The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 225

Chapter 225: Chapter 225 The Rightful Wife and The Mistress
But Leo, on the other hand, didn’t bother to assert his significance in Hera’s heart in front of his love rivals. Despite sensing their unwelcoming attitude and their apparent interest in his future wife, Leo couldn’t care less about them at the moment. He was too preoccupied with his own nervousness and fear that Hera might come to hate him because of what happened earlier.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he scanned the room eagerly to see Hera. When he didn’t find her there, a sense of emptiness and disappointment washed over him. Simultaneously, fear gripped his heart, worrying that Hera might be angry and avoiding him. He knew he needed to give her space to process everything, yet the uncertainty of her feelings weighed heavily on him. The mere thought of her hating him was enough to send a shiver down his spine; the idea of it shattered his heart into a million pieces before it even happened.

Feeling the urgency to ensure Hera’s safety and protect her from any potential threats, Leo brushed aside his own need for rest. The mere thought of other men hovering around her, waiting for a chance to swoop in, fueled his determination to see her. Without hesitation, he headed straight for Hera’s private room, unwilling to entertain the idea of leaving her side for even a moment longer.

As if confirming his worst fears, Leo found himself confronted by the very situation he had dreaded. These would-be rivals were now standing guard, attempting to form a barrier around Hera, as if vying to claim her attention for themselves.

Despite the setback, Leo refused to concede defeat so easily. Initially, he had felt encouraged by the progress he had made with Hera. She hadn’t shown any signs of pushing him away or growing wary of him during their recent interactions. In fact, he had sensed a growing favorability in her regard toward him. However, this incident now made him feel as though he had been relegated to the bottom of the list, halting the smooth progress he had been enjoying just hours before.

As Leo was led into the room by Zhane’s subordinate, his heart felt like it might leap out of his chest, a mix of happiness and nervousness swirling within him. He couldn’t meet Hera’s eyes, instead keeping his gaze fixed on the floor, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He felt like a child awaiting reprimand from their parents for misbehaving.

Leo appeared both endearingly cute and pitiful as Hera observed him, her apprehensions melting away at the sight of him. With a gentle smile, she beckoned him closer. “Come here,” she said, extending her hand, free from any IV needle, in a welcoming gesture toward Leo.

Leo, his IV drip trailing behind him as he weakly navigated the spacious private room, felt his gloomy world instantly brighten at Hera’s gentle invitation. Despite his nerves and fear, he approached tentatively, resembling a frightened dog with trembling shoulders.

Despite his fear, Leo mustered the courage to approach Hera and cautiously took a seat beside her. Fortunately, Dave showed some tact, giving Leo the space he needed without making a scene. It was unclear whether Dave’s concession stemmed from the realization that their group was at fault and Leo was an unintended casualty, or if it was merely because of Tyler’s actions involving Athena, which inadvertently implicated Leo. Regardless, they all understood that Leo was now also a victim. While their previous prejudices and Dave’s animosity towards Leo had lessened slightly, it didn’t mean that Dave’s dislike for Leo had vanished completely.

Dave and Zhane remained silent but stayed in the room as Leo and Hera exchanged glances. Initially feeling awkward, Hera’s demeanor softened as she observed Leo sitting beside her, appearing frightened and weak. A surge of protectiveness welled up within her, recognizing Leo as much a victim of the situation as she was. She acknowledged that Leo had made efforts to restrain himself and had even sought her consent before proceeding, his fear of harming her evident. This realization both lightened her spirits and stoked her anger. If Leo had been subjected to harm, and if another woman had been in the room with him instead of her, wouldn’t that suggest Leo had been manipulated into a dangerous situation and gifting himself to someone else?

Just the thought of someone exploiting Leo ignited a fierce anger within Hera, fueling a desire to dismantle Tyler into countless pieces. Gently running her fingers through Leo’s soft black hair, she reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’m not angry with you, and I hope you’re not angry with me either, hmm?” Tipping her head to the side, she met Leo’s gaze with sincerity shining in her eyes and a warm smile gracing her lips.

Her genuine concern for Leo’s well-being was evident, as was her determination to protect him from any disadvantage or exploitation. Simultaneously, her disdain for Tyler’s ill intentions towards her best friend fueled her resolve to teach him a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

As Hera directed her attention back to Leo, his timid gaze met her warm smile and caring eyes. Dave couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the sight. He had just found himself in hot water with Zhane before Leo’s arrival, and now, witnessing Hera’s forgiving demeanor towards Leo, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Leo’s position might be stronger than theirs. Dread crept over him as he continued to observe the scene. Meanwhile, Zhane remained composed, ensuring both Hera and Leo were comfortable. His actions mirrored that of a devoted partner, offering support to Hera while extending kindness to Leo. It was a subtle assertion of his role as the rightful husband in the face of a home wrecker attempting to elicit sympathy through a façade of vulnerability.

Zhane remained composed, his gaze fixed on Leo and Hera with an indifferent demeanor. He observed Leo closely, like a hawk scrutinizing its prey. With Hera’s forgiveness, Leo visibly relaxed, but he couldn’t shake the tension in the air. As he became more aware of his surroundings, he sensed Dave’s intense glare and noticed Zhane’s subtle yet assertive demeanor, as if staking his claim on Hera without uttering a word.

Feeling the need to assert his position as Hera’s rightful partner, Leo was determined not to allow others to perceive him as easily bullied or his position as up for grabs.

Leo gently took Hera’s hands in his, his eyes expressing both pain and sympathy as he observed the IV needle. “Does it hurt?” His voice, soothingly gentle but with a hint of seduction, held a hint of concern as he met Hera’s gaze with his deep blue eyes. Slowly, he pressed his lips to her hand, right where the needle was inserted. “Let me ease the pain, okay?” His feather-light kiss caused Hera’s cheeks to flush crimson. Unintentionally, she recalled Leo’s more passionate side in the private room, and her reaction only added to his happiness, though he tried to maintain a calm demeanor, masking his teasing nature with genuine worry for her well-being.

“Um, I don’t really feel the pain,” Hera stuttered, trying to keep her voice steady despite the rush of excitement at the memory of something both cringy and exhilarating.

Leo kept his gaze fixed on Hera. “And do you remember what I said when we were still in the private room?” he asked, his tone soft yet firm.

“What did you say?” Hera’s voice wavered, her mind racing through the plethora of wild words Leo had spoken, her face reddening at the memory of something decidedly unholy. This unexpected reaction caught the attention of both Dave and Zhane, who had been maintaining composed facades until then.