The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Her Manager
As Hera watched her post gain more attention from her followers, an unknown call came in. She hesitated for a moment before answering. “Hello?”

A soft-spoken woman’s voice echoed from the other side. She sounded confident and had a different charm in her voice. “Hi Miss Hera, this is Betty Dwane. I’ll be your manager starting today.”

“Nice meeting you Miss Dwane. Please call me Hera.”

Betty had no idea about Hera’s identity because, aside from the CEO, no one else knew. Although the CEO had advised Hera to enjoy her privilege as the sole heiress of the Avery and made sure that the company fully supported her, he also knew the need to keep her identity discreetly hidden. This was to protect her from overzealous fans and to not jeopardize her safety while she was playing outside.

Everyone understood the need for discretion, which is why Old Master Avery hadn’t officially announced Hera’s return to her rightful place until she completed her heiress training. However, they ensured that those within the company were aware of her return. Gerald had already spread the news, and although the Old Master was aware, he didn’t intervene. It was only natural for their subordinates to be curious about their true heiress. Internally, everyone knew that the person attending Princeton University was merely a stand-in.

But despite not knowing Hera’s identity, Betty already knew that Hera was not a simple person, otherwise, the CEO wouldn’t put too much attention into dealing with her case and wouldn’t need to pull so many strings to make sure that Betty would be the one to take care of Hera personally.

Betty wouldn’t have reached her position as a top senior A-list manager who molded most of the top artists in the entertainment industry if she was not quick-witted enough. If not for Xavier Montague, Betty would have the perfect record of bringing all the top 4 actors who won the best actors and actresses awards from the domestic and international stage.

But that doesn’t mean that her insight and ability fell short.

“Hera, to be honest, I had the chance to check your social media account before calling you.” She chuckled in delight before continuing. “And I must say, you’re a charming one. I would be saving marketing fees and don’t even need to advertise you.”

Betty reminisces of the previous talents she’s been handling and none of them came so close to what Hera achieved even before stepping into the entertainment industry. “You’ve made my work so easy.” She teased a little.

Hera felt a little bashful about being complimented all of a sudden. “Thank you, Miss Dwane. I guess, the stalker issue was a blessing in disguise that helped me propel to the industry.”

Betty’s voice was gentle yet decisive as she inquired, “Do you have a specific image you’d like to cultivate or any preferences for your role? Are you interested in singing, dancing, or acting?”

Hera sensed that Betty was a strong, independent woman capable of holding her own in any professional setting, which only added to her excitement for the new journey ahead. However, while Hera and Athena had initially discussed this move as a way for Hera to test out a theory, the reality of the situation left her both thrilled and apprehensive. She was excited at the prospect of finally pursuing something she truly enjoyed, yet nervous about the potential repercussions and how it might negatively alter the course of her life and the lives of those around her.

Having grounded her running thoughts, Hera responded, “I’m particularly drawn to roles that are dynamic and diverse, though I must confess, my talents in singing and dancing are rather average.” Her response was straightforward and honest, without any attempt to mask her weaknesses. She displayed a commendable lack of shame about her areas of lesser proficiency.

Betty’s melodious chuckle rang and was followed by her lighthearted reply. “I am glad to hear an honest response.”

Truthfully, Betty was not expecting much from Hera. Sure, she saw the interview and had seen Hera’s ethereal kind of beauty that everyone was clamoring about. But she was expecting to hear an arrogant woman who’s used to flattery from the people around her and someone who likes to keep a false image in front of everyone.

Certainly, Hera was not your typical individual. In the entertainment industry, where stunning faces are abundant, it’s easy to become just another face in the crowd. However, Hera possessed more than mere beauty; she exuded a magnetic charisma that drew people in. Yet, what set her apart even further was her honesty and humility, qualities increasingly rare in a world where narcissism often reigns supreme.

