on the ground struggled to get up but slipped in the puddle beneath him. That��s when Hera��s eyes widened in horror.

    Her breath hitched as she realized the liquid on the floor wasn��t just the strange substance from earlier��it was also blood. The man��s clothes were soaked, and his frantic rolling had smeared blood and the unknown liquid all over him. But what truly froze her in ce was his face.

    It was melting.

    The skin looked corroded, as though it was dissolving right before her eyes, exposing raw, grotesque flesh beneath. The crowd gasped collectively, their fear morphing into revulsion. Hera��s knees felt weak, and her entire body trembled. She clung tightly to Leo��s arm, unable to tear her gaze away from the horrifying sight.

    <i>��W-Was that sulfuric acid?!��</i> Hera��s mind reeled as the horrifying realization struck her. The acrid smell in the air confirmed her fears.

    The liquid had not only soaked into the man��s clothing but also burned through it, leaving it clinging to his body, tattered and bloodstained.

    His skin blistered and bled where the corrosive substance had eaten through. Nearly half of his body was severely injured, the result of therge bottle��capable of holding at least 700 grams to a liter.

    Hera��s heart pounded as the events reyed in her mind. She had been engrossed in signing autographs and taking pictures, the crowd��s cheerful energy masking any hint of danger.

    The group had been gradually moving forward, unaware that amidst the genuine fans was a man in disguise. He had blended seamlessly into the throng, his movements calcted and deliberate, waiting for the right moment to strike.

    The man had posed as just another admirer, hiding his true intentions behind an unassuming hoodie and a deceptive smile.

    He had also stepped forward, holding a camera and notebook, blending in seamlessly with the other Phantom fans around them.

    He looked no different from the other male admirers, making it almost impossible to spot him as a threat.

    With careful precision, he had maneuvered himself dangerously close to Hera. By the time anyone noticed, he had already unscrewed the cap of the bottle hidden in his cargo pocket, the liquid inside dangerously close to being unleashed.

    But luck was on their side. Just as he made his move, a swift kick sent him sprawling, knocking him away from the crowd before he could ssh the sulfuric acid on Hera.

    The crowd, now in chaos, quickly stepped back, preventing anyone from being inadvertently caught in the mayhem.

    Hera was spared, her face untouched, and the worst of the attack was avoided. The quick action had not only protected her but also ensured that no one else was harmed in the panicked frenzy.

    Hera��s bodyguard, who had been vigntly scanning the crowd, spotted the man the moment he revealed the bottle.

    Without hesitation, the entire security detail moved in to shield Hera. But there was someone faster��someone who appeared out of nowhere, like a sh of lightning. It was Leo.

    Having kept a close watch on Hera from the start, Leo was the first to sense the man��s suspicious behavior.

    Before the bodyguards could even react, Leo was already in motion. He swiftly pulled Hera into his arms, shielding her, and with a powerful kick, sent the man sprawling.

    The security detail quickly followed suit, but Leo��s lightning-fast response had already neutralized the immediate threat, ensuring Hera��s safety in an instant.

    As a result of Leo��s swift kick, the man lost his grip on the bottle, and it sshed the sulfuric liquid all over him.

    In the chaos, the man poured the acid onto half of his own face and body. The corrosive liquid burned through his clothes, leaving deep, sizzling wounds.

    The most disturbing part was that no one dared to help him. The crowd, paralyzed with fear, watched in horror as the man writhed in pain, unable��or unwilling��to intervene, knowing that any contact would only make matters worse.

    Luke, Dave, and Xavier were just a step behind Leo, and as the moment unfolded, Dave, still gripping the camera stick, instinctively filmed everything. His hand stiffened in anger and fear, the weight of what almost happened sinking in.

    If Leo hadn��t acted so quickly, the sulfuric acid could have sshed all over Hera��s face and upper body, based on the trajectory of the man��s aim.

    The thought alone made Dave��s blood run cold, and he felt a surge of gratitude and anxiety all at once. Had Leo not intervened in time, the consequences could have been devastating.

    The group couldn��t even fathom what could have happened to Hera if things had gone differently.

    The thought of the "what ifs" sent a chill down their spines, making Leo, Luke, Xavier, and Dave tremble with a mix of anger and fear.

    Their gazes were filled with a murderous intent as they watched the man writhe in pain, his fate already sealed in their eyes.

    Momentster, the police arrived, apanied by an ambnce. Fortunately, the airport was close to both a police station and a small emergency clinic, which allowed them to respond quickly.

    As soon as the officers stepped in, the crowd parted in silence, still shaken by what they had witnessed. Fear hung heavy in the air, and no one dared speak a word, all eyes fixed on the unfolding events.

    "We received a report of intentional injury..." The officer began, but his words trailed off as he caught sight of the man still writhing on the ground. His expression hardened into a grim, serious look as he scanned the faces of everyone around him.

    "Who did this?" he demanded, his gaze shifting to the security team who were maintaining control over the crowd, clearly expecting an exnation.

    Dave, still holding the camera and visibly fuming from the incident, stepped forward. As the diplomat of the group, he took a quick nce at the officer��s badge before speaking.

    "Hello, Captain," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The man in question was the one who attempted to ssh someone with sulfuric acid. We were merely defending ourselves. What happened to him is the direct result of his own actions."

    He sneered, casting a brief, disdainful nce at the man still lying on the ground, with others cautiously attempting to help him up.

 Chapter 607 How The Police Will Take The Incident

    The mood began to shift, with more fans adding their voices, each one reinforcing Dave��s side of the story.

    <i>��National treasure?��</i> the police captain thought, his gaze scanning the surroundings as his subordinates moved in.

    The medics were already cing the man on a stretcher, and the officers were quickly putting the suspect in handcuffs.

    The police had encountered simr events before, so they wasted no time. As soon as they understood what had happened, they moved swiftly to secure the assant.

    A few officers apanied the ambnce to ensure the suspect wouldn��t escape, while the rest, including the captain, remained on-site to investigate further.

    "What do you mean, ��national treasure��?" One of the officers, holding onto his vest, stepped closer in confusion.

    He observed the crowd, noting that most of the people gathered were foreigners, with a few locals scattered among them.

    The atmosphere felt familiar��this sort of event wasmon at the airport when a well-known celebrity arrived or returned to the country.

    From the fans�� excitement and the way they reacted to Leo and the others, the officer assumed they were members of an idol group or international actors.

    However, hearing the fans refer to someone as a "national treasure" caught the police by surprise.

    One of the most outspoken local fans stepped forward to exin. "Se?or oficial, vinimos aqu�� para darle bienvenida a nuestro ��dolo, Phantom," he said in Spanish to English <i>"Mr. Officer, we came here to wee our idol, Phantom," </i>then pointed toward Hera, who was surrounded by a group of tall, strong-looking men.

    It wasn��t until someone pointed at her that the police officer noticed Hera, almost hidden by the imposing figures around her.

    She resembled a fluffy cat cradled in Leo��s arm, looking both small and unassuming amidst the protective circle of bodyguards.

    "?E? ?Fantasma? ?La corredora?" In Spanish to English <i>"She? Phantom? The racer?!"</i> one of the officers, clearly familiar with Phantom, asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow and pointing at Hera.

    The local fan nodded, confirming the officer��s confusion.

    They had been speaking in Spanish up until this point because, in the midst of the chaos, everyone had been speaking so rapidly in English that not all of the officers had fully understood the situation.

    However, when the locals started exining the entire scenario in Spanish, the police began to piece everything together.

    It wasn��t that Dave needed an interpreter��he was fluent in severalnguages, Spanish being one of them, and as a diplomat,nguage was one of his strengths.

    He took over from there, exining the events and rifying what they hade to do.

    Once the officers understood, they invited everyone to the station to give their testimonies, which made the fans uneasy. They began to worry that Hera would bete for her race.

    Dave, understanding the gravity of the situation, calmly addressed the police captain. "Captain, how about we send one of our bodyguards to the station to give a statement? They were all present and witnessed what happened."

    "You can interview them as much as you��d like. However, we��re on a tight schedule and can��te to the station ourselves��we have only about an hour to prepare for the race."

    He subtly nced toward Hera, signaling that she was the victim of the assault.

    His expression conveyed the urgency: while they needed to resolve the situation, she had a critical event ahead, and their priority was to ensure she wasn��t dyed.

    The Captain paused, considering the situation carefully. His gaze shifted to Hera, whose pale, fragile appearance seemed to convey the weight of the trauma she had just endured.

    The sight of her made even the Captain feel a pang of sympathy��she looked every bit the victim of a harrowing ordeal.

    The Captain��s instincts kicked in, and he felt inclined to show leniency.

    Moreover, Dave��s frequent visits to the country and his established rtionships with local politicians made it easier for the Captain to find a way to resolve this situation smoothly.

    He knew that, even if he let this slip a little, his superiors��especially the Chief of Police��would turn a blind eye.

    After all, it was hard to fault someone who was acting both reasonably and humbly in such circumstances.

    After a brief internal pause, the police Captain nodded at Dave. He understood the gravity of the situation, especially with the close call involving their country��s VIP guest.

    If anything had gone wrong, it could have sparked political fallout and raised serious questions about negligence.

    To avoid this, he quickly made an offer, wanting to alleviate his own growing concerns.

    "Sir," the Captain began, his voice steady yet with a hint of urgency, "why don��t we assist in getting you to the venue instead? It would help ease our minds, knowing that no one could pull something like this off under our watch."

    Though the Captain was offering assistance, there was a subtle tension in his words. He wasn��t entirely sure how Dave would respond.

    There was the lingering concern that, with his position and influence, Dave could use this incident as leverage against themter, especially after openly acknowledging that the woman they were protecting was his girlfriend.

    To the Captain��s surprise, Dave didn��t hesitate for a second. Without a hint of doubt, he nodded in agreement. "With your help, we can rest easy knowing our precious girl will be safe."

    He ced a reassuring hand on the Captain��s shoulder, giving it a firm pat. Dave wasn��t entirely sure who the attacker was, but he knew this situation was far from simple.

    It could have been a personal threat directed at him, targeting those closest to him��like Hera��especially considering how openly he had shown his feelings for her.

    The politicians and key figures already knew about their rtionship.

    It could also be tied to his friend��s business rivals, or worse, someone who specifically aimed to harm Hera.

    Disfiguring her was a cruel and calcted move, signaling that the person behind this intended to destroy not just her career in the entertainment industry, but her future entirely.

    And what better ce to strike than on international soil?

    On foreign ground, Dave and his group wouldn��t wield the same influence and power, making it far easier for the perpetrator to erase any traces and avoid being caught.

    The person behind this wasn��t just ruthless, but utterly without any moral boundary, and that angered Dave, Leo, Luke, and Xavier even more.

    The cruelty of targeting someone like Hera, with such malicious intent, only fueled their determination.

    That��s why no one challenged Dave��s decision to be escorted by the police convoy to the venue.

    They all agreed��Hera��s safety was their top priority. They needed to ensure she was protected from further harm until they could uncover the mastermind behind this scheme and put an end to it once and for all.

    Instead of Dave, Leo, Xavier, and Luke using their influence to intimidate the local police and their people, it would be more effective to approach the situation with respect and cooperation.

    Being cordial and understanding would encourage the police to assist more readily with the investigation, whereas antagonizing them could backfire, making it harder to secure their help when it was most needed.

    Sure enough, when Dave and the others stepped back to allow the local police and the people behind them a way to maintain their dignity in front of the international stage and their people, the local authorities appreciated their consideration.

    As a result, they treated Hera��s group with the utmost respect and ensured their safety, recognizing their professionalism and the care shown in handling the situation.

 Chapter 608 Tighten The Security

    Because of Hera��s thoughtful actions, her fans felt even more certain that they had made the right choice in idolizing her.

    They felt valued and appreciated, knowing their dedication had not been taken for granted. As a result, Hera��s name became even more talked about on the inte��especially due to the recent attack and the way she treated her fans, which only strengthened the public��s resolve to help her seek justice.

    Her livestream viewers surged to the point where it nearly crashed the tform.

    Fortunately, Betty, who had foreseen the potential fallout, had already taken the necessary precautions and prepared in advance, which was why she hadn��t joined Hera in Barcelona.

