Chapter 297 What Would Rafael Do?
"Rafael, there’s no need. I already have a plan to handle Alexi. If you intervene now, it might just earn your sister’s resentment and strain your sibling bond. Your parents could be forced to take sides, escalating into internal family conflict. Do you really want that?" Hera spoke gently yet with unwavering determination, hoping to dissuade Rafael from getting involved in the messy situation.
Rafael clenched his fists, his brows furrowing deeply enough to squeeze a fly. Hera’s words struck a nerve—she had a point. Given Minerva’s temper and past actions, she would likely oppose him and could even turn their parents against him if he confronted Alexi.
And worse yet, he might be accused of being swayed by his feelings for a woman, going against his own family and blood just to fulfill her revenge. This could paint Hera as the villain, a scenario not entirely implausible given Minerva’s tendency to distort the truth to suit her own agenda—a thought that gnawed at Rafael.
Alternatively, Minerva could employ other tactics to pressure her family into backing down and giving her what she desires.
Minerva’s most potent weapon could be her own life; she might resort to suicide to manipulate him and their parents, much like she had done before. However, Rafael also feared for Hera’s well-being in all of this. He fell silent, lost in deep contemplation.
Hera looked at Dave, silently wanting him to release her hand, but he had already done so before she could ask. He gave her a reassuring nod, encouraging her to comfort Rafael. Taking a step toward Rafael, Hera gently placed her hand on his strong, muscular arm and stroked it soothingly.
"It’s okay," she began softly, "take your time to help your sister out of this mess. Just like me, she was also being manipulated. It might be difficult for her to accept that truth, given her arrogance and the pampering from her family. She’s drawn to what she couldn’t get, like Alexi." Hera sighed, frustration evident in her smile.
"Give her time," Hera advised, her voice gentle yet firm. "Even after learning what Alexi has said, she might still believe he’ll come around if she tries harder. Your role now isn’t to oppose her wishes but to be patient, to show her that you and your parents will always support and protect her. Pushing her forcefully could drive her further away and..." Hera sighed heavily, the unspoken consequences hanging in the air, understood by Rafael without needing further explanation.
Truth be told, Hera didn’t actually need Rafael’s assistance, given that UE was fully backing her along with the formidable support of the Avery Consortium. What she truly required from Rafael was either to mitigate his sister’s animosity towards Hera or to help quell Minerva entirely. Rafael and his family represented the most potent arsenal against Minerva.
Hera deliberately chose her words with Rafael, aiming to convey her concern for him and his family dynamics. By emphasizing that she didn’t want to entangle him in the situation, she hoped to deepen Rafael’s sense of guilt and foster his gratitude towards her for being understanding and still choosing to prioritize him and his feelings.