Chapter 974: Chapter 974 Don’t You Love Me Anymore?
Hera’s eyes lit up the moment she saw it. "Oh! These are the tickets Logan sent for his first concert!" she exclaimed. "I remember he mentioned there were only ten of them. Should we all go? I’ll invite Athena and Zen too... maybe even bring Minerva. Hmmm... but then we’ll still be one short for Liz." She frowned slightly, lost in thought.
Zhane chuckled at Hera’s excitement. "Just forget about Leo. He still can’t get out of bed, so why not use his ticket to invite Liz instead?" he suggested.
Hera blinked, realizing she had automatically counted Leo in without considering his condition. With his injuries, taking him to a crowded concert would be far too dangerous.
Events like that were prime grounds for an assassination attempt, and she couldn’t risk Leo’s safety. More than that, she didn’t want to jeopardize Logan’s first concert by creating chaos if word spread that someone had tried to attack them there; such an incident could easily spark a stampede among the audience.
After all, no matter how thorough the security at the concert venue was, the mafia always had countless ways to smuggle their people inside without raising suspicion. That alone made it far too risky to bring Leo.
On top of that, the tickets they received were VIP seats closest to the stage. From one angle, it was an honor—but from another, it was the perfect spot for a sniper to get a perfect shot. The area was open, with no enclosed VIP lounge where they could sit safely, and Hera wasn’t willing to gamble with Leo’s life.
So she dismissed the idea entirely. Although it meant excluding him from this outing, she could only hope Leo would understand. Perhaps it was best not to bring it up in front of him, too, to avoid stirring his frustration or jealousy.
Being confined to a hospital bed was already suffocating enough; he didn’t need a reminder that the others were out having fun while he was left behind.
"Mm, you’re right. Let’s not mention this to Leo," Hera agreed softly. "Besides, the others are busy too, Luke, Dave, and even Xavier might not be able to join us with how much they have on their plates."
"We’ll just check their schedules, and if they’re free, we’ll invite them. If not, then we’ll go without them." Her tone was calm, but in her heart, she was already looking forward to it.
This wasn’t just an outing; it was her chance to support Logan, her junior, and to watch that eagle spread his wings and soar into the sky, carving his own path to stardom as a true genius singer-songwriter. Hera wanted to witness him changing his fate with his own strength.
"Hmm, that works too," Zhane replied with an easy smile as he gently massaged Hera’s palm, helping her relax and aiding her digestion.
"I bet Dave would die of jealousy if he found out, and he couldn’t come..." Rafael chuckled, already debating whether to snap a picture of the golden tickets and send it to the group now, or wait until the day of the concert to make the sting worse.
After all, he planned to drop it straight into their ’Six Musketeers group chat’ just to rile everyone up. Even Leo, despite his amnesia, wouldn’t be spared. In fact, Rafael half-joked to himself that if he annoyed Leo enough, maybe the anger would make the blood rush to his brain, dislodge the clot, and cure him on the spot.
Of course, the truth was much simpler—he just enjoyed being petty and making the others suffer along with him.
"Don’t even think about it..." Zhane shot Rafael a warning glance. He didn’t need to hear Rafael’s plan to know the man was scheming; after all, he was just like Dave, always looking for trouble.
Rafael, however, only pretended not to notice the glare. He kept chuckling to himself, clearly entertained by his own mischief. After dinner, the group settled into the living room to relax.
Hera continued attending her online classes while Zhane quietly read through some medical journals and Rafael napped on the couch. In the middle of her lecture, a notification popped up on her phone. Alexandre had messaged her.
[Alexandre: Good evening, Hera. How are you?]
[Alexandre: Are you free tomorrow night? Let’s catch up, and maybe discuss business. I heard you’re planning to open a jewelry company. Since I’m also trying to establish a foothold here, how about a collaboration? Hmmm?]
[Hera: That sounds nice, but tomorrow night won’t work for me. I’ll be out. Can we reschedule for three days later?]
[Alexandre: Oh? You’re going out with one of your other lovers?]
