The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Chapter 360 The Poor Gael
“Honestly, I sympathize with you. I also loved my mother dearly, but business decisions must remain separate from personal emotions. Allowing feelings to influence these decisions could be detrimental to the Avery family’s interests,” the manager said, glancing briefly at Hera, who was silently sipping her coffee.

“Manager, why not review his plan? Since he’s already presented one, if it doesn’t measure up, you’ll have done everything you could for him and won’t have any regrets,” Hera suggested, setting her cup down. She crossed her fingers, clasped her hands on her right knee, which rested atop her left leg, and directed a focused gaze at Gael.

As Gael recounted his sob story and with his current appearance, something clicked in Hera’s mind about who he was. She recalled Sienna’s earlier mention of him being the fifth son of the Harrison family. If her memory served her correctly, the fifth son of the Harrisons was widely regarded as a useless clown.

Not only was his sense of dress disastrous, but he was also underachieving academically. He frequently skipped classes to be with his mother, who had been in a coma since his elementary school years. Additionally, he rebelled against his father for his lack of concern for his bedridden wife, focusing instead on his children from his mistress, who had now become his legal wife.

Gael’s father only disclosed to the outside world that Gael’s mother had leukemia to obscure the true circumstances of their family’s situation. They wanted to conceal the fact that she had fallen down the stairs and hit her head on the corner after being pushed by the mistress.

By claiming that his wife had leukemia and would not be seen in public, Gael’s father ensured that no one would question the validity of his statements. This allowed him to act without scrutiny or challenge, doing whatever he pleased without fear of being questioned.

Additionally, Gael discovered that his father had been unfaithful to his wife even before she became pregnant with him. This was why his father’s first child was older than Gael and was favored to inherit all of his father’s assets in the future, leaving Gael and his mother with nothing.

What shifted Gael’s rebellious streak and motivated him to achieve something was the new understanding he gained. However, Hera’s knowledge of this transformation came as a revelation from the novel. Unlike typical cannon fodder characters like Hera, Gael was actually a business genius who would receive assistance from Alice—and more precisely, from Rafael—to claim what rightfully belonged to him.

It’s likely that he recently discovered that what happened to his mother was no accident but a scheme orchestrated by the mistress. The plan was to displace Gael’s mother, secure a title for her own children, and enable herself and her husband to seize the power and wealth that Gael’s mother would have left behind.

Harrison wasn’t his father’s name; he was merely a son-in-law who had married into the Harrison family. Gael should have been the rightful heir to the Harrison legacy, but without any other Harrison family members to advocate for him besides his mother, he had long since given up. As long as his father continued to cover his mother’s medical bills, Gael had resigned himself to the situation. In essence, his mother was being held as a hostage to keep Gael subdued and prevent him from challenging the status quo.

So why did he suddenly want to make a move? It was because he realized that staying passive wasn’t what his mother would have wanted. The doctors had stated that his mother would never awaken from her coma, leading his father and stepmother to be complacent, knowing they didn’t need to fully eliminate his mother. Gael, however, refused to accept this. To save his mother, he needed money and power to secure the best medical team for her care.

He had already kept a low profile for a decade, and continuing to do so would diminish his mother’s chances of recovery. His only hope now lay with the Avery family. Gael aimed to establish a business connection with them and earn their trust so he could request assistance from the renowned doctor affiliated with them, who was running a leading laboratory overseas.

In the novel, Gael’s plan ultimately failed, but Alice’s timely intervention changed the outcome. Instead of the second renowned genius, Zhane Everett took on the task and successfully assisted Gael. As a result, they gained a loyal ally who helped propel their business to the forefront, eventually becoming one of the world’s leading companies and securing a spot on the Forbes list of the top ten wealthiest individuals.

Hera tapped her fingers on her knee, contemplating her words and actions. The fact that this Gael was unintentionally connected to her could work to her advantage if she played her cards right. A slight smile curled on her lips as she fixed her gaze on Gael, who appeared clearly caught off guard.

Hera was well aware that Gael had dramatized his story. The reality was that his father and stepmother had already considered his mother a lost cause and had little interest in her well-being. They had yet to discontinue her medication, but Gael was concerned that this could happen soon, which is why he felt an urgent need to act. Ultimately, no one truly knew the full extent of what had happened to his mother.

Now that Hera had spoken, the manager had no reason to turn down Gael’s request. He extended his hand towards Gael, who was momentarily stunned and stared blankly at the manager’s gesture. Hera couldn’t help but chuckle, and Bry’s childlike voice broke the silence. “Brother, the manager is asking for the folder you’re holding. Get a grip, will you?” Bry attempted to sound mature with his last words, but it only made Hera laugh even harder.

Only then did Gael regain his composure and handed the folder to the manager with a trembling hand. He stole a glance at Hera, who seemed to be supporting him, which eased his nerves. Confident in the business plan he had prepared, he felt reassured knowing that the clear distribution and profit structure was aligned with the Avery’s interests.

Gael cast an appreciative glance at Hera before focusing intently on the manager’s reaction to his business plan. As the manager opened the folder and began reviewing the first few pages, his expression shifted to one of seriousness, his brows knitting together. He repeatedly read certain sections, particularly the profit distribution, before looking up at Gael with a puzzled expression.

Typically, businessmen would negotiate for a larger share of the profits rather than offering their work at minimal cost. However, Gael’s approach seemed as if he was willing to work for the Avery for little to no compensation, aiming only to cover the basic operational costs. The manager was puzzled by this, wondering why Gael would offer such terms if he needed funds for his mother’s medical expenses.

The manager shot Hera a perplexed look. Noticing his expression, Hera responded, “Manager, as a business student and someone who has closely studied finance under Professor Fletcher’s guidance, I would appreciate the opportunity to review Mr. Harrison’s business plan as well. It could provide valuable insights for my understanding.”