While narcissism prevails, there’s a flip side to the coin—a realm populated by those who suffer under its weight, constantly questioning their own value and seeking validation from others. Betty felt that Hera’s entrance into the industry was bound to have a profound impact on both ends of this spectrum.

Betty formulated her thoughts based on Hera’s demeanor thus far, hoping her assessment was accurate. While Hera expressed a reluctance to construct a specific image or persona for the entertainment industry, Betty recognized the necessity of establishing a distinct presence. Beauty may diminish with time, but it’s one’s character and demeanor that leave a lasting impression. Betty’s goal is to ensure that Hera is remembered not just for her beauty, but for her grace and authenticity.

She had already devised a strategy to cultivate Hera’s authentic persona, diverging from other celebrities who meticulously craft personas to perfection for fan adoration while harboring less-than-ideal traits behind closed doors.

Soon, Hera and Betty’s brief discussion of Hera’s career plan came to an end, and they reached an agreement to follow Betty’s arrangements, given her experience and expertise in the field. Betty was pleased that Hera placed complete trust in her and obediently listened to her advice without any hint of reluctance or anger.

This further improved Betty’s initial evaluation of Hera. She eagerly dove into her work, paying even closer attention to Hera’s requests.

Hera was pleased with Betty’s arrangements, recognizing them as well-thought-out plans designed to nurture her growth and prepare her for a larger stage. Despite this, they agreed that Hera would benefit from attending an acting class to refresh her knowledge and ensure she could convincingly portray a variety of characters with natural emotions. Betty aimed to assess Hera’s potential before assigning her first role.

They opted for Hera’s debut to be on the variety show “The Quest.” This show specializes in sending its guests to remote locations to experience life as locals do. The previous episode had been set in a quaint fishing village by the sea. As for the upcoming episode, the exact nature of the experience awaited Hera remained shrouded in mystery.

But this prospect didn’t faze Hera; in fact, she found herself rather excited at the prospect of venturing out and immersing herself in the experience. She had watched the previous episode, where guests were tasked with sailing on a fishing boat, casting nets into the open sea, and selling their catch in the local market.

Fishing had been a cherished pastime for Hera and her grandfather ever since she was young. As she grew older, it became their cherished bonding activity whenever they could steal a moment away. Hera treasured the thrill of fishing, especially when they reeled in sizable catches. Afterwards, they would start a fire and savor the taste of their freshly caught fish in the wild—a flavor that always surpassed that of the domesticated variety.

The mere thought of it excited Hera deeply. While she wasn’t particularly drawn to extreme sports, she had a strong penchant for exploring the world, whether in the heart of nature or in other locales. However, her decision to join the Variety Show wasn’t solely driven by the thrill of the experience; there was a deeper purpose behind it, one that compelled her to take part.

Yes, Hera was the one who requested to join the Variety show. Why? It’s quite simple, really. Since she decided to test her theory, she needed to get closer to the novel’s male leads. So far, she had only met two of them: Rafael and Zhane. She had to meet the other three before the female lead had a chance to.

In the show ‘The Quest’ awaits the fifth male lead who she needed to meet. The Variety show should have already the complete roster of guests but there would be an opening soon because of an unexpected accident that will happen to one of the guests who will then need to back out. For Hera and the female lead, however, it will not be an ‘unexpected event’ because they are both expecting it now and is waiting for the chance patiently.

Since the CEO of UE encouraged her to use her identity and privilege as leverage, this marked the first occasion where she would put it into action. She instructed Betty to ensure her inclusion in the show by any means necessary, even if it required some assertiveness. While it might not sound ideal, the female lead had employed similar tactics to secure her spot on the show. So, why couldn’t Hera do the same?

__________________________

PS: I apologize for the recent lack of updates and delays. It was my birthday month, and I had various commitments keeping me occupied. I appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. I’ll do my best to catch up on the updates soon. Your ongoing support means a lot to me and motivates me to keep writing. Thank you all so much for your understanding and encouragement!