[Alexandre: ...Sorry. That was out of line. I shouldn’t pry into your private life. Even if I said I’m pursuing you, I think I went too far.]
[Alexandre: I apologize. I hope I didn’t upset you.]
[Hera: No, it’s fine. Don’t worry.]
[Hera: I’m going to a junior’s concert the night after tomorrow. He gave me ten tickets, so I’m planning to bring everyone along.]
[Hera: Though, I’m not sure yet how many can actually come, most of them are tied up with work right now...]
[Hera: Oh! Why don’t you and Antoine join us, too? After the concert, we can talk about the collaboration.]
[Alexandre: That sounds perfect. Just let me know where to meet, and I’ll be there. I’ll bring Antoine as well.]
[Alexandre: Thanks so much for inviting us. I really appreciate it.]
After inviting Alexandre, Hera also sent a quick message to Dave, Luke, and Xavier—a simple copy-paste since she was asking them the same thing anyway.
[Hera: Dave, are you free the night after tomorrow?]
[Hera: Luke, are you free the night after tomorrow?]
[Hera: Xavier, are you free the night after tomorrow?]
Not long after, her phone began to ping with replies one after another. When she checked, it was from the three of them.
[Dave: Sweetheart, I’m sorry. Luke and I are both tied up right now; the shipment’s just around the corner. Were you planning something?]
[Dave: Don’t worry, sweetheart. Once this is all done, I’ll make it up to you, I’ll be glued to your side day and night until you can’t even get rid of me!]
[Dave: Hehehe... but honestly, I really miss you so much.]
[Hera: I miss you too. Don’t push yourself too hard, okay? I’m just going out to attend Logan’s debut concert. He’s my junior, and I really want to show him my support...]
[Dave: Thank you, sweetheart. Take care while you’re out and enjoy yourself. Even if Luke and I are busy, you’ll still have Zhane or Rafael with you. Just treat them as your hands and feet, and if they don’t take good care of you, tell me, and I’ll make sure they learn their lesson. XD]
[Dave: ╭( ・ㅂ・)و]
[Hera: Alright~ ★>d(,,・ε´-,,)⌒☆]
[Luke: Hey, baby, I’ve been tied up working with Dave these days. We’re keeping an eye on the northern faction; they’re planning to smuggle in a new shipment, and Dave’s people are gearing up to confiscate all of it. I can’t afford to miss this one. But don’t worry, once this is done, I’ll make it up to you, I’ll serve you day and night until you’re sick of me ♥]
[Luke: Until then, please be patient with me, okay?]
[Luke: I’ll even sneak into your dreams tonight and maybe do something a little naughty... XD]
[Luke: Haha, kidding. But seriously, are you planning to go somewhere? Do you need company?]
[Hera: I’m just going to support my junior and attend his debut concert. I wanted to bring you along, but since you’re busy, that’s fine too. Just make sure you stay safe during the mission. If you need more manpower, let me know, I can lend you some retired special forces veterans, fully equipped.]
[Luke: ...You’re joking, right? (^-^;)]
[Hera: Nope. I can spare at least a hundred without issue. If you want more, it’ll take a bit longer since they’re based worldwide and I’d need to recall them.]
[Luke: Holy— ahem! No, no, it’s fine, baby. Dave and I have it covered. You should use those people to strengthen your own security detail instead. Keeping yourself safe is the best thing you could do for me, alright?]
[Hera: Alright... I’ll keep myself safe, so you should do the same. Stay sharp, okay?]
[Luke: I understand, baby. I love you <3]
[Hera: Love you too <3]
Dave, who had just set his phone down and was discussing the plan with Luke, only with Luke’s men and his own trusted assistant present, happened to glance at Luke’s screen. The moment he spotted Hera’s reply, the veins on his neck nearly popped in anger. Snatching his phone back up, he furiously typed:
[Dave: Sweetheart!!! Where’s my "I love you"? Don’t you love me anymore? Is Luke the only one you care about now?!]
[Dave: (ಢ⊱ಢ 。)]
[Hera: Alright, alright, don’t cry, I love you too...]
[Dave: Hmph. That’s more like it ❤]