The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 316

Chapter 316: Chapter 316 Turning The Tide
Hera caught a fleeting, smug smirk in Alice’s eyes before it vanished as if it had never been there. She realized that this conflict would drag on if she continued to exchange subtle barbs with Alice. Having been in the entertainment industry longer than Hera and drawing from her experiences in her past life, Alice was well-versed in handling such situations.

Hera knew she needed to up her game if she didn’t want to fall into Alice’s tricks and wordplay. She put on an innocent smile and said, “Well, yeah. Now that you mention it, contrary to the malicious slanders on the internet, they are indeed like my knights in shining armor who protect and respect me. But unfortunately, they are so busy with their own lives and businesses that we rarely have a chance to get together and bond like normal friends.”

Inside, Hera felt satisfaction as she watched Alice’s eyes sparkle with delight, confirming that Alice believed Hera wasn’t that close to the male leads. Little did Alice know, Hera had set a trap with her words, ready to turn the tables when the time was right.

Which meant Alice still had a chance to get closer to Rafael and Xavier. If she got lucky, she could even integrate herself into their group of friends, which would greatly boost her career. Her plan was clear: use her advantages, undermine Hera, drag her image through the mud, and ultimately replace her.

But that wasn’t Hera’s aim. She knew this strategy was a double-edged sword that could backfire if she miscalculated. Yet, the higher the risk, the more rewarding the outcome. Dangerous as it was, it could be an instant kill solution if executed perfectly.

She could already see the gears turning in Alice’s head as she plotted to get closer to the male leads. Hera knew it was only a matter of time before Alice made her move to get to the male leads and it was something inevitable. By giving Alice a key to the front door and a clear path, Hera could avoid any unexpected ambushes from the back. This way, she could anticipate Alice’s actions and prepare a counterattack, staying one step ahead.

Truthfully, Hera had only just thought of this scheme. Alice seemed so eager to undermine her, but why? Was it solely because of the incident that tarnished her reputation and popularity during the Variety Show? Of course not. While that may have been the catalyst for Alice’s hatred, it wasn’t enough to make her relentlessly go after Hera, even wanting her expelled from the university. There had to be something deeper driving Alice’s animosity.

What Alice really wanted was to send Hera as far away as possible, ruining her career, reputation, and future to eliminate any chance of her getting closer to Rafael and Xavier. Once Hera was out of the picture, Alice would be free to console them and ensure she became the sole woman who could get close to them.

As much as Hera wanted to give Alice the benefit of the doubt and believe she might still fight her openly and fairly, Alice had already let her down many times. Alice’s spotless record and the fact that she managed to avoid any connection to her friends’ actions against Hera only proved how meticulous and adept she was at manipulation and covering her tracks.

This might be what Alice learned from her previous life. After all, without these skills, she would have faced the same fate as in her past life. To survive and thrive in the entertainment industry, she sharpened her abilities and adapted her strategies accordingly.

Hera needed to be cautious of Alice’s skillful manipulation while playing the victim, which required heightened vigilance. But how could she address this? The solution seemed to depend on the male leads, but they were currently preoccupied. Alice had numerous opportunities to get closer to any of the male leads in Rafael’s circle, making it difficult to guard against her schemes. This situation could also serve as a test of how strong the female lead’s influence and the storyline’s impact are on the male leads.

And with this trajectory, she gained the male leads’ affection, helping her rise like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, soaring higher than anyone else after her transformation. This mirrors what Athena often mentions about female leads in reincarnation stories. By understanding this pattern, it’s easier to grasp the storyline and the female lead’s ultimate goals.

“Additionally, while it’s true that they are my friends, they are also my suitors, contrary to the malicious rumors, they don’t actually provide me with my resources. I have a best friend who’s incredibly generous and the support of the Avery Consortium through the UE Company. Thanks to them, I lack nothing.” Hera smiled at Alice, her expression carrying a hint of challenge and warning.

Everyone, including Alice, was stunned by Hera’s revelation. While they had seen from the end of the Variety Show that Hera was best friends with a wealthy heiress who provided her with luxury cars and shelter after her apartment was taken from her due to her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal, they were baffled by Hera’s mention of support from the Avery Consortium. This new detail left them confused, as it was not something they had expected or understood.

Then, their gaze shifted to Gerald standing behind Hera, and everything clicked into place. They inferred that Gerald’s offer of compensation for the injustice that Hera suffered and wasn’t taken care of properly must have been the support from the Avery Consortium for Hera’s career in the entertainment industry. Given that UE, where Hera is contracted, is also under the Avery Consortium’s banner, it made sense that they would facilitate her career through that connection.

If that were the case, there would be no need for Hera to be a sugar baby to anyone. Despite her suitors being rich and handsome, including the Young Minister of the Country, they have never acted inappropriately towards her. Even during the Variety Show, when Xavier and Leo were with Hera, they maintained a respectful distance and behaved like friends. Any potential interest was expressed with clear boundaries and respect.

Even with the photos circulating of Hera with her suitors, none of them show her in intimate or compromising positions. The images only depict her in the company of these men on various occasions, without any evidence of inappropriate behavior.

Fortunately, someone was live-streaming the entire ordeal, a detail Hera caught from the corner of her eye. Alice probably assumed Hera hadn’t noticed, which is why she kept trying to undermine her, hoping Hera would slip and admit to using her body to gain favor with men or anything else that could tarnish her reputation. Instead, Hera seized the opportunity to start clearing her name online, leveraging the growing stream of evidence that was released online to support her case.

With Hera’s clarification of the misunderstanding, if Alice continues to push the issue, it will only highlight her malice. Instead of Hera facing criticism, Alice will attract backlash from netizens for having a dirty mind and accusing an innocent person of misconduct without proper evidence.

This unexpected opportunity was too valuable for Hera to pass up. It proved to be more effective than her original plan. Even with solid evidence, there could still be room for slander and criticism, but by seizing this moment, Hera could garner additional support for being wrongfully and maliciously accused.