The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 230

Chapter 230: Chapter 230 Three Little Kids
Not long after, Gerald’s call came in. “Hello?” Hera answered after the first ring.

“Young Miss, I have double-checked the information you asked me to verify. It turns out there is an Alice Quinn on the guest list, dining in the general dining area. She arrived with her friend Minerva just 20 minutes after you, and they are still in the restaurant following the lockdown for the investigation,” Gerald reported.

“Did we have any esteemed guests dining in the private rooms?” Hera added after a brief silence.

“Umm, I checked the guest list and found a politician from Korea on a secret visit, dining in private room 4 and also staying in the hotel,” Gerald confirmed. He must have done his homework before getting back to Hera. Now, more than ever, Hera was convinced that her speculations were close to the truth.

And Gerald, who had been watching the Variety Show to support their heiress, recognized Alice and Minerva immediately. This enabled him to locate them quickly and relay the information to Hera. It was this foresight that gave him the opportunity to check the other private rooms for potential issues. While he wasn’t privy to Hera’s exact thought process, he trusted in her competence and ability to handle any situation, having witnessed her capabilities firsthand on the show.

“Young Miss, what’s the plan with the young master of the Lennon?” Gerald inquired, as he awaited Hera’s instructions on the matter.

He was right to remind Hera about the man. Upon hearing his name, Hera, who had been absorbed in thoughts about the storyline, almost snarled into the phone. “I want him punished. But first, have you gathered all the evidence of what he did in the restaurant?” Her usually kind and gentle demeanor had transformed into one that was commanding and regal, tinged with anger, making her words carry more authority than usual.

This sudden change caught Gerald off guard, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled broadly as he replied, “Yes, Young Miss.”

“Hmm, great. But I want you to conduct a thorough investigation into him. Find out if this is the first time he’s engaged in such behavior or if he’s a repeat offender. Dig deep, including into his family background,” Hera instructed firmly. She knew that if he had repeated such actions, his family might be leveraging their influence to protect him or cover up his misdeeds, perhaps even bribing victims. She wanted to explore all possible avenues to ensure he faced the harshest possible consequences. Hera believed that such individuals rarely changed without facing consequences, though harsh punishment could also foster resentment rather than an acknowledgment of their wrongdoing.

Hera was determined not to let the man who targeted Athena escape unpunished. As the sole heiress of the Avery family, she was prepared to use her family’s influence and resources to ensure he faced consequences and misery for his actions.

Gerald eagerly complied with Hera’s instructions, immediately prioritizing her request over any other business dealings or tasks, even those involving branches outside the country. It was a rare occasion for Hera to directly assign him a task, and he felt honored to carry out her bidding. The moment felt akin to standing before a queen—imposing yet regal—sending a thrilling shiver down his spine.

As he dispatched his team to fulfill the task, Gerald made sure to boast about it in the group chat that included all of Hera’s aides scattered around the world, including Cindy, and those who had not yet met Hera in person. His announcement sparked a twinge of jealousy among the aides, as it seemed Gerald had already earned Hera’s trust, while many of them had not yet had the chance to demonstrate their capabilities to her.

After Hera sent her instructions and set her phone down, Athena approached with a smile stretching from ear to ear. “Using your family’s influence and power to bully someone, huh?” Her tone carried a playful reprimand, teasing Hera about leveraging her authority, though in truth, she was basking in the comfort of Hera’s protection. This wasn’t the first time Athena had witnessed Hera’s commanding presence; she understood that Hera was meant to embody strength and regality, much like her parents, who were akin to the emperor and empress of their country—a formidable force to be reckoned with.

But unfortunately, she did not grow up with them because they died when she was too young to understand anything. As a result, her true strength had not yet blossomed and was overshadowed by worries and the intricacies of the storyline.

Thanks to Athena’s nurturing, Hera’s upbringing diverged from the version depicted in the novel. She now had more freedom and was closer to her authentic self than the Hera portrayed in the story.

