Chapter 852 Who’s Watching?
"Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. You can rest assured," Alexandre said with quiet confidence.
He knew better than to mistake Hera’s agreement as a promise of affection. She hadn’t accepted him as a lover—only chosen not to push him away, not to create more trouble for herself in a land where enemies were watching her every move. Alexandre understood her position clearly.
Right now, Mindy and her circle would no doubt retaliate, looking for any excuse to strike back. If Hera had outright rejected him, it wouldn’t have stopped Mindy—it might’ve even made things worse. And if she’d offended Alexandre on top of that, she’d be caught in the crossfire from both sides.
Hera’s decision wasn’t one of romance—it was strategy. And Alexandre, despite the emotions stirring in him, respected her for it.
"Thank you, Mr. Arnault," Hera said with a polite smile before turning to leave.
Alexandre stood still, watching her retreating figure like a forlorn puppy. A part of him wanted to chase after her, to selfishly pull her into his arms and never let go—but he knew better. He could sense the line she had drawn, the boundaries she wouldn’t let anyone cross too easily. If he pushed too hard, she would only pull away further, and he wasn’t willing to lose even the smallest connection he had with her.
No, he would have to take it slow. Gently. He would need to inch his way into her heart—perhaps even into the heart of her harem—and earn their acceptance before hoping for hers. After all, if a woman had her guard up despite feeling the spark, sometimes the best way in was through those closest to her. Win over the people she cared about, build trust, and wait for the right moment.
A new plan quietly took shape in Alexandre’s mind as he stared thoughtfully at her back, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
What he didn’t realize, however, was that three pairs of eyes were still watching him—two with clear amusement, while the third belonged to Minerva, who remained a little dazed. So many emotions had flashed across the scene that she hadn’t been able to keep up. She only blinked out of her trance once Hera’s silhouette had completely vanished.