The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 794

Chapter 794: Chapter 794 Leo’s Condition
Hera understood the extent of Leo’s injuries—he had suffered so much—and she knew Zhane must be struggling just as much. Although Terry and the others had done their best to cover for Leo while they were on the run, shielding him from bullets, the explosion had still taken its toll.

Leo had been hit by a bullet and shrapnel from the debris from the explosion, and the injuries from the landmine and explosives only made everything worse.

Leo’s body was battered and broken, covered in wounds and drenched in blood. He had lost so much of it that Hera could barely breathe just looking at him. Thank God they had brought a doctor—if not, she couldn’t even begin to imagine what would’ve become of him. The thought alone sent a chill straight to her bones.

If she hadn’t arrived in time…

That fear clawed at her chest, cold and sharp, the same suffocating fear she had felt the day she learned her parents died in a plane crash. Her jaw tightened, her teeth biting into her trembling lower lip as her fingers scraped anxiously against each other.

Seeing her like this, Cindy stepped forward and silently pulled Hera into a hug. As someone who’d always been like an older sister to her, Cindy’s heart ached.

She understood—Hera had already tasted the pain of losing someone she loved. It was no surprise that she carried a shadow in her heart, one that was easily stirred by moments like this.

Seeing Leo in such a critical state was tearing Hera apart. The nightmare she had buried deep within—the haunting memory of her parents’ death—was rising again, baring its cruel fangs.

As she felt Cindy’s warm arms wrap around her, Hera closed her eyes. But her trembling lashes betrayed the storm she was holding back. She wanted so badly to cry, to scream, to ask the gods why her life always had to be this painful.

But then she remembered.

In this world, the so-called “god” was nothing more than a storyline propping up Alice. Maybe there weren’t any gods listening. Maybe there was no one to pray to at all.

“Young Miss, don’t worry. We have the world’s most renowned genius on our side—Master Leo will be alright,” Cindy said gently, her voice calm and reassuring as she rubbed Hera’s tense shoulders. She wanted Hera to breathe, to let herself rest—just for a little while.

“You’ve already done everything you could,” Cindy continued softly. “Now it’s time to regain your strength. So when Master Leo comes out, you’ll be there for him—steadier, stronger.”

Cindy’s soothing voice truly calmed Hera, and she fell asleep without realizing it. Maybe she had been carrying this tension on her shoulders since earlier, and now her body was tired, but her mind was spiraling, making her not notice her exhaustion.

As if she had been plunged into deep water—everything muffled, distant. In that quiet, weightless darkness, she curled into herself, drifting in silence and solitude.

Then, faint flickers of light began to appear—memories of Leo spiraling around her: their first meeting, the second, their playful moments, the way he always made her feel seen.

When Cindy looked down, she realized Hera had fallen asleep against her chest. But a single tear had slipped from Hera’s eye, landing hot against Cindy’s skin. It stung more than she expected.

Cindy’s heart ached. She held Hera tighter and gently rubbed her back, eyes fixed on the glowing red “Emergency” sign above the door, quietly praying for Zhane and the others to come out soon.

Around them, the veteran soldiers stood still, pretending not to notice the scene, silent and unmoving, like pine trees in the dead of winter.

Hera didn’t know how long she had been asleep—only that a sound pulled her back to consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open just in time to see the door creak open and Zhane step out of the operating room.

He looked utterly drained—his face pale, drenched in sweat, and his shoulders heavy with exhaustion.

Hera’s heart thudded violently. A wave of sympathy washed over her at the sight of Zhane, but it was quickly swallowed by a surge of anxiety for Leo.

Still, seeing Zhane in that state stirred her into motion. She gently pulled away from Cindy and tried to stand, only for her legs to buckle beneath her. They had gone numb from being still for too long.

Cindy quickly reached for her, wincing as her own limbs prickled with the ache of long-held stillness. She hadn’t moved in ages, but she couldn’t bring herself to disturb Hera’s rest—not when the girl had finally found a moment of peace. So she’d endured the tingling pain in silence.

