The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Chapter 169 Going Back to the City 2
After the Director’s bombshell announcement, the participants’ expressions darkened considerably. They racked their brains, recalling any missteps that might have led to their potential cancellation in the eyes of the audience, dreading the inevitable confrontation with their managers and agencies.

Well, of course, only Hera, Xavier, and Zen have no reason to worry about this. Even if they did something that may be disliked by some people, they were confident in their company’s PR team to handle the situation and they had a clear conscience. In fact, they even feel that they are the ones to benefit from this arrangement the most.

And as if adding insult to injury, the cameraman mercilessly zoomed in on the participants’ faces, capturing their devastation without a second thought. Despite any reluctance on the Director’s part, he had no choice but to comply—Leo had demanded it as a form of punishment for those who targeted Hera. And what better way to punish a celebrity than by jeopardizing their careers?

Leo aimed to ensure they grasped the gravity of their actions then and there, understanding that they would inevitably face the consequences once their companies retrieved them. However, he believed it was crucial for them to experience this humiliation in front of the camera, a stark lesson in conducting themselves with decency regardless of the camera’s presence. And that is if they survive the internet’s onslaught.

That was a douche move but Leo wouldn’t care, they would have to face the consequences of their own actions.

Following the Director’s announcement, he departed with his team to dismantle the cameras and pack up for the day. However, a few cameramen continued to film the participants until their managers or assistant’s arrival.

“Girl, wait up!!!” Aunt Sabby exclaimed, hurrying towards Hera with a flapping chicken in each hand. Surprisingly, they were still alive and tied only by their feet. “Bring these with you! You know that native chickens are more delicious and cleaner than the ones bought from poultry farms that feed on manufactured feeds.” Aunt Sabby paused to catch her breath, having rushed back to her house to fetch what she had prepared for Hera to take home.

Following Aunt Sabby’s lead, the other villagers also brought out their home’s specialties that could be stored and eaten: roasted peanuts, pickled vegetables, homemade mozzarella cheese, and more. Each villager had at least a sack full of items they had prepared for Hera to take home, and they made sure to prepare some for Xavier and Zen as well.

In the countryside, it was customary to send off family members with these kinds of gifts, ensuring that those going away to work or study in the city wouldn’t feel too homesick. These hometown specialties served as a comforting taste of home, a reminder of the warmth and flavors of their rural origins even amidst the bustle of urban life.

Hera’s heart swelled with emotion, almost bringing tears to her eyes. The villagers’ 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 accept our friendship and love?” she asked, her voice carrying a hint of playful reproach.

Hera sighed in defeat, accepting their gifts one by one with heartfelt gratitude. Xavier and Zen followed suit, expressing their appreciation for the villagers’ thoughtfulness. Before long, they found themselves surrounded by sacks of produce and even live chickens and ducks. If the villagers could send live pigs and cows, they probably would have. The scene was heartwarming, yet amusing, as the villagers 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 villagers. 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 accommodate 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 village must have been in on this, explaining 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 explained, 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 same company.

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 village, 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.

Moments later, 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 to comfort 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 to compose herself. “I’m fine, Sister Hera,” she replied, her voice still shaky.