The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 399

Chapter 399: Chapter 399 Stone Betting 3
As they continued chatting, Hera and Zhane strolled around the second floor. With only a few people browsing, the area was peaceful, allowing them the privacy to explore and examine anything that caught their interest.

With Hera’s enthusiasm rubbing off on him, Zhane decided to join in rather than just let her enjoy the experience alone. Not wanting her to feel like she was dragging him along, he chose to bet on a stone himself, using his limited knowledge to try his luck as well.

Hera, on the other hand, knew that professional inspectors used advanced techniques to evaluate these stones, but she was unfamiliar with any of them. She listened to Zhane’s analysis, which he had picked up from various inspectors—some of it conflicting, some more like common knowledge. Still, it all seemed to help them achieve their goals in stone betting.

As Hera examined the stones, they all seemed the same to her—just rocks with various grains, lines, and textures, appearing completely ordinary on the outside. She found herself staring at the same stone for quite some time, while Zhane, on the other hand, was deeply focused, carefully inspecting the stones on the table. He even borrowed a small light to illuminate the insides, trying to discern any clues about what might lie within.

The way he focused, he actually looked like he knew what he was doing, resembling the professional inspectors she had imagined. Inspired, she turned back to the stone she’d been eyeing, rubbing her chin thoughtfully with her index finger and thumb, trying to make sense of it.

After finishing his own inspection and selecting a palm-sized stone, Zhane glanced up at Hera to see if she had made her choice. To his amusement, he found her still staring intently at the same stone from earlier, her expression serious as if she were trying to see through it with just her eyes. He couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, watching her as though she were trying to bore a hole into the rock through sheer concentration.

After a quiet chuckle, Zhane decided to offer some help. “Have you picked one yet, or would you like to take a look at some other stones?” he asked with a friendly smile. “I can help you check. Who knows, with our combined efforts—or maybe just our shared luck—we might uncover something good,” he added coolly, his tone light but encouraging.

Hera finally tore her gaze away from the stone and looked up at Zhane, a bright smile spreading across her face. She noticed how much he had loosened up—his usual stern and stoic demeanor had softened. Now, he was smiling naturally, his facial muscles relaxed in a way she hadn’t seen before.

Hera couldn’t help but notice how Zhane’s delicate facial features were perfectly complemented by his slight smile, bringing out an air of elegance and making his emerald eyes stand out even more. In response, she simply smiled back at him, feeling the warmth of the moment.

“We could definitely do that, but I’m also drawn to this one,” Hera said with a thoughtful tilt of her head. “I think I’ve grown attached to it—maybe because it’s my first time?” She shrugged slightly, then turned to the assistant standing in front of the table and asked for help with the payment for the stone she had chosen.

“May I take a look at this stone?” a crisp, clear voice suddenly interrupted as the assistant was about to pick up the stone. The stone, roughly the size of Hera’s face, resembled a deformed dragon’s egg with a smooth, blackish surface. The assistant smiled at the newcomer but hesitated before responding.

She glanced at Hera, then back at the newcomer with a polite, businesslike smile. “I’m sorry, Miss Goldsmith, but this lady is already ready to make her purchase,” she explained with extreme courtesy.

The girl, who appeared to be around the same age as Hera or perhaps a few years older, glanced at Hera with a tilt of her head before speaking. “Miss,” she began, her tone polite yet earnest, “I’m not sure if there’s been a mistake, but that stone is priced at $98,000. I noticed you haven’t even touched it—just stared at it. If you’re here to just experience the process, I understand, but this amount is quite significant, and we should take it seriously.” She explained with a good-natured demeanor.

Hera looked at her and nodded with a smile, ready to explain her side. “Miss, thank you for letting me know—” But before she could finish, the girl cut her off, assuming that Hera was simply grateful for her help and was unaware of the situation.

“You heard her,” the girl said with a smile, her expression brightening as if she had just found something she truly liked. “She made a mistake and didn’t know the price. So, I can have it, right?” She reached out for the stone, but Hera swiftly intercepted her hand.

“Miss, I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” Hera said, gently pushing the girl’s hand away. The girl looked at her with a puzzled expression, clearly confused. Hera continued, “I appreciate your concern, but I’m still going to buy this stone because I like it.”

Seeing how much Hera liked the stone, Zhane stepped in behind her and gently placed his arm around her shoulder in a protective manner. “We’ll be taking this one,” he said, clearly asserting their decision. The girl flinched in surprise as she recognized Zhane and registered his authoritative presence.

“Doctor Everett? You’re here as well?” The girl looked back and forth between Hera and Zhane, her brows narrowing in skepticism. “Are you buying this stone for her?” she asked, her tone reflecting doubt.

“Yes-”

“No-”

Hera and Zhane answered simultaneously, their voices overlapping. Both were surprised by each other’s response and exchanged a glance. The girl, taken aback, seemed unsure if she had heard them correctly, and her skepticism deepened.

She had heard the female voice say “no” and the male voice say “yes,” which seemed contradictory. Confused, she thought she must have misheard. Assuming it was Hera who said “yes” and Doctor Everett who said “no,” so, she sneered in response.

‘What a gold digger. Is she hoping to get Doctor Everett to buy her a stone, thinking it might turn out to be valuable? Ha.’ Her inner thoughts were at odds with her outward demeanor. She maintained a composed and polite exterior as she looked at the two, waiting for an explanation.

Hera had no intention of explaining her situation to a stranger she’d just met. Instead, she reached into her small bag and swiftly retrieved her black card. The girl’s quick glance only caught sight of the black card itself, while Zhane saw Hera’s name imprinted on it. As Hera handed the card to the assistant, her thumb covered the last name, which Zhane couldn’t make out. He assumed it read “Ainsley” as it was Hera’s known last name

Zhane also recalled seeing the same card Hera used during the auction she attended with Leo. Both he and Rafael had assumed the card was provided by Leo. Now, seeing that it was actually under Hera’s name, he felt a sense of clarity, as if a fishbone had finally been dislodged from his throat.