Chapter 231
Upon hearing that, Hera, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide.
Gideon looked utterly shocked. He didn’t dare slam on the brakes but slowed down instead. Only someone intimately connected would use such an affectionate term. He began to wonder if the old man had already made a move on Hera!
Hera sensed the car slowing down. Afraid that Bernard might say something provocative again and distract Gideon from driving properly, she promptly responded, “We just have a doctor–patient relationship. There’s nothing to say about it.”
Bernard was somewhat speechless.
He was sure that Hera was intentionally giving him the cold shoulder.
Ever since she got the gurdyroot, she had been avoiding him. He speculated that Hera might have discovered he was Grandmaster of Astral Nova. She was angry with him because she thought he had been playing games with her by asking for the photos.
Gideon glanced at Hera. She didn’t seem to be lying. She had mentioned before that she would stay at Bernard’s house just for the convenience of treating him.
However, Bernard calling her “sweetie” made Gideon suspicious that this scoundrel was pretending to need treatment to pursue Hera! Fortunately, Hera was smart and wouldn’t fall for such a trick easily.
With their minds occupied by different thoughts, the three arrived at the hot spring resort. James‘ car arrived shortly after.
That hot spring resort was a popular landmark. It was crowded with visitors to the hot spring every winter, and reservations were required in advance for entry.
It was Christmas that day, and Gideon managed to get the passes through a friend. However, upon arrival, he saw that the parking lot was almost empty. The reception area had only the staff.
“Why isn’t anyone else here?” Lilith murmured.
“The other guests have yet to arrive,” the receptionist explained and smiled.
“Clearly, the place has been cleared out,” Gino said as he crossed his arms and raised his head with a look of disdain.
The receptionist could only smile politely in response. She hadn’t expected kids these days to be so sharp.
“Cleared out?” James was surprised, but then he suddenly felt quite proud.
He had always wanted to do something like this, but even at their peak, the Everett family could only afford to book a five–star hotel for a banquet. Clearing out a high–traffic resort was out of the question, especially now that he was bankrupt.
Lilith, however, looked a bit worried. “Gideon, it’s really not necessary-”
“Mom, this isn’t his doing. His wallet isn’t that deep,” Gino said disdainfully as he gave Gideon a scornful glance.
He was still holding a grudge from the last time Gideon charged him 50 percent interest. Besides, he didn’t believe Gideon had such capability. It must have been Bernard who arranged it. As far as he knew, Killian Corporation owned this resort.
“Are you happy now? Haven’t you noticed that your sister and that man are missing?” Gideon asked with a chilling tone.
It was only then that Gino and the others noticed that Hera and Bernard, who had been waiting in the seating area, were nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile, at a gazebo in the hot spring resort, Hera turned around and questioned, “Why did you follow me?” Her gaze was cold as she stared at Bernard.
“Since you wouldn’t come to me, I had to come to you,” Bernard replied as he looked at her. “I received your gift. Thank you, sweetie.”
Hera was about to say something when she saw him roll up his suit sleeve, revealing a delicate canary diamond square cufflink on his shirt cuff.
It was the exact pair she had returned!