The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 273

Chapter 273: Chapter 273 The Schemer
Hera glanced at Rafael once more before laughing again. Her laughter was contagious, and Rafael couldn’t help but find the situation amusing himself. This was something he had never attempted before and would usually disdain to even consider, yet here he was, trying to appease the woman he liked.

Though his domineering and intimidating appearance didn’t quite suit the act, it still made Hera laugh, which was good enough for him. If someone had told his past self that he would act this way and be patient with a woman, he might have laughed before kicking that person in the ass. That just wasn’t him. But reality had a way of surprising him, and he didn’t even realize he was doing it until it happened. Now, he found that it didn’t look or feel as bad as he had imagined.

He was genuinely happy to see Hera laughing merrily because of him. Her eyes were brimming with happy tears as she tried to wipe them away with the back of her fingers. She looked adorable yet enticing, and Rafael’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he watched her with fervent eyes. However, he tried to hide his emotions, not wanting to risk making Hera angry again.

Only now did he realize that he had a low EQ. This realization made him feel at a disadvantage, but then he remembered his friends, who were no better than him when it came to emotional intelligence. The thought that they would all go down together made him laugh even more merrily. However, his laughter abruptly stopped as Leo’s image flashed in his mind. ‘Well, probably except for one,’ he thought.

After they both settled down, Rafael and Hera made sure they looked presentable. Rafael then went to the door to call everyone. Meanwhile, Sandra and Logan were downstairs, passing the time by browsing the accessories on display.

When they saw Rafael coming down, they stopped in their tracks and silently followed him back to the VVIP room. No one asked any questions, understanding it was best not to pry into someone’s private life. After this brief interlude, they resumed shopping. This time, Rafael happily carried all of Hera’s shopping bags, while sending the others to the penthouse.

“It’s getting late. How about we have dinner here?” Rafael suggested, his eyes searching for Hera’s. When she looked up at him, he tenderly smiled, waiting for her decision. Hera saw nothing wrong with it and agreed right away.

This time, she let Rafael decide where to eat, wanting to give him the opportunity to take charge. She didn’t want to be accused of favoritism or not giving him a fair chance to prove himself.

Rafael then guided them to a well-known French restaurant located on the upper floor of the mall. Since many socialites, elites, and businesspeople frequent this mall, the facilities are much more upscale than those of a typical mall. Luxury brands and Michelin-starred restaurants are common on the upper floors. This particular French restaurant recently earned its third star, thanks to the innovative cuisine of its owner, an international cooking competition champion.

Seeing where Rafael was taking them, Hera couldn’t help but feel excited. Being a foodie, she often watched reels and videos of restaurant introductions by bloggers online. She had even heard about this restaurant before from a blogger who was invited by the owner for a small publicity event.

If before, Hera didn’t have the means to eat at such a restaurant, now that she did, she felt ecstatic. When Rafael glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, he noticed how giddy Hera was. He recalled that Hera enjoyed dining experiences more than material possessions. This realization made him feel like he had finally done something right to impress her, especially since he often felt like he was digging his own hole.

Now seeing Hera’s excitement, Rafael’s enthusiasm grew as he led the group inside. At the entrance, they were greeted by a reception area with a rosewood desk, elegantly designed to exude sophistication without being ostentatious.

They were fortunate to arrive early and secure immediate seating in the relatively uncrowded restaurant. The ambiance was pristine, offering a refreshing and sophisticated atmosphere where patrons could unwind to the soothing melodies played by a pianist in the corner.

“I know you’re all probably tired from shopping and walking around. Feel free to order whatever you like,” Rafael generously offered with a confident grin, shooting Hera a smile. Hera shrugged and looked at the menu, not about to pass up on a free meal.

“Oh?! Why don’t you treat me too?! I’m starving!!!” A sensually raspy voice echoed behind them, drawing closer. The four of them whipped their heads around simultaneously to see Dave approaching. He looked haggard and disheveled as if he’d been on the run or something, not caring about his appearance at the moment.

When he saw Hera among them, his eyes sparkled, and he strode over to sit beside her, his pale face finally gaining some color. He wanted to launch into complaining about the grievances he had suffered that day, but when he met Rafael’s gaze, he swallowed his words and remained silent for a moment. Eventually, he joined in, playfully fawning over Rafael to treat him to the meal as well.

“I didn’t know the Country’s Minister was so broke that he would resort to treats,” Rafael scoffed, tossing the menu over to Dave.

“Tell me about it! I was on the run all day—I didn’t even manage to bring my phone, let alone my wallet!” Dave replied through gritted teeth. From the moment he left home to head to his office, he was being tracked by the Korean dignitary he’d been avoiding for who knows how long, all while feigning illness.

It wouldn’t have been a problem if they were just discussing business related to the relic sites for tourism. However, the fact that he was also trying to push his daughter onto Dave and even went so far as to unreasonably pressure him into dating her, made Dave want to run and hide from that person.

It wouldn’t have been a problem if the woman being pushed on him was just a part of their upper circle and he could simply ignore them. However, that dignitary held such immense influence in his country that mishandling the situation could lead to an international dispute. Today, he went on the run to devise a solution while his assistant covered for him. Unfortunately, his location was leaked the moment he relocated, trapping him in a situation where he could barely leave due to the dignitary and his bodyguards surrounding him.

‘If I find out who’s responsible for this, I’ll skin them alive,’ he thought menacingly, his jaw clenched in anger. He was certain someone was aiding the Korean dignitary, possibly even pushing them, which only made him more determined to uncover the truth.

He had never been schemed against so fiercely before; he felt like a cornered animal, running with his tail tucked between his legs, and it was not a flattering sight.

At that moment, Leo, who was in the midst of signing some crucial contracts, sneezed forcefully. His assistant, alarmed, feared he might be coming down with a cold and promptly administered medicine. It was the third time Leo had sneezed unexpectedly, unaware that certain individuals had been cursing him since the previous night.