The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Charity Auction
Betty, after concluding the call with Hera, immediately sprang into action and contacted the producer of the Variety show to inquire about the guest roster. To her disappointment, it was already full with no openings available. This came as a frustration, especially since it was Hera’s first request to her, and Hera had sounded confident on the phone about the possibility of an opening.

Betty made one final attempt to secure a place for Hera, emphasizing her long-standing friendship with the Producer. “Producer Ryan, considering our long-standing friendship, I’d appreciate it if you could inform me immediately if there’s a sudden change in the roster. Alright?” Her tone carried a hint of flirtation as she ended the sentence.

She was aware of Ryan’s crush on her, and it wasn’t as though she didn’t have feelings for him either. Despite being a strong, independent woman who didn’t rely on seduction to achieve her goals, she didn’t mind being a bit flirtatious with Producer Ryan. They had been childhood sweethearts, but due to certain circumstances, they both decided to take a step back and wait for the right moment to confess their feelings to each other.

Producer Ryan’s stomach churned upon hearing Betty’s flirtatious tone on the other end of the phone. His throat went dry, and he instinctively pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to suppress his wayward thoughts as he cleared his throat. “I’ll keep you informed, Betty. And please, take care of yourself. Don’t overwork yourself,” he advised, genuine concern evident in his voice.

While Producer Ryan genuinely wanted to help Betty by promising her a slot in the roster for her artist, she had approached him a bit late. The Variety Show was set to start in just a few days, and all the guests were either prominent figures in the entertainment industry or had strong backing that would be hard to offend.

Betty’s heart warmed at his genuine concern, her smile stretching from ear to ear. “Thank you, Ryan. And remember, don’t push yourself too hard either,” she replied warmly. They exchanged some parting words of care, just like that of a loving couple, before ending the call and going about their respective tasks with evident happiness.

Hera, unaware of the earlier exchange with Betty and the Producer, was now on the phone with her best friend, Athena. “Where did you say we’re going?” she asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.

“I mentioned we’re attending a charity auction hosted by my family,” Athena reiterated.

“And when exactly is it?” Hera sought clarification, thinking she might have misheard.

Athena chuckled warmly. “In three hours, babe,” she proudly confirmed.

Hera felt her frustration bubbling up, although she wasn’t one to easily lose her temper. Her brows furrowed slightly, a sign of her growing irritation. She massaged her temples in an attempt to calm herself as she responded, “Why are you telling me this just now?” She pressed her lips together.

Athena chuckled nonchalantly. “Oops, slipped my mind. Teehee!” Before Hera could respond with frustration, Athena quickly added, “On the bright side, I’ve already sent my mom’s most trusted stylist to your mansion. They should be arriving any moment now.”

“What?!” Hera’s voice interrupted Athena, a headache surging through her head. But in the end, she simply let out a resigned sigh. ‘Forget it, I’ve gotten used to Athena’s spontaneity. Luckily, I don’t have any plans now.’

Athena had a tendency to be spontaneous in her plans and often forgot details until the last minute. It was a familiar trait, and Hera knew there was little point in dwelling on it now that arrangements were already in motion. She might as well sit back and relax while others handled the preparations, enjoying her tea in the meantime.

She decided to let the matter with Athena slide, knowing that arguing about it wouldn’t change anything. Just as she came to terms with her feelings, Cindy entered the mansion followed by a throng of people pushing racks of formal evening gowns and large suitcases. As the group entered, their eyes lit up upon seeing Hera standing in the living room with her phone in hand.

They were captivated by Hera’s ethereal beauty and flawless complexion, their imaginations racing as they envisioned her in the array of gowns they had brought. Without pausing to let Hera catch her breath, they eagerly ushered her back to her room, guided by Cindy with a cheerful demeanor. Once there, they gently seated her at her spacious dressing table, their excitement palpable as they prepared to transform her for the event.

After seating Hera in front of the dressing table, they huddled together, likely to discuss the desired look and gown for her. Surprisingly, their decision was unanimous and swift, as they began their work within just five minutes of discussion.

