The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 438

Chapter 438: Chapter 438 The Chateau 2
While her grandfather’s mansion exuded understated luxury—an elegant castle that struck the perfect balance between opulence and modesty—Dave’s château radiated wealth and power, making a bold statement that was impossible to ignore.

After all, Hera’s lineage had always embraced a lifestyle of understated elegance, as that was how they were raised. In contrast, Dave and the other male leads had been groomed for leadership, accustomed to enjoying all the luxuries their families could afford.

For Dave, this chateau was simply a part of his life—nothing too extravagant or showy.

In front of the chateau, a sprawling garden stretched out like a football field, with meticulously trimmed hedges shaped to resemble a royal seal when viewed from a distance.

Soft lighting illuminated the expansive garden, ensuring that everyone inside the chateau could enjoy its beauty even at night.

While the grandeur of the chateau was undeniably impressive, Hera found herself surprisingly unfazed.

Ever since her return to the Avery family to claim her birthright, she had gradually acclimated to a life of luxury.

The initial astonishment had worn off, and she now felt as though the novelty of opulence had already faded, making her more comfortable with her new lifestyle.

But Dave was taken aback by Hera’s reaction; she didn’t seem surprised at all by the grandeur of the chateau.

In contrast, most celebrities and even the other powerful people he had hosted would be awestruck, exclaiming in excitement and eagerly exploring every corner.

He recalled how, during a previous interview, he had invited a crew to his chateau, and they had been wide-eyed and buzzing with enthusiasm, overwhelmed by the luxurious surroundings.

Hera, however, appeared calm and collected, as if she had already grown accustomed to such opulence.

In the past, everyone had been screaming in awe, their eyes wide with disbelief as they took in the luxurious decor of his home.

The space was adorned with exquisite ceramic vases, masterpieces from renowned painters, and stunning sculptures, each piece a testament to wealth and artistry.

However, seeing Hera remain so composed—her eyes fixed ahead and her expression calm, as if to say, “Meh”—made Dave chuckle to himself.

He hadn’t anticipated this reaction, and it only deepened his fondness for her.

At that moment, he realized that Hera wasn’t drawn to him for his wealth or influence; she was genuinely different.

Having seen the world from a young age, Dave knew that some people were exceptional at pretending.

He had already learned his lesson the hard way, having been fooled once in the past. If it happened again, the shame would be on him.

It all started with an elementary school classmate who pretended to be his friend, only to use him for his money and connections.

The so-called friend took advantage of Dave’s name to grant his father’s business certain government favors, like avoiding taxes.

This eventually led to a successful case of tax evasion, all because they falsely claimed ties to the Carsons.

The incident nearly tarnished his family’s reputation and gave their enemies ammunition, sparking a political battle that lasted for years.

Now that he thought about it, his so-called friend was far too young to devise such a scheme on his own.

It was clear that the real mastermind was his friend’s father, who had used their supposed friendship to manipulate events and things behind the scenes.

His so-called friend wasn’t entirely innocent either. Someone overheard him badmouthing Dave, expressing clear resentment.

He believed Dave didn’t deserve to have a better family standing or to excel beyond him in any way.

The kid was obviously pampered, arrogant, and narcissistic—likely a result of his parents feeding him the idea that he was superior to everyone else.

Dave had believed in his friend—until he simply couldn’t anymore. That experience taught him a hard lesson.

It’s why he now projects a carefree demeanor while shrewdly watching everyone’s moves like a hawk.

Trust issues became a part of him, and he only lets a select few into his inner circle—those he’s certain would never betray him.

Since then, Dave has honed his ability to read people. No matter how well they pretended, he could always catch a glimpse of what lay behind their facade, especially through their eyes.

Right now, he could tell that Hera truly didn’t care about her lavish surroundings. In fact, he even noticed her subtly comparing one of the paintings to something in her mind, which made him chuckle to himself.

It seemed she had seen something even more impressive than what he had in his home.

‘Oh God, I’m done for! I’ve fallen hard this time, and there’s no turning back,’ Dave thought to himself, shaking his head slightly in surrender. Yet, despite the defeat he felt, his heart swelled with happiness

In truth, Dave had brought Hera there not just to treat her to a romantic candlelit dinner and showcase the luxury he could provide, but also to gain a deeper understanding of her.

Even if he suspected that Hera might be after his wealth, he would willingly offer it to her.

After all, he had more than enough to share, believing that she could never possibly spend it all in a lifetime.

Moreover, he preferred the idea of her being interested in his wealth. Beyond that, he struggled to identify what else he could offer her.

If she appreciated his money, at least it meant there was something about him that she valued.

As the saying goes, a truly competent man need not fret over gold diggers; instead, he should focus on nurturing his partner’s heart to ensure it remains devoted to him alone.

If a woman is motivated by wealth, it can actually simplify things—after all, satisfying her desires becomes a matter of simply providing her with what she wants.

For a man with abundant resources, showering her with gifts would be an effortless task.

However, observing Hera now, he realized she wasn’t the kind of woman who was swayed by material possessions.

She had demonstrated her authenticity time and again, drawing him closer and deepening his affection for her.

Yet, this also sparked a worry within him: what did she truly desire? He wanted to give her the world—everything he had—but if material wealth held no appeal for her, what could he possibly offer that would fulfill her needs or he could use to capture her heart?

Despite grappling with the crisis of his life, he maintained a carefree demeanor as he guided Hera along the path to the gazebo outside the chateau, where his surprise awaited her.

While he was consumed by worries of all kinds, Hera, having come to terms with many aspects of her life, had learned to navigate the relentless interference of the storyline in her decisions and actions.

She accepted that events would unfold regardless, and in her quest to break free from the narrative’s control, she had embraced a sense of acceptance about the things that were beyond her influence.

Including the possibilities that might unfold in this chateau with Dave.

Instead, she took a moment to admire the luxurious surroundings, a testament to their generational wealth.

While Dave’s family might not be as rich as the Avery, their chateau was spectacular from every angle, prompting her to mentally whistle in appreciation as Dave led her through a stunning flower garden.

Beyond the vibrant blooms lay a grand gazebo that looked fit for a castle, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.