The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 431

Chapter 431: Chapter 431 I can’t
Even Dave was taken aback, left in the dust by a situation he had never even considered or imagined.

The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning, leaving him momentarily speechless.

He had always prided himself on being ahead of the curve, yet here he was, grappling with the unsettling truth that he had underestimated the abilities and potential of those around him.

It was a humbling experience, one that forced him to reevaluate his own skills and strategies.

Determined to catch a glimpse of Hera as she stepped out of her car, Dave made every effort to reach her.

However, by the time he arrived at the finish line, he found himself disappointed. Hera was already surrounded by the national team’s support staff, and even the two who had been left behind were there, crowding around her.

As he stood at the edge of the throng, he felt a wave of frustration wash over him.

It was clear that his chance to speak with her had slipped away, swallowed by the flurry of attention she was receiving from her team.

Meanwhile, the national team’s staff and the two individuals surrounding Hera began to speak simultaneously, excitedly acknowledging that they recognized her as Phantom.

They drew comparisons between her earlier driving maneuvers and the footage they had of Phantom, connecting the dots and expressing their astonishment at her hidden identity.

It was also during this moment that Hera realized why the guy hadn’t spoken to her earlier.

She had assumed he was ignoring her on purpose, but now she understood that he simply hadn’t recognized her at that time.

Hera, on the other hand, was taken aback to learn that her sponsor had not recognized her at first glance due to her dramatic glow-up. She felt a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

As a girl who valued her appearance, his admission hit her hard. It was both a compliment and a blow, leaving her momentarily speechless as she grappled with her emotions.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the national team’s support staff, along with their coach and manager, approached her, creating a flurry of excitement.

They surrounded her, eagerly extending the best offers they could muster to persuade her to join their team and represent her country in both national and international grand prix events.

“Girl, would you be willing to join our national team and represent our country in the international Grand Prix hosted in various countries this year?” the manager exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable.

He anticipated her immediate agreement, or at the very least, hoped she would give it serious consideration.

“I don’t think I can manage,” Hera replied, her smile unwavering as she delivered her message.

The national team’s manager was taken aback, stunned that she would dismiss their offer without a moment’s hesitation.

Almost every racer’s dream was to join the national team, eager to bask in the admiration and affection of their fellow countrymen.

Being part of such a prestigious team is not only a tremendous honor but also a testament to their dedication and skill.

For Hera to dismiss the offer without a second thought felt like a slap in the face to him.

Yet, before he could let anger take hold, Hera quickly interjected to explain her reasons for declining his offer.

“Sir, while I truly appreciate your offer and am honored by it, I must respectfully decline. Unfortunately, my schedule is already packed. I’m currently a college student with a double major and also juggling my responsibilities as a celebrity. I have new projects coming in, and several contracts have already been signed.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to participate in the training sessions with the team. My current commitments are quite extensive, and taking on a new one would mean I’d have to sacrifice one of my existing responsibilities.”

As Hera explained her situation, her eyelashes fluttered down, revealing the weight of her struggle to decide, burdened by her packed schedule.

It wasn’t that she was lying; she genuinely needed to prioritize her college life while also focusing on her burgeoning career in the entertainment industry, especially if she wanted to get ahead of Alice.

“If that’s the case, how about just participating in the actual race?” Hera’s sponsor interjected, finally finding his voice amid the crowd surrounding her.

After all, who wouldn’t be excited in front of their idol? Everyone wanted to engage with her and learn more about her.

Phantom had become a racing god to many, celebrated for her unbeatable and record-breaking performances.

Although her achievements were unofficial, no one could replicate her remarkable feats.

Phantom had become a source of pride for many, inspiring countless individuals to attempt to adopt her identity in hopes of becoming the next sensation.

However, most fell short of her brilliance and instead became the subject of ridicule.

“Participating only in the actual race?” the manager exclaimed, his voice rising incredulously as disbelief washed over his features.

“Why not?!” a confident voice chimed in, accompanied by a smug smirk. “Phantom has always raced without prior training before any competition, yet has she ever lost to anyone?”

The truth is, with her packed schedule of classes, tending to Alexi’s needs, and juggling her various part-time jobs, Hera hardly found the time to consistently train her driving skills.

In fact, rather than focusing on training, she prioritized resting her body to ensure she had enough energy to race alongside her competitors.

After all, racing was a physically demanding endeavor in itself.

“Wait! What?!” Before the manager could respond, the national team coach pushed past him to confront Hera’s sponsor directly.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he processed the claims, struggling to accept what he had just heard.

“That’s not right! Racing requires rigorous training to ensure that the body and mind work in unison, sharpening motor skills and split-second decision-making.”

“That’s why it’s a sport! It’s simply impossible for someone who doesn’t train to excel— it doesn’t make any sense!” The coach’s outburst was understandable; he had dedicated his life to this sport, training countless young racers who had already made their mark in the racing world.

This isn’t an achievement that can be gained merely by wanting it; it requires relentless hard work and dedication. Yet here was someone claiming to have achieved groundbreaking records without any rigorous training at all.

To him, that sounded utterly preposterous, and he couldn’t wrap his mind around what he was hearing.

“I had a hard time accepting it myself when she first mentioned that she would only show up on race day. It seems I’m not the only one reacting this way,” Hera’s sponsor shrugged.

Yet, beneath his calm demeanor, he couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement stirring in his stomach.

‘She really is the boss!’ Though he feigned resignation at this realization, he couldn’t suppress the pride swelling in his chest. After all, she was the gem he had discovered and nurtured, making him her mentor in essence.

If his closest friend were to hear his thoughts, he would likely laugh and say, ‘Dreaming is free, so you can indulge yourself to feed your ego.’ No one knew better than him how skilled his friend was behind the wheel.