The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 385

Chapter 385: Chapter 385 Two Peas In A Pod
Zhane, being a skilled surgeon, was adept with his hands, unlike Luke and Rafael, who struggled even with simple tasks like peeling shrimp or managing their strength. Zhane’s expertise required him to handle delicate procedures with precision and gentleness, akin to the light touch of a feather. This skill was crucial for performing complex surgeries, such as Bry’s uncle’s operation, which was challenging due to the extensive damage not only to the muscles but also to the nerves.

After witnessing Zhane effortlessly peel shrimp, Gerald immediately relaxed and began engaging in conversation with Dave, who was occupied with reaching for food and serving Hera. Gerald recounted the events at the Dragon Palace Hotel involving Alexi, a story Dave had been eager to hear. He described how he and Zhane had rushed to assist Hera, and how Zhane had ended up being pinned down by the unhinged Alexi, among other details.

As Gerald began his storytelling, even Bry’s initially nervous father started to relax, listening intently to the account. Although he occasionally frowned or pursed his lips in anger, he kept his reactions subtle to avoid interrupting Gerald. Bry, on the other hand, had a more expressive response. Hearing the story, he pounded the table in frustration, his nostrils flaring like a bull in his anger.

If he could, Bry would have cursed a dozen times while listening to Gerald’s story. Bry’s animated reactions struck Gerald as amusing, fueling his enthusiasm to recount the tale with even greater vigor. However, Bry’s father wasn’t amused by his son’s boisterous display. In fact, he was so disturbed by Bry’s behavior when he saw Bry raise one foot as if he were ready to climb over the table in his indignation.

Without realizing it, he had forgotten his earlier predicament and nervousness. Acting on habit rather than thought, his hand instinctively moved to the back of Bry’s head and delivered a sharp slap. This action quickly subdued Bry’s incessant growling and scowling, calming the young man who resembled a provoked beast.

Bry immediately straightened up and looked at his father with a hurt expression, rubbing the back of his head. “Dad, why are you hitting me? Shouldn’t you be going after sister Hera’s ex? Or am I just your practice target for when you finally see him?” Despite his whimpering, Bry tried to maintain a brave face, with his eyes and nose reddened. “Well, if being your target helps you hit that bastard harder when you find him, then I’ll accept it,” Bry declared with righteous determination. His comment sent everyone at the table into fits of laughter.

Even the usually reserved Zhane chuckled openly as he handed more seafood to Hera. Hera, too, felt her frustration about Alexi dissipate, reminded of how things might have turned out differently if she hadn’t gained clarity earlier. She laughed openly at Bry’s righteous anger on her behalf. However, once the laughter died down, another child at the table joined in the conversation.

“The nerve of that bastard, trying to covet my woman—with a face like his? How is he even remotely better than me, Dave Carson? Hmph!” Dave pounded the table with the same intensity Bry had earlier, pouting and growling in frustration. Despite his more reserved upbringing, Dave’s reaction mirrored Bry’s almost exactly.

He grumbled a few more times, echoing Bry’s sentiments, making them seem like two peas in a pod. Bry’s father, already frustrated, was tempted to hit Bry on the head as well, especially since Dave was behaving just like him. Bry, emboldened by Dave’s actions, began cursing and ranting alongside him. Bry’s father’s face twisted in frustration as he glared at Bry, prompting Hera to intervene. She attempted to pull Dave down but ended up pinching his sides to get his attention and calm him down.

“Ah! Ah! Sweetheart, let go, it hurts!” Dave bellowed, wincing as Hera’s hand pinched his sides firmly. He tried to gently pry her hand away without hurting her, but his efforts looked helpless and pained. With a mix of apology and indignation in his eyes, which were reddened and pouting, he looked at Hera and plaintively asked, “Sweetheart, do you not love me anymore?”

