The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 686

Chapter 686: Chapter 686 Their Efforts
Luke didn’t answer right away. Instead, a slow, understanding smile played on his lips, and his usually sharp, calculating eyes softened. This was a rare moment—one where he wasn’t thinking about gains, investments, or business dealings.

Instead, his mind was filled with the image of Hera, picturing the look on her face when she received the gift he had chosen so carefully.

“That will never happen,” he finally said, his voice steady with conviction. “I’ve already experienced the highs and lows of life. I built my own empire from the ground up before inheriting my family’s business. And women… I used to think they were merely a means to pass on my bloodline—an emotional burden I might have to bear for the sake of legacy, but never something I truly wanted in my life.”

“I’ve met all kinds—beautiful, seductive, intelligent—women who were admired and desired by many. But to me, they were just people. None of them ever truly interested me. Then, I met this one woman. I can’t say she’s completely different from the rest, nor can I claim she’s the most beautiful, though she is among the most breathtaking. But that’s not why I love her.”

“I don’t even know when it started, or why. But I am sure of one thing—I want her in my life, now and until my last breath. And I have never wanted anything, or anyone, as much as I want her.”

Luke’s heartfelt words struck a chord with the old man’s wife, reminding her of their own younger days and the deep love they had shared. Without waiting for her husband’s agreement, she made the decision herself—she sold the jewelry to Luke.

The old man could only let out a defeated chuckle, shaking his head. But in truth, he wasn’t entirely against it. He and his wife were growing older, and as he looked at Luke, he saw a man who wasn’t thinking about wealth, status, or what the woman he loved could offer him. Instead, Luke was simply driven by love—a plain, uncalculated devotion that reminded him of his own.

At that moment, the old man understood. Who was he to judge Luke’s feelings when they were no different from his own?

And so, the old man relented, allowing his wife to sell the jewelry. However, they still sold it for three times its current market value, ensuring they had a valid explanation for their children—an attempt to appease them for parting with such a valuable heirloom. In the end, it was a compromise where both sides gained something while meeting halfway.

Luke, on the other hand, didn’t have the time to personally deliver the gift to Hera, but more than anything, he simply wanted her to have it as soon as possible.

His primary reason for not delivering it himself was his busy schedule, but another part of him didn’t want to turn it into a grand gesture.

He didn’t want Hera to see it as just another extravagant gift given to impress her, like many men do with expensive jewelry.

To him, this gift carried his heart, his emotions, and his silent promise—but at the same time, he wanted to downplay it so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed.

Maybe one day, when the time was right, he would tell her the true meaning behind it.

Although Dave, Xavier, Zhane, and Rafael’s gifts might not have been as expensive or steeped in symbolism, they were just as meaningful—each personally procured through their own efforts without relying on assistants.

Dave, for instance, went to great lengths to commission a one-of-a-kind handbag from the head designer of Hermès, a woman known for her exclusivity and refusal to take requests—even from high-ranking politicians.

Yet, that didn’t deter Dave. He camped outside Hermès’ headquarters for days, waiting for a chance to meet her, completely disregarding his own image.

When that failed, he even followed her home—not in a way that could be considered harassment, but with the stubborn determination that made it impossible for her to ignore him.

In the end, it wasn’t just Dave’s persistence that won her over—it was also his undeniable charm. After all, as the saying goes, who could reject a handsome man with a sincere smile?

Amused and impressed, the designer finally relented. Not only did she agree to create a custom handbag for Hera, but she personally selected the materials, cut the leather by hand, and meticulously stitched it together.

She even painted the final design herself, drawing inspiration from the pictures of Hera that Dave had shared with her—ensuring the bag was uniquely tailored to the woman he cared for.

And when did Dave manage to pull all this off?

For someone who loved making grand gestures and constantly sought Hera’s attention like an eager child waiting for praise, it was surprising that he had kept this a secret.

Maybe it was because he didn’t want to raise her expectations until he was certain the bag would be made.

Despite his usual antics and playful nature, deep down, Dave wasn’t as carefree as he appeared. In truth, he put on that act because he believed he was the least favored among the other men vying for Hera’s heart.

Zhane took a different approach—rather than buying an extravagant gift, he sought out a reclusive Chinese medicine doctor whose family had passed down a secret skincare formula for generations.

This ancient concoction was known for its remarkable rejuvenating properties, enhancing the skin’s health and glow without causing irritation. However, acquiring it wasn’t easy.

The formula was a closely guarded family secret, traditionally reserved only for their clan, and passing it to outsiders was strictly forbidden.

Determined, Zhane took on various odd jobs for the old doctor, humbling himself in ways he never had before. At first, the doctor simply watched in amusement, letting Zhane make a fool of himself.

After all, there was a vast difference between Western and Chinese medicine, and he doubted Zhane—a man of science—would have anything of value to offer him.

More than that, the formula wasn’t just any skincare remedy; it was a thousand-year-old legacy, originally crafted by a royal physician.

It had been the foundation of the doctor’s family’s prosperity for generations, and he had no intention of letting it leave his lineage.

Zhane’s patience, dedication, and unwavering good temper eventually won over the old doctor.

Day after day, he diligently helped dry and process herbs, enduring the biting cold of the water and the exhaustion that came with the labor.

This was the real reason he had been so worn out lately. He had expected the process to take much longer, believing he would have to prove himself for months before earning the doctor’s trust.

Then, one day, without warning, the doctor handed him a folded piece of paper. At first, Zhane assumed it was a simple errand list or an order to fetch more supplies. But as he scanned the contents, realization struck—this wasn’t just any list.

It was the formula.

Everything he had done at the doctor’s shop—the grueling work, the repetitive tasks—hadn’t just been about earning the old man’s favor.

Unbeknownst to him, he had been learning. The hands-on experience had deepened his understanding of Chinese medicine, enhancing his ability to identify herbs and their properties.