The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Chapter 34 I can’t do it
“Have a wonderful day, my dear,” the Old Master affectionately advised his granddaughter before he departed for the office. Soon, he would be embarking on his overseas business trip.

“Grandpa, please take care on your way, don’t overexert yourself, and remember to eat your meals and take your vitamins, okay?” Hera lovingly reminded her grandfather before they parted ways.

The Old Master chuckled heartily, his granddaughter’s caring words warming his heart like a roaring fire. With a nod of agreement, he gently patted her on the head before bidding her farewell and setting off on his way.

“Young miss, let me escort you to your destination,” Cindy offered, following closely behind Hera and Athena.

“It’s alright, Cindy. We’ll have the driver take us to the car dealership to pick up Athena’s car. I know you have other tasks to attend to, so there’s no need for you to accompany us closely for my convenience,” Hera assured, gently placing a hand on Cindy’s arm.

Cindy was deeply touched. She hadn’t anticipated Hera’s level of consideration, leaving her momentarily speechless as she absentmindedly nodded in response to Hera’s kindness.

As Hera and Athena boarded the familiar black van they had used the previous night, Hera couldn’t help but notice Athena’s quiet demeanor during breakfast. Observing her incessant tapping on her phone, curiosity got the better of Hera, prompting her to ask, “Have you found a boyfriend?”

Startled, Athena looked up, her expression shifting into one of irritation as she scrunched her nose. “Do I appear lovesick to you? Please, enlighten me. I’ll gladly amend any misconceptions.” Her reaction mirrored that of a cat whose tail had been accidentally trodden on.

“Take it easy, Athena. I was merely curious about why you’ve been glued to your phone,” Hera reassured in a calming tone.

“Oh, is that it? Just posted a photo and replying to some comments,” Athena replied casually, her attention still on her phone screen.

“That looks interesting! I’ll have to take a look and see what the fuss is about,” Hera responded eagerly, reaching for her phone in her bag.

Upon hearing Hera’s words, Athena’s alarm was evident as she swiftly seized Hera’s arm just as she reached for her phone in her bag. Drawing her close, Athena initiated a conversation to divert Hera’s attention from the topic at hand. “You know, now that we have a moment to reflect and talk about it, wasn’t Rafael quite the catch?” Athena remarked, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

“You’re fangirling again,” Hera chuckled.

“Oh, come on, don’t try to deny it. I caught you ogling at him when he arrived last night,” Athena teased with a knowing smile.

“Ogling?!” Hera’s voice rose a few octaves. “I absolutely was not!”

“Don’t even try to deny it! I saw you,” Athena insisted, her grin playful.

“What?! Are your eyes splitting in two different directions to see my expression? You were the one clearly captivated the moment he stepped in. You even forgot to breathe,” Hera chuckled, remembering Athena’s reaction from the previous night.

“Haha! Unlike you, I won’t deny it. I openly ogle at someone’s face and body!” Athena teased, unabashed.

“You were so eager to meet the male leads you’ve been clamoring about from the novel. Aren’t you thrilled to see one now?” Hera whispered playfully to Athena.

“Absolutely! He matched the description from the book perfectly. Handsome doesn’t even begin to cover it. Now I’m even more eager to see what the charming first male lead looks like. If Rafael was the bad guy version, then the first male lead must be the complete opposite, like the sun and the moon,” Athena gushed, pausing briefly before adding, “I couldn’t help but envy the female lead for having her own buffet of flavors to choose from every day among her five leading men.”

“Why don’t you get a man then?” Hera said with a playful smirk. “Maybe I could ask Auntie to find you one now?”

Athena gasped dramatically and pouted. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Why wouldn’t I? Weren’t you just looking forward to having your own selection of flavors?” Hera teased.

“No! That’s just a figure of speech!” Athena protested.

“How about six, then you’ll have more than the female lead?” Hera teased, chuckling.

“No way! Do I look like I can handle more than one with my body?! I’d be shredded and skewered to death,” Athena replied comically.

Hera couldn’t contain her laughter at the mental image of Athena’s petite frame surrounded by tall, muscular men. It was almost too comical to bear, she wouldn’t last long in such a scenario.

“Stop laughing!” Athena playfully tapped Hera’s head.

“Sorry, I can’t help it. I just keep picturing you in that scenario. With Rafael’s athletic build and towering height of 185 cm, you’d be like a child among giants. And if even more of those body masses crowded around you… Hahaha. I can’t handle it, God!” Hera chuckled between breaths.

“Shut up! I didn’t even say I wanted to be like the female lead. I was merely pondering how she manages to handle all five of them and the endurance she must possess to last all night with such a crowd. It’s entertaining to read about, but the thought of experiencing it is downright terrifying,” Athena stated, crossing her arms defensively as a shiver ran down her spine.

Hera ceased teasing Athena and inquired, “But why is your reaction different from what I anticipated?”

“What did you expect, exactly?” Athena queried, arching her eyebrows in curiosity.

“Well, I was half-expecting you to be swooning over him throughout the entire dinner last night,” Hera confessed.

“Oh, that?” Athena chuckled. “I suppose I’ve grown immune to good looks after being subjected to your face almost every day. You could say you’ve become my new benchmark of beauty.”

“Then I suppose no one would meet your impeccable beauty standards anymore,” Hera quipped, anticipating Athena’s playful retort. However, to her surprise, Athena simply nodded in agreement, momentarily catching Hera off guard. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Hera fell silent, chastising herself for her unintended boast. The once light-hearted banter now felt uncomfortably egotistical to continue, causing Hera to withdraw, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Athena knew this well, so she wore a smug smile on her face after ensuring Hera stopped making fun of her.

With a defeated sigh, Hera couldn’t help but inquire, “What’s on your mind?”

“If only their intentions weren’t solely focused on your family’s wealth, we might have considered befriending them,” Athena lamented. “The character in the book was described as diligent, virtuous, the epitome of an exemplary female protagonist. Readers lauded her for her compassion and generosity.”

Hera chuckled softly, her laughter tinged with an unspoken undertone. She refrained from vocalizing her thoughts, cautious not to prematurely assume anything. Yet, she also recognized the importance of not growing complacent or needlessly fretting about what lay ahead. Instead, she resolved to take proactive steps, ensuring she was adequately prepared and maintaining a watchful eye on the future.

Their conversation dwindled as they reached the entrance of the car dealership, where Athena confidently guided them inside. Stepping into the upscale establishment, they were met with warm greetings and a level of respect that stood in stark contrast to their usual encounters. Hera couldn’t help but ponder the situation. ‘Appearances truly hold sway,’ she mused silently. Witnessing the significant disparity in treatment based on outward appearance left her torn between finding it somewhat amusing and feeling deeply frustrated.

“Welcome to A&D Car Dealership Co. My name is Jess; please let me know what you’re in the market for, and I’ll be happy to assist you,” the man at the entrance introduced himself.

“Hello, I wasn’t planning on browsing today; I’m actually here to pick up a pre-ordered car,” Hera explained.

“Ah, I see. Please provide me with the details of your order, and I’ll check on it for you,” Jess responded courteously, ready to help.

“Hurry up, Babe! I heard the customized mint green Bugatti Chiron has just arrived,” a woman’s voice interrupted, demanding Jess’s immediate assistance.