Under the heiress facade

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Chapter 201

A startled gasp escaped Hera’s lips.

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With unexpected ferocity, Hera seized the intruding hand and yanked, following through with a sharp knee kick.

Caught off guard by her sudden attack, Bernard managed to shield himself but was still thrown over her shoulder.

“Sweetie, it’s me…” he groaned out the words.

Seemingly deaf to his words, Hera scrambled up and launched another attack. Bernard relied on his night vision and narrowly dodged her kick. But as soon as he regained his footing, she charged again.

After a brief exchange, Bernard’s curiosity was piqued. Hera’s fighting style was raw and untrained, yet her blows instinctively found their mark, targeting vulnerable areas.

Each time Hera fell, she rose again, seemingly impervious to pain. Her body moved with an instinctive, primal urge to protect itself.

dodging her relentless attacks until he found an opportunity to restrain her. As he held her

called again, but she only

dark. This was far worse than he’d imagined.

don’t be afraid. It’s me,” he murmured, pressing her head against his chest.

but didn’t release

swept the clouds

“Hera…”

Samantha arrived with two flashlights

barbecue and the encroaching darkness fueled her worst fears, prompting her to grab flashlights and search for them.

sight of them brought initial relief but was quickly replaced by alarm. Both were covered in sand, and Hera’s torn dress suggested a

Samantha cried out,

worriedly, “There are no lights here! How could you let her wander off alone? Hera is terrified of the dark! When she was young, she was locked in a dark

emotion as she spoke. Bernard’s heart ached, his grip on Hera

flashlight’s beam seemed to anchor Hera, her struggles subsiding as she

her voice soft as a

by her returning sanity, Bernard gently patted her

voice and scent calmed her slightly, but the