Chapter 228 Mission Accomplished?
Hera remained lost in thought until Leo, Zhane, and Dave concluded their negotiation. She felt as if she had become slow-witted overnight. ’Could this mean that her mission is complete?’ she wondered.
Wasn’t she just fretting about how to catch the male leads’ attention and divert them from Alice? Did this mean she could relax now? The mere idea sent a shiver down her spine. She parsed Zhane’s words carefully; "interested" and "court" implied they would openly pursue her with their friends’ awareness. But that didn’t guarantee her success. Alice still had the chance to win them back if an opportunity arose. As she pondered the situation, she realized her position hadn’t really changed much. Instead, it had grown more complicated, as now there were six men involved instead of five.
Leo stood firm in the face of opposition from Dave and Zhane, indicating he wasn’t backing down. Hera sensed the brewing conflict between them and could decipher their intentions. Leo’s reassuring gaze met her worried expression, catching her off guard. She hadn’t realized her emotions were so transparent. The situation felt like it had spiraled out of control, escalating into unnecessary complexity.
In the future, relying solely on the novel for guidance would become increasingly challenging. The events unfolding around them diverged significantly from the narrative laid out in the book.
The men in the room interpreted Hera’s worried expression as concern for their well-being, oblivious to the true source of her anxiety. In reality, Hera’s apprehension stemmed from her own capacity to handle the growing number of male leads. She grappled with doubts about her time management skills and questioned how she would navigate the complexities of juggling multiple relationships. The addition of another contender only intensified her uncertainties, leaving her feeling overwhelmed by the looming challenges ahead.
Hera couldn’t fathom how Alice managed to balance her time between the male leads and her career. Truth be told, Alice’s schedule seemed dominated by her interactions with the male leads, often finding herself in intimate encounters with one or several of them simultaneously. They played a pivotal role in elevating her career, securing top positions and lucrative deals, ultimately establishing her as an internationally acclaimed actress and movie queen.
"Let’s dial down the overthinking for now," Hera coached herself, taking a moment to reorganize her thoughts and regulate her breathing. She recognized the futility in dwelling on every detail and exhausting her mental faculties. Glancing around at the men in her room, she felt a wave of overwhelm wash over her. Thankfully, her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Hastily turning towards the entrance, she found Athena already stepping inside.
Athena entered with the air of an aggrieved wife, her expression a mix of concern and annoyance, as if she had rushed over to find her husband surrounded by beauties. Hera couldn’t help but chuckle at Athena’s demeanor, noticing the huff and snort as she rolled her eyes while making her way to Hera’s bed.
As Hera’s best friend arrived to check on her, the male leads, sensing the need for privacy, tactfully excused themselves. Leo, ever the gentleman, took the initiative. "Hera, why don’t you stay here with your friend? I’ll go grab some fruits for us to snack on." With a comforting pat on Hera’s hand, he made his way out of the room. Zhane, following Leo’s lead, offered Hera a reassuring smile and a gentle pat on the head before silently departing.