The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Chapter 227 Her Choice 2
Hera felt a lump form in her throat at Leo’s words, a sensation akin to being choked by her own saliva. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was akin to a courtesan, with multiple suitors vying for her attention, yet she remained indecisive, leaving them dangling on a thread while she relished in the attention and pursuit.

Observing Leo’s pitiful expression and his willingness to accommodate Hera’s needs, her heartstrings were effortlessly tugged. It seemed as if Leo possessed an innate understanding of Hera, knowing precisely when to assert himself and when to retreat, allowing her the space she required. His intuitive approach resonated deeply with her, fostering a sense of connection and trust.

This very quality also made it increasingly difficult for Hera to resist Leo’s charm. She found herself admitting, albeit reluctantly, that her fondness for him was growing with each passing moment they spent together. The realization that Leo wasn’t one of the male leads already set him apart from the others, granting him a special place in Hera’s heart.

Hera was clear about her likes and dislikes, she held firm in her convictions, refusing to tolerate anything she disliked. The only time she compromised was during her relationship with Alexi, enduring his family’s condescending treatment and feeling like a beggar. Despite the discomfort, she saw it as the best option, given Alexi’s deviation from the story’s narrative. She held onto the hope that his family might not be bound by the storyline’s constraints and could eventually warm up to her, provided she showcased her best qualities. Hera believed in the potential for change, inspired by Alexi’s own transformation from his novel-prescribed behavior.

“Alright! You want to compete with us fair and square like a man, right?” Dave’s smirk conveyed his challenge to Leo before he continued, “Well then, let’s play by those rules. Otherwise, you’d accuse us of ganging up on you.” Despite Dave’s awareness of Hera’s leaning towards Leo and the potential risk of losing her if Leo pursued her, they knew intervening directly might only fuel Leo’s determination. They understood that if they didn’t act, Leo could still court Hera successfully, potentially even winning her over completely, leaving them with no chance.

Rather than affording Leo a genuine opportunity to compete fairly, it seemed more like they were collaborating to dismantle Leo’s pedestal and vie for Hera’s affection collectively. Dave recognized that if he played the part of the magnanimous gentleman in Hera’s presence, appearing above petty tactics, it could potentially alter her perception of him—particularly now that she had learned about his engagement and Zhane’s, both factors subtly demoting them in her eyes compared to the others.

There’s a saying: keep your friends close and your enemies closer, and that’s precisely what Dave attempted. However, unbeknownst to him, Hera was on the verge of rejecting Leo and severing ties, unable to bear dragging him into her turmoil despite her feelings for him. Dave’s words halted her, causing her to withhold the words she intended to speak, much to Leo’s delight. Leo didn’t require Dave’s fair competition; he understood his standing and anticipated Hera’s decision. Consequently, he found amusement in Dave inadvertently aiding him, laughing inwardly at the unexpected assistance.

Upon learning of this in the future, Dave would be consumed by anger and frustration directed inward. He berated himself for extending a helping hand to Leo instead of pushing him away as he should have.

Zhane, who had observed the unfolding events in silence, seemed to grasp Hera’s intentions. He sensed her attraction to Leo but also her efforts to maintain a distance from him, for reasons unknown. Whether this was advantageous or detrimental to their group remained uncertain to him. However, upon hearing Dave’s words, Zhane felt an urge to kick him for the first time in years, frustrated by the unintended consequences of Dave’s actions.

He understood Dave’s intentions but foresaw the potential for it to backfire in the future. Despite this, since Dave had already spoken and he noticed Hera’s surprise tinged with a hint of happiness, Zhane suppressed his disapproval and maintained his silence. He couldn’t fathom why Hera was adamant about keeping Leo at arm’s length, but he recognized that by playing fair and square to win her over, they might unravel the truth in due time.

Zhane nodded in agreement with Dave’s statement. “That’s right, Hera. You probably already know this, but I’m very interested in you and want to court you. My friend Dave feels the same way, and we can both tell that our other friends share these feelings too. Rather than fighting among ourselves for your affection, we plan to compete for you fair and square. Adding another man into the mix doesn’t change anything. So, I hope you won’t run away from us after hearing this,” Zhane stated plainly.

This was the first time Hera had heard such a straightforward declaration, and it left her feeling embarrassed. Even in the novel, the competition for Alice’s affection is never so openly acknowledged. In the story, the male leads silently vied for Alice’s attention, gradually becoming accustomed to each other’s presence. They developed a tacit understanding, allowing one another to protect and keep Alice company when one was busy. Though they initially experienced misunderstandings and conflicts in their pursuit of Alice, everything ultimately turned out fine.

But now, they were openly declaring their intentions to her? Seriously? Hera was beyond speechless. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at what Dave and Zhane had agreed to do and how things had come to this point. She had been ready to turn down Leo, hoping he could start a new life away from her and avoid the drama and dangers that seemed to follow her, like the incident at the hotel. Yet, Dave had taken matters into his own hands and even invited his rival to compete fairly.

Hera opened and closed her mouth several times, trying to find the right words but ultimately failing, utterly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. Just a moment ago, Dave and Zhane had been glaring at Leo with hostility, viewing him as a rival. Now, Dave was inviting Leo to compete fairly for her affection. What would they do next? Agree to take turns sleeping with her, or perhaps organize schedules and share day-to-day chores? The absurdity of the situation left her speechless and bewildered.

Hera couldn’t think straight, feeling as if her brain was about to explode. It seemed like her life had just taken a dramatic turn, yet she hadn’t even had the chance to voice her opinion.

“Alright then, I hope that none of us resorts to underhanded tactics or treats this as a mere game,” Leo said, his tone carrying an unmistakable hint of menace. It was clear he meant that this competition for Hera’s affection was not a frivolous contest to see who could win and then discard her like a trophy. He continued, “If that time comes, don’t blame me if I turn against you all when you hurt her.” Though he didn’t raise his voice, the authority and latent threat in his words made Zhane and Dave perk up, their brows furrowing in response.