She Outshines 115


    No matter how capable Athena was, writing over 10,000 words day left her exhausted.


    After dinner, she copsed on the sofa and continued watching the idol drama starring Andrew. As


    a mindlessedy, it was actually quite entertaining.


    She went to bed after finishing the show.


    The next morning, while brushing her teeth and feeling refreshed, she opened her phone to check


    the news. A series of eye- catching headlines made her eyes widen: “Over 20 Charming Beauty


    cosmetic surgery centers sued by numerous customers, facing closure risks,” “The country’srgest


    private cosmetic surgery institution hit by scandal, hundreds of customers file jointwsuit”


    Other more shocking headlines caught Athena’s attention. “Over a hundred customers gather at the


    Charming Beauty center in Kitmore City, demandingpensation and public apology,” and “20–


    year–old influencer spends millions at Charming Beauty for surgery, only to be disfigured and lose


    her dream of bing a


    Athena clicked on a video.


    In the video, a young woman faced the camera and cried about her tragic experience at the


    “Charming Beauty” stic


    surgery center.


    You


    tip of my nose? The muscle has necrosed, turned ck. How can I show my face to anyone! When


    I first had my nos. Gane, it cost 40 thousand dors. They imed to use the best materials and the


    best doctors, but my nose crooked shortly after the surgery. The doctor said it was a normal


    phenomenon and that it just needed a touch–up. So I spent another 10 thousand dors on


    revisions, and I’ve had it fixed five times so far.”


    Below this video, there are other rted videos, all using “Charming Beauty.”


    Somements read: “The doctor who did my surgery was a creep. During the procedure, he was


    touching me inappropriately and even posted my private photos online. ording to a former


    employee, many of Charming Beauty’s doctors don’t even have medical licenses or formal medical


    training. They’re just amateurs who learned for two or three months before starting work.” “They


    prefer hiring doctors who’ve been fired from reputable hospitals or have poor reputations. then


    deceive clients into believing their doctorse from major hospitals,” and “Tve seen it myself–the


    hyaluronic acid they sell is expired


    Athena clicked her tongue and shook her head. “There are so many people exposing and suing at


    the same time. It’s obviously a premeditated and organized operation. The Murray family must have


    offended someone. They re in big


    trouble


    The Murray family was indeed in big trouble.


    Everyone knew that the cosmetic surgery and medical beauty industry was notoriously messy and


    deeply troubled, especially private institutions, which rarely stood up to scrutiny


    Moreover, the industry was bing increasinglypetitive. Once apany’s reputation was


    tarnished, no customers would dare to go there.


    The Murray family was in a state of despair.


    Jarred was on a conference call with the familywyer, using speakerphone so that Barbara could


    also listen in


    Thewyer’s tone was resigned as he exined, “I discreetly approached one of the female clients


    and offered her a bencht She revealed that a prominentwyer had contacted them and offered to


    handle their case for free. If they lose the case, they don’t have to pay anything. If they win, all the


    compensation will be split among them. They have no reason to withdraw theirwsuit.”


    BD.


    Jarred asked urgently, “Who is the intiff’swyer? Whichw firm are they from?”


    Thewyer responded, “From the Pivotal Law Firm in the capital. They’re not extremely famous,


    but they are the most professional and experienced in medical disputes in the country. They haven’t


    lost a single case in this area. Mr. Murray, I must be honest–we don’t have a strong chance of


    winning this case.”


    Jarred felt a chill in his heart. “Since you know about the intiff’swyer, quickly contact them and


    try to reach an out–of- court settlement!”


    Thewyer said. “I’ve already contacted them. They refused to settle out of court and said they took


    on this case mainly to seek justice. They’re not willing to discuss anything further. Mr. Murray, I think


    you should think about it carefully. Have you offended any big shots recently?


    Jarred and Barbara looked at each other and shook their heads: “In business,petition is


    inevitable, but we’ve always prioritized harmony. We don’t enjoy fierce conflicts. We consider


    ourselves to have onlypetitors, not enemies.”


    Thewyer replied. “That makes it even more difficult…


    At that moment. Zoe was hiding at the stairwell on the second floor, her face turned pale with


    shock. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and her hands and feet trembled.


    What significant figures had the Murray family offended?


    She recalled an incident.


