Under the Heiress' Facade

Tyler had asked Hera three times what she was doing in the office. He was clearly extraordinarily curious and determined to find out. Her phone vibrated in her pocket again. She figured it was probably Bernard.

She had been out for quite a while now. Hera didn't want to waste time with him, so she gave a random excuse.

"I was looking for some information."

"What information?" Tyler pressed.

"What are you doing here?" Hera dodged the question and asked in return.

Astral Nova's staff always wore uniforms with the winged dragon emblem, which was their logo. But Tyler didn't have one.

Moreover, this was Astral Nova's administration building. Most paparazzi were at the auction, not here.

"I'm here to save you, of course."

"How do I know you're not the suspicious person they're searching for?" Hera eyed him.

Tyler tried a different approach when he sensed she wasn't as easy to fool as he had thought.

"Since you're disobedient, I'll just have to turn you over to them."

Tyler grabbed Hera's hand as he spoke and started dragging her toward the administration building.

Hera was startled and tried to break free, but he was too strong for her.

Suddenly, a stone flew toward them. Tyler quickly released Hera to avoid it. The stone flew past them and hit a wooden bench with a bang, leaving a dent.

In that brief moment when he let go, Hera noticed an amethyst ring on his left thumb, though she couldn't make out the patterns on the ring.

She paused and recalled the last time she saw Astral Nova's grandmaster. He was also wearing a ring then.

"Catch him!"

A stern shout came from behind.

Hera turned to see several men in Astral Nova's security uniforms rushing toward them. Bernard was walking steadily behind them.

Hera's eyelashes fluttered as she obediently stayed where she was, ready to adapt to the situation.

However, the security guards sprint past her. She realized that Tyler had somehow managed to slip away.

Only one guard stayed behind, perhaps it was because they noticed that Hera was a woman. He had a stun baton in his hand as he conducted a routine check. "Which floor are you from? What are you doing here? Show me your invitation card."

"Fourth floor. I came out to use the restroom and got lost."

Hera lowered her gaze and handed over her invitation card.

After verifying the card, the guard returned it to her and then asked Bernard, who was walking over, "Is she the one you're looking for?"

"Yes," Bernard replied before he shifted his gaze to Hera.

"Are you alright?"

Hera glanced between Bernard and the guard. Then she shook her head like a frightened young girl before approaching Bernard. He found her clever act somewhat endearing.

"Don't wander around. Please return to the auction hall," the security guard warned her before joining the others in pursuit.

Once they were gone, Hera breathed a sigh of relief and looked up.

"Bernard, why are you here?"

"I waited for you for a long time, and you didn't answer my calls. So, I got worried and came to check."

He glanced in the direction where the guards had gone and asked, "Why were you with him?"

Hera started walking in the direction Bernard had come from.

"I left the restroom and got lost. When I heard a commotion over here, I came to take a look. That's when I bumped into him. I was just asking him for directions."

Bernard followed behind her.

"Oh? Why was he pulling you?"

Hera only kept quiet.

Seeing her like that, Bernard suddenly stopped and looked at her.

"Sweetie, are you hiding something from me?"