Under the Heiress' Facade
Chapter 116

Hera dried her damp hair and got into bed to sleep.

In the dimly lit hallway, the door of the adjacent room crept open. Simultaneously, another figureemerged from the staircase landing.

Two figures stealthily approached Hera's door. Their movements halted when they heard eachother.

After a moment of confusion, they both whispered, "Shh!"

The two figures were Gideon and Lilith.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Both whispered in unison. Then, they exchanged knowing glances toward Hera's door.

Light seeped out from under the door, but there was no sound from within to confirm if Hera wasasleep.

"Hera came back alone in a taxi," Lilith said.

At noon, Hera mentioned she had plans with a friend and wouldn't be back for dinner. She had goneout and unexpectedly returned only in the early hours of the morning.

"Yeah, I know."

Gideon refrained from mentioning the black Audi following Hera's taxi. He was wary of exacerbatingLilith's concerns.

Once Hera disembarked and entered the gate, the Audi parked at the corner. It waited there untilshe went inside and only left after a considerable time had passed.

"It's good that she's returned."

Lilith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Did Hera used to come back this late before?" Gideon asked with a slight frown.

"No, not when she lived at home. But after moving out..."

Lilith recalled Giselle mentioning the photo of Hera with a young guy, which left her feeling uneasy.Yet, she also worried about coming off as nagging if she prodded too much.

"What's wrong?"

The tightly closed door abruptly swung open and startled Gideon and Lilith.

At the same time, a thud echoed from the other end of the hallway. It took them a moment to adjustto the light spilling from the room.

Following the noise, they spotted a small figure scrambling up from the floor and dashing nervouslytoward the room.

"Gino?"

Gideon flicked the hallway light on.

"Gino, why aren't you asleep yet? Are you worried about Hera, too?" Lilith asked.

The sudden brightness left Gino momentarily disoriented.

"Who cares if she comes back or not? I just got up to use the bathroom."

After saying that, he didn't bother to replace his other slipper and hastily returned to his room with onefoot bare. He nearly stumbled and left the slipper behind in the hallway.

"I could've sworn there was nothing wrong with the bathroom in Gino's room..." Lilith muttered toherself as she hurried to catch up.

"Gino, let me see if you're hurt."

Gideon grumbled, "Spoiled brat."

Hera was speechless at the scene.

"Is there anything else?"

She looked at her brother as he lingered by the door, not intending to leave.

Gideon cleared his throat and asked, "Where were you tonight? Did you get yourself into anytrouble?"

She glanced at him again with a fleeting hint of caution in her eyes. She wasn't sure why hesuddenly asked these two questions.

"Just went to a party with friends. What's up?"

Gideon noted her reaction and realized she likely wasn't aware of being followed.

"Call me if you're out past ten. I'll pick you up. It's not safe for you to take a taxi back this late," hesaid.

His sister was undeniably beautiful, and he felt a need to watch over her.

Hera paused and thought he knew something. But she realized he was simply concerned for herwell-being. When she returned home that night, she found the living room softly illuminated yetempty.

Assuming everyone had retired for the night, she quietly went upstairs, unaware that they were allwaiting for her return.

A warmth stirred within Hera's heart. It was a gentle sensation that thawed her usual indifferencetoward the world.