The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Contract Signing
Rafael slid the contract across the table toward Hera, urging her to peruse it thoroughly before proceeding. “Take your time to review the contract,” he said, offering her a fountain pen. Leaning back in his chair, he fixed his gaze upon her face, attentively observing her every expression as she delved into the document with earnest concentration.

As he observed her, Rafael found himself contemplating another perspective. He couldn’t shake the feeling that a woman like Hera wouldn’t readily compromise her dignity and allow herself to be trampled upon. After all, if she were inclined to do so, she wouldn’t have taken such bold measures during the interview.

Rafael relied solely on deduction without concrete evidence, prompting him to cut to the chase and address his suspicions indirectly. “While you’re reviewing the contract, I hope you don’t mind me asking,” he began cautiously. “I couldn’t help but notice your exquisite watch. Was it a gift from someone?” His inquiry was intended to gauge her reaction and provide insight into his concerns.

Alternatively, perhaps Rafael simply refused to accept the idea of Hera being reduced to a mere plaything for some unknown sugar daddy. The thought gnawed at him, causing him to clench his teeth in frustration and disbelief. He couldn’t quite pinpoint why he was so bothered, but perhaps it was simply a matter of ensuring that his future investment wouldn’t lead to trouble down the line.

With a raised eyebrow, Hera glanced up from her reading, meeting Rafael’s gaze. To other people, the item adorning her wrist might easily be mistaken for a bracelet rather than a watch, lacking any obvious indicators of its true function. In fact, Hera herself remained uncertain; were it not displayed among the watches in the glass case, she might not have recognized its intended purpose.

So, Hera concluded that Rafael likely recognized the item for what it truly was and was possibly testing the waters. Uncertain of his intentions—whether simple curiosity or something more nefarious—she opted for a response. “Oh, this?” she began, gesturing to her wrist. “I initially thought it was a bracelet due to its exquisite design. A friend lent it to me today for the class reunion later.” While her statement wasn’t entirely false, Hera withheld certain details. She recognized the need to exercise caution with someone like Rafael; after all, she couldn’t discern his motives for inquiring at this juncture.

Rafael felt a surge of relief upon hearing Hera’s response. If she was referring to a friend, then there was only one possibility—the Lowry family’s daughter. Given her mother’s involvement in the fashion industry and extensive collection of precious jewelry, it seemed entirely plausible. His mood shifted dramatically for the better, realizing that there was still hope. He resolved to extend an invitation for Hera to become his artist, envisioning a scenario where both of them could find happiness. With him as her benefactor, she would have a stable income, eliminating any temptation to engage in dubious activities.

Then it dawned on him. ‘So, she’s aware of her friend’s identity. Does that make her a gold digger then? But if it was merely lent, then she couldn’t be, could she?’ After dispelling one concern, another alarm bell began to ring.

He continued his inquiry with finesse, aiming to avoid raising Hera’s suspicions. “Ah, a class reunion? That explains the noticeable difference in your outfit today.”

Hera responded with a simple smile, allowing Rafael to form his own conclusions. If she were to discover Rafael’s various speculations about her, she would undoubtedly find them amusing.

With Hera’s silence, Rafael chose to cease his inquiries and redirect his attention to the matter at hand. He realized he had become deeply intrigued by Hera’s affairs, a fascination driven by his business acumen to sign artists with the potential to become prominent figures. In today’s media landscape, many celebrities cultivate large followings based on their appearance alone, regardless of gender.

Furthermore, Rafael acknowledged that he was still grappling with the stress caused by his sister’s recent troubles. Despite his efforts to alleviate CEO Jackson’s anger, it still remained and he also tried to quell the online speculation surrounding Hera’s alleged cheating boyfriend, the rumors continued to gain traction following her interview. Despite Rafael’s attempts to erase evidence and mitigate the situation, most of the speculations continued to circle back to his sister.

Unbeknownst to Rafael, it was Hera who was strategically leaking evidence bit by bit. Despite Rafael’s relentless efforts to delete traces of information, small pieces of evidence continued to resurface shortly afterward.

He took on the task of tracing the accounts behind the information leaks, deploying his team of expert hackers for the job. Despite their formidable skills, however, his adversaries proved as elusive as an eel, leading to disappointing results from their efforts.

He knew that this conspicuous pattern of suppression would undoubtedly draw attention, fueling the public’s curiosity and compelling them to seek out the truth. Rafael, with his extensive industry experience, understood this dynamic well. It was precisely why he was so eager to sign Hera—recognizing her potential to generate significant buzz and intrigue.