    The sight of the Rolls-Royce convoy was already enough to turn heads, but with the police escort leading the way, Hera��s entrance became even more spectacr.

    As the procession made its way through the crowd, the packed venue buzzed with curiosity.

    The convoy continued on until it reached the staff-only entrance, where it came to a graceful stop, reminiscent of a red carpet event or a royal send-off.

    Spectators paused in their tracks, mesmerized by the scene unfolding before them.

    Handsome men emerged from the vehicles, but the moment everyone was waiting for came when a slender hand reached out from the car.

    Leo stood outside, hand extended, waiting for Hera to take it, signaling the moment everyone had been anticipating.

    Leo had intended to lift Hera out of the car, just as he had done after the incident, but Hera hesitated.

    She couldn��t bear the thought of appearing vulnerable in front of the crowd, of being seen as a princess who relied solely on the men around her to seed.

    Thest thing she wanted was for people to believe her strength came from others, not from her own abilities. Unfortunately, it was all too easy for society to view women as needing men to get ahead, and once that belief took root, it would be hard to shake.

    Hera knew that, as the future leader of a few hundred trillion-dor consortium, she couldn��t afford to give anyone that impression. If they saw weakness, they would exploit it��something she couldn��t allow if she were to protect her family��s legacy and maintain control.

    Hera wasn��t actually scared by what she saw; startled, yes, but not shaken. If anything, it only strengthened her resolve to win the race.

    The attack wasn��t random��it was deliberate. Someone had sent an assant to disfigure her for a reason.

    Why else would they target her with such cruelty on her way to the race as soon as she stepped foot in Barcelona, if not to keep her from participating in the race and stealing the spotlight on the international stage?

    The n was clear: once she was sshed with sulfuric acid, she would be rushed to the hospital, where the doctors would prevent her from leaving.

    That would leave her with no choice but to withdraw from the race. But Hera refused to let that happen. She would not allow her enemies to control her actions.

    Whoever orchestrated the attack didn��t want Hera to win the race.

    It could be the sponsors she had offended, a rivalpetitor, or other factors she hadn��t yet uncovered.

    But once news of the incident went viral online, Gerald, watching the livestream in his office, was immediately alerted.

    He swiftly activated hiswork and sent his people to track down the person behind the attack.

    Meanwhile, the security detail around Hera intensified, forming a protective barrier around her like a shell. No one, aside from those already assigned to her and Leo��s group, could get close.

    Hera��s fans, however, understood the reasoning behind the heightened security.

    While they were en route to the venue, Dave had taken the opportunity to exin to Hera��s supporters why things were happening the way they were.

    He made sure they knew that the extra precautions were out of concern for her safety, and not because she didn��t appreciate their unwavering support.

    Hera felt deeply grateful for Dave��s thoughtful actions and appreciated the effort he put into looking out for her, so she allowed them to handle things as they saw fit, allowing her to focus entirely on her goal for the day: winning the race.

    As soon as she stepped inside and her team made their way toward the garage, she couldn��t help but feel the weight of many eyes on them.

    Some were curious, others hostile, especially from the other race participants. They cast furtive, questioning nces, some even suspecting that one of the men around her might be Phantom.

    However, none of them realized that it was Hera they should be focused on. They were too preupied with the men apanying her, assuming they were the ones pulling the strings and had only brought Hera along to watch.

    As soon as Hera reached her team��s garage, Danny began ranting, quickly filling the rest of the team in on the events that had unfolded before their arrival.

    The story shocked everyone, their faces etched with a mix of horror, fear, and indignation as they processed the news of the attack.

    It became clear that this wasn��t a personal vendetta, as Hera didn��t have any known enemies with a grudge deep enough to warrant such a devious plot.

    The team could only guess at who might be behind it, with the most likely culprits being the sponsors.

    They suspected the sponsors had orchestrated the attack as a warning��aimed not only at Hera but also at anyone else who might dare to challenge their power.

    It seemed like an effort to ruin Hera��s future, to send a message that they were untouchable, and to remind everyone that crossing them would have severe consequences.

 Chapter 609 Cleopatra

    After all, uncovering secrets was his specialty, especially when it came to gathering intel for the Avery family. She was confident that, given time, he would uncover some critical details about the attack.

    With that in mind, Hera focused her energy back on the race ahead. As the team busied themselves withst-minute checks on the car, she was handed snacks and drinks to fuel her for the intensepetition.

    She appreciated the gesture from her team and didn��t hesitate to ept, knowing she��d need every bit of energy.

    Sitting with Leo, Dave, Xavier, and Luke, she took a moment to rx and gather her thoughts before the race began.

    Xavier knelt down, his hands gently massaging Hera��s feet as if she were in pain from walking so far. In reality, her feet had barely touched the ground, as she had been carried most of the time, leaving her cheeks flushed and shy.

    But despite her initial urge to stop him, the sensation of his skilled hands working her feet felt too good to protest. The pressure he applied on the soft arches and pressure points made her sink deeper into her seat, stifling a soft moan of pleasure.

    Leo, sitting beside her, also joined in, massaging her arms with a steady rhythm. His touch was firm but caring, working to loosen her muscles and ensure she wouldn��t suffer any cramps during the race.

    Thebined attention from both men wasforting, leaving her feeling rxed and ready for the challenges ahead.

    Dave and Luke didn��t remain idle either. Dave focused on managing the live stream, ensuring everything ran smoothly while Luke took charge of the snacks for Hera.

    He carefully ced a straw in her drink, then brought bite-sized snacks to her lips with a gentle hand, offering her one small morsel at a time.

    The viewers, captivated by the sight, couldn��t help but drawparisons��some even jokingly remarked that it felt like they were witnessing Cleopatra being attended to. The tender, almost regal atmosphere created by the men��s attention left everyone in awe, further amplifying Hera��s presence.

    ...

    [XOXO: Dude! I��m suddenly getting this wild thought��could Hera right now be living the life of Cleopatra? Or maybe she��s the reincarnation of Cleopatra herself? Hahaha!]

    [JusticeforLove: Bro upstairs, you��re onto something! The way Hera��s being treated right now seriously gives off queen vibes, like Cleopatra surrounded by her concubines. I��m literally having a nosebleed, ugh!]

    [JusticeforLove: ( //>///<//)]

    [IBelievedYou: Didn��t history say that Cleopatra was known to surpass beauty and was always surrounded by men? I used to think that was just a myth. After all, there are plenty of beautiful women, so I never really believed in the whole ��unmatched beauty�� thing. But after stumbling upon this livestream, I honestly believe it might be true.]

    [IBelievedYou: The girl in this stream, sitting amidst all these handsome men, looks like a blooming rose��thorny, yet incredibly beautiful and regal. The way the men surround her, as if they want to possess her beauty... it��s like something straight out of history books.]

    [IBelievedYou: Baby Girl, take my heart please ?(?? ? ? )??]

    Hera couldn��t help butugh as she listened to Dave reading thements one by one, his animated expressions and aggrieved tone whenever someone jokingly tried to im her making her smile.

    She knew her fans and supporters were doing their best to lighten the mood after the terrifying ordeal she��d faced.

    They likely assumed she was hiding her fear in an effort not to worry them, but instead, it only fueled their enthusiasm to help her shift her focus.

    Hera felt a deep sense of gratitude for them, and as her genuine smile stretched across her face, her melodiousughter filled the garage.

    It had a calming effect on the National Race Team, their nervous tension easing as they couldn��t help but smile at the sound of herughter.

    With only half an hour left before the race began, Hera made her way to the inner room to change into her racing suit��the same familiar one she always wore when the adrenaline took over, and the thrill of racing surged through her veins.

    It was a suit that symbolized freedom, allowing her to shed all inhibitions and embrace the rush.

    As she emerged from the changing room, her once soft and gentle gaze had transformed, sharpening like a de, her focus now as steady and calm as still water.

    Her eyes slowly drifted toward her car, now adorned with a new array of sponsor stickers. Dunlop, Pocari Sweat, Puma, Rolex, and other smallerpanies��each one proudly disyed, marking the growing support for her journey.

    The car, almost unrecognizable under the weight of the logos, still carried its most important feature: the bold number 18, prominently emzoned across the hood and tail. It was a sight that filled Hera with purpose and determination, knowing she was ready to take on whatever came next.

    Hera��s smile widened as she took in each sponsor who had chosen to stand by her, especially after others had backed out, hoping to pressure her into submission.

    Prominently disyed on her car was the Avery family��s crest��thergest, the most visible, a symbol of unwavering support.

    Right beside it was the logo of ke��s family��spany, her very first sponsor. But what struck her even more were the additional crests that adorned her car: thepanies under Leo, Luke, and Rafael��s names, and even Zhane��s hospital, all proudly disyed.

    It no longer looked like mere sponsorship; it felt like a deration to the world that thesepanies were backing Hera��not just for the race, but in every sense.

    Anyone who thought to challenge her would have to contend with the weight of their support behind her.

 Chapter 610 When The Queen Steps In The Race

    The crowd erupted into cheers, fans shouting for their idols in hopes of catching their attention with a wave or a nce.

    This was a pivotal moment, not just for the racers but also for their public image. The good-looking drivers garnered extra attention, with cameras lingering on their faces a little longer than the others.

    While some might call it unfair, it was simply the nature of the sport��s media spectacle��an unspoken rule that everyone had grown ustomed to over time.

    Hera didn��t rush to step out and bask in the public��s gaze. Instead, she took her time, picking up the helmet Danny handed her before walking over to Leo, Dave, Xavier, and Luke.

    Each one enveloped her in a firm bear hug��not just to encourage her, but to silently convey their hopes for her safety.

    "Sweetheart, be safe okay? If someone tries to bully you, just ram their car and let them crash on their own." Dave said, his tone half-joking but protective. He held her tightly, almost as though he wished to merge her into himself, before reluctantly stepping back to let the others have their turn.

    "Dave��s right," Xavier chimed in when his turn came. "If anything like what happened at the national race happens again, don��t think twice��just crash their car first." His deadpan delivery, paired with his earnest expression, sent Hera��s live stream viewers into fits ofughter.

    The lighthearted exchange not only lifted Hera��s spirits but also reminded everyone watching why she had such loyal support��not just from her team but from her audience as well.

    ...

    [XavierisLove: OMG, I was in stitches! Who knew Xavier could crack me up with that dead-serious face? And Young Minister Dave suggesting <i>that</i>? Suddenly, he doesn��t seem so intimidating anymore.]

    [XOXO: LOL, ? (��?��)?a?a?a]

    [XOXO: Best advice of the year, hands down. I��m in tearsughing over here!]

    [Passerby01: Imagine the chaos if the other racers heard this. These people are something else, hahaha.]

    ...

    "Be careful out there," Luke said softly, his tone gentle, but the intensity in his eyes betrayed his true feelings. It was as if he was silently warning that anyone who dared to harm her would face a wrath so fierce it would bring hell down upon them.

    And finally, it was Leo��s turn. He looked deeply into her eyes, a reassuring warmth in his gaze, before leaning in to ce a soft peck on her cheek.

    Pulling her into a gentle hug, his lips brushed close to her ear as he whispered, "Wifey, go out there and show the world what you��ve got. Don��t hold back."

    His words carried a weight of confidence and encouragement, but to the three men eavesdropping nearby, it sounded almost like a mother hen nudging her fledgling out of the nest.

    They exchanged raised eyebrows, amused by how Leo��s advice seemed less about restraint and more about urging Hera to dominate the race.

    His words felt like a call for her to stop hiding her strength, to soar above thepetition, andmand respect��like a true queen unveiling her might to make others submit.

    Hearing Leo��s words, a mischievous smile slowly tugged at Hera��s lips. It was as if a spark of daring had been ignited within her, lifting her inhibitions entirely.

    A glint of determination shone in her eyes as she leaned in to nt a quick kiss on Leo��s cheek.

    The other three men, who had been watching closely, froze in stunned silence before their eyes widened.

    As if on cue, they exchanged knowing nces and sidled up to Hera, each turning their cheek toward her with exaggerated innocence.

    Hera sighed, shaking her head with a yful, defeated smile. Giving in, she leaned in to give each of them a light peck on the cheek, their grins growing wider with every kiss.

    Then, with her confidence radiating, Hera turned and strode out of the garage, ready to face the race.

