The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 338

Chapter 338: Chapter 338 The Five Of Them Are Missing Something
As soon as Luke heard that Rafael was with Hera, he realized he needed to step up his game. With Dave—who was known for his impulsive and aggressive approach—also vying for her attention, and Rafael, who was accustomed to getting what he wanted, Luke knew they would likely act shamelessly the moment they had the chance. His strategy of gradually courting Hera and subtly establishing his presence might not be enough to compete with their more aggressive tactics.

Not to mention Leo—just thinking about how far Leo went during the drugging incident was enough reason for Luke to realize he needed to raise his game. Although Luke was never really the gentlemanly type and had always been more focused on power, influence, and money, Luke now saw those goals as lacking without the presence of a woman who could stand by him through the chaos and bloodshed.

Despite his warm and inviting exterior, Luke was actually a deeply complex individual with a darkness that surpassed any of his friends’. He often masked his cold-blooded nature with a friendly smile, a façade he had maintained since he was young. He easily grew bored with the ordinary things that typically captivated others.

In fact, he resembled a typical villain with a craving for world domination, exhilarated by the thought of one day achieving such a dream. This is why he concentrated on accumulating power, influence, and wealth. For him, the process was secondary to the ultimate goal.

That’s why he connected so well with his group of friends—Rafael, Xavier, Zhane, and Dave. Each of them was unique in their own way, and Luke recognized that they were anything but ordinary. Sometimes, he felt that the five of them shared a special privilege in a world where they could achieve their desires, albeit with the understanding that they were each missing something crucial in their lives.

It could be a relationship connection, like Rafael’s ties with those around him; a detachment from wealth, as seen with Xavier, who disregards his family’s fortune to pursue acting; or a lack of seriousness and responsibility, exemplified by Dave, who finds everything boring and trivial. Then there’s Zhane, a genius doctor whose exceptional talent has led him to become stoic and detached, indifferent to recognition and others’ struggles because he struggles to connect their hard work and talent to their insignificant achievements. As for Luke, he is detached from almost everything—he feels no guilt or responsibility and looks down on anything that falls short of his growing expectations, easily becoming bored with nearly everything.

Each of the five of them could be considered a genius in their respective fields. Take Zhane, for instance—already a leading figure in the medical industry, hailed as a medical genius. Xavier is renowned as a prodigious actor, born to dominate the global silver screen. Rafael, a business prodigy, built his own successful company, now rivaling established giants like UE with its impressive history. And then there’s Dave, a master negotiator known as a “cunning fox” by dignitaries and politicians. Like the others, he is a genius destined to lead and elevate his country while exerting influence on the international stage because of his talent for leadership and his potential to improve and dominate on a national scale.

And then there was Luke, a financial genius known for his impeccable investment choices, earning him the nickname “Midas Hands.” Every project or company he touched seemed to flourish, yielding returns ten times the initial investment. At just 22 years old, shortly after graduating from college, Luke had already become a successful financial mogul, with others eagerly following his financial trends.

That’s why no one was holding him back from exploring the underground world, where crime thrives. He found excitement in leading dual lives, with no one aware of his true nature. He felt a sense of disdain that no one had yet grasped who he really was or what he was truly capable of.

His friends and he never interfered in each other’s business or lives because they didn’t feel the need to. Each of them was capable of standing on their own, no matter what chaos came their way. It was the first time Rafael had asked Luke for a favor, which initially didn’t intrigue him much. However, upon learning that Hera was involved, his curiosity was piqued, and he felt a genuine need to understand why they required his help.

Luke was like a predator in sheep’s clothing, blending in with his prey to observe their lives before striking. However, his feelings for Hera were different. He felt a genuine attraction and pull toward her that he had never experienced before. He was certain his friends felt the same way, and he was eager to understand what drew them all to her. This newfound feeling was something he had been missing for a long, long time, and it intrigued him deeply.

Otherwise, given his nature, he would have certainly eliminated anyone who tried to take what he considered his—Hera being one of those things—even if it meant staining his hands with his friends’ blood. Surprisingly, though, he didn’t feel repulsed by the idea of sharing his interest in Hera with his friends. Despite his hostility toward Leo, he didn’t have the urge to eliminate him either.

In fact, he felt a rare sense of belonging and calm whenever Hera was around. He realized it must be her unique influence on them, a special quality that allowed her to navigate this world in her own way, just as he and his friends wielded their own talents to become leaders in their respective fields.

With great expectation and anticipation, Luke headed to the address provided by Rafael. He thought he would be prepared for anything, but he was taken aback to discover that Hera and Rafael were dining in the highly exclusive Pavilion #1 and having a serious discussion with the notoriously elusive and reclusive Gerald Troy. The sight shattered his usual calm and self-awareness, leaving him stunned and disoriented.

What surprised him the most was the lack of explanation. As soon as he was led to the private room and took his seat, Rafael handed him a folder of reports without a word. Hera gave him an urging look, indicating he should examine the report to understand what was happening. With no one willing or able to explain, Luke opened the folder and raised an eyebrow upon seeing the contents.

Instead of feeling disgusted or unsettled, he was surprisingly amused by the sight of familiar yet strikingly unfamiliar contents inside the folder.

He remained silent, flipping through each page with a serious gaze as he scrutinized the reports. His usual warm and inviting smile had vanished, replaced by a darker expression of amusement and scrutiny—an unfamiliar side of him that Rafael was seeing for the first time. Rafael assumed that Luke’s reaction was a coping mechanism, similar to how he himself had reacted when he first encountered the severity of the crimes detailed in the file.

Hera watched Luke with a knowing gaze, waiting for him to finish reviewing the content before they proceeded with the discussion on how to handle the situation. She hadn’t intended to escalate matters, but she sought answers, feeling that these developments might somehow be linked to the original ending of the novel or she should say, the original ending of the Hera depicted in the novel.