Under the Heiress' Facade

Hera had only just left the office with Tyler when she saw Bernard coming toward them. Her heart leaped to her throat. When he said he was attending a banquet this evening, she hadn't expected it to be this one!

Bernard's eyes lit up when he spotted Hera. A smile curled his lips, and he looked nothing like his usual aloof self as he appraised her. She looked like a temptress in her black, fitted dress that accentuated her curves.

However, his smile faded when he noticed she had left the office with Tyler. A dark look passed over his face as he assessed the duo.

Bernard approached Hera and shrugged off his jacket. He draped it over her shoulders and wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her toward him and away from Tyler. "Cover up the next time you're attending an event."

She felt a little embarrassed to have been caught with Tyler, so she did not put up a fight as Bernard pulled the jacket around her and buttoned it up. At this point, he might as well swaddle her.

"Don't be such a killjoy, Mr. Killian. The dress was designed that way. Have you no appreciation for art?" Tyler asked, clicking his tongue in mock disapproval.

Bernard cut him an icy look. "Only single scumbags like you would want women to dress in mere scraps of fabric." With that, he led Hera away as if Tyler were the plague.

Tyler gaped after him. If anyone was a scumbag, he reckoned it was Bernard.

Bernard did not stop until they entered the banquet hall and staked out a quiet corner. He turned and assessed Hera coldly. "Don't get too close to him, and don't ever go into a room alone with him again! Especially when you're dressed like that!"

Sensing his anger, she placated, "Yes, yes, whatever you say. Don't be jealous, all right? You're the only man I like."

Only then was Bernard appeased. He pointed at his lips. "And?"

Hera fell silent. She glanced around the hall at the busy crowd. Some were rubbing shoulders and clinking glasses, while others were on the lookout for Raven. Everyone was huddled in groups and talking among themselves.

When she made sure no one was looking their way, she rose on her tiptoes and pecked him on the lips.

Satisfied, Bernard asked despite already knowing the answer, "What are you doing here?"

Hera spotted Gideon hovering nearby, nursing a glass of wine as he chatted with a few other guests. She gestured in his direction and said, "I came with Gideon. Would you like to greet him?"

A bemused look flashed in Bernard's eyes. He was admittedly impressed with her seamless acting.

"All right." He played along, intending to see how long she intended to keep up the act.

The event kicked off at 7:00 pm when the emcee announced Damian as the opening act of the anniversary party.

After Damian had performed a song

on stage, Theo, the CEO of XS

Corporation, took to the stage to deliver his speech. The lights above the audience dimmed, and the crowd was abuzz with activity.

Those who were on the lookout for Raven, Vulcan, and S were probing each other's intentions, hoping to find allies in their hunt.

A few hackers were exchanging and cross-checking information, confirming that they had not seen any guests whose invitations were addressed to Vulcan, S, or Raven.

Hera observed the crowd silently and spotted Rhett and his son nearby. Neither looked too happy, and she could only assume their minivan chase went awry.

Theo wrapped up his speech,

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following which the audience was left to mingle among themselves. Just then, a loud bang sounded from the far corner of the hall. The quests turned toward the sound.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Two children were arguing at the moment. The taller child had shoved Gino against the claw machine, hence the loud bang. "I saw the claw machine first, so why'd you cut me in line?"

Gino's back had hit the sharp edge of the claw machine. The pain made him see black spots in his vision, but he stubbornly rose to his feet and retorted, "The video game console is inside the claw machine. The rules say we get three tries each to pick up the console, and whoever picks it up gets to keep it.

to

"You guys cheated! You're hogging the machine even though you didn't pick up the console after three tries. Do you think you're all that just because your cousin is a hacker on the guest list?"

The taller child noticed the crowd's questioning stares and snapped, "I do think I'm all that! Why don't you have your brother help you if he's good at programming too?"