The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 184

Chapter 184: Chapter 184 Dave is Drunk
Hera smiled knowingly at Amy before nodding in understanding. “Thank you, Amy. I’ll speak to Athena about it later.” With Hera’s assurance, Amy excused herself and returned to the kitchen, where she assisted Hannah in bringing out the dishes. Feeling relieved, Amy took solace in the belief that she had managed to spare her young miss from any potential trouble.

Hera let out a soft sigh of relief after Amy helped her cover-up. It was no wonder Amy had been sent from the mansion; she was quick-witted and perceptive, able to read people’s reactions and moods with ease. In short, Amy knew how to read the room perfectly.

Hera was about to lead everyone downstairs to the dining table when she noticed Dave starting to sway—clearly, the alcohol had kicked in. The male leads noticed as well and heard him try to speak, but his words were already slurred.

Feeling guilty, Hera offered, “It seems even Mr. Carson can’t handle the potency of that cocktail. Why don’t I let him use one of the guest rooms to rest for a bit?” She rubbed the tip of her nose and smiled at them apologetically.

Dave tugged at his necktie to loosen it, his face flushed red. His previously playful demeanor had transformed into one that was alluring and defiant. He stared at Hera with seductive eyes, grinning like a predator eyeing its prey. Hera felt a shiver run down her spine at his gaze; it was a complete 180-degree change. Thankfully, what she had put in the cocktail was just strong liquor, not an aphrodisiac like in the novel. Still, Dave was looking at her as if he was ready to devour her on the spot.

She wondered what he’d look like if he were actually drugged. Hera’s mind wandered as she took in Dave’s appearance—he resembled a wild rose, seductively handsome yet dangerously pricky. His hair tail, normally at the back, now fell loosely over his shoulders, and his open shirt offered a tantalizing glimpse of his strong chest. The way he looked right now, he could easily seduce any woman, and she imagined most would be more than willing to sleep with him if they were given a chance.

Even Hera felt her heart skip a beat when her eyes met Dave’s amethyst gaze, gleaming invitingly at her. She wasn’t the only one who noticed—every male lead could see that Dave was openly seducing her with his demeanor and intense stare. Rafael cursed under his breath, glaring daggers at Dave, but Zhane was quick to act, swiftly pulling Dave out of the room with him.

“Could you please lead me to the guest room?” Zhane asked Hera directly while supporting Dave. When Dave protested, Zhane firmly dragged him along, waiting for Hera to show the way. Without wasting any time, Hera led them to the farthest guest room on the second floor.

After reaching the guest room, Zhane said, “You can leave him to me. I’ll join you downstairs once I’ve got him settled in bed.”

Hera didn’t ask any more questions and led her other guests to the dining table. However, she noticed that the remaining three male leads seemed uneasy after seeing Dave in that state. Hera felt like she was missing something about Dave. She knew he was sarcastic and cunning, but she hadn’t heard much more from Athena about him, aside from being considered the group’s mascot.

The way the other four reacted gave her a sense of foreboding. There was something unsettling about how Dave had looked at her earlier, something she couldn’t quite grasp. It felt like the answer was just on the tip of her tongue, only to slip away whenever she tried to focus on it. Deciding to stop overthinking, she told herself her unease was likely due to Dave’s drunken behavior, which was understandable given his condition.

After clearing her mind of unnecessary worries, they arrived at the dining table where all the food had already been served. Amy emerged with seven cups of hangover soup, distributing them to each gentleman who had come from the entertainment room. Hera shot Amy an appreciative glance before encouraging everyone to drink up. She then directed Amy to head to the furthest guest room and leave a cup of hangover soup for Dave there as well.

As everyone finished their hangover soup, they settled into their seats. Hera graciously took her place on the side and offered the head chair to Victor, honoring his seniority. Xavier positioned himself to Hera’s right, with Luke on her left. Rafael, appearing a bit sullen because he was slightly delayed in his movements, claimed a seat opposite Hera. Zhane, also slower still due to assisting Dave, missed the chance to sit beside Hera. However, he remained composed and unruffled, taking his seat beside Rafael with a refined air befitting his status as a young master.

The spread prepared by Hannah featured a delightful fusion of Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, centered around seafood. Recognizing Hera’s fondness for seafood, Hannah curated the menu accordingly. However, she also ensured variety by preparing additional dishes to accommodate differing preferences and potential seafood allergies among the guests.

The table overflowed with a mouthwatering array of dishes. There was Seafood Paella adorned with plump scallops, tiger prawns, and mussels, each ingredient infused with rich flavors. A Cataplana de marisco, cooked in a clam-shaped copper pot, offered a tantalizing blend of shrimp, clams, and other seafood, slow-cooked to perfection with white wine, vegetables, and herbs. Grilled Lapas, or limpets, provided a unique seafood experience, served with a zesty garlic and butter sauce alongside slices of fresh lemon. Other offerings included Leitão assado, a succulent suckling pig, hearty Prego steak sandwiches, and Patatas bravas—cubed potatoes smothered in spicy mayonnaise sauce. For those craving traditional flavors, there were Albondigas—savory meatballs in a tangy tomato sauce—and Bacalao, a delicately prepared salted cod infused with olive oil, garlic, and the fish’s own juices.

Hannah made sure to include a selection of white wine, the Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru 2017, to complement the dishes on the table. While the spread appeared simple, its appetizing aroma captivated the senses, stirring Hera’s hunger. For the moment, she set aside her concerns about the male leads and eagerly focused on the delicious food before her. However, out of respect for Victor, Hera waited for him to begin eating before serving herself. Seeing Hera’s gesture, Victor appreciated the courtesy and promptly helped himself to some food. Hera also made sure to offer him dishes that were further away from his reach, further demonstrating her respect for him.