The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 503

Chapter 503: Chapter 503 The Car Has Arrived
Dave rubbed the tip of his nose, smiling sheepishly at Hera and the four other men who were complimenting him.

He wasn’t used to this kind of attention; it wasn’t that he enjoyed being the third wheel or the group’s clown, but now that his small efforts were being appreciated, he felt a warmth spreading in his chest that he didn’t dislike.

He had always thought of himself as the group clown, someone who would only be an afterthought for Hera, treated as such.

But he never expected that a simple thank you could send ripples of emotions through his head and heart, making him feel this way.

Hera clearly enjoyed seeing Dave’s bashful expression, a teasing and mischievous smile playing on her lips.

However, knowing they needed to reach her team’s station, they didn’t linger and headed straight to Hera’s team garage.

When they arrived, her car wasn’t there, so she immediately messaged someone for an update.

[Hera: Where are you and the car?]

[Sponsor: Phantom, don’t worry! We’re almost there. There was a minor accident on the road, but it’s been resolved, and the truck carrying your car will arrive any minute now.]

[Hera: You’re not with the truck?]

[Sponsor: I was with the truck, but I had to take care of the aftermath of the accident, so I sent the driver ahead to deliver your car first.]

[Sponsor: Don’t forget to check the car before racing. We always check everything before racing, just like our usual routine.]

[Sponsor: Some of our team members are with the truck to assist the National Race Team’s staff with your car. After all, it’s a bit special; we customized it because your driving style and maneuvers was straining the brakes and suspension so much that a standard build would easily break down under the pressure.]

[Sponsor: Because of this, we can’t skip the daily check-up, especially before a race. We did a check-up last night, but we can never be sure if someone tampered with your car beforehand, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.]

[Hera: I think you’ve watched too many dramas…]

[Sponsor: I’m being serious, though. There are so many hateful people who would stoop low to get what they want. You’re so incredible at what you do that you stand out like a sore thumb. You attract not just bees and butterflies, but also flies and cockroaches.]

[Sponsor: (-_-;)]

[Sponsor: (≧Д≦)]

[Sponsor: You never take me seriously.]

[Hera: ((≡_≡))]

[Hera: Alright, I get it. Just get here ASAP. You need to coordinate with my manager, Betty, and the NRT manager for the necessary information and race data.]

[Sponsor: Don’t worry about that. I’ve sent most of our team from Phantom’s Racing Team, so they have all the data the NRT manager will need. We also brought your gear and most of your things. Just put your sponsors’ stickers on the car, and it will all be good.]

[Sponsor: (●´･∀･)b]

…

Just then, Leo approached Hera, who was standing in the corner chatting on her phone.

He sensed that she might be starting to feel nervous due to the flood of negative comments online maligning her, so he moved closer to comfort her.

Meanwhile, Dave and the others were busy in the garage.

Dave was interviewing nearly everyone around and playing the role of a gracious host after receiving Hera’s ‘thank you.’

He aimed to liven up the atmosphere of the live stream and divert the fans’ worries away from the missing car in the garage.

“Are you alright? Are you feeling nervous?” Leo asked, gently brushing Hera’s hair behind her ear as he looked at her with concern.

“I’m fine. I was just texting my team about the transport of my car,” Hera replied with a reassuring smile.

Her voice was soft, but those nearby, especially the more sensitive ones, caught her words.

They felt as if the bowstring had been strummed tight, their own nerves heightening.

They still hadn’t seen the car Hera mentioned, and without having completed their checks, they were anxious about whether any last-minute maintenance would be needed before the race.

Although they had heard from the manager that Hera was Phantom and had seen the racing footage, a hint of skepticism and doubt lingered.

After all, many had claimed to be Phantom, and no one truly knew who the real Phantom was.

They remained on the sidelines, uncertain whether this gamble would pay off.

Moreover, they were all aware that numerous people were waiting to see Hera fail, especially those companies that had distanced themselves after the issues with Michael’s team.

The venue was packed with people eager to watch the show and see the drama unfold.

Most of them were Hera’s fans, there to support her no matter what happened, believing in her racing abilities.

Among them were Michael’s fans, anxiously waiting for Hera to fail.

With hours to go before the race started, the crowd continued to swell, and various team banners filled the air.

Hera’s banner stood out the most.

Unlike the cool, creative banners made by other fans, hers—either crafted by her supporters or sold outside—resembled an idol’s banner: cute and flashy, it drew attention like a sore thumb amidst the crowd.

Many racing fans found it comical, knowing that celebrities often go to great lengths for clout.

They scoffed at Hera’s supporters, seeing her display as just another gimmick.

Hera’s fans had complete trust in her character and never doubted her capabilities.

They believed that if she couldn’t do something, she would be honest about it and take the time to learn.

If she could do it, she would tackle it with confidence, never backing down.

That’s how they had come to see Hera through everything they had witnessed so far.

After all, Hera’s management hadn’t crafted a persona for her; instead, they allowed her to be completely transparent, showing her true self to the camera and her fans.

Hera’s fans chants nearly drowned out the criticisms and skepticism from Michael’s fans, who were looking for trouble.

Tensions ran high, and it seemed that fights among fans were on the verge of breaking out.

Fortunately, the venue’s organizers had anticipated this possibility after learning that a celebrity and several well-known racers would be attending.

They increased security measures to prevent any altercations from escalating.

While the tension was high and Hera’s fans grew increasingly nervous for her, she remained as cool as a cucumber, lounging in the garage.

She chose not to retreat to her team’s lounge area, aware that her presence there might be perceived as a sign of defeat and many might think she was throwing in the towel and didn’t care about the result of the race.

Although she considered giving that impression, she knew it would only heighten her team’s anxiety, and she couldn’t do that to them.

Instead, she relaxed in the garage alongside her crew, reassuring them that the car would arrive soon and had been well maintained, so there was no need for concern.

Only after numerous attempts to reassure her team, the tension finally began to subside a little.

Hera’s calm and confident demeanor worked its magic, instilling a sense of belief that she might be telling the truth.

They remembered that she had been on her phone earlier, which led them to think she might be in constant communication with those transporting the car.

Amidst the rising criticism, Hera received confirmation that the car had arrived at the staff gate. Her Phantom Race Team was ready to pick it up and bring it into the garage.

“Put up some screens around the garage so they can’t see the car,” Hera instructed, her expression resembling that of a mischievous cat plotting a prank.

At first, no one moved, but once Luke echoed her command, they sprang into action, setting up the screens.

Meanwhile, the head mechanic of NRT and several other staff members stepped out in response to Hera’s request to join her team and help pull the car into the garage.

Not long after, the head mechanic stepped out of the garage’s back door.

As he walked a short distance, he encountered a team of people pushing a covered car.

Dressed in black tracksuits, they appeared professional and serious.

It wasn’t until he got closer that the head mechanic noticed the logo of a black panther on the uniforms of those in front of him, prominently displayed near their chests.

Only then did his eyes widen as he took in the faces of the people pushing the car on a car dolly.

He noticed a man in his mid-forties walking behind the group, dressed in the same uniform and busily checking something on his tablet.

This professional-looking man exuded a sleek and stern demeanor, but he was also a well-known mechanic globally, having joined Phantom’s team out of enthusiasm.

He sought the challenge of building the best car to accommodate Phantom’s unique driving style, which often pushed vehicles to their limits.

Seeing the globally renowned mechanic caused the NRT’s head mechanic to spring to his feet.

He recognized the man walking toward them and was now certain they were indeed Phantom’s team. His heart thumped loudly in his chest.