The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 193

Chapter 193: Chapter 193 Have Him
Hera wasted no time in the parking area and swiftly made her way towards the exit. However, her stride came to an abrupt halt upon hearing a familiar voice pierce the air. “What are you doing here?!”

Hera turned slightly to catch sight of the person calling her, but she remained silent, offering only a faint smile before resuming her departure without a backward glance. Her silence stemmed from both a reluctance to engage in idle chatter at the moment and a deliberate avoidance of the individual altogether.

“Hera! Are you ignoring me, you bitch?!” Minerva’s shrill voice echoed, drawing the attention of others in the parking lot. As her voice cut through the air, bystanders began to gather, curious to witness the unfolding drama between the two striking women. One exuded elegance and sophistication, while the other emanated an aura of sensuality and defiance.

Yet, Hera remained the most conspicuous figure. Previously, she had always adorned herself in worn-out attire, the colors faded from countless washes. Her appearance often appeared fatigued and worn from her relentless work outdoors, overshadowing her inherent beauty. Her complexion had paled, and her hair, coarse and dry, bore the brunt of neglect, deprived of the care it deserved due to her perpetual time constraints.

Now, having prioritized self-care and ample rest, Hera’s transformation was remarkable. Her complexion radiated with newfound vitality, and her hair cascaded in lustrous waves, soft to the touch. Even without embellishment, she effortlessly outshone the crowd of affluent heiresses, arousing jealousy among onlookers with her natural allure.

The realization grated on Minerva’s nerves. Despite her meticulous grooming, adorned in intricate makeup to accentuate her finest features, Hera effortlessly stole the spotlight, her natural allure outshining Minerva’s efforts. The memory of her grievances with Hera resurfaced—Alexi’s lingering gazes, the inadvertent slip of Hera’s name from Alexi’s lips in their intimate moments the previous night. Minerva seethed with resentment towards Hera, blaming her for captivating Alexi’s attention and intruding incessantly into their lives, depriving Minerva of any semblance of respite.

Minerva’s teeth ground together, her fists clenched in seething rage as she fixated on Hera’s departing form. “What’s with the false pride?” she hissed. “In the end, you’re just a plaything for wealthy old men.” With deliberate venom, Minerva projected her voice, ensuring her words reached bystanders before continuing her assault. “It’s no surprise you’ve kept Alexi at arm’s length all this time. You’re afraid he’ll uncover your tainted past while you pretend to be righteous and pure.” Hatred burned fiercely in Minerva’s eyes, a testament to her deep-seated animosity.

Hera couldn’t comprehend the source of Minerva’s hostility, puzzled by the intense animosity directed her way. In reality, it was Minerva who had upheaved Hera’s life, leaving it in disarray. Normally, Hera would have every reason to lash out and make a scene, considering Minerva had stolen her now ex-boyfriend. However, Hera refused to stoop to such levels. She refused to dignify the situation with a public display of anger, especially over a man who had proven so easily swayed.

Minerva’s gaze shifted sideways, a gleam of excitement dancing in her eyes as she persisted in needling Hera. “What’s the matter, speechless?” she jeered, a smug grin playing on her lips. It was as if she had already emerged victorious in her bid to tarnish Hera’s reputation, eagerly anticipating the moment when her gossip would spread throughout the university, ensuring Hera’s days would be harsh with gossip flying around.

Rather than succumbing to anger, Hera let out a chuckle, catching Minerva off guard. Hera’s response defied Minerva’s expectations yet again. Instead of erupting in fury or resorting to theatrics, Hera regarded Minerva with an amused glint in her eyes. It was as though she found the entire spectacle akin to watching a clown perform in a circus—a bemused detachment that only served to confound Minerva further.

“Would you rather see me weeping over an ex-boyfriend snatched away by a promiscuous woman who can’t seem to keep her legs shut?” Hera shot back, her grin wide yet imbued with a fierce innocence. Her demeanor was reminiscent of a playful cat, mischievous yet undeniably charming.

Upon hearing Hera’s unfiltered retort, Minerva’s features contorted into a grotesque expression. Hera’s unabashed accusation struck a nerve, as she made no attempt to soften her words, directly branding Minerva as a whore. Faced with the choice of responding in anger and essentially confirming Hera’s insult, Minerva’s complexion fluctuated rapidly from deep red to pallid, before flushing a furious shade of purple as rage consumed her.

Hera refused to let Minerva off the hook, recognizing that Minerva had initiated the conflict and brought the turmoil into her own domain. “You can have him,” Hera persisted, her tone tinged with determination. “After all, a real man is not easily swayed by mere flings. Besides…” Hera’s gaze flicked over Minerva before she continued in a teasing manner, “The woman he chose over me hardly compares in beauty.” The words carried a sense of déjà vu for Hera, reminiscent of Athena’s recounting of Minerva’s previous taunts directed at a different version of Hera—a Hera depicted as disheveled and desperate, shedding tears over Alexi and resorting to extreme measures, even sacrificing her inheritance to prove her love.

Hera’s eyes shimmered with a tinge of sorrow as she reflected, ‘How the tables have turned!’ Observing Minerva’s expression stiffen in response to her words, Hera made a mental note to remember this moment vividly—the embarrassment etched on Minerva’s face, her inner turmoil laid bare. It was a striking parallel to the portrayal of Hera in the novel, a stark reminder of how swiftly fortunes could reverse.

“What did you say?!” A thunderous voice reverberated from the back of the gathering crowd surrounding Minerva and Hera. The crowd instinctively parted, revealing Alexi striding towards them. Minerva’s eyes sparkled with hope as she spotted him, a sense of triumph evident in her gaze as she cast a smug glance at Hera. Alexi’s demeanor resembled that of a raging bull, poised to charge at his target. Minerva assumed he was incensed by Hera’s public humiliation, her thoughts racing with the belief that Alexi was prepared to defend her honor against Hera’s accusations of promiscuity and ugliness.