The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 138

Chapter 138: Chapter 138 Rewards (Edited)
“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 acceptable as long as it remains within the parameters of the game’s rules.”1

“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 accepted 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 accusations, and their unwarranted support for Minerva, left them feeling equally guilty.

Despite Minerva and Alice’s persistence in their claims, they found themselves at an impasse. With the Director’s definitive statement and evidence readily available 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 accusations came to a halt, but the Director, adamant about protecting his reputation, took action. He uploaded replays of Hera’s village excursion, showcasing her gameplay in detail. Additionally, he shared fast-forwarded snippets of her recent activities, particularly 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 play.

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 and composed 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.

________________

“Since there are no further comments, let’s proceed to discover the rewards hidden within the Easter Eggs,” declared the Director, dismissing Minerva and Alice’s objections. He then turned his attention to opening the eggs, starting with Alice’s as she only had one.

The crew responsible for Alice’s items stepped forward, positioning himself in front of the main camera. With a deliberate motion, he split open the egg, revealing its contents for all to see.

[A Vegetable Feast]

The crew and the Director extended their congratulations 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 displayed 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 Hera laid eyes on the bold text of the paper, triumph radiated from her crinkled eyes. She glanced at Xavier, and without a word, they shared an understanding. Xavier couldn’t help but smile affectionately, his gesture speaking volumes. “Congratulations on clinching first place,” 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 quickly composed 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 isolated 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 popularity and ride his coattail so Hera could gain more attention.]

[AuntieNextDoor: Oh, come 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! (✿≧ᗜ≦)]

[NorthernDuke: That brat has been trying to seduce my wife from the very beginning! (╬ Ò﹏Ó)]

[GoldenLight: I think so too. And correction, she’s not your wife.]

[FatherOfCaduceus: Hmmm.]

[EntertainmentKing: (╬ Ò‸Ó)ノ彡┻━┻]

[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? ヽ(≧ᗝ≦)ﾉ]

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 congratulate 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 exclaimed enthusiastically. He’d savored lavish 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 accumulate points for a lavish meal before our departure,” Hera suggested, pausing briefly to consider. “What do you think about treating the villagers 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 him lately. 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 emasculated, he found comfort 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 outcome 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 planning, 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 in comparison to Hera’s lavish 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 to laying low and avoiding further complaints. 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 her lack of influential connections and her innocent nature. Because of the great opportunities coming 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 her comfort 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.