    The viewers on Hera��s live stream erupted with excitement, theirments brimming with awe and affection.

    Strangely, no one questioned the dynamic between Hera and the four men��whether she was dating them all or how their rtionships worked.

    Instead, they were mesmerized by the maic chemistry they shared and their strikingly good looks.

    Perhaps it was because of the world they lived in��a reverse harem novel that turned into reality��where such scenarios felt not only normal but celebrated. Whatever the case, all anyone could think about was how natural and captivating they looked together.

    Stepping out of the garage and into the open, Hera was greeted by a sudden, startling shift in the atmosphere. The crowd, which had been roaring with cheers just moments before, fell into a stunned silence.

    It wasn��t unusual to see female racers��though they were few in number, they were known for their grit and determination, never backing down from a challenge.

    Yet, when Hera appeared, she seemed to defy every expectation. Her wless proportions and striking beauty, entuated by her sleek racing suit, left the audience questioning her purpose on the track.

    Was she truly here topete, or was she the face of a sponsor, a marketing strategy in motion? After all, with her looks and charisma, she could easily rake in millions as a brand ambassador without ever needing to win a race.

    For some, her mere presence on the track seemed like an aplishment in itself, a statement that shattered conventions and blurred boundaries.

    Yet, the sharp determination in her eyes and the calm confidence in her stride sent a clear message: Hera wasn��t here to be underestimated. She was here to race, and she was ready to prove that beauty and skill could go hand in hand.

 Chapter 611 When The Queen Steps In The Race 2

    Her body was sculpted by nature, her features ethereal and wless, as if she were a gift from the heavens themselves.

    The contrast between the two women was undeniable, and it was clear that Hera��s beauty was far beyond anything manufactured��her presence alonemanded attention.

    "Ha! What a showoff!" The woman sneered, her eyes narrowing as she shot Hera a taunting smirk. She was seated beside Hera��s car, her own a stunning, bright red number 19.

    But Hera didn��t even acknowledge her, remainingpletely unfazed as she made her way to her vehicle.

    Without a nce in the woman��s direction, Hera calmly reached for her helmet and slid it on before slipping into the car.

    The silence left behind by her indifference stung those who had hoped to provoke a reaction. The racers who had intentionally ignored Hera or acted indifferent to her presence now found themselves seething with humiliation.

    The snub was unbearable for many, and they seethed with frustration, plotting to teach Hera a lesson for her apparent arrogance.

    However, not everyone shared the same sentiment. Among the first line of racers, there was an unspoken understanding��they wouldn��t target a woman who seemed so fragile.

    But beyond that, curiosity simmered in the air, particrly among those eager to finally uncover the true identity of Phantom.

    The news of this mysterious racer who dominated many races had spread quickly through their circle, and the question on everyone��s mind was no longer just about her skills��it was about the real face behind the legend, the one they had only seen in shadows until now.

    As the racers took their positions, the tension on the track grew palpable. The moment the lights turned green, the roar of engines echoed across the circuit.

    Unlike the national race, this was a whole different level. The drivers here weren��t holding anything back; they were all gunning for the top spot.

    Thepetition was fierce, and every maneuver was calcted with precision, as each racer pushed their car to the limit.

    Even the other female racer, the one with the sultry smirk, showed no hesitation. Her eleration was as aggressive as the men��s, and it was clear why she was a fixture in these races��she had already clinched several local championships before the international circuit, proving that she was no one to underestimate. In this arena, every racer, regardless of gender, was a formidable threat.

    Just as Leo had advised, Hera didn��t hold back. The moment the green light shed, she mmed her foot on the gas, and her car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

    The engine roared to life as her speed surged, and with expert precision, she shifted gears, effortlessly increasing her pace.

    In a matter of seconds, she overtook the racers lined up beside her, swiftly weaving through the pack. Despite starting at the back, Hera was making a steady and unstoppable climb toward the front, leaving thepetition in her dust.

    At first, the crowd in the stands was focused on the front of the race, where the well-known favorites were battling it out.

    Only a handful of spectators were keeping an eye on the back of the pack��Hera��s devoted fans, who hade in person to cheer her on.

    Their excited shouts and cheers caught the attention of those around them, drawing curious nces as they wondered what was fueling such enthusiasm.

    The race up front was intense, but it was the sleek ck car in the rear��like a panther hunting its prey��that had everyone��s attention. With every turn, the car effortlessly weaved through thepetition, making its way toward the front, unstoppable and precise.

    The ck car, number 18, seemed to glide effortlessly through the pack, its smooth and calcted maneuvers almost defying the chaotic energy of the race.

    With each turn and overtaking move, it appeared as though the car was simply breezing past itspetition.

    The precision and grace of its movements caught the eye of many, and before long, more and more spectators began to focus on this car, captivated by its seamless dominance on the track.

    "Ah! That speed and maneuver... Isn��t that Phantom��s...?" The spectator couldn��t even finish his sentence before gasping in awe.

    The ck car, number 18, didn��t shift gears like the others; instead, it executed Phantom��s signature 180-degree turn with effortless precision.

    The sheer audacity and danger of the move stunned the crowd. Behind it, a rival car, struggling to match the speed and cornering technique, misjudged the turn.

    The car skidded out of control, flipping over before crashing violently into the rail. A heavy silence fell over the audience as they watched the aftermath, the tension in the air palpable.

    ...

    [LoosersGonnaLose: Hahaha, she��s really making them crash one after another! ssic Phantom!]

    [WannaDie: @LoosersGonnaLose Exactly! That car was trying to mimic Phantom��s maneuver, but they underestimated just how far apart their skill levels are. The driver was so fixated on Phantom that theypletely misjudged the curve. They probably thought if Phantom could elerate into the turn, they could too. But Phantom��s not Phantom without those out-of-this-world maneuvers. Such a daredevil move��no wonder the others can��t keep up!]

    ...

    Many in the stands began to realize the identity of the driver behind the number 18 car. As whispers spread through the crowd, a palpable wave of excitement rippled through the audience.

    Eyes remained glued to the sleek ck vehicle, breaths held in anticipation as the atmosphere crackled with electrified energy.

 Chapter 612 Making The Country Proud

    [RacingIsLife: Same here! I had to rey the race a few times to fully process it. Everyone gotpletely crushed!!!]

    [HeraIsMySister: I��m not really into races or cars, but I know for sure that Sister Hera just did something incredible!]

    [RaceMe: @HeraIsMySister Kid, Phantom didn��t just do something incredible, she shattered another world record! She passed every single racer on the track like a true phantom��untouchable and so fast, it felt like her car was flying! This will go down in racing history!]

    [HeraIsMySister: @RaceMe Is it really <i>that</i> amazing?!!!!]

    [HeraIsMySister: ( ?��?��) !!]

    [RacingIsLife: @HeraIsMySister Yes, it really is! After one of the cars crashed, Phantom executed a 180-degree turn so close to the grid, it could��ve easily caused her to lose control and crash. But she nailed it wlessly!]

    [RacingIsLife: Then, instead of slowing down after that risky move, she just kept pushing her speed even higher, as if she was on a perfectly straight road. With just one mistake, the car could��ve flipped or swerved uncontrobly from the sheer velocity.]

    [RacingIsLife: But thanks to Phantom��s incredible reflexes and instincts, she read the positions of the cars perfectly and anticipated their moves. She weaved through over 20 cars without even grazing a single one��like a fish slipping through the water, smooth and effortless!]

    [RacersInternationalClub: Exactly! It was nearly impossible to grasp the sheer precision of Phantom��s maneuvers without slowing the footage down.]

    [RacersInternationalClub: Once we did, the tension was unreal��each move was so dangerously close to disaster, yet Phantom managed to stay inches away from catastrophe, every single time. My heart was in my throat as she passed each car, barely missing them!]

    [PasserbyGod: Honestly, did anyone else notice how calm Hera was inside the car? She didn��t even flinch, her head steady, but her eyes? It was like they were scanning every move, like a hawk! It was as if she waspletely in control, so cool and calcted. That��s real skill!]

    [XOXO: Now that you mention it, @PasserbyGod, could it be that her car was moving so smoothly, almost like it was flying, that we didn��t see much movement inside? Or maybe everything happened so quickly that it seemed like she wasn��t doing anything at all? Her expression was so calm, almost emotionless, but outside the car, she was absolutely crushing her opponents�� confidence with every second.]

    [XOXO: Honestly, I believe shepletely dismantled them in that race, mentally and physically.]

    [XOXO: (?��?��)]

    [Dave_Carson: So you guys are only realizing now how amazing my sweetheart is? Ha! Looks like you need to catch up with the news; Hera is just unbeatable. After all, she��s the one this Young Minister approves of and the one who captured my attention��there��s no way someone with no skill and substance would be able to do that.]

    [Dave_Carson: ?(????)?]

    [Athena_Lowery: Why does it feel like my fist was itching? @Dave_Carson, what��s your deal?]

    [Dave_Carson: @Athena_Lowery, why are you bringing me into this? It��s your fist, your body��totally not my problem...]

    [Dave_Carson: ��\_(��)_/��]

    [Athena_Lowery: Argh! What I mean is, you��re so shameless! Don��t pretend you don��t know that.]

    [Dave_Carson: That��s old news already. I��m shameless, and I wear it like a badge.]

    [Dave_Carson: Besides, how else could I chase after my sweetheart if I��m not thick-skinned? Do you expect me to wait for her toe after me instead? I wouldn��t mind, but she��s a bit too delicate for that.]

    [Athena_Lowery: Oh! That makes sense now...]

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson, stop trying to lift your own chair and praise yourself. Have some conscience, will you?]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing, if we��re talking about conscience, then I��ve got 1 percent more than you, considering my sister wasn��t targeting the woman I��m trying to court and acting all sneaky about it.]

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson, why even bring that up? Hera has already forgiven my sister, and they��re trying to get along little by little. Don��t tell me you��re really trying to create a gap between me and Hera just so you won��t best in the ranking? At least you know you��re the least favorite child, man.]

    [EntertainmentKing: (? ????)]

    [Dave_Carson: @EntertainmentKing shut up, it wouldn��t stay that long.]

    [EntertainmentKing: @Dave_Carson, whatever you say...]

    [Dave_Carson: Arg!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: On behalf of the Everett family, we congratte Hera for winning the race and making our country proud!]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Sent x999 Golden Gachapon]

    [FatherOfCaduceus: Sent x999 Golden Gachapon]

    [NorthernDuke: Sent x999 Golden Gachapon]

    [NorthernDuke: Sent x999 Golden Gachapon]

    [NorthernDuke: Sent x999 Golden Gachapon]

    [EntertainmentKing: Sent x999 Golden Gachapon]

    ...

    Soon, all six of them showered Hera��s live stream with gifts once again, causing the golden treasure chest to dominate the screen.

    Viewers scrambled to click the treasure box that appeared on their screens, hoping to snag bonus coins they could exchange for real money. The atmosphere was charged and excited, and because of these generous gifts, many more people started flocking to Hera��s live stream.

    Those who arrived for the free gifts quickly learned the reason behind the massive outpouring of support from the big shots.

    Once they understood the asion, they were stunned and amazed. Some even decided to stick around, wanting to watch the award ceremony. It wasn��t every day that their country would win such an international award, and the celebration felt like a national festival unfolding online.

    Online celebrities and well-known actors also joined the fanfare, helping Hera��s live stream stay at the top of the trending list for hours.

 Chapter 613 Country’s Honor

    It wasn��t just about the gifts anymore; it had evolved into a matter of national pride and honor, and they weren��t about to let anyone tarnish it.

    Just when everyone thought the festivities were winding down, the major families from their country��such as the Hendrix, Everett, Briley, Carson, Montague, Greyson, and even the Avery families��began to share Hera��s remarkable achievement online.

    They all reshared the original post by Betty, which started with a simple congrattions, along with the small clip that had been created by a frence editor.

    Originally intended to be a fan-made tribute, the clip quickly caught the attention of these influential families.

    In an unexpected turn of events, Betty contacted the editor and purchased the clip at a high price, allowing herpany to use it freely for further promotion. What started as a simple fan gesture soon became a strategic move, elevating Hera��s achievement to new heights of recognition.

