The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress
Chapter 863 Xavier Arrived

Chapter 863: Chapter 863 Xavier Arrived

"Thank you so much, Andarta Aria, for sharing such an incredible piece with us—and for your clarification. Please, leave the rest to us," one of the judges said, his tone noticeably gentler as he looked kindly at Hera.

Now that Hera had successfully established herself as the victim, sympathy naturally flowed toward her. The judges regarded her with newfound warmth and understanding. Their softened voices and expressions reflected not only respect but also empathy—because they understood just how devastating it was to pour one’s heart and soul into a design, only to have it stolen and claimed by someone else.

It was a betrayal that struck deep. In truth, at least 20% of the people in the industry had experienced something similar. That shared pain made Hera’s situation all the more relatable and emotional, and it moved many of them to stand firmly by her side.

As for Alice, there was no need to deliberate. Not only was she immediately disqualified, but news of her deceit had already spread like wildfire. Her reputation was in ruins. Being blacklisted was inevitable. Wherever she went, the stain of her actions would follow. Unless she changed her name—and her face—her days as a jewelry designer were effectively over.

Because of the controversy Hera stirred and the dramatic turn of events, none of the remaining candidates’ designs could hold the judges’ or the audience’s attention. Everyone was too distracted, eager to see what would happen next—especially concerning Alice’s fate.

As soon as Hera stepped off the stage, before Antoine or Alexandre could move, a figure swiftly passed them and went straight to her, pulling her into a firm hug. Both men froze in place, eyes widening at the unexpected sight.

"Who are you?!" Antoine demanded sharply, his eyes glaring at the man now holding Hera.

Only then did the man glance their way, though Hera’s face was still buried in his chest.

"Her man," Xavier answered with pride, his voice firm and confident. As he spoke, he instinctively puffed up his chest. After all, this was the first time he and the others had been openly acknowledged by Hera as her boyfriends. The realization sent a rush of happiness and adrenaline through him, and he could feel his heart pounding wildly.

Gently, he cupped Hera’s face and looked into her eyes. "Strawberry, I’m so happy right now. Thank you..."

Hera had just lifted her head from his chest, still trying to understand what Xavier was so grateful and emotional about. But before she could ask, he leaned in and kissed her—right in front of Alexandre and Antoine.

Alexandre’s expression immediately darkened, his intense gaze fixed on Hera, while Antoine’s face turned visibly pale.

Xavier began with a soft peck on Hera’s lips, a fleeting brush of affection. Then, with a gentle bite, he nibbled her lower lip, teasing her. His right hand slid to the back of her head, anchoring her firmly in place, not letting her escape.

"Strawberry, open your mouth," he whispered against her lips, his voice low and coaxing as he planted feather-light kisses between each word.

When Hera finally parted her lips, Xavier’s kiss deepened instantly, turning fervent and hungry. His tongue slid into her mouth with urgency, like a starving wolf finally tasting something he had long craved. He had been overseas for a while, away from her warmth and her touch, and now that she was in his arms again, he wanted to savor every second. He searched for her tongue, tangled with it, tasted her sweetness, and then suckled on it gently, as if trying to imprint her essence into his very soul.

To Antoine and Alexandre, watching from the side, it was overwhelming. It was just a kiss—yet the sensual tension in the air was too overwhelming, intoxicating. Antoine turned away, unable to bear the sight, his chest tightening with the sharp ache of heartbreak. Alexandre, however, continued to watch silently. He didn’t look away.

If he couldn’t endure this—if he couldn’t face the raw intimacy Hera shared with the others—how could he ever stand beside her as one of her seven men? Did he expect her to love only him? Of course not. So he needed to grow stronger, to accept that Hera’s love was vast, not exclusive. From this moment on, he would start preparing himself to embrace her completely, even if it meant sharing her heart.

Hera, overwhelmed by Xavier’s longing and intense desire, felt her heart pounding violently, as if it were about to leap out of her chest. Her fingers clutched at the fabric of his shirt, needing something to hold onto as Xavier deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with such hunger that soft, involuntary moans escaped her lips. Every stroke of his tongue, every heated breath shared between them, sent shivers down her spine.

But amidst the passion, Hera became acutely aware of the searing gazes on them. It wasn’t just Antoine and Alexandre watching—there were still candidates waiting to take the stage, as well as staff and organizers nearby, all of whom had nothing to do with the scandal but now bore witness to this intensely personal moment.

Her face burned hotter by the second. The flush of embarrassment crept down from her cheeks to her neck and ears until her skin blushed a deep shade of red, almost as red as a ripe tomato. And when Xavier finally pulled back, slightly breathless himself and a silver string stretched from his lips to hers, he caught sight of her expression.

"Strawberry, are you okay?" he asked gently, a flicker of worry in his eyes. He hadn’t meant to get so carried away, but he’d been overwhelmed by relief, by happiness, by how much he missed her. He feared he’d pushed too far and left her breathless not just with passion, but from lack of air.

"Hmm," Hera hummed softly, her voice muffled as she buried her face in Xavier’s chest, too embarrassed to look up. Her cheeks were still burning, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet anyone’s gaze.

Without warning, Xavier scooped her up into his arms.

"Ah—!" Hera yelped in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck for balance. But as her eyes darted around, she noticed several people staring at them— candidates, and staff alike.

Realizing they were all watching, her eyes widened, and she quickly let go of Xavier, covering her face with both hands in mortification.

Xavier, however, only laughed—his deep, melodic chuckle vibrating through his chest and against her cheek. The sound made Hera’s face grow even hotter. She wanted nothing more than to disappear into thin air.

Hera peeked through her fingers and shot a glare at Xavier, but to him, it only made her look even cuter. He chuckled again, clearly enjoying her flustered state, and without slowing down, carried her toward the backstage area where the other contestants were waiting.

As Xavier crossed the threshold, every head turned toward them. When they saw Hera in his arms, no one said a word.

They had just witnessed how brilliantly she had stood up for herself—how she had calmly and courageously defended her rights and proved her ownership of the design in front of an enormous audience. More than surprise or judgment, what filled the room now was quiet respect and admiration.