Seeing Dave look like a helpless puppy, trying to act cute to escape the situation, made Hera chuckle. However, she didn’t release her grip until Dave had sat back down. Bry, witnessing Dave’s evident discomfort, winced in sympathy, almost feeling phantom pain in his own sides. Reluctantly, he too sat back down.

Bry’s father taunted him with a smug expression. “What? Are you more afraid of being pinched than getting hit by me?” he asked sarcastically. Bry looked back at him, clearly puzzled.

“Dad, can’t you see? Brother Dave looks like he’s in so much pain. Even an adult would nearly cry from being pinched like that. Honestly, getting hit seems better to me,” Bry said, trying to explain his reasoning to his father. He glanced back at Dave, who was still wincing in discomfort, and winced himself. “Sister Hera looks pretty formidable,” he murmured before returning to his meal. Although no one could quite read his thoughts, Bry started behaving more thoughtfully, stealing occasional glances at Hera and Dave before focusing back on his food.

Bry’s father burst into laughter at his son’s mischievous behavior and silently gave Hera a thumbs up. Soon after, another round of food arrived. This time, the dishes were simple and familiar to Bry and his father. Bry’s eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the familiar fare, and he eagerly anticipated the meal. Bry’s father cast an appreciative glance at Hera, acknowledging her thoughtfulness.

He began serving his son the simple fare, such as grilled fish, and enjoyed the meal heartily himself. Seeing her good intentions appreciated, Hera felt uplifted and continued eating with a sense of satisfaction. The breakfast turned out to be a wonderful mood booster for everyone. As they finished their meal, the atmosphere around the dining table was filled with laughter and shared stories. They discussed their passions and personal experiences, deepening their understanding of one another.

Dave took on the role of the group’s mascot, guiding the conversation to a relaxed and humorous tone. His playful banter led to frequent laughter among the group, and that’s how their celebratory feast concluded. After they finished eating, Hera, Bry, Dave, and Zhane set off for a boat ride around the lake. Dave made sure to ask the boatman to take a picture of him with Hera. Given the small space, the photo ended up capturing all four of them—Zhane, Hera, Bry, and Dave—together.

Hera sat in the center of the plush, white velvet seat, flanked by Dave on one side and Zhane on the other. Bry, holding the fish feed and flashing a wide smile, crouched in front of Hera, eagerly looking at the camera as they captured the moment.

Since it was still early in the day compared to when Hera, Luke, and Rafael had visited yesterday, the ambiance in the picture was slightly different. Birds were captured in flight, darting around the water lilies as they snatched at insects. The photo also featured the soft shimmer of a rainbow, created by the reflection of teardrop crystals hanging from the large umbrella, casting a delicate, glittering halo. This created a soft, elegant atmosphere, in contrast to the ethereal, fairytale-like quality of the previous day.

At first, Dave is dissatisfied but then again, after considering again, he comes into terms that the picture itself could be considered a different experience from what Luke and Rafael had with Hera even if they are in the same place and he felt much better after having such thought.

After they had spent a pleasant morning together, Gerald escorted them to the lobby to see them off to their cars. But the world is really so small that enemies often meet on a narrow road.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here!” Sienna, who had recently parted ways with Hera’s group and left on a sour note, was now seen again with the granddaughter of the Korean dignitary. To Hera’s surprise, Claire was also with them. Claire, who was supposed to be blacklisted from the Golden Dragon Pavilion due to her previous misdeeds, attempted to hide behind Sienna and the Korean dignitary’s granddaughter. However, it was already too late—Hera had spotted her.

Hera merely chuckled and took a step forward, her arms crossed confidently over her ample chest. This stance, inadvertently highlighting her impressive figure, only added to her commanding presence. Her demeanor was deliberately assertive, clearly intended to provoke and unsettle the three girls further.

“Shhh!” Before Sienna could utter another derogatory or upsetting word, Hera swiftly gestured for her to be quiet, placing her index finger over her lips with a mischievous glint in her eye. This gesture only served to heighten Sienna’s indignation, a reaction Hera was fully prepared for and clearly relished.