    Even Leo, Luke, Dave, Xavier, Zhane, and Rafael shared the clip on their own social media, which quickly gained massive attention from various sectors and businesses.

    The wave of recognition and excitement spread so quickly that, by the time Hera reached the garage, she was already being hailed as a national treasure, with congrattory messages pouring in from every corner of the country.

    She was being celebrated like a hero.

    However, no one had informed her of the growing admiration. Lost in the race and fully focused on the task at hand, Hera had forgotten about the camera inside her car.

    Despite appearing calm and collected, her eyes were sharp and calcting, constantly assessing the gaps between the other cars, determining the best ways to navigate through the traffic with precision.

    As Hera made her way to the garage, the crowd in the stands, still reeling from the race, was in awe.

    She had already exited the car and was walking back to her crew when she removed her helmet, revealing her stunning face and perfectly proportioned figure.

    The moment her identity was fully revealed again and reminded them who she was, the stands erupted in loud cheers and whistles.

    The excitement was palpable as the audience realized the miracle they had witnessed had been aplished by a woman.

    The loudest cheers came from the women in the crowd, who felt immense pride in seeing one of their own dominate a male-dominatedpetition.

    Although they hadn��t won themselves, they felt as if they had, because Hera had raised the g for women on the international stage.

    She had shown the world that women were just as capable, deserving of respect, and could achieve greatness, proving that they could no longer be underestimated or reduced to thebel of "just a woman."

    Hera��s victory in such a spectacr fashion symbolized far more than just winning a race��it became a powerful statement for women everywhere.

    Her achievement inspired countless women who witnessed it, motivating them to embrace their own strength, independence, and potential.

    Hera showed them that gender does not define their capabilities, and the opinions of others should never limit their dreams. Without even realizing it, Hera had be a symbol of empowerment, a living example of what women could achieve, and a role model for those determined to follow in her footsteps.

    As Hera walked toward the garage, a swarm of reporters and cameramen quickly surrounded her, capturing every moment.

    The photos, showing her serious expression with her slightly damp hair blowing in the wind, her stunning face bathed in sunlight, and the aura of victory surrounding her, quickly became iconic.

    She looked like the embodiment of triumph and honor, almost like a goddess of victory. The image made it to the front page of ��<i>The Queen��</i>, a prestigious magazine that highlights powerful, independent women, akin to Forbes but exclusively focused on women��s aplishments.

    The issue featuring Hera saw an unprecedented surge in sales, breaking a decade-long record.

    In their research, the magazine uncovered that Hera wasn��t just a champion racer. She was also an exceptional finance and business student, a sessful actress with arge following, and a savvy investor with impressive returns.

    They also highlighted her win at the horse racing championship and her moving piano solo performance, showcasing the breadth of her talents.

    While the magazine used various images from the inte and other sources, the public deeply appreciated the feature. Hera��s multifaceted achievements and undeniable strength resonated with women everywhere, cementing her ce as a true role model.

    Especially among women who had grown up believing that a woman��s sole purpose was to build a family, raise children, and support her husband��s career from the background, Hera became a symbol of a new, empowered era.

    Seeing her excel in so many different areas, they saw her as the modern superwoman �� someone who could achieve greatness in multiple aspects of life.

    Her sess sparked a shift in perspective, encouraging many to rethink their own roles and possibilities.

    This admiration quickly turned into a movement, one that gradually influenced others to challenge traditional views.

    Debates began to unfold, as women began discussing the idea that they, too, could be powerful, independent, and multifaceted.

    Unbeknownst to Hera, her name was gaining recognition and influence, establishing her as a voice that could drive change and inspire others to rewrite the narrative of what a woman could achieve.

    As a result, Hera quickly became a favorite in <i>��The Queen</i>�� magazine, earning her very own dedicated page reserved for the quarterly releases.

    Women around the world would eagerly await each edition, hungry to read about hertest achievements and draw inspiration from her journey.

    She was bing an idol to many, and the magazine��s future sales were set to soar thanks to her presence. However, this would be a future development; for now, the buzz surrounding Hera was undeniable.

    Everywhere she went, her name was on everyone��s lips, and her influence was steadily growing, setting the stage for even greater things toe.

 Chapter 614 Envelop In The Clouds

    Dave��s smile, though outwardly pleasant, carried a sharp, fox-like cunning that made the reporters hesitate.

    There was an unspoken warning in his expression��a subtle but unmistakable edge that froze them in their tracks.

    The reporters exchanged wary nces, reconsidering their approach. They had all heard whispers of Hera��s grueling schedule: arriving straight from the airport after a reported incident and diving headfirst into the high-stakes race. Her visibly drained appearance only reinforced the narrative.

    It wasn��t just Hera��s potential frustration they feared, though. The protective aura radiating from the men surrounding her, especially Dave with his calm yet intimidatingposure, made it clear that pushing their luck might lead to consequences.

    Begrudgingly, they decided to step back, respecting the unspoken boundary he had firmly set.

    The reporters reluctantly stepped back one by one, their expressions tinged with disappointment.

    Still, they clung to the short videos and candid photos they had managed to capture of Hera.

    The mention of a possible press conference sparked a glimmer of hope among them, prompting a shift in their mood.

    Determined to make the most of the opportunity, they began brainstorming thoughtful questions to ask her when the time came.

    As they headed back to their respective offices to edit and submit their materials, the atmosphere remained charged.

    Meanwhile, Hera��s fans erupted into cheers, their voices echoing with uncontainable pride and joy.

    Their unwavering support painted a vivid picture of their admiration, as they celebrated her achievement with heartfelt enthusiasm.

    It��s often said that a woman��s greatest rival can be another woman��s jealousy or envy, but it��s equally true that her strongest ally is a woman who shares her heart, vision, and ambition.

    The support of women is unwavering and deeply dedicated, and those who now saw Hera as their role model were eager to champion her with genuine admiration.

    Their enthusiasm ignited a wave of solidarity, and as a result, Hera��s fanbase expanded exponentially, uniting women from all walks of life who found inspiration in her strength and achievements.

    Hera, drained and slightly disoriented from exhaustion, only began to fully register her fatigue after the race.

    During thepetition, she had been entirely in the zone, her razor-sharp focus blocking out all distractions and external noise.

    Now, as Leo guided her back, the weight of her efforts seemed to settle over her like a heavy nket.

    Her limbs felt leaden, and her eyelids drooped involuntarily. The adrenaline that had fueled her earlier hadpletely dissipated, leaving her body to bear the full brunt of the energy she had exerted.

    Leo gently scooped Hera into his arms and carried her to a small room where she could rest.

    Not wanting to disturb her sleep, he decided against removing her race suit for the moment.

    Instead, he quietly turned on the air conditioner and began softly dabbing away the sweat from her forehead with a cloth.

    "You��re pushing yourself too hard," he murmured, his voice tinged with both concern and affection.

    As he finished wiping her brow, he leaned down and ced a tender kiss on her cheek.

    But as his lips brushed against her soft skin and her familiar scent filled the air, that single kiss didn��t feel like enough.

    Unable to resist, he pressed another kiss to her forehead, then another to her temple, slowly peppering her face with gentle kisses.

    A warm smile spread across his face, brighter and more genuine than it had been in weeks.

    Having Hera with him again, so close and within reach, filled him with an overwhelming sense of relief and joy.

    No longer did he need to endure the ache of being far from her. His heart swelled, breaking with the sheer happiness of the moment.

    Hera, cocooned in the familiar warmth and scent surrounding her, felt an overwhelming sense of relief and belonging.

    For the first time in what felt like ages, shepletely let go and allowed herself to rest.

    Nestled safely in Leo��s arms, she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. The soft kisses she faintly registered felt like delicate clouds brushing against her skin, easing the tension from her brow.

    A small, contented smile tugged at her lips as she napped, reassured by the presence of someone she trusted implicitly.

    Meanwhile, outside the room, Dave, Luke, and Xavier had sessfully turned away the reporters.

    Wasting no time, Luke contacted apany he had connections within the country. In response, a representative was quickly dispatched to assist him.

    Luke, ever the strategist, began delegating tasks, many of which involved coordinating with the local police to delve deeper into the incident that had urred at the airport.

    Dave, on his part, reached out to a politician he had be acquainted within Barcelona, seeking their help in closely monitoring the situation.

    When both the politician and thepany representative learned that the victim of the airport incident was someone deeply connected to both Dave and Luke, they took the matter with utmost seriousness.

    Recognizing the sensitivity of the case and the importance of the people involved, they dedicated their efforts to uncovering the truth.

    For Dave and Luke, this wasn��t just about justice��it was personal.

    They were determined to protect and support Hera, pouring their resources and influence into ensuring that nothing about the incident was overlooked.

    Their actions made it clear: for the woman they cared for, they would leave no stone unturned.

    Xavier, everposed and efficient, took charge of arranging for Hera��s immediate necessities.

    He directed one of her bodyguards to purchase clothes and other essentials, knowing that Hera had left in a rush without any of her belongings.

    While it wasn��t unusual for those close to Hera, like her bodyguards or household staff, to know her sizes for emergencies like this, the level of detail Xavier provided caught everyone��s attention.

 Chapter 615 Who It Might Be?

    <strong>[The Six Musketeers Group Chat]</strong>

    <strong>[Dave:</strong> We��ve already sent people to investigate, and the individual is in police custody. The authorities are actively working to crack the case and identify the mastermind behind this.]

    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Rest assured, the police are on it, and they��re providing regr updates as we keep an eye on things from here.]

    <strong>[Luke:</strong> Exactly, we��ve been in touch with them throughout the race. You guys can trust they��re doing everything they can. For now, we need to focus on investigating who might have orchestrated this on our end. I have a strong feeling it��s someone from back home.]

    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Our country��s embassy in Barcelona has already reached out to local authorities. They��re emphasizing the gravity of the situation to ensure no one cks off. We��re making sure every stone is unturned.]

    <strong>[Rafael:</strong> Good. We��ll get to the bottom of this. No one��s getting away with it.]

    <strong>[Luke:</strong> Agreed. Let��s make sure we��re covering all angles. We��ll all do what we can on our end.]

    <strong>[Luke:</strong> Right, it won��t be long before we uncover who��s behind this.

    <strong>[Rafael:</strong> That motherfucker must��ve known we were all behind Hera and still tried to hurt her. That means they didn��t care��this is a direct challenge to our authority and power. We need to make an example out of this.]

    <strong>[Leo:</strong> You bet we will.]

    <strong>[Luke:</strong> Leo, how��s Hera holding up?]

    <strong>[Leo:</strong> She��s just exhausted. We came straight from the country, and with everything that happened, she had to race without proper rest. Her body��s exhaustion just caught up with her, but don��t worry, she��s fine.]

    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Thank God.]

    <strong>[Zhane:</strong> How��s her mentality, though? Do you think she��s traumatized?]

    <strong>[Leo:</strong> No way. You��re underestimating our girl. She��s stronger than you think��she��s amazing.]

    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> No doubt about that.]

    [Dave: ( ?? ? )Heehee]

    [Dave: I like that, our girl...]

    <strong>[Rafael:</strong> By the way, I heard Larry Wickman cornered a lot of sponsors and made sure they paid dearly for targeting Hera before. Do you think the sponsors could have orchestrated this?]

    <strong>[Luke:</strong> No, they wouldn��t risk something this bold. It would reflect badly on them��especially their public image. A scandal like this would ruin their reputation and potentially hurt their business.]

    <strong>[Zhane:</strong> It could be a personal vendetta, but I don��t think Hera has done anything to provoke something this extreme. Disfiguring her seems... too much.]

    <strong>[Dave:</strong> I��m leaning towards that theory, too. It��s more likely to be someone, maybe even a woman, who��s consumed by jealousy.]

    <strong>[Dave:</strong> I think it��s exactly that. Think about it��Hera��s not just beautiful and sexy, she��s powerful, sessful, and rising in poprity. That kind of sess can stir a lot of jealousy, especially in other women who can��t stand seeing someone rise like that.]

    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> So you��re saying that whoever did this, wanted to tear her down in front of her fans, to make them watch her fall from grace? They wanted to show the world that without her face, she��s nothing?]

    <strong>[Rafael:</strong> My sister also mentioned that maybe the woman was jealous of Hera because she��s always surrounded by so many amazing men. If Hera lost her beauty, would we still be interested in her? Would we just toss her aside?]

