Under the Heiress' Facade

Bernard had no idea what Hera was up to this time but figured that if she wanted to play, he'd play along.

The next day, Bernard left early, stating he had business in Norburgh. He arranged to meet Hera that night at the Astral Nova Auction.

At 7:00 pm, Hera saw her last patient and sent Catherine and Everly back home. Then she asked Wayne to drive her to Astral Nova.

When they were almost approaching Astral Nova, Wayne saw that the area was jammed with luxury cars, and the parking lot was some distance from the auction entrance.

He told Hera in the back seat, "I'll wait for you in the parking lot. Call me when the auction ends, and I'll bring the car around."

At the sight of the cars moving slowly around the roundabout ahead, Hera said, "Just drop me off here. No need to wait for me. You can head back."

"Alright. Call me if you need anything."

Wayne parked the car.

Hera acknowledged him and got out. She walked toward the entrance.

As usual, a security guard checked her invitation card at the door, and then a female staff member in a Jadonish dress escorted Hera inside.

While waiting for the elevator, a familiar female voice sounded behind her.

"Ms. Youngworth? It really is you. Why are you alone? Isn't Bernie with you?"

Hera recognized the voice. When she turned around, she saw another staff member leading Camille over, followed by an assistant.

"Are we that well-acquainted?"

Hera's expression was cool, and her tone was indifferent.

"Who wants to be well-acquainted with you? Camille was simply asking how you can be here if Mr. Killian isn't with you. The Everetts don't qualify to attend the Astral Nova Auction," Camille's assistant remarked sharply.

Then, with a hint of accusation, she added, "Did you sneak in with Mr. Killian's invitation card? Even if you did, can you afford anything here? Last I heard, the Everett family went bankrupt." "Julia, don't speak nonsense," Camille chided.

Smiling at Hera, she said, "Ms. Youngworth, I'm sorry. My assistant spoke out of turn. She was just curious about the reason you're here."

Hera's public identity didn't qualify her for an Astral Nova Auction invitation, so she borrowed Samantha's. She inwardly questioned how it was relevant to Camille.

"You actually hired an idiot as an assistant? Those who know you might think you're kind-hearted, but those who don't could assume you have ulterior motives." Camille was stunned by her words but maintained her smile.

"You"

Julia wanted to retort, but Camille held her back. She didn't think causing a scene here among the wealthy would be good.

Just then, the elevator doors opened. As Hera stepped inside, she glanced at Camille and smirked.

"Why aren't you dressed as Dr. Shadow today, Ms. Chime?"

Camille froze at her words and stared at Hera with wide eyes.

Hera's cool, teasing gaze seemed to pierce right through her. Even when the elevator doors closed, Camille was still in a daze.

"Camille, you're too kind. You let women like that walk all over you," Julia said indignantly.

When Camille didn't respond, Julia turned back and saw Camille looking distracted, so she nudged her.

"Camille, what's wrong?"

Only then did Camille snap out of her daze.

"Nothing."

She entered another elevator absentmindedly.

Julia was puzzled. She sensed something off about Camille but was unable to pinpoint it.

Hera's sudden remark might seem ordinary to others, but to Camille, with her guilty conscience, it was a lightning strike.

"Why aren't you dressed as Dr. Shadow?"

Hera used the word "dressed". Camille wondered if Hera knew something.

However, she quickly dismissed the thought. She had impersonated Dr. Shadow for so long without being exposed. How could Hera know? She convinced herself that she must be overthinking. After calming herself, she reached the sixth floor.

As she passed Room 666-the Killian family's private room-she didn't see either Bernard or Hera.

She told the staff member, "The Astral Nova Auction has strict rules. Please ensure you thoroughly verify guests' identities to avoid any troublemakers."