The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Chapter 182 Call me by my Name
“Oh!” Hera’s brain was still processing Rafael’s request when he added, “Call me by my name.” His tone was authoritative before he turned and walked off toward Luke and the others, leaving Hera standing there, baffled.

In reality, he seemed to be fleeing, unwilling to hear Hera refuse, so he hurried back to his friends, leaving her with no choice but to comply.

Hera tilted her head to the side, attempting to decipher Rafael’s thoughts, but her own mind was drawing blanks. She couldn’t quite grasp what Rafael was up to, but she decided to let it be. As long as it wasn’t working against her, she was fine with it. She resolved to call him Rafael, baby, or whatever he preferred for now, in order to foster a closer relationship with him. After all, his request wasn’t such a big deal, so she opted to go with the flow.

Seeing that everyone was having fun on their own, Hera decided to mix some cocktails she learned from one of the bartenders at her previous workplace. She crafted strong concoctions that also tasted great, ones famous among both men and women. Using vodka and bourbon as the base, she added yogurt drink, crushed berries, mint, and orange peel for decoration. Although it looked like a cocktail women would enjoy, it was a hit with everyone. Hera didn’t stop there; she added more classics like Manhattan, Negroni, and Martini to the tray before placing them on the coffee table in front of her guests.

“I hope you’re all having a good time. Please, help yourselves to these cocktails. They’re on the house,” Hera said with a charming smile as she carefully arranged the drinks on the table.

Victor was the first to pick up a glass of martini, savoring the taste before breaking into a smile. Unbeknownst to him, Hera had played a little prank with these cocktails, like a game of Russian roulette. One of them contained the strongest liquor she could find in her bar, and whoever chose that cocktail would surely feel the kick in a few minutes. But by then, they wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. Hera found it amusing to watch who would be the unlucky person. She wasn’t worried that others might think she was doing it on purpose to get someone into bed or something; she had some lines prepared just in case.

She wasn’t foolish enough to stoop to that level and sacrifice her own dignity to trap a man. What she was doing wasn’t just a harmless prank; she wanted it to serve as a lesson to the male leads. It was a reminder not to always drink whatever was handed to them, no matter how innocuous the situation seemed, especially in an unfamiliar environment.

She was aware that male leads typically exercise caution in such situations. However, a few instances flashed through her mind where, despite their usual carefulness, circumstances led to them falling vulnerable and being found by Alice while under the influence of an aphrodisiac. Surprisingly, these encounters played a pivotal role in solidifying Alice’s bond with the five male leads, marking significant milestones in their relationship.

Alice’s relationship with all five of them didn’t simply stem from Rafael and Xavier sharing a social circle and developing an interest in her. It was far more complex. The remaining three male leads were unwittingly ensnared in a plot, drugged by an aphrodisiac, which led to intimate encounters with Alice before they even realized her connection to Rafael and Xavier. By the time they discovered the truth, Alice had already formed deep bonds with most of them. Despite initial tensions and rivalries over her affection, they ultimately reached a consensus to share her affections. Their decision was driven not only by their friendship but also by the realization that Alice faced formidable adversaries, necessitating their collective protection against a powerful antagonist targeting her.

Hera’s intention in orchestrating this was to caution the male leads against falling into similar traps in the future, essentially aiming to prevent their chance encounters with Alice. While they may harbor neutral feelings toward Alice presently, Hera fears the possibility of history repeating itself, as depicted in the novel. Uncertain of her next steps, she contemplates the extent to which she can modify her plan to ensure events diverge from the novel’s narrative. She grapples with the challenge of tweaking her strategy sufficiently to safeguard against a reoccurrence of the novel’s events.

Moreover, Hera harbors no inclination whatsoever to substitute herself for Alice and shield the male leads from potential harm by using her own body. Instead, recognizing the impending recurrence of such circumstances, she opts for a more practical approach: sending them a poignant reminder. Hera acknowledges the impracticality of constantly shadowing them like a stalker to ensure they avoid encounters with Alice, especially considering the natural progression of events unfolding simultaneously with the story.

Her only recourse now was to prepare in advance, though she was well aware that there existed no flawless or foolproof plan. Thus, she harbored no illusions that this subtle reminder would suffice to deter them completely from following the storyline. Nevertheless, Hera remained hopeful that it would serve as a persistent reminder in the corner of their minds, nudging them away from the inevitable course of events.

Before long, each of the men found themselves holding a unique cocktail, carefully crafted by Hera to allow them the freedom to choose according to their preferences, thus adding an extra layer of excitement to her Russian roulette. As the drinks flowed and the atmosphere grew livelier, Hera maintained her composure, seamlessly playing her part. Then, Dave, drawn to the colorful concoction of mixed berries and yogurt, eagerly consumed it with the fervor of someone drinking water, enchanted by its taste and offering repeated praise. However, the potency of the cocktail soon began to take effect, leaving Dave pleasantly intoxicated.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying this cocktail! The sweetness mixed with a hint of sour from the berries, and the smooth taste from the yogurt drink, are all complemented by the refreshing touch of mint—it’s like sipping on a refreshing juice. I’m sure this would be a hit with the ladies. What’s the name of this delightful concoction?” Dave eagerly bombarded Hera with his questions as he relished the drink, downing it like water.

“It’s called ‘Night of Passion,'” Hera replied with a smile, pleased by Dave’s compliment on the drink she had crafted herself. She personally disliked the overpowering taste of strong liquor, which led her to include sweet and sour elements to balance out the cocktail’s flavor, making it more enjoyable for women. However, she cautioned that despite its inviting taste, it packed quite a punch, advising that one glass should suffice even for seasoned drinkers.

They noticed a flicker of pride on Hera’s face as she mentioned the drink’s name, realizing that she must have been the creator, generously sharing her creation with them. Witnessing this, Victor couldn’t help but chuckle once more. “Why don’t you whip one up for me as well?” he quipped.

Hera smiled warmly but gently shook her head. “Grandpa Victor, I believe you’ve had your fair share of strong drinks tonight. This one, in particular, packs quite a punch—it’s the strongest I have in stock. You might find it difficult to appreciate Hannah’s delicious food later on if you indulge too much.” She ended with a playful pout, mirroring the concern of a real granddaughter looking out for her grandfather’s well-being, urging him to take care of himself.