The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Testing it Out
“Given the circumstances, waiting idly by isn’t an option. It’s up to us to take proactive steps and shape the story in our favor,” Athena proposed with fervor.

Hera, mouth full of mashed potato, queried, “And how do you propose we do that?”

“It’s quite straightforward, really. We delve into the entertainment industry. I mean you…” Athena stated matter-of-factly, skewering a piece of meat before taking a bite.

“So, you’re suggesting I should essentially usurp the female lead’s role and associate myself with the male leads?” Hera sought clarification, her cheek propped on her hand as she leaned across the table. “Wouldn’t that be detrimental if the female lead’s destiny were to be compromised?”

“But aren’t you already moving in that direction? Otherwise, why disclose your suspicions about Zhane and the others to me?” Athena retorted, a pointed edge to her response.

“Well, it was merely speculation, and we’re still uncertain,” Hera admitted, her hesitation evident. After all, if she were to assume the female lead’s role, did that entail taking over her harem too?

“We won’t know unless you take the plunge,” Athena remarked casually, though inwardly she harbored a desire to involve her best friend in the entertainment industry, making it easier to request her endorsement as the ambassador for her family’s clothing line. “It’s worth the shot, babe.”

Observing Hera lost in contemplation, Athena gently prodded, “What’s occupying your thoughts?”

“Well,” Hera began tentatively, her voice faltering. “If, hypothetically speaking… ” Her heart raced, and a lump formed in her throat. “If I were to assume the female lead’s destiny, wouldn’t that also entail being suffocated by her male leads?” Hera squirmed in her seat, a knot tightening in her stomach at the mere thought.

Athena couldn’t contain her laughter upon hearing Hera’s concern. “Wouldn’t that be fantastic? It means your family wouldn’t have to face ruin, as the male leads would support you, and you’d reign like a queen.”

“That’s not what I meant!” Hera protested with a pout.

“You mean, you’re worried about being swept off your feet or you’re scared of not being able to walk anymore?” Athena quipped, bursting into laughter after stating her double-meaning words.

Hera blushed but found herself unable to offer a comeback. With a sigh, she conceded, “Let’s leave it at that. I’ll tackle it when the time comes. But for now, let’s refocus on the matter at hand.” She speared a piece of meat from Athena’s plate, quickly popping it into her mouth, and flashed a mischievous smile akin to a cat who had just snatched a fish. “Venturing into the entertainment industry is feasible, but it also means stepping into the battlefield.”

“It’s not like you can dodge getting caught up in the fray anyway,” Athena remarked.

They exchanged glances and simultaneously declared, “So, it’s wiser to take the initiative, set traps, and catch them off-guard, sweeping them away when they least expect it.” Their laughter rang out in unison.

“When are you starting?” Athena inquired, hastily devouring the freshly cut meat, wary that Hera might snatch it away again.

Hera immersed herself in deep contemplation about the entire ordeal, exploring her emotions as reflecting on her feelings about attempting to alter someone else’s fate. Despite the complexity of it all, she found herself surprisingly calm. Her lack of empathy for the female lead stemmed from a fundamental disbelief in Athena’s portrayal of her as a kind and compassionate character, as depicted in the novel.

Hera reasoned that if the female lead truly possessed such virtues, she wouldn’t have collaborated with Minerva from the outset to orchestrate Hera’s family’s downfall. Furthermore, she wouldn’t have turned a blind eye to the manipulative actions of Minerva and Alexi, particularly towards the lovestruck Hera in the novel. Hera viewed this acquiescence as tacit approval of their malevolent deeds, which only deepened her skepticism towards the character’s supposed kindness and compassion.

“The sooner, the better, I suppose,” Hera replied with a pout, eagerly awaiting the next slice.

“Hey! Why not enjoy what’s already on your plate?” Athena teased, playfully pulling her plate out of Hera’s reach.

“Didn’t you always say food tastes better when you steal it from someone else?” Hera retorted, pointing her fork at Athena’s plate while licking her lips. “It truly does like the taste of victory,” she added with a grin.

