The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 712

Chapter 712: Chapter 712 Taking The Stage
Alice, having just received such a grand promise, felt smug and triumphant.

After all, she had meticulously schemed to secure this playboy. Seeing Hera surrounded by powerful, handsome men—showered with love, care, and protection—Alice couldn’t help but think,

‘Why does she get to have everything while I don’t?’

‘Shouldn’t it only be fair if I find a powerful backer too? I’m not lacking in looks or charm. Rafael and Xavier should rightfully belong to me—we have history together, after all. Hera is the mistress, the outsider.’

‘I’ll prove that I’m better than her, that I can rise to the top without their help. And when that happens, I’ll take back what’s mine, including those men who have been deceived into staying by her side.’

A brief glint of malice flashed in Alice’s eyes—so quick that the young master beside her failed to notice.

When Alice realized she could no longer keep up the facade of being a wealthy heiress and that her limited funds wouldn’t be enough to sustain her extravagant lifestyle, she devised a new plan. She decided to string along a second-generation playboy—someone easier to manipulate.

Playboys thrived on the thrill of the chase, relishing the challenge of conquering women who seemed unattainable. The harder it was to win someone over, the more determined they became, their egos fueled by the pursuit.

To them, the excitement of the chase had become an addiction—a game of cat and mouse they were eager to play. And Alice knew exactly how to use that to her advantage.

Alice figured that as long as she didn’t fully give in to the advances of the second-generation playboy young masters, she could manipulate them however she pleased.

She would keep them chasing her, offering just enough hope to keep them hooked while never truly giving them what they wanted.

By stringing them along, she could maintain her purity and, when the time was right, proudly return to Rafael, Xavier, and the others—once she successfully pried them away from Hera.

In her mind, the ultimate proof of her sincerity would be offering them her virginity, a grand gesture to show that she had always belonged to them and them alone.

With this plan in mind, Alice made her way to the city’s most luxurious and upscale bar, dressed in an outfit carefully chosen to emphasize her innocence. Her flowing white dress set her apart from the crowd, making her look like a delicate flower lost in a dense forest of towering trees.

As she stepped inside, she carried herself as if she were experiencing such a place for the first time—her wide, curious eyes taking in the surroundings with a mix of fascination and hesitance.

She played the role of a sheltered good girl, one who had always been told to stay away from places like this, yet had finally decided to indulge her curiosity.

Because of this, Alice effortlessly captured the attention of several second-generation heirs who were idly fooling around nearby. Instantly drawn to her innocence, they scrambled to fawn over her, eager to be the one to pluck this rare white flower from its mountaintop.

Brother Lei wasn’t the only one hovering around her now—within just two days, Alice had managed to hook several of them. At least five to seven men trailed after her like devoted followers, eager to please and showering her with lavish gifts.

They had already spent hundreds of thousands on her, buying clothes, jewelry, and anything else they thought would make her happy. This invitation was just one of many she had received.

Of course, much of this was thanks to her lingering female lead halo, which made her shine just a little brighter than ordinary women—just enough to make these men lose their senses over her.

Alice even felt a pang of self-reproach for not having done this sooner. If she had, she could have avoided so many hardships, effortlessly securing her place while crushing Hera beneath her feet. Perhaps she could have even prevented Hera from getting close to Rafael, Xavier, and the rest in the first place.

But alas, regret gnawed at her, and with it came a surge of renewed hatred for Hera—an all-consuming resentment that only fueled her determination to take back what she believed was rightfully hers.

Now that she was attending this exclusive fashion show, surrounded by influential ladies, Alice felt as if endless opportunities were within her grasp.

Excitement bubbled inside her as she began scheming, carefully planning how she would approach and ingratiate herself with these powerful figures later at the banquet. The mere thought of it sent a thrill through her, fueling her ambition even further.

Not far from Alice, seated in the front row of the VIP section, were Athena’s parents along with Leo, Luke, Zhane, Dave, and Rafael.

They were all eagerly anticipating Hera’s turn to walk the runway. With their striking appearances, they naturally drew attention, and many in the audience couldn’t help but steal glances at them.

However, Alice remained oblivious, too engrossed in scheming while pointing her phone at the runway.

Despite receiving an invitation, she wasn’t granted a coveted front-row VIP seat, as those were exclusively reserved for the highest-ranking ladies of their social circle and men of power.

Not long after, as a stream of models gracefully walked the runway, the crowd gasped in admiration and anticipation. Then, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived—the grand finale.

A breathtakingly ethereal silhouette appeared behind the screen, and the lighting shifted, signaling that the next model was the highlight of the show. The audience’s attention sharpened, eyes fixed on the runway.

Then, Hera stepped out. She moved with effortless confidence, her gaze calm and unbothered, as if the people around her were mere spectators in her world.

She carried herself like a queen approaching her throne, acknowledging her subjects with only the slightest regard as they metaphorically bowed their heads in awe, waiting for her to take her rightful place.

A ripple of admiring gasps echoed through the room as all eyes locked onto the woman commanding the runway. Among them, Leo, Luke, Dave, Zhane, and Rafael watched Hera with unwavering devotion, their proud smiles spreading uncontrollably across their faces. Their gazes remained fixed on her, drinking in every detail of her breathtaking presence, as if she were the only one in the room.

Their hearts raced, melting into a puddle of adoration. They knew exactly what this feeling was—love, deep and relentless. Like vines climbing a wall, inching higher and higher, their affection for her grew, weaving its way into every corner of their souls until it completely enveloped them.

When Hera’s eyes met Leo’s, she saw him mouth the words, “You are so beautiful, wife.” A radiant, sweet smile bloomed on her lips, stunning everyone in the room. The sheer brilliance of her expression left the audience spellbound, even as she gracefully disappeared backstage.

For a moment, silence hung thick in the air, as if time itself had paused in awe of her presence. Then, the MC’s voice boomed through the speakers, snapping everyone out of their daze.

“And now, we invite our designer to the stage—Miss Athena Lowery!”

Then, Athena stepped out from backstage, adorned in one of her own stunning creations—a sleek black mermaid gown accentuated with intricate golden lining across the chest. Flowing behind her, the train of the dress showcased a breathtaking depiction of a soaring phoenix, its gilded feathers shimmering under the stage lights, symbolizing power and rebirth.