The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 378

Chapter 378: Chapter 378 Master Of Time Management
When Hera extended his options, Zhane felt a surge of confidence. The celebratory feast, which had already started to feel like a special date in his mind, took on an even more significant meaning. The prospect of being selfish for once and choosing a place that truly mattered to him made him forget about other concerns, focusing solely on enjoying this rare opportunity.

“How about we go to the Golden Dragon Pavilion today?” Zhane suggested softly, leading Hera toward the lobby of the racecourse. Dave, standing on the other side of Hera, held her hand gently, while the rest of the group followed behind them.

Zhane leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper meant only for Hera’s ears. “Will you be free tomorrow? How about I take you somewhere special?” His calm tone carried a subtle hint of mischief, a clear sign he was trying to keep his plans secret from Dave while aiming for some alone time with Hera.

Hera seized the opportunity as well, knowing that while Zhane might feel he hasn’t spent enough time with her or strengthened their bond, she felt the same way. With Alice growing increasingly hostile and targeting Rafael and Xavier, it was only a matter of time before she shifted her focus to the other male leads, attempting to capture their interest. This made Hera even more determined to solidify her connections with them now.

Zhane, being the most workaholic among his friends and not actively seeking out Hera like Dave, who seems to have all the time in the world, was more susceptible to falling under the influence of the female lead’s halo. Hera recognized that her influence over Zhane was minimal compared to that of his other friends, making him particularly vulnerable to the manipulations of the female lead.

Seeing Zhane and Hera whispering to each other so discreetly only deepened Dave’s sulk. Though he was pleased that they were heading to the Golden Dragon Pavilion, excited to experience what Luke and Rafael had enjoyed the previous day, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

The thought that Hera had already been to the venue before diminished the specialness of the occasion in his eyes. The intimate exchange between Zhane and Hera, so full of unspoken understanding, made Dave feel like an outsider in their moment, amplifying his feelings of jealousy and frustration.

However, if Dave’s suspicions were correct and Zhane was planning to take Hera to a special place, it would leave Dave feeling like an afterthought, forever relegated to the role of a third wheel in the presence of the person he was interested in. Adding to his frustration, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was currently the least favored among the group, intensifying his sense of being left out and overshadowed.

Dave couldn’t help but sigh in frustration, his audible sigh carrying a note of defeat and sadness. Hera, having agreed to Zhane’s plan for tomorrow, a Saturday when she would have a break from school and more time to relax, noticed Dave’s reaction. As she turned around, her eyes fell upon Dave’s downcast expression.

His sadness was palpable, and it tugged at her heart, making her reconsider the dynamics of the situation. She felt a pang of empathy, realizing that while she was excited about spending time with Zhane and exploring new experiences, she didn’t want to leave Dave feeling neglected and unappreciated.

She also recognized that while Dave was almost always present wherever she went, their interactions lacked the intimacy and depth she had with the other male leads. In fact, Dave was the one she should focus on more, not only because he would be the first to fall under the female lead’s charm according to the novel but also because she had become accustomed to his constant presence yet hadn’t cultivated a closer relationship with him. This realization made her see that she had taken Dave’s dedication for granted and needed to make a more genuine effort to connect with him.

Perhaps it was because, unlike the other male leads who constantly sought one-on-one time with her, Dave was content to be around her in any capacity, even if it meant joining her and the others. He didn’t demand exclusive attention but was happy just to be near her, no matter the company.

Despite Dave’s laid-back and easygoing demeanor, it was clear that he was acutely aware of his position at the bottom of Hera’s list of favorites. This awareness made him both bold and cautious: he wanted to capture Hera’s attention, but he also didn’t want to come off as too demanding by asking for more of her time when he was already crashing some of her time with his other friends.

Dave’s childish behavior was a cover for his insecurities and worries, and this realization struck Hera deeply. It was clear that, unlike the other male leads who actively sought her out—such as Luke, who made time for breakfast with her, Rafael, who accompanied her shopping and carried her bags, and Xavier, with whom she had spent a week on the Variety Show—she hadn’t dedicated as much time to Dave. Even though she had shared a few interactions with Zhane, he had received the same level of attention as the others did.

Now that Hera realized her oversight, she understood she needed to make a compromise. While she was confident that she had captured the male leads’ interest, she was acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of their relationships. The storyline could potentially disrupt her progress, introducing elements that might dramatically alter her position in their lives or intensify their feelings, undermining all her hard work. Although she hoped not to face such worst-case scenarios, she knew they weren’t beyond the realm of possibility.

While Hera focused on preventing Alice from seizing opportunities and achieving success in the entertainment industry, she also needed to carefully manage her time with the male leads. Balancing her interactions with them was crucial to maintaining her influence and ensuring she didn’t lose her footing in their hearts. Reflecting on her situation now, Hera realized the challenge was even greater than she had anticipated. With six men to manage—one more than Alice had to contend with—she faced an intricate juggling act between her career and her relationships. She couldn’t afford to let go of any of them, including Leo, which only added to the complexity of her situation.

Now, Hera couldn’t help but admire Alice’s skill in balancing everything—she truly was a master of time management, as Athena had mentioned. Even Hera found it challenging to keep up with such demands, and she had nearly overlooked Dave in the process. Having always been a monogamous person, deeply inspired by her parents’ love story, adjusting to the reality of managing multiple relationships was proving to be a difficult shift. The complexity of her situation made her appreciate Alice’s capabilities even more, recognizing that mastering such a balancing act was no small feat.

Hera glanced at Dave and, with Zhane momentarily distracted by the others, leaned in to whisper, “How about we spend some time together on Sunday? Just pick me up from my place.” Her smile, both apologetic and warm, carried an unspoken promise of a shared secret between them. In that moment, Dave’s gloomy expression lifted as a surge of hope brightened his eyes, his spirits visibly lifted by her gesture.