As they stepped out, Xavier, Luke, and Dave were all taken aback by the grand reception.
They exchanged glances and turned to Leo, assuming he must have used his ’Hendrix’ surna to intimidate the airport staff, especially after he had casually ntioned that the airport was owned by the Hendrix and the Avery.
What they didn’t know was that Cindy had sent a notice to the airport, and the storm had already passed—many airlines had been ousted.
Word of the shake-up quickly spread, and the remaining staff, anxious and fearful of facing the sa fate as those who had been dismissed, went into overdrive.
Stress and unease made them extra diligent, all while walking on eggshells, knowing that Hera Ainsley was the true heiress of the Avery family.
"Welco, honored guests," the head of staff greeted with a deep bow.
"Allow us to escort you to your private lounge and assist with the check-in of your luggage."
The entire staff followed suit, bowing respectfully, their hands elegantly positioned in front of them, behaving with the utmost deference—as if serving royalty.
"Tsk," Dave clicked his tongue at Leo, disapproving of how he had perhaps overplayed his hand.
If it were discovered that Leo was only from the branch family of the Hendrix, it could easily backfire and provoke retaliation against Hera.
Dave’s dissatisfaction with the situation was clear, but his sharp click of the tongue unintentionally unsettled the staff.
They quickly misinterpreted it as a sign of dissatisfaction with their service, and beads of sweat began to form on their foreheads as they anxiously awaited further instructions.
Dave couldn’t say anything, as revealing the truth would blow their cover.
’Fake it ’til we make it,’ he thought, settling into the role.
He moved alongside the others, confident that, as high-profile individuals like himself, they could easily disguise Leo in their group and convince everyone of their fabricated story.
However, this was just Dave’s assumption.
Leo, having caught the knowing look Dave shot his way, said nothing in return. Instead, he simply shook his head in quiet resignation.
"Stupid," Leo muttered under his breath, but Dave still caught it.
Fuming, he had no retort to offer. Luke and Xavier, however, didn’t pay him much mind, continuing on as the head staff led the way.
It wasn’t until they passed that the other staff mbers exhaled in relief, their tension finally easing.
Only then did they notice the person resting on Xavier’s arm, her face hidden beneath the hoodie, adding to the air of mystery surrounding her.
Curiosity grew, especially after they learned she was, in fact, the elusive heiress of the Avery family.
The question now lood: If Hera was the real heiress, then who was the one studying at Princeton and openly posing as her, taking over her identity?
A sense of drama hung in the air, sparking their innate curiosity.
Their gossipy nature flared up, and they began trailing behind Hera’s group, keeping their voices low as they pretended to be at the ready, should the VIPs need anything.
Soon after, they arrived at the private lounge, which was spacious and exuded luxury.
Massage chairs were neatly arranged around the room, along with soft, plush black leather sofas centered around the long coffee table.
Attentive staff stood by, ready to assist with any requests.
Soft music played in the background, and the lounge, a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport, felt like a world apart.
Inside, the noise of announcents was completely absent, leaving only an aura of calm and quiet.
On one expansive wall stood a large aquarium, ho to a stunning array of ornantal fish in every color and shape, its value easily surpassing $30,000 for each ornantal fish.
The arrangent was nothing short of spectacular, sure to impress any collector of rare and beautiful fish.
Behind them, rather than the view of planes taking off and landing, was a serene display of lush Chinese bamboo and other ornantal plants, enhancing the tranquil ambiance of the room.
The lounge itself was vast, divided into two distinct areas: one designed for relaxation, and the other a dining space where guests could enjoy a al while watching planes take off and land from the runway.
Even for frequent travelers like Luke, Xavier, and Dave, this was their first ti experiencing such a lounge.
The VIP lounge they typically used was located in a different area and was nothing like this in terms of luxury.
Sure, their usual lounge was top-tier, but in comparison to this one—especially with its exquisite food selection—this space felt more like a presidential suite, while the VIP lounge they were accustod to seed a step below.
Nearby the dining area, there was a serene, small man-made pond with the soothing sound of a small waterfall, where koi fish gracefully swam.
The scene exuded an oriental tranquility, making them feel as though they were there to experience more than just a al.
The ingredients were of the highest quality, with so flown in directly from their sources.
Even the flowers adorning the space were airlifted from renowned flower districts, showcasing rare and exquisite blooms.
"This is..." Dave began, but the words caught in his throat.
He was at a loss, unable to find the right words to express his amazent.
The airport itself boasted a five-star rating, offering top-tier facilities and services, but this lounge felt like a hidden gem on an island brimming with treasures.
"This is the private lounge reserved exclusively for the direct descendants of the Hendrix and Avery families, but not for the branch family" Leo explained, but as the words left his mouth, he realized his slip-up.
He had already revealed that he was from a branch family, and with Hera’s identity still a secret, his explanation was not only confusing but flawed. Leo pursed his lips, lowering his gaze in quiet frustration.
But Dave misinterpreted Leo’s reaction, thinking it was a subtle worry that the staff would find out about him being from the branch family.
With a sympathetic smile, Dave placed a hand on Leo’s shoulder, giving him an understanding pat, as if to say, ’I get it, no need to explain further.’ Leo, however, only saw Dave’s expression as annoyingly patronizing.
Xavier and Luke heard Leo’s explanation but didn’t give it much thought.
To them, as long as the goal was achieved, the details didn’t matter.
The two of them settled onto the long sofa, with Xavier gently cradling Hera’s form against him, careful not to disturb her slumber as he adjusted his position.
Luke, on the other hand, stretched Hera’s legs out onto his lap and began massaging them slowly, his touch light and soothing, though still mindful of her comfort.
As soon as Xavier and Luke settled onto the sofa, Danny and the rest of the National Race Team staff erged from the other side of the lounge.
They ca to an abrupt halt when they saw Luke, Xavier, Dave, and Leo together, with a bundle resting on Xavier’s arm.
Although they were accustod to encountering important people, the sight of so many in one room was overwhelming—sothing they weren’t quite used to.
Their enthusiasm quickly faded, and they froze, like startled quail, hesitant to disturb Hera’s peaceful sleep.
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