The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 224

Chapter 224: Chapter 224 Let Her Do It
“Are you sure?” Dave asked, concern evident in his voice. While he understood the need to humor Hera at this moment, he couldn’t in good conscience give her a false sense of confidence that might later put her in danger. He was surprised to discover that Hera was knowledgeable about the intricacies of the upper circle, but he also knew she lacked the actual power or influence to challenge the Lennons, let alone teach them a lesson.

“Alright, I believe you. But if anything goes amiss, I want you to let me know and ask for my help,” Zhane said, gently rubbing Hera’s head as if coaxing a child. He wasn’t smiling, but his eyes conveyed both concern and gentleness.

“Zhane!” Dave’s exclamation was fraught with fury. He felt Zhane was about to send Hera to her death, fully aware that she couldn’t even put up a fight. However, unlike Dave, the other male leads didn’t believe Hera had a humble background. Even though she claimed Athena was backing her up, it seemed implausible for Athena to secure the penthouse in the Dragon Jade Building with just her wealth and connections; it wasn’t enough.

Dave, having slept for most of their time in the penthouse, missed witnessing how the servants treated Hera. Perhaps he was simply too lazy to contemplate the possibilities, his trust in Hera blinding him to crucial information.

Hera was acutely aware of this issue, feeling exposed and vulnerable under the watchful gaze of the male leads. She sensed they held the power to act against her at any moment. This realization fueled her desire to demonstrate her capabilities and was the driving force behind her insistence on handling the matter herself.

Her strategy wasn’t constructed a few steps ahead of others; rather, it was fluid and adaptable, evolving with the circumstances and responses of those involved. Hera understood that there’s no such thing as a perfect plan; success hinges on the execution and how well it adjusts to the shifting landscape of events.

This is precisely why Zhane placed his trust in Hera to handle the Tyler Lennon situation. His confidence wasn’t rooted in the expectation that she’d seek his help at the first sign of trouble or admit defeat if things got tough. Instead, it stemmed from his faith in her judgment. Zhane observed her during the Variety Show and gained insight into her character. He recognized her intelligence, quick wit, and knack for devising counter-schemes against those plotting against her.

Her actions and demeanor had completely shifted Zhane’s initial impression of her, only deepening his admiration. The one aspect of her character that remained unchanged in his eyes was her refusal to be a superficial woman solely focused on personal gain. Hera’s unwavering beliefs and principles made her stand out even more in his eyes.

“Let her handle it,” Zhane asserted firmly, fixing Dave with a stern glare.

“Alright, if things go south, I can always leverage my position and connections to sort this out. After all, it’s Tyler’s mess to clean up.” Then, with a hint of suspicion, he added, “Unless, of course, he’s doing all this for your fiancée?” Dave couldn’t resist throwing some shade Zhane’s way, knowing Hera held Zhane in high regard while his own reputation was less than stellar. He wanted to level the playing field, ensuring Zhane had to work twice as hard to catch up to Hera, while he was already hot on her heels.

Despite Zhane’s typically calm demeanor and refined upbringing, Dave’s comment made him want to throttle him then and there. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration at Dave’s audacity to say such things in front of Hera. Zhane had barely had the chance to interact with her, unlike Xavier and Leo, who had spent numerous days showcasing their abilities to her. He felt like he was constantly lagging behind them, which is why he took the initiative to check on Bry’s uncle—hoping to make a favorable impression on Hera as a gesture of goodwill.

Zhane felt a surge of betrayal from his friend’s unexpected attempt to undermine him. Despite this, he managed to maintain his composure, his face a mask of indifference. “Dave, please refrain from speaking as if you have no fiancée yourself. We all know that the woman you’re referring to as my possible match was merely a prospect chosen by my family for strategic alliances. However, if her brother’s conduct is any indication of bad upbringing, it’s doubtful my family would pursue such a union.” Zhane’s explanation flowed effortlessly, though inwardly he was tense, unable to meet Hera’s gaze directly. Instead, he busied himself adjusting Hera’s blanket, a subtle distraction from his discomfort.

Dave’s throat tightened, and he felt a surge of anger so potent it threatened to choke him. He hadn’t anticipated Zhane’s deft reversal, let alone the mention of a fiancée that existed only in the fabrications of family politics. Amongst their circle, Dave was renowned for his wild and untamed nature, hardly the type to acquiesce to any arranged match. If the situation demanded it, he’d conjure a hundred reasons to resist, or worse, concoct schemes to drive the poor woman away.

Before the banter between the two men could escalate, a commotion outside the door interrupted them.

“Let me in, I want to see her,” Leo’s voice, though weak and hoarse, echoed from outside. Hera felt a mix of happiness and worry upon hearing him. She wasn’t sure how to face Leo at this moment. What had transpired was unexpected and embarrassing. She hadn’t fully processed it yet, solely focused on punishing the culprit to find some peace of mind.

“Sir, I apologize, but the patient in this room is still resting, and I don’t think it would be good to disturb her,” the nurse at the door explained. Meanwhile, Zhane’s subordinate moved to assist the nurse in ushering Leo away, ensuring that Zhane could spend time with his future wife without interruption. Though he wanted to also remove Dave from the room, he lacked the authority to do so, thus he focused on managing Leo, who was waiting outside.

“Move aside,” Leo’s voice grew colder, devoid of the gentleness she had heard earlier in the private room. Hera could tell that Leo was becoming irritated. Since the room had a small window attached to the door, Leo must have seen Hera awake and with Dave and Zhane. His desire to come inside and check on her was evident, but being denied entry indicated that either Zhane or Dave had given this instruction. Leo couldn’t believe that Hera didn’t want to see him unless she explicitly said so. The thought of Hera not wanting to see him also sent a jolt of pain through his heart.

Hearing Leo’s softened, almost pleading voice, just to see her, melted Hera’s heart. She couldn’t bear to make Leo sad just because she felt undecided. So, she let go of her embarrassment and other emotions holding her back from meeting Leo and said, “Please, let him in.”

Hearing Hera’s willingness to meet Leo made Dave nervous. He could sense that Leo held a better position in Hera’s heart than any of them, and that thought was nerve-wracking.