She Outshines 6
Chapter 6
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Athena narrowed her eyes, a cold smirk ying on her lips as she watched the scene unfold in front
of her.
The man taking pictures was Lucas Harper, and beside him stood Zoe Murray-her defeated rival.
There was another man with them, someone Athena didn’t recognize, but he had the same smug
look on his face.
Athena stepped calmly to the side, positioning herself protectively in front of ire. “What are you
doing here?” she asked. her voice steady, without a hint of fear.
Zoe shed a bright but fake smile. “Athena, we’ve known each other for years. Now that you’ve
finally found your birth parents. I just had toe to congratte you in person.”
Athena’s smile was faint, unreadable. She knew the gossip about her not being the Kennedy
family’s real daughter had spread like wildfire, and all those who envied her or hated her were
eagerly waiting to see her fall
Zoe, who had always seen her aspetition, was no different-ready to strike now that Athena’s
shield of privilege had fallen.
But Athena kept quiet, letting them make their move first.
Wesley, unaware of their true intentions, greeted them warmly. “So, you’re Athena’s friends! We’ve
prepared lunch. Why don’t youe up and join us?”
“Dad, I’m not close with them,” Athena interrupted, her smile unchanged. They’ve just been bugging
me, so don’t feel like you have to entertain them.”
Wesley’s smile faded, and he turned to Zoe and the others with a cold re. “If Athena doesn’t want
to see you, then I’d appreciate it if you left.”
Athena added calmly, “Dad, Mom, please head upstairs first. I’ll take care of this and join you soon.
Wesley’s face grew serious. “No, you and your mother should go home first. I’ll handle this.
.Before Athena could say anything, Zoe cut in loudly, “Athena, how can you say that about us!
“Untilst night, you were the pampered daughter of the Kennedy family, the second richest in
Kitmore City. You grew up in a mansion, rode in luxury cars, and had servants at your beck and call.
“Now you’ve been tossed out and reduced to living here like some stray. We came as your friends,
bearing gifts, and you say we’re not close?”
Athena didn’t flinch as she had seen and heard worse before.
But Wesley and ire turned pale at Zoe’s words. Their eyes filled with guilt and sadness as they
looked at Athena, clearly wanting to say something but too afraid to speak.
Zoe, Teli
relishing the moment, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. She grabbed the fruit basket from her
boyfriend and ripped off the wrapping paper with a sneer. “Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, I bet you’ve never
seen fruit like this before.
“These are imported blueberries, Athena’s favorite. They go for over 60 dors a pound. We got
them just for her. Since she doesn’t want us upstairs, you can take the basket. After all, she won’t
be able to afford luxuries like this anymore.”
Zoe’s original n had been to film Athena’s new home and post it online, but after seeing the run-
down apartment building, she found it so repulsive she didn’t even want to step inside.
Wesley and ire’s faces flushed with anger, ready to explode.
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Chapter 6
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Before they could react, Lucas chimed in with a nasty grin. “Athena, we had something special
once, didn’t we?”
“Last night was unforgettable. Didn’t you leave your clothes and underwear in my car?” Lucas
sneered. “I even promised to bring you back to the Donovans, but you just vanished on me.”
His mind shed back to the previous night when he’d driven around in his sports car for hours,
desperately searching for Athena.
It wasn’t until near dawn that he found out from the Kennedy family’s maid that she’de home
before midnight. The memory fueled his rage, and he vowed to make her life a living hell until she
begged toe back to him.
Lucas’s words were far more vicious than Zoe’s taunts, and by now, a small crowd of elderly
residents and children had gathered, whispering and pointing at Athena.
“Isn’t that Wesley’s daughter? The one who was kidnapped as a kid? She’s so beautiful, but how
could someone so young get mixed up with a man like that? It’s just not right,” one resident
muttered.
Another chimed in, “I heard a wealthy family adopted her. She must be used to living in luxury.
How’s she ever going to adjust to the modest life of the Donovans?”
Their remarks were like needles piercing Wesley and ire’s hearts, filling them with pain.
ire, trembling with rage, clenched her fists and red at Lucas with tear-filled eyes. “If you keep
ndering my daughter, I.. I won’t stand for it..” she stammered, her voice shaking with emotion.
Wesley silently rolled up his sleeves, ready to confront Lucas.
But before he could act, Athena calmly stepped in front of him. Dad, Mom, please trust me. I can
handle this. You both should go home first,” she said, her toneposed and reassuring.
Wesley wanted to argue, to tell her she couldn’t handle them on her own, but the determination in
her eyes stopped him. There was a quiet strength in her gaze, a promise that she wasn’t bluffing.
He realized he needed to respect Athena’s wishes., Taking ire’s hand, he whispered, “Let’s go
upstairs and watch from there. If she needs us, we’ll help chase them off.” ire looked at Athena,
then at the gathered onlookers, her eyes brimming with tears. After a moment, she nodded. “Okay
Once they were safely upstairs, Athena stepped forward with grace, her smile serene and
unbothered. “Zoe, even if I’m living here now, I’m still smarter, more beautiful, and more elegant
than you. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never measure up to me.”
Her words cut Zoe deep, right where it hurt most.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.