She Outshines 48


    Chapter 48


    Everyone was speechless, thinking. Athena’s words are razor-sharp


    They wanted to scold her, to defend poor Zoe, but they couldn’t say anything.


    Athena’s score was genuinely higher-something she could brag about for the rest of her life. There


    was nothing they could possibly criticize her for.


    Andrew’s expression was as dark as Zoe’s, though fortunately for him, his face was hidden behind a


    mask.


    “Athena, don’t get so arrogant!” he snapped angrily. “It’s just an 70-point difference. What’s so


    impressive about that? You probably cheated—“


    “Can’t ept defeat, can you?” Athena cut him off with a smile. “When you lose, you resort to


    using others of cheating without a shred of evidence. That’s so typical of the Kennerly fattily.


    “And honestly. I didn’t even think it was worth bragging about beating her by 70 points, yet Zoe went


    all out, throwing a grand graduation party just to unt her score, as if she was afraid people


    wouldn’t notice. It’s honestlyughable.”


    p! Zoefch as if she could hear the sting of her own humiliation echoing in her ears. She wished


    the ground would swallow her whole.


    Zoe’s parents looked just as embarrassed. The pride and joy they had felt moments ago vanished


    the instant Athena’s score was revealed, leaving only shame, just like Zoe. If they had known it


    would end like this, they would never have hosted this party….


    “Miss Donovan, Jarred said, his face stiff with displeasure. “Even if you scored higher than Zoe,


    there’s no need to be so condescending…”


    For the sake of Zoe’s dignity, he was ready to “politely ask Athena and her family to leave.


    But before he could speak further, a suddenmotion erupted near the entrance.


    Someone burst into the room, shouting excitedly. “Mr. Graham is here!”


    The name rippled through the crowd like a stone dropped in a pond, causing waves of


    astonishment.


    In an instant, everyone’s attention shifted away from Athena and Zoe. Nearly everyone was asking,


    “Which Mr. Graham? Could it really be that one?”


    t’s that Mr. Graham!” someone who had been smoking outside yelled excitedly. “The one from


    Graham Group-there’s no doubt!


    “Oh my God, what’s he doing here?” People instinctively stood up, inching closer to the entrance,


    eager to catch a glimpse of him-and maybe even exchange a few words.


    “This is supposed to be Zoe’s graduation party. Could he be here to congratte her?”


    “Zoe must have some serious connections. To have so many influential guests, even Mr. Graham,


    at a graduation party…”


    “But Mr. Graham wouldn’t show up just to see the second-ranked student. The Murray family must


    have gone to great lengths to invite him.”


    As the whispers grew, an imposing and elegant figure appeared at the entrance, immediately


    capturing everyone’s attention.


    It really was Matthew. Even those who had never seen him before could instantly recognize that he


    wasn’t an ordinary person


    Chapter 48


    BK90%


    To possess such striking looks would be a blessing, but his presence went beyond mere


    appearance. The air of nobility. elegance, and natural authority that surrounded him was something


    that could only be cultivated through generations of refinement a regal aura that radiated brilliance.


    However, despite the awe, there was a curious buzz among the crowd.


    Matthew was wearing a stylish gentleman’s hat and holding arge bouquet of roses. They thought,


    “Why is he wearing a har And who are the flowers for?


    Almost everyone instinctively stood up, watching him with reverence,


    Zoe’s parents quickly stood up, rushing forward in excitement, their words tumbling over each other.


    “Mr. Graham, what a surprise! What brings you here?”


    On stage. Zoe’s eyes lit up, her cheeks thashed, and she clenched her fists in anticipation as she


    fixated on him. Her mind raced uncontrobly. Could it be that Mr. Graham brings flowers to my


    graduation party because he’s interested in me? Is this his way of getting closer?


    It seemed like a wild fantasy, almost too good to be true.


    But when she thought about it, she was young, beautiful, smart, and came from a respected family.


    Her reputation was impable She thought. Isn’t it entirely possible that Mr. Graham might be


    attracted to me?”


    Meanwhile, both Andrew and Lucas looked distinctly displeased.


    They had been two of the main attractions of the evening, with most of the women’s attention


    focused on them. But now that Matthew had arrived, he hadpletely stolen their spotlight.


    Click, click!


    The reporters, upon seeing Matthew, reacted like starving dogs spotting a bone. They quickly forgot


    about the rare perfect scorer and swarmed toward him, their cameras shing wildly.


    “Mr. Graham, are you here to celebrate with Miss Murray?”


    “What’s your rtionship with Miss Murray?”


    “Was your attendance nned, or did you decide toe at thest minute?”


    Several prominent figures also approached, their faces wreathed in smiles. “Mr. Graham, it’s an


    honor to meet you! I’m…”


    Matthew ignored them all, his gaze fixed on the stage as he strode forward.


    Even though many were eager to chat with him, no one dared block his path, and they quickly


    stepped aside.


    Jarred walked alongside Matthew, beaming with enthusiasm. “We’re honored to have you at my


    daughter’s graduation party. Mr. Graham-


    Matthew didn’t even nce at him, instead striding purposefully up the steps to the stage


    Zoe watched him approach, her mind racing with thoughts of how to greet him.


    She wanted to show her joy and happiness at meeting him, but she also needed to be modest and


    reserved-she couldn’t let him think she was too eager or overly confident.


    Meanwhile, Athena stared nkly at Matthew, wondering why he was there. She thought, ‘Why is


    he still wearing that hat! Does he have some kind of wound on his head that he doesn’t want people


    to see?


    Matthew was only a few steps away from Zoe now.


    Chapter 48


    The crowd watched her with envy, unable to hide their jealousy


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    “Miss Murray’s luck is incredible. She’s the second top scorer and now has caught Mr. Graham’s


    attention. I’m so jealous could cry.”


    “Zoe’s background is decent, but for years, all in the city talked about was Athena, not her. It’s only


    because Athena isn’t the Kennedy family’s real daughter that Zoe had this chance to shine…“


    “At least in terms of men, Zoe finally has the upper hand over Allien…”


    “Compared to Mr. Graham, Mr. Harper and Mr. Kennedy seem unerly ordinary-they’re not even in


    the same league…”


    Zoe was thinking along the same lines.


    If she could really develop something with Matthew, she would be the most envied woman in


    the country. She thought. What will Athena matter then? Being a perpetual runner-up will be


    insignificant.


    Just as Matthew reached her, she eagerly stepped forward and extended her hands. Thank you for


    the flowers, Mr. Graham


    “What are you doing?” Matthew frowned, shifting the flowers aside with a look of displeasure. These


    flowers are for Miss Donovan. They have nothing to do with you”


    Zoe’s smile froze on her face, her hands suspended awkwardly in mid-air.


    It was as if an invisible hand had hit the pause button on her, leaving her stuck in ce, unsure of


    where to put her hands or how to move. The embarrassment and humiliation on her face were so


    evident that even the crowd felt too ufortable to mock her.


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