CHAPTER 915: CHAPTER 915 GROW UP

Just like Hera had pointed out before, Xavier lacked a true sense of wealth. He never cared much about his family’s fortune and had grown distant from them over the years. But now, thanks to Hera, though she probably didn’t even realize it, Xavier had started to rethink everything.

Finding out that Hera was far wealthier than he ever imagined was a blow to his ego as a man who was supposed to be the provider. The idea of always relying on her, like some useless sugar baby, didn’t sit right with him.

It made him feel immature and selfish.

He felt immature for never realizing what he had been neglecting all this time: his family’s hard work, their legacy built over decades, and the sacrifices they made for him.

And selfish, because he only ever thought about what he wanted to do, how he felt, and what mattered to him, without once considering his family’s efforts, their dedication, or what might happen to their business if it ended up in the hands of outsiders. If he, their own son, wouldn’t step up to protect what they built, then who would?

He used to believe that money didn’t matter, that chasing his own dreams was enough. But what about his parents’ sacrifices? What about the legacy they built? Sure, they could hire a professional manager to run the business, but would that ever compare to a family member truly taking responsibility?

These realizations hit Xavier hard. And it was all because of the time he spent with Hera, watching her work tirelessly, dabbling in business, and juggling multiple responsibilities. At first, he assumed she was doing all this because she was short on money.

But later, he learned the truth: her grandfather could hand her billions in pocket money without blinking. She wasn’t doing it out of necessity; she was building a future. That struck Xavier deeply, and it finally pushed him to grow up and step into the role his family had always hoped he’d take.

And that realization hit Xavier harder than he wanted to admit.

So, on their way home, somewhere above the clouds inside the private jet, Xavier quietly leaned his head on Hera’s shoulder as she slept. He listened to her steady breathing, her face looking peaceful yet tired after everything that had happened in Paris and the judgment she had to face. As she rested, he fell into deep thought, quietly reflecting on his future, on what it would truly take to walk beside her as an equal.

Sure, being an international actor was amazing, and it brought him millions each year. But his family’s business could earn him billions. And now, he realized, he’d been fighting the wrong battle all along.

He could’ve treated acting as a passion, used his fame to strengthen and elevate his family’s business, and taken up the CEO position without abandoning what he loved. That way, he could ease his parents’ worries, honor their legacy, and still live a fulfilling life.

He had been so stubborn before, convinced that happiness could only be found on one path. But now, sitting beside Hera, he finally saw that he could have both; he just hadn’t been willing to see it before.

But now, watching how hardworking and driven Hera was, Xavier couldn’t help but feel like a slacker in comparison. The realization made him chuckle quietly to himself as he gently pinched her nose.

"I should be the one thanking you... for showing me a different path, one where I can be happy, and so can my family," he whispered softly near her ear.

Hera, deep in sleep, didn’t stir much, only puckering her lips slightly in response, which made Xavier smile wider, his quiet laughter vibrating in his chest.

Maybe Xavier wasn’t the only one having a change of heart. Even Antoine, who originally just tagged along with Alexandre for the ride, found himself unexpectedly inspired. Unlike Xavier, who distanced himself from his wealthy background, Antoine had leaned on his family’s influence far too much. He never really had the chance, or the reason, to grow up.

But after hearing that Alexandre planned to move abroad to expand their international product line and pursue new ventures (not to mention chase after his future wife), Antoine felt a sudden spark of motivation. It all happened so fast.

Alexandre’s parents were initially reluctant to let him go, but once they learned he was doing it for their future daughter-in-law, his mother packed his luggage herself and even arranged to ship local delicacies abroad to help him "bribe" Hera’s inner circle and win their favor.

His father? He nearly shoved him onto the plane himself. They were thrilled that their famously abstinent son was finally seeing the light, and maybe, just maybe, they’d get some grandchildren.

As for Antoine’s parents, they cried tears of joy, not because he was leaving, but because he was finally growing up. No more late nights partying in shady bars, no more wasting his life away. The fact that he was ready to learn from Alexandre and take his first steps toward becoming a proper businessman was more than they could ever hope for. So they gave him their full support... by kicking him out of the house.

To make sure he couldn’t back out of this spontaneous life decision, they cut off his cards and banned him from returning until he "manned up." So now, whether he liked it or not, Antoine was stuck in a foreign country with no money, no safety net, and no choice but to work as Alexandre’s assistant for the foreseeable future.

And so, in the end, the ones who truly gained the most were their families. As for Hera’s worries? Turns out, there wasn’t really anything to worry about. After hearing everything, she couldn’t bring herself to leave them behind, not when they’d practically been kicked out of their homes, no matter how nicely it was framed. Especially Antoine.

But luckily, Antoine bounced back fast. One minute, he was crying about being thrown out of the house, and the next, he was running around like an excited kid the moment he saw Hera’s private jet. It was like a switch flipped; now he was dreaming of seeing the bigger world and even imagining himself becoming as formidable as Hera.

After all, they say, surround yourself with like-minded people if you want to grow. And Antoine took it to heart; he figured if he stayed close to successful, wealthy people, some of that magic might rub off on him. Maybe one day, he’d return home in glory, no longer the black sheep, and his parents wouldn’t dare kick him out like a little beggar ever again.

The very next day, their little group finally arrived in Hera’s home country. They exited through the VIP gate, where airport staff warmly greeted them, and Hera’s bodyguards wheeled out their luggage. Some security personnel were already in position, as word of Hera’s itinerary had leaked to the paparazzi. As expected, a large crowd had gathered outside, paparazzi flashing cameras and eager fans waiting with excited energy buzzing in the air.

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I also want to give a huge thank you to Itslaoni, Shell_Rodriguez, Parvati_Patel_3665, Jennifer_Z_1847, Daoist642842, Terri_Wright_3929, and Chaney_Clark_9368 for all the Golden Tickets and your amazing support! I’m truly grateful for each and every one of you, thank you so much, as always, girls!