The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Class Reunion 2
As they proceeded towards the private room, Athena couldn’t help but wear a smug smile. She had noticed the expressions on her former classmates’ faces when they realized that Hera was the one behind the wheel of the admired car. It was a moment of sweet satisfaction for Athena, as they had never imagined that she and Hera, whom they looked down upon, would ever have the opportunity to drive even more expensive cars than they themselves owned.

The atmosphere was thick with tension, so palpable that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard through the hallway. Nobody seemed willing to break the awkward silence.

However, relief washed over them as they finally reached their reserved private room, Hera couldn’t help but notice the increased security presence and the heightened attentiveness of the staff along the way. Suppressing a chuckle, she surmised that they were likely on edge, perhaps anticipating an unexpected inspection from their superiors.

The 19 attendees settled around the four large round tables, each meant for five persons. It was only then that they realized they were missing one person. However, they quickly brushed off the absence, already seated and engaged in conversation with one another. Deciding to wait patiently for the missing individual, they continued chatting amicably.

As conversations began, boasting about achievements and family success stories filled the room. Hera and Athena remained seated quietly at their table, choosing to listen rather than engage in the display of self-promotion. They seemed uninterested in participating in the ostentatious exchange.

However, their quiet demeanor inadvertently drew attention to them. Once each person finished promoting their achievements, the focus shifted to Hera and Athena, who appeared to be faring well despite their previous struggles. Just a year ago, they were akin to street rats, barely scraping by in their worn-down clothes.

One of their former classmates broke the silence with a teasing remark, “So… you two seem to be doing quite well now, huh? Care to enlighten us? Did you marry a wealthy old man, or perhaps find a sugar daddy?” Laughter filled the room as the question hung in the air.

Athena’s face flushed with anger, her instinct urging her to retaliate, but Hera intervened. She reached out, gently grasping Athena’s hand and offering a few calming taps to ease her frustration.

Before Athena could respond, another male classmate interjected with a crude comment aimed at Hera. “Hera, if you were in dire need of money and relief, all you had to do was let me know. I could take care of you far better than any old man ever could. And I can assure you, I’d make you much happier in bed,” he added with a suggestive leer, his eyes lingering provocatively on Hera’s cleavage. The other males in the group made no attempt to conceal their wandering gazes either.

Athena had endured demeaning remarks about their past poverty, but she refused to tolerate sexual harassment. In response to the man’s comment, she couldn’t hold back her disdain. “You?!” she exclaimed, her eyes scanning him up and down with a roll of her eyes. “You can’t even provide for yourself, let alone someone else. You’re still living off your family’s wealth, aren’t you?”

Athena’s pointed remark struck a nerve, leaving everyone feeling offended. The truth was, they were all still heavily reliant on their parents for everything, from college tuition to their monthly allowances. None of them had ventured into the realm of working and earning their own keep. Instead, they harbored plans to continue relying on their families even after graduation, only considering employment within their family businesses once they were tired of their leisurely lifestyles.

The man who had spoken rose abruptly, his face contorted with anger as he felt the sting of humiliation in front of his former classmates. Pointing an accusatory finger at Athena, he shouted, “You insolent bitch! How dare you belittle me like that?!! Do you think you’re untouchable? I could crush you with the snap of my fingers!” Panting with rage, his eyes burned red with fury. He had never experienced such humiliation before and certainly hadn’t anticipated Athena would have the audacity to challenge him in such a manner.

Athena’s smirk widened as she defiantly stared him down, her arms crossed as she leaned back in her chair. “Feel free to try. Let’s see who hits the ground first.”

Another male classmate intervened, restraining the angry man and forcing him back into his seat. With a scoff, he dismissed Athena’s challenge. “You? Just because you found someone to latch onto, you think you’re superior to us all now? Ha!” He sneered, letting out a disdainful laugh. “Do you honestly believe that your sugar daddy or whoever you’re with would dare go up against our families? They’d discard you in a heartbeat.”

Athena shrugged casually. “Well, you won’t know unless you try,” she retorted.

Hera couldn’t suppress a chuckle at Athena’s nonchalant demeanor, though she recognized it was hardly the appropriate time given the tense atmosphere in the room. Despite being outnumbered 17 to 2, they remained unfazed. Athena knew they were in a secure environment; if things escalated, they could always call security to intervene. Besides, Athena was more than capable of holding her own in a verbal sparring match against any of them, collectively or individually.

Annoyed by Hera’s chuckle amid the room’s tension, a female classmate spoke up in a condescending tone. “Hera, we all know you probably settled for being a kept mistress after Alexi dumped you for the princess of the Briley. So what, just because you gained some popularity on social media, you think you’re superior to us?”

Hera refused to back down, fully aware of their attempt to emotionally wound her by bringing up Alexi and his infidelity. “I never claimed to be better than any of you. But sometimes, actions speak louder than words,” she responded calmly, her charming smile momentarily captivating the attention of the male classmates, causing them to momentarily forget their anger.

The girl who spoke caught Hera’s implication and erupted in anger. “What are you insinuating?! Are you suggesting we’re uneducated?!”

“I never said that, but if the shoe fits…” Hera shrugged, adopting Athena’s nonchalant attitude, which only seemed to irk them further. The enraged woman’s eyes welled up with tears, prompting the other females to console her. They attempted to unite against Hera and Athena, but their words seemed to fall on deaf ears. The two remained unaffected by their verbal assault, leaving their detractors growing increasingly frustrated.

Amidst the palpable tension, Alexi was ushered into the room by one of the staff, offering a momentary respite from the heavy atmosphere. As he stepped inside, his gaze immediately found Hera, seated serenely amidst the tumultuous environment. He couldn’t help but notice how the eyes of the other men in the room lingered on her face and body with unmistakable desire.

He was instantly incensed at the sight of someone eyeing his woman. Marching straight to Hera’s table, he took a seat beside her, determined to assert his presence. The scent of her floral perfume enveloped him as he settled into the empty seat, causing a lump to form in his throat. He adjusted his posture, trying to maintain his composure amidst the unexpected surge of emotions.

He attempted to diffuse the tension by steering the conversation towards their achievements, drawing upon his ability to read the room and navigate social dynamics, honed from his interactions in the entertainment industry. His adeptness allowed him to seamlessly integrate with the others at the table. Whenever someone aimed a snide remark at Hera, he swiftly intercepted, deflecting it and shielding her from any potential harm. Observing this, the rest of the table found his behavior peculiar, considering the well-known history of Alexi and Hera’s breakup and the complexities that entailed.

The men at the table understood Alexi’s reluctance to let go of Hera, and many silently supported his decision. After all, who among their peers didn’t have a secret lover or two? They envisioned a future where they, too, would choose to hold onto someone like Hera—a wildflower, both beautiful and strong. Now that Hera was free from Alexi’s grasp, they saw an opportunity to test their luck.

Reflecting on their high school days, they couldn’t deny the allure of Hera. Her beauty was unmatched, and she had been the object of admiration for many throughout their school years. This fact had only become more apparent with time.