The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress-Chapter 1058 Cutting Off Ties 5

"Very well..." the Bellard man said in a low voice. His eyes, however, were murderous, dark and predatory, as if he were ready to swallow the assistant manager whole. Though the guards restrained him, his gaze alone was enough to send a chill down her spine.

Still, she held her ground. She refused to be intimidated. Yet her instincts as a woman screamed in warning, a sinister dread clawing at her chest as unease settled deep within her.

Then, just before turning away, the Bellard man cast Hera a fleeting look, one laced with the same cold, unsettling malice.

The Bellard man shook the guards’ hands and began escorting Alice out. But just before stepping through the door, he paused, fumbled in his chest pocket, and tossed a golden card onto the marble floor. The metallic clink echoed through the silent hall, a clear message: that he didn’t care about the membership, and it was a deliberate slap at Hera’s people.

By now, Alice had also cut the livestream. The netizens had already spun their own theories, buzzing across the internet. Ending the livestream only amplified the speculation, potentially good or bad for her, but Alice didn’t care. She was already infamous online, and in her mind, she had achieved her main goal, which was making Hera look petty and spiteful in front of Zhane and Rafael.

Her new backer’s obvious anger had been directed squarely at Hera, and while Alice hadn’t executed her full plan perfectly, she had gained an unexpected advantage.

Her backer now seemed to utterly despise Hera, and given how malicious and vindictive he was, Alice was certain he would do everything in his power to take revenge, not just on Hera, but on everyone around her who had humiliated him in front of so many. Even the assistant manager wasn’t safe; Alice suspected the woman might not walk away from this unscathed.

As Alice and her backer stepped out into the entrance, the cold wind brushed against her exposed arm. She shivered, but the chill only sharpened her senses, reminding her that everything that had just happened was real.

A thrill ran through her veins: delight, anticipation, and a dark excitement at the thought of what might soon befall Hera and her allies. Seeing that her backer still stood firmly behind her only emboldened her further, fueling her confidence and sense of invincibility.

"Baby... I’m sorry. This is all my fault..." Alice pouted, her eyes reddening as she lowered her head in a gesture of submission. She knew exactly what he liked, and those are women who understood their place, who bent and yielded without needing to be told. This was why she was certain he now despised Hera to the core.

Hera hadn’t just humiliated him in public; she had challenged him in the way he hated most. She had stood her ground, unapologetically independent, wielding her influence and competence as if she could rival a man’s authority. To him, that wasn’t strength; it was an unforgivable provocation. And Alice knew that nothing enraged him more than a woman who refused to bow.

The man looked down at Alice just as she lifted her head. Her reddened, bunny-like eyes shimmered with innocence and grievance, so pitiful that his heart softened despite himself. The sight stirred his ego, made his masculinity swell; she looked so small, so dependent on him, and he reveled in it.

"Don’t worry," he said calmly, confidence lacing every word. "I’ll avenge you. I’ll show them they’re nothing more than specks of dust. We don’t bow to people who dare test my patience." His lips curled slightly. "That woman in the wheelchair, I’ll deal with her personally. And when I’m done, I’ll make sure you get the last laugh."

He pressed a kiss to the top of Alice’s head just as the valet pulled the car up to the curb. The valet hurried over, handed him the keys with a respectful bow, and stepped aside. Mr. Bellard opened the door for Alice and helped her into the car.

After closing the door, he paused and cast one last glance toward the entrance they had just left. No one was there, but in his mind, Hera’s silhouette still lingered. A glint of malice flashed through his eyes as a wicked smile spread across his lips. He licked the corner of his mouth, then turned away, slid into the driver’s seat, started the sports car, and drove off.

Meanwhile, inside the venue, after Alice and her new backer had left, the assistant manager did her best to lighten the atmosphere and led Hera and the others toward their reserved room. By then, the staff who had gone to the parking lot were already making their way back to the entrance.

Not long after Hera’s group entered the reserved room, the UE’s staff arrived as well, only to be met with surprise when they realized that Hera and the others were just arriving too.

"Oh? Director? You’ve just arrived as well? Then why didn’t we see you in the parking lot?" one of the staff exclaimed as they hurried over.

The director was already seated with Hera and the others at one of the largest round tables. Given the size of the group, several round tables had been arranged around them, one reserved for the staff, while the bodyguards naturally positioned themselves at the farthest table, keeping a discreet but watchful distance.

Not long after everyone settled in, a group of musicians arrived, each carrying different instruments, flutes, stringed pieces, and others meant to soothe rather than overwhelm. Soft music soon filled the air, blending seamlessly with the gentle flicker of lantern light reflected across the lakeside.

Then came the true surprise.

Staff of the Pavilion began releasing small lamp boats onto the lake, interspersed with floating flower lanterns. One by one, they drifted across the water, their warm glow shimmering against the dark surface. The sight was so breathtaking that the female staff were the first to gasp in delight, instinctively pulling out their phones and hurrying closer to capture the moment.

This was the kind of scene one would normally only witness during grand festivals or special events. The lake itself was expansive, and with so many lamp boats and flower lanterns floating together, the view became nothing short of mesmerizing.

Coupled with the cool night breeze and the calming music, it felt as though they had been transported back in time, into an ancient imperial banquet attended by emperors and empresses.

With the pavilion’s architecture modeled after an old palace, the illusion felt complete. For everyone present, the experience was utterly surreal, as if they had stepped into a world far removed from their own.

"Oh my god! This is absolutely amazing! I have to take a short video and post it to my story; my friends will be so jealous. Heehee." One of the girls exclaimed as she started recording.

But halfway through, she hesitated. This establishment was known for valuing privacy, and there were rarely any photos or videos circulating online. That alone suggested filming might not be allowed. She glanced toward the staff of the Pavilion, seeking confirmation.

To her relief, the staff merely smiled and gave a small nod.

Only then did she continue recording. Seeing that she wasn’t reprimanded, the others relaxed as well, their caution fading. Soon, they crowded near the wide-open sliding doors, phones in hand, eager to capture the breathtaking view.

Caught up in their excitement, they completely forgot about the question they had meant to ask earlier: why the director and the others had arrived directly inside instead of coming through the parking lot.

Soon after, the night’s dishes were served, the chef’s special selection. Every ingredient was premium, flown in from different countries, items that were usually difficult to procure and far too expensive for an ordinary meal.

As several waiters approached, pushing metal carts laden with carefully plated dishes, the UE staff, who had still been lingering by the doors, admiring the view, hurried back to their seats. One by one, the exquisitely presented plates were placed on the table.

The food was so visually stunning that for a moment, no one dared to touch it. They could only stare, reluctant to disturb something that looked more like a work of art than a meal.

"They look absolutely amazing... but I can’t bring myself to touch them. It feels like I’d ruin their beauty," one young man said, biting his lip. He was already hungry, yet he hesitated, unwilling to disturb something that looked like a masterpiece.

His reaction made Hera chuckle. She understood the feeling all too well; she had been the same way when she first returned to her family as their heiress. To her, this hesitation was part of the experience itself.

"Don’t overthink it," she said gently, smiling at them. "Eat while it’s still warm. Once it gets cold, the taste changes, and then you really won’t be able to appreciate it. Besides, you might break the chef’s innocent heart."