The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Dinner at Golden Dragon Pavilion 3
“Is that all you wished to ask, Miss Ainsley?” Rafael maintained his smile, though Athena couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something sinister behind it, evident in the wicked grin plastered on his face.

Even Hera found herself uneasy under Rafael’s gaze, pondering his intentions. ‘Was this some sort of test or ploy?’

However, Hera refrained from expressing her thoughts aloud. Her comment about Rafael’s amiability was a practiced social nicety she often employed with most individuals, aiming to present a positive demeanor. As others often advised, it’s essential to always put your best foot forward in interactions, especially at important times like this.

After years in the hospitality industry, Hera had learned a valuable tactic: the art of delicate communication. In this environment, employees couldn’t openly criticize clients, regardless of their behavior. Instead, they mastered the skill of offering compliments first, paving the way for constructive dialogue. By approaching conversations with positivity, they could gently guide clients towards desired outcomes, ensuring their messages were both heard and respected.

It’s not always that effective but it still works most of the time.

As Rafael lapsed into contemplative silence, Athena and Hera mirrored his quietness in anticipation. While Hera exuded an air of calm, Athena couldn’t help but fidget nervously; after all, who wouldn’t feel intimidated by him? Even Cindy, usually composed from years of managing the Green Dragon Manor alongside her father and brother, couldn’t shake the unease settling over the room. Despite her seasoned experience, Rafael’s presence seemed to cast a unique aura that commanded attention and respect.

Hera recognized this phenomenon as the “male lead halo,” a mysterious allure that set individuals like Rafael apart from ordinary people. Understanding this, she remained composed, refusing to fixate on the uncertain outcome. Instead, she focused on seeking loopholes and devising strategies to navigate the situation, determined to find a solution beneficial for both herself and her family.

“What about compensation?” Rafael’s sudden question broke the silence.

Hera’s brows furrowed. “Compensation? Are you suggesting you’ll offer compensation instead?”

“No, I’ll address my sister’s actions. But considering the ordeal you endured, shouldn’t you seek compensation for the mental and reputational damage?”

“Oh, that.” Hera paused, contemplating. “I don’t require compensation as long as Minerva doesn’t trouble me again.”

“Are you certain? I heard you lost your job. How about employment instead?”

Hera shook her head once more. “No need. I no longer require an expensive apartment, so there’s no need for me to work tirelessly.”

Hera’s words were sincere, only disclosing partial truths, allowing her to maintain a clear conscience.

“Very well, I’ll have my lawyer draft a contract later. If my sister causes trouble for you again, I’ll compensate you with $100 million. However, if it’s discovered that you provoked her to extort money from me, you’ll be liable to pay double the amount stated in the clause.” Rafael’s smirk intensified as he fixed his gaze on Hera.

“No problem, I always prefer to have agreements in writing rather than relying on verbal assurances,” Hera replied, returning Rafael’s smile.

“Let’s see how long you can keep your sister from causing trouble for me. If you manage to persuade her to cease targeting me, we can all look forward to a harmonious future. But if she persists, all hell would break loose. I just hope this agreement will afford me some breathing room to prepare,” Hera thought to herself, steeling her resolve.

“Alright, now that negotiations are settled, let’s dine,” Rafael declared, pressing the button under the table to summon the server and request the menu.

In a matter of seconds, the server arrived, presenting the menu to the four of them.

With the tension eased, Hera took a moment to appreciate the intricate designs of the private room. They were seated at a large round table intended for twelve people, surrounded by an ambiance adorned with ancient Chinese carvings and ceramics showcased in wooden cabinets against the walls. Additionally, old Chinese paintings adorned the room, adding to its traditional charm.

Near the window, several bonsai trees provided a refreshing touch to the room, their verdant foliage adding a sense of tranquility. The expansive window offered a breathtaking view of the outside scenery, with a plum blossom tree standing proudly near a large pond that resembled more of a lake. Lotus flowers adorned the serene waters, lending an ethereal charm to the surroundings. It felt as if the diners were transported back to ancient times, immersed in the beauty of nature and history.

