The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress
Chapter 853 Day Of The Competition

Chapter 853: Chapter 853 Day Of The Competition

The Next Day

Hera groggily opened her eyes, her chest tight and her breathing shallow. "Ugh..." she murmured, trying to shift her body, but everything felt heavy and sluggish.

"You’re awake?" A hoarse, magnetic voice brushed her ear from just above her head. Her eyes snapped open, and she turned her head sharply—only to find a half-naked Xavier lying beside her, his eyes still closed, his body warm and relaxed. He instinctively pulled her into his embrace, pressing her against his chest.

"Strawberry, let’s sleep a little longer, okay?" he murmured, nuzzling into the crook of her neck with a soft sigh of contentment.

Hera, however, sat frozen, her mind flatlining for a moment before the gears finally started turning again.

"When did you get here?" she asked quietly, turning her face toward him. Her gaze softened when she saw the dark circles under his eyes and the dryness in his usually radiant skin. It was clear—Xavier hadn’t slept at all last night.

"Maybe two hours ago," Xavier murmured sleepily, his voice barely a whisper, as if even answering her had taken effort. Hera didn’t press him further. Instead, she simply watched him for a moment, then gently reached out to run her fingers through his hair.

Xavier responded by nuzzling closer, a contented hum vibrating in his chest like a soft purr. Hera smiled, her fingers gliding through his hair as she lightly massaged his scalp. Within moments, Xavier slipped into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.

The sky outside was still dim, painted in hues of pre-dawn gray. Hera closed her eyes again, wrapped in his arms. His breathing was steady, his warmth grounding. Feeling safe and content, Hera drifted back to sleep in his protective embrace.

Two hours later, Hera woke naturally to the soft light filtering into the room. Xavier, however, was still out cold, sleeping like a log. She carefully slipped out of bed, mindful not to disturb him, and padded over to check her phone.

There were several unread messages.

Luke, Rafael, Zhane, and Dave had all texted her. Each of them had sent her a good morning greeting. Dave had included a picture of his coffee cup, set against the garden of his Château—the very spot they had once shared a quiet date. Rafael sent a shot of his wristwatch showing 6:30 a.m., reminding her sweetly to eat breakfast. Zhane’s message came with a sticker of a fluffy Samoyed dog waving with a "Good Morning!"

But it was Luke’s message that made Hera’s cheeks burn.

He’d sent a casual selfie from bed, showing off his toned abs and messy sheets—clearly just awake. His gray sweatpants hung low on his hips, teasing the sharp cut of his V-line, and... almost revealing too much. The outline beneath the fabric left little to the imagination.

Hera’s face turned bright red. She quickly locked her phone, but not before her eyes lingered a few seconds longer than they should have.

As if scalded, Hera bolted into the bathroom to wash up and collect herself. After freshening up, she slipped into a pair of sleek black elephant slacks and a soft chiffon blouse. She completed the outfit with her Yves Saint Laurent heels, the ones with the iconic YSL logo as the heel. Letting her hair fall freely around her shoulders, she slid on a pair of oversized sunglasses that gave her an effortlessly chic, boss-like aura.

Before stepping out, she made sure to draw the curtains shut so the sunlight wouldn’t disturb Xavier’s sleep. With one final glance at the peaceful room, she quietly exited.

Outside, Liz, Minerva, and Athena were already dressed and waiting. Hera joined them, carrying her Hermes Kelly bag in one hand and a sleek laptop bag in the other, which held her designs and laptop—ready for the day ahead.

Since everyone was already gathered, Hera joined them on the couch. Not long after, cart after cart of delicious food was wheeled through the door. A variety of warm breakfast dishes were rolled in, guided by Hera’s bodyguards as they directed the staff with practiced ease. The food was soon arranged on the balcony table.

Hera and the others followed them outside, where they were greeted by a perfectly clear sky and refreshing air—neither too cold nor too warm. It was the ideal setting for an al fresco breakfast with a view.

Athena happily settled into her seat, picking up a buttery croissant and a cup of hot chocolate. She dipped the croissant into the drink, savoring the combination before turning to Hera with a playful smile.

"Babe, I saw Xavier before dawn. Is he still sleeping?"

