The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Chapter 68 Luke Greyson
“I don’t see any reason for an outsider to intervene in our business,” Leo stated in an eerily cold voice that could rival even Zhane’s icy demeanor.

However, Rafael refused to back down. “Outsider?” His eyebrow twitched. “We can certainly be considered her friends, though.” He boldly asserted a close relationship with Hera, prompting her to flinch sideways as her brows raised unconsciously in question of his claims.

Zhane closely observed Hera’s every gesture and expression as the verbal and visual confrontation unfolded between the two men. Without addressing Leo directly, Zhane turned to Hera and inquired, “Is he bothering you?”

Hera’s gaze shifted to Zhane in silence, locking eyes with him as he awaited her response. However, instead of answering Zhane’s question directly, Hera redirected the conversation. “Since we have a doctor here, why don’t we allow him to examine your condition?” she suggested to Leo, concern laced in her tone. “It’s important to ensure there are no long-lasting side effects from the aphrodisiac.”

“Aphrodisiac?!!!” Rafael nearly jumped from his spot, his mind racing with multiple conclusions, none of them favorable, about what Hera meant by the term.

“?!?!” Even Zhane appeared alarmed by the mention of the word.

Each of them harbored their own unsettling memories associated with the mention of the said drug, prompting them to fixate their intense gazes on Hera.

Sensing their suspicion, Hera quickly defended herself to dispel any misconceptions. “Oh! I actually encountered him when he was under the influence of that drug. He was in a dire situation, so we decided to return together and were planning to locate his grandfather.”

Zhane and Rafael’s dark eyes momentarily lightened, but a swirl of complex emotions lingered within them, making it difficult for Hera to discern their true meaning. She had no opportunity to grasp the significance behind their fluctuating emotions, as they vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

Hera’s explanation halted Rafael’s negative thoughts about the aphrodisiac, and Zhane gestured for them to follow him to the auction house’s infirmary for further examination.

Leo felt increasingly irritated; his anticipated time alone with Hera had been abruptly hijacked by unfamiliar men who were evidently too nosy for his liking.

The infirmary was bustling with tall, strikingly handsome men who could easily pass for runway models. Zhane had effortlessly secured the use of the space from the attending doctor, almost as if it had been handed to him on a golden platter. ‘In the medical industry, who didn’t know Zhane?’ Renowned as a global genius, he was not only highly respected but also exceptionally good-looking, attracting admirers from both genders.

His status and credentials resembled the typical male lead in any story, complete with an aura of intrigue and charm. Now, this third male lead found himself locked in a stare-down competition with Leo, while Hera observed silently, trying to decipher the tension between the men.

Meanwhile, the gentleman from earlier had also joined in the fun, they attracted the attention of the nurses and infirmary doctor, who stood eagerly outside the room, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the juicy gossip or to ogle at these juicy pieces of meat.

After Zhane remained motionless for several minutes, engaged in a stare-off with Leo, Rafael’s patience wore thin. He crossed his arms over his chest in an intimidating manner, standing upright beside Hera and casting a disdainful glance down at Leo. Leo couldn’t help but feel irritated; Rafael’s stance resembled that of a wolf marking its territory in front of an intruder.

Leo couldn’t help but furrow his brow at Rafael’s obvious provocation. It was evident to him that there were bees and butterflies fluttering around his woman. He had barely had a chance to get close to his fiancée after the previous stray dog, and now, more flies are flying around.

He could only clench his jaw, trying to rein in his anger to avoid alarming Hera. However, Rafael’s provocative words shattered his inner meditation. “Zhane, how long will it take for you to check him? You better finish quickly so he can no longer bother Miss Ainsley.”

It appeared that neither Rafael nor Zhane were aware of their current behavior, which resembled that of territorial beasts. They seemed to be swept up in the emotions of the moment, perhaps not having had the opportunity to process what was truly going on inside them.

