She Outshines 54
Chapter 54
Louis walked over and opened the car door. “Wee, Miss Maria.”
Maria hopped out of the car, beaming. “Mom, Dad, Arthur, Josie, and Athena-you’re all really here! I
was so worried 1 might’ve gotten into a sketchy car and was being scammed.”
She rubbed her nose sheepishly and added, “But then I thought, who’d bother scamming someone
like me? I guess I was j just overthinking it”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you say you couldn’t get the night off? How did you manage to
come here?”
Maria shot a grateful nce at Louis. “He called me and said his boss wanted to treat our family to
dinner, and it wouldn’t be the same if I wasn’t there.
“I told him I had to stay at the shop, so the driver he sent bought out all the fruit tea. The manager
let us close early after that.”
When Louis called her, the luxury sports car he’d sent was already waiting outside the fruit tea
shop. The driver had been incredibly polite, even buying every drink in the store, causing a small
commotion and earning plenty of envious stares.
Maria had never been treated like this before; it felt like something out of a drama, and she could
hardly believe it was real..
It wasn’t until Louis video-called her and showed her that her parents were indeed with him that she
finally felt safe enough
to get in the car.
The Donovan family turned to look at Matthew, their expressions softening a little.
Athena smiled and said to Matthew, Thank you for bringing her here.”
Matthew responded politely, “It was my pleasure. This way, please-
He guided everyone into the club, pressed the elevator button for them, and led them to a private
room on the top floor. Inside, a table full of delicious food was waiting, the dishes still hot and
fragrant, clearly just prepared.
This perfectly timed meal was another sign of Matthew’s thoughtful nning.
Matthew even pulled out a chair for Athena, with the air of a gentleman. “Miss Donovan, please take
a seat.”
The Donovan family exchanged looks. Though they still weren’t fully on board with Matthew, they
had to admit he was treating Athena with genuine respect.
Athena, a bit flustered, sat down. “Oh, thank you.”
The others waited for Matthew to sit before taking their seats.
Louis remained standing, serving soup to each person and asking whether they preferred wine or a
non-alcoholic drink, before pouring ordingly.
Only after finishing these tasks did he sit down next to Maria, saying politely, “Both Mr. Graham and
I are Miss Donovan’s friends. This is just a casual gathering, so please rx-no pressure to drink,
just enjoy yourselves and have a good time.”
His warm, courteous, and attentive manner made the Donovan family feel respected, unlike when
they had been in the hotel lobby earlier, where they felt more like they were being watched as a
spectacle.
Matthew smiled and raised his champagne ss. “T’d like to first toast Miss Donovan and celebrate
her excellent exam results. As her friend, I’m truly proud of her aplishments.”
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Athena raised her ss of juice and clinked it against his. “Thank you.”
餐:97%
After finishing his champagne) Matthew poured himself another ss and raised it again. “This next
toast is for Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, as well as Miss Donovan’s brother and sisters. Miss Donovan is
lucky to have such a loving family, and I’m genuinely happy for her.”
The Donovan family loved hearing those words, Even Arthur’s expression softened a bit. They all
raised their sses and exchanged toasts with Matthew.
After finishing the second drink, Matthew took a sip of soup and said. “Please, Miss Donovan,
everyone, make yourselvesfortable.”
Seeing him begin to eat, the others finally picked up their forks and spoons.
Matthew kept quiet after that, leaving Louis to take over the role of keeping the atmosphere lively.
As he ate, he introduced the background and cooking methods of each dish, mixing in some funny
anecdotes and lighthearted jokes. asionally, he would help Maria and Josie with some food,
which quickly put them at ease.
The Donovan family was clearly enjoying Louis’s hospitality. Maria and Josie, in particr, quickly
warmed up,ughing and chatting with him as if they had known him for years,pletely rxed.
Meanwhile, Wesley and ire quietly observed Matthew while eating.
Arthur, on the other hand, couldn’t help but keep scrutinizing Matthew, searching for any ws.
But even he had to admit, Matthew carried himself with grace and never showed the slightest hint of
disrespect toward their
Athena
What really irked him was how Matthew and Athena looked ridiculously well-matched sitting
together.
Although Matthew seemed focused on his meal, he was actually observing the Donovan family, too.
He quickly noticed Arthur’s phone, Josie’s watch, and Maria’s handbag, all of which caught his
attention. These weren’t just ordinary luxury items.
Given the Donovan family’s financial situation and connections, it seemed unlikely they could afford
such high-end pieces He thought, ‘Could it have something to do with Athena?’
Seizing a moment while Athena went to the restroom, Matthew casually remarked, “Mr. Donovan,
your phone has a really tasteful design. Where did you get it? I’ve been thinking of getting one
myself.”
Arthur grinned smugly. “Athena gave it to me. You can’t find it anywhere. Jealous?”
Arthur thought, ‘What’s so special about being a big shot? Even someone like him can’t buy this
phone, no matter how much money he has
“Definitely jealous, Matthew replied with a smile. “Where did Miss Donovan get it?”
Arthur chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Not telling you.”
Matthew just smiled back and didn’t press the issue. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
When Matthew didn’t say anything for a while, Arthur couldn’t hold back anymore. “You don’t live in
Kitmore City, do you? So how did you and Athena even-meet?”
Wesley and ire also put down their forks, their eyes sharp and focused on Matthew,
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Chapter 54
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Matthew paused briefly, and when he noticed Athena returning, he said, “Miss Donovan, Arthur is
curious about how we met. Is it okay if I share?”
Athena blinked. “Of course.”
The way they met waspletely aboveboard, and she hadn’t shared any secrets with Matthew, so
there was nothing to hide.
Matthew then exined, “A friend of mine was sick and really wanted to be treated by the famous
Dr. Annie.
He briefly recounted how he sought Athena’s help to reach out to Annie for Lucy, though he
deliberately left out the part about Lucy’s identity, simply saying he was helping a friend.
Hearing this, the Donovan family visibly rxed.
They thought. So far, Matthew seems like a decent person-going out of his way toe to Kitmore
City for a friend and treating Athena with respect. Normally, someone like him probably isn’t up to
anything shady!
At the same time, they couldn’t help but feel tempted, thinking, Dr. Annie is clearly very skilled-
maybe we can ask Athena to help arrange for her to treat our elderly rtives as well?
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