    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Ha! Looks like your sister��s got a good understanding of the human psyche, huh?!]

    [Dave: (?_?)]

    [Rafael: Fuck you, Dave!]

    [Rafael: She already admitted her previous mistake, but she was also scared of what almost happened with Hera that she was egging me to know more.]

    [Rafael: But now that we are on the topic and you guys are trying to specte who might be behind this, she just also thinks of the possibility.]

    [Xavier: I think, what she said was more urate than thinking this is the doing of the sponsors.]

    [Xavier: In the entertainment industry, this kind of thing wasn��t the first, many fans have tried doing this for their idol, but most times, they are doing this to the third party who was trying to ruin the CP idols they are shipping.]

    [Xavier: But, currently, Hera hasn��t offended anyone.]

    [Dave: Do you think that man is one of your fans and was targeting Hera because they don��t want you to be in a romantic rtionship with her? @Xavier?]

    [Xavier: I don��t think so. Maybe, Minerva was right, this must be either a doing of a woman in the entertainment industry and thought that Hera was on their way. So that means, that the woman might be an influential one who thinks her poprity was being affected by Hera��s rise to stardom or it could be out of jealousy.]

    [Leo: But we could also think that this has something to do with the syndicate that Hera got involved in during her rescue of Rafael, after all, she inadvertently became their enemy after she became the instrument in their capture. the remnants of those syndicates must be sending a message with this.]

    [Dave: ...]

    [Zhane: ...]

    [Luke: ...]

    [Rafael: ...]

    [Dave: Damn! I almost forgot about them!]

    [Rafael: It��s indeed highly likely them, they are unscrupulous and wouldn��t think of their method.]

    [Zhane: They must have done this so we would leave Hera alone and once that happens, they would be free to do whatever they wanted with her.]

    [Luke: If it was really them, I can also agree that they could indeed do this. Once we are out, they could exact their revenge and might be nning to make it slow and painful. After all, if they think that we are with Hera because of her beauty, ruining her beauty would be the best option.]

    [Luke: We have yet to uproot them, and they must be really angry with what happened in the mountains.]

    [Leo: Most likely, people like them will not stop, an eye for an eye, they say.]

    [Xavier: Then, what are we going to do, if it was really them?]

    [Dave: Are you scared?]

    [Dave: <(?? _?)>]

    [Xavier: As if]

    [Leo: Just like what they say, An eye for an eye. we��ll retaliate to whoever tried to hurt Hera and we��ll give tenfold of what she received.]

    [Rafael: Generous, aren��t we? I like it...]

    [Dave: ( ��?��)��?�t?�s]

 Chapter 616 Be The Villain

    At that moment, he was so consumed by the need to protect her that he didn��t think about the consequences��or perhaps, it wasn��t that he didn��t think of them, but rather that he didn��t care. The only thing that mattered was making sure she was safe.

    He knew, deep down, that his reaction had been extreme, and that his actions could scare her if she ever found out.

    But the thought of Hera being hurt terrified him far more than the idea that she might change how she saw him.

    The possibility that she might think of him as ruthless, cold, or evene to dislike him didn��t matter��not inparison to the fear of losing her or seeing her in pain.

    In his mind, if her opinion of him soured, if she began to see him as a viin, it would be a small price to pay. It would hurt, of course, but he could live with it. He wouldn��t mind being the viin, the one she feared or resented, as long as it meant keeping her safe. Even if that meant keeping his distance from her, even if he could never touch her again, he would still protect her��because her well-being was all that truly mattered.

    But when Hera showed concern for him after piecing together what had happened, mistakenly thinking that he was the one who had been hurt instead of her, Leo��s heart trembled.

    The thought that she might dislike him stung deeply, making his chest ache and his heart bleed.

    He never wanted to be a source of difort or displeasure for the woman he loved and cherished, yet he was at a loss for how to act in this situation.

    The uncertainty of what she might do next left him on edge, his emotions raw as he waited, his heart heavy with anxiety.

    When she relied on him, burying her face in his chest as he carried her to the car, holding onto him as if he were her safe haven, his heart trembled.

    The anticipated pain he had braced for eased in that moment, reced by a bittersweet warmth.

    Even as they watched the race together with everyone, though he felt happiness and support for Hera, a lingering fear clung to him.

    He had always presented himself to her as harmless and warm, never revealing the colder, more ruthless side of him in front of her because he had always wanted her to like him.

    And now, he was afraid of what she might think when she discovered that side��the side that had surfaced when he kicked the man who tried to hurt her. That hidden part of him, which he worked so hard to conceal, had slipped out, and he feared Hera��s reaction to it.

    Now, Leo held Hera close, as if he wanted to merge her into his very being, yet at the same time, he was afraid to hurt her.

    The conflicting emotions churned within him, driving him almost mad. Then, Hera nuzzled her face deeper into his arm, like a contented cat in her sleep.

    She looked so beautiful and serene, her peaceful expression calming the storm within him. As he felt the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his own, his trembling heart gradually settled.

    In the quiet of the room, surrounded by the warmth of her presence, they both drifted into sleep.

    Just before his consciousness surrendered to sleep, Leo heard Hera mumble softly, "Leo, don��t be afraid, I��m here..." Her voice faded, growing quieter with each word.

    As her reassuring words lingered in his mind, his fear slowly melted away, and his heart steadied.

    A smile tugged at his lips as he buried his nose in her hair, savoring the warmth andfort of her presence. With a final, contented breath, he let himself be taken by sleep.

    Hera didn��t do it on purpose��she was truly asleep��but as she drifted into her dream, she saw Leo. It wasn��t the man she knew, but a younger version of him, a child sitting alone in a dark room. His knees were drawn up to his chest, and he was crying softly.

    The sight of little Leo, with his big round puppy eyes, chubby cheeks, messy hair, and small frame, tugged at Hera��s heart.

    She couldn��t bear seeing him so vulnerable and alone, biting his lips to stifle his sobs, as if afraid of disturbing anyone or letting them know he was in pain.

    "Why are you crying?" Hera asked gently, crouching down in front of him. Leo peeked up at her, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope.

    "Did someone bully you?" she continued, her voice softening as she instinctively lowered it to aforting tone, wanting to reassure him.

    Little Leo shook his head, but as Hera gently prodded, his distress deepened, and his small form seemed to curl in on itself.

    His voice came out in a painful croak, "I did something bad to protect my loved one... but I��m afraid they��ll hate me."

    His eyes searched Hera��s face desperately, as if bracing for rejection, his vulnerability raw and palpable.

    He shrank back a little, afraid to see even a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

    Hera��s heart twisted, a deep ache settling in her chest as she watched him tremble with the weight of his emotions.

    This was the first time she saw him so truly distressed��his usual yful acts, his caring nature, and the little moments of vulnerability he��d allowed her to see, had never revealed this raw, unguarded side of him.

    Her heart tightened as she realized that even though he often wore a mask, pretending to be shameless or seeking attention, this was different.

    He was truly baring his soul to her now, afraid not of the world, but of her��the one person he most feared could reject him.

    Hera gently extended her hand, cupping Little Leo��s small face with tenderness. "Leo, don��t be afraid. I��m here. I will always be here with you, and I will never hate you," she whispered soothingly.

    As she cradled the little boy in her arms, he buried his face against her chest,forted by her embrace.

    But then, to her surprise, the small, aggrieved Leo seemed to transform before her eyes. In ce of the vulnerable child, the grown Leo emerged, his demeanor shifting from sorrow to mischief.

    Instead of crying, he now feigned tears, a yful, yet shameless grin spreading across his face as he casually leaned into her embrace.

    Leo��srge hands began to grope and fondle her breasts, his touch firm yet teasing as he gazed at her with mischievous eyes.

    Their position had shifted; she now straddled hisp, her legs on either side of his hips while he sat cross-legged beneath her.

    Before she could voice any protest, Leo captured her lips in a deep, fervent kiss, the sound of wet kisses filling the room with an intimate rhythm.

    With one hand, Leo guided her hips to grind against him, the motion slow and deliberate, while his other hand gripped her perky ass, his fingers sinking into the soft flesh.

    Hera felt a wave of heat rush through her body, the intensity of his touch and the closeness of their bodies stirring her deeply.

    Before she realized it, both of them were already naked, and Leo��s hands roamed freely over her body.

    Driven by an equally intense hunger, she straddled him with need, her voice growing louder and more desperate in the quiet air, each sound carrying a lewd undertone.

    Her heart pounded furiously, every inch of her skin burning with heat, and she felt each of Leo��s touches with vivid rity.

    The overwhelming sensation of him inside her made her eyes roll back in sheer ecstasy, her mind spiraling into a haze of pleasure.

    "Hera?!" Leo��s voice cut through the haze of sleep. Her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with the remnants of a dream.

    The room around her felt strange, unfamiliar��so different from the world she had just been in.

    Her heart raced, pulse quickening in her chest, and she gasped for breath, her lungs struggling to catch up. Her face burned with warmth, and the sensation from the dream lingered, a vivid echo that made her skin tingle.

    Blinking through bleary eyes, she finally focused on Leo��s concerned face.

    He was staring at her with a look of rm, clearly worried after seeing her breathing heavily in her sleep. He must have thought she was trapped in a nightmare.

 Chapter 617 Dream Coming True

    However, her sudden movement caused her to lose bnce on the narrow sofa. She nearly toppled over, but Leo reacted swiftly, grabbing her arm and pulling her back just in time to prevent a fall.

    In the process, Hera ended up pressed close to him, their faces mere inches apart. Their breaths mingled, warm and tantalizing against each other��s skin. The atmosphere shifted in an instant, the air around them thick with an undeniable tension.

    "L-Leo..." Hera��s hoarse voice croaked, low and unsteady, but to Leo, it sounded irresistibly alluring, igniting a spark deep within him.

    Before she could say another word, his lips captured hers in a swift, heated kiss.

    Still reeling from the vivid remnants of her dream, Hera let out a soft, breathy moan, her body hypersensitive and her heart pounding wildly.

    The sound only stoked Leo��s desire, pushing him to deepen the kiss. His tongue slipped past her parted lips, exploring, tasting, as his eyes fluttered closed.

    One hand slid firmly to the small of her back, pulling her closer, while the other, still gripping her arm, gently guided it over his shoulder.

    He urged her to wrap her arms around his neck, closing the remaining distance between them as the intensity of their embrace grew.

    "L-Leo... There are still people outside..." Hera managed to say between breaths, her voice soft andced with a mix of urgency and shyness.

    She wanted to remind him that they weren��t alone, that this wasn��t the ce for such things.

    But her words only seemed to spur Leo on, a glint of mischief flickering in his eyes. The idea of being caught added a dangerous edge to the moment, making his heart race even faster.

    With effortless strength, he grasped her slender waist and lifted her, settling her onto hisp as if she weighed nothing. Leaning back against the chair, he gazed up at her, his expression both yful and intense.

    "Shhh... They wouldn��t know..." Leo murmured mischievously, his voice low and sultry as his eyes gleamed with a mix of seduction and teasing.

    He wanted Hera to abandon her inhibitions, to let herself be swept away in the moment.

    Before she could muster a reply, he leaned closer, his lips chasing hers with deliberate intent, not giving her a chance to escape.

    His left hand slid behind her neck, holding her gently but firmly to deepen the kiss, while his right hand trailed down to the zipper of her racing suit.

    Slowly, he tugged it down, the faint sound of the zipper filling the tense air. Hera��s heart pounded fiercely at the sound, her breath hitching as she realized what was happening.

    When the suit finally parted, what greeted Leo made his eyes darken with desire��a sexy ckce lingerie set that clung to her like a second skin.

    Hera��s cheeks flushed crimson, mortified. It felt like her actions were contradicting her words. She was saying they couldn��t, yet the lingerie spoke of seduction, as if she had expected this to happen.

    But it wasn��t her doing. It was Xavier who had chosen the lingerie, likely indulging in his own preferences, when he had dressed her earlier.

    She had only noticed it after she��d changed into her racing suit and, without a spare change of clothes, had resigned herself to wearing it, never imagining she��d end up in this situation.

    She wanted to exin, but the words caught in her throat. Anything she said would only make her sound more guilty, so she bit her lip instead, her teeth pressing into the soft flesh in frustration.

