The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 522

Chapter 522: Chapter 522 The Aftermath
It wasn’t until they returned to the city that Hera learned the full extent of her actions.

Her brave move had been broadcasted live to the entire nation. The news spread like wildfire, sending the country into a frenzy.

Media outlets were quick to report on the mafia syndicate behind the chaos, sending shockwaves through the public.

People were horrified to realize that such an operation had been thriving in the shadows, preying on countless victims.

The revelations rattled the masses, fueling fear and uncertainty.

But thanks to Dave’s swift intervention, he managed to contain the fallout.

With his calm reassurance, he worked tirelessly to keep the details under wraps, preventing widespread panic and helping to stabilize the situation.

Dave then coordinated with the authorities investigating the missing and murdered women cases, which might be connected to the mafia syndicate.

However, for the time being, he had to place them on hold, as Luke, after returning to the city, took the four captured men with him.

This left Dave to handle the aftermath and ensure everything continued to run smoothly while dealing with the unfolding situation on both the political side and mass’ unrest.

To ease Hera’s worries about Luke and the others, Xavier decided to stay by her side, closely monitoring her in case the ordeal left her traumatized.

However, he vastly underestimated Hera’s mental resilience. Not only did she remain composed after learning about the situation online, but she also showed little sign of distress.

In fact, both her and Rafael’s names had quickly gained national attention for their role in the capture of the four mafia syndicate members.

This new achievement eclipsed Hera’s previous victory in the national race, as the public became more focused on the missing women and their families, sparking widespread discussions across the nation.

Hera also dispatched Gerald to assist with the investigation, instructing him to report back with any findings.

She knew that once Rafael woke up, he would undoubtedly want to know what was going on.

It would be better to have some clarity on the situation beforehand—or at least a well-prepared response to ease his mind.

After all, this case was closely tied to his sister, and she wanted to ensure that they could provide him with the answers he needed.

Luke, on the other hand, wasted no time in extracting information from the four men they had captured.

Without receiving any updates from his own team, who were still gathering intel on the dark side, these prisoners had conveniently walked right into his hands.

Judging by their composed demeanor, Luke suspected they weren’t as clueless as they appeared.

With that in mind, he spared no effort in using every means possible to make sure they would talk and reveal the information he needed.

The man who seemed to be the leader was tough and tight-lipped, unwilling to give up any information.

The other three, clearly lower-ranking members, knew little beyond the basics.

They were simply following orders, dragged along by the leader on a mission to kidnap someone, without understanding the full scope of what was really happening.

Their fear was palpable, and they offered little more than vague, disjointed details.

At first, the scarred man refused to speak, no matter how much Luke beat him.

His face was already swollen and bruised, and though he let out the occasional grunt of pain, he remained silent.

But Luke wasn’t going to stop. He escalated the torture, starting with the brutal plucking of nails and teeth.

When that didn’t break him, Luke resorted to inserting large needles into the sensitive crevices beneath the nails, and even slowly shattering his bones, all in a relentless attempt to extract the information he needed.

Luke savored every moment of the man’s suffering, taking his time with the brutal torture.

The man, who had appeared unbreakable at first, was now witnessing Luke’s dark side—a cold, sinister brutality that made it clear Luke was relishing in the pain he was inflicting.

A wave of dread washed over the man, and he realized that whether he remained silent or not, his fate was sealed.

The torture would only escalate. By the middle of the night, his mental fortitude shattered, and in that moment of despair, he chose to end his suffering sooner rather than endure more.

He gave in, hoping for a quicker death rather than the endless torment Luke would undoubtedly continue to bring.

…

After a peaceful night’s rest, with Xavier staying by Hera’s side to ensure she wasn’t troubled by nightmares or fear, they both woke up feeling refreshed and well-rested.

However, Leo, Zhane, Dave, and even Luke had yet to return or make contact. With no news from them, Xavier felt a sense of elation that he could stay closer to Hera without disturbance and remained by Hera’s side, not wanting to leave her alone just yet.

He wasn’t the least bit worried about the others as he was sure of their capabilities.

They spent the majority of the day in Hera’s penthouse, where she had been granted time off from school due to the recent events.

The decision was made to keep her away from the public eye, shielding her from the reporters who were eager to question her about everything that had happened. It was a small reprieve, but it allowed Hera to have some space to breathe and recover.

Hera wanted to visit Rafael and Minerva at the hospital, but Zhane stopped her, insisting that she rest.

He promised to call her as soon as Rafael woke up.

With concern in his eyes, Zhane reminded her that she had already done everything she could.

Rafael was still in critical condition, and Zhane didn’t want Hera to become overwhelmed with worry.

He was grateful that she had acted swiftly when she found Rafael, or else the infection could have spread, worsening his fever and potentially causing irreversible brain damage.

Even if he managed to save Rafael now, there was no telling if he could fully recover without lasting consequences.

After breakfast, Hera and Xavier relaxed in the living room.

Hera decided to play the piano, with Xavier sitting beside her. They began playing the duet ‘Heart and Soul’ piano version, its lively melody filling the room, like something an old couple would play in their spare time together.

In the kitchen, Amy and Hannah were happily preparing a snack, enjoying the music as it echoed throughout the space.

Once they finished ‘Heart and Soul’, Hera and Xavier smoothly transitioned into a ‘Sound of Music Medley’, maintaining the upbeat and fast tempo.

The cheerful tunes added warmth to the atmosphere, bringing a sense of joy to the whole penthouse.

Hera and Xavier were both swaying in their seats, caught up in the rhythm of their playful piano duet.

As their fingers danced across the keys, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Amy, with her usual confident stride, moved to answer it.

Hera and Xavier continued to play, unaware of who had arrived, but Hera’s gaze shifted toward the hallway, her curiosity piqued as she waited to see who would walk through the door.

After some time, Luke finally entered, now dressed in fresh clothes after a much-needed shower following an entire night of extracting information.

He stood before Hera, his dark undereye circles a clear sign he hadn’t slept a wink.

His posture was slouched, looking all exhausted.

Xavier, standing beside Hera, let out a cold snort and rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by Luke’s disheveled appearance.

“Pretentious…” Xavier murmured under his breath, recognizing that Luke was putting on an act, trying to appear pitiful in front of Hera in hopes of gaining her sympathy.