The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 219

Chapter 219: Chapter 219 The Sinister Dave
After hearing Zhane’s promise to keep her updated on Leo’s condition, Hera felt the burden in her heart lighten. She broke into a sweet smile and nodded at Zhane. Seeing her return to her enthusiastic and lively self, just like in her livestreams, Zhane’s lips curved upwards ever so subtly.

Dave, on the other hand, also wanted to rush to Hera’s side and promise her everything just to receive the same smile Zhane got. But as Hera finally got the answer she sought from Zhane, she began to feel dizzy and sleepy, the tension finally easing after all this time. Watching her eyelids droop, Zhane gently placed his hands on top of Hera’s eyes and closed them.

“Sleep now. I promise I’ll still be here when you wake up. No need to worry,” Zhane’s soothing voice sounded comforting, and Hera instantly fell asleep.

Dave stood behind Zhane, still staring at Hera. “Tsk! You’re promising too much. You still have your duties to take care of in the hospital. I can stay and watch over her,” Dave said, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

“You’re not so free, Young Minister. Or would you like me to call your assistant?” Zhane said with the same indifferent tone. He remained in his position, not even bothering to look back at Dave as he spoke.

“No!” Dave took a step back, alarmed. He had just sneaked out of his office, and if his assistant found out he was gone, he wouldn’t have a chance to see Hera wake up first. “I’ll stay quiet and wait for her to wake up with you.” Dave pouted like an aggrieved child, but he didn’t challenge Zhane further. He settled down on the other side of the bed, resting his back against the headboard, making sure not to disturb Hera.

“What are you trying to do? What if she wakes up?” Zhane sternly reprimanded Dave, who remained motionless beside her, as if afraid someone would steal his place.

“No, I’ll be quiet beside her,” Dave insisted, refusing to give in as he watched Hera sleep.

Zhane stopped arguing with Dave, afraid their voices might wake Hera. He shot a stern gaze at Dave as a reminder, then pulled a chair next to Hera’s bed and sat down. Holding her hand, he feared that if he let go, Hera might have a nightmare. He simply stared at her serene sleeping face, his thoughts unreadable.

Dave also quieted down. As long as Zhane didn’t chase him away, he would remain silent. He spent the time pondering the incident and all the possibilities. He had already considered all the people who might wish him harm, and he was simply waiting for Zhane’s investigation to conclude, hoping for answers before he took action.

After some time, a knock echoed from the door, stealing Zhane and Dave’s attention. They both turned their gaze toward the entrance as a man in a smart suit, but with a brawny physique entered. He began his report, “Young Master—”

But before he could continue, Zhane interrupted him with a stern look that felt like a blade slicing through his flesh, causing the man to choke up on the words he was about to say.

“Lower your voice, Hera is still sleeping,” Zhane instructed, his tone authoritative yet considerate of Hera’s need for rest. He felt torn between addressing the matter at hand and remaining by Hera’s side. Though he didn’t voice it, Zhane’s hesitation was palpable, and Dave could sense his internal conflict. Dave opened his mouth to speak but then hesitated, unsure of what to say or how to alleviate Zhane’s dilemma.

Acknowledging his own role in the situation, Dave realized that he hadn’t acted promptly or effectively to prevent what had occurred. However, dwelling on the past wouldn’t change anything, and Zhane understood this. Sensing Dave’s remorse, Zhane chose not to exacerbate the situation by dwelling on what could have been done differently.

After Zhane instructed the man to lower his voice, he approached the bed and began his report in a gentle tone. “Young Master, after determining the type of drug present in the Young Madam’s and the other gentleman’s blood, we traced its origin to the black market in Russia. The aphrodisiac was sourced from an illegal drug farm in India. Our team has already taken action to apprehend the dealer responsible for selling the drug, and they are currently undergoing interrogation.”

Zhane chose not to correct his subordinate when Hera was mistakenly referred to as ‘Young Madam,’ despite their lack of any official relationship. His stern and indifferent expression shifted to one of cold indifference, emitting an icy chill. “Ensure that the man starts talking as soon as possible. I want results before Hera wakes up,” Zhane stated calmly but with an unmistakable air of anger. Though he didn’t raise his voice, his subordinates understood that Zhane was deeply displeased and indirectly conveyed his expectation for them to intensify the interrogation even if it meant to torture the man to extract information swiftly.

Dave’s mischievous smile widened as he continued, “Since he’s from Russia, he’s likely trained to withstand interrogation and won’t easily spill secrets, even under torture. These kinds of individuals are notoriously difficult to crack.” His words hung in the air, drawing the attention of both Zhane and his subordinate. While Dave himself avoided involvement in illegal activities and murky dealings, he remained well-informed about such matters, including the workings of the black market. However, when it came to underworld connections and drug trafficking, his knowledge paled in comparison to Zhane’s and his family’s extensive network. Dave’s family maintained a pristine reputation, unwilling to tarnish their standing or provide ammunition to enemies who might seek to undermine his career.

Dave’s sinister smile sent shivers down Zhane’s subordinate’s spine as he suggested, “If conventional methods fail, why not resort to something more… inventive? Ever heard of the rat torture?”

Of course, they heard of it, it was the most cruel and gruesome torture that was recorded in history where the torturer would use big rats or even small dozen rats and trap them in a metal pail or bucket before placing them in a person’s stomach and then the torturer would heat the metal while the rats are inside, out of survival instinct, the rat will try its best to find an exit and if there’s none, they would make it, and how could they make one? By digging, they would dig into a person’s stomach with their long nails, no matter how tough a person’s skin and muscles are, it would still be a painful process and it was enough to kill them, either from the rat’s urine and feces in their stomach wounds which would cause an infection that would lead to death or from their innards being stirred and dug while they are still alive.

Zhane’s subordinate took a step back with a loud gulp that formed in his throat, his mind recoiled at the gruesome details—the chilling image of rats trapped in metal containers, driven by desperation to claw their way out of a human abdomen. The torturous method, infamous throughout history, stirred a profound sense of dread within him and he was sure that the man would break from the torture.