His objective was to leverage Hera’s influence to quell the conflict with Alexi and demonstrate to the public that they harbored no ill will towards each other, as evidenced by their willingness to work together in the same company. Rafael strategized to engineer opportunities for them to appear alongside each other in a Variety Shows or dramas, aiming to bury the issue down the drain. Additionally, he aimed to preemptively dispel any speculation of a feud between Hera and his sister over a man.

He disapproved of Alexi’s exploitation of his sister for career advancement. However, according to his investigation, it was his sister who initiated everything. She was well aware of Alexi’s pre-existing long-term relationship, yet she chose to insert herself into the situation regardless.

Despite expressing his disapproval of his sister’s choices, she resorted to emotional manipulation, threatening suicide if anyone intervened in her relationship with Alexi. Despite their family’s objections, they prioritized his sister’s well-being over everything else, succumbing to her demands and allowing her to continue her involvement with Alexi.

Hera looked up after thoroughly reading the contract, only to find Rafael visibly distracted, his brows tightly knitted in an unreadable expression. She cleared her throat to draw his attention back. “Mr. Briley, I’ve reviewed the contract and I’m in agreement. I’m ready to sign.”

Hearing Hera’s captivating voice snapped him back to reality. There was a soothing quality to her tone, perhaps due to her composed and reliable demeanor. In an instant, his racing thoughts came to a halt, allowing him to fully concentrate on the matter at hand.

He nodded at Hera as she signed the agreement, then handed her one of the copies neatly enclosed in a leather folder. He carefully stowed away the other copy in a secure location.

Abruptly, he posed a question. “Have you given any thought to my offer of joining my company as an artist?”

Hera responded politely, “I’m sorry, Mr. Briley, but I don’t see myself pursuing celebrity status. I value the privacy of my current lifestyle.” After a brief pause, she added, “However, I do appreciate the offer.” She offered him a warm smile.

Rafael nodded in acknowledgment. “I understand,” he said. He then positioned himself near the exit and motioned for Hera to follow him.

Hera sat still, her brow furrowed in confusion. Rafael noticed her puzzlement and took the initiative to clarify. “Remember mentioning attending a reunion? I’ll send you there.” he declared, his tone carrying an authoritative edge rather than a mere suggestion.

Hera maintained her composure, meeting Rafael’s gaze steadily. “I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Briley, but I already have transportation arranged waiting outside,” she replied politely.

He presumed Hera had arrived by taxi and extended the offer to send her to her destination, aiming to build rapport. Despite acknowledging her response, his business instincts remained sharp; he couldn’t resist seizing opportunities. Aware of Hera’s monetary value, he harbored concerns that competitors might be catching up on her potential, and view her as a lucrative asset to be wooed away.

However, he refrained from further insistence upon Hera’s firm rejection. Instead, he simply offered to escort her out. Despite Hera’s persistent denials, Rafael’s unwavering expression conveyed his determination not to relent, ensuring she had a ride waiting downstairs, a gesture of his concern for her safety and well-being.

Rafael’s patience wore thin with each rejection from Hera, evident in the growing irritation etched across his face. Sensing his frustration, Hera relented, allowing him to follow her as she boarded the elevator. Every person they passed cast wide-eyed glances their way, unaccustomed to witnessing the CEO personally escorting a guest out of his office; typically, such duties were delegated to his assistant.

But their surprise didn’t end there; initially assuming he was merely escorting the female guest to the elevator, onlookers were further taken aback when they witnessed Rafael stepping onto the elevator as well.

They initiated a thread on the company group chat, sharing a photo of Hera and Rafael entering the elevator.

[AnnaB: OMG! Did you all catch this? Is she our CEO’s girlfriend?! My Adonis has been snatched away!!!! Argh!]

[MarisL: Seriously?! Is this for real?!]

[AbbyN: I witnessed it firsthand! He got into the lift with that gorgeous woman and was even sweet to her! Feeling a tad bitter myself now!!!]

[JorgeC: Whoa! Isn’t she my Goddess Hera, the one who’s been trending lately?!!! Oh, and did any of you catch sight of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire parked outside? It was absolutely SICK!!!]

[AaronD: No kidding, dude!!! I’ve only ever seen it in magazines as one of the most expensive hypercars out there!!!]

The company group chat erupted with discussions on three hot topics: Rafael’s rumored girlfriend, Hera’s signing as an artist within the company, and the jaw-dropping supercar parked in front of their building. The buzz quickly spread beyond the company, making its way onto the internet and igniting a wildfire of speculation.