The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 302

Chapter 302: Chapter 302 Was Is It Really Her?
Hera wasn’t sure if Minerva’s attempts to usurp the female lead’s fate were causing the other characters to deviate from their original paths or if this was the true nature of their character, previously obscured and romanticized because they were considered lead characters.

Regardless, Hera had already resolved to collaborate with the police division against Minerva. Most of the evidence against Minerva’s crimes was held by the police, while some crucial evidence was with Gerald’s intel team. The evidence from Gerald’s team was pivotal, providing the final pieces needed to solidify the case and apprehend the culprits, including Minerva.

“Let it be, Athena. We have more important matters to focus on than giving him the satisfaction of knowing he’s affecting me,” Hera said calmly. As she spoke, she walked toward her walk-in closet, browsing through her wardrobe to decide on her outfit for the day.

In the end, she decided on a classic white shirt paired with a mint pink vest and matching mint pink skirt. From a drawer, she pulled out a pair of stockings and Christian Louboutin ‘Hot Chick’ black stilettos. Her gaze then settled on a scarf displayed in a glass case. The scarf, a golden brown Henri Matisse x Zika Ascher piece titled “Oceanie,” was large enough to span an entire wall. Its doodle-like abstract sea creature designs were charming—some resembling seaweeds, while others, with their whimsical shapes, might have been jellyfish or other marine life. Just below it was a mini version of the scarf, a real one that can be used as a scarf and add a touch of playful elegance to the wearer.

Although the scarf’s color didn’t quite match her outfit, Hera decided to use it anyway. She selected a Hermès Himalaya Kelly bag and tied the scarf around its handle as a decorative touch. Once she was finished, she draped her chosen clothes over a small sofa in her walk-in closet and picked out a different set of clothes for her run. Despite the brewing storm in the entertainment world involving her and Alexi, Hera remained remarkably composed and relaxed.

“Babe! Are you still there, or did you fall back asleep?!” Athena’s voice startled Hera as she was heading to the bathroom to wash up.

“No, I was just picking out my clothes. I still have classes until tomorrow,” Hera replied with a shrug.

“Classes? Are you seriously planning to go to school with Alexi’s crazed fans plotting to attack you?” Athena asked, clearly flustered.

“Don’t worry. Cindy has already increased my security detail, and I’ll only be staying in places they consider safe,” Hera explained. Though she hadn’t spoken directly to Cindy, she was confident that the security measures had been bolstered. Hera just hoped the added protection wouldn’t be so excessive that she’d look like a national dignitary surrounded by bodyguards.

Little did she know, however, that Leo, Luke, Dave, Rafael, Xavier, and Zhane had all sent their most trusted men to protect her. Instead of resembling a protected princess, Hera would look more like a general preparing for battle.

“But—” Athena began to argue, but Hera cut her off mid-sentence.

“No buts, Athena. I know you haven’t slept, so you need to rest and take care of yourself too. I’ve already prepared for this ‘battle’ because I knew my enemies wouldn’t back down easily. So, stop worrying, okay?!” Hera gently coaxed Athena. She was well aware that Athena was always like a mother hen to her, and she knew that Athena had likely stayed up all night battling trolls and keyboard warriors online. Hera deeply appreciated Athena’s unwavering support and felt the warmth of her love and protection.

Athena sighed. “Alright, I’ll go to sleep. Just call me if you need anything, and I’ll be there for you!” She reminded Hera of a few more things and gave a bit of a final nag before hanging up the phone and heading straight to bed.

After the call, Hera refreshed herself and changed before heading out for her run in the garden. Unlike previous days, she didn’t see Luke’s shadow around, nor did she receive any messages from the male leads or even Leo. This was highly unusual, as she typically got good morning texts and a few more messages from all six of them daily, despite having only shared her number with a few.

She decided not to dwell on it, assuming they might simply be very busy. With her mind focused on more pressing matters, she pushed aside any thoughts of romance. Right now, her brain was firmly in battle mode.

After her morning run, she returned to take a shower and changed into her chosen outfit—a feminine, fresh ensemble with a touch of elegance that suited her temperament. This time, she left her hair cascading freely down her shoulders and back. The waves in her hair beautifully framed her features, complementing her outfit perfectly.

She also wore the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Rainbow Minute Repeater Haute Joaillerie watch, adorned with a rainbow of sapphires and diamonds set in a rose gold frame. The watch added a sophisticated yet lively touch to her outfit, perfectly complementing the college student vibe she aimed to create. For her earrings and necklace, she chose classic white pearls. After giving herself one last look in the mirror, she headed downstairs for breakfast.

As she descended the stairs, Hera found herself deep in thought. Despite Minerva’s vindictiveness, could she really have sunk so low solely for Alexi? Had she given no thought to her family and how they would react if they discovered her actions? Hera had considered testing Rafael with this information, but it felt too heartless to pit the siblings against each other and risk destroying their relationship when they were talking about the life and death of the other sibling.

Hera let out a shaky exhale as she pondered the situation. Then she recalled Gerald’s observations from their text exchanges about the meticulous way the scandal was leaked to the tabloids. It didn’t seem like something Minerva, with her arrogance and lack of subtlety, would orchestrate. It pointed more towards those criminals behind the scenes, who were likely orchestrating these acts to avoid any direct link to Minerva.

‘Or could it all just be a diversion?’ The thought struck Hera. But without concrete evidence or a clear direction for the investigation, she couldn’t be certain. She felt a pang of sympathy for Rafael, especially since he was starting to change for the better. It was disheartening that things had come to this.

She knew that if Rafael were to learn the full extent of the situation, he would be deeply hurt, and it could potentially destroy him. The thought of being indirectly responsible for that weighed heavily on her, filling her with guilt. However, the severity of the crimes could not be ignored or covered up. It was no longer just about her own safety but about seeking justice for the innocent victims and ensuring that other women who suffered were given the justice they deserved.

But Hera couldn’t shake the unsettling churn in her stomach; she had a nagging feeling that something was off.

[Hera: Gerald, please investigate Minerva’s case thoroughly. Focus on the individuals the police are targeting—examine their operations, their connections with Minerva, and their motives for collaboration. Also, try to delay any police action for the time being.]

[Gerald: Young Miss, are you suspecting something?]

[Hera: Weren’t you the one who said that Minerva was too stupid for meticulous planning and execution? If you don’t remember then scroll up to our previous conversation and you’ll see.]