Hera was far from oblivious to the dynamics unfolding around her, noticing how Rafael and Zhane were treating Leo because of her presence. Nothing escaped her observation as she keenly observed their interactions. While Rafael was known for his hot-headedness, he wasn’t the type to act like a rabid dog, aggressively seeking out conflict with others without cause.

Rafael consistently maintains a certain level of decorum and professionalism, which is why Hera couldn’t help but take note of his increasingly overt attacks on Leo. She found herself wondering whether these actions were influenced by the unfolding story plot. Were they being subtly guided to follow the narrative’s stream? Hera questioned whether her theory was correct and actively playing out before her eyes.

As Hera quietly observed the interaction unfolding between the three men before her, another figure watching her intently. His golden eyes shimmered with a captivating allure as he fixed his gaze upon her. Intrigued by her serious expression and curious about the thoughts racing through her mind as she watched his friends, he couldn’t help but wonder what was going on inside her head.

As Hera felt the weight of someone’s gaze upon her, she couldn’t resist the urge to scan the room, searching for the source. Inevitably, her eyes locked with the most captivating golden orbs she had ever encountered. They seemed to bore into her own as if longing to peer into the depths of her mind.

However, the gaze didn’t feel intimate; instead, it resembled that of a predator fixating its sights on its prey. Hera’s heart skipped a beat, and a lump lodged in her throat. While she sensed no overt hostility, the encounter still left her feeling nervous.

As his smile graced his lips once more, he approached Hera silently, while Rafael and the others were embroiled in their own conflict. He keenly observed Hera’s expression, noting every crease that formed on her brow as he took a step forward, the subtle tension in the muscles of her neck, and the controlled rhythm of her breath, as if she had momentarily forgotten to exhale.

He couldn’t help but be amused by her nervousness in his presence. It was as if the woman he had seen before, courageously tossing a man over her shoulder despite her small frame, was merely a figment of his imagination. Had he not witnessed that scene firsthand, he might have mistaken the woman standing before him for someone timid.

He recognized the sharpness in her eyes, which observed silently, unlike the emotional impulsiveness often associated with many women. The woman before him appeared to be someone who wouldn’t be outmatched by any man.

He had encountered women who excelled in their respective fields and were as competent as any man. They typically exhibited logic over emotion and carried themselves with a distinct aura shaped by their experiences. However, Hera stood out in a unique way. She emanated a sense of calmness, akin to still waters, which some might misinterpret as timidity or lack of confidence.

However, for him, she’s like a sleeping lioness.

Their eye contact remained unbroken until he stood directly before her. She looked up at him with her large, clean, and serene amber eyes, while her moist, plump lips parted slightly. It was undeniably inviting.

“This will be our official meeting…” He stated, as if implying a familiarity between them.

Hera flinched slightly at his words, unable to recall ever meeting this man before. If they had crossed paths, she was certain she wouldn’t have forgotten a face as strikingly handsome as his. ‘Ugh! It seems Athena’s obsession with beautiful faces has rubbed off on me,’ she thought to herself.

Seeming to grasp her thoughts, he continued, “You probably don’t know me; I’ve only had the privilege of witnessing one of your heroic acts.” He smiled teasingly.

At this point, Leo and the others’ attention was piqued, and they began to wonder if the two knew each other, until they heard his next statement.

The mention of “Heroic Act” seemed to spark a realization in Rafael’s mind as he interjected, “Is she the woman you mentioned seeing at the Dragon Jade Building?” His tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

Ignoring Rafael’s question, Luke Greyson instead introduced himself, saying, “I apologize for the delayed introduction. I’m Luke Greyson.” He extended his right hand in a gesture of handshake, his friendly smile radiating warmth and refreshing energy.

“Oh! So he is Luke Greyson, one of Rafael’s friends. No wonder they seem to have some resemblance in introducing their names,” Hera mused inwardly.

However…

Her mind seemed to malfunction afterward, and she found herself simply staring at the man in front of her.