Chapter 133 Why so Smug?
Hera stirred from her peaceful nap, yet she kept her eyes closed. Someone gently nudged her several times while calling her name, their voice so tender and melodious that it only deepened her sense of comfort.
Struggling to open her eyes, Hera heard a soft chuckle beside her, like the whisper of a gentle breeze through the leaves of the tree. Its lightness mirrored the tranquility of the surroundings, offering a soothing and healing effect.
She took deep breaths and stretched her limbs after a satisfying nap, her lips forming into a small smile as she listened to the soft chuckle beside her. But wait, ’beside her’? It was only then that her body perked up, realizing there was someone sitting beside her.
Her eyes flew open, her head snapping to the side to find Xavier comfortably seated beside her, wearing a doting smile. If she didn’t know better, she might have thought Xavier had a crush on her or something.
Realizing her train of thought, Hera chuckled to herself. "How long have I been sleeping?" she asked Xavier.
"Not that long," Xavier responded, glancing around. Hera followed his gaze and noticed the other participants arriving one after another. Some were already seated, waiting for everyone to gather. At some point, Xavier pulled his chair to sit beside Hera. She also noticed the pillow placed behind her head, prompting her to look at Xavier, who met her gaze without saying anything.
Their attention was drawn to the Director’s voice as he gathered everyone and began to speak. "Alright, everyone, great job! It seems like most of you have completed the scavenger hunt. However, for those who didn’t quite make it, don’t worry. There may be another opportunity for you soon."
As soon as Hera and Xavier spotted the Director walking into the center, flanked by the crew, they quickly stood up and grabbed their bags from where they had been placed at their feet. With determined strides, they joined the others, eager to hear what the Director had to say.
The Director signaled to the crew trailing behind him to begin checking each participant’s backpack and cross-referencing the items against the list. To ensure transparency and prevent any accusations of cheating, the participants stood beside the crews during the inspection. Each participant’s cameraman diligently recorded every action, ensuring a thorough documentation of the process.