The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 411

Chapter 411: Chapter 411 Seaside Cove
“Call of Duty?” Zhane asked, tilting his head in confusion.

Hera chuckled softly, recognizing that Zhane’s workaholic nature meant he was unfamiliar with games. She explained, “Call of Duty is a computer game, and there’s even a version for phones. It’s a survival game where players fight each other using various guns and melee weapons until only one person is left standing.”

Zhane nodded with a smile, his voice tinged with genuine interest. “That sounds like fun.” His enthusiasm surprised Hera, as she hadn’t expected him to show such interest in a game that involved guns, given his usually serious demeanor.

She could easily imagine Dave expressing an interest in guns and weapons—his mischievous and reckless nature seemed a perfect fit for such a hobby. But Zhane? His interest in firearms was unexpected, and she would have never guessed if she hadn’t seen it firsthand. Still, she was delighted to share this passion with him, grateful for the opportunity to experience it together.

Hera beamed with excitement and declared, “Alright! Lunch is on me!” She puffed out her chest proudly, her joy evident. She was thrilled not just about treating Zhane, but also about her impressive score, especially when compared to a seasoned shooter like him.

Zhane chuckled softly as he gently took Hera’s hand. “Anywhere is fine?” he asked with a playful tone, though his eyes revealed a tender and affectionate gaze.

Hera’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she nearly bounced on her feet. “Absolutely! I’m so thrilled to have this chance. I wish we could come back again soon!” She walked eagerly beside him, her enthusiasm infectious.

Hearing her use the word “we” sparked a profound joy in Zhane’s heart. It signified that she had truly accepted him, marking a significant step in their relationship. His smile widened uncontrollably as he led her back to the car, eager to drive to the seaside restaurant for their lunch together.

As they drove, the view outside the window was breathtaking. The vast expanse of the sea, the stretch of white sand, and the blazing afternoon sun painted a stunning picture.

Although the sun’s intensity made it somewhat uncomfortable, Hera found the scene mesmerizing and embraced the beauty of it. Despite the afternoon heat, she enjoyed every moment of the scenic drive.

After another hour on the road, they arrived at Seaside Cove, a renowned seaside restaurant that promised a fine dining experience. With its stunning, Instagram-worthy ambiance and sky-high prices, but it remained a popular spot with a steady flow of patrons. While most guests needed to book in advance, Zhane’s status allowed them to walk in without a reservation, as a private room was always set aside for him.

As Zhane and Hera were escorted upstairs, they passed a line of people waiting outside, snapping pictures of the picturesque setting.

Zhane had his arm around Hera’s waist as they ascended, but as soon as they reached the second floor, someone spotted him and exclaimed, “Zhane?!”

“Uncle Ben, you’re here to eat out too?” Zhane asked, glancing at the woman standing beside his uncle. Although Zhane addressed him as “uncle,” the man was merely a member of a branch family who often clashed with Zhane’s father in family discussions and was known for employing underhanded tactics to gain more assets.

Zhane’s father always preferred to rise above the infighting and avoid getting entangled in family disputes, but Uncle Ben’s insatiable greed never ceased to stir trouble. As Zhane noticed the woman beside his uncle, who was not his wife, a smirk tugged at his lips. “Are you discussing business?” he asked, his tone laced with subtle amusement.

His uncle’s gaze darted around nervously before settling on Hera, the beautiful woman beside Zhane. Though he initially failed to recognize her, his eyes sparkled with a glimmer of lustful curiosity. “And who might this be?” he inquired with a veneer of calm, attempting to mask the discomfort of being seen dining with someone who wasn’t his wife.

Zhane stepped forward to block his uncle’s lingering gaze, his brows furrowed in disapproval. “She’s my girlfriend,” he said firmly. “It looks like you’re heading out, Uncle. Please, go on and enjoy your evening.” He turned to the woman accompanying his uncle and added, “Could you kindly see my uncle out? I’m sure Auntie is eagerly waiting for him.”

The man was speechless, he had just arrived at the restaurant a minute ahead of Zhane but he was already being sent home, and he couldn’t even refute what he said because the restaurant was owned by Zhane’s mother and his wife was the one who was really a part of the Everett’s branch family while he was nothing but a son in law. He led his date out as he ground his teeth in anger.

Zhane’s words were laced with a subtle but unmistakable threat: if his uncle pressed his luck, Zhane wouldn’t hesitate to expose the affair to his uncle’s wife. Such a revelation would ignite a family scandal, likely resulting in his uncle’s expulsion from the family—a harsh consequence for someone who was always playing the role of the henpecked husband.

Seething with resentment, the man pulled out his phone and made a call. When someone on the other end answered, he barked, “Begin the operation; the goods are ready for delivery.” Hanging up, he sneered, his eyes flashing with cold, ruthless determination.

But Zhane was more than just a pretty face—he was acutely aware of his uncle’s vindictive nature. Anticipating potential sabotage, he had already arranged for someone to secure a copy of the restaurant’s camera footage, ensuring that any evidence of his uncle’s activities would be preserved before it could be tampered with or erased.

After the brief interlude, Zhane led Hera to his private room and requested the staff to prepare the restaurant’s specialties. As they waited, he served Hera a refreshing glass of cold orange juice, and they chatted about their experiences at the shooting range.

When the seafood boat arrived, brimming with freshly caught delicacies, Zhane eagerly dove in to serve Hera dishes he knew she would enjoy. He had observed her fondness for shelled seafood like lobster, shrimp, and crab, so he made sure to include those in their spread. However, noticing she hadn’t tried raw fish or oysters yet, he decided not to order them this time.

Seeing Zhane attentively take care of her, Hera decided to return the gesture by serving him as well. While he focused on peeling shrimp and crab, she occasionally spoon-fed him the dishes he had prepared for her.

Hera found joy in this act of nurturing, especially as Zhane’s eyes lit up with delight each time she fed him. His usually guarded, responsible demeanor softened, revealing a more playful, childlike side that Hera hadn’t seen before.

It was a side of him that contrasted sharply with his usual role as the big brother of the bunch, and he felt a profound sense of happiness and indulgence that he hadn’t realized was hidden beneath his stoic exterior.

Throughout lunch, the playful exchange between Hera and Zhane made the meal particularly memorable. They managed to finish all the food served, with Zhane eating the majority, as Hera took great pleasure in feeding him.

Her enjoyment of the act meant that, even as she began to feel full and bloated, she continued to offer him bites. Sharing utensils only added to Zhane’s happiness—after all, they had already shared a kiss, so sharing a spoon felt like a natural extension of their intimacy.