Minerva, who had just taken a sip of her coffee, looked up in surprise. "Wait—he’s here?" she asked, clearly startled. She quickly reached for her phone, scrolling through her messages—only to find one from her brother that confirmed it.

[Rafael: Xavier will be there to help out—just let him be. No need to report his every move.]

[Rafael: ...Scratch that. If he so much as clings to Hera like a koala, peel him off. Immediately.]

[Rafael: Don’t let him act like they’re on a honeymoon.]

[Minerva: Mission accepted, Brother! 🫡]

Ding!

[You’ve received a $1,000,000 transfer to your account ending in ####.]

Minerva beamed as she watched her little treasure trove grow. She sent her brother a heart emoji in thanks, only to receive a side-eye "unbothered" emoji in return. Not that she cared—by the end of the day, she’d already racked up nearly five million dollars. That was more than enough to buy the high-tech equipment and camera setup she needed to kickstart her vlogging journey as a beauty influencer, plus some solid marketing.

And since Xavier was still fast asleep, Minerva could relax for now. Her brother only told her to stop him if he clung to Hera like a koala, not to stand guard like a watchdog. As long as Xavier didn’t go overboard, there was no reason to report anything. Besides, her brother wouldn’t know unless someone told him. The thought made Minerva smirk as she took a generous bite of her chocolate croissant.

"Hera, are you ready for the IGI Expressions Competition finale later?" Liz asked, eyeing her curiously.

Hera, unfazed and glowing with quiet confidence, cut into her eggs benedict with elegant ease. "I’m well prepared," she replied with a calm smile.

Liz nodded and continued enjoying her breakfast. There was no point in worrying anymore. She had seen Hera’s growth firsthand and knew without a doubt that Hera had already surpassed her in many ways. So what good would worrying do now? All she could do was watch as Hera spread her wings and soared—high enough to show the world the kind of vision only she could bring to life, and just how far she could go.

Even after they finished eating, Xavier was still sleeping like a log in the room. Before leaving, Hera pulled one of her bodyguards aside and gave specific instructions. "Please have the kitchen prepare a warm bowl of chicken congee for Xavier, along with a few light dishes. He just got off a flight and might still be jet-lagged. Let him sleep in, but when he wakes up, make sure he eats and escort him around. Tell him it’s on my orders."

Hera made sure the instructions were clear—she couldn’t predict what Mindy might try, so she wanted to be extra cautious. Just before she stepped out of the presidential suite, another bodyguard stepped forward to carry her laptop bag, joining Hera and her friends as they walked down the corridor together.

It was still around 9 in the morning, and traffic congestion had already started to build up along the main roads. Hera’s convoy of sleek, black cars drew a great deal of attention as they made their way toward the venue, which was already bustling with reporters, fans, and fashion enthusiasts. Many had come to witness the final showdown firsthand.

After all, the winner of today’s competition wouldn’t just make waves in Paris—they would likely secure a place on the global stage of jewelry design. Major brands were watching closely, eager to recruit the next breakout talent. For many in attendance, this wasn’t just a show—it was an opportunity to network, make connections, and perhaps align themselves with the next rising star.

As soon as Hera stepped out of the extended Rolls-Royce Cullinan onto the red carpet—lined with flashing cameras, celebrities, and renowned designers—she immediately drew everyone’s attention. Her arrival exuded the presence of someone important, perhaps an heiress or a rising industry powerhouse.

The sleek convoy and disciplined formation of her security team only amplified the impression. Her bodyguards exited first, swiftly forming a protective wall around Hera and her friends before escorting them onto the red carpet. Reporters scrambled for a better view, but none could get close, nor snap a clear shot of her. Still, that didn’t matter—her presence alone turned heads. The crowd remained fixated on her and her entourage until they disappeared through the entrance without a single hitch.

"Who is that? One of the sponsor’s daughters or an organizer’s relative?"

"She doesn’t look familiar. More like a foreigner."

"Maybe she’s an investor? A business mogul from another country here to scout for talent?"

The reporters whispered and speculated among themselves, glancing repeatedly toward the entrance where Hera had just disappeared.

____

Thank you, HappyMooseFact, for the Golden Tickets, dear!!!