As time passed, Athena couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret for introducing Hera to all sorts of oddities during their formative years. While Hera typically maintained a reserved demeanor around others, her mischievous side emerged whenever she was in the presence of Athena and her grandfather. Like a playful cat, Hera delighted in jests and antics, yet Athena couldn’t bring herself to resent it; she found Hera’s playful nature utterly charming. To Athena, Hera was akin to a beloved little sister, eagerly seeking affection and pampering.

“Returning to our discussion, when do you intend to begin testing this theory?” Athena pressed.

“Given that Minerva is still preoccupied with the online speculation about her and Alexi, I think it’s best to start now,” Hera suggested.

“Solid plan, especially considering you’ve been trending more than the hottest celebrities lately. It’s ample clout to kickstart your celebrity endeavor,” Athena acknowledged.

“I have someone in mind who’s well-versed in this domain and would excel in orchestrating a celebrity debut,” Hera added, retrieving her phone from her bag and dialing Cindy’s number.

As soon as Cindy picked up the phone, Hera chimed in eagerly, “Hi, Cindy!”

“Hello Young Miss. How’s your reunion going?” Cindy inquired warmly.

“It didn’t end well, but I suppose it was still beneficial for me,” Hera replied candidly, without holding back.

Cindy paused, taken aback by Hera’s unexpected response, and more so by her nonchalant demeanor. Nevertheless, she continued, concern evident in her voice, “Are you alright, Young Miss?”

Gerald hadn’t shared the details of what happened with the group chat yet. However, once he finished handling the aftermath and dealing with Claire, he intended to update everyone. It was crucial for everyone to be informed and vigilant about Hera’s safety, ensuring they were all on the same page.

Hera greeted Cindy with a smile evident in her voice. “Yes, I’m alright. But, the reason for my call is because I need you to inform the UE’s CEO about my intentions to venture into the entertainment industry temporarily. I’m hoping for his assistance in getting things set up for me.” Despite Hera’s seemingly casual words, her tone conveyed utmost seriousness and determination.

Cindy, taken aback by the sudden change in Hera’s plans, sought clarification. “Young Miss, are you feeling pressured into this, or is this something you genuinely want to pursue?”

Hera chuckled at Cindy’s concern. “No, Cindy, I’m not being forced into anything. I simply want to give it a try since I was involved in the drama club back in high school. Didn’t Grandpa always say I should have some fun before diving into the responsibilities of inheriting his position?” Hera joked lightly. Yet, there was truth in her words; she had always been intrigued by the idea of embodying different characters and exploring diverse lives through acting.

However, she hadn’t had the opportunity to explore this path earlier. Uncertain about how long she would need to continue juggling multiple part-time jobs to cover her expenses, she feared that returning to her grandfather’s place would immediately thrust her into the role of inheriting the Consortium. In such a scenario, she worried she wouldn’t have the chance to pursue anything other than assuming the responsibility of leadership and guiding her people.

But now, she had more time to pursue her interests, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to do so. It was akin to hitting two birds with one stone. Reflecting on her previous response to Rafael’s inquiry about her lack of desire to become a celebrity, she realized it was a way to avoid being drawn closer to the female lead. After all, the realm of the entertainment industry was the home ground and main battlefield where much of the story plot revolved around.

She had initially distanced herself from any involvement with the main or side characters. However, now that she had formulated the theory, she realized the necessity of testing it out. In a way, she could view this as a moment of eating her own words.

She could also argue that she had now discovered a reason to enter the industry, which made her feel less embarrassed to potentially face Rafael in the future. However, she harbored a hope that this newfound paths wouldn’t lead to enmity between them.

Yet, her previous conversation with Rafael held the truth as well. She did cherish her privacy, but she also relished the opportunity to portray different characters. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have joined the drama club in high school and wouldn’t have crossed paths with Alexi.

It’s undeniable that she was overwhelmingly busy at that time, never even entertaining the idea of becoming a celebrity. She was wary of Rafael latching onto a false promise, especially knowing she wouldn’t have the time to follow through on it. However, the current situation was vastly different; her family’s very lives were at stake. If her theory proved correct, there might be a chance to shift the balance and safeguard her grandfather’s safety.