The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Chapter 119 Brother Xavier
“Brother Xavier!” Hera exclaimed, taking a step forward toward Xavier. Her mind darted back to the gutter upon spotting one of the male leads her mind preoccupied with the topic. Despite this distraction, she couldn’t resist giving Xavier a thorough once-over, as if studying every detail of his form from head to toe.

Xavier merely raised an eyebrow in response to Hera’s unabashed scrutiny. Had it been any other girl, he might have called attention to it, but he found Hera’s behavior rather amusing. It seemed she had finally taken the opportunity to give him a once-over.

But contrary to Hera and Xavier’s own thoughts, the other participants are all surprised to hear Hera call Xavier a little more intimately by addressing him ‘Brother Xavier’ which he has shot down unceremoniously when it was other female celebrities who did that.

They are somehow waiting for Xavier to snap at Hera for trying to be intimate with him, they think that Hera had chosen to call him intimately right now so she could draw him to her side without fully knowing Xaveir’s history.

Minerva’s mocking smirk deepened as she heard Hera addressing Xavier in such a manner. Even she, Minerva, was not permitted to address him like that when her brother was one of Xavier’s close friends. “What gives Hera the audacity to do so? Just because they’re on the same team?” she scoffed inwardly.

As most participants anticipated Xavier reprimanding Hera for attempting intimacy by addressing him as “Brother Xavier,” some male participants harbored jealousy toward Xavier for receiving such attention from her. Their jealousy intensified as Hera appeared pitiful and vulnerable. If given the chance, they would willingly leap into the fire to assist her in resolving the situation.

Just as they had rallied around Alice when she shed tears, it’s only natural for men to feel compelled to protect women. This instinct, combined with their visual nature, drives them to aid and defend those who appear vulnerable, particularly if they are also deemed beautiful. It’s an ingrained response to want to assist the most vulnerable and attractive woman in their midst when she displays signs of distress.

Hera effortlessly achieved this effect. While Alice cried openly like a child, Hera attempted to maintain her composure, appearing noble and composed despite being blamed. Given these contrasting displays, it was evident which woman these men would naturally be drawn to support.

Unfortunately for Alice, she underestimated Hera’s experience. Athena had meticulously trained Hera in handling such tactics years ago, rendering Alice, in Hera’s eyes, akin to a novice still learning the ropes.

As for Xavier, he decided to step inside, intending to grab a drink while awaiting Zen and Hera to come back. However, upon entering, he was met with a troubling sight: Hera being provoked by everyone around her. Anger coursed through him as he observed the telltale signs of Hera’s distress—her reddened eyes and nose—as she fought back tears. Despite her own emotional turmoil, she maintained a forced smile for Alice’s benefit, suppressing her own tears while attempting to comfort others.

As Xavier felt the fragile thread of his composure fray, Hera’s use of the term “Brother Xavier” elicited a tumultuous mix of emotions within him. A surge of happiness tinged with possessiveness washed over him momentarily. However, his reverie was abruptly interrupted as he met Hera’s gaze, her clear eyes glistening with tears at the corners. This sight swiftly grounded him, forcing him back to his senses.

Just as Xavier was about to act, Hera’s expression subtly shifted to one of appraising him as a man, catching him off guard. In response, he instinctively straightened his posture and puffed out his chest, albeit briefly. However, this momentary confidence dissipated as quickly as it came when Hera reverted to her vulnerable state.

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 solace and reassurance. In that tender gesture, Hera felt a surge of comfort, 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 particularly 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 succumbing to tears, her shoulders trembling as she clung to the fabric of his clothes near his chest, seeking solace in his comforting 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 accustomed 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 blazing 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 play. While he could discern Alice’s motives, having witnessed similar 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 behavior compared to Alice’s calculated 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 played 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, displayed an even greater level of tolerance towards Xavier, particularly considering Xavier’s lucrative contract with SOE, which made him a significant source of income. 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 glanced 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 relaxed 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.