They pulled out the large suitcases and unzipped them, revealing an array of makeup and brushes inside. The apparent leader stepped forward and began assessing Hera’s skin, inquiring about any issues or allergies she might have before proceeding with a simple skin cleansing and prep routine in preparation for her makeup.

While waiting for Hera’s skin to dry after the skin prep, the leader introduced herself, sensing Hera’s concern in her eyes due to the fast-paced nature of their work. “Hello, Young Miss Avery. I am Britney Styles, the chief stylist of Closet Luxe,” she said, extending her hand and clasping Hera’s before shaking it firmly without waiting for a response.

Hera was taken aback; not only was Britney the Chief Stylist of one of the most renowned Haute Couture clothing companies, which happened to be under the Lowry family led by Athena’s mother, Sasha, but Britney herself was a behemoth in the industry, seldom seen at events unless she chose to attend, and exclusively catering to Sasha and her requests.

With a wink, she reassured Hera, “Don’t worry, we’ve been informed by our young miss that you prefer to keep your identity low-key for now, so our lips are sealed once our job is complete.”

She then proceeded to apply a simple makeup for Hera, accentuating her facial features while primarily focusing on styling her hair to complement the gown they had selected.

Having received word from Athena about Hera’s imminent entry into the entertainment industry, they collectively opted to dress her in an ethereal evening gown, reminiscent of the enchanting attire often seen in fantasy movies—resembling a beautiful elf or fairy. This choice had been prepared in advance after Athena provided guidance on what image suited Hera.

However, Athena had made this decision without informing Hera, leaving her pleasantly surprised to find herself adorned in the ombre blue flowing off-shoulder gown, she was taken aback by its beauty. The dress featured a cape-like attachment at the back, adding a touch of elegance and a whimsical touch to its flowing silhouette. The off-shoulder design boasted a seven-inch ruffle that slightly covered half of her arms, crafted from the same translucent sheer fabric as the cape. The color gradient transitioned seamlessly from dark blue to light blue, creating a mesmerizing effect.

The bodice of the gown elegantly hugged Hera’s curves, reminiscent of a mermaid’s silhouette, while gradually flaring out as it descended. With each step, the material gracefully cascaded to the floor, evoking a blossoming flower effect. The intricate embroidery of hydrangeas and blue tulips adorned the hem of the gown, which elegantly concealed Hera’s feet. When she spread her arms at shoulder level, Hera resembled a stunning blue butterfly, poised to take flight at any moment.

The room erupted in excited gasps as Hera stood before the mirror, turning slightly to inspect her appearance. A content smile graced her lips as her eyes twinkled, forming crescents of joy. Her hair, half braided like a delicate headband, was adorned with a dark turquoise ribbon intricately woven into the braid. White flower decorations adorned her hair, evoking the image of a fairy, yet she exuded a celestial aura, akin to a goddess descended from the heavens.

They completed the ensemble by adorning her feet with 5-inch navy blue Scarpin heels from Saint Laurent, without the iconic logo on the heels, adding a touch of elegance to her ethereal appearance.

“Oh my! This is perfection at its fullest!” Britney exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she admired Hera from head to toe. Placing her right hand on her chin in contemplation, she seemed to gain inspiration in a flash, her eyes lighting up before hurrying off home, leaving everyone else in their places. The sudden departure caught them off guard, and when they finally gathered their bearings, they awkwardly turned to face Hera, offering her smiles of apologies.

Fortunately, they had completed their work after two hours of helping Hera perfect her look. They packed up their belongings and excused themselves. Cindy escorted Hera downstairs and instructed their driver to take Hera to the auction venue in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Once Hera departed from home, she promptly texted Athena to inform her of her departure towards the venue. Athena replied almost instantly, assuring Hera that she would be waiting for her arrival at the entrance.

At the time, Hera didn’t pay much attention to Athena’s reply. However, she soon regretted not asking for more details about the venue and the scale of the gathering. She assumed it would be like any other discreet charity event, without much hype.

‘Oh boy, she was so wrong in assuming that.’ Her assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.