Chapter 353 You Are?
But before Bry’s father could maneuver the truck to give the black jeep some space to move forward, the jeep’s driver had already stormed out from the back door, face red with rage. He began kicking the truck’s tires and cursing loudly, even attempting to break the truck’s glass. Bry was frightened but held back his tears. Fortunately, there was a security post nearby, and the guards quickly intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Bry’s father stepped out of the truck to apologize, but the jeep’s owner only grew more aggressive, hurling insults, curses, and even threats, which only prolonged the delay. When Hera arrived, she took in the scene and felt an overwhelming urge to kick the man, who was behaving like a spoiled, tantrum-throwing child.
Bry’s father hung his head, silently enduring the barrage of insults without attempting to defuse the situation, which had devolved into verbal abuse. He was wary of escalating the conflict, knowing that the people frequenting the Avery Racecourse were not only wealthy but also wielded significant power. He feared that any confrontation could bring unwanted trouble for Hera.
He didn’t want to be presumptuous and risk causing trouble for Hera, who was only there to try her luck. He feared that offending someone from such a powerful and influential place could jeopardize Hera’s future in the entertainment industry. So, he chose to swallow his pride, accept the blame, and take responsibility for the situation.
Not until Hera herself stepped in did the situation begin to ease. "What’s going on here?" she asked, her tone neutral and curious, without a hint of humility or authority. She aimed to avoid appearing as if she was siding with anyone, instead adopting the role of a neutral observer. To be an effective peacemaker, she knew she needed to remain unbiased and not show favoritism.
The man erupted with rage when he saw someone intervening in his tirade. "Who the hell are you?" he spat, swiveling from Bry’s father to Hera. But when his eyes landed on her face, his anger seemed to catch in his throat, and he fell silent immediately.
Hera was momentarily taken aback by his reaction and tilted her head to study him more closely. He was a stranger to her, and she didn’t recognize him at all. As she dismissed the thought that he might be someone she knew, the man continued to stare at her, his movements faltering. He even paused in his attempts to shake off the security guards who were trying to prevent him from escalating the altercation.
"You’re Hera, aren’t you?" His voice shifted to one of excitement as he stared at her. The earlier aggression vanished, replaced by a friendly and enthusiastic demeanor.
"I’m sorry, do I know you?" Hera asked awkwardly, not wanting to dismiss the man outright. He appeared to be around her age, with a rebellious aura. Dressed in a leather jacket and pants, with aqua-blue dyed hair and piercings, he looked more like a rockstar than someone she recognized. Although he was handsome in his own way, his style was not quite to Hera’s taste.