The fusion of ancient aesthetics with modern design elements created a harmonious ambiance, captivating diners with its ingenious blend. Hera took a moment to absorb the picturesque scenery, while Athena and Cindy finished selecting their dishes from the menu.

“Miss Ainsley, why don’t you indulge yourself and order whatever you want? Don’t hold back; tonight, it’s my treat,” Rafael generously offered, his attention still focused on the menu before him.

“Oh! It’s his treat? I should order more,” Athena whispered as she glanced back at the menu.

“Thank you, Mr. Briley,” Hera acknowledged before nudging Athena. “Don’t be greedy. If you can’t finish the food, there’s no need to add more just to spite him,” she whispered back.

“What?! You didn’t even accept any compensation from him. Why are you stopping me?” Athena retorted.

“Okay then, if we can’t eat it all, let’s take it out and give it to the homeless,” Hera suggested with a sigh.

“Good idea!” Athena eagerly turned her attention back to the menu.

When Hera opened the menu, she was taken aback to see that the cheapest item was $10,000 for just one dish. Glancing at Athena, who was enthusiastically selecting more food, Hera realized she had already pointed at no less than seven additional items. ‘Doesn’t that mean it will be no less than $100k for just a single meal?’

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. ‘Once again, I find myself thinking with the same mindset I used to have. It seems Athena, unlike me, has effortlessly assimilated back into her status and is doing better.’

Little did Hera know, Athena hadn’t even looked at the prices, choosing instead based on the visual appeal of the dishes.

After calming down, Hera selected two dishes that looked appetizing to her, ones that Athena hadn’t yet chosen.

In total, a dozen dishes were served to them after half an hour. The table was full of three types of soup and an array of dishes ranging from seafood and vegetables to pork, beef, and chicken. Athena had truly spared no expense in ordering whatever caught her eye.

Hera could only offer Rafael an apologetic smile, but he didn’t seem to mind the abundance of dishes before him and began eating without comment.

Meanwhile, Athena smirked triumphantly, as if she had won a battle, and cast a smug glance at Hera before serving her some soup that she knew Hera would enjoy.

They all ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. It wasn’t until then that Rafael noticed the other girl seated with Hera and her friend. It came as a surprise to him because Cindy was just as famous as him in the upper circle, owing to her connection to the Avery family. In their circle, it was common knowledge that Cindy was being groomed to serve the Avery heiress, much like her father had served the Old Master.

It was common knowledge that she only dined out with her older brother and was rarely seen with friends others even said that she had no friends.

Discovering Hera’s connection to Cindy came as a surprise to Rafael, akin to finding a treasure trove in a junkyard. His mind immediately began to strategize how to leverage Hera’s connection to get closer to Cindy. Despite their arrival, Cindy hadn’t uttered a single word, leading Rafael to speculate that she might have invited Hera and her friend to the Golden Dragon Pavilion and had a close relationship, ‘maybe friends.’ That could very well have been the reason why Hera and her friend were in the establishment. After all, Rafael couldn’t fathom any other reason for them to dine there, given that they were just average college students with part-time jobs.

Then Rafael remembered that the interview Hera took part in was filmed in the Green Dragon Manor where Cindy was currently stationed. “So that must be it,” he speculated. “They must have crossed paths there, and she’s probably just entertaining Hera and her friend for whatever reason that’s known only to them.” Rafael dismissed the notion that they were closely related to each other because, for him, that seemed entirely impossible.

He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the others, and directed an apologetic smile toward Cindy. “I’m sorry, Miss Brent if I neglected to greet you earlier. Please forgive my oversight.”

Cindy maintained a poker face and glanced at Hera before responding. “It’s okay. I was just here to eat out…” Before she could continue, Hera nudged her foot while keeping a blank expression and kept on eating her food, signaling for her to stop talking.

Undeterred, Cindy attempted to speak again. “I was just out eating with…” Once more, Hera nudged her foot, prompting Cindy to clear her throat and take a sip of water. “I’m sorry, my throat feels a little itchy.”