Chapter 897 She Knew
It frustrated Xavier. He couldn’t let down his walls with someone else watching, so instead of breaking down, he redirected that tension by bickering with Alexandre. Ironically, without realizing it, the exchange helped ease the tightness in his chest. It wasn’t the emotional release he expected, but it was something, and it left him feeling just a little lighter.
As for Alexandre, his refusal to leave wasn’t out of disregard for Xavier’s emotions. The investigation into Hera’s accident was still ongoing, and he wanted to be the first to update Xavier and the rest of Hera’s close circle and her harem with any findings. Maybe it was strange, even to himself, that he was being so considerate of his love rivals. But deep down, he understood: if the others couldn’t accept him, Hera might never fully accept him either.
After all, he was the outsider disrupting the balance they’d managed to maintain. Fitting in, gaining their trust, wasn’t just the smartest move. It was the only way forward.
While Hera slept, unaware of the storm brewing around her, and while the two continued to bicker, the investigation into her accident took a dramatic turn. The mastermind behind it all was beginning to panic.
The Arnault family had stepped in, exerting immense pressure on the authorities handling the case and mobilizing every available resource to uncover the truth. With their influence in play, no amount of money or connections could shield the culprit any longer. Fear had begun to creep in.
Meanwhile, Dave had contacted the Parisian government and secured approval to bring in his own team of investigators. With their green light, the case was now being escalated to an international level. The discovery of tampering in Hera’s car shifted the narrative; it was no longer just an accident; it was attempted murder. And now, they were hunting for the person responsible.
Hera’s growing status only intensified the urgency. She was no longer just a rising star or a celebrity; she was being recognized as a national treasure. Not only was she an internationally acclaimed jewelry designer, but also a world racing champion. She had every right to be treated as a figure of national pride, and with that came higher levels of protection and global recognition.
Typically, such titles were reserved for elderly figures, guardians of tradition or history. People like the last surviving artisan of an ancient embroidery technique, or a musician who could still perform on rare traditional instruments. Sometimes, it was granted to medical pioneers whose breakthroughs helped humanity. But now, someone like Hera, young, talented, and already leaving a mark on both culture and sport, was being given the same honor.
But Dave didn’t pull strings to give Hera the title of national treasure just because he could. It wasn’t a decision made out of personal desire, but one rooted in belief. Hera was a multi-talented figure, a positive influence not only in the arts and sports but also in advocacy, especially for women. She represented change, and many people supported that change.
Still, there were critics. Some were skeptical, accusing Dave of using his authority for personal gain. His political rivals seized the opportunity to chastise him, using the appointment as ammunition to question his integrity.