Chapter 226 Her Choice
Seeing the reaction he had anticipated, Leo broke into a bright smile and tapped the tip of Hera’s nose. "Not that, silly..." he said, understanding what Hera was thinking. This only made Hera’s face redden even more. His statement, "Not that," implied that he might have said something indecent at the time due to the effects of the drug, or perhaps even done more than just kiss Hera. This realization dawned on both Zhane and Dave, causing a shift in their composed facades.
They understood that Hera would want to keep everything that happened private between herself and the individual involved. However, hearing little bits and pieces to it while Leo was acting so lovey-dovey with Hera made both Dave and Zhane angry and flustered. They felt left in the dark, unaware of the full extent of the events beyond what they had been told, and the uncertainty only fueled their frustration.
Leo’s playful tone belied his earlier hesitations, as he quipped, "Remember when I said about paying you back with my body?" It was as if his prior apprehensions and nervousness belonged to a distant past, and he was now back to teasing Hera because, at this point, he knew and could feel that as much as he was attracted to Hera, he knew and could feel that Hera has also some kind of attraction to him.
By now, Leo had succeeded in his mission to assert himself to Dave and Zhane, ensuring that Hera’s attention remained firmly on him. Despite his triumph, Leo was mindful of maintaining harmony and not coming across as petty. However, he refused to tolerate being overlooked or disrespected while others harbored desires for his wife, he wasn’t going to allow anyone to treat him like a doormat or that he did not exist while coveting his wife. Inwardly triumphant, Leo couldn’t help but revel in the moment as Hera struggled to respond, her face flushed with embarrassment. ’Hmp! Serves you right? Die from jealousy and envy male vixen’ he thought smugly, relishing his victory.
"I... that..." As Leo engaged in a silent standoff with Dave and Zhane, Hera struggled to find her voice. His earlier words echoed in her mind, leaving her feeling flushed and guilty as if she had committed some sort of betrayal or cheated against them. Unable to meet the gazes of Dave or Zhane, she stumbled over her words, her face burning with embarrassment.
"Dear, care to explain?" Dave stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Hera, tinged with a hint of inquiry but overshadowed by hostility towards Leo. It was as if his once favorable impression of Leo had evaporated, and he positioned himself behind Zhane, acknowledging him as a fellow rival for Hera’s affection. Rather than engaging in direct competition with each other, Dave and Zhane opted to join forces momentarily to address Leo’s intrusion. They both sensed Leo’s looming presence as a formidable contender for Hera’s affections. Zhane mirrored Dave’s thoughts, although he remained passive, his intense gaze revealing his alignment with Dave’s stance.
"What’s there to explain? You both know that Hera and I are both victims in this mess." Leo paused, casting an indifferent glance between Dave and Zhane, his gaze chilling enough to evoke the sensation of being stalked by a predator. However, Dave and Zhane remained unfazed. Leo shifted his focus to Hera, his gaze softening into one of gentle affection before he continued, "Regardless of the circumstances, I intend to take responsibility for what transpired. If Hera will grant me the opportunity to demonstrate my worth, I vow to ensure her future is filled with happiness and security."