Under the Heiress' Facade

Hera texted Piglet, saying, "That offer has expired. Now it's two hundred times the price."

Piglet messaged, "Oh my gosh! Are you messing with her? Or are you intentionally taking advantage of the situation? Either way, I love it!"

Hera smiled when she imagined the look on Queenie's face upon receiving this message. She set her phone down and continued with her breakfast.

As breakfast neared its end, James got up to fetch the car keys.

"Hera, the driver's off today, and I happen to be free. I'll take you and Gino to school," he said, trying to sound pleasant.

Gone was the dignity of the former head of the household in this fawning demeanor.

Hera glanced casually at him, unimpressed by his attempt to curry favor. She didn't refuse, but it was Gino who objected first.

"I'd rather not ride in the same car as this country bumpkin even if I have to walk to school myself!"

He strode off arrogantly with his small backpack slung over his shoulder. Gino was still sulking over the fact that Hera did not choose to stay in his study.

However, as he reached the yard, he pretended to tie his shoelaces and paused his steps. He figured he could reluctantly agree to share a ride with Hera if she asked him.

But then, he saw Hera shoot him a casual glance before getting into the car. Even James didn't try to persuade him. The car started and drove away.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

As the car pulled away, leaving Gino standing in the yard, a surge of disbelief washed over him. He was left behind. The situation left him pondering if he was truly their biological child.

In the car, James kept his eye on the road while occasionally glancing at the back seat passenger through the rearview mirror.

Hera, engrossed in her game, kept her head lowered. Their positions were now vastly different, though her cold demeanor remained unchanged.

"Hera, what's your relationship with Mr. Killian?" James asked.

He had wanted to ask this question for a while now but hadn't found the right opportunity. He wouldn't have ended up in this situation if he had known how well-connected Hera and Bernard were.

At the mention of Bernard, Hera's hand briefly paused the game. They hadn't contacted each other for several days since that night they parted ways.

"It's none of your business," she replied nonchalantly without lifting her gaze.

James nearly choked. His hot temper would have flared up immediately in the past, but now, he felt powerless. In fact, he had to be shrewd. He recognized the situation and knew not to get angry. He dared not get angry, too.

"Yes, yes. It's none of my business. But can you, for the sake of our father-daughter relationship, help me persuade your brother to let me work at his company?" he asked in a low, pleading voice.

Then, he added, "Any position will do."

Gideon looked down on James and wouldn't let him interfere in the company's affairs, so James had to ask Hera for help.

If he didn't, he was at a loss as to what to do, even considering a job on a construction site.

Hera looked up and glanced at him.

"How about a janitor?"

James remained silent before adding, "Could it at least be a managerial position? After all, I am the face of the Everett family to those on the outside..."

He pleaded with Hera, trying to salvage some dignity.

He had once been a CEO. He felt that making him into a janitor would be beyond what he could tolerate.

"A janitorial supervisor?" Hera suggested.

James hesitated.

He considered her suggestion. He figured that the role of a janitorial supervisor was still a managerial position.