The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Chapter 220 Everett Family Meeting
But Dave did not care how he was currently viewed. Not only did he want to know the answer as soon as possible, but he also aimed to teach the man a lesson and make an example of him as a warning to others.

After hearing his friend’s suggestion, Zhane did not flinch. His expression remained steady, clearly indicating his permission to proceed as Dave suggested. Although he had pledged as a doctor to save human lives and dedicate himself to the well-being of others, he was still human, capable of feeling anger and fear. Zhane understood what Dave wanted to do and believed it was necessary to serve as a warning not to cross his bottom line.

Soon, Zhane’s subordinate left the private room and placed a call to instruct his men as he was told. Although he felt that the torture was excessive, he maintained faith in Zhane’s character and followed his orders wholeheartedly. As doubts arose, he started to consider that perhaps Dave was indeed right.

Once everyone else had left the room, silence settled in. Despite the quiet, the atmosphere was not awkward. Dave and Zhane each focused on their own tasks while keeping a watchful eye on Hera. Knowing how important Athena was to Hera, Zhane had already instructed the nurse’s office to inform Athena that Hera was in the hospital. However, they reassured Athena that Hera was receiving excellent care and deliberately withheld the room number, subtly indicating that her presence was not immediately necessary.

Even when Athena expressed a desire to visit her best friend, the nurse insisted that Hera was receiving proper care. The nurse subtly implied that Athena might inadvertently interfere, suggesting that their Young Master needed time alone with the future Young Madam. Taking it upon herself to assist Zhane, the nurse spread the news quickly throughout the hospital. After all, when Zhane carried Hera to the private room as if she were a fragile princess, the sight had already set the rumor mill ablaze.

Some staff members were already familiar with Hera, with many debating whether she should be paired with Xavier or Leo. However, upon learning of the Young Master’s closeness to her, their allegiance shifted. Naturally, they began to support the idea of Hera with their Young Master instead. Observing Dave trailing after Zhane, they assumed he was merely there to gossip with his friend, given his reputation around the hospital for being chatty. Little did they know, Dave was also deeply invested in the ongoing “shipping” battle.

They were unaware that they were allowing another competitor in, but even if they had known, there wasn’t much they could do about it. Soon, pictures of Zhane carrying Hera around the hospital circulated in the employees’ group chat. As a result, the elders of the Everett family got wind of the situation, and Zhane’s mother promptly sent someone to investigate Hera’s background.

Luckily, the Averys had the best intelligence network, and Gerald discovered that someone was digging into Hera’s background just in time. He intercepted the inquiry and provided the standard information that others had also uncovered. Within 30 minutes, the Everetts had gathered the information they wanted about Hera and quickly convened a family meeting behind Zhane’s back.

The current head of the Everett family, Zhane’s grandfather, and the reigning Patriarch sat at the head of the ancestral hall. The room was filled with heated discussions about Zhane’s potential marriage partner, but the Patriarch brought the chaos to an abrupt halt by slamming his cane on the ground. “Silence!” he commanded. Despite nearing 80 years old, his voice still carried immense authority and power, enough to silence the entire crowd gathered before him.

Zhane’s father, seated beside the Patriarch, calmly took a sip of his tea before speaking. “Dad, please go ahead.” Although it was his wife who initiated the investigation into Hera’s background, the gathered information was shared with both the Patriarch and Zhane’s father beforehand. Thus, they were already aware of the details before she could say anything. Zhane’s father remained composed and unworried.

Zhane’s mother, however, was anxious. There had already been discussions of a marriage alliance between the Everett and Lennon families, and she was the one negotiating with the other family’s matriarch. Yet, she had seen Hera once before at the mall with her son. She noticed Zhane initiating a conversation with Hera, which was unusual for him. Normally indifferent and stern, her son would rarely engage in conversation with anyone in public, even his patients, unless they approached him first—and even then, his responses would be curt and brief. This encounter made her realize there might be more to Hera than she initially thought.

That’s why Hera left a lasting impression on her. She saw Hera again on a variety show and grew to admire her character: straightforward, and kind, yet firm enough not to let anyone bully or take advantage of her. This increased her fondness for Hera. However, the talks with the Lennon family had been ongoing for years and couldn’t be easily dissolved. The Lennons were a prominent medical family with significant influence in the country just a few notches lower than their own family.

Seeing that the Patriarch and his immediate family were silent, a branch family relative decided to speak up. He had a square face, slanted eyes, a slightly straight nose, and thin lips.

“Patriarch, we can’t allow the only heir of the Everett family to get too close to any Tom, Dick, and Harry out there,” he said, his voice laced with disdain. “Many of these women are just gold diggers. Take that woman, for example. Isn’t she the one rumored to have many sugar daddies? A filthy woman like her is not suitable for Zhane at all.”

His words dripped with contempt and disgust for Hera, though it was unclear whether it stemmed from her alleged poverty or the accusations of gold-digging.

The Patriarch rebuked the man calmly. “You’re old enough to know better than to believe every rumor you hear,” he said, taking a sip of his tea. He pondered his options before continuing. “Besides, Zhane is more than capable of making his own choices. As the sole heir of the Everett family and a medical genius respected worldwide, he has formed his own opinions. If I tried to force him into something, he might very well rebel against the entire family. I’m not willing to take that risk.”

The Patriarch’s words highlighted his trust in Zhane’s maturity and independence. Even as a young boy, Zhane had always been wise beyond his years and detested others making decisions for him.

“Patriarch! That’s irresponsible! What about the engagement with the Lennon family?” the man with the square face exclaimed, rallying the other branch members. “The alliance has been an ongoing discussion for years. If they find out that we are letting our only heir, their supposed son-in-law, associate with a wild girl, they will surely fight us. Think about our reputation too!” He appealed to their sense of advantage, emphasizing the potential fallout. “If we become estranged from the Lennons, who excel in traditional medicine and are the largest procurers of medicinal herbs in the country, we would lose a great ally.”