The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 296

Chapter 296: Chapter 296 Rafael Taking a Step to Deal with Alexi
Knowing that she had someone looking after her made Hera feel less alone in her struggle. Just hearing Leo offer his sincere help filled her with happiness, support, and newfound motivation. She felt more determined than ever to maintain peace in her life, fighting her battles and striving to emerge victorious against the storyline and those who sought to disrupt her life and peace.

Having Leo by her side gave Hera a renewed sense of strength and purpose on her journey. He showed understanding, tact, and gentleness, but above all, his sincerity towards her was palpable. Even without words, she could sense him baring his heart through his actions, which spoke volumes about his feelings and thoughts.

Hera gazed at Leo a moment longer, a smile of deep admiration and affection spreading across her face. Leo, just as he opened his eyes and met her gaze, felt his heart skip a beat. He wished he could freeze time in that moment, savoring the feeling of connection and warmth between them.

The tranquil moment enveloping Hera and Leo was abruptly shattered by a knock on the driver’s window, snapping them back to reality. It was Dave, standing impatiently outside the driver’s side with a hint of concern in his eyes.

He might have been concerned that Leo was taking advantage of Hera inside the car. Leo’s car had been parked in front of Hera’s company building for a while, yet neither of them had emerged, giving no indication that they would do so anytime soon.

Now, the other male leads had also exited their cars and were waiting in front of the building, their eyes fixed on Leo’s car. Despite their attempts to conceal it, a hint of jealousy lingered in their expressions. Unlike Leo, who was adept at controlling his expressions and adapting to unfamiliar situations, they struggled to hide their feelings.

And while the male leads could manage their facial expressions to some extent, they couldn’t match Leo’s ability to display a wide range of emotions. They were limited to the expressions they were familiar with and had known since day one.

Soon after, Leo emerged from the driver’s side, seemingly ignoring Dave who followed closely behind. Leo then gallantly opened the door for Hera, but Dave, shadowing him, was a step ahead, escorting Hera out of the car just before Leo could.

Leo gritted his teeth in annoyance, feeling his chance was usurped after he had intended to assist Hera himself. Now, Dave stood before Hera with a smug smile, gently guiding her out of the car and leading her toward the other three who awaited them ahead.

After closing the door, Leo quickly shook off his annoyance and hurried to catch up with Hera. He reached out and took her other hand, preempting Luke, Rafael, and Zhane, who were also stepping forward to offer their support. Leo’s swift action ensured he remained at Hera’s side before the others could intervene.

The three halted briefly, exchanging wry smiles before composing themselves and proceeding towards Hera. They glanced briefly at Dave and Leo as they approached, their focus shifting to meet Hera’s gaze directly.

Luke said. “How long are you going to stay here? How about I wait for you in the lobby and drive you home after you are done?”

Hera declined, stating, “I have drama, dancing, and singing classes scheduled until late tonight, but the company has already arranged for bodyguards to escort me home afterward. I don’t want to impose on all of you, knowing how busy you are with your own work.” Her words were a mix of truth and lies: while the classes were real, the company had not actually arranged for bodyguards.

The bodyguards were the same ones as yesterday, part of the security detail Cindy had arranged to discreetly follow her outside. Hera saw no reason to decline Cindy’s thoughtful offer. Unlike characters in novels who often mislead their guards for a moment of freedom only to find themselves in danger or abducted, Hera wasn’t foolish enough to take such risks.

She didn’t want to invite harm upon herself, so she obediently allowed the bodyguards to accompany her, provided they respected her personal space and didn’t make her uncomfortable.

And most importantly, she knew her limits. Despite being skilled in combat, she understood she wasn’t omnipotent and could still fall victim to the wicked.

“I understand. Are you also having dinner inside the company?” Luke asked, still smiling gently at Hera, though a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes, which he tried to shake off. Rafale and Zhane mirrored this disappointment in their own expressions. Even without speaking, Hera could tell they genuinely wanted to spend more time with her.

She felt her heart soften seeing them like this; she didn’t even need to turn around to know what Leo and Dave were feeling too. So she offered, “How about this: I’ll rearrange my schedule and invite you all to a meal. You’ve been a big help to me today on the campus. If it weren’t for you, things could have gotten much uglier, especially with Alexi determined to cause a scene.”

“Regarding that, would you like me to handle it?” Rafael offered. Being in the entertainment industry and managing numerous artists, he was experienced in dealing with such matters. He felt he could do a better job to protect Hera’s reputation, especially since the issue stemmed from his sister and her scumbag of a boyfriend.

Rafael felt a deep sense of responsibility for the incident, compounded by his intense animosity towards Alexi. Not only did Alexi continue to desire Hera and cling to her like a flea, but he also led Rafael’s beloved sister down a destructive path, leaving her deeply ensnared in a toxic relationship that even drove her to oppose her family’s wishes. Rafael was grateful that he had banned gadgets around his sister; otherwise, he dreaded to think what Minerva might have done upon learning of Alexi’s statements in the livestream while trying to get Hera back with him.

Despite appearing harsh with his sister’s punishment, Rafael deeply loved and cared for her, having protected her throughout most of their lives. Currently, he grappled with internal turmoil, torn between his loyalty to his sister and his newfound romantic feelings for the first woman he had ever cared for romantically.

He didn’t want to jeopardize either relationship, but Hera had a valid concern: Minerva was spiraling out of control, and Rafael feared that if she continued down this path, she could not only get hurt but also put her life at risk.

Soon, Minerva might not only endanger others but also become a danger to herself. Rafael understood that this stemmed from his sister’s arrogance, influenced by her societal status. He himself had been similarly arrogant and prideful in the past, but meeting Hera had humbled him on multiple occasions. Initially furious at being treated differently, he eventually realized that continuing on that path would be detrimental to his family’s well-being.

He could only thank Hera for it. She didn’t compliment him to stroke his ego; instead, she challenged him, showing that sitting in a golden chair and being fed with a golden spoon didn’t make him truly great.