The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 151

Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Love Rivals Meeting Each Other
Xavier sensed that Leo was no ordinary CEO, prompting him to remain vigilant. Suspicions arose, with Xavier considering Leo as a potential mastermind behind the bald man’s arrest and the one who may have alerted the police.

Xavier’s brows furrowed as he continued to size up Leo from head to toe as if recognizing a potential adversary. Leo’s expression mirrored his, his brows furrowed so deeply they could have crushed a fly.

The standoff only ended when Hera wriggled out of Xavier’s embrace to face Leo. She realized she couldn’t keep pretending to be scared; it wouldn’t convince anyone anymore. Shifting her attention to Leo, she took a stand. This action left Xavier feeling dissatisfied and abandoned, as though Hera had found someone more appealing than him.

As Xavier scrutinized Leo’s face, comparing it to his own, he noticed that their physical appearances weren’t too dissimilar. This realization eased his mind somewhat, reminding him of their own unique advantages and charms. Still, he grudgingly acknowledged that Leo might have a slight edge in the looks department than him.

Resigned, Xavier bit his lip, accepting the situation. Hera’s attention was clearly on Leo, and it seemed they had some familiarity with each other. There was little he could do about it, despite his dissatisfaction.

This encounter marks the first time they’ve crossed paths. During the Charity Auction a week ago, Xavier departed early for work, missing the opportunity to meet his love rival. Unaware of the competition, he remained blissfully oblivious and was among the most clueless of his friends.

Hence, Xavier found himself caught off guard when Leo stepped forward, his gaze filled with unmistakable affection for Hera. Disliking the situation, Xavier had been subtly obstructing Leo’s view from the outset, determined to prevent Hera from being swayed by Leo’s advances.

“Leo, what brings you here?” Hera’s voice was a blend of surprise and curiosity. The sight of Leo reignited a whirlwind of emotions within her. It seemed unfathomable to Hera that someone of Leo’s caliber wasn’t cast as the male lead in the novel. Yet, there was a glimmer of relief in realizing that Alice hadn’t claimed someone as genuine as him. This revelation spared Hera from having to approach Leo with the guarded caution and orchestrated interaction she reserved for Xavier and would need to do for other male leads in the future.

That meant her interactions with Leo would remain untainted, a thought that filled her with inner contentment. Hera held a high regard for Leo; despite his sharp and commanding appearance, he exuded neither arrogance nor condescension, a testament to his good upbringing.

“I happened to be nearby and thought I’d check out the event,” Leo replied with a gentle smile, his gaze unwavering from Hera’s face. Unlike the repulsive and lascivious stares of the bald man, Leo’s gaze exuded genuine warmth, causing Hera to blush from its intensity

Leo’s assistant shot him an incredulous glance almost instantly, though it was done discreetly, out of sight of others. Yet, Leo couldn’t shake the feeling of being judged, whether from his assistant’s disapproving gaze or perhaps his own nagging guilty conscience.

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 equestrian competition 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 impeccably organized, providing everything necessary for everyone’s comfort, particularly 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 carefully laid plans 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 plans from the start. The stable cameras not only provided comprehensive 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 plans to him.

Unaware that his own assistant had orchestrated the surveillance setup, Leo’s tension eased upon discovering Hera’s plan to not confront the bald man head-on, and not planning to risk her own safety. After realizing she wasn’t seeking to be a hero but rather meticulously planned 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 to compete. 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 vigilant surveillance to prevent any foul play 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 vigilant 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 the competition had unfolded.

Leo joined her in smiling, his expression mirroring her joy as he offered heartfelt congratulations. 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 himself lacking compared 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 particularly talkative, especially compared to his chattiness in the livestream chatroom. Leo was more inclined towards action rather than words, sharing a similar disposition with Xavier in this regard.