Under the Heiress' Facade

Hera buried her face in Bernard's neck. The faint tobacco scent on him gave her a deep sense of security.

She stayed like that for a while, letting the sudden wave of emotion subside before realizing she'd let her guard down.

As she pulled away, she noticed a damp spot on his shirt collar and felt a twinge of embarrassment.

"I've been missing the steak you make. I thought I'd never get to taste it again," Hera said, attempting to mask her feelings with a cough.

Bernard saw right through her and smiled.

"Just the steak I make?"

He gently tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear as he spoke. The casual gesture left Hera's mind in a whirl, and her skin felt warm where his fingers had touched.

Hera avoided his gaze and replied firmly, "Yes."

"Not the person who makes it?" Bernard asked with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

Hera remained silent.

Her silence made Bernard worry she was about to get angry again, but then she whispered, "Yes."

Bernard's heart soared.

He couldn't resist teasing her, "Who do you miss?"

Hera was speechless. She suspected he was doing it on purpose.

Her beautiful face returned to its usual cool demeanor as she looked at him seriously and said, "I miss you... your steak. I'm hungry."

Bernard chuckled softly. Even for those first three words, he'd make her steaks for a lifetime.

"I'll cook it for you once you're discharged. For now, you need to eat light."

Hera was mesmerized by Bernard's smile. He was already devastatingly handsome, but when he smiled, he was even more dazzling, like an angel. It was irresistible.

Who was he trying to seduce?

Hera turned her face away, determined not to fall for his charm.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Bernard called out, "Come in."

Aaron and Johnson walked in carrying thermal containers. When they saw Hera awake, they greeted her. Johnson noticed the empty IV bag and helped remove the needle.

Aaron's eyes fell on the wet patch on Bernard's collar and asked, "Why's your shirt wet, Bernard?"

He wondered if Bernard had been crying secretly.

His gaze shifted between Bernard and Hera, sensing something amiss. It didn't seem likely either of them would have cried.

Johnson glanced at Bernard and asked, "Did you cry?"

Hera stayed silent as her thoughts raced.

Bernard glanced at her and lied smoothly, "The heater was set too high. I got hot."

Hera remained speechless, but her expression was unreadable.

"What brings you here too, Mr. Ludden?" she quickly changed the subject.

l.neUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

As she turned her head, a sharp pain shot through her neck, like a injury from a heavy blow. Hera rubbed it, wincing.

"Bernard heard about your kidnapping and called me for backup," Aaron said.

"Thanks."

Hera continued rubbing her neck and asked Johnson, "Why does my neck hurt so much?"

She didn't remember injuring her neck.

Johnson frowned slightly. He hadn't

been

of the rescue but had

hear Aaron about Bernard

and Hera's intense battle.

Because of that, Bernard had specifically asked him to monitor Hera's symptoms.