The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 657

Chapter 657: Chapter 657 Opportunity?
After breaking up the ‘children’s fight’, Hera huffed and made her way to the dining table with Leo and the others.

Dave and Xavier, who had been scolded and put in their place, trailed behind, exchanging glares. It was clear they had both had a restful sleep, as they were already on their feet and as energetic as ever.

Hera couldn’t help but laugh at their antics, the liveliness they brought filling the room and making it feel like home every time they were around.

Since Rafael was injured, he cleverly played the pity card to secure a seat beside Hera on her left side, while Leo took full advantage of the situation and monopolized her right side. With no one daring to argue with Rafael’s strategic move, he comfortably claimed his spot beside her.

‘Ha! Who knew being injured could come with so many perks?’ Rafael thought with a smug grin as he settled beside Hera.

Since his left shoulder was injured, he moved slowly and carefully, making sure every movement appeared deliberate and painful.

In reality, he was milking the situation to get as much sympathy from Hera as possible, and it worked. She doted on him, offering him more attention than usual.

Rafael couldn’t help but glance at the others with a teasing, provocative look, his eyebrows wiggling in a playful taunt, clearly enjoying his little victory.

The others didn’t mind, well, maybe all except one—Dave. He was fuming, glaring at Rafael’s smug smile with barely concealed frustration.

He was practically boiling with jealousy and annoyance, wishing he could wipe that smug expression off his face, even if it meant using a mop.

Since he’d learned that everyone had become close with Hera intimately, Dave’s mood had soured further. It felt like time was slipping away, and he was racing against it, unable to make any headway.

His frustration only grew as he felt more and more helpless. He stabbed at his food, poking it with exaggerated force, as if it had become his personal enemy, and sulked in silence.

Hera couldn’t help but feel amused as she watched Dave’s antics. While she didn’t fully understand what was going on in his mind, it was clear that he was bottling something up.

Though Dave could be childish at times and a bit of a handful, he was also sincere and just as helpful as the others.

His quirks were part of what made him unique, and Hera found that endearing. She appreciated the sincerity he brought to their group, even if it sometimes came wrapped in frustration. It made him, in his own way, irreplaceable.

“Dave, I bet you’ll love this seafood risotto made by Hannah. It’s one of her best dishes,” Hera said, her voice light and teasing.

Dave’s head slowly lifted from his plate at the sound of her words. The moment he heard her, his gloomy expression transformed, and a wide grin spread across his face.

His eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly, clearly excited for being noticed. The mood shift was instant, his previous sulking forgotten in an instant as he focused on the meal ahead.

“Then I’ll serve myself more of this risotto!” Dave grinned widely, eagerly scooping scoop after scoop onto his plate. He looked like an excited puppy getting a treat, his enthusiasm so contagious that Hera couldn’t help but chuckle.

But truth be told, Hera found it increasingly difficult to maintain the balance of fairness. She tried to give everyone equal attention and love, but it wasn’t always easy.

She had to consider their moods, their feelings, and what was going on in their minds—all while keeping everything together.

Still, she reminded herself that nothing came without its challenges. Even though it was tough managing everything, she knew it wasn’t any easier for them, having to share her attention with each other.

In fact, it was even harder for the men to keep their emotions in check. Jealousy and possessiveness would bubble up easily, especially when Hera showed concern for someone else.

If they didn’t constantly remind themselves to stay grounded, it wouldn’t be long before they were at each other’s throats over petty jealousy.

That’s why it was so important for them to work together and maintain balance, despite the tension beneath the surface.

This made their dinner feel warm and harmonious. Afterward, Zhane rested in Hera’s room, catching up on much-needed sleep, while Hera went to her study to focus on her coursework and the jewelry designs assigned by Liz for the competition.

Meanwhile, Luke headed down to his unit to grab his laptop so he could work nearby, keeping her company.

Leo had to leave to handle business matters he had put on hold to accompany Hera, and Dave also had to catch up on his own responsibilities after being away for days. Their workloads had piled up and now demanded proper attention.

As for Xavier, after finishing his meal and taking a shower, his manager called him out for a business trip abroad for an endorsement deal.

Beside Zhane, Rafael also began dozing off, drowsy from his medication. In the end, only Luke and Hera remained awake, sitting side by side as they worked in quiet companionship.

Ring…

Hera’s concentration was abruptly broken by the sudden ringing of her phone. Her brows furrowed as she reached out to pick it up.

“Who could be calling this late at night?” she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, Luke remained focused on his work, engrossed in checking stocks and firing off emails, barely acknowledging the interruption.

Taking a deep breath, Hera answered the call. “Hello? This is Hera speaking.”

“Hi, Hera. Sorry for the late-night call. I just got word that you’ve returned to the country, and I also noticed how packed your schedule has been lately.”

“Actually, I’m calling because, after reviewing your electives, I realized that even though you’re only in your second year, you’ve put in an incredible amount of effort in your studies and attended extra classes. As a result, you’re now eligible to start your internship early.”

“It just so happens that I have a list of companies available, and given your achievements and outstanding grades, I’ve decided to place you at The Rising Dawn Corporation.”

Hera tilted her head to the side. The name of the company sounded familiar—it was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t quite recall where she had heard it before.

Noticing her silence, the professor continued, “I know you’re incredibly busy, especially now that you’ve entered the entertainment industry and are representing the country in the international race.”

“But I thought you might want to hear this, especially since the company specifically requested you. They mentioned having a great impression and high expectations of you.”

“I also believe that, given your capabilities, your future shouldn’t be confined to the entertainment industry alone. This internship is a great opportunity for you to broaden your horizons. Plus, you have a close connection with the CEO of this company, so I’m confident they won’t take advantage of you or treat you unfairly. It’s truly a chance worth considering.”

Although the professor’s words carried a nagging tone, Hera could sense the genuine concern of a mentor in his voice. However, one particular phrase caught her off guard.

“Close to their CEO?” she murmured, her confusion deepening.