The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 465

Chapter 465: Chapter 465 Hera Sharing Her Thoughts
With a heavy heart, Luke reluctantly ordered his subordinate to infiltrate the enemy’s base and steal their records.

He was acutely aware of the immense danger involved and the potential consequences for his team, but his current mood was dark, and a sense of ruthlessness seeped into his every decision, giving him a menacing presence.

It was a stark contrast to his usual demeanor, but he couldn’t help it.

The weight of his own frustrations loomed over him, especially regarding his stagnating progress with Hera.

He recognized that his feelings of inadequacy were clouding his judgment, but in this moment, the urgency of their mission overshadowed his better instincts.

According to Dave, Luke was being a complete scaredy-cat.

Dave, once at the very bottom of their ranking, had not only clawed his way to the top but had also made significant strides in his progress.

To his surprise, he had even caught Hera’s attention, confirming the spark between them.

Seeing someone he once considered a rival below the ranking was now among those who made significant progress in their status quo and now, Luke seeing this only fueled his determination to push further, both in his personal growth and in his pursuit of Hera.

Dave couldn’t help but feel a mix of sympathy and exasperation for the one still trapped in self-doubt.

Luke recognized that Hera was undeniably attracted to him, but he was deliberately taking a slow and strategic approach.

He wanted to distinguish himself from the others, allowing her to see him not just as a companion but as someone truly exceptional.

By embodying a gentlemanly demeanor and displaying kindness in his actions, he aimed to cultivate a deeper connection that would set him apart.

His goal was to create a lasting impression in her mind, one that would make her see him as more than just another face in the crowd.

‘Why did I even take on this role of acting like a gentleman? Now it’s coming back to bite me!’ Luke grumbled to himself, his frustration boiling over as his chest heaved with anger.

‘It’s not like I can just shed this gentlemanly facade on a whim. What would Hera think of me then?’ Luke thought, running his fingers through his hair, his frustration evident in every movement.

Just the thought of Dave’s smug declaration sent Luke’s mood plummeting, causing the temperature in the room to drop a few degrees.

His subordinate, standing behind him, couldn’t help but felt the chill in the air.

They appeared menacing and intimidating, their bulky bodies and scowling faces suggesting they could crush skulls with their bare hands.

Yet, at that moment, a wave of fear washed over them as they sensed Luke’s mood plummeting.

They were as silent as mice, not daring to make a sound when Luke issued the order for some of their comrades to infiltrate the enemy’s base.

Deep down, they understood it was a suicide mission, but they swallowed their concerns and remained quiet.

Luke was far too preoccupied with plotting his next move to concern himself with the well-being of his subordinates.

From the moment he entered this line of work, he recognized the inherent dangers that lay ahead, and this added layer of risk was simply one more challenge for him to navigate.

Luke believed his subordinates understood this reality as well. Running from danger out of fear of death was no longer an option for them.

Despite knowing they were risking their lives by accepting the mission, no one backed out.

Instead, they steeled themselves, making thorough preparations in anticipation of the worst-case scenarios before embarking on their infiltration of the enemy’s base.

Meanwhile, Hera was oblivious to the unfolding drama among the male leads, fully immersed in the product launch alongside Xavier.

She diligently catered to reporters, fielding their questions one after another.

Despite the malice that occasionally laced their inquiries, Hera maintained her composure, responding with honesty and politeness, her smile unwavering.

As a result, the reporters found themselves feeling increasingly awkward, hesitant to continue bombarding Hera with the same level of aggressive questions just for a sensational scoop.

Her unwavering composure not only impressed those present but also captivated the live stream audience, leading to a significant increase in her following.

Despite Xavier’s unmistakable warning glare aimed at the reporters who had been targeting Hera since the beginning, one journalist remained undeterred in their quest to bring her down.

While most had backed off, this particular reporter seemed intent on provoking her and boldly pressed on with a question.

“Miss Hera, are you aware that some innocent individuals have been imprisoned simply for expressing their opinions online?”

“One of those linked to you seems to have played a role in this. Do you see this as an attempt to silence critics, or is it a deliberate strategy to leverage your backer’s influence and power to maintain your position at the top?”

“It has even been suggested that these individuals are being targeted for persecution online. Could you please share your thoughts on this?”

Hera noticed the glint of malice in the woman’s eyes as she bombarded her with questions, never allowing her a moment to respond before launching into the next.

Yet, Hera remained steadfast, demonstrating that her composure could withstand even the most unexpected attacks.

With grace and elegance, Hera smiled before responding. “First, I want to thank you for bringing this to my attention, as I was not aware of the situation.”

“However, I have complete trust in the people around me; I believe they would never resort to harming the citizens of this country over something as minor as differing opinions.”

“I believe what you’ve mentioned is merely the tip of the iceberg and doesn’t capture the full scope of what’s happening online.”

Hera smiled brighter and sweeter, fully aware that the reporter was targeting her.

She refused to be a paper tiger, allowing herself to be trampled in front of the masses, which would only embolden others to do the same.

Hera realized that the reporter was not only placing all the blame on her but also attempting to sweep the misdeeds of others under the rug.

She suspected that the reporter had some connection to one of those apprehended by the authorities, which explained her hostility.

Although she had no way to confirm this suspicion at the moment, Hera was determined not to remain passive while the reporter misled the public against her.

Hera continued, “Miss Reporter, if I didn’t know any better, I might think that your questions are designed to mislead the public into believing that I’m misusing the influence and power of others for my own advantage while silencing innocent voices.”

Hera let out a sweet chuckle. “After all, the individuals you’re pointing fingers at have their own public images to uphold, and we’re not privy to the events that led to this situation. So, please, enlighten us.”

She didn’t hesitate to put the reporter in the spotlight for her insinuations in front of the audience.

“And as far as I understand, reporters were originally meant to give the public a voice and to reveal the truth, providing awareness and clarity about what’s happening in society—not to mislead or create unnecessary narratives just to target someone. Isn’t that correct?”

Hera added pointedly, drawing the attention of the entire room toward the reporter who had instigated the confrontation.