The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 696

Chapter 696: Chapter 696 One Big Happy Family
“Dave, is that all the curses you know? You really need to expand your vocabulary,” Rafael taunted, continuing to poke at Dave’s legs.

But this time, the prickling pain had nearly faded, and Dave was just waiting for the right moment. The second he felt nothing, his furious scowl twisted into a wicked grin.

“You’re so dead, you bastard!” Dave lunged at Rafael.

Caught off guard, Rafael barely had time to react. He had been so focused on messing with Dave that he hadn’t realized each poke had hurt less than the last. Before he knew it, Dave tackled him, and the two began to wrestle.

Mid-scuffle, Dave’s eyes flickered to the couch—and that’s when he saw Hera peeking over the backrest, her big, curious eyes watching them like a fascinated child. The moment their roughhousing escalated, a different kind of spark lit up in her gaze, making Dave freeze.

A goosebump ran down his spine.

Why the hell was she looking at them like that?

His body stiffened instinctively, and Rafael, sensing the opening, quickly slipped out of his grip and scrambled away.

“Sweetheart, what are you thinking?” Dave asked cautiously, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. He wasn’t sure why, but something about the way Hera was looking at them made him feel like he was in danger.

Her smile only grew sweeter—disturbingly so—but Dave couldn’t quite put his finger on why it unsettled him.

Well, he wouldn’t understand even if he tried.

Because at that moment, Hera’s mind was drifting into the uncharted territory of BL romance. She had never read or watched one before, but according to Athena, it was a favorite among female readers. And now, watching Dave and Rafael roughhousing, a spark of curiosity ignited within her.

Her eyes shimmered with intrigue as she observed them, completely absorbed in the scene.

She found herself analyzing who would be the suitable top and bottom between the two. After careful inspection, it became clear that Dave was the perfect fit for the bottom role.

Perhaps that was why he suddenly felt an eerie chill crawl up his spine. His instincts screamed at him, and without understanding why, panic surged through his chest.

Acting on impulse, Dave instantly pulled away from Rafael and bolted toward Hera, as if seeking refuge. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her, clinging to her side like a lost puppy.

“Sweetheart, you’re the only one I have! My so-called friends only know how to bully me…” he whined dramatically, rubbing his cheek against hers.

Seeing him like this, Hera’s curiosity about BL dynamics faded, replaced by fond amusement. With a soft sigh, she reached up and soothingly ran her fingers through his hair, indulging him like a spoiled child.

“There, there… Let’s eat now, okay?” Hera said, patting Dave’s head as her stomach let out a low grumble. She knew Rafael and Dave were just messing around—boys would always be boys.

Their antics actually brought warmth to her home, making it feel more alive and less lonely. She didn’t mind it at all. If anything, she welcomed it.

“Yes, yes, we eat!” Dave quickly agreed, practically rushing to escort Hera to the dining table. As he walked, he exhaled in relief, finally feeling the goosebumps on his skin subside. Hera’s gaze had returned to normal, and the strange sense of danger he’d felt earlier was gone. At the same time, he could tell—Hera was already hungry.

The others naturally followed behind, with Luke letting out a teasing chuckle aimed at Dave, though Dave pointedly ignored him. Rafael still wore his signature roguish grin, while Zhane maintained his usual composed demeanor, as if he weren’t part of the childish antics just moments ago.

Amy and Hannah exchanged knowing smiles, their quiet amusement evident as they moved to serve the food.

Knowing Hera’s love for seafood, Hannah prepared an extravagant seafood platter: succulent seafood drenched in Cajun sauce, cheesy baked oysters and scallops, fresh oysters with green sauce and lemon, delicate sashimi and sushi, and perfectly grilled seafood.

The sashimi was arranged atop crushed ice in an intricate display, resembling the kind of presentation found in high-end sushi restaurants. It wasn’t just a meal—it was a feast for both the palate and the eyes.

As always, Luke, Dave, Rafael, and Zhane busied themselves helping Hera with the food. Luke and Rafael deliberately avoided the shrimp, leaving that task to Zhane, while they focused on serving the scallops and oysters.

Meanwhile, Dave carefully plated an assortment of sushi for Hera, each piece looking more appetizing than the last, brimming with fresh and flavorful fillings.

Seeing Rafael and Luke steer clear of the shrimp, Hera was instantly reminded of the time they dined with Gerald at the Golden Dragon Pavilion. That meal had turned into an unexpected comedy when their attempt to peel shrimp resulted in disaster—several pieces had gone airborne, one even landing squarely on Gerald’s forehead before plopping into his teacup.

The memory made Hera chuckle, though she tried to suppress it. Still, Rafael and Luke noticed her trembling shoulders and exchanged knowing looks, already guessing the reason behind her amusement. They could only shake their heads, silently resigning themselves to their shrimp-related infamy.

Everyone enjoyed their dinner, and once they were finished, they returned to the living room to start tidying up. As they helped Hera put her sketches away, Luke, Dave, Rafael, and Zhane couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at her designs. Slowly, their expressions shifted—smiles growing wider with each page they flipped through.

‘My sweetheart is really amazing. Her designs are absolutely stunning,’ Dave thought, admiring one more piece before reluctantly setting it aside.

‘Not bad…’ Luke mused, his approval hidden behind a calm expression.

Meanwhile, Rafael and Zhane didn’t say much, but the pride in their smiles was unmistakable.

Once the sketches were safely stored away, they carefully sorted through their own papers and documents, ensuring that nothing got mixed up.

Given the importance of each file, a misplaced document could become a major issue later. With everything in order, the group finally allowed themselves to relax, satisfied with their work and the warmth of the evening spent together.

After finishing their cleanup, everyone went to shower and unwind. They left the master bedroom’s bathroom for Hera, while the rest used the guest rooms or the entertainment room’s bathroom.

Coincidentally, all the men finished their showers around the same time and emerged from their respective rooms, meeting up in the hallway before making their way toward the master bedroom together.

Once inside, they casually lounged around, comfortably settling into the space as if it were their own. By the time Hera finally stepped out of the bathroom, she was momentarily taken aback—her room was now filled with relaxed men, all dressed in pajamas, looking completely at home.

She had no idea when or how they managed to get pajamas prepared at her place, but it was clear they had already claimed her home as their own.

Shaking off her initial surprise, she quietly made her way further into the room, dressed in her bunny-print pajamas, gently towel-drying the lingering droplets from her hair.

“Let me help you dry your hair,” Zhane offered, gently guiding Hera toward her vanity so she could start her skincare routine while he took care of her hair.

Hera smiled sweetly. “Okay.”