The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Visit to Star Ocean Entertainment
At 1:30 PM, Hera pulled up to the Star Ocean Entertainment Building, parking her car near the entrance as she lacked a ticket for the underground parking. The sleekness of her car immediately caught the attention of passersby, prompting heads to turn and whispers to circulate as onlookers speculated about the identity of the bigshot who had arrived.

As Hera stepped out of her car, she couldn’t help but notice the attention she garnered. Heads turned, and whispers followed her every move, leaving her feeling a bit self-conscious about her appearance. She began to regret her choice of outfit, wishing she had opted for something more understated.

Little did she realize, that even if she had chosen the most modest attire in her wardrobe, her natural beauty and radiance would still make her stand out. In the past, juggling multiple part-time jobs had taken its toll on her, leaving her skin and hair dry, and dark circles under her eyes overshadowing her features.

However, with ample rest and diligent self-care these past few days, her skin and hair had regained their natural glow, even though not that much but it was enough to show her beauty. The past few days of relaxation had done wonders for her, and the stress-free environment allowed her inner radiance to shine through.

Feeling nervous under the scrutiny of the onlookers, Hera quickened her pace and hurried into the building. She hoped that amidst the multitude of celebrities inside, she would blend in and escape notice among the countless other beautiful faces.

However, her efforts to fade into the background were in vain. She stood out conspicuously, sparking speculation among others that she might be a newly signed artist under the company’s roster. Despite the attention, Hera did her best to remain composed as she made her way to the reception area.

Upon reaching the receptionist, Hera was greeted warmly. “Hello! What brings you here today, and do you have a scheduled appointment?” the receptionist inquired politely.

“I’m here to collect a contract from Mr. Briley,” Hera replied calmly, aware that all eyes seemed to be on her, listening intently to her every word, confirming their earlier speculations.

“Certainly. May I have your name, please?” the receptionist asked respectfully.

“Hera Ainsley,” Hera responded softly.

“Very well. Let me just check the schedule,” the receptionist said, typing away at her computer. After a moment, she looked up. “Your meeting has been confirmed. You can proceed directly to the top floor. Someone will be waiting there to escort you to the CEO’s office.” She then informed the top floor of Hera’s imminent arrival before bidding her farewell.

“Thank you,” Hera said with a gentle smile as she stepped onto the elevator. Her gaze remained fixed ahead, her mind focused solely on the task at hand—getting everything over with and reaching her intended destination.

“Hera?” A voice called out uncertainly. “Is that really you, Hera?” The disbelief was evident in the familiar tone.

Turning slightly, Hera spotted Alexi standing behind her. He must have emerged from the underground parking. Beside him stood his assistant, someone Hera had glimpsed a few times while she still shared an apartment with Alexi.

As Hera glanced back, she noticed the assistant’s awe at her appearance. Though subtle, the changes in her seemed enough to render them breathless.

Hera remained silent, her finger pressing firmly on the button for the top floor. Alexi observed her actions, a bitter taste creeping into his thoughts as he realized he was being disregarded. It was a sensation he was unaccustomed to; Hera had always been there for him, nurturing and attentive. In his mind, her world had orbited around him, and he had convinced himself that he was her everything. Now, however, as she moved forward without acknowledging him, he couldn’t help but feel the sting of her indifference. She didn’t even spare him a glance or a greeting, a stark reminder of how easily she had moved on from their shared past.

“What are you doing in my company?” he inquired, his voice laced with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. Yet, met with only silence, he pressed on, his words carrying a weight of accusation. “Are you here to trade your talents as an artist just to prolong our time together?” The accusation slipped from his lips, already convinced of its truth, a pang of bitterness quelled within him. “Hera, you don’t need to resort to this. You know I still harbor feelings for you, don’t you?”

Taken aback by what he heard, Alexi’s assistant discreetly nudged him, a flicker of fear passing across his face. His gaze darted nervously towards the elevator’s CCTV camera, his mind racing with the potential consequences if their conversation were to be overheard. The mere thought of Minerva discovering their exchange sent a shiver down his spine. With no recourse but to silently emphasize his concern, he continued to urge Alexi to tread cautiously.

From his vantage point behind her, Alexi couldn’t help but notice Hera’s captivating attire. Each detail seemed meticulously chosen, enhancing her allure to a tantalizing degree. The delicate curve of her fair shoulder, the subtle glimpse of her enticing collarbone, and the occasional reveal of her back through cascading locks of hair—all conspired to captivate his senses. Her satin silk evening dress draped over her figure with an almost magnetic allure, accentuating every curve and contour. As he stood in the confined space of the elevator, he felt his heart quicken and his breath caught in his throat, consumed by undeniable arousal ignited by her presence.

His attention became solely fixated on Hera, oblivious to anyone else in the vicinity. The details of her attire faded into insignificance as his gaze lingered hungrily on her curves and the tantalizing expanse of exposed skin.

Despite his intimate encounters with Minerva in the past, Alexi found himself more aroused than ever before. Even the sight of Minerva’s naked form paled in comparison to the sheer allure emanating from Hera as she stood silently in the corner, draped in a seductive evening dress. Rationality was eclipsed by his overwhelming desire, as his mind stubbornly clung to the belief that Hera’s presence was a deliberate attempt to seduce him back into her grasp.

A wave of jealousy washed over him as he thought of her walking around with that dress, an overwhelming desire to shield her from the prying eyes of others and keep her beauty exclusively for himself. The mere thought of other men ogling her sent a surge of anger coursing through him, igniting an irrational impulse to protectively shield her from their gaze. The intensity of his emotions bordered on primal as if he were ready to unleash his fury upon anyone who dared to look upon her with anything but reverence.

Before Alexi could even begin to process his tumultuous feelings, his assistant forcefully extracted him from the elevator upon reaching their destination, leaving Hera behind as the doors slid shut. Alexi’s gaze remained transfixed on Hera as she disappeared from view, his agitation intensifying. Unable to shake the captivating image from his mind, he felt an overwhelming reluctance to let her go wherever she intended.

It was in that moment of separation that Alexi fully realized the extent of Hera’s allure. Not only was her shoulder exposed, but her frontal view revealed an even more enticing display, with her cleavage on full display, commanding attention with undeniable allure. Her overall visual impact was impossible to ignore, leaving Alexi caught in a whirlwind of desire and fascination.

He stood motionless in front of the elevator door, his gaze fixated on the ascending floor number displayed on the indicator above. An intense desire to uncover Hera’s destination or the identity of her meeting consumed him. His jaw clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms in a futile attempt to suppress the overwhelming agitation coursing through him. Nowhere to vent his swirling emotions, he remained trapped in a state of internal turmoil.

Despite the distance that now separated them, vivid memories of Hera’s appearance and the sweet floral scent that enveloped her lingered in his mind. With each inhale, his throat grew parched, and a wave of heat surged through his body, a visceral reminder of the magnetic pull she exerted over him.

Desperate to track her down, Alexi felt the urge to bolt up the fire exit until his assistant intervened, whispering urgently, “Alexi, we’re in the company. If Minerva finds out, we’re both done for.” His plea was almost desperate, grasping for any words that might convince Alexi to restrain himself while within the confines of their workplace. “Remember your plans for the class reunion later?” he continued in a hushed tone, “She might be attending too. You’ll have your chance to talk then.”

Recalling this vital detail, Alexi’s frantic energy subsided slightly, though he still cast a longing glance towards the elevator, reluctant to leave Hera unattended.