She Outshines 172
Chapter 172
As Joy’s revtions stirred up a frenzy on campus, Athena had already returned to her personal
apartment, immersing herself in work and research,pletely indifferent to the chaos around her.
The university orientationsted three days, with the final night dedicated to a ss meeting before
the two-week military training began.
She nned to go to school on the third night.
hus, like Joy, who had captivated the entire school, Athena made her appearance in the ssroom
on Wednesday evening. t only did her ssmates notice her, but students from other sses also
crowded by the windows and doors to catch a mpse of Athena.
ven as Athena
a**to head back to her dorm, a throng followed behind her.
Athena wore a mask, unfazed by the attention.
After all, it wouldn’t take long for everyone’s novelty and curiosity to wear off, and they wouldn’t pay
her as much mind.
Moreover, even though she had entered university, she had previously arranged with the school that
she would attend very few sses, only showing up for important activities and exams.
The teachers were aware of her capabilities and wouldn’t pressure her to attend their lectures, as
they didn’t want to hinder her studies and research.
With military training starting on Thursday, Athena, like the other freshmen, didn’t dare stay upte
and went to bed on time.
Before falling asleep, she called Matthew.
His phone was still turned off.
Next, she called Louis.
Louis exined, “The conditions over there are harsh, and the signal is poor. It’s hard to get
through.
“I only manage to have a brief chat once in a while. Three nights ago, several hundred rebels
launched a nighttime attack on the office area. Mr. Graham led over a hundred well-equipped andN?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
trained mercenaries to engage the rebels.
“Mr. Graham’s side should have the advantage, but the rebel leader escaped with his trusted aides.
Mr. Graham pursued them relentlessly, engaging in guerri warfare in the surrounding area, which
is why his phone is even harder to reach.”
Athena asked, “Aren’t you worried about him?”
“Of course I am,” Louis replied. “But Mr. Graham has undergone professional military training during
his summers and winters in school, so his fieldbat skills are on par with professional soldiers.
With his advanced equipment and your gift for self-defense, he should be fine.”
Athena nodded. “Okay, I’ll be participating in closed military training tomorrow, which willst for half
a month. I hope to hear good news by then.”
During this training, the departments with the most male students were sent to an external military
training base, including the Aerospace major.
During military training, all students had to turn in their phones and were not allowed to leave. If
someone needed to make a call, they had to apply for it, and important calls from the outside were
conveyed by designated personnel.
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Athena filled her free time with reading,pletely disconnected from the outside world. Thus, she
had no idea that during this half month, shocking photos and videos detailing her family’s poverty
and the hardships her family endured had gone viral on campus, including private information about
the Donovan family.
Campus forums, Facebook, and especially student groups for the Aerospace and history majors
were rapidly sharing these images and videos.
This sparked widespread discussion across the school.
[I’ve heard she’s poor, but I didn’t realize it was this bad. So many people crammed into a small,
run-down two-bedroom apartment, and it’s still lessfortable than the school dorins.
[She seems more like a Cindere at best.]
[With the weekending up, let’s head to the Food Court for some barbecue. It’ll be a nice way to
pay respect to our future inws.]
[Wow, Athena’s brother was ditched at his wedding because he couldn’t pay the bride’s father’s
medical bills? They dated for seven years, and he went to court over a measly twenty thousand
dors, forcing the bride’s family to move away from Kitmore City.]/
[I heard Athena was switched at birth and grew up in a wealthy family. She only returned to the
Donovan family two months ago. The Donovan family often demands favors from the Kennedy
family and has received quite a bit, now they are renting a rtivelyrge house.]
[There are two seriously ill elders, a disabled child in the Donovan family, and Athena’s two-brothers
have gone missing. Some say one got involved in tel fraud and the other ended up in prison.]
[Athena’s elder sister might be her father’s illegitimate daughter. Her younger sister could be her
mother’s child from an affair. The Donovan family is such a mess. Could Athena be an illegitimate
child too?]
Various rumors spread to every corner of the campus.
This was all orchestrated by Lucas, Zoe, and Gia.
They took advantage of Athena’s inability tomunicate with the outside world during military
training to spread half- truths and rumors on campus.
Two days before the end of the military training, they used various means to delete these photos,
videos, and revtions from campusworks and student groups, while also warning students
against spreading rumors under the guise of departments, teachers, and student councils.
Students ceased to openly discuss the Donovan family’s issues, but privately they felt that since the
higher-ups had intervened, these revtions were likely true.
For the average student, whether Athena and the Donovan family were rich or poor, respectable or
not, had nothing to do with them.
However, for those envious of Athena orpeting with her, these rumors became tools for
attacking her.
Soon, military training concluded.
As Athena left the training base, she dialed Matthew’s number, intending to invite him to dinner at
her family’s restaurant.
However, Matthew’s phone was still off.
So she called Louis again.
After a long wait, Louis answered, his voice hoarse. “Hello, Miss Donovan…”
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Concerned, Athena asked, “Are you sick?”
There was silence on the other end.
moment, she realized something. “Something happened to Matthew?”
If nothing had happened, his phone wouldn’t be unreachable.
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After several more seconds, Louis answered with bitterness, “Miss Donovan, you’re so smart. Even
if I wanted to hide it, I couldn’t.”
Athena frowned, waiting for him to continue.
“Mr. Graham has gone missing.” Louis’s tone was heavy.
Athena gasped, u
how to respond.
She thought, ‘Matthew is such a smart, strong person, wealthy and well-prepared. How could he
just disappear? Could this be one of Matthew’s schemes?’
Louis seemed to sense her thoughts, his voice filled with more anguish. “I can’t believe it either, but
Mr. Graham has been unreachable for over a week. No one can contact him.”
Athena’s eyes darkened, her voice deepening. “Take your time and exin what happened.”
It seemed Louis was drinking water. After several seconds, he finally said, “Thest time you called
me, Mr. Graham was pursuing the rebel leader near the mining site.
“The rebel leader was cornered and fled into the rainforest with a few trusted aides.
“Despite everyone’s objections, Mr. Graham went in alone, and then he lost contact. We can’t reach
him by phone.”
His calm demeanor contrasted with Athena’s increasingly serious expression, her heart tightening
with worry.
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