Chapter 66
Hera shuddered when she heard that cockney-like voice. Her expression hardened, her face turning cold as she slowly turned around and responded, her voice stiff, “Mr. Hill, I am Hera Lewis, the CEO of Baroque Electronics. You may address me by my name or as Ms. Lewis.”
The Hill family was a powerful clan in Jonford, owning several large-scale companies and dozens of smaller ones. Some of Baroque Electronics’ suppliers were even controlled by the Hill family. Though Hunter’s incessant pursuit disgusted her, Hera had little choice but to tolerate it—for now.
“But, Hera, hasn’t your grandfather already agreed to our relationship?” Hunter’s face twisted in faux sorrow, his chubby cheeks puffing as he spoke.
Herman had publicly announced that the Hill family could propose a marriage between their families—under the condition of a dowry no less than fifty million dollars. While that sum was astronomical to most, it was nothing to the Hill family, who possessed assets in the billions. Moreover, as the sole heir, Hunter’s grandfather was more than willing to pay the dowry and was even prepared to spend an additional five hundred million dollars for the wedding. The real prize, however, was that the Hill family had promised to place Hunter in charge of their largest company once the marriage was sealed.
“I already have a fiancé, Mr. Hill. Please, have some respect,” Hera replied coolly, her face an emotionless mask as she waved him off.
Hunter persisted, his voice taking on a more insistent tone. “But Hera… hasn’t your fiancé already been kicked out? He’s just a country bumpkin who can’t offer you anything.” He gave a small, derisive laugh. “The only thing he’s got going for him is martial arts, and I can pick up martial arts too, if that’s what you want. My family has experts who’ve reached the ninth division of inner energy…”
Hera felt her patience wearing thin, her head beginning to pound. She was about to snap when, just in time, Skadi hurried over, two followers in tow, dressed in their white martial arts uniforms. Skadi was wearing an aquamarine gown that shimmered under the lights, and her eyes sparkled with energy as she walked confidently toward Hera. Her smooth black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the soft glow of her pale skin, coupled with her delicate collarbones, made her look almost otherworldly.
Skadi’s arrival didn’t go unnoticed. Several rich young heirs stopped mid-conversation and turned their heads toward her.
“Who’s that beautiful girl?” one of them asked, his voice tinged with admiration.
“She’s stunning!”
“Isn’t that Skadi? The tomboy?”
“From the martial arts association, right?”
The mention of her name immediately caused several heirs to avert their gaze. Skadi was well-known—not just for her beauty, but also for her boldness and fearlessness. As the granddaughter of the martial arts association’s head, she had no qualms about putting anyone in their place. Of the ten men who had ever tried to woo her, eight had received a painful lesson in humility.
“Skadi!” Hera rushed to meet her, grabbing her hands in delight. “You look gorgeous today…”
Despite knowing Skadi for years, this was the first time Hera had seen her dressed up like this. Skadi feigned offense, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t I always look gorgeous?”
Hera stuck her tongue out, grinning cheekily. “How could you look gorgeous when you’re usually dressed like a guy?”
“Wow, I can’t believe you have the guts to say that to my face!” Skadi laughed, extending a hand to pinch Hera’s waist.
“Don’t! Don’t—ahh, you’re tickling me!” Hera squealed, laughing and begging for mercy.
The two of them playfully teased each other, their interaction a visual delight that caught the attention of everyone nearby. Hunter, still watching them, was so captivated by the scene that he nearly started drooling.
But then Skadi’s sharp eyes locked onto him. She immediately remembered how her best friend had been complaining about him for days, and her smile vanished, replaced by a cold glare. “One more look, and I’ll gouge your eyes out,” she warned, her voice icy.
The other young heirs, though intimidated by Skadi’s reputation, would have kept their distance. But Hunter was not so easily deterred. He was unimpressed by her threat—after all, Skadi’s martial arts skills were said to rank only around the fourth or fifth division. To him, her martial arts championship was nothing more than a farce. It was clear that the competition had been organized by the martial arts association, so anyone with a brain could tell how biased and unfair it had been.