The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 371

Chapter 371: Chapter 371 The Kind Of Woman
The girls who came looking for trouble hadn’t anticipated being confronted by the very men they were trying to impress. Instead, their plan backfired spectacularly. Rather than winning over Zhane and Dave, they only succeeded in earning their hostility. Meanwhile, Hera remained unfazed, calmly seated as if the entire exchange barely registered, protected by the two men who stood firmly at her side.

Hera glanced at the two women with indifference, not even bothering to stand. She had been ready to defend herself or perhaps throw a few sarcastic remarks to send them off, allowing everyone to proceed with the celebratory feast for Bry’s father’s new collaboration. However, the mood had already soured thanks to their unwelcome intrusion.

Hera hadn’t expected Dave and Zhane to step in before she could, but it seemed they had become fiercely protective of her. It dawned on her that she might have grown close enough to the male leads for them to now consider her “their person.” While she wasn’t certain if the favorability of all the male leads was at the same level as it was with Dave and Zhane, she could safely assume that her bond with them was growing stronger.

What Hera didn’t realize was that Leo’s constant appearances and attempts to dominate the other male leads had actually caused their favorability toward her to skyrocket. Initially, they didn’t see each other as much of a threat, but once Leo entered the picture, everything changed. His presence made them feel that, no matter what they did, Leo had the upper hand and could easily win Hera over. This sense of rivalry pushed them to step up their game, fearing they wouldn’t be able to compete against Leo’s influence.

As a result, everyone began to step up their efforts, becoming more invested and increasingly possessive of her—something no one had expected to happen so quickly. Neither the male leads nor even Leo had fully realized what was unfolding. They all believed they were simply engaging in friendly competition to win over the woman they liked, unaware that their relationships were shifting into a complex dynamic of like and rivalry.

It was Leo who first became protective of Hera, a shift the male leads noticed during the Variety Show. Unconsciously, they began following his example, though this also led to frequent clashes with him whenever the opportunity arose—just like now. Leo, caught up in managing the chaos stirred by the five male leads, grew increasingly frustrated, as the distractions kept him from seeing Hera, even after several days.

All the male leads had caught on to his little tricks, but fortunately, they hadn’t caused any real damage to his personal life or company. Still, it was a sticky situation that had kept him glued to his office chair for days. Despite this, he had no intention of backing down or letting the five male leads off the hook for fighting back.

After all, while he decided not to be overly petty and aimed to be more magnanimous toward his rivals to avoid earning Hera’s disapproval, that didn’t mean he would let anyone walk all over him. As the five male leads continued to cause trouble for Leo, they also made sure to spend time with Hera, going so far as to plan ‘accidental’ meet-ups—just like how Dave and Zhane conveniently showed up at the racecourse.

Zhane had uncovered Hera’s schedule after Bry let it slip during their chat the previous night. Ever since their hospital visit to prepare Bry’s uncle for surgery, Zhane had kept in close contact with Bry. It was during this time that he learned Bry and Hera maintained regular contact, meeting up whenever Hera’s schedule allowed.

Zhane subtly turned Bry into his informant to keep tabs on Hera’s schedule. When he learned she’d be meeting Bry and his father at the racecourse, he seized the opportunity to orchestrate a “chance” encounter. Feeling like he was falling behind the others, Zhane knew he had to act quickly—he hadn’t spent time with Hera lately and worried she might forget about him if he didn’t make his move.

Zhane couldn’t figure out how Dave had managed to get wind of the meeting, especially since he’d been so careful to keep it discreet. He didn’t believe for a second that Dave’s appearance was a coincidence—Dave had claimed he was going golfing, yet there he was, stepping out of his car in the racecourse parking lot at the exact same time.

While Zhane waited for Hera and the others to arrive, it became obvious that Dave was also lingering nearby, pretending to be occupied with his horse. Zhane couldn’t shake the suspicion that Dave had been keeping tabs on their group, possibly even spying on their other friends to get details on Hera’s schedule so he could crash their plans. Honestly, Dave always seemed like the third wheel at these meetups, but he didn’t seem to care in the slightest.

Back to the main topic, neither Zhane nor Dave showed any concern for the feelings or reputations of the two women who came to stir trouble. Even Zhane, typically reserved and professional due to his medical background, had no intention of holding back. When it truly mattered, his words could be as sharp as a blade, cutting through even the thickest of egos.

Zhane instinctively extended his arm, gently pulling Hera closer to his side so she could feel his warmth and the security of his embrace. It wasn’t just a protective gesture—it was his way of ensuring that, should any of the women lash out or try to get physical, he’d be ready to shield Hera with his body at a moment’s notice. His instinct to protect her kicked in naturally, especially since he knew how emotional situations could escalate.

Sensing Zhane’s protective gesture, Dave stood up, reading the situation perfectly. While Zhane and Hera remained seated, Dave took a step behind Hera, effectively shielding her from view. His protective stance ensured that the two women couldn’t see Hera’s figure or even think about harming her out of spite. It was a silent but clear message: they wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

Sianna and the other woman felt deeply insulted by how Zhane and Dave were so protective of Hera, as if they were reckless enough to harm someone in broad daylight. Yet, beneath their offended exteriors, they were seething with jealousy, secretly wishing they could pull Hera from her chair by her hair and drag her away. Their possessiveness over Zhane and Dave made them feel territorial, and Hera’s presence only fueled their frustration.

“Young Minister Dave, isn’t this the woman you claimed was your girlfriend?” the Korean dignitary sneered as he approached, his mocking tone laced with disdain. “But why does she seem so cozy with other men? Or perhaps you have a particular kink—enjoying the idea of sharing your woman with others?” He stood beside Sianna and the other woman, clearly taking pleasure in ridiculing Dave’s choice of partner, Dave has been avoiding him and his granddaughter for some time now.

Dave sneered back at the Korean dignitary, showing not the slightest respect despite the man’s seniority by three decades. “Hmph! Haven’t you heard? True treasures are rare, and when they appear, people flock to them like flies. It just means my girlfriend is so precious that many outstanding men are drawn to her,” he shot back, his tone sharp. “Maybe instead of complaining to me, you should wonder why your granddaughter wasn’t as fortunate in finding a husband.” His words were laced with the same biting sarcasm, cutting just as deep as the dignitary’s mockery.