    Not long ago, she had used foreign hackers to send photos of Lucy allegedly seeing Dr. Annie to


    Matthew’s rival. Shortly afterward, Matthew held a press conference with her third uncle, which led


    to a significant fallout.


    Could it be that Matthew discovered her behind–the–scenes scheming and intended to retaliate


    against the Murray family?


    But she had been so discreet. How could Matthew possibly trace it back to her?


    And besides, this was a minor issue–was it really worth such a grand–scale response?


    Zoe shook her head, thinking it could not be the case.


    Aside from Matthew, she could not think of any other major figures she might have offended, with


    Athena being an exception.


    Downstairs, Jarred and Barbara sighed deeply, at a loss for what to do,


    “The cosmetic and medical beauty center is our family’s cash cow. Once its reputation is ruined, it


    may never recover. Thebined losses andpensation could strip the family of its assets. Yet,


    we don’t even know who we’ve offended, and we have no way to seek an out–of–court settlement,”


    Mr. Murraymented This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Hearing her parents‘ discussion, Zoe was torn between speaking up and staying silent.


    If she spoke up, she might be med by her parents and disappoint them.


    If she stayed silent, the family might not even understand what led to their downfall.


    Her fists clenched and then rxed repeatedly.


    Finally, closing her eyes and steeling herself, Zoe went downstairs. “Jarred. Barbara, I might have


    caused some trouble.” Then she told her parents everything about how she had sent people to


    secretly photograph Athena at the graduation party, *ducatently discovered Lucy’s connection with


    Dr. Annie subsequently sending the relevant photos to Matthew’s


    Jarred and Barabara listened in stunned disbelief, their faces showing utter incredulity.


    Zoe choked up I was very careful. I’m not even sure if this is what caused it”


    It’s definitely Matthew’s doing. Jarred interrupted her, sitting down dejectedly. He sighed and


    continued, “Don’t doubt it Matthew is not as simple as you think. Your little tricks are nothing to


    him.”


    Zoe felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her. Her legs went weak, and she fell to the carpet, tears


    streaming from her eyes int fright. “What should we do? Should I go apologize to Matthew? Com he


    forgive me?


    After making a fool of herself at the school promotion banquet, she turned off her phone and hid at


    home. Other than asionally chatting with Andrew on iMessage, she did not see anyone.


    If someone asked her out to y, she would say that she had gone overseas for a holiday and


    would only be back after the


    summer vacation.


    She was always suspicious and felt that everyone was secretly mocking her. She even suspected


    that her parents were disappointed in her and was extremely sensitive.


    Jarred and Barbara really wanted to scold her. However, when they saw their daughter’s fragile and


    frightened reaction, their hearts softened, and they could not say anything harsh.


    Jarred


    1. d. “We still need to confirm this matter.”


    After saying that, he called the intiff’swyer and asked humbly, “Please tell Mr. Graham that we


    know our mistake and are willing to pay any price to seek his understanding. Please give us this


    opportunity


    The other party was silent for a few seconds before saying, “I’ll pass on the message. That’s all. I’m


    hanging up.”


    Hearing this, the Murray family members felt their hearts turn cold.


    In other words, Mr. Graham was indeed behind thisrge–scale prosecution of “Charming Beauty”


    Zoe immediately burst into tears. “How could this be? It’s just a photo!”


    Jarred sighed. “You’re still young. There are too many things you don’t understand. Lucy is


    Matthew’s Achilles heel. Even if you had attacked Matthew directly, it would have been better than


    targeting Lucy


    Zoe covered her face and wept bitterly. “I know I was wrong. I won’t y such petty tricks again.


    Please find a way to see if we can save the family’s business,”


    She was genuinely terrified. Without the cash cow that was “Charming Beauty,” how much would


    the Murray family’s status and her own value drop?


    If the Murray family were no longer a prominent family, could her ambitions and aspirations still be


    realized?


    Jarred signaled his wife to help their daughter up and said quietly, “I will personally go to plead with


    Mathew. You must promise me, from now on, never to involve yourself with anyone rted to


    Matthew.”


    He paused slightly before saying, “Including Athena”


    Zoe’s heart trembled. After a while, she said in a low voice, “I understand


    In the future, she would definitely keep her cool