After changing, Hera stepped out of the bathroom, acting as though nothing unusual had transpired. She busied herself with drying her hair using a towel, her movents casual yet purposeful. Just as she erged, a knock ca at the door.
"Miss Hera, Mr. Hendrix," a crew mber called from outside. "Our team has finished packing up. Manager Danny asked to let you know that we’re ready to head out and celebrate."
There was a brief pause, as though he had rembered sothing important, before he continued, his tone brimming with excitent. "Oh, and the award ceremony for the race is about to start. It was delayed earlier because the champion passed out from exhaustion, but the organizers have rescheduled it for us. Manager Danny said you should head out first to receive the trophy, and then we’ll all celebrate together—with the trophy in hand!"
Typically, the award ceremony takes place imdiately after the race, with organizers setting up a temporary platform to crown the champion and runners-up.
However, since Hera had passed out earlier, Danny requested the organizers to delay the ceremony or allow him to accept the trophy on her behalf.
Danny also ntioned the challenges they faced just to make it to the venue, which resonated with the organizers. Understanding the strain Hera must have endured, they agreed to postpone the ceremony for two hours.
Normally, the audience would begin dispersing after the race, but this delay coincided with lunchti.
Many attendees took the opportunity to grab a al before returning to their seats, ensuring no one missed the ceremony.
The extra ti not only allowed everyone to recharge but also gave the organizers a chance to set up the stage more efficiently, sparing them from rushing around in chaos.
This arrangent ultimately benefited everyone and made the delay more than worthwhile.
After all, who would want to leave and miss the chance to see the real Phantom receive the award in person?
In the past, it was always Phantom’s sponsor who stepped forward to handle such ceremonies, while Phantom would slip away quietly after the race.
But this ti was different. For many, it was their first opportunity to see their idol up close, and loyal fans were more than happy to wait, eager to witness this rare and unforgettable mont.
Hearing this, Hera suddenly rembered the award ceremony and felt a pang of embarrassnt for staying holed up in the room, caught up in her ti with Leo.
She stole a glance at him, only to find his gaze still fixed intently on her, a small smile playing on his lips.
Flustered, she quickly looked away, her cheeks growing warm, but the sound of Leo’s hearty chuckle filled the room.
He walked over to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Let’s head out; everyone must be waiting," he said gently, his tone warm and affectionate.
He knew he’d been a little sneaky, stealing Hera’s ti, but he hadn’t anticipated how quickly things would escalate into a passionate ’quickie’ mont between them.
When the two stepped out of the room, Dave’s fuming face lood over them, his lips pursed in a pout as he glared accusatorily at Leo.
He looked like he had just spotted his arch-nesis erging victorious. Luke, on the other hand, simply raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity before returning to his phone, typing away without further reaction.
anwhile, Xavier was engaged in conversation with Danny and the others, his attention elsewhere.
They acted as if nothing had happened, careful not to make Hera feel uncomfortable, even though they were all keenly aware of what had transpired inside the room.
If bla were to be assigned, it would fall squarely on themselves for not seizing the opportunity like Leo.
Xavier, however, wasn’t overly concerned—he had ensured to take his ti with Hera the night before, leaving him content for now.
Luke, on the other hand, already had a calculated plan forming in his mind, confident in his approach.
The only one still clueless was Dave, who struggled to figure out how to win Hera over while fending off the ravenous wolves surrounding her.
Each of them was well aware of the others’ intentions, their silent rivalry simring beneath the surface.
Yet, they collectively agreed to keep it under wraps, ensuring Hera remained oblivious to their unspoken competition, so she wouldn’t feel burdened or caught in the crossfire of their affections.
Since Hera had fallen asleep earlier, her live stream had gone on break. However, her fans remained patiently in the streaming room, eagerly waiting for it to resu so they could witness the award ceremony and see their idol again.
During this ti, Hera’s popularity had soared to new heights. Not only had she gained more followers from her ho country, but viewers from around the world who had watched the race also began flocking to her account.
These international fans actively sent her virtual gifts on the platform. Though most were modest contributions, the sheer volu of thousands of gifts quickly added up.
Behind the scenes, Betty and Daisy were beaming with pride and satisfaction as they watched the flood of support pour in.
Their hard work was paying off, and the success was undeniable.
The sponsors who stood by Hera during her challenging tis experienced a remarkable surge in both sales and stock values, thanks to her growing popularity.
In particular, the six families—represented by Leo, Luke, Dave, Xavier, Zhane, and Rafael—gained significant publicity and recognition.
By proactively supporting Hera and ensuring their family crests were displayed on her car, they caught the attention of countless fans and curious observers.
This curiosity led people to research Hera’s sponsors, discovering their strong reputations and high-quality products.
Trusting in Hera’s choices, many began purchasing these products in bulk. Smaller sponsors, in particular, found themselves overwheld with demand, their warehouses struggling to keep up.
To address this, many sponsors shifted to processing new orders directly from their factories, ensuring they could et the growing enthusiasm and loyalty of Hera’s expanding fanbase.
Because of this success, those who once mocked and laughed at Hera’s sponsors—confident that their investnt in her would lead to failure—were now seething with envy.
Unlike them, who faced backlash and a series of misfortunes due to Larry and Gerald who manipulated things behind the scenes, Hera’s sponsors were thriving.
They were earning profits in abundance without the need for elaborate marketing strategies or publicity stunts.
All they had to do was sit back and watch their sales skyrocket, reveling in their decision to stand by Hera.
The contrast couldn’t have been bigger—while their competitors struggled with regret and resentnt, Hera’s supporters were basking in their success, enjoying the rewards of their loyalty, and perhaps even chuckling in their sleep at their rivals’ misfortune.
After Hera stepped out, she was guided outside by Danny, accompanied by nearly the entire team.
Together, they made their way toward the award ceremony. Despite the conclusion of the race, no team had left the venue yet—everyone was eager to witness the presentation.
As Hera walked through the crowd, she drew a variety of reactions. Many gazed at her with admiration, impressed by her great skill.
Others looked on with skepticism, while a few couldn’t hide their jealousy. Among them was the brunette who had mocked Hera earlier, now seething in silent envy as Hera basked in the attention.
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