The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 335

Chapter 335: Chapter 335 Talking About Minerva’s Involvement 5
Only when Rafael heard Gerald’s perspective did he remember that he had indeed stripped Minerva of her authority over his company and the Briley’s resources to prevent her from bullying and threatening others like she had done to Hera. But now, he wondered if his actions had unintentionally driven her to commit even worse deeds.

If that was the case, had he pushed his sister to this point by cornering her? This realization sent Rafael into a spiral of guilt, anger, concern, and helplessness. Despite his attempts to do what he thought was best for his sister, it felt like years of neglecting to correct her behavior were now coming back to bite him in the ass like a bitch.

Minerva was like an old dog that couldn’t be taught new tricks, stubbornly clinging to her old ways as if they were the only things she knew. It felt like no matter what Rafael did to correct her, it only fueled her hatred and malicious intent. She directed her anger at everyone she disliked, always blaming others and refusing to reflect on her own behavior.

He knew he wasn’t a saint, nor a good-hearted person. He used to neglect everything that didn’t serve his interests. But since Hera arrived in his life like a comet out of nowhere, it felt like his worldview had been shattered and rewritten by her presence. Or maybe it was simply his desire to be liked by her that made him start reflecting on himself, his actions, and his thoughts?

It was his initial attraction to her that made him start paying attention to her and minding his actions. Hera didn’t seem like someone who would accept nonsense from anyone, especially after waking up from the dream of her long-term relationship, only to be cheated on despite everything she had done for him.

Maybe it truly takes a special person to inspire change in someone, as Hera did for him. Unfortunately, his sister’s love interest wasn’t a good influence like Hera was for him. Minerva’s boyfriend was a leech and a scourge on women. He should have dealt with him sooner, even if it upset his sister. At least then, the heartache would have eventually passed, and she could have moved on instead of being ruined as she is now.

Rafael felt an immense wave of regret wash over him, but he knew he couldn’t change the past. Instead, he resolved to focus on the present problem and prevent his sister from causing more serious issues.

Rafael stared at the files in his hands, lost in thought. Gerald and Hera waited for him to come up with a decision before they could give their verdict. Rafael tilted his head to the side as if questioning something, still staring at the last page of the file. Suddenly, he spoke up, “But Minerva is too stupid to come up with contacting a criminal group to do her dirty work. Believe me or not, despite my sister looking like a fierce tiger, she’s actually more like a fierce cat—only capable of scratching and biting but unable to do any real damage.”

“What are you trying to say, Mr. Briley?” Gerald asked impatiently. He felt like Rafael was leading them on without making an actual decision, being indecisive because the matter concerned his sister.

Rafael lifted his gaze to meet Gerald’s, his frown not aimed at Gerald but reflecting his unease. He felt that something was amiss, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint it. “What I’m trying to understand is, how did Minerva even come into contact with this group? Was there a connection or intermediary involved? Even if we confirm that her bank account was used for transactions or withdrawals, how can we be sure it was Minerva herself behind these actions? Could someone else be manipulating her, or worse, setting her up as a scapegoat?”

Gerald took a deep breath, clearly frustrated. His patience was wearing thin, and he felt his blood pressure rising. He wasn’t sure if Rafael was in denial, trying to shift the blame, or simply unwilling to confront the gravity of the crimes detailed in the folder. And the potential damage to their family’s name and reputation was significant if this came to light. “Mr. Briley, if you’re struggling to accept what your sister has done or if you’re in denial, just say so. We understand that you’re caught between a rock and a hard place right now.”

“No, that’s not it,” Rafael quickly corrected Gerald’s misunderstanding. “I’m not trying to avoid acknowledging the crimes in the report. It’s just that I have a strong feeling that this case is more complicated than it appears.”

“You’re suggesting…?” Hera raised an eyebrow, her expression inscrutable. Rafael, feeling the weight of her gaze, grew nervous and quickly spoke up to clarify his thoughts.

“Look, I’m not trying to protect my sister, but I also don’t want her to be used as a scapegoat for something she might not be responsible for. I need the full report—specifically, how she came into contact with these criminal groups and who introduced her to them. I find it hard to believe she stumbled upon them by herself. Despite her reckless behavior, she lacks the means or inclination to get involved with gangs. My sister is just as arrogant and proud as I am; she wouldn’t associate with people she considers beneath her, including criminals.”

Gerald scoffed at Rafael’s comment, thinking to himself, “Is that really something to be proud of?”

Rafael noticed Gerald’s gaze shift to him with a scornful scoff, and he felt the weight of the judgment. Ignoring it, he pressed on. “Minerva may resort to dirty tactics like slandering someone or manipulating the crowd, things she’s seen in the entertainment industry. She’s familiar with these tricks because she’s observed them before. However, she’s like an old cow set in her ways—she struggles to learn anything new. I’m not proud of it, but my sister isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Either someone introduced her to these criminals or used her name to place orders for these women behind her back.” Rafael could feel the heat rising in his cheeks as he finished speaking.

He wasn’t trying to belittle his sister, but Minerva had never been particularly bright. Her IQ was below average, and though her beauty was a saving grace, it only seemed to reinforce her arrogance and tyranny at home. This pride was deeply ingrained in her, making it unlikely she would suddenly change her ways. So, if she was involved in this criminal activity, it could mean one of two things: either she is genuinely desperate, or someone else is behind this, using her as a pawn.

Gerald and Hera exchanged a knowing glance, choosing not to immediately dismiss Rafael’s perspective. They decided to delve deeper into his viewpoint, mindful not to jump to conclusions. As they often said, a person could only be deemed guilty and convicted once all evidence was conclusive and without any missing pieces. At this moment, despite the information at hand, the notion that Minerva hired a hitman to kill these women seemed somewhat shallow. The motive also appeared flimsy; only a psychopath would commit such heinous acts for trivial reasons.