Fortunately, Zhane reacted quickly, catching Hera just before she could collapse. His pale face came into focus as he steadied her, and Hera felt her cheeks flush, embarrassed by the closeness.

Her legs, however, felt like they were being pricked by thousands of needles, numb and unresponsive, leaving her unable to stand properly.

“Don’t move,” Zhane’s hoarse voice murmured near her ear. “Let me recharge by hugging you…”

He buried his nose in the crook of her neck, his body leaning into hers with a weariness that made him hunch over slightly. He looked utterly drained, and Hera, seeing his condition, didn’t resist. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, drawing him in closer.

The moment their bodies touched, a wave of calm washed over Hera. Her worries seemed to melt away as she felt the steady, reassuring strength of his form.

Zhane’s warmth and confidence enveloped her, making her believe, just for a moment, that everything would be alright.

Not long after, Leo was wheeled out of the operating room, hooked up to an oxygen tank, with nurses and doctors trailing behind him. “Take the patient to the ICU and monitor his vitals every two hours!” one of the doctors instructed, while Zhane remained frozen in place.

Hera’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of Leo being wheeled out, alive, but the joy was quickly tempered by the sight of him in such a fragile state. She wanted to rush to his side, to see him for herself, but it was clear from Zhane’s steady hold on her that he didn’t want her to go to him just yet.

Perhaps he didn’t have the courage to tell her how bad Leo’s condition really was, so all he could do was keep her close, offering silent comfort in the form of a hug.

Hera’s heart pounded violently in her chest as her mind went blank while she stared at Leo’s departing figure from the bed being wheeled away.

His condition hadn’t improved—although his life was no longer in immediate danger, it felt like a fleeting reprieve. The fact that they would be monitoring his vitals every two hours made her stomach drop.

And it seems like his other leg was already buried in the grave, and the chances of him waking up seemed slim, less than 50%, if even that.

“Z… Zhane… Leo…” Her voice faltered, breaking with a weak sob.

Zhane didn’t say a word, but the grip he held around her waist tightened. That was all the answer she needed, and it shattered her heart. Hera’s sobs came out in ragged gasps, as though each breath she took was another wound to her soul.

She knew Zhane had done everything he could to save Leo—he had given his all, and in a way, this was the best outcome anyone could have hoped for under the circumstances.

But despite that, her heart felt as though it was breaking over and over again with each passing second.

Zhane couldn’t bring himself to tell Hera the full extent of Leo’s condition. He knew the moment he spoke the truth, her heart would shatter, and he wasn’t ready to see her break down further.

But with Hera’s sharp intelligence, it was only a matter of time before she pieced everything together. The hushed words of the other doctors, the subtle clues, would make it impossible for her to ignore what was happening.

Even without Zhane’s confirmation, Hera would understand.

Every sob that left her made Zhane feel as though his own heart was being torn apart. It tore him up inside, watching her crumble, knowing that despite all the efforts he had poured into saving Leo, the reality of the situation couldn’t be ignored.

He had done everything he could—using every ounce of his medical knowledge to keep Leo alive through the surgery. But Leo had sustained injuries so catastrophic that no human should have survived them.

It was a miracle he had made it this far. Leo was lucky, yes—but his survival was more a result of sheer willpower than anything else. Most others would have perished the moment they were caught in that explosion. Even if they had survived, the blood loss would have taken them within an hour.

Leo’s will to survive was nothing short of remarkable. Despite the horrific circumstances, he clung to life when anyone else would have succumbed.

They were incredibly fortunate to have a skilled doctor with them, equipped with useful medical supplies. On top of that, a bodyguard with the same blood type as Leo had donated blood, giving Leo a fighting chance when they were stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Yet, despite these strokes of luck, his body had its limits. Keeping him alive was a constant struggle, and every minute felt like a battle against time.

“Shh, don’t cry. Please, baby, don’t cry…” Zhane’s voice trembled as he desperately tried to soothe Hera’s heart-wrenching sobs. But the more he spoke, the more her cries seemed to grow, each one cutting deeper into him. He didn’t know what to do; it felt as if his heart were being ripped apart with every tear she shed.