Afterward, the atmosphere in the room lightened, and the two girls began chatting about various random topics as usual. They always found plenty to discuss and never seemed to run out of topics. Lost in the conversation, they didn’t realize how quickly time had passed until Leo and the others returned, each carrying items they had personally purchased outside, which explained their prolonged absence.

As the three men returned simultaneously, they engaged in a playful race to reach the door first, prompting Athena to openly chuckle at their antics. Her laughter brought a halt to their childish competition, and they entered the room together.

Hera’s attention was immediately drawn to Leo as he entered the room looking visibly exhausted, still tethered to his IV drip which seemed to have been recently replaced. He carried a basket of fruits and a thermos, likely containing medicinal or chicken soup. His complexion had noticeably paled since his departure, indicating the hardship he endured outside. Beside him, his bodyguard stood with a serious expression, occasionally casting glances towards Hera as if he harbored thoughts or concerns, possibly feeling protective towards his employer and possibly wanting to give Hera a piece of his mind.

Rather than feeling embarrassed from receiving that kind of gaze from Leo’s subordinate, Hera felt a sense of happiness. Since the moment she met Leo, he had consistently shown his dedication to protecting and respecting her. His efforts and genuine care did not go unnoticed. Hera recognized his sincerity and appreciated how he always tried his best for her, treating her with kindness. These qualities drew her closer to him, just as she had first noticed him among the other equally striking men around her.

Actually, the harder he tried, the more Hera found him handsome and endearing. Leo didn’t display his exhaustion; instead, he approached Hera with a bright smile, carrying items he thought she would appreciate. He had personally selected each fruit in the basket and had waited for the soup to be prepared and delivered to the hospital. Leo even made it a point to wait outside the hospital to personally receive the soup once it arrived.

While waiting, Leo pondered whether Hera would appreciate his choices of fruit and soup. Meanwhile, Zhane drove to the finest Chinese medicinal cuisine spot he knew in the city. There, he personally selected dishes he believed would match Hera’s palate and offer health benefits. But unlike Zhane, Leo was still in his IV drip which would look like he put more effort and care into his choices, while Zhane remained in good health and both men were vying to cater to Hera’s needs and tastes.

Dave made a deliberate choice to diverge from Leo and Zhane’s focus on health-conscious items, knowing they would likely prioritize Hera’s well-being. Instead, he drove himself to the city’s premier dessert shop. However, upon arrival, he encountered a long queue. Despite being the country’s young minister, he opted to disguise himself with sunglasses and a facial mask to keep his identity hidden and due to the intense sun, which caused him to perspire heavily. Eventually, he abandoned his three-piece suit, carrying it in his arms as he stood in line with just his shirt on.

Just like any other customer, he stood patiently in line, waiting for his turn. Knowing that Hera might appreciate a change from the healthy foods Leo and Zhane were likely buying, Dave considered her potential craving for desserts. He had heard that girls often had a separate stomach for sweets, so he decided that a delicious dessert might be just the thing to satisfy Hera’s palate after the nutritious meals Leo and Zhane were bringing.

Once it was his turn, Dave made sure to purchase the crowd’s favorites and added a few extra items that he thought Hera would enjoy. With a playful thought, he couldn’t resist adding a few extra boxes, thinking, ‘Maybe Hera will take pity on me and offer to share and feed me.’ He happily made his way back, amused by the idea. Of course, who among the three of them didn’t have similar thoughts? All three men returned with boxes upon boxes of food, while Leo also brought a large basket of fruits.

No matter how you looked at it, the amount of food they brought was overwhelming for Hera. So, Hera, Leo, Dave, Zhane, and Athena all gathered in Hera’s private room to share the feast. The three men momentarily forgot their rivalry as they watched Hera happily enjoying the food they had thoughtfully brought. Her eyes would occasionally turn into crescents as she thanked them, showing her sincere appreciation.