The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Chapter 155 Want to Join Us?
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.

Bry’s father extended a warm welcome to Leo, not solely because of his role as a representative of the Hendrix Consortium, but because Leo was now known as one of Hera’s friends. Hera is revered as the beloved daughter of Autumnvale because she treats everyone like family. Thus, anyone connected to her was automatically embraced by the community. Leo’s presence was met with genuine hospitality, a testament to Autumnvale’s ethos of inclusion and familial bonds.

Besides, Bry’s father is not young anymore, so he could clearly discern Leo’s feelings for Hera. It didn’t take a genius to realize it; all one had to do was look into his eyes. As the saying goes, ‘The eyes are the window to the soul,’ and Leo’s eyes unmistakably revealed the depth of his affection for her.

Wherever Hera went, Leo’s eyes followed with fiery intensity and a piercing gaze. His attention, along with Xavier’s, always seemed to gravitate toward her. As a bystander, he observed without judgment, but from his own experience, he knew that this love triangle would be a particularly spicy one.

Bry’s father couldn’t help but chuckle to himself with anticipation, thinking, “Maybe this is what they call ‘fangirling’ and ‘shipping’.” It was something his youngest son had mentioned before, something the younger generation discussed whenever celebrities came up. He never thought it could bring such a wonderful feeling.

It felt as though he was indulging in his favorite child’s love life, already picking out a potential son-in-law.

“Why don’t you join us for our celebratory feast, sir?” Bry’s father offered Leo a wide grin, a knowing look in his eyes, twinkling with gossip.

Since Bry’s father seemed to approve, Hera saw no reason to object. Besides, Leo had just helped them with that man earlier, and this was Bry’s father’s way of showing gratitude and fondness towards someone.

Even after Bry’s father extended the invitation to Leo, his gaze remained fixed on Hera, awaiting her response. Hera glanced back at Leo, attempting to decipher his unspoken thoughts, tilting her head in confusion.

‘Is he waiting for me to invite him?’ Hera pondered silently, though she dismissed the idea as improbable. Nonetheless, Leo’s persistent gaze made her feel slightly uneasy, causing her to fidget under his fiery gaze.

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 really come?” 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 village seems so welcoming 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 articulate 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 speculate 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 particularly 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 accompanied 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 villagers tomorrow?” Xavier paused, casting a glance 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 villagers. Today, we could all use some rest after completing the race.”

To be honest, Xavier was content to stick to their planned itinerary for the day. He wasn’t particularly tired, and they could still celebrate today while cooking for the villagers tomorrow, as originally planned. 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 felt compelled 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. ‘Is this jealousy?’ 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 plans, mindful that Leo might not be available later.

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 my company. Would it be alright for me to join you guys in the village?” 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 village,” he added, stealing a shy glance 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 displaying 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 glanced 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 village but was too shy to ask directly, resulting in his roundabout inquiry.