    Faint traces of Xavier��s marks still lingered on her smooth porcin skin, mingling with the remnants of the previous night��faint imprints left by Leo, Rafael, and Zhane.

    Leo��s eyes darkened as his gaze fell on the marks. Slowly, his fingers traced one of the ones he had left, his touch deliberate, almost possessive.

    The intensity in his eyes grew as they locked onto hers, sharp and unyielding, sending a shiver down her spine.

    Hera��s heart thudded wildly, each beat echoing in her chest. He looked like a predator, his gaze fixed on her as though she were his prey.

    Hera gulped, her breath catching in her throat as the tension between them thickened, wrapping around her like an invisible cord.

    Before she could say a word, Leo suddenly stood up, and Hera instinctively clung to his neck, straddling his waist. Leo chuckled in delight, but before Hera could fully process what was happening, his lips descended upon hers in a flurry of kisses.

    He carefully helped Hera out of her race suit without setting her down, slowly pulling it off her shoulders, down her arms, and then to her waist.

    The cool air from the air conditioner met her exposed upper body, making her gasp and shiver. Unfazed, Leo gently ced her down, positioning her to kneel on the sofa with her back to him.

    He then slid the race suit down to her knees, leaving her feeling flushed and exposed in the vulnerable position.

    Hera��s face burned with embarrassment at how revealing her stance was, but Leo didn��t give her a moment to react. He leaned his body against her back, anchoring her in ce, and began a trail of kisses from her neck down her spine.

    His right hand traced her back, slowly making its way to her buttocks before sliding a finger into her pussy, heightening the intensity of the moment.

    "You��re already this wet," Leo murmured with satisfaction, his finger pumping in and out of her pussy, producing soft, lewd noises.

    Hera��s shaky whimpers were strained as she struggled to suppress her moans, fearful that those outside might hear. Leo kissed her shoulder de tenderly, his other hand slipping beneath her bra to cup her breast, fondling it gently. His eyes never left her face, keenly observing every change in her expression.

    "Does it feel good?" he asked suddenly, his voice a husky whisper. Hera couldn��t respond; her mind was spinning in a haze of ecstasy, and Leo��s question only intensified the sensation, causing her core to tighten even more around his finger.

 Chapter 618 Can’t Get Enough

    Hisrge hand remained firmly over her mouth, stifling her gasps and heavy breaths. Without pause, Leo began driving into her with a relentless, rapid rhythm, each thrust making Hera��s body tremble as she clung desperately to the sofa.

    His heated body pressed close against her back, the intensity of their connection growing with every movement.

    "Wifey, you��re so fucking tight," Leo groaned through gritted teeth, feeling the intense pressure gripping his cock. Despite the overwhelming sensation, he didn��t slow down; instead, he thrusted harder, driving Hera��s body to rock back and forth on the sofa with every powerful thrust.

    The force of his movements made the sofa creak beneath them, but the noise from outside,bined with the room��s partial soundproofing, muffled the sounds.

    Leo continued relentlessly, each thrust bringing Hera closer to the brink of climax.

    Hera��s breaths came in ragged gasps, her body trembling with every deep thrust. Hershes fluttered, damp with unshed tears as overwhelming pleasure coursed through her.

    Her eyes glistened, rimmed with a hint of redness, but instead of looking fragile, she appeared irresistibly enticing��a vision of vulnerability mixed with temptation.

    The rim of her eyes turned red, adding to her allure. When Leo leaned in to look at her face, she appeared like a coquettish cat, begging silently for more indulgence, prompting him to thrust even rougher.

    Hera��s whimpers grew louder, matching the escting intensity of their passion.

    While Leo thrust hard from behind, his other hand fondled Hera��s breast, his fingers flicking and pinching her nipple, sending tingling waves of electricity through her body.

    The damp heat of her moist lips pressed against Leo��s palm heightened the sensation. As the intense rhythm continued, Hera��s throat grew dry, making her subconsciously lick her lips.

    Instead, her tongue brushed against Leo��s palm, causing his eyes to darken with desire. He tilted her face toward him and murmured, "Instead of licking my palm, lick me instead."

    Without hesitation, he plunged his tongue into her mouth. Overwhelmed by pleasure, Hera stopped thinking and instinctively moved with him, swirling her tongue with his.

    The room filled with the lewd sound of wet ps, slurping, and deep kisses.

    Fortunately, the people outside, giving Hera time to rest after her big race, had moved away, focused on checking the car and chatting among themselves,pletely unaware of the passionate scene unfolding inside the small room.

    "Good... it feels so good," Hera whispered between heavy breaths against Leo��s lips, her eyes rolling back in ecstasy.

    Leo groaned deeply, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He stopped fondling her breast, shifting his arm to brace against the sofa in front of her to avoid putting all his weight on her.

    His other hand gripped her waist, then slid down to her belly button, pressing on the bulge that formed with each thrust under her skin.

    Hera��s moans grew louder, her body reacting instinctively. Her right arm hooked around Leo��s neck as their lips met again in a heated kiss, his head slightly over her shoulder.

    Hera��s fingers tangled in his hair, heightening the intensity of their connection as they moved together in perfect harmony.

    "Shit, wifey, I can��t get enough of you..." Leo muttered throughbored breaths, his pace quickening as sweat formed on his brow. Hera��s body began to glisten with perspiration as well.

    Leo reached out, fully pulling Hera��s race suit off her body. Once it was discarded, he flipped her over, standing before her with his chest heaving visibly.

    Hera��s eyes fell on Leo��s hard cock, glistening with her love juice. It was thick and long, causing her to gulp as her gaze traced every contour.

    Instinctively, she licked her lips, a gesture that didn��t escape Leo��s notice. Her reaction made him smile with satisfaction and his cock twitching before her eyes.

    Without breaking eye contact, he pulled her up from the sofa, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.

    Hisrge hands cupped her buttocks, lifting her effortlessly. Hera wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. In one smooth motion, Leo positioned her above his cock and plunged deep inside her, balls deep, filling herpletely.

    "Ah!" Hera��s moan was abruptly cut off as Leo plunged his tongue into her mouth. The simultaneous assault on her senses, both above and below, left her mind spinning.

    She couldn��t think straight, her thoughts short-circuiting as pleasure consumed every fiber of her being.

    Leo moved to the wall, pressing Hera��s back against the cold surface while continuing to thrust deeply, hard and fast.

    Each movement hit just the right spots, making Hera��s entire body tremble and her legs buckle around his waist. Her quivering legs wrapped tightly around him, their tremors fueling Leo��s desire even more.

    Suddenly, Leo felt a sharp sting in his shoulder near his neck. When he looked down, he realized Hera was biting him hard.

    Her gums tingled unbearably, and without thinking, she sank her teeth into him to find relief. The sensation only spurred Leo on, making his thrusts even rougher, driving both of them deeper into their shared ecstasy.

    Leo��s restrained, muffled groans sent waves of heat through Hera��s body, igniting a fire that made her heart race.

    She couldn��t help but ask for more, her soft whimpers and breathy pleas driving Leo��s desire even higher.

    The intensity between them built quickly, and soon both felt the impending climax. Hera��s inner walls tightened around Leo��s cock, squeezing harder as Leo��s cock swelled and twitched inside her, stirring her insides that made her quiver uncontrobly.

    Hera, lost in the overwhelming pleasure, bitting down on Leo��s shoulder, the metallic taste of blood faintly registering in her mind, though the ecstasy drowned out any coherent thought.

    For Leo, the mix of pain and pleasure fueled his passion further, making him grunt through the sensations. "Wifey, I��m cumming... I��m cumming," he murmured through gritted teeth, his body trembling as he neared the peak.

    As the words left his lips, Leo drove into her with a hard, deliberate thrust, his intent unmistakable. It was as if he wanted to pour everyst bit of his cum into her womb, iming herpletely. Hera cried out, her body convulsing as her climax surged through her at the same moment as his.

    The warm sensation of him spilling everyst bit of his seeds deep inside her made her shudder, her body trembling in the aftermath.

    Leo gave a few final, shallow thrusts before stilling, his body pressed against hers. He remained buried within her, unwilling to let a single drop escape, their breaths mingling as they both rode out the lingering waves of pleasure.

 Chapter 619 A Quikie

    Hera, whose mind was just starting to clear, froze at his words. ��<i>A quickie?��</i> She felt momentarily choked by the description.

    She hadn��t timed their session, but she was certain it hadsted no less than 45 minutes. As far as she knew, a "quickie" usually referred to something that wrapped up in 10 to 15 minutes��this definitely didn��t qualify.

    Her incredulous gaze shot to Leo, her face flushing red as she pieced together his stamina and intentions.

    What��s more, she could still feel him, his cock buried deep inside her, twitching and hard. The realization that, if Luke hadn��t interrupted them, Leo would probably have gone for another round only made her cheeks burn hotter.

    Her expression shifted several times��bewilderment, embarrassment, and faint indignation��each emotion ying out clearly on her face.

    Leo noticed her reaction, his eyebrow arching in intrigue. "What��s going on in that pretty head of yours?" he teased, his curiosity piqued by the mix of emotions flickering across her features.

    After teasing Hera, Leo finally pulled out, his foreheading to rest gently against hers as he worked to steady his ragged breathing and calm the fire still raging within him. No matter how much time he spent with her, it never felt like enough. Instead, he found himself sinking deeper and deeper into his desire for her.

    As their breaths mingled, Leo shifted slightly, nuzzling his nose into the crook of her neck. He inhaled deeply, an audible sniff that made Hera��s cheeks flush even redder. Embarrassment washed over her as she became acutely aware of her sweat-soaked skin.

    The memory of earlier events shed in her mind��racing, sweating, falling asleep without a proper wash��and now this, their passionate session leaving her even more disheveled.

    <i>��What if I smell sweaty and sour?</i>�� she thought, the worry gnawing at her. But Leo didn��t seem to care; if anything, the content sigh he let out only deepened her flustered state.

    "L-Leo..." Hera muttered, attempting to push him away, her hands pressing weakly against his chest.

    "Please, wifey," Leo murmured, his voice low and soothing. "Just give me a moment to calm down. Your sweet scent... it��s addictive. It makes me want you even more, but at the same time, it��s grounding. I just need to gather my thoughts and settle down."

    He took another deep, audible sniff, much like a yful, oversized dog. Hera rolled her eyes, her embarrassment ring.

    Despite her self-consciousness about her scent, no matter how much she pushed at Leo, he didn��t budge��like an immovable boulder.

    Realizing she had no choice, she mped her armpits shut as she held onto Leo��s shoulder. The ridiculous thought struck her that he might start sniffing somewhere else, and her cheeks burned even hotter.

    Hera tipped her head back, staring at the ceiling as her ragged breathing slowly evened out.

    Thankfully, Luke hadn��te inside after calling from outside the door. He and the others were likely preupied with cleaning up the aftermath of the earlier incident.

    At least they had the sense not to enter the small room and disturb her much-needed rest��though Leo��s antics were doing little to help her rx.

    After some time, both Hera and Leo finally calmed down. Concerned that Hera might catch a cold, Leo adjusted the air conditioner��s temperature to something warmer.

    However, he didn��t bother handing her the racing suit again. Instead, he quickly changed back into his clothes and gently nudged Hera toward the small bathroom.

    "Go take a hot shower. It��ll help rx your muscles," he said firmly.

    Hera didn��t argue. After all the sweat and exertion, her skin felt sticky and ufortable, and the thought of a warm shower was more than wee. Without hesitation, she stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

    Meanwhile, Leo walked out of the room to find some fresh clothes for her. It was perfect timing, as the bodyguard Xavier had sent on an errand to purchase new clothes for Hera had just returned.

    The man held several sleek bags from Chanel, and the sight made Leo��s brows lift slightly in amusement.

    "Well, that��s quick," Leo remarked, striding over to inspect the bags with a satisfied smirk.

    "Is this for my wife?" Leo asked, though he didn��t wait for a response. He casually opened one of the bags and checked its contents before taking it.

    "Perfect timing. She��s in the shower now and needs a change of clothes," he added, his tone nonchnt.

    Just then, Luke, Dave, and Xavier approached.

    "Is Hera awake?" Xavier asked, his expression remaining unreadable as usual.

    Leo nodded in response, maintaining a calm demeanor as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened moments ago. But Dave wasn��t so easily convinced. His sharp eyes zeroed in on Leo, scrutinizing him as though he were cross-examining a suspect.

    Dave��s gaze traveled from Leo��s still rosy face to the faint glow in hisplexion. Something about Leo seemed different, though Dave couldn��t quite put his finger on it. Suspicious, he leaned closer to Leo and gave a subtle sniff.

    Leo shot him a sidelong nce, his brows furrowing slightly. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voiceced with mild annoyance. "Are you a dog?"

    Dave didn��t bother hiding his intent as he scrutinized Leo. Something about him seemed off, and Dave was certain it had to do with Hera.

    Anxiety gnawed at him; he hadn��t yet had the chance to grow closer to Hera in the way he hoped, and the thought of others making progress while he remained stagnant made him hyper-aware of every detail.

    His sharp eyes roved over Leo, missing nothing. Then he spotted it��sweat beading on Leo��s forehead, despite the air-conditioned room.

    His gaze dropped to Leo��s slightly disheveled appearance, where the second and third buttons of his dress shirt were undone, exposing part of his shoulder and corbone. That��s when Dave noticed it: a faint, bleeding bite mark on Leo��s shoulder, just barely peeking out from the fabric.

    The realization hit him like a lightning bolt. He only caught it because of how intensely he was paying attention, and now he couldn��t unsee it.

    Looking utterly exasperated, Dave jabbed a trembling finger at Leo, his voice cracking with frustration. "Y-You!!!"

    The words stuck in his throat as his emotions overwhelmed him. His hand shook as he pointed, teetering between fury and despair. He didn��t know whether to scream or cry��how had he been so slow to act while Leo had managed to seize the opportunity again?

    Dave��s outburst caught the attention of Xavier and Luke, who followed his gaze to the faint bite mark on Leo��s shoulder. Their eyes narrowed as they pieced together what must have happened.

    Unlike Dave, however, they kept theirposure. Xavier��s expression remained unreadable, though a faint tension in his jaw betrayed his disapproval.

    It was their fault, after all, for giving Leo the chance to act so boldly, even in such a public setting.

    Luke, on the other hand, didn��t bother hiding his reaction. A smirk curled at his lips as he imagined what Leo and Hera had done in that small room. The thought sent a jolt of excitement through him, igniting a fire he had to fight hard to suppress.

    Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed his racing heart and the burning desire threatening to surface.

    Still, the idea of doing something as thrilling as what Leo had just pulled off stirred something in him. His smirk widened��he and Leo were clearly cut from the same cloth, men who didn��t shy away from pursuing what they wanted, no matter the circumstances.

    Although the three men were lost in their own thoughts��Dave visibly fuming��Leo simply shrugged, unfazed.

    He hadn��t initially nned to do anything beyond letting Hera rest and then taking her back to the hotel for a proper meal and rxation.

    But when she woke up and he caught the soft, shy look in her eyes, he couldn��t resist.

    She looked as though she was silently asking for a kiss, and when their lips met, the sweetness of her touch overwhelmed him.

    What started as a simple kiss had spiraled into something more. Everything about Hera was intoxicating, like the allure of a poppy flower��dangerously addictive.

    No matter how many times he kissed her, it was never enough. And before he knew it, they��d done it. Yet even now, with Dave��s using re burning into him, Leo couldn��t bring himself to regret it.

 Chapter 620 Wanted To Tease?

    She thought Leo had left the room after he��d left the clothes, probably talking with the others outside while waiting for her.

    But to her surprise, as she lifted her head, she saw Leo sitting on the sofa, arms casually draped across the back of the sofa. His posture was rxed, but his eyes gleamed with a predatory intensity, as if what they had just shared wasn��t enough to satisfy him.

    Hera felt her face flush again as she nced at Leo. Her hands fidgeted nervously, and her gaze fell to the clothes near her.

    She considered bringing them back into the bathroom to change, but then remembered how cramped the space was, with water sshed everywhere.

    She hesitated, knowing that bringing the clothes back inside would only leave them damp in ces.

    "Wifey, why don��t you start changing?" Leo��s voice was hoarse, dripping with seduction, his gaze never leaving her body.

    Hera could feel his eyes tracing every inch of her, and when she stole a quick nce up at him, she froze. His bulge was unmistakable, pressing visibly against his pants. She swallowed hard, the air suddenly thick with tension.

    <i>��Ugh! How do they have so much stamina? One round isn��t enough for them?��</i> Hera thought, her throat suddenly dry.

    But even as the frustration bubbled inside her, she couldn��t ignore the way her core clenched in response.

    <i> ��What is wrong with me? Am I some kind of insatiable subus?��</i> She chastised herself, yet her body betrayed her, already swaying with desire for Leo again.

    Hera��s face flushed deep crimson, feeling as if the heat from her skin could ignite the room. She nced nervously at the clothes before Leo��s voice, dripping with seduction, interrupted her thoughts.

    "Would you like me to help you change?" he asked, his words thick with implication. Hera couldn��t help but notice the way his tongue swept across his lower lip as he shifted, his breathinging in shallow, ragged bursts.

    "Don��t worry, wifey," he continued, his voice a low growl. "There��s nothing you need to hide from me. I love every inch of you, and it would be an honor to see you change... right here, in front of me." His teasing words were punctuated by the sharp gleam in his eyes��intense, possessive, and unmistakably predatory.

    For some reason, Hera felt bolder than she had before. Perhaps it was because, as Leo had said, he��d already seen everything there was to see, and if she changed in front of him now, it would almost feel like a reverse strip tease.

    She could already see the burning desire in his eyes, and it would be a lie to say that it didn��t make her feel bold. There was something thrilling about the way he looked at her, something that made her want to push his buttons, to see how far she could take it.

    Her expression only fueled his growing desire. She looked like a mischievous fox, ready to deceive, but with a softness that made her appear like a harmless bunny��cute, innocent, and utterly tempting.

    These conflicting emotions sparked a fire in Leo, making him both amused and desperate to im her.

    He had never encountered a woman like Hera before; the ones who usually ran around him were like serpents, slithering to wrap around him and never let go.

    One of the reasons Leo found himself drawn to Hera was because, no matter what happened, her innocence always remained intact.

    Even when the other side of her personality surfaced, it only made her more intriguing and endearing, never irritating.

    Besides, seeing her in that flimsy towel��barely covering what mattered most��was undeniably seductive.

    She clutched the towel tightly to her chest, the fabric barely covering her breasts, with her arms positioned in such a way that they entuated the curves of her body.

    The towel clung to every curve, highlighting her shape, while her eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and innocence.

    Leo took a shaky breath, his eyes drinking in every detail of Hera��s figure,mitting each expression, each movement to memory.

    Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, droplets of water trailing down her skin, which gleamed in the mist, soft and inviting.

    Her eyes, still moist, held a certain depth that drew him in, and everything about her radiated an effortless, intoxicating allure.

    Leo couldn��t help but feel a surge of desire��he wasn��t tired from their earlier passion; if anything, the sight of her only fueled his yearning to be close to her again.

    "Wifey..." Leo croaked, his voice rough andden with desire, his eyes smoldering with a mix of longing and affection.

    The intensity of his gaze made Hera��s heart leap in her chest. She felt a sudden surge of danger, and her hesitation vanished.

    Grabbing the clothes, she quickly made her way toward the bathroom, her instincts telling her that with the way Leo was looking at her, she wouldn��t be leaving that small room any time soon.

    The thought of him not holding back this time made her pulse race, and she couldn��t shake the feeling that he might make her cry out beneath him, like a bully iming what he wanted.

    Her senses tingled with unease, so she fled into the bathroom like a startled rabbit. Behind her, Leo��s low chuckle echoed, and despite the urgency, Hera managed to keep her footing as she stepped swiftly into the wet room, relieved she didn��t slip.

    Although Hera was tempted to tease Leo and indulge in her yful desires, she knew she couldn��t be that bold. There were still others outside, and if they stayed inside too long, it would raise suspicions about what might be going on behind closed doors. The thought of stepping out and facing everyone, knowing they could guess what had happened, was enough to make her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She wasn��t that thick-skinned after all.

    Fortunately, Hera refrained from acting yful in front of Leo, knowing her allure could be dangerously effective. If she let her teasing side show, Leo might not be able to hold back this time. The beast within him was always just beneath the surface, and once unleashed, he might not know when to stop, driven by an insatiable thirst to im her over and over until he was fully sated.

    After a while, Leo finally regained control over his desire, his ragged breathing gradually calming. However, a twitching knot lingered in his navel, a sensation that was both painfully torturous and oddly stirring. He stared at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind of thoughts of Hera and the passion they had shared. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, she was like a drug to him��addictive and impossible to shake.

    "It seems I won��t have an easy time with a wife like her around," Leo mused to himself with a quiet chuckle, his gaze drifting back to the closed bathroom door. He couldn��t help but recall how Hera had fled earlier, looking like a startled rabbit darting away from a predator. The image brought another rumblingugh from deep within his chest, helping to temper the desire still simmering beneath the surface. This time, he couldn��t deny it��he had proven the old saying true: once a man tastes the forbidden fruit, it bes nearly impossible to forget the craving, to resist the pull of what it felt like.

 Chapter 621 The Award Ceremony

    In the past, it was always Phantom��s sponsor who stepped forward to handle such ceremonies, while Phantom would slip away quietly after the race.

    But this time was different. For many, it was their first opportunity to see their idol up close, and loyal fans were more than happy to wait, eager to witness this rare and unforgettable moment.

    Hearing this, Hera suddenly remembered the award ceremony and felt a pang of embarrassment for staying holed up in the room, caught up in her time with Leo.

    She stole a nce at him, only to find his gaze still fixed intently on her, a small smile ying on his lips.

    Flustered, she quickly looked away, her cheeks growing warm, but the sound of Leo��s hearty chuckle filled the room.

    He walked over to her and ced a soft kiss on her forehead. "Let��s head out; everyone must be waiting," he said gently, his tone warm and affectionate.

    He knew he��d been a little sneaky, stealing Hera��s time, but he hadn��t anticipated how quickly things would escte into a passionate ��quickie�� moment between them.

    When the two stepped out of the room, Dave��s fuming face loomed over them, his lips pursed in a pout as he red usatorily at Leo.

    He looked like he had just spotted his arch-nemesis emerging victorious. Luke, on the other hand, simply raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity before returning to his phone, typing away without further reaction.

    Meanwhile, Xavier was engaged in conversation with Danny and the others, his attention elsewhere.

    They acted as if nothing had happened, careful not to make Hera feel ufortable, even though they were all keenly aware of what had transpired inside the room.

    If me were to be assigned, it would fall squarely on themselves for not seizing the opportunity like Leo.

    Xavier, however, wasn��t overly concerned��he had ensured to take his time with Hera the night before, leaving him content for now.

    Luke, on the other hand, already had a calcted n forming in his mind, confident in his approach.

    The only one still clueless was Dave, who struggled to figure out how to win Hera over while fending off the ravenous wolves surrounding her.

    Each of them was well aware of the others�� intentions, their silent rivalry simmering beneath the surface.

    Yet, they collectively agreed to keep it under wraps, ensuring Hera remained oblivious to their unspokenpetition, so she wouldn��t feel burdened or caught in the crossfire of their affections.

    Since Hera had fallen asleep earlier, her live stream had gone on break. However, her fans remained patiently in the streaming room, eagerly waiting for it to resume so they could witness the award ceremony and see their idol again.

    During this time, Hera��s poprity had soared to new heights. Not only had she gained more followers from her home country, but viewers from around the world who had watched the race also began flocking to her ount.

    These international fans actively sent her virtual gifts on the tform. Though most were modest contributions, the sheer volume of thousands of gifts quickly added up.

    Behind the scenes, Betty and Daisy were beaming with pride and satisfaction as they watched the flood of support pour in.

    Their hard work was paying off, and the sess was undeniable.

    The sponsors who stood by Hera during her challenging times experienced a remarkable surge in both sales and stock values, thanks to her growing poprity.

    In particr, the six families��represented by Leo, Luke, Dave, Xavier, Zhane, and Rafael��gained significant publicity and recognition.

    By proactively supporting Hera and ensuring their family crests were disyed on her car, they caught the attention of countless fans and curious observers.

    This curiosity led people to research Hera��s sponsors, discovering their strong reputations and high-quality products.

    Trusting in Hera��s choices, many began purchasing these products in bulk. Smaller sponsors, in particr, found themselves overwhelmed with demand, their warehouses struggling to keep up.

    To address this, many sponsors shifted to processing new orders directly from their factories, ensuring they could meet the growing enthusiasm and loyalty of Hera��s expanding fanbase.

    Because of this sess, those who once mocked andughed at Hera��s sponsors��confident that their investment in her would lead to failure��were now seething with envy.

    Unlike them, who faced bacsh and a series of misfortunes due to Larry and Gerald who manipted things behind the scenes, Hera��s sponsors were thriving.

    They were earning profits in abundance without the need for borate marketing strategies or publicity stunts.

    All they had to do was sit back and watch their sales skyrocket, reveling in their decision to stand by Hera.

    The contrast couldn��t have been bigger��while theirpetitors struggled with regret and resentment, Hera��s supporters were basking in their sess, enjoying the rewards of their loyalty, and perhaps even chuckling in their sleep at their rivals�� misfortune.

    After Hera stepped out, she was guided outside by Danny, apanied by nearly the entire team.

    Together, they made their way toward the award ceremony. Despite the conclusion of the race, no team had left the venue yet��everyone was eager to witness the presentation.

    As Hera walked through the crowd, she drew a variety of reactions. Many gazed at her with admiration, impressed by her great skill.

    Others looked on with skepticism, while a few couldn��t hide their jealousy. Among them was the brte who had mocked Hera earlier, now seething in silent envy as Hera basked in the attention.

 Chapter 622 The Award Ceremony 2

    As the head organizer handed Hera a bottle of champagne, she knew how the next part of the ceremony wouldmence.

    With a flick of her wrist, she popped the cork, sending it soaring into the air as the champagne erupted from the bottle.

    Hera, ever graceful, ced her thumb over the opening and directed the spray into the crowd, delighting them with the celebratory gesture.

    The organizer quickly offered her a ss of champagne, followed by one for each member of her team. They all raised their sses in a toast, savoring the moment. Afterward, they proceeded to the interview, the cameras shing as they made their way toward the awaiting reporters.

    Everything that transpired was broadcasted live on Hera��s stream, sending her fans into a frenzy of excitement and pride.

    They felt a sense of aplishment for supporting the right person and being part of her journey to this pivotal moment.

    During the broadcast, they also heard the disparaging remarks made by the brte woman earlier.

    Unbeknownst to her, thement quickly gained traction on social media, with many viewers taking offense.

    The woman was now being called out for disrespecting the Young Minister and the international actor Xavier.

    Xavier��s fans, known for their fierce loyalty and protectiveness, were particrly vocal, rallying against the female racer.

    As the woman continued to throw snide remarks at Hera, she was met with a flood of bacsh from fans who weren��t afraid to defend their idols.

    ...

    [XavierisLove: The audacity of this woman! Who does she think she��s calling a gigolo?]

    [ILoveMyCountry: Calling our Young Minister a gigolo? That��s beyond disrespectful!]

    [ILoveMyCountry: (?`^��?)��ǨTһ]

    [LoudMouth: Girl, don��t be so quick to judge. Is it because all these handsome men are surrounding our Hera, and you��re jealous? You haven��t even seen the whole picture. There are still two more men in her entourage that was currently absent. Nyahahah. Die of envy, bitch!]

    [LoudMouth: ? (��?��)?a?a?a]

    [Athena_Lowery: I thought I��d have to use my power to protect Hera, but it looks like @LoudMouth has got it covered. Still, I��m happy that so many are defending little Hera from the haters.]

    [Athena_Lowery: ???? ��???��?? )?]

    [LoudMouth: @Athena_Lowery Senior, you��re overhyping me. I��m just standing up for our innocent little Hera.]

    [Athena_Lowery: INNOCENT ( ??? )]

    [LoudMouth: @Athena_Lowery Senior, why does it feel like you��re holding something back?]

    [XOXO: Oh? It sounds like you��re trying to imply that Hera isn��t as innocent as we think. Is that it?]

    [Athena_Lowery: I didn��t say that! Hera is definitely innocent, which is why I��ve had to give her so many pep talks. I don��t want her falling for men��s sweet words too easily... and...]

    [AuntieNextDoor: @Athena_Lowery and...?]

    [HeraIsMySister: @Athena_Lowery and...?]

    [Athena_Lowery: ( ���� ?�� ) ~]

    ...

    As everyone enjoyed bashing the haters in Hera��s live stream and reporting the female racer��s audaciousments, the reporters gathered around Hera once again, eager to ask her more questions.

    "Miss Phantom, this is your first public appearance. Can you tell us why you decided to stop hiding your identity and reveal yourself to the public?" One reporter eagerly held a microphone out toward Hera, almost hitting her face.

    It was hard to tell whether the reporter��s close proximity was due to excitement or intentional, but Hera��s heightened awareness, a result of what happened earlier with the man who tried to ssh her with sulfuric acid, kicked in.

    Thanks to her quick reflexes, she instinctively took a step back just in time.

    Despite the close call, she remainedposed, not calling out the reporter for her invasive approach, and answered with grace.

    "I was once so focused on my studies and dedicated to supporting others that I didn��t want to add any more stress to my life. I valued my privacy deeply, and being in the limelight felt like it would disrupt my quiet existence. But after entering the entertainment industry, driven by my passion for acting, things just unfolded this way," Hera exined.

    The same reporter, eager for more, quickly followed up. "But did it really just happen this way, or was it part of yourpany��s publicity strategy to attract more attention and build your fan base for better career prospects?"

    "I��d be lying if I said that revealing my identity as Phantom hasn��t helped my career in the entertainment industry. But the way it all happened was actually just a coincidence," Hera replied calmly.

    Another reporter, intrigued, leaned in and asked, "What do you mean by coincidence? Could you borate on that?"

    Before Hera could answer, the brte female racer, unaware of the online bacsh she was already facing, scoffed loudly from the side.

    "What else? She��s probably doing this to attract more attention. Just like she said, she��s an actress��she��s probably using this whole ��mysterious Phantom�� act to get in the spotlight. Reveal your identityter, and suddenly, everyone��s attention is on you," she said, ensuring her voice carried to the reporters around Hera.

    Hera remained unfazed by the tant provocation from the female racer.

    She knew that the events on the racetrack earlier had likely fueled the woman��s animosity.

    Calmly, Hera exined, "Honestly, I wasn��t nning to reveal my identity at all. It just so happened that during a visit to a race circuit, I came across the national race team from my country."

    "One thing led to another, and we ended up racing. After that race, the team��s manager and some of the staff recognized my driving style, and they approached me about joining in."

    "From there, everything just snowballed. My sponsor, who had always collected my awards for me before, chose to disclose my identity to avoid others making false ims about me."

    Hera smiled as she nced at the camera, her tone subtly pointed, a quiet message aimed at the female racer��hinting that she was no different from the people who had been spreading rumors about her.

 Chapter 623 Victory Celebration

    She had meticulously crafted a strategy, with the reporter helping her steer the conversation toward a self-promotional narrative: a "strong, independent womanpeting head-to-head with men in a male-dominated sport."

    But now, with Hera stealing the show, her ns had beenpletely thwarted.

    Enraged, she harbored a deep resentment toward Hera, wanting nothing more than to ce her in a difficult position and regain control of the narrative.

    Only for the female racer to find herself in an ufortable position. The female reporter, who had been so eager to target Hera, now found herself at a loss for words.

    The other reporters, sensing a far more enticing story, eagerly pressed Hera with questions after she revealed how her identity as Phantom had been exposed.

    This revtion was like a goldmine for the media, and they eagerly anticipated the scoop.

    But Hera had nned this all along. She knew exactly what the female reporter was trying to do��create a scandal and tarnish her reputation.

    In response, Hera had cleverly turned the tables, knowing the reporter��s agenda and using the opportunity to make herself the center of attention.

    Meanwhile, the female racer, still fuming, only fueled the fire, further ensuring that Hera��s moment in the spotlight would eclipse anything the racer had hoped for.

    But as everyone knew, Hera could be quite petty when the situation called for it, and she wasn��t the type to walk into a trap��especially when someone was digging a hole for her.

    Instead, she made sure they were the ones who fell into it. As she continued speaking, her gaze shifted toward the female reporter and the female racer.

    Her eyes curled into crescent-shaped slits, and a mischievous smile tugged at her lips.

    Long-time fans of hers recognized that smile immediately��it was the sign that she was up to something, and they knew exactly what wasing next.

    Her fans could barely contain theirughter as they watched her subtle but deliberate move unfold live.

    ...

    [AuntieNextDoor: Nyahahah, they have no idea what��sing! Still so blissfully oblivious, it��s almost too easy.]

    [PasserbyGod: I know Hera can be a bit mischievous, but honestly, she��s been so calm about this. She wasn��t the one throwing shade, and let��s be real��she didn��t even call them out for implying she was some kind of... you know. She��s showing restraint, people.]

    [Athena_Lowery: @PasserbyGod Honestly, if it were me, I��d have pped that smug face right off the bat!]

    [LoudMouth: Those two women really need to get a grip. Who told them to pick a fight with Hera? Kekeke. They��re just digging their own graves.]

    ...

    Hera smoothly diverted the interview back to herself, shifting the focus away from Leo, Luke, Dave, and Xavier without a hint of effort.

    The reporters, all too eager to stay in her good graces, quickly forgot about the men and treated them as mere eye candy��nothing more than handsome bodyguards in the background.

    Hera, as always, was the center of attention. Once she stepped aside, her bodyguards seamlessly took control of the situation, leaving the female racer and female reporter fuming in the background.

    The female reporter, already aware that the deal had soured, knew that the racer would demand a refund for failing to meet her end of the bargain.

    Hera, with a smug smile, left them to sort out their mess, joining her team to celebrate the victory.

    Danny had initially hoped for a more casual dining experience, maybe a BBQ-style pic, thinking it would be more budget-friendly given therge group.

    But Hera and the others weren��t on the same page. Without missing a beat, Leo stepped in and casually suggested, "How about we reserve a table at Disfrutar Restaurant?"

    He made it sound effortless, as though booking a reservation at one of the finest dining establishments in the city was just another normal day.

    However, the truth was, Disfrutar��s menu was known for being exceptionally pricey, especially when you considered the dozen or so people in their group, including mechanics and staff.

    The bill was bound to be steep, but Leo seemed unfazed, as if money were no object.

    Danny and the rest of the team hesitated, but as the manager responsible for the team��s finances, Danny knew exactly how far their budget could stretch.

    However, he couldn��t help but recall the extravagant meals he��d had in the private lounge at the airport and on the airne��luxuries that had seemed like a distant dream just a few days ago. His lips curled with anticipation.

    <i>��God, I��m loving this. I want to be adopted by these rich people��</i> Danny thought, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

    Although he had dined with sponsors during meetings and enjoyed a taste of luxury as the manager of the National Race Team, being surrounded by Hera and her people was a whole new level of opulence.

    Every moment with them felt like a glimpse into a world of wealth and privilege that he could never quite get enough of.

    After agreeing to Leo��s suggestion, they all climbed back into their cars, with a truck trailing behind, carrying Hera��s racing car.

    The rest of the crew settled into the expensive cars, following the convoy, while Hera, Leo, Luke, Dave, and Xavier rode in the extended Rolls Royce Phantom.

    Inside, Leo made a phone call.

    "Yes, I��d like to reserve the entire ce."

    "We��re already on our way."

    "It doesn��t matter; we��ll handle it. As long as the entire venue is reserved, the price is irrelevant."

    Though Leo��s conversation was one-sided, with his phone not on speaker, the others could clearly hear his responses.

    Luke, Dave, and Xavier exchanged amused nces, their eyebrows arching in surprise at the casual confidence Leo exuded.

    As Leo ended the call with a satisfied smile, Luke nced over and asked, "All set?"

    "Yep," Leo responded with a nod before wrapping his arm around Hera��s waist, offering her a gentle